S.W. Lauden
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stevewlauden.bsky.social
S.W. Lauden
@stevewlauden.bsky.social
Writer, author, drummer. Edits the guitar pop newsletter Remember The Lightning: https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/. Contributor for Big Takeover. Drummer for Tsar, The Brothers Steve, Ken Layne & The Corvids, and Ridel High (aka "Coulter").
New video for the remastered 1995 demo of "Winona Ryder" by my band Ridel High. This is featured on the new 5-song digital EP “B-Sides + Demoes” arriving Feb. 13 on streaming and Bandcamp.
#musicsky #music
Ridel High — "Winona Ryder" (2026 Remaster)
YouTube video by Ridel High (Official)
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Reposted by S.W. Lauden
@stevewlauden.bsky.social - So many great new song picks in this edition! GPFNP is one of my go-to sources for discovering fantastic new melodic pop-rock music:

rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/guitar-pop...
Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 36
10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Playlist)
rememberthelightning.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:54 AM
Reposted by S.W. Lauden
Just because…college hoops🏀📺🔇…🎶🎙️🎸🥁🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊

#BestSongHeardToday 🎶👊😎

“Winona Ryder” by Ridel High
@stevewlauden.bsky.social

m.youtube.com/watch?v=3ayp...
Ridel High — "Winona Ryder" (2026 Remaster)
YouTube video by Ridel High (Official)
m.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM
This is my fourth year exploring guitar pop albums celebrating notable milestones. A fun trip down memory (or discovery) lane awaits. #musicsky #music
Eight Albums Turning 20 In 2026
2006 Was A Great Year For Hooky Guitar Pop
rememberthelightning.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Kurt Baker discusses his new power pop single “Undertow Afterglow” and his recent move to NYC.
#musicsky #music
@kurtmiltonbaker.bsky.social
Interview: Kurt Baker
GUEST POST: Curt Vance
rememberthelightning.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by S.W. Lauden
12-inch single version of 1979 song "The Number One Song in Heaven" by Sparks. Produced by Giorgio Moroder. Reached #14 on the UK chart. Title track of their 1979 album. #NewWave m.youtube.com/watch?v=HVa1...
Sparks feat. Giorgio Moroder - The Number One Song In Heaven (12" Single)
YouTube video by OasisRecords1975
m.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:51 AM
“I think the most interesting thing about punk’s mutations is that everybody seems to have a different idea of what #punk is. I swear, the next fucker who tries to tell me what ‘punk rock ethics’ are, I’m going to fucking punch them.”—Rat Scabies, The Damned (@thedamned.bsky.social)
#musicsky #drums
Interview: Rat Scabies
How The Damned Drummer Got Into Punk Rock
rememberthelightning.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:05 PM
A chat with Weezer’s Pat Wilson about the incredible drumming on “Pinkerton” as the 30th anniversary looms in 2026…

“I think it’s cool that we didn’t make another Blue Album and were willing to just let it rip…” —Pat Wilson

#musicsky #music @weezer.bsky.social
Interview: Pat Wilson
Weezer's Drummer Discusses His Playing On 'Pinkerton'
substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Part 3 in a 5-part series about drummers and drumming at Remember The Lightning. This one from Nada Surf drummer Ira Elliot is a favorite! “Rock and roll music is a folk art; you don’t need a degree from Berklee to make it.”
@nadasurftalk.bsky.social #musicsky #music #drummer
Putting The POW! In Power Pop
Book Excerpt: Ira Elliot
rememberthelightning.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Thrilled to share Lynn Perko-Truell's full essay about her hardcore drumming roots and the musical journey it created.
This is a full essay book excerpt from "Forbidden Beat: Perspectives on Punk Drumming" that I curated for Rare Bird Books. #musicsky #music #punk #drumming
You're Pretty Good For A Girl
Book Excerpt: Lynn Perko-Truell
rememberthelightning.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:05 PM
We've got the premiere of the new Uni Boys single "I Don't Wanna Dream Anymore"—a sugary jolt of heartbreak that’s sure to thrill genre fanatics and lovers of hooky, should be radio hits. I also had a quick chat with Noah Nash and Reza Matin about their new album. #Musicsky #Music
@bigtakeover.com
Video Premiere: Uni Boys - "I Don't Wanna Dream Anymore" (Curation Records)
bigtakeover.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
My friends at Rare Bird recently asked me to interview Chris Mars about his excellent new book "7:42 P.M."
#musicsky #music #art #books
Talking Art With Chris Mars
Thoughts On Painting, Creativity, Songwriting & More
rememberthelightning.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:54 PM
2025 isn’t over yet…and there’s still great new guitar pop to discover. #musicsky #music
December Album Reviews: Bloody Red Baron
GUEST POST: Mike Baron
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I’ve always been strangely drawn to secular songs that namecheck Jesus. Perhaps I sense a familiar exploration of conflicted feelings, or it tickles that literary itch I acquired in high school and college. #musicsky #music #holidaymusic
Secular Hymns
Big Star, Supergrass, Leonard Cohen, Neutral Milk Hotel + More
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Grab your Golfshirt! Nerf Herder’s debut album is turning 30. @parrygripp.bsky.social and Steve Sherlock talk about the band’s origin story. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/nerf-herde...
December 20, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by S.W. Lauden
Holdin' Out (Demo)
YouTube video by Tsar - Topic
m.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:29 PM
There's still great recent music to discover in 2025! (Including a new Kate Clover holiday track destined for the naughty list...) #musicsky #music
Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 35
10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Playlist)
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by S.W. Lauden
Kim Theory is a teen punk band that’s part of a vibrant grassroots scene in the Los Angeles foothills. Their impressive debut EP, Bitch Scene, was produced by punk legend Paul Roessler at his Kitten Robot Studios. Interview by @stevewlauden.bsky.social
Interview: Kim Theory
bigtakeover.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Get the backstory on this legendary '90s geek rock album that turns 30 in 2026. Interviews with @parrygripp.bsky.social and Steve Sherlock from Nerf Herder. #music #musicsky
Nerf Herder's Debut Album Turns 30
The Santa Barbara Geek Rockers Are Celebrating The Anniversary In Style
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
An indie rock band with a quirky name, high-energy sound, and hooks for days? Sign me up. Check out my interview with Vegas With Randolph. #musicsky #music
Interview: Vegas With Randolph
Discussing The Band's Recent 'Best Of..." Collection
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Check out video from Quazar & the Bamboozled’s "Burning Down The House" session + quotes about the new fire relief comp from Dawes, Rilo Kiley, and Daniel Brummel.
#musicsky #music
@dawestheband.bsky.social @rilokileyofficial.bsky.social @danielbrummel.bsky.social @floodmagazine.bsky.social
Indie Stars Shine On New Fire Relief Comp
RILO KILEY, DAWES, DANIEL BRUMMEL & MORE + VIDEO PREMIERE: Inside QUAZAR & THE BAMBOOZLED's 'Burning Down The House' Session
substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by S.W. Lauden
#MusicChallenge
#SoundtrackThis
12/11 - Perspective

“Her Perspective From My Perspective” by Ridel High
@stevewlauden.bsky.social

m.youtube.com/watch?v=XRYR...
December 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Latest in the music writing series I do with my daughter Lucy.
This time around we tackle on of my fav Teenage Fanclub songs. I have a lot of favorites, but this one's always near the top of the list. ALSO DISCUSSED: What long strange year it has been. #music #musicsky #powerpop
X/Z Song Trader: "December"
A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:55 AM
'Tis the season
#musicsky #music #powerpop
December 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Earlier this year I wrote about a few albums that were part of a 1,000+ vinyl collection destroyed by the Eaton Fire. This is a follow up about 10 more albums I’ve wanted to reach for in recent months.
#musicsky #music #vinyl
Melted Wax—Part 2
When A Vinyl Collection Goes Up In Flames
rememberthelightning.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:59 PM