Mild Mannered Supermen - A Genesis Podcast

Mild Mannered Supermen
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MUSIC

Welcome to Mild Mannered Supermen. A tribute to Prog Rock and the early days of Genesis. We'll feature songs from the Peter Gabriel era from a fan's perspective with a twist...Listen as our professional musician host breaks down the intricate details of the songs that kicked off the careers of some of the most famous names in 80s and 90s pop; Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Steve Hackett.

  1. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Side 3

    2D AGO

    The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Side 3

    Down the Rabbit Hole: In Part 3 of our deep dive into Genesis's 1974 concept masterpiece The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Mild Mannered Supermen explores one of the album's most surreal and unsettling stretches — from “Lilywhite Lilith” through “The Colony of Slippermen.” This chapter of Rael's journey takes a darker, stranger turn as we unpack the symbolism, mythology, and psychological themes behind “The Waiting Room,” “Anyway,” “Here Comes the Supernatural Anaesthetist,” “The Lamia,” “Silent Sorrow in Empty Boats,” and the grotesque epic “The Colony of Slippermen.” We examine how Peter Gabriel's storytelling becomes increasingly abstract and theatrical, how Brian Eno's sonic textures deepen the album's dreamlike atmosphere, and how Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford push the boundaries of progressive rock with some of the most experimental music Genesis ever recorded. From desire and transformation to ego, identity, and sacrifice, this episode covers the emotional and symbolic core of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway — the moment where Rael's journey becomes truly mythic. Join Mild Mannered Supermen as we continue unraveling one of the most ambitious and influential concept albums in rock history. #Genesis #TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway #PeterGabriel #BrianEno #PhilCollins #TonyBanks #SteveHackett #MikeRutherford #ProgRock #ProgressiveRock #ConceptAlbum #ClassicRock #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #70sRock #MusicHistory

    53 min
  2. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Side 2

    FEB 16

    The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Side 2

    Mild Mannered Supermen Shout Out! : In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we continue our deep dive into Genesis's 1974 masterpiece The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, focusing on Side Two of the album and the next chapter of Rael's surreal journey. We explore the shifting emotional landscape of tracks like “Back in N.Y.C.,” “Hairless Heart,” “Counting Out Time,” “The Carpet Crawlers,” and “The Chamber of 32 Doors.” From aggression and vulnerability to temptation and spiritual searching, this side of the album reveals the psychological complexity at the heart of Peter Gabriel's most ambitious concept. We also examine how the musical dynamics evolve — Tony Banks's atmospheric keyboards, Steve Hackett's textured guitar work, Phil Collins's expressive drumming, and Mike Rutherford's grounding bass lines — all working together as tensions within the band continued to simmer behind the scenes. Side Two deepens the mystery, expands the symbolism, and pulls Rael further into a world of identity, illusion, and transformation. Join Mild Mannered Supermen as we unravel the next phase of one of progressive rock's most daring and influential concept albums. #Genesis #TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway #PeterGabriel #PhilCollins #TonyBanks #SteveHackett #MikeRutherford #ProgRock #ProgressiveRock #ClassicRock #ConceptAlbums #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #70sRock #MusicHistory

    40 min
  3. The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Side 1

    FEB 3

    The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway: Side 1

    Side 1: In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we begin our deep dive into Genesis's ambitious 1974 concept album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, focusing on Side One and the first six tracks of the record. We explore the creative tension and internal turmoil within the band during the album's recording, including Peter Gabriel's growing artistic independence and the strain it placed on Genesis at a critical moment in their history. The episode also examines Brian Eno's vital contributions, whose experimental sound treatments helped shape the album's fractured, otherworldly atmosphere. Track by track, we unpack the opening chapter of Rael's journey — from the explosive title track through Fly on a Windshield, Broadway Melody of 1974, Cuckoo Cocoon, In the Cage, and The Grand Parade of Lifeless Packaging. Together, these songs introduce the album's themes of alienation, identity, and psychological descent, setting the stage for one of progressive rock's most daring narratives. Join Mild Mannered Supermen as we trace the origins of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway — an album born from creative ambition, personal conflict, and a willingness to push Genesis beyond everything they had done before. #Genesis #TheLambLiesDownOnBroadway #PeterGabriel #BrianEno #ProgressiveRock #ProgRock #ConceptAlbums #ClassicRock #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #MusicHistory #70sRock

    49 min
  4. The Cinema Show

    JAN 28

    The Cinema Show

    Ceci s'apelle du Cinema Show: In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we explore “The Cinema Show,” one of Genesis's most ambitious and musically sophisticated compositions from Selling England by the Pound (1973). We break down the song's two distinct halves — the romantic, mythological storytelling inspired by Romeo and Juliet in the opening section, and the expansive instrumental journey that follows, built around Tony Banks's iconic keyboard sequences. The episode examines how Peter Gabriel's lyrical restraint gives way to pure musical expression, allowing Genesis to stretch out and define the progressive rock sound of the era. We also discuss the song's importance as a showcase for the band's musicianship, particularly Phil Collins's shifting rhythms and Steve Hackett's atmospheric guitar textures, and why “The Cinema Show” became a cornerstone of Genesis's live performances well beyond the Gabriel era. Join Mild Mannered Supermen as we unpack the elegance, complexity, and quiet power of one of Genesis's most revered tracks. #Genesis #TheCinemaShow #SellingEnglandByThePound #ProgressiveRock #ProgRock #PeterGabriel #PhilCollins #TonyBanks #SteveHackett #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #ClassicRock #70sRock #MusicHistory

    38 min
  5. The Battle of Epping Forest

    JAN 14

    The Battle of Epping Forest

    Taken From a News Story… …concerning two rival gangs fighting over east-end protection rights. In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we dive into “The Battle of Epping Forest,” one of Genesis's most chaotic, theatrical, and densely packed songs from Selling England by the Pound (1973). Part satire, part social commentary, and part musical endurance test, “The Battle of Epping Forest” captures Peter Gabriel at his most verbose and Genesis at their most ambitious. We unpack the song's real-world inspiration — turf wars between rival London gangs — and explore how its rapid-fire lyrics, shifting time signatures, and overlapping character voices push progressive rock storytelling to its absolute limits. This episode looks at why the band later viewed the song as both an achievement and a cautionary tale, and how it represents the extreme end of Genesis's early theatrical era. We also discuss Tony Banks's intricate keyboard work, Steve Hackett's aggressive guitar textures, Phil Collins's precision drumming, and how the song fits into the broader themes of Selling England by the Pound. Love it or struggle with it, “The Battle of Epping Forest” remains a fascinating snapshot of Genesis at full creative overload — fearless, funny, and bursting at the seams. #Genesis #BattleOfEppingForest #SellingEnglandByThePound #ProgressiveRock #ProgRock #PeterGabriel #PhilCollins #TonyBanks #SteveHackett #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #ClassicRock #70sRock #MusicHistory

    39 min
  6. Firth of Fifth

    JAN 6

    Firth of Fifth

    The River of Constant Change In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we explore “Firth of Fifth,” one of Genesis's most iconic and enduring compositions from the 1973 album Selling England by the Pound. Often cited as a pinnacle of progressive rock, “Firth of Fifth” showcases the band at a creative crossroads — balancing classical influence, emotional restraint, and technical brilliance. We discuss Tony Banks's famous piano introduction, Steve Hackett's soaring guitar solo, and how the song's structure quietly points toward the future of Genesis beyond the Peter Gabriel era. This episode examines how “Firth of Fifth” helped redefine what progressive rock could be: less about excess, more about atmosphere, melody, and long-form storytelling without a traditional narrative. We also consider why the song became a live staple across multiple eras of the band, even as Genesis evolved into a very different group in the years that followed. Whether you're a lifelong fan or encountering the track for the first time, this discussion highlights why “Firth of Fifth” remains a cornerstone of Genesis's legacy — and a bridge between the band's past and what was still to come. #Genesis #FirthOfFifth #SellingEnglandByThePound #ProgressiveRock #ProgRock #TonyBanks #SteveHackett #PeterGabriel #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #ClassicRock #70sRock #MusicHistory

    34 min
  7. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)

    12/24/2025

    I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)

    Time for Lunch: In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we take a deep dive into “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe),” one of Genesis's most beloved and accessible songs from the 1973 album Selling England by the Pound. We explore how this quirky, character-driven track introduced many listeners to Genesis, blending progressive rock complexity with humor, pastoral English imagery, and Peter Gabriel's theatrical storytelling. From the story of Fred the lawnmower man to the song's surprisingly sharp social satire, we unpack what makes “I Know What I Like” such a defining moment in the band's career. The episode also looks at the song's musical construction, its success as Genesis's first UK hit single, and how it helped bridge the gap between the band's more experimental roots and a wider audience. Whether you're a longtime Genesis fan or discovering their early work for the first time, this episode offers insight into one of progressive rock's most charming and enduring songs. #Genesis #IKnowWhatILike #SellingEnglandByThePound #PeterGabriel #ProgRock #ProgressiveRock #ClassicRock #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #70sRock #MusicHistory #ConceptAlbums

    32 min
  8. Dancing with the Moonlit Knight

    12/15/2025

    Dancing with the Moonlit Knight

    Paperlate! In this episode of Mild Mannered Supermen, we explore “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight,” the stunning opening track from Genesis's 1973 album Selling England by the Pound. We unpack the song's shifting movements, pastoral imagery, and biting social commentary, revealing how Peter Gabriel's lyrics reflect a Britain caught between fading tradition and modern commercialism. From the acoustic English folk opening to the thunderous Mellotron-driven finale, this track sets the tone for one of the most beloved albums in progressive rock history. Join us as we discuss the musical contributions of Tony Banks, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford, and Phil Collins, and explain why “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” remains one of Genesis's most ambitious and politically charged compositions. If you love progressive rock, classic Genesis, or thoughtful music storytelling, this episode is the perfect place to begin. #Genesis #DancingWithTheMoonlitKnight #SellingEnglandByThePound #PeterGabriel #ProgRock #ProgressiveRock #ClassicRock #GenesisPodcast #MildManneredSupermen #MusicHistory #70sRock #ConceptAlbums

    39 min
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About

Welcome to Mild Mannered Supermen. A tribute to Prog Rock and the early days of Genesis. We'll feature songs from the Peter Gabriel era from a fan's perspective with a twist...Listen as our professional musician host breaks down the intricate details of the songs that kicked off the careers of some of the most famous names in 80s and 90s pop; Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Steve Hackett.

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