Season 002, Episode 023 with Brandon Evans of City of Caterpillar, pageninentynine

In this episode. I speak with Brandon Evans, member of the bands City of Caterpillar and pageninetynine. Brandon and I discuss the magic of music, DIY ethos, Richmond’s vibrant hardcore scene, and how playing in City of Caterpillar and pg99 is the same, but entirely different. We also talk about friendship, and the wild nature of connection and community through music, and specifically, punk.

Links:
City of Caterpillar — Mystic Sisters (Relapse)⁠
Instagram⁠
pg.99 Instagram⁠

Season 002, Episode 022 with Sonny Kay of Angel Hair, The VSS, and GSL

In this this episode, I speak with Sonny Kay, vocalist of the bands Angel Hair and The VSS. He’s also the founder of the seminal record label, Gold Standard Laboratories, having released albums by The Locust, Melt Banana, The Rapture, Arab on Radar, Mohinder, and The Mars Volta, just to name a few. Sonny and I discuss the perception of time, nostalgia, leading a creative life, and transcending the tradition molds of punk and hardcore.We also talk about being an outcast, taking matters into your own hands, and creating your own space within creativity, punk rock, and community.

Links for Sonny:
sonnykay.com
Angel Hair
The VSS
GSL

Season 002, Episode 021 with Jon Nix, Director of Don't Fall In Love With Yourself

In this episode, I speak with, Jon Nix, co-founder of TurnStyle Films and director of his most recent release, “Don’t Fall in Love with Yourself”, a documentary on the life of Justin Pearson from The Locust, Three One G, and Deafclub. We talk about Jon’s childhood, and how movies and disposable cameras got him through difficult times. We speak about storytelling, and the mysterious, physiological ways film and music can affect us. We delve deep into his process of making this incredible documentary — and all the learnings that came with it.

Links for Jon:
⁠jonnixfilm.com⁠
turnstylefilms.com⁠
Don't Fall In Love With Yourself Documentary⁠
@jonnixfilm⁠
@TurnstyleFilms⁠
@justinpearson31g⁠

Season 002, Episode 020 with Dave Rosenberg of Deadguy

In this episode, I speak with Dave Rosenberg— drummer of the band Deadguy. Dave and I talk about the origins of the band, and what they’re up to today. We reflect on the early days of hardcore, the struggles of tour, and keeping it all together, or not…

Dave and I also nerd out over snare drum sounds, his ultra-rare cymbal collection, and his early training under the late renowned jazz drummer, Sonny Igoe.

We also talk about that time Jay Weinberg of Slipknot wore a Deadguy t-shirt and his bandmate Crispy’s particular affinity for Japanese guitar picks..

Check out Deadguy:
Deadguy Official Site
Instagram

Season 002, Episode 019 with Jeremy Bolm of Touche Amore and The First Ever Podcast

In this episode, I speak with Jeremy Bolm— Singer of the band Touche Amore, Host of The First Ever Podcast, And founder of Secret Voice Records. He’s also a writer, having penned poetry books like 'October' and 'Downtime.' Needless to say, his plate is full.

We talk about the early beginnings of Touche Amore, creative headspace, Korn’s first album, working with Ross Robinson, and the intentionality behind everything he does.

Check out Jeremy's stuff:
Touche Amore Official Site⁠
The First Ever Podcast⁠
Secret Voice

“Nothing brings me more joy than turning someone onto new music. To be able to do that with the label (Secret Voice) where I come across a band that I’m really excited about, and I believe in so much — what can I do to help this band at any capacity... that was always the driving force.”

— Jeremy Bolm

Season 002, Episode 018 with Christopher Norris a.k.a. Steak Mountain

In this episode, I speak with Christopher Norris, also known as Steak Mountain. He’s a notable figure in the DIY punk scene, having been in bands like Combat Wounded Veteran and Reversal of Man.

We discuss Chris’ childhood, his love of movies, Nancy Drew novels, and the end of the world. We also talk about creative process, and his new book, The Holy Day, which comes out October 10th, published by Rose Books.

Preorder The Holy Day via Rose Books here.

“Nightmare On Elm Street is one of those movies I’d put on and think of things: I think of my own projects, or get great ideas, even though it has nothing to do with it (my work). It’s not that my mind wanders, it just works in duet with my creative process somehow.”

— Christopher Norris

Artwork by Tony Stella for Christopher Norris’ first book, HUNCHBACK ‘88

Season 002, Episode 017 with Jeromes Dream and Jack Shirley

Jeromes Dream's new album, "The Gray In Between" is out TODAY, and this is a special episode to celebrate it. JD and renowned engineer/ producer, Jack Shirley sit down and listen through the record and reflect on the experience of making it together at Jack's studio, Atomic Garden East, in Oakland, CA. This conversation was recorded a few days before Christmas, 2022.

“We labored over these songs, and we wrote and refined and wrote again and refined some more, and wrote another and then wrote another. Before we knew it we found ourselves creating a new sonic landscape, a new feeling and a new world around the band. That is what was really exciting to me, just the new feeling that we were getting while making these songs together.”

— Erik Ratensperger, Jeromes Dream

JD Tour Dates + Tickets:
https://bit.ly/3VNNmpz

JD Merch:
https://bit.ly/3I2XIw7

Preorder Loma Prieta's, "Last"
https://bit.ly/3p0yU0Q

Follow Jack Shirley:
https://bit.ly/3LWcpTN

Follow Microspy:
https://bit.ly/3npemPn

Buy THE GRAY IN BETWEEN:
https://bit.ly/44xbccM

Track Listing in this episode:
JEROMES DREAM | THE GRAY IN BETWEEN

01. Conversations: In Time, On Mute
02. Stretched Invisible from London
03. South By Isolation
04. Pines on the Hill (With Guests)
05. Cosmos In Season
06. AAEEAA
07. On Holiday with Infinity
08. The Future of Memory
09. Often Oceans
10. The Last Water Pearl

Season 002, Episode 016 with Brian Case of FACS

In this episode, I speak with Brian Case, singer, and guitarist of the band, FACS. Brian has been long involved in the underground music scene, and has had roles in bands like 90 Day Men, The Ponys, and Disappears. Brian and I discuss the inherent need to create, the philosophy of DIY, the underground scene in Chicago in the 90s, the impact of the pandemic, the practice of restraint, working with what you have, and the release of FACS’ new record, Still Life In Decay, which is officially out TODAY, April 7, 2023.

“Everything was exciting and that’s partially because we were 18, but also because stuff was happening here. We felt like we weren’t a part of it… but we were going to make ourselves a part of it.”

— Brian Case

Learn more about FACS:
FACS:
Instagram
Bandcamp
Trouble In Mind Records

Tracklisting in this episode:
FACS — When You Say
FACS — Teenage Hive
FACS — Dub Over
FACS — Strawberry Cough
FACS — Slogan

Season 002, Episode 015 with Walter Schreifels of Quicksand

In this episode, I speak with Walter Schreifels, member of the legendary hardcore bands, Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today, and the guitarist and singer of the highly acclaimed, Quicksand, who just announced its 30th Anniversary re-issue of their iconic debut album, “Slip” on Iodine Recordings.

Walter and I discuss the correlation between running and creativity, the humbling aspect of pushing beyond your comfort zone, smallness, time, and chemistry between collaborators. We talk about the pursuit to always to keep moving forward, strive for new, and how life can be a “choose your own adventure.”

“We wanted to make something that was cool and exciting to us. and if people didn’t think it was hardcore, or it was stupid — whatever; no one cares.”

— Walter Schreifels

Photo: Michele Taylor

Learn more about Walter:
Quicksand Official Website
Quicksand Instagram
Rival Schools Instagram
Walter's Instagram
⁠Iodine Recordings

Tracklist in this episode:
1. Quicksand — Fazer
2. Quicksand — Head To Wall
3. Quicksand — Unfulfilled
4. Quicksand — Omission
5. Quicksand — Dine Alone

Iodine Recordings’ 30th Anniversary re-issue of Quicksand’s ‘Slip’

Season 002, Episode 014 with Alex Edkins of METZ and Weird Nightmare

In this episode, I speak with Alex Edkins, the guitarist and vocalist of the band METZ, and his new brainchild, Weird Nightmare. Alex and I discuss his music as a coping mechanism, the shift in mindset regarding creative collaboration, and the magical effects music and art can have on humanity. His new project Weird Nightmare released its debut full-length on Sub Pop last year. METZ’s most recent album, ATLAS VENDING, also released on Sub Pop came out in 2020. He’s already working on new material for both.

“The pandemic really amplified just how much music and performing brings to my life, and how important it’s been for my soul and well-being. When taken away, you almost don’t feel like yourself.”

— Alex Edkins

Photo: Ryan Thompson

Learn more about METZ and Weird Nightmare:
METZ:
Official website
Instagram

Weird Nightmare:
Official website
Instagram

Tracklisting in this episode:
1. METZ — Headache
2. Weird Nightmare — Searching For You
3. METZ — The Mule
4. Weird Nightmare — Dream
5. Weird Nightmare — Wrecked
6. METZ — Wasted
7. METZ — Get Off
8. Weird Nightmare — Nibs