Episode 53: Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat (part three)
Monte and John Ashdown join me for the second part of our pow-wow about Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat. Hear them spins yarns of hipper times, better dance clubs, cheaper beer, and young love! Always fascinating to hear what being a Sparks fan was like in 1984, from both sides of the Atlantic.
Monte's YouTube channel Sparks: Entertainment and Art continues to be THE premiere Arts and Crafts Spectacular as pertains all things Sparks! Check it out here!
Meanwhile, John's alter ego Christ on a Bike has new beats to drop, but it all goes down like comfort food. Check out his album Child's Play 3 (not affiliated with murderous dolls) on streaming services errrrrvrywherrrr!
Feast on the MOTION PICTURE VERSION of Episode 52 on YouTube here! Will I do another? Hmm?
Drop me a line at podcastsparks@gmail.com
Buy my wife a diamond ring! Venmo: @christian-huey-1
5 Jun 2026
Episode 52: Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat (part two)
Christian tells more of the story of the making of 1984's Pulling Rabbits Out a Hat, nerds out more on the Fairlight CMI, wonders whatever happened to the "arch" style of pop singing, and makes a compelling case for Madonna's "Like a Virgin" owing its whole existence to one track on this album.
But the bigger news is this is the first full video episode of the podcast! Christian may as yet be working with a humble set of tools, but he thinks you'll like his little movie. What are the kids calling it? Ewe choob?
Until he ponies up for an audio AND video RSS feed, you can find the video version of Episode 52 here: https://youtu.be/9m_FGqMM1PUhttps://youtu.be/9m_FGqMM1PU
Drop me a line! podcastsparks@gmail.com
Buy my wife a diamond ring! Venmo: @christian-huey-1
4 Jan 2026
Episode 51: Pulling Rabbits Out of a Hat part one
Welcome to the rise of the machines! Ron and Russell Mael are at a bit of a crossroads with this 1984 LP, and briefly offer the reigns to producer Ian Little (Duran Duran's Seven and the Ragged Tiger, Roxy Music's Avalon), who in turn puts in the driver's seat that omnipresent mid-80s behemoth, the CMI Fairlight. It was the first time computerized, visual, grid-based composing was possible, and reduced the amount of friction between idea to product. Monte Mallin is riding shotgun again, and Mr. Christ-on-a-Bike John Ashdown returns to offer a fresh perspective on one of Sparks' lesser-loved albums.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
69,742
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
30
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
85
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