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S.W. Lauden

@stevewlauden.bsky.social

467 followers 163 following 352 posts

Writer, author, drummer. Edits the guitar pop newsletter Remember The Lightning: rememberthelightning.substack.com. Contributor for Big Takeover. Drummer for Tsar, The Brothers Steve, Ken Layne & The Corvids, and Ridel High (aka "Coulter").

Posts Replies Media

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Softjaw’s debut album is one the most anticipated power pop releases of the year…and we have your first taste. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

⚡️💥 VIDEO PREMIERE: Softjaw

Get The Lowdown On Their New Single “Love Can’t Kill You”

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

“No one would have picked us out of that crowd of bands at the time to be the one that made it as far as we have. We didn’t look or sound professional and did not seem to have potential the way the other bands did.” —Rivers Cuomo #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Heavy Metal Begat Geek Rock

Book Excerpt: From Avant Garde To Weezer & Beyond

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Wrote about one of my favorite "power" pop songs ever. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

The Understated Power Of A Pop Ballad

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The LA music scene keeps delivering great new bands. Lately I’ve been loving the jangly debut album by The Freebies, a ‘60s-soaked guitar pop group fronted by Bre Limón. #music #musicsky

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Interview: The Freebies

Bre Limón Discusses The LA Band’s Debut Album

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Fun chat with Descendents/All guitarist Stephen Egerton about his poppy new solo album, '“I Think You’re Overthinking This.” #musicstack #music

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Interview: Stephen Egerton

Discussing His New Solo Album, ‘I Think You’re Overthinking This’

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Your weekend soundtrack has arrived. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 43

10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Updated Playlists)

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Decades later, I still love every version of The Replacements (some more than others)—but I always come back to 'Sorry Ma.' #musicsky #music

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‘Sorry Ma’ At 45

An Ode To The Replacements’ Stunning 1981 Debut Album

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Ronnie Barnett of The Muffs joins the "Is It Power Pop?!" party. #musicsky #music

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Is It Power Pop?!

PART THIRTY TWO: Ronnie Barnett

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Esteemed MusicStacker @joebonomo.bsky.social steps up to the “Is It Power Pop?!” plate and knocks it outta the park. He even throws one curveball that will likely have a few purists ready for a bench-clearing brawl. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Is It Power Pop?!

PART THIRTY: Joe Bonomo

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Combining elements of ‘70s power pop (Big Star), ‘80s college rock (Replacements), and ‘90s alternative/lo-fi (GBV! GBV!), these 11 songs also contain some surprising twists and turns for a collection that feels so instantly familiar. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Interview: Mopar Stars

Discussing Their Album 'Official Researchers Of The NJ Devil'

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

“I think the shows that that are chaotic and exciting and make me go 'AHHHH, WHAT’S HAPPENING????' for most of the set are the ones that are the most thrilling to me.” — Jeff Whalen #musicsky #music

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Jeff Whalen's Bubblegum Strangeness

Gearing Up For His First Live Performance In A Couple Years

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Lee Coursey @lee-coursey.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

#music #musicsky 🎶🎸😎🔊 ❓IS IT #POWERPOP? Hey, Hey, Helen by ABBA (1975) Does it qualify as power pop? Power pop adjacent? Have I (as is probable) lost my mind? youtu.be/tN0d5QPDUZA @stevewlauden.bsky.social @powerpop.bsky.social @marcfagel.bsky.social @timmcintyre11.bsky.social

YouTube video by ABBA - Topic

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Slumberland Records @slumberlandrecords.com · 02/08/2026

That Grin tune! My old boss at a record shop I worked at in MD used to spin this one a lot.

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Lee Coursey @lee-coursey.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

🎶😎❤️

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Thrilled to have Yellow Pills founder Jordan Oakes join the series, delivering 5 immaculate song choices. #musicsky #music

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Is It Power Pop?!

PART TWENTY NINE: Jordan Oakes

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Since 1998, International Pop Overthrow festival has brought power pop (and adjacent!) artists and fans together to celebrate the melodic rock music we all love. #musicsky #music

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Interview: David Bash

Behind The Scenes At International Pop Overthrow Festival

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

🚨Awesome read as usual from Melanie‼️ Read📚, listen🎧🔊, enjoy😊 & have a great one folks🎶👊😎🚨

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Just because…🎶🎙️🎸🥁🎹🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊 #MorningMusic ☕️☕️☕️⛅️💨💨 I first heard this song on last weekend’s @indiepoptakeout.bsky.social 📻 broadcast & now a mention in this great piece by @stevewlauden.bsky.social Read📚, listen🎧🔊, enjoy😊 & have a great one folks🎶👊😎 m.youtube.com/watch?v=R6dk...

Summer's Almost Gone

YouTube video by The Goods - Topic

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Summer’s almost gone…so, let’s get back to the music.

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 42

10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Updated Playlists)

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

R.E.M. @remhq.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Here’s to 40 years of Lifes Rich Pageant

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

And we’re back! Natasha Olson kicks the next round of “Is It Power Pop?!” guest posts off with 5 excellent song choices. #musicsky #music #powerpop

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Is It Power Pop?!

PART TWENTY EIGHT: Natasha Olson

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

“‘I Am The Cosmos’ can also be interpreted as Chris Bell reclaiming the Big Star sound as his invention.” Guest post originally published in RTL Guitar Pop Journal in 2023. #musicsky #music

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Riding In Cars With Boys

GUEST POST: Mo Troper

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Diehard power pop fans love to debate. We know it when we hear it and boy do we want everybody to know when we hear it…often getting even louder when somebody else’s opinion is wrong. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Even Power Pop Purists Agree On Certain Songs

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Book week continues at RTL… I’ve read more books about Ramones than any other band. Here are seven that I think are must-reads for fans. #musicsky #books #music #ramones

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Hey! Ho! Let's Go Read!

Seven Must-Read Ramones Books

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

BGinCHI @bginchi.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Some good stuff here. @marcfagel.bsky.social

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

It’s book week here at RTL. We’re kicking things off with some recent rock read recommendations. #musicsky #books “Spin a tale about how a budding musician first picked up a guitar or how a young band got together because of the British Invasion and I am all in.”

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Summer Rock Reads

10 Highly Recommend Books

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Hooky rock and roll is mostly underground music these days, so it takes a little extra work to discover—but it’s definitely worth the effort.

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Guitar Pop For Now People—Part 41

10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Updated Playlists)

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

AIK @andrewinkenosha.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Dino’s Bar and Grill was the place to be in 1976 Great jukebox Occasional fights People were dressed to kill

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Artists emerged and evolved at warp speed in 1966. #music #musicsky

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Eight Albums Turning 60 In 2026

Artists Emerged & Evolved At Warp Speed In 1966

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

1976 Was An Incredible Year For Punk, Rock, and Power Pop. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Eight Albums Turning 50 In 2026

1976 Was An Incredible Year For Punk, Rock, and Power Pop

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

LAist @laist.com · 17/06/2026

There's a reason everyone's suddenly into mahjong. Come find out why. 🀄 LAist's Learn & Play night kicks off with a beginner's lesson (no experience needed!) followed by open tables for everyone — newbies, beginners and patient intermediates alike. RSVP here: vist.ly/583mg 🎥 Fiona Ng

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Slumberland Records @slumberlandrecords.com · 17/06/2026

Coming soon: a compilation of Velocity Girl's early years, including rare 7"s, b-sides, split singles, some unreleased songs, a few covers, the big hit, and much more, going all the way back to the first SLR release. With extensive liner notes & more! slumberlandrecs.lsnto.me/velocity-gir...

slumberlandrecs.lsnto.me

Velocity Girl "1989-1992"

Velocity Girl "1989-1992" Links. Available on all popular platforms.

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

It's Saturday, folks, Let's get weird. #musicsky #fiction #collage

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Three Fake Bands

A Collision Of Collage & Fiction

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Here’s the second half of Ryan Allen’s excellent deep dive on the history of Michigan’s (non-existent?) power pop scene. If you missed Part 1, it’s in the first comment. #musicsky #music

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A Partially-Witnessed History of Michigan Power Pop (Part 2)

Guest Post: Ryan Allen (+ Curated Michigan Power Pop Playlist)

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Just because…🎶🎙️🎸🥁🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔉🔊 #MorningMusic ☕️☕️☕️☀️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Guest post by @ryanallenmuzik.bsky.social over at the always awesome “REMEMBER THE L⚡️GHTNING” ( @stevewlauden.bsky.social ) …read📚, listen🎶📝🎧🔊 & have a great day folks😊🤞 Be safe, strong & well🎶👊😎 m.youtube.com/watch?v=MhEy...

Anxious All The Time

YouTube video by Ryan Allen and His Extra Arms - Topic

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Here’s part one of an excellent two part series by Ryan Allen exploring the origins of Michigan power pop. Plus a curated Michigan Power Pop playlist. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

A Partially-Witnessed History of Michigan Power Pop (Part 1)

Guest Post: Ryan Allen (+ Curated Michigan Power Pop Playlist)

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Just because…🎶🎙️🎸🥁🎹🎺📻🥃🍷🍻🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #playlist 📝 by @stevewlauden.bsky.social #PowerPopOfTheDay m.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5o...

YouTube video by Fountains Of Wayne - Topic

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

A new (and hardwon) 40-song power pop playlist for your weekend listening pleasure. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Power Pop Radio

New 40-Song Playlist Featuring "Radio" Songs

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

🚨📚Helluva read on 1️⃣9️⃣8️⃣6️⃣📚🚨

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

I had a really hard time time narrowing this list down (so I cheated a little). #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Eight Albums Turning 40 In 2026

1986 Was A Pivotal Year For New Music

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Wallytbm @wallytbm.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Care of @stevewlauden.bsky.social

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Latest installment in the collaborative music writing project with my daughter. The Cure + Dinosaur Jr = Just Like Heaven #musicsky #music

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X/Z Song Trader: "Just Like Heaven"

A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Hard to believe this series has been going for 40 consecutive months. Time flies. Great new guitar pop keeps arriving. #musicsky #music

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Guitar Pop For Now People—Part XL

10 Recent Tracks + Music Reviewers/Publications (+ Updated Playlists)

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Always great chatting with my pal @whatamimaking.bsky.social! Here’s my impression of me: “blahblah thereplacements blahblahblah robynhitchcock blahblahblahblah power pop blah blah blah” #musicsky #podcast

whatamimaking.substack.com

#024: Six Questions With S.W. Lauden

Hey there friends, welcome back to Six Questions With Matty C. This week, I welcome drummer, music writer, and power pop aficionado, S.W. Lauden into the Sheddio for a half dozen sonic riddles.

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Four new releases for your weekend listening pleasure! #musicsky #music

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May Album Reviews: Bloody Red Baron

GUEST POST: Mike Baron

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Wallytbm @wallytbm.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Great feature on Robyn Hitchcock @robynhitchcock.bsky.social by @stevewlauden.bsky.social rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/robyn-hitc...

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Robyn Hitchcock Is This Thing

The Psych Pop Troubadour Continues To Amaze

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Fantastic Robyn Hitchcock show at Zebulon in LA last night! #musicsky #music @robynhitchcock.bsky.social

rememberthelightning.substack.com

Robyn Hitchcock Is This Thing

The Psych Pop Troubadour Continues To Amaze

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #playlist 🎶💥📝 #PowerPopOfTheDay Thx @stevewlauden.bsky.social 🎶👊😎

Reposted by S.W. Lauden

Steve Johnson @luvthemats.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

#DavidsMonthOfMusic #MusicChallenge Day 16 - That's NSFW “F🤬🤬k School” by The Replacements m.youtube.com/watch?v=mguT...

YouTube video by The Replacements - Topic

S.W. Lauden @stevewlauden.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

New 40-song power pop playlist! #musicsky #music rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/new-power-...

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New Power Pop Playlist

A Collection Of Hooky Songs With "Me" In The Title