Alternative Milestones Episode 126 – Happy Milestone Birthday, America!

Thu, Jul 2, 2026

(Photo credit: ME, taken at last week’s illumiNATION presentation outside VMHC)

While at this time I personally am finding it difficult to whip up much patriotic fervor for the nation’s 250th birthday, I do still strongly believe in the IDEA of America. As flawed as it is, it’s worth fighting for, saving, and then improving for the benefit of all.

As for this week’s collection of Milestones – lotsa birthdays again (Berlin, The Wannadies, Squeeze, Bad Religion, Matthew Good Band, The B-52’s, Transvision Vamp)

I’ll have an in Memoriam from the band Hum for their drummer Bryan St. Pere who passed away 5 years ago this week.

There’s a triple milestone from Rush, and you know I can’t resist stuff like that. And a bunch of other great music release milestones to relive.

Stay cool and hydrated!

Show archive

Playlist

Berlin, “The Metro”

from Pleasure Victim

Geffen - 1982

vocalist Terri Nunn 65th bday

Tricky, “Evolution Revolution Love”

from Blowback

Hollywood Records - 2001

5th album 25th rel anniv

Dashboard Confessional, “Vindicated”

from Dusk and Summer

Vagrant Records DC - 2006

4th album 20th rel anniv

The Wannadies, “Hit”

from Bagsy Me

Sony Music UK - 1996

frontman Par Wiksten 60th bday

Taking Back Sunday, “You Got Me”

from Taking Back Sunday

Craft Recordings - 2011

5th album 15th rel anniv

Big Country, “Look Away”

from The Seer

EMI - 1986

3rd album 40th rel anniv

Squeeze, “Revue”

from Cool for Cats

EMI - 1979

drummer Gilson Lavis 75th bday (RIP)

Eurythmics, “Missionary Man”

from Revenge (2018 Remaster)

Sony Music UK - 1986

5th album 40th rel anniv

Flowers, “Icehouse”

from Icehouse (30th Anniversary Edition)

Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd. - 1979

single (4th) 45th rel anniv

Bad Religion, “American Jesus (Live)”

from 21st Century (Digital Boy) - EP

Epitaph - 1994

guitarist Greg Hetson 65th bday

The Smithereens, “Blood and Roses”

from Especially for You

Capitol Nashville - 1985

debut single 40th rel anniv

Sarah McLachlan, “Into the Fire”

from Solace

Nettwerk Music Group - 1991

2nd album 35th rel anniv (in Canada)

Matthew Good Band, “Everything Is Automatic”

from Underdogs

Universal Music Canada - 1997

singer/songwriter Matthew Good 55th bday

Rush, “For What It's Worth”

from Feedback - EP

Rhino Atlantic - 2004

covers album/EP 22nd rel anniv

INXS, “Different World (7")”

from Kick 25 (Deluxe Edition)

Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd. - 2012

single (4th) 30th rel anniv (B-side of Listen Like Thieves)

Underworld, “Born Slippy (Nuxx) [Radio Edit]”

from Born Slippy (Nuxx) [Radio Edit] - Single

Smith Hyde Productions - 1995

single 30th rel anniv

Hum, “Step Into You”

from Inlet

Earth Analog Records - 2020

RIP drummer Bryan St. Pere 5th anniv

The Chameleons UK, “Anyone Alive?”

from Why Call it Anything

Artful - 2001

4th album 25th rel anniv

Bat for Lashes, “Sunday Love”

from The Bride

Echo - 2016

4th album 10th rel anniv

The B-52's, “Quiche Lorraine”

from Wild Planet

Rhino/Warner Records - 1980

vocalist Fred Schneider 75th bday

The Reverend Horton Heat, “Big Red Rocket of Love”

from It's Martini Time

Interscope - 1996

4th album 30th rel anniv

Sponge, “Wax Ecstatic (To Sell Angelina)”

from Wax Ecstatic

Columbia - 1996

2nd album 30th rel anniv

The Velvet Underground, “Run Run Run”

from Rock and Roll: An Introduction to The Velvet Underground

Polydor - 2001

compilation album 25th rel anniv