The Trap Set with Joe Wong - podcast cover

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Each Episode, Joe Wong speaks to a different musician about life.

Episodes

BNS: Mike Clark on Phil Collins and Brand X

In this bonus mini-episode, Mike Clark tells Joe about working in Phil-Collins-led fusion band Brand X. You can hear Mike's full episode by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes, Stitcher, or RSS.

Nov 11, 20152 min

BNS: Howard Grimes on Bernard Purdie

In this bonus mini-episode, Howard Grimes of Hi/Stax Records fame tells Joe about being influenced by Bernard Purdie. You can hear Howard's full episode, as well as Bernard's two part episode, by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes, Stitcher, or RSS.

Nov 11, 20153 min

042: Howard Grimes (Al Green, Ann Peebles, Rufus Thomas, The Bo Keys)

Through his affiliation with both Hi and Stax Records, Memphis native Howard Grimes has played drums on countless classic songs. He tells Joe that drumming was his divine calling; and he charts his monumental career, during which he's backed Al Green, Ann Peebles, Rufus Thomas, and many other legendary stars of soul.

Nov 04, 201534 min

BNS: Ndugu Chancler Bonus Mini-Episode: Billie Jean

In this bonus mini-episode, Ndugu Chancler tells Joe about recording Michael Jackson's classic song, "Billie Jean". You can hear Ndugu's full length episode by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes or RSS.

Nov 04, 20153 min

BNS: John Stanier Bonus Mini-Episode: DJ

In this bonus mini-episode, John Stanier tells Joe about his time as a professional DJ. You can hear John's full length episode by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes or RSS.

Nov 04, 20154 min

041: John Stanier (Battles, Helmet, Tomahawk)

John Stanier first burst onto the rock scene in the late 80s, as founding drummer of Helmet. He charts the course of that band's decade long run, which included mainstream, multi-platinum success but ended in acrimony. He tells Joe about the musical evolution that led him to his current band, Battles; and he explains why--despite his previous success--he was willing to start over and sleep on floors in order to help build the band from the ground up.

Oct 28, 201533 min

BNS: Brendan Canty Mini-Episode, Flex Your Head / Rites of Spring

In this bonus mini-episode, Brendan Canty tells Joe about how he got involved with the DC punk scene; playing with the short-lived, but incredibly influential band Rites of Spring; and the genesis of Fugazi. Subscribe to The Trap Set for free to hear Brendan's full-length episode. (He was guest numero uno.)

Oct 28, 20157 min

BNS: Reggie Watts Bonus Mini-Episode

In this bonus mini-episode, Reggie Watts tells Joe about writing music while on acid. Subscribe to The Trap Set for free to hear Reggie's full-length episode (#40).

Oct 28, 20153 min

040: Reggie Watts (Late Late Show, Maktub, Solo Artist)

Reggie Watts talks to Joe about growing up in Montana, psychedelic drugs, the spirit of jazz, leading the Late Late Show Band on CBS, virtual reality, and returning to Montana to create Utopian creative compound.

Oct 21, 201549 min

BNS: Dee Plakas Bonus Mini-Episode

In this bonus mini-episode, L7's Dee Plakas talks to Joe about touring with Melvins. Subscribe to The Trap Set for free to hear Dee's full-length episode. (Also available: an interview with Dale Crover of Melvins.)

Oct 21, 20152 min

039: Glenn Kotche (Wilco, Solo Artist)

Best known as the drummer for Wilco, Glenn Kotche is also an accomplished classical percussionist and experimental composer. He talks to Joe about the internal workings of Wilco and how he strives for balance between his many creative pursuits and his family life.

Oct 14, 201533 min

BNS: Clem Burke Bonus Mini-Episode

Clem Burke of Blondie Fame tells Joe about how he got started in music and how he ended up playing Carnegie Hall at age fourteen.

Oct 14, 20153 min

BNS: Greg Fox & Kid Millions Bonus Mini-Episode

Greg Fox and Kid Millions call Joe to talk about their fantastic new duo album, "Losttime". Subscribe to The Trap Set so that you can check out Kid's full-length episode in our archives (Episode 3), and stay tuned for a new episode featuring Greg sometime soon.

Oct 14, 20156 min

038: Clem Burke (Blondie)

Clem Burke talks about the New York glam scene at Club 82, the punk scene at CBGBs, crafting pop masterpieces with Blondie, and the band's rise to tremendous international success. He also discusses how he stays inspired and remains creative 40 years into his career.

Oct 07, 201536 min

037: Dee Plakas (L7)

Dee Plakas talks about discovering her natural gift for drumming, pulverizing the music world with L7, breaking up the band, and reuniting over a decade later.

Sep 30, 201533 min

BNS: Fred Armisen Bonus Mini-Episode

Fred and Joe pontificate over the nature of music and how it relates to cultural anthropology. Neither of them is an expert, so everything they think might be wrong. You be the judge.

Sep 30, 20153 min

036: Simone Pace (Blonde Redhead)

Blonde Redhead's Simone Pace tells Joe about his mischievous childhood in Italy and Canada, studying with the legendary Alan Dawson in Boston, founding Blonde Redhead in NY, and managing his insecurities as an artist.

Sep 23, 201533 min

BNS: James Gadson Bonus Mini-Episode

James Gadson is one of the greatest drummers in the history of recorded music, but even he sometimes has an off day in the studio. He tells Joe about a time when he wasn't at his best. Be sure to listen to Gadson's full-length episode by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes or by visiting thetrapset.net

Sep 23, 20153 min

BNS: DJ Bonebrake Bonus Mini-Episode

DJ Bonebrake, of legendary punk band X, discusses his time as a Buddhist with Joe, who is just now exploring Buddhism. Be sure to listen to DJ's full-length episode by subscribing to The Trap Set on iTunes or by visiting thetrapset.net

Sep 23, 20157 min

BNS: Steven Adler Bonus Mini-Episode

Steven Adler of Guns N' Roses tells Joe about growing up as a "good Hebrew boy" and seeing UFOs. Be sure to check out his full episode at thetrapset.net/past-episodes or on iTunes.

Sep 16, 20155 min

BNS: Sam Fogarino Bonus Mini-Episode

In this bonus mini-episode, Joe and Interpol's Sam Fogarino trade culinary tips and discuss the sometimes annoying foodie culture. Check out Sam's full-length episode at thetrapset.net (Past Episodes) or on iTunes.

Sep 09, 20159 min

BNS: Sheila E. Bonus Mini-Episode

In this bonus mini-episode, Sheila E. discusses her grandmother's obsession with sex. Check out Sheila's full-length episode at thetrapset.net (Past Episodes) or on iTunes.

Sep 09, 20152 min

033: Venzella Joy (Beyoncé)

It's not enough to merely be a great drummer if you want to play with the biggest pop star in the world. In addition to her unstoppable groove and technical prowess, Venzella Joy possesses an extraordinary combination of wisdom, humility, and confidence that enabled her to secure the drum throne in Beyoncé's band. But as Venzella continues to develop as a songwriter and producer, it's clear that playing with the Queen is merely the beginning of her creative journey. She drops jewels of knowledge...

Sep 02, 201532 min

032: Fred Armisen (8G Band, Trenchmouth, SNL, Portlandia)

You know Fred Armisen from his work on Portlandia and SNL, but before he was a comedy star, Fred was a working drummer. He charts the journey from his early fascination with music, to his time touring and recording with arty Chicago band Trenchmouth, to Blue Man Group, SNL, The 8G Band and beyond. Fred also discusses the nature of his creative drive and his relationship with success.

Aug 26, 201533 min

031: Ron Lynch (The Tulsa Skull Swingers, Tomorrow!)

Ron Lynch grew up with aspirations to become a professional drummer. His aptitude for music earned him a scholarship to college, but his path soon led him to pursue comedy and acting. Ron developed his comedy chops as part of the Boston comedy scene of the 80s, that also produced Bobcat Goldthwait, Marc Maron, Louis CK, and Steven Wright. Over the course of his career, Ron has also appeared on acclaimed shows like: Dr. Katz, Home Movies, Bob's Burgers, and Adventure Time. He is also the host of ...

Aug 19, 201528 min

030: Todd Barry (The Chant, Crowd Work, The Wrestler, Louie)

Todd Barry is one of the greatest comics working today; but before he dedicated himself to the art of stand-up, Todd played in popular Florida band The Chant. Nowadays, when Todd isn't busy filming comedy specials or acting in acclaimed films and TV shows, he finds time to sit in with bands like Superchunk and Yo La Tengo. He and Joe explore the relationship between music and comedy.

Aug 12, 201530 min