The Oral History of 2 Tone
For the Specials, Madness, and the (English) Beat, ska wasn't all just black and white. Thirty years on, here's the colorful story behind the label that started a revolution.
By Marc Spitz 09.28.09 7:09 AM
There's a scene in Alex Cox's 1986 film Sid & Nancy that foreshadows the end for the star-crossed punk lovers: One of their cohorts shows up in a trilby hat, shiny tonic suit, and skinny tie, having ditched his safety pins and leather. "I don't wanna be a punk anymore," he explains. "I wanna be a rude boy, like my dad."
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John Hughes and the Soundtracks to Our Lives
The iconic late filmmaker defined the plight of smart kids railing against the individuality-crushing high-school caste system. Music was their escape hatch.
By Marc Spitz 08.07.09 7:39 AM
John Hughes, who passed away on Thursday at age 59, graduated Glenbrook North High School in suburban Illinois in the spring of 1968. I graduated high school in 1988.
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The Inquisition: Tough Questions for Martin Gore
"I think we've done pretty well," says the Depeche Mode songwriter. "If God was judging us, I think he'd give us a seven."
By Marc Spitz 03.26.09 10:32 AM
Dave Gahan may be the voice and snaky hips in front, but it's Martin Gore, with his choirboy vocals, perverse stage getups, and hyper-emotional songwriting, who provides Depeche Mode with its dark heartbeat.
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The Hipsters' Guide to the Galaxy
A newfound temperance, a bouncing baby, Sugar Ray's producer, and a secret romance that shocked the band -- much has changed in the Strokes' universe since their previous album. As they finally come down to earth and survey the rock terrain, is this it for the former kings of gritty New York cool?
By Marc Spitz; Spin Staff 01.22.06 4:00 AM
I'm down on the ave and I've got the stuff. The buzzer is broken, so I have to call up first. "Hey," says the voice on the other end. "Are you here?" "Yeah. It's me."
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The Year in Music: Jukebox Jury
Carlos D and Fred Armisen sound off on this year's swinging singles.
By Marc Spitz 01.13.06 4:00 AM
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Band of the Year: The Killers
What's all the Hot Fuss about? Leaving Las Vegas to take over the world, the new masters of dance rock land in New York for a heroes' welcome.
By Marc Spitz 12.23.05 4:00 AM
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