Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music
A podcast that takes a look at the development of alternative music in the 80's with a focus on post-punk, electronic, dark wave, goth, synth, industrial, and indie genres. The podcast episodes feature stories, background, and discussions of artists, contributors, music, themes, and events of the early alternative era.
The title of our podcast is based on the alternative song from 1988 by The Church, "Under the Milky Way".
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 23 minutes
- Episodes
- 53
- Years Active
- 2025
Pink Turns Blue - Dark Wave from the Cold War
The band Pink Turns Blue rose from the early years of the German gothic music scene in Berlin, during the Cold War period, to become a pioneer of the dark wave genre.
Their debut album from 1987, If …
Pixies - Quiet Verses and Loud Choruses
The Boston band Pixies would become one of the most influential indie and alternative bands contributing to the growth of the 90’s alternative rock scene.
Their music was known for an extreme contrast…
The Associates - MacKenzie and Rankine
Formed in 1979 by Billy MacKenzie and Alan Rankine, the Scottish post-punk band The Associates attained commercial and critical success by 1982 with the synth-pop and new-pop album, Sulk. Despite the…
Pylon - The Legacy of Athens Post-Punk
Members of Pylon join us on the episode to discuss the legacy of this Athens, Georgia band that formed in 1979 creating a unique danceable, post-punk, indie rock sound. During their initial run, they…
Throwing Muses - Precursor to 90's Alt-Rock
Originating from Newport, Rhode Island, Throwing Muses was led by step-sisters Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who would release their debut album in 1986 on 4AD records. Throwing Muses would be one…
Japan - The Ghosts of Tin Drum
After forming in the mid-70's inspired by glam rock, the English band Japan would alter their sound by their third album to a more synth-pop, art-pop and electronic approach. Led by singer David Sylv…
Clock DVA - The Visions of Adi Newton
Led by visionary artist Adi Newton, Clock DVA came out of Sheffield, England in 1978 with an experimental electronic music that pushed boundaries. Over the years, Clock DVA and Newton would continue …
Adam and the Ants - Antmusic
The second album from Adam and The Ants would be the best selling album in the UK in 1981, and would catapult Adam Ant to the front of the British music scene. The band's follow up album would be ano…
A Certain Ratio - The Factory Years
The English band A Certain Ratio, or ACR, would mix post-punk music with heavy funk influences as well as dance, jazz and Latin music to create a unique sound unlike other artists from the era.
They …
The Comsat Angels - No Sleeping on the Polydor Years
After starting in 1978, the post-punk band The Comsat Angels would sign with Polydor Records for their first three albums, including the masterful and highly influential 1981 second album, Sleep No M…
The Human League - A Genre-Defining Dare
When The Human League reconfigured after their first two albums, the band would redefine the synth-pop genre with their third album, Dare. This late 1981 critically acclaimed release became a number …
The Stone Roses - A Madchester Icon
The Stone Roses formed in Manchester, England in 1983 and went on to become an iconic figure of the legendary Madchester scene that emerged during the late 80's. Their self-titled debut album of 1989…
Introduction to Early Alternative Music
Introduction to our Podcast, Inside the Milky Way - A Look at Early Alternative Music. This episode includes an overview on what our podcast is about, what is early alternative music, the types of ep…