the Book Of Very Very Bad Things

Are you afraid of the dark? Have you an inherent revulsion of the stygian? Beware, succulent soul. We only come out at night. Thrill to the mournful tune of doing dead creatures as they call to their lunar matre, test bound and joyous!

  This episode is dedicate to the memory of Brian "Craiger" Craig. http://palm ghosts.bandcamp.com   Tonight, I am honored to give you the record release episode for Ben Douglas and Joseph Lekkas' Palm Ghosts.   Palm Ghosts inhabit a rarified space within the alternative music landscape. They are a musical entity creating rich tapestries of Post Punk, New Romantic, and electro pop, all under a singular, cohesive banner. This is beyond mere influence. They have mined a spirit and style that is unmatched today. We are most humbled to have the distinction of offering a record release episode for this magnificent album! This episode brought to you by www.word4wordinterpretation.com

Tonight we have the distinct pleasure to give you Mr. Matt Pryor. You know his music, you love it , and now you experience the discussion we'd had, discussing the magic behind the music. A Distinct honor! This Chapter was brought to you by Sweet Cheetah Publicity (available on all social media platforms), as well as word4wordinterpretation.com.

  There is just ‘something' about a musical project driven, solely, by two brothers. The bond of blood is a unique vessel to contain a shared mindset, aesthetic, and mission. Lennon and Christian Nichols have selected 5 songs from an arsenal of 70, offering the very best of their collaboration.  “Songs For Film” is an EP, but is massive in scope as a multimedia experience that pairs with a visual element that feels as close to a bygone era as their music does. https://adoredofficial.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-film https://instagram.com/adoredofficial_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= http://chaoticnogood.com/store/adored/ This episode is brought to you by Word 4 Word Interpretation, www.word4wordinterpretation.com Also brought to you by Sweet Cheetah Publicity, sweetcheetahpr@instagram.com  

Welcome, my fiendish friends and friendly fiends, to... The Book II: Chapter 1. Moving The Needle (a new addition to our format, where we discuss new music and culture with Publicists, Journalists, Producers, and anyone else in the music business.)   Tonight, Sweet Cheetah Publicity's own Tim Anderl, The Bad Copy and Enough. Podcast's own Kendra Sheetz, join me for a foray into the seedy underbelly of the more unsavory aspects of touring musician's predilections.         We discuss the aspects of the scene that still thrill us, the bands that mattered way back when, what trips our triggers, and keeps us coming back for more.    Epic Stuff.   You can find Kendra here- thebadcopy.com, enough. a podcast with Kendra Sheetz and Kevin Gill, and on Facebook. You can find Tim Anderl here- www.facebook.com/SweetCheetahPR, https://twitter.com/CheetahPr, and on the Gram! Music in this episode: "Martyrs" by Heart Out (the band I sing in), "Birthing The Beast", Wormwood", "Ascending" by GOWN.

Here we have the B side of our conversation with Nick. In this installment, we break into the emotional and psychological side of his work, personal life, and process. You do not want to miss this one. Nick is a positive, personable, and scholarly musician with a metric ton of heart. This episode contains "Sold Out", "Suicidal Anne", and "Home" by The Obvious, and an excerpt of "Martyrs"(The Book Of Very Very Bad Things theme song) by Heart Out. All music used by permission.

Indy Noir Punk-Dayton Buyout guitar God, and super duper friendly Duder, Nick Kizirnis is a Dayton Music scene juggernaut. His new single, "Way To Me" features the hauntingly melodious voice of Lung's Kate Wakefield, with help from Son Volt's own Mark Patterson, as well as co-producer Patrick Himes. Available streaming everywhere, as well as Bandcamp, where you can order this bad boy on clear, lathe cut, 7" vinyl. Dig it!

Tonight we mine the art and music underground with Dave Neeson of the legendary (scr)emo-emocore-Hardcore Punk band Harriet The Spy. We discuss the politics and sounds of regional scenes, the value of following the muse, and the sanctity of art in the personal sphere. We alsondelve into the beauty of independent comics, as well as the late 20th Century Americana of Capes and Cowls comic book art. Strangely, I forger Garth Ennis' name when mentioning Crossed, Preacher, and the Boys. Age is a bastard! You can finddave on IG via Harrietthespyband and Dave.neeson.

My publicist and homeslice, Tim Anderl (Print and online journalist for the likes of New Noise Magazine, Alternative Press, Ghettoblaster, etc.) get into the goofy mire with one another, breaking down what it takes to be a middle aged Peter Pan Punk in the current climate.  This is Part 2 of Anderl-Palooza! A double dose of the brothers from Dayton! Get busy living, y'all. You have a lot to live up to!

Its Anderl-palooza weekend, and it all starts here! Joe Anderl of The 1984 Draft and Todd Farrell Jr of Benchmarks and the mighty Two Cow Garage dropped their split single on Poptek.com TODAY! We dive headlong into our mutual love of Punk Rock, Americana, and all things Chamberlain!  A special interview to say the least.   You can purchase this lathe cut record from Poptek.com right now, as well as purchase a digital download and stream everywhere now!

Folks, this is a milestone episode. Split Lip and Chamberlain are a pinnacle band. Having begun as a Hardcore band, graduating to what some would call EmoCore, to Americana and Indie Rock that has no peer. The poetic lyricism, passionate delivery, and impeccable musicianship that they ultimately employ on every album places Chamberlain in a tier unto themselves.   In this episode we explore the very beginnings of their art, the run ins we'd had with one another, and the future of this absolute juggernaut of pure rock majesty.

 Tonight we sit with Kevin to discuss Rattlesnake Venom Trip, his prior bands, influences, and the state of the modern garage band. We discuss all things Metal, Grunge, and Rawk!   You can find this Ohio staple on Instagram, Bandcamp, and anywhere else that is a venue for independent artists.

Jaelyn Robinson and I go back decades. This episode takes a journey through her life in the Hardcore Scene. Playing music. Weathering the storms of living as a pre-transition woman in secret, finally transitioning in the midst of an early aughts era that was still not ready to embrace it, and ultimately surviving triumphantly.   We cover the health scares that have beset her , and we also revel in the amazing contributions to music that she still continues to make! Please check out her album "We Begin" and new single on Bandcamp.

Tonight is a special episode, as we get to sit with American ExPat, Local Legend, and highly influential musician/vocalist Andrew Low.   Andrew had started in the Youth Crew revival band Atari, moved to acclaimed Indie/Emo godfathers The Jazz June, and most recently has released an EP entitled Everyone You Know Is Alone with his band Post-Skeleton (on Friend Club Records).   As we often do here, the conversation gets dark, but its mostly an upbeat and lively jaunt, full to stuffing with the journey of his life from New Jersey Hardcore, to Kutztown PA Emo Royalty, to England and his current band. Please check out his music if you haven't, and follow @postskeleton in IG!

Alert! Tonight we feature Your Labour - I Know There's Things You Want To Talk About at the top of the episode! I had misnamed it in the episode... Sorry brother!   Tonight we welcome friend and kindred spirit, Jae, to the Book. We speak about Darkness Calling Fest, the artists aligned with their brand, the state of Darkwave and post punk, and music music music.   We also touch upon gender politics (Jae has a vested interest in the topic as a member of the LGBTQ+ community), the state of culture, and what is next for this incredible brand. Darkness Calling can be found on all socials as well as BandCamp!   And a friend of our show(Jessica Drake) has a GoFundMe page up to raise funds to help with the funeral expenses of her niece Karen Karebear Mills. If you can, please help?

  Tonight, Drew (of the incredible The Last Years) and I deconstruct the emotional journey of "The After", their latest record. We discuss the loss and pain that has informed it's lyrical core, the bands and albums that helped inform the musicianship, and the beauty that nestles within its darkest corners.   We discus our mutual love of groups as disparate as The Cure and Faith No More, The Smiths and The Dillinger Escape Plan, AFI and The Call. We name check our love of our contemporaries like Lesser Care, Old Moon, Soft Kill, Catholic School, and Vali SC.   We also geek out over 90s Hardcore, Shoegaze, Synthwave, Ska, and tell tales out of school about famous people we've loved and Loathed. Check out The Last Years at Bandcamp, streaming all platforms, and on Instagram/Facebook.

Good evening miscreants, and embrace the joyous dysfunction that is the melding of the two of us. Scott and I have a give and take reciprocity that compliments the respect we hold for one another. This conversation is the delivery on a promise of lives less lived. We are the products of men attempting to mend our broken, former lives… All while composing music! PILOT TO GUNNER~ Hail Hallucinator Coming Soon, Preorder Now

A clash of the titans, as it were, Anna and I coalesce, bringing shadows of our respective formats with us. Kidding, this is her show, Im just putting my spin on it. I just adore what she does, and felt it only natural to share it with you all as well! You can find the Convalescent Flaneur on Spotify. On Instagram you can find her podcast, as well as Lovelorn and Mugger. Lovelorn songs Sickness Reward and I-10 used with permission.

  Here it is! The long lost episode with David Galas, a key member of the great Lycia, as well as a phenomenal solo artist. this episode was thought to be lost to the ether, but I have resurrected it and rebuilt it to the best of my meager abilities.   Herein, we discuss his time in Lycia, his long and fruitful journey through the joy and creation of music. I am beyond thrilled to present this to you all. I hope you enjoy listening as much I have it's creation. davidgalas.bandcamp.com     

  We have been building up to hall of fame status, and this one is just that. A concise and electric conversation with a true hero of mine, J Robbins.   We discuss his musicianship and lyrics, spanning 4 decades of absolutely unimpeachable songs, all executed with precision and might. We dive into the political sphere, production, touring in mid life, and the all encompassing shadow of time.    All music is owned by the artist, and was used with permission.

Welcome one and all to the most anticipated episode of the Book thus far! Having cut his teeth in the Ohio Hardcore Scene, studied music abroad, and sharpened his acting chops, Michael is a creative force to be reckoned with.    As evidenced by the breadth of our discussion, he is truly a man possessed of superior intellect and boundless empathy. His sentiments regarding his fellow human, the state of all nations, and the decline of human dignity are proof of an enlightened flesh bound spirit. this is a discussion that proves the existence of a soul within the Hollywood corpus.   Special thanks to my Publicist, Tim Anderil, of Sweet Cheetah PR for making this connection.  mkmalarkey@instagram www.musicglue.com 

  Vali S.C. is, among other things, Shoegaze influenced Darkwave, Electro-Ambient, Post-Punk affected drone core, and most importantly, none of the above. (Run on, Sentence, Run On).   This year, Kenny has released an EP that is epic in both sound and content. To Set the Sea in Wolves Teeth is an aural journey through despair, and into grace. Into gratitude.  We discuss sobriety, his musical roots, existential malaise, and the true spirit of song craft.   His merch can be found via Bandcamp, as well as CercleSocialRecords.bigcartel.com 

Tonight, we've mined the ore of dark, atmospheric music, and have wrought a chapter with the two fellows (Noah Frederickson and Dillian Goddard) that comprise the entity, Gown. A project that exudes stygian soundscapes, chants from the gulfs of the pit, and sonic crescendos of sub-aural, bass driven bombast. Listen at your peril! https://linktr.ee/gownmusic

The confluence of experimental art rock and 90's indie coalesce, here, tonight. Together, we have  mined emotions and the events that informed  Please listen without prejudice, and log onto the Post Looperish band camp and support this crucial artist. /

Do I still need to say Trigger Warning? Derek and I discuss the utter despairs of reality, the unbelievable joys of the written word, and the insurmountable freedom within music. Derek's latest short story, "Ultraviolet", is an absolute triumph of lyrical, post human Cyber Punk of the obsidian kind. Coming soon the the esteemed literary publication X Ray. Come in and yearn.

Welcome one and all to the record release show in honor of Tom Weir's incomparable Old Moon, and the masterpiece that is Cities of the Plain.   We are brimming with pride that Tom has seen fit to entrust us with the first Podcast associated with this album. Please, at all costs, go out and purchase this document of melifluous long suffering, and let em know that' I sent you!

!!!TRIGGER WARNING!!! Drug addiction, violence, incarceration discussed herein. Welcome to the double whammy, super creepy number 27th Chapter of the Book on Friday the 13th! John is the epitome of survival in the face of insurmountable odds. A consumate  artist and devoted family man, John takes guys on an odyssey of pain and redemption, set to music both bleak and mellifluous.  Catholic School is a fledgling group on the cusp of absolute spiritual glory. Your future favorite band. A must listen.

It is my distinct pleasure to present my discussion with Phil Smith aka Eugenius. Having cut his teeth in Christian metal core band Corpus Christi as a bassist, Phil moved beyond the trappings of the band environment to re-establish his voice. Through a heady mixture of Hip Hop, experimental noise, and Punk, he has forged a sword all his own. 

On tonight's episode, we examine middle American, middle class culture with Craig Nichols. Starting off in Dayton, Ohio based hardcore bands, he and his partner in music ( former Guided By Voices member)Nate Farley (they started out in D-Town Hardcore legends, The Method) had decided to strike out in a new direction together. A direction guided solely by an incredibly new direction on both of their parts.   elno.bandcamp.com            

Another bucket list episode! John has been in my earholes since 1993 - 94 with the rise of his incredible Post Hardcore band Boy's Life. I've been an avid listener since, and was blown away by his new band, Wet Tropics! a lovely and relatable human being, being lovely and relatable. See what I did there? Damn, I'm a clever little curmudgeon!   Keep up with John via Wet Tropics on instagram, all streaming services, and @ Friend Club Records!

!!!Trigger Warning!!! This conversation includes topics such as Spirituality and Vaccine Side-Effects, Atypical applications of Biblical figures, etc… If such. If such topics are upsetting, this episode may not be for you. Listener discretion advised.  This week, it is my privilege to give you my conversation with the magnetic, charismatic, and talented Chaka Malik.    Chaka came up in the NYC of the 1980's. The cultural epicenter of this country, where a confluence of Hip Hop and Hardcore Punk, Graffiti and Skating, Breaking and Slamming, helped usher in the most elemental youth movement touchstones there have ever been.  It was there that he started his seminal Hardcore band, Burn, as well as his 2nd (and equally incredible) band, Orange 9mm. Years pass and after reigniting Burn, he decided to move into his Post-Punk roots with Ghost Decibels.   This is a magical episode. One that delivers on so many levels. Please lend an ear without prejudice. Instagram:@ghost_decibels, @burnnyhc, @orange9mmnyc

!!!Trigger Warning!!! This week it is my distinct honor to unpack the last 2 years in the life of Mid-West "EmoCore" legend, Chris Broach. We examine his time in recovery, the pandemic, his battle with health issues ( to put it mildly), family, and creating music during/despite it all.   We uncover our mutual existential dread, having been born mere weeks apart, and the impetus of his interest in Punk. We go over the birth of Braid, a childhood love of Hip Hop, and find myriad avenues to relate to one another. An absolute MUST HEAR.

episode lost... apologies. Tonight we share conversation with a legendary percussionist, Modern Drummer alum, and Ludwig artist, Zach Barocas of Jawbox, The Up On In, Bells>, and Zach Barocas New Freedom Sound!

  Tonight it is our pleasure to sit with indie Gloom luminary and one man project, Tom Weir's Old Moon. Straddling the line between The Replacements, Tom Petty, and The Jesus and Mary Chain, Tom tempers his post Gen X maudlin with a strong sense of rock strut and indie shimmer. His most recent EP, In The Wasteland, is available now, and his new full length will be among us this summer!

Zach Barocas, celebrated percussionist (of Jawbox, Bells>, The New Freedom Sound)who has been featured in Modern Drummer as well as having a Ludwig sponsorship, sits with us to speak of the finer points of DC Hardcore, Jazz, recording, the freedom within New Freedom Sound, and the interesting methods used to build the songs under his new banner. A true legend. Not to be missed.

 On a Special Friday edition, we sit with Dez, guitarist and vocalist of new heirs to the Dark/Cold/Post-Punk throne, Lesser Care. Their debut full length, "Underneath, Beside Me" drops on April fools Day. We discuss their previous EP and 7", as well as the emotional and spiritual fuel to their collective fire. lessercare.bigcartel.com

Tim and I discuss the trappings of Post Everything music, his expansive Vampire/Replicant saga, combat, single parenthood, and basically foretell the current situation in the Ukraine. This episode comes with a Trigger Warning!!! as we discuss topics of a visceral, political, and religious nature.

Tonights episode is near and dear, as Author/Publisher?Musician Duncan Barlow's music has been an intrinsic part of my being since 1991. Later in the same decade, we had become acquainted and my respect only deepened.   On this episode, we cover that fabled journey to Louisville, our connections to one another, creating within and retiring from Hardcore as a scene. We traverse the stony terrain of authorship, publishing, being an educator in the time of Covid, and times come and gone.   Come along and lick your wounds with two Punk elders as we wax poetic, bemoan our respective aging processes, and generally yuck it up.

This special Friday episode contains an episode with vocalist/lyrcist of StickFigureCarousel/ Icepield vocalist Chad Stroup. Chad is the exact center of a dichotomy between Blake and Service. An author that encapsulates the juxtaposition of American terror.   Having been the frontman for myriad Hardcore outfits, Chads musical angst is only bested by his literary sense of utter oblivion. This is the sense of man as the conduit for the bind infinite. The voice of the teeming many, poised to overthrow the privileged few.

Steve needs no introduction. Having co-fronted and played guitar in Neurosis since 1989, he is an actual heavy music Icon. We speak about the spiritual aspects of music, the union of matter and spirit, mining the source, and his stunning new book of poetry, Harvestman:23 Untitled Poems and its accompanying spoken word album.    

Folks, this is a rare treat! We are given ANOTHER exclusive from our kindred spirits in Lycia! New single! More Lycia music! The possibility of live performances! Mike and I sit and examine the John Hughes film soundtrack qualities of Simpler Times, and the conversely morose song craft of A Far Away Place. The new single is available via preorder @ SoundCave.com, Projekt  PA heartfelt thank you all involved and invested. One may find us on IG, FB, and PCP! 

In this chapter, we sat with Des Moines, Iowa's own Ghautika. An artist who uses influences from Trap beats and Breaks, Black Metal and Noise, Darkwave and Post Punk, and steeps them together. We discuss the creation of his new EP (Sunless.Realm), skateboarding culture, dating sites, marijuana, how the influences of Lil Peep and (Book of Very Very Bad Things alum) Lycia have helped guide his creativity, Ghostemane, depression, and love. You can find him on all music streaming platforms, Soundcloud, and instagram.com/ghautika.

Trigger Warning!!!This episode covers topics such as substance abuse and 12 Step Programs, alcohol, and language of a frank and mature nature. Discretion advised. On side B of this special 2 part Damienpalooza, we dig into misspent youth, aging disgracefully within the context of the "Scene",the compulsion to create, more on mortality, and the trappings of being a silver fox in music! This is one of the greatest conversations I've ever had with a fellow musician, and I'd be remiss not to mention that, although it may seem long to you, I've trimmed over an hour from the body of the discussion in order to deliver these 2 episodes. Furthermore, I realize that this episode is late, but my family actually observes Dr. King's day, so we don't work on it.  

TRIGGER WARNING!!! This episode contains themes of drug abuse and suicide, as well as language of a frank and graphic nature. this is meant for an adult audience. This is part 1 of an epic, late night conversation with Damien Moyal of Hardcore legends Culture, Morning Again, Bird Of Ill Omen,BridgeBurnR, Shai Hulud, As Friends Rust, On Bodies plus a half dozen more. His once solo, now full band experience, Damien Done, sets his vocals and lyrics in an entirely new light.  We discuss his past musical and emotional journeys, marriage and fatherhood, life and it's living, the advent of his defining statement, Damien Done.

Michael and I sat down for an episode that serves as both an exploration of his mellifluous creation of Your Labour, as well as a brief overview of his trajectory, plotting his ascent from Connecticut Hardcore kid to Indie Punk glory, playing in Nigel 6 and the legendary Damn Personals. Michael is the consummate Independent artist, forgoing the arduous process of assembling a group and relying solely upon himself.  Your Labour is both indie pop bliss and Darkwave dirge, pushed through a prism of low end rumble and alternative rock swagger. This is outsider art at it's most beautiful, summoning early U2, Echo and the Bunnymen, Prince, and Lucky Pierre/Prick.  Michael's music can be found on Instagram @your_labour, Spotify, yourlabour.bandcamp.com, YouTube.com your labour, plus on the Darkness Calling compilation which can be summoned via darkness calling.bandcamp.com as well as Instagram/DarknessCallingOfficial. Our Patreon is COMING!!! Stay Tuned!

Hudson County, NJ's Zak Ferentz is nothing if not an eclectic persona. having cut his teeth in Jersey Hardcore outfit War Story, Zak had gleaned his entrepreneurial spirit from the DIY ethics of Punk. Shifting musical gears to acoustic, singer?songwriter folk, he'd begun to find his own particular voice while creating music "for his parents".  Felons is all his own, borrowing liberally from his musical and emotional past, Felons injects the intensity, of Hardcore, the intimate honesty of Folk, and the electronic elements of Post Punk, Industrial, and Hip Hop.  Zak opens up about his musical influences, his storied past running the streets of New Jersey, coming up on his own terms, and how we are ALL truly FELONS.

 Tonight we spend some time with singer, songwriter, and Poet Gray Tolhurst. Gray breaks down the journey from his previous ventures into song craft, his out and out disconnection from the  notoriety of his storied and brilliant father, the eventual acceptance of his place in said lineage. We pontificate on the end product of his own journey through a landscape of influence and experience that is utterly his own.   Come and navigate a beautiful soul's acceptance one his self via conquering the obsession of alcohol addiction, accepting the things he cannot change, and conquering everything else. 3:33(a.m.)Studios

!!!Trigger Warning!!! This episode contains coarse language and thoughts/opinions that may be objectionable or upsetting to some listeners. 3:33(a.m.) Studios does not endorse or support the claims of our guests, but we do absolutely respect them. This episode contains subject matter that can be construed as heretical or objectionable to those of the Christian Faith. Discretion advised.   Tonight on the Book, we have Mr. Joseph Ross, an Insurance Claims Adjuster and Hockey Player. I first encountered Joseph while perusing Talib Kweli's Instagram page. he had made some bold claims that instantly grabbed my attention.  Long story short, Joseph asserts that he is the living embodiment of Joseph Heathen Christ, who we all know as Jesus. It is his understanding that we are all reliving the time of the New Testament, that we all are in our second life on Earth (minimum), that the key players in the Passion are all present, and some of them hold positions of power in the Vatican.   This episode is not meant to either exploit or edify Joseph. The intent here is to make connections with interesting and unique individuals. I do this through artists, musicians, and in this case, people who would otherwise not have an avenue to connect with a larger audience.

A brief state of the union on culture and answers tp listener questions.

!!!TRIGGER WARNING!!! Subject matter of a frank and adult nature, including sexual violence, substance use, and vulgar language.   This chapter is dedicated to my conversation with Darkwave Electro-Goth Chanteuse, Queen of the Static Opera. We dive into the mire of self distribution in the digital age, spirituality, and working within the light.   We also touch upon the impetus to some of her lyrical content, which tells the tale of childhood traumas that more than a few of us can identify with.  Please join us as we continue to spelunking into the stygian, torches aloft, daring the darkness to face us.

Tonight we sit we with John and discuss the band's impetus, roots in the San Diego Hardcore/Noisecore scene, the group's ascent, film/gaming work, and much much more.  We also touch on the Tape Trade, Zines, and outdated machinations of the scene of yore. Plus Nine Inch Nails, what's happening with Disco 4-Part 2, and transforming from 90s Noise and Powerviolence to Industrial and Electronic music.