Bandsplain

Giving new meaning to “this song f*cks,” Super Furry Animals’ 1996 single “The Man Don’t Give a Fuck” is a psychedelic protest anthem built on a looped Steely Dan sample, fifty f-bombs, and a whole lot of righteous chaos. 

In this episode, Yasi is once again joined by Scotswoman and known Super Furry Animals mega fan, Chloë Walsh, to make the case for this song’s perfection (with a bunch of band lore and Welsh history shoehorned in, of course). From its origins as a B-side protest against the UK’s Criminal Justice Act to its transformation into a ravey, 23-minute-long fan favorite gig-closer — “The Man Don’t Give a Fuck” isn’t just a song, it’s a statement. A tanked-up, freaked-out, absolutely uncompromising statement. Let the sample loop. Let the synths soar. The man still don’t give a f*ck.

CREDITS:

Host: Yasi Salek

Guests: Chlöe Walsh

Producer: Liz Sánchez

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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So you wanna live like the Common People do? It’s time for part two of the Pulp story in which Yasi and music journalist and Pulpologist Siân Pattenden start back up at the peak of Britpop, tracing how “the great interlopers” of the genre captured the spirit and sound of the time with Different Class, and then soundtracked the comedown with This Is Hardcore — Britpop’s bleary-eyed hangover (or maybe - a conversation with god???). Then it’s into the Weeds: a retreat from fame into nature, the album We Love Life, and the band’s 2000s revival and first new song in over a decade. 

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

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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

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Today we’re talking about a band who managed to change their sound every single album while still staying absolutely, totally, and utterly themselves: Primal Scream. Bobby Gillespie and co started in the 80s but they most meaningfully bookended the 90s with their two most notable albums – from the hopeful optimism and upbeat acid house that started the decade in Screamadelica to the dark, caustic grit and gunmetal sounds that embodied the end of the dream on XTRMNTR. Join Yasi and guest Chris Ryan as they chart the history and discography of one the most unique bands of our time, Primal Scream.  

EPISODE PLAYLIST:

Listen to the songs we talk about HERE.

CREDITS:

Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek

Guest: Chris Ryan IG: @crashactivated Twitter: @ChrisRyan77  // Listen to the The Watch

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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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 @yasisalek

Guest: Cole Cuchna @turangalila_ host of Dissect

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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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 @yasisalek

Guest: Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer 

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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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 @yasisalek

Guest: Miranda Sawyer @msmirandasawyer 

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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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 @yasisalek

Guest: Rob Harvilla @robharvilla

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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Yasi is joined by Big Picture host Sean Fennessey to talk abou music biopics, specifically diving into two films that deal with key figures in the British music landscape, Tony Wilson of Factory Records in 24 Hour Party People (2002), and Alan McGee of Creation Records in Creation Stories (2021). 

CREDITS:

Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek

Guest: Sean Fennessey IG: @seanfennessey, X: @SeanFennessey

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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Everyone knows the hit track “There She Goes,” a song that sounds like it has always existed and emerged into the world fully formed by the hand of God. Liverpudlian band The La’s made that perfect song, and according to the many musicians it influenced, including Oasis’ Liam Gallagher or our guest, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, a nearly perfect album, and then basically never put anything out again. Join Yasi and Ben as they talk about one of the most interesting, mysterious, and secretly influential bands from the UK. 

EPISODE PLAYLIST:

Listen to the songs we talk about HERE

CREDITS:

Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalek

Guest: Ben Gibbard

Producer: Liz Sánchez 

Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges

Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles

Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino

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