Beatles in the 1980s

Our special guest this episode is Eric D. Johnson of the incredible band Fruit Bats. In addition to being an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, Eric is a massive Beatles fan. He joins us to discuss a fascinating topic: the Beatles in the 1980s. When you're done listening to this episode, buy the Fruit Bats latest album "A River Running to Your Heart" or get their new live album "Starry-eyed, in Stereo." (And check out the video to "Sick of this Feeling" featuring your co-host Will Hines.) Okay, the 1980s. Be warned: opinions ahead. This is a strange and fascinating time for the Beatles and their music. Of course, it begins with the tragic murder of John. We hear the surviving Beatles each deal with that in their music in different ways. There's also the challenge of them reaching middle age, trying to adapt their sound to the MTV generation. There's also the lawsuits, which prevent Paul from joining the others as they get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Those are some of the lowlights. But there's also immense creativity. While John gets turned into a saint in the media, Paul experiments (McCartney II, Tug of War, Press to Play, etc) more than ever. George too seems to break free of his Beatledom first with a hit album (Cloud 9) and then by forming his own super group, The Travelling Wilburys. Though John never got to enjoy this time, the fans get two more Lennon albums: the underrated Double Fantasy and the excellent Milk and Honey.  There's a lot. We discuss. I fully admit we give Ringo short shrift on this discussion. Though we do take a quick journey into the (appropriately) insane song "Drumming is My Madness." We'll make it up to you, Ringo! ------------ Subscribe for access to our full back catalog at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ Join our free Discord chat service, also at: https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ Next month: More discussion that we expected about Paul's 1984 movie "Give My Regards To Broad Street."

Beatlesque songs. Or is it Beatles-esque? We say it both ways in our traditional not-quite-sure-we're-right style! But the point is we bring songs to the table that have reminded us of Beatles songs. There are so many ways this can happen! Sometimes it's the harmonies, sometimes the arrangement, other times the quality of the vocal. Sometimes it's something even more subtle. This is not by any means a definitive or iconic list. This represents a thing all Beatles fans go through, which is hearing a song and going "oh man, this feels like The Beatles." Some of the songs / artists discussed: Zuder Zee Adrian Belew - Men In Helicopters v4 Squeeze - Up The Junction Prince - Around The World In A Day period Elton John - Yellow Brick Road The Knickerbockers - Lies Michael Rault - I’ll Be There The Nerves - When You Find Out Subscribe to get access to all of our back episodes at screwitpodcasts.com Join our free Discord chat there also! Next month on June 15: We talk 1980s Beatles with guest Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats!

The panel discusses the 2006 album Love. A soundtrack to a Cirque du Soleil show, it is also a terrific standalone listening experience. Giles Martin, a then new produce on the Beatles team, carried on his father's legacy and oversaw the project brilliantly. The new (at the time) mixes brought new life to beloved songs. The mashups, which could have been gimmicky and cheap, were thoughtful and artfully chosen -- they still sound great over 15 years later. Even the sequencing -- starting off with the acapella version of "Because" and ending with the triumphant "All You Need Is Love" -- is deft and tasteful. Along the way, the Beatles of every era is showcased -- sometimes with original tracks, sometimes mashups, sometimes demo versions and alternate takes. The final product is a must-listen for any Beatles fan. To get access to the full back catalog of our podcast episodes, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Join our free Discord chat server, invite link is also at screwitpodcasts.com. Next main episode (in which we examine "Beatlesque" songs" arrives on May 15.

The sons of Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote a song together called "Primrose Hill", and that merits an emergency episode from the panel. Katie put her Paris vacation on hold so she could get to a computer and the full panel could discuss this event! We listen to the song together and give our first reactions live and then discuss our thoughts! Please enjoy! This is an excerpt of the subscriber-only episode, sign up at screwitpodcasts.com to hear the full 30 minute discussion. Otherwise a full episode is comign to the free feed on April 15 about the Love album. Also, consider joining our free Discord (chat service) -- see screwitpodcasts.com for a link to join.

We go through the entire discography of the band which is and always has been the focus of the podcast: Herman's Hermits. To become a subcriber to this podcast which is and always has been about Herman's Hermits, go to screwitpodcasts.com And/or join our free Discord: invite link is also at screwitpodcasts.com

In our subscriber feed we do a bonus episode on the new Beyonce cover of Blackbird which dropped today (March 25 2024) as part of her new album "Cowboy Carter."  To hear the whole thing, subscribe at screwitpodcasts.com Join our free Discord chat server, invite link is also at screwitpodcasts.com. Next main episode (in which we examine the Beatles album LOVE) is coming in full on April 15.

Become a subscriber to get access to full back catalog! See https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ ------------------------ First we cover some news: recovered Hofner, new Sam Mendes Beatles movies, Rolling Stone "solo Beatles" list, Sean Lennon at the Oscars, and Will's second trip to Liverpool. THEN we get into covering the new Blue Album remixes. We like these remixes way more than the ones for early Red Album tracks. In particular we think Fool on the Hill has been given new life in this remix! Hey Bulldog was great in mono, but this new stereo mix is fun too. We hear fun new percussion sounds, and a clearly George Harrison riff. And the guitar solo on Old Brown Shoe really shines! Blue Album discussion starts at around 40 minutes in. Let us know your thoughts at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @screwitbeatles Join our Discord! Invite link at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/

Host Will Hines explains changes to the subscription model. Short version: (most) new eps will go in free feed, (most) back eps will be in the subscriber feed. This is differnet than what we set up 2 weeks ago, and hence this epsiode to explain! Subscribe to our podcast at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ use code 'legacymonth' for 20% off three months our monthly plan or code 'legacyyear' for 20% off an annual plan. Join our free Discord chat server if you like! Link on screwitpodcasts.com  

The Red Album was (the first half of) the first official Beatles Greatest Hits collection when it was issued in 1973. Until the CDs were released in the late 80s, it was the definitive Beatles collection --- it seemed everyone had a copy. Although it is "just" a compilation, the "Red Album" has emotional importance to many Beatles fans for whom it served as a gateway to the band. So we love the Red Album! But.... we don't really love the remixes! And we have loved most of the remixes that Giles Martin has overseen! But there's something off here, especially with the very early Beatles singles. But of course there's tons of exceptions to this, and we go over it in this 90 minute discussion.  We also go over what songs we wish were included in the original Red Album release, and what we think of the changes to the lineup in this expanded release! Blue album next month! Subscribe to our podcast at https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ use code 'legacymonth' for 20% off three months our monthly plan or code 'legacyyear' for 20% off an annual plan. Join our free Discord chat server -- see screwitpodcasts.com for the link!

In this two hour discussion, the panel gets into the amazing tour de force Beatles documentary "Get Back." Directed by Peter Jackson, released as three 2.5+ hour episodes on Disney+ over American Thanksgiving weekend in 2021, this doc is taking Beatle fandom by storm. It's an incredibly intimate look at the band at work. Yes, we see the fights and the tension. But we also see the friendship and empathy, the musical genius and passion for what they were making. You feel as if you are really hanging out with the Beatles in an unguarded environment. In addition to that intimate feeling, you see many now-iconic Beatles songs (aren't they all iconic, though) get developed, sometimes from scratch right before your eyes. Among the many subjects we touch on: all the toast, Yoko Ono's presence, the relationships between Paul and John and George, whether Ringo is chill sad or hungover, the director Michael Lindsay-Hogg (villain or just arrogant 'college sophomore' energy), Billy Preston's incredible impact, calming George Martin, George's cool clothes, the musicianship and seeing them play, how we're hungry for MORE MORE of this kind of footage if only it existed, Ringo's fart, the cops and the straps in their mouths, the stuffy London business owners, Peter Sellers, Paul's ambition, the flowerpot conversation, the songwriting, Allen Klein, Glyn Johns, Apple Studios and Magic Alex' insane guitar prototype. Beatles fans everywhere are joyfully examining and discussing this documentary.  It's an incredible film and a joy to watch. I hope everyone listening to this feels the same way!   --------------------------- New episodes and a selection of back episode are in our free feed. To subscribe to our podcast and get the full back catalog,  go to https://www.screwitpodcasts.com/ Also, join our free Discord chat server -- link at screwitpodcasts.com