Pump up the Jams

On this week’s Pump Up the Jams , we break down The Cranberries’ classic “Linger.” From Dolores O’Riordan’s unmistakable vocal to the swirling strings and the song’s roots in a teenage love story, we dig into how this track became one of the defining moments of ’90s alternative rock. We talk about the band’s rise from Limerick, the emotion that made Linger resonate so deeply, and why it still hold...

In Part 2 of our deep dive, Josh and Cam are joined by the incomparable Missy Higgins to chat about the making of Scar . Missy opens up about the song’s origins, the whirlwind of success that followed, and what it feels like to see Scar resonate decades later. It’s a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation with one of Australia’s most loved artists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

This week on Pump Up the Jams , Josh and Cam dive deep into Missy Higgins’ breakout hit Scar . From its raw honesty and soaring hooks to the way it captured a generation of Aussie listeners, we unpack what makes this song such a timeless anthem. Expect stories, laughs, and a fresh listen to one of Australia’s most iconic tracks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Part B, Josh and Cam are joined by the brilliant songwriter Sally Seltman, the mind behind Feist’s 1234 . Sally shares the story of how the song came to life, from its first spark to becoming one of the most iconic indie-pop tracks of the 2000s. She talks about the art of collaboration, the unexpected journey from her piano to global charts, and even performs a stunning live rendit...

Josh and Cam dive into Feist’s endlessly catchy  1234,  the earworm that went from indie darling to global smash thanks to an iPod Nano ad and the songwriting magic of Sally Seltman. They break down the song’s deceptively simple hook, its emotional punch, and how it quietly shaped a whole era of indie pop. Is this the most wholesome banger of the 2000s, or just a very stylish way to coun...

In this very special B-Side, Josh Pyke and Cameron James sit down with Australia’s favourite cultural prankster and storyteller, John Safran . Before his TV and radio antics, John was the frontman of Melbourne indie band Raspberry Cordial , where his knack for witty wordplay and subversive humour first found a stage. From those early gigging days to turning pop culture upside-down on Race Around t...

They were too sexy for Milan, New York, and your expectations—now they’re on Jump Up The Jams. In Part 2, Cam and Josh sit down with Right Said Fred themselves, brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass for the wild, shirtless truth behind one of the most polarising pop tracks of all time. From busking in the London underground to being banned by the BBC, the duo reflect on the absurdity, backlash, and...

What do a shirtless runway strut, an accidental pop hook, and early ’90s British irony all have in common? Right Said Fred’s Too Sexy , of course. In this episode, Cam and Josh dive headfirst into the unapologetic boldness of the global hit that confused critics, thrilled dancefloors, and turned gym culture into chart-topping art. From fashion week inspirations to the song’s surprising staying pow...

Kav Temperley, frontman of Eskimo Joe, joins us to unpack the unlikely spark behind one of Australia’s most iconic rock anthems. From a solo bathroom moment with red wine in hand to the heart of WA’s shadowy alt-rock scene, Kav dives into the world that shaped Black Fingernails, Red Wine. We talk eyeliner, evangelism, and the rhythmic pulse that made it ARIA’s 2006 Single of the Year. Follow Cam &...

You never know when inspiration’s going to hit. For Western Australia’s chart-topping rock band Eskimo Joe, a visit to the loo with a vino rouge was frontman Kavyen Temper’s lightning strike. In this episode, we dive into WA’s dark rock scene, guyliner, a religious group, and a drum hook that gets our hearts racing to flush out the story behind the iconic 2006 ARIA single of the year: Black Finger...

The Russian pop duo that was "runnin’ through our heads" in the early 2000s has a dark side…  In this episode, we get into the nitty gritty of All The Things She Said : from Lena Katina and Julia Volkova’s start in a children's music group to their viral queer-baiting banned film clip, and the sinister mastermind behind it all. Follow Cam & Josh online for upcoming tour dates @iamcameronjames...

What do a murder in the woods, an ACDC T-shirt, and an acid trip have to do with one of the most iconic anthems of the 2000s? In this episode, we break down the story behind Teenage Dirtbag : from a real-life crime that shook a small town, to how Wheatus frontman Brendan B. Brown transformed teen angst and metalhead alienation into a global hit. Follow Cam & Josh online for upcoming tour dates...

Brendan B. Brown, frontman of Wheatus, joins us for a raw and thoughtful conversation about the story behind Teenage Dirtbag . From his time at a strict boarding school to growing up in a town haunted by violence and fear, Brendan shares how a song born from alienation and survival became an enduring anthem for outsiders everywhere. Follow Cam & Josh online for upcoming tour dates @iamcameronj...

A podcast celebrating the songs that changed the world is coming soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.