Permanent Record Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 10 – The Man with the Golden Gun (With Robbie Sims)

This is a rarity as far as Permanent Record Podcast episodes go.  Yes, it's an episode with show notes penned by Brian and not Sarah.  Sarah has one job once the episode has been recorded: to write the show notes.  But this time, she was nowhere to be found and everyone's second-favorite host, who already does so much, was left holding the bag!  

I guess I'll start with the stuff that is ALWAYS part of these 007 episodes.....

Since the beginning of the show, Brian has done his best to strong-arm discussion of Agent 007 into as many podcasts as he could. Finally he convinced Sarah to embark on a new mission: the Permanent Record Podcast 007 Mini-Broadcast!

This occasional series from your friends Brian & Sarah started with "Dr. No" and will work its way up to the most recent Bond adventure, and on the way, it will discuss and critique all of the 007 theme songs and other relevant recordings. It's a dream come true for one of the hosts - and for Bond fans everywhere!

Speaking of Bond fans everywhere, they will no doubt be delighted to learn that Robbie Sims, author of the delightful book Quantum of Silliness: The Peculiar World of Bond, James Bond, can once again be found co-hosting this installment with Brian and Sarah.

So, with this ninth 007 movie, John Barry returns to the fold and provides one of his most controversial title tracks!  The PRP crew is going to break it down, give you the full story of how the score and the theme came to pass, and let you know what critics the world over think about it.  They will also discuss the actual film, to see if any of them will claim to love/enjoy/like it.  And somehow we get through the entire 90-minute show WITHOUT MENTIONING NICK-NACK!!!  That seems almost impossible, I know!

Along with all of the MWTGG content, Robbie, Brian, and Sarah also talk about the new Lana Del Ray Bond theme, "First Light", co-written with legendary 007 composer David Arnold.  And of course, the three hosts also spill all the details on Robbie's recent vacation to Thailand, where he visited a few movie locations, including Khao Phing Kan AKA James Bond Island!  It sounds like a blast!!

And finally, before it all ends, Robbie is put to the test again with a series of Bond trivia questions, but not before he makes plans to update his will and Brian makes the most shameful plea for free/discounted stuff in the history of the podcast.  

As Sarah usually states:  It's an episode full of excitement, fun, and laughs that you won't want to miss!

Find Robbie Sims at

https://www.instagram.com/quantumofsilliness

https://www.threads.net/@quantumofsilliness

https://bsky.app/profile/quantumofsilliness.bsky.social

You can purchase Quantum of Silliness at https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/quantum-of-silliness/ or other reputable booksellers.

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 - we're ready to believe you!

Episode 200: Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) (Featuring Andrew Dineley of "Art on Your Sleeve") – Part 1 and Colours of Ever announcement

The 200th "regular" episode of Permanent Record Podcast is here! ("Regular" excludes special episodes and the PRP 007 Mini-Broadcasts, which don't follow the same numbering scheme.)
 
Brian and Sarah wanted to do something big and special for episode 200, so they chose to cover an album which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary: Please, the debut album from the Pet Shop Boys. And to make the episode even bigger and more special, they invited the charming and talented Andrew Dineley to join in on the conversation. Andrew, as you probably already know, is host of the excellent "Art on Your Sleeve" podcast, as well as proprietor of the fabulous Soft Octopus Design Studio and contributor to Classic Pop magazine.

This first episode in the Please series sets the stage for what's to come. Brian and Sarah look back to the pre-Pet Shop Boys days of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe and recount the story Neil and Chris's first meeting. Our hosts then follow the journey of the Boys' musical collaboration, which takes us from Chelsea, to Camden Town, to New York City, and back to London, and introduces us to characters such as Ray Roberts, Bobby Orlando, Tom Watkins, and Stephen Hague. 

Andrew Dineley joins the conversation to provide insight on the design aspects of Please such as the original album cover concept, the final cover design done by Mark Farrow, as well as a few of the single covers. He also shares stories about and from Pet Shop Boys' first manager, Tom Watkins, and Andrew recalls his first exposure to Pet Shop Boys music-- on a children's show with eerily-animated pound notes! And, we even get to hear about a chance encounter recently Andrew Dineley had with OMD's Andy McCluskey!

As is usual with PRP album discussions, the release history, chart positions, and reviews of Please are covered in this episode, as well as Brian and Sarah's personal history with the album, which Brian feels slightly embarrassed to share. 

And because it's the big 200th episode, several listeners sent in voicemails to mark the occasion, and our hosts happily share those messages as well. 

Finally, as if that's not enough, Brian has exciting musical news of his own to share, about yet another synthpop duo. This duo, called Colours of Ever, consists of Brian and his longtime friend Jason, and they've released their first single on Bandcamp! Check them out at https://coloursofever.bandcamp.com/ .

There's so much good stuff in this episode, so don't delay-- Please download and listen to it today!

Video discussed in this episode:
Pet Shop Boys performing "Opportunities" on Poparound, July 1985
https://youtu.be/rVxqEWt4Inc?si=XY6kZ9MHay9IwUUj

Listen to Andrew on his "Art of Your Sleeve" podcast: https://softoctopus.co.uk/podcast/
Get all the details on Andrew's design studio: https://softoctopus.co.uk/

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Episode 196: Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 3) and Bowie Bingo Announcement

In this episode, Brian and Sarah resume their review of Depeche Mode home video concert releases. They're up to the 2005 album Playing the Angel, which the band supported with the "Touring the Angel" concert tour in 2005 and 2006.

The home video "Touring the Angel: Live in Milan" documents the band's two nights performing in Milan, Italy in February 2006. The director of this film is Blue Leach, who has worked with many other artists including R.E.M., Beck, and The Pet Shop Boys.

Blue Leach takes a decidedly different approach to filming and editing Depeche Mode in concert compared to past directors such as Anton Corbijn. "Touring the Angel" is a very dissimilar viewing experience to "Devotional" or "101," and Brian and Sarah have quite a lot to say about it.

They also, of course, go over the same topics/questions they're addressing for each home concert video release. However, in this episode, Sarah seems especially hard-pressed to pick a single answer for each category.

Also included in the discussion are topics such as the stage design and setup; which member of the band is almost unrecognizable after a certain point in the show; and Depeche Mode's increasing popularity as a live act.

And, as referenced in the episode title, Brian and Sarah share information about the return of Bowie Bingo this holiday season! Make sure you sign up for a slot to participate in this fun Zoom event!

Read more at http://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/
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Episode 124: Martin L. Gore - "Counterfeit e.p" (1989)

Intrepid hosts Brian & Sarah are back for 2021's first "normal" episode!  But can a podcast focused on Depeche Mode's foremost songwriter truly be considered "normal?"  After all, Mr. M.L. Gore is known across the world for his unusual songs that combine all the best features of alternative music with kernels of pure pop music magic. 

But of course, none of the songs on "Counterfeit e.p" are penned by Martin, so how will they go over with our Depeche Mode-loving hosts?  Will a song originally by The Durutti Column prove to be as charming as anything from "Construction Time Again?"  Will the cover of Joe Crow's "Compulsion" power-up the PRP crew enough for them to cross over the street or will they simply huddle in a dark corner, wishing they were listening to "A Broken Frame?"  What's the connection between Chairman Mao and "In a Manner of Speaking?"  And does this 1989 solo project have the same level of sonic perfection that we expect from the mighty Mode?  All of these questions and more are answered in this, the 124th episode of the Permanent Record Podcast!

Songs Discussed on this Episode:
"Compulsion"
"In a Manner of Speaking"
"Smile in the Crowd"

Check out the original versions:
"Compulsion" https://youtu.be/pufmH4Vwj7U
"In a Manner of Speaking" https://youtu.be/l6H-ESkf2bU
"Smile in the Crowd" https://youtu.be/RXyKUF6S_48

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Cool Stuff Alert:  Visit our new PRP Shop at https://www.redbubble.com/people/bluezonenetwork/

Episode 123: Sarah's Milestone Birthday Extravaganza Featuring VH X RR

Everyone's favorite female host of the PRP recently had a significant birthday! Typically, these milestones are celebrated with a big party, but these aren't exactly typical times. So instead of having a room full of all kinds of people, Brian and Sarah had a Zoom call with two very cool people: Von Hertzog and Rob Rowe of the band VH x RR.

Our hosts last spoke with VH x RR last June, upon the release of their debut EP, The Persistence of Memory. This time around, there are two new singles to discuss: "Somewhere in Time," which was released in the opening moments of 2021, and "The Speed of Light," which just saw the light of day on Bandcamp a couple of weeks ago.

Brian and Sarah speak with Von and Rob about the singles and the many remixes that accompany them, but that's just the tip of the iceberg! They also discuss Von's projects with the artists Czarina and Blaklight; the Christmas song VH x RR released and whether there will ever be an original Rob Rowe-penned Christmas tune; Bandcamp versus streaming platforms; the Duran Duran album Big Thing; The Guess Who song "Sour Suite;" and John Mulaney's views on pop music. There's even EXCLUSIVE talk of a new VH x RR EP, as well as a possible new Whitewaits release!

And if that's not enough excitement already, Sarah's birthday extravaganza goes to the next level with a game show segment! The two band members are pitted against each other in a heated battle where only one person will emerge victorious! In this segment, Von Hertzog shares his pro tips on baking pizza; the idea is pitched for a concert where everyone in attendance receives a cowbell upon entering; and Rob Rowe reveals the TV star that women at bars mistake him for most often.

Join in on the celebration and also learn about some fantastic new music-- and a lot more-- in this episode!

Visit VH x RR at

Bandcamp: https://vhxrr.bandcamp.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VHxRR

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vhxrrmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vhxrr/

Visit Blaklight at

Bandcamp: https://blaklight.bandcamp.com/music

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlakLightband

Facebook: facebook.com/BlakLightband/

Order Robbie Sims' "Quantum of Silliness: The Peculiar World of Bond, James Bond" on Amazon (US) and Amazon (UK).

Read more at http://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/
Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/permrecordpodcast
Follow us at https://twitter.com/permrecordpod
Check out some pictures at https://www.instagram.com/permanentrecordpodcast/
Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or https://www.speakpipe.com/PermRecordPod - we're ready to believe you!

Cool Stuff Alert:  Visit our new PRP Shop at https://www.redbubble.com/people/bluezonenetwork/

Episode 122: David Bowie "Five Years On" with Jon Lamoreaux and David O - Part 2

Brian and Sarah recently had a David Bowie-themed weekend, kicked off by the star-studded "Bowie Celebration" online concert hosted by Mike Garson and followed by a viewing of "Lazarus," the darkly provocative stage musical. These events, while joyous, couldn't help but bring forth a sense of disbelief that it's been five years since David Bowie left the Earth, and it left the hosts wanting to talk more about the man and his music.

So once again, your regular hosts are joined by two talented friends with plenty to say on the subject of Rock Music's leading chameleon. David O is the host of the excellent Duran Duran-focused podcast "The D Side." Jon Lamoreaux, host of "The Hustle Podcast", has interviewed 300+ figures of note from the music world, including leading producers, singers, and songwriters. Both of these gentlemen are long-time fans of David Bowie, and PRP hosts Brian and Sarah are honored that David and Jon were so generous with their time and expertise.

This episode begins by resolving the cliffhanger ending of Part 1, with each of the four hosts revealing their favorite David Bowie album. They then move on to discussing their five favorite Bowie songs, which brings about much wailing and gnashing of teeth over what a difficult task it was to select only five songs. Throughout the discussion, eyebrows are raised, stories are told, and plenty of laughs are shared, as the foursome celebrate the legendary figure whose many gifts to the world will undoubtedly be treasured for generations to come.

Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehustlepodcast
Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehustlepod
Follow David on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoysMakeNoise

Cool Stuff Alert: Visit our PRP Shop at https://www.redbubble.com/people/bluezonenetwork/
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Episode 121: David Bowie "Five Years On" with Jon Lamoreaux and David O

After a recent weekend spent watching Mike Garson's excellent "Bowie Celebration" tribute concert and a performance of the darkly provocative stage musical "Lazarus", it struck both Brian and Sarah that, although five years have passed since he left the Earth, they both still miss David Bowie and that it's sometimes very difficult to believe that he is gone.

Now, your regular hosts are joined by two talented friends with plenty to say on the subject of Rock Music's leading chameleon.  David O is the host of the excellent Duran Duran-focused podcast "The D Side."  Jon Lamoreaux, host of "The Hustle Podcast", has interviewed 300+ figures of note from the music world, including leading producers, singers, and songwriters.  Both of these gentlemen are long-time fans of David Bowie, and PRP hosts Brian and Sarah are honored that David and Jon were so generous with their time and expertise.

In this first episode, the four fans discuss how they came to fall under the spell of Jareth the Goblin King, their reactions to Duran Duran's new single, a remake of the "Ziggy Stardust" classic "Five Years", and they begin counting down their five favorite Bowie albums.  And as an added bonus, Jon will explain the optimal way to organize your cassette tape collection!  

Finally, stay until the end to get the details on how you can win an Amazon gift card by predicting what the hosts will say at the start of the next episode.

Follow Jon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehustlepodcast

Follow Jon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehustlepod

Follow David on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoysMakeNoise

Cool Stuff Alert:  Visit our new PRP Shop at https://www.redbubble.com/people/bluezonenetwork/

Read more at http://www.permanentrecordpodcast.com/
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Follow us at https://twitter.com/permrecordpod
Check out some pictures at https://www.instagram.com/permanentrecordpodcast/
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PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 5 - Thunderball

Since the beginning of the show, Brian has done his best to strong-arm discussion of Agent 007 into as many podcasts as he could.  Finally he has convinced Sarah to embark on a new mission: the Permanent Record Podcast 007 Mini-Broadcast!

This new occasional series from your friends Brian & Sarah will start with "Dr. No" and work its way up to the most recent Bond adventure, and on the way it will discuss and critique all of the 007 theme songs and other relevant recordings.  It's a dream come true for one of the hosts - and for Bond fans everywhere!

In the fifth episode, Sarah and Brian are joined by Bond author Robbie Sims (Quantum of Silliness: The Peculiar World of Bond, James Bond) to discuss the theme from the fourth 007 adventure, "Thunderball."  Along the way, they share their thoughts on the film and explore Bond-related music from Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Cash, and Shirley Bassey.  This one was a lot of fun, so we hope that translates when you listen!

Follow Robbie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTchaikovsky?s=09

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Episode 120: The Pretenders - "2000 Miles" (1983),  Depeche Mode - "Christmas Island" (1986), and Holiday Giveaway

How fitting that the last episode of 2020 also ends with a 20! For episode 120, Brian and Sarah sit down in their festively decorated studio to discuss two songs-- one with decidedly more of a holiday tie-in than the other.

In 1983, The Pretenders found themselves rebuilding after a particularly difficult period in their history. Eventually this rebuilding led to the classic 1984 album "Learning to Crawl." But before the album was released, the single "2000 Miles" came out in November 1983, and it has since become a modern holiday favorite. Brian and Sarah talk about the origin of the song and its meaning, the beautiful single cover, a few of the different versions done by Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders, and the rather unusual video, directed by Tim Pope. Brian slips for a moment into "James Bond Podcast" mode, but Sarah is able to lure him back to the main discussion pretty quickly this time, since he is also a big fan of Christmas.  

The second selection on our hosts' agenda has a festive enough title to it, but you probably won't find it on too many holiday playlists. It does, however, give Brian and Sarah an excuse to make a little more progress towards an overall goal they have for the podcast. And even though the winter break traditionally means no school, Brian takes the opportunity to give both a geography lesson and a history lesson during this discussion.

Finally, as Brian and Sarah end the last episode for the year, they take time to thank some people who have helped make the podcast--and the year-- a much brighter one. Some of those people are you, the listeners! And as a more tangible expression of their thanks, Brian and Sarah announce their annual holiday giveaway! Be sure to listen to the end to find out how to enter this year's contest!

See the videos discussed here:

Pretenders "2000 Miles" - https://youtu.be/AEyGZlBdkaA

Pretenders "2000 Miles" from Isle of the View - https://youtu.be/w3LLbWC7BZ0

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Episode 119: Falco - 3 (1985) - Part 2

Wilkommen! Brian and Sarah are back to talk more about Falco-- or, as Brian likes to call him, The Austrian Slick-Meister-- and his third album, 3, released in 1985.

This episode covers the two remaining singles, "Jeanny" and "Rock Me Amadeus," along with the album track "Männer des Westerns - Any Kind of Land."

The hosts explore the controversy surrounding the song "Jeanny" and talk about the many classic film references in the video. Brian even delves a little bit into the world of true crime, which he does warn listeners about at the start of the episode.

"Männer des Westerns" understandably prompts a discussion about Western society and pop culture, and when the hosts turn their attention to "Rock Me Amadeus," they also mention the 1984 movie that may (or may not!) have inspired the song.

Also during this section, the hosts mention The Simpsons, armadillos, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. And it probably isn't too surprising for regular listeners to learn that Brian does find a way to slip into "James Bond podcast" mode for a brief time during this episode, but how in the world did Brian and Sarah end up having an animated discussion about baking soda?

Jeanny
Männer Des Westens - Any Kind of Land
Rock Me Amadeus

Extra Credit
For extra credit, Brian and Sarah talk about the 2008 biopic, "Falco: Dammit, We're Still Alive!" starring Austrian singer Manuel Rudy. They even briefly mention the fact that there have been two musicals about Falco, with a third allegedly in the works.

Final Review and Rating
Even though the hosts didn't cover every track on the album in these episodes, they provide final reviews of the entire album, along with a record-adapter rating. Does 3 end up getting more than 3 record adapters from the hosts? Listen and find out!

Watch the videos discussed here:
Jeanny
Männer Des Westens (2007 release)
Rock Me Amadeus
Excerpt from The Simpsons episode "A Fish Called Selma"
Watch Out Armadillos

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