Joining me today is RAY HARKINS, vocalist of the Southern California melodic hardcore bands TAKEN, MIKOTO, &, most recently, BLOODGUILT.

Taken burned brightly from the late ‘90s until 2004, releasing one LP & 2 EPs on Goodfellow Records. They’ve since added a demos & b-sides compilation, a collected version of the first 3 records, & a 2018 EP titled With Regard To, on Other People Records. Links below.

Ray’s also run the DIY music & culture podcast, 100 WORDS OR LESS, for the better part of a decade, with over 670 episodes in the archive. He’s interviewed everyone from Ken Andrews & Page Hamilton to members of Fleshwater & Bleed to the Jesus Lizard, Quicksand, & dozens of other scene lifers crucial to the growth & expansion of underground music.

In this episode, we talk about the Big Bang of music culture in ‘90s Orange County, the shifting meanings of heaviness, & the waveform pathos of the EKG machine.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.”

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TAKEN Bandcamp

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MIKOTO Bandcamp

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BLOODGUILT Bandcamp

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:29 // "The Most Feared Thing" (Taken)

03:32 // '90s Orange County

14:17 // LA/OC Venues

21:00 // Taken

27:58 // Hearing HUM: YPAA & DIH

36:45 // "If You are to Bloom" Discussion

01:13:05 // "Eternity was on Our Lips" (Taken)

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Today I’m talking with LAURENT SCHROEDER-LEBEC & LARRY HERWEG, from the Chicago heavy rock band PELICAN.

Since 2001, they’ve released 7 LPs, plus a host of singles, splits, EPs, live albums, & compilations. Their most recent record, FLICKERING RESONANCE, is highly recommended & came out a couple months back on RUN FOR COVER RECORDS.

Pelican just finished a run of US shows & are currently touring Europe thru mid-August. They’ve also got plans for new material on the way.

In this episode, we talk about the Midwest music underground, loudness as celebration, & the elemental interplay of riffs & percussion.

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https://www.pelicansong.com

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https://pelican.bandcamp.com

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"I'd Like Your Hair Long" (120 Minutes)

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:09 // "Evergreen" (Pelican)

03:13 // Playing @ Loose Cobra

06:21 // Fireside Bowl & Chicago Scene

21:22 // Flickering Resonance LP

21:40 // "Gulch"

27:53 // "Cascading Crescent"

34:17 // Song Titles

42:57 // Recording @ Earth Analog

46:10 // Hearing/Seeing HUM

55:44 // "I'd Like Your Hair Long" Discussion

01:33:43 // "Pining For Ever" (Pelican)

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Joining me today is BALTHAZAR DE LEY — singer, guitarist, bassist, producer, engineer, studio technician, &, most recently, amp maker. 

In the early ‘90s, he joined HUM, which was, back then, written in all lowercase. He played bass on their first record Fillet Show, & toured & wrote songs with them over the course of several years. 

He then formed & fronted MENTHOL, formerly known as Mother, whose 3 beloved LPs combined off-kilter riffing & synth lines with surrealistic & Faustian tales of the '90s alt rock signing boom. 

When Menthol parted ways, he began engineering records for other bands. He then worked as a studio technician for the Smashing Pumpkins for close to a decade. 

In 2017, he founded BALTHAZAR AUDIO SYSTEMS, where he designs & builds vacuum tube guitar amplifiers. He also plays guitar in the Chicago shoegaze band LIGHTFOILS. Links below. 

In this episode, we talk about youthful insouciance, a specific strain of ‘90s midwestern space rock, & the endearing & enduring power of smallness. 

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” 

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https://www.balthazaramps.com

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https://lightfoils.bandcamp.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:35 // "What's Your Rationale?" (Menthol)

04:19 // The Breeders Amp

06:30 // Bad Flannel

09:11 // "Frustration" (Bad Flannel)

12:10 // Joining HUM

15:16 // Rick & Rose

17:24 // Fillet Show LP

20:00 // "Space Gun" (Poster Children)

25:20 // Early HUM Influences

28:40 // Menthol

29:39 // Mud Records

35:22 // "Walk of Shame" (Menthol)

36:40 // Ardent Studios

40:00 // Writing Lyrics

44:23 // "Dry Heaves" (Menthol)

48:36 // "Bedheaded, Red-Eyed, & Bewildered" (Menthol)

49:57 // '90s Alt Rock Explosion

58:13 // Menthol Artwork / Danger: Rock Science!

01:04:21 // "Hello Kitty" Discussion

01:28:58 // Lightfoils & Balthazar Audio Systems

01:32:21 // "Strange Living" (Menthol)

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Today I’m talking with the artist, musician, filmmaker, & sociocultural prophet GERALD V. CASALE. In the early ‘70s, Jerry co-founded the mutant-pop performance art group DEVO, who have since released 9 studio albums, 10 EPs, a soundtrack, 10 live albums, 16 compilations, 25 singles, & 9 video albums, not to mention creating some of the most distinct & unforgettable images in American music history.

DEVO are currently touring North America in celebration of their 50th anniversary. A feature-length documentary on the band will premiere on Netflix on August 19th, & recently they’ve been restoring & rereleasing their early short films, including 1976’s THE TRUTH ABOUT DE-EVOLUTION.

Most of our conversation explores Jerry’s music video filmography from the ‘90s, when he worked with bands like HUM, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Silverchair, & many others.

In this episode, we talk about the power of the moving image, the suffocating everyday presence of screens, & the struggle to prevent your vision from being smothered by the suits.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls. 

Thanks for listening.

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https://www.geraldvcasale.com

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https://clubdevo.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:31 // "Mechanical Man" (DEVO)

03:15 // Early Cinephilia

05:11 // D.I.Y. Filmmaking

07:08 // "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Video

12:28 // Production Process

13:57 // VFX & "Girl U Want" Video

17:12 // '90s Video Work

22:57 // Foo Fighters, "I'll Stick Around" Video

27:22 // Soundgarden, "Blow Up the Outside World" Video

31:08 // Silverchair, "Freak" Video

34:44 // HUM, "Green to Me" Video

43:44 // "Auto Modown" (DEVO)

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Today’s guest is JACOB GIVENS, TikTok phenom, musician, podcaster, actor, writer, & comedian. 

His enthusiasm for music has attracted over 500,000 followers across his social media platforms, & he’s racked up millions of views from viral videos about iconic moments in 90s alternative & beyond. 

He also runs the podcast WATERPROOF RECORDS, where he’s done episodes on HUM, the Flaming Lips, Deftones, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, & many more. 

In this episode, we talk about the pull of theatricality, the power of ‘90s vocal hooks, & the feral euphoria of palm muting.

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Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks again for listening.

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LA TIMES Article

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WGN Feature

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:19 // Tulsa to Champaign

07:59 // Reaction Videos & Silent Film

17:56 // "The '90s Alt-Rock Vocal Hook Supercut"

22:54 // HUM on MTV

28:22 // “Green to Me” Discussion

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Today’s guest is the multi-talented JEFF GARBER — singer, guitarist, composer, producer, & engineer. From the mid-to-late ‘90s Jeff played in the Champaign, IL indie rock band CASTOR, who released 2 LPs, a single, & some compilation tracks, all of which have just been remixed, remastered, & pressed to vinyl on Matt Talbott’s EARTH ANALOG label. That set is called Moving Backgrounds; it’s now up for pre-order on POLYVINYL RECORDS. Link below.

Jeff’s next project, NATIONAL SKYLINE, which he started with Nick Macri (C-Clamp), Derek Niedringhaus (Castor), & Jeff Dimpsey (HUM), put out over a dozen releases, some on indie labels & some self-released.

He moved to Los Angeles in 2001 under the suggestion of producer/engineer/mixer Ken Andrews (Failure). Along with Andrews, Tim Dow, & Solomon Snyder, he formed YEAR OF THE RABBIT, who signed with Elektra Records & released their stellar self-titled album in 2003, followed by tours with A Perfect Circle & Pete Yorn. 

After the demise of Elektra Records, he trained as an engineer & producer under Andrews throughout the 2000s. With the release of National Skyline’s 2009 epic Bliss & Death, Garber drew the attention of several key figures at MTV. That self-released album had several songs featured on TV shows The Hills, Jersey Shore, & Teen Mom.

Jeff went on to provide thousands of music tracks for shows on ABC, NBC, Fox, AMC, & many more. He's been awarded SESAC’s Honors in Cable Television & also received network TV honors at BMI.

He's currently the composer for the Netflix hit series Virgin River & Full Swing, & he writes & records music in his basement studio in Altadena, CA.

In this episode, we talk about the magnetism of college towns, end-of-the century anxiety, & endless endless layers of guitars.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

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https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/products/castor-moving-backgrounds

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:15 // "Pontiac" (Castor)

04:34 // Castor News

08:40 // Origins

14:07 // "Trackstar" (Castor)

15:26 // Influences & Inspirations

18:31 // "Anecdotes" (Castor)

23:52 // Recording with Matt Talbott

26:52 // National Skyline

30:06 // "Reinkiller" (National Skyline)

35:52 // Year of the Rabbit

37:57 // The Gospel of Fantastic Planet

40:11 // YOTR Live

41:17 // "Let It Go" (Year of the Rabbit)

46:56 // Showcase Showdown

52:50 // Electra 2000 Tape

55:40 // Inlet LP

1:00:36 // "Folding" Discussion

1:30:13 // "Dust Gun" (Castor)

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"Folding" Live in STL (2018)

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Sat down today with Carson Wilcox, the drummer of the Dallas, TX bands BLEED & NARROW HEAD. 

Bleed just released their excellent S/T DEBUT LP on 20 Buck Spin. It fuses a wide range of styles from the alt-metal of the late '90s & early 2000s, but it's also got elements of lesser-cited bands like Curve, Filter, & God Lives Underwater. It's a super cool compound of things. I also highly recommend the SOMEBODY'S CLOSER EP that came out a couple years before it.

Bleed are currently touring the West Coast with One Step Closer until early June, & this October Narrow Head are going on the road with Rival Schools.

In this episode, we talk about owning your influences, '90s-specific mutations of the “Paradise City” riff, & why drummers going slightly off-grid can work so well.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

I appreciate all the support so far, & thanks, as always, for listening.

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DRUM CAM

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https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/bleed

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https://narrowheadtx.bandcamp.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:21 // "Marathon" (Bleed)

03:24 // Bleed LP: Mixing & Influences

10:19 // "Silver" (Bleed)

12:10 // Programming & Post-Production

15:40 // "Ash Anywhere" (Narrow Head)

17:09 // Hearing (& Playing) HUM

27:44 // "Firehead" Discussion

48:30 // "Through the Cylinder" (Bleed)

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Today’s guests are RICK VALENTIN & ROSE MARSHACK from the Champaign, IL indie rock band POSTER CHILDREN. They co-founded the group in 1987 & have since released 12 LPs, along with various singles, EPs, compilations, & a feature film. 

They’ve been on indies, majors, & everything in between, & they took an avant-garde approach to music tech & media — doing enhanced CDs, early mp3 releases, DIY websites & design, & the proto-podcast podcast RADIO ZERO, which they’ve broadcast from 1998 to the present. 

Rick & Rose also run 12 INCH RECORDS, home to bands like HUM, Love Cup, Dis-, & their non-Poster Children projects Salaryman & Thoughts Detecting Machines. They also also teach in the School of Creative Technologies @ Illinois St. University.

In 2023, Rose published her first book, PLAY LIKE A MAN: MY LIFE IN POSTER CHILDREN, which is absolutely essential reading for anyone who cares about indie & alternative culture in the last 4 decades. It’s a cool mix of genres, moving from tour diary to music criticism to scene history & beyond.

They’ve been on my Mount Rushmore of possible guests for a long time, & it was super fun & revealing to get granular with them about all things rock, whether indie or major, from the late ‘80s to today.

In this episode, we talk about regional style, the Champaign-Urbana band member maze, the idea of rock music as both art & technology, & much much more.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks for listening.

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https://posterchildren.com

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BOB MOULD (Letterman)

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STEVE ALBINI, "The Problem with Music"

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POSTER CHILDREN, R.T.F.M. Enhanced CD Tour

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:01 // “Eye” (Poster Children)

03:57 // Opening for Bob Mould

09:34 // R.T.F.M. LP

12:50 // “Dream Small” (Poster Children)

13:45 // Enhanced CDs

20:47 // Mark Rubel & Pogo Studio

29:01 // HUM Member Genealogy

34:44 // 12 Inch Records

40:38 // Fillet Show LP

50:44 // “Space Fuck”

59:02 // “Formaldehyde”

01:01:21 // “Hortense”

01:03:56 // “I Like It”

01:12:06 // YPAA Vinyl

01:15:01 // Play Like a Man Book

01:21:22 // Art & Science

01:28:26 // “Matter Crush” (Poster Children)

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Today’s guest is CARLOS RAMIREZ, co-founder & editor-in-chief of NO ECHO, a worldwide hardcore website that just celebrated its 10th anniversary. It’s a vast & respected resource for all things hardcore, metal, & punk, updated daily across the web & the usual social media platforms.

Carlos played bass in the mid-to-late '90s NYC powerviolence band BLACK ARMY JACKET, who released their discography compilation Open Casket in 2023 on Brainscan & State of Mind Recordings. He later played in LAKOTA, DENY THE CROSS, & HOPE COLLAPSE.

In this episode, we talk about the ‘90s revival in underground music, the ambivalent status of genre tags, & the way certain riffs can unify & transcend different styles of music.

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NO ECHO Playlists (Spotify)

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:16 // "Hope for the Haunted" (Lakota)

03:26 // Starting NoEcho.net

13:26 // '90s Revival & Genre Tags

21:43 // Hearing HUM

26:06 // HUM @ Irving Plaza

30:04 // Vibes vs. Songs

32:46 // "Dreamboat" Discussion

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Today’s guest is CHRIS ENRIQUEZ, music industry professional by day, drummer to many many bands by night. 

Chris has worked for a wide range of heavy music media, including Revolver, Guitar World, Loudwire, Brooklyn Vegan, The Hard Times, Alternative Press, & as of 2025, he left all brands to join NEW NOISE MAGAZINE.

In the late ‘90s & early 2000s, he played drums in the influential Long Island post-hardcore band ON THE MIGHT OF PRINCES, whose full story is told in the documentary film Hold on to a Time, which Chris produced & directed. Link below.

In the mid-2000s, he moved to New York City, where he drummed in Primitive Weapons, who toured with Quicksand, Glassjaw, Dillinger Escape Plan, Thursday, & others. 

He’s since joined SPOTLIGHTS, JULIE CHRISTMAS, & the reformed ORANGE 9MM, all of whom have upcoming shows you can check out on his Instagram, @chrisenriquezdrums. He also does remote drum sessions for musicians around the world.

In this episode, we talk about what makes certain ‘90s bands timeless, the aesthetics of texture & imperfection, & what it would be like to drown in sound.

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On the Might of Princes, Hold on to a Time (Documentary)

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Chino Moreno, Baker's Dozen (The Quietus)

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Radiohead, "No Surpises" (Grant Gee)

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:42 // "The Particle Noise" (Spotlights)

03:38 // Deftones @ MSG

06:05 // Post-90s Longevity & Punk Roots

17:19 // "Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons" (Primitive Weapons)

18:12 // Joining Orange 9mm

21:35 // "Suspect" (O9mm)

22:58 // '90s 2.0

25:21 // HUM on MTV

27:38 // Hearing Electra 2000

32:50 // "Double Dip" Discussion

01:04:15 // Upcoming Shows

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