Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music

The English band Swervedriver formed in 1989 emerging from the shoegaze scene in Oxford. This alternative band blended the hazy guitar textures of shoegaze with a high-octane alternative rock and grunge sound setting them apart from their shoegazing peers.
While not fitting one specific genre, Swervedriver's first two albums, the 1991 debut Raise and and 1993's Mezcal Head, were considered important to shoegaze due to the inclusion of the heavier guitar driven material. The band, which often sung about cars and the open road, would continue to evolve their sound over the following years to include elements of psychedelia, classic pop, and indie rock. 
Swervedriver formed from the remnants of a mid-80’s band Shake Appeal, and during their first run as a band between 1989 and 1998, they released four studio albums and numerous EPs. By the end of 1998 the band had broken up and would reunite a decade later. Since 2008, Swervedriver has toured periodically and released two studio LP’s.
This episode will tell the story of the Oxford band from the pre-band years through the 90’s.

Of all the post-punk artists from the early alternative music era, perhaps none more than The Sound did not get the attention they deserved during their active years. This ground-breaking post-punk band did receive praise from the critics for their brilliant work, but they never achieved the commercial success to go with it.
The Sound formed in South London in 1979 and released their debut studio album, Jeopardy in 1980. The Sound would follow in 1981 with another post-punk classic, From the Lion’s Mouth. They would release three more albums and some EP’s before disbanding in 1988.
The musical genius Adrian Borland was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and record producer for a musical career spanning numerous groups, as well as a solo career, but most notably he was the frontman and the force of The Sound. Borland took his own life at the age of 41 in 1999 after years of depression, mental health and personal issues.  
While many of the peers of The Sound were commercially successful, The Sound have long received acclaim as one of the best bands from the era and well known for their deep lyrics and melodies. Their music has lived on in their fans and new generations discovering their great music.
This episode will look at the years of The Sound, and the work of the legendary Adrian Borland.

The German band Alphaville formed in 1982 and built their music and sound around synthesizers, drum machines, and layered electronic keyboards becoming one of the great synth-pop bands from the era.
The band was co-founded by vocalist Marian Gold and keyboardists Bernhard Lloyd and Frank Mertens. Led by Marian Gold, the band released their debut album, Forever Young, in 1984 which included two classic hits, the title track “Forever Young” and their first single released, the number 1 hit, "Big in Japan". 
Using catchy and lush electronic hooks, moody and cinematic atmospheres, and Gold's dramatic soaring vocals, Alphaville's music often explored bittersweet nostalgia, romanticism, and dystopian futures while influencing subsequent generations of synth-pop and new wave artists.
The band performs today led by Marian Gold, the only original member with the band and who has been a continuous member of the group since their inception.
This episode tells the story of Alphaville and their early days, the classic debut album, the following albums from the band into the 90's, and Marian Gold who has forever imprinted himself in the world of music with "Forever Young".

In the time after their 1984 album Treasure, Cocteau twins continued to evolve from their early atmospheric and dark post-punk music to pioneer ethereal wave and dream pop. This culminated with the masterpiece 1990 album, Heaven or Las Vegas.
Cocteau Twins would release a number of EP's in 1985 building off of the style created on Treasure. The road would continue with 1986’s Victorialand, an album with a more acoustic and ambient feel. Beyond a collaboration with composer Harold Budd that further expanded their sound, the band created a refined and lush, multi-layered guitar and vocal style album with 1988's Blue Bell Knoll. 
Then, Heaven or Las Vegas of September 1990 would be the landmark dream pop album as Cocteau Twins blended shimmering guitar textures and lush soundscapes with Elizabeth Fraser’s emotive, ethereal vocal delivery.
This episode tells the story of the Scottish band Cocteau Twins’ growth as one of the most influential bands going beyond their early years and on the road to Heaven or Las Vegas of 1990. 
The episode will also discuss the albums in the 90’s that followed before the group disbanded in 1997, in part from the disintegration of the romantic relationship between members Robin Guthrie and Elizabeth Fraser. 
This episode continues the story of our earlier first Cocteau Twins podcast from 2025 for the band's early years through their first three albums.

The Mekons arrived during the late 70's UK post-punk scene and still perform today as one of the longest running artists from this era. The band never achieved mainstream commercial success, but has consistently received critical acclaim throughout their career especially in the mid-1980's while blending punk rock with traditional folk and country music to pioneer the alternative-country genre.
The Mekons, or just Mekons, formed in Leeds in 1976 as an art collective with many musicians contributing over the years as they operated on principles that everything is created by the band and not individuals. This uncompromising band has always maintained their political edge with their lyrics and their style has constantly evolved over time to incorporate aspects many genres including country music, folk music, and alternative rock, among others.  
Although The Mekons' lineup has changed from time to time over the years, the core line-up gathered in the mid-80s and is still together today. This includes Sally Timms on vocals and Susie Honeyman on violin, along with founders Jon Langford on vocals and guitar, and Tom Greenhalgh on vocals and guitars.
The Mekons, well known for their exuberant live performances, have released a total of 16 studio albums, starting with the 1979 debut and the most recent in 2025. 
This episode tells the story of the band from formation through the creative work of their albums of the 80’s and into the early 90’s.