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History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff

By: Pantheon Media
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About this listen

 History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics like tapping and twin leads. The songs serve as bricks, but Martin slathers plenty of mortar. At the end, hopefully he has a sturdy house in which this week’s theory can reside unbothered by the elements. At approximately 7000, Martin has had published in books more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting. Proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.2019-2023 Pantheon Podcasts Music
Episodes
  • History in Five Songs Episode 311: Covers, not grunge, killed hair metal.

    History in Five Songs Episode 311: Covers, not grunge, killed hair metal.
    Jun 10 2025
    In Episode 311 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin argues that the real nail in hair metal's coffin wasn’t grunge, but the wave of uninspired cover songs that undermined the genre’s credibility and alienated metal purists from the very start. Quiet Riot – “Cum on Feel the Noize” Great White – “Gimme Some Lovin’” Mötley Crüe – “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” Twisted Sister – “Leader of the Pack” Poison – “Your Mama Don’t Dance” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • History in Five Songs Episode 310: Struggling with the Greatest New Wave Bands

    History in Five Songs Episode 310: Struggling with the Greatest New Wave Bands
    Jun 3 2025
    In Episode 310 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin wrestles with defining the genre and counts down his five favorite—yet genre-challengingly eclectic—new wave bands, kicking off with the Boomtown Rats and Devo in a tightly-defined 1979-focused episode. The Boomtown Rats – “Keep it Up” Devo – “Blockhead” The Police – “No Time This Time” The Jam – “Girl on the Phone” XTC – “Scissor Man” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • History in Five Songs Episode 309: New Wave’s Pub Rock Problem

    History in Five Songs Episode 309: New Wave’s Pub Rock Problem
    May 27 2025
    In Episode 309 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin delves into the theory that traditional, conservative pub rock diluted the innovation of New Wave, highlighting how artists like Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, and Rockpile carried this "pub rock problem" into a genre otherwise defined by its creative and edgy origins. Elvis Costello – “The Beat” Joe Jackson – “Kinda Kute” Rockpile – “A Knife and a Fork” Talking Heads – “New Feeling” Patti Smith – “Space Monkey” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
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I was absolutely convinced that Whitesnake was going to get an honorable mention. Cool list man. Great to hear someone give Brian Howe some love.

cool stuff.

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Love hearing this guy talk about music.Discovered him on a YouTube channel called Sea Of Tranquility.He is a regular guest on there.Was hoping to find his book about Blue Oyster Cult on here but this show will keep me occupied for awhile.

Professor Popoff

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