Joining me today, from the outskirts of Austin, Texas, is singer, guitarist, & songwriter ANDY SWITZKY.

In 1989, Andy co-founded HUM, & he wrote for & played on their demo, the first LP, Fillet Show, & the subsequent 2 singles — Hello Kitty & Sun Dress.

He was a vital part of the Champaign music scene in the ‘80s & ‘90s, & also made music in Tugrik Dhugugrik, Designer Mustard Gas, Obvious Man, & Alaskan Mothership.

From time to time, he uploads material from that period to his SoundCloud page; link below.

In this episode, we talk about the mid-to-late ‘80s Champaign music scene, blending the dissonant with the melodic, & trying to match the volume of your awe-inspiring drummer.

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https://soundcloud.com/aswitzky

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Steve Albini's Basement Studio

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:16 // "Lake of Fire" (Alaskan Mothership)

03:29 // Early Music Fandom

07:29 // First Bands

10:16 // Tugrik Dhugugrik

11:34 // "Mucus" (T.D.)

12:48 // Obvious Man

15:46 // "Facts & Figures" (O.M.)

17:51 // Designer Mustard Gas

18:39 // “Workstation” (D.M.G.)

20:42 // Forming HUM

22:20 // “Kissing Me is like Kissing an Angel, She Said” Demo Tape

30:18 // "Time is Melting"

34:45 // "Kissing Me..."

37:44 // "Diamonds"

41:32 // Fillet Show LP

50:48 // "Sunshine" (Alaskan Mothership)

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Today I’m talking with guitarist & producer KURT BALLOU — a true luminary of the heavy music scene, on both sides of the mixing board.

In 1990, he co-founded the pioneering metalcore band CONVERGE, whose 11th studio album, LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH, arrives on February 13.

Kurt also owns & operates GOD CITY STUDIO in Salem, MA, where he records, engineers, produces, & mixes a breathtaking array of bands. He’s given an instantly recognizable mix of grit & clarity to scores of landmark punk, metal, & hardcore records, including LPs by his own band, as well as Cave In, Isis, Pg. 99, Torche, Trap Them, Russian Circles, & many more.

In this episode, we discuss the mechanics of track sequencing, the alien geometry of sound capture, & the dreamy rhythms of deep time.

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https://godcitystudio.com

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https://www.godcityinstruments.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:19 // "Love is Not Enough" (Converge)

03:27 // Album Leaks

06:52 // New LP & Track Sequencing

12:09 // Studio Geometry

16:01 // ‘90s Boston Rock Scene

21:22 // Hearing HUM / “Stars” on the Radio

27:34: "Isle of the Cheetah" Discussion

01:00:38 // "Eagles Become Vultures" (Converge)

[Misc: Karate, "This Plus Slow Song"]

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Today’s conversation is with TIM DOW, one of my all-time favorite drummers.

He’s played in and/or toured with SHINER, YEAR OF THE RABBIT, SEASON TO RISK, THE JOY CIRCUIT, ON, VAE VICTIS, & more.

He was in Shiner from 1993 to ‘98, & drummed on their early landmark records, SPLAY & LULA DIVINIA, as well as on their first 6 EPs. Both LPs have since been remixed & remastered, & then reissued in 2024 on SPARTAN RECORDS.

After leaving Shiner, he played in a couple of early 2000s L.A. bands with Failure’s Ken Andrews: first the pop-leaning electronic project ON, then the heavier rock band Year of the Rabbit. He & his Y.O.T.R. bandmates, Jeff Garber & Sol Snyder, then tracked & self-released their first & only studio record, so far, called EP 1.

He’s also done studio session work for Pete Yorn, Abandoned Pools, Jonny Polonsky, & others.

In this episode, we talk about ‘90s recording styles, the web of alt-rock riff tropes, & the revved-up release of thunderous drumming.

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TIM'S DRUM DISCOG (Streaming)

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"Iron Clad Lou" Video

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:34 // "Brooks" (Shiner)

07:10 // Pre-Shiner Recordings

12:23 // Shiner & Indie Production

19:47 // Riff Drumming

22:43 // "Sailor's Fate" (Shiner)

26:12 // "My Life as a Housewife" (Shiner)

32:22 // '90s Drumming Influences

33:18 // L.A., Ken Andrews, & Year of the Rabbit

39:12 // "Absent Stars" (Y.O.T.R.)

41:59 // The Joy Circuit

44:32 // "X's" (T.J.C.)

45:48 // Pete Yorn Sessions

48:42 // "Undercover" (P.Y.)

49:42 // HUM's E2K Tape

56:34 // "Iron Clad Lou" Discussion

01:26:13 // "Sideways" (Shiner)

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