by Beyond the hits—exploring the albums, bands, and moments that shaped 80s metal
J, Chip, and Tim relive the 1980s sonic excess and untamed spirit. Whether you lived for Mötley Crüe’s decadence, cranked Guns N’ Roses’ street swagger, flipped endlessly through Metal Edge, or are just discovering the scene, this is your all-access pass to an electrifying time in music history. Each episode dives deep into legendary albums, unsung heroes, and behind-the-scenes stories that shaped 80s metal. Let’s relive the magic, one album at a time. <br/><br/><a href="https://www.digmeoutpodcast.com/s/dig-me-out-80s-metal?utm_medium=podcast">www.digmeoutpodcast.com</a>
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April 10, 2025
<p>What if one of punk rock’s most essential records wasn’t born in London or New York—but in a repressive corner of 1970s Australia? In this episode, we dive into I’m Stranded, the ferocious, lo-fi debut from Brisbane’s own <strong>The Saints</strong>—a band that burned bright before punk even knew what it was supposed to sound like.</p><p>Recorded in just two days with cranked amps, no overdubs, and a heavy dose of youth rebellion, I’m Stranded delivers raw power with surprising musical depth. The Saints weren’t copying anyone—they couldn’t. Isolated from punk’s UK and US scenes, they built something unique: a mix of garage rock swing, proto-punk energy, and rock 'n' roll heart that would go on to influence everyone from <strong>Kurt Cobain</strong> to <strong>Mark Lanegan</strong>.</p><p>This episode unpacks the album’s explosive origins, its unexpected impact overseas, and how the band’s refusal to conform—musically or stylistically—helped set a new standard for underground music. We also explore its enduring influence on punk, garage, grunge, and beyond.</p><p><strong>If you dig bands like The Stooges, The Damned, Radio Birdman, Nirvana, or The Hives, you’ll want to hear this one.</strong></p><p>🎧 Episode Highlights:</p><p>• <strong>0:00 – Intro track</strong> – Setting the scene: Brisbane in the 1970s and the birth of I’m Stranded• <strong>2:30 – Police vans, DIY labels, and “Pig City”</strong> – The political tension that fueled The Saints' sound• <strong>6:18 – The Saints vs. punk fashion</strong> – Why the band rejected industry makeovers and stayed true to themselves• <strong>10:44 – "(I’m) Stranded"</strong> – Dissecting the title track's sneer, groove, and timeless rage• <strong>15:00 – “Messin’ with the Kid”</strong> – Stones vibes meet Aussie grit in a proto-grunge ballad• <strong>20:35 – Covers and deep cuts</strong> – From Elvis to New Zealand garage rock: the Saints' unlikely influences• <strong>25:50 – Ahead of their time</strong> – How this 1977 album sounds like it could’ve dropped in 1998• <strong>30:45 – The Saints’ legacy</strong> – From Bob Geldof’s praise to their influence on Nirvana and Seattle’s scene</p><p>Crank it up and join us as we rediscover I’m Stranded—a chaotic, soulful, and essential artifact in punk rock history.</p><p>👂 Listen, subscribe, and explore more at <a target="_blank" href="https://digmeoutpodcast.com/">digmeoutpodcast.com</a>💬 Join the community and help pick future episodes at <a target="_blank" href="https://digmeoutpodcast.com/">dmounion.com</a></p><p>Don’t forget to rate and review—your support helps us keep digging up the lost classics that deserve your ears.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe</a>
March 27, 2025
<p>Before glam exploded and metal ruled MTV, one album tried to bridge the shred-heavy brilliance of Europe with the big-hook ambitions of American rock radio—only to be lost in the chaos of lineup changes and flashing lights. Literally.</p><p>In this episode, we rediscover Assault Attack by the Michael Schenker Group—a cult classic released in 1982 that had everything going for it: a legendary guitarist, a powerhouse vocalist, and production by Martin Birch. So why didn’t it break through?</p><p>We dig into the story behind the album’s creation, from the fallout after One Night at Budokan to the last-minute firing of Graham Bonnet before the band could tour. Along the way, we explore what makes Assault Attack stand out musically—from Schenker’s melodic riffing to the underrated grooves laid down by bassist Chris Glen and drummer Ted McKenna.</p><p>This episode is for fans of underappreciated hard rock, for those who love when bands sound like bands (not just guitar showcases), and for anyone who’s ever found a hidden gem in the cassette bin and wondered how it got there. If you’re into Rainbow, UFO, or even Iron Maiden’s deeper cuts, this one’s got something for you.</p><p>Episode Highlights</p><p>• <strong>0:00 – [Intro: “Assault Attack”]</strong> – The mystery of a great album no one saw live• <strong>5:12 – [Band History]</strong> – How MSG went from Budokan to Bonnet• <strong>12:45 – [Album Overview]</strong> – Birch’s production magic and the shift in sound• <strong>21:30 – [“Desert Song”]</strong> – A haunting riff and vocal synergy• <strong>29:00 – [“Broken Promises”]</strong> – The secret star: Chris Glen’s bass lines• <strong>34:20 – [“Dancer”]</strong> – Big hooks, goofy lyrics, and Bonnet’s vocal drama• <strong>42:00 – [Legacy & What-Ifs]</strong> – What could’ve been with Coverdale or a proper tour• <strong>48:10 – [Community Pick]</strong> – How one vote brought this album into the spotlight</p><p>Don’t Miss Out</p><p>Dig deeper into forgotten albums and the stories that shaped them. Listen to the full episode now, and if you want to have a say in what we cover next:</p><p>👉 Subscribe at <a target="_blank" href="http://digmeoutpodcast.com/">digmeoutpodcast.com</a>👉 Join the Union and vote on future picks at <a target="_blank" href="http://dmounion.com/">dmounion.com</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe</a>
March 13, 2025
<p>Summer of 1981. The smell of fresh vinyl still clung to the LP as you slid it out of its sleeve. You carefully dropped the needle, and for a second there was silence. Then, a crackle. And then? The speakers erupted with the searing guitars of "Let It Go." Your heart pounded. This wasn’t just another rock record. This was something alive, something urgent.</p><p>Rock fans of the time were living in a golden age. Van Halen were melting faces. AC/DC had just unleashed Back in Black. And across the Atlantic, a new breed of British heavy metal was clawing its way into the mainstream. Def Leppard, a bunch of kids from Sheffield, England, were right in the thick of it. But were they just another NWOBHM band? No chance. They had bigger dreams. High and Dry wasn’t about riding a movement—it was about building their own. And they were about to do just that.</p><p>The Raw Power of Dual Guitars and Untamed Energy</p><p>What made High and Dry different? The guitars. Pete Willis and Steve Clark were sparking. Their partnership crackled with an energy that made each riff hit like a punch to the chest. Tracks like “Let It Go” and “Another Hit and Run” straddled the line between grit and melody, carrying the weight of metal but the infectious hooks of stadium rock.</p><p>But something else was happening, too. This album was fast. Urgent. The tempos soared. The vocals were raw. This was Def Leppard before the layers of polish, before the slick harmonies and Mutt Lange’s studio wizardry turned them into arena gods. You can hear it: High and Dry is the band with their foot to the floor, full throttle, no safety net. They wouldn’t sound like this again.</p><p>“The guitars are so good on this record. It brings melody, it brings a little darkness and a hell of a lot of power.” - J Dziak</p><p>Even the production tells a story. The guitars are front and center, sharp but unvarnished. There’s no wall of harmonies masking Joe Elliott’s voice, no digital precision ironing out the rawness. This is Def Leppard at their most visceral, at a time when every note felt urgent, like they were still fighting for their place in the rock pantheon.</p><p>And it wasn’t just the sound—High and Dry was where the band found their songwriting identity. While On Through the Night had flirted with NWOBHM tropes, High and Dry showcased a more refined approach. The hooks were sharper, the choruses bolder. The album was a declaration: Def Leppard wasn’t just a metal band. They were something bigger, something ready to take on the American airwaves.</p><p>Bringing on the Heartbreak: The Dawn of the Power Ballad Era</p><p>And then there’s Bringing on the Heartbreak. At first, it just feels like another slow-burn rocker. But wait. Those aching melodies, that soaring chorus—this isn’t just a song. It’s a blueprint. A Rosetta Stone for the power ballads that would dominate the rest of the decade. Think Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Think Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain.” It all started here.</p><p>Not everyone recognized its magic right away. In 1981, Bringing on the Heartbreak came and went. But in 1984, with Pyromania burning up the charts, the band re-released it—this time with a new mix, some added synths, and, crucially, MTV’s backing. Boom. Suddenly, High and Dry was back in the spotlight. Not many bands get a do-over on a song, but Def Leppard did. And they made it count.</p><p>“This is really the first power ballad in a lot of ways. Once you get into these ‘80s hard rock and metal bands, then they start producing the ballads. And this is where it all begins.” - Tim Minneci</p><p>More than just a breakthrough moment for the band, Bringing on the Heartbreak changed the trajectory of hard rock. It proved that metal could be melodic, that anthems could have heart. Without this song, does “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” happen? Does “Home Sweet Home” become a defining moment for Mötley Crüe? Maybe, maybe not. But there’s no denying that Def Leppard cracked the code first.</p><p><p><strong>If we don't dig out these albums, who will?</strong> Get 30% off a today and help us uncover the records that history forgot.</p></p><p>The Album That Got Them There</p><p>Most people point to Pyromania or Hysteria as the Def Leppard albums. Fair enough. But High and Dry is the record where they figured it out. The moment where their identity took shape. They were still raw enough to open for Judas Priest and Ozzy Osbourne but savvy enough to be aiming for something bigger. You can hear it in every riff, every chorus, every second of this album.</p><p>It also reveals something about their journey. The band that made High and Dry wasn’t yet the polished hit machine of Hysteria, nor were they still the scrappy NWOBHM hopefuls of On Through the Night. They were something in between—a band on the brink. They had the hunger, the drive, and now, with Mutt Lange’s guidance, the tools to take that next step.</p><p>“It’s so interesting to me that people, 40 years later, are diehard fans of these first three albums. But High and Dry and On Through the Night weren’t really on people’s radars when they first came out. It’s almost like people went back later and discovered them.” - Chip Midnight</p><p>And let’s not forget the impact of High and Dry beyond Def Leppard’s own trajectory. This album marked a shift in rock music itself, laying the groundwork for the hybrid of melody and power that would define the ‘80s. It was a statement that rock didn’t have to choose between grit and grandeur. It could have both.</p><p>Would Def Leppard have become Def Leppard without High and Dry? Maybe. But this was the moment they caught fire. And once they did, they never looked back.</p><p>Decades later, the album still holds up. Not just as a snapshot of a band in transition, but as one of the purest distillations of what made Def Leppard special. The energy, the riffs, the ambition—it’s all there, captured in a way they’d never quite replicate again. It’s the sound of a band before superstardom, before tragedy, before they became household names.</p><p>Want to go even deeper? The Dig Me Out podcast breaks down this album’s legacy, its place in metal history, and why it still resonates decades later. Check out the full episode to hear the conversation.</p><p>Songs in this Episode</p><p>* Intro - Lady Strange</p><p>* 18:49 - You Got Me Running</p><p>* 21:02 - Switch 625</p><p>* 23:44 - On Through the Night</p><p>* 28:12 - Bringin on the Heartbreak</p><p>* 29:58 - High 'N' Dry (Saturday Night)</p><p>* 32:17 - Bringin on the Heartbreak (Mariah Carey)</p><p>* Outro - Let It Go</p><p><p><strong>If we don't dig out these albums, who will?</strong> Get 30% off a today and help us uncover the records that history forgot.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe</a>
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