Bandsplain

Boots on the ground from Notting Hill, Yasi unpacks the inimitable Elastica with music journalist Miranda Sawyer. Thanks to their angular, concise music, incredible style, and  unapologetic live chops, they seized charts and stages on both sides of the Atlantic in their short but mighty tenure as a band. Miranda puts it best: “Elastica were everyone’s favorite.” CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer  Producer: Liz Sánchez  Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Yasi is joined by Scottish musician and Mogwai frontman Stuart Braithwaite to talk about one of the coolest and most influential bands of all time - The Jesus and Mary Chain. From the chaotic genius of Psychocandy to the velvet-gloved menace of Darklands and through their break up, and make up, JAMC never made a bad album and we posit that most of your favorite bands would never have existed without them. SKIP AHEAD: 47:58 –  First live gig 01:35:13 – Psychocandy (1985) 02:18:52 – Darklands (1987) 03:20:58 – Stoned and Dethroned (1994) EPISODE PLAYLIST: Listen to the songs we talk about HERE. CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Stuart Braithwaite IG: @plasmatron and Mogwai Official Site Producer: Liz Sánchez  Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chloë Walsh, a passionate Scotswoman and Super Furry Animals superfan, dives deep into the psychedelic protest anthem 'The Man Don't Give a F*ck'. She shares the song's origins as a bold B-side against the UK’s Criminal Justice Act, highlighting its chaotic brilliance and cultural impact. Chloë discusses the band's playful creativity, the intertwining of Welsh identity and punk rock, and the festive rave culture of the '90s. Their revolutionary spirit shines through, as does the joy of community and resistance in their music.

Siân Pattenden, a music journalist and dedicated Pulpologist, dives deep into Pulp's journey during the Britpop era. She discusses the cultural impact of their iconic song 'Common People' and the irony of success, contrasting their rise with the challenges of fame. Pattenden also examines themes of class and authenticity in their music, particularly in albums like 'Different Class' and 'This Is Hardcore.' The conversation navigates Pulp's unique storytelling, humor, and the complexities of identity in the music industry, making for an engaging exploration of nostalgia and legacy.

In today’s episode, we trace Pulp's story, starting from high school talent show stars up through the moment they become Britpop major players. Yasi is joined by British music journalist, author, and former Good Mixer regular Siân Pattenden to help red string board the many iterations of Pulp from 1978 through the moment it really clicked with His N Hers in 1994.  EPISODE PLAYLIST: Listen to the songs we talk about HERE. CREDITS: Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek Guest: Siân Pattenden IG: @sian_superman Twitter: @sian_superman Website: Sian Pattenden Producer: Liz Sánchez  Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Chris Ryan, a pop culture commentator and host of The Watch, dives deep into the evolution of Primal Scream, a band known for constantly reinventing their sound while maintaining their core identity. They explore how their transition from the euphoric 'Screamadelica' to the gritty 'XTRMNTR' reflects the shifting cultural landscape of the 90s. Ryan shares personal stories about the chaotic Glasgow music scene and the fascinating dynamics that shaped the band's tumultuous journey, revealing the complexities behind their creative process.

We all know the vibe of Radiohead’s iconic 1997 album OK Computer: paranoia, anxiety, isolation. There are several bangers scattered throughout, like Karma Police and No Surprises. But which song feels the most perfect? Cole Cuchna of Dissect joins Yasi to break down his choice, rooted in musical technicality and evocative artistic expression.  CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Cole Cuchna @turangalila_ host of DissectProducer: Liz Sánchez Audio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the last episode, we were Introducing the Band and exploring the question: did Suede kickstart Britpop? This episode, Yasi keeps making her case alongside longtime British music journalist Miranda Sawyer. Listen along as they unpack the band’s imperial phase at the height of the Britpop era — from Dog Man Star (1994) to their dispirited split, until they eventually decide to Stay Together. EPISODE PLAYLIST:Listen to the songs we talk about HERE.CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer Producer: Liz Sánchez Audio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This season, we’ve covered two of the biggest bands in Britpop, but did Oasis and Blur actually kickstart the genre? With the release of their first two singles in the early 90s, Suede may have lit the very fuse. In this episode, Yasi and Miranda Sawyer, British music journalist and author of Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs talk about how Suede – including Justine Frischmann – came together and unintentionally created the genre by, according to frontman Brett Anderson, “trying to play songs about little twisted English lives to rooms full of people obsessed with Pearl Jam.” Listen along, and just maybe Suede – and Brett’s slutty little blouses – will open your ears to British music.EPISODE PLAYLIST:Listen to the songs we talk about HERE.CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer Producer: Liz Sánchez Audio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode, we’ve asked our podfather Rob Harvilla to pick his perfect 90s British Rock song: “A Girl Like You” by Edwyn Collins. Listen along as Yasi and Rob cover the birth of indie pop, Edwyn Collins’ Orange Juice days, and his earlier solo career, right up to the release of his third album Gorgeous George as well as the Empire Records soundtrack, which helped launch this song into the rock stratosphere. CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Rob Harvilla @robharvillaProducer: Liz Sánchez Audio Editor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices