Simon Reynolds joins us to talk about his new book Still in a Dream: Shoegaze, Slackers and the Reinvention of Rock, 1984–1994.
Against a backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s third term in Downing Street & Stock, Aitken & Waterman’s domination of the pop charts a new scene begins to emerge.
Starting with the Cocteau Twins & developing to include My Bloody Valentine & more, a noisy & dream like sound which comes to be known as Shoegaze.
At the same a more melodic sound appears represented by the likes of the Smiths, Felt, The Pastels & the C86 scene.
Over in America Sonic Youth achieve notable success & are joined by Dinosaur Jr & Pavement amongst others.
Grunge arrives in the early 90s while Britpop & Oasis appear in the UK< drawing this period to a close.
In recent years the shoegaze sound has reappeared by a sleuth of young bands while many of its originators including Slowdive, Lush & My Bloody Valentine have toured in larger venues than they played originally.
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