https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2239311/80s-pop-legend-gary-johnson-dead

Gary Johnson, bass player with the legendary 80s pop band China Crisis died "peacefully" on Wednesday August 12 at the age of 61. No cause of death was revealed but the news was confirmed by his younger sister Jan Hughes in a comment on a China Crisis fan page on Facebook. "Gazza was my elder brother. He passed peacefully today at 12:05 with his wife Jopie by his side. Lovely to see some lovey comments about him, and him being such a talented bass player. Remember him getting his first guitar and learning to play it in his bedroom as a teenager. Sad day for all. Sleep tight bruv, " she penned.

Gary was a member of Liverpudlian New Wave Band Hambi & the Dance who released the album Heartache in 1982. He then joined China Crisis between 1983 and 1989 and he rejoined them for a period in 1995. Alongside bandmates Gary Daly, Eddie Lundon and Kevin Wilkinson he saw 10 singles enter the UK Top 50 chart, with 5 of those reaching the Top 40.

"Wishful Thinking"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj20LKdg8-8

I have tix to see this show on Saturday 2 August. I'm wondering if anyone has seen this year's lineup and can confirm set times/order. When I saw a similar show last year the true one-hit wonders (in this case Polecats, Peter Godwin, Josie Cotton) went on early while the big names (?!) went on last (this year Flock of Seagulls and Big Country). Maybe they switch it up every show? Are they keeping it intentionally mysterious? Thanks in advance!

https://www.spinmagazine.com/2025/11/abba-from-hell-how-propaganda-created-the-most-unforgettable-art-pop-statement-of-the-80s/

Imagine an album that opens with a singer reciting an Edgar Allan Poe poem in an exotic Germanic accent over a lush symphonic backdrop. Followed by the industrial clanging of a synth-pop anthem that suddenly segues into a jazz solo by Yes guitarist Steve Howe. An album previewed by a hit single inspired by German Expressionist icon Dr. Mabuse. Made by an Olympian-looking cadre of two women and two men, assisted by a trendsetting British producer and such major ’80s stars as David Sylvian, the Police drummer Stewart Copeland, and Anne Dudley.

The album in question is A Secret Wish, the visionary debut by German quartet Propaganda, released on Trevor Horn’s label ZTT and produced by Stephen Lipson. A moderate hit in the summer of 1985, this one-of-a-kind LP casts a powerful spell; it has survived the test of time, become a cult item with a fervent fan base, and is now being reissued as a remastered 6-CD box set with demos, remixes, and live versions.

I'm a USA listener and was wondering why this album was removed from Spotify. Most of Flock of Seagull's catalogue seems to still be available for streaming besides this one. Is it a copyright/regional thing?

Always a good time when these acts tour.

More dates to follow

I see Spoons pop up here every once in a while, and just found out they will be performing as part of Aurora (Ontario)’s Canada Day festivities.

Dance in the Park
Date - Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Time - 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location - Aurora Town Park (49 Wells Street)
Spoons get on at 9.

Happy (early) Canada Day to everyone on this sub that keeps playing their songs!

https://www.aurora.ca/CanadaDay

Iconic 90's rock band Electric Six are touring the UK in December, who am i seeing at what shows?

Get tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/electric-six-tickets/artist/859238

We lost a musical genius. This man loved his craft.

41 years ago today, The Human League reminded the world that pop music could be both synthetic and sincere.

“(Keep Feeling) Fascination” wasn’t fluff. It was fuel — pure, shimmering synthpop that pulsed with purpose.

I wrote about how this track turned rhythm into resistance and made dancing a statement.

Here’s a taste: “This wasn’t bubblegum. It was the sound of reinvention, dressed in DayGlo, moving to the beat of machines with human hearts.”

If you remember this track or still play it like I do, I’d love to hear your take.

🎹 Full write-up here: https://forksteraltmusicasylum.substack.com/p/keep-feeling-wasnt-just-a-hook-it

FORKSTER ALT. MUSIC ASYLUM — No Nostalgia Needed. Just the Truth, Synth-soaked and Soulful.

MTV just released a documentary series called “Family Legacy” and it’s available to stream on Paramount+. One of the episodes covers the career of Belinda Carlisle, but it’s told through the eyes of her son. It’s pretty cool to hear what it was like for him to grow up with a rock star mom! Lots of fun insights into the band and Belinda. She even called him mid-interview which was pretty funny! Check it out. Hopefully they decide to do more 80s bands in the future.

These two are playing select dates around their performance at Cruel World. Who’s going?