Public Record

This time on the Spindle, Marc and John delve into the concept of "bubblegum" pop via 1910 Fruitgum Company's "1,2, 3 Red Light" b/w "Sticky, Sticky", a single so good that it's been covered many times: listen in for versions by Talking Heads, Pooh Sticks, and Apache Dropout. 

Is a CD revival underway? This week on Click Vortex, Sam and Jason weigh in on the humble compact disc, discussing its merits, drawbacks, packaging and more. Learn about how Sam brought creative energy to The Format's packaging, watch some vintage news clips, and find out if CDs really are more durable than records.

As 2023 winds to a close, Marc and John take a look back at the first year and half of the Spindle, each choosing their 10 favorite 7-inches from what's been covered so far, plus a few favorite episodes too. From freak out jazz edits to New Zealand rock, experimental rock to classic R&B, there's a little something for everyone here. 

If you're new to the Spindle, here's a great way to get a glimpse at everything we've talked about, and why a lot of it is super great! See you in 2024. 

This week, your Click Duo Sam Means and Jason Woodbury wander into the frosty wonderland with special guests Anita Means and DJ Johnny Volume.

Exploring both Anita and Johnny's yuletide playlists, they riff on classics from Phil Spector's immortal Christmas comp, JD McPherson's rockabilly cheer, Vince Guaraldi, CJ Ramone, various Beatles, Adam Sandler's Hanukkah anthem, Christmas classics from departed artists like Shane McGowan, Sinead O'Connor, George Winston, Robbie Robertson, and much, much more.

Listen deeper with these Spotify playlists: 

Anita's favorite holiday tunez
Merry Compilationmas 

Listen to Sam's "Christmas All Over Again" cover. 

This week on WASTOIDS With, we’re hanging with Marc Masters. You know him best for his work with NPR, Bandcamp, Pitchfork, and of course his biweekly WASTOIDS show with John Howard, The Spindle, where each episode focuses on a different 7” record. 

This talk concerns Marc’s latest book, High Bias: The Distorted History of the Cassette. Marc was interviewed by Jason P. Woodbury in front of a live audience at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe on November 30th, 2023. It was a dreary, rainy night, but the talk was as cozy as it gets. We hope you enjoy this conversation: head over to WASTOIDS dot com if you want to watch a video presentation of it and get more info on Marc’s great book, plus see some favorite cassettes from his collection. 

Thanks to our friends at Changing Hands and everyone who came out for this special event. Got an idea for a WASTOIDS event? Why don’t you give us a ring and let us know what you think: 1-877-WASTOIDS.

LA's Germs were the stars of The Decline of Western Civilization, with front man Darby Crash frothing out his lyrics atop a sloppy punk stomp fueled by guitarist (and future Nirvana/Foo Fighters member) Pat Smear. John and Marc delve into their first 7-inch, 1977's "Forming" b/w "Sex Boy" (the latter recorded on the set of Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke, for real) with the help of guest Joe Gross, supreme rock writer and author of Fugazi's In on the Kill Taker from Bloomsbury's 33.3 series. Dig in!

Sam and Jason dive headlong into the world of banned music on this week's all-new Click Vortex. Joined by the clickhead live chat who weigh in with jokes, takes, and occasional fact checks, they "Rumble" with Link Wray, whose music managed to get outlawed even though it was instrumental, and dive into the confusing state of post 9-11 radio, the FBI's investigation into "Louie Louie," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," Rage Against the Machine, and the strange history of Soviet "bone records." 

On this new episode of the Spindle, John digs up a 7-inch he heard once in 5th grade, Bro Smith's bizarrely goofy "Bigfoot" b/w "Splish Splash," inspiring us to delve into the weird, awesome world of pop-chart novelty hits. Scary stuff!

Juliana Hatfield joins us today on WASTOIDS With, where we link up with artists to discuss what makes them tick. Coming out of the Boston music scene of the ‘90s Hatfield played in groups like Blake Babies and The Lemonheads. Her voice is a marvel—which has made it especially interesting to check out her recent records, which find her interpreting classic songs from Olivia Newton John, The Police, and now, ELO. 

Released on November 17th, Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO showcases songs like “Showdown,” “Can’t Get It Out of My Head,” “Secret Messages” and more. Like her other covers records, Hatfield maintains a reverence for these songs, but makes them feel like her own. It’s all part of the “Strange Magic” that goes into creating a great cover. Hatfield tells us more, and shares why she's kept her landline, on this episode of WASTOIDS With. 

More than 60 years since bounding out of Liverpool and into the hearts of the world, The Beatles maintain a grip on pop culture that's unmatched by any band.

This week on Click Vortex, Sam and Jason welcome Mary Papenhausen of Zia Records into the studio at 850 Lincoln to discuss the Fab Four's "last" song, the machine-learning assisted "Now and Then," as well as the "Red" and "Blue" singles compilations. How do the new mixes hold up? How about the packaging? That really weird Peter Jackson video? On this Beatles-focused chat you'll hear it all, as well as more off the cuff hot takes, sidebars, and Beatles opinions.

Wanna watch Click Vortex while you listen? You can find visuals at our official YouTube channel.