Hailing from Saint Paul, MN, Husker Du was formed in 1979 by guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. Before calling it a day in 1988, the band released six studio full-length albums, two live albums, two EPs, 10 singles, and two live albums (one released after the band broke up). More importantly, the band was hugely influential, helping to pave the way for the alternative rock boom in the 1990s.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Part 1

00:07:26 - “In a Free Land” from In a Free Land (1982)

00:10:16 - Part 2

00:14:04 - “Never Talking to You Again” from Zen Arcade (1984)

00:15:40 - Part 3

00:17:38 - “I Apologize” from New Day Rising (1985)

00:21:12 - Part 4

00:22:28 - “Flip Your Wig” from Flip Your Wig (1985)

00:24:58 - Part 5

00:29:20 - “Keep Hanging On” from Flip Your Wig (1985)

00:32:30 - Part 6

00:35:33 - “Sorry Somehow” from Candy Apple Grey (1986)

00:39:53 - Part 7

00:43:43 - “These Important Years” from Warehouse: Songs and Stories (1987)

00:47:27 - Part 8

References and Clip Sources:

Wikipedia - Husker Du: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCsker_D%C3%BC

Encyclopedia Britannica - Hüsker Dü: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Husker-Du

The Current - Do You Remember?: https://www.thecurrent.org/podcasts/husker-du

Hüsker Dü Database: http://www.thirdav.com/hddb.shtml

MinnPost - How St. Paul punk pioneers Hüsker Dü paved the way for grunge music: https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2018/12/how-st-paul-punk-pioneers-husker-du-paved-the-way-for-grunge-music/

YouTube - Husker Du and The Replacements segment from "The Minneapolis Sound" documentary.: https://youtu.be/uRIhtn-SWLI

YouTube - Husker Du Could You Be The One & She's A Woman Joan Rivers Show 27/04/87: https://youtu.be/N7i_KL-2rEc

Hailing from New York City, NY, Vampire Weekend was formed by four college friends at Columbia University in 2006. Since then the band has released five critically acclaimed albums, won multiple awards, and toured the world.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Part 1

00:07:51 - “A-Punk” from Vampire Weekend (2008)

00:10:05 - Part 2

00:13:51 - “Giving Up the Gun” from Contra (2010)

00:18:30 - Part 3

00:23:38 - “Unbelievers” from Modern Vampires of the City (2013)

00:28:59 - Part 4

00:32:21 - “Harmony Hill” from Father of the Bride (2019)

00:38:19 - Part 5

00:52:45 - “Gen-X Cops” from Only God Was Above Us (2024)

00:56:25 - Part 6

01:02:23 - “Ruby Soho” recorded live on BBC Radio 1 (2010)

01:04:46 - Part 7

References and Clip Sources:

Wikipedia - Vampire Weekend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_Weekend

Discogs - Vampire Weekend: https://www.discogs.com/artist/861083-Vampire-Weekend

Rate Your Music - Vampire Weekend: https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/vampire-weekend

Genius - Vampire Weekend: https://genius.com/artists/Vampire-weekend

Pitchfork - Listen: Vampire Weekend Cover Rancid: https://pitchfork.com/news/37822-listen-vampire-weekend-cover-rancid/

YouTube - Ruby Soho - Vampire Weekend (Rancid Cover): https://youtu.be/ITLzR1cqIDs

YouTube - Maya Rudolph and Vampire Weekend Promise a “Resplendent” SNL: https://youtu.be/0HTRnE1jMdw

YouTube - Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig on why he never made it as a rapper: https://youtu.be/cEWMmCJqs6E

This was originally posted on the One Band, 5 Songs Patreon on October 14, 2024.

I first heard Australia’s Gang of Youths in 2022 when they released their third full-length album angel in realtime., but for whatever reason, their music didn’t stick with me. While doing research for a future bonus audio, I rediscovered the band and decided to give their discography a whirl. This is my first impression.

Playlist:

Spotify - Gang of Youths (discography): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0uuGLaiOPnzmxfn8Fva6Hc

References:

Wikipedia - Gang of Youths: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gang_of_Youths

Discogs - Gang of Youths: https://www.discogs.com/artist/4450915-Gang-of-Youths

Rate Your Music - Gang of Youths: https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/gang-of-youths

Rate Your Music: Big Music: https://rateyourmusic.com/genre/big-music/

Switched on Pop - Learning to love: Coldplay: https://switchedonpop.com/episodes/coldplay-moon-music