Talk About the Passion

#99: King of the Road (A Conversation With Dana Bollen)

Episode 99 is a conversation with Dana Bollen, Dana has two podcasts himself: Two Week Notice and Life Free or DIY which we talk about a bit here. Dana also has worked as a tour manager for bands like Piebald and Unearth, he tells the story of how he went from being a fan of Piebald to them asking him to manage a tour. Travel is a big theme in this episode, as well as the DIY ethic. This was my first time meeting Dana and he was down to earth, great storyteller and someone I would have on again. 

#98: Time Waits For No One (A Conversation With Brian Brannon)

Episode 98 is a conversation with Brain Brannon, singer of JFA (Jodie Foster's Army) since 1981. We talk about his time in that band, skateboarding, writing for Thrasher Magazine in the 90's, joining the US Navy after 9/11 and of course more skateboarding. JFA were pretty much the beginning of the marriage of skateboarding and punk rock/hardcore music, or at least the first to wear it proudly. JFA are still playing and original guitarist Don Pendleton is also still in the band. Brian is humble, down to earth, and an amazing and hilarious story teller, he has some great views on life he talks about here. I appreciate Brian taking his time out to talk for a bit with me.

#97: The Scene Changes (A Conversation With Aesop Dekker)

Episode 97 is a conversation with Aesop Dekker. Aesop has played drums for a number of bands like Hickey, Ludicra and Agalloch among many others. We talk about him growing up in Florida, moving to the Bay Area and then just talk about music in general. Everything from JFA to Pat Travers! Some great stories, and well thought out takes on music. This was an easy going, natural conversation and I hope to have Aesop on again some time. 

#96: Does Humor Belong In Music? (Music & Comedy Pt 1)

In this episode I talk about humor in music, from early artists like Martin Mull to punk and hardcore bands like The Dickies and Angry Samoans. I attempt to reassess my opinion of a popular band I long dismissed. And of course Frank Zappa is discussed. Humor is a huge part of music, and the answer to this question is obvious, here I give some examples of why. 

#95: Live Your Life (A Conversation With Graham McCulloch)

Episode 95 is a conversation with Graham McCulloch. Alongside his brother Rob he was in the hardcore band Negative Approach, playing on both of their records. Later moving on to The Meatmen, which is where we spend most of our conversation. From his first performance with Tesco to tours with the Meatmen in the 80's, there are some amazing stories here. Graham also worked with Void's Bubba Dupree in the rock band Earth Eighteen as well as other projects we talk about. Graham was a great guest and I was happy to have someone on who has made so much music I've listened to for the over 40 years. 

#94: Thunderbolt (A Conversation With Dean Rispler)

Episode 94 is a conversation with Dean Rispler. Dean is a NY native, and we talk about growing up on Long Island and discovering music there, a life changing Butthole Surfers show, eventually making his way to playing with Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, Murphy's Law, Dictators and Richard Lloyd among others. Dean is a great story teller and some of these stories are hilarious, some are crazy, most importantly they're all interesting and I look forward to having him on again. 

#93: Problems Faced When Traveling (Music & Travel Pt. 1)

First episode back in a couple of years is a solo episode where I talk about music and it's relation to traveling. What's the best Dischord band for a road trip mix? Should you collaborate with a friend on a travel playlist? What Eagles songs was partly written in the parking lot of a fast food hot dog chain? Find out here!

#92: Do It Again (Another Conversation With Michael Brousseau)

Episode 92 is another conversation with my good friend Michael Brousseau. On this episode we talk about rediscovering stuff you were into as a kid before you got turned on to the good stuff from your cool friend at school, and realize that stuff is good as well. This is a long loose conversation about music discovery, music listening habits and not having guilty pleasures. Michael has some really cool ideas and opinions on music, I was happy to have him on again. Check him out on the excellent podcast Gleaming the Tube!

#91: In A Certain Life Before You (Another Conversation With Damien Moyal)

Episode 91 is a conversation with returning guest Damien Moyal (As Friends Rust, Culture, On Bodies, Damien Done and more) On this episode we are talking about his newest project, a death metal band called Ekstasis and their new release, Paralyzing Impermanence. We talk about how this project came to be, what the future holds for the project as well as what some of the differences are making music and being a fan in the hardcore scene vs making music and being a fan in the metal scene. This was another great conversation with Damien who has some great ideas and opinions on music that I am always happy to give a platform to. Check out Ekstasis now!

#28: Low FIdelity (Behind and in Front of the Counter at the Record Shop)

Episode 28 is me alone talking about record stores. Starting at going to Tower Records on Sunset Strip as a kid to working at a few different record stores in New England, and now in the present time being a frequent customer at various shops. I also answer questions like "Does one need nine copies of the same Minor Threat record?", "Can you really impress a woman just by playing a Replacements record?" and many more. Note: This actual 90th episode is Episode 28 because the original Episode 28 has been removed.