Is There an Echo in Here? A Podcast About Echo & the Bunnymen

Latest Episodes:

Episode 29 - Badges on Button Street Sep 25, 2021

Show notes

Your hosts are still reeling from a recent interview they conducted with WILL SERGEANT for an upcoming episode, and they are giddy and distracted. This episode ostensibly centers around Echo & The Bunnymen's new record deal, but spirals out of control when Courtney takes an abrupt conversational detour and decides its time to revisit A SHALLOW MADNESS, rehashing the difficult dynamic between Julian Cope/Ian McCulloch. Then the hosts take a stroll down Balfe Boulevard where the discussion is again derailed by a cursory exploration of DALEK I LOVE YOU, and David Balfe endearingly hails Julian Cope as “not quite nobody, but not one of the main guys.” Along the way, Mac starts showing a degree of initiative, and Shane mentions TEARS FOR FEARS twice for no reason. The conversation deteriorates into a pile up of sidebars and segues, that somehow coalesce into an offer from a record company that can't be refused. However, none of it really seems to matter because in the next episode will be an interview with the greatest guitarist of all time, WILL SERGEANT. Hopefully this episode will keep you occupied in the meantime.

Episode 28 - Ocean Rain Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

Courtney and Shane humbly present a musicological listening companion to the song “Ocean Rain”, the title track off the 1984 masterpiece album by Echo & the Bunnymen. They locate the song within the canon of nautical ballads, provide a theoretical analysis of the composition (form, strings, guitar solo and all), breakdown the production, and basically play parts of the song over and over again, while they talk over it. Cheers!

Songs featured:

EATBM - Ocean Rain

The Longest Johns - Banks of Newfoundland

Anna & Elizabeth - Black-eyed Susan

King Crimson - Starless

Episode 27 - (The) Pictures on My Wall Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

In episode 27, we take a multi-faceted approach to investigating another early single by Echo & the Bunnymen. Shane is super curious about the clave, an auxiliary percussion accent found in some form on all recordings of the song. We consult the work of theorist Susan Sontag to help us interpret the meaning of family photos in a world devoid of meaning and real connection. Courtney interrogates the ostensibly revolutionary undertones to the lyrics. And Shane provides an in-depth musical analysis of the chord progression. And we postulate that, at the end of the day, this is perhaps the perfect anthem for the Covid era. Also, we respond to some listener letters, where one listener elucidates the true meaning of Happy Death Men.

Episode 26 - Happy Death Men, Man! Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

We begin this episode by reading an epic letter from a listener and lifelong Bunnymen fan. We address a review that we received. Then, we launch head first into the song "Happy Death Men", extrapolating literary corollaries, music theory analysis, hypotheses about the song's authorship, juxtapositions of its prog elements with its overall power chord punk essence. Okay, here we go!

Episode 25 - The Fall Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Finally! Our long awaited episode about The Fall is here. They are an essential influence on The Bunnymen, and we need to know about them! Its a long and rambling one. Enjoy!

Episode 24 - Letters and Labels May 23, 2020

Show notes

In our first episode of the post-COVID world, we dive into some listener letters about language and the atlas adventures. Then the episode devolves as Courtney begrudgingly delves into one of the many topics she loathes to consider: record labels and the music biz. Fear not, though, Shane maintains a sunny disposition about the subject at hand and the duo pull through. Courtney manages to describe the riveting missed connection between Tony Wilson and Roger Eagle as they have a near miss at collaborating on a split-label record release, and Shane teases at the emerging shared destiny between Bill Drummond and the Bunnymen, while unwittingly becoming a fan of OMD and the Durutti Column in the process. Sorry for the delay in release. Things have turned upside down since the troubles began. We hope to make up for our tardiness with duration and depth of analysis.

Episode 23 - Echoing the Bunnymen with Peter Allen Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

These are strange times. But, fear not, we are here to bring you our finest episode to date! We interview Bunnymen merch guy, zine writer, website manager, fan mail responder, roommate, apostle, and all around insider, mister Peter Allen! He has been with them since the beginning and still is! Join us as we pull back the curtain on the inner workings of the band, and hear personal anecdotal stories, demystifications, and tales of high adventure right from the source! A coherent and kind soul who helps us make sense of the mystical world of the Bunnymen, we are so grateful to have Peter as our guest and to share his insights with you. Not to be missed!

Episode 22 - Birth of the Bunnymen Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Things are finally coming together in Episode 22, as the blokes we have been on about name their band and play their first show. Les surprises everyone by hopping on bass in the 11th hour. Will rents a practice space and hopes for the best. Meanwhile, Mac is a no show leading up to the gig… As the fateful evening approaches and the Liverpool post-punk teenage elite gather at Eric's Club, will the boys deliver the goods? Will Les hold down a groove with Echo? Will Will let the technology get the best of him? Will Mac show even show up? Tune in to find out the answers to these questions and more!

Episode 21 - The Bunnymen Against the World Jan 16, 2020

Show notes

In our first episode of 2020, we welcome record producer, label owner, and artist manager Dolphus Ramseur onto the podcast. He is the manager of The Avett Brothers and several other artists, and he brings a unique perspective to the podcast as a successful music industry insider who operates as an outsider. AND… Echo and the Bunnymen is his all time favorite band! He reached out to us several months ago as a fan of the band and the podcast, and as a fellow North Carolinian. This episode is his love letter to the Bunnymen, as well as a fascinating exploration of underground music industry mechanisms and the parallels between 80’s British post punk bands and folk/Americana, and how all this music, with its deep revelations of the soul and mystique, really comes down to “just someone singing and playing the guitar”.

Playlist:

Echo & the Bunnymen: With a Hip, Thorn of Crowns, Silver, All I Want, Stars Are Stars, Killing Moon

Charlie Poole - Take a Drink on Me

Doc Watson - Shady Grove

The Smiths - This Charming Man

The Cure - Love Cats

Tony Rice - Blackberry Blossom

Buell Kazee - East Virginia

Etta Baker - Railroad Bill

Avett Brothers - Rejects in the Attic

Happy Goodman Family - He’s Coming Again

Hank Williams - Alone and Forsaken

Episode 20 - Who Read Wrote It In Books Nov 30, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, we explore what is arguably Echo and the Bunnymen's most mysterious song, "Read it in Books." Many questions surround this enigmatic song, including: Who wrote it? What is the actual name of the song? And, most perplexingly, why does nobody know the answer to these two questions? We set about getting to the bottom of these seemingly unsolvable queries in our typical circuitous manner. We begin the episode by comparing two versions of the song, recorded by two different bands, sung by two different singers, both of whom claim to have written it. We attempt to chisel away at this infamous stalemate by exploring the song's origins, its nuts and bolts, and how such a dispute may arise. After poking at it from every possible angle we come to understand that it is not one song, but many songs. In fact, it is every song ever written. Join us as we interrogate the very notion of authorship, inspiration and authenticity. Also, Nirvana.

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