Writer, author, drummer. Edits the guitar pop newsletter Remember The Lightning: https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/. Contributor for Big Takeover. Drummer for Tsar, The Brothers Steve, Ken Layne & The Corvids, and Ridel High (aka "Coulter").https://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mwy35vssxs2g“We were so dedicated, not just in The Nerves but also in The Beat,” Collins said. “All the work I did with with all those musicians. We weren’t fooling around. Now I get to enjoy that and it’s very sweet.” #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/the-nerves-at-5003 Oct 2026 14:15 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwy35vssxs2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mwbejqs76s2rSoftjaw’s debut album is one the most anticipated power pop releases of the year…and we have your first taste. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/video-premiere-softjaw24 Sep 2026 13:31 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwbejqs76s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mvuxjx2dmc2a“No one would have picked us out of that crowd of bands at the time to be the one that made it as far as we have. We didn’t look or sound professional and did not seem to have potential the way the other bands did.” —Rivers Cuomo #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/heavy-metal-begat-geek-rock19 Sep 2026 15:07 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvuxjx2dmc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mvn7bv2lf223Wrote about one of my favorite "power" pop songs ever. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/thirteen16 Sep 2026 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvn7bv2lf223https://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mvdchqil522bThe LA music scene keeps delivering great new bands. Lately I’ve been loving the jangly debut album by The Freebies, a ‘60s-soaked guitar pop group fronted by Bre Limón. #music #musicsky https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/interview-the-freebies12 Sep 2026 14:35 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvdchqil522bhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mv3omve4l22kFun chat with Descendents/All guitarist Stephen Egerton about his poppy new solo album, '“I Think You’re Overthinking This.” #musicstack #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/interview-stephen-egerton09 Sep 2026 13:51 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3omve4l22khttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mummumft5s2xYour weekend soundtrack has arrived. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/guitar-pop-for-now-peoplepart-4303 Sep 2026 14:10 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mummumft5s2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mtyhc4gf7227Decades later, I still love every version of The Replacements (some more than others)—but I always come back to 'Sorry Ma.' #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/sorry-ma-at-4526 Aug 2026 13:36 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyhc4gf7227https://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mtoiuesp7k2sRonnie Barnett of The Muffs joins the "Is It Power Pop?!" party. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/is-it-power-pop-02122 Aug 2026 14:38 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtoiuesp7k2shttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3msl7uuoy5k2tEsteemed MusicStacker @joebonomo.bsky.social steps up to the “Is It Power Pop?!” plate and knocks it outta the park. He even throws one curveball that will likely have a few purists ready for a bench-clearing brawl. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/is-it-power-pop-46308 Aug 2026 13:54 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3msl7uuoy5k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3msg4rzwrv22qCombining elements of ‘70s power pop (Big Star), ‘80s college rock (Replacements), and ‘90s alternative/lo-fi (GBV! GBV!), these 11 songs also contain some surprising twists and turns for a collection that feels so instantly familiar. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/interview-mopar-stars06 Aug 2026 13:15 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3msg4rzwrv22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3msbamtc5v22k“I think the shows that that are chaotic and exciting and make me go 'AHHHH, WHAT’S HAPPENING????' for most of the set are the ones that are the most thrilling to me.” — Jeff Whalen #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/jeff-whalens-bubblegum-strangeness04 Aug 2026 14:41 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3msbamtc5v22khttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mrzon3gakc2hThrilled to have Yellow Pills founder Jordan Oakes join the series, delivering 5 immaculate song choices. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/is-it-power-pop-e1301 Aug 2026 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrzon3gakc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mrum5kbrqc2qSince 1998, International Pop Overthrow festival has brought power pop (and adjacent!) artists and fans together to celebrate the melodic rock music we all love. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/interview-david-bash30 Jul 2026 14:02 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrum5kbrqc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mrpktrtg5c2kSummer’s almost gone…so, let’s get back to the music. https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/guitar-pop-for-now-peoplepart-4228 Jul 2026 13:56 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrpktrtg5c2khttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mrhwxtki6k2iAnd we’re back! Natasha Olson kicks the next round of “Is It Power Pop?!” guest posts off with 5 excellent song choices. #musicsky #music #powerpop https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/is-it-power-pop-3c525 Jul 2026 13:11 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrhwxtki6k2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mr5xb6d2ds2x“‘I Am The Cosmos’ can also be interpreted as Chris Bell reclaiming the Big Star sound as his invention.” Guest post originally published in RTL Guitar Pop Journal in 2023. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/riding-in-cars-with-boys21 Jul 2026 13:50 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr5xb6d2ds2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mqmbvziq6c27Diehard power pop fans love to debate. We know it when we hear it and boy do we want everybody to know when we hear it…often getting even louder when somebody else’s opinion is wrong. #musicsky #music https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/no-matter-what14 Jul 2026 13:13 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqmbvziq6c27https://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mq7rrael3s24Book week continues at RTL… I’ve read more books about Ramones than any other band. Here are seven that I think are must-reads for fans. #musicsky #books #music #ramones https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/hey-ho-lets-go-read09 Jul 2026 13:52 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq7rrael3s24https://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mq2q6y37dk25It’s book week here at RTL. We’re kicking things off with some recent rock read recommendations. #musicsky #books “Spin a tale about how a budding musician first picked up a guitar or how a young band got together because of the British Invasion and I am all in.” https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/summer-rock-reads07 Jul 2026 13:40 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq2q6y37dk25https://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3mp22npiawc2kHooky rock and roll is mostly underground music these days, so it takes a little extra work to discover—but it’s definitely worth the effort. https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/guitar-pop-for-now-peoplepart-4124 Jun 2026 13:50 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp22npiawc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/stevewlauden.bsky.social/post/3moq45fgsqc2tArtists emerged and evolved at warp speed in 1966. #music #musicsky https://rememberthelightning.substack.com/p/eight-albums-turning-60-in-202620 Jun 2026 14:50 +0000at://did:plc:k5oxzpp4gjtwv4e2m7mgnrde/app.bsky.feed.post/3moq45fgsqc2t