Robert Wyatt – Shipbuilding

10th November 2025 · 1980s, 1983, Music

Robert Wyatt’s plaintive rendition of Elvis Costello’s poignantly political song Shipbuilding gave Rough Trade their first hit single in 1983.

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In the second half of the Eighties, punk/New Wave misfits XTC briefly became another band dedicated to Sixties psychedelia, The Dukes Of Stratosphear.

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This is one big funk party from the moment Tom Browne blows his trumpet, voices start to chatter and Marcus Miller’s thunderous bass begins to rumble.

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Czech singer Marie Rottrová performs Hodina H (Zero Hour) – her 1981 cover version of Stayin’ Alive.

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I’ve never been a big fan of House music outside its natural habitat of a club in Ibiza with a massive sound system. Especially when there are vocals.

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John Foxx – Underpass

28th September 2025 · 1980, 1980s, Electro, Music

John Foxx made his solo debut after three albums as front man of Ultravox! with this pioneering electro single.

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This is the opening track from Sonic Youth’s third album, EVOL, which is the only one I own, alongside a 12-inch single of Death Valley ’69.

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The Fall perform the opening song from their final album for Beggars Banquet, the dance number Dead Beat Descendant.

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Clock DVA – Consent

1st September 2025 · 1980, 1980s, Music, Postpunk

Clock DVA, more than anyone except perhaps their fellow travellers Cabaret Voltaire, reflected the industrial heartbeat of Sheffield. Literally so.

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I was initially resistant to the dance music takeover in the late Eighties and the replacement of guitars with laptops, synths and samplers. But I was converted by songs like Pump Up The Volume, S Express – and this.

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