Synthpop Symphony 294 Electropop Synthpop Synthwave Retro + The Permanent Record Podcast - RED FLAG!

SPEAKER_01 0:00

This week, get ready for a bonker show as we team up with a permanent record podcast for a deep dive into red flag plus brand new sinister 80s mix.

SPEAKER_16 0:10

You're listening to DDJ Matt Williams, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Welcome to Synth Pop Symphony. Pop Symphony. Playing the best new wave electro part. Synth Wave, Italo Disco, and high-energy electronic dance music from the 80s to today. With your host, DJ Matt Williams. Your dance music Odyssey starts now.

SPEAKER_01 0:35

Welcome to Synth Pop Symphony, the show where the past, present, and future of synth-driven music come alive. I'm Matt Williams, and for the next two hours, we're diving into a world of shimmering synths, pulsing it tallow beats, and electrifying melodies. This week on show 294, get ready for a powerful blend of brand new releases from today's brightest electronic artists, including Toy, Zinnick, Thomas Azir, and Neon Dreams, plus rare remixes you won't hear anywhere else from Erasure, OMD, and Marshow. In hour two, we unleash Sinister 80s, brand new remixes of Depeche Mode, Fiction Factory, Kim Carnes, and a fresh take on Betty Davis Eyes, Desireless, the Human League, and the Arrhythmics. But the part of the show I'm most proud of tonight is the brand new School of Scent. We're going to spotlight one of the 80s' most influential synth pop dance acts, Red Flag. To go deeper into the band's story, I'm joined in the studio by special guests, Brian and Saren Lennon from the Permanent Record Podcast. Together, we're going to take a deep dive into Red Flag's legacy and play four amazing tracks you won't want to miss. That's coming up in about 20 minutes, so don't go anywhere. But first, let's kick things off with our resident DJ, TSF, and his brand new remix of Erasure's Love to Hate You. This is Synth Pop Symphony, your home for the past, present, and future of synth-driven music.

SPEAKER_16 1:52

The very best in high-end dance music only on Synth Pop Symphony.

SPEAKER_04 2:24

Love and hate, what a beautiful combination. Sending shivers up and down my spine. For every casting over that is My sense of hesitation is the least. Love and hate, what a beautiful combination. Sending shibbs up and down my spine. And the lovers that you sent for me didn't come with any satisfaction guarantee. So I return them to the tender and the note attached for me. Oh, I love to hate you. I love to hate you. I love to hate you. I love to hate you Oh you're really still expecting to believe Every single letter I received Sorry you won't change the situation. Sending sugars up and down my spine. I like to read the murder of the story. I like to know the killer isn't me. Love and hate, what a beautiful combination. Sending sugars make me put the feelings, give them up and down my spine. And the lovers that you sent for me didn't come with any satisfaction guaranteed. So I returned them to the tender and the note attached for me. I like to hate you. I like to hate you. I like to hate you. And the brothers that you said on me didn't come with any satisfaction guaranteed. Do I return them to the sender? And the note of tattoo read. And the brothers that you set for me. Didn't come with any satisfaction guaranteed. Do I return them to the sender? And the note of tattoo read. I know I'd like to hate you. I like to hate you. I like to hate you. I like to hate you. I like to hate you. I love to hate you.

SPEAKER_16 5:35

The sound of your past, the rhythm of your future.

SPEAKER_02 5:50

Trudging slowly over wet sand back to the bench where your clothes were stolen. This is a coastal town that they forgot to close down. Come on, McGaton, come on, we'd get them, come every day is like sunlight, every day, silence and cry on the promenade post car dealing with shall was not here in the seaside town that they forgot to bow. Come, come, come and clear bow Every day is like suntime. Every day is silent and crying back over pebbles and sand and the strange dust lands on your hands and on your face on your face on your face on your face every day is like sometime with me.

SPEAKER_01 13:11

I'll just say it right now. Zinnic is one of my all-time favorite artists. His beautiful brand of Zinic always gives me good things that makes it absolutely hurt. We also heard a fantastic matchup of Mario and OD with that. And the random thing was called 2012.com for past shows and special DJ mixes I try forever just to be with you.

SPEAKER_18 19:21

Can stand the fear of ever losing you. After the dark, I have a different view. A second chance it's our romance. Time feels like it's rushing mine. You are the light, I've found inside. Now I can see with open eyes. Take me out into the starlight, guiding my way into the bright city light. Take me up into your arms tonight. Line up with that door and I swing me on line. I know too well I've got to take this slow. We dance together as if we are one. Look into my eyes and we know. Time feels like it's rushing by You are the light. I'm falling inside. Now I can see with open eyes. Take me out into the starlight, guiding away into the bright city light. Take me up into your arms tonight. Line up the dance door in the sweet near light. A soul bright tonight. Let's close our eyes and we'll fly to night a soul high into the nearlight. Take me up into your arms tonight.

SPEAKER_16 22:21

Timeless synth anthems, fresh new sounds, and remixes that move you. This is Synth Fops Symphony State if you wanna leave me.

SPEAKER_08 22:59

Well believe this down. Can you see it down? Your lips to a side red. You know you shut me because you wanna be dead. Don't believe this down.

SPEAKER_07 23:21

I'm gonna need to shut up covering gold.

SPEAKER_08 24:07

I keep forgetting everything else. I'll believe this.

SPEAKER_01 26:03

Welcome to the Synth Pub Symphony School of Synth. Welcome back to the School of Synth. Today's feature is extra special this week because I'm not alone. Joining me are Brian and Sarah Lennon, co-hosts of the Permanent Record Podcast. If you love 70s and 80s music as much as I do, Brian and Sarah have an incredible show that dives deep into the albums and artists that shape the era. Brian and Sarah, I'm glad you're here because today we're spotlining a band I think both of us feel deserves more recognition, and the band is Red Flag.

SPEAKER_12 26:33

Hey Matt, thanks so much for having us. We're really excited to be here.

SPEAKER_00 26:37

For those who might not know us, together we host the Permanent Record Podcast. If you love 70s and 80s music, especially the synthop of the new wave and alternative sounds that define those decades, our show is made for you. We go track by track through classic albums, talk about the history, the production, and the cultural impact, and share personal stories about what the music meant to us and to fans all around the world.

SPEAKER_12 26:59

And that's why we're especially excited to join you today, because Red Flag is exactly the kind of band we love to explore.

SPEAKER_01 27:06

Exactly. The band was formed in San Diego by brothers Chris and Mark Reynolds, and in 1989 they released their debut album, Naive Art. It was produced by Joseph Watt of Razor Made Fame, with its mix of moody lyrics, driving beats, and shimmering synth lines, the record quickly became a cult classic. After Naive Art, Red Flag kept releasing music through the 90s and 2000s, often releasing albums on their own label to keep creative control. They had a dedicated fan base who followed them through darker, more industrial leaning records, as well as pure synth pop material. I was one of those fans. Tragically, in 2003, Mark Reynolds passed away unexpectedly. It was a devastating loss, not only because he and Chris were brothers, but because their creative chemistry was at the heart of Red Flag. After Mark's passing, Chris carried on with the red flag name. He continued to write, record, and perform live, keeping the music alive for fans who had been there since the beginning. And while the band never reached mainstream stardom, their influence is still felt in synthpop circles today. In this segment, I picked two songs that really define their sound. First is their breakout debut single, 1988's Russian radio, would put them on the map with its Cold War imagery and unforgettable hook. It was their breakthrough track hitting the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart, peaking at number 10. My second choice is 1989's If I Ever, which was their second single, a perfect balance of melancholy and pure dance floor energy, and was also very successful in clubs and alternative radio. Let's play these now, and then Brian and Sarah are going to take the mic to bring us their top two choices.

SPEAKER_06 29:51

It's easy for me, without a doubt.

SPEAKER_08 29:55

As I spend my days, I think always love is so ready to go.

unknown 30:19

Now we'll be learning to see you.

SPEAKER_08 30:54

As I spend my days searching, always loving so it's very much a lot of side, some of the side.

SPEAKER_12 39:27

Our first pick is Broken Heart. It's a track that shows their gift for creating drama and intensity with lyrics that cut deep and melodies that stay with you. This one was also released as a single in 1988. And once you realize that you love the track, treat yourself to a copy of the 12-inch so you can hear the wonderful five-minute forty-one second extended remix featuring production and background vocals by Stacey Q.

SPEAKER_00 39:50

Stacey Q? That's wild. I think about the emotion that they brought to Synth Hop through their songwriting. Songwriting which on their debut album was already so impressive. So my pick is Pretty and Pity, an album cut which perfectly captures that late 80s dark wave meeting Synth Top sound. The emotional, the stylish, and oh so danceable.

SPEAKER_01 40:16

Those are amazing picks, folks, and I have a surprise for Sarah. I'm actually gonna play that five minute forty-one second extended mix of Broken Heart for fans because I agree, it's so amazing, followed by Brian's amazing pick of Pretty and Pity.

SPEAKER_06 41:40

I've nowhere the sight, the sound, the smell of the air. It could be false allowed, it could be too a simple type, try and to go down to falling off the edge of nowhere the sight, the sound with nobody there. We can't break the pieces of a broken off into So why do you? We can't break the pieces of a broken off into So tell me, tell me why Do you believe that I'd hide the truth from you, oh silly girl? There's things I would rather be falling off the edge of nowhere. The sight, the sound with nobody there. It could be true, we've taken it a bit too far. Sweet and simple is all we really are. I'm on the verge of nowhere. The sight, the sound, the smell of the air. You can't break the pieces of a broken art in two. So why do we do? You can't break the pieces of a broken art in two. So tell me, tell me why do you come's a time, my love? There comes a time A friend for summer is a friend forever. So they say, and so we go. There's things I'd rather do. I'm on the verge of nowhere. The sight, the sound, the smell of the air. Time in search of a perfect rhyme, all the while we have it all the time, falling off the edge of nowhere, the sight, the sound with nobody there. You can't break the pieces of a broken heart and two. So why do you? You can't break the pieces of a broken heart and two. So tell me, tell me why. Sound of machinery.

unknown 46:50

Now you own it to me. My love's on beauty. Pictures moving circles projecting you into me.

SPEAKER_06 46:59

Now you okay to me. My love's on beauty. Isn't it a kitty? Oh too pretty. Isn't it a kitty? I can test you see all that is deep. That's in the beauty is something. I confess. I can fresh you shall go a crime and all the time.

unknown 47:26

You are mine. It's not what you have to say.

SPEAKER_06 47:32

It's just that you need to stay. I love some music, isn't it a pity? Don't disent criticism, isn't it a pity? I possess you see our love is deeper. That's continuing with something. I can fight I can fight him, I can't do it. I can't do it.

SPEAKER_12 49:01

On the podcast, Brian and I explore albums from the 70s and 80s, track by track, telling the stories behind the music and celebrating the artists who made it. You can find us on all major podcast platforms. Just search for Permanent Record Podcast. Thanks again, Matt.

SPEAKER_01 49:16

Back to you. Thank you so much, Brian and Sarah, for joining me today. What makes this partnership so special is that Synthop Symphony is a full music podcast and cannot air on Spotify. So Sarah and Brian work around this by featuring clips instead of full tracks or albums. The Permanent Record Podcast dives deep into the stories and history, exploring 70s and 80s albums track by track. They've done past deep dives into classic albums by Simple Minds, Capesh Mode, Information Society, and Thompson Twins. These are the very artists we celebrate on this show every single week. They go deep into the discussion while we go deep into the actual music, playing the tracks others don't dare to play. Be sure to check out the Permanent Record Podcast and don't miss our upcoming special on Red Flag Together very, very soon.

SPEAKER_13 50:24

A curious fallout falls. Thousands of tons of analyzed earth, building materials, rocks, and gases, maybe drawing to the end.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:47

Before that, we heard the new Darkwave band Proctor Hawk. They gave us a remix last week, and tonight we feature their own track, Stolen Valor, from their brand new EP, When the Spirit Takes You, and it's available now on Bandcamp. And we started the set with an 80s massive anthem of Dancing with Tears in My Eyes by Ultra Vox. Now, without further ado, I bring you Sinister 80s Volume 3. It's a brand new hour mix packed with classics, reimagined. You're gonna hear the pesc mode, Fiction Factory, Kim Carnes with a brand new Shenasky remix of Eddie Davis Eyes, you gotta hear that. Desireless with Voyage Voyage, Cheers for Fears, The Cure, Human League, and Eurythmics. We're gonna close it out with the Blitz Kids and their take on Getter Alive's brand new lover, plus a really cool remix to end it all off with Peter Gabriel's Shock the Monkey. It's all eighties, it's all remixed, and it's only here on Sinister Eighties Volume 3.

SPEAKER_16 1:04:38

The very best in the mix, only on Synthbox Symphony.

unknown 1:06:35

I spot a lot of love to be alone.

SPEAKER_19 1:06:56

And you love when your heart gets burnt. There's something we can hear inside my body and it's called a high.

SPEAKER_06 1:07:08

You know how easy it is to tear it apart. I lend it to you. We can keep it safe, maybe I'll let it to you. If you treat it in the least, it being inside my body is gone. I will take it back. I'll take it past.

unknown 1:08:25

I will speak for my speaker.

SPEAKER_16 1:09:12

Only on Sith Pop Symphony.

SPEAKER_09 1:09:58

Sound is in my leads. I can't believe the things you say. Twisting the bones under my sky. I speak that no one knows. But then it's time to go.

unknown 1:10:46

I hope to be as I knew by every time to pray. Study the face and pay pray.

SPEAKER_17 1:16:36

Right like you. Until you come up.

SPEAKER_16 1:16:46

You're listening to DJ Murt Williams with Sinister 80s in the mix. Only on Synthob Symphony.

SPEAKER_17 1:17:06

She's precaution.

unknown 1:17:46

Should I eat you? Just a very side.

SPEAKER_17 1:18:01

When she knows you know, she's nice.

SPEAKER_03 1:19:54

Devon l'Espagne en plus du quoi d'un voyage voyage Vol dans les houteurs. Au-dessus des cas de calde l'océan. Voyage voyage.

unknown 1:20:24

Voyage voyage.

SPEAKER_08 1:20:27

Dans l'espace, une douille de l'art. Voyage, voyage.

unknown 1:20:39

Voyez à voyager.

SPEAKER_03 1:21:11

Au-dessus du cabal, si des fatales, nous regardons l'océan. Voyage, voyage.

unknown 1:21:39

Voyage, voyage.

SPEAKER_08 1:24:47

All around me are familiar faces. Wonder faces, whatever faces. Like to live on my daily races. Don't win no way, don't we know? Actors are filling up my closet. No expression, no expression. I like that I want to tell my sorrow. But tomorrow, what tomorrow? I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad.

SPEAKER_06 1:25:21

The dreams and the job dying are the best I've ever had.

SPEAKER_08 1:25:25

I find it hard to tell you because I find it hard to take. When people run in settles, that's a very good Happy birthday, happy birthday. So feel no way that every child should have listened, sit down. Teacher told me what's my life said. But that's really, look at God of folly, I find it bad of sad.

unknown 1:26:22

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've all head.

SPEAKER_08 1:26:25

I find it hard to tell you things, I find it hard to take. When people run in circles, it's a very very good one. The dreams in which I died all the best kind of. I find it hard to tell you because I find it not to take.

SPEAKER_15 1:30:20

The best 80s remix is only on Synth Pop Symphony Winter is approaching, there's snow upon the ground.

SPEAKER_19 1:30:38

It's good of you to visit me. I'm glad you playing around. I don't know how you found you. I didn't let you know. I only moved to this address about a week ago. I guess you think you can run out, but that's not true. Other things will settle down. I never do. I always have to move on. Just have to go. I often wonder why that is. I'd like to say that I just come home.

SPEAKER_08 1:31:13

I guess all plays one day.

unknown 1:31:28

I guess all plays one day.

SPEAKER_19 1:31:34

But yeah, the summer's shorter, and winter's very cold. I'm looking forward to the peace my lonely life will hold. I'm feeling like baby. Thank you for the talk. It's funny how my problem soft when we went for a walk. And we'll get so much. I won't forget your confidence, I won't forget your touch. I'll come see you.

unknown 1:32:00

As it's true, we'll always be a one park off that alone, but I will be true. I guess, all players want that.

SPEAKER_08 1:32:13

I guess all players want to play.

SPEAKER_05 1:36:59

Falling on my head like a new emotion. I want to walk in the open wing. I want to talk like lovers do. Want to dive into your ocean? Is it raining with you? So baby talk to me. Raining in my head like a tragedy. Tearing me apart like a new emotion. I want to breathe in the open wind. I want to kiss like lovers do. I want to dive into your ocean. Is it meaning with you?

unknown 1:38:51

Somebody talk to me.

SPEAKER_08 1:39:41

Like lovers do.

SPEAKER_05 1:39:53

Here comes the rain again. Raining in my head like a tragedy. Tearing me apart like a new emotion. I want to breathe in the open wind. I want to kiss like lovers do. Want to dive into your ocean. Here comes the rain again. Raining in my head like a tragedy. Tearing me apart like a new emotion. I want to breathe in the open wind. I want to kiss like lovers do. I want to dive into your ocean.

unknown 1:40:54

Like lovers do. Like lovers do. Like lovers do. Like lovers do.

SPEAKER_05 1:41:52

Here comes the rain again. Falling on my head like a memory. Falling on my head like a new emotion. Here it comes again, here it comes again.

unknown 1:42:06

I want to walk in the open wing. I want to talk like lover's new. Want to dive into the emotion. Is it breathing with you? Falling on my head like a member dream. Falling on my head like a new emotion. I want to walk in the open wheel. I want to talk like lovers do. I want to dive into your ocean.

SPEAKER_08 1:43:25

I want surprises.

unknown 1:44:16

That's the solution. I'm leaving tomorrow. Now as I stand and stare into your eyes, I see safety there. I was surprised there. What I really need to do is find myself friend you love someone who has that way. Who doesn't notice all the others? What I really need to do is find us when you love alone. Yeah, yeah. I want surprises. When you wake up tomorrow, you'll be alone. All the love that we have, I have quickly as broad. I want it to stay, but I just couldn't choose. I need to leave you by yourself and go in search of someone else to satisfy my curiosity. I made my decision I'm leaving tomorrow. I believe that you've got to need to do is find myself when you love us, someone who understands that no disobey. What I really need to do is find the friend you love. What I really need to do is find myself when you love a summon. What I really need to do is find the when you love love. She was trying to try one.

SPEAKER_16 1:54:24

Synth Bob Symphony, the past, present, and future of Synth driven music.

unknown 1:56:18

Something I've been trees.

SPEAKER_08 1:56:39

Don't you know you're gonna shout the monkey? I know about that.

unknown 1:57:07

I can't take any with the monkey. Don't you know you're gonna shop the phone? Don't you know you're gonna shop the phone cable?

SPEAKER_01 1:59:29

Well, that's it for another episode of Sinpop Symphony. A big shout out to Brian and Sarah from the Permanent Record Podcast for joining me today. Be sure to check out their red flag feature and keep an ear out because I'll be in their studio with them in the coming weeks. From Los Angeles, this is Matt Williams signing off. Be good to one another. And let's connect the world through music.

SPEAKER_16 1:59:49

You are signing off Sinpop Symphony with DJ Matt Williams.