#297 - Can - Ege Bamyasi

This week the boys return to the land of chocolate and krautrock as the NME’s Top 500 list serves them up a part of Can’s legendary run of albums. They extoll the virtues of abandoned theaters over abandoned castles, figure out who can play chess, and take a look at Chuck Berry’s ding a ling. All this, more, and a random roll that perhaps we had coming. Tune in!

For more info on Can and Ege Bamyasi don’t forget to check out the previous interview episode with resident Krautrock expert Kyle Reiss

Check out Kyle's Krautrock poster store for some amazing and unique merch

Helio catches up with friend of the podcast, Kyle Reiff, and gets his insights into Krautrock legends Can as well as some knowledge about the album that is next on the show, "Ege Bamyasi". They talk influences, unusual recording spaces, Damo Suzuki and pack a ton of knowledge into the episode.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Can and Krautrock

01:36 The Cologne Conservatory and Its Influence

05:18 Malcolm Mooney's Journey to Can

07:13 The Dynamics Within Can

10:31 Irmin Schmidt's Musical Background

12:57 Damo Suzuki Joins Can

19:01 Damo's Unique Performance Style

21:56 Can's Commercial Journey and Album Releases

25:14 Innerspace: Can's Recording Studio Experience

30:06 Innovative Recording Techniques in Music Production

33:26 The Reception and Impact of "Ege Bamyasi"

38:12 Technological Advances and Their Influence on Sound

42:14 The Evolution of Can and Their Musical Journey

48:28 Influences and Recommendations for Krautrock Fans

52:28 Personal Reflections on Can's Influence in Music

If you're gonna get the guys a christmas gift, consider contributing to funding Duane's project focusing on making a documentary about legendary Baltimore rock band, Crack The Sky!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1113034335/crack-the-sky-50th-anniversary-documentary-film

Helio and Breddy are given a chance to talk all things Prince with author Duane Tudahl about his incredible book "Prince and the Purple Rain Era Studio Sessions 1983 - 1984" in which he details the day in day out history of the making of Purple Rain, Princes touring life, Purple Rain the movie etc.

Featuring interview clips with Duane Tudahl, check out his kickstarter for his new documentary here

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1113034335/crack-the-sky-50th-anniversary-documentary-film

Dig if u will this episode, the long awaited return of the mainline episode where we discuss an album many have noted as a favorite and it’s companion movie: Purple Rain. We hear from one of the worlds most dedicated Prince researchers, ask if Prince is an alien with super powers, ask for The Time, and recount niche competitive fight game beef between Smash Brothers players and Street Fighter lovers.Can u my darling? Can u picture that?

IFP Pit Stop: Season in the abyss

The IFP boys set a demarcation line between season 1 and season 2 with an OOPS! All Segments pit stop. They power rank the albums, assign more NFL teams a vibes matching band, reminisce on the best and most confounding parts of season one, what’s a Graham sandwich? and….is that Taylor Swift!?!?

In this episode of the Indie 500 Podcast, Breddy & Helio sit down with John Stanier, drummer for Battles, to discuss their album ‘Mirrored’, ranked number 436 on NME’s top 500 albums of all time. Stanier talks about his experiences recording at Machines with Magnets studio, his initial reaction to joining Battles, and the band's creative evolution over the years. The conversation also veers into memorable anecdotes, including collaborations, their rapid ascent in the alternative music scene, and behind-the-scenes stories about their notable music videos.

In this episode of the Indie 500, Breddy & Helio sit down with Ian Williams, guitarist for the band Battles, to discuss their album "Mirrored" which lands at #436 on NME's top 500 albums of all-time list. We touch on a variety of topics including evolving technologies in music, when do you just KNOW you've found a good loop you want to use, the evolution of the band from guys with day jobs to putting together a landmark album, touring and the evolution of the band. Ian also shares with us a glimpse into the randomness of life with a hilarious anecdote involving a recording studio, Kid Rock, and an indoor hot tub.

#436 Battles - Mirrored

After more delays than you could shake a Line6 DL4 at, the long awaited episode on the 00’s classic "Mirrored" by Battles finally arrives with an incredible bonus: our own interviews with the band themselves, John Stanier and Ian Williams. Helio and Breddy quiz John and Ian on topics like signing with Warp records as a group with a real drummer,

how do you know when a loop is ready? how do you know when a loop is ready?

how do you know when a loop is ready? Oops we left our echoplex on! and what’s changed for the band since Mirrored. Keep an eye on this spot in the future for the full uncut versions of the interviews.

#116 The White Stripes - ElephantIt’s two on two ball (and biscuit) as Breddy and Helio take on a fellow duo we all knew would show up sooner or later: The White Stripes, and at the height of their powers with songs and riffs that resonated across the globe and catapulted them into stardom. The boys also begin a new long term project, recite monologues from Spielberg movies, and literally fiddle with guitar pedals. Also odd coincidences pile up, breaking the boys’ minds and driving them into the arms of Doop. Note: this episodes audio is best experienced over phonograph or dictaphone.

00:00 Welcome to the Indy 500 Podcas

t01:03 Introducing the Smarch Madness Tournament

04:33 Redemption Conference: Albums We Want Included

04:55 Shame Conference: Albums We Could Do Without

05:53 Brady's Picks for the Redemption Conference

16:40 Helio's Picks for the Redemption Conference

32:38 Listener Contributions and Call to Action

35:39 This Week's Album: The White Stripes' Elephant

52:17 Early Concert Experiences and Band Recommendations

53:56 The White Stripes' Breakthrough with 'White Blood Cells'

54:32 Iconic Music Videos and Their Impact

55:41 The Rock Revival Era

56:36 Exploring the Multiverse of Bad Lists

57:44 The Cure's 'Disintegration' and Its Legacy

01:02:08 Movie Spotlight: 'Catch Me If You Can'

01:07:09 Video Game Highlight: Gears of War II

01:12:13 Blues Legend: Blind Blake

01:15:32 Cultural Context and Coincidences

01:35:15 Band's Transitional Phase

01:35:47 Square Enix Merger and Final Fantasy

01:37:34 Political Climate: George W. Bush Era

01:39:11 White Stripes' Simplicity and Experimentation

01:41:31 Recording 'Elephant' at Toe Rag Studios

01:46:02 Jack White's Unique Equipment Choices

02:03:53 The Impact of 'Seven Nation Army'

02:10:12 The White Stripes' Final Days

02:14:10 Jack White's Post-White Stripes Ventures

02:28:21 Analyzing the Album's Riff and Beat

02:28:57 Band Dynamics and Support

02:29:16 Comparing Two-Person Bands

02:29:40 Track-by-Track Album Review

02:30:22 Discussing the Album's Poetry and Depth

02:30:55 Favorite Tracks and Riffs

02:36:28 The Influence of Grunge on Jack White

02:38:04 Blues Influence and Favorite Songs

02:38:52 Reflecting on 'Seven Nation Army'

02:40:00 Album's Final Track and Conclusion

02:42:45 Breaking News: Coachella 2026 Lineup

02:45:31 Detroit Pizza Recipe and Music Recommendations

02:47:14 Homework Albums and Live Album Discussion

03:03:42 Random Number Generator: Next Album

#317 Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel

Pull up to your porch or step into your parlor as an extra large, country-fried episode of The Indie 500 Podcast tells you how it all went down with Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, and the rest of the Ex-Byrds Extended Cinematic Universe. Will Breddy be fully lost to Alt-country? Will Helio find the yeehaw in his heart? Will a myriad of NFL week 1 references and segments cause a listener revolt? All these things and more, cowpokes. So hitch up and settle in.

00:00 Welcome to the Indy 500 Podcast League

02:00 NFL Teams as Bands: AFC West

29:35 Transition to Gram Parsons Discussion

30:50 The Life and Times of Gram Parsons

35:32 Early Life and Musical Beginnings

39:07 Tragedy and Musical Pursuits

43:05 Harvard and the International Submarine Band

52:16 Transition to Country Rock

53:32 Joining The Byrds

55:26 Sweetheart of the Rodeo

56:09 Clashes in Nashville

57:08 Power Struggles and Departure

01:02:37 Flying Burrito Brothers Formation

01:03:35 Gilded Palaces of Sin

01:06:13 Downfall of the Flying Burrito Brothers

01:11:02 Multiverse of Lists

01:31:34 Gram Parsons' Solo Career

01:39:05 Legendary Collaborations and Contributions

01:41:23 Emmylou Harris: The Key Partnership

01:43:14 Emmylou Harris' Early Career Struggles

01:48:37 Gram Parsons' Solo Career and Touring Band

01:56:41 Recording 'Grievous Angel' and Personal Struggles

02:00:47 The Tragic End and Unusual Funeral

02:09:06 Legacy and Influence of Gram Parsons

02:33:13 Discussing Standout Tracks

02:35:04 The History of 'Love Hurts'

02:36:38 Album Highlights and Session Musicians

02:39:01 Reflecting on Gram Parsons' Legacy

02:42:08 Exploring Other Music and Artists

02:46:34 Concluding Thoughts and Next Week's Album