Trumpet player Max Karreman shared mind-blowing footage of his marching band K&G Leiden playing Metallica’s Master of Puppets—on a brick road, no less—during Streetparade Vlaardingen 2024. Brass, drums, and a heavy metal classic combined to bring the house (or street) down. Metalheads, meet your new heroes.
And Here’s Gen Z Trying to Pronounce 1980s Band Names
John Kotrides, a proud Gen Xer, asked Gen Z to pronounce ’80s artist names like Depeche Mode, Sade, and INXS. Spoiler: it was a beautiful disaster.
“The Medium Is the Message” (1967): Marshall McLuhan’s Avant-Garde Audio Experiment
This 42-minute sound collage transforms Marshall McLuhan’s media theories into an engaging, boundary-pushing auditory experience. Narrated by McLuhan himself, it combines lectures with experimental audio techniques, creating a unique format for his revolutionary ideas. Despite its brilliance, it remains a hidden gem.
My Next Read: “Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation” by Daniel Rachel
n 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.
The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.
Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’.
Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.
Solihull-born Daniel Rachel is a regular contributor on BBC Radio 5 Live and lives in north London with his partner and three children. He is the author of Isle of Noises (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O’Neill (editor), Don’t Look Back in Anger and co-writer of Ranking Roger’s autobiography I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life in The Beat.
The Long-Standing Enigma Of “The Most Mysterious Song On The Internet” Has Been Solved
“Subways of Your Mind” by FEX, released in 1984, is a German New Wave single that gained viral fame as “The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet.” For decades, its origins remained unknown, captivating online sleuths who analyzed its haunting melody and enigmatic lyrics. Identified in 2023 as a track by the band, its rediscovery brought closure to a long-standing internet mystery.
Watch Nine Inch Nails Before And After Their Very First Lollapalooza Festival In 1991
Nine Inch Nails delivered a groundbreaking performance at the inaugural Lollapalooza on July 18, 1991, in Phoenix, Arizona. Showcasing their industrial sound and raw intensity, their set became a defining moment for both the band and the festival, as it didn’t go well as they hoped.
Marvin Gaye’s Isolated Vocals For “What’s Goin On”
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” released in 1971, marked a turning point in his career, addressing police brutality, social unrest, and love for humanity. Initially rejected by Motown’s Berry Gordy, the song became a massive success, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the R&B charts for five weeks. Inspired by events like the Watts Riots and conversations with his Vietnam veteran brother, Gaye produced the track himself, blending lush orchestration with raw emotion.
Kate Bush’s Isolated Vocals For “Running Up That Hill”
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, originally released in 1985, saw a remarkable resurgence in 2022 when featured in Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 4. The song reached number one in multiple countries, including the UK, breaking records for the longest gap between UK chart-topping singles. It also climbed to number three on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing its 1985 peak of number 30. By 2023, it had reached over a billion streams on Spotify.
5 Surprising Facts About Prince’s “Sign o’ the Times”
When it comes to iconic albums, Prince has a slew of them: 1999, Purple Rain, but it’s Sign o’ the Times that tops the list – a universe of sound, creativity, and brilliance. Released in 1987, this double album has become one of the most acclaimed records of all time, showcasing Prince’s unparalleled artistry. But even if you’ve played it a hundred times, there are still secrets hiding in its grooves. Here are five facts about Sign o’ the Times that might just blow your mind:
- “U Got The Look” Almost Didn’t Make the Cut
Prince’s infectious duet with Sheena Easton, “U Got The Look,” wasn’t originally planned for Sign o’ the Times. Created with Prince’s sped-up “Camille” vocal persona, the track emerged from his prolific sessions and ended up as a standout hit. With its heavy beats, live percussion, and sizzling guitar, it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple of the Prince mystique. - The Album Is a Compilation of Unreleased Gems
Before Sign o’ the Times came to life, Prince shelved multiple projects, including Dream Factory, Camille, and Crystal Ball. He salvaged the best tracks from these sessions and reworked them into the masterpiece we know today. It’s like getting three albums in one—and each one is pure gold. - The Linn LM-1 Drum Machine Stole the Show
Prince’s creative use of the Linn LM-1 drum machine gave the album its signature sound. Tracks like “Sign o’ the Times” and “Housequake” feature its unmistakable rhythm, blending futuristic beats with raw funk—a groundbreaking move in the 1980s. - The Title Track Was Written in One Sitting
“Sign o’ the Times,” the politically charged opener, was reportedly written and recorded in a single day. Tackling topics like AIDS, poverty, and nuclear war, Prince’s stripped-down production amplified the gravity of his lyrics, making it one of his most impactful songs. - The Concert Film Is a Visual Feast
Not just a studio album, Sign o’ the Times also became a legendary concert film. Featuring dazzling performances and a dreamlike aesthetic, it captured Prince’s onstage genius. The music video for “U Got The Look” with Sheena Easton, filmed in Paris, adds another layer of visual artistry to the album’s legacy.
From its bold experimentation to its cultural relevance, Sign o’ the Times stands tall as one of the greatest albums ever made. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or revisiting it as a longtime fan, there’s always something new to uncover. So, play (this) in the sunshine!
One Of The Greatest Biopics I’ve Ever Seen – Better Man – Gets An Official Trailer
Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.
I saw Better Man at TIFF, and wow—there’s truly never been a movie like it. Robbie Williams’ story is as raw and electrifying as his music and this film is unlike anything you will ever see.