Cassette Culture

Nov 27

Underneath the safety pins, television expletives and bondage trousers that came with Punk in 1977, there was a coded message for those ready to hear it. Resolutely independent, the Instant Automatons and their label Deleted Records tuned in from the North of England and got that message of DIY independence, creativity and confidence that followed "Here's Three Chords, Now Form A Band". We trace the birth of the UK cassette underground - from isolated bedrooms to West London squats, from hand-dubbed tapes to Rough Trade shelves. It’s the story of how a handful of young people, with almost no resources, built a national community through shared idealism, cheap technology, and an unstoppable desire to create. Finding their tribe with the Labroke Grove hippie-punks circulating around the Here & Now/Frestonia/free festival scene and building their community under the Westway. Here & Now drummer, Kif Kif Le Batteur made his sentiment about the established record industry clear when he named his cassette label F.O. Records. Recognising that the Instant Automatons and their label Deleted Records got it too, they connected to collaborate on cassette and vinyl releases, gigs and tours. And in doing, forged a template that was adopted and amplified from there on. Hosted by Martin Franklin. Theme music “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen/"Hesatative" Jack Hertz VIDEO You can find videos of some of the amazing fanzines and cassette releases that drop through our letterbox on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast IN THIS EPISODE VOICES Martin Franklin Jerry Kranitz Mark Lancaster Colin Potter Jonathan Barnett …and John Peel MUSIC Duo Electronica (except), Deleted Funtime (Deleted 009) The Instant Automatons “ Routine Habit” We Couldn’t Agree On A Title (Integrated Circuit Records ICR 001) Colin Potter “The Last Train” The Scythe (ICR) The Instant Automatons “Scared To Be Alone” Peter Paints His Fence EP (Deleted) Instant Automatons “Too Big” Not So Deep As A Well (Waterden WDCD002) Danny & The Dressmakers “God Puts A Stop To The Silver Paper Monster” 39 Golden Grates (Fuck Off Records) Archive audio: “Johns Vacuum Cleaner” John Peel Show 17 June 1980, BBC Radio 1 “Pre Natal Counselling” The Midnight Circus “Chemical Solutions” Missing Persons, “Disillusion” The Instant Automatons “Journey To The West” The Mystic Umbrellas All from the Deleted Funtime compilation (Deleted 009) Many thanks to Jonny Zhivago and the invaluable resource for underground music that is Die Or DIY ( https://dieordiy2.blogspot.com/) PROTAG We would like to dedicate this episode to the memory of Martin "Protag" Neish, who passed away in February 2014. We were too late to meet him, but found his footprints through some of the episodes in this season of Cassette Culture. We are proud to be able to tell at least a small part of his story. (https://louderthanwar.com/northern-punk-scene-mourns-martin-protag-neish/ ) FIND US https://cassetteculturepodcast.com Cassette Culture is produced by Martin Franklin for East Coast Studio ( https://eastcoaststudio.com.au ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 9

The artists who made the template - In Season 2 we’re delving into the very origins of the underground cassette music scene from the late 70s and early 80s, featuring insights from key musicians who revolutionised independent music production. "We didn't think much of the establishment and capitalism, instead of demonstrating against it, we thought we'd create another world which existed outside of it." Jonathan Barnett of Fuck Off Records encapsulates the revolutionary mindset of the post-Punk movement. Mark Lancaster, Phillip Sanderson, Jonathan Barnett, Colin Potter and others share their experiences of challenging the mainstream music industry through a low key yet radical DIY approach. Snatch Tapes, Fuck Off Records, Deleted Records, Integrated Circuit Records were all part of the wave that shaped a template for what was to come. The narrative explores how musicians rejected traditional music production methods, creating an alternative world of sound and creativity. Cassettes emerged as a powerful medium of expression, offering an affordable and accessible way for artists to record and distribute their music. The episode highlights the punk-inspired ethos of independent music creation, emphasising a spirit of rebellion against established structures and the building of a community. Listeners will discover a fascinating network of musicians who connected through fanzines, music papers, and tape exchanges. The collaborative culture transcended traditional genre boundaries, with artists supporting each other's experimental sounds and independent productions. Phillip Sanderson's innovative approach of dismantling radios to create electronic noises exemplifies the creative spirit of the cassette culture. The documentary provides a deep dive into a pivotal moment in music history, showcasing how independent artists used technology and collaboration to challenge the traditional music industry. It's a testament to creativity, DIY spirit, and the power of grassroots music production. Technical Details: Format: Audio documentary Focus: Independent music scene, DIY music production Era: Late 1970s to early 1980s See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28

From vinyl to cassettes and the occasional... flexi-postcard! Geert-Jan Hobijn reflects on Staalplaat’s origins as a cassette label, and some current releases. In this special interim episode of Cassette Culture , Martin Franklin and Jerry Kranitz speak with Geert-Jan Hobijn , the legendary founder of Staalplaat - the experimental music label that began in an Amsterdam squat in 1982 and went on to define an era of radical sound and design. We focus on some current activities publishing unreleased Muslimgauze recordings, reissuing classics from the Korm Plastics label - and dreaming up outlandish packaging ideas (including a cassette release that came with a pair of custom-designed socks). The conversation also touches on the challenges and joys of running a label across decades, the crossover between Staalplaat’s releases and Geert-Jan’s own Staalplaat Sound System installation work, and the philosophy of making music and art available in ways that resist the digital mainstream. Hosted by Martin Franklin & Jerry Kranitz. Theme music “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen/"Hesatative" Jack Hertz VIDEO You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases we discuss in this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast MUSIC "Headphonics (VPRO Version)" Ryoji Ikeda, Mort Aux Vaches (Staalplaat, 2020) "Zealot" Muslimgauze (flexi-postcard 2025) "A1" Muslimgauze, Tape 13 (cassette 2025) "Live At The Clocktower, New York City (27 April 89)" Arcane Device, SIX (Korm Plastics D, cassette 2025) LINKS Staalplaat Label https://staalplaatlabel.bandcamp.com/ Muslimgauze https://muslimgauze.bandcamp.com/ Korm Plastics D https://kormplasticsd.bandcamp.com/ Cassette Culture is produced by Martin Franklin for East Coast Studio ( https://eastcoaststudio.com.au ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 8

Music mix by Joshua James Amberson drawing on cassette releases reviewed in issue #3 of the Copy This Cassette zine. Joshua is publisher of the Basic Paper Airplane zine, and curator of the Antiquated Future store/distro and label. He is based in Portland, Oregon, USA. Theme music "Hesatative" Jack Hertz VIDEO You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases in this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast LINKS Joshua James Amberson/Antiquated Future ( https://www.antiquatedfuture.com/) Copy This Cassette ( https://copythis.bandcamp.com/ ) MUSIC Other Worlders "Hidden Energy Positive Light" Aural Canyon https://auralcanyonmusic.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-energy-positive-light Machine Go Boom "When We're Ghosts" Just Because Records https://justbecauserecords.bandcamp.com/album/when-were-ghosts Zeiss Ikon "Cybernetic Anarchy" 2025 Reissue, Magrit Records https://zeissikon.bandcamp.com/album/cybernetic-anarchy Big Fat Head "BoBo Rising" Clean Demon Records https://cleandemonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bobo-rising Charles Rice Goff III "Language For Unstated Thoughts" Taped Rugs https://archive.org/details/LanguageForUnstatedThoughts/ Cody Brant - Carl Kruger "Smoke Detail" Copy This 2025 https://codybrantcarlkruger.bandcamp.com/album/smoke-detail Yaara Valey "our liberation is" Antiquated Futures https://antiquatedfuture.bandcamp.com/album/our-liberation-is Guidon Bear "Internal Systems" Antiquated Future https://antiquatedfuture.bandcamp.com/album/internal-systems THANKS Immense thanks to Joshua James Amberson for curating this mix, ( https://www.antiquatedfuture.com/) and to the artists for use of their tracks. Produced by Martin Franklin for East Coast Studio ( https://eastcoaststudio.com.au ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 24

From the worlds of mini-comix to independent music, D. Blake Werts is the creative force behind the fanzine, Copy This Cassette . Martin Franklin and co-host Jerry Kranitz sit down with Blake to share the surprising story of how he discovered cassette culture only a few years ago, and how that discovery inspired him to launch a new publication devoted entirely to underground cassette releases. He explains the philosophy behind Copy This Cassette , including its tactile, analogue-first ethos and the importance of short, descriptive "snapshot reviews." We also learn about Blake's deep roots in the world of mini comics , how he taps into regional cassette scenes from the Pacific Northwest to Europe, and the editorial decisions that keep the zine focused and accessible. You can find Copy This on Bandcamp at copythis.bandcamp.com and catch our unboxing video of issue 3 on the Cassette Culture Podcast YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast Keep updated on the Second Edition of " Cassette Culture: Homemade Music and the Creative Spirit in the Pre-Internet Age " by contacting Jerry. jerrykranitzwriter.com/ Hosted by Martin Franklin & Jerry Kranitz. Theme music “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen/"Hesatative" Jack Hertz VIDEO You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases we discuss in this episode on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast MUSIC ”Step On Me” Hydrone - Live at Nelsonville 2022 (Clean Demon Records) “n-0”, Kozo Inada, Kozo Inada & Frans de Waard (temporary mountain) “Post Surgical Blues” Versioning, Cloud Plateau (Ingrown Records) “Alamogordo” FUZZ UNLIMITED, Journey To The Seventh Planet (Illuminated Paths) “Hippie” Versioning, Cloud Plateau (Ingrown Records) “Under Garbage” Cody Brant - Carl Kruger, Smoke Detail (Copy This) LINKS Copy This https://copythis.bandcamp.com/ Clean Demon Records https://cleandemonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-nelsonville-2022 temporary mountain temporarymountain.bandcamp.com/ Ingrown Records ingrown.bandcamp.com/ Illuminated Paths illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/ Basic Paper Airplane www.antiquatedfuture.com/zines/basic-paper-airplane-13-the-cassette-tape-issue/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 13

3D glasses at the ready, we speak with Richard Allen, editor of psychedelic magazine Freakbeat, founder of Delerium Records, and Michael Dog of Club Dog, Megadog and Planet Dog Records. Together, they helped define an era of fanzines, home-recorded cassettes, underground parties, and independent music distribution. This episode, we’re hearing the inside story of a telephone call to Timothy Leary, the artists behind Freakbeat’s unique 3d page design, Club Dog’s rare live cassette releases and the birth of Planet Dog Record’s legendary electronic compilations like Feed Your Head . This episode closes Season One of Cassette Culture —but don’t worry, Season Two is already in production. We’re working on a Bandcamp subscription offer that will give you some exclusive custom cassettes and provide a means to donate to help us keep the reels turning with the podcast. Hosted by Martin Franklin. Theme music: “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen/"Hesatative" Jack Hertz. VIDEO You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases we discuss in this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast FEATURING: Richard Allen Michael Dog MUSIC “Operation Apricot” Ring, O De Dun Dun (Self released cassette) “What Do You Turn On When You Turn On” Timothy Leary, You Can Be Anyone This Time Around From Psychedelic Psauna (Delerium Records): “Black Ferris Wheel” The Coloured Plank, “Mind Train Jam” Sun Dial, “Erp Riff ’83” Ozric Tentacles “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” Webcore, The Great Unfolding (A Real Kavoom)“ Nodens Ictus, Live At Club Dog (Woof Distribution) “Medicine Wheel” Eat Static, Prepare Your Spirit (self released cassette) “Nightmare” Treatment, Psychedelic Psauna (Delerium Records) LINKS Planet Dog Records http://www.planetdogrecords.com/ Club Dog Memories https://www.pooterland.com/looking_glass_dead_dog.html Delerium: https://www.discogs.com/label/3338-Delerium-Records AVAILABLE NOW "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989 - 90" SoundImage Tapes cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse, 2024 https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com *Cassette Culture* is produced by Martin Franklin for East Coast Studio. ( https://eastcoaststudio.com.au ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 29

Armed with fanzines, cassette tapes, and a fierce DIY spirit - two teenagers from Herne Bay helped shape the UK’s underground music scene. In this episode, host Martin Franklin traces the journey of Gary Levermore, founder of Third Mind Records, and Richard “Richo” Johnson, the force behind Grim Humour fanzine and Fourth Dimension Records. From their early days frequenting a local record shop to trading zines and music through the post, their story captures the energy of a grassroots movement that gave voice to some of the most experimental and influential acts of the 1980s. We explore how fanzines like Tone Death and Grim Humour connected a sprawling network of artists and fans, and how this evolved into Third Mind’s legendary cassette compilation “ Rising from the Red Sand” —a defining moment for underground electronic and post-industrial music. The episode offers inside perspectives on artists such as Nurse With Wound, Test Dept, Attrition, and Legendary Pink Dots, while also shedding light on the support they received from key tastemakers like Rough Trade, John Peel, and Dave Henderson of Sounds . Along the way, Gary reveals the moment he turned down the newly formed Skinny Puppy, and how that decision—and others—shaped the future of Third Mind and its eventual partnership with Roadrunner Records. Richo discusses the evolving mission of Fourth Dimension and his enduring dedication to artists with a distinct sensibility, both sonically and personally. Passion, persistence, and a love of experimental sound helped two independent labels make their mark on music history—one photocopied zine and dubbed cassette at a time. Hosted by Martin Franklin. Theme music “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen/"Hesatative" Jack Hertz VIDEO You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases we discuss in this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast VOICES Richard “Richo” Johnson Gary Levermore Dave Henderson Martin Bowes MUSIC “Mansonik No 1” Konstruktivists, Psyko-Genetika, Third Mind Records 1983 “Song Of The Flame” Tone Death, Rising From the Red Sand Third Mind Tapes 1983 “Love Is….” Legendary Pink Dots, Basilisk, Third Mind Tapes 1984 “Page After Page” I’m Dead, Grim Humour#3 7” Flexi, Fourth Dimension Records “Gdansk” Test Dept, Rising From The Red Sand, Third Mind Tapes 1983 “Onslaught” Attrition, Onslaught, Third Mind Tapes 1983 “At Set Points” Ian Boddy, Visions, Third Mind Tapes 1983 “Strange Play Of The Mouth” Nurse With Wound, Rising From The Red Sand, Third Mind Tapes 1983 “Grow Dark In The Sun” Mummies & Madmen, Winter Hill Recordings 2024 “Not Me” Thurston Moore w/Tom Surgal, 10” EP, Fourth Dimension “Film-o-sonik” Konstruktivists, Psyko-Genetika, Third Mind records 1983 “Bite My Head” Portion Control, Rising From The Red Sand, Third Mind Tapes 1983 Herne Bay ambient recordings by Damon Hart-Davis used by permission. https://www.earth.org.uk/Herne-Bay-ambient.html LINKS Third Mind Records https://www.discogs.com/label/2746-Third-Mind-Records Fourth Dimension Records https://www.youtube.com/@FDRecords2023 fourthdimensionrecords.bigcartel.com Dave Henderson https://23ears.co.uk/ Attrition https://attritionuk.bandcamp.com/ THANKS TO: Damon Hart-Davis for capturing the ancestral ambience, Dave Henderson & Martin Bowes for going the extra mile, Alan Rider for this months package. AVAILABLE NOW: The project that started it all. "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989 - 90" SoundImage Tapes cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse, 2024 https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com *Cassette Culture* is produced by Martin Franklin for East Coast Studio. ( https://eastcoaststudio.com.au ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 20

Tales of handmade 'zines and the cassette underground with two key figures: Martin Bowes of the electronic-industrial band Attrition, and Alan Rider of the Adventures In Reality label and fanzine. We trace their trajectory from the early days, as local Coventry fanzines "Alternative Sounds" and “Adventures In Reality” evolve into bands and cassette labels and build grassroots distribution networks that span the World. Bowes and Rider reflect on how out-of-hours Art College facilities, post-punk energy, and the rise of affordable recording technology like the Tascam 4-track empowered musicians to bypass the mainstream and do it themselves. Connecting with our previous episode (EP09 Wild Planet 1983: The World Gets Weirder) with Dave Henderson, writer of the Wild Planet column in Sounds, there’s more about how *The Elephant Table" LP came together. Plus, the usual tales of copying tapes in real-time, mailing music around the globe, and even embedding ZX Spectrum programs onto music cassettes. Hosted by Martin Franklin. Theme music “This Is Concrete” by The Happy Citizen. VIDEO You can find video of some of the fanzines and cassette releases we discuss in this episode on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CassetteCulturePodcast FEATURING - Martin Bowes (Attrition) - Alan Rider (Adventures in Reality) - Dave Henderson (Sounds/Wild Planet ) MUSIC Attrition “Dead Of Night” Death House - Adventures In Reality Recordings (1981) Hawkwind “Jam 2” UK Electronica 1983 Attrition “Mariannes Dream” In The Realm Of The Hungry Ghost - Third Mind Recordings (1986) Attrition/Audio Leter “Talkback” Action And Reaction - CNLF (1983) Nurse With Wound “Someone Others Garden” Rising From The Red Sand Vol #1- Third Mind (1983) Muslimgauze “Trans Time” The Last Supper - Adventures In Reality Recordings Attrition “Monkey In A Bin” John Peel Show - BBC Radio 1 (24 April 1984) Legendary Pink Dots “Surprise Surprise” The Elephant Table - X Tract (1984) Attrition “The Black Maria” The Black Maria - Two Gods (2025) LINKS Attrition ( https://attritionuk.bandcamp.com/music) | ( https://attrition.co.uk ) Adventures In Reality ( https://adventuresinreality.bigcartel.com/) "Adventures In Reality, The Complete Collection" book reprints all issues of the fanzine in a 500 page softbound book. Order directly from Alan Rider via Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/alan.rider.161) See the ARR ZX Spectrum program from "The Last Supper" on YouTube: https://www.journaldulapin.com/2023/01/12/last-supper-spectrum/ THANKS TO: Steve Cammack for the “The Elephant Table” vinyl. https://remuhmuration.blogspot.com/ Our old chums at SoundArt Radio 102.5FM for digitising services. https://soundartradio.org.uk/ AVAILABLE NOW "Premonitions: Underground Cassette Network 1989 - 90" SoundImage Tapes cassette reissue, Infinite Expanse, 2024 https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com *Cassette Culture* is produced by Martin Franklin for East Coast Studio. ( https://eastcoaststudio.com.au ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.