Episode Overview In this episode, JimmyJames & Just Jim sit down with The Flashing Astonishers, the long‑running Syracuse indie/post‑punk band whose history stretches from their 1995 formation, through an eight‑year hiatus, to a full reunion in 2010. Guitarists Dan Musclow and Gregg Yeti, bassist Chuck Gwynn, and drummer Tony Tornebene dive into their origins, influences, studio stories, and the strange lore that’s grown around their music.The conversation quickly turns into classic Astonishers chaos: overlapping stories, inside jokes, questionable memories, and unexpected detours into band mythology, songwriting oddities, and whatever the future might look like for them.

Band Background Formation: 1995Location: Syracuse, NYHiatus: Eight‑year break in the early 2000sReunion: 2010Related Project: Gregg Yeti & the Best Lights (2007)

Current Lineup • Gregg Yeti — Guitars• Dan Musclow — Guitars & Vocals• Chuck Gwynn — Bass• Tony Tornebene — Drums

Topics Covered

Early Days & Influences • What it was like going to school with Jim Anderson.• How each member first fell in love with making music — the albums, instruments, and first records that set them on their path.• The band’s formation in 1995 and the early chemistry that shaped their sound.• Sonic touchpoints: Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, Sugar, Pavement, Guided by Voices, and other bands that helped define their aesthetic.

Songwriting & Creative Process • A look at how tracks like “The Back Nine” (Forever Unprepared) and “The Star Off Machine” take shape.• How their process has shifted or stayed the same across decades.

Albums & Key Tracks • “Lip Balm” (Everything Is Going to Stop) — its unmistakable ’90s feel and the story behind the Morrissey nod.• “I’m Not One” — how its tight, punchy rhythm came together in the studio.• “Only Gone” — the reflective, melancholy‑bright moment on The Star Off Machine, and why a more fleshed‑out version appears on On Involuntary Bliss.• “Too Many Cigarettes” — whether it’s autobiographical or a character study, and how fans responded.• “Capsized” — why Allison Gates was brought in for vocals and what she added to the track.

Gregg Yeti’s GBV Connection • Gregg’s contribution to the Guided by Voices tribute compilation Sing for Your Meat (2011), covering “Quality of Armor,” and what it meant to appear alongside The Flaming Lips, Superdrag, and others.

Band Lore & Humor • Do cats really see ghosts?• Who is the King of Cans?• Who broke the stained glass — and why?• The mystery of the villainous Manchester Priests.

Live Shows & Activity • Touring history: regional vs. national.• Whether the Porches EP sparked the desire to play live again.

Genre Identity • If someone finds their record in a shop, should they look under indie rock, post‑punk, college rock, or “should have been huge”?

What’s Ahead • Upcoming releases, future shows, and where The Flashing Astonishers are heading.

Follow The Flashing Astonishers: • Website: https://bio.site/flashingastonishers • Bandcamp: https://theflashingastonishers.bandcamp.com/ • YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDxDXhiHelPdSWVLtUmUp_A • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflashingastonishers/

Follow Gregg Yeti: • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greggyeti

About Post‑punk Heartstrings Post‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality — following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

Episode Overview

In this episode, JimmyJames and “Just” Jim sit down with Greg Gordon and Cooper Gillespie of LANDROID, the high‑desert art‑rock trio rounded out by Nigel Roman, who was unable to join the interview.Greg and Cooper explore the band’s origins, their creative chemistry, the philosophical threads running through their work, and the stories behind the songs that define their latest album.

Topics Covered

Musical Beginnings – Greg and Cooper trace their earliestmusical memories and how their paths eventually converged.

High Desert Influence – How the stark beauty and isolationof the high desert shaped their sonic identity.

Early Albums & Pre‑LANDROID Bands – A look back at theprojects and bands they were in before forming LANDROID.

Songwriting Process – From initial sparks to fully layeredproductions — including Greg’s desire to write a 30‑minute track.

“The Beginning” – Why this track feels like stepping into analter‑ego for Cooper, and how Nigel’s contributions shaped the song.

“Yellow Sea” – Cooper discusses her fascination withmortality and the group reflects on near‑death experiences.

Gnosticism & Spiritual Curiosity – How learning aboutGnostic ideas influenced the album’s themes and a broader conversation aboutreligion.

Songs as Self‑Confession – Cooper chooses “Sometimes.” Gregchooses “The Ending,” inspired by a vivid dream.

Songs as Alter‑Ego – Cooper: “The Beginning.” Greg: “Say MyName.”

Quiet/Loud Dynamics & Pauses – How LANDROID usessilence, restraint, and sudden bursts of sound to create emotional tension.

Greg’s Love of Layering – Vocals, synths, textures — whystacking sounds is central to their identity.

Reproducing Music Live – The challenges and surprises oftranslating studio complexity to the stage.

Creative Conflict – Do they ever argue creatively? And whatthey do when a song simply isn’t working.

“Closing Doors” – The mood, the lyrics, and the emotionalweight behind the track.

“Autonomous” – Themes, textures, and how the song fits intothe album’s larger arc.

“Stay” – The choppy metal‑style guitar, Phil Collins‑inspireddrums, and how the track came together.

What’s Coming Up – Future plans, new music, and whatLANDROID is excited about next.

Featured Songs (Clips Included)

“So Say We All” – intro

“Lost in Transmission” – transition from intro

“The Beginning”

“Yellow Sea”

“Sometimes”

“The Ending”

“Say My Name”

“Closing Doors”

“Autonomous”

“Stay”

WHERE TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT LANDROID:

Official Band Website: https://www.landroidmusic.com/

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/landroid/1469591125

Bandcamp: https://landroid.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landroidmusic/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/landroidmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landroidmusic

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@landroidmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DIJjtbZhJdqXSVSFfBWyP?si=xkPGQDZGTcaeThyWeeX2wA&nd=1&dlsi=125b811b6db84926

 Connect with Post‑punk Heartstrings

Post‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who leadwith emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/⁠

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp⁠

Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

Episode Summary

After more than two decades away from releasing music, Craig Douglass Miller—frontman of the 90s Dallas band The Reach and now the creative force behind Blueburst—joins us for a deep, funny, and vulnerable conversation about rediscovery, mentorship, depression, and the long road back to making art.

Craig opens up about the years he spent convinced he was“done,” the advertising career that took over, the drinking that diverted him, and the quiet creative ember that never fully went out. He talks candidly about the emotional through‑line from The Reach to Blueburst and the longing thatshaped both eras.

And of course, we get into the pivotal role of MartyWillson‑Piper, whose guidance, friendship, and gentle pressure helped Craig rebuild confidence, finish songs, and step back into the musical life he thought he’d lost.

Key Topics

Craig’s 20‑plus‑year hiatus from releasing music

How COVID, stillness, and a guitar‑filled house cracked thedoor open

Mentorship, accountability, and the creative partnershipwith Marty Willson‑Piper

The emotional DNA connecting The Reach to Blueburst

Depression, confidence, and the fear of failure

The 90s Dallas scene, mailing cassettes to college radio,and the strange gap between industry interest and tiny crowds

Why echo pedals never stopped being cool

Writing personal lyrics vs. character‑driven songs (thatstill end up being personal)

Reflections on aging, contentment, and the themes behindSupernovaBlueburst — Official Links

Website: https://blueburst.band/Bandcamp: https://blueburst.bandcamp.com YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@blueburstmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueburstmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueburstmusic

Connect with Post‑punk Heartstrings

Post‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead withemotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kpSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

In this episode, we sit down with Gregg Yeti of The Flashing Astonishers for a wide-ranging, humorous, deeply human conversation about friendship, Syracuse music history, shoegaze influences, DIY culture, and the long, winding road of making art over decades.

Gregg shares stories from his early days hanging out in basements, the musical influence of Jim Anderson, discovering bands through mixtapes and 120 Minutes, forming The Flashing Astonishers in the mid-’90s, and navigating the chaos, creativity, and camaraderie that shaped the band. He also opens up about personal struggles, the band’s long hiatus, his prolific solo years, and the renewed energy behind their recent recordings.

Highlights:

• Growing up in Syracuse and discovering alternative music through friends, MTV, and mixtapes
• Early basement hangouts, Telecasters, and the seeds of songwriting
• The formation of The Mildreds and eventually The Flashing Astonishers
• Recording early demos in a bathroom and bringing them to Pyramid Studios
• Influences including Ride, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Pavement, Guided By Voices, and Teenage Fanclub
• Stories behind songs like Back Nine, Lip Balm, I’m Not One, and Only Gone
• Gregg’s solo years as Gregg Yeti & The Best Lights and Leopard Pony
• The band’s breakup, personal challenges, and eventual reunion
• The making of the Porches EP and a mountain of unreleased material
• The joy of physical media, DIY packaging, and planting creative seeds
• Future plans for new Flashing Astonishers music

Band Lineup:

Gregg Yeti — guitar, bass, vocals, songwritingDan Musclow — vocals, guitar, songwritingTony Tornabene — drumsChuck Quinn — bass

Songs & Artists Mentioned:
Back Nine, Lipbalm, I’m Not One, Only Gone, Capsized, plus references to The Cure, The Swirlies, and more.

Closing:
If you enjoy deep-dive conversations about alternative music, DIY culture, and the stories behind the songs, follow Post-punk Heartstrings for more interviews, album discussions, and musical archaeology.

Follow The Flashing Astonishers:
Website: https://bio.site/flashingastonishersBandcamp: https://theflashingastonishers.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDxDXhiHelPdSWVLtUmUp_A
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflashingastonishers/

Follow Gregg Yeti:
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greggyeti

Post-punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

In Episode 53 of Post-punk Heartstrings, we sit down with legendary drummer Aaron “A-Train” Smith, whose career spans alternative rock, new wave, and influential Christian music scenes from the 1980s onward.

Aaron shares stories from his time with The 77s, his work in the post-punk/new wave world with Romeo Void, andrecording sessions with artists like Rich Mullins, Charlie Peacock, Chris Taylor and Ojo Taylor. Along the way we talk about musical influences, Nashville sessions, and the unique intersection of alternative music and faith-based communities.

Aaron also reflects on his early musical upbringing, learning drums as a kid, and the winding path that led him fromNorth Carolina to Sacramento and eventually Nashville.

If you enjoy deep dives into alternative music history and behind-the-scenes musician stories, this is an episode youwon’t want to miss.

Episode Highlights

• Aaron’s early musical influences and learning drums in North Carolina
• Joining The 77s and the band’s creative peak in the late 80s and early 90s
• The famous drum solo in the live version of Mercy Mercy
• Playing with Vector, Romeo Void and The 77’s during the new wave era
• Recording and touring with Rich Mullins and the Ragamuffin Band
• Nashville session work with Charlie Peacock and Margaret Becker
• Recording stories and studio memories with Steve Scott
• Working on projects including recordings with Chris Taylor and more recently Ojo Taylor’s BEHOLD album

Songs Featured in This Episode

• Caught in an Unguarded Moment –The 77s
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2S6tJwZf8kzP0bQm7m4VqW

• Desperately – Vector
https://open.spotify.com/search/vector%20desperately

• Higher Ground – Chris Taylor
https://open.spotify.com/search/chris%20taylor%20higher%20ground

Artists & Projects Discussed

The 77s
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2S6tJwZf8kzP0bQm7m4VqW

Romeo Void
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3IbXhW2hYhI8M2YF3yJf9Y

Rich Mullins
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zZySmcFZ2zvR3yQY7dF9V

Charlie Peacock
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3y2YhKkK8QbP8S9Pq7Z3t3

Margaret Becker
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6qF2iV7R7E4kP9hGQeW0k0

Steve Scott
https://open.spotify.com/search/steve%20scott%20music

Post-punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality—followingthe deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/⁠

YouTube ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp⁠

Spotify ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ⁠

Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/.

🎵 Songs & Artists Featuredin This Episode

• A Girl in Trouble (Is a TemporaryThing) — Romeo Void
https://open.spotify.com/search/A%20Girl%20in%20Trouble%20Romeo%20Void

• Caught in an Unguarded Moment —The 77’s
https://open.spotify.com/search/Caught%20in%20an%20Unguarded%20Moment%2077s

• Higher Ground — Chris Taylor
https://open.spotify.com/search/Higher%20Ground%20Chris%20Taylor

• The Altars — Ojo Taylor
https://open.spotify.com/search/The%20Altars%20Ojo%20Taylor

• Mercy Mercy (Live) — The 77’s
https://open.spotify.com/search/Mercy%20Mercy%20Live%2077s

• Minor Characters — Steve Scott
https://youtu.be/zty_menBhBc?si=65FbRRslKjIgSvRl

• Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone — TheTemptations
https://open.spotify.com/search/Papa%20Was%20a%20Rollin%20Stone%20Temptations

• Sunshine — Ray Charles
https://open.spotify.com/search/Sunshine%20Ray%20Charles

• Desperately — Vector
https://youtu.be/F1oT8W5tY_I?si=oWi57SUjYj0WswQ2

• What Is the Mystery — SteveScott
https://youtu.be/elC06ATHkro?si=aUE3I2_HcjcyqAEC

In this episode of Post-punk Heartstrings, we sit down with Emmett and Daniel of The Swoon for a deep, candid conversation about their origins, their music, and the strange, beautiful path that led them from a town of 800 people to national stages and legendary studios.

We start at the very beginning — childhood friendships, next-door neighbors, and the formative experiences that shaped their creativity long before a band existed. From riding bikes at night and playing Dungeons & Dragons to discovering music through parents’ record collections and late-night video programs, Emmett and Daniel trace how imagination and curiosity fueled everything that followed.

The conversation explores:

• Growing up in Cottonwood, Minnesota, and how isolation sharpened creativity

• Family influence, especially poet parents and homes filled with literature and music

• Early musical experiments, homemade drum kits, and first rehearsals in basements, garages, attics, and church buildings

• Playing shows at youth groups, American Legion halls, and early festivals

• The awkward, chaotic reality of first gigs — and how perseverance slowly turned embarrassment into confidence

Pivotal moments include:

• Winning Battle of the Bands competitions at Falcon Heights, Sunshine Festival, and Cornerstone Festival

• The excitement — and disappointment — of a record deal that fell apart during negotiations

• How religious expectations and denominational differences unexpectedly derailed a label contract

• The turning point when Charlie Peacock stepped in, leading to sessions at Neverland Studios in California

Inside the Neverland Studios recordings:

• Charlie Peacock’s role as producer and creative guide

• The collaborative influence of Derri Daugherty (The Choir), including studio support and sonic shaping

• The realities of analog recording, limited time, and expensive tape

• Song selection, production decisions, and the band’s growing confidence in their artistic voice

We also discuss:

• The evolution of the band’s name, from Restricted Access to The Swoon

• The literary roots of the name, inspired by Emmett’s mother’s poetry

• Early influences including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Men at Work, and U2

• Comparisons to U2 and the band’s embrace of performance, commentary, and emotional intensity in live shows

Throughout the conversation, Emmett and Daniel reflect with humor, honesty, and humility — sharing not just the highlights, but the missteps, doubts, and near-misses that shaped The Swoon’s legacy.

This is a rich, heartfelt episode about friendship, faith, creativity, and what it means to keep making art even when the path forward isn’t clear.

Follow The Swoon

• Website: https://theswoon.band/

• SWOONTube: https://theswoon.band/video/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOJ2i66WETgYaSQDFSc5Khw/videos

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theswoonband

• Remember The Swoon (Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/2412843425690573

Follow Jeffrey Kotthoff (Lo-Fidelity)

• Facebook
  https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.kotthoff

• Bandcamp (Lo-Fidelity Records)
  https://lo-fidelityrecords.bandcamp.com/

Related video

• Austin Dacey – What I Did on My Summer Vacation
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8ZBNmBQTQo&list=RDv8ZBNmBQTQo&start_radio=1

Follow Post-punk Heartstrings

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/

In this episode of Post-punk Heartstrings, we sit down with Ronnie Martin—the visionary songwriter and producer behind Joy Electric and Dance House Children.

Ronnie reflects on a lifetime of chasing songs rather than trends, committing to pure analog synthesis, and staying faithful to a sound long after it stopped being fashionable. We talk about songwriting over technology, isolation versus influence, and the idea of pursuing a perfect song—one that may never fully be written.

A recurring touchstone throughout the conversation is The Sun Always Shines on TV by A-ha—a song that represents longing, restraint, and emotional clarity, and one that continues to inspire Ronnie’s creative pursuit.

This episode explores:

• Growing up surrounded by music, from crooners to classic rock to early alternative

• The origins of Dance House Children and the Blonde Vinyl era

• Building Joy Electric around pure analog synths

• The importance of not quitting, even without validation

• Why feeling always matters more than perfection

Joy Electric – Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/search/Joy%20Electric

Dance House Children – Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/search/Dance%20House%20Children

“The Sun Always Shines on TV” – A-ha
https://open.spotify.com/search/The%20Sun%20Always%20Shines%20on%20TV

Post-punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/

The Julies join Post-punk Heartstrings to reflect on their history, influences, and enduring impact. The conversation begins with a mention of The Holy Hour, the All-Cure podcast they recently appeared on, before diving into how each member discovered music.

Chris recalls exploring his parents’ record collection—The Beatles, The Monkees, Dylan—and discovering Run DMC, Erasure, New Order, The Cure, and The Smiths. Patrick shares how a “good weird uncle” introduced him to The Cure and The Police, opening the door to The Clash and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Before The Julies, Chris ran sound for their precursor band, Garden Party. From there, The Julies formed, developing a sound shaped by shared influences, experimentation, and evolving tastes. They discuss The Church as an influence and soccer as an unexpected point of connection.

The band recalls playing in the Philadelphia scene, crossing paths with bands like The Ocean Blue, and early live favorites like “Wake Up Christine” and “Wish”. They reminisce about creating their first self-made cassette, Discovery, and reflect on growing up in fundamentalist homes.

Landing on Flying Tart Records allowed them a better creative fit than larger labels. Recording the January EP was formative, with Patrick excited by the studio experience. Working with Bill Campbell of The Throes captured their live energy—“Friday and Faithless” is highlighted as a standout. The feedback at the start of “Wake Up Christine” was a happy accident.

The discussion moves to The Lost Mixes, with Dave Barbe of Sugar producing two tracks for a rawer sound. They then dive into the Lovelife EP, noting its unusual post-breakup release and enduring fan resonance, with stories of nationwide fans sharing its impact at the Always & Always release party.

After the breakup, some members continued as Riviera, while Patrick relocated to Philadelphia and played with other bands. The Lost in Ohio reissue of Lovelife helped inspire new music as The Julies.

They discuss recording Always & Always with producer Kyle Pulley at Headroom Studios, including its artwork and thematic ties to New Order’s Power, Corruption & Lies. Patrick jokes that if Heaven exists, it should have a dance floor—communal joy over streets of gold.

Songs from Always & Always are explored:

• “Black Metal” — a B-side born from file-trading; Chris highlights the “black metal lyric sheet” line

• “The Weight of Your Hand” — guitar tones and textures

• “Symmetry” — imperfection, beauty, and emotional imbalance

• “Angels of the Underground” — a tribute to formative artists

• “Summermouth” — the song that moved the band as listeners as much as creators, guided by Alex’s musical leadership

Their upcoming album (planned for February 2026) is intentionally sequenced as “a book”. Live shows remain uncertain, though fan interest is high, and Patrick’s project Tugboats gets a brief nod.

The episode closes by revisiting the mystique of The Julies—the emotional weight and enduring impact of their music remain as strong as ever.

Original members:Chris Newkirk – vocalsJohn Bada – bassGreg Hohman – drumsPatrick Zbyszewski – guitar

Current members:Chris Newkirk – vocalsPatrick Zbyszewski – guitarAlex Yost – bass / multi-instrumentalist

👉 Follow The Julies

• Bandcamp: ⁠https://thejulies.bandcamp.com/music⁠• Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/39TjpeRcKdR13572B3XHPm?si=omC1VfleRzGgLPaDmaeq1A⁠• Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/thejuliesofficial/⁠• Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejuliesofficial/?hl=en⁠👉 Follow Post-punk Heartstrings

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ?si=584433f19b9448b8• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/

**✨ Episode 049 — John Easdale of Dramarama

From Looney Tunez to Color TV**

🎙️ Guest: John Easdale
🎧 Band: Dramarama
📅 Episode: 049
🔥 Topic: Four decades of songwriting, survival, and the unexpected rise of “Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You)”

In this episode, I sit down with John Easdale, singer and songwriter of Dramarama, for an in-depth conversation covering the band’s origins in New Jersey, their underground rise, their accidental Los Angeles breakthrough, and the creative cycles that have kept their music vital for 40 years.

We explore his earliest inspirations, their first recordings at Looney Tunez Records, the legendary impact of “Anything, Anything,” the band’s breakup and rebirth, and John’s evolving relationship with success, creativity, and longevity.

0:00 – 2:43
🤘 Fan moments & the long-term consistency of Dramarama’s sound

2:43 – 8:13
🎵 Early musical beginnings — first 45 purchased, Beatles years, drums, prog rock → Bowie → Sex Pistols → punk

8:13 – 16:00
📼 Looney Tunez Records basement days
• Early 7” with “You Drive Me,” “A Fine Example,” and a cover of “Femme Fatale”
• Why they chose a Velvet Underground song to gain recognition
🎧 Clip: “Femme Fatale”

16:00 – 21:54
🎛️ The Comedy EP → Cinema Verite
How a French DJ helped launch the band internationally

21:54 – 29:09
📻 Rodney Bingenheimer discovers the band on KROQ; thought they were French
• The rise of “Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You)”

29:09 – 32:34
🎸 The twin lead guitar dynamic
• Peter = “tasty, cleaner”
• Mark = “wild, crazy”

32:34 – 37:50
💿 Standout tracks on Cinema Verite
• Why Box Office Bomb & Wonderamaland weren’t widely available
• Last Cigarette
• Reissue after Nightmare on Elm Street 4

37:50 – 41:37
🏷️ Chameleon Records & the making of Hi-Fi Sci-Fi

41:37 – 48:32
⚡ The ’90s, grunge, and the rise of “alternative”
• The Vinyl album
• Song: “Train Going Backwards”

48:32 – 54:17
🥁 Clem Burke (Blondie) joins for the Vinyl tour
• “Introduction/Hey Betty”

54:17 – 58:55
🎤 “Work for Food”

58:55 – 1:05:39
🌅 Life after the band’s breakup

1:05:39 – 1:12:00
💼 The music business, solo work
• Roller Skating on Rattlesnakes
• The Bent Backed Tulips (Eggbert Records)

1:12:00 – 1:19:00
📺 Bands Reunited experience

1:19:00 – 1:21:00
💔 Everybody Dies (2005)
• Written as a second solo album for Greg Dwinnell (eggBERT)
• Released on 33rd Street Records

1:21:00 – 1:23:38
🌐 Early-internet anecdote: people arguing Dramarama was a “made-up band”

1:23:38 – 1:28:30
📀 Color TV (2020) and releasing it during COVID

1:28:30 – 1:30:36
🎤 Ending the album with a Heatmiser/Elliott Smith cover: “Half Right”
• Talk of Elliott Smith and Scott Miller

1:30:36 – 1:34:39
💔 “The Bottle and the Bell” from Everybody Dies
• “I was God and thought I knew better”

1:35:00 – 1:39:00
🎫 Memorable fan moments, concerts, VH1 Bands Reunited, first California shows

1:39:00 – 1:43:00
🌟 How John’s definition of success has changed over time

1:43:00 – end
🙏 Wrap-up & thanks

🌐 Website: https://www.dramarama.us/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramaramaofficial/
👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramarama/
🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DramaramaBand
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dramaramaofficial

🎧 Spotify Artist Page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5bYy43LckWm8MLy1zNhEWH

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🎙️ Post-Punk Heartstrings — Episode 048
🎬 US Kids: An Alternative Music Rebellion
📍 Host: JimmyJames S. Butler
📍 First Mate / Co-Host: Jim Anderson
🎤 Guests: John Smeby & Todd A. Zeller

🌐 Us Kids Website: https://www.uskidsrockumentary.com/
📘 Us Kids on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UsKidsAnAlternativeMusicRebellion
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uskidsrockumentary/
Todd Zeller Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddazeller/
John Smeby Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_smeby/

⭐ Episode Summary
Filmmakers John Smeby and Todd A. Zeller join host JimmyJames S. Butler and first mate Jim Anderson to explore the creation of US Kids: An Alternative Music Rebellion, a documentary celebrating the explosive creativity of the Christian alternative and post-punk underground and the stories of the musicians who built it.
They discuss their musical origins, radio roots, the emotional weight of interviewing beloved artists, the massive archival mission behind the film, and much more.

🔍 Episode Highlights
• 🎧 Early music memories & first albums
• 🎹 John launching Reality Rock (1982)
• 🎥 Todd’s videography path & Gene Eugene tribute connection
• 🤝 How John & Todd teamed up to create the film
• 🗃️ Behind-the-scenes digitization & archival rescue work
• 💿 The US Kids double-vinyl soundtrack
• 🕊️ Emotional interviews with legendary artists
• 🚧 Production challenges, surprises & breakthroughs
• 🤯 Artists they wanted but couldn’t secure
• ❤️ Why the documentary feels like a “family reunion”
• 🔄 How the filmmaking process reshaped their perspective

🎵 Music Featured in This Episode
🎶 “In Our Valley” — The Sea Hymnal
🎶 “God Rules” — Undercover
🎶 “River on Fire” — Greg Lawless
🎶 “Heart Lost in Nowhere” — The Altar Boys
🎶 “Desperately” — Vector
🎶 “I Want to See Heaven” — Mad At the World
🎶 “Sanctuary” — Daniel Amos
🎶 “Under Lock & Chain” — Ric Alba

📚 Other Topics & Stories
• 🌱 Childhood musical beginnings
• 🕍 Discovering Christian alternative culture
• 🎤 Live show memories: Petra, Servant, Undercover
• 🤘 KISS pajamas, trading cards & early fandom
• 📼 Building the US Kids digital archive
• 🧡 Reconnecting musicians after decades
• 🎨 Crafting the artwork, editing style & tone
• 📝 Encouraging feedback from Sam Phillips
• 📀 Soundtrack curation with Jason Dean (Reality Rock)
• ⚙️ Technical challenges behind the film’s creation

🙏 Special Thanks
Appreciation to the GoFundMe supporters and friends of the project:
Michael Pritzl • Jason Dean • Rob Birks • Robert Reynolds • Dan Michaels • “Spun Counter Guy” • And many more.

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