On October 1, 2016, Trash Disco celebrated its first birthday on air at 88.6 Plenty Valley FM. It was full of history about the show (which, strangely enough, actually goes all the way back to 2001) and plenty of great 80s and 90s tunes. There was also something I referred to as the “obligatory arbitrary birthday top ten”. There wasn’t time to explain my choices during the show so I thought I would write a quick blog to explain them.
It was more a top ten bands/artists than a top ten songs (that would be way too hard). I just had to then pick a song to represent each band. As usual, I try to go down the path less travelled where I can, so there are few hits in this list.
10 – Adam And The Ants – Prince Charming
Back on July 13, 2015 I took a day off work and watched the entire Live Aid concert in real time. I started at 9pm (Melbourne time) and watched all the way through until 1pm the next day, using a mix of DVDs, YouTube videos and my own VHS recordings from the day.
As I watched I posted photos of each performer on Facebook and Twitter as they appeared on stage. Who do you think was the most shared photo on Twitter? Adam Ant. No idea why, but there it was. And so, for that reason alone, he gets a place in the top ten.
9 – Frankie Goes To Hollywood – The Only Star In Heaven
Growing up in the 80s era of Thatcher and Reagan and the ever present spectre of nuclear war meant that most comedy and music took aim at this threat and the politics behind it. Frankie’s Two Tribes fitted perfectly with this sentiment and this, along with the previous single Relax (and a cleverly contrived merchandise and marketing strategy) propelled them to stardom.
This track was an album track from Welcome To The Pleasuredome and shows the band sounding like an actual band playing rather than the highly produced singles.
8 – Ultravox – Mr X
Vienna was an amazing single. The instantly recognisable drum pattern that begins the song imprints itself on your brain. In the midst of a plethora of pop songs this ballad was a massive hit for the band. T
he album itself was equally brilliant, with plenty of electropop laid on, and a couple of guitar tracks thrown in so that Midge’s guitar work could shine through. Mr X is a dark and mysterious track and never got nearly enough airplay.
7 – The Human League – Being Boiled
The Human League had a number of massive hits, as well as some forgettable misses, but being one of the bands referred to by name in The Young Ones gives them extra cred, which earns them a spot in the Top Ten 10.
This track hails from their earlier days before some members left to become Heaven 17.
6 – David Bowie – Fashion
To say David Bowie was a major part of musical history does not do justice to how important this man was. He was uniquely visionary, constantly changing and ahead of his peers on so many occasions. His passing earlier this year left a massive Bowie-shaped hole in the world that can never be filled.
5 – Pet Shop Boys – I’m With Stupid
Neil and Chris have been producing Pet Shop Boys material constantly for over 30 years and unlike some of their peers the quality has never dipped. The styles may change, and not every album is to everyone’s taste, but they put their best into everything they do, and refuse to release anything that would be considered a compromise. Their latest album out this year, Super, is yet another example of this.
4 – Cocteau Twins – Violaine
The dreamlike trio that was the Cocteau Twins lasted for 15 years (1981 – 1996) before the dream ended. The trademark guitar effects, melodic bass lines and (mostly) nonsense yet haunting vocals created soundscapes that are a delight to the senses, and I still mourn that we will never hear anything new from them again.
3 – The Smiths – Last Night I Dreamt Somebody Loved Me
What can you say about The Smiths that hans’t already been said? For a band that lasted only 4 years, their legacy has perpetuated ever since and the question still gets asked – will they ever reform? Of course they won’t (nor should they), but it’s nice to imagine that they might.
Amazing lyrics from Morrissey that are sometimes truth laid bare and sometimes opaque accompany the intricate guitar of the anti-guitar hero Johnny Marr to create some of the best songs ever recorded and almost single handedly invented indie pop and allowed millions of morose teenagers to simply be themselves. Myself included.
2 – The Cure – Why Can’t I Be You (12″ version)
Ah, the other other half of the soundtrack to my (and many others’) maudlin teenage years. The Gothfather Robert Smith may be the only original member of the band (Simon missed the first album) but The Cure are one of goth’s remaining players, despite occasional dalliances with pop (Lovecats, Friday I’m In Love).
The band still continues to play gigs and release albums (the last in 2008) despite Smith continually stating since the late 80s that the next album might be the band’s last.
1 – Duran Duran – Notorious (Latin Rascals Mix)
The undisputed kings of 80s pop, the Fab Five, the Wild Boys themselves. Ladies and gentlemen – Duran Duran. Contrary to popular misconception, Duran Duran never went away, the lineup merely changed many times from 1985 through to the present, though in 2002 the original five members did reunite for the album Astronaut. Andy left in 2006 again, and the remaining four have been consistent ever since.
Despite various levels in album quality over the years, their fanbase is devoted, and throughout Trash Disco’s history on air, DD fans have been the most passionate and vocal – and with good reason. Every Duranie has their favourite member. Most seem to favour Simon and John, although once, long ago, i met an Andy fan. Mine is Nick, hence the repeated plays of stuff from So Red The Rose on the show. This is why they are number one – not just for me, but for all their fans.
So there you have it – the Trash Disco First Birthday Top Ten. Hope you enjoyed listening to it on the night. if you missed it, you can always make up the playlist and have a listen yourself.
I hope to be able to bring you a second birthday Top Ten next year.
Trash Disco 
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