#186 - Live’s Demise | Epic’s Bandcamp | 1955

Jay opens things with a crazy Rolling Stone article about the demise of the 90’s alt rock band Live. The band’s 1995 performance on MTV’s Unplugged sparked Jay & Nick’s lifelong friendship. They remained a strong band through the 90’s, but it all went to hell after that…

Song: Live - “Stage”

Nick has some rare follow-up to a topic back in episode #135, when he discussed Epic’s acquisition of Bandcamp. So, what’s happened since then? Has minority stakeholder Tencent used it to spy on independent artists as it simultaneously transformed Epic Games’ image into the rogue indie studio that it yearned to be (Pitchfork’s prediction)?

Song: Phillip Selway - “What Keeps You Awake At Night?”

Finally, Greg takes on a tour of the year 1955. We begin with Gould’s first Goldberg Variations, recorded in June. “Rock Around the Clock” by His Comets and “Ain’t That Ashame” by Fats Domino were both hits, Bebop is fading as the Birth of Cool begins. The first Guiness Book of World Records was released and the year ended with the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat on the bus. It’s also the last time Newcastle won a cup…

Song: Glenn Gould - “Goldberg Variations, BWV 988: Variation 5 a 1 ovvero 2 Clav.”