Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

Atari Teenage Riot’s 1995 album Delete Yourself! was supposed to be at the start of the wave that would usher the end of guitar music and a takeover by synths, samples and drum machines. That didn’t exactly happen, however plenty of interesting albums were released during that time, and we’re checking out the German trio’s self-described “digital hardcore” debut. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Into the Death2:43 - History of the Band14:34: Riot 199521:28 - Hetzjagd auf nazis! (live)23:42 - Kids are United!Outro - Cyberpunks are Dead! Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

It’s been twenty years since Son Volt released their debut album Trace, which means it is up for repackaged remastered re-release and reappraisal. Always compared to Wilco thanks to their time together in alt.country pioneering band Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt finds Jay Farrar at his songwriting peak, easily shifting from uptempo rockers to acoustic slow burns with radio friendly production tying it all together. Does it stand the test of time? Is Tim’s love of Son Volt still strong? Has Jason come around to any of it? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Route4:01 - History of the Band6:01 - Drown18:45 - Live Free29:05 - Catching On31:35 - WindfallOutro - Out of the Picture Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week we’re kicking off the first of a series in which we revisit the 90s output of a band from the 1980s that was massive popular. For the first “in the 90s” round table, we’re tackling Van Halen, who sold a combined 47 million albums from 1980 to 1988, and enter the 90s with the successful For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album in 1991 that spawned the gigantic single “Right Here Right Now.” From there, the band fumbled through a not very live double album before the uneven Balance album in 1995, the final with Sammy Hagar. We revisit the wild months in 1996 that feature the departure of Sammy, return and quick departure of David Lee Roth and addition of Extreme singer Gary Cherone for 1998′s III. To make sense of it all, we’re joined by Van Halen Rising author Greg Renoff, Ultimate Classic Rock writer Matt Wardlaw, writer/author/podcaster Eric Grubbs, and 80s Rock Savant/KidsInterviewBands.com proprietor Chip Midnight for a lively and lengthly discussion. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Man on a Mission11:

This week we’re checking out the 1993 album Earth vs the Wildhearts by The Wildhearts, which came up in the comments for our recent review of The Almighty. While they share some similarity in the big riffing department, The Wildhearts take a decidedly different approach to the vocals, dipping into power pop melodies and harmonies throughout. Jason, who picked the album, says this should be his favorite band, but isn’t. Tune in to find out why. Songs in this Episode Intro - Greetings from Shitsville4:20 - History of the Band11:18 - TV Tan14:43 - The Miles Away Girl16:55 - Loveshit26:42 - My Baby Is a HeadfuckOutro - Shame on Me Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

A few weeks back we with spoke with musician/producer J. Robbins and touched upon his production work with Braid. This week we decided to revisit their 1998 album Frame and Canvas, which has made it onto top whatever lists for emo from NME, LA Weekly and Treble, just to name a few. Does it live up to the hoopla? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Killing a Camera5:57 - History of the Band15:25 - The New Nathan Detroits20:44 - I Keep A DiaryOutro - A Dozen Roses Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week we’re joined by Morgan Taylor, formerly of the band Mink, to help us revisit our review of their album Get In Get Out from season one. We didn’t know much about the band and their history, or of the Dayton, Ohio scene in the ‘80s or ‘90s, so Morgan walks us through this small but influential town. Morgan takes us back to his earliest bands, opening for an embryonic Guided By Voices. He walks through the half dozen bands he played with, including the short lived acoustic duo Glee & Beak, that opened for Bob Dylan, along with tracing the connected lineage of each Mink member, and how an opportunity to play in the opening band for a Lisa Loeb tour launched Mink. Morgan talks about becoming the “it” band in Dayton, hanging out at Bob Pollard’s legendary Monument Club, getting a standing ovation from Kim Deal, and what led to the band breaking up. There so much to cover, including how Morgan utilized his decades as a musician and interest in illustration to create Gustafer Yellowgold, a multi-media p

This week were discussing the influences on, the influence of and the variety of female artists who made an impact on alternative and indie rock in the 1990s. To help us scratch the surface of this very big topic, we’re joined by Annie Zaleski of the AV Club, Salon and many more, Jim Kopeny of the Chicagoist and Chip Midnight of Kids Interview Bands. From Riot Grrrl to Lilith Fair and Justine Frischmann to Jewel, we do our best to dissect what made the 90s different than the preceding 80s and decade that followed. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Rot by Scrawl7:22 - You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette27:45 - Violet by Hole40:46 - Connection by Elastica52:46 - Beautiful John by Madder RoseOutro - Dream of the 90s by Portlandia Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week, we’re joined by producer and musician J. Robbins, of such bands as Government Issue, Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Channels and Office of Future Plans. What do we cover in our two and half hours? Marriage and kids, and how they change a musicians life. Writing, recording and touring. Vans vs. Buses. The styles of Zach vs. Pete. Steve Albini: producing vs. engineering. Dealing with the major labels in the 90s. Guitars and amps. Touring with Stone Temple Pilots and appreciating David Bowie. Playing in Scream with the Stahl brothers and Dave Grohl. Covering (and hating) Tori Amos. Rock artists covering pop artists, and the politics of privilege. Recording Braid and Hey Mercedes. Lyric writing and how listeners interpret them. Current and future vinyl reissue plans. The difference between physical media and streaming on musical appreciation. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Savory by Jawbox30:34 - Scissoring by Burning Airlines1:38:54 - Cornflake Girl by Jawbox (Tori Amos cover)2:05:58 - Spoiler by Jawbox2:3

Jon Fine, author of Your Band Sucks: What I Saw at Indie Rock's Failed Revolution (But Can No Longer Hear), and guitarist of Bitch Magnet, joins us to discuss his newly released book. We talk the genesis of the book and what makes a good rock memoir, try to figure out what exactly is “indie rock,” chat about gear and how to properly dispose of guitars in disrepair, and so much more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - MesenteryOutro - Dragoon Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

After Jason’s pick last week, Tim takes a shot and brings Dandelion’s 1995 sophomore (and final) album Dyslexicon to the table on the strength of the single “Weird-Out.” The album owes a heavy debt to Nirvana, from the familiar vocal style to big drums and guitars. The question becomes: when does influence become imitation? Songs in this Episode: Intro - Trailer Park Girl3:23 - Weird-Out5:39 - History of the Band14:29 - Retard19:33 - Melon from HeavenOutro - Snow Job Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week we’re getting to one of our own picks, and Jason has brought us some prime debate material - 1993′s Powertrippin’ by The Almighty. Down-tuned guitars, double bass drum pedals and Motorhead meets Alice In Chains riffage, this band made zero impact in the United States, but their sound is familiar to anyone who has listened to hard rock in the last 20+ years. Has all that time made the band sound derivative, or were they from the start? Songs in this Episode: Intro - Instinct5:40 - History of the Band19:36 - Out of Season24:39 - Takin’ Hold28:48 - Sick And Wired35:24 - MeathookOutro - Powertrippin’ Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

The description “shoegaze” has been applied to My Bloody Valentine to Ride to Slowdive to Swervedriver to Lush. But what exactly is shoegaze, what links these bands and others to this late 80s/early 90s movement? To help us break it down we’re joined by Aaron Perrino, Andy Derer and Eric Grubbs to talk the bands, the sounds, the albums, the guitar pedals and much more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Only Shallow by My Bloody Valentine10:53 - Duel by Swervedriver22:26 - Little Fury Things by Dinosaur Jr.32:56 - Heliotropic by Failure40:28 - Just Like Honey by The Jesus and Mary ChainOutro - The Sight of You by Pale Saints Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Next week will be hosting our round table discussion on shoegaze, so to get in the mood, this week we’re tackling one of the lesser known entries in the genre - the 1994 album Tatoonie by Blind Mr. Jones. Many of the things you come to expect from a shoegaze band are present - etheral vocals and guitars that switch from chorus clean to distorted chaos in an instant. As we dug deeper, we discovered some nods to power pop and early Britpop that make this album more intriguing that expected, but with a few issues to overcome. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Disneyworld 5:40 - History of the Band 10:33- Hey 15:12 - See You Again 17:59 - Mesa Outro - Big Plane Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our latest episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dale Cover, drummer and occasional guitar/bass player for the Melvins, Altamont, Fantomas, Nirvana and Broken Bat. To say this was a “wide-ranging” interview would be an under statement, as the two-plus hours interview spent about half the time talking music, the rest covering topics such as children’s birthday parties, Texas BBQ spots, European coffee, Ohio accents, and at one point Dale turns the tables and interviews us. We’re presenting this unedited in glorious raw form, and we hope you enjoy. Songs in this Episode: Intro - QueenOutro - Sweet Willy Rollbar Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our latest round table discussion, we’re revisiting punk rock of the 1990s with a pair of special guests: author and podcaster Eric Grubbs, and music writer Scott Colvin. We trace how the 80s punk underground paved the way for the 90s mainstream explosion, dissect the various punk sub-genres, discuss the overlooked gems, tackle the “sell out” label, and much more. Who’s punk, what’s the score? We try to figure it out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Ruby Soho by Rancid15:20 - Save Your Generation by Jawbreaker24:22 - Welcome to Paradise (Kerplunk version) by Green Day43:05 - Firestorm by Earth Crisis56:11 - On A Rope by Rocket From The CryptOutro - Someday I Suppose by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Back in January, Kellii Scott of Failure joined us to discuss the reunion of his band, his career in music, and their in-progress recordings. Eight months later, the album has been released, so it’s the perfect time to have Kellii back on to talk about Failure’s new album, their fourth overall and first in nineteen years, The Heart Is A Monster. To help us do so, we’re rejoined by our old friend Keith Jenkins, who revisited Fantastic Planet with us way back on episode #12. We talk writing, recording, mixing and touring the new album, plus learn more interesting anecdotes from Kellii, like auditioning for Queens of the Stone Age and why he’ll never be on a Desert Sessions recording (hint: it’s too hot), how the democratic process influences his preferred number of band members, what’s the best tank-driving song on THIAM, what a Pledge campaign is really like for bands, how softer is sometimes better when recording drums, why it’s good to have an app on your phone to order food in the studio, and much, much mor

It’s been twenty-five years since Mother Love Bone released their one and only album, Apple. Neither hair metal nor grunge, the band bridged an interesting time between the 80s and 90s. To help us revisit, we’re joined by Eric Peterson of the Love That Album podcast to talk Mother Love Bone, Andrew Wood, Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam, the Singles soundtrack and much more. Songs in this Episode Intro - Stardog Champion4:01 - History of the Band27:28 - Gentle Groove31:36 - Mr. Danny Boy47:48 - Man of Golden WordsOutro - Crown of Thorns Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We’re checking out Throwing Muses 1991 album The Real Ramona, that last to feature Tanya Donelly as a full time member alongside Kristin Hersh. There is plenty to like about the twin-guitar attack and layered vocals of Donelly and Hersh, but a few we had a few complaints as well. Are we are on target, or do our criticisms miss the mark? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Counting Backwards4:13 - Not Too Soon5:49 - History of the Band13:12 - Honeychain17:04 - Ellen WestOutro - Say Goodbye Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We’re back with another round table discussion, this month we’re discussing the influential bands of the 90s. Which bands from the 90s are we shocked became influential? Which bands from the 90s should have been more influential, but aren’t? Too help us break it down, we have a pair of special guests - video music director Shawn Michael Foster, and Eric Peterson of the Love That Album podcast. The Flaming Lips, Mother Love Bone, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails and more, agree - disagree? Let the debate begin! Songs in this Episode: Intro - Longview by Green Day8:17 - Stardog Champion by Mother Love Bone18:59 - March of the Pigs by Nine Inch Nails31:33 - Get It On by Turbonegro53:54 - We Are The Normal by Goo Goo DollsOutro - Super Bon Bon by Soul Coughing Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Joining us this week is Chris Wyse, whose rock ‘n roll resume includes past stints with Ozzy Osbourne and The Cult, and who now holds down the low end for Ace Frehley when not fronting his own band Owl. While he spent the better part of the late 80s and early 90s in his own bands, Chris tells us about his decision to leave his home in New York and cross the country to Los Angeles in the mid-90s. Thanks to a relationship with mega-producer Bob Rock, Chris was able to play with a wide array of musicians, and was a part of the Tal Bachman band responsible for the Top 10 single “She’s So High.” From there, Chris went on to work with Scott Weiland, Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt, Mick Jagger, and eventually landed one the audition spots for Metallica, as seen in the documentary Some Kind of Monster. Chris takes us through it all, talks songwriting, equipment and the importance of music education in this wide-ranging interview. Songs in this Episode: Intro - The Right Thing by Owl3:56 - Things You Can’t See by Owl29:31