Episode 27 - The Year 2004

Around 2003 and 2004, the New York rock revival scene was reaching its peak. Rock was back, and alongside legacy alternative rock acts from the 90s, there was a new, stripped down back to basics approach to rock that was taking hold all over North America, orbiting around scenes in New York, Austin and Montreal. While this scene was going on in the U.S. and Canada, the UK was seeing its share of similar revivalist acts. Some were copying what was going on in New York, to be sure – but other bands and artists took inspiration from their own local history of post punk and new wave like Joy Division, Wire, Gang of Four, The Cure, and Echo and the Bunnymen. The year 2004 could be considered a transitional year, setting the stage for the avalanche of new bands from North America and Western Europe, that would continue until 2008. In this episode you'll hear from The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, The Walkmen, Kasabian, The Von Bondies, Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire…and yes, even GREEN DAY, who put out their ambitious political concept album AMERICAN IDIOT that year, letting everyone know about their opinion on the George W. Bush Presidency. In 2025, those times seem pretty tame by comparison. 

Also, new intro music this week, to signify getting into a multi-part series covering the mid 2000s. Enjoy!

Original airdate: March 22nd, 2025

1. The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now
2. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out
3. The Walkmen - The Rat
4. Death From Above 1979 - Romantic Rights
5. The Von Bondies - C'mon C'mon
6. Interpol - C'mere
7. Green Day - Holiday
8. Ash - Orpheus
9. The Cribs - You Were Always the One
10. Autolux - Sugarless
11. Ambulance LTD - Heavy Lifting
12. Modest Mouse - Float On
13. Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
14. Kasabian - Club Foot
15. The Killers - Mr. Brightside