Punk chaos agents Happy Death Men bring a joyous intensity to must-see live shows that occasionally end in vomit. Sam, Cash, and Javi joined the show to discuss bottling that rawness on their records—as they do with aplomb on their 2025 self-titled release. We chat about nut-heavy subreddits, opening for Jack White, what makes for a healthy music scene, Batman's adult diaper play, and the intrinsic appeal of their music to Wine Moms.

Music this week:

• "Dancing with the Lights Off" by Happy Death Men (12:32)
• "Mass Village Angst" by Volk Soup (27:55)
• "Cops in the Attack" by Happy Death Men (42:49)
• "Death Rides a Horse" by Keddies Resort (65:58)
• "Trash On Fire" by Sweepers (79:34)

This week we talked to Jordan Casner. Jordan is a comedian and Portland's reining funniest person. We talk about comedy when the internet exists, the gauntlet of winning Portland's Funniest Person, live albums, and cool uncles. Music this week from Bela Blaq, Kling Klang, Nikki Nair & Uffie, and Split System.

This week we talked to fantastic Portland band, Friends Friends. We talk about grocery stores. That’s all. Just tips and tricks to shop till you drop. Plus like, music and stuff. Songs this week from Friends Friends, Twisted Teens, Laska, and Deathcat.

Killmer is a three-piece rock delight, blending sounds from across the genre and wrapping them in warm, clean production. Their May 2025 release "Primo!" is meant (at least in this listener's opinion) to be enjoyed by adults, with an attention to craft, mood, and message that also knows how to enjoy itself. Fresh off a tour in support of the album, Killmer bassist and singer Brett joined the show to discuss the desire to do everything music can do, the relationships necessary to collaborate with both support and criticality, the irresistible, horrible allure of self-electrocution, Andy shredding the gnar, and having wrong opinions about pulp.

Music this week:

• "VHS" by Killmer (23:36)
• "Not" by Infant Sanchos (36:49)
• "Permafrown" by Killmer (57:02)
• "Dream" by Spooky Mountain (78:57)
• "Look Away" by Vinny Earley (99:56)

Krautrock superstars Motrik have been a driving, pulsing beat at the heart of Portland music for more than a decade. On the eve of their forthcoming album "Earth," Dave, Erik, and Jonah from the band joined us to chat about humane vermin training, the foundational beat at the core of every song in their catalog, the relaxing innovation of mud-themed recording studios, the mechanics of harmonica care, and the evolving interpretations of the Motrik sound that emerged organically from their new songs.

Music this week:

• "Ultimate Drive" by Motrik (22:12)
• "Polyphemus Beat" by Shitao (40:17)
• "Weightless" by Motrik (53:25)
• "Islands" by Plankton Wat (78:29)
• "Friday Nights" by Petty Treason (97:41)

The Macks are one of the most creative, focused bands in the Northwest, producing banger after banger at a breakneck pace that can hardly keep up with their work ethic and restlessly evolving sound. Their sixth full-length "Bonanza" dropped just a few weeks ago, and Sam and Ben from the band joined us to talk about prolific rocking/rolling with an eye toward improvement, the hail-mary toiletry of the contemporary American mall, the marketability of merch based on individuals, the Juggalo-curious lifestyle, and gearing up for their massive ongoing tour.

Music this week:

• "Nice" by The Macks (22:34)
• "Flesh and Soul" by BALTHVS (34:09)
• "Cowboys & Cattlebroads" by The Macks (50:57)
• "Paystub" by Forty Feet Tall (71:28)
• "Downhill Racer" by Couch Slut (84:52)

Cherry Cheeks is fast-paced, punk/art rock with substance and a sneer. Kyle Harms, the creative force of the band, joins the show this week, and more delighted we could not be. We discuss the persona of the punk rock brat, the importance of songs with genuine meaning, embracing the performer within, the erotic potential of deep-faking yourself, and the plight of the proletariat vis a vis the monocle.

Music this week:

• "Therapy" by Cherry Cheeks (15:23)
• "Wings of Fire" by The Boojums (28:55)
• "Black Hair" by Lothario (45:36)
• "Motivator" by Cherry Cheeks (64:43)
• "Fucking It Up" by Sex Mex (78:06)

Rock 'n roll rippers Helena Rats are in the house this week! The band's May release "Plague City" embraces the rich possibilities of fast, heavy-tinged guitar music without pretension—though not without an accessible complexity that rewards the true heads. Diego and Jeff from the band pop in to talk about the new tunes, drink-to-performance ratios, the cocktail of ingredients that make up their sound (hint: the 70s play a role), the languages of rock shorthand, and the simpler times of their teenage fandom.

Music this week:

• "Grab the Shovel" by Helena Rats (13:01)
• "Time Out" by Stuck (36:05)
• "Bombit Baby" by Helena Rats (52:04)
• "Night Terrors" by Altar Girl (67:06)
• "Somebody Put PCP in My Clam Chowder" by Xray Xeroxx (92:29)