Screw It, We're Just Gonna Talk About the Beatles Will Hines

Our special guest this episode is Eric D. Johnson of the incredible band Fruit Bats. In addition to being an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, Eric is a massive Beatles fan. He joins us to discuss a fascinating topic: the Beatles in the 1980s.
When you're done listening to this episode, buy the Fruit Bats latest album "A River Running to Your Heart" or get their new live album "Starry-eyed, in Stereo."
(And check out the video to "Sick of this Feeling" featuring your co-host Will Hines.)
Okay, the 1980s. Be warned: opinions ahead.
This is a strange and fascinating time for the Beatles and their music. Of course, it begins with the tragic murder of John. We hear the surviving Beatles each deal with that in their music in different ways. There's also the challenge of them reaching middle age, trying to adapt their sound to the MTV generation. There's also the lawsuits, which prevent Paul from joining the others as they get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame.
Those are some of the lowlights. But there's also immense creativity. While John gets turned into a saint in the media, Paul experiments (McCartney II, Tug of War, Press to Play, etc) more than ever. George too seems to break free of his Beatledom first with a hit album (Cloud 9) and then by forming his own super group, The Travelling Wilburys. Though John never got to enjoy this time, the fans get two more Lennon albums: the underrated Double Fantasy and the excellent Milk and Honey. 
There's a lot. We discuss.
I fully admit we give Ringo short shrift on this discussion. Though we do take a quick journey into the (appropriately) insane song "Drumming is My Madness." We'll make it up to you, Ringo!
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Next month: More discussion that we expected about Paul's 1984 movie "Give My Regards To Broad Street."

Beatlesque songs. Or is it Beatles-esque? We say it both ways in our traditional not-quite-sure-we're-right style!
But the point is we bring songs to the table that have reminded us of Beatles songs. There are so many ways this can happen! Sometimes it's the harmonies, sometimes the arrangement, other times the quality of the vocal. Sometimes it's something even more subtle.
This is not by any means a definitive or iconic list. This represents a thing all Beatles fans go through, which is hearing a song and going "oh man, this feels like The Beatles."
Some of the songs / artists discussed:
Zuder Zee
Adrian Belew - Men In Helicopters v4 Squeeze - Up The Junction
Prince - Around The World In A Day period
Elton John - Yellow Brick Road
The Knickerbockers - Lies
Michael Rault - I’ll Be There
The Nerves - When You Find Out Subscribe to get access to all of our back episodes at screwitpodcasts.com
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Next month on June 15: We talk 1980s Beatles with guest Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats!

The panel discusses the 2006 album Love. A soundtrack to a Cirque du Soleil show, it is also a terrific standalone listening experience. Giles Martin, a then new produce on the Beatles team, carried on his father's legacy and oversaw the project brilliantly.
The new (at the time) mixes brought new life to beloved songs. The mashups, which could have been gimmicky and cheap, were thoughtful and artfully chosen -- they still sound great over 15 years later. Even the sequencing -- starting off with the acapella version of "Because" and ending with the triumphant "All You Need Is Love" -- is deft and tasteful. Along the way, the Beatles of every era is showcased -- sometimes with original tracks, sometimes mashups, sometimes demo versions and alternate takes. The final product is a must-listen for any Beatles fan.
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Next main episode (in which we examine "Beatlesque" songs" arrives on May 15.

The sons of Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote a song together called "Primrose Hill", and that merits an emergency episode from the panel. Katie put her Paris vacation on hold so she could get to a computer and the full panel could discuss this event! We listen to the song together and give our first reactions live and then discuss our thoughts! Please enjoy!
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Otherwise a full episode is comign to the free feed on April 15 about the Love album.
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We go through the entire discography of the band which is and always has been the focus of the podcast: Herman's Hermits.
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In our subscriber feed we do a bonus episode on the new Beyonce cover of Blackbird which dropped today (March 25 2024) as part of her new album "Cowboy Carter." 
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Next main episode (in which we examine the Beatles album LOVE) is coming in full on April 15.