FORKSTER ALT MUSIC ASYLUM

FORKSTER FEATURED ALT TRACK 🎧 Echo & the Bunnymen — “The Killing Moon” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 Still haunting your ears in the best way… 42 years on? Posted today in honour of Will Sergeant’s birthday — whose unmistakable guitar work helped shape The Bunnymen’s identity from the very beginning. That sound… not loud, not rushed — just perfectly placed, weaving atmosphere into every second of the track. A haunting, spellbinding anthem driven by one of the most distinctive guitar sounds ever put to record — shadowy, immersive, and unmistakably Bunnymen at its core, with Will Sergeant’s textured playing casting a spell over every second. But it’s not just the guitar… Ian McCulloch’s commanding vocal cuts straight through the atmosphere — rich, dramatic, and instantly recognisable — giving the track its emotional pull and lasting impact. Held together by Les Pattinson’s steady bassline and Pete de Freitas’ driving, precise drumming, the full band locked into something far greater than the sum of its parts. Released from Ocean Rain (1984), this wasn’t just a standout track… it became a defining moment — a sound that drifted through the dark and still lingers just as powerfully today. And it wasn’t alone… “Silver”, “Seven Seas” and self-titled stunner "Ocean Rain" helped cement the album’s legacy, building Echo & the Bunnymen into one of the most essential forces of the era. “A run that didn’t just elevate a band… it radiated a mood you could feel in the air.” Still drifts through deep. 🎧 Turn it up — this one still pierces… youtu.be/LWz0JC7afNQ?si… #EchoandtheBunnymen #PostPunk #NewWave #AlternativeRock #AltRock #FORKSTER @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @lee0969 @NewWaveAndPunk @ugochill @Wrix2 @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @Fred_Baliad2 @Motobec810

@Stow6524 @pilofficial Absolutely mate. He went on a radio show with still in the pistols and told them I know secrets, dirty little secrets and the BBC banned all their music the next day but over 30 years later they played that all back when John was on Piers Morgan TV show and everything was true.

@AltMusicAsylum @pilofficial I do too, like John for his honesty his interviews are so interesting.

🎧 FORKSTER FEATURED ALT TRACK Public Image Ltd — “Public Image” By April 1978, the fallout from the Sex Pistols had already forced a turning point — and John Lydon was moving in a completely different direction. As he began shaping Public Image Ltd @pilofficial, the aim wasn’t to continue punk… but to break away from it entirely. “Public Image” would soon follow — colder, more controlled, and driven by a new kind of intensity. “This was the next step… but it marked a complete reset in both sound and attitude.” 🎧 Volume up. youtu.be/rIAZ8unRm2c?si… #PiL #PublicImageLtd #PostPunk #AltMusic #MusicMonday #FORKSTER @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @lee0969 @NewWaveAndPunk @ugochill @Wrix2 @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @Fred_Baliad2 @Motobec810

@Stow6524 @pilofficial Thanks Caz. Yeah, FAB song and I love P.I.L. immensely.

@AltMusicAsylum @pilofficial Brilliant.

@LemmiumMetal Great post!

I love many of the bands that were happy to be called Heavy Metal, Black Sabbath,Maiden, Judas Priest But it never seemed to fit what we were, my inspirations were Elvis, Little Richard, The Beatles and the MC5. It seemed simpler to say that we play rock and roll

🌑 ALT MUSIC MOMENT — APRIL 13, 1973 On this day in 1973, David Bowie released Aladdin Sane in the UK — a record that pushed his sound further into something sharper, stranger, and more unpredictable. Built on the momentum of Ziggy Stardust, it didn’t repeat the formula…it twisted it. A moment where style, sound, and identity all shifted at once. In honour of this electrifying album, we’re turning up: 🎧 “The Jean Genie” youtu.be/kMYg_Ra4cr8?si… Still hits with that same swagger, doesn’t it? #Bowie #AladdinSane #MickRonson #ZiggyStardust #AltRock #AlternativeRock #FORKSTER @DavidBowieReal @Stow6524 @lee0969 @ugochill @clairywairy88 @Fred_Baliad2 @NewWaveAndPunk @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @Wrix2

ALT MUSIC SPOTLIGHT JoBoxers — “Just Got Lucky” Bright, sharp, and full of movement… This is where alternative met pure feel-good energy — a track that didn’t need to shout to stand out. Hooks that stick, rhythm that carries it all the way through — and one of those songs that just feels right the moment it starts. Still lands the same, every time. 🎧 Volume up. youtu.be/t2IUDF-p2Ug?si… #JoBoxers #JustGotLucky #AltMusic #NewWave #BlueEyedSoul #FORKSTER @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @lee0969 @Fred_Baliad2 @NewWaveAndPunk @TraceMess_469 @Wrix2 @ITHERETWEETER1 @Motobec810

That opening track says everything about where alt music was heading by the late ‘80s… As the opening cut from Only Life, The Feelies set the tone instantly — tighter, sharper, and completely hypnotic. “It’s Only Life” still carries that restless pulse.

@NewWaveAndPunk Absolutely, mate. What a gutsy move back then to try it and it came out amazing, fitting their psychedelic and almost full-force gothic music fronts.

@AltMusicAsylum Brilliant version. 👌

🖤 ALT MUSIC NIGHT FEATURE Siouxsie and the Banshees — 🖤“Dear Prudence”🖤 🎧 Volume up… this one drifts in differently. youtu.be/M6rrTROoZIw?si… A striking reimagining of the classic by The Beatles — reshaped into something darker, sharper, and unmistakably Banshees. Where the original carried a gentle warmth, this version leans into atmosphere and tension — with Siouxsie’s voice floating above it all, distant yet commanding. Driven by a hypnotic rhythm and layered guitar textures, it became one of the band’s most recognisable moments — introducing a whole new audience to their world. Not just a cover… a transformation. Still casts its own shadow. 🖤 #SiouxsieandtheBanshees #SiouxsieSioux #AltRock #GothicRock #Beatles #FORKSTER @lee0969 @NewWaveAndPunk @Wrix2 @Fred_Baliad2 @TraceMess_469 @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @Albums200 @ITHERETWEETER1 @TheCityGates

🌑 ALT MUSIC MOMENT — APRIL 1977 After surviving an assassination attempt in Jamaica, Bob Marley relocated to London — and by April 1977, he was deep into recording what would become one of the most influential albums of his career. Working with The Wailers at Island Studios, the sessions that shaped Exodus were already taking form — blending roots reggae with a broader, global sound that would reach far beyond its origins. It wasn’t just music — it was resilience, exile, and cultural power captured in motion. From Kingston to London, the message didn’t fade — it expanded. 🎧 “Jamming” — let it run and feel the groove take over. youtu.be/oqVy6eRXc7Q?si… #BobMarley #TheWailers #Reggae #ReggaeRock #AltMusic #FORKSTER @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @lee0969 @NewWaveAndPunk @ugochill @Wrix2 @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @Fred_Baliad2 @Albums200

🌑 ALT MUSIC MOMENT — APRIL 1977 Before the explosion fully took hold, New Musical Express had already locked in on The Clash — featuring them in print during April 1977 as their momentum surged across the UK underground. This wasn’t hype for something coming… It was recognition of something already happening — a band cutting through the noise, building a following, and reshaping the energy of punk in real time. #TheClash #Punk #Ska #AltRock #NME #FORKSTER @TheClash @Stow6524 @lee0969 @clairywairy88 @Fred_Baliad2 @NewWaveAndPunk @ugochill @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @Wrix2

@beingJoe90 And indeed, mate, a great one to start off with, for sure!

@AltMusicAsylum The first single I bought.

🌑 ALT MUSIC MOMENT — APRIL 1980 Madness were already firing “Baggy Trousers” through their live shows in April 1980 — months before it became a standout favourite from Absolutely. Packed with schoolyard memories, humour, and pure Madness charm, it captured the spirit of youthful mayhem perfectly. #Madness #SkaHistory #Ska #AltMusic #FORKSTER @MadnessNews @Stow6524 @lee0969 @clairywairy88 @NewWaveAndPunk @ugochill @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @Wrix2 @Fred_Baliad2

ALT MUSIC SPOTLIGHT Buzzcocks — “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve?)”🎧 youtu.be/0Af7ayYIJ9w Fast, sharp, and instantly infectious — this 1978 classic hit with a different kind of energy. While most punk was all bite, Buzzcocks brought something more melodic… and far more personal. Driven by that urgent rhythm and hook-heavy guitar rush, it grabs you straight away — but it’s what sits underneath that makes it last. Pete Shelley’s vocal cuts right through — open, vulnerable, and completely unguarded. Not shouting… not hiding… just laying it out there. A song about confusion, desire, and emotional pull — delivered with a directness that still connects decades on. Before “pop punk” had a name… this was already writing the blueprint. Who still feels this one hit the moment it kicks in? #PunkRock #PopPunk #PowerPop #Buzzcocks #FORKSTER @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @lee0969 @Fred_Baliad2 @NewWaveAndPunk @TraceMess_469 @Wrix2 @ITHERETWEETER1 @Motobec810

Lovely insight there George — really appreciate you sharing that 🖤. That contrast you picked up on is exactly what gives the track its lasting edge. Great meeting you too, mate — thanks for being part of the conversation today. Hope to catch you again soon on the next one 👍🎧

@AltMusicAsylum Entirely possible. I watched SNL pretty much religiously back in those days. The eighties were my twenties! Where the hell does the time go. 😆 Really nice to meet you! I'm following you so until next time. 🤟

FORKSTER FEATURED ALT TRACK 🎧 Big Country — “In A Big Country” 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧Still gives you chills... or takes you straight back to ‘83? Posted today in honour of the late Stuart Adamson, whose vision and voice helped shape it all. A towering anthem driven by one of the most distinctive guitar sounds ever put to record — bold, uplifting, and proudly Scottish at its core, with riff-roaring guitars echoing the spirit of the Highlands. Released from The Crossing (1983), this wasn’t just a hit… it was a defining moment — a sound that filled arenas and still echoes just as strong today. And it wasn’t alone… “Fields of Fire (400 Miles)” and “Chance” both broke into the UK Top 10, helping build Big Country into a powerhouse at home — before “In A Big Country” carried that sound worldwide. A run that didn’t just define a band… it defined a moment. Still stands tall. 🎧 Turn it up — this one still soars. youtu.be/657TZDHZqj4?si… #AltMusic #BigCountry #StuartAdamson #FORKSTER @TraceMess_469 @ITHERETWEETER1 @lee0969 @NewWaveAndPunk @ugochill @Wrix2 @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @Fred_Baliad2 @Motobec810

@Pope_Inclement If I am correct It was their late night New York City performance in 1983 on Saturday Night Live.

@AltMusicAsylum They were interviewed on a US TV program when In A Big Country was on the charts. I remember seeing it. Evidently it wasn't preserved because I can't find a record of it. But they were very patriotically Scottish. Made the point that they weren't "from" London.

🖤 ALT MUSIC NIGHT FEATURE Gang Of Four — 🖤To Hell With Poverty🖤 youtu.be/I_QJwR6D9d4?si… A razor-edged post-punk statement that hits with urgency and intent, “To Hell With Poverty!” channels frustration into pure rhythmic drive. Built around a jagged, funk-charged bassline and Andy Gill’s cutting, angular guitar work, the track feels both confrontational and tightly controlled. Lyrically, it cuts straight to the bone—rejecting economic struggle with a stark, defiant clarity—while the groove keeps it relentlessly propulsive. It’s not just a song, it’s a declaration—one that still lands with sharp relevance decades on. #AltMusic #GangOfFour #PostPunk #UK #FORKSTER @lee0969 @NewWaveAndPunk @Wrix2 @Fred_Baliad2 @TraceMess_469 @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @Albums200 @ITHERETWEETER1 @ugochill @TheCityGates

@Pope_Inclement That’s a brilliant way of putting it — that contrast in the vocals really is what gives it that haunting depth underneath the lift of the lead. One of the things that makes it stand out even now.

@AltMusicAsylum I always crank that when it comes on 80's on 8! Was a fan of the band at the time. What I love are the vocal harmonies. You have the soaring optimistic lead and then the backing harmony is much lower and softer. Almost spoken. Haunting.👍

@Johnsut06358334 @NewWaveAndPunk Correct mate, quite the musical genius Paul Weller has been over the years and years of making ace songs and records.

@AltMusicAsylum @NewWaveAndPunk Clever Guy Paul Weller.

ALT MUSIC SPOTLIGHT The Jam — “Town Called Malice” youtu.be/YfpRm-p7qlY?si… 🎧 That bassline… straight out of Motown, but with pure UK urgency driving it forward. Fast-paced, sharp, and full of fire — this 1982 No.1 hit blends Mod revival energy with rock n' roll edge and Northern soul influence, creating something that feels both uplifting and restless at the same time. But beneath that upbeat drive… there’s something else. A snapshot of working-class life — honest, observational, and hitting closer to home than most songs dared to at the time. Paul Weller didn’t just write songs… he told it exactly how it was. Who still feels this one every time it kicks in? #TheJam #PaulWeller #NorthernSoul #Mod #FORKSTER @Stow6524 @clairywairy88 @lee0969 @Fred_Baliad2 @NewWaveAndPunk @TraceMess_469 @Wrix2 @ITHERETWEETER1 @Albums200 @Albums200

@Clashophile @Stow6524 That’s brilliant — love that. Says everything about Big Country when it’s still connecting across generations like that. What track do they go to most?

@AltMusicAsylum @Stow6524 Gives me chills & yes, takes me back. Also keeps me young as my daughter took a liking to the song after hearing it played at her job & asked me did I know anything about Big Country. Always happy to share those kinds of memories with the young ones!