PODCAST · music
Known Pleasures
by Gang Of Three
Known Pleasures takes a look at the highly influential music that washed up in the wake of the seismic splash that was punk. Call it post-punk, or new wave, but from 1978 to 1984 bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, PiL, Gang of Four and Joy Division were re-defining what was possible in this brave new musical landscape of machines, rhythms and electronics. In turns affectionate, amusing and anecdotal, our own Gang of Three former amateur indie musicians dissect the albums, songs and tours that made this experimental era one of the most important in rock history, scattering their own personal recollections and insights amongst the facts along the way. Ever wondered why The Cure’s Robert Smith was playing two shows a night in different bands, where a bridge for suicidal dogs in Scotland fits in to the Talking Heads story, or how the Human League’s Phil Oakey started a nipple piercing craze? We’ll tell you, and more. Welcome to Known Pleasures - this is the way, step inside.
Episodes
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Known Pleasures Ep 68 - The Comsat Angels vs Joy Division
In this episode we are bowing to public pressure and producing a Comsat Angels episode. But to shake things up, we are pitting them against Post Punk titans, Joy Division. Who will win? Video version: https://youtu.be/YE6j9nwRunc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030...
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Known Pleasures Ep 67 - Gary Numan Interview
Welcome to the Known Pleasure Principle. In this episode we interview the iconic Gary Numan. Video Version: https://youtu.be/NzsPJfxzJMs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram:...
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Known Pleasures Ep66 - Mike Lindup (Level 42) Interview
During the early 80's New Wave era there was a burgeoning Jazz/Funk movement that hit it's peak with bands like Freeez, Shakatak and of course, Level 42. In this episode we talk to Level 42's keyboard player and falsetto king - Mike Lindup. Video Version: https://youtu.be/itPYL8EvTTw Facebook:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 65 - Rat Scabies Interview
In this episode we talk to the legendary drummer of The Damned, Rat Scabies. We discuss the very first Ramones gig in London, their appearance on The Young Ones and their upcoming Australian tour. Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqZt3rEk_m8&t=902s Facebook:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 64 - Who Invented Punk?
Welcome to our special '50 years of Punk' Known Pleasures celebration. In this episode we ask the question 'Who Invented Punk'? Was it indeed invented by some crazed lunatic in a laboratory? Did it gradually evolve from a Big Bang like event? Was it intelligently designed by a higher being? And…
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Known Pleasures Ep 63 - The Big Questions
In this episode we attempt to answer the big questions. Who had the worst haircut in New Wave? Could Sammy Hagar replace Paul Weller in The Jam? What is our fantasy football line up for the greatest Post Punk band of all time? Video Version: https://youtu.be/mpi5JyZxdxI Facebook:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 62 - Lloyd Cole Interview
Lloyd Cole is on his way Down Under and we at Known Pleasures had the opportunity to Interview him before the tour to ask about his long career, the benefits of working solo, embracing technology and crickets keeping time. Lloyd Cole Tour Dates: https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/lloydcole…
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Known Pleasures Ep 61 - Eurythmics
In this episode we analyse Dave & Annies Sweet Dreams, Sweet Hopes & Sweet Desires. Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/HDMJuquvOXA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 60 - Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
In this episode Steve Norman attempts to cut a long story short but the Spandau Ballet legend is a tale that cannot be abridged. We know this much is true.
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - The Prime Minister & T Shirt Gate
The Prime Minister Of Australia dared to wear a T Shirt and the whole country lost control. In this episode we take a closer look at T Shirt gate and ask the question, 'Would any of this have happened if he chose to wear a CLOSER T shirt'? YouTube Video Version: https://youtu.be/eDEDE8XGpM4...
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Known Pleasures Ep 59 - Joy Division
Just two albums, one almost-hit single, a handful of TV appearances, 100-or-so gigs: all of them 40-plus years ago. Ancient history! So, why are we - and so many others across the globe - still talking about Joy Division? Today, we at Known Pleasures attempt to disentangle Factory from fiction as...
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Top 20 Albums 1979
Here are my (Graham's) choices for the Top 20 albums of 1979. Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/5Yj2U-_qR-g Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063297726030 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KnownPleasuresPodcast Instagram:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 58 - Midge Ure (Ultravox) Interview
Midge Ure's career crosses many paths. From the teen pop of Slik to the punk royalty of The Rich Kids. From the synth pioneers Visage to the synth rock of Ultravox. Stopping to help out Thin Lizzy in '79 and creating the Band Aid classic in '84, his journey has taken him around the world. Today…
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Known Pleasures Ep 57 - Barry Andrews (Shriekback) Interview
In this episode we throw a line out to catch the fish below the ice and delve deep into the mind of the great Barry Andrews. We discuss XTC, Shriekback, the new album Monument and the significance of the 'Tiny Green Garden Sticks' from Covent Garden. You can purchase the new Shriekback album from...
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Known Pleasures Ep 56 - Steve Kilbey (The Church) Interview
In this episode we interview the Head Of The Church, the Supreme Leader of this Guitar Driven Chapter and the Archbishop of melodic melancholy, Steve Kilbey. Steve and his band The Church have been at the forefront of the Australian music scene since the 80's and in this interview I get to know...
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Video Killed The Radio Star
In our latest flexidisc we look into the story behind Video Killed The Radio Star. The production, the instrumentation, the arrangement and the glasses. Who were The Camera Club? How did Tina Charles fit into the story? Who exactly was Dr. Bop? We heard this on the wireless back in '79. And we've...
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Known Pleasures Ep 55 - The Smiths (10 x Songs)
We at Known Pleasures have had an unusually complicated relationship with The Smiths. But that doesn't mean we can't have the conversation. In this episode we choose 10 songs at random and discuss their pros and cons. Mark makes an appearance at the end to give us his 2 cents worth on the…
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Known Pleasures Flexidisk - 12 x New Wave Xmas Songs
Were there any New Wave Xmas songs? Turns out there were quite a few. Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atLAbrKhJxw
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Known Pleasures Ep 54 - Ken & Cathy (Deckchairs Overboard) Interview
In this episode we interview Cathy McQuade & Ken Campbell from the Australian New Wave band Deckchairs Overboard. We discuss the early days in Melbourne, Cointreau, Paul Hester, supporting Midnight Oil and Hunters & Collectors, making videos with dice & chains and what they've been doing…
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Graham Parker & The Rumour
Were Graham Parker & The Rumour part of the Punk Rock scene in Australia? I guess it depends on where you view it from and from behind which pair of shades.
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Known Pleasures Ep 53 - Lindy & Amanda (The Go Betweens) Interview
Lindy Morrison & Amanda Brown from The Go Betweens chat about the music, the memories and the madness of being musicians in the 80's. Pass the cookies and settle in for a podcast with an unusual time signature and a head full of steam. Facebook:...
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Cloudland Ballroom
This is a personal one. A quick look at the history of one of my favourite music venues in my home town of Brisbane in Queensland.
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - I Don't Like Mondays
Can you clap in time to the I Don't Like Mondays intro? Clearly Patrick can't. In our latest Flexidisc we try to dismantle the classic Boomtown Rats song and try to work out what makes it tick. And the reason? Well, there are no reasons. Facebook:...
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Known Pleasures - Ep 52 Craig Hooper Interview
In our latest 'Interview' episode we talk to Craig Hooper, former member of The Reels, The Mullanes (Crowded House) and The Church. We discuss his early days in regional New South Wales, the difficulties in naming bands, being stranded in New Zealand, using electronic instruments to create a…
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Known Pleasures Ep 51 - The Pretenders
In 1980, The Pretenders were everywhere. With the first number one single of the eighties, an album that was chock full of great songs and an image that could not be ignored. In today’s episode we’ll discuss the first three albums and follow Chrissy’s journey from Akron Ohio to the streets of...
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Known Pleasures Ep50 - Best Of Compilation
This is a compilation of a few of our favourite moments from the first 7 years of the Known Pleasures Podcast.
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Known Pleasures Ep 49 - New Order
‘Play high, Hooky! Play high!’ Ian Curtis had been Joy Division’s conductor and lightning rod, giving his crucial nod of approval to Peter Hook’s upper-register bass sound and pulling the strings elsewhere. In May 1980, though, after Ian’s death, the renamed New Order faced an uphill battle. How...
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Known Pleasures Ep 48 - Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers) Interview
On the eve of his upcoming tour we interview the former lead singer and songwriter from the seminal UK punk band The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell. We ask him about the new album, his days with The Stranglers and everything in between. So get a grip on yourself and listen in to a few moments of…
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Come On Eileen
In our latest flexidisc we will exhume the body of Eileen, run a musical autopsy, and discuss the song that moved a million hearts in stereo in 1982. Was Eileen a metaphor for casting off the social mores of sexual repression and escaping Thatcherite Britain’s humdrum existence? Was Kevin Rowland...
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Empires & Dance
While time heals all wounds, the scars of your first hapless podcast episode can run deep. With that in mind, we revisit Simple Minds and attempt to do justice to their Eureka-moment third album, Empires and Dance.
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Known Pleasures Ep 47 - Phill Calvert (The Birthday Party) Interview
On our Birthday Party episode we said “there’s never been an Australian band before or since quite like them”. We recently had the opportunity to interview drummer Phill Calvert who told us about the boys’ early school days, his departure from the band and why he knew eventually Nick would go…
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Known Pleasures Ep 46 - Bruce Foxton (The Jam) Interview
In this episode, Graham interviews the Bass Player from 'The Jam' and 'From The Jam'. The video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgXy5F8jD2I&t=37s The Known Pleasures Theme Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvn2bfFxC-0
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Known Pleasures Ep 45 - The B52s
While Athens in Greece gifted civilisation with democracy, science, philosophy, taxes, writing, and schools, Athens in Georgia gave the world Widespread Panic, REM and the subject of today’s podcast The B-52s. A frenetic drummer in strange glasses, a guitarist who clearly needed to add more…
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Known Pleasures Ep 44 - Shriekback
Born of the fallout from two of post punk’s best, Shriekback had no right to be any good, because well, so-called supergroups rarely are. But Shriekback were better than good – at their best they were simply majestic, riding a wave of ideas and inspiration that left other 80’s pretenders flailing...
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KnownPleasures Ep 43 - Rusty Egan (Visage) Interview
Rusty Egan - former drummer with The Skids and The Rich Kids, founding member of Visage and DJ at The Blitz Club in London, sits down with us for a discussion on the post punk scene, the New Romantics and Club Culture in the early 80's. Rusty Egan's Mix Cloud page:...
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - New Toy
In our latest Flexidisc we discuss Lene Lovich's 1981 song New Toy.
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - Fade To Grey
In our latest Flexidisc we discuss the Synth Pop classic Fade To Grey by Visage.
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Known Pleasures Ep 42 - Elvis Costello
During the mid-seventies, a group of angry young men sprang from the punk scene in London. They possessed a singer-songwriter sensibility, combined with an acerbic wit, lyrical acrobatics and melodies that would have made one or two Brill Building composers weep with envy. The three Musketeers...
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - To Cut A Long Story Short
Here's our latest Flexidisc shortcast where we discuss Islington's finest Spandau Ballet and their debut single To Cut A Long Story Short.
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Known Pleasures Flexidisc - I Ran
We here at the Known Pleasures Institute are producing short form podcasts to be delivered sporadically throughout the year in between our normal full length episodes. Here we discuss the synth pop classic I Ran by A Flock Of Seagulls.
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Known Pleasures Ep 41 - U2
In 1988, U2 seemed to believe their roots lay with the Beatles, Hendrix, Billie Holliday and Bo Diddley. The album – and film – Rattle and Hum saw them referencing the above, as well as recording with Dylan, then BB King, at Sun Studio in Memphis. But where were their actual influences in this...
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Known Pleasures Ep 40 - The Specials
There was one particular genre that sprang from the post punk era that was all at once joyous, political, infectious, melodic, alternative and danceable. It was a revival of the '60s Ska Movement that became known in the UK as Two Tone. And in this multi cultural cafe, full of delectable delights...
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Known Pleasures Ep 39 - Eddie Lundon (China Crisis) Interview
In this episode we talk with one of the founding members of China Crisis, Eddie Lundon. We discuss their working with drum machines, working with synthesisers and working with fire & steel in the lead up to their first ever tour of Australia, 40 years after the release of their 1st album. So sit...
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Known Pleasures Ep 38 - Peter Hook (Joy Division) Interview
Here is our interview with one of the founding members of Joy Division, New Order and The Light, Peter Hook. Enjoy the insight, the ceremony and the atmosphere of one of the most influential bass player of the Post Punk era. The video version is on our Facebook Page:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 37 - Gang Of Four
When late night talk turns to the turbulent musical period known as “post-punk”, three names invariably crop up: Joy Division, Wire and Gang of Four. Like some sort of unholy trinity, they remain standing like not-so-silent sentinels, lighting the way forward. Here at Known Pleasures we’ve…
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Known Pleasures Ep 36 - Depeche Mode
In 1981, a yoghurt-factory worker, a window dresser, and two blokes employed by an insurance company and a bank, somehow conjured up one of the most irresistible songs of the decade. Forty years and a hundred million records later – including 35 Top 20 hits in the UK – Depeche Mode are…
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Known Pleasures Ep 35 - Blondie
At the legendary CBGB’s in New York in the mid 70’s, I think it’s fair to say that Blondie were outliers. Still, they took enough from the attitudes and performances of their punk contemporaries to create a style of idiosyncratic pop that made them stand out from the crowd. Spotify Playlist:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 34 - Wire
Hit singles: nuh. Hit albums: nuh. Unusually charismatic singer? Unforgettable visual image? Brilliant band name? Nuh. Nuh. Nuh. So why, 46 years after they formed, are we talking about Wire? Pink Flag, Chairs Missing, 154 might sound like the opening line of a really good poem; it is, though…
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Known Pleasures Ep 33 - Adam & The Ants
In this episode Mark, Patrick & Graham hold a magnifying glass over Adam & The Ants. Not to set fire to them & watch them burn, but to illuminate them and watch them glow. Vote for us: https://australianpodcastawards.com/vote Spotify Playlist:...
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Known Pleasures Ep 32 - Psychedelic Furs
Born like so many others out of 1977’s London punk scene, the Psychedelic Furs however seemed to deliberately stand out from the off. There was the name for a start - not very punk and more redolent of the despised 60s if anything, and then there was the music. Never a huge critical or commercial...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Known Pleasures takes a look at the highly influential music that washed up in the wake of the seismic splash that was punk. Call it post-punk, or new wave, but from 1978 to 1984 bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, PiL, Gang of Four and Joy Division were re-defining what was possible in this brave new musical landscape of machines, rhythms and electronics. In turns affectionate, amusing and anecdotal, our own Gang of Three former amateur indie musicians dissect the albums, songs and tours that made this experimental era one of the most important in rock history, scattering their own personal recollections and insights amongst the facts along the way. Ever wondered why The Cure’s Robert Smith was playing two shows a night in different bands, where a bridge for suicidal dogs in Scotland fits in to the Talking Heads story, or how the Human League’s Phil Oakey started a nipple piercing craze? We’ll tell you, and more. Welcome to Known Pleasures - this is the way, step inside.
HOSTED BY
Gang Of Three
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Known Pleasures have?
Known Pleasures currently has 80 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Known Pleasures about?
Known Pleasures takes a look at the highly influential music that washed up in the wake of the seismic splash that was punk. Call it post-punk, or new wave, but from 1978 to 1984 bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, PiL, Gang of Four and Joy Division were re-defining what was possible in this...
How often does Known Pleasures release new episodes?
Known Pleasures has 80 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Known Pleasures?
You can listen to Known Pleasures on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Known Pleasures?
Known Pleasures is created and hosted by Gang Of Three.
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