For some, metal shock rockers Gwar are more style than substance. In fact, we were in that camp, having paid little attention to the band beyond their notorious stage antics and costumes. But thanks to our second annual Halloween-themed episode, we're checking out the 1990 sophomore album Scumdogs Of The Universe. While we expected over the top lyrics with various R-rated subject matter, we did not anticipate how musically diverse the band would sound, managing to integrate New York thrash ala Anthrax along side Quiet Riot-esque glam metal riffs, and even some hardcore punk attitude. It all made for interesting sound they may have slightly overstayed its welcome by the end.

Songs In This Episode:

Intro - Sick Of You

13:44 - Vlad The Impaler

22:59 - Slaughterama

26.52 - Sick Of You

30:27 - Cool Place To Park

Outro - King Queen

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Built To Spill have remained an anomaly in a number of ways throughout their career - a band steeped in classic rock conventions that seamlessly integrates 1990s indie rock guitar shredding, but does so without sacrificing vocal melodies, and doing in on major label Warner Bros. for twenty years. On 1999's Keep It Like A Secret, Doug Martsch shortened the length and kept the six plus minute long jams to a minimum, but still manages to concoct his stew of six string wizardry and even throw in a kitschy tune (You Were Right) that would have sounded at home on a Ben Folds Five album.

Songs in this Episode:

Intro - Carry The Zero

19:49 - The Plan

22:49 - Time Trap

29:55 - You Were Right

Outro - Center Of The Universe

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After the success of the Sound Of White Noise album with new lead singer John Bush, New York city thrashers Anthrax took the band in a direction that angered and alienated longtime fans. For Stomp 442 from 1995, the band relied less on the chugging thrash riffage of their past, and played with sounds that would be at home in Helmet's post hardcore and alternative metal sound, or the mainstream hard rock that Metallica had cultivated on their Black album. While tag as a "grunge" sell-out, over twenty years later we find it hard to locate an trace of Seattle sound, and find a band brimming with confidence and swagger. Perhaps they made the wrong album at the wrong time, but looking back, it's not hard to hear why so many were confused by the new direction - hopefully this time around they'll give it another spin.

Songs in this Episode:

Intro - Fueled

11:19 - Fueled

15:22 - In A Zone

23:14 - Perpetual Motion

29:21 - Nothing

33:36 - Bare

Outro - Random Acts Of Senseless Violence

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Cleveland is the home of the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, Cincinnati is home to legendary soul label King Records and The Afghan Whigs, Akron has Devo and the The Pretenders, but if there is a 1990s alternative and indie rock epicenter of Ohio, it's Dayton, known for its Air Force Base and (alleged) alien cover-ups. The Breeders, Guided By Voices and Brainiac all call Dayton home, breaking through in their own unique ways, but Dayton's musical roots dig deep into 1980s punk and 1970s funk all the way into the 2000s. We discuss the venues, record stores, bands and more that made and make Dayton unique.

Songs in this episode:

Intro - Dayton Medley (Guided By Voices, The Amps, Brainiac)

12:56 - No Wrong Track by The Method

23:48 - God Bless America by Toxic Reasons

30:33 - Flying Pizza by Swearing At Motorists

41:40 - Listen To The Quiet by Mink

45:13 - Toilet Knife by Dirty Walk

Outro - Weapons Of Love Destruction by Shesus

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For his 1998 album Since, Richard Buckner enlisted a strong supporting cast (John McEntire of Tortoise, The Sea And Cake / Dave Schramm of Yo La Tengo, The Schramms / David Grubbs of Squirrel Bait, Gastr Del Sol, Bastro) to shape an Americana/Alt Country record that feels out of place for the time, but perfectly in sync with the Jason Isbell's and John Moreland's of today's musical landscape. It helps that Buckner's poetic approach eschews the compact disc bloat and hones a tight sixteen track / thirty seven minute album that actually left us wanting more in spaces rather than wishing for restraint and editing.

Songs in this episode:

Intro - Believer

12:04 - Raze

16:56 - Brief & Boundless

20:12 - Lucky Buzz

29:34 - Coursed

Outro - Goner w/Souvenir

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