The shadow(play) of this band and this record in particular, looms large.  From its iconic cover to the deification of singer Ian Curtis after his suicide shortly after the albums release to their transformation into the stadium filling New Order afterward, everything about Joy Division feels big and important.  But what about the music itself?  Sure it influenced everyone from The Cure to U2, Tears For fears to Interpol but does it hold up on its own merits in 2024?  We dig into the fading new dawn and attempt to remember everything.   

Outside of Black Sabbath and the Ramones, it’s hard to imagine a band more influential to Alternative music than Wire. Without their first three albums, 80’s Post Punk & College Rock, 90’s Shoegaze & Brit Pop and the indie rock of 2000’s would have all sounded completely different and early 80’s Hardcore maybe never exists.  Their 1977 debut is simultaneously a totem of its time and entirely timeless. Pink Flag's songs span just over thirty five minutes and there’s nary a wasted second with every note spawning a new genre / inspiring a new band.  We dive deep.  Flex your head.   

Unbeknownst to us, this long unavailable album would be remastered and made available on all your notable music streaming services only a week or two after we recorded this episode.  That means that you can now hear it with Apple Music or Spotify clarity as opposed to the less than desirable ad-riddled YouTube experience we had to endure to prep for this conversation.  Does that vastly improve the record’s listening experience?  No, no it does not.  You can’t polish a turd.  Enter at your own risk.  

 

We’re not getting older, we're getting bitter 

 

RIP Mr Chi Pig 

 

Essentially Hatebreed w/ a dash of Slayer.  It’s not the most original formula but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a fun listen.  

 

Our journey through uncharted Sabbath waters continues with the band’s thirteenth studio album.  Released in 1987, at this point more of a Toni Iommi solo project than a band.  This one features Tony Martin, their fifth singer and a solid contribution from ex-Uriah Heep, Rainbow & Blizzard of Oz bassist Bob Daisley.  It’s not exactly a return to form but it's a step in the right direction.  

 

EP256:  X - More Fun in the New World - Beginning with their debut “Los Angeles” in 1979, X put out four consecutive nearly perfect records culminating with “More Fun in the New World" in 1983.  It would be their last album produced by Ray Manzarek and the bands sound would more overtly incorporate elements of Roots Rock and Americana whole John Doe and Exene Cervenka’s lyrics would begin leaning into current events and political and social happenings in addition to the amazingly detailed, heart wrenching observations from their personal lives.  Maybe more than any previous release, More Fun in the New World is the sound of X starting down adulthood.   

 

RIP Mojo Nixon

 

If you have heard Big Star’s music, chances are that you’re a fan.  If you haven’t but love Cheap Trick or REM or the Replacements or the Plimsouls or the Go-Go’s or Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers chances are that you’re a fan but just don’t know it yet.  They were that good.  In this, our first episode discussing the Power Pop geniuses, we deep dive record #1. 

 

RIP Chris Bell

RIP Alex Chilton

RIP Andy Hummel 

RIP Wayne Kramer

RIP Mojo Nixon

 

EP254:  The Adolescents.  Inspired by our Orange County lineage, we discuss this classic debut LP from 1981 and how it stacks up against the rest of the OC Punk canon.  It’s the rare episode recorded with all three amigos together in the same room, coming to you live and direct from Venice Beach CA!   

 

RIP Steve Soto 

 

Pierre Kezdy was a staple of the Chicago Punk scene for more than 25 years.  Beginning in the early 80’s with Strike Anywhere Kezdy made his mark with his distinctive bass playing and melodic songwriting.   His work with Naked Raygun across classic albums from 1986’s “All Rise” through 1990’s “Rayun…Naked Raygun" would cement his legacy and joining ex-Raygun guitarist John Haggerty for several Pegboy albums further confirmed the high regard that he was held in throughout the Windy City.  We sadly lost Pierre to cancer in 2020.  He was only 58.  To celebrate his life through the music of Naked Raygun a number of Chicago area bands put together this compilation to support his late wife and children with all proceeds going to the family.  You can contribute and help support the Kezdy family by buying it on BandCamp:  https://godspeed-tribute.bandcamp.com/album/godspeed-a-tribute-to-pierre-kezdy-of-naked-raygun.  RIP Pierre.   

 

How does a band stay interested in making music together when they’re 20+ years into their recording career and their creative forces have competing sensibilities?  If you’re Fucked Up you indulge every whim, throw everything into a blender and see what comes out.  Results vary on their 2023 release but it’s never short of compelling.  

 

manhuntsman:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tFBWn0UFkdOEMf67TRD6W?si=vzllkbDwSEmfZFlj02GLRwAcademy O.C:  https://academyoc.bandcamp.com/album/academy-o-c  

BABYLON FALL!!!!!  

 

manhuntsman:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tFBWn0UFkdOEMf67TRD6W?si=vzllkbDwSEmfZFlj02GLRwAcademy O.C:  https://academyoc.bandcamp.com/album/academy-o-c  

We’re a little late to the Best of the Year party but better late than never, here’s our annual top tens from the year of our lord 2023.  

 

RIP Bob Nalbandian

 

Contact us at:  huntsmanhillpodcast@gmail.com

Spotify Playlist:  https://open.spotify.com/user/1298220429/playlist/4gy1wWwypkoFS2lUztvZ44?si=waSq07DBQlq3x9G1_nK0pg

 

Omertà 68:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dfiCa0qTlbPQUrqtIkStS?si=6SCjNtXbSO2xRBDuBKJelQ

Mid City Three:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/2LW7wWSHd9bi3n3Q5N8i35?si=aVFU0HdnRzqI1UOTAfc-ig

 

The boys of the HHPP Choir still singing Galway Bay and the bells are ringing out for Christmas day as we celebrate the life of the great Shane MacGowan.  Rest in peace good sir.  

 

RIP Shane MacGowan 

The fabled question posited by Neil Young, “is it better to burn out than to fade away?”  looms large when considering Sabbath’s 12th studio album.  It makes a strong argument for the former.  The prior quality of Tony Iommi’s work and his indelible influence on every single piece of heavy music that came after affords him eternal appreciation and love regardless of the atrocities that came after.  In the words of Sunn O))) "Praise Iommi’” and never waiver. 

 

INXS had a TON of hits during their 80’s heyday and you’d instantly recognize all of them, The Swing’s “Original Sin” included.  The rest of the album is filled with deep cuts that only the diehards will recognize.  Results may vary but if you want to know what 1984 sounded like, you could do a lot worse than starting here.  

 

RIP Shane McGowan 

RIP Geordie Walker 

RIP Scott Kempner 

We love to eat we love to prey mold over mind hooray!

DC’s criminally underrated Soulside becomes the first band in the history of the podcast to garner back to back episodes.  Pt 1 is dedicated to the bands sophomore effort, an LP that could have been discussed on our “15 Perfect Albums” episode.  In our estimation, it's a Post Hardcore classic.    

Some of these bands suck.  Some of these bands are just fine and some of these bands are really good but not as good as their fandom would have you believe.  All of these bands are extremely successful.  We ask why?  

This one gone to eleven. 

 

manhuntsman:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tFBWn0UFkdOEMf67TRD6W?si=vzllkbDwSEmfZFlj02GLRwAcademy O.C:  https://academyoc.bandcamp.com/album/academy-o-c  

What makes an album perfect?  No skippable songs?  A front to back cohesive listen?  An emotional through line?  The answer lies in the ear of the beholder.  We each make the argument for five that we think are perfect tens.