Episode 192: PRP/Synthpop Symphony Crossover: Red Flag Part 2 (with DJ Matt Williams)

Brian and Sarah are once again joined by DJ Matt Williams, creator and host of the synth-tastic radio show Synthpop Symphony. Matt’s show is aired on dozens of terrestrial radio stations around the world and can also be found on podcast platforms.

In the previous episode, Brian, Sarah and Matt started a discussion about the San Diego-based duo Red Flag, whose well-crafted electronic tracks were heard in countless clubs at the end of the 1980s. Their debut album, Naïve Art, was released in 1989, and the three hosts shared both information on and memories of the album, touching on numerous other topics along the way.

This episode dives into four tracks from Naïve Art, three of which were singles, and one which Brian and Sarah learned from Matt was at least considered as a single.

The chart information Sarah has for the singles is primarily for the dance charts, although Brian does take great joy being able to use one of his 1980s pop chart books to confirm some information. Matt tells stories of receiving and playing the remixes in dance clubs. Sarah also has some single reviews, and in what may be a first for the show, a video review!

The three hosts discuss each song in depth, but the conversation encompasses many other topics as well. The PRP hosts chat with Matt about the time and effort involved in planning a radio show playlist.

Information Society member and famed producer Paul Robb is mentioned, along with the group T42. And once again, Depeche Mode makes the list of discussion topics; this time the focus is on Depeche Mode’s influence on music.

Songs discussed in this episode:
Russian Radio
If I Ever
Broken Heart
Pretty in Pity

Watch the video discussed:
Russian Radio

Catch up with DJ Matt Williams at
http://synthpopsymphony.com

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Episode 191: PRP/Synthpop Symphony Crossover: Red Flag Part 1 (with DJ Matt Williams)

Brian and Sarah are thrilled to present the first in what will hopefully become a series of crossover episodes with DJ Matt Williams. Matt is the brains and the voice behind the amazing radio show Synthpop Symphony, which airs on radio stations in 60 countries and is also available for download on virtually all podcast platforms.

As Matt states, “Synthpop Symphony is where the past, present, and future of synth-driven music collide.” And as PRP and Synthpop Symphony collide, the hosts shine a spotlight on a past synthpop group that often goes overlooked: Red Flag.

In this first of two parts, Matt, Brian, and Sarah discuss Red Flag’s history, the recording of their debut album, Naïve Art, and each person’s history with the album. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The three also talk about cool radio stations, the demise of synthpop in the 90s, Depeche Mode’s US Top 40 history, the history Razormaid, the comparison of bands like Red Flag, Cause & Effect, and Anything Box to Depeche Mode, the return of Tom Bailey, and the Red Flag Fan Club.

It’s a fun discussion that sets the stage for Part Two, where they’ll dive deep into four selections from Naïve Art.

And be sure to visit http://synthpopsymphony.com to learn more about DJ Matt Williams and his Synthpop Symphony radio show!

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Episode 190: End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 2) – The Alarm & Duran Duran

Brian and Sarah are back and ready to continue their discussion of a couple of ‘summery’ songs, as the summer draws closer to an end in the Northern Hemisphere. (For those in the Southern Hemisphere, maybe think of this as a summer preview!)

As in the previous episode, the first song selection comes from Sarah. She chose the 1987 single “Rain in the Summertime” by The Alarm.

This song was released in advance of The Alarm’s third studio album “Eye of the Hurricane,” which Sarah explains was a tumultuous period in the band’s history. She recounts stories of the song’s creation and recording which expose some of the difficulties with and among bandmates. However, the anecdotes also reveal some surprising uses of computer technology for the time.

Both hosts mention comparisons and similarities between The Alarm and U2, even down to the desert setting of this song’s video. In discussing the video, Sarah can’t help but bring up a pet peeve of hers when watching movies—a phenomenon Brian says is often identified with the classic film “Casablanca.”

After wrapping up the discussion on Sarah’s song, it’s time for Brian to reveal his second selection. He chose the 1990 single from Duran Duran, “Violence of Summer (Love’s Taking Over).”

With his selection, Brian shares a “hot take”-- his great love of the 1990 album Liberty. He confesses this love caused his research for the song to stray into research for the entire album, which he then had to reign in. However, since he did take the time and effort to do the work, he decides to share a few tidbits regarding Liberty as well.

1990 was an interesting time for Duran Duran—the band’s lineup had changed yet again, and they were in kind of a limbo period compared to the widespread popularity and exposure they experienced in the first half of the 1980s. Brian reveals some thoughts Simon LeBon shared about Liberty and its place in the Duran Duran catalog, and both hosts talk about highlights on the album.

The discussion of the video for “Violence of Summer (Love’s Taking Over)” finds Sarah rather confused about what she’s seeing, at least some of the time. Brian brings up a funny story about the frequently-shirtless Warren Cuccurullo and how that affected the rest of the band. And Brian is thrilled when Sarah references Dead or Alive!

Watch the videos here:
"Rain in the Summertime" - The Alarm
"Violence of Summer (Love's Taking Over)" - Duran Duran

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Episode 189: End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 1) - The Power Station & Bananarama

In the United States, the Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Brian and Sarah just aren’t ready to say goodbye to summer yet, so over the holiday weekend, they recorded a couple of episodes featuring songs that invoke the feeling of summer. Each episode in this mini-series will feature one song chosen by Brian and one chosen by Sarah.

The first song up for discussion is the only one without the word “Summer” in the title. However, there’s no question that it makes you think of summer and other sultry situations. Sarah selected the 1985 hit “Some Like It Hot” from supergroup The Power Station.

Sarah shares chart information and reviews for the song, and she also explains the origin of the supergroup and the recording of the song. Brian is quite enthusiastic about Sarah’s choice and shares memories of purchasing the album on cassette and watching the video for “Some Like It Hot” many times back in the day.

As discussion turns to the video, both hosts can’t contain their amusement at some of the promo’s elements; Sarah even provides a bulleted list of the more notable features.

To wrap up the discussion on “Some Like It Hot,” Sarah shares a bit of ‘extra credit’ information about the song’s use in some network television promotions, back in 1985 but also in the 2020s!

Then it’s time to move on to Brian’s selection. His choice is “Cruel Summer” by British girl group Bananarama (NOT a certain American solo artist). Brian also provides ‘the usual’ information such as chart positions, reviews, the writing and recording of the song, and his personal history.

Discussion of the “Cruel Summer” video reveals a common thread—or should we say line?—between the songs in this episode: cocaine! There’s also a brief James Bond reference made, although it’s from Sarah, rather than Brian!

The episode wraps up with Brian sharing a recent review, which are always read aloud on the show, and always very much appreciated by both hosts.

Watch the videos here:
"Some Like It Hot" - The Power Station
"Cruel Summer" - Bananarama
CBS Daytime Drama Promos featuring "Some Like It Hot"

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Episode 187: Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell (1981) Part 4

Brian & Sarah are back for a Martin Gore-focused look at "Speak and Spell" as they shine a spotlight on the three middle songs on side 2 of Depeche Mode's 1981 debut.

Up till now, this has been the Vince Clarke show; however, with these three tunes, we get the first song written by Martin, the first of many Martin instrumentals, and the first lead vocal by Martin! And to believe that we recorded this one on Vince's birthday!!

Along the way, talk turns to a pair of old movies, a ranking of Depeche Mode instrumentals, the history of the Big Muff effects pedal, Falco, classic 1980s "HWUH"s, and, of course, posh clobber!

Songs discussed in this episode:
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Big Muff
Any Second Now (Voices)

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Episode 186: Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell (1981) Part 3

In this episode, Brian and Sarah resume their look back at Depeche Mode’s debut album. As a reminder, they’re using the US track listing as they talk about the album, but for the songs contained in this episode, the track listing is the same on both sides of the pond.

The next songs up for discussion aren’t singles, but that doesn’t stop our hosts from finding plenty of things to talk about. Here are just a few examples:
• Sarah’s phrase ‘Erasure gallop’ is changed to ‘Vince Clarke gallop’ due to one of these songs
• Brian’s favorite ‘one-two punches’ of Depeche Mode album tracks—one of which is found on this album
• The probable origins of the song “What’s Your Name?” and whether or not it’s actually a bad song.
• DJ Stevo competing with Daniel Miller to work with Depeche Mode, and the compromise that was reached
• The last live performance of “Photographic” and who was there for it

Additionally, our hosts are thrilled to share recordings from two listeners who provided Speak & Spell memories, and there are three reviews to read as well. And here’s a friendly reminder that you too, can use the phone number or link below to record your own memories for use in a future episode!

Songs discussed in this episode:
Nodisco
What’s Your Name?
Photographic

Depeche Mode performing on “Something Else” TV show, October 23, 1981

“Photographic” performance from The World We Live In and Live In Hamburg

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Bonus Episode: Colours of Ever - Live at Stone Turtle House Concerts (June 5, 2025)

In our last episode, we mentioned that Brian and his life-long friend Jason would be opening for Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and John Cowsill (The Cowsills/Beach Boys/Smithereens) at Stone Turtle House Concerts in Bucks County, PA. The two Rock/Pop legends (Vicki and John, not Brian and Jason!) are currently supporting their fantastic new album, "Long After the Fire", and seeing them in an intimate venue like Stone Turtle is a true pleasure!

So it all happened on June 5th, 2025, and because so many of our podcast friends were kind enough to text and message Brian words of encouragement before the show and inquiries of "how can I hear your performance?" after the show, we decided to release the full Colours of Ever opening set as a bonus episode of the podcast. We hope that you'll enjoy it!

Here's the set list from our first live show since 1991:

I Want You to Love Me But I Don't Always Get What I Want
Stay Forever
Waiting for Something
2 Lovers Drowning
Come Sail Away
One Chance
Boomerang!

In all seriousness (let me switch to first person here), I had a wonderful time getting to sing some of the music I have written with my friend Beil for the wonderful crowd at Stone Turtle. It was something I never thought I would get to do for a crowd of any size. And the fact that everyone enjoyed it so much was very gratifying. Although I just turned 54 a couple of months ago, for about 48 hours this week, I felt like a rockstar - and it was a nice feeling! Thank you to Eric, Vicki, John, Jason, and Sarah for making the night possible and unforgettable.

And if you take the time to listen, I thank you and hope that you will hear something that you like. We always laugh a lot and have fun when we write songs, but we are both quite proud of our creations. If even one of these numbers connects with you, I will be extremely happy!

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