Men Without Hats & Sparks

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Jesse Hartman from LAPTOP for a deep dive into the band’s past, present, and future. Jesse takes listeners back to the beginning, sharing the story of how LAPTOP first came together and reflecting on the early days of the band, including the debut album Opening Credits and the follow-up release The Old Me vs The New You. Along the way, he discusses the songwriting process behind those early records and even talks about the band’s unique take on a classic track by Billy Joel.The conversation also explores LAPTOP’s 2009 album Don’t Try This at Home, the band’s recent reboot, and the new wave of music that is introducing the project to a new generation of listeners. Jesse shares stories from performing live, reflects on standout moments from the band’s catalog, and gives listeners insight into where LAPTOP is headed next. LAPTOP:  https://www.laptoptheband.com/Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. In this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve & Don takes a deep dive into two releases that highlight different corners of the new wave and alternative landscape. First up is a track-by-track look at The Lost Record from Susanna Hoffs — an album that blends timeless songwriting with that unmistakable melodic style fans have loved for decades. Then the spotlight shifts to Real, the long-shelved and rediscovered album from Kirsty MacColl, exploring how this lost chapter fits into the evolving early-’80s new wave sound.Plus, the latest New Music News featuring new releases and updates from U2, Trashcan Sinatras, They Might Be Giants, Joe Jackson, and Morrissey. Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Darkwave and post-punk take center stage in this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast as Steve welcomes rising act Silent WVLF for the show’s New Music Spotlight.Joined by band members Jeff and Tory, the conversation explores the band’s origins, the story behind their name, and the influences shaping their haunting, atmospheric sound that’s resonating with modern alternative and new wave audiences.Silent WVLF:  https://silentwvlf.bandcamp.com/Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve is joined by special co-host Riff Royal for an in-depth review of two solo releases from New Wave icons. Together, they dive into The Ten Crowns, the latest solo album from Erasure front-man Andy Bell, and Night Mirror, the new solo album from Claudia Brücken.The episode also features a packed music news segment, covering new releases and announcements from They Might Be Giants, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, Ian McNabb featuring R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, and more.Andy Bell: https://www.andybell.com/Claudia Brücken: https://www.claudiabrucken.co.uk/Riff Royal:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riff_royale/?hl=en @riff_royaleStranger Radio website Page: https://www.strangerradio.com/riff-for-love Warrior X Radio: https://warriorxradio.org/the-happenings/ Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve is joined by guest host Don from The Album Nerds to review two new releases from New Wave icons: Men Without Hats’ On the Moon and Sparks’ latest album Mad, digging into the highlights and standout moments.Plus, in New Wave music news, there’s new music from Joe Jackson, Kissing the Pink, Billy Idol, Squeeze, and Cindy Wilson of The B-52s.Men Without Hats:  https://www.safetydance.com/Sparks:  https://allsparks.com/Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve and a surprise guest count down their 10 Best Albums of 2025. From darkwave and synth-pop to legendary artists delivering late-career highlights, this episode is a full year-end reflection on the records that defined 2025. Along the way, they break down standout tracks, key moments, and why these albums rose above the rest. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, passionate look back at the year in new wave and classic alternative music, this is the episode.Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Brian Chatton, founding member and creative force behind Boys Don’t Cry. Brian takes us through the band’s early days, the origin of their name, and the playful nod to The Cure on their second album. We revisit the massive global success of “I Wanna Be a Cowboy,” how it reshaped the band’s trajectory, and the unforgettable (and sometimes bizarre) live moments that came along the way.Brian also gives us an inside look at the making of the brand-new album 4Play. He shares the inspirations behind the project and breaks down several key tracks, including “I Was Just Thinking About Sex (At the Time),” “Rescue Me,”and the new single “When I Think About You” featuring Wade Hubbard. We discuss collaborations, creative surprises, and which track stands out most to him on the new record.Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Boys Don’t Cry for the first time, this episode offers a fun, insightful look into the band’s history, humor, and newest musical chapter.Boys Don't Cry:https://linktr.ee/boysdontcry1986?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=5cd672c0-5794-4da7-a5d3-26f16536d117&fbclid=IwZnRzaAOiz7oBHXI57Rfv0Jud7_XdF0U4Ru7jPxaq2UWcU7kBXoFy63OrenU3QM1pWBQP0ASupport the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of The New Wave Music Podcast, Steve is joined by Monique Powell, the unmistakable voice of Save Ferris. Monique reflects on the band’s early days and their remarkable rise during the ’90s ska revival, including the story behind their breakout cover of “Come On Eileen” and how it became a defining moment in their career.The conversation also explores the long-awaited return of the Checkered Past EP to streaming platforms, revisiting standout tracks like “Anything” and “Do I Like You,” as well as the band’s collaboration with 2 Tone legend Neville Staple on the track “New Sound.” Monique shares insight into newer songs such as “Lights Out in the Reptile House,” “Get Dancing,” and “Ooh Ooh Rudi,” offering a look at how the Save Ferris sound continues to evolve.We also dive into the energy of the band’s live shows and what fans can look forward to on the upcoming holiday tour. It’s a lively and heartfelt conversation filled with nostalgia, great stories, and a true celebration of ska, alternative pop, and classic ’90s music.Save Ferris: https://saveferris.com/Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. On this episode of the New Wave Music Podcast, Steve sits down with Ian Dench, guitarist and principal songwriter for EMF the band behind the iconic hit “Unbelievable.” Ian reflects on the band’s early breakthrough, the whirlwind of success in the ’90s, and how that explosive start shaped EMF’s journey. He discusses the band’s creative evolution, what brought them back together, and why their blend of rock, dance, and electronic energy still resonates today.The conversation also explores their 2024 comeback album The Beauty and the Chaos and their brand-new EP Reach For Something Higher. Ian shares the story of how their recent U.S. tour inspired the new EP and discusses the meaning behind their latest work and their approach to covering iconic tracks by Bauhaus and Depeche Mode. He also reflects on his songwriting legacy and what fans can expect from EMF’s next chapter. EMF: https://emf-theband.com/Support the show

We'd love to hear from you! Click here to send us a text. Steve is joined by Don from the Album Nerds Podcast for a deep dive into two standout new releases — David Byrne’s Who Is the Sky and Birdsong, the latest from The Blow Monkeys. Together, they explore how both artists continue to evolve while staying true to their distinctive sounds.In music news, the duo covers fresh tracks from Heaven 17, Boys Don’t Cry, Depeche Mode, Men Without Hats, James and Haircut 100 — plus a nostalgic twist with a classic ’80s cover from Andy Bell of Erasure. Tune in for lively discussion, sharp insights, and a celebration of the best in modern and classic new wave.David Byrne:https://whoisthesky.davidbyrne.com/The Blow Monkeyshttps://www.theblowmonkeys.com/Album Nerds Podcast:https://rss.com/podcasts/albumnerds/Support the show