Pluto (1971): From Record Bin Oddity to Cult Classic

Pluto (1971): From Record Bin Oddity to Cult Classic

Author: Beyond the hits—exploring the albums, bands, and moments that shaped the heavy 70s & 80s metal November 14, 2025 Duration: 56:08

Ever wondered why some killer 70s rock albums slipped through history’s cracks? This week, Dig Me Out listeners unearth Pluto’s self-titled 1971 LP—an overlooked slab of psychedelic hard rock, boogie vibes, and vintage cosmic groove. Join us as we dig up the story of the London band with festival creds, a jaw-dropping album cover, and a sound that’s part Blue Öyster Cult, part proto-metal pioneers, but all obscurity.

Pluto wasn’t a household name, but they were closer to the big leagues than you’d think: opening for Thin Lizzy and T. Rex, dropping a record with colored vinyl (ultra-rare for the era!), and chasing UK stardom with ace basslines and fuzzed-out guitars. In this episode, we debate the lost art of 70s rock vocals, the magic of live-in-the-room dynamics, and why some racks collect dust while others become classics. If you’re into Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult, early Rush, or chasing forgotten bands through dusty record bins, this is your episode.

Episode Highlights

0:00 – Theme & Intro – Welcome to the 70s Rock spotlight; how Pluto edged out Trapeze, Julian’s Treatment, and Dr. Z in the October poll

7:30 – Band Origins & Album History – London roots, the Foundations connection, gigging with scene legends, and a wild album art backstory

15:20 – The Sound of the Era – Acid rock vs. proto-metal: where Pluto lands, and why categories were still blurry in ‘71

22:45 – “She’s Innocent” – Acoustic/electric interplay and why this track defines Pluto’s subtle power

27:10 – B-Side Deep Dive – From “Beauty Queen” to “Mr. Westwood”: the grooves, the jams, and the dream of finding this record for $8

33:50 – “Ragabone Joe” – The oddball campfire sing-along that splits the hosts—endearing or skippable?

39:00 – Better Album, EP, or Single? – The ultimate verdict: trimming, sequencing, and fantasy resurrections with a killer vocalist

Ready to keep the needle moving? Subscribe, tell your friends, and dig even deeper with us at digmeoutpodcast.com and dmounion.com. Suggest the next lost classic for our polls, join our Discord, and fuel our record hunts across decades. Let’s keep unearthing rock’s forgotten gems—together!



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.digmeoutpodcast.com/subscribe

There's a whole world of heavy music beyond the radio staples, and that's exactly where Dig Me Out: 70s & 80s Metal lives. Hosts J, Chip, and Tim are your guides, moving past the greatest hits to explore the full albums, influential bands, and pivotal moments that built the sound of an era. Each episode focuses on a single record, digging into the riffs, the production, and the cultural context that makes it matter. You'll hear about the giants like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, of course, but the conversation also celebrates the unsung heroes and delves into the glam and excess of acts like Mötley Crüe. This isn't just a track-by-track review; it's a deep, engaging commentary on the stories behind the music. The podcast thrives on the hosts' shared passion and knowledge, making each discussion feel like a conversation among friends who genuinely love turning over every stone in metal's formative decades. If you've ever wondered about the album that came before a band's big breakthrough or wanted to understand the scene that made a particular sound possible, you'll find a home here. It's a dedicated, thoughtful excavation of the hard rock and metal that defined the 70s and 80s, designed for listeners who believe the deep cuts are often where the real magic lies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Dig Me Out: 70s & 80s Metal
Podcast Episodes
Glam Metal in the 80s | 80s Metal Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:06
Ever wonder why 80s glam metal still packs out tribute nights and sparks passionate debates decades later? This week on Dig Me Out, we’re throwing on the leather, cranking the Aquanet, and diving into the wild, hook-fill…
Megadeth - Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? | 80s Metal Podcast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:13
The Riffs, the Ruin, and the Rise of ThrashWhat do you get when two broke metalheads with a single bass and guitar channel their chaos into one of thrash metal’s most iconic records? In 1986, Peace Sells... but Who’s Buy…
Enuff Z'Nuff - Enuff Z'Nuff | 80s Metal Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:41
The Glam Album That’s Actually Power Pop Gold: Enuff Z’Nuff’s Dazzling 1989 DebutYou’ve seen the neon. You’ve heard the name. But have you listened? Enuff Z’Nuff’s self-titled 1989 debut is a glittering paradox: glam on…
Lizzy Borden - Master of Disguise | 80s Metal Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:14
Before grunge wiped off the makeup and mainstream critics dismissed theatrical metal as style over substance, Lizzy Borden dropped one of the most ambitious—and overlooked—albums of the 1980s. Released in 1989, Master of…
Lita Ford - Lita | 80s Metal Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
Before “Close My Eyes Forever” lit up the charts, before Headbanger’s Ball turned her into a fixture, Lita Ford was already a rock warrior—grinding through the scene, guitar in hand, defying expectations. In this episode…
Celtic Frost - Into the Pandemonium | 80s Metal Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:49
What happens when a band ditches thrash just as it goes mainstream… and dives headfirst into French poetry, industrial noise, and orchestral arrangements? You get Into the Pandemonium by Celtic Frost, a boundary-shatteri…
The Saints - I’m Stranded | 70s Rock Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:04
What if one of punk rock’s most essential records wasn’t born in London or New York—but in a repressive corner of 1970s Australia? In this episode, we dive into I’m Stranded, the ferocious, lo-fi debut from Brisbane’s ow…
Michael Schenker Group - Assault Attack | 80s Metal Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:27
Before glam exploded and metal ruled MTV, one album tried to bridge the shred-heavy brilliance of Europe with the big-hook ambitions of American rock radio—only to be lost in the chaos of lineup changes and flashing ligh…
Def Leppard - High ‘N’ Dry | 80s Metal Revisited [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:06
High and Dry: Def Leppard’s Gateway from NWOBHM to Arena Rock KingsBefore Hysteria took over MTV and Pyromania lit up the charts, Def Leppard were loud, raw, and hungry. Their 1981 album, High and Dry, was the crucial tu…
Robin McAuley Talks MSG, Soulbound, and His Resurgence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:32
From Grand Prix to McAuley Schenker Group (MSG), Survivor, and the hard-hitting supergroup Black Swan, Robin McAuley has spent decades proving why he’s one of the most underrated vocalists in rock. Now, at 72 years old,…