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The Big Takeover Issue #93
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'Welcome Interstate Managers' Turns 20

21 September 2023

Fountains of Wayne’s opus, Welcome Interstate Managers, gave the band their biggest hit, but legions of dedicated fans will tell you that there’s much more to this album than just “Stacy’s Mom.”

Soaking Up The Summery Guitar Pop

2 August 2023

What makes for the perfect summer road trip song? We asked modern guitar pop musicians from Hurry, Dungeon of Skeletons, Tamar Berk, The Goods, The Summertimes, The Evening Sons, and Julez and the Rollerz.

Big Star's '#1 Record' At 50

20 October 2022

Modern power pop artists discuss the lasting influence of this mythic debut album. Featuring Dazy, 2nd Grade, Nick Frater, Uni Boys and Radio Days.

Power Pop Now

24 February 2022

Mo Troper, Peter Gill of 2nd Grade and Ben Cook of Young Guv talk modern power pop and the music that inspires it.

"You're Pretty Good For A Girl" by Lynn Perko-Truell

8 February 2022

Lynn Perko-Truell of Imperial Teen, Sister Double Happiness and The Wrecks talks about her time drumming with the (SF) Dicks in this chapter excerpt from ‘Forbidden Beat: Perspectives on Punk Drumming.’

Absolution Is Out Of The Question

16 December 2021

Uncomfortable truths from Bob Mehr’s Replacements biography, ‘Trouble Boys,’ have created a sort of cognitive dissonance for some fans of a certain age.

The Replacements, Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash album cover

The Replacements’ 'Sorry Ma' At 40

13 October 2021

A lifelong Replacements “Customer” impatiently waits for his 40th Anniversary Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash box set to arrive from Rhino Records.

2020: The Reissues That Rocked - 5 Of The Best

19 December 2020

As 2020 rolls to a close, writer Kevin Burke looks at a selection of worthwhile reissues

2020: The Bravery & The Art - 10 Of The Best 

19 December 2020

2020 was a brave year to release music without the touring or usual album promotion, writer Kevin Burke explores 10 of the Best album release

David Bowie Diamond Dogs album cover

David Bowie: Revisiting Diamond Dogs in the Age of Covid-19

12 September 2020

Amidst a pandemic, political unrest, and economic distress, Diamond Dogs offers a new translation to a listener in 2020. David Bowie infused his talent for changing personas directly into the album itself as though he knew something that we did not. It is almost if he knew this was coming.

The Impact, And The Art Of Survival

1 September 2020

Writer Kevin Burke takes a look at the true toll on the music industry, this pandemic has had.

RIP Riley Gale, Frontman Of Power Trip

29 August 2020

Gale, frontman for metal luminaries Power Trip, died this week of unnatural causes. Here is my interview with the screaming legend from less than a year ago.

Ready, Steady,..Bandcamp - Seventy Recommendations

7 August 2020

Bandcamp give artists 100% of the profits, Kevin Burke shares 70 recommendations worth checking out

Miss Mercy & The Curious Case Of The GTOs

30 July 2020

2020 is a year that has so far devastated the music world. A further loss comes in the form of the illustrious Miss Mercy.

Live Aid & The 20 Minutes That Changed The World

13 July 2020

35 years ago, Live Aid happened. Kevin Burke remembers the standout performance.

Ambient Punk - Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music Explained

1 July 2020

As Metal Machine Music turns 45, Writer Kevin Burke tries to explain what it actually is

Lockdown Listening Party - How Tim Burgess Saved Our Lives

30 June 2020

Through the pandemic, Tim Burgess is keeping us entertained and the positivity flowing.

Two Wheels Good - 35 Years Of A Classic

22 June 2020

Writer Kevin Burke looks back 35 years at the Prefab Sprout classic Steve McQueen/ Two Wheels Good

Bandcamp - The Juneteenth Generosity

19 June 2020

Bandcamp launches a Juneteenth gift to fund the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Kevin Burke looks at this, and some of the artists to watch.

Dylan's Outlaw Blues - Happy Birthday Bob

24 May 2020

As Bob Dylan turns 79, writer Kevin Burke takes a look back at some of his seminal sixties moments.

Positive Vibrations | Remembering Matthew Seligman

18 April 2020

Writer Kevin Burke examines the actual threat facing the music industry from COVID-19, including the loss of the brilliant Matthew Seligman

Nepotism - Damaging An Already Damaged Industry

1 April 2020

Kevin Burke points out the damage dishonesty brings to an already damaged industry

Running The Voodoo Down - Bitches Brew At Fifty

27 March 2020

This week, writer Kevin Burke discusses the importance of the Miles Davis classic Bitches Brew released 50 years ago this week

The Eternal Emerald - The Irish Crossover

17 March 2020

On Saint Patrick’s Day, writer Kevin Burke celebrates the Irish that crossed the Atlantic, and their influence on American pop culture

The Survival Of Music In The Age Of Coronavirus

10 March 2020

As 2020 steers us into uncharted territory, writer Kevin Burke discusses how it will take old school methods for the music industry to survive

A Celebration Of Kim Shattuck - The Coolies To Perform At ALS Benefit Concert 

10 February 2020

Writer Kevin Burke looks at the importance of last years release by The Coolies, along with the upcoming tribute to Kim Shattuck at the ALS benefit concert in Los Angeles

Catching Fire - Remembering Bob Marley

6 February 2020

Writer Kevin Burke reinforces the power of Bob Marley’s music, 75 years after the reggae legend was born.

David Bowie | The Nineties Outsider

8 January 2020

Writer Kevin Burke celebrates David Bowie’s birthday by looking at one of his most underrated albums 1;Outside

The Equestrian Statue Of Gorilla - A Bonzo Tribute To Neil Innes

30 December 2019

Writer Kevin Burke remembers Neil Innes, the comedic genius who started the ball of creativity rolling with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band

2019 - Female Solo Artists -The Ten Best Albums

9 December 2019

Writer Kevin Burke captures ten of the best albums of 2019 by female solo artists

Remake-Remodel | The Best Reissues Of 2019 

7 December 2019

Writer Kevin Burke looks back on some of the best reissues of 2019

2019 - Ten Bangerz From The Bunch 

30 November 2019

In Ten Bangerz From The Bunch, writer Kevin Burke looks back on ten sublime releases from 2019, featuring Kim Gordon, Fontaines D.C, Sleater-Kinney, Ride, Nick Cave and more.

Peel Slowly And See - Exploring The Velvet Underground

22 November 2019

Writer Kevin Burke peels back the layers on the Velvet Underground’s original incarnation

A SMiLE In The Echo Chamber - The Beach Boys Lost Masterpiece 

18 November 2019

Writer Kevin Burke looks back on The Beach Boys lost masterpiece SMiLE, and what could have been.

Lightning In A Bottle - Fifty-Years Of Led Zeppelin II

26 October 2019

Writer Kevin Burke discusses the sublime masterpiece Led Zeppelin II, fifty-years after its release.

The Same Old Song And Dance - The Hall Of Fame Travesty Continues 

24 October 2019

Writer Kevin Burke discusses the shortcomings of the recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nominations.

Concrete Jungle - Ska, Two-Tone & The Specials

19 October 2019

Writer Kevin Burke looks back forty-years to the start of The Specials and Two-Tone

Art Rock - The Drug Of Dog Man Star

14 October 2019

October 10th marked a quarter century since the release of the modern classic Dog Man Star by Suede. Kevin Burke pays tribute to the slow burning masterpiece

The Muffs 2

An Incandescent, Irrepressible Spirit: A Tribute to Kim Shattuck

8 October 2019

The Muffs (new album out soon!) and The Pandoras frontwoman shined brightly in the garage rock/punk music world and is dearly missed.

Ginger Baker - A Hellraiser In Heaven 

6 October 2019

As the Hellraiser now resides in Heaven, writer Kevin Burke looks back on the career of Ginger Baker, one of last great drummers of influence and invention

The Darkness And The Promise - The Honesty Of Bruce Springsteen

23 September 2019

Bruce Springsteen reaches the milestone of 70 today, writer Kevin Burke looks back on what is considered his finest work, Darkness On The Edge Of Town.

Emotion In Motion - Being Ric Ocasek 

20 September 2019

In the past 48 hours the music world lost the visionary talent of Ric Ocasek, writer Kevin Burke looks back on some of the highlights from his illustrious career.

From Glam Rock Star To Punk Rock Idol - The Importance Of Marc Bolan

16 September 2019

On this date in September 1977, the seventies rock star Marc Bolan was tragically killed in a road accident, writer Kevin Burke discusses his crossover to the punk movement before his passing

Story Of An Artist - The Divine Cult Of Daniel Johnston 

13 September 2019

This week the music world mourns the loss of Daniel Johnston, writer Kevin Burke looks back on the career of the outsider, lo-fi artist who will continue to speak to generations.

Beautifully Broken - The Fractured Minds In Music

10 September 2019

Today is world suicide prevention day, writer Kevin Burke looks back on those figures in music who have lost their lives and what it means to society.

Under The God - Bowie’s Eighties Reinvention 

6 September 2019

30 years after the release of Tin Machine’s self-titled single, writer Kevin Burke looks back on the monumental moment in David Bowie’s career.

The Blues Had A Baby - Chuck Berry & The Invention Of Rock N' Roll

31 August 2019

Sixty Years after the release of Chuck Berry’s classic album Chuck Berry Is On Top , writer Kevin Burke looks back on the influence of that moment.

From Detroit To Devil Gate | Suzi Q Lives!

24 August 2019

In light of the upcoming documentary-movie Suzi Q, writer Kevin Burke looks at the legacy and importance of the seventies rock queen Suzi Quatro

Her Face Says Freedom - A Celebration Of Stevie Nicks

20 August 2019

Writer Kevin Burke discusses the rise and early success of Rock Queen Stevie Nicks in Her Face Says Freedom.

Damien Lovelock

Damien Lovelock 1954- 2019

18 August 2019

On August 3, Australian music lost one of its most loved figures, in Damien Lovelock, vocalist for the iconic Celibate Rifles.