We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast , we welcome John Thomas Griffith from Red Rockers for a conversation covering the band’s rise from the New Orleans punk scene to becoming one of the standout acts of the MTV-era new wave movement. John shares stories from the early days of the band, reflects on the making of Condition Red , and talks about the success of songs like “China,” “Good as Gold,” and “Eve of Destruction.” He also op...
May 26, 2026•42 min•Season 7Ep. 135
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast , Steve sits down with Barry Harris of Kon Kan for a deep dive into the story behind one of the most recognizable dance-pop acts of the late ‘80s. Barry reflects on the origins of Kon Kan, the massive success of “I Beg Your Pardon,” the creative process behind hits like “Harry Houdini,” and how DJ culture and remixing helped shape the band’s signature sound. The conversation also explores the ...
May 11, 2026•36 min•Season 7Ep. 134
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast , Steve and Don dive deep into two major new releases, going track by track through Hope and Fury from Joe Jackson and the long-awaited Trixies from Squeeze, an album over 50 years in the making. From sharp songwriting to the signature sounds that defined a generation, they take a closer look at these albums, highlighting the standout moments and how they fit into each artist’s legacy. In musi...
May 01, 2026•49 min•Season 7Ep. 133
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of the New Wave Music Podcast, we sit down with Debora Iyall of Romeo Void to explore the band’s full journey—from their beginnings in the late ‘70s San Francisco scene to becoming one of the most distinctive voices of the early alternative era. Debora reflects on the band’s evolution and shares insights into some of their most iconic songs, including Deborah shares the story of how her response to a Michael Jackson songs ...
Apr 12, 2026•44 min•Season 7Ep. 132
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode, Steve and Don dive into two highly anticipated releases. They take a deep, track-by-track look at Morrissey’s Make-Up Is a Lie , exploring its themes, standout moments, and where it lands in his ever-controversial catalog. The conversation then shifts to The Charlatans’ We Are Loved , where they break down the band’s latest release, discussing its sonic direction, pacing, and how it stacks up against their classic era. Th...
Mar 30, 2026•57 min•Season 7Ep. 131
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Jesse Hartman from LAPTOP for a deep dive into the band’s past, present, and future. Jesse takes listeners back to the beginning, sharing the story of how LAPTOP first came together and reflecting on the early days of the band, including the debut album Opening Credits and the follow-up release The Old Me vs The New You. Along the way, he discusses the songwriting process...
Mar 09, 2026•51 min•Season 7Ep. 130
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve & Don takes a deep dive into two releases that highlight different corners of the new wave and alternative landscape. First up is a track-by-track look at The Lost Record from Susanna Hoffs — an album that blends timeless songwriting with that unmistakable melodic style fans have loved for decades. Then the spotlight shifts to Real , the long-shelved and rediscovered album from Kirs...
Feb 25, 2026•49 min•Season 7Ep. 129
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Darkwave and post-punk take center stage in this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast as Steve welcomes rising act Silent WVLF for the show’s New Music Spotlight . Joined by band members Jeff and Tory , the conversation explores the band’s origins, the story behind their name, and the influences shaping their haunting, atmospheric sound that’s resonating with modern alternative and new wave audiences. Silent WVLF: https://silentwvlf.band...
Feb 10, 2026•27 min•Season 7Ep. 128
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve is joined by special co-host Riff Royal for an in-depth review of two solo releases from New Wave icons. Together, they dive into The Ten Crowns , the latest solo album from Erasure front-man Andy Bell, and Night Mirror , the new solo album from Claudia Brücken. The episode also features a packed music news segment, covering new releases and announcements from They Might Be Giants, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, Ian McNabb featuring R.E....
Jan 29, 2026•51 min•Season 7Ep. 127
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve is joined by guest host Don from The Album Nerds to review two new releases from New Wave icons: Men Without Hats’ On the Moon and Sparks’ latest album Mad , digging into the highlights and standout moments. Plus, in New Wave music news, there’s new music from Joe Jackson, Kissing the Pink, Billy Idol, Squeeze, and Cindy Wilson of The B-52s. Men Without Hats: https://www.safetydance.com/ Sparks: https://allsparks.com/ Support the sh...
Jan 14, 2026•45 min•Season 7Ep. 126
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve and a surprise guest count down their 10 Best Albums of 2025 . From darkwave and synth-pop to legendary artists delivering late-career highlights, this episode is a full year-end reflection on the records that defined 2025. Along the way, they break down standout tracks, key moments, and why these albums rose above the rest. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, passionate look back at the year in new wave and classic alternative musi...
Dec 29, 2025•27 min•Season 7Ep. 125
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast , Steve sits down with Brian Chatton , founding member and creative force behind Boys Don’t Cry . Brian takes us through the band’s early days, the origin of their name, and the playful nod to The Cure on their second album. We revisit the massive global success of “I Wanna Be a Cowboy,” how it reshaped the band’s trajectory, and the unforgettable (and sometimes bizarre) live moments that came...
Dec 08, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 124
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast , Steve is joined by Monique Powell , the unmistakable voice of Save Ferris . Monique reflects on the band’s early days and their remarkable rise during the ’90s ska revival, including the story behind their breakout cover of “Come On Eileen” and how it became a defining moment in their career. The conversation also explores the long-awaited return of the Checkered Past EP to streaming platfor...
Dec 01, 2025•26 min•Season 7Ep. 123
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of the New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Ian Dench, guitarist and principal songwriter for EMF the band behind the iconic hit “Unbelievable.” Ian reflects on the band’s early breakthrough, the whirlwind of success in the ’90s, and how that explosive start shaped EMF’s journey. He discusses the band’s creative evolution, what brought them back together, and why their blend of rock, dance, and electronic energy st...
Nov 17, 2025•32 min•Season 7Ep. 122
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve is joined by Don from the Album Nerds Podcast for a deep dive into two standout new releases — David Byrne’s Who Is the Sky and Birdsong , the latest from The Blow Monkeys. Together, they explore how both artists continue to evolve while staying true to their distinctive sounds. In music news, the duo covers fresh tracks from Heaven 17, Boys Don’t Cry, Depeche Mode, Men Without Hats, James and Haircut 100 — plus a nostalgic twist wi...
Nov 03, 2025•51 min•Season 7Ep. 121
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast , Steve takes an in-depth look at the latest albums from The Chameleons and Peter Murphy . From shimmering guitars to brooding vocals, he breaks down how each artist continues to evolve while honoring their signature sound. In music news, there are rumors of a new album from The Cure , new tracks from Pop Will Eat Itself and Daniel Ash’s newest band , and an unexpected reinterpretation of a Ba...
Oct 21, 2025•38 min•Season 7Ep. 120
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of the New Wave Music Podcast, we sit down with Myles and Kyle Mendes of NITE, a band that blends dark synth textures, melodic hooks, and a modern take on new wave. The brothers share the story of their origins, the meaning behind their name, and how their influences helped shape the band’s distinctive sound. We also dive deep into their music catalog, highlighting standout tracks from across their career, including their ...
Oct 06, 2025•43 min•Season 6Ep. 119
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of the New Wave Music Podcast , we sit down with Doug MacMillan (from The Connells) and Jon Dawson of Third of Never to discuss their brand-new release, Damage the Pearl: Original Soundtrack . The album takes a bold, cinematic approach—blending New Wave textures, alternative energy, and psychedelic flourishes into a project that feels as much like a film score as a traditional record. Doug and Jon share the story of how th...
Sep 29, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 118
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve dives into Ian McNabb’s brand-new album If It Wasn’t For The Music, as well as Suzanne Vega’s Flying with Angels—her first collection of new songs in over a decade. We’ll also bring you the latest music news, including fresh releases from Sparks, The Charlatans, Nine Inch Nails, Robert Smith, and more. Ian McNabb: https://www.ianmcnabb.com/ Suzanne Vega: https://www.suzannevega.com/ Sup...
Sep 15, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 117
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this New Music Spotlight, Steve chats with Hayley Cain of Hayley and the Crushers—a band that blends surf, punk, and power pop with a sound best described as the Go-Go’s meets X. Hayley shares how the band first came together, the story behind their name, and the influences that shaped their one-of-a-kind sound. We also dive into tracks from their latest EP, Unsubscribe from the Underground, and much more. Hayley and the Crushers: http...
Sep 01, 2025•53 min•Season 6Ep. 116
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode Steve sits down with Peter Hooton, lead vocalist of The Farm. Peter reflects on how his passion for music and the vibrant Liverpool scene inspired him to form the band, and he opens up about the stories behind their biggest hits, including the enduring anthems “All Together Now” and “Groovy Train.” After more than 30 years, The Farm have returned with their first new album since 1994, Let the Music Take Control . Peter sha...
Aug 18, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 115
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Season 6, Episode 114 In this episode, Steve sits down with Ivan Doroschuk, the unmistakable voice behind Men Without Hats. Ivan pulls back the curtain on how the band got its iconic name and what it was like working with one of his musical heroes. Ivan also gives us an inside look at their infectious new track, “I Love the 80s,” unpacking the clever hidden references woven through its lyrics. It’s a nostalgic trip packed with fresh insig...
Aug 04, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 114
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Season 6, Episode 113. In this episode, Steve Hovington of B-Movie shares how the band got its cinematic name, the story behind ‘Nowhere Girl’ , and the influences that shaped their sound. He also dives into his solo work on Audience With Myself, how The Killers sparked B-Movie’s comeback, and the lost tracks brought back on Hidden Treasures. A must-listen for fans of B-Movie and new wave nostalgia. B-Movie: https://www.b-movie.org/ Steve...
Jul 24, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 113
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Season 6, Episode 112 After a big announcement from T-Bone, we're going to take a look at 2 very different albums. First up is the latest from new wave/punk legend Billy Idol and his 2025 album "Dream Into It." Up next, and not something we EVER thought we'd review, the latest from Ministry. Yes, Ministry. But you'll see why when you start listening. In music news we talk about the passing of an icon, Mike Peters, along with a lot of new ...
Jul 07, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 112
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode, Steve sits down with Strangelove – The Depeche Mode Experience to talk about life on the road, sharing the stage with legendary New Wave artists, and their deep connection to Depeche Mode’s legacy. The band also discusses their new album Rendition, which features their first original track, “Sublime.” Tune in as we explore the creative process behind the record, the influences that shaped it, and what’s next for the band....
Jun 30, 2025•28 min•Season 6Ep. 111
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode, Steve speaks with New Wave icon Peter Godwin for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation. Peter takes us back to his early days with the influential band Metro, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and the creative sparks that lit some of his most iconic tracks. He opens up about the inspirations behind his biggest hits and gives us an inside look at his upcoming tour with the Lost 80s Live. As a special treat, Peter perfo...
Jun 16, 2025•52 min•Season 6Ep. 110
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode, Steve sits down with Limahl, the iconic frontman of Kajagoogoo and solo artist behind the timeless hit “Never Ending Story.” Limahl shares the story behind his unique stage name, reflects on his breakout days with Kajagoogoo, and about collaborating with legendary producer Giorgio Moroder. He also discusses the story behind his atmospheric cover of “A Horse With No Name,” and much more. It’s a deep dive into New Wave hist...
May 26, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 109
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Season 6, Episode 108 In this episode Steve had the chance to talk with Barry Andrews, lead singer of the band Shriekback. They discuss the longevity of songs, Julie Andrews (no relation), the late, great bassist Dave Allen, their newly released 18th studio album, "Monument" and much more. Shriekback: https://shriekback.com/ Support the show...
May 12, 2025•54 min•Season 6Ep. 108
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Season 6, Episode 107 Propaganda didn't produce too much music, but what they did will forever be remembered as some of the best of that era. Steve had a chance to talk to original members Ralf Dörper and Michael Mertens. They discuss their backgrounds, working with other musicians and producers, their new album and much more! Propaganda: https://propaganda-official.bandcamp.com/album/propaganda Enjoy the podcast? How about buying us a cu...
Apr 21, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 107
We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Season 6, Episode 106 Belious Some had a string of hits such as "Imagination" and "Some People," and on this episode Steve had the opportunity to talk with him. They discuss his name, creating a song for the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, potential new material, touring and much more! Belouis Some: https://www.belouissome.com/ Enjoy the podcast? How about buying us a cup of coffee? https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newwavemusic Support the show...
Apr 07, 2025•26 min•Season 6Ep. 106
