Banned Biographies
82 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago -Banned Biographies is an audio documentary series charting the careers of some of the most notorious bands ever to grace the world's stages.
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Interview with Jack pop (Alcopop! Records)
July 30, 2021 00:00 - 1 hourThis interview episode of the Banned Biographies podcast is a great conversation with Jack Pop, founder of the Alcopop! Record label. I was made aware of Alcopop! at the beginning of the year when I spoke to The Stepney Sisters about the release of their debut album, 50 years after forming, which was put out by Alcopop!. I then did a bit of reading on the label’s website and couldn’t believe the story about its forming thanks to a bet on the result of a football match. If you’ve not heard of...
Adam Ant Review
July 26, 2021 00:00 - 8 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies. Tom Austin-Morgan, your host, is back to let you know what’s been happening over the last month since the second part of the Adam Ant documentary went out which focussed on his solo career and what you can expect from the next episode. There’s been some great feedback as well as sharing from the Ant fans this month including a new review on Apple Podcasts. Already the Adam Ant solo episode vaulted into the top 10 of all episodes so far, and the first part ...
Bravest of the Brave - The Continued Adventures of Adam Ant
June 24, 2021 23:00 - 1 hourAfter disbanding Adam and the Ants at the height of the band's success, Adam Ant went solo. Working with Marco Pirroni, his first solo single, Goody Two Shoes went straight to number one in the UK and Australia which allowed him to pursue a career in acting both on stage and screen. As with the first part of his career with The Ants, Adam's solo career has had many ups and downs over the years - both in terms of critical and chart success as well as with his own personal battles with his men...
Louise Aubrie and Rick McMurray review
June 21, 2021 12:42 - 7 minutesThere have been some really wonderful bits of feedback from the interview episodes with Louise Aubrie and Rick McMurray with people checking out Louise’s music which I’m really happy about. The second single off Louise’s album 'Antonio' is out on Wednesday 23rd June (two days from this episode going live). Called 'Ours', it's a slightly darker song in tone from 'Last', but is another masterfully arranged song with killer vocal hooks. Make sure you go and give it a listen and let Louise know ...
Interview with Rick McMurray of Ash
June 01, 2021 00:00 - 1 hourOn this extra-special episode of Banned Biographies I was very lucky to chat over Zoom with Rick McMurray, the drummer from Ash. Ash's first full-length album, 1977, was release 25 years ago and went straight to number one on the UK album chart. To commemorate that, Ash is playing the album in its entirety on the 5th June 2021 which you can sign up to watch through the band’s website https://ash-official.com/. There are various bundles available, from the concert only right up to getting unl...
Interview with Louise Aubrie
May 28, 2021 00:00 - 1 hourOn this episode of the Banned Biographies podcast I sat down over Zoom to interview punk and indie inspired solo artist Louise Aubrie. Louise is from London, where she began writing and recording music, playing in venues like the 100 Club and the O2 Centre. Since then she has lived in New York City where she continued to hone her craft becoming a regular in venues like The Bitter End and The Bowery Electric. During her career, Louise has recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios and has ...
Adam and the Ants Review
May 24, 2021 00:00 - 11 minutesOne month on from the release of the first episode of the Banned Biographies podcast that covers the early days of Adam Ant's career in Adam and the Ants, I'm back to cover some of the reaction to the episode and to let you know what the next episode will be about. Additionally, I give you a run down of some of the great music that's been released in the last month including singles from Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes featuring Joe Talbot from IDLES, Dropkick Murphys, Pendulum, Frank Turn...
Kings of the Wild Frontier - The Adventures of Adam and the Ants
April 30, 2021 03:00 - 1 hourAdam and the Ants was formed in 1977, after Adam Ant witnessed the birth of punk at the Sex Pistols' first ever gig. Beginning as a punk band that sang about fetishism and Nazis while wearing leather and S&M gear, Adam and the Ants found it difficult to achieve credibility both in punk circles or in the mainstream. To rectify this, Ant went to Malcolm McLaren for advice and it was during this time that the band perfected its unique 'Burundi beat' style with a two drummer line-up and began wr...
Stepney Sisters Interview Review and Anniversary Special
April 26, 2021 11:07 - 17 minutesI'm back to let you know what's been happening here at Banned Biographies in the last month and to introduce the subject of the next documentary episode. Yes, I'm returning to the documentary format for the next episode! As well as reaction the the Stepney Sisters interview, it also happens to be the podcast's first birthday and I've had a lot of messages from listeners to congratulate and celebrate with me. Had I realised before the last couple of weeks that this next episode was going to b...
Interview with The Stepney Sisters
March 26, 2021 00:01 - 1 hourOn this episode of Banned Biographies, I sat down over Zoom to interview Caroline and Benni from The Stepney Sisters. Theirs is a brilliant story of university friends who joined a soul band as singers in the early 1970s, moved into squats London, met some like-minded women involved in the women’s liberation movement and decided to start an all-female band so they could have complete control over the content of their songs and which gigs they played. The Steppos, as I found out they called t...
Paul Brightman of Sham 69 Interview Review
March 21, 2021 23:00 - 8 minutesI’ve had some great feedback on the Paul Brightman interview over the last month. I even got a comment from the drummer in Paul’s band, Swampstomper, who was surprised by a couple of details in the interview despite having known Paul for years. That’s great to hear from an interviewer’s point of view because it means I was asking the right questions. Speaking of which, I did a massive shoutout to other podcasts last month but completely forgot to say that I was going to be guesting on one. I...
Interview With Paul Brightman of Sham 69, Swampstomper and (Almost) Chelsea
February 26, 2021 00:01 - 1 hourThis is the second Banned Biographies Interview episode with Paul Brightman of Sham 69, Swampstomer and (almost) Chelsea. During the episode, Paul talks about his introductions to music and playing in bands, juvenile delinquency, politics – both in bands as well as in the wider world – the pros and cons of touring and his hopes for the future both with his own project, Swampstomper, and with Sham 69. A quick warning, the first few minutes are spent discussing the affect that COVID-19 has had...
The Slits Review
February 22, 2021 00:01 - 14 minutesI'm back to catch up with what's been happening since last month's episode about The Slits went out , give some shout outs to new followers as well as those that have been interacting, as well as highlight some other podcasts - both music-based and not - that I'm listening to and you might also like, and tell you what the subject of the next episode will be . While you're waiting for the next episode to drop on Friday 26th February 2021, why not go and leave a rating and review on iTunes, th...
Typical Girls(?) - The Tale of The Slits
January 29, 2021 13:06 - 1 hourThe Slits are one of the most significant female punk bands of the late 1970s. Not only did they bravely (or foolishly) leap into the fray with little, if any, musical ability, but through sheer emotion and desire created some great music, setting the stage for a future generation of Riot Grrrls. Their success seems on a par with a band like The Velvet Underground’s in the 1960s. Neither bands sold huge amounts of records at the time but their influence has been huge and ongoing. Though mu...
Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign Interview Review
January 25, 2021 00:00 - 8 minutesI'm back to catch up with what's been happening since the Christmas Day episode went out where I interviewed the guys from the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign, give some shout outs and tell you what band will be the subject of the next episode, which will be a return to the regular documentary format. As ever, I hope you're doing well. 2020 was a hell of a year and 2021 has started off in much the same way. I've found solace in producing this podcast for you all and hearing your reactions to ...
Interview with the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign
December 25, 2020 04:00 - 1 hourIn a change to our regular programming, instead of a documentary about an iconic band this month, I bring you the first in what I hope will be a regular feature of the podcast peppered between the documentaries. In this episode I sat down over Zoom to chat with Paul Lally, Paul Banks and Ellie Porter from the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign. Lally set the group up two years ago after Shelley passed away in order to commemorate the singer with a blue plaque on his childhood home. £12,000 and ...
The Undertones Review
December 21, 2020 04:00 - 10 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to cover some of the reaction to the Teenage Kicks: The Story of The Undertones episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be a very different affair. Instead of a documentary episode I've conducted my first interview for the show. You may remember during the Love Bites: The Story of Buzzcocks episode that I mentioned the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign. They recently unveiled a blue plaque at Pete Shelley's childh...
Teenage Kicks: The Story of The Undertones
November 28, 2020 16:37 - 2 hoursIt all started on a two-week camping trip in County Donegal, Northern Ireland in August 1974. Friends Michael Bradley, Billy Doherty and brothers Vince and John O’Neill decided they wanted to start a band. The group had existed as an idea for about six months in the minds of John, Vince and Billy. For a while, the unnamed group hade no instruments with which to practice, so there were no songs either. But it didn't stop them discussing the future of the band, who would play what instrument, ...
The Clash Review/The Undertones Preview
November 26, 2020 11:28 - 9 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to cover some of the reaction to London Calling: The History of The Clash episode, give some shout outs, announce the winners of the Joe Strummer badge giveaway with Pin Icons and to let you know that the next episode will be about Northern Ireland's originators of pop punk, The Undertones! I seem to have lost a week somewhere this month, hence this episode coming out on Thursday rather than Monday. I have a fair amount of editing to do on The Und...
London Calling - The History of The Clash
October 29, 2020 22:01 - 4 hoursThe Clash are so much more than simply a punk band, they infused elements of reggae, dub and later R&B and rap which marked them out as unique in a sea of Sex Pistols soundalikes that were springing up in Britain in the late 1970s. They were also the most genuinely political bands of the original wave of UK punk. While the Sex Pistols’ debut gig at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall has been acknowledged as the starting point of that city’s punk and new wave scene, The Clash’s first gig at ...
The Clash Preview, Part 2
October 25, 2020 22:01 - 11 minutesSo, there wasn't a main episode last month, but that doesn't mean I wasn't busy. In this short preview episode I tell you a little about what's gone on this month including getting on two UK radio stations, figuring out that there have been more iTunes reviews than I realised, and the chance for three lucky listeners to win a limited edition Joe Strummer enamel pin badge from Pin Icons (@PinIcons on twitter). The Clash episode will be out on Friday, 30th October 2020 and is the longest episo...
Post Buzzcocks Pre The Clash
September 21, 2020 13:29 - 15 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to cover some of the reaction to the Love Bites: The Story of Buzzcocks episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be about my favourite of all the original UK punk bands, The Clash! It should be out on Friday, 25th September 2020. But, i's easily going to be the longest episode to date and I'm not far into the editing. It could happen, but as ever, make sure you check the social media channels and that you're sub...
Love Bites - The Story of Buzzcocks
August 31, 2020 12:59 - 2 hoursOne day in 1975 Howard Trafford placed a notice on the Bolton Institute of Technology's noticeboard saying he was looking for musicians that shared a liking for The Velvet Underground song "Sister Ray". Peter McNeish, a fellow student at the Institute, responded to the notice. The pair travelled to London to see the Sex Pistols play and were so impressed and excited by what they'd seen they invited the Pistols to play in Manchester at the Lesser Free Trade Hall, a gig that has gone down in h...
Post Siouxsie and the Banshees Pre Buzzcocks
August 24, 2020 19:55 - 10 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back again cover some of the reaction to The Scream: The Spellbinding Siouxsie and the Banshees episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be about the first non-London band; Buzzcocks! I can't wait for you to hear it and, as it stands right now, it'll be out on Friday, 28th August 2020. But, life is slowly returning to normal so be sure to keep your eyes glued to the social channels just in case I need to push it b...
The Scream - The Spellbinding Siouxsie and the Banshees
July 31, 2020 16:03 - 3 hoursIt was Malcolm McLaren who provided Susan Ballion and Steven Bailey the opportunity to form a band when he asked if they knew any bands who might want to support the Sex Pistols at the 100 Club at his Punk Festival on 16 September 1976 as an act had pulled out at the last minute. "To say no would have been impossible". Ballion had already renamed herself Siouxsie Sioux by this time and Bailey (though known as Steve Spunker at that first gig) soon chose the stage name of Steven Severin. Th...
Post Generation X/Billy Idol - Pre Siouxsie and the Banshees
July 27, 2020 14:38 - 9 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to quickly cover some of the reaction to the Rebel Yell: The History of Generation X and Billy Idol episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be about Siouxsie and the Banshees! I can't wait for you to hear it, however, it may not be with you this coming Friday, 31st July 2020 as things have been a bit hectic these last few weeks and I really want to deliver the best possible content to you. So, it could be an...
Rebel Yell - The History of Generation X and Billy Idol
June 26, 2020 10:17 - 2 hoursIn late 1976, William Broad, a 21 year old university drop-out, and his friend John Towe, a shop assistant and drummer, replied to an advert to form a new band. In this band (Chelsea) they began working with Tony James and Gene October. However, James and Broad - now known as Billy Idol - soon outgrew Chelsea and formed their own band, Generation X. Just days later, the pair, along with Towe and young guitarist Bob (Derwood) Andrews, took to the stage as headliners at The Roxy club, Covent G...
The Damned Review/Generation X Preview
June 22, 2020 15:13 - 6 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to quickly cover some of the reaction to The Tale of The Damned (Damned Damned) episode, give some shout-outs and to let you know that the next episode will be about Generation X and its lead singer Billy Idol, who went on to become a massive success as a solo artist in his own right. I can't wait for you to hear it, it should be with you this coming Friday, 26th June 2020. So, make sure you subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts fro...
The Tale of The Damned (Damned Damned)
May 29, 2020 13:37 - 1 hourWhile the Sex Pistols are claimed with spearheading the punk movement in the UK, with Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious as its poster boys, and later The Clash took punk rock in a more diverse musical direction, there was one band quietly racking up a string of ‘firsts’: First UK punk rock band to release a single; first UK punk rock band to release a full-length album; first UK punk rock band to tour America; and the first UK punk rock band to split up and then reunite - MANY times. This band i...
Sex Pistols Review/The Damned Preview
May 25, 2020 11:01 - 10 minutesWelcome back to Banned Biographies, I'm back to cover some of the reaction to The Sex Pistols Story, give some shout-outs, pose some possible changes to the format that I'd like to hear back from you about, and finally, to let you know that the next episode will focus on The Damned. Can't wait for you to hear it, it should be with you this coming Friday, May 29th 2020. So, make sure you subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts from, tell all your friends to do the same, leave a r...
The Sex Pistols Story
April 24, 2020 09:01 - 1 hourThe 1970s was a turbulent time in the UK what with a national energy crisis, a financial crash, strikes leading to the three-day-week, runaway inflation and record unemployment figures. Was it any wonder then that people felt disenfranchised, frustrated and nihilistic? Out of this bubbling tension exploded a band that epitomised the national feeling. The Sex Pistols single-handedly invented the punk genre both in terms of sound and aesthetics, and in just a few short years - and amazingly, o...
Banned Biographies Preview
April 20, 2020 16:51 - 7 minutesIn this teaser for Band Biographies, a brand new podcast documentary series charting the careers of some of the most notorious bands ever to grace the world's stages, I tell you a bit about myself and why I wanted to start this series. The first episode, which will drop in a few days, will focus on the lives and careers of the members of - as well as some of the key people around - the original, iconic Sex Pistols. So, make sure you subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts from an...