This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Ted Ottaviano with Book Of Love. The synth pop New Wave group continue to celebrate their 30th anniversary with the release of new music as part of 2016’s “MMXVI: The 30th Anniversary Collection (Remastered)” hits album, an upcoming 2017 EP with remixes as well as live tracks from this month’s concert dates in San Francisco and Houston.

You can learn about the two special reunion shows in Houston and San Francisco in my preview article here: LINK

The new audio interview with Ted can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.

I also interviewed Susan Ottaviano back in 2013, and you can listen to that podcast here: LINK

You can use the following links to learn more about Book of Love, their music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.bookoflovemusic.com

I’ve been a huge Book of Love fan myself, and thank Ted for the enjoyable and insightful chat today.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal.  Today’s guest is Darryl McDaniels, best known as DMC with Run-D.M.C. (he prefers to be called “D”).  D was a featured guest at Sac-Con in Sacramento this past weekend, promoting his authentic foray into the comic book publishing world with his new independent publishing company DMC (Darryl Makes Comic) Comics and its first series, DMC, with his collaborator Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez.  I met up with D at his hotel following the concert to sit down to talk about his latest work, his past, accomplishments, and his thoughts on a variety of topics related to his life, work, and influence on pop culture.

Coincidentally, my first ever experience going to a live concert was Run-D.M.C. with Beastie Boys and Ice T at Cal Expo in 1987 (at age 14).  Some 28 years later, it was quite surreal to have an opportunity to sit down with D just a few miles from where I first saw him perform.  Raising Hell was one of my favorite albums as a teen (and remains one of my all-time favorites), and it was unlike anything I’d ever heard before.

I most recently saw D perform with his surprise appearance at LL Cool J’s “Kings of the Mic” tour at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in 2013 – I was front row center, and captured it on video (just this week it surpassed 100,000 views on YouTube):

Run-D.M.C. have had one of the biggest impacts on pop culture of any music act to come before or since.  I think this was best appreciated and captured in the NatGeo series The 80s: The Decade That Made Us.  From music to hip hop and rap to fashion to branding to mashing up two opposing styles of music (and breaking down racial barriers), Run-D.M.C. not only shaped much of the 80s, but their influence is still felt today, like ripples from a giant stone thrown into a lake.

It was a real pleasure meeting D and spending a bit of time with him over the weekend, and he is as authentic, genuine, and humble as they come.  He was a real inspiration to me as a kid, and it is gratifying to find that the real man exceeded my expectations of what I imagined he might be like when I was a teen first listening to his amazing music.

One bit of news he shared with me outside of our interview is that he will be appearing with Marky Ramone on That Metal Show on March 10th, 2015.  He is still working on many interesting collaborations in music, with a lot of new singles in the works.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE. Run time is approximately 40 minutes.

Below are a few photos I took of D following our interview (click any image to launch virtual lightbox):

You can use the following links to learn more about D, his music, his comic book company, upcoming and other news:

Official Website Run-D.M.C.: www.rundmc.com

DMC Comics: www.dmc-comics.com

Special thanks to D for spending some time with me this weekend and for participating in this interview.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. The first guest for 2015 is Dick Dale, a legend in music, regarded as both “The King of the Surf Guitar” and the “Father of Heavy Metal”.  Now 77 years old, Mr. Dale is well known to younger generations for his 1962 song, “Misirlou”, which was used by Quentin Tarantino as the title track in his film, Pulp Fiction.

In the interview, Mr. Dale talks about wide-ranging topics, from his childhood to his pioneering work with Leo Fender, his relationship with Jimi Hendrix, advice for younger artists trying to make their way in the music industry, his health challenges and his fight with cancer, his relationship with his wife Lana, and his experiences with the paranormal.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.  Run time is 2 hours, 15 minutes.

You can use the following link to learn more about Dick Dale, his music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.dickdale.com

Below is a list of upcoming concerts:

Special thanks to Dick Dale for taking the time to talk with me for this interview.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Peter Hook.  Peter Hook is a founding member of Joy Division and New Order, and next week embarks on his latest tour as Peter Hook & The Light, covering the third and forth New Order albums, Lowlife (1985) and Brotherhood (1986), in full.  Last year, he and his band covered the first two New Order albums and my review of that tour can be found in a separate article (see: “Peter Hook & The Light Performing New Order’s “Movement” and “Power, Corruption & Lies”…).

In the interview, Mr. Hook offers many candid thoughts about frustrations and heartbreak, finding happiness, and views about his work with Joy Division and New Order, and those relationships.  And Hot Tub Time Machine.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.

You can use the following links to learn more about Peter Hook, his music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.peterhook.co.uk

Special thanks to Peter Hook for taking the time to talk with me today to participate in this podcast interview.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Erik Hassle. He released his latest work as an EP, Somebody’s Party, which debuted earlier this year.  He is also one of the songwriters for the current single, co-featuring Rihanna, “Can’t Remember to Forget You“.  Erik is just finishing up his U.S. tour with MØ, and took time before his concert at Popscene at Rickshaw Stop last night to participate in this interview.  The full concert review with photos from the live show can be found in my separate article (see: “MØ with Erik Hassle at Popscene at Rickshaw Stop | San Francisco, California | 6/3/2014”).

As I had an opportunity to meet with Erik in person, the interview is available as a video on YouTube as well as the regular audio-only podcast which can also be streamed below or downloaded from iTunes.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.

I also shot Erik’s performance of “Pathetic” at the same show, which can been seen on YouTube as well.

You can use the following links to learn more about Erik Hassle, his music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.erikhassle.com

Special thanks to Erik Hassle for meeting with me last night.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Charli XCX.  She released her first studio album, True Romance, earlier this year, and is embarking on her first headlining tour of the U.S. this month.  This month she also released a new song and music video for SuperLove, with plans to release a second studio album in the Spring.  She took the time to call in from Stockholm this morning to participate in this interview.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.

You can use the following links to learn more about Charli XCX, her music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.charlixcxmusic.com

Special thanks to Charli XCX for talking with me today, and I will be reviewing her show at Slim’s in San Francisco on November 1st.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Chloe Chaidez of Kitten.  Chloe is the singer and driving force in the very young band that has been blowing up the music industry with their high energy live shows and interesting blend of musical genres.  They will be supporting the upcoming Charli XCX tour, which has recently been rescheduled.  Kitten just released their new EP, Like A Stranger.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.

You can use the following links to learn more about Kitten, their music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.kittentheband.com

Special thanks to Chloe for taking the time to participate in the podcast.  I will be reviewing their show at Slim’s in San Francisco in November.

Below are a few photos from the concert at The Pearl Concert Theater in Las Vegas from earlier this year:

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Susan Ottaviano with Book Of Love.  The pioneering New Wave favorite from the 80s and early 90s will be releasing some all-new music later this year and will be playing some special live concert dates in California in October.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE.

You can use the following links to learn more about Book of Love, their music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.bookoflovemusic.com

You can keep track of the latest tour dates and cities on Pollstar.

As a huge Book of Love fan myself, it was a privilege and honor to speak with her today and learn more about her and her experiences with the band, and what is coming up next for the band.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Keven Preston with Prima Donna. The Los Angeles-based rock band will be embarking on a North American tour with Adam Ant starting later this month, running July, August and September.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and will also be made available within 24 hours as a free download from iTunes HERE.

You can use the following links to learn more about Prima Donna, their music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.primadonnarocks.com

Sincere thanks to Kevin Preston for talking with me today about his awesome music and fascinating journey and insights into the world of authentic rock and roll.

Jason DeBord

This article features the latest in an ongoing series of “Rock Talk” podcast audio interviews for the Rock Subculture Journal. Today’s guest is Steve Marker with Garbage.  The band is finishing a tour in the United States currently (and I will be covering their show in Las Vegas at The Pearl Theater at The Palms Casino Resort next week), and news has begun to circulate about the possibility of a new studio album coming early next year.  Steve was kind enough to talk with me today about the music industry in general, being part of the band, what they have planned for Record Store Day this year and more.

The audio interview can be heard in its entirety in the player embedded below, and is also available as a free download from iTunes HERE and is also available as an audio-only file on YouTube HERE.

You can use the following links to learn more about Garbage, their music, upcoming live dates, and other news:

Official Website: www.garbage.com

Special thanks to Steve for taking time out of his day to talk with me this afternoon, and sharing his thoughts on a multitude of topics.

Jason DeBord