In this episode, I speak with Kip Ulhorn, singer and guitarist of the seminal hardcore band, The Red Scare.
Hailing from Knoxville, The Red Scare had a profound impact on the sonic landscape of punk and hardcore in the late 90s. In this conversation, Kip and I discuss:
A shared love for California
Social and governmental neglect
The importance of community
Friendship
Being walking time capsules
The spirit of punk rock
Their newly released discography on Solid Brass Records
and playing shows in 2024 after
Nearly 25 years of hibernation.
Links:
solidbrassrecords.com
https://www.instagram.com/the_red_scare_knoxville/
jeromesdreamforever.com/tour
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)
Additional tours mentioned:
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 traditional 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.
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:
Don't Fall In Love With Yourself Documentary
Follow Microspy
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... So without further ado, here is my conversation with Dave Rosenberg of Deadguy.
Check out more Deadguy:
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:
Misc stuff:
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.
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.
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
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
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 you have, and the release of FACS’ new record, Still Life In Decay, which is officially out TODAY, April 7, 2023.
Tracklist:
FACS — When You Say
FACS — Teenage Hive
FACS — Dub Over
FACS — Strawberry Cough
FACS — Slogan
Keep up with FACS:
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.”
Tracklist in this episode: 1. Quicksand — Fazer 2. Quicksand — Head To Wall 3. Quicksand — Unfulfilled 4. Quicksand — Omission 5. Quicksand — Dine Alone Learn more about Walter:
Walter's Instagram Preorder Quicksand's "Slip" 30th Anniversary Re-Issue: Iodine Recordings Micro Spy Microspy Official WebsiteMicrospy Instagram
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.
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
Learn more about METZ and Weird Nightmare:
METZ:
Official website
Instagram
Weird Nightmare:
Official website
Instagram
—
Micro Spy
@microspymusic
microspymusic.com
In this episode, I speak with Mike York of the band, Pianos Become The Teeth, who recently released their fifth studio album, “Drift” on Epitaph Records. Mike and I discuss the beauty of imperfection in music, how intentionality influences songwriting, and the bond he’s established with his bandmates over the years. We also talk about the importance of gratitude, and the excitement for what lies ahead.
In this episode, I speak with visual artist, Jesse Draxler.
Jesse is probably most known for his abstract, visual manipulation through collage. He’s had solo exhibitions between New York and Los Angeles and has done commercial work for brands like Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, and Ferrari.
One of his most iconic works became the cover art for Daughters’ 2018 comeback album, “You Won’t Get What You Want”.
Jesse has also worked with Nine Inch Nails, and Chelsea Wolfe.
Our conversation explores creative process during a pandemic, using collage as a way to warp reality, isolation as a concept, and his latest project entitled Reigning Cement.
In this episode, I speak with Robert Pettersen and Rex Shelverton of the band Portraits of Past.
Portraits of Past was a hardcore band from Half-moon Bay between 1993 and 95, and did a handful of reunion shows between 2008 and 2009.
Their debut LP, released on ebullition records came out after they had already broken up. And it wasn’t until overtime did people start to catch on to the brilliance of this band’s music.
I met with Rex and Robert in San Francisco. We recorded this conversation at Rex’s rehearsal space and talked for almost 3 hours.
They reveal their very beginnings with punk rock and paint a very saturated picture of their surroundings during the time Portraits of Past was a band. We discuss how environment affects creative process, and how there are some things in art that simply can’t be articulated.
In this episode, I speak with Anthony DiDio of the Boston hard-core band Vein. Vein is one of the heaviest hardcore bands out there today. Their creativity along with their musical capability is arguably unrivaled.
Their 2018 full length, Errorzone is a blistering and beautiful record that pushes musical and conceptual boundaries. This band has such a unique style, combining various influences, creating a sound and visual world all of its own. Anthony and I discuss those influences, creative process, what determines a good song, and the nuance of triggering emotion.
In this episode, I speak with Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of the award-winning podcasts, Song Exploder and The West Wing Weekly. His most recent endeavor is hIs new podcast entitled, Partners — where he explores the bond between people who have made something together.
Hrishi is also the executive producer and theme composer of The Jump, a Podcast hosted by Shirley Manson of the band, Garbage.
He is also the musical talent behind The One AM radio and a member of the hip hop group, Moors, with actor Lakeith Stanfield.
Hrishi and I met in 1998 when we played a show together in New Haven, CT. Our conversation recalls moments of our past but quickly moves to the inner workings of his relationship with music, design, and creative process.
In this episode, I speak with Geoff Garlock of the band Orchid. Though Orchid hailed from Massachusetts, Geoff grew up in Connecticut like me. And not surprisingly we were exposed to a lot of the same bands.
We talk about the Connecticut hardcore scene in the mid-nineties and how the state acted as a sieve for bands that came through between New York and Boston.
Jeff also talks about his relationship with hardcore and the pros and cons that have come with it as he’s become older.
In this episode, I speak with Jeff Howe of the legendary hardcore band, Reversal of Man. He also played bass in Combat Wounded Veteran and is currently playing in the band Horsewhip. Jeff is also the co-founder of Nah Dogs, an all vegan hot dog stand, which he runs with his wife in St. Petersburg, FL.
Jeff and I talk about Reversal of Man’s history and the challenges they faced and endured through their end.
We also talk about the biggest takeaways of punk rock, friendship, perseverance, and how ROM turned an unfortunate conflict into a song that to this day, people still talk about.