C86 Show - Indie Pop

Mark Laff in conversation with David Eastaugh 

He began playing drums as a teenager, being influenced by England's 1960s Mod fashion and music movement and the work of Keith Moon. After a failed audition for The Clash (he was one of two drummers to get a call back), his first drumming role was with Subway Sect, sharing the bill with the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Siouxsie and the Banshees for the Anarchy and White Riot tours, however he left the band shortly afterwards.

In April 1977, the 18-year-old Laff was recruited as a replacement drummer for the punk rock band Generation X, a few months before it signed to Chrysalis Records and released its first single, "Your Generation". He was Generation X's drummer through its two albums, the self-titled Generation X (1978), followed by Valley of the Dolls (1979); which saw the band amidst a heavy performance schedule across Great Britain gaining momentum, drawing recognition and impacting the British pop music charts with its releases.

Tony Fletcher in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/POW-When-Punk-Went-1980-84/dp/B0GGGXLZPH

POW! is the fascinating memoir of a precocious English teen in the early 1980s who published a music magazine, interviewed many of the era's top artists, befriended rock stars, ran a record label, appeared on television, played in a band and found first love -- all at the same time!

In this sequel to his Boy About Town (2013), Tony Fletcher's incredible adventures in the world of British post-punk make for a compelling adventure of highs (an exclusive interview with Paul McCartney, friendship with Paul Weller of the hugely successful Jam, playing to huge audiences, discovering love and sex) and lows (heartbreak, learning the financial challenges of running a label the hard way, the collapse of his band).

Despite the passage of time, he summons up all the enthusiasm he felt for the music and women he loved and marvels at the incredible experiences he had as a hard-working young striver.

The generation raised on MTV, the New Musical Express and bands like Madness, Wham!, the Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, Dexy's Midnight Runners and Killing Joke will love reading this inside view of a knowledgeable fan who got to know them all.

Colin Moulding in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://burningshed.com/colin-moulding_want-it-bad_cd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3X4vcRTFjk

Moulding began jamming with another local musician, Andy Partridge, circa 1972–1973 and soon joined Partridge's band Star Park, convincing Partridge to hire Chambers as well. In July 1975, after a period in which the band were known as the Helium Kidz, they changed their name to XTC.

Several of the band's early hits were penned by Moulding: 1979's "Life Begins at the Hop" was their first to chart in the UK, Australia and Canada; that same year, "Making Plans for Nigel", from the album Drums and Wires, became a Top 40 hit in the UK, Canada, Netherlands and New Zealand

Julie Grant in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://jgrant.info/

https://www.facebook.com/juliegrantmusic

https://www.discogs.com/release/37653312-Crimson-Mints-Threadbare

Award-winning Britpop musician, Julie Grant, has been collaborating with 60’s guitarist Peter Collard to produce a new album, What’s Not Said, which is out now. This ten-track CD features a collection of acoustic and electric songs that highlight Grant’s distinctive voice and unflinching lyrics, paired with Collard’s rhythmic, melodic style.

The songs are inspired by the ten chapters from her forthcoming memoir, The Gatecrasher, set to be published in 2026. A respected and versatile artist, Julie has not only built a remarkable music career but has also performed on national television, recorded live sessions for BBC Radio, written for BBC television, and worked in theatre production.

Patrick Redsell in conversation with David Eastaugh 

https://eafa.org.uk/work/?id=2038

Medieval style illustrations establish the theme of the Last Barsham Faire. Early morning reveals an encampment with caravans, makeshift tents and shelters.  The fair is held next to the round tower church.  Against medieval music, a stilt walker, jesters, minstrels and other musicians perform amongst the crowd.  There is a medieval play and maypole dancing.  One of the organisers tells how stall holders are encouraged to sell their own handmade goods, and to make their stalls look medieval.  

Stallholders discuss their work: a bellows maker, women who spin by hand, and a lute maker.  The committee talk about what the fair means to them.  Other festivities include face painting, actors playing 'Punch and Judy', morris dancing and a man lying on a bed of nails.  A  performance takes place inside a tent, with children singing and dancing.  A firework display ends the day.