The Insanely Dangerous Retro Podshow

--- The Insanely Dangerous Retro Podshow is your one-stop nostalgia fix, now hosted solo by the irrepressible Dangerous Dave! From the funky 70s through to the chaotic 00s, Dave dives headfirst into the wild world of retro pop culture—movies, music, TV, games, and everything in between. Expect deep dives, personal takes, outrageous trivia, and unfiltered opinions. Whether you’re reliving your childhood or discovering old-school gems for the first time, this is where retro lives loud, proud, and dangerously. New episodes every week—tune in and turn back time!

The Insanely Dangerous Retro Podshow is a society podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Insanely Dangerous Retro Podshow, a society show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #5

  Season 9 Episode 5 - Pet Shop Boys

  Aug 19, 20261h 22mS9

  It's time to head back to the synth-soaked sounds of the 1980s as Dangerous Dave celebrates one of Britain's greatest and most enduring pop duos... PET SHOP BOYS! This week on The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow, Dave takes a huge deep dive into the career of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, exploring how a chance meeting in a London electronics shop eventually led to one of the most successful partnerships in British pop history. From "West End Girls" to "It's a Sin," "Always on My Mind," "Heart," "Being Boring" and "Go West," we're celebrating the songs, albums and unmistakable electronic sound that made Pet Shop Boys legends. WHAT HAPPENED WAY BACK WHEN? – 1986 First, we're travelling back to 1986, the year Pet Shop Boys released their debut album Please. Dave revisits five songs, five movies and five television shows from an incredible year of entertainment, including Top Gun, Aliens, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Real Ghostbusters and some of the biggest records of the year. Then Retro Headlines turns back the clock to remember some of the major stories making news in Britain and America. DANGEROUS DEEP DIVE – THE HISTORY OF PET SHOP BOYS How did Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe become Pet Shop Boys? Dave goes right back to the beginning, exploring Neil's career in publishing and at Smash Hits, Chris's background and their chance meeting in London in 1981. We follow their early demos, their work with Bobby Orlando and the original version of "West End Girls", before the re-recorded song transformed them into international stars. Dave also looks at the brilliantly understated Pet Shop Boys image: Neil delivering intelligent and observational lyrics while Chris stands almost motionless behind the keyboards. No rock-star posing required. THE ALBUMS Then it's time to raid the Pet Shop Boys record collection. Dave discusses and rates the albums that defined their first two decades, including: Please – ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ The debut that established the classic Pet Shop Boys sound. Actually – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Dave's number-one Pet Shop Boys album, featuring an incredible collection of songs including "It's a Sin," "Rent" and "What Have I Done to Deserve This?" Introspective – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Six enormous tracks blending electronic pop with extended club arrangements. Behaviour – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A more reflective and emotional record featuring the magnificent "Being Boring." Very – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Colourful, confident and packed with some of the duo's greatest 90s material. Plus, Dave revisits Bilingual and Nightlife as Pet Shop Boys continued evolving through the later 1990s. THE GREATEST HITS – RATED! Then comes the big one. Dave works through some of the greatest songs in the Pet Shop Boys catalogue and gives them the Danger Rating treatment. We revisit: West End Girls ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Opportunities ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Love Comes Quickly ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Suburbia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It's a Sin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What Have I Done to Deserve This? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rent ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Always on My Mind ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heart ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Domino Dancing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Left to My Own Devices ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ So Hard ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ Being Boring ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Can You Forgive Her? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Go West ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ And plenty more. But only one can be Dangerous Dave's favourite... And "Being Boring" takes the number-one position, narrowly beating "West End Girls" and "It's a Sin." DANGEROUS DETOUR – THE SYNTH-POP REVOLUTION Dave takes a detour into the electronic revolution that transformed the 1980s. From synthesizers and drum machines to sequencers and changing recording technology, we explore how electronic music went from experimental to mainstream and produced artists including The Human League, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Eurythmics, Erasure and Pet Shop Boys. BACK IN THE ADS We also rewind British television for another edition of Back in the Ads, remembering the telephone advertising campaigns that sold us something surprisingly simple... The joy of actually talking to somebody! A reminder of a world before WhatsApp, social media and endless notifications. RETRO RUMBLE – PET SHOP BOYS VS ERASURE Two synth-pop giants enter the ring. Only one leaves victorious. Pet Shop Boys vs Erasure! Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe take on Andy Bell and Vince Clarke across greatest hits, vocals, lyrics, albums and dancefloor anthems. Erasure put up one hell of a fight... But Pet Shop Boys eventually take the Retro Rumble crown 3–2. DANGEROUSLY UNDERRATED Dave also shines a spotlight on "King's Cross", the brilliant Actually album track that proves some of the finest Pet Shop Boys songs never needed to become massive singles. GAZ'S RETRO RECORDS – SYNTH-POP SPECIAL Then Gaz opens his record collection for a special edition of Gaz's Retro Records. This week he's celebrating four acts that helped make electronic music such an important part of the 1980s. OMD Gaz celebrates the brilliant Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, from the atmospheric "Enola Gay" and "Souvenir" to "Maid of Orleans" and their later pop success. For Gaz, OMD proved that electronic music could be experimental, emotional and incredibly catchy at the same time. SOFT CELL Next comes Soft Cell. Marc Almond and Dave Ball created a much darker version of synth-pop, mixing electronic music with the atmosphere of nightclubs and the seedier side of city life. And, of course, there's the enormous "Tainted Love" – one of the defining electronic records of the entire decade. NEW ORDER Gaz then turns to New Order, the band that emerged from the end of Joy Division and helped blur the lines between alternative rock and electronic dance music. From "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle" to "True Faith," their influence can still be heard across electronic and dance music today. ERASURE Finally, Gaz celebrates Erasure. Vince Clarke's electronic brilliance combined with Andy Bell's incredible voice produced classics including "Sometimes," "A Little Respect," "Stop!," "Blue Savannah" and "Love to Hate You." They might have lost today's Retro Rumble... But Gaz argues that no discussion about great British synth-pop would be complete without them. Four artists. Four very different approaches to electronic pop. And four essential additions to your retro record collection. THE DANGER ZONE Finally, Dave asks the biggest question of the episode... Are Pet Shop Boys the greatest British pop duo of all time? When you consider the songs... The albums... The lyrics... The production... The innovation... And more than four decades of longevity... Dave's answer is... YES! Pet Shop Boys receive a massive 58 out of 60 Danger Rating. HALL OF DANGER And there could only be one way to finish. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe officially enter the... HALL OF DANGER! Pet Shop Boys didn't simply create some brilliant records during the 1980s. They built one of the greatest catalogues in British pop history and proved that electronic music could be intelligent, emotional, funny, political, heartbreaking and enormously entertaining. NEXT TIME... We're leaving the synthesizers behind and opening the toy cupboard again for... Season 9 Episode 6 – DINO-RIDERS! Dinosaurs... Lasers... Armour... Valorians... Rulons... And one of the most gloriously bonkers toy concepts the 1980s ever produced. The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow – because retro never goes out of style!

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  The Insanely Dangerous Retro Podshow

  Season 9 Episode 4 - GoBots

  Aug 12, 202651 min

  Transform and roll... well, sort of! This week on The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow, Dangerous Dave travels back to the toy-filled world of 1984 to revisit the transforming robots that dared to take on Transformers... GoBots! Were they an underrated part of 80s toy history, or were they always destined to live in the shadow of Optimus Prime and Megatron? Dangerous Dave begins by firing up What Happened Way Back When?, revisiting five songs, five movies and five TV shows from 1984, including Ghostbusters, The Terminator, The Karate Kid, Wham!, Van Halen and The Real Ghostbusters. Then Retro Headlines looks back at some of the major stories making news in Britain and America during an unforgettable year. DANGEROUS DEEP DIVE – THE HISTORY OF GOBOTS Dave takes an extended look at the origins of GoBots, beginning with Bandai's Japanese Machine Robo toys before Tonka transformed them into the GoBots brand. We remember the heroic Guardians, led by Leader-1, and the evil Renegades, commanded by the brilliantly named Cy-Kill. There are memories of Turbo, Scooter, Small Foot, Crasher and Cop-Tur as Dave explores why the smaller and often cheaper GoBots became such popular pocket-money toys. We also revisit Challenge of the GoBots, the Hanna-Barbera cartoon that attempted to build a universe around the characters, and examine what happened when Transformers arrived and completely changed the transforming-robot battle. Was Transformers genuinely better... Or did superior characters, storytelling and marketing simply leave GoBots behind? DANGEROUS DETOUR – THE GOLDEN AGE OF 80s TOYS Why were the 1980s so ridiculously good for toys? Dave remembers an era dominated by He-Man, Transformers, MASK, Thundercats, G.I. Joe, Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Visionaries, Bravestarr and, of course, GoBots. It was a time when the cartoon, comic and toy aisle all became part of one enormous childhood universe. BACK IN THE ADS We're heading back to British television for another classic commercial as Dave remembers the wonderfully bizarre Smash Martians. Why were aliens laughing at humans for peeling potatoes? How did “For Mash Get Smash” become such a memorable slogan? And why do so many people still remember those little metal Martians decades later? RETRO RUMBLE – GOBOTS VS TRANSFORMERS It's the battle we've been waiting for. GoBots vs Transformers! The two transforming robot giants go head-to-head across toys, characters, cartoons, value for money and pure nostalgia. GoBots put up a surprisingly strong fight... But can Leader-1 and Cy-Kill really defeat Optimus Prime and Megatron? DANGEROUSLY UNDERRATED Dave gives Challenge of the GoBots another chance and argues that the cartoon deserves to be remembered as more than simply “that other transforming robot show.” ONE SEASON WONDER We also revisit the wonderfully 80s animated series Pole Position, with its high-tech vehicles, crime-solving adventures and connections to the classic arcade game. TOYBOX TIME MACHINE The Toybox Time Machine opens once again as Dave remembers Voltron and the brilliant idea of taking five robotic lions and combining them into one enormous warrior. And then... It's time for Gaz. GAZ'S RAPID RETRO REVIEW – GOBOTS Gaz has heard Dave defending GoBots for most of the episode... And he's having absolutely none of it. GAZ: "GoBots? Sorry, Dange... I didn't like them then and I don't like them now! They were the transforming robots you got when you really wanted Transformers. Leader-1? He's no Optimus Prime. Cy-Kill? He's basically an angry motorbike. And Scooter? Don't even get me started on Scooter. Transformers had Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave and Grimlock. GoBots had... well... GoBots. Were the toys cheap? Yes. Were they easy to transform? Yes. But that's because there wasn't much bloody transforming to do! I know you've spent this episode trying to convince everyone that GoBots deserve another chance, Dange, but I'm not buying it. For me... Transformers win every single time. Gaz's Rapid Retro Rating: ⭐⭐ – 2 out of 5 "Two stars. And I'm probably being generous. Back to you, Dange!" THE DANGER ZONE After Gaz completely destroys them, Dave enters The Danger Zone to mount one final defence of GoBots. They may never have matched Transformers for characters, storytelling or longevity, but Dave argues that history has treated them unfairly. They were affordable. They were fun. They were easy to collect. And for plenty of kids, a GoBot was their first transforming robot. Dave awards the franchise an impressive 27 out of 30 Danger Rating... Even if Gaz would probably like to deduct about twenty points from that score! HALL OF DANGER Finally, despite Gaz's objections, GoBots enter the Hall of Danger for their contribution to the transforming robot craze and their place in 1980s toy history. Love them... Hate them... Or still wish your parents had bought you a Transformer instead... GoBots are part of the story of the 1980s. And that's why they're worth remembering. NEXT TIME... Season 9 continues as Dangerous Dave swaps transforming robots for synthesisers and heads into the incredible catalogue of... PET SHOP BOYS From West End Girls and It's a Sin to Always on My Mind, Heart, Being Boring and Go West, we'll explore the history, albums, greatest hits and legacy of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow – keeping the greatest decades alive, one dangerously nostalgic episode at a time.

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  Episode #3

  Season 9 Episode 3 - Speed

  Aug 5, 202658 minS9

  Hold on tight as The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow races back to 1994 to celebrate one of the greatest action films ever made... Speed. Dangerous Dave takes a full-throttle deep dive into the blockbuster that turned Keanu Reeves into a Hollywood action hero, made Sandra Bullock an overnight superstar and gave Dennis Hopper one of the most memorable villain roles of his incredible career. The episode begins with What Happened Way Back When?, revisiting five classic songs, five unforgettable movies and five iconic television shows from 1994, before Retro Headlines looks back at the biggest stories from both the UK and the United States. In the Dangerous Deep Dive, Dave explores the origins of Speed, how the simple but brilliant "bus that can't slow below 50mph" concept came to life, the casting of Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper, the incredible practical stunt work, the unforgettable motorway jump and why the film became one of the defining action movies of the 1990s. The action continues with a detailed scene-by-scene review, covering the elevator rescue, Jack Traven's leap onto the speeding bus, Annie taking the wheel, the famous motorway jump, the airport escape and the explosive subway finale, before Dave gives the film his final verdict. Season 9's Dangerous Detour explores why the late 1980s and 1990s became the golden age of practical action movies, while Back in the Ads revisits the unforgettable "You've Been Tango'd" advertising campaign and why it became one of Britain's most talked-about television commercials. In this week's Retro Rumble, two action classics collide as Speed goes head-to-head with Die Hard to decide which deserves the title of the ultimate action film. There's also another edition of Dangerously Underrated, shining a spotlight on Timecop, while One Season Wonder revisits Gerry Anderson's ambitious science-fiction series Space Precinct. The Toybox Time Machine opens once again to remember the brilliant Mighty Max toy line and animated series that captured children's imaginations during the mid-1990s. Instead of a rental recommendation this week, Gaz returns with Gaz's Rapid Retro Review, giving his quick-fire thoughts on Speed: "What more can you say? It's ninety minutes of pure adrenaline. Keanu Reeves is cool, Sandra Bullock is brilliant, Dennis Hopper is one of the best movie villains of the 90s, and once that bus gets moving it barely gives you a chance to catch your breath. If you haven't watched Speed for a while... stick it on this weekend. It still delivers. Five stars from me!" Finally, Dave heads into The Danger Zone to explain why Speed remains one of the finest action films ever made before welcoming it into the Hall of Danger. Plus, don't miss a preview of the next episode as Dangerous Dave transforms back to 1984 to explore the history, toys and cartoon series of GoBots.

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  Episode #2

  Season 9 Episode 2 - Music of 1983

  Jul 29, 20261h 28mS9

  Join Dangerous Dave as The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow celebrates one of the greatest years in music history—1983. From unforgettable chart-toppers and iconic albums to classic films, television, toys and the biggest headlines from around the world, this episode is packed with nostalgia from start to finish. We begin by rewinding to 1983 in What Happened Way Back When?, looking back at five legendary songs, five blockbuster movies and five classic TV shows that helped define an incredible year. Then it's over to Retro Headlines, covering the biggest news stories from both the UK and the United States. The heart of the episode is an extended Dangerous Deep Dive, where Dangerous Dave explores twenty of the year's biggest songs in documentary-style detail. Discover the stories behind classics including Billie Jean, Every Breath You Take, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), Down Under, Flashdance... What a Feeling, Electric Avenue, Africa, Gold, Club Tropicana and many more. Learn how they were written, recorded, how they performed in the charts, and why they continue to influence music more than forty years later. Season 9's newest feature, Dangerous Detour, explores how MTV transformed the music industry, changing the way artists promoted themselves and turning music videos into an essential part of pop culture. In Back in the Ads, Dave revisits the heartwarming Cadbury's Dairy Milk "Mum's Birthday" advert, looking at its history, why it became one of Britain's favourite television commercials and why it still resonates with audiences today. This week's Retro Rumble sees two musical giants go head-to-head as Michael Jackson takes on David Bowie in a battle to decide who had the greatest impact on popular music. There's also another edition of Dangerously Underrated, shining a spotlight on Culture Club's Colour by Numbers, while One Album Wonder celebrates Eurythmics' Touch. In the Toybox Time Machine, we revisit the legendary He-Man and the Masters of the Universe toy line and remember why it became one of the biggest toy crazes of the 1980s. New this week is Gaz's Retro Rentals, where Gaz recommends five fantastic films from 1983 that deserve another visit on movie night: Return of the Jedi – The epic conclusion to the original Star Wars trilogy. WarGames – A thrilling Cold War adventure that introduced many viewers to the world of computer hacking. Trading Places – Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd at their hilarious best. National Lampoon's Vacation – A comedy classic following the unforgettable Griswold family. The Right Stuff – An inspiring and critically acclaimed drama celebrating the pioneers of the American space programme. Finally, Dave heads into The Danger Zone to explain why he believes 1983 stands alongside the greatest years in music history, before inducting another legendary release into the Hall of Danger. Plus, don't miss a preview of the next episode as the show shifts gears for an action-packed deep dive into the 1994 blockbuster Speed, starring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper.

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  Episode #1

  Season 9 Episode 1 - Metallica - And Justice for All

  Jul 22, 20261h 4mS9

  Welcome to the opening episode of Season 9 of The Insanely Dangerous Retropodshow! Dangerous Dave kicks off a brand-new season by taking a deep dive into one of the most influential heavy metal albums ever recorded—Metallica's ...And Justice for All. We rewind to 1988 with What Happened Way Back When?, revisiting five unforgettable songs, five blockbuster movies and five classic TV shows that defined an incredible year. Then it's over to Retro Headlines, where we relive the biggest stories from both the UK and the United States. In this episode's Dangerous Deep Dive, Dave explores the heartbreaking loss of Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted's arrival in the band, the making of ...And Justice for All, the controversial production, and why the album became a landmark release in heavy metal history. Every track is reviewed and scored before Dave gives his overall verdict. New Season 9 feature Dangerous Detour investigates one of rock's biggest mysteries—the missing bass on the album—and looks at how the band's first music video for "One" changed Metallica forever. There's another trip Back in the Ads as Dave revisits a memorable British television advert from 1988 and explains why it became part of British popular culture. It's time for Retro Rumble as Metallica go head-to-head with Megadeth to decide who truly ruled the thrash metal scene. In Dangerously Underrated, the spotlight falls on Operation: Mindcrime by Queensrÿche, while One Album Wonder celebrates Vivid by Living Colour. We also travel back to 1988 in the Toybox Time Machine, remembering the innovative Sky Commanders toy line. New for Season 9, Gaz returns with Gaz's Retro Records, sharing four fantastic album recommendations from 1988 that deserve a place in every retro music collection: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son – Iron Maiden Kick - INXS Money for Nothing - Dire Straits Look Sharp - Roxette These albums helped make 1988 one of the greatest years in heavy metal, alongside landmark releases across rock and pop. Finally, Dave enters The Danger Zone to explain why ...And Justice for All is a masterpiece—but not quite Metallica's greatest album—before inducting it as the very first member of the Hall of Danger. Plus, don't miss a preview of the next episode as the show swaps thrash metal for the unforgettable sounds of Music from 1983.

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