Art•I•Fact

We're joined by Sunny Faris and Mikayla Mayhew of the Portland, Oregon-based stoner rock band, Blackwater Holylight. Crucial matters discussed include: how the pandemic affected the songs on their new record; relocating to Los Angeles, CA; touring and releasing new music during COVID times; music they love to listen during the fall; and much more. 

As a bonus treat, enjoy this recent convo Dan had with artist/musician/photographer Eerie Von (formerly of Danzig, Samhain and Rosemary's Babies).  Happy Halloween! (Note: this is a phone interview so a little less "produced" than our regular episodes)

We're joined by Doug MacMillan, vocalist for the great North Carolina  band The Connells. Crucial matters discussed include: how Doug met the Connell brothers in the early 80's and their rocky path to getting started; working with the amazing Mitch Easter (producer of R.E.M.'s early records); their unlikely success in Germany; our mutual love of The Replacements and Guided by Voices; the band's current return to recording and touring and their great new album, Steadman's Wake; and much more.*Please forgive the occasional buzzing. It stopped before we could figure out what it was. 

We're joined by producer Gordon Raphael to discuss his life in music and his work with The Strokes (particularly on their seminal debut album Is This It). Crucial matters discussed include: Gordon's various attempts to “make it” in New York City; how Gordon hooked up with The Strokes; getting fired from The Strokes' third album, First impressions of Earth; the removal of “New York City Cops” following the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center; and much more. 

We're joined by journalist and author, Annie Zaleski, to discuss her book in the highly-regarded 33 1/3 series on Duran Duran's Rio record. Crucial matters discussed include: Duran Duran's unlikely return to prominence in the 90's; the involvement of the great producer Nile Rogers of Chic in the band's catalog; why Duran Duran doesn't get the respect they deserve that came more easily to their New Wave peers; DD bassist John Taylor's amazing bass videos that have introduced the band to a new generation of fans; and much more.  

We're joined by the fabulous Mike Mills, bassist, keyboardist and second vocalist from the legendary American rock band, R.E.M.. Crucial matters discussed include: Matt and Dan's obsession with the band during their formative years; the anniversary of their incredible debut, Murmur; the many great reissues of their classic records; Mike's work in the Big Star's Third with Big Star drummer, Jody Stephens; Mike's most recent collaboration with Jason Narducy in Split Single; the fertile music town of Athens, Georgia; and much more. 

Dan and Matt preview Season 2 and open a musical time capsule from Dan's vault! Crucial matters discussed include: mixed feelings about producer Rick Rubin, having it in for Dave Navarro, and much more. 

We're joined by screenwriter, Charlie Haas, and super fan and musician, Jeffrey “The Chairman” Couch, to discuss 1979's  legendary and subversive teen coming-of-age drama, Over the Edge. Crucial matters discussed include: the real-life planned community near San Francisco that inspired the fictional New Granada in the movie; the importance and selection of the film's incredible soundtrack; casting and wrangling the large group of teen actors and extras; the rock operetta, Welcome to New Granada, by Couch's band, Drats!!!; the amazing features and extras on the 2021 Blu-Ray release from Arrow Films; and much more. 

We're joined by Joe Novotny, former Reading Clerk for the United States House of Representatives and true blue punk and indie rock scholar and fan.  Crucial matters discussed include: Joe's unlikely path to a career in politics;  our shared obsession with the Washington, D.C. punk and hardcore scene of the 80's and 90's; Joe's upbringing in Chicago; Joe's advocacy for causes in both the gay community and beyond; what comes next after leaving his longtime job at the House of Representatives; and much more. 

We're joined by Mitch Easter, the frontman and guitarist of college rock darlings, Let's Active, and a legendary record producer based out of North Carolina. Crucial matters discussed include: producing R.E.M.'s first single, Debut EP, and first two albums; Mitch's rich history with Chris Stamey of The dB's; what exactly are those strange sounds in the intro of R.E.M.'s Radio Free Europe; discovering the electric guitar; and so much more. 

We're joined by Red Fang drummer, John Sherman, to celebrate the release of the band's long-awaited new record, Arrows. Crucial matters discussed include: waiting out the pandemic to finally release their new album; John's excitement at returning to touring after the forced break; how no music is a “guilty pleasure” (including soft rock); the band being personally invited to play a festival put on by Metallica; John's favorite drummers; and so much more. 

We're joined by Linda Smith, a pioneer in the arenas of home recording and self-releasing music, and the reluctant inventor of “bedroom rock.” Crucial matters discussed include: her beloved hometown of Baltimore, Maryland; the release of a compilation of her work by Brooklyn-based indie label, Captured Tracks; how the fabled appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show changed her life; and so much more. 

We're joined by the legendary British singer/songwriter Robyn Hitchcock, frontman for late 1970s art punk band, The Soft Boys, and the leader of his own band, Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians. Crucial matters discussed include: transitioning from frontman of a punk band to leader of of his own project to traveling acoustic troubadour over the course of his career; opening for R.E.M. on tour during their explosion into megastardom; the artistic perils of a "major label record deal"; working with the late director, Jonathan Demme, on the performance film, Storefront Hitchcock; the glory days of American college radio; and so much more. 

We're joined by Andrew Rieger, the singer and songwriter behind Athens, Georgia's Elf Power, a key player in the legendary Elephant 6 Collective, and the founder of Orange Twin Records. Crucial matters discussed include: surviving a tour with the hard drinking Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices; the many phases of the fertile Athens, Georgia underground rock scene; our jealousy over the incredible coolness of Andrew's parents (he had a half-pipe in his backyard); the incredible story behind Orange Twin's release of the instant classic record, Colour Green, by Sibylle Baier; and much more. 

We're joined by Steve Moore and Anthony Paterra of the innovative instrumental duo, Zombi. Crucial matters discussed include: growing up in the town where director George Romero filmed Night of the Living Dead; the pros and cons of being both a duo and an all-instrumental band; touring with legendary Italian prog rock band, Goblin, of Suspiria fame; and much more. 

We're joined by songwriter, producer, and legendary indie rock guitar slinger, Doug Gillard, known most widely as the longtime guitarist for Robert Pollard's Guided by Voices. Crucial matters discussed include: growing up in Ohio and why that state has produced so many incredible rock bands; the bizarre ritual of the audiences in Florida showering Guided by Voices with beer at shows; Doug's sidework with Nada Surf, Neko Case, The Hold Steady, and Oranges Band, among others; the astonishing productivity of Guided by Voices and their amazing new record, Earth Man Blues; working with Ric Okasek from The Cars on GBV's Do the Collapse and Rob Schnapf on Isolation Drills; and so much more. 

We're joined by our friend and Rock & Roll lifer, Tracy Wilson, to discuss her fantastic bands, Dahlia Seed and Positive No. Crucial matters discussed include: growing up in the same neighborhood where Richard Nixon and Andrew Dice Clay lived; her path to becoming a lifelong musician; playing shows with Archers of Loaf, Avail, Built to Spill, and... uh, Everclear; cautionary tales about almost getting signed in the 90's; the effect of the pandemic on her life and art; her new ventures, Turntable Report and Courtesy Desk; and much more. 

We're joined by drummer, producer and composer Brendan Canty from the legendary Washington, D.C. bands, Fugazi and Rites of Spring. Crucial matters discussed include: Brendan's journey within the D.C. punk and hardcore scene that lead him to Rites of Spring and Fugazi; our mutual love of Bob Dylan's new record, Rough and Rowdy Ways; the anniversary of Fugazi's stunning second release, Repeater; Brendan's film work with and fandom of Wilco; Brendan's stellar gig scoring for NASA; and so much more. 

We're joined by Brother Wayne Kramer from the MC5 for a testimonial about his incredible life and art. Crucial matters discussed include: the rise and fall of the MC5; growing up in the musical Mecca of Detroit, Michigan; falling on hard times and ultimately discovering his calling as an advocate for prison reform; the MC5's recent 50th anniversary tour; his work with his charity, Jail Guitar Doors; having his first "#1" through his collaboration with Alice Cooper on Alice's new LP, Detroit Stories; and much more. 

We're joined by the founder of the Richmond, Va-based indie record label Egghunt Records, Adam Henceroth. Crucial matters discussed include: the joys and perils of running a record label in these streaming times; the luck of stumbling upon the amazing Lucy Dacus and her subsequent move to Matador Records; our mutual adoration of early R.E.M.; Adam's bold attempt to put out a Morrissey record as a Record Store Day release; Artifact co-host Matt's involvement in the making of one of Adam's favorite Egghunt releases, Reveries, by Wilmington, DE's own Grace Vonderkuhn.

We're joined by journalists and authors, Tom  Beaujour and Richard Bienstock, to discuss their New York Times Bestselling book, Nothin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80's Hard Rock Explosion. Crucial matters discussed include: the master template for '80s hard rock bands that is the mighty Van Halen; the death blow struck to hair metal's dominance by Nirvana's Nevermind; the sneaky importance and massive success of Poison; the influence of punk and glam rock on '80s hard rock; how Quiet Riot kicked the whole thing off with the unexpected success of their Metal Health album and singles; the culture of L.A.'s Sunset Strip music scene in the '80s; the underrated talent and business savvy of Motley Crue mastermind, Nikki Sixx; and much more. 

We're joined by Delaware homeboy, Jim Wilson, to discuss his life and career as guitarist and frontman of L.A. rock band, Mother Superior, as well his career as an in-demand sideman playing with such artists as Rollins Band, Daniel Lanois, Sparks, Motor Sister, and Emmylou Harris. Crucial matters discussed include: trying to sneak into fabled Newark, Delaware music venue, Stone Balloon, as a teen; watching his father play bluegrass at the legendary Sunset Park; what it's like playing with Henry Rollins; his path to becoming a successful sideman in L.A.; his heavy band, Motor Sister, with his friend, Scott Ian, from Anthrax; and so much more.  

We're joined by the uber-charming journalist and author, Jude Warne, for a fun and informative conversation about her new book, America: The Band. Crucial matters discussed include: how on earth her book came to have a forward by actor, Billy Bob Thornton; her love of Bruce Springsteen's album, Darkness on the Edge of Town; the fact that America is not a yacht rock band; America working with legendary producer of The Beatles, George Martin; what amazing singers and songwriters all three members of America are; and much more. 

We're joined by the founder of Harp magazine and director, Scott Crawford (Salad Days,  Creem: America's Only Rock & Roll Magazine). Crucial matters discussed: the brilliance of the Bad Brains; growing up in the Washington, D.C. punk and hardcore scene; talking or not talking to Ted Nugent about Creem magazine; his time in the publishing big leagues at Harp magazine; an alternate universe where Fugazi signs with a major label; and much more. 

We're joined by educator and author, Nancy Barile, for a fun and informative discussion of her new book, I'm Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-And-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion. Crucial matters covered include: her husband, Al Barile (frontman of legendary Boston hardcore band, SSD Control); the Philly and Boston punk and hardcore scenes; Minor Threat and Fugazi's Ian MacKaye; the Three Mile Island nuclear accident; her life as a teacher; and much more. 

Former Spin Magazine editor, world's biggest Cheap Trick fan, and author Doug Brod joins us to discuss his amazing new book, They Just Seem a Little Weird: How Kiss, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith and Starz Remade Rock and Roll. Crucial matters discussed inlude: conflicted feelings over Kiss playing without our beloved Ace Frehley; our mutual devotion to Cheap Trick; how CT bassist Tom Petersson's replacement looked a hell of a lot like Tom Petersson; the profound unlikelihood of Aerosmith's second act in the 90s; why Starz is an important band; and much more. 

We're joined by singer/songwriter/guitar slinger/rock star Luke Bentham from Hamilton, Ontario's most excellent The Dirty Nil. Crucial matters discussed include: our mutual obsessive fandom of The Replacements; opening for The Who; their great new album on Dine Alone Records; Vans Warped Tour experiences; keeping Rock alive during the pandemic; favorite albums; the secret to his monster guitar sound; and more. 

Your spirit guides, Dan and Matt, set sail on the maiden voyage of the Artifact Podcast with the trustiest of captains, Bob Nastanovich, of Pavement, Silver Jews, and his revived label, Broker's Tip Records. Expect brilliant stories about Lollapalooza '95, Courtney Love, working with producers Mitch Easter and Nigel Goodrich (Radiohead), and the cruel winters in Des Moines, Iowa.