Key Alt-Rock Movie Soundtracks

Key Alt-Rock Movie Soundtracks

Author: Curiouscast July 8, 2026 Duration: 30:30
Movie soundtracks once shaped the direction of popular music...and nowhere was that more true than in alternative rock. This week, we go back into the Ongoing History vault to trace the evolution of movie soundtracks from their early, days to their cultural impact in the ’80s and ’90s. These are albums that helped define, amplify, and sometimes completely redirect alternative music. From the electronic shock of A Clockwork Orange to the cult chaos of The Rocky Horror Picture Show...from the John Hughes films that introduced a generation to British alt‑rock, to era‑defining releases like Singles, Judgement Night, The Crow, and Trainspotting...this is an exploration of how film and music collided at exactly the right moments. Soundtracks may not dominate the charts the way they once did, but their influence is everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over two decades, the Ongoing History of New Music has served as an essential audio documentary series, digging deep into the stories that shaped alternative rock, hip hop, and everything in between. Hosted by the legendary music historian Alan Cross, this podcast functions as a curated archive of musical culture, moving far beyond simple artist profiles. Each episode is a thematic exploration, connecting sonic dots across decades to reveal the hidden contexts, forgotten pioneers, and cultural shifts that define what we listen to. You’ll hear about the scenes that birthed genres, the technologies that changed production, and the personalities whose influence ripples through today’s charts. It’s less a linear history lesson and more an ongoing conversation about why music matters, delivered with Cross’s authoritative yet accessible narrative style. Tune in and discover the rich, often surprising backstories behind the songs and artists you thought you knew, gaining insights you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. This is Canadian broadcasting at its most inquisitive and enduring, making the Ongoing History of New Music a foundational listen for anyone curious about the forces that continually reinvent our sonic landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Ongoing History of New Music
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 29:45
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The Long Strange Trip of John Frusciante - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:25
John Frusciante might just be rock’s ultimate survivor. So let's trace the wild, unpredictable journey of the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, from teenage guitar prodigy to the creative force behind Blood Sugar Sex Magi…
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The History of Pop Punk - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:34
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The Last Moments Of Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:17
When someone dies, our first reaction is disbelief...we’re stunned...that’s immediately followed by a need to know what happened...how?...where?...it’s only natural...we need information to help us process the news and t…
The Last Moments Of Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:13
Ever wonder what really happened in the final hours of some of music's biggest stars? This time, I want to retrace the final hours and days of some of rock's most legendary figures. From heartbreaking health battles to s…
The Weird History of Concert Tickets Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:12
In part two of our series, we continue to figure out why buying concert tickets has become one of the most frustrating consumer experiences…and why it’s always been that way. From the evolution of ticketing from physical…
The Weird History of Concert Tickets Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
Buying a concert ticket should be simple and easy...but has it ever been? In this two-part series, we're going to try to unpack the surprisingly long, messy, and often corrupt evolution of ticketing, from ancient Greek t…
The Roots of the CanRock Explosion of the 90s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:29
There was a time when Canadians didn’t believe in Canadian music...unless someone else told us it was good first. To celebrate Canada Day, we're exploring how that mindset changed, and how Canada went from cultural insec…