🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck: Rest in Power, Paul Di’Anno—and Please, Kids, Go to a Damn Show

This week, your faithful host Mark Bradbourne kicks off with equal parts reverence and rage. He opens by honoring the late Paul Di’Anno, Iron Maiden’s original vocalist, and then fires a shot across the generational bow after guest lecturing at Bowling Green State University and discovering a shocking truth: today’s youth are not going to concerts.

“I asked, ‘What do you do then?’ And the kid goes, ‘I rot.’ Bro… that’s not a hobby. That’s a cause of death.”

If you’re here looking for authentic, unapologetic music commentary and some rock-solid track picks—you’re in the right place.

⚰️ Remembering Paul Di’Anno: The Punk Who Helped Birth Metal

For the uninitiated, Paul Di’Anno fronted Iron Maiden on their first two albums (Iron Maiden and Killers) and helped launch the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Though he never embraced the “metal” label—leaning more punk—his vocals were foundational.

• 🧨 Known for his trouble with substances, solo flops, and colorful quotes (he once called Steve Harris “Hitler”)
• ✌️ Later years seemed to bring reconciliation with bandmates
• 🖤 Passed at age 66 after years of health battles

“Rest in power, Paul. You helped start something that still shakes speakers today.”

🎓 Bowling Green Blues: Why Aren’t Students Going to Shows?

Mark recently spoke to music classes at BGSU and got hit with a truth bomb: fewer than 10% of students raise their hands when asked if they go to concerts.

“We desperately need a resurgence of rock.”

The highlight? One student straight-up said, “I rot,” when asked what they do instead. Yikes.

But hey, if you’re from that class and you’re tuning in this week: thanks for putting up with Mark’s “dumb ass.” You’re alright.

🌟 Honorable Mentions: Alumni Still Crushing It

To avoid repetition fatigue, Mark introduces a new feature: shout-outs to previous podcast artists who are still releasing killer music.

• High Fade – “Pick Me Up” 🎸 (new single from their upcoming album)
• JOHNNYSWIM – “Monte Carlo” 🚗 (run-up to their 2025 album)

Go revisit those names if you’ve been riding the Songs That Don’t Suck train for a while.

🎶 5 New Songs That Absolutely Don’t Suck

From classic rock swagger to folk-punk venom, here’s the lineup that made the cut this week.

1. The Band Feel – “In the Garden”

🌿 Classic Rock Revival | St. Louis Swagger | Dirty Honey Vibes
Recommended by Jordy from The Bites, this band delivers Zeppelin-style guitar riffs, arena-ready vocals, and slide guitar perfection. Touring with Dirty Honey, they’re proudly waving the flag for true rock.

🎧 Mark’s take: “Everything you want in gritty, feel-it-in-your-gut rock.”

2. Pseudopomp – “Only Just”

🔥 Alt-Rock | Sultry Vocals | Gwen Stefani Flashbacks
Katarina leans into her No Doubt side with vocals that feel both nostalgic and new. Aggressive yet melodic, the track oscillates between haunting and heavy.

🎧 Hook highlight: That chorus hits just right, then melts into a ghostly guitar line.

3. Zeny Bux – “If I Fade”

🇬🇧 Brit-Rock | Manchester Mojo | Oasis-Adjacent
Only 19, Zeny carries the DNA of bands like Travis and Oasis but injects more rock energy and tempo. A few listens in, it starts to stick—and you’ll be glad it did.

🎧 Verdict: This one grows on you like a vintage Britpop tattoo.

4. Soccer Mommy – “Abigail”

🛏️ Bedroom Indie Pop | Layered Simplicity | Dreamy & Clean
Mark rarely features this genre, but Abigail is different. Honest, un-overproduced, and melodically rich. A high-register hook in the verse seals the deal.

🎧 Best listened with: Headphones and a window cracked on a quiet night.

5. Jack Kays – “No Children”

🥃 Folk Punk | Mandolin Fury | Acoustic Catharsis
This one’s a bourbon-drinking, sit-in-the-dark kind of tune. Upright bass, acoustic guitar, and zero fluff. Just a short, angry burst of brilliance.

🎧 Feels like: Dropkick Murphys minus the Guinness and bagpipes.

📸 …and I quote…

❝ I asked the kid what he does instead of concerts, and he said, ‘I rot.’ Brother, that’s not a hobby—that’s a final outcome. ❞
— Mark Bradbourne, Songs That Don’t Suck 🎤🔥