Music

S2E9 - Charity Singles and the 80s Spectacle of Giving: Live Aid and We Are the World

Conrad and Melinda discuss the onslaught of charity singles in the 80s: the concept, the dramas, and the impact.

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REFERENCES

African Biographics. (2021, April 9). MENGISTU : The Butcher of Addis Ababa and the story of Socialist Ethiopia | African Biographics [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaMnWQP9jUE

Bainbridge, L. (2018, March 22). The Eighties: One Day, One Decade by Dylan Jones – review. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/08/one-day-decade-dylan-jones-review

Billinson, J. (2019, October 31). What was Hands across America? The story behind 80s movement. BuzzFeed News. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/joshbillinson/story-behind-hands-across-america

Cronin, B. (2022). Why Wasn’t Madonna Included In ‘We Are the World’? Pop Culture References. https://popculturereferences.com/why-wasnt-madonna-included-in-we-are-the-world/

Edwards, G. (2020, March 8). Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/we-are-the-world-a-minute-by-minute-breakdown-54619/

Ethics, A. R. &. (2023). Kindness for clicks: MrBeast and the problem of philanthropy as spectacle. ABC Religion & Ethics. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/mrbeast-and-the-problem-of-philanthropy-as-spectacle/101998574

Ethiopia’s unforgettable famines: Here’s why they really happen. (n.d.). www.cbc.ca. https://www.cbc.ca/documentarychannel/features/ethiopias-unforgettable-famines-heres-why-they-really-happen

Jones, S. (2022, October 19). BBC holds firm over Ethiopia famine funds report. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/07/bbc-holds-firm-ethiopia-famine-funds

Live Aid 1985 | The Tech-ops History Site. (n.d.). http://tech-ops.co.uk/next/live-aid-1985/

MJ Full Concerts. (2021, March 19). [Full Documentary] The Making Of We Are The World 1985 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVg_nG4RV_k

New Earnings Survey (NES) - Age Group Gross Weekly and Hourly excluding Overtime data - Office for National Statistics. (2017, March 21). https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/adhocs/006810newearningssurveynesagegroupgrossweeklyandhourlyexcludingovertimedata

Nissim, M. (2022a). Did you know Noel Edmonds flew Phil Collins in his helicopter for Live Aid? Gold. https://www.goldradiouk.com/news/music/noel-edmonds-phil-collins-live-aid-helicopter/

Nissim, M. (2022b). 30 massive artists who DIDN’T play Live Aid and why: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart and more. Gold. https://www.goldradiouk.com/news/music/live-aid-missing-absent-not-play-why/

Reporter, G. S. (2017, December 19). Band Aid 30 single raises £1m within minutes of X Factor debut. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/17/band-aid-30-single-raises-1-million-pounds-within-minutes-x-factor-debut

Sharpe, B. (2018, March 20). ‘We are the World’: Ethiopia, Famine and U.S. Humanitarianism. US History Scene. https://ushistoryscene.com/article/we-are-the-world/

Staff, E. a. D. T. (2022, September 15). Live Aid raised millions of pounds but, 30 years on, what is its legacy? East Anglian Daily Times. https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21647816.live-aid-raised-millions-pounds-30-years-legacy/

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49 - 50/50: Covers and Space

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Melinda and Aaron have fought through the COVID-19 malaise and are each back with a surprise topic. Melinda delves into what makes a great cover song, with a handful of interesting examples, while Aaron recalls our hopeful visions of space travel from the 80s.

Covers

Space Travel

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33 - Trick or Treat, 1986 Film

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Yes, that’s Skippy from Family Ties. And yes, he rocks.

Yes, that’s Skippy from Family Ties. And yes, he rocks.

This week we are joined by Thrash It Out podcast host, Brian LeTendre, to discuss the 1986 film, Trick or Treat. If you were a metalhead in the 80s then this movie will more than likely bring back great memories for you, as it does for Melinda and Brian! We give our thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the movie and learn some details about the production and the killer soundtrack by Fastway.

31 - The KLF: Music, Chaos, and Discordianism

This still looks like Drummond is seriously considering taking a bite out of Cauty's ear. We may have been loopy, but this caused us to laugh a LOT and consider what foods would have "ear consistency." Please leave your ideas in the comments!

This still looks like Drummond is seriously considering taking a bite out of Cauty's ear. We may have been loopy, but this caused us to laugh a LOT and consider what foods would have "ear consistency." Please leave your ideas in the comments!

What's that you say? You're not particularly into early 90s house/ dance music? You think it's all super lame? Or perhaps you think, "Oh, yeah!! I remember that song '3 AM Eternal.' Junior high school ruled." Let us be the ones to tell you - there is SO much more to this story.

The KLF are known for their popular dance songs "3 AM Eternal," "What Time is Love," and "Justified and Ancient." You may also know them for their novelty pop song done under the band name "The Timelords," called "Doctorin' the Tardis." What you may NOT know is that they gave a big middle finger to the British music industry with an outrageous display at the 1992 Brit awards, deleted their entire music catalog, and burned a million quid. Why, you ask? The answer will take us deep into discordian thought - you may never see the world quite the same way again.

We have a lot of reference links and photos for you this time - so please enjoy.

References:

30 - Sell Out! (When Metal goes Mainstream)

WASP Live in the Raw - Brian's first "Explicit Lyrics, Parental Advisory" album.

This week we are joined by Thrash It Out podcast host, Brian LeTendre, to talk metal - and in particular to talk about how long-time metal fans feel when their favorite band takes their music in a new direction. Brian discusses the Hysteria album by Def Leppard and the Promised Land album by Queensrÿche. Melinda discusses the infamous "Black Album" by Metallica. Aaron listens to the woe with patience. If you've ever been through a bad band breakup when that sound you love was lost forever, you will definitely appreciate this discussion. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll possibly be offended... but you can still probably relate.

 

Check out Brian's podcasts! If you love metal, or are just interested in learning more about it, we highly recommend them!!

  • Thrash It Out - Where he is joined by Antony Johnston (yes, the guy who created Wasteland!) and they listen to a heavy metal album, and then argue about it.

  • Power Chords Podcast - Brian and Matt Herring discuss rock and metal, and they talk about their favorite bands from the 70s through the 90s. Rock and metal nostalgia from 2 guys who clearly love music!

References:

Video: Metallica Mixer Explains Missing Bass on 'And Justice for All' - Ever wonder why "And Justice For All" had no bass? Wonder no more.

Def Leppard, Ring of Fire - The best Hysteria era song you've probably never heard!

21 - Operation: Mindcrime

We bring it back to metal with a discussion of Queensrÿche's 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime. It usually makes the top 10 of all metal concept albums, and was a staple for most metal fans growing up in the 80s. As a long-time fan, Melinda walks you through the details and Aaron provides his insights as a new listener. If you don't remember, you will now.

  • 11:10 – Album plot overview

  • 20:05 – Track by track deconstruction – I Remember Now

  • 21:38 – Anarchy X

  • 22:24 – Revolution Calling

  • 25:34 – Operation: Mindcrime

  • 27:56 – Speak

  • 34:04 – Spreading the Disease

  • 38:28 – The Mission

  • 43:38 – Suite Sister Mary

  • 50:33 – The Needle Lies

  • 52:09 – Electric Requiem

  • 54:14 – Breaking the Silence/ I Don’t Believe in Love

  • 55:09 – Waiting for 22

  • 59:40 – My empty Room

  • 1:01:10 – Eyes of a Stranger, Messages from this album

1:08:20 – Live Performances – Operation: LiveCrime and Mindcrime at the Moore

1:17:05 - Band Breakup and Lawsuit

Cassette Tape Track listing, which shows that Suite Sister Mary was part of Side 1 on this version

Cassette Tape Track listing, which shows that Suite Sister Mary was part of Side 1 on this version