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

Latest Episodes:

Episode 9 - Talkin' Tube: A Journey Through the Liverpool Scene ca. 1987 Mar 08, 2019

Show notes

Our hosts have been suffering from allergy-related illness throughout the month, so, to keep our momentum going, we have unearthed a conversation from our vault of early recordings to share with our faithful listeners. We begin the podcast with breaking news regarding the current state of Mac/Bono relations before we plunge into an exploration of the Liverpool music scene, circa 1987. Using an old episode of BBC - Channel 4's music show, The Tube, as our guide, we examine several contemporaries of Echo & the Bunnymen, in order to locate the band within the context of the broader Liverpool scene. We unearth hidden treasures and interesting specimens as we sample a slew of 5 second clips from various artists, whom we discuss at great length. Lots of hot takes in this one! While this episode is not explicitly about Echo & the Bunnymen, it is nonetheless one of Courtney's favorites and she is happy to release it while she waits for her sinuses to drain and her voice to return to normal.

Episode 8 - The Birth of Punk Feb 10, 2019

Show notes

This episode nearly did us in. The terrain was so broad and the roads were worn and well-trodden. For weeks, we made wrong way turns down dead end alleys and ran off the rails a couple of times before we arrived at the delightful adventure we now present to you. We thank our lucky stars that we found a map in the form of an article by Will Sergeant (guitarist for Echo & the Bunnymen), which appeared in Q Magazine in 2013. Using this article as our guide we navigate the prog-rock beginnings of punk. We also discuss Captain Beefheart's hard feelings about the scene. We explore some misconceptions about punk and revel in the unearthed treasure that is the band Death (Detroit). We make our way to Andy Warhol's Factory where many of Ian McCulloch's heroes hung about. We then cross back over the Atlantic to meet up with some rough and tumble kids forming bands in the suburbs of London. Last but not least, Courtney reveals her OTHER favorite band. Its an episode for the ages!

Episode 7 - Eric's Club Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

Join us for this groundbreaking episode as we recount the adventures of the legendary Roger Eagle, and reveal for the first time in history the shocking (and possibly) true story of how he managed to singlehandedly thwart the criminal underworld of Liverpool and secure a lease on a dirty cellar that would one day be called Eric's Club, thus changing musical history. We explore his unique and visionary musical journey, from his humble beginnings as a young DJ in Oxford, to his invention of "Northern Soul" in the all-nighters of Manchester. This episode is broad in scope, meandering, and larger than life; not unlike the disposition and musical tastes of Roger Eagle himself. In this episode we discuss Ray Charles at length, along with John Lee Hooker, Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Stranglers, The Runaways, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Captain Beefheart, and Can. Honorable mention: The Sex Pistols, Crass, and Rush.

Episode 6 - Recounting the Encounter Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

In episode 6, we step outside of the chronology we've been pursuing to tell the story of Courtney's experience meeting Ian McCulloch, lead singer of Echo & the Bunnymen. She takes us on her solitary journey to Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, where she joins forces with a kind-hearted friend. Together, they set out on a mission to deliver culinary items to a fellow EATB fan and, despite their shyness and passivity, make their way backstage. Along the way, we discuss fandom, the concert, we ponder the mysteries of setlist distribution, we speculate about things Ian McCulloch would like to do after a show other than meet Courtney, and Shane shares his never-before-disclosed secret to getting better seats at any show for no extra cost. He also shares his childhood memories of meeting Iron Maiden, Trent Reznor, and David Copperfield. Join us for this recounting of the encounter. It is a holiday tale of kindness, suspense, friendship, despair, heartache, empathy and redemption that you won't want to miss!

Episode 5 - Meet Will & Les Nov 22, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss the string section of Echo & the Bunnymen. When Shane finally remembers Will Sergeant's name, we explore Will’s early life and musical tastes that may or may not include: Yes, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin and Velvet Underground. We struggle to keep sight of our subject who evades us with subtle texture and nuance. In frustration, we throw a Mother's of Invention record down the stairs and Shane shares memories of remaining seated during a Rolling Stones concert. Shane then compares his career and school trajectory to Will's and finds many commonalities. He shares a little wisdom regarding life in the "C stream" and lists, about 25 of the 40 jobs he had before becoming a "professional musician". We then go on to contemplate space travel with Les Pattinson and Shane does a deep dive analysis of his harmonic pallet. The episode closes with Courtney admitting her true feelings about The Doors and lamenting Ian McCulloch's thwarted art career.

Episode 4 - Mac's Early Days, Part 2 Nov 09, 2018

Show notes

In Episode 4, we delve into Mac’s teenage years, discuss his struggle with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, learn how David Bowie became a personal savior, and what it was like to teach himself to sing in close quarters, growing up in the modest childhood home. Also, we analyze the EATB song “The Puppet". And much much more!!

Episode 3 - Mac's Early Days, Part 1 Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

In episode 3, Ian McCulloch is finally born! Join Courtney and Shane as they excavate the budding young frontman's childhood, discuss his home life, hypothesize about his father, re-enact one of Mac’s grade school eye exams, and much more!

Episode 2 - From Skiffle to the Sea Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

Heave away and set sail with Courtney and Shane as they navigate a sea shanty origin story of Echo and the Bunnymen, and trace a line from skiffle to Mersey Beat, mentioning a little band called the Beatles, and crashing their ship ashore on the isle of Deaf School.

Episode 1 - Eel Infested Waters Sep 21, 2018

Show notes

The first episode gives an overview of things to come in our highly detailed accounting as we dive deep into the eel infested waters of the River Mersey, and begin to excavate the mysteries of the world that birthed Echo and the Bunnymen.

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