The LIFERS Podcast

189. LIFERS - Road Report #19 or: How To Stop Worrying and Learn To Pronounce Lititz, PA. by The LIFERS Podcast

You’re listening to SONG IMPLODER — where musicians take apart their songs piece by piece and tell the story of how they were made. And then talk shit about those songs and make you embarrassed you asked about them in the first place. On this episode we conclude our examination of Local H’s 5th studio album: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? Released in April of 2004, the album marked a major stylistic departure and reevaluation for the band — paving the way for all that’s come in its wake. Now on the day of a remastered re-release, we join singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott Lucas, producer Andy Gerber, and master of his domain Gabe Rodriguez to look back on the writing, recording and reception of the album that Lucas and many of the band’s fans have come to see as their finest. I’m Ben Reiser.

You’re listening to SONG IMPLODER — where musicians take apart their songs piece by piece and tell the story of how they were made. And then talk shit about those songs and make you embarrassed you asked about them in the first place. On this episode we examine Local H’s 5th studio album: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? Released in April of 2004, the album marked a major stylistic departure and reevaluation for the band — paving the way for all that’s come in its wake. Now on the eve of a remastered re-release, we join singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott Lucas, producer Andy Gerber, and master of his domain Gabe Rodriguez to look back on the writing, recording and reception of the album that Lucas and many of the band’s fans have come to see as their finest. I’m Ben Reiser.

When people think of Electrical Audio Recording in Chicago they usually only think of the late, great Steve Albini. But the studio is (and has been) home to a distinguished troop of engineers and operators that continue to keep the venerable institution running — including our pal Greg Norman, who’s been doing the Lord’s work over at Electrical since he LITERALLY helped lay the foundation of the building before the studio opened its doors in 1997. On this episode we talk about sneaking into Shorty shows at Lounge Ax, Albini’s tighty whities, Adobe bricks, Alain Delon’s dog, The Jesus Lizard, The White Album, The U.K. Squeeze, broken Calrec Soundfield mics, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? recording production.

Like most lifers, Johnny Wator has no intention of going back. He’s not going back to a life of shit jobs, he’s not going back to being told what to do by assholes, and he’s definitely not going back to his hometown with his tail between his legs. But after 11 years of ups and downs on the road with his band The Last Vegas — those outcomes were starting to look very likely. So what’s a guy to do? You bet on yourself, of course. What else? Through grit and determination, Johnny is the one-man owner/operator of DAREDEVIL PEDALS — the coolest boutique guitar pedal company in Chicago. Anyway — on this episode we talk about Johnny’s band The Evictions, Green Day, the Crybaby Fuzz Wah, Slayer, Nirvana, going on tour with Motley Crue, screaming in a 3 piece, Phil Donahue, Atomic Cocked, and a WHAT’S THE BEST?!? featuring ‘80s hair metal jams.

This week: Ben is on the road again so we catch him at his hotel in Pennsylvania to talk Metallica weekend in Chicago, new seats for the Music Box, Stan Bush’s “You’ve Got The Touch”, the history of government cheese, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? “Seinfeld”.

Our ol’ buddy Dave Rockland comes to the show ready to play — which means he’s wearing his X-tra large Gabe Rodriguez “God’s Gift” Local H shirt. What does THAT mean? Find out on this week’s episode as we talk to Dave about spending over his half his life working at JAM Productions, living down the street from Gabe & Scott, litigious Local H shows, X-tra large Prince jerseys, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? from 1993.

If you were at all worried that famed Chicago rock critic, SOUND OPINIONS co-host, and prickly pear-par excellence Jim DeRogatis might be mellowing with age — fear not! We’re here to assure you that Jim is just as fearless and opinionated as ever. And it’s a delight. On this episode he talks about being transformed by Lester Bangs and The Velvet Underground, seeing The Feelies 100 times, 8 1/2 months of Rolling Stone, 22 years of R. Kelly, assholes at The Sun Times, Wire cover bands opening for Wire, getting the truth out of Genesis, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? drummers.

In these hopelessly divided times, is it possible to come together and talk about our differences while understanding and revelling in our commonalities? Uhhh… Nope. So instead we talk about tiny alligators, old jokes, vegans, keyboard warriors, and farting in the tub. Viva la diplomacy!!!

Let’s get political! This week we’ve got punk rock legend Vic Bondi on the show to scare the hell out of us and talk about the specter of fascism in America. Fun stuff! We also talk about Vic’s band Articles Of Faith, his other band Jones Very, Howard Zinn, Microsoft, KFC, The Clash, Chicago punk rock, John Haggerty, Reed Mullins, Husker Du, Redshift, and why living in Seattle sucks so bad.