SNL, Sonic Memories & 4 Songs That Don’t Suck
🎬 Saturday Night Live: The Unsung Music Powerhouse
This week’s episode of Songs That Don’t Suck opens not with music, but with memories—specifically, how Saturday Night Live has influenced music culture for 50 years. While most people remember the sketches and cast members, Mark reminds us of the show’s musical risks and triumphs:
📌 Notable SNL Musical Moments:
- 🤯 Fear wrecked the set in a punk fury (thanks, Belushi)
- 🎤 First-ever hip-hop TV appearance: Funky 4 + 1 More (1981), chosen by Blondie’s Debbie Harry
- 🎸 Nirvana’s breakout performance—before they were huge
- 👑 Prince, Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Public Enemy… all early-stage bookings
- 🕊️ Paul Simon’s post-9/11 tribute + reunion with Art Garfunkel
- 💥 Rage Against the Machine v. Steve Forbes’ security detail
- 🛑 Career missteps: Ashlee Simpson’s lip-sync disaster, Garth Brooks as Chris Gaines
🎙️ “For every dozen amazing performances, there are duds—but musically, SNL has always been top tier.”
Mark credits SNL for introducing him to genre-defining acts during his high school years, turning casual viewing into lifelong fandom.
🔥 4 Songs That Don’t Suck This Week
1. 🚀 Never Give Up – Tors
Three UK brothers deliver an emotionally uplifting folk-rock anthem that’s catchy, heartfelt, and sneakily complex in its layering.
🎧 Highlights:
- Anthemic chorus
- Layered guitar interplay
- Counterpoint keyboard/vocal melodies
“You’ll find yourself humming it without even realizing.”
🎸 For fans of: Sam Fender, early Coldplay, Of Monsters and Men
2. ⚾ America’s Favorite Pastime – Hotel Mira
Third time on the pod, and for good reason—Hotel Mira nails classic song structure with infectious guitar licks, a slick bridge, and even a rare guitar solo. Rock done right.
🎵 Highlights:
- Between-verse guitar “lick,” not just a riff
- Tight bridge into a shredding solo
“They just write great rock songs. Simple as that.”
🎶 For fans of: The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon
3. 💔 Say Something – The Luka State
Powerful and vulnerable at once, this track showcases dynamic vocals and standout drumming that brings unexpected syncopation to the verses.
🥁 Highlights:
- Distinctive vocal tone with emotional contrast
- Misplaced accents on drums create tension and drive
“It’s raw and honest—exactly what I want from rock.”
🎤 For fans of: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Biffy Clyro
4. 🇬🇧 London – Badflower
Alt-rock gets a sultry makeover. With its lounge-y bridge, slinky shuffle, and dynamic tension between chorus and verse, this track is pure swagger.
🎼 Highlights:
- Crooner-style bridge with piano and vocal
- Belting chorus vs. chilled verses
“Slinky and sexy… one of the best transitions between moods I’ve heard in a while.”
🎙️ For fans of: Muse, Nothing But Thieves, Queens of the Stone Age
🌐 Join the No-Noise Music Community
Mark’s trimming the social media fat and focusing on meaningful, noise-free engagement. Where should you go?
- 🧠 SongsThatDontSuck.net
→ Stream songs, read posts, buy merch, and join the new community forum - 💬 Recommend bands, leave feedback, subscribe to the newsletter
- 📱 Instagram and BlueSky only—because the rest is just clutter
🧠 “These are the best places to build community, not social media.”
🎨 …and I quote…
❝ SNL introduced me to artists that changed my life. That’s what I try to do here—on a much smaller scale. ❞
— Mark Bradbourne 🎙️
Next week: More genre gems, fewer algorithm fails. If you know someone who loves music that doesn’t suck, tell them about the pod. 🎙️🎶
