Stupid & Contagious

This week on the podcast, we're joined by Andy Cairns, frontman of Therapy? one of the most distinctive and enduring bands to come out of the UK alternative rock scene.

Over the last three decades, Therapy? have released 17 studio albums, toured the world, appeared on Top of the Pops, shared stages with everyone from Helmet and the Jesus Lizard to Henry Rollins, and somehow managed to survive every trend the music industry has thrown at them!
But this conversation goes way beyond the music.

Andy talks about what it was really like growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, how music became an escape from everyday life, the punk scene that shaped him, the accidental story behind the Therapy? name, signing to a major label, the highs and lows of the 90s, turning down Korn as a support band, and why the band is still making records and looking forward after more than 35 years.

It's honest, funny, thoughtful and packed with incredible stories from one of alternative rock's most respected voices.
This is Andy Cairns of Therapy? enjoy!

Stupid & Contagious STORE https://stupid-contagious-podcast.myshopify.com

Welcome to The Stupid And Contagious podcast, a podcast focused on bringing you interviews with the bands that defined a generation!

That generation grew up in the 90s with the Grebo bands (Senseless Things, PWEI, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Mega City Four, The Wonderstuff and many more) on the UK side of the pond and quickly joined by the grunge bands (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and many more) on the US side of the pond.

We are not limiting ourselves to these genres though, we will chart the guitar bands from all genres throughout the decade that was the 1990s.

If you are into 1990s guitar music or just a music lover in general then this is the podcast for you!

Please also subscribe and follow the podcast on the social media links below

Stupid & Contagious Podcast
Itunes https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stupid-contagious/id1705645715
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7xXYSVnQ6NVFd3WGs9dspV
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/af953bc7-3c3a-421c-bc6a-17bbe4c07819/stupid-contagious
All the Socials! https://linktr.ee/stupidandcontagious
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPJ5FhcYAHO7UhrRtTtgGw
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast/
MIXTAPE https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5pfjDlMKrXlDh0tWgmQBlb
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 150 we chat to Danny McNamara, frontman of Embrace.

Over the last three decades, Embrace have had one of the most fascinating careers in British music. From exploding onto the scene in the late '90s, to being dropped by their record label, coming back stronger than ever, and still releasing acclaimed new music today, they've managed something very few bands ever do - they've survived!

Danny joins us to talk about the band's brand new album Avalanche, why he believes they're making some of the best music of their career, how becoming a father completely changed the way he writes songs, what it was really like sharing stages with David Bowie, touring with Coldplay before they became the biggest band in the world, and why most bands fade away while Embrace just keep evolving.
It's an honest, funny, and surprisingly philosophical conversation about creativity, family, success, failure, and what it really takes to stay together for over 30 years.
This is Danny McNamara of Embrace!

Stupid & Contagious STORE https://stupid-contagious-podcast.myshopify.com

Welcome to The Stupid And Contagious podcast, a podcast focused on bringing you interviews with the bands that defined a generation!

That generation grew up in the 90s with the Grebo bands (Senseless Things, PWEI, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Mega City Four, The Wonderstuff and many more) on the UK side of the pond and quickly joined by the grunge bands (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and many more) on the US side of the pond.

We are not limiting ourselves to these genres though, we will chart the guitar bands from all genres throughout the decade that was the 1990s.

If you are into 1990s guitar music or just a music lover in general then this is the podcast for you!

Please also subscribe and follow the podcast on the social media links below

Stupid & Contagious Podcast
Itunes https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stupid-contagious/id1705645715
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7xXYSVnQ6NVFd3WGs9dspV
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/af953bc7-3c3a-421c-bc6a-17bbe4c07819/stupid-contagious
All the Socials! https://linktr.ee/stupidandcontagious
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPJ5FhcYAHO7UhrRtTtgGw
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast/
MIXTAPE https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6V4sDpFMoNq9pN5Idf8gA9
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us for our 'Hot Take' Special are Mike and Dave, and we've all come armed with a collection of music opinions that are guaranteed to divide listeners. Some of them we genuinely believe. Some of them we're going to have to defend whether we believe them or not!

Over the next hour we're arguing over questions like: Is Britpop actually better than grunge? Was Oasis destined for greatness without The Beatles? Is Screamadelica overrated? Were Coldplay ever actually good? And does modern music have anything on the 90s?

The rules are simple. One person throws out a hot take, everyone else decides whether they agree or disagree, and then the debate begins!

So grab a brew, let us know in the comments which opinions you agree with, and which ones are completely ridiculous!

Stupid & Contagious STORE https://stupid-contagious-podcast.myshopify.com

Welcome to The Stupid And Contagious podcast, a podcast focused on bringing you interviews with the bands that defined a generation!

That generation grew up in the 90s with the Grebo bands (Senseless Things, PWEI, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Mega City Four, The Wonderstuff and many more) on the UK side of the pond and quickly joined by the grunge bands (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and many more) on the US side of the pond.

We are not limiting ourselves to these genres though, we will chart the guitar bands from all genres throughout the decade that was the 1990s.

If you are into 1990s guitar music or just a music lover in general then this is the podcast for you!

Please also subscribe and follow the podcast on the social media links below

Stupid & Contagious Podcast
Itunes https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stupid-contagious/id1705645715
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7xXYSVnQ6NVFd3WGs9dspV
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/af953bc7-3c3a-421c-bc6a-17bbe4c07819/stupid-contagious
All the Socials! https://linktr.ee/stupidandcontagious
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPJ5FhcYAHO7UhrRtTtgGw
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast/
MIXTAPE https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7cEThEFD7guAT3NiTIlacA
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty years ago, Vent 414 arrived with one incredible album and then disappeared almost as quickly as they came. Formed from the ashes of The Wonder Stuff and featuring Miles Hunt, Morgan Nicholls and Pete Howard, they left behind a record that became a cult favourite for fans of 90s alternative rock.
Now, three decades later, they're back!

In episode 148 Miles and Morgan join us to talk about how an unexpected studio session turned into a brand new Vent 414 album, what it was like reconnecting after 30 years, working with legendary producer Steve Albini on the original record, and why touring has become harder than ever in 2026.
We also dive into the stories behind some of the standout tracks from the new album, including the deeply moving "Lucinda", and find out whether this long-awaited reunion is just the beginning of Vent 414's second chapter.

This is Miles Hunt and Morgan Nicholls of Vent 414, enjoy!

Stupid & Contagious STORE https://stupid-contagious-podcast.myshopify.com

Welcome to The Stupid And Contagious podcast, a podcast focused on bringing you interviews with the bands that defined a generation!

That generation grew up in the 90s with the Grebo bands (Senseless Things, PWEI, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Mega City Four, The Wonderstuff and many more) on the UK side of the pond and quickly joined by the grunge bands (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and many more) on the US side of the pond.

We are not limiting ourselves to these genres though, we will chart the guitar bands from all genres throughout the decade that was the 1990s.

If you are into 1990s guitar music or just a music lover in general then this is the podcast for you!

Please also subscribe and follow the podcast on the social media links below

Stupid & Contagious Podcast
Itunes https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stupid-contagious/id1705645715
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7xXYSVnQ6NVFd3WGs9dspV
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/af953bc7-3c3a-421c-bc6a-17bbe4c07819/stupid-contagious
All the Socials! https://linktr.ee/stupidandcontagious
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPJ5FhcYAHO7UhrRtTtgGw
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast/
MIXTAPE https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OfO98Cv0wHHAjPvhO4vaV

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're shining a light on one of Britpop's great hidden gems: Flamingoes! If you were digging through the pages of NME and Melody Maker in the mid-90s, you'll probably remember them. If not, you're in for a treat!

They rubbed shoulders with the New Wave of New Wave scene, and released a string of brilliant singles before putting out their cult classic album, Plastic Jewels.

Joining us today is James Cook, It's a fascinating conversation about music, creativity, luck, and what it was really like trying to make it during one of the most exciting periods in British guitar music.
So sit back, turn it up, and enjoy our conversation with James Cook from Flamingoes!

Stupid & Contagious STORE https://stupid-contagious-podcast.myshopify.com

Welcome to The Stupid And Contagious podcast, a podcast focused on bringing you interviews with the bands that defined a generation!

That generation grew up in the 90s with the Grebo bands (Senseless Things, PWEI, Neds Atomic Dustbin, Mega City Four, The Wonderstuff and many more) on the UK side of the pond and quickly joined by the grunge bands (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and many more) on the US side of the pond.

We are not limiting ourselves to these genres though, we will chart the guitar bands from all genres throughout the decade that was the 1990s.

If you are into 1990s guitar music or just a music lover in general then this is the podcast for you!

Please also subscribe and follow the podcast on the social media links below

Stupid & Contagious Podcast
Itunes https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/stupid-contagious/id1705645715
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7xXYSVnQ6NVFd3WGs9dspV
Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/af953bc7-3c3a-421c-bc6a-17bbe4c07819/stupid-contagious
All the Socials! https://linktr.ee/stupidandcontagious
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPJ5FhcYAHO7UhrRtTtgGw
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stupidandcontagiouspodcast/
MIXTAPE https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2sbgsGJokuidKnA4dWltus

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.