Episode 95 - Know This Band: Sparks

If Vince Clarke is one of the fathers of synth pop, Ron and Russel Mael are the insecure older stepbrothers of synth pop. Yes, Sparks is one of the most influential anti-pop pop bands you've never heard of. And we aim to change that pronto. Sparks excels at songs about vanity, sexual frustration, and grooming that taught a whole generation that wished they looked a little better how to avoid being eaten by the monster of love and seek out the cool places. Tips for teens, indeed! This podcast ain’t big enough for their entire song catalog, but dick around with the #maghuge crew for an hour and I predict you just might become a fan. Listen to these playlists to turn yourself into a superfan! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nbCmASOVA3VIeDvLWiJZ3?si=GAZcaoOMRBeKmx1Zpmj-lA Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/sparks-introduction/pl.u-jxaDsdqvb15 | 0:00 - Intros | 5:48 - Xanadu (1980) | 12:49 - Fosse / Verdon | 19:30 - Dark Phoenix (2019) | 25:36 - Anna (2019) | 32:08 - Know This Band intro | 34:30 - The Hits | 40:25 - Evolution of the Sparks sound | 57:04 - Deeper cuts and favorites | Clips | Scratching The Itch - Sex Cult Girl | Sparks - Amateur Hour | Kool & the Gang - Fresh / clip from Bridesmaids / B-Side - Change the Beat | ELO & Olivia Newton John - Xanadu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Olivia Newton John & Gene Kelly - Whenever You’re Away From Me - Xanadu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Olivia Newton John & The Tubes - Dancin’ - Xanadu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Alex Lacamoire - Fosse/Verdon Theme | Joel Grey - Willkommen - Cabaret (Original Soundtrack) | Hans Zimmer - Gap - Dark Phoenix (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | BONES UK - Pretty Waste | Mentos Jingle / Outkast - So Fresh and So Clean / Devo - Fresh | Sparks - Upstairs | Sparks - I Predict | Sparks - Cool Places | Sparks - Eaten By The Monster Of Love | Sparks - This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us | Siouxsie & The Banshees - This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us | Sparks - Tryouts For The Human Race | Sparks - Tips For Teens | Sparks - Modesty Plays | Sparks - Dick Around | Sparks - I Wish I Looked A Little Better | Sparks - Mustache | Sparks - Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth | Martin L. Gore - Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth | Sparks - When Do I Get To Sing “My Way” | FFS - Collaborations Don’t Work | Sparks - Lighten Up, Morrissey | Sparks - All You Ever Think About Is Sex | Sparks - Talent Is An Asset | Sparks - The Decline And Fall Of Me | Sparks - Wonder Girl | Sparks - Dance Godammit | Sparks - I Wish You Were Fun | Sparks - Nothing To Do