Ep184: Tony Visconti (Producer: David Bowie, T. Rex, Iggy Pop, Thin Lizzy)Ep184: Tony Visconti (Producer: David Bowie, T. Rex, Iggy Pop, Thin Lizzy)

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Tony Visconti is a legend in recording, not just Bowie’s long time producer, but a member of his band in the Man Who Sold the World days. Listen in as we hear tales from almost all eras of Bowie, as well as his work with Marc Bolan/T. Rex, Iggy Pop’s the Idiot, and Thin Lizzy (!). WOW!

Ep181: KatieJane Garside (Daisy Chainsaw, Liar,Flower, Queen Adreena)Ep181: KatieJane Garside (Daisy Chainsaw, Liar,Flower, Queen Adreena)

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KatieJane Garside is a bit of an enigma for some. She has a new album under the name Liar, Flower with longtime collaborator Chris Whittingham. We talk about that: all her various bands (like Queen Adreena and Daisy Chainsaw), living on a boat, meditation, sublimation and eradication of self in creative pursuits and and many other things.

Ep180: Jared Warren (Big Business, the Whip, KARP, Melvins)Ep180: Jared Warren (Big Business, the Whip, KARP, Melvins)

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Jared Warren has done a LOT. And with the recent release of the compendium of the “lost” band between KARP and Big Biz: The Whip, there’s even more to listen to now. Listen in as Jared and Conan talk about and around Scotty, the Big Business arc, the time in and around the Melvins and a little bit about the…  KARP reissues?!

It might be the most detailed accounting of Big Business around!

Ep179: Travis Keller (Buddyhead, American Primitive)Ep179: Travis Keller (Buddyhead, American Primitive)

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Travis’s site Buddyhead is a name associated with iconoclastic irreverence to this DAY. In the days before everybody had a hot take, and the ability to take down sacred cows, Buddyhead ruled the school Now he’s pivoted towards making things himself.

Travis returns for his THIRD protonic episode, to talk about those days as well as the various zines, videos (Mark Lanegan!), shirts and things that he is up to with American Primitive. Oh yeah, and Amanda Palmer splitting up with Neil Gaiman over Patreon for some reason.

(this episode takes place BEFORE the recent uprisings)

Zak Sally - Low, the Hand, Enemymine

Ep177: Dan Gatto (BABYLAND, Continues)Ep177: Dan Gatto (BABYLAND, Continues)

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The revolutionary and incredible electronic junk punk band BABYLAND was a huge influence on Conan, here they discuss that iconic band’s origin, moving from one off art project to DIY paragons. The world around early 90s weird music in LA. Moving on with Continues and quite a bit about the general state of everything in these Covid-19 times.
(note: this episode takes place before the George Floyd killing and subsequent uprisings)

Here is a youtube version of the show (a grand experiment!)

Ep176: David Scott Stone (LCD Soundsystem, Melvins, Unwound, Big Business, Slug, Get Hustle, etc.)Ep176: David Scott Stone (LCD Soundsystem, Melvins, Unwound, Big Business, Slug, Get Hustle, etc.)

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Dave Scott Stone has done a *LOT*, being an auxiliary member of Big Business, Unwound and the Melvins. To joining LCD Soundsystem, to making soundtracks with a member of Duran Duran! Listen in on this talented man’s incredible journey in music and hear the true story of the falling out with Melvins. 

Ep175: Gerald V. Casale (DEVO) pt. 2Ep175: Gerald V. Casale (DEVO) pt. 2

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Jerry Casale’s full length appearance in episode 159 was expansive in scope and covered quite a bit, but we didn’t get to everything. Soooo… Mr. Casale returned for what WAS to be a quick 20-30 minute followup.

Listen in as Jerry and Conan talk about the insane story of the movie Human Highway and DEVO’s association with Neil Young. The anniversary of the Kent State shootings. The Are We Not Men? / ChiChi Rodriguez artwork story, the 50 by 50 winery, the (still yet unreleased) DEVO documentary and yes… the source of “Show me some of what’s about to happen.” (Hint: Ben Orr of the Cars) and lots more.

Ep174: Martin Atkins (PiL, Pigface, Killing Joke)Ep174: Martin Atkins (PiL, Pigface, Killing Joke)

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Martin Atkins has had an incredible lifetime in and around music, listen in as he and Conan go into great depth on the historic and iconic Flowers of Romance record by Public Image Limited, including performing on American Bandstand (!) and doing everything the most difficult way possible with that group. Working with Killing Joke and non-relatable songwriting, the inception and continuing wild ride of Pigface, borne off of Ministry touring. Reveling in the unexpected and using the chaos as a change agent. Abandonment of ego to create a greater whole.

All of this plus his journey into academia and his excellent (and very funny) general advice for working smart as a band and finding what it is that makes the band special. Some of which can be found in his (FREE!) book: Band Smart: Succeed On the Music Business on Your Own Terms.

Ep173: Ryan Christopher Parks (B. Hamilton)Ep173: Ryan Christopher Parks (B. Hamilton)

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Ryan Parks fancies himself a blues man. But the songwriter behind Oakland rockers B. Hamilton is a lot deeper than just that… listen in on the crazy train of Oakland’s B. Hamilton. Songwriting, process, inspiration and history, the Gilligan’s Island of “covers of others”, and being part of the hit song from Sorry to Bother You.

Ep172: Tad Doyle (TAD, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth)Ep172: Tad Doyle (TAD, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth)

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Tad Doyle is a rock pioneer, who was around and working during the “gold rush days” of grunge and well after, as well as the proprietor of Witch Ape Studios. Hear about the rise and fall of Tad, a little bit of Hog Molly, the incredible rebirth with Brothers of the Sonic Cloth and everything else. This talk gets deep! From artwork cease and desists to serious discussions on mental health.

Ep171: Ronnie Barnett (the Muffs)Ep171: Ronnie Barnett (the Muffs)

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Ronnie is/was 1/3 of the mighty Muffs! He’s a raconteur of the highest order and has had an incredible career in music with the amazing Kim Shattuck (R.I.P.). Listen in on the tales of an incredible rock and roll career, from a surprise hit song in the movie Clueless as well as a detailed accounting of the final Muffs record. Which was completed during Kim’s two year battle with ALS.

Ep170: Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless, OFF!, Hot Snakes, Rocket From the Crypt, Clikitat Ikatowi)Ep170: Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless, OFF!, Hot Snakes, Rocket From the Crypt, Clikitat Ikatowi)

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It is another “stay at home” Protonic Reversal with special guest: drummer Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless, OFF!, Hot Snakes, RFTC, Clikitat Ikatowi)! This guy has done it all… six degrees of Rubalcaba. Hear about joining RFTC and Hot Snakes, punk rock basements and the wild and wooly path of the mighty Earthless! All this, a little pro skating stuff and some serious record geek talk. OK!

Ep167: Alexander Hacke & Danielle De Picciotto (Hackeddepicciotto)Ep167: Alexander Hacke & Danielle De Picciotto (Hackeddepicciotto)

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Hackedepicciotto are itinerant nomads making soundtracks for life, and it’s a pandemic. You may know Alexander from his other band Einstürzende Neubauten, this here episode is a talk with the duo about tour, the nature of performance and connection, and yoga music for people who hate yoga music. (apologies for less than ideal sound quality on Conan’s part, there was a bad piece of equipment, since rectified)

Ep166: Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland)Ep166: Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland)

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Lori Barbero is a living legend. As the power behind the propulsive drumming of Babes in Toyland, she was a participant in several incredible epochs of crazy music. Although she’s currently going through a crazy picture archive during the pandemic, she took time out to talk to Conan Neutron about all things Babes in Toyland, DIY, music and the year Punk Broke and well after. 

Ep164: Brian Walsby (Cartoonist, Shiny Beast, Polvo)Ep164: Brian Walsby (Cartoonist, Shiny Beast, Polvo)

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Brian Walsby is a cartoonist, he also played drums in Polvo and in a band called Shiny Beast (which features a member that went on to be in Red Fang), he’s also known for running merch for the Melvins where his cartoon parodies of popular books, records, movies and tv shows are the delight of discerning music fan. He’s also written a book on being self-employed called “self empunishment”. Anyway, the guy has stories for days and is a treasure trove of music knowledge, even if he isn’t actively playing it now. Dig in!

Ep163: Kate Wakefield (Lung)Ep163: Kate Wakefield (Lung)

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Kate Wakefield is a cellist, vocalist and part of the incredible duo Lung. Lung tour hard, and have an unforgettable and powerful live show. An incredible and intense performer and an undeniable talent.
Kate took the time to talk to Conan about everything from touring, poetry, Brock Turner and the American patriarchy. There’s a lot to learn from this iconoclastic lady, listen in.

Ep161: Chris Spencer (Human Impact, Unsane)Ep161: Chris Spencer (Human Impact, Unsane)

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Chris Spencer is most known for the brutal, uncompromising and iconoclastic rockers UNSANE. Whose gory and explicit album art was equally as vicious as the music contained within. After 30 years of Unsane he’s teamed up with some friends and collaborators for a much different kind of band, the moody and often slow-burning Human Impact. Chris sits down with Conan to talk about all that during the pandemic. 

Ep160: Matt Gentling (Archers of Loaf, Band of Horses)Ep160: Matt Gentling (Archers of Loaf, Band of Horses)

Matt Gentling

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Ep160: Matt Gentling

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The mighty bass man of the NC indie rock heroes, the Archers of Loaf comes back on Protonic Reversal to have a talk. It’s been what, 5 years? Time flies! How could it have gone long without an appearance from this swell fella? This time it is everything from the first inklings of “Go Loaf”, all the way to the end… and after! A new single and record, and a tour… right during the pandemic. It’s all discussed.
Oh yeah, he also plays in a band called Band of Horses that you may have heard of, did you know that? We talk about that too.

Ep159: Gerald V. Casale (DEVO)Ep159: Gerald V. Casale (DEVO)

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Jerry Casale is a legend. An iconoclast, a prophet and a pioneer who got scalped. As a founding member, and mastermind behind the incredible genre bending band DEVO, Jerry pushed the boundaries of music, music video and mainstream culture.
In these insane times, it is true. We are ALL DEVO. Jerry Casale sat down for a long form episode of Protonic Reversal.

(note, while this is a fully formed and fully produced episode there is another episode that began as an addendum and later became it’s own episode. You can find that here.)

Ep157: Andrew “Falco” Falkous (mclusky, Future of the Left, Christian Fitness)Ep157: Andrew “Falco” Falkous (mclusky, Future of the Left, Christian Fitness)

Andrew “Falco” Falkous

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The inimitable and unstoppable Andy “Falco” Falkous comes back on Protonic Reversal for another long term episode. Does this qualify him for guest host status? Nobody knows.

A freewheeler you will want to hold onto your hat for, key discussion points include an *ACTUAL* discussion of the American Left (if not the Future of it.) Covid-19 and Misfits beshirted minor villainy. All things *mclusky, and a little discussion of the last christian fitness record.

“So… You Are the Ambulance

Ep156: Toshi Kasai (Producer, Plan D, Big Business)Ep156: Toshi Kasai (Producer, Plan D, Big Business)

Toshi Kasai

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Toshi Kasai is back on Protonic Reversal! He has a brand new record/project called PLAN D!

Plan D: Working with tons of different drummers to make a very cool record.
-Lieutenant tour (Nate Mendel)
-Solo sets opening for Melvins
-Working with a number of different bands/clients
-Overpreparing/underpreparing for recording.
-Making a band/artist feel comfortable
-bands arguing for 10 minutes over a part that is 5 seconds.
-Tracking at sound of Sirens vs. tracking in other places/studios.
-Upcoming bands recorded
-“the wrong end of adventure” with destination recording.
-“partying” in the studio/recording process

Dale Crover

Ep155: Dale Crover (Melvins)Ep155: Dale Crover (Melvins)

Dale Crover

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It’s Dale Crover! of the Dale Crover Band, Melvins, Altamont and… well, Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends! He’s been on before, but never in his own episode. And here it is. Awesome. 

-Quarantine life.
-Dale Crover Band – Sell Out 
-The Who – Sell Out
Being on a split single and being on both sides. (DCB/NeutronFriends)
-Drum record on JNR
-Bringing the Dale Crover Band into being an actual band.
-Altamont
-Recording with Mark Arm and Steve turner of Mudhoney!
-Collaborations (Helms Alee!)
-Sound of Sirens!
-A sense of adventure in the studio/trying new stuff with Toshi
-Plan D!
-Working on others stuff vs. your own
-Nocturnal Habits record
-Different kinds of percussion
-The KISS style solo records
-Melvins @ Gilman/Covered Wagon (San Francisco Days)
-Atlantic
-Lysol / Lice-all (copyright/trademark vs. generic term) 
-Mark Deutrom/Lori Black
-Covering Going Blind/KISS and then later playing it live with Gene Simmons. 
-Playing with KISS and playing with Rush. 
-Double drums with Coady Willis and playing with Jared Warren
-Hold it In
-Mike and the Melvins
-Reconciling with Kevin Rutmanis
-P.I.L./Flowers of Romance/Martin Atkins/American Bandstand
-Setting up the Melvins space for Ministry
-Steven McDonald in Melvins
-General quarantine wrap-up, QUARANTIME!

Ep153: Steven McDonald (Redd Kross, OFF!, Melvins)Ep153: Steven McDonald (Redd Kross, OFF!, Melvins)

Steven McDonald

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Steven McDonald has been playing music since he was 12 years old and making records and touring with his brother Jeff as the band Redd Kross the whole time. He’s also played in such bands as OFF!, Melvins, and a live incarnation of Sparks. Redd Kross has a new album out called “Beyond the Door” and Steven and Conan talk about… well, a lot of stuff.

-Postponed tour
-Beyond The Door
-Dale Crover on drums
-Sparks Covers / “When Do I Get To Sing My Way?”
-Sparks talk with Conan and Steven.
-Georgio Moroder
-There really haven’t been that many Redd Kross records for as long the band has been around.
-40+ year career/starting in with Redd Kross as a kid!
-First show with black flag. (Keith and Robo era)
-Then playing with Keith in OFF! years later.
-Redd Kross being influence by rock and… well KISS.
-Neurotica and recording with Tommy Ramone (after learning to play along to the first Ramones record.
-Influencing GRUNGE
-Dale Crover interlude
-“Big Time Records”
-Major label stuff/the “Alternative era”/manuf
-Major or minor, anybody can be a dick.
-Right thing/right time and taking a 10 year break from actively being in a band.
-Getting out of ruts, overlooking things, liking things as identity (punk rock)
-Thrift stores over hardcore
-oh yeah… THE MELVINS
-Joining the Melvins.
-Melvins logistics
-Superhero team logistics
-The wild world of the Melvins.
-Bringing the Rock ‘n roll show energy to the Melvins.
-“Don’t listen to the records!”
-Melvins fans/trolls
-Please do not throw things at Steven McDonald.

Ep151: Tim Midyett (Silkworm, Mint Mile, Bottomless Pit)Ep151: Tim Midyett (Silkworm, Mint Mile, Bottomless Pit)

Tim Midyett

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Tim Midyett returns to Protonic Reversal, for the first #StayHome edition of the show. Tim comes back with a brand new 2xLP Mint Mile record, as well as new experiences from recording and touring with legends of drone: SUNN 0)))

-Quarantine life
-Cancelling shows
-Playing live vs. not
-Ambertron!
-Baroque elements and Showing Ambertron to a younger Tim.
-Listening to old stuff from way back when.
-Playing with people more skilled than you are/playing with people better than you.
-Inspiration.
-playing with and entering the world of SUNN 0))), a detailed journey!
-Michael Dahlquist tour diaries.
-Bottomless Pit revisited.

Ep150: Steve Albini (Shellac, Big Black, Rapeman)Ep150: Steve Albini (Shellac, Big Black, Rapeman)

Steve Albini

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For the 150th episode, one of our favorite guests is back, the unmistakable and always interesting Mr. Steve Albini.

-Making ends meet in the age of quarantine.
-The American Health Care system
-The slow escalation of risk with a midwest Shellac tour
-Playing new songs live, 1/3 of the set is unreleased stuff.
-Live experience vs. vegas stage show (the art of surprise and stage expectations)
-Billiard Player Song and live evolution of songs
-Cheap Trick vs. the Ex
-Do the internal meanings of the songs change.
-Scrappers
-Old songs
-Accountability for song content/flawed thinking
-Culpability v/ doubling down on dickery.
-Jokes vs. just being a jerk (comedians)
-Chappelle
-Big Black art aesthetic (it was cheaper!)
-Big Black: Jordan, Minnesota
-Big Black: Seth (his DOG hated black people…)(race in America and privilege)
-The Mentors
-The name of the band Rapeman
-Rapeman: “I have not been held to account”
-Blitz tattoos.
-Dave Riley of Big Black remembered
-The Girl on the Third Floor soundtrack (with Tim Midget and Helen Money)
-The End of Radio Peel sessions

Ep149: Billy Gould (Faith No More/Talking Book)Ep149: Billy Gould (Faith No More/Talking Book)

Billy Gould

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The one and only Billy Gould finally comes on Protonic Reversal! Billy and his coharts have an awesome new The Talking Book album. A project that evokes eno-like soundscapes as well as 70s film soundtracks. Conan and Billy talk about that, many things Faith No More and… Milk Cult?

-Talking Book II-70s film soundtracks
-9 year gap
-Structured but not structured
-“It’s not ready until it’s ready”
-Adding a member to a very subjective and subconscious enterprise
-Not the same as getting a new band member.
-Milk Cult!
-Faith No More going into new directions the audience didn’t necessarily expect
-Being known as a “rock guy.”
-Old San Francisco
-(Men of) Porn
-Playing in Jello Biafra’s band
-Faith No More reunion and complex relationships.
-Songs with problems “We fixed ’em!”
-Getting the call from Wayne Kramer to play in the MC50
-The pressure.
-Playing with Brendan Canty
-“If you do something, see it though
-Choose a journey where you don’t care about the destination.
-The many moods and styles of guitar players of Faith More.
-FNM as alchemy
-Slap bass demo tapes
-touring vs. recording
-Live shows with Talking Book
-Kool Arrow: the genre is “good”

Ep148: Buzz Osborne (Melvins)Ep148: Buzz Osborne (Melvins)

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Buzz Osborne returns to Protonic Reversal to discuss quarantines, the new acoustic(+) album Gift of Sacrifice, songwriting, gear and lots, lots more.

-Quarantine Life
-EP, Acoustic Records and covering Six Pack
-Trevor Dunn!
-Limited edition handmade stuff
-“You don’t HAVE to buy it.”
-Suiting songs to the player
-Steven McDonald in the band
-How people listen to music
-Vintage vs. useful
Hilbish Design!
EGCs
-Vinyl vs. cds
-Songwriting and “banking songs”
-Picking up a guitar to write vs. just to play.
-“You don’t want the fourth of july at all times.”
-Letting the lightning strike

Ep147: Jonathan Nuñez (Torche)Ep147: Jonathan Nuñez (Torche)

Jonathan Nuñez

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Jonathan Nuñez of the mighty Torche joins Conan for a talk that includes:

-Nuñez Amplification and pedals
-The current “golden age” of small scale, handmade gear.
-Moving from bass go guitar.
-Parting ways with Andrew
-Parting ways with Juan
-The extended family of Miami rockers.
-The absolutely insane journey of Torche’s post-Russian/Greece Covid-19 tour
-Covid-19 lifestyle changes
-Torche “Part Time Punks” sessions
-Jonathan’s path into recording and playing music.

And tons more!

Ep146: Mark Lanegan (Mark Lanegan Band, Queens of the Stone Age, Gutter Twins, Screaming Trees)Ep146: Mark Lanegan (Mark Lanegan Band, Queens of the Stone Age, Gutter Twins, Screaming Trees)

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-Doing the video with Travis and Joe (and Donel!)
-Video with Jimmy the cab driver (reprising that character after years)
-Making the other video at the Salton Sea with still photographs
-“Don’t mind the crickets.”
-The book! “Sing Backwards and Weep” (and companion piece record)
-Recording the companion piece record to the book and linking the songs to it.
-“A pandora’s box of shitty memories.”
-Working with Rob Marshall of Humanist.
-Making a double record/great double records.
-Opening for Watt
-Blues Funeral
-Meet and greets at the merch table and getting ghost pain from shaking hands.
-Complicated hand shake non-engagement
-Older audiences.
-Picking a setlist with so much material.
-Ripping off Leonard Cohen
-Rated R and joining Queens of the Stone Age
-Gutter Twins with Greg Dulli
-Playing on each other’s records, vs. working on things together.
-Meeting Greg Dulli (and initially wanting to kick ass ass)
-“Secret beef!”
-Josh Homme in Screaming Trees
-Walking the streets with Josh Homme, and Josh being misidentified as a cop!
-The Conner brothers.
-The story of the Screaming Trees.
-Publically learning how to make records
-Different crowds knowing different eras of the music.
-Artist vs. entertaintainer vs. guy who stands there and sings.
-Stooges and being in Iggy’s sights

Ep144: Kevin Rutmanis (hepa.titus, The Cows, Melvins, Tomahawk)Ep144: Kevin Rutmanis (hepa.titus, The Cows, Melvins, Tomahawk)

Kevin Rutmanis

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At last! Kevin Rutmanis comes on Protonic Reversal, a delightful conversation with a self-identified genuine musical weirdo that is not heard from NEARLY OFTEN enough! In this episode Conan and Kevin talk about:

-Covering Night Goat in Hepa.Titus
-Boutique vinyl, human hands touch almost ever piece!
-Finding Alice Cooper (who also hated everybody)
-AM Radio inspiration and enjoyment
-Da Blues!
-Not picking up the bass until 28, he was very busy.
-The Cows, a nasty bunch of creeps that also played music.
Inspiration by other bands not being great.
-SLIDE bass!
-New generations getting into “weird” music and finding music in general.
-Cape Fear guy.
-Recording the last “Cows” record and then joining the Melvins.
-Buzz wanting the Kevin thing.
-The story of Tomahawk, Kevin’s tale. A contrast in musical approaches. (thanks Buzz!)
-the story of Hepa.Titus, from early to now.
-How great is Paul Christensen?
-The Bass V-I… Kevin R. is NOT a gear guy
-Electrical Guitar Company necks.

Ep143: Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, the Stooges)Ep143: Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, the Stooges)

What happens when you get two rock ‘n roll talkers together? Good, good stuff. Sit tight for a momentous protonic with the legendary Mr. Mike Watt. The movement! Minutemen! Stooges! more…
Mike Watt

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-Technology! As tool of punk rock/DIY
-DROOOOOOONE
-Composing with BASS! (…and leaving room for the others that way)
-Contemplating the engine room
-Ballhog or Tugboat?: band as comp tape!
-Pedro
-Nautical imagery and Watt’s dad, ships and touring bands
-Gigs v. flyers
-Taking turns in punk rock.
-Bumper stickers/No Littering, etc.
-Perception is 9/10 of the law.
-Driving the van
-Il Sogno del Marinaio
-taking turns and different roles.
-Playing stuff that you didn’t write.
-Plowhard (not blowhard!)
-The story of Watt joining up with the Stooges. J. Mascis and the Fog, etc.
-“First you rip of a guy, then you play with him.”
-The songs end when they end.
-Little Doll/Pharoah Sanders
-Uniform music and punk rock.
-“Steve, BLOW!”
-Stooges crowd age.
-Delivering the songs of the Stooges.
-IGGY!… focus on Iggy.
-Letting the freak flag fly.
-Double Nickels on the Dime
-Keeping it succinct: Ummagumma
-Zen Arcade v. Double Nickels: friendly arms race/game of chicken
-wearing the (proverbial) Carmen Miranda hat.
-Treble v. Bass
-Recording budgets for Minutemen.
-Jam econo: way of life, not slogan
-The Watt from Pedro show.
-If you want a good crop, use a lot of manure.
-Why do you do what you do?

Ep142: Matt Cronk (Qui, Cunts)Ep142: Matt Cronk (Qui, Cunts)

Matt Cronk of Qui

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First episode of 2020 is up! Matt Cronk of Qui and Cunts speaks to Conan about all things rock!

-Quite a bit of talk about midwest vs. L.A.
-Cunts origin story
-AmRep/Touch and Go style or Hardcore Band?
-The name, reactions or non-reactions thereof. “If you’re offender by it, it’s probably not for you… and that’s fine”
-Being in a band that is getting a little bit of attention while being a musician approaching middle age.
-“While they argue about riffs, I can look at girls on tinder”
-Qui… and Anything Goes!
-Genre vs. Emotional Response.
-Qui on recharge status
-Covering “Goin’ Out West”
-Hardcore bands lack of originality.
-“I just want to listen to Captain Beefheart and REM
-David Yow joining Qui
-Qui recording Ashtry Heart with Buzz Osborne, Dale Drover, Trevor Dunn and Kevin Rutmanis
-Ramones vs. Eric Dolphy: respect to both, different skill sets.

Top Records of 2019Top Records of 2019


Helms Alee – Noctiluca

Alternately (and sometimes simultaneously!) heavy as hell and laden with soaring beauty, Helms Alee are the oncoming storm. No band currently working effectively works in such a deft and unique field. That’s because there are none like them. What can I say? This is an essential record and I listen to it regularly. Not many bands can put out their 5th album and having it arguably be their best.
Helms Alee, long may they run.

Hurry Up Shotgun – This Crystal Vessel

Both brooding and soaring, intense but never boring… Oakland’s Hurry Up Shotgun have yet again delivered one of the best records of the year. Not explicitly any one genre, but pairing innovative arrangement and discordance with melody and harmony, HuS continues to took away and make adventuresome and worthy records that most people have never heard. Recommended for fans of the Chavez, The Afghan Whigs, Mudhoney, Les Savy Fav and the more danger laden QOTSA stuff.

Stunning work!

Djunah – Ex-Voto

I’ve said a lot about Djunah, and I imagine I will in the future. Remarkable band with a unique sound, an iconoclastic presence and a leg for a bass player. Weighty and worthy art worth paying attention to. Dive in and see what they have to offer. RIYL: Brainiac, Marnie Stern, Oxbow, Le Butcherettes, early PJ Harvey… but they really have a voice all their own.

SEMINARS – Iniquity Signals

SEMINARS is a badass band, and everybody oughta know. Still the downstroke kings, but now introducing elements of moodier post-punk and nuanced rhythmic interplay. The songs are great, the sound is top notch, what is not to love? 

B. Hamilton – Nothing and Nowhere

One of the most iconoclastic, yet easy to understand bands I can think of that almost nobody knows. It’s been literal years since B Hamilton’s last record and civilizations have risen and fell since then. 

There’s still a melding of Kevin Shields like guitar atmospherics with Frank Black style noisepop, but the blues is strong with this record. Without ever sounding a bit like Blues Hammer.

B Hamilton can be a hard band to describe, because they are more inventive, interesting and downright enjoyable than most bands that are genre adjacent to them. 

Also, drummer Raj’s work in Once and Future Band and now Black Crowes (!), means that B. Hamilton remains a jewel of a treasure for those that know and a new favorite band for those that don’t.

45 and Straight is a slice of octave laden insistence that ought to be a well known hit, but there isn’t a weak song on the record. 

Sounding both completely of it’s time and timeless at the same time. It’s the: “ok boomer” of rock records, but I mean that as the highest compliment.

Big Business – the Beast You Are

Whoa! Big Business come out ripping with an absolute monster of a record. Heavy use of keyboards and melody paired with assailing rhythms makes this record one of Big Business’s best with a vitality and ear for melody rarely found in “heavy” music.
For a guy that gets REALLY sick of “dudes yelling” over heavy riffs, Big Biz manages to be very tuneful while maintaining both intensity and heavy riffs.

Austerity Program – Bible Songs 1

the Bible, but just the dark and weird stuff. The world of the austerity program has not changed, it’s still bombast, indignance, drum machines and bullet points. In this case Justin and Thad’s focus on “the good book”, allow for some thematic Old Testament style brutality that fits like a dogmatic glove.

J. Robbins – Un-becoming

Utter badassery by J. Robbins of Jawbox, Burning Airlines. etc. mature and vital yet simultaneously wiry and energetic. You get everything you could hope for, erudite and hooky wordplay the jagged and melodic and much more.
Some songs would not be out of place on a new Jawbox record, while others are different thing entirely and would seem at home next to Brian Eno soundscapes and wiry lost post-punk classics.
I really hope this album doesn’t get lost in the mix, because if I didn’t have the slightest idea of who J. Robbins is. i’d love it.

Tropical Fuck Storm – Brain Drops

The inexorable & indefatigable Aussies are back and they mean business. Braindrops is an utterly befuddling and “wrong” sounding record that is oh so “right.”

There isn’t a clear monster single like “tyres” on this one, but the whole thing has a snakey, baked in the sun vibe that works its way into your subconscious.

I’m fully present for TFS brand of non-euclidian geometry rocking.

RIYL: Polvo, Bad Seeds, Dead Rider, Leonard Cohen, the KnifeAt this point: they just sound like themselves.

Drug Apts – Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances

The propulsive and relentless Sacramento rockers come back with their most fully realized and articulated record yet. 

Evoking the creativity and free feelings of the Ex, while sounding very well slotted into the more nuanced side of the noise rock revival. Drug Apts are both immediately familiar, and enjoyably offputting.

Angular guitars, insistent vocals, and a rhythm section that can groove while it grinds. 

Recommended for fans of Unwound, Gang of Four, Wire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Talking Heads and The Ex


Honorable mentions:

Christian Fitness – You Are the Ambulance

The indefatigable and unstoppable Falco strikes again! Staggeringly clever, ceaselessly hooky and required listening for fans of mclusky and future of the left, who are seeking new sounds. Gleefully irreverent music of consequence.

Nervous Curtains – I Tried To Fight It But I Was Inside It

The Kings of Dallas synth are back at it with a strong offering. There’s more sequencing this time, and the song material veers towards the explicitly political. The record rides an interesting line by being explicitly psych oriented, but lyrically grounded in harsh and brutal reality. Music to canvass to.

CUNTS – CUNTS

A Brutal and confrontational name, but fitting for the name and surprisingly song oriented. Recommended for fans of KARP, and noise rock infused hardcore. The record is deliberate and irreverent, while being deadly serious about what they are doing. Featuring members of Qui, Retox, Dead Cross and hepa.titus. The music of Cunts fills in nicely between noiserock weirdos like the Jesus lizard, the Cows and Butthole Surfers, while not sounding like a worshipful retread of any of those things. This is very smart music in a relatively dumb genre and it’s got a 2×4 on its shoulder, not a chip.

Multicult – Simultaneity Now

Tense. Terse, nervy and insistent. Multicult is a relentless machine of precision and tenacity. There are hooks to glom on to with their proggy sojourns, it never gets indulgent, it just invites you along to the adventure.

Magpies – Terrain

Missoula’s magpies would be indie darlings if they weren’t based in Montana. Strong songs paired with mid-period sonic youth discordance allows for magpies to have free reign in a genre that few others travel in. Moody, and assured. This record has certainly flown under the radars of most. That’s a shame. It’s great.

Ep140: Greg Saunier (Deerhoof)Ep140: Greg Saunier (Deerhoof)

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It’s long overdue! But Greg Saunier of the mighty Deerhoof is finally on Protonic Reversal!

-Blueberry tea.
-San Francisco then vs. now and various tech stories.
-Music scenes where everybody participates
-Deerhoof finding it’s audience, an audience that likes to be surprised.
-Corporations consolidating music together.
-Greg and Conan talk about the early beginnings of Deerhoof.
-Halfbird
-Major label sell outs being an anachronism.
-George Horn and mastering the crazy first Deerhoof 7″ for Kill Rock Stars
-Satomi joining the band after only being in America a few weeks.
-Brief forays into politics.
-The complete lack of “development” in music now, and it’s vitality to Deerhoof becoming it’s thing.
-tourin’ tourin’ tourin’, at medium sized places around the world.
-Spotify and the gross insustainability of things that “seem like the future” but benefit everybody but the artist.
-Underground and independent spaces worldwide!
-Ed and John.
-John’s pickup soccer games.
-Political stances in 2019.

Also be sure to check out part 2 and part 3!

Ep139: Mark Deutrom (Bellringer, Melvins)Ep139: Mark Deutrom (Bellringer, Melvins)

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Mark Deutrom

Many people only know Mark as “the guy with the Hat”, but he was not only the bassplayer for the Melvins in their high profile “Atlantic” period in the 90s weird rock “gold rush”, he also has a long history of interesting bands before, during and after Melvins. This is an in-depth discussion of ALL of that, solo albums/Bellringer and a lot more. Far reaching stuff!

Ep137: Bill Barbot (Jawbox, Foxhall Stacks, Burning Airlines)Ep137: Bill Barbot (Jawbox, Foxhall Stacks, Burning Airlines)

Ep136: Bill Barbot (Jawbox, Foxhall Stacks, Burning Airlines)
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The mighty Bill Barbot! Guitar player for Jawbox, singer and guitar player for Foxhall Stacks, Bassist for Burning Airlines and thorn in the side of Brett Kavanaugh comes on the mighty Protonic Reversal to talk about Jawbox reunion shows, work/life balance, living punk rock vs. just playing it, his new power-pop/glam band’s cassette and so much more. Come on in!

Ep136: Brainiac (John, Juan, Tyler)Ep136: Brainiac (John, Juan, Tyler)

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  • -Documentaries, keys to the city and being Brainiac in 2019
  • Honoring Tim’s memory
  • revisting material and the perspective of age.
  • Tyler, coming back to playing music and his son “getting” Brainiac.
  • Multigenerational audiences
  • the reunion industrial complex
  • Tim’s dad: “are you going to keep going?”
  • Getting back together for a benefit and reconnecting
  • Familiarty for better or worse.
  • Idiosynchratic music, context and impact
  • Tim Krug (the missing link/understudy)
  • Picking who does what (singing songs, etc.)
  • Subbing for the local legandary hardcore band and destroying the floor in the process.
  • “We’ll Eat Anything.”
  • “oh, that was awful” “That was the best show ever!”
  • Being claimed as an influence and embracing doing something different than what others do.
  • Hostile or baffled audiences?
  • the band playoffs (and WINNING it)
  • The Brainiac – internationale ep with Kim Deal
  • When John joined the band, Bonsai Superstar, etc. 
  • Brainiac as the all boys Brady Bunch.
  • Hissing Prigs
  • Tyler gets new drums, and how they shaped the sound of that record.
  • Recording “nothing ever changes”Recording Electro Shock for President, distortions and learning how to record (usually the wrong way)and bringing that hodge podge to Jim O’Rourke
  • Keyboards, samplers, etc. and bringing that out live.
  • Playing “New/unreleased songs” for the reunion show, songs that might have been on the next (major label?) record.
  • Being a “weird” band and infiltrating mass cultureB
  • Brainiac covers and legacy, overall take on things, and the rights to the back catalog.

Ep129: Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think)Ep129: Craig Wedren (Shudder to Think)

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Hey hey hey! This episode of Protonic Reversal features a talk with the mighty Craig Wedren of Shudder to Think, we talk to Craig about:

-Hacking the Polaroid Spectra.
-My 90s (new book and photo show)
-Analog vs. Digital in very specific incidents.
-Making unique videos, such as the X-French T-shirt one
-The label that picked Hit Liquor to start the album???
-All Hits on Planet Shudder
-Daisy Chainsaw!
-Improvising a vocal chorale.
-Putting your best glam foot forward on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack.
-Higher and Higher.
-How to bring the various quadrangs of your art to the others.
-Group songs in a solo context.
-Bassassery or Bad-assy
and lots, lots more!

Conan Neutron’s Top Records of 2018Conan Neutron’s Top Records of 2018

Conan Neutron’s top records of 2018:
1. Tropical Fuck Storm – a Laughing Death in Meatspace (TFS Band)
2. Lung – All the Kings Horses 
3. sewingneedle – User Error
4. Screaming Females– All at Once 
5. Hot Snakes – Jericho Sirens
6. Body Futures– Maybe It’s Just the Weather 
7. Poster Children – Grand Bargain
8. Christian Fitness – Nuance the Musical 
9. Haunted Heads – Everything We Agreed About 
10. TONGUE PARTY – Looking for a Painful Death

Honorable Mentions: 
BLAHA– Survival Climb
The God Eaters – Fading Horizons
Gouge Away – Burnt Sugar
WORK – Strictly Cruis’n
Mister Dude – Party Tape
The Messthetics – s/t
Dale Crover – Fickle Finger of Fate
(the) Melvins – Pinkus Abortion Technician 
Lung – Bottom of the Barrel 
The Hand – When All Of The Shit Hits All Of The Fans (The Hand Vol. 3 & 4)

I listened to a LOT of records over the year, but these were the ones that that I listened to the most. And at some point, you have to just let the train leave the station.
I’ll put the links below

I’m sure I missed a few, that’s fine. The point is: there’s a ton of amazing music out there. Go listen to it! And I guess, like the show’s FB page if you support this kind of deep dive. 
Note: this is slightly different from the best of 2018 show, which was a team effort and will be a different post

1. Tropical Fuck Storm – A Laughing Death in Meat Space
Absolutely powerful stuff. Great songs with incredible left turns. Moody, claustrophobic and staggeringly self aware, like a sentient computer raised on Bill Hicks comedy specials, Howard Zinn, Black MIrror and Twin Peaks. I heard this blind, knowing nothing of any other or previous bands and loved it. Maybe you will too? It’s a hell of a ride. Possible record of the year.
RIYL: the pAperchAse, Dead Rider, Leonard Cohen, the Knife

2. Lung – All the King’s Horses
LUNG are back with a new album. You’ll never believe that a band with just Cello, vocals and drums can sound so full. Propulsive, Heavy, tuneful and thoughtful. Incredible lyrics, powerful arrangements and songs that stick with you for long after you stop listening. 

The only problem is they have a very unique sound, which isn’t always rewarded. I need you to trust me when I say that this is WELL worth your time and one of the best records of 2018. 

Bonus: a timely David Bowie cover.

3. sewingneedle – user error
Remarkably acrobatic musicianship paired with gorgeous harmonies. Musically, sewingneedle can hold their own with the fiercest noise rock band, yet there is melody and harmony. What madness is this? Great songs, great repeated listenability. 

RIYL: jawbox, slint, Polvo, Chavez, Shudder to Think, Shiner.
https://sewingneedle.bandcamp.com/album/user-error

4. Screaming FemalesAll At Once
Probably the best Screaming Females record yet… totally rips. A consistently great and hard working live band delivers their go-to record on record, what. 7? Not counting the live one. Incredible. These’s an adventure rock song on here and a song that legit sounds like it could be played as a prom. (I mean that as a compliment.)
As an aside, this is one of the records on my list that was probably most widely heard, yet wasn’t on that many lists. That’s really dumb. It’s great!
RIYL: Dinosaur Jr. Pixies, Silkworm
https://screamingfemales.bandcamp.com/album/all-at-once

5. Hot Snakes – Jericho Sirens
Hello! Do you live under a rock? Yes? Ok! This is the long awaited 4th record by the formerly dead, now living rock quartet HOT SNAKES. It’s fueled by the riffs of John Reis and the vocals of Rick Froberg. A certain magic happens with these two powerhouses together. The music is an inheritor of bands like the Wipers and Crime, while bringing some of the academic polyrhythms/punk-prog of Drive Like Jehu too. It’s exactly what the Doctor ordered.
https://hotsnakes.bandcamp.com/album/jericho-sirens

6. Body Futures – Maybe it’s Just the Weather
B-52s and Shudder To Think superhero team-up, Dismemberment Plan covering the New Pornographers. Whatever! Body Futures play music as unique as their name, it’s catchy it’s angular and it’s absolutely vital. Let’s get down to it boppers. 
https://bodyfutures.bandcamp.com/…/maybe-its-just-the…

7. Poster Children – Grand Bargain
First Poster Children album in years and it’s an absolute corker! Intelligent lyrics, catchy riffs, hooks for days and frantic energy are all on deck. Music for the modern revolution. RIYL: Buzzcocks, Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, Husker Du
https://store.posterchildren.com/album/grand-bargain

https://store.posterchildren.com/album/grand-bargain

8. christian fitness – nuance: the musical 
Nuance makes heavy use of strings and adult arrangements? (not pornography, you understand.). There aren’t any “candle in the wind” style ballads, or any regrettable ska numbers, but after 3 rock-solid, rockers certain to please fans of mclusky and fotl. This one is different, denser, & a little more challenging. Delivered with a smirk of sardonicism and a twinge of dystopian theatrical heights. There’s a lot here, but it keeps me coming back to listen regularly. Fantastic album.
https://christianfitness.bandcamp.com/…/nuance-the-musical

9. Haunted Heads – Everything We Agreed About
Unforgettable hooks, raucous riffs and superior songwriting. In a different time Haunted Heads would be the darlings of the indie rock world. RIYL: Built to Spill (at their least jammy!), Sebadoh (at their most stable) and the Thermals. 
https://hauntedheads.bandcamp.com/…/everything-we…

10. TONGUE PARTY – Looking for a Painful Death
Minneapolis purveyors of the heavy come through with their best effort to date! Bringing forth the boundless energy of KARP along with a mid-period AmRep sensibility, Tongue Party’s brand of relentless touring and hard work has resulted in their most badass and immediate record yet. Learning Curve Records
https://tongueparty.bandcamp.com/…/looking-for-a…

HONORABLE MENTIONS!

HONORABLE MENTION 1: BLAHA – Survival Climb
Mike Blaha of the Blind Shake has a hell ass rock quarter, this is their most raucous to date and it’s sure to please those that like their rock both wiry and engaged. Worthy of a listen to anybody interested in the cross roads of post-punk and garage rock. 
https://nocoastrecordings.bandcamp.com/…/blaha-survival…

HONORABLE MENTION 2: The God Eaters – Fading Horizons
the pride of Marquette Michigan come out with another ep of noise rocky solid rippers! Ferocious, Precocious and that’s my prognosis. RIYL: Minutemen, Vaz, The Big Boys
https://thegodeaters.bandcamp.com/album/fading-horizons

HONORABLE MENTION 3: Gouge Away – Burnt Sugar
A fascinating band! Sometimes hardcore, sometimes a bit more noiserock… strong songs and a powerful lady singer. A band to watch!

HONORABLE MENTION 4: WORK – Strictly Cruis’n
WORK are back, w/a tight new slab of some serious rock ‘n roll. (Well, not so serious if you consider the song titles… ) nevertheless, wry wordplay, clever songwriting & an intent to bring the damage w/ rock solid rhythms and hooky leads are on deck. Fans of the Minutemen, Spoon at their brattiest & loudest, Obits, & early ZZ Top can get stoked. This is ROCK music (ROCK, all caps, just like the band name WORK.) coming from a punk place. It’s well worth your time. Gotta gotta get to the show!
https://workmke.bandcamp.com/album/strictly-cruisn

HONORABLE MENTION #5: Mister Dude – Party Tape
WHAM! Mister Dude upside yo’ face. Deep feeling good about bad time jams, with some heavy Octave radness from two of the fellas from Police Teeth. The rock pedigree of SEMINARS, USS Horsewhip, etc. is as notable as the music itself. It’s a fun listen and a damn good ride. Party Tape indeed.
https://misterdude.bandcamp.com/album/party-tape

HONORABLE MENTION #6: The Messthetics – s/t
Killer instrumental goodness with one of the best rhythm sections of all time, Joe Lally and Brendan Canty of fugazi. Guitarist Anthony Pirog may not have the same level of punk rock notoriety, but he more than makes up for it with a level of acrobatic guitar exploration that rivals some of the greats. A great starting position for a worthy and notable new band. RIYL: Nels Cline Singers

HONORABLE MENTION #7: Dale Crover – The Fickle Finger of Fate
He’s not just half of the core of the Mighty Melvins, he’s not just the drum genius who makes things happen with me in Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends, he’s a talented songwriter, guitar player and singer and this is totally and completely worth your time! Cool songs, a little more classic rock than you might expect and worth a listen. Check it out, chocky. Awesome, vibe-y record with hidden hooks. 
https://melvinsofficial.bandcamp.com/…/the-fickle…

HONORABLE MENTION #8: (the) Melvins – Pinkus Abortion Technician. 
Mo’ Melvins! Long may they run, some fun covers and Don’t Forget to Breathe is one of my favorite Melvins songs in years.
https://melvinsofficial.bandcamp.com/…/pinkus-abortion…

HONORABLE MENTION #9: Lung – Bottom of the Barrel
What? Lung again? Yup.
Frenzied and furious Cello, Vocals and Drums badassery. Absolute earworms that comes at you from an aggressive punk/post-punk place but has an incredible sense of melody, hooks and purpose. This is legit plus stuff and I can’t think of a single band they really sound like. Just get it.
it’s technically 2017, but on the 2018 list for a technicality. Whatever! it’s still a great record. 

HONORABLE MENTION #10: The Hand – When All Of The Shit Hits All Of The Fans (The Hand Vol. 3 & 4)
Mysterious, elusive and irresistible, the HAND has done more than any band since the Residents in putting together a band image that forces you to judge them on the merits of the music. It’s quite the feat! However, I will say that this is zak sally, karl tebeest, and dale flattum. Zak played in Low and Enemymine, and Dale played in Steel Pole Bathtub, Milk Cult and Novex. Anyway, that’s a lot of front loading, this is raucous and hooky noiserock that can simultaneously evoke the Birthday Party, the Velvet Underground, the Melvins 

The HAND pull off a very special thing, by making all of their releases very limited edition and HYPER unique, hand made and limited edition. It’s easy to tell that multiple members of the band come from the world of comics, because this is a world to be invited into. 
https://the-hand.bandcamp.com/…/when-all-of-the-shit…

https://gougeawayfl.bandcamp.com/

Ep128: Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Jon Spencer & the HITmakers)Ep128: Bob Bert (Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Jon Spencer & the HITmakers)

Bob Bert

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Well, hello there! Guess what? You bet it’s another episode of Protonic Reversal! This week, Conan and Josh talked with the legendary Bob Bert, drummer for Lydia Lunch Retrovirus, Jon Spencer and the HITmakers, Pussy Galore, Sonic Youth, and many more! We talked about:

-Touring more than ever before
-Playing shows with Jon Spencer again
-Getting the proper “junk” for the kit
-Starting the tour without knowing the songs
-Meeting Pussy Galore
-The guitar skills of Jon Spencer
-The night-and-day difference between the HITmakers and Retrovirus
-The dream gig with Lydia Lunch
-The encyclopaedic Weasel Walter
-Getting to know the Melvins
-Hearing protection
-Bad Moon Rising
-Setting up the first Sonic Youth European tour
-The historical wonder of Youtube
-Being there for the glory days of Max’s and CBGB
-Playing a better “Nature Scene” than Jim Sclavunos
-Bewitched opening for SY on the Goo tour
-The Action Swingers and the Chrome Cranks

Ep127: Steve Albini (Shellac, Big Black, Electrical Audio Studio)Ep127: Steve Albini (Shellac, Big Black, Electrical Audio Studio)

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Well hey, hey there Protonic Reversal devotees. Time for another episode, Steve Albini is back with us after a 106 episode break. Conan and Steve talk about:

-Steve inadvertently ruining the “perfect run” of 9 continuous guests for the 100th episode of Protonic Reversal (not out of malice)
-Winning the World Series of Poker (and why that might not be as impressive as it sounds)
-Why recording records is still satisfying.
-Fluffy coffee shop
-A story of two competing magic shops
-Thoughts on the internet equalizing things for music.
-How this helps those passionate about music as opposed to those passionate about profit.
-The hive mind as a filter.
-The internet as a discovery tool for lost art.
-Nick Drake’s mother.
-Pegboy play South America
-Streaming Services and the next logical progression of decentralization.
-“how do you stop something that doesn’t store anything?”
-Longevity in studios = flexibility
-dislike of meritocracy as a term.
-the value of record stores are the maniacs that work there
-On hating nostalgia the first time
-On the lack of appreciation of nuance and allegory in past compositions
-Specifically: Prayer to God
-Appropriation of past art and public figures for political end
-the mind opening power of punk rock
-You don’t make anything better by assuming your audience is stupid and dumbing down
-Kindred spirits with the devout.
-Making records with people who also record at home or in unorthodox ways.
-Who gets told “no”?
-Fleetwood Mac (and the like) helped create punk rock
-Overdubs and Harmonies, and how they can be life lessons.
-Who would Steve most like to record?
-Rerecording In Color by Cheap Trick
-The End of Radio is the end theme song for Protonic Reversal, the ideas behind the song.

Ep126: J.D. Pinkus (Butthole Surfers, Melvins, Honky)Ep126: J.D. Pinkus (Butthole Surfers, Melvins, Honky)


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It’s Jeff Pinkus of Butthole Surfers, Melvins, and Honky! It’s an episode of Protonic Reversal.
What more do you need to know?

ok, ok…
Greetings protonic friends, time again for a thrilling new episode of Protonic Reversal. Today is Mr. J.D. Pinkus of Butthole Surfers fame, he also plays in the Mighty Melvins, Honky and has recently released a solo banjo record called: Keep on the Grass. Interview starts at: 14:40
Conan and Jeff talk about the following topics:
-Keep on the Grass, the story behind it and the involvement of Danny Barnes (bad livers)
-different sequences for different formats
-the concept of the full length In general
-the cassette comeback
-Pinkus Abortion Technician
-joining up with Buzz and Dale because of Jared’s impending fatherhood
-picking BHS songs for a Melvin’s set
-Paul Leary songs
-the incredible depth of the Melvin’s catalog.
-different lyrical approaches.
-John Prine
-lots of headphone listening of Chicho music
-live interpretations of Melvin’s songs and arranging the songs for two basses.
-playing with Steven McDonald
-bringing the “creepy old man” vibe to the Melvins.
-playing bass with fingers (a study in contrasts!)
-using a Dark Glass amp from finland
-opening for Sleep with a banjo set
-432 tuning frequency
-playing Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill in Melvins w/Teri Gender Bender
-Daddy Longhead, Skinny Leonard, then Honky
-the double edged sword of Butthole Surfers not listing credits in the records
-Playing with Helios Creed on Activated Condition and the journey of making that into a record.
-half machine lip moves talk
-trash talk about Lenny Kravitz
-On joining the Butthole Surfers and making those classic records.
-drugs and cycles.
-Buzz doesn’t do drugs and probably shouldn’t.
-the Butthole Surfers chapter of “Our Band Could Be Your Life” is total bullshit.
-working with John Paul Jones on Indepdnent Worm saloon and playing banjo on “ballad of naked men” while he plays bass!
-Being a mixture of Steve Martin and Dean Martin.
-banjo as a songwriting tool.
-Doing covers.
-Hairway to Steven, pictographs haven’t translated well for the iTunes age.
-taping fire ants to cardboard and sending them to Chicago “a Texas Trip”
-cockroach snuff movies with Jem Cohen
-talking with Ian Mackaye about weed expenditures
-Double Live BHS, a self released bootleg.
-P.S.Y.
-is it wrong to be weirded out by the fans of your band?
-The band name Honky, and how that can (and has been) misconstrued. Different times and all.

Ep125: Sam Coomes (Quasi, Jon Spencer & the HitMakers)Ep125: Sam Coomes (Quasi, Jon Spencer & the HitMakers)

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(stream and download – Episode 125)

Howdy there, friends and well-wishers of the Protonic Reversal, and welcome to another fine program! On this episode, Conan and Josh got to chat with Sam Coomes of Quasi! We talked of so many things:
Interview begins at 10:53

-recording with Jon Spencer
-the Roxichord
-contrasting music and lyrics
-playing in a two piece, and solo
-consistant learning
-being ill-prepared to start a tour
-the timing of switching keyboard patches
-playing with Jandek
-the three B’s: Ballads, blues, and brutal
-not being a session man
-playing favorites and covers in the set
-the Takeovers
-keeping Quasi fresh and why
-learning how not to resent the popular back catalog
-Hot Shit!/writing political songs during “Shock & Awe”
-keeping honest in songwriting
-musical rapport and confidence
-the role of a producer
-having confidence in your vessel on tour
-being where you were trying to get to

Ep124: WORK (Joe Cannon, Kavi Laud, Jeff Brueggeman)Ep124: WORK (Joe Cannon, Kavi Laud, Jeff Brueggeman)

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(stream and download – Episode 124)
Josh is out this week. The band WORK returns for a Labor Day weekend tour and Protonic Reversal appearance, their new record Stricly Cruis’n is out and that means it’s time to get loose and talk about such things as:
-Kavi’s move to Austin and his annoyance at traffic and delight at Queso
-ZAGNUT!
-Shane Hochstetler and Steven Drozd
-more Zagnut
-The story behind Strictly Cruis’n and the art by Jason Abele
-ZZ Top and Jazz records
-Where does Taco Bell get their food ideas/The Burger King on Brown Deer Road
-band or fashion label?
-end album “jams”
-Current affairs/politics/etc.
-Pronunciation is key.
-Joe shaved! To match the pictures of the band closer.
-Night Dentist
-One of the most memorable shows Jeff has ever seen… at Landmark Lanes, a bowling alley.

A lot of songs are played off of the new record and good times are had.

songs played:

WORK – Whiskey Whiskey Whiskey
WORK – As It Turns Out, He Didn’t Actually Have Tuberculosis
WORK – Everybody Loves Me Like the Hole in My Head
WORK – (…Somebody Loves Me…)
WORK – Jesus Diapered Our Sins
WORK – Mr Tall Octopus
Shellac – End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep123: Toshi Kasai (Engineer and Producer: Melvins, Tool, Helmet)Ep123: Toshi Kasai (Engineer and Producer: Melvins, Tool, Helmet)

Toshi Kasai

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(stream and download – Episode 123)
Hola, amigos! Welcome to another sweet sweet episode of Protonic Reversal! I know it’s been a long time since we rapped at ya, but we’ve got a great episode here with the one and only Toshi Kasai! We chatted about tons of stuff, like:

-the California fires
-Working with a wide variety of bands
-The JapaNeve
-Building a relationship with Melvins
-the secrets of Sound of Sirens
-How to prep for recording
-Coaching the vocalist
-Favorite equipment
-Recording intricacies
-Getting kidnapped by Big Business
-Altamont (the band)
-Networking via playing live
-the platinum records in the bathroom
-Analog vs. digital? Who cares

And much more! Or maybe not much more, but many more words in between. Whatever! It’s a really fun conversation, so we encourage you to enjoy it!
Interview begins shortly after the 17 minute mark

Songs played:
Melvins – Decay of Lying
Mud – Moonshine Sally
Tweak Bird – Lights in Lines
Qui – Awkward Human Interest
Hurry up Shotgun – Speedbath Megawaste
Shellac – End of Radio (end theme)

Ep122: Mike Greenlees/John Mohr (Tar)Ep122: Mike Greenlees/John Mohr (Tar)

Mike and John from Tar

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(stream and download – Episode 122)

Well, well, welcome to another episode of Protonic Reversal! Conan and Josh had fun chats with (separately) Mike and John from Tar! First up was Mike, with whom we discussed such whimsy as:
-A 25 year gap between radio call-in shows
-Getting back into show shape
-Picking songs for the set
-Aiming for Barry White, settling for KC and the Sunshine Band
-Being on Amphetamine Reptile, Touch & Go, Dischord AND Sub Pop
-Tar’s Static and Jawbox’s Static
-Cuddly scene beef with Poster Children
-Sharing a bill with Kyuss
-Fitting in on AmRep
-Various lost arts of record buying and making
-Being on T&G to remain control
-Page Hamiltron trash talk
-The effect of Tom’s arrival on the band’s songwriting
-Henry Owings

Then we got John on the line, and talked about:

-The disastrous last tour of Tar
-Writing the last album
-Picking songs for the reunion sets (yeah we asked him too)
-Being satisfied with the end of the band and getting back together
-Treating the vocals like any other instrument
-Guitars what are made of metal
-Henry Owings

Some circuitous topics, yeah? It was a fun conversation, to be sure! Have yerself a listen!

Songs played:
Tar – Barry White
Tar – Land Luck
Tar – G7
Shellac – End of Radio (end theme)

Ep121: John Yingling (The World Underground)Ep121: John Yingling (The World Underground)

http://www.theworldunderground.com/

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(stream and download – Episode 121)

Globetrotting punk rock documentarian John Yingling, of The World Underground, back in the U.S. for a limited amount of time comes back to Protonic Reversal after a 70 episode, and 3 1/2 year break. We speak of all things documentary, talk about his recent work in Indonesia and future plans for short missives, as well as the next chapter in the World Underground and everything to come. Culture shocks coming back to modern America PK14, All that and a hell of a lot of great music from abroad.

Songs played:

Hiperson – Football Game (Chengdu, China)
Dirty Fingers – School (Shanghai, China)
Lonely Leary – Flaneur (Beijing, China)
Grrrl Gang – Bathroom
hedge hog – Meng Ba La Na Xi​(​勐巴拉娜西) (Jogja, Indonesia)

Ep120: Jeff Mueller (June of 44, Shipping News, Rodan)Ep120: Jeff Mueller (June of 44, Shipping News, Rodan)

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(stream and download – Episode 120)

Hello, dear friends, and welcome to another episode of Protonic Reversal! On the day after Jesus’ birthday, we talked to the amazing Jeff Mueller (of June of 44, Shipping News, and Rodan!) and discussed such topics as:

-When your kids see you play
-Relearning via Youtube
-Being a NYC band that draws in Italy
-Packaging as part of the overall art project
-Having and ditching nautical themes
-Meeting social media friends in the real world
-the disappearing DIY aesthetic
-How certain bands don’t get the success they should have
-“Five thirty in the morning happens a lot over there”
-The Shipping News and Jason
-a commonality of experience
-Principal riff writers
-Using the “In the Fishtank” approach on your own records
-Stencilling anything for the merch table
-Distributors hate weird packaging
-The still dire state of record pressing
-Investing the time in finding new music
-Crain
-Half-Cocked
-Cycles of rediscovery

Interview around 14 minutes in.

Ep119: Joe Cardamone (the Icarus Line)/Michael Grodner (The Icarus Line Must Die)Ep119: Joe Cardamone (the Icarus Line)/Michael Grodner (The Icarus Line Must Die)

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(stream and download – Episode 119)

Double the guests, double the fun! As Conan and Josh have on Joe Cardamone of the Icarus Line and Michael Grodner, filmmaker beyond the upcoming (sorta) biopic: The Icarus Line Must Die.

17:05 Michael Grodner

57:10 Joe Cardamone

Michael Grodner:
-The Jim Jarmusch Black and White Aesthteic.
-It’s not a documentary
-darkness following the band.
-relating to creative pursuits
-art vs. commerce, subtly
-Jerry Stahl’s book-on-vinyl
-Keith Morris
Dirty Laundry (TV!)
-the Hell of fundraising vs. actually making a movie.
https://www.facebook.com/theicaruslinemustdie/

Joe Cardamone
-Starting the film having no idea what was going on
-Dialogue that sounds like one person (aka: Sorkin-speak)
-Gimme Danger the movie: a missed opportunity
-Some Kind of Monster: Best thing ever
-Music’s marketability and it’s inextricable ties to youth culture
-not taking advantage of making a “comeback”
-Eastbound & Down
-Scott Weiland’s death and the last Icarus Line’s last show
-Getting real life in the movie
-Metallica in a Bob Log style
-How to get to the solo record
-“Do whatever you want. No one’s going to hear it, who gives a fuck?”
-Sounding good next to Gucci Mane

Ep118: Rick Valentin (Poster Children, Thoughts Detecting Machines)Ep118: Rick Valentin (Poster Children, Thoughts Detecting Machines)

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(stream and download – Episode 118)

Hello, summer people! It’s time to put away the sweaters and break out the shorts, and while you do all that shuffling about with your damned laundry, you should listen to this great episode of Protonic Reversal! Conan and Josh welcome back to the show Rick Valentin, of Poster Children and Thoughts Detecting Machines! We talked about such things as:

-semi-accidental topicality
-there’s nothing wrong with writing music of its time
-putting out a record from your basement…again
-DIY and PledgeMusic
-the album as a complete package
-packaging multiple items/bundling
-members of Fugazi actually selling merch
-avant-garde smart-ass humor
-sequencing an album
-rejecting digital perfection and “Keeping in REAL”
-working with Albini after a 25 year gap
-changing songwriting techniques
-a record of songs vs. a “production”
-making a pocket band
-doing all the wrong things at the right time
-fully baking the half baked ideas
-a long digression on TV
-building autonomous community on the internet

Ep117: Andrew Elstner (Dead Now, Tilts, Torche)Ep117: Andrew Elstner (Dead Now, Tilts, Torche)

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(stream and download – Episode 117)

Hey hey hey!
it’s Andrew Elstner of Dead Now, and formerly of Tilts, Torche, Riddle of Steel and more.
He speaks of leaving Torche, the passing of Ken McCray, moving down south, boutique pedals. Putting on a show. It’s a whole thing.

Did you know that the original theme song for this show was a Tilts song?
Yup. He’s also a returning guest. All the way back from Episode 3. Holy moly! that’s 114 episodes ago. OK!

Ep116: Andrew “Falco” Falkous (Future of the Left, christian fitness, mclusky)Ep116: Andrew “Falco” Falkous (Future of the Left, christian fitness, mclusky)

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(stream and download – Episode 116)

Well met, all! Welcome once again to the home of the Protonic Reversal! This week’s guest was friend of the show Andrew Falkous! It’s always a blast chatting with Falco, as you can see by the list of topics we touched upon:

-All the Bongs, Vol. 2
-the binary of “California” and “Not California”
-pissing around until something good happens
-the story of a band vs. the quality
-the demented husks of humanity, at least they’re having a good time
-making the music is the most fun part
-the Cardiff post office
-Morrissey needs limits
-”proper music” (said with disdain)
-the misplaced optimism of the doomed
-cat updates
-”Of Wolf and Man”
-the future kings of Spain
-Halliburton: Radio Nope’s biggest listener
-parenthood and living in London
-the French are very attached to smoking
-the skill of further alienating a bad audience

Ep115: The Bismarck (Chris Jury, Dan Mohr, Eric Fundingsland)Ep115: The Bismarck (Chris Jury, Dan Mohr, Eric Fundingsland)

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(stream and download – Episode 115)

Well, hey, hey! Seattle’s The Bismarck come into the Protonic Reversal studios to crack wise, run schtick and every once in awhile provide some deep epiphanies at being a long running band that is prone to hilarious and heartbreaking disaster.

https://thebismarck.bandcamp.com

Ep114: Keith Morris (OFF!, Circle Jerks, Black Flag)Ep114: Keith Morris (OFF!, Circle Jerks, Black Flag)

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(stream and download – Episode 114)

Howdy, all! Tonight’s special guest on Protonic Reversal is the legendary Keith Morris! Conan and Josh, delightfully, barely get a word in as Keith tells us all about such things as:

-Keith’s “turn” to write a book
-The Decline of Western Civilization Part XVIII
-Picking opening acts
-James Brown
-Taking opportunities when presented, or not
-Jeffrey Lee Pierce
-Early punk rock scenes
-Keith Levene
-the end of the Circle Jerks
-the beginning of Off!
-Playing festivals to build a new audience
-Getting the friends and family discount at the hotel

Ep113: Rose Marshack (Poster Children)Ep113: Rose Marshack (Poster Children)

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(stream and download – Episode 113)

Well, hello! Welcome to another fresh eppy of Protonic Reversal! Conan and Josh are thrilled to talk with their guest, Rose Marshack of Poster Children! While Rose attempts to interview them just as much as they interview her, much is discussed. Such as:

-Meta podcast referencing
-the origins of Radio Zero
-the pkids listserv community
-kids think nickelback is funny
-the epic story of Li’l Pump
-Conan’s Milwaukee conversations
-serious geography discussion
-driving and biking and efficiency
-recycling paranoia
-PRF
-writing the new record
-time signatures and drum terminology
-being an unwilling booker surrogate for Fugazi members
-aluminati and other basses
-Gram the Stickman
-Doing everything in a par
-enhanced CDs
-Yoko Ono
-Josh and Conan: How did you get into punk rock?

Ep112: Body Futures (DJ Hostettler, Dixie Jacobs, Chris Maury)Ep112: Body Futures (DJ Hostettler, Dixie Jacobs, Chris Maury)

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(stream and download – Episode 112)

Welcome, once again, to the Home of the Protonic Reversal! Today’s guests are in the studio, even! They’re Body Futures! They’re great! We check out songs from their new record “Maybe It’s Just the Weather,” and chat about:

-KISS/Infowars crossover lyrics
-Comic Talk
-Stone Temple Pilots Talk
-that sound that Goofy makes
-efficiency with riffs
-making the record sound big/gettin’ weird
-getting way inside baseball on the vocals
-a decent amount of murder
-the album title, anxiety and catharsis and indie rock about indie rock
-Scott Stapp is still ready to fight
-More Comic Talk
-technology remnants
-bands with the same name
-the best part of being in a band is definitely marketing
-True crime
-people in their thirties that haven’t seen Gremlins
-suggestions for the next movie for Body Futures to write a song about
-naming movies after unrelated pop songs
-the African Anteater Ritual
-Two Robocops?!?
-the home life of Peter Weller
-regional groundhogs
-What’s so wrong with Friend Rock City?
-EVEN MORE COMIC TALK
-people love a schtick
-Gorilla Goose

Ep111: Dave Catching (Rancho De La Luna, Earthlings?, Eagles of Death Metal, Desert Sessions, Queens of the Stone Age)Ep111: Dave Catching (Rancho De La Luna, Earthlings?, Eagles of Death Metal, Desert Sessions, Queens of the Stone Age)

Dave Catching – Rancho De La Luna

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(stream and download – Episode 111)

Once again, it’s time for the Percolator, and Protonic Reversal! Actually, it’s always time for the Percolator, but never mind. This week, Conan and Josh got on the ol’ phone once or twice with Rancho De La Luna’s Dave Catching! The fun, wide-ranging conversation was about, amongst other things:

-the Joshua Tree scene/weather report
-Rancho and busy times
-Desert Sessions
-the Rancho recording experience
-Poppy and Harriet’s
-the Splattering of the Tribes
-Yawning Man
-No Trespassing. Seriously.
-Any band can make great music
-Arctic Monkeys and Mark Lanegan
-the Fun Machine
-More organs than seats
-Being lucky enough to enjoy playing shows and not losing money
-Eagles of Death Metal: Always on tour
-Finding a Flying V in a closet
-Paris and Le Bataclan
-U2 doing some really cool shit
-Touring post-attack
-New Orleans
-Seven songs in 25 years
-Recording Iggy
-Working a relaxed schedule

Ep110: Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females)Ep110: Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females)

Marissa Paternoster – Screaming Females

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(stream and download – Episode 110)

Protonic Reversal welcomes you (and us) to 2018! We kicked off this year with a great guest, Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females! Conan and Josh had a great conversation with Marissa, and when we weren’t bonding over our love of one Stephen Sowley, we were discussing such topics as:

-the Bong Cyclone
-Mistaking Louisville for Michigan
-Playing the out-of-the-way towns
-Seeing Skrillex’s emo band in New Brunswick
-Punk being more than just music
-Wanting Conan to own up to everything being about Modesto
-Finding your forever band
-Curating your own media intake
-Playing leads, not talking shreds
-Cartooning
-Ted Leo
-Shirley Manson singing “Jigsaw Feeling”
-Sowley in a suit
-Making a live album
-Touring having not changed so much
-Lance Bangs and Bad Grandpa
-Jersey Pride

Ep109: Top 10 Albums of 2017Ep109: Top 10 Albums of 2017

Top 10 albums 2017

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(stream and download – Episode 109)

Conan
1. Oxbow – Thin Black Duke
2. Lardo – Sinking
3. christian fitness – slap Bass Hunks
4. Mountain Goats – Goths.
5. SEMINARS – Pricks Die Young
6. Magpies – Annex
7. Crystal Fairy – s/t
8. Dead Rider – Crew Licks
9. Out – Swim Buddiess
10. Fever Ray – Plunge

Josh
1. Palm – Shadow Expert ep
2. Power Trip – Nightmare Logic
3. Maximum Busy Muscle – s/t
4. Bon Air – the Blue Line
5. Fox Face – Spoil + Destroy
6. Radioactivity – infected/Sleep
7. Julie Byrne – Not Even Happiness
8. Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory
9. God Eaters – Xuma
10. Arto Lindsay – Cuidado Madame

all numbering relatively arbitrary

Josh #10: arto lindsay – ilha dos prazeres
Arto Lindsey
Josh: Danger Lady, this is fantastic, very much in the vein of what his recent solo career has been like. It’s this very odd combination of the Brazilian music he’s been playing for a number of years, but he’s still doing weird atonal guitar and he’s singing more melodically but it still sounds like Arto Lindsey. So there’s definitely an experimental edge to it… he played in Chicago… a few months ago with the Beauty Pill and it was just incredible.

Conan: Oh, I thought you meant he played in the BAND Chicago. I was like: where’s that record?

Josh I’d pay good money for that.

Conan “huh, they took an unexpected left turn on that one!”

It was an amazing show and this is a relaxing and romantic kind of record, which you wouldn’t necessarily expect.

Conan #10: Fever Ray – This Country
Conan: Number 10 for me is a band called Fever Ray, which is 1/2 of the Knife. This is the second Fever Record, I really love the first one it’s a weird, moody, messed up record. I dig it a lot, I dig this one as well, it’s kind of more of the same. I know some people that listen are super not down with Electro stuff or anything remotely that isn’t guitar bass and brash drums and stuff.

Josh: Geez, they are going to hate a lot of my countdown.

Conan: But I think everything that she does is wildly innovative and interesting. We talked a little bit during the break about that last the Knife record. It’s a harsh listen, but it’s awesome and I love that for a band that became so popular off of what was a very simple electro-poppy song with universal appeal, they just say: “ok, that’s done, we’re doing this now!”. I feel to a lesser degree perhaps, the same stuff happens with the Fever Ray material. I like that her viewpoints are LITERALLY written on her face for this record.

Fever Ray – This Country

Josh #9 god eaters – Signs of the Times
Josh: number 9 is a band we’ve discussed previously, as we’ve definitely played with them, seen them recently and they played Conan’s 40 birthday Party, the God Eaters.
Conan: To be perfectly clear, they would be on this list even if it was not for all of that friendship and cross pollination.
Josh: Oh yes, the friend rock, the only reason there are so many friends on this list is that that is what I listen to. That doesn’t have any affect on how amazing they are, and how much you should check them out.
Conan: Yes, this record kicks ass, this would definitely be on my list as well… I guess it would be a conflict of interest, because they play with *ME* as well. But I love it too.
Josh: Oh, don’t doubt that next year when we do this the Body Futures record will probably be on mine.
Conan: Right, so the God Eaters, it’s your pick… but one of the things I like about them is that they are a difficult band to describe. In mood and feel they remind me of the Minutemen, without sounding that much like the Minutemen.
Josh: Yes, and we were talking about this just recently so if you do listen to the show on a regular basis you will have heard something that sounds just like this. It’s how their sound is psychadelic in that it becomes enveloping, and there is some of that with the Minutemen as well. That there is so much going on with so few elements, but there is a lot happening within it. I feel like they echo some of that. Although they sound nothing like the Minutemen at all. It’s the precepts.
Conan: It’s a hell of a record, I’m sure they’ve already outdone it at this point. This is Zuuuma… that’s how you pronounce it right?
Josh: I would think so.
Conan: Hopefully it’s not exzema. Maybe it’s excema?
Josh: maybe, but the song we’re going to listen to is called Signs of the times.

Conan #9
Out – Wound Up.
Conan: This is a record, I feel was very popular amongst our circles, but needs to be heard by more people. It’s most of the band Minutes, but they should be given due difference on their own. It’s the band OUT, or OOT of you are Canadian.
This is off a record called Swim Buddies, because I guess hanging out and going to the pool or the river or something is at thing people like to do right?
Josh: Sure! They seem to like doing it.
Conan: Yeah! They like it.
Josh: But yeah, they discussed a little bit of our lists beforehand and…
Conan: NO DUPES!!! NO DUPES!!!
Josh: Exactly, we’re trying to get as many different songs out to you as possible, but they certainly would have been on my list. They are a fantastic band, they have a TRIUMPH.
Conan: Yes, they have a triumphant aspect to what they do… it comes from the fugazi/hoover-esque DC world, but there is definitely an element of what they do that… especially when they are all singing together… excuse me… SANGING.
Josh: Sanging! Sanging those unison vocals.
Conan: It’s a good record man, all the songs are pretty rock solid and there are some fist pumpers. This is put out by former guest of the show Jon Solomon.
Josh: friend of the show!
Conan: others have said it more eloquently myself, but to reiterate, this would have been on both of our lists if not for the NO DUPES rule.

Josh #8 Vince Staples – Homage
Josh: Number 8! I am still woefully underinformed when it comes to modern hip hop. I try my best to keep up with it, i’ve got some friends that try to keep me up with it. This is one that really stuck with me. Vince Staples, big fish theory. Just has a real fresh, awesome, noisy, weird fun sound. He has great flow. his lyrics are fantastic, there’s a real unique thing going on here. I listen to this one a lot.

Conan #8 Dead Rider – The Listing
Conan: my number 8 is from a little band from Chicago called Dead Rider. This is yet another in a series of records that… A good friend of mine once said: “I don’t know how music like this is made by humans.” i’m inclined to agree.
Josh: I feel that way about a lot of Dead Rider stuff, yeah.
Conan: It’s disconcerting, immediately familiar, but yet suddenly bizarre, everything about this band is just bad ass. This record managed to sneak through without me knowing about it. And suddenly i’m like: I’m in! I’m buying it immediately. Then I just listened to it on bandcamp and didn’t and decided that I really did need to buy it. It’s great, there are a lot of different moods to Dead Rider. It was hard to pick a song, but I picked this one specifically because the last movement has an auction announcer in it.
Josh: they call it an Auctioneer.”
Conan: yeah, yeah… Auctioneer. Thanks, Josh.
Radically unique and interesting band, super awesome… this is the listing!

josh #7 Julie Byrne – i Live Now As A Singer
Josh: My number 7, the album is called “Not Even Happiness” and the artist is Julie Byrne. This is a really wonderful, very mellow, beautiful… not really singer-songwriter thing, it’s there but there are interesting textures going on. The songs are so good, and her voice is so wonderful. I think Acme records had it as their record of the day when it came out, an instagram or a facebook post or something…
Conan: shout out to Acme records!
Josh: What Up Acme Records? Clicked on it on a whim, looked it up on bandcamp… and it’s just great late night listening.

Conan #7: Crystal Fairy – Crystal Fairy
This is a record, I think a lot of people forgot about. The Crystal Fairy record came out really early in the year. This is the collaboration between Buzz and Dale of the Melvins and former guest of the show Teri of Le Butcherettes… oh, and Omar from at the drive in, Mars Volta, and all that.
Josh: oh, sure why not!
Conan: It’s bad ass! To a certain degree it kind of sounds like a Melvins album with Teri singing. I’m totally ok with that. She’s one of my favorite front people period, former quest of the show. This is pretty much a product for me.
Josh: test marketed directly for Conan Neutron
Conan: I was trying to think of there was a way to make this more for me?
Swap out Omar for David William Sims or something?
Josh: Guest appearance by Malcolm Young?
Conan: Yeah! he managed to sneak in a guest appearance before he died. Anyway, this is Crystal Fairy… off of the album Crystal Fairy, with the song Crystal Fairy.

Josh # 6 Radioactivity – Infected
Josh: this is a 7″, not a full length. This is more indicative of the fact that I got into Radioactivity this year. They’ve been around a couple of years. Kind of an offshoot of the Marked Men
Conan: Oh yeah, ok!
Jiosh: so there were two big offshoots I got into… Mind Spiders last year, and this year I was DJing Tony Weber’s art opening at the Black Bird. Tony Weber who is in Heavy Hand
Conan: Who put out a great record this year too!
Josh: he was doing an art opening at the BlackBird and I was DJing and he came by with some records, after putting all his art up, he joined me for some records and one of the ones he played was off the last album and I was like: “What the fuck is this? It’s tightly wound… not really garage rock, got some of that vibe but too well produced. Tight and dry, and fast. It feels like everybody is playing their instruments at the fastest possible tempo all at once. It’s very well united and the songs are catchy as fuck.

Conan #6 Magpies – Next Three Exits
Conan: Next song for me is former guest of the show, very RECENT guest of the show. Hank Donovan’s band Magpies…
Josh: very recent indeeed.
Conan: Not as recent as the last guest, but very recent indeed. Great record! So this is Magpies from Missoula Montana, I think a lot of people slept on this. In fact, I *KNOW* a lot of people slept on this.This scratches the itch of people pining for the more rock based Sonic Youth stuff. That just likes cool, weird guitar rock. Co-ed vocals. Everybody killing it. I like the rest of their stuff, I like everything they’ve done. I think this is the best thing they’ve done.
I think it’s a really great record. That’s my story and i’m sticking to it.
Josh: and that’s the WAY it is…

Josh #5 Fox Face – Toxic
Josh: speaking of recent guests of the show, my number 5 is spoil and destroy from fox face.
Conan: awesome record, picked up the vinyl copy of that recently.
Josh: Super great record.turned out fantastic…
Conan: I wish we could have played more of it on the show when we had them on!
Josh: But now is your opportunity to play a little more.
I mean, you heard a couple songs from it that night if you go back to that episode it’s still there.
but I wanted to play their cover of Britney Spears: Toxic
Conan: oh yeah! it’s pretty bad ass.
Josh: I love it, I love how it’s still obviously that song, but they transform it and make it theirs. It’s a transformative cover.
Conan: first time I heard it, I was like: “what is this? I feel like I know this? OH! It’s Toxic.”
Josh: I think I told this story in the episode, but i’ll tell it again… first time I heard them play it was at a PRF in Chicago and Lindsay says: “I hope you guys likes Britney Spears”, and everybody chuckles they look at each other like: “Why are they laughing? This is serious.” And then they played this amazing song.

Conan #5 SEMINARS – Gaslight / Blacklist
Conan: Alright, we’re only halfway through… calm down
#5 is alive, baby!
He’s got laser lips
Laser lips?
That’s his insult to the other robot. Your Mother, Laser lips!
Oh man, i haven’t seen short circuit in awhile.
You know the Indian dude in short circuit isn’t Indian?

Josh: oh yeah, he apparently took that role and did a lot of research to get the accent right. Apparently he put everything into it…
Conan: You could also just hire an Indian dude. I mean that’s probably what I would do, but if you want to do it the hardest way possible and insult an entire culture.
ANYWAY, speaking of insulting!
hahaha

This is SEMINARS – Pricks die young. Let’s get something straight here people. this is a kick ass rock and roll record, this is mean and hard. If you are into riffs, things that are powerful and immediate and in your face. Songs that get in and get the fuck out. This is your record. This is another one I feel like people should be more hyped on.
Come on people.
This is James from Police Teeth, it doesn’t have any of the Police Teeth pop hooks or anything, but it’s got all those Police Teeth riffs though. SEMINARS has grown into it’s own band, and this is their best record.
It kicks ass, and i’m very pleased to have it on my #5 pick for 2017 play this loud, go break some parking meters and put a brick through a bank window

Josh #4: Bon Air – the Blue Line
Josh: …and here’s another record you should get right now
Conan: number four, you shall adore.
Josh: you should go get all these records right now, spend $10 each on bandcamp i’m sure you can find them all there. Well most of them anyway.
Conan: Click through our buy link to…. no, we don’t have that.
I don’t give a shit about that.
#4 is Bon Air: the blue line.
Bon Air!
It’s a hell of a record, it’s good wistful power-pop that rocks harder than that.
Conan: A little Sugar in there… both the sweetener and the band.
Sam does a very interesting thing where he splits his guitar into a bass, he has a splitter and it’s a whole thing where it’s a two piece and it has a bigger sound than that.
You don’t have to know any of that stuff to listen to this by the way.
Josh: It’s true, i’m trying to think of things to talk about. Besides: “This band is real good, I like ’em!”
Conan: It’s real good, I listen to it, you should listen to it, it’s real good.
Josh: I really do love them, the songs are so fantastic and i’m going with the title track. I bring up the power-pop again because a lot of it was home recorded and it sounds fantastic, but this and another song were recorded at Ardent studios, home of Big Star.
Conan: oh yeah! Of course.
Josh: and on this track, Sam actually played Chris Bell’s guitar.
Conan: Well, fuckin’ A.
Josh: and this song is so wonderful… it’s called the Blue Line

Conan #4: Mountain Goats – Shelved

Conan: number 4 for me is a record by a band I dearly love, who quite frankly haven’t put out a record I dearly love in awhile.
Josh: REALLY!?
Conan: Yeah.
Josh: REALLY, that’s interesting.
Conan: This is the Mountain Goats The last record I really loved by them were All Eternal’s Deck, which I thought was fantastic. I thought the last couple were fine, it’s ok.
Josh: I dearly loved Beat the Champ. I thought that was a top 5 record for them.
Conan: It’s got some tunes, there’s a little light jazz aspect to it I wasn’t loving so much. liked the show, loved some of the songs. but the latest record… GOTHS.
Josh: GOTHS!
Conan: top to bottom bad ass, and also kind of different somehow then anything they’ve done before but also very indicative of what they do.
Josh: Well, there’s no guitars right.
Conan: Yeah, and it’s very much a celebration not just of goth culture, but chosen family subcultures in general.
Josh: Which is not something he hasn’t written about before.
Conan: Yes, but it’s a slightly different way. It’s really cool. This song has a part that straight up sounds like New Order and I never would have expected it from a Mountain Goats record. And i’m totally into it, I think this is something where if you are a casual Mountain Goats record it might be time to check in with this record. I think it’s bad ass and one of John Darnielle’s best and I say that as not a fan of the last couple records.
Josh: Disagree hard!
Conan: Hey, I love the artist. I don’t know what to tell you.
that’s one of the nice things about the Mountain Goats.
I still love the Mountain Goats
There are records of his that other people are particularly huge on that i’m like: “that’s ok. it’s fine” but he’s always a good songwriter and he’s doing different things. If you are inclined to him at all, there’s a Mountain Goats record for you out there and this might be it.
Conan: I think this might be… so this is Shelved, my favorite song off of the Mountain Goats record called: GOTHS.

Conan: that is the Mountain Goats with shelved off of GAWTHS, which is my number 4 slot… some pronunciation right
Josh: that’s what they call them out here.
Conan: Got some gawths going down to the bat cave
Josh: Oh ya! The basement is just fulla gawths, oh boy.
Conan: Oh you got Goths, you gotta spray for that.
Josh: aw jeez.

Conan: You gotta fumigate!
John Darneielle, Come on the show.
Josh: Please, yes, alright… I was going to say that I promise we won’t be this punch drunk but.
Conan: I promise nothing.
Josh: Right.

Josh #3: Maximum Busy Muscle – Failure
Josh: We’re up to my number 3, it’s Maximum Busy Muscle.
Conan: MAximum… BIZZEEE… Mus-CLE.
Josh: from Athens, GA… we got to see them at a number of PRF events, one of their drummers is Erika of Motherfucker
Conan: conflict of interest of alert. Also: former guest of the show!
Josh: But she’s a later addition to the band, they started as a TWO piece. Just guitar and the drums with Mary, and just evolved into this wonderful four headed thing.
It’s kind of funny, the Motherfucker press line is “fist in the air rock”, this is a total headbanger. Some of these songs… especially this song we’re going to play Failure. Is the protoypical song on the record for me… immediately your head is banging… I’ve got short hair and i’m still doing it!

Conan: “I can’t even headbang properly and i’m still doing it so hard right now!”
Josh: But then there is so much more beyond that there’s so much to listen to with the way the drummers interact, how they interact with Adam on bass. All kinds of crazy shit, so it’s heavy and fun. If you took all the ponderous stuff out of early Don Cab. It just rips! it’s a ripper.
I love this record, i’m so glad that it finally got done and I got a hold of it, and you can get a hold of it too on the bandcamps.

Conan: A lot of what they do kind of reminds me of some of the stuff that Big Business does. In a good way, where it’s a heavy groove but something anchors it and it goes around a thing or idea. I can’t believ eI didn’t pick up this record, I was literally in the room when they got them and I just gapped on it. Cool story.

Josh: Cool story, buddy. Well, I suggest you join the rest of the people and pick up this record. This song is called failure.

Conan: alriiiight, that’s failure off of Maximum Busy Muscle
Josh: It’s a rocker
Conan: Right, if you are into that kind of thing, i’m not… i’m more of a light jazz dude.
Josh: yeah, I bet you are. Is that your next pick.
Conan: Here’s some light jazz everybody!

Conan #3: christian fitness – Bruce Hated Puppies

Conan: I think there’s been a christian fitness record on every best of since I started doing them, I think… i’ll probably get a correction soon. Motherfucker puts out a lot of records, and they are all great! It’s Andrew Falkous, aka: Falco of Future of the Left and mclusky. He’s appeared on the show so many times, I’ve LITERALLY lost count. One of my favorite human beings and artists. This is off the record: Slap Bass Hunks.
Josh: How great is that? How great is that?
It’s pretty wonderful. I feel like if you know mclusky and Future of the left, you know what you’re getting into with christian fitness, but I mean that in a good way. It’s like a pleasant surprise, like being given a cupcake.
Josh: yeah!
Conan: Except the cupcake is incredibly sardonic and shouting.
Josh: that’s cool, i’m still going to eat it.
Conan: “I’m still going to eat you!”
This is a strange analogy.
Josh: In a weird way, but it’s still good
I feel like Flco would probably appreciate it.
Anyway, this is the song on Slap Bass Hunks that is the biggest earworm for me. This is one I invite you to listen to, get on bandcamp…
Josh: Bandcamp is great.
Conan: We love bandcamp.
This is Bruce hated Puppies, off Slap Bass Hunks by Christian Fitness.

Those songs get in… get out… and do exactly what they are supposed to do. As Tony Ash said to me: “What a weird chorus! I love it, but what a weird chorus!”
And he’s NOT WRONG.
Josh: He’s not wrong!

Josh #2: power trip – if not us then who

Conan: what you got next for us? We’re down to the NUMBER TWO RECORD OF 2017!
Josh: as much as that matters… it’s definitely on my top 10 list and whatever.
Conan: People love arbitrary designations, we’ve established this.
Josh: I can’t get used to it! So my number two slot is Power Trip, which is an awesome thrash band. That I heard about from a bunch of people I generally trust.
Conan: I thought you were going to say: “Generally ignore!” “I heard about it from a bunch of people I generally ignore.” “This time it was ahhhh… valid.”
Josh: But yeah, it came up in a discussion of thrash, modern thrash, whatever. And this was pointed out to me by a few people, it’s a fucking great record, this is from a record it’s called Nightmare Logic. It has that classic thrash sound, it rests in between Dave Mustaine and Kerry King, Vocals are more shouted than sung, there’s a modern element there. Best thing about it, it’s 38 minutes long
Conan: that’s the correct length, nobody is looking for a 72 minute thrash record.
Josh: Naw, it’s cool man. It’s just a really good, invigorating record. I like to put it on while i’m in traffic jams. When I have to pay attention and focus and crank it up fucking loud!
Conan: Fuckin’ wail!
Josh: This record is called if not us then who. Also pay attention to the lyrics when you can make them out, because they are very good and smart.
Conan: Alright, power trip!

Conan: That’s a very mysterious ending there.
Josh: echo out.
Conan: that was power trip, if not us then who, off of the record Nightmare Logic.
Josh: yes it is.
Conan: Yes, True. Correct statement
Josh: definitely check that out if you like metal of any kind. If you like good things.
Speaking of good things!
Conan: speaking of Good things!
Josh: Good, good things!

#2: Lardo – Nothing

Conan: I know this next one would have been on your list as well.
Josh: It was.
Conan: NO DUPES!
Josh: no dupes.
Conan: this is another former guest of the show. I realized that Brian Pennington was the first show that you co-hosted with me.
Josh: It was. And I want to point that out actually, for a lot of this list we keep saying “Former guest of the show” that’s because we get good fucking guests on this show.
Conan: And we like stuff that doesn’t suck.
Josh: That’s right!
Conan: It isn’t just because we like our buddies bands. There’s a reason why we talk to these people, we like what they do.
Lardo, it blows me away that a big label hasn’t snapped them up and said: “Whatever you want to do, we’ll put it out!” because everything they do is fucking gold.
Josh: And they just barely seem to care in the best way. “oh, we made a record.” “oh, you just crapped this record out? no you didn’t!” it’s so good.
Conan: I still can’t believe that they haven’t given Pennington a free Bit Commander!
Josh: I know!
Conan: the sound clips for the Earthquaker Devices sound page for this pedal should be this record and the first Lardo record.
Josh: Yeah! This is what you can do with that.
Conan: Right, and this is one of the reasons I love them, because they take when I feel has become a staid and conservative genre, noise rock. And they turn it on its ear, there’s hooks to it. And there’s weird fucked up guitar that sounds nothing like a guitar that’s going.
Josh: but manages to be catchy at the same time.
Conan: It manages to be catchy at the same time, they are a hell of a band, this is a hell of a record, they are in my #2 slot, this is the band Lardo off of the record Sinking and the song is called Nothing.

Conan: ok, there we go Lardo with nothing, that’s off of the record Sinking. Get that at your local bandcamps… man, I might not have bought the vinyl for that. i’ve got to look and see, I listen to that all the time. that was my #2 of 2017.
Josh: that was your number two, which means it’s time for my NUMMMMBERRR ONE RECORD!
Conan: I can probably do a drumroll here… I can make that happen.
Josh: sure. Ok, ok… wait for it.
Conan: Waaaaaait for iiiiiit… waaaaait for it.
(drumroll)
Josh: is there gonna be a crash?
Conan: *pssssh*
Josh: there we go.
Conan: oh! there’s apparently a doorbell after that.
(doorbell noise)
Josh: “hello, it’s the number one record! At the door.”
Conan: “Number one record calling, can I speak to the lady of the house please?”
Josh: Alright, so my number one record iiiiiiis…
(drumroll)

Josh #1: Palm
It’s Palm!

Conan: PALM!
Josh: The Shadow expert ep, I was so excited to hear this record. Thrilled! Knowing that this is their second record. They haven’t been around for too long.
Conan: You played one of the songs from this record didn’t you?
Josh: yes, I did.
Conan: I don’t remember which episode.
Josh: It was awhile ago. I played them on the show before, because I was so excited about this. Just knowing that the next generation of noise is getting into the weeiiiird shit.
Conan: Yeah, that’s always nice to see.
Josh: The rhythms are off kilter, the singing is melodic but odd, the interlocking things that reminded me very much of Rob Crow’s band Heavy Vegetable
Conan: oh sure!
Josh: And anybody that is doing that kind of thing these days, is in a weird spot that makes me very happy.
Conan: yeah, I think everything I picked was pretty much old dude music, except for MAYBE Fever Ray. I’m not sure if the kids like Fever Ray, so at least somebody is staying relevant.
Josh: Alright, so the song is called Trying, it’s off of the record Shadow Expert, a preview of their upcoming LP, even though that has new songs. But they’re already… well… we’ll talk about this after the song.
Conan: Alright, this is Palm, Shadow Expert…Trying… there will be a test!

Conan: Ok, cool! That was your number one, that was Palm. Those kids, they are progging out in the best possible way.
Josh: Yeah. Yeah, that indie prog thing. Again, it taps one of those buttons I love so much, which is just: “You went to the practice space and you sat down and you wrote… That?!”
Conan: Yeah, I mean, it’s awesome that… I think there are a lot of bands that like Deerhoof, but not a lot of bands really take the same lessons from them. They have that mix, the Rob Crow world, a little King Crimson in there. If King Crimson played punk rock.
Josh: So Red.
Conan: Yeah, basically Red era King crimson. Yeah.
Josh: They are already working on their next record that will be out pretty soon. There are a couple of tracks up on their bandcamp, and it’s even weirder they are using guitars and drums to trigger samples. Just doing weird shit. I love that this is already weird enough and it’s just going to ramp up from there.
Conan: FU, it’s getting weirder!
Josh: That’s fucking great.
Conan: it is fucking great. So go get that on bandcamp… that’s on there.
Josh: blue vinyl too.

Conan: Oxbow – Thin Black Duke
Conan: My #1 record of 2017 is…
*drumroll*
Oxbow
Again: former guest of the show, Eugene Robinson. Really amazing record, it took them a long time to make this and it shows… it’s dense, there’s a lot to it. I’ve always liked Oxbow, I’ve liked everything they’ve done. I think their first two records are great… and they also give me headaches.
Josh: yeah, sure.
Conan: …and I mean that as a compliment. When I heard they were doing an acoustic record, I was like: “whaaaaaa? REally?” That was amazing, everything they’ve done has been wonderful. But this is… this is their best record. It blows me away every time, it unveils itself in very weird ways, and it’s a fantastic record that I listen to constantly. I considered doing one of the deeper cuts because there is a lot to do this one, but boy… if that first song isn’t one of my favorite god damn things. A Cold and Well-lit place, it’s my jam
Josh: sometimes something grabs you and takes you right where you need to be.
Conan: Yeah! It’s great. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, this record is great. It’s awesome. Oxbow, Thin Black Duke, Cold Well-Lit Place, #1 record of 2017, Protonic Reversal.

This is how it go:

Conan: #1 record of 2017, for me. Mr. Conan Neutron
Josh: There we go, that’s our lists.
Conan: That’s our lists, Go buy them records.
Josh: I gotta say, we are two people that listen to a lot of music and if we say these are the twenty records that worth your time first. Not the only twenty!
Conan: Not the only twenty, but definitely twenty that you absolutely need to pay attention to for sure.
Josh: We don’t go into this lightly, although we may go into the numbering lightly. We put some consideration into this and hopefully you all will get as much joy out of these records as we did.
Conan: Absolutely, and thank you for listening to the show, Thanks for caring that… we care?
Josh: Caring about our caringness?
Conan: Thanks for caring enough to listen to us talk about the music that meant so much to us in 2017. Anything else?
josh: Keep staying tuned in for… 2018?
Conan: 2018!
Josh: See what records happen then.
Conan: of course, and stay tuned to Protonic Reversal. Radioneutron.com for the archives, every week 8PM Eastern, 7PM Central, 6PM Mountain, 5 PM Pacific only on Radio NOPE!
Josh: Except for the times that we don’t do it then.
Conan: Except for the times that we don’t do it then.
Josh: Just like thiiiis.
Conan: exactly, catch you later.

Ep108: Darren Jackson (Kid Dakota)Ep108: Darren Jackson (Kid Dakota)

Darren Jackson – Kid Dakota

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(stream and download – Episode 108)

12/14 Darren Jackson

Hello, friends, and thank you for joining Conan and Josh for another episode of Protonic Reversal! Today’s guest is Darren Jackson of Kid Dakota, whose album So Pretty is about to get its first vinyl issue. We discuss that, and:

-mp3.com
-the So Pretty cover art
-a Low connection
-Shifting production ideas
-Spy mission band recruitment
-Precise music
-Lack of overdub ideas
-WWTTD?
-minimalism
-Selling the story instead of the music
-How the image fills in the vacuum
-Post-tragic euphoria
-Assessing the Kid Dakota discography
-The lasting popularity of a landmark early record
-Leaving room in the song for the listener
-Recording the new album
-and the next one upcoming!
-When your best album doesn’t catch on
-Getting burned out, recharging and focusing
-Craft pedals
-An unexpected soundtrack opportunity
-Vietnamese bootleg website

Ep107: Hank Donovan (Magpies, Rattlesnake Cable Company)Ep107: Hank Donovan (Magpies, Rattlesnake Cable Company)

Magpies, Rattlesnake Cable Company

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(stream and download – Episode 107)
12/7 Hank Donovan

Hey, everybody! Welcome to another episode of Protonic Reversal! Today’s guest on the phone with Conan and Josh is Hank Donovan, of Magpies and Rattlesnake cables. Our discussion includes such topics as:

-New drummer!
-Finding musicians in a small city
-a college-dependent scene
-Montana DIY
-Scene commitment
-Meal math
-Gear discovery problems
-Joining a three piece in progress
-Guitar influences
-Being a listener vs. listening as a musician
-Unintentionally starting a cable company
-Making cables cool, making something that lasts
-the Rattlesnake brand
-Not trying to hang out
-Tim Midyett’s Travis Bean baritone
-Hank’s Bean journey
-Schwinn Freestyle

Ep106: Keith Brammer (Die Kreuzen)Ep106: Keith Brammer (Die Kreuzen)

Keith Brammer of Die Kreuzen

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(stream and download – Episode 106)
Hail hail! Welcome to the Home of the Protonic Reversal. Today’s episode features another great in-studio guest (man, we’ve been lucky with these!) Keith Brammer, from Die Kreuzen, Wreck, Crime and Judy, et cetera! This wide ranging conversation touches upon such topics as:

-The weird novelty of listening to one’s own music
-Production quality and choices (You can do anything, and THAT’S what you want?)
-Punk as an encompassing thing vs. an ossified set of rules
-Bands whose sound indicated their record collection
-Solidifying songs in practice vs. at shows
-“I guess I can do that one and not feel physically ill.”
-Starting with no preconcieved notion of the “rules”
-Working at the top of your skill level, whatever it might be
-“A wide swath of nonsense and garbage” back then, just like now
-Touring and booking shows is definitely better with cell phones
-Lee Ving is the nicest
-The incredibly bad logic of throwing a shoe at a band
-Recognizing the opportunity for a situation that will make a great story
-Aerosmith
-Telling the Rick Nielsen story again (deal with it)
-“Gone Away” as the most realized DK song
-Daydream Nation doesn’t entirely lend itself to being played live
-The celebrated utility of a dry erase board in the practice space
-Doing useless demos for Mechanic Records
-Wasting the money of major labels
-Wreck, and the Carnival Strippers
-Picking a movie for your song to be in: PCU vs. Speed
-Cover choices
-All roads lead to D.O.A.
-Discovering bands way later than everyone else
-Picking bands to open the reunion shows, and doing the reunion shows in general
-Tom Hazlemeyer’s Bash
-Creating something that didn’t exist
-How just being able to fuck with people’s heads is extremely rewarding

Tim Midyett - Silkworm

Ep105: Tim Midyett (Silkworm, Bottomless Pit, Mint Mile)Ep105: Tim Midyett (Silkworm, Bottomless Pit, Mint Mile)

Tim Midyett - Silkworm

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(stream and download – Episode 105)
Good hello, and welcome to another episode of Protonic Reversal! Today’s EXTENDED episode features our in-studio guest, Tim Midyett (of Mint Mile, Bottomless Pit, Silkworm etc.) Our wide-ranging discussion features topics like:

-the Gerry Todd Show
-The Dancing Imperative
-12-string baritone guitars
-baritones: not guitars, not basses
-Tablecloth lint
-not actually sounding like Pavement or much of anything else
-100% vibe
-a band in a room, playing together at the same time
-the combination of people can be more than the sum of the parts
-solo vs. band
-Tim’s Electric Banjo Jamboree
-the incidental concept record: Firewater
-dealing with bullshit in various ways
-Missoula, MT
-Matador Records
-delineating between projects
-Justin the excellent pedal steel player
-Not interfering with what the band brings to the songs
-getting pickier
-taking all the most rocking songs off the album
-Steve Albini’s instincts are the opposite of commercial
-Modesto is terrible
-coming from the big city with real amps
-it’s better to be able to find your community with the internet than it was before, pretty much
-SWA
-Seattle in 1991
-no offense to Cat Butt
-the touring years
-easing back on touring to keep the band alive
-The Bottomless Pit of Partying
-learning bass via post-punk
-abstract album cover design indicating the contents
-New Order dealing with being of Joy Division
-putting the off topic song on the EP that’s otherwise all about fucking
-the three good clubs in the world
-breaking up the band
-changing strings
-how Andy fixed Doug Martsch’s guitar
-Midyett Rub and Tim’s turkey tips
-the multiple Silkworm tribute bands and the amazing skills of Chris, Chris and Evan
-if no one cared when you started, no one will care if you don’t stop
-a weird sloppy mix of Neil Young and speed metal
-”Man, that’s great, good for me.”

Ep104: Nick Skrobisz - Multicult

Ep104: Nick Skrobisz (Multicult)Ep104: Nick Skrobisz (Multicult)

Ep104: Nick Skrobisz - Multicult

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(stream and download – Episode 104)Weeeeeeeeeelllllllllllll howdy, folks! It’s time for another groovy installment of Protonic Reversal! In today’s episode, Conan and Josh chat with Nick Skrobisz of the kickass Baltimore band Multicult. Topics include, but are not limited to:

-Baltimore scene report
-the Oakland van break-in
-Katamari Damacy-ing the equipment (a step up from Tetris-ing)
-Robopedals
-Gear as a filler subject
-the elegance of early Danzig
-Good band names
-Indicative artwork
-Music that doesn’t cater to the audience
-Getting one over on the world
-Delivering a series of feelings
-Response/Reward
-No, really, Baltimore scene report
-DC’s proximity effect
-If ya get hungry…
-Tour advice/booking plot
-Doowutchyalike

Ep103: WORK (Joe Cannon, Jeff Brueggeman, Kavi Laud)Ep103: WORK (Joe Cannon, Jeff Brueggeman, Kavi Laud)

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(stream and download – Episode 103)
It’s time for episode 103 of Protonic Reversal! For the second week in a row, we’ve got in-studio guests: the fantastic Milwaukee band WORK. Conan and Josh encourage much nerdy discussion, along the lines of:

-Numerous and endless band name puns
-Australian GPS voices
-Colin Hay
-Sideshows and local Oakland references
-Marsupials
-Guitar rippers like Devo and St. Vincent
-Not having any idea how the band will deal with being in two different cities
-Emolument
-“If we don’t rule, Jeff just starts punching us until we start ruling”
-“Chisel: Because the Jam broke up”
-Mean and vicious pop
-Keeping the record contiguous
-The album tracks on Thriller
-Trying to use the least time to record their comp song
-Joe Lally
-“How come we don’t have Thursday Thursdays?”
-Tangin’ the hump
-Joe’s superpower: Temporarily Benjamin Franklin
-Domain names
-Electric Abacus: “Pretty proggy, very formulaic and repetitive”
-Hassling a song until the most irritating bass line possible brings it together
-Working it out during smoke and/or shit breaks
-Evaluating Paul McCartney’s collaborations
-Quitting the Moody Blues in 1968
-Confusing Michael Jackson videos
-The various mixes of Raw Power
-The Bob James-esque solo records of Max Rebo
-Running into George Lucas at Starbucks
-Obsolete format chat
-What to expect from the new WORK record
-Eating Popeye’s and watching Popeye
-All of us admitting we don’t know enough about Milwaukee’s excellent hip hop scene
-Playing at Bounce right after the wedding ceremony
-Chicken-greasing the lens
-Hating stuff that sounds like stuff
-Audiences love psychedelic freak-outs sometimes
-Tracking the size of a city via pedal steel players
-“PEDAL STEEL. THEREMIN. KAZOO. FUCK YOU.
Available to franchise”
-Mittster Mittster
-amiondrugs.com
-amionamiondrugs.com
-Blingee
-Strictly fancy
-Josh is revealed to be a character played by Michael Winslow
-Method Snacking
-amiatbandpractice.com
-Lots of T. Rex discussion
-Heading out on a cuddly note
-Smash that F5, keep it refreshed

Ep101: Fox Face (Mary Joy, Lindsay DeGroot, Lydia Chioda, Chopper Chioda)Ep101: Fox Face (Mary Joy, Lindsay DeGroot, Lydia Chioda, Chopper Chioda)

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(stream and download – Episode 101)

t’s time for a FREEWHEELING episode of Protonic Reversal! Conan and Josh have guests live in the studio: the most excellent Milwaukee band Fox Face! Hear such seemingly endless digressions such as:

-Josh’s mic antics
-Fox Face meets Dirtnap
-Rock ‘n’ roll maternity leave
-Conan’s most relaxing episode ever
-Banana and the Handplant
-the garage rock scene…?
-Magick? Like from the X-Men?
-Lindsey watching the Craft a bunch
-Always dicking on purpose
-Following a songwriting path
-Is Britney Spears listening right now?
-The long history of Fox Face and its members
-The (not really) fairweather drummer
-Heterogeneity within genres and being classed as a “girl band”
-Fox Face’s shock at having a web site
-Tour talk
-Writing lyrics in a Trump world
-Mary’s two-drink stage banter
-Favorite bands in the world scene
-The Mundane Epiphany
-Tectonics talk
-Fantasy show lineups, but achievable
-Operation: Mind Spiders
-The thing you play in the van that everyone else hates
-An extended discussion of Christian rock
-Conan digs deep to identify the annoying Aerosmith songs
-Kyle Motor’s cute cat
-The asset of a sympathetic engineer
-Being a parent and continuing to be creative

This episode is very silly, but it’s very fun, and Fox Face is one of our very favorites. Enjoy!

Fox Face – Clever Girl
Fox Face – Nasty Woman
Fox Face – Hiawatha
Shellac – The End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep101: Lindsey Charles (The Cell Phones)Ep101: Lindsey Charles (The Cell Phones)

Episode 101 – Lindsey Charles – The Cell Phones

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(stream and download – Episode 101)
It’s Episode #101 of Protonic Reversal! Your hosts, Conan and Josh, are in a sour mood, due to living in the world. But never fear, a phone call with Lindsey Charles of the Cell Phones cures what ails them! After some discussion about Refused (overrated? Or rated just right?) and the fascinating concept of changing a band’s structure by adding in another ill-fitting member out of rock history.

Topics in this interview include:

-Lindsey’s talented brother
-The curse of buying more than you intended during any Target visit
-Everyone loving the Cell Phones’ “West Coast”
-People connecting differently to the same song
-Why don’t we discuss pregnancy?
-Wielding emotions like a weapon
-Playing for unexpecting crowds
-The puzzle of songwriting
-Hooks!
-Selling the album title
-Impressing one’s dad
-53% (Overrun)
-NEVER BE QUIET
-It’s not a joke, sometimes
-the Kool Aid Man full of period blood
-Mismatched bookings
-Well-matched bookings
-Encounters with Lesley Gore
-The outlet of performance

By the end of the episode, Conan and Josh are on Cloud Nine. We think you will be, too!c

The Cell Phones – West Coast
The Cell Phones – You Make Me Say No
The Cell Phones – 53% (Overrun)
Shellac – The End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep100: Chris Frey! Christian Lembach! Sohrab Habibion! Josh Newton! Dale Crover! Tom Hazelmyer! Andrew “Falco” Falkous! Rick Valentin! (not) Steve Albini!Ep100: Chris Frey! Christian Lembach! Sohrab Habibion! Josh Newton! Dale Crover! Tom Hazelmyer! Andrew “Falco” Falkous! Rick Valentin! (not) Steve Albini!

Subscribe via iTunes Protonic Reversal on Stitcher

(stream and download – Episode 100)

Oh, shit, it’s the hundredth episode of PROTONIC REVERSAL! Thrill as Conan, Josh, and special in-studio guest Jeff Moody wrangle GUEST AFTER GUEST for two and a half hours! Get ready to hear such scintillations as:

-Chris Frey on navigating medical crises on a European tour!
-Christian Lembach on stage rocking with a bum knee!
-Sohrab Habibion on the new SAVAK album!
-Josh Newton on Glazed Baby and mysterious Bandcamp apperances!
-Dale Crover on bootleg shoes and Siri!
-Tom Hazelmeyer on carrot cake!
-Rick Valentin on album sequencing and punk rock professorin’!
-Andrew Falkous on parenthood and moving to London as a grownup!
-NOT Steve Albini!

And, believe it or not, EVEN MORE! (Although not more guests, tho, that’s all the guests.) Two and a half hours of entertainment and artistic motivation awaits you, friend!

Porch – Dickhead
Whores – I see you are also wearing a black t-shirt
Savak – Alive in Shadows
Shiner – The Egg
Sie lieben maschinen – meat is meat, love is murder
Dale Crover – Bad Move
Future of the Left – Eating for None
Poster Children – Blatant Dis
Shellac – Steady As She Goes
Shellac Crow
Shellac – The End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep099: Rick Sims (Didjits, Gaza Strippers)Ep099: Rick Sims (Didjits, Gaza Strippers)

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(stream and download – Episode 99)

Yes, yes! It’s true, Conan and Josh talk to the one and only Rick Sims of the mighty Didjits. It’s in the second hour, so strap in for some first rate entertainment or music or get that fast forward button ready.
-Just Fred (the record and the dude)
-The Cassette Revival
-The Killer + Tony Clifton
-Time Bomb Tom
-Touch & Go 25
-Didjits Reunion(s)
-Solos and quick hooks.
-The Gaza Strippers as a 4 course meal
-Writing Songs for the Supersuckers Record
-The Lee Harvey Oswald Band are assholes.
-Rey Wesham
-The Offspring
-Sound Design for Theatre
Songs played:

Fred Schneider – Whip
Didjits – (Mama Had A) Skull Baby
Didjits – Max Wedge
Piper – Who’s Your Boyfriend
Mr. Bungle – The Stroke
Lee Harvey Oswald Band – Surrender Earthlings
Didjits – Under the Christmas Fish

Didjits – Plate in My Head
Supersuckers – Born with a Tail
Fred Schneider – Bulldozer

Shellac – The End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep098: Eugene Robinson (Oxbow, Whipping Boy, Sal Mineo)Ep098: Eugene Robinson (Oxbow, Whipping Boy, Sal Mineo)

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(stream and download – Episode 98)

What if Yella from NWA sang the hit of Yellow the band (of “Oh YEAAAAAAH!” fame), that and a few other things before Conan and Josh dive right into the remarkable Eugene Robinson and his many bands, projects, sojourns and creative exploits. Eugene conducts himself with alacrity and poise and a good time is had by all!

-The origins of Sal Mineo (The band)
-Making art worth a good God damn
-spending 12 hours in France and playing a show
-not playing where you oughtn’t
-Advocating the encyclopedia of the voice.
-Singing what your soul calls out
-Old HC fellas that don’t really “get” Oxbow.
-Charating a musical course with no reference points
-Shit talkers being good people to have around / speaking honestly
-Getting hit on by one’s idols.
-the equivalent of automatic writing.
-martial arts.
-“Hey Frenchy, put the chainsaw down”
– Compartmentalizing “Fight”
-Writers vs. People who can write.
-To Arms, two legs and the magic of subtlety.
-Whatever happened to Dukowski
-Cross-Cultural experience vs cross-class experience.
-Where the stories come from

Songs played:

Oxbow – Clean Well-Lit Place
Xiu Xiu – Sharp Dressed Man
Sal Mineo – the Primary Bell

Black Face – I Want to Kill You
Oxbow – The Finished Line

Shellac – The End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep097: Mike Blaha (The Blind Shake, BLAHA, Shadow in the Cracks)Ep097: Mike Blaha (The Blind Shake, BLAHA, Shadow in the Cracks)

ep097-mikeblaha Blind Shake

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(stream and download – Episode 97)

On this episode, Conan and Josh have a chat with Mike Blaha of the Blind Shake and countless variations thereupon! Topics include, but are not limited to:

-collaborations and being open
-subbing in bands mid-tour
-Blind Shake vs. solo writing
-air-drumming auditions
-Chipotle!
-the Blaha health regimen
-surfin’ with John Reis
-working through new songs on the road
-“Play ‘Hurrican!'”
-acoustic vs. electric
-“I watch Netflix as much as the next guy”
-expressing more emotion
-attempting to book a show before this podcast ends
-living in small boxes
-joining Castle Face Records without changing the band’s sound
-the equal desire for safety and adventure
-keeping ears open to young bands
-Iowa
-the conceptual Blind Shake

Then Mike had to go load out for his solo show, so we ended up talking not exactly about Twin Peaks (although there are a few spoilers if you haven’t watched through episode 8 yet) but more about fandom and experiencing it real-time.

J. Robbins

Ep096: J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels)Ep096: J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels)

J. Robbins

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(stream and download – Episode 96)
Conan and Josh kick off the show with a brief discussion of big shows from the past weekend, then have a great chat with J. Robbins! Topics include:

The songwriting process:

-Bendy guitar loop overdubs
-Reviving/rewriting old songs and playing acoustic shows
-Shading confessional songwriting
-The integrity of a band and its members vs. being the sole songwriter
-Going out on a musical limb
-Collaborative projects
-Using the studio as a compositional tool

Stories of various recording projects:

-Roomrunner
-The great moment when a recording project sounds like a record
-the Dismemberment Plan
-What a producer’s role is and/or what it should be
-the Monorchid
-Shiner
-Hand-editing 2-inch tape
-Coliseum

The grand story of his brief time playing with Scream:

-“J., EVERYBODY knows ‘Ballroom Blitz.'”

Jawbox’s influence, and how influence works in general:

-Creating your own culture

We almost entirely avoided discussing politics!

Music played:

Jawbox – FF=66
J. Robbins – Our Own Devices
Jawbox – Won’t Come Off

Shellac – End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep095: Brian Pennington (Lardo, Megamaul, Radiant Republic)Ep095: Brian Pennington (Lardo, Megamaul, Radiant Republic)

Ep095: Brian Pennington (Lardo, Megamaul, Radiant Republic)

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(stream and download – Episode 95)

on striking a chord with Lardo beyond friend rock, the intergal usage of the Bit Commander pedal to the Lardo “sound”, playing with the murderer’s row of bands at All Tomorrow’s Impeachments, why Lardo is really 70s dumb riff rock (seriously?!), motivation and inspiration, what record labels mean in 2017 and so much more.

Interview starts at 16:00 or so.

Music played:
Arcwelder – What Did You Call It That For?
Lardo – Nothing
Lardo – Watch Him (Watch Her)
Lardo – Swimmer

Duane Denison - Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk, DK3

Ep094: Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk, DK3)Ep094: Duane Denison (Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk, DK3)

Duane Denison - Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk, DK3

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(stream and download – Episode 94)

What is there to say? Duane Denison is a living legend. We talk DK3, Jesus Lizard, Robert Fripp, technique and process, innovation and inspiration. Did we mention living legend?

Interview starts at 8:30

Music played:
DK3 – Traveling Salesman

Jesus Lizard – Bloody Mary
Jesus Lizard – Then Comes Dudley

Shellac – End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep093: Hammer, Chisel, Fall – Anti-Inauguration Day JukeboxEp093: Hammer, Chisel, Fall – Anti-Inauguration Day Jukebox

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(stream and download – Episode 93)

Pretty straightforward.
Screw that dude.

Dead Kennedys – Kill the Poor
The Crucifucks – Hinkley Had a Vision
Poster children – the leader
The Thermals – God and Country

Minutemen – Fascist / Joe McCarthy’s Ghost / Paranoid Chan

Shellac – All the Surveyors
Minutemen – This Ain’t No Picnic
Iron Maiden – Run to the Hills
Sleater-Kinney – Combat Rock

fugazi – smallpox champion
BABYLAND – Omaha
Minutes – Raise our Fists Up

Pete Seeger – We Shall Overcome
Black Flag – Rise Above

Public Enemy – Fight the Power
the Beatles – Revolution (Big Rock version)

Dirty Three – Everything’s Fucked / Hammer, Chisel, Down/fall collage

Ep092: Protonic Reversal Top 10 Records of 2016Ep092: Protonic Reversal Top 10 Records of 2016

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(stream and download – Episode 92)

It was really hard to get down to 10 for this.
Anybody that says there’s no good music out there has rocks in their head.

The list:

1. Beat Drun Juel – suppressor
2. Whores – Gold
3. Nocturnal Habits – New Skin for Old Children
4. Helms Alee – Stillicide
5. The Cell Phones – No
6. Future of the Left – the Peace and Truce of Future of the Left
7. Blind Shake – Celebrate Your Worth
8. Savak – Best of Luck in Future Endeavors
9. The rutabega – unreliable narrator
10. Christian fitness – this taco is not correct

5 songs that are not on the top 10 records of 2016

1. Melvins – Decay of Lying
2. Big Business – Fathers Day
3. Maple Stave – Call Sign Spider
4. Iggy Pop – Paraguay
5. John Congleton & the Nighty Nite – You are Facing the Wrong Way

LET’S COUNT IT DOWN!

10: Christian fitness – this taco is not correct
Avid listeners and fans of the show will probably remember… probably remember? How could you forget. Episode 89 with Falco, making a record breaking 4th apperance on protonic, this is a great record. I find that a lot of people don’t know it so much. It’s all pretty much Falco, Jack from Future of the Left, Mclusky plays drums. It’s one of the best records that came out this year, that people haven’t paid that much attention that like this kind of music.
Reggie Has Asbestos Training

9. The rutabega – unreliable narrator
This is their second record, the Unreliable Narrator, a little less epic than Brothers The Lights Don’t Work which has been their classic go-to, but the songs are as solid as can be, and very cool. I think you will appreciate it very much, if you haven’t heard it… you really need to. I’m playing one of the lesser known ones here. There is a very specific thing, there’s emotions! there’s feelings! it’s not just noise all the time. You can find it at Comedy Minus One, they are good people, making good music from South Bend Indiana. I happened to pick the one that is the darkest most emotional journey on the record, that’s how we do at Protonic Reversal.
I dig this one, this is the moody closer. I’ve Been the Armour

Also find them at Comedy Minus One
Josh and Garth appeared on the show all the way back in episode 33!

8. Savak – Best of Luck in Future Endeavors
This is a supergroup of sorts, members of Obits and Virgin Islands. I quite like it, I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but it’s a really good hot rocking good time. Episode 84 featured Sohrab of Savak, Obits, Edsel. This record came out early in the year, and I feel like it made a big impact with folks, but I feel like people aren’t giving it the deference it deserves. There’s an almost new wave-y element to it that i’m really into, but this is some serious rock music at the same time.

Also available on Comedy Minus One

7. Blind Shake – Celebrate Your Worth
One of the best bands loosely affiliated with the new garage rock “movement”, they are on their own thing, their own trip. The Blind Shake! Possibly my favorite since Seriousness. Just excellent stuff all around. This one is on Goner.
This one is a little less noisy, and a little more DEVO from Pluto.

6. Future of the Left – the Peace and Truce of Future of the Left
I feel like the last few Future of the Left records are divisive for some reason, people seem to be really into them or not into them at all. And they don’t give them a chance. They dont’ give it a chance. This is a band that keeps getting better, I frankly like them better than mclusky. Which is heretical for a lot of folks and I don’t care. It’s a busy world, out there. You should make time for this one.

Again Episode 89 for Falco’s last appearance

5. The Cell Phones – No
Believe it or not, I find this band a little hard to describe. Truth told, they sound like themselves, but when pressed I say they sound like Tina Turner fronting NoMeansNo, Freddie Mercury fronting DFA1979, Sharon Jones (of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) fronting the Minutemen, none of that makes much sense, but it gets you to a starting point. The record is called NO, two words. NO. How do you talk about something like this without just saying: “this kicks ass, shut up stupid, and listen!”. It sounds like it’s from another planet, but I mean that as a compliment!

4. Helms Alee – Stillicide
Brace Yourself.
Great band, one of those bands that are just difficult to describe but are top to bottom wonderful. A unique voice in heavy music, melodic, epic, adventerous.
Go find them at Sargent House

3. Nocturnal Habits – New Skin for Old Children
This is Justin Trosper and Sara from Unwound, with some Two Ton Boa action in there as well. It’s amazing, I love this record, i’ve listened to it lots. One of the deeper cuts on this one. Lush as hell and great stuff. Soothing in it’s way.
An alternate universe sequel to Leaves Turn Inside you by Unwound.

Of course Justin Trosper was also on last episode.

2. Whores – Gold

Two time guest on the show. Last appearance was episode 90. This is off the record Gold. It’s a bomber. They do a thing that is heavy and noisy, kind of reminds me of KARP-esque things. It’s really good. You can also get the back catalog here. Also worthy! They are receiving a lot of attention right now and it’s a very cool, gravity defying thing.

1. Beat Drun Juel – suppressor
You probably don’t know it, and that’s ok. A Chicago band. I slept on listening to this for way too long because I could not remember the name. Which really isn’t that difficult. Once you get it, it’s fine… but you have to get it. This is fucking awesome. It’s PJ Harvey, it’s noiserock, it’s all those things… and it’s own thing.

So those are the top 10 records of the years.
I also am tossing in top 5 songs that were not on those records.

1. Melvins – Decay of Lying

Stiff competition this year, one of the two Melvins record that came out this year. Basses Loaded, the other being Mike and the Melvins with Mike Kunka of godheadSilo. Basses loaded has a bunch of different bass players on it, and it’s really cool. The lead off track is one of my favorite Melvins songs in awhile, it’s the big Alice Cooper side of what they do, and I like it.

2. Big Business – Fathers Day

They’re back as a two piece with a kickass record. It’s got riffs, if you know… you’re into that kind of thing. The record is called Command Your Weather.

3. Maple Stave – Call Sign Spider

I had this record for awhile, listened to it and enjoyed it. But this song is the business. From the incredibly politically contentious state of North Carolina. Last song on the record, I like them a lot. Don’t know why it took me so long, frankly. This one gets real close to emo, real close to something i’m not comfortable with at all, but stays on the right side.

4. Iggy Pop – Paraguay

One that might actually be on a few lists outside of the Nerd-o-verse. Post-pop Depression, it’s a good good record. I liked it a lot, I didn’t top 10 like it though, I think it has some weak spots and some of lyrics kind of blow. One of my favorite rock ‘n roll people of all time. But it’s true, certainly my favorite Iggy Pop record in years and years though. Kind of his goodbye record, it’s interesting to think of there not being an Iggy Pop around anymore making music. I think it’s kind of awesome that it’s in the last song lyrically too.
Oh! Do yourself the favor and follow Iggy Pop on instagram to see him hanging out with his bird, it’s amazing.

5. John Congleton & the Nighty Nite – You are Facing the Wrong Way

FEEL THOSE CHIMES SUCKA! I love this record, but there are only so many slots. I listen to this one a lot actually. Famed producer John Congleton and ex-pAperchAse

Christian Fitness – Reggie has Asbestos Training
the rutabega – I’ve Been the Armor
SAVAK – Alive in Shadows
The Blind Shake – Apostle Island
Future of the Left – Running All Over the Wicket
The Cell Phones – You Make Me Say No
Helms Alee – Tit to Toe
Nocturnal Habits – New Skin
Whores – I See You Are Also Wearing A Black T-Shirt
Beat Drun Juel – Hugger

John Congleton & the Nighty Nite – You Are Facing the Wrong Way
Iggy Pop – Paraguay
Maple Stave – Call Station Spider
Big Business – Father’s Day
Melvins – Decay of Lying

The Blind Shake – Reasonable World

Shellac – The End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep091: Justin Trosper (Unwound, Survival Knife, Nocturnal Habits)Ep091: Justin Trosper (Unwound, Survival Knife, Nocturnal Habits)

Unwound, Survival Knife, Nocturnal Habits

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(stream and download – Episode 91)

Fall records and making things far away from people. Making leaves as an analog recording right in the middle of the digital revolution. Soundbreaking and process change , digital as 4 track, and recording with none of the people in the same room, live bands merging, skipping the “getting going” phase, numero group reissues as nerd wish fulfillment, revisiting the discography, outsiders looking back with rose colored glasses, the cult of instant reaction, post-hardcore, legacy and just doing it, two ton boa , touring during election2016 and Unwound touring during 9/11, politics in music and the value of the personal, survival knife: wha’ happen?, replikants, blade runner remake Brandt on the leaves tour, last Unwound tour as rocky movie and so much more.

interview begins at 11:40

Songs Played:

Nocturnal Habits – Good Grief
Nocturnal Habits – New Skin

Nocturnal Habits – Ecophilia
Unwound – Dragnalus
Unwound – Terminus

Shellac – the End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Christian Lembach - Whores

Ep090: Christian Lembach (Whores.)Ep090: Christian Lembach (Whores.)

Christian Lembach - Whores

Subscribe via iTunes Protonic Reversal on Stitcher

(stream and download – Episode 90)
Christian returns to Protonic Reversal to talk about the new whores record GOLD, online presence and communication, bullshit filters, the sacrifices and choices one makes for “living the life” and the trade-offs that ensue, the deep affinity and friendship that comes from a shared esoteric interest, Harrison Ford, quality merch, PRF BBQ Louisville, self awareness and SO. MUCH. MORE.

Songs Played:

Whores. – Baby Teeth
Whores. – Playing Poor
Shellac – the End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep089: Andrew “Falco” Falkous (Future of the Left, mclusky, christian fitness)Ep089: Andrew “Falco” Falkous (Future of the Left, mclusky, christian fitness)

Episode89

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(stream and download – Episode 89)
The enigmatic and clever Falco returns for a record breaking 4th appearance! In a brief pause in the opus making, capturing thoughts you didn’t know you had yet, record releases based on people’s commute, new christian fitness! New Future of the Left! guitar pedals and the “that” pedal, Brexit and losing the moral high ground, Doing it lots and know there are ups and downs, dabbling in other art forms, liking “the good bands”, song titles, mclusky incursions, money for worthy causes and paying with cred, relocating to London, Bob Marley-implied welshman, lineup shifts, Twin Peaks (So good or no good?), nuance and guileless borderline stalkers, psychic anguish NOT helping the creative process, Hecklers, accents, 16% egregious dickheadery, political correctness vs. treating people with respect, Men’s Rights Activists and manufacturing fury, Julia’s solo record and Frank Black singing on it, why you do NOT hear Falco guest appearances, Gold Plated Twat Wagons, etc. You know the drill.

Interview begins at 12:20
Songs Played:

christian fitness – Reggie has asbestos training
Future of the Left – Back When I Was Brilliant

Future of the Left – Running All Over the Wicket
Shellac – the End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep088: Brenna Betts (Goodbye Brenna!)Ep088: Brenna Betts (Goodbye Brenna!)

episode88 - Brenna Betts

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(stream and download – Episode 88)

It’s the end of an era! Protonic Reversal cohost Brenna Betts is moving away. She gets the royal send off with a crazy go nuts hell ass episode that includes… well, a lot of stuff. Dying dogs, the sound of silence. Measurements of synth. The pre-requisite political talk, Coywolves, medication side effect commercials, Evan Gritzon: scene of 1, skeletons, There are remembrances, recollections, opining and other things. Ridley Scott: “That Never Happened.” Nonsense and epiphany, navalgazing. Farewell Brenna we will miss you.

Whores. – I’m an Amateur At Everything
Motherfucker – Carl Sagan’s Ghost
Vibrolas – You Can’t Rock in Flip Flops
Christian fitness – happiness is not for amateurs
Red Fang – Prehistoric Dog
Helms Alee – Dream Long
Multicult – Stop Calling
Nocturnal Habits – Good Grief
War Brides – Shark
Shellac – End of Radio (Closing Theme)

Ep087: Jeff Byron/Dana Poblete (Batwings Catwings)Ep087: Jeff Byron/Dana Poblete (Batwings Catwings)

http://www.radionope.com/podcasts/protonicreversal/?name=2016-08-23_87_ep087__jeff_byron_dana_poblete_b.mp3
Subscribe via iTunes Protonic Reversal on Stitcher

(stream and download – Episode 87)

Jeff and Dana from Batwings Catwings talk about their new ep Coast to Coast and the experience of being a poppy, but noisy band. The differences between Turbo Lightning and Batwings Catwings, EPs over albums and doing almost every piece of it DIY. Writing inspiration and influence and touring Japan for shows or silly videos. Jeff speaks a bit about producing music for shows and eliminating the excuse of writer’s block. He also talks a bit about his time in the Mae-Shi and let’s it drop that there will be a one off reunion of that band as a benefit for the legendary all-ages venue the Smell.

As a bonus! Check out the Protonic Reversal EXCLUSIVE download of 1000 volts, available for a limited time.

Batwings Catwings – Totally Outrageous
Batwings Catwings – Coast to Coast

Batwings Catwings – 1000 Volts
the Mae-shi – Run to Your Grave
Turbo Lightning – Faster Than Light
The Mae Shi – Power to the Power Bite Two
John Congleton & The Nighty Nite – Until It Goes