The Cure | Photo by Metronome via Fiction Records
“Dark Wave,” hosted by Slicing Up Eyeballs’ Matt Sebastian, explores the darker side of classic ’80s alternative, including vintage goth, post-punk and industrial. The show airs at 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern every Sunday on Sirius XM’s 1st Wave (Channel 33).
The most recent two episodes are available to subscribers to stream via the Sirius XM app.
Got a request? Requests will be considered for future episodes, but there’s no guarantee they’ll be played. They must fit the show’s format and fall generally within the 1st Wave era. And not be something the host really dislikes. If there’s something you’d like to hear, drop it in the comments below.
HOUR 1
The Cure, “Primary” (Faith)
Gang of Four, “Call Me Up” (Songs of the Free)
Joy Division, “Walked in Line” (Still)
Modern English, “Black Houses” (Mesh & Lace)
Cocteau Twins, “Carolyn’s Fingers” (Blue Bell Knoll)
The Jesus and Mary Chain, “Teenage Lust” (Acoustic Version) (Honey’s Dead: Expanded Edition)
Morrissey, “November Spawned a Monster” (Live) (Beethoven Was Deaf)
Japan, “Gentlemen Take Polaroids” (Gentlemen Take Polaroids)
The The, “Lonely Planet” (Dusk)
Cabaret Voltaire, “Do Right” (Micro-Phonies)
Marc Almond featuring Siouxsie Sioux, “Threat of Love” (Open All Night)
Chris Connelly, “Candyman Collapse” (Shipwreck)
Depeche Mode, “I Want You Now” (Music For the Masses)
HOUR 2
Wire, “Three Girl Rhumba” (Pink Flag)
The Neon Judgement, “Awful Day” (Redbox)
Love and Rockets, “Rock and Roll Babylon” (Love and Rockets)
Killing Joke, “Seeing Red” (Killing Joke)
Revolting Cocks, “Something Wonderful” (Beers, Steers + Queers)
Children on Stun, “Cats or Devils Eyes” (Celibacy & Anadin)
Abecedarians, “Misery of Cities” (Eureka)
Front 242, “Don’t Crash” (Politics of Pressure)
Death in June, “Fall Apart” (The Wall of Sacrifice)
Coil, “Windowpaine” (Love’s Secret Domain)
Julee Cruise, “Falling” (Soundtrack From Twin Peaks)
Nitzer Ebb, “Lightning Man” (The Industry vs. The Ebb Mix) (Showtime)
HOUR 3
Bauhaus, “Hair of the Dog” (Mask)
The Sisters of Mercy, “Blood Money” (First and Last and Always)
The Teardrop Explodes, “Sleeping Gas” (Kilimanjaro)
Siouxsie and the Banshees, “Hall of Mirrors” (Through the Looking Glass)
The Nefilim, “Xodus” (Zoon)
Kristin Hersh, “Pennyroyal Tea” (Echo)
These Immortal Souls, “Black Milk” (I’m Never Gonna Die Again)
Concrete Blonde, “I Know the Ghost” (Rosalie)
Public Image Ltd., “Flowers of Romance” (Flowers of Romance)
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, “Souvenir” (Architecture and Morality)
Sad Lovers and Giants, “Seven Kinds of Sin” (The Mirror Test)
999, “Homicide” (Separates)
Gary Numan, “Down in the Park” (Live) (Living Ornaments ’79)
David Bowie, “Look Back in Anger” (Lodger)
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Playlist: Sirius XM’s “Dark Wave” — hosted by Matt Sebastian (8/30/26)
- Playlist: Sirius XM’s “Dark Wave” — hosted by Matt Sebastian (8/23/26)
- Playlist: Sirius XM’s “Dark Wave” — hosted by Matt Sebastian (8/16/26)
Slicing Up Eyeballs independently selects all releases featured on this site, but we may earn a commission from products purchased through affiliate links. Those commissions help support and fund the site.
Thank you so much for playing Julee Cruise.. I definitely felt I was watching Twin Peaks all over again!!!
I look at September 1st as the start of Spooky Season. I was wondering if its too early for The Damned “Plan 9 Channel 7”?
Thank you!!!
Agreed, Julee Cruise was unexpected and awesome. As was “Threat of Love”. Thanks, Matt.
Yes, hearing “Falling” totally took me off guard.
Am i the only one who thinks of Erasure “Piano Song” when I hear that? If you all don’t know, those albums and tracks released at almost exactly the same time in different zones, and must have recorded around the same time..
Crazy. Go listen if you have not! So good!!
Suggestions for the next episode
Dessau move seoul
Die warzau land of the free
Pailhead I will refuse
Jesus and the Mary chain head on
Skinny puppy warlock
Revolting cocks beers steers queers (take em right off mix)
Consolidated you suck
Song request:
Rational by King Cobb Steelie
Thanks!
Excellent show again, highlights for me was the very dancey mix of Lightning Man, the Marc Almond/Siouxsie Sioux collab and weirdly enough the Nefilim track, which was way more metal than I remembered. And thanks for playing my These Immortal Souls request!
Some requests again for the future:
Coil – The Wheel
Son of Sam – Dumb
I, Ludicrous – Spock’s Brain
These Immortal Souls, that was an excellant choice
Second I, Ludicrous! The best chorus in all history!
For future shows:
1. Dear Heart – Cocteau Twins
2. The Headmaster Ritual – the Smiths
3. My Love Life – Morrissey
4. I Remember Nothing – Joy Division
5. Dreamland – Rose of Avalanche
6. Grinding Halt – the Cure
7. Burning Bridge – Kate Bush
8. Sister Midnight – Iggy Pop
9. Sorry For Laughing – Propaganda
10. Blue Hotel – Lene Lovich
11. Visions In Blue – Ultravox
12. Showroom Dummies – Kraftwerk
13. See Those Eyes – Altered Images
14. When I Was Young – Danielle Dax
15. Smack Jack – Nina Hagen
16. Same Old Scene – Roxy Music
17. A Matter of Time – Berlin (with Terri Nunn off the “Best of Berlin” compilation)
18. Tora! Tora! Tora! – Depeche Mode
19. Gloria – Patti Smith
Gloria – yes! Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine.
Best show on XM
Here is a list of suggestions, requests
Faith and the Muse – Sredni Vashtar
This Ascension – Columba Aspexit
Controlled Bleeding – Words of the Dying
Dessau – Isolation (Joy Division cover)
Die Form – Rain Of Blood ‹Download Version – cEvin Key remix
Severed Heads – Jet Lag 400 blows remix
And One – Deutschmaschine or Techno Man
VNV Nation – Legion or Genesis
Das Ich – Destillat – VNV Nation Remix
Suicide Commando – Hellraiser (VNV Nation remix)
No More – Suicide Commando
:Wumpscut: – Soylent Green
Wolfsheim – Once in a Lifetime or The Sparrows and the Nightingales
Apoptygma Berzerk – Kathy’s Song (VNV Nation Remix)
Covenant – Dead Stars or Like Tears in Rain
Velvet Acid Christ – Fun With Drugs or Lysergia or Decypher
Combichrist – This S*it Will Fcuk You Up
Project Pitchfork – Timekiller
Leæther Strip – Strap Me Down
The Klinik – Moving Hands
Portion Control – Amnesia or Rise
Fad Gadget – Love Parasite, Ricky’s Hand, Back to Nature, Lady Shave , collapsing new people.
Einstürzende Neubauten – Yü-Gung – Fütter Mein Ego Adrian Sherwood mix
Ministry – Over the Shoulder squirrely version
Revolting Cocks – Stainless Steel Providers
Skinny Puppy – Smothered Hope
Front Line Assembly – Mindphaser
ohGr – Water
Hilt – no crack in junk Street, or Superhoney
Tear Garden – you and me and Rainbows
Legendary pink dots – Casting the Ruins
Download – Glassblower remix
Vomito Negro – Fighting the Force
Yello – I Love You
Princess Tinymeat – Angels in Pain
Virgin Prunes – Pagan Love Song
I’ll second Princess Tinymeat, since I also requested that a week or two ago.
I’d love to hear some Faith and the Muse! It’s been a while since I’ve heard them.
I second the Leatherstrip, Skinny Puppy and Virgin Prunes requests as well! Excellent choices
Another great show Matt, thank you.
Cover request for an upcoming show please.
Suspicious Minds by Fine Young Cannibals.
Always an aural feast for my ears.
the 79 live version of Down in the Park is my favorite version and one of my all time favorites.
Homicide is great, ever play the live version or Titanic Reaction from “The biggest tour in Sport”?
How about “surrender” by Single Gun Theory?
Charlotte Sometimes by the Cure please Matt
Thanks
Constantine
Oooh – I’ll second that one!
New Model Army – My Country
Enjoyed the bass-heavy tunes in that first hour!
Here’s a request for a possible shoegaze block in the future –
Swervedriver – Laze It Up
Thanks!
Will always second some Swervedriver!
Oh, thanks for playing my Neon Judgement request – by coincidence, I did have an “Awful Day” so it was very appropriate! Good show! That transition from Julee Cruise to the odd Nitzer Ebb mix was jarring but kinda funny really! I also liked the Nefilim track for a surprise, and the Siouxsie/Marc Almond duet had been on my radar but didn’t really know it, so great choice!
Still bummed that there’s been no mention of the TEAR GARDEN TOUR despite all the other tour mentions you’ve done. I just keep hoping you’ll mention it but sigh, oh well.
Some things you’ve never played that do fit in well and I’d love to hear:
1. Robyn Hitchcock – Messages of Dark
2. Stromkern – Stand Up
3. Sparks – Computer Girl (very old, 1969 their first song, pretty weird!)
Wow super awesome show this week…can you believe it’s September already?? How the heck did that even happen??!! All hours were stellar. Thank you for my OMD request….such a airy track. I also loved the DM, Julee Cruise & Gary Numan tracks! Some possible suggestions for next time:
Stiff Kittens – Eternal Blue
Peter Murphy – Hit Song
Book Of Love – I Touch Roses
Thanks again as always!!!!! ｡◕‿◕｡
Matt,I’m laboring out here,thank the Dark Wave gods I had these 3 hrs. awesome sets for the Holiday,much thanx.I’ll dish these your way too.
All The Best my friend as always,till nxt week.
MODERN ENGLISH-Drowning Man
FRONT 242-Moldavia
GHOUL-Immigrant Song
M.
Great show!!! I’m always Loving RevCo & Japan!!! So my wife is turning 50…I’d love to request This Mortal Coil Me & My Sister or TKK Sex On Whells. Thanks
I’ve been hearing more current dark music permeating my usual Sirius stations, like the Alt Nations, the XMUs, The Verge. Some it comes from record label The Flenser, bands like Agriculture, Chat Pile and Truck Violence.
I also have a new favorite weirdo, Gus Englehorn, one of those Bandcamp artists.
Oh yeah – Would like to hear Laughing Song by The Residents -thanks!
Uboa and Street Sects are (were?) on The Flenser too, and both have stuff that would fit great on Dark Wave, whenever Matt sneaks in some newer stuff.
Yes, they both still are. Plus there’s a duo, Ribbon Skirt, listening to them right now on The Verge. Don’t know what label they’re on.
So subversive to this dark stuff rippling through the alternative scene.
I super appreciate comments / threads like this, it’s great to learn about new stuff in addition to seeing what folks’ requests are. Maybe in forty years, Matt’s grandkid will host a Darker Side of Classic 20’s Alternative show on Sirius.
League of Nations- Fade
As a fellow lover of incongruous alternative covers, requesting a play of Camouflage covering The Human League’s “Being Boiled” on their Live in Dresden album.
Oh my, I used to love Camouflage, but have never heard that cover. Sounds like an excellent request!
Back to school exactly Forty years ago, “Stop Me If You Heard This One Before”, chiming out of every dorm room
… wondering if you could play it?
Man Matt you really covered all the genres Sunday
Five Stars!
Apologies, The Ramones ‘Animal Boy’ lp, huge at school
I encourage all to watch the ‘Something To Believe In’ video, featuring Sparks, Zander Schloss and more
Viva The Ramones
Great mix this week Matt! I especially enjoyed the fakeout of actually hearing Carolyn’s Fingers instead of the bumper, and the live version of November Spawned A Monster. Speaking of Morrissey, would you consider playing “Tony The Pony”? Thanks!
First show in a LONG time I was not able to listen to live as we were out of town. Replay on now, another awesome show. Abecedarians are always a treat but getting some Julee Cruise, holy smokes. Thank you for that.
Request for a future communion: “Too Late” by Wire.
Have an awesome week Matt, cheers!
As both a big fan of Dark Wave and Elastica, I want to point out that Elastica ripped off more than one song by Wire. I expect better grammar going forward. :)
They also ripped off The Stranglers :)
I still like all three bands though!
It might be quicker to list who they didn’t rip off!
Thanks for the Concrete Blonde. One of their rougher sounding tracks, but with her voice it’s all good.
Hour 1 was the winner this week. Those last three songs cinched it.
You have plenty of requests this time around. So I’ll just say thanks for the great music and wish you a good week.
Hi Matt!
Would love to hear Shivers by the Boys Next Door. Such great Nick Cave vocals and the writing from Rowland S. Howard is just hauntingly aching.
Always love the show, thanks! <3
Hey Matt,
Loved this week’s show! A gigantic thank you for playing my Kristin Hersh request. Thought the These Immortal Souls track following that was great too, and was not familiar with them. I also liked that heavier than usual Concrete Blonde Song a lot. Also great…the reminder of how incredible Modern English’s less known songs are, and was really turned on by Children on Stun, another deep and unfamiliar cut!
Been doing some reading on Olympia Washington’s great independent music history… which leads me to this request for ‘Bewitched. by Beat Happening.
Looking forward to the next transmission ‘
Wow! What a great way to start the show. I adore Primary! I really wish it would get played more often. Thank you!
Great Depeche Mode pick as well! I haven’t heard I Want You Now in ages. I used to listen to that album when driving home from work late at night. Ah! College years nostalgia.
The Coil and Nitzer Ebb picks were also particularly wonderful : – )
Loved hour 2 and 3, especially Don’t Crash!! I would love to request Circling Overland by Front 242. Can’t wait for next weekend’s communion. Keep it up ^_^
Wipers – Follow Blind (1987) Apple & Qobuz
Fuck Cancer
On my second listen, and this is definitely another favorite. The opening and first hour had to be one of your best — yesterday I was driving in through a storm in the countryside when “Lonely Planet” came on, and it was perfect.
Second hour was great too, with the Coil-Julee Cruise-Nitzer Ebb remix final block sending me into states of near ecstasy.
I have been loving all the early Cure lately, especially Seventeen Seconds tracks — how about “In Your House” from that album?
Vielen Dank!
Or “At Night”? That one is so good too!