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NEM#172: Mark Stewart (The Pop Group): Mad Processing w/ Haikus

Mark led the Pop Group through two albums in the late 70s two later reunion album and has released nine solo albums of trippy, experimental dance music.

We discuss “Rage of Angels” (feat. Front 242) from VS (2022), “Age of Miracles” by The Pop Group from Citizen Zombie (2015), and “Liberty City” by Mark Stewart & the Maffia from Learning to Cope with Cowardice (1983). End song: “Cast No Shadow (Leather Strip Mix)” by feat. Stephen Mallinder and Eric Random from VS. Intro: “She Is Beyond Good and Evil” by The Pop Group from Y (1979). More at markstewartmusic.com.

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NEM#171: Ben Vaughn’s Primitive Fever Dreams

Ben has released over 20 albums of retro rock since the early ’80s, written for TV soundtracks, produced bands like Ween, and hosts a radio show.

We discuss “Wayne Fontana Was Wrong” from The World of Ben Vaughn (2022), “I’m Sorry (But So Is Brenda Lee)” from Vaughn Sings Vaughn (Vol. 1) (2007), “Too Sensitive For This World” from from Dressed in Black (1990), and “Candyman” by Alan Vega, Alex Chilton, Ben Vaughn, from Cubist Blues (1996). We listen to his lockdown single, “Dancing in My Mind.” Intro: His 1985 single, “My First Band.” For more, see benvaughn.com.

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NEM#170: Bob Mould From Hüsker Dü to Sugar to Now

Bob has released 20+ albums since the early ’80s. We discuss  “Forecast of Rain” from Blue Hearts (2020), “I Don’t Know You Anymore” from Beauty & Ruin (2014), “JC Auto” by Sugar from Beaster (1993), and “In A Free Land” by Hüsker Dü, 1982 singe remixed for Savage Young Du (2017). End song: the title track to his new acoustic EP, The Ocean. Intro: “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” by Sugar from Copper Blue (1992). For more see bobmould.com. 

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NEM#169: Wesley Stace (aka John Wesley Harding) Likes Words

Wesley started performing as John Wesley Harding in the late ’80s (often eliciting comparisons in his early work to Elvis Costello), moved from England to the U.S. in 1991, and has 20+ releases, switching to his own name in 2013 as a result of his success as a novelist.

We discuss “The Impossible She” (and end by listening to “Come Back Yesterday”) from Late Style (2021), whose music was written by David Nagler; “When I Knew” from Wesley Stace (2013), and “Your Ghost (Don’t Scare Me No More)” from Awake (1998). Intro: The title track from Here Comes the Groom (1990). For more see wesleystace.com.

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NEM#168: Clive Nolan (Arena, Pendragon, etc.) Moves Forward Relentlessly

Clive is a keyboardist, orchestrator, singer, and composer of three musicals and several concept albums as a solo artist or collaborator. He’s played with Pendragon since 1986 and has led the bands Shadowlands and Arena since the 90s.

We discuss “Dragon Fire” from his most recent solo album, Song of the Wildlands (2021), “Silent Words” from his musical King’s Ransom (2017), and “The Tinder Box” by Arena from The Seventh Degree of Separation (2011). We conclude by listening to “A Descent into Madness” by Clive Nolan and Oliver Wakeman from Dark Fables (2021). Intro: “The Key” by Strangers on a Train from The Key Part 1: Prophecy (1990). More at clivenolan.net.

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