Permanent Record Podcast

Brian and Sarah are your hosts for this look back at albums from the New Wave and Classic Rock genres-- albums which have earned a permanent spot in their record collection. The hosts start the discussion with a history of the album, followed by their personal history with it. Over the course of two episodes, they do a track-by-track review of the album and the videos that accompany the singles. They conclude by each giving the album a final review and rating of zero to 100 record adapters. Join Brian and Sarah in this fun look back at the hits-- along with some misses-- of the 70s and 80s!

State of the Podcast: August 2026 08/05/2026

In Conversation with Grant Walters – Co-Author of “Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s” – Part 2 07/13/2026

In Conversation with Grant Walters – Co-Author of “Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s” – Part 2 Episode 204: In Conversation with Grant Walters – Co-Author of “Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s” – Part 2 In this episode, Brian and Sarah continue their conversation with Grant Walters, co-author of the Decades series of books covering the career of the Bee Gees. The latest volume, Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s, has just been released in the UK, and it will be available to purchase in the US in September. Part 2 of the discussion finds Grant, Brian, and Sarah talking about the solo work undertaken by Barry, Robin, and Maurice during the 1980s. Barry released a solo album, which was accompanied by a full-length film; Robin released three solo albums; and Maurice composed movie scores, produced an album for Swedish singer Carola, and worked with both his brothers on their solo projects. In the second half of the decade, the Bee Gees returned to the studio as a group, recording and releasing the albums E.S.P. and One. In between these albums, they suffered the great loss of their youngest brother, Andy. As the 1980s come to a close, the Bee Gees find themselves enjoying a resurgence in their popularity, once again achieving worldwide success on the music charts. As mentioned in Part 1, Grant and Andrew are going on tour to support the new book, including an appearance at the Thame Museum in Thame, Oxfordshire, which is home to the Robin Gibb Gallery. The event is on September 5, and you can purchase tickets for both in-person and livestream attendance. To learn more, visit this link: For more information on all the books in the Decades series about The Bee Gees, as well as more information about Grant and Andrew’s upcoming book tour, visit Videos for songs discussed in this episode: Barry Gibb - "Shine Shine" Robin Gibb - "Juliet" Robin Gibb- "Boys Do Fall in Love" Bee Gees - "You Win Again" Bee Gees - "One" Read more at Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/permrecordpodcast Check out some pictures at You can also find us on Threads: Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/42055905

Concert Report – Alison Moyet, Soft Cell, & The Human League (June 2026) 07/07/2026

In Conversation with Grant Walters – Co-Author of “Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s” – Part 1 07/06/2026

In Conversation with Grant Walters – Co-Author of “Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s” – Part 1 Episode 202: In Conversation with Grant Walters – Co-Author of “Decades: The Bee Gees in the 1980s” – Part 1 A few years ago, Brian and Sarah had the privilege and pleasure to speak with Grant Walters, one of the authors of a fantastic series of books chronicling the careers of Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb—also known as the Bee Gees. The first two installments of the Decades series were written by Grant Walters, Andrew Môn Hughes, and Mark Crohan, and cover the 1960s and the 1970s. The newest edition of Decades is written by Grant Walter and Andrew Môn Hughes, and not surprisingly, covers the 1980s. It follows the format of the previous books, going chronologically through each year of the decade, detailing the various projects and events that were keeping the Gibb brothers busy. Once again, Brian and Sarah had a fantastic time talking with Grant, getting the scoop on the creation of the book, and learning more about many of the topics covered in the book. This time, however, they talked so long, they needed to break the conversation up into two episodes. This episode focuses on where the Bee Gees were career-wise at the start of the 1980s, and goes on to discuss the songwriting and production work they did for other artists such as Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, and Diana Ross. (Swedish artist Carola will be covered in Part 2.) There’s also information on the promotional tour Grant and Andrew will be undertaking to support the new book, including an appearance at the Thame Museum in Thame, Oxfordshire, which is home to the Robin Gibb Gallery. The event is on September 5, and you can purchase tickets for both in-person and livestream attendance. To learn more, visit this link: For more information on all the books in the Decades series about The Bee Gees, visit Videos for songs discussed in this episode: Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb performing “Guilty” live in 1986: Dionne Warwick – “Heartbreaker” official video: Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton performing “Islands in the Stream” live: Diana Ross – “Eaten alive” official video: Diana Ross – “Chain Reaction” official video: Diana Ross – “Experience” official video: Visit us at Check out some pictures at You can also find us on Threads: Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/41984655

Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) – Part 2 06/13/2026

Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) – Part 2 Episode 201: Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) – Part 2 Welcome to Part 2 of Brian and Sarah’s discussion of Please, the debut album from the Pet Shop Boys. In Part 1, our hosts set the stage by talking about the formation of the band, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s work with Bobby Orlando, the recording of the album with producer Stephen Hague, and the release and reception of the album. Along with special guest Andrew Dineley, our hosts also shared their personal histories of becoming familiar with Pet Shop Boys’ music and their memories of the album Please. In this episode, it’s time for Brian and Sarah to start talking about the actual album tracks. However, Brian decides that instead of hosting a music podcast, he instead wants to start a math podcast! This seems to have been triggered by the title of the album’s opening song, “Two Divided By Zero.” Thankfully, this math podcast idea seems to be short-lived, and the two hosts get back to discussing the music on the album. But it’s not without some additional detours into academic subjects such as history and literature. There are references to pop culture as well, such as the 1986 Sprite soft drink commercial featuring Kurtis Blow, and a mention of Brian’s dearly departed Apple IIe computer. The second track on Please is one of the biggest songs of the 1980s. “West End Girls” has an interesting history, as two different versions of the single were recorded and released. Brian and Sarah talk about both versions, and then go on to discuss reviews, chart positions, the video, and much more. Because there’s so much to say about this iconic song, our hosts decide that Part 2 is more than long enough discussing just the first two songs on the album. So settle in on the late train—or wherever you like to listen to podcasts—and check out this epic-length episode! West End Girls – 1986 Video West End Girls (Lockdown Version) Flight of the Conchords - Inner City Pressure Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/41629660

PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 10 – The Man with the Golden Gun (With Robbie Sims) 05/15/2026

PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 10 – The Man with the Golden Gun (With Robbie Sims) 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 You can purchase Quantum of Silliness at or other reputable booksellers. Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/41313095

Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) (Featuring Andrew Dineley of “Art on Your Sleeve") – Part 1 and Colours of Ever announcement 04/27/2026

Pet Shop Boys – Please (1986) (Featuring Andrew Dineley of “Art on Your Sleeve") – Part 1 and Colours of Ever announcement 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 . 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 Listen to Andrew on his "Art of Your Sleeve" podcast: Get all the details on Andrew's design studio: Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/41037325

PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 9 – Live and Let Die (with Robbie Sims) 04/01/2026

PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 9 – Live and Let Die (with Robbie Sims) PRP 007 Mini-Broadcast: Episode 9– Live and Let Die (With Robbie Sims) 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. Episode 9 in the series brings us up to the 1973 film Live and Let Die. It’s Roger Moore’s first appearance as the MI6 agent, and it’s also the first Bond movie to feature a rock song for the theme. The song was written by Paul and Linda McCartney, performed by Paul and his band Wings, and produced by George Martin. George Martin also ended up providing the score for the film. Our three hosts discuss how Paul McCartney and George Martin became a part of the 007 universe as well as what led erstwhile Bond composer John Barry to be uninvolved with the franchise’s eighth film. The trio talk about the chart success of the theme song as well as the other awards and accolades it received. George Martin’s score is discussed, with some speculation over how John Barry would have done with the score for this film that covers some different thematic territory than other Bond movies. While discussing the movie, Robbie, Brian, and Sarah also talk about the fact that the theme song is performed in the film, and Brian has an impromptu trivia session with Robbie and Sarah about Bond theme songs being heard during other Bond movies. And of course, each host reveals where “Live and Let Dies” falls in their personal ranking of Bond themes. There’s talk about the current state of affairs in the Bond universe, and Robbie is put to the test again with a series of Bond trivia questions. And Brian and Sarah talk about their encounter with Solitaire! It’s an episode full of excitement, fun, and laughs that you won’t want to miss! Find Robbie Sims at You can purchase Quantum of Silliness at or other reputable booksellers. Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/40692495

In Conversation with Rob Rowe: WHITEWAITS/VHXRR/Cause and Effect (2026) 03/19/2026

In Conversation with Blaklight (2026) 03/06/2026

In Conversation with Blaklight (2026) Bonus Episode: In Conversation with Blaklight (Adam Collier, Brian Belknap, and Omar Quiñones) 2026 In this episode, Brian and Sarah have the great pleasure of talking with Brian Belknap, Adam Collier, and Omar Quiñones of the band BlakLight. BlakLight was formed as a duo back in 2020, and our hosts chatted with Brian and Adam back in March 2021. A lot has changed with the band since then, so it was definitely time to do some catching up. In the conversation, our hosts find out how Omar came to join the band, as well as learning more about Omar and his other musical endeavors. They also check in on Adam’s side projects as well. BlakLight has been downright prolific with releasing new music over the past six years; their latest album is called The Haunting of Us and was released late last year. Brian and Sarah talk with the band members about the new album, as well as many of the other projects the band has released. And of course, all of these releases can be found on their website or their Bandcamp pages. And, if they weren’t busy enough with making and promoting their new music, BlakLight is set to go on tour in several different countries this year. Brian and Sarah talk with the band about their chart success overseas and the prospects of performing for fans in Germany, the UK, and Mexico. Blaklight’s music has even been featured prominently in a recent movie, so Brian and Sarah ask Brian, Adam, and Omar about that experience of hearing their music in such a different context. It’s an entertaining and enlightening conversation with some truly talented musicians and performers, so you won’t want to miss it—and make sure you check out the links below to pick up their music and keep up to date with all their goings-on! Learn more at Get the music at Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/40344050

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 5) 02/19/2026

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 5) Episode 199: Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 5) Brian and Sarah are back and ready to discuss the next home concert video release from Depeche Mode. Part 5 in this series brings us up to the 2013 album Delta Machine, which was once again supported with a worldwide tour. The city of Berlin was chosen for the filming location, and it was familiar territory for the band, as they spent several years there in the mid-80s. Depeche Mode also returned to familiar territory with their choice of director for this concert film. After a several-year stretch of working with directors who had very different ideas on how a concert video should look, the band once again enlisted their longtime friend and collaborator, Anton Corbijn, to helm this project. The result of Anton’s return to the director’s chair, in the opinions of both Brian and Sarah, is a much more pleasurable viewing experience. Both hosts expressed relief at being treated to more traditional filming and editing techniques for Depeche Mode: Live in Berlin. Anton Corbijn didn’t just film the concert, though; he also recorded interviews with the band members, the members of the band’s management staff, and several fans. Corbijn interspersed these interview segments between songs in the concert and called this version of the film Depeche Mode: Alive in Berlin. Brian and Sarah cover all the same topics and questions for this release as they’ve done for the other movies in this series. They also share social media comments from listeners about this film and the Delta Machine tour, and they even have a voicemail to share as well, regarding the previous installment in the mini-series. So for talk about dogs, fire, steak sauce, and—oh yeah, Depeche Mode too—take a listen to this episode! Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/40168830

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 4) 01/28/2026

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 4) Episode 198: Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 4) It’s a new year, and Brian and Sarah are kicking off their 2026 episodes with the next installment in their look at Depeche Mode home video concert releases. Up for viewing and discussion this time is Tour of the Universe: Barcelona 20/21.11.09, the concert film documenting Depeche Mode’s tour for 2009’s Sounds of the Universe album. As the title indicates, the movie was filmed in Barcelona over two nights, and it was directed by Russell Thomas. Prior to working with Depeche Mode, Thomas directed concert videos for artists such as Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, and Coldplay, so he was no stranger to such projects. However, Brian and Sarah got the impression he was a stranger to using more traditional filming and editing techniques, providing examples of scenes, shots, and editing choices they disliked. The filming and editing style of Russell Thomas made it more difficult than usual for Brian and Sarah to come up with answers to some of the standard questions they ask for each home video concert release, such as “Favorite Dave dance move” and “Favorite Fletch move.” Fortunately, some questions were easy to answer, like, “Who wore it best? Favorite onstage garb.” They then shared their rankings of all the home concert videos they’ve watched so far, and there were a couple of changes to the rankings. Since this is the first episode of the year, Brian and Sarah also took some time to recap their goings-on over the past few weeks, including their appearance on the podcast “I’ve Got That On Vinyl,” where they each picked five essential albums from their vinyl collection. They also have news about their podcast studio! Let Brian and Sarah “take you on a trip” back to November 2009 in this episode, and let them know what you think of this concert video too. "I've Got That On Vinyl" episode with Brian and Sarah's 5 Essential Albums Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/39915350

2025 Xmas Special 2: PRP Xmas Radio Reissue and Meeting Brandon Routh and Rachael Leigh Cook for Xmas 12/21/2025

2025 Xmas Special 1: Paul McCartney Deluxe Reissue and Meeting Jane Seymour for Xmas 12/17/2025

In Conversation with Chris Trapper 12/10/2025

In Conversation with Chris Trapper Episode 197: In Conversation with Chris Trapper Brian and Sarah were thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Chris Trapper, a singer-songwriter whose musical livelihood began in the 1990s. In addition to writing, recording, and performing as lead singer and guitarist in the band The Push Stars, Chris also has a prolific solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums and EPs, touring the country extensively on his own, and opening for artists such as Pat Benatar and Colin Hay. Additionally, Chris’s songs have been featured in numerous television shows and films over the years. Chris Trapper’s latest album, Watching Sparks Fly By, was released earlier in 2025, and Brian and Sarah learn from Chris about the making of the album as well as stories behind some of the songs. They also find out more about his songwriting and creative process in general, and how he feels about writing and recording music compared to performing in front of a live audience. Since Brian and Sarah are big fans of Colin Hay—they were first introduced to Chris’s music in 2012 when he opened for Colin Hay—they can’t help but ask Chris a few questions about Colin, and they talk about the fact that Colin covered one of Chris’s songs on Colin’s 2022 album Now and the Evermore. Being fans of Pat Benatar as well, they also ask Chris about touring with Pat and her husband Neil Gerardo, and Chris reveals some impressive comments he received from both of them. Chris turns the tables at the end of the interview and asks a few questions of Brian and Sarah, which leads to an exclusive moment you won’t find anywhere else—Chris Trapper singing Depeche Mode! It’s a warm, engaging conversation with a lot of laughs interspersed between great stories, so you won’t want to miss this one! Watch the video discussed here: Visit for information and access to his music. Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/39359410

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 3) and Bowie Bingo Announcement 12/02/2025

2025 Festive Bowie Bingo Announcement 11/28/2025

In Conversation with Rob Rowe and Von Hertzog (VH x RR) – New EP “101” 11/21/2025

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 2) 11/09/2025

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 2) Episode 194: Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 2) Brian and Sarah’s mini-series on Depeche Mode’s home video concert releases continues in this episode. Unlike the previous episode, which covered two movies, Depeche Mode: One Night in Paris – The Exciter Tour 2001 is the only release discussed here. However, before getting into the discussion of that concert, Brian and Sarah spend a little time talking about their adventures on opening day of the latest DM concert movie, Depeche Mode: M. They don't go into details about their movie experience just yet, though; these stories are about the people, places and things they enjoyed before the movie. After that sidebar, the discussion about Depeche Mode: One Night in Paris begins. There are eight years between the previous concert video (Devotional) and this one, and as DM fans know very well, a lot transpired for the band during those eight years. As of this concert, Dave Gahan is now clean and sober, and Alan Wilder has moved on from the band. Peter Gordeno and Christian Eigner appear on keyboards and drums, respectively, and of course founding members Martin Gore and Andy “Fletch” Fletcher are still around and join Dave on stage. Longtime Depeche Mode collaborator Anton Corbijn directs this film, as well as providing background video footage shown during the concert. Brian and Sarah talk about his approach to filming and editing this show, as they answer the same ten questions for One Night in Paris as they did for …Live in Hamburg and Devotional. In case you don’t know or don’t remember, a few of the other topics covered in the questionnaire are “Song to watch on repeat;” “Song to skip next time,” and “Who wore it best? Favorite onstage garb.” Of course, Brian and Sarah go off on tangents and discuss plenty of other things too! Join them on this trip back to Paris in October 2001 and relive some exciting Exciter moments! Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/38970970

Depeche Mode: Home Video Concert Releases (Part 1) 10/28/2025

PRP/Synthpop Symphony Crossover: Red Flag Part 2 (with DJ Matt Williams) 10/03/2025

PRP/Synthpop Symphony Crossover: Red Flag Part 2 (with DJ Matt Williams) Episode 192: PRP/Synthpop Symphony Crossover: Red Flag Part 2 (with DJ Matt Williams) Brian and Sarah are once again joined by DJ Matt Williams, creator and host of the synth-tastic radio show Synthpop Symphony. Matt’s show is aired on dozens of terrestrial radio stations around the world and can also be found on podcast platforms. In the previous episode, Brian, Sarah and Matt started a discussion about the San Diego-based duo Red Flag, whose well-crafted electronic tracks were heard in countless clubs at the end of the 1980s. Their debut album, Naïve Art, was released in 1989, and the three hosts shared both information on and memories of the album, touching on numerous other topics along the way. This episode dives into four tracks from Naïve Art, three of which were singles, and one which Brian and Sarah learned from Matt was at least considered as a single. The chart information Sarah has for the singles is primarily for the dance charts, although Brian does take great joy being able to use one of his 1980s pop chart books to confirm some information. Matt tells stories of receiving and playing the remixes in dance clubs. Sarah also has some single reviews, and in what may be a first for the show, a video review! The three hosts discuss each song in depth, but the conversation encompasses many other topics as well. The PRP hosts chat with Matt about the time and effort involved in planning a radio show playlist. Information Society member and famed producer Paul Robb is mentioned, along with the group T42. And once again, Depeche Mode makes the list of discussion topics; this time the focus is on Depeche Mode’s influence on music. Songs discussed in this episode: Russian Radio If I Ever Broken Heart Pretty in Pity Watch the video discussed: Catch up with DJ Matt Williams at Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/38457955

PRP/Synthpop Symphony Crossover: Red Flag Part 1 (with DJ Matt Williams) 09/27/2025

End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 2) – The Alarm & Duran Duran 09/08/2025

End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 2) – The Alarm & Duran Duran Episode 190: End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 2) – The Alarm & Duran Duran Brian and Sarah are back and ready to continue their discussion of a couple of ‘summery’ songs, as the summer draws closer to an end in the Northern Hemisphere. (For those in the Southern Hemisphere, maybe think of this as a summer preview!) As in the previous episode, the first song selection comes from Sarah. She chose the 1987 single “Rain in the Summertime” by The Alarm. This song was released in advance of The Alarm’s third studio album “Eye of the Hurricane,” which Sarah explains was a tumultuous period in the band’s history. She recounts stories of the song’s creation and recording which expose some of the difficulties with and among bandmates. However, the anecdotes also reveal some surprising uses of computer technology for the time. Both hosts mention comparisons and similarities between The Alarm and U2, even down to the desert setting of this song’s video. In discussing the video, Sarah can’t help but bring up a pet peeve of hers when watching movies—a phenomenon Brian says is often identified with the classic film “Casablanca.” After wrapping up the discussion on Sarah’s song, it’s time for Brian to reveal his second selection. He chose the 1990 single from Duran Duran, “Violence of Summer (Love’s Taking Over).” With his selection, Brian shares a “hot take”-- his great love of the 1990 album Liberty. He confesses this love caused his research for the song to stray into research for the entire album, which he then had to reign in. However, since he did take the time and effort to do the work, he decides to share a few tidbits regarding Liberty as well. 1990 was an interesting time for Duran Duran—the band’s lineup had changed yet again, and they were in kind of a limbo period compared to the widespread popularity and exposure they experienced in the first half of the 1980s. Brian reveals some thoughts Simon LeBon shared about Liberty and its place in the Duran Duran catalog, and both hosts talk about highlights on the album. The discussion of the video for “Violence of Summer (Love’s Taking Over)” finds Sarah rather confused about what she’s seeing, at least some of the time. Brian brings up a funny story about the frequently-shirtless Warren Cuccurullo and how that affected the rest of the band. And Brian is thrilled when Sarah references Dead or Alive! Watch the videos here: Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/38131465

End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 1) - The Power Station & Bananarama 09/03/2025

End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 1) - The Power Station & Bananarama Episode 189: End of Summer Special 2025 (Part 1) - The Power Station & Bananarama In the United States, the Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. Brian and Sarah just aren’t ready to say goodbye to summer yet, so over the holiday weekend, they recorded a couple of episodes featuring songs that invoke the feeling of summer. Each episode in this mini-series will feature one song chosen by Brian and one chosen by Sarah. The first song up for discussion is the only one without the word “Summer” in the title. However, there’s no question that it makes you think of summer and other sultry situations. Sarah selected the 1985 hit “Some Like It Hot” from supergroup The Power Station. Sarah shares chart information and reviews for the song, and she also explains the origin of the supergroup and the recording of the song. Brian is quite enthusiastic about Sarah’s choice and shares memories of purchasing the album on cassette and watching the video for “Some Like It Hot” many times back in the day. As discussion turns to the video, both hosts can’t contain their amusement at some of the promo’s elements; Sarah even provides a bulleted list of the more notable features. To wrap up the discussion on “Some Like It Hot,” Sarah shares a bit of ‘extra credit’ information about the song’s use in some network television promotions, back in 1985 but also in the 2020s! Then it’s time to move on to Brian’s selection. His choice is “Cruel Summer” by British girl group Bananarama (NOT a certain American solo artist). Brian also provides ‘the usual’ information such as chart positions, reviews, the writing and recording of the song, and his personal history. Discussion of the “Cruel Summer” video reveals a common thread—or should we say line?—between the songs in this episode: cocaine! There’s also a brief James Bond reference made, although it’s from Sarah, rather than Brian! The episode wraps up with Brian sharing a recent review, which are always read aloud on the show, and always very much appreciated by both hosts. Watch the videos here: Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/38075950

Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell (1981) Part 5 (Featuring Will Crewdson) 08/16/2025

Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell (1981) Part 5 (Featuring Will Crewdson) Episode 188: Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell (1981) Part 5 (Featuring Will Crewdson) With this fifth installment, Brian and Sarah wrap up their discussion of Depeche Mode’s debut album. Our hosts have been covering the US version of Speak & Spell, so there’s only one more song on that release to be discussed. Fortunately, they always do an Extra Credit section at the end of an album, so the song that’s missing from the US version will get some attention then. The last track on Depeche Mode’s 1981 release is a little ditty called “Just Can’t Get Enough.” The US album features the extended, “Schizo Mix,” which our hosts do talk about in some detail, but there’s more focus put on the single version. Our hosts take a deep dive into “Just Can’t Get Enough,” talking about the usual things like chart positions, reviews, the record sleeves, and the recording of the song. And, for the first time on this album, there’s even a video to discuss, much to the delight of Brian and Sarah. “Just Can’t Get Enough” was a pretty important song for Depeche Mode when it was released, and its importance in the world of synthpop and 80s music in general has only increased with time. Our hosts explore the legacy of the song and its place in pop culture over the past four decades. There are dozens of cover versions of “Just Can’t Get Enough,” and as Brian and Sarah start talking about them, they decide to take a chance and call up someone they know who has done a cover version of this song, to see if he’s available to chat. After they finish talking about “Just Can’t Get Enough,” Brian and Sarah move on to the “Extra Credit” portion of the episode, which in this case ends up being two parts. The first part is about the song missing from the US version of Speak & Spell, “I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead.” The second part is about Vince Clarke’s departure from Depeche Mode. Additionally, our hosts have the pleasure of sharing some Speak & Spell memories recorded by listeners. It’s then time, at long last, for the final evaluations and record-adapter ratings. Sarah goes first, and as usual, Brian is concerned about what kind of rating she’ll give, as she’s a harsher critic. Brian, on the other hand, is a self-professed Vince Clarke fanatic, so it’s less of a concern that he’ll give a low rating. But how high does he go? Listen to find out! Links mentioned in the episode: Will Crewdson-related websites and Bandcamp sites: Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/37847775

Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell (1981) Part 4 07/11/2025

Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell (1981) Part 3 06/14/2025

Bonus Episode: Colours of Ever - Live at Stone Turtle House Concerts (June 5, 2025) 06/08/2025

Bonus Episode: Colours of Ever - Live at Stone Turtle House Concerts (June 5, 2025) Bonus Episode: Colours of Ever - Live at Stone Turtle House Concerts (June 5, 2025) In our last episode, we mentioned that Brian and his life-long friend Jason would be opening for Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and John Cowsill (The Cowsills/Beach Boys/Smithereens) at Stone Turtle House Concerts in Bucks County, PA. The two Rock/Pop legends (Vicki and John, not Brian and Jason!) are currently supporting their fantastic new album, "Long After the Fire", and seeing them in an intimate venue like Stone Turtle is a true pleasure! So it all happened on June 5th, 2025, and because so many of our podcast friends were kind enough to text and message Brian words of encouragement before the show and inquiries of "how can I hear your performance?" after the show, we decided to release the full Colours of Ever opening set as a bonus episode of the podcast. We hope that you'll enjoy it! Here's the set list from our first live show since 1991: I Want You to Love Me But I Don't Always Get What I Want Stay Forever Waiting for Something 2 Lovers Drowning Come Sail Away One Chance Boomerang! In all seriousness (let me switch to first person here), I had a wonderful time getting to sing some of the music I have written with my friend Beil for the wonderful crowd at Stone Turtle. It was something I never thought I would get to do for a crowd of any size. And the fact that everyone enjoyed it so much was very gratifying. Although I just turned 54 a couple of months ago, for about 48 hours this week, I felt like a rockstar - and it was a nice feeling! Thank you to Eric, Vicki, John, Jason, and Sarah for making the night possible and unforgettable. And if you take the time to listen, I thank you and hope that you will hear something that you like. We always laugh a lot and have fun when we write songs, but we are both quite proud of our creations. If even one of these numbers connects with you, I will be extremely happy! Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/36904265

April 2025 Concert Report (Kylie Minogue, Alison Moyet) and State of the Podcast 05/18/2025

April 2025 Concert Report (Kylie Minogue, Alison Moyet) and State of the Podcast Episode 185: April 2025 Concert Report (Kylie Minogue, Alison Moyet) and State of the Podcast Where have Brian and Sarah been these last few weeks? Well, for one thing, they’ve been to several concerts! They started and ended the month of April by attending amazing performances given by a couple of musical icons—Kylie Minogue and Alison Moyet! The Kylie Minogue show on April 8 was the first time Brian and Sarah had seen the Australian diva in concert, and not surprisingly, she did not disappoint! Our hosts spend the first part of the episode recounting their experience at the Washington, DC show, and here in the show notes you’ll find some pictures they took during the event. Then, on the last day of April, Brian and Sarah traveled to one of their favorite concert venues—The Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA—to be wowed by the incredible Alison Moyet! They last saw Alison perform in 2017, and it was such a delight to be able to see her on stage again. In fact, Brian and Sarah loved the show so much that they decided to give a song-by-song review of the evening. There are also a few photos from the Alison Moyet show in these notes. (And there are even more pictures from both shows on the Facebook page.) After they finish talking about the two big April concerts, our hosts turn the conversation to the current state of the podcast, and explain some of the other reasons (besides concerts) there haven’t been new episodes in a while. But here’s a spoiler alert for you: the podcast isn’t ending, and in fact, there’s a good chance of more frequent episodes in the future! However, you’ll to listen to the episode to get all the details. Join Brian and Sarah for another fun and informative conversation about the recent past, and a peek into the future too! Read more at Visit us at You can also find us on Threads: Check out some pictures at Join the ever-growing crowd on BlueSky: Leave a voicemail for Brian & Sarah at (724) 490-8324 or - we're ready to believe you! /episode/index/show/permrecordpodcast/id/36615750

Concert Report: Richard Blade/ABC/Howard Jones (2025) 03/07/2025

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