Known Pleasures

‘Play high, Hooky! Play high!’ Ian Curtis had been Joy Division’s conductor and lightning rod, giving his crucial nod of approval to Peter Hook’s upper-register bass sound and pulling the strings elsewhere. In May 1980, though, after Ian’s death, the renamed New Order faced an uphill battle. How they not only survived, but thrived spectacularly, is one of the great redemptive stories of rock and roll. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6SPnBqYphsObL9HQKoyYYN?si=6f223859504d425a Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown The Known Pleasures Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvn2bfFxC-0

On the eve of his upcoming tour we interview the former lead singer and songwriter from the seminal UK punk band The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell.  We ask him about the new album, his days with The Stranglers and everything in between. So get a grip on yourself and listen in to a few moments of madness from the mind of Hugh Cornwell.

In our latest flexidisc we will exhume the body of Eileen, run a musical autopsy, and discuss the song that moved a million hearts in stereo in 1982. Was Eileen a metaphor for casting off the social mores of sexual repression and escaping Thatcherite Britain’s humdrum existence? Was Kevin Rowland plundering Celtic rhythms and instrumentation a way of coming to terms with his Irish heritage? Or was it just a cracking good song? Either way, we at Known Pleasures will hum this tune forever, and who’d blame us? So, get your banjos out, tune those violins and dance a Celtic jig to the wonderful Dexys Midnight Runners classic: Come On Eileen.

While time heals all wounds,  the scars of your first hapless podcast episode can run deep. With that in mind, we revisit Simple Minds and attempt to do justice to their Eureka-moment third album, Empires and Dance. 

On our Birthday Party episode we said “there’s never been an Australian band before or since quite like them”. We recently had the opportunity to interview drummer Phill Calvert who told us about the boys’ early school days, his departure from the band and why he knew eventually Nick would go solo. Ladies and gentlemen, release the bats!  Video version on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LrIVMNzmDA   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown  

In this episode, Graham interviews the Bass Player from 'The Jam' and 'From The Jam'. The video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgXy5F8jD2I&t=37s  

While Athens in Greece gifted civilisation with democracy, science, philosophy, taxes, writing, and schools, Athens in Georgia gave the world Widespread Panic, REM and the subject of today’s podcast The B-52s. A frenetic drummer in strange glasses, a guitarist who clearly needed to add more strings to his bow, a lead singer who would shout and vociferate more than sing, and two bouffant-wearing female vocalists that sounded unlike anyone else. How was this a recipe for a successful New Wave band? Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3sqaz9vstfKqejNPHhRm1e?si=174c3037d9f24bf4 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown

Born of the fallout from two of post punk’s best, Shriekback had no right to be any good, because well, so-called supergroups rarely are. But Shriekback were better than good – at their best they were simply majestic, riding a wave of ideas and inspiration that left other 80’s pretenders flailing in their wake. In this episode we’ll attempt to hook, then land the fish below the ice that is Shriekback. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/02VcGqVqogjhIEvVATH0t7?si=b5a8aec097d24ebf To purchase Shriekback music: https://shriekback.com/store Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown  

Rusty Egan - former drummer with The Skids and The Rich Kids, founding member of Visage and DJ at The Blitz Club in London, sits down with us for a discussion on the post punk scene, the New Romantics and Club Culture in the early 80's. Rusty Egan's Mix Cloud page: https://www.mixcloud.com/rustyegan/ Rusty Egan's Sound Cloud Page: https://soundcloud.com/rusty-egan The Known Pleasures YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYXJiCDDsOZYrE6DV_tOIvg The Known Pleasures Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 The Known Pleasures Instagram Page:  Twitter: @pleasuresknown    

In our latest Flexidisc we discuss Lene Lovich's 1981 song New Toy.

In our latest Flexidisc we discuss the Synth Pop classic Fade To Grey by Visage.

During the mid-seventies, a group of angry young men sprang from the punk scene in London. They possessed a singer-songwriter sensibility, combined with an acerbic wit, lyrical acrobatics and melodies that would have made one or two Brill Building composers weep with envy. The three Musketeers leading the charge were Graham Parker, Joe Jackson, and the subject of this podcast, Elvis Costello. From 'My Aim Is True' to 'Get Happy!!' , Elvis Costello showed the world that songs about guilt and revenge could be infectious and inventive.  Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7k4gpAsTGTHXLQh1ZTxfDo?si=9d48408bb85b4c9b Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Known-Pleasures-131768500804116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown Known Pleasures Theme Song: Untitled Red - Ephemeral : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTMSO2ax8SA

Here's our latest Flexidisc shortcast where we discuss Islington's finest Spandau Ballet and their debut single To Cut A Long Story Short.

We here at the Known Pleasures Institute are producing short form podcasts to be delivered sporadically throughout the year in between our normal full length episodes. Here we discuss the synth pop classic I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls.  

In 1988, U2 seemed to believe their roots lay with the Beatles, Hendrix, Billie Holliday and Bo Diddley. The album – and film – Rattle and Hum saw them referencing the above, as well as recording with Dylan, then BB King, at Sun Studio in Memphis. But where were their actual influences in this telling of the tale? The Rottens and Viciouses? The Curtises and Hooks? The Strummerses? Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0NTcqN7km05UEpZB2auX5S?si=adc61be685084e11 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Known-Pleasures-131768500804116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown Known Pleasures Theme Song: Untitled Red - Ephemeral : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTMSO2ax8SA  

There was one particular genre that sprang from the post punk era that was all at once joyous, political, infectious, melodic, alternative and danceable. It was a revival of the '60s Ska Movement that became known in the UK as Two Tone. And in this multi cultural cafe, full of delectable delights and international flavours, we had the opportunity to taste a little Madness, try a little Selecter, indulge in the sweetness of The Beat and maybe order some Bodysnatchers to go. But before ordering anything on the Ska menu, it's always good to see The Specials. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/1230971434/playlist/0guragbxN0JAaUAZCjbUMW?si=xEk2SWBPR96cw8KZVtNSdA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Known-Pleasures-131768500804116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown

In this episode we talk with one of the founding members of China Crisis, Eddie Lundon. We discuss their working with drum machines, working with synthesisers and working with fire & steel in the lead up to their first ever tour of Australia, 40 years after the release of their 1st album. So sit back and witness the difficult shapes & passive rhythms of Eddie Lundon from China Crisis.   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Known-Pleasures-131768500804116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown

Here is our interview with one of the founding members of Joy Division, New Order and The Light, Peter Hook. Enjoy the insight, the ceremony and the atmosphere of one of the most influential bass player of the Post Punk era. The video version is on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/100063297726030/videos/625143802696575 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com Twitter: @pleasuersknown  

When late night talk turns to the turbulent musical period known as “post-punk”, three names invariably crop up: Joy Division, Wire and Gang of Four. Like some sort of unholy trinity, they remain standing like not-so-silent sentinels, lighting the way forward. Here at Known Pleasures we’ve already twisted ourselves into knots over Wire and despite our name, are still afraid to tackle Joy Division, so…Gang of Four it is. From 1978’s spiky Damaged Goods EP through to 1983’s pop-tinged Hard we’ll try to explain why this Gang of for(mer) art students deserve their Champions League place at the post-punk table. Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/1230971434/playlist/6kTznje9g7c1FQWfU1jQ3O?si=0fEgmwgFSg2ws_SKbozQ5Q Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Known-Pleasures-131768500804116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown

In 1981, a yoghurt-factory worker, a window dresser, and two blokes employed by an insurance company and a bank, somehow conjured up one of the most irresistible songs of the decade. Forty years and a hundred million records later – including 35 Top 20 hits in the UK – Depeche Mode are solid-gold, electronic-rock royalty.    In this episode, we join the band for the first part of their expedition – from the sparkling pop of ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ to the industrial clank of ‘People Are People’, losing members, attracting the scorn of the media, and wearing a skirt or two along the way. So, let’s speak, and spell it out for our listeners about Depeche Mode. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Known-Pleasures-131768500804116 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knownpleasurespodcast/ Twitter: @pleasuresknown