The Beach Boys’ sixth LP is unquestionably one of their best. It’s a transitional one, too, which is why this record stands as the perfect signpost at which to conclude “Catch A Wave: 1961-1964.” This two-part Season One Finale is an intense investigation of the heady days that built up to the explosion of creativity that still stands unequalled in the annals of music history. Beach Boys author Jon Stebbins is back, and he explains why his favorite Beach Boys record preceded what’s normally cons...
Mar 14, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 198
Welcome to Discograffiti’s exploration of The Beach Boys’ seventh studio album, this one packed with holiday cheer and orchestral sparkle. In this episode, special guest David Beard and I talk about Brian’s album-length excuse to work with one of his heroes, Four Freshman arranger Dick Reynolds, whose expertise with the 41-piece orchestra that plays on half this LP foreshadows Brian’s just around the corner on Pet Sounds. We also discuss whether this was a dry run for an A-Side/B-Side tonal disc...
Mar 10, 2025•10 min
The Beach Boys’ sixth LP is unquestionably one of their best. It’s a transitional one, too, which is why this record stands as the perfect signpost at which to conclude “Catch A Wave: 1961-1964.” Part 1 of Discograffiti's Season One Finale is an intense investigation of the heady days that built up to the explosion of creativity that still stands unequalled in the annals of music history. Beach Boys author Jon Stebbins is back, and he explains why his favorite Beach Boys record preceded what’s n...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to Discograffiti’s exploration of Brian Wilson’s truncated yet intriguing foray into film. In this episode, Domenic Priore and I talk primarily about the Annette Funicello American International flick Muscle Beach Party, which houses an original Brian Wilson soundtrack created during the All Summer Long period, as well as details about the Beach Boys movie that almost was! This podcast will only be accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Don’t miss it, or you’ll only be ...
Mar 03, 2025•9 min
By the time The Beach Boys had released their fifth LP, they were firing on all cylinders, creating some of the best and most powerful music they’d ever make. Enter Dennis Diken: Smithereens drummer, rock historian, co-producer of this very series, and mensch-about-town, who takes us by the collective hand and guides us through this fraught era of the Boys’ history, as the Fab Four rose up from out of nowhere and offered then-unwelcome but ultimately very useful creative competition. Here’s just...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 31 min
Welcome to Discograffiti’s exploration of Brian Wilson’s Outside Productions, of which there are very many, discussed with both Endless Summer Quarterly’s Editor-In-Chief David Beard, who is currently entrenched in a year-long series on this very topic (!), as well as Producer/Songwriter Russ Titelman—Brian’s pal and confidante during this time, as well as producer of all the classic 1970s Randy Newman LPs and Brian’s first solo album. In this episode, we talk about what Brian wound up getting o...
Feb 25, 2025•13 min
In today’s bonus episode, Discograffiti is thrilled to introduce the passionate David Beard, whose Endless Summer Quarterly, The Beach Boys Publication of Record, is mandatory reading for Beach Boys fans. In this podcast, we talk about ESQ’s origin story, how a chance meeting with Lee Dempsey changed the course of his life, our shared love of Smile and how he first learned of it, and how the memory of Carl Wilson has guided his hand over the years. Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti Subscribe to Di...
Feb 24, 2025•34 min
David Marks never stayed in one place for long after leaving The Beach Boys. In this special episode, David Marks biographer and Beach Boys author Jon Stebbins steps aboard the Discograffiti train to address the ridiculous controversy behind the volatile David Marks season opener interview, before transitioning into a blow-by-blow account of a consistently fascinating career that has as its trademark the appearance of having very little connective thread of which to speak. Here’s just a few of t...
Feb 21, 2025•54 min•Ep. 318
Welcome to Discograffiti’s exploration of The Beach Boys’ classic first live album, discussed with the man responsible for it in the first place: the great Fred Vail. In this episode, Fred and I talk about how he initially got involved with The Beach Boys, the noticeable lack of live albums in the early rock and roll era, how each of the band members wound up changing, the last time he ever saw the original Beach Boys live on stage, how it felt to witness the writing of “The Warmth Of The Sun,” ...
Feb 17, 2025•51 min
This episode was recorded just six days before the untimely and tragic death of Indie rock legend Will Cullen Hart. It also marks the beginning of Patrick Fleming as part of the team. The original theme of the discussion was to be “Explanation II” by Olivia Tremor Control, but we wound up covering both of the band’s LPs, as well as the work of some of Hart’s favorite musical artists. We’ll be sure to keep everyone updated on the vinyl release of “Explanation II” on the Elephant 6 Recording Compa...
Feb 16, 2025•37 min
The story goes that it only took a single day to record this album. Well, Discograffiti ironically took this opportunity to double down on our efforts to discuss it. Featuring two incredible special guests—The Patti Smith Group’s Lenny Kaye and Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken—topped off by Righteous Brother Bill Medley, who drops in for a quick visit. If you asked me (which you didn’t), this is one of the greatest episodes in Discograffiti history. Here’s just a few of the many things Lenny &am...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 194
Welcome to Discograffiti’s epic exploration of The Beach Boys’ classic 3rd LP, a deservedly rich, two-headed beast accessible on the Major Tier of Discograffiti’s Patreon. Musician Jason Falkner—not only Beck’s guitarist, but he of the amazing Jellyfish, too—and Producer/Songwriter Russ Titelman--who co-wrote Guess I’m Dumb and Sherry She Needs Me with Brian Wilson, was his pal and confidante during this time, and produced all the classic 1970s Randy Newman LPs and Brian’s first solo album—hash ...
Feb 10, 2025•16 min
Carnie assured me she’s never done an interview like this in her life, so it’s an honor for Discograffiti’s “Beach Boys: And Your Dreams Come True” Series to have had this opportunity. Here, then, is Part 3 of the longest interview Carnie’s ever given, and on a subject she rarely talks about…her father’s band, and what it means to her. She picked 7 of the most important Beach Boys albums of her life (plus a solo LP), which, if taken together, form a patchwork quilt that defines the essence of Da...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 193
Carnie assured me she’s never done an interview like this in her life, so it’s an honor for Discograffiti’s “Beach Boys: And Your Dreams Come True” Series to have had this opportunity. Here, then, is Part 2 of the longest interview Carnie’s ever given, and on a subject she rarely talks about…her father’s band, and what it means to her. She picked 7 of the most important Beach Boys albums of her life (plus a solo LP), which, if taken together, form a patchwork quilt that defines the essence of Da...
Jan 31, 2025•58 min•Ep. 192
Carnie assured me she’s never done an interview like this in her life, so it’s an honor for Discograffiti’s “Beach Boys: And Your Dreams Come True” Series to have had this opportunity. Here, then, is Part 1 of the longest interview Carnie’s ever given, and on a subject she rarely talks about…her father’s band, and what it means to her. She picked 7 of the most important Beach Boys albums of her life (plus a solo LP), which, if taken together, form a patchwork quilt that defines the essence of Da...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 191
Here it is, a sneak peek into album number one. Although Brian’s wizardry in the studio had yet to truly take root, the endearingly youthful cornball pop of Surfin Safari tends to be unfairly underrated when placed in the context of the leaps n’ bounds advancements of the next few years. When it comes to The Beach Boys, so much happens in so little time…so don’t miss this full, uncut episode on our Patreon, or you’ll only be getting part of the story! Special guest James B. Murphy’s book “Becomi...
Jan 20, 2025•14 min
This interview began with an innocent phone call placed to Beach Boy David Marks asking if it was possible to one day do an interview, and it became clear very quickly that this WAS the interview. No prep, no notes, no Zoom even…honestly, I was just holding on for dear life. What followed, in my opinion, was the most honest interview in Discograffiti history. Here’s just a few of the many things David discusses with Discograffiti in this podcast: The Beach Boys songs on which David feels he’s ge...
Jan 17, 2025•54 min
Welcome to a sneak peek of the very first episode of Discograffiti’s epic Beach Boys series “And Your Dreams Come True.” Part Two of Discograffiti’s interview with Author James B. Murphy covers the release of The Beach Boys’ debut single “Surfin” and the success that lay ahead for them. Murphy’s book “Becoming The Beach Boys 1961-1963” stands as the perfect companion piece to our Season One, “Catch A Wave, (1961-1964).” Don’t miss the full episode on our Patreon, or you’ll only be getting part o...
Jan 13, 2025•10 min
This interview began with an innocent phone call placed to Beach Boy David Marks asking if it was possible to one day do an interview, and it became clear very quickly that this WAS the interview. No prep, no notes, no Zoom even…honestly, I was just holding on for dear life. What followed, in my opinion, was the most honest interview in Discograffiti history. There was no other way to begin this season (Catch A Wave: 1961-1964), not to mention the series as a whole. Although not representative o...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 62
Welcome to a sneak peek of the very first episode of Discograffiti’s epic Beach Boys series “And Your Dreams Come True.” Episode 1 explores the origin story of America’s band, along with author James B. Murphy, whose book Becoming The Beach Boys 1961-1963 stands as the perfect companion piece to our Season One, “Catch A Wave, (1961-1964).” Don’t miss the full premiere episode on our Patreon, or you’ll only be getting part of the story! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON and receive a ceaseless barrage (4 ...
Jan 06, 2025•14 min
Discograffiti is kicking off 2025 with a biggie, our searingly honest interview with the world’s most notorious case of right-place-right-time strike-out. You know him, primarily for what he never got to do. It’s The Beatles’ Pete Best, who’s had the dubious distinction of having to live his life in the shadow of missed opportunity. Here’s just a few of the many things Pete and I discuss in this podcast: Details of the exciting announcement around The Casbah Club’s re-opening as an airbnb destin...
Jan 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 188
In Part 3 of Discograffiti’s incredible, career-spanning 7-hour interview, Will Hart spills the beans on: Exactly how the great Bill Doss wound up saving Will’s life before tragically passing away; All of his own star ratings for the entire Circulatory System discography; And a fascinating, lengthy discussion about the mythical third Olivia Tremor Control record, The Same Place. Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti If you’re an Olivia Tremor Control superfan like me, you’ll want the Director’s Cut of...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In Part 2 of Discograffiti’s incredible, career-spanning 7-hour interview, Will Hart spills the beans on: A track-by-track rundown of Dusk At Cubist Castle & Black Foliage, plus Will’s own ⭐️ rating assessments (non-album material included in the Patreon Director’s Cut); What part drugs played (or didn’t play) in his inimitable creative process; And a painful look at the dissolution of the band…not to mention their triumphant resurrection for LP number 3! Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti If y...
Dec 29, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 132
This off-the-cuff interview with Robert Schneider, which went down spontaneously after our Strawberry Alarm Clock conversation concluded, unexpectedly became a tidal wave of incredibly moving, impassioned notions about identity and fulfillment. And although it preceded Will Cullen Hart’s untimely passing, much of it seems to pre-empt the tragic event lying in wait just around the bend. Here’s just a few of the many things Robert and I discuss in this podcast: The superfluousness of LSD to the mi...
Dec 27, 2024•49 min•Ep. 187
In Part 1 of an incredible, career-spanning 7-hour Discograffiti interview, Will Hart spills the beans on: His all-consuming obsession with Discograffiti, along with his assessment of my assessment of Pavement’s work; The jaw-droppingly surprising double album that inspired him to make music his life’s path (you’ll never guess it); And an in-depth Deep Dive into The Olivia Tremor Control’s formation and classic early singles. Listen: linktr.ee/discograffiti If you’re an Olivia Tremor Control sup...
Dec 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 131
This 6 1/2 hour Discograffiti podcast interview series is an unprecedented, no-holds-barred honest account of Pete’s output and experience in the legendary psych band Spacemen 3. Here’s just a few of the many things Pete and I discuss in this podcast: An examination of the end of Pete’s love affair with opiates, and how that train came to a stop; The endless ways in which the band was being manipulated & screwed over by the end; The crazy tale of how Spiritualized was born behind Pete’s back...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 8 min
With Dave’s Mom undergoing home hospice and then passing away during the taping of this series, this 6 1/2 hour interview literalizes the ego-death slant of this classic psych band's lyrics. Whether or not you’re on drugs, Spacemen 3 has the absolute best music to keep you grounded during life’s rollercoaster freakouts. Here’s just a few of the many things Pete and I discuss in this podcast: The very moment when the rot and discontent began infiltrating the Spacemen 3 world; Why the band’s relat...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 185
With Dave’s Mom undergoing home hospice and then passing away during the taping of this series, this 6 1/2 hour interview literalizes the ego-death slant of this classic psych band's lyrics. Whether or not you’re on drugs, Spacemen 3 has the absolute best music to keep you grounded during life’s rollercoaster freakouts. Here’s just a few of the many things Pete and I discuss in this podcast: The secret behind Jason Pierce’s early lyric-writing technique (a Director’s Cut exclusive); The friend o...
Dec 05, 2024•58 min•Ep. 184
With Dave’s Mom undergoing home hospice during the taping of this episode, this 6 1/2 hour interview series literalizes the ego-death slant of this classic psych band's lyrics. Whether or not you’re on drugs, Spacemen 3 has the absolute best music to keep you grounded during life’s rollercoaster freakouts. Here’s just a few of the many things Pete and I discuss in this podcast: The creative advantages of favoring electric razor and washing machine sounds to band-created music as his building blo...
Nov 29, 2024•55 min•Ep. 183
I’m going to let Bill Medley explain why this one’s a must-hear: “This is one of the most unbelievable interviews I’ve ever done in my life, and I appreciate it, and I thank you—I can retire now. It’s been an honor, it’s been a lot of fun. You’ve asked me a lot of questions that I’ve never been asked before, and probably brought more out of me than I wanted to give--or should give--but hey, it is what it is, and I love you for it.” Here’s just some of the many things Bill and I touch on in this ...
Nov 22, 2024•55 min
