'80S Episodes
Aug. 25, 2021
Overkill (w Colin Hay of Men at Work) - Episode 803
Pre-save Rob's new EP "Also-Ran Bluesman" and stream the new single, "Wheelhouse!" ------ Can't get to sleep? Perfect! This week's episode is sure to nullify the night, as we dig into an incredible solo interpretation of Men…
June 23, 2021
The Final Countdown (w/ Mic Michaeli of Europe) - Season 7 Finale, Episode 720
Season 7 draws to an epic close as we cover the most well-known synth riff of the 1980's and chat with the man who played it--that's right, it's The Final Countdown, the smash hit by Europe! We'll cover it in depth (and a tr…
May 26, 2021
No Easy Way Out (from Rocky IV) w/Robert Tepper - Episode 716
The finale of Movie Month is the ultimate montage track, from the Cold War epic Rocky IV, Robert Tepper's "No Easy Way Out." Fire up your Lambourghini and head out alone with your thoughts as we dig deep into this amazing so…
May 12, 2021
"The Promise" (From Napoleon Dynamite) - w Farrington+Mann of When in Rome -Episode 714
Movie Month continues with this closing-scene classic from 2004's Napoleon Dynamite. We'll dig into it with the usual gusto, and chat with When in Rome's Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann. Also: - Punk poetry - A gross mouthp…
May 5, 2021
St Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion) w/John Parr - Episode 713
Movie Month kicks off with one of the most iconic soundtrack tracks of the 1980's, the great story of Demi Moore and Rob Lowe, and how they...well, they uh... oh it doesn't have anything to do with their actual movie. But it…
April 28, 2021
Where Everybody Knows Your Name (Theme from "Cheers") w Gary Portnoy - Episode 712
It's one of the most recognizable and beloved TV themes of all time, and man, just a darn great song. It makes us feel a warm sense of community and wistfulness and the nostalgia we love so much. So let's talk about it! Bell…
April 21, 2021
Vienna (w Billy Currie of Ultravox)
It's the #1 #2 UK hit of All Time, a synth-pop classic, and a darn catchy masterpiece, and many of our US listeners will say, "I've never heard this." Well you can thank JP for expanding your minds this week, and you can tha…
April 7, 2021
King's X Ultimate Playlist w/dUg Pinnick of King's X - 150th Episode, Episode 709
“King’s X invented grunge.” “King’s X invented Drop D tuning.” “The greatest ever cult band.” Buckle in, everybody! Our biggest episode EVER is our gift to...well, ourselves , for our 150th episode. We're turning over every …
Feb. 17, 2021
Waiting for a Star to Fall (w/Boy Meets Girl) - Episode 702
One of the all-time most magical '80s tracks, full of so much magical '80s magic, is our delightful track this week. Did we say it's magical? George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, aka Boy Meets Girl, join us to chat about thei…
Dec. 23, 2020
Last Christmas (Wham!) w/ Dave Barnes - Episode 619
Uncle Dave, aka heartthrob and songster Dave Barnes, returns as special guest cohost as we get in the celebration mode for the holidays! Wham!'s "Last Christmas" has joined Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" as…
Oct. 14, 2020
Dirty Dancing Double Feature: "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" + "Hungry Eyes" w/Franke Previte Interview - Episode 609
Our first-ever Double Feature! This week we're covering two songs, both featured on the same movie soundtrack, and both co-written by the same guy, Franke Previte! In this XL episode we'll talk about: - Weird stuff in popcor…
Sept. 23, 2020
Escape (The Piña Colada Song) + Rupert Holmes Interview - Episode 606
This week we're talking about the catchiest little ditty about cheating on your spouse you ever did hear, and we are joined by the brilliant and funny Rupert Holmes to tell the tale. An instant Mount Rushmore interview with …
Sept. 2, 2020
I'll Still Be Loving You (w Larry Stewart of Restless Heart) - Episode 603
Restless Heart was a country music sensation, but they weren't always beloved by the powers-that-be. We'll talk about it with frontman Larry Stewart in a very fun interview episode centered around their beautiful, classic lo…
April 22, 2020
Everybody Wants to Rule the World (w/ Dave Barnes) - Episode 512
Very special guest Dave Barnes returns to co-host this episode on one of the all-time greats from the 1980’s, Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World!” Also in this episode:
- Roland Orzabal is not who you think …
April 1, 2020
Photograph (Nickelback) - Episode 509
Canada’s greatest export Nickelback is the topic today, and we can’t wait to talk about the fresh maple syrup that is their legendary track, “Photograph.”
In this episode:
- Chad Kroeger, the original Tiger King? The lead si…