Ongoing History of New Music
Ongoing History of New Music explores the alt-rock universe and hip hop, featuring artist profiles and thematic explorations. Hosted by legendary Canadian broadcaster Alan Cross, it is Canada's most well-known music documentary podcast. Each episode offers unique insights and lesser-known facts about music history.
Episodes
The History of Band T-Shirts
Most of us have at least one band T-shirt stuffed in a drawer or hanging in a closet. Maybe it's a concert souvenir, a vintage find, or a shirt you've worn so often it's barely holding together. But where did band T-shirts come from, and how did some of them become worth thousands of dollars?
I think it's time to dig into the surprisingly fascinating history of band merch, tracing its roots from
The Long Strange Trip of John Frusciante - Part 2
After surviving some of the darkest years of his life, John Frusciante returned to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and helped create some of the biggest albums of their career. But for John, success has never been simple.
On part 2 of "The Long Strange Trip of John Frusciante", we go through his second and third acts: Grammy wins, solo projects, artistic reinvention, another surprising departure from t
The Long Strange Trip of John Frusciante - Part 1
John Frusciante might just be rock’s ultimate survivor.
So let's trace the wild, unpredictable journey of the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, from teenage guitar prodigy to the creative force behind Blood Sugar Sex Magik, through addiction, isolation, and a near-fatal collapse that almost ended everything.
Along the way, we explore his rise with the Chili Peppers, his troubled relationship wit
Mind-Blowing Facts about Music, The Brain and the Body
What happens when music meets neuroscience? This time, we take a fascinating trip inside the human brain to explore why music can make us dance, cry, smile, remember, and even get chills.
From dopamine rushes and musical memory to live concert highs and the science behind your favourite songs, we uncover some of the weirdest and most amazing connections between music, the brain, and the body.
The History of Pop Punk - Part 2
Pop-punk is one of those musical contradictions that somehow makes perfect sense. Punk was supposed to be loud, fast, and rebellious. Pop was all about hooks and mass appeal. But somewhere along the way, the two got together and created one of the biggest movements in alternative rock.
In part two, we pick up the story in the early 1990s as grunge begins to fade and bands like Green Day, The Offs
The History of Pop Punk - Part 1
Punk rock comes in a lot of different flavours, but few have had the impact of pop-punk. In Part One of this series, we dig into how a genre that was supposed to be the enemy of pop music ended up borrowing some of its best ideas.
From the Ramones and Buzzcocks to Bad Religion, Descendents, Hüsker Dü, and Social Distortion, we'll follow the bands that started mixing punk's speed, attitude, and DI
The Last Moments Of Part 2
When someone dies, our first reaction is disbelief...we’re stunned...that’s immediately followed by a need to know what happened...how?...where?...it’s only natural...we need information to help us process the news and the emotion that comes with it...
The next stage is might be “could anything have been done to prevent this?”... “Could someone have helped or intervened?”...In some cases, perhaps
The Last Moments Of Part 1
Ever wonder what really happened in the final hours of some of music's biggest stars?
This time, I want to retrace the final hours and days of some of rock's most legendary figures.
From heartbreaking health battles to shocking accidents and devastating personal struggles, these are the stories behind the headlines as we piece together the events that led to their final moments and explore the
The Weird History of Concert Tickets Part 2
In part two of our series, we continue to figure out why buying concert tickets has become one of the most frustrating consumer experiences…and why it’s always been that way.
From the evolution of ticketing from physical box offices and early computer systems to the rise of Ticketmaster, we want to understand how service fees, scalping, exclusive venue contracts, and industry power struggles sha
The Weird History of Concert Tickets Part 1
Buying a concert ticket should be simple and easy...but has it ever been?
In this two-part series, we're going to try to unpack the surprisingly long, messy, and often corrupt evolution of ticketing, from ancient Greek theatres to the rise of computerized systems in the late 20th century.
We'll dig into how tickets evolved from physical tokens and box-office lineups to early computer-driven serv
Key Alt-Rock Movie Soundtracks
Movie soundtracks once shaped the direction of popular music...and nowhere was that more true than in alternative rock.
This week, we go back into the Ongoing History vault to trace the evolution of movie soundtracks from their early, days to their cultural impact in the ’80s and ’90s. These are albums that helped define, amplify, and sometimes completely redirect alternative music.
From the ele
The Roots of the CanRock Explosion of the 90s
There was a time when Canadians didn’t believe in Canadian music...unless someone else told us it was good first.
To celebrate Canada Day, we're exploring how that mindset changed, and how Canada went from cultural insecurity to producing one of the most influential rock movements of the 1990s. From early radio bias and the “Guess Who?” prank, to CanCon rules, FACTOR funding, the rise of FM radio
Late Bloomers
Rock music is supposed to belong to the young...but history tells us a different story.
This time, we look at artists who refused to quit, even as the years passed and the industry insisted their time was over.
From Deborah Harry breaking through with Blondie in her 30s, to James Murphy reinventing himself with LCD Soundsystem at 35, to Leonard Cohen becoming a global icon in his 50s, these are
18 Bands Who Changed Lead Singers
What happens when a band loses its lead singer?
Usually, it’s the end...but not always.
In this episode, we explore 18 bands that survived... and sometimes thrived... after changing singers.
From Stone Temple Pilots and Sublime to Alice in Chains, Faith No More, and New Order.
Losing your singer doesn’t have to mean the end… but surviving it is one of the hardest things a band can do.
Learn
The History of Distortion and Feedback
Distortion was once considered a mistake...now it’s a defining force in modern music. This episode explores how broken gear, happy accidents, and fearless artists turned fuzz, feedback, and overdrive into powerful creative tools, shaping everything from early rock to experimental soundscapes.
This time, we dive into feedback, overdriven amps, drop-D tuning, and distortion beyond the guitar, touch
The Golden Age of Synths, as told by OMD
This week, we dive into the Golden Age of Synthesizers, the period from the mid‑’70s to the mid‑’80s when synths became smaller, cheaper, and powerful enough to transform popular music forever. From early experimental machines that filled entire rooms, to the groundbreaking work of innovators like Bob Moog and Don Buchla, we trace how synthesizers moved from academic curiosity to pop‑culture force
The History of Portable Music - Part 2
One of the many great things about music is that we can enjoy it anywhere…I’m talking about the recorded kind…everyone has a smartphone, and every smartphone has the capability of playing music, whether you’re listening to tracks stored in its memory or streaming something from a service like Spotify or apple music…as long as your device has juice, you can enjoy listening to music anywhere you are
Introducing "Hostile History"
Since the dawn of time, humanity has been at war. Conflict in one form or another has been part of our existence since we first walked the earth.
In this first episode of a four-part series, join military historian David Borys as we travel back in time to Iran, where we chart how a modern monarchy, which was armed, wealthy, and globally backed, lost control. On our journey, we'll be helped by
The History of Portable Music - Part 1
One of the many great things about music is that we can enjoy it anywhere…I’m talking about the recorded kind…everyone has a smartphone, and every smartphone has the capability of playing music, whether you’re listening to tracks stored in its memory or streaming something from a service like Spotify or apple music…as long as your device has juice, you can enjoy listening to music anywhere you are
A Triple Ramones Anniversary Tribute
2026 is an important year in Ramones history…
The 25th anniversary of Joey’s death, the first member of the band to leave us.
The 30th anniversary of the last Ramones show.
The 50th anniversary of their debut album's release.
Let’s cover all of that with this triple tribute to one of the greatest and most important bands in the history of rock.
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The 50 Biggest All-Time Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders 6 (Bonus)
This is chapter six of a five-part series on the greatest alt-rock one-hit wonders of the last 50 years…yes, chapter six of five…after going through a ton of data—radio charts, Spotify plays, and YouTube views, mostly—I thought I’d compiled a really solid list…and it was—except for a few things that need some attention: the errata…
This means songs that should have been on the original top 50 lis
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 5 (10-1)
Through the first four episodes of this Top 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time series, we’ve gone through songs 50 to 11, so that means we are ready for the top 10 songs.
If you’ve been following along, there may have been a few surprises along the way…and you may have been trying to guess what songs will finish in the upper regions of this list…now we’re going to find out.
These ar
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 4 (20-11)
How does an artist become famous forever with just one song and never come close again?
We continue the countdown of the "50 Biggest Alt‑Rock One‑Hit Wonders of All Time", using five decades of radio charts, Spotify streams, YouTube views, and a specially designed one‑hit‑wonder power ranking.
In part 4, we come across...
A one‑hit wonder that’s also a cover of another one‑hit wonder
Greg
The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 3 (30-21)
This is Part 3 of the 50 Biggest Alt‑Rock One‑Hit Wonders of all time...numbers 30 to 21 featuring Dishwalla, EMF, Spacehog, Harvey Danger, and more. And of course, the stories behind these one-hit wonders.
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The 50 Biggest Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders of All Time: Part 2 (40-31)
Our countdown of the biggest alt‑rock one‑hit wonders of all time continues as we break down numbers 40 to 31.
From K’s Choice and Liam Lynch to Animotion, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, The Vapours, and more, these are the songs that ruled alternative radio, slipped into pop culture, and forever defined the artists behind them.
Using chart history, streaming numbers, and a custom One‑Hit Wonder Power Ra
The 50 Biggest All-Time Alt-Rock One-Hit Wonders: Part 1 (50-41)
Something occurred to me the other day: did the person who came up with the term “one-hit wonder” ever come up with anything else that good?
I looked it up… the Oxford English Dictionary traces its origin to about 1914, when baseball was starting to become America’s pastime… it was given to pitchers who held the opposing team to just one hit.
We do know that when Ramon Monzant was pitching for t
9 Great Alt-Rock Cover Songs (From the Vault)
There’s just something fun about learning to play one of your favourite songs for yourself…you know, learning the lyrics, figuring out the chords and the rhythm and deconstructing all the constituent parts…
Then you get deeper…you begin to appreciate how everything fits together, the artistic decisions made by songwriter made, what kind of musical skill is required, the sort of production that wa
Definition (from the vault)
This week, we're going deep into the Ongoing History of New Music vault to talk about "Definitions".
Often in the music world, we hear terms discussed...but where did they come from, and what do they mean?
What do "New Rock" and "Alternative" mean?
What's a "Major Label" or "Indie"?
"Boutique" and "Vanity"? Got that covered too.
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Catching Up with Blink 182
Blink‑182’s story has always been chaotic, inspirational, and a little unbelievable...and the last decade has been no exception.
We thought this would be a good time to revisit the band’s evolving saga since our original 2017 trilogy on their rise, fall, and rise again. A lot has happened: lineup changes, personal crises, UFO hunting, bestselling side projects, a Grammy nomination, a global pand
The Rise and Fall and Future of the Music Video - Part 2
The music video didn’t just shape pop culture…it defined it.
From the glam‑soaked excess of the ’80s and ’90s to the gritty authenticity of the alt‑rock era, and finally to the algorithm‑driven, globally connected internet age, the music video has lived many lives. In part two of this deep dive, we trace the rise, collapse, and surprising rebirth of the music video that once ruled MTV and MuchMu
The Rise and Fall and Future of the Music Video - Part 1
For decades, music videos weren’t just promotional add‑ons…they were the beating heart of global pop culture.
The music video affected the art of movie-making...it affected the way we look at tv, not to mention fashion, language, politics, gender fluidity, LGBTQ issues, and so much more…videos may have altered our attention spans–which kind of concerns me because this program is an hour long and
A Brief History of Protest Music: Part 2
Music is not only a powerful motivating tool, but it’s also a way to get a message out to a vast number of people…and when things hit the fan, music can be used to let the powers-that-be know that we see what you’re doing, and we are not happy about it…We wish to protest.
Protest songs help coalesce thoughts and feelings about things like social, political, and labour injustice…they help rally pe
A Brief History of Protest Music: Part 1
This can be a weird, difficult world, filled with injustice, inequality, and bad people doing bad things…we’re always up against things like racism, women’s rights, labour rights, the plights of marginalized people, class struggle, the disenfranchised, various social movements—the list of righteous causes and grievances is pretty much endless.
And sometimes, you just gotta fight back…but how?...
What's the Big Deal About Joy Division?
Students of classical music know that Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the most important and influential composers of all time…his use of instruments, four-part harmonies, and use of innovative structures in his material were all brilliant…
When he was alive, he commanded plenty of respect…but after he died in March 1685, he was almost forgotten…the only reason we talk about him today is that th
What Exactly is Post Rock? Part 2
In Part 2 of our deep dive into Post Rock, we explore the bands and ideas that have shaped this experimental and atmospheric approach to music.
From Slint and Mogwai to Sigur Rós and Explosions in the Sky, we look at how these bands create something cinematic...emotional...and entirely unexpected.
We also look at how post‑rock influences artists like Radiohead and Broken Social Scene, and why
What Exactly is Post-Rock? Part 1
What exactly is "Post‑Rock"?
In this first installment of a two‑part deep dive, we unpack one of the most misunderstood labels in modern music. From its origins in the 1960s to its evolving relationship with rock, ambient, jazz, and experimental traditions...Post-Rock has come to mean different things to different listeners.
In part 1, we focus on where the term came from and what it was origina
2025 In Memoriam
I'll be honest and say that this is not a happy show…in fact, it’s probably the saddest episode of the year…then again, it’s an opportunity to pay tribute to the musicians we lost in 2025.
They’re gone, but that’s the thing about being a musician…the songs they left behind will remain with us for many, many years.
I’m going to go through a list of deaths…this list isn’t comprehensive because we
Introducing "Uncharted": Sid Vicious and Questions About the Murder of Nancy Spungen
On October 12, 1978, punk’s most infamous couple...Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols and Nancy Spungen...hit rock bottom at New York’s Chelsea Hotel. Nancy was found dead from a single stab wound in Room 100. Sid was charged with murder, but was he really the killer?
Or was it someone else in their chaotic circle?
This is “Uncharted: Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry”…and this time, it’s the
History of the Modern Drum Kit
We are going to talk about drummers on this show…i just want you to know right from the start just in case you wanna roll your eyes and go “really? Do we have to?”
Yes, we have to…there have been countless stories told about great guitarists and singers and keyboardists…drummers?... Not so much, unless your name is Dave Grohl. And we will get to him.
So this was going to a profile of my fa
Introducing "Uncharted": Depeche Mode and the Debauched Devotional Tour
I once had a conversation with someone about the craziest tours in the history of music…the usual names came up.
The who trashing hotel rooms…led zeppelin’s tours with their private jet, groupies, and tons of drugs…that time in Atlanta when Ozzy drank himself into oblivion, passed out in the wrong hotel room for 24 hours, and missed a show as a result.
In 1976, ZZ Top tried to take the ent
60 Mind-Blowing Facts About Music in 40 or so Minutes (2025 Edition)
This is my annual data dump featuring music information you didn’t know you needed…over the last 12 months, I’ve collected this material on scraps of paper, post-it notes, on my iPhone’s “notes” app, and in various files on my computer…and these are the best 60 mind-blowing facts about music I can offer for 2025.
This is the 11th year that I’ve been doing this…maybe there’s a book in here somewh
Why Bowie Still Matters - Part 3
In this third and final chapter of our look at Why Bowie Still Matters, we explore the last two decades of his life and the innovations that cemented his legacy.
From pioneering digital music distribution and launching BowieNet, to creating “Bowie Bonds”...something that changed the music business...Bowie was always ahead of the curve.
We revisit his late-career albums, his secret comeback wit
Why Bowie Still Matters - Part 2
David Bowie wasn’t just a rock star...he was a cultural architect who reinvented music, fashion, and identity.
In part 2 of "Why Bowie Still Matters", we explore Bowie’s groundbreaking mid-70s to early-80s era: from the cocaine-fueled chaos of Station to Station and the birth of the Thin White Duke, his "Berlin Trilogy" with Brian Eno that shaped post-punk and electronic music. And we’ll explor
Why Bowie Still Matters - Part 1
It’s been nearly a decade since David Bowie left us, and the world hasn’t really been the same since.
In the first of a three part series, we explore why Bowie’s influence goes far beyond music...shaping fashion, art, technology, and even social movements. From his early days writing songs he would really rather forger about...to the birth of Ziggy Stardust...his role in shaping glam rock, gender
Tales of Weird Rock’n’Roll Sex
If there’s an official mission statement for the kind of music we all love, it’s “sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll” …these are the three main food groups in this world…
All three of these things affect the same portions of the brain: the amygdala, the nucleus accumbens, and the cerebellum…. All of them are involved in the secretion and regulation of dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone…
Dopamine is a
The Backstage Rider
Going on tour is hard…you’re away from home for months at a time…there’s little sleep, bad food, too many drugs, a surfeit of alcohol, late nights, temptations into bad behavior, crazy people, and that bass player who refuses to wash his feet, probably because he’s on his phone moaning to his girlfriend about how miserable he is…
All that occupies about 22 hours of the day…the best times come
Medical Mysteries of Music - The Sixth Edition
Why does music move us so deeply...even when we don’t hear it?
From brain scans lighting up with musical memories to how songs can fight loneliness, boost productivity, and even repel mosquitoes, this episode dives into the strange science behind sound with another exploration into the medical mysteries of music.
🧠 Discover:
Why music survives memory loss in Alzheimer’s
How your taste in
The Rock Explainer - 6
There are plenty of unexplained things in the world of music…these are things that we often don’t even question…why do we do these things?...what is this called that?...who came up with that idea?
Let’s deal with some of that.
This is another episode of something I call “The Rock Explainer”.
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Introducing... Stop Rewind: The Lost Boy | Through A Glass Darkly | 1
Taj Khyber Rowland knows he’s not who people think he is but he can’t quite remember how his life went so off course.
He decides to spool backwards, to his younger self. A daredevil seven year old Chellamuthu, living happily, but in abject poverty, with his large family in rural India.
But when Chellamuthu disobeys his mother and goes to play at the bus station, he’s persuaded to board a bus w
Peaked Too Soon - Bands That Were Ahead of Their Time
This episode is about giving credit where credit is due. Specifically to musicians who were so far ahead of their time that the public and the industry just didn’t get it, and as a result, they were ignored, shunned, unrewarded, or otherwise omitted from music history.
Most of these names might be new to you, but that’s not your fault…the music world just dropped the ball on these people… but tha
The Stories Behind Iconic Album Covers Part 2
This is the second half at a look at the stories behind some of the most iconic album covers of all time…on part one, we looked at the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, Depeche Mode, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins, all in chronological order, ending in 1993.
Now we’re going to pick things up in 1994.
This is part two of a show tha
The Stories Behind Iconic Album Covers Part 1
This is going to be a very visual program, which may be a bit of a challenge because you’re either listening to this as a radio show or podcast…so i need to work with me on this…
Vinyl is back in a way that no one could have ever predicted…in countries like Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, and beyond, vinyl is once again outselling CDs…and a surprising number of people are buying vinyl even if
In the Studio with Oasis
I’ve always been fascinated with recording studios…the atmosphere, the equipment, the musical gear, the slight scent of ozone from all the electricity running through the circuits.
Yeah, you can make very good records at home, but there’s
something special about recording a song or making an album in a professional recording studio…
This time, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best-known Oasi
Still More Outsider Music
This program begins with an advisory…no, no—not that kind…there’s nothing dirty or obscene or controversially political coming up…it’s just that, well—what you’re about to hear is different…very different…and I mean really different.
There are thousands of music genres out there…but on this program, we’re going to look at something special…it’s a genre known as “outsider music”
You know the kid
60 More Band Name Origins in 60 Minutes
This episode is directed at people who need to understand how their favourite bands got their names.
I will present you 60 band names over the course of this program…the first 20 will be a study of current popular groups…then we’ll move to some retro names, followed by some random labels.
And we’ll conclude with groups filed under “what were they thinking?,” “terrible original names,” “offens
Why Punk Happened
Every once in a while, something extraordinary happens in rock’n’roll…I hate the use of the cliché of “a perfect storm,” but that’s precisely what I’m talking about…a bunch of things involving culture, politics, demographics, economics and technology all collide and mix in just the right way for something totally new and unexpected to be created…
Lemme give you some examples…Elvis came along in t
The History of Hardcore
One of the things that makes rock great is the energy and the power that comes with the music..and depending where you go, that energy and power varies from place to place...
If you’re looking to exorcise a little aggression and anger and frustration, you have several choices...there are various flavours of metal that can serve your purpose, ranging from the melodic (Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,”
Songs of Protest
Sometimes people get so pissed off or so inspired by something that they just have to sing about it…this is the protest song and it’s been with us for centuries…
It’s music that encourages political and social change… and if done right—and if circumstances are correct—the song can mobilize people to take action, lift spirits and annoy (or even scare) authorities of the establishment…
Protest mus
Hobbies of Musicians
What do you for fun?...hobbies, pastimes—things that you do just for you, away from your job and all your other responsibilities?...
I’ve got my dogs…my wife and I like to travel…and I’ve always had this thing about the JFK assassination…I’ve read all the books, seen all the documentaries…I’ve even been to Dallas and the grassy knoll, and the book depository…I can’t explain it, but I just find it
The Oral History of "Madchester" - Part 2
We're going back into the Ongoing History archives to bring you a show a lot of people have asked about.
And with over 300 OGH podcasts, sometimes episodes get buried in the feed.
This is the second part of our Oral History of Madchester as told by someone who was there to see it and make it happen.
Gaz Whelan of the Happy Monday's!
This really is something else...
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The Oral History of "Madchester" - Part 1
We're going back into the Ongoing History archives to bring you a show a lot of people have asked about.
And with over 300 OGH podcasts, sometimes episodes get buried in the feed.
This is the first of a two part series on the Oral History of Madchester as told by someone who was there to see it and make it happen.
Gaz Whelan of the Happy Monday's!
This really is something else...
Learn more a
Censorship And Music: Part 2
For this week’s podcast, we’re going to revisit the Ongoing History of New Music vault for the second part of a two-part series on censorship in music.
Why are certain songs, bands, or styles of music censored? Who makes these decisions? Why? And what can musicians do about it?
Although this episode is from the earlier part of the ongoing history library, it remains highly relevant. We thought y
Censorship and Music: Part 1
For this week’s podcast, we’re going to revisit the Ongoing History of New Music vault for the first part of a two-part series on censorship in music.
Why are certain songs, bands, or styles of music censored? Who makes these decisions? Why? And what can musicians do about it?
Although this show is from the earlier part of the ongoing history library, it remains very relevant. We thought you’d
What's The Big Deal About Iggy Pop
For this week’s episode, we’re going to go back into the ongoing history of new music vault and our “what’s the big deal” series. This is where we try to figure out why we keep hearing and reading about these old names from the past. How are they connected to today's music? What did they do 20, 30 years ago and why should we care? And if they were so damn important, why didn't they ever sell a lo
It's A Family Affair
Music is one of those things that can bring families together…and sometimes, that togetherness grows into a business…
The BeeGees had the three Gibb brothers…baby brother Andy Gibb was also part of that universe for a while…
Then there’s The Beach Boys…the original lineup included Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson and their cousin Mike Love…Murray Wilson—the father of Brian, Dennis, and Carl—was th
Weird and Shocking Rockers
Here’s a warning right from the outset: this is going to be a weird program…the performs and the music we’re going to talk about are famous because of their weird, shocking behaviour…they set out to get our attention—and they did…
Some of us appreciated what they were doing…but the vast majority didn’t get them at all…they were branded as sick, deviant, sociopathic, psychopathic, and even crimina
Good Goth - Part 2
This is the second part of our examination of the legendary Alt-Rock scene known as "Goth", and this time we go from mid 80's... right up to today.
Goth has always had a bad rap, so in our deep dive, we'll try to clear everything up..
This is "Good Goth-Part 2"
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Good Goth - Part 1
Goth has always had a bad rap and that's not fair to the music, the fans and the fashion so we're going to try to clear everything up with our deep dive.
But don't worry...no one's going to get hurt.
We are going to examine the Alt-Rock scene from the early 70's, and take it right up to today.
This is "Good Goth...Part 1"
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The Second Voice
When you’re the lead singer in a band, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get all the attention…after all, you are the visual and audio focal point for pretty much everything…
Yeah, there might be a hot guitarist or someone else flashy in the group, but for the 99% of the time, the spotlight is on you…which is fine if you’re the lead singer…
But if you’re not?...what if you’re the schlep on bass o
The Original Ramones
Friday, August 16, 1974, was a hot summer day in New York City…it was 31 degrees, but the humidity made it feel a lot hotter…and if you were down in the Bowery amidst all the concrete, it was hotter still...and it smelled.
But what happened that night, when a bunch of punks took the stage at a scussy dive bar called "CBGB's", would change music forever.
This is the story of the original Ramones
Rock's Most Iconic Instruments
Most of us probably go through a phase where we decide to make music for ourselves…maybe we’ll do it alone, or perhaps we want to be part of a band.
The first thing you need to do is decide what instrument you will play…once you do that, you have to narrow things down to the exact make and model of that instrument.
When you’re starting out, your dream instrument is probably out of reach financia
Explaining Krautrock
After World War II, Germany was destroyed…the country was divided…the east was under the control of the USSR…the west was in democratic Europe…and then there was berlin, sitting in the east but cut into different zones dominated by the Russians, the Americans, the British, and the French.
Most history books look at the political and military side of things…what we don’t hear about nearly as much
Stupid History 2
What do you remember from history class back in school?... Maybe a few dates and events…maybe the names some important people…and probably how dull a lot of history classes were.
I remember being inundated with a bunch of facts—which was fine (i guess), but it didn’t really make history come alive, you know? ...and it didn’t have to be this way.
History is more than this country going to war w
We Are The Road Crew - A History of Roadies
There are plenty of thankless jobs out there…think about the people who have to work outside in all kinds of weather…line workers for power companies…garbage collectors… construction workers.
Same goes for prison officers, nurses, teachers, and first responders of all types…i could go on, but you get the idea…so much needs to go on behind the scenes for us to be able to live our lives.
There ar
The Surprising History of Glam Rock
At its best, rock is a transcendent experience, something that takes us somewhere away from the ordinary, the normal, and the safe…there’s a huge fantasy element to it…done right, rock removes us from this universe and transports us someplace completely different where anything could happen—at least for a little while.
Sometimes the music alone is enough to take us there…but there’s so much more
The Rock Explainer 5
This is the fifth edition of an occasional series called “The Rock Explainer.” The idea is to explore the strange, unexplained, and traditional aspects of rock culture that don’t get enough attention and analysis…
In many cases, we just accept these things and don’t question them as much as we should…but if we stop for just a second and cock a quizzical eyebrow and actually ask the question, then
The Rise and Fall of the MP3
The mp3 had a spectacular rise…the tech was everywhere…it brought music and the industry into the digital era. But like almost everything in this universe, it has a finite lifespan…it’s still with us and in many ways is still ubiquitous in some circles, but things have changed.
And yes, it did kill the music industry—at least the old one that insisted on selling fans their music on pieces of pla
The History of Concert Sound
Ever been to a concert and wondered "How do they make all of this work?". "How have I not gone deaf?" or "Why does the dude on stage wearing what looks like a pair of ear-buds?"
Well we're here to answer those questions and more as we delve deep into the history of concert sound...
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Legendary Gigs
Maybe it was the first time you saw your favourite musical. Maybe they played a set list that you thought was perfection. Maybe you were front and centre and the singer crowd surfed right over your head!
So sure...an absolutely legendary gig!
But what about those gigs that redefined alt-rock? Those concerts or shows that stand out as legendary for what came after them? The bands they inspired or t
The 100 Greatest Rock Moments of the Millennium So Far - Part 10: (10-1)
People who study such things say that the human brain—this folded lump of mostly fat—has a pretty good hard drive…the average adult brain has a capacity of about 2.5 petabytes…put another way, that’s 2.5 million gigs…that’s a lot.
We’re talking personal memories, facts, academic education, learned behaviors, and muscle memory…there are also special places where things like musical memories and lyr
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