Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music

In this episode we take a look back to another origin artist of alternative music, The Stooges. Regarded as a seminal proto-punk band, The Stooges were instrumental in the development of punk rock, post-punk, alternative rock and various other forms of rock music. 
The Stooges started in Michigan in 1967, and were known for their sound that was simple, primitive, and energetic with stripped-down aggression. Along with the music, their performances were chaotic and confrontational helping to lay the foundation for punk rock along with the darker, intense, and experimental direction of countless future bands. 
Iggy Pop, also referred to as the "Godfather of Punk", was the lead singer of the band with his unique voice, lyrics, and his unpredictable and unusual stage antics that would set the bar for the intense performances found in punk and post-punk music. 
This episode will discuss the influence of The Stooges and their music, tell the story of the band's beginning and what was behind this music, and discuss the music of their three influential albums from the years 1969 through 1973.

By the end of the 1970’s, XTC had evolved from a quirky punk type of band into an intelligent and elaborate art-rock post-punk band with pop sensibilities and punk energy.
The band had formed in the early 70's in Swindon, England and was fronted by songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding. XTC's music featured distinctive angular guitars and witty lyrics as they were known for their energetic live performances and their non-conventional music.
Their 1979 single "Making Plans for Nigel" was a commercial breakthrough and began the popularization of the reverberating drum sound. This was well represented on XTC's third album, Drums and Wires, produced by legendary producer, Steve Lillywhite.
Our episode will tell the story of the band through their early years along with the development of XTC's music through the first three albums including the incredible third album, Drums and Wires.

The English band The Charlatans were one of the most successful artists from the "Madchester" and "Baggy" music and cultural scene of late 80s and early 90s. 
The music of The Charlatans was a blend of indie rock, dance rhythms, and 60’s psychedelic influenced organ grooves. This was well represented on their 1990 debut studio album, Some Friendly, which debuted at number 1 on the UK albums chart. Their pre-album single release in early 1990, “The Only One I Know”, was a was a top 10 hit and one of the defining songs of the baggy movement.
The band formed in 1988 and added lead singer Tim Burgess in 1989 before The Charlatans debut studio album. By the band’s third album the Madchester sound was fading and the band evolved their sound over the next few albums. The Charlatans have been one of the most prominent and longest running indie bands from the UK. All of the band's fourteen studio albums, including their newest from October 2025, have charted in the top 40 of the UK albums chart
This episode will tell the story of the forming of the band through their debut number 1 album and music during the baggy years.

The Sisters of Mercy rose from the UK post-punk scene after forming in Leeds in 1980. The band’s sound was characterized by gloomy and dark atmospheres, heavy basslines, and cavernous reverb as The Sisters of Mercy and their music became a major influence on the gothic rock genre. 
Initiated by Andrew Eldritch and Gary Marx, The Sisters of Mercy have gone through many members over the years, but the constant force has always been lead vocalist Eldritch along with his drum machine known as "Doktor Avalanche". Eldritch's deep and melancholic singing voice, along with his appearance and style led the media to describe him as "The Godfather of Goth" for inspiring and defining the gothic scene. 
After releasing a number of singles in the early '80s to underground success, the group created their highly influential debut album, First and Last and Always, in 1985. This seminal gothic rock album with tracks like "Marian" and "Black Planet" would be the first of only three studio LP’s from The Sisters of Mercy ,even though the band continues today performing live and touring.
Our podcast episode will tell the story of the band's early years leading up to and through the incredible debut album of 1985, First and Last and Always.

In 1978, Kate Bush hit number one on the UK singles chart with her debut song, “Wuthering Heights”. This was of the start of the unique, creative and successful journey of the legendary English singer, songwriter, musician, dancer, and producer.
After being discovered during her teenage years with the help of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, Kate Bush would soon follow the debut single with the release of her debut album in early 1978, The Kick Inside. 
After her second album, Kate Bush would perform her monumental Tour of Life, the first and only formal tour in her career.  
In 1980 her third album, Never for Ever, would reach number 1 in the UK. Bush co-produced this album that saw her sound become more experimental as she discovered new sonic territories, leading to visionary albums and international success.
This podcast episode will tell the story of the influential Kate Bush’s early years covering her debut single, the first two albums followed by the world tour of 1979, and through the third studio album, Never for Ever.