School
University of Kent at Canterbury
Expertise
Music history, Classic rock, '80s pop and '90s alternative rock music
- Having grown up in the '80s and '90s, Simon's soundtrack to the end of the Cold War was filled with electronic drum beats and Britpop.
- In recent years, through his time with Grunge, he has become deeply familiar with the decades-long historical roots of modern music.
- Living near Austin, Texas, the self-proclaimed "live music capital of the world," Simon still rushes to grab tickets to the bands of his formative years, including Duran Duran, Green Day, and Fall Out Boy.
Experience
Simon is a seasoned journalist with many years of experience. As a contributor for Grunge, he has alternated between writing and editing since 2021. Over that period, he has covered topics from classic rock to shoegaze, as well as numerous deep dives into musicians' lives and their work, both legendary and obscure.
Education
Simon holds a bachelor's in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Kent at Canterbury.
The unique content on Grunge is a result of skilled collaboration between writers and editors with a broad array of expertise in music, music history, pop culture and strange news. Our goal is to provide accurate and diverse content bolstered by expert input.
Focused on accuracy and ethical coverage, the Grunge editorial team consistently fact-checks and reviews site content to provide readers with an informative, entertaining, and engaging experience. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
-
Quotes
By Simon Barnes 4 months ago
Johnny Cash rose from his rural Arkansas beginnings to become a legend in country music, so he understood the importance of living life on your own terms.
By Simon Barnes 4 months ago
Read More
-
Religion
By Simon Barnes May 8th, 2025
While many were focused on the identity of the new pope, some were curious as to what exactly that marching band was playing that preceded his appearance.
By Simon Barnes May 8th, 2025
Read More
-
World War 2
By Simon Barnes September 28th, 2024
Hitler's ambitions of European domination ended with defeat in 1945, before the U.S. used atomic bombs on Japan. But what if Hitler had won the nuclear race?
By Simon Barnes September 28th, 2024
Read More
-
Sports
By Simon Barnes August 3rd, 2024
Imane Khelif came from rural Algeria to become a world-class contender in women's boxing. Her journey to Olympic stardom has been as tough as her punches.
By Simon Barnes August 3rd, 2024
Read More
-
Scandals
By Simon Barnes November 16th, 2023
American politics has descended into violence in the past. Some politicians were injured or even killed over political and personal differences.
By Simon Barnes November 16th, 2023
Read More
-
Religion
By Simon Barnes February 5th, 2023
The Bible can sometimes appear entirely at odds with archeological records — or even itself. Here are some parts of the Bible that don't make sense.
By Simon Barnes February 5th, 2023
Read More
-
Crime
By Simon Barnes January 25th, 2023
True crime has exploded as a genre, with several award-winning podcasts, which have also helped solved the crime in question, worth listening to.
By Simon Barnes January 25th, 2023
Read More
-
Politics
By Simon Barnes January 23rd, 2023
In 1991, the USSR split off into 14 newly independent states, along with Russia gaining it's freedom. But how have those republics fared since?
By Simon Barnes January 23rd, 2023
Read More
-
Crime
By Simon Barnes October 18th, 2022
Sovereign citizens are a sprawling group of conspiracy theorists with some truly strange beliefs. Here is an explanation of the sovereign citizen movement.
By Simon Barnes October 18th, 2022
Read More
-
History
By Simon Barnes April 4th, 2022
Many influential, powerful, and established civilizations have seen their government toppled suddenly by those who decided they could do a better job.
By Simon Barnes April 4th, 2022
Read More
-
Royals
By Simon Barnes March 14th, 2022
Harald Hardrada was the last Viking king who personified the Viking Age. With his life documented by multiple poets, his death marked the end of the age.
By Simon Barnes March 14th, 2022
Read More
-
Untold Truth
By Simon Barnes February 27th, 2022
The Cradle of Humankind in South Africa has been a hotspot of human discovery, with fossils of our Homo ancestors discovered.
By Simon Barnes February 27th, 2022
Read More
-
Sports
By Simon Barnes February 14th, 2022
Spanning a seven decade long period of NBA history, these are some of the worst crimes committed by NBA players.
By Simon Barnes February 14th, 2022
Read More
-
Crime
By Simon Barnes December 27th, 2021
Notorious gang the Bloods have ruled the streets through violence and crime. But like any other criminal organization, there are strict rules to follow.
By Simon Barnes December 27th, 2021
Read More