Christmas is just around the corner, so what better way to celebrate the holiday spirit than talking about an absolutely horrible yuletide horror movie? Co-host Damon Shell and I dive down the chimney and discuss the cinematic trainwreck that is 'Silent Night Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker', a film wholly unrelated to the original Santa Claus slasher film, and starring Mickey Rooney, an actor who originally bashed the franchise. Imagine 'Home Alone' meets 'Pinocchio' meets 'Puppet Master vs. Demon...
Dec 22, 2018•48 min
Earlier this week co-host Chris Logan and I discussed " 10 Bands You Either Love or Hate ," those artists who are so polarizing, so divisive and so resolute in their vision, that they either inspire passionate followers or derisive haters. We previously covered Rush, The Eagles, Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Matthews Band and The Grateful Dead ( click here to listen ), but in this episode, we discuss 5 more groups that provoke either applause of jeers: U2, Metallica, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Radio...
Dec 21, 2018•59 min
How many arguments have you had with your friends on whether a band is great or terrible? If you're a music nerd, probably many. Some bands just don't inspire a casual fan base. They're so polarizing, so absolute, that they either cultivate a die-hard fanbase or legions of haters. And that's what this podcast episode is dedicated. In part one of our two part series, Chris Logan and I discuss bands that either elicit groans or cheers, and give pros and cons for each to understand why they're so d...
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 5 min
This year, Prince's powerful backing band The Revolution are touring to celebrate the legacy they share with the late icon, and will be playing Emo's Austin on December 29th. And one key member who will be performing live is Matt Fink, better known as 'Dr. Fink.' The keyboardist, always clad in signature scrubs, was instrumental in crafting many Prince classics, co-writing tracks like 'Dirty Mind' and 'Computer Blue,' and played on classic Prince albums including 'Controversy,' '1999,' 'Purple R...
Dec 11, 2018•32 min
L.A. alternative rock trio Failure have always blazed their own unique musical path, a mix of melody and dissonance that has garnered them a devoted cult following thanks to albums like Fantastic Planet and The Heart is A Monster. The space rockers have had a busy 2018, releasing three EP's and their new full-length album In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind (out November 16 on the band's Failure Music label). On this week's episode, drummer Kellii Scott takes us thr...
Nov 27, 2018•54 min
The late great Stan Lee passed away at the age of 95 this week. On this week's episode we celebrate the Marvel Comics legend's legacy, including his creative genius, his at times controversial reputation, the best comic characters he created, and the resounding impact he had on our childhood and beyond. In addition, we discuss how he tackled complicated social issues through tales of superheroes, his best movie cameos, and much more. Whether you're a die hard Marvel zombie, comic book geek, comi...
Nov 14, 2018•57 min
Night Club are one of the most exciting new indie acts, exploring a unique mix of darkwave, industrial, and modern pop. On this week's episode, I speak with vocalist Emily Kavanaugh about the electronic duo's recent release 'Scary World,' from its lyrical inspirations to the twisted, alluring video for the single 'Candy Coated Suicide.' In addition, we discuss her thoughts on Night Club opening up for A Perfect Circle this fall, and what else the group have in store for 2018 and beyond.
Oct 15, 2018•28 min
On this week's podcast, co-host Dave Dierksen and I recap the wide arrange of great (and not so great) films at this year's Fantastic Fest at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX, an eight day crash course in genre filmmaking from around the globe. Selections discussed include the new "Halloween" film (and meeting Jamie Lee Curtis!), the world premiere of "Bad Times at The El Royale," the U.S. premiere of both "Suspiria," and other gems including the black metal biopic "Lords of Chaos" and "Betwee...
Oct 09, 2018•1 hr 14 min
John Christ's dark, bluesy riffs and squealing solos were one of the most integral components of Danzig's first four albums. As part of the original lineup, which also featured bassist Eerie Von and drummer Chuck Biscuits, Christ (whose real name is John Knoll) contributed to classic songs including Twist Of Cain, She Rides and Mother, all of which were featured on their Rick Rubin produced 1988 self-titled debut. That album turned 30 on August 31, and on this week's episode, I interview Christ ...
Sep 28, 2018•1 hr 1 min
The infamously horrible 'E.T.' knockoff 'Mac and Me' turned 30 last month. Co-host Damon Shell and I look back on a film that featured a dance scene in a McDonald's, a kid flying off a cliff in a wheelchair, and an alien that was more creepy and annoying than cute. Ah, the 80's. It's the first in our "All The Small Things" series featuring tiny creatures meant to terrify or charm, but just wind up being irritating as hell. Join us, won't you?
Sep 14, 2018•18 min
At SLIS, the only thing we love as much as classic alternative rock are movies that are so bad they're good. So we're launching a semi-regular series called "Smells Like Cinematic Sadness" where we discuss our favorite bad movies. This week co-host Damon Shell and myself tackle Raw Deal, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's most ridiculous action flicks, full of horrible one-liners, lame action sequences and a plot that defies suspension of disbelief. We first discovered it in college, and it launched...
Sep 03, 2018•48 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Following our podcast episode ranking the best albums from 1988, co-host Chris Logan and I decided to tackle the best 1993 albums turning 25 this year. To do so, we picked the 25 best–our own 12 individual picks and a mutual tiebreaker to wrap things up for the best of that year. ’93 was a massive year for alternative rock, with bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Afghan Whigs, Depeche Mode and Slowdive releasing career best albums, stellar debuts from the likes of the Cranberries and Digable...
Aug 27, 2018•2 hr 3 min
Super excited to talk about a new feature on Anchor that will let listeners support their fave podcasts in a whole new way.
Aug 09, 2018•2 min
Gene Loves Jezebel were one of the most unique and infectious alternative acts of the 1980's, forging a unique mix of glam and goth resulting in memorable hits like 'The Motion of Love,' 'Desire,' 'Jealous,' 'Stephen,' and 'Twenty Killer Hurts'. The group fronted by Jay Aston (known in America as Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel for legal reasons--his twin brother and original co-founding member Michael Aston has his own band under the GLJ moniker in North America, but tours as Michael Aston's Gen...
Aug 09, 2018•28 min
On this week's podcast we're shaking things up: instead of our normal music-related fare, we're talking to writer Brian Corley about his new book 'Ghost Bully,' which takes place in his (and my) hometown of Austin, TX and is a fun throwback to 80's horror.
Jul 22, 2018•18 min
1988 was a landmark year for music (and the end of the Reagan era), featuring iconic albums from the likes of Jane's Addiction, Ministry, REM, The Church, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Metallica, Siouxsie and The Banshees and more. To celebrate the best from 30 years ago (yes, it's true: Metallica's ..'.And Justice For All' is 30 years old now), I chat with music aficionado (and childhood friend) Chris Logan to look back on a landmark year for metal, as well as the burgeoning alternative music scene. We ...
Jun 19, 2018•1 hr 53 min
Spotlights are one of the most compelling new metal artists, comprised of husband and wife duo Mario Quintero (vocals, guitars, keyboards) and Sarah Quintero (bass, guitar, vocals). Following on the success of last year's mesmerizing album 'Seismic', the band return with the EP 'Hanging By Faith,' (out June 15th via Ipecac Recordings) which features remixes and new interpretations of 'Seismic' tracks along with a cover of The Cure's 'Faith.' On this week episode, Mario Quintero discusses the ins...
May 24, 2018•17 min
Maurice Joseph Francois Engelen, best known by his alias Praga Khan, is one of the most influential figures in electronic music. Engelen's pioneering work in the New Beat scene from his native Belgium would lead to forming The Lords Of Acid, a beloved techno act that gained instant notoriety thanks to their hook-laden dance singles (all of which are written and produced by Engelen) filled with sexually provocative lyrics on hit singles like 'Dipped in Acid' and 'The Crab Louse.' Following on las...
May 15, 2018•37 min
Tyson Todd Meade was an influential figure in the alternative rock scene of the 90's, thanks to his unique musical and lyrical style, which began with Defenestration, before founding the Chainsaw Kittens in 1989. Chainsaw Kittens combined 70's glam, punk, power pop and New Wave influences for a truly unique sound that, while never gaining mainstream success, inspired a loyal fan base, and influenced the likes of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. Meade just released his new solo album Robbing The Nu...
Apr 25, 2018•33 min
James Stevenson has lent his guitar talents to a host of classic 80's alternative, New Wave and punk artists, including Gene Loves Jezebel, The Alarm, Generation X, The Cult, Chelsea and a host of others. This week we talk about his new double album 40 Years In The Rock and Roll Wilderness, compiling some of his greatest tracks from over the years, which in addition to many of the above acts, includes songs from Tricky, The International Swingers, Kim Wilde, Holy Holy and more. We also discussed...
Apr 19, 2018•25 min
Vinnie Dombroski is the frontman of Sponge, one of the breakthrough alternative acts of the 90's, thanks to hits like 'Molly,' 'Plowed' and 'Wax Ecstatic.' The group are still going strong today, and are currently touring the U.S. (I'll be checking out their performance this weekend in Austin, TX). This week Vinnie and I talk about the band's tour, including set list surprises (featuring some choice covers), and what all goes into their live music experience. We also discussed the band's legacy,...
Apr 11, 2018•26 min
As the frontman for Monster Magnet, Dave Wyndorf was a stoner rock pioneer, who propelled the group from cult status to hedonistic rock stars thank to their 1998 album Powertrip, fueled by their hit single Spacelord. In today's podcast episode, Dave Wyndorf discusses the band's new, stripped down album Mindf**ker, which tones down the group's psychedelic leanings in favor of proto-punk fueled angst. In addition, the whip-smart rocker talks about how his musical influences shaped the album, how i...
Mar 26, 2018•45 min
Drummer Kevin Haskins has lent his talents to Bauhaus, Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets, three of the most acclaimed bands of the post-punk era. He's revisiting his musical roots with 'Bauhaus - Undead: The Visual History and Legacy of Bauhaus,’ a deluxe coffee table book chronicling his tenure with Bauhaus, who helped popularize the Goth subculture (even though they refuted the classification). In this week's episode, Haskins discusses the making of his new book (due March 16th via Cleopatra ...
Mar 20, 2018•31 min
Dean Ween is one of the most celebrated cult musicians in rock. As one half of the musical duo/band Ween, he helped craft a truly eclectic (and humorous) mix of prog rock, punk, metal, psychedelia, soul and more, as evidenced on classic albums like Chocolate and Cheese and The Mollusk. Dean is back with Rock2, his sophomore solo release with The Dean Ween band (released March 16th via Schnitzel Records). In this week's episode, we discuss his new album, his creative process, some hilarious insig...
Mar 20, 2018•20 min
