"I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, one of the best underground music scenes in the world. I got into the underground metal scene in the early eighties and found punk a few years later. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse, punk has been one of the biggest influences of my life ever since. I've been in a few bands and toured every chance I got. I've been a booker at a few clubs and even owned a couple. With my background, I was excited to see my niece and nephew get into punk. I was also a little worried, but they are smarter than me so have avoided making the same mistakes. It made me wonder what, after almost 50 years, still attracts people to the subculture. Also, what keeps people involved into their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Charlie Harper is in his 70’s and has been touring since 1976. I’ll be talking to bands from around the world, and also people who keep punk alive behind the scenes. I’ll be asking them what attracted them to punk in the first place and what keeps them around for decades. I’m looking forward to the conversations, because sometimes I can't even answer it for myself. Beware, there will be a lot of talk about Portland. I moved to Amsterdam a few years ago and miss Portland every day, so I love to hear stories about it. Also, as much as I hate some things about it, it is one of the best cities on earth. Also beware, these are real stories- well, most of them are. They will contain tales of alcohol, drugs, sex and extreme violence and language that Mary Whitehouse would not approve of. Take caution and thank you listening, I appreciate each and every one of you." Written and Hosted by Tony Mengis Produced & Edited by Chelsea Clyde Mixed and Mastered by Joe Mengis
Sat down with some of my oldest friends and ex band mates to talk about the new record, current line up and how they got into punk. Maybe someday we can do an entire episode of only tour stories from the early 90s
If you've ever wanted to turn the tables and be the one who asks your therapists questions, this episode is for you! We talk about what lead them to becoming therapists and they also share their thoughts about why mental heath problems are so prevalent among punks SAMHSA- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (national) https://www.samhsa.gov/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/Multnomah County Oregon Behavioral Health https://www.multco.us/behavioral-healthMultnomah County Addiction Services https://www.multco.us/behavioral-health/addiction-services27/7 Multnomah County Crisis Line 800-716-9769
I talk to three very old friends, who all were in the band Malcontent and all three ended up becoming therapists. Also joined by another punk, Elizabeth, who became a therapist. Plus, a very special guest who you will have to figure out. To not interfere with their professional lives, some are using street names and only using flyers for pictures.
@badsex_official talk about Portland music, I think we even talked about Seafood Mama, their (Portland) famous relatives and a surprisingly (at least to me) diverse group of influences. Finding if I listen instead of being judgmental and thinking everything is stupid, it's really interesting how the younger generation get from what's modern in their day and still end up finding the best music in the world.
Lebenden Toten join Titanic Reaction to talk about the last 20 years of music, flyers, records, shows and how long they have stared at Mad Punks and English Dogs
David Rodriguez, from the Casualties, Starving Wolves and the Krum Bums is one the hardest working and most positive punks I've met. He's angry but definitely not ready to give up. Seems like he's barely started.
Take a drug and riot fueled tour of 80s LA and 90s Portland punk with Tony Bartek on the newest episode of @titanicreactionwtm.
Here is part 2 with Carmen, Alexz, Roz and Shelly. We moved on from being women in business to being women in punk. I don't want to paraphrase what they have to say. Some of their experiences have been frustrating, deplorable and very personal. It's better to just hear it in their own words
Rosalind McCallard, Shelly Shellhorn, Carmen Waltz and Alexz Sandoval join Titanic Reaction to talk about being women business owners and what it's like to be women in punk.
The Prids have been in Portland longer than the internet has. They talk about the changes they've seen in Portland, how it was to be a new band moving here, and how a Team Dresch interview about a vegetarian hospital brought them here. Featuring their songs Lie Here, Haunted and Break.
Titanic Reaction sits down with Eric and Corey from Aus Rotten. We talk about trading tapes of bands you found out about in a thanks list from a record, what it's like to be a teenager getting into punk all the way to being a bit older and passing the torch with excitement instead of bitterness. Also, running from your high school graduation to jump in the van to get to a show in Allentown.
Jesse had to leave but Roxy and I hadn't talked in years so we just kept talking. She talks about being a woman in rock, the Midnight Creeps and meeting Joan Jett. There are also a few songs from different eras of The Epoxies, including one of her favorites, My New World.
Portland music always has its up and downs. The late 90's were seriously down. Around that time came the exact opposite of what was happening. A woman up front, checkered Vans, spandex pants, electrical tape, and best of all.....keyboards. Joining me today is FM Static and Roxy Epoxy from The Epoxies.
Listen and see what Savage Beat has to say about their new record, Dutch cops, Chiswick records and what they think of their shows in Portland.