KoalaJack
@koalajack.bsky.social
Big fan of 80s and 90s alternative music. Posting from the Blue part of Virginia. substack posts: https://thekoalajack.substack.com/
Pinned
KoalaJack
@koalajack.bsky.social
· Oct 9
Rhythm and Melody
With an instrumental, the absence of lyrics lets us better appreciate the contributions of other band members
koalajackcanactuallywrite.substack.com
My latest substack post collects a few of my favorite instrumental tracks from 80s alternative bands not named Depeche Mode.
#alternativerock #instrumental
koalajackcanactuallywrite.substack.com/p/rhythm-and...
#alternativerock #instrumental
koalajackcanactuallywrite.substack.com/p/rhythm-and...
#StrictlyInstrumental
17: Trevor Jones "Promontory" from "The Last of the Mohicans (soundtrack)" 1992
youtu.be/u3YFAOnuZCo
17: Trevor Jones "Promontory" from "The Last of the Mohicans (soundtrack)" 1992
youtu.be/u3YFAOnuZCo
Promentory
YouTube video by Trevor Jones - Topic
youtu.be
February 17, 2026 at 5:35 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
17: Trevor Jones "Promontory" from "The Last of the Mohicans (soundtrack)" 1992
youtu.be/u3YFAOnuZCo
17: Trevor Jones "Promontory" from "The Last of the Mohicans (soundtrack)" 1992
youtu.be/u3YFAOnuZCo
#StrictlyInstrumental
16: The Smiths "Money Changes Everything" B-side to "Bigmouth Strikes Again" 1986
youtu.be/RzqlnBrnvnQ
16: The Smiths "Money Changes Everything" B-side to "Bigmouth Strikes Again" 1986
youtu.be/RzqlnBrnvnQ
Money Changes Everything (2017 Master)
YouTube video by The Smiths - Topic
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 5:19 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
16: The Smiths "Money Changes Everything" B-side to "Bigmouth Strikes Again" 1986
youtu.be/RzqlnBrnvnQ
16: The Smiths "Money Changes Everything" B-side to "Bigmouth Strikes Again" 1986
youtu.be/RzqlnBrnvnQ
#StrictlyInstrumental
15: Vince Clarke "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" from Songs of Silence 2023
youtu.be/OQK95AtGi0U
15: Vince Clarke "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" from Songs of Silence 2023
youtu.be/OQK95AtGi0U
Vince Clarke - The Lamentations of Jeremiah (Official Video)
YouTube video by Mute
youtu.be
February 15, 2026 at 5:04 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
15: Vince Clarke "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" from Songs of Silence 2023
youtu.be/OQK95AtGi0U
15: Vince Clarke "The Lamentations of Jeremiah" from Songs of Silence 2023
youtu.be/OQK95AtGi0U
#StrictlyInstrumental
13: VCMG "Single Blip" second EP from Vince Clarke and Martin Gore's EDM album Ssss 2012
youtu.be/TjVlL5Uq_TY
13: VCMG "Single Blip" second EP from Vince Clarke and Martin Gore's EDM album Ssss 2012
youtu.be/TjVlL5Uq_TY
VCMG - Single Blip (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Mute
youtu.be
February 13, 2026 at 3:53 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
13: VCMG "Single Blip" second EP from Vince Clarke and Martin Gore's EDM album Ssss 2012
youtu.be/TjVlL5Uq_TY
13: VCMG "Single Blip" second EP from Vince Clarke and Martin Gore's EDM album Ssss 2012
youtu.be/TjVlL5Uq_TY
#StrictlyInstrumental
12: Depeche Mode "Slowblow" B-side to "It's No Good" from Ultra 1997
youtu.be/pGd8STxyWM0
12: Depeche Mode "Slowblow" B-side to "It's No Good" from Ultra 1997
youtu.be/pGd8STxyWM0
Slowblow
YouTube video by Depeche Mode - Topic
youtu.be
February 12, 2026 at 4:22 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
12: Depeche Mode "Slowblow" B-side to "It's No Good" from Ultra 1997
youtu.be/pGd8STxyWM0
12: Depeche Mode "Slowblow" B-side to "It's No Good" from Ultra 1997
youtu.be/pGd8STxyWM0
#StrictlyInstrumental
11: David Bowie "Underground (Instrumental)" B-side to the "Underground" single from the Labyrinth soundtrack 1986
youtu.be/Eb09-UoQ4Y0
11: David Bowie "Underground (Instrumental)" B-side to the "Underground" single from the Labyrinth soundtrack 1986
youtu.be/Eb09-UoQ4Y0
Underground (Instrumental)
YouTube video by David Bowie - Topic
youtu.be
February 11, 2026 at 7:02 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
11: David Bowie "Underground (Instrumental)" B-side to the "Underground" single from the Labyrinth soundtrack 1986
youtu.be/Eb09-UoQ4Y0
11: David Bowie "Underground (Instrumental)" B-side to the "Underground" single from the Labyrinth soundtrack 1986
youtu.be/Eb09-UoQ4Y0
#StrictlyInstrumental
10: Simple Minds "Somebody Up There Likes You" from New Gold Dream 1982
youtu.be/ujeghTd1g8c
10: Simple Minds "Somebody Up There Likes You" from New Gold Dream 1982
youtu.be/ujeghTd1g8c
Somebody Up There Likes You (Remastered 2002)
YouTube video by Simple Minds - Topic
youtu.be
February 10, 2026 at 5:49 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
10: Simple Minds "Somebody Up There Likes You" from New Gold Dream 1982
youtu.be/ujeghTd1g8c
10: Simple Minds "Somebody Up There Likes You" from New Gold Dream 1982
youtu.be/ujeghTd1g8c
#StrictlyInstrumental
9: Mark Knopfler "Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)" 1983
youtu.be/3DB-uJ0TxKQ
9: Mark Knopfler "Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)" 1983
youtu.be/3DB-uJ0TxKQ
Mark Knopfler - Going Home (Theme Of The Local Hero | Official Video)
YouTube video by Mark Knopfler
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 6:13 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
9: Mark Knopfler "Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)" 1983
youtu.be/3DB-uJ0TxKQ
9: Mark Knopfler "Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)" 1983
youtu.be/3DB-uJ0TxKQ
#StrictlyInstrumental
8: XTC "Egyptian Solution" B-side to "Senses Working Overtime" 1982
youtu.be/RG_duvRbBjM
8: XTC "Egyptian Solution" B-side to "Senses Working Overtime" 1982
youtu.be/RG_duvRbBjM
Egyptian Solution
YouTube video by XTC - Topic
youtu.be
February 8, 2026 at 5:44 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
8: XTC "Egyptian Solution" B-side to "Senses Working Overtime" 1982
youtu.be/RG_duvRbBjM
8: XTC "Egyptian Solution" B-side to "Senses Working Overtime" 1982
youtu.be/RG_duvRbBjM
#StrictlyInstrumental
7: Barrington Pheloung "Inspector Morse Theme" from the delightful series 1987 - 2000. I'm so tempted to subscribe to Britbox so I can enjoy these again.
youtu.be/BEfv6QtYFAM
7: Barrington Pheloung "Inspector Morse Theme" from the delightful series 1987 - 2000. I'm so tempted to subscribe to Britbox so I can enjoy these again.
youtu.be/BEfv6QtYFAM
Inspector Morse Theme (Full Version)
YouTube video by Barrington Pheloung - Topic
youtu.be
February 7, 2026 at 6:19 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
7: Barrington Pheloung "Inspector Morse Theme" from the delightful series 1987 - 2000. I'm so tempted to subscribe to Britbox so I can enjoy these again.
youtu.be/BEfv6QtYFAM
7: Barrington Pheloung "Inspector Morse Theme" from the delightful series 1987 - 2000. I'm so tempted to subscribe to Britbox so I can enjoy these again.
youtu.be/BEfv6QtYFAM
#StrictlyInstrumental
4: U2 "Things to Make and Do", B-side to "A Day Without Me" 1980. This instrumental was played live on the Boy tour.
youtu.be/UOi9FjSRMLo
4: U2 "Things to Make and Do", B-side to "A Day Without Me" 1980. This instrumental was played live on the Boy tour.
youtu.be/UOi9FjSRMLo
Things To Make And Do (Remastered 2008)
YouTube video by U2 - Topic
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 10:26 PM
#StrictlyInstrumental
4: U2 "Things to Make and Do", B-side to "A Day Without Me" 1980. This instrumental was played live on the Boy tour.
youtu.be/UOi9FjSRMLo
4: U2 "Things to Make and Do", B-side to "A Day Without Me" 1980. This instrumental was played live on the Boy tour.
youtu.be/UOi9FjSRMLo
#StrictlyInstrumental
3: Ian Anderson "In the Pay of Spain" from Divinities: Twelve Dances with God (1995)
This album is not rock but all chill, new age instrumental flute compositions. Ian Anderson, of Jethro Tull fame, is an amazing flautist.
youtu.be/nFVO_70D-Ww
3: Ian Anderson "In the Pay of Spain" from Divinities: Twelve Dances with God (1995)
This album is not rock but all chill, new age instrumental flute compositions. Ian Anderson, of Jethro Tull fame, is an amazing flautist.
youtu.be/nFVO_70D-Ww
In the Pay of Spain
YouTube video by Ian Anderson - Topic
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 1:11 AM
#StrictlyInstrumental
3: Ian Anderson "In the Pay of Spain" from Divinities: Twelve Dances with God (1995)
This album is not rock but all chill, new age instrumental flute compositions. Ian Anderson, of Jethro Tull fame, is an amazing flautist.
youtu.be/nFVO_70D-Ww
3: Ian Anderson "In the Pay of Spain" from Divinities: Twelve Dances with God (1995)
This album is not rock but all chill, new age instrumental flute compositions. Ian Anderson, of Jethro Tull fame, is an amazing flautist.
youtu.be/nFVO_70D-Ww
Let's get that hash tag right
#StrictlyInstrumental
#StrictlyInstrumental
#StricklyInstrumental
2: The Cure "Another Journey by Train" -- the instrumental variation of 1979s "Jumping Someone Else's Train"
youtu.be/8y1Vyd-5eq4
2: The Cure "Another Journey by Train" -- the instrumental variation of 1979s "Jumping Someone Else's Train"
youtu.be/8y1Vyd-5eq4
Another Journey by Train
YouTube video by The Cure - Topic
youtu.be
February 2, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Let's get that hash tag right
#StrictlyInstrumental
#StrictlyInstrumental
#StricklyInstrumental
2: The Cure "Another Journey by Train" -- the instrumental variation of 1979s "Jumping Someone Else's Train"
youtu.be/8y1Vyd-5eq4
2: The Cure "Another Journey by Train" -- the instrumental variation of 1979s "Jumping Someone Else's Train"
youtu.be/8y1Vyd-5eq4
Another Journey by Train
YouTube video by The Cure - Topic
youtu.be
February 2, 2026 at 7:32 PM
#StricklyInstrumental
2: The Cure "Another Journey by Train" -- the instrumental variation of 1979s "Jumping Someone Else's Train"
youtu.be/8y1Vyd-5eq4
2: The Cure "Another Journey by Train" -- the instrumental variation of 1979s "Jumping Someone Else's Train"
youtu.be/8y1Vyd-5eq4
Tangerine Dream. Shadow Flyer.
YouTube video by goblin1digital2
youtu.be
February 1, 2026 at 10:58 PM
As a fan of New Order I instantly recognized Bernard's voice on Electronic's "Getting Away With It" but the group's other hit, "Get The Message", tricked me into thinking it was a different artist. Hadn't seen the video 'til now.
#skymusic #nowlistening #synthpop #electronic
youtu.be/_7sVSSb2mU4
#skymusic #nowlistening #synthpop #electronic
youtu.be/_7sVSSb2mU4
Electronic - Get The Message (Official Music Video) [HD Upgrade]
YouTube video by electronicofficial
youtu.be
January 31, 2026 at 11:52 PM
As a fan of New Order I instantly recognized Bernard's voice on Electronic's "Getting Away With It" but the group's other hit, "Get The Message", tricked me into thinking it was a different artist. Hadn't seen the video 'til now.
#skymusic #nowlistening #synthpop #electronic
youtu.be/_7sVSSb2mU4
#skymusic #nowlistening #synthpop #electronic
youtu.be/_7sVSSb2mU4
Hi @richardblade.bsky.social! Would you please play the great cover of "Blue Line" from Let's Active if you have it in your collection. Jack in Herndon, VA
January 24, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Hi @richardblade.bsky.social! Would you please play the great cover of "Blue Line" from Let's Active if you have it in your collection. Jack in Herndon, VA
I'm curious about the age of trees in my local park. Photos from the US Civil War era (160 years ago) of this Northern Virginia area show savage clear-cutting. Most trees here now are short lived varieties but a very few have been around for maybe a hundred+ years. Erosion is the main threat.
January 23, 2026 at 4:24 AM
I'm curious about the age of trees in my local park. Photos from the US Civil War era (160 years ago) of this Northern Virginia area show savage clear-cutting. Most trees here now are short lived varieties but a very few have been around for maybe a hundred+ years. Erosion is the main threat.
Was taking advantage of some almost mild weather for an afternoon walk. Just in time to catch the last of the sunlight.
January 8, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Was taking advantage of some almost mild weather for an afternoon walk. Just in time to catch the last of the sunlight.
Cheers! My new favorite pilsner is this Italian style one from my almost local brewery (Richmond, VA is just under 2 hours drive away). Dry-hopped with saphir and loral. Delicious!
January 7, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Cheers! My new favorite pilsner is this Italian style one from my almost local brewery (Richmond, VA is just under 2 hours drive away). Dry-hopped with saphir and loral. Delicious!
My last concert of 2025 was Gary Numan and the Psychedelic Furs at The Anthem in D.C.
#alternativerock #80smusic #garynuman #psychedelicfurs
#alternativerock #80smusic #garynuman #psychedelicfurs
January 7, 2026 at 6:55 AM
My last concert of 2025 was Gary Numan and the Psychedelic Furs at The Anthem in D.C.
#alternativerock #80smusic #garynuman #psychedelicfurs
#alternativerock #80smusic #garynuman #psychedelicfurs
I've already got a New Year's goal: learn the drum part for this incredibly groovy song. What do you think @chrisfrantz.bsky.social ?
#skymusic #nowlistening #powerpop #alternativerock #thebongos #drumming
youtu.be/YSyfiN8siZY
#skymusic #nowlistening #powerpop #alternativerock #thebongos #drumming
youtu.be/YSyfiN8siZY
Barbarella
YouTube video by The Bongos - Topic
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 4:42 AM
I've already got a New Year's goal: learn the drum part for this incredibly groovy song. What do you think @chrisfrantz.bsky.social ?
#skymusic #nowlistening #powerpop #alternativerock #thebongos #drumming
youtu.be/YSyfiN8siZY
#skymusic #nowlistening #powerpop #alternativerock #thebongos #drumming
youtu.be/YSyfiN8siZY