It's Not Scary, It's Just Music!

By SJP

Join highly undisciplined music obsessive and award-winning podcaster SJ through his musical journey. Based upon a personal project to listen to nearly every studio album released each year, starting ... more

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FAQs about It's Not Scary, It's Just Music!:

How many episodes does It's Not Scary, It's Just Music! have?

The podcast currently has 47 episodes available.

It's Not Scary, It's Just Music! episodes:

December 17, 2024 S1E12 - The 1980s Recap
Welcome to the Season One finale for the "It's Not Scary, It's Just Music" Podcast!!
In today's episode, SJ walks through all the major genres that had their moment in the 1980s, highlighting milestone tracks that helped carry us from one end of the decade to the other. From Avant-Garde to Punk, Pop to Rock, JPop, New Wave, Metal...you name it!
Join us as we bask in the glorious creativity and ambition of the 80s, with eyes and ears soon turning to what comes just over the next ridge in the 90s.
Check out the Essential List here!
Check out the Big "Greatest Hits of the Decade" List here!

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1h 43min
December 12, 2024 SPECIAL Episode - Interview with Chuck Askerneese of The Untouchables
Surprise Surprise Surprise! It's another special episode!
I had the great honor of interviewing the amazing lead singer of The Untouchables, Chuck Askerneese.
During our conversation we chat about his experience first discovering music; how he, his brother, and their friends entered the counterculture scene of LA in the late 70s; the early beginnings of The Untouchables; and their inevitable creation of Wild Child, one of our essential albums from 1985.
Please join us where we dig into the ska genre itself, the burgeoning ska scene in LA in the late 70s and early 80s, how they found their unique sound, and eventually become one of the very first, and most foundational, ska bands in the United States.
The Untouchables have been a force in the American counterculture movement for decades and have collaborated with and influenced so many of the greats in musical history.
Let's all come round and listen to this bounty of amazing stories!
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43min
December 10, 2024 S1E11 - 1989 (The End and The Beginning)
Welcome to 1989!
The end of the 80s has come! Can you believe it? We're here already!
Today we discuss all the final thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that this decade has to offer. Many genres we've been discussing these last several years disappear off the map entirely, while others are making big plays to become the sound of the 90s. Pop, Rap, R&B, Rock, and Metal are all vying for their spots at the top for what's to come next.
Join us as we explore the final few steps along one of the most creatively volatile decades in music history, and discuss how what happens this year bridges into the 1990s!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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55min
December 03, 2024 S1E10 - 1988 (Roots, Rap, and Rock)
Welcome to 1988!
Gangsta Rap has officially reached the top of the mountain with authority! Public Enemy is joined by NWA this year to not only announce the new standard, but to do so enough to separate from all other Rap styles.
Plus, we're starting to see rock begin to crystalize into the sounds we all know and love from the 90s. Retro 60s and 70s ideas are weaving through the sounds of the moment, while the new era of Alternative continues to challenge every convention previously held dear.
Pop has quieted considerably across the board -- I wonder what is stepping forward to fill the void?
The decade is ALMOST OVER! Can you feel the winds changing? I sure can!
Join us as we near the end of this highly transformative era in music as we prepare for what comes next!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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1h 10min
November 21, 2024 SPECIAL Episode - Interview with Mark Burgess of The Chameleons
Surprise again! It's another special episode!
I had the great honor of interviewing the visionary lead singer of The Chameleons, Mark Burgess
During our conversation we chat about his childhood journey of discovering music as well as his voice; the beginnings of The Chameleons, and the creation of 1983 Essential Album, Script of the Bridge; the aftermath of its debut; and the winding road that has led him and The Chameleons here today.
Please join us where we dig into the challenges in owning their creative vision, advocating for their identity, and playing the kinds of music that connected most deeply with them.
Script of the Bridge is a timeless bounty of creative genius that gave rise to incalculable Brit Rock influence for decades.
Come enjoy the conversation!
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27min
November 12, 2024 S1E9 - 1987 (Leaving Behind What Once Was)
Welcome to 1987!
The REM-era of Alternative Rock is coming to a close, and behind it is a whole new wave of creativity, genre blending, and retro influences. And, the Golden Age of Rap has officially ended, and in its wake, Gangsta Rap's peak is just around the corner.
1987 made us question the state of R&B, what "Alternative" truly means, and how exactly this decade is going to end! Twenty years ago we started to see the emergence of Roots Rock and Psychedelic Rock -- which means the retro movements are incoming as well.
Finally, I'm about ready for some more up-tempo electronica -- what about you?
1987 gives us our first video game music check-in, are you ready?
Join us as we dive deep into the abyss of an uncertain and complex tail-end to the 1980s. Let's go!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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56min
November 07, 2024 SPECIAL Episode - Interview with Sam "Sammytown" McBride of Fang
Surprise Surprise! It's another special episode!
I had the incredible honor of interviewing the incomparable front man of Fang, Sammy "Sammytown" McBride.
During our conversation we chat about his life before Fang; the coming together of their groundbreaking debut album, and 1982 Essential Album, Landshark; and how that album changed the direction of punk and its offshoots for years to come.
Please join us where dive in to the counter culture scene of the late 70s and early 80s, all the ways in which Landshark influenced the birth of genres like 90s Punk, Grunge, and a variety of Metal sub-genres, and how Sammytown is exploring and supporting the counter culture movements of today.
Fang changed the direction of Punk forever, fearlessly questioning any hints of conformity, and activating the inspiration for future counter culture greats and rock royalty alike.
Come enjoy our most explicit episode yet as me and Sammytown jump right in!
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43min
November 05, 2024 S1E8 - 1986 (The Storm Returns!)
Welcome to 1986!
As promised, the eye of the 1980s storm has passed us in 1985, and the winds have officially kicked back up!
With a jam-packed list of essentials this year, we've got a lot of work to do.
From Gangsta Rap trying to knock the Golden Age off its perch, to a new era of R&B, Neo-Traditionalist Country moving to the mountaintop, and the first signs that the current era of Alternative Rock is coming to a close, 1986 seems to have had it all! And, let's not forget that coming next year we start the video game music check-in!
I promised you a storm of the century in 1986, and it did not disappoint; so let's make sure we strap in tight and enjoy the ride!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Essential List here!⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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53min
October 29, 2024 S1E7 - 1985 (The Eye of the 1980s Hurricane)
Welcome to 1985!
We are officially in the eye of the 1980s storm! It's a little quiet this year, but some of the shifts just around the edges are powerful, so let's hold on!
1985 gave us some tremendous leaps forward with new, established, and waning genres; from City Pop's forthcoming exit, to Neo-Psychedelic Rock announcing itself as the inevitable successor to the beginnings of the Alternative Rock movement. And, let's not sleep on the huge wave rolling up in the distance: Electronica!
Join us for a shorter episode this week, diving in deep to a select few Essentials and Conspicuous Absences. 1985 was a bit quiet, but the storm is going to pick right back up again in 1986, so get ready!
Check out the Essential List here!
⁠⁠⁠Check out the Big List here!⁠⁠⁠⁠

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36min
October 24, 2024 SPECIAL Episode - Interview with Richard Barone of The Bongos
Surprise! It's a special episode!
I had the great honor of interviewing the tremendously talented Richard Barone of The Bongos!
During our conversation we discussed the coming together of The Bongos, the creation of 1982 Essential Album "Drums Along the Hudson," the half-decade tour to follow, his musical journey since, and all the wonderful projects he is creating today.
Please join us where we talk about the fearlessness of genre blending back in the 80s, the limitless opportunities of new technology afforded to artists at that time, and how kindness in the industry is an incalculable resource for up-and-comers.
Richard has been a shining beacon in the industry for over four decades -- let's come together and listen to what he has to say!
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33min

FAQs about It's Not Scary, It's Just Music!:

How many episodes does It's Not Scary, It's Just Music! have?

The podcast currently has 47 episodes available.