*Contains excerpts of 3rd party musical content*

In this episode we chat with sophisticated songwriter Jack Hues, who lead Wang Chung to big success in the U.S. in the 80s, through a series of infectious hits and important film Soundtrack inclusions and composing by commission for William Friedkin for the film To Live & Die In L.A.
A lover of music from Stockhausen to The Beatles, from Cream to Siouxsie & The Banshees.
Jack enjoys a loyal following in the pop, jazz and prog worlds across his various solo projects
but confesses that it has only been in recent years, he has accepted the love of his own music from a live audience.

Jack chooses his 5 top tracks of the 80s and tells us about the plans to remaster and repackage the Wang Chung back catalogue with bells & whistles and a tour to support it all. Keep your eyes peeled and visit: https://www.wangchung.com/

Episode 72 is really the first of an unofficial 2 part series on ZZT and The Art Of Noise.

We welcome Ian Peel, someone who may be something of a mystery to you, but infact stands as a hugely important part of the ZTT Records story. As a fan of music and a keen writer of fanzines, a chance to curate a deep dive article on ZTT for Record Collector magazine whilst in his teens, lead to an invitation to visit and indeed join the label as their curator and archivist.

Ian is a journalist who founded Classic Pop magazine and has also had columns in numerous publications.

Ian's story ends with perhaps the most unexpected twist in that his now a visual live artist within the current Art Of Noise line up and we of course talk about the 40th Anniversary of The Art Of Noise debut album 'Who's Afraid Of...'

Next week... we continue the discussion with some very special guests.... - DA

In this episode we welcome Bathgate boy Martin Metcalfe, the front man to one of Dave's favourite 80s bands, another of Scotland's many outfits that should have been garnered far greater success - Goodbye Mr.MacKenzie!

Martin explains the sprawl of friends and acquaintances that formed GMM's troupe. He talks in detail about his love and relationship with music with all the romance for Punk and Rock n Roll history. Martin and the band were thrust into the music industry at a time when money and the commercial machine had unfortunately taken over and in turn clouded Martin's initial ideals.

A track record of some exciting singles, well received by the press, a reputation for delivering eclectic cover versions in live sets educating the adoring fanbase, The Mackenzies eventually imploded on a huge US tour. Keys player and singer Shirley Manson went off to create what Garbage became with Butch Vig and Martin came back to England to get sober - DA

Still working; producing with Richard Jobson on projects, gigging with The filthy Tongues and putting on Goodby Mr.MacKenzie shows.

Catch GMM live in 2025: APRIL 4TH @ 100 CLUB, OXFORD STREET, LONDON APRIL 5TH @ HAIRY DOG, DERBY AUG 1ST @ BACK DOUNE THE RABBIT HOLE, STERLING *AND* THE STONE VALLEY SOUTH, NORTH & MIDLANDS FESTIVALS in the UK this Summer

https://www.songkick.com/artists/212832-goodbye-mr-mackenzie/calendar

Music played in this episode is as follows: Goodbye Mr.Mackenzie 'Now We Are Married' (Metcalfe) / Goodbye Mr.Mackenzie 'Amsterdam' (Schuman, Brel) / Jesus & Mary Chain 'Some Candy Talking' (Reid, Reid) / Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 'Tupelo' (Adamson, Cave, Harvey) / Pixies 'Monkeys Gone To Heaven' (Black) / Skids 'Hurry On Boys' (Jobsob, Adamson, Webb, Baillie)

**Disclaimer - contains some adult language**

*This episode contains excerpts from 3rd paty music*

Welcome to Episode 79. In this edition we talk to Midlands Actor, Writer Chris Jury, famed mostly for his appearance in the much loved series Lovejoy, which although screened through the early 90s, it was actually created when series 1 aired in the 80s having been indirectly cancelled in the clutches of red tape, before returning for a very successful run.

Chris speaks to us about his roles in Grange hill, Doctor Who amongst other jobs, with a narrative that very much pinpoints when working class drama changed in this country in a line with the Thatcher era government.

With some very unique 80s music selections, Chris chatted with honesty and humour and was a pleasure to have on as a guest - DA

Music played in this episode : Talking heads 'Once in A Lifetime' (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth), Van Morrison 'Wavelength (Morrison) / Hugh Masekela 'Zulu Wedding' (Masekela) / B.A.D 'Medicine Show' (Jones, Letts) / Bob Dylan 'Positively 4th Street' (Dylan) / Hothouse Flowers 'Don't Go' (O'Maonlai, O'Braonain, O'Toole)

*This episode contains excepts from 3rd party music*

It was a pleasure to welcome Pat, front man and one of Hue & Cry's two Kane brothers to the podcast.

Pat has become - in his own words, 'something of a wee scholar' in later life, but this conversation was all about Hue & Cry, their inception, their rise and road to stardom, which included amongst other things, getting a support slot with Madonna, after some midwife duties swung it for them!

A huge fan of music and full of knowledge about it, Pat chose 5 great tracks from the 80s - DA

Music played in this episode :

Hue & Cry 'Labour Of Love' / 'I Refuse' / 'Looking For Linda' (Kane, Kane) / The Specials 'Ghost Town' (Dammers) / Madonna 'Material Girl' (Brown, Rans) / Prince 'Girls & Boys' (Prince) /Scritti Politti 'Wood Beez' (Gartside) / Talking Heads 'Once In A Lifetime' (Byrne, Eno, Frantz, Harrison, Weymouth) Defunkt 'Razors Edge' (Gat, Bowie)

*This episode contains excerpts from 3rd party music*

Welcome Hull son, Henry Priestman. A keyboard player who has worked with many acts over the years and was something of a keys player for hire in Liverpool in the 80s.

Henry's career began in Yachts (77-81) who enjoyed success in America, with airplay on US college radio and extensive touring. A sliding doors moment led him into It's Immaterial, where he enjoyed the role of playing and contributing without the responsibility of songwriter. Henry was also a touring member of Wah! and Bette Bright's Deaf School-esque troupe The Illuminations.

The Christians were recruited by Henry to sing harmonies on It's Immaterial's hit 'Ed's Funky Diner' after which, 3 of the 5 Christian brothers joined forces with Henry (middle name Christian!!), and went on to score hits and several multi platinum selling albums for Island Records.

Henry rather enjoyed our slapstick approach to podcasting and was a pleasure to have on. His chosen 80s tracks were solid and much fun was had by all - DA

* The Yachts 3 CD set 'Suffice To Say' on Cherry Red tells their full story.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/yachts-suffice-to-say-the-complete-yachts-collection-3cd-box-set

* You can also catch The Christians on a co headline tour with The Blow Monkeys in October 2025

https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/the-blow-monkeys-the-christians/

Music played in this episode: The Christians 'Harvest For The World' (Jasper, Isley, Isley, Isley, Isley, Isley) / 'Forgotten Town' (Priestman) / Yachts 'Ghost In My House' (Holland, Dozier, Holland, Taylor) / Joy Division 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' (Curtis, Hook, Morris, Sumner) / Talk Talk 'I Believe In You' (Hollis, Friese-Greene) / Associates 'Party Fears Two' (Mackenzie, Rankine) / Robert Wyatt 'Shipbuilding' (Costello, Langer) / It's Immaterial 'Driving Away From Home' (Whitehead, Campbell) / Echo & The Bunnymen 'Lips Like Sugar' (McCulloch, Sergeant, De Freitas, Pattinson) / Klaus Dinger 'Mon Amour' (Dinger)

*This episode contains excerpts from 3rd party music*

In this episode we welcome Dave Formula, who we know from his pioneering work on the keyboards in both Magazine and Visage, but we hear the fascinating tale of Dave's career which began in the 60s with a TOTP appearance in R&B outfit, St.Louis Union. In time this lead Dave to head up a touring band, becoming the musical director for Motown artist David Ruffin when touring the UK, long before he was part of any Punk, New Wave, or New Romantic movement.

Dave also chooses 5 tracks from the 80s that mean something to him and tells a ghost story that centres around Alfred Hitchcock. Enjoy our chat with this humble legend -DA

Dave's band Affection place will be playing Chelmsford's Hotbox on May 2nd.

https://dice.fm/event/k63lg8-affection-place-ft-dave-formula-metroglow-2nd-may-hot-box-chelmsford-tickets?lng=en

Music used in this Episode :

Visage 'fade to grey' (Currie, Payne, Ure, Strange) / Visage 'Visa Age' (Strange, Ure, Currie, McGeoch, Egan, Tomlinson) / Chaka Khan 'I Feel For You' (Prince) / Magazine 'ASong From Under The Floorboards' (Adamsom, Tomlinson, Devoto, Doyle, McGeoch) / Magazine 'Definitive Gaze' (Devoto, McGeoch) / Herbie Hancock 'Rockit' (Hancock/ Laswell/ Beinhorn) / Visage 'Night Train' (Strange, Ure, Egan, Currie, Tomlinson) / Aretha Frankin 'Whose Zoomin' Who?' (Franklin, glass, Walden) / Cameo 'She's Strange' (Blackmon, Jenkins, Leftenant, Singleton)

**This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party musical content**

In this episode we welcome classically trained from a young age, Steve Nichol, keyboard player and composer with UK 80s soul sensation, loose Ends.

Steve tells us all about his full and colourful career working in America surrounded by incredible talent and it all started outside the post office in Peckham!!

3 facts about Loose Ends that we learned, Steve played in the The Jam's brass section, Loose Ends knocked Prince off the no.1 spot in the US and the band are not from Romford! - DA

Steve chooses his five 80s tracks for us to enjoy. The music we played in this episode is as follows: LooseEnds 'Hangin On A String' (Eugene, Nichol, McIntosh) / Alexander O'neal & Cherelle 'Everything I Miss At Home (Harris, Lewis) / Patrice Rushen 'Haven't You heard' (Brown, Chapman, Bright, Swoop, Harris) / Debarge 'I Like it' (W Debarge, E Debarge, E Debarge) / Cameo 'Candy' (Blackmon, Jenkins, Toby, Smith) / Michael jackson 'Rock With you' (Temperton) / Loose Ends 'Dial 999' (Eugene, Nichol, McIntosh)

**This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party musical content**

In this episode, John and Dave were lucky to speak to 3 members of the band Perfect day. Kevin, Andy and Mark gave us a good picture of the landscape of their time signed to major label London Records at the tail end of the decade.

As to why this band did not explode to a higher level is beyond us all, particularly as the TV & radio promo roll out was immense and their fan base were loyal. It is felt that with the rise of dance music and the independent scenes from the North of England driving the trends in culture and counter culture from 88' onwards, that perhaps Perfect Day's Pop/ Rock flavour was mixed into the UK's music cauldron just a tad too late.

Lead singer Mark Jones left the band and went on to form the hugely successful and influential Big beat dance label Wall Of Sound.

It was a joy and pleasure to have the lads on the show, they kindly chose some fantastic 80s tracks for us as well as presenting an incredible ghost story with a twist!! - DA

Perfect Day have released some remastered demos and a selection of music which is all available to listen to now on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kGAgwRcCs1Jdtm4CReUOQ?si=tL4GxgkuQqmROV0J4CT8Zg

Music played in this episode is as follows: Perfect Day 'Jane', 'King of Fools', 'Bad Apple', 'Liberty Town' / Tears for Fears 'Listen' (Stanley, Orzabel) / 'Prince 'Sign Of The Times' (Prince) / Echo & The Bunnymen 'Bring On The Dancing Horses' (Pattinson, De Freitas, McCulloch, Sergeant) / Psychedelic furs 'Ghost In you' (Butler, Butler) / David Bowie 'This Is not America' (Bowie, Metheny, Mays) / Depeche Mode 'Never Let Me Down Again' (Gore) / It Bites 'You'll Never Get To Heaven' (Dunnery, Beck, Nolan, Dalton) / Japan 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' (Sylvian) / Spandau Ballet 'Chan't no.1' (Kemp) /

**This episode contains excerpts of 3rd party musical content**

In this episode we welcome Record Company heavy weight, Nick Stewart who, during his time at Island Records under Chris Blackwell's tenure, he signed Killing Joke, Julian Cope, World Party and nearly The Thompson Twins but Blackwell didn't like their name! Nick admits his finest piece of work was signing U2 -quite rightly!

We were truly under Nick's spell as he talked us through his life from Public school, semi pro cricket, his obsession with Factory records and his passion and knowledge for films which led him to appear on Mastermind!

Nick chose his favourite 80s tracks, may have had a ghost story that mentioned Oliver Cromwell, but either way, a true old school gent who was an absolute pleasure to have on as a guest - DA