Franz Stahl, guitarist of seminal hardcore band Scream, helped shape the band's journey from its inception in 1979. Alongside drummer Kent Stacks(AKA Kent Stax), bassist Skeeter Enoch Thompson, and his brother Pete Stahl, Franz attended school in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, where they discovered the punk and new wave scene of Washington, D.C.  Influenced by the Bad Brains like many other DC punk bands, Scream's fusion of punk with rock and roll set them apart. Their collaboration with Ian MacKaye and Eddie Janney led to the recording of Dischord's first full-length album, Still Screaming, in 1982. Over the years, they experienced lineup changes, with Franz's friend Harley Davidson joining on second guitar, and eventually, a local drummer named Dave Grohl. Scream's legacy endures, with their latest album, DC Special, set to release in November of 2023 on Dischord Records.

Denton, Texas native Rick Eye is a guitarist involved in several bands, including Bitch Teeth, Gay Cum Daddies, Flesh Narc (his main band), and Vomitatrix, with whom he is currently on tour in Europe with bandmates Tim, Weasel Walter, and Gyna Bootleg.

Early in his career, Rick faced a crucial decision: whether to relocate to a cultural hub like New York or to cultivate a cultural scene in Denton. Fortunately for Denton, he chose the latter path. Rick began establishing connections with artists he admired and started bringing them to his town. As a result, Denton has evolved into a thriving center of cool.

Presently, Rick is responsible for booking events at the beloved Rubber Gloves club in Denton, a venue that Tim considers the coolest music club in the United States.

Lydia and Tim are currently on their respective tours, with Tim currently in France alongside Vomitatrix, while Lydia is touring the Southwest with Kevin Shea. This week's episode features a live recording of a spoken word show that took place in Albuquerque last week. The show kicks off with an opening performance by Jessica Helen Lopez, a nationally recognized and award-winning slam poet who proudly holds the title of 2012 and 2014 Women of the World City of Albuquerque Champion. Following Jessica, the show continues with captivating poems and performances by Julia Storch, Maria Aaron Jones, Katie Farman, Rhiannon Frazier, Diane Delgado, and several more talented poets. A complete list of names will be provided soon, as some names were challenging to discern from the audio recording.

Friend of the podcast, musician, and artist Rick Froberg, who fronted Drive Like Jehu and many noted bands, sadly died on June 30th of this year. We have wanted for the last couple of months to do something to remember him, so in his memory, we are replaying his episode. Rick was as talented as he was kind, and he will be assuredly missed.

Abby Travis boasts a prolific career that spans back to the early 1990s, encompassing both significant contributions to music as a touring artist and a sought-after session player. Her diverse musical journey has seen her collaborating with artists such as The Go-Go’s, Cher, Beck, Elastica, KMFDM, Eagles of Death Metal, and Masters of Reality. Other highlights include a performance at the 2017 Women's March in downtown L.A., where she shared the stage with U2's The Edge, Juliette Lewis, and Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk.

Abby has released several solo albums, including The Abby Travis Foundation in 1997, Cutthroat Standards and Black Pop in 2000, Glitter Mouth in 2006, and IV in 2012. She currently resides in Upstate New York and is working on music with her band Sumo Princess.

For the past 30 years, Matt Shapiro's mission has been to embrace the "dark, weird, extreme, and wrong." As the former co-owner of Elbo Room and a beloved promoter within the Bay Area, he's indelibly marked San Francisco and Oakland's music scenes. Notably, he facilitated the transition of Elbo Room's Oakland location to new ownership, safeguarding its ongoing musical legacy. As he prepares for his upcoming move to Leipzig, Germany, Shapiro's lasting influence on the Bay Area's music landscape remains palpable.

Dubbed the "Godfather of Punk Rock Comedy" by Chicago Now, JT Habersaat's one-hour special Swamp Beast, snagged the top spot on the comedy charts.  He has also had appearances on Comedy Central, roles in Troma Films including Toxic Avenger 4, and a touring roster featuring icons like Eddie Pepitone and Doug Stanhope, as well as being the driving force behind Austin's Altercation Comedy Festival. Currently, he's channeling his creativity into his third book, an oral history of stand-up comedy.

Aaron Dilloway, a prominent figure in the American experimental/noise scene, has long been celebrated for his innovative use of rhythmic loops, found sounds, and vocal improvisations, often employing contact microphones for distorted effects, His performances balance dark energies with playful absurdity. Aaron is a co-founder of the Michigan noise outfit Wolf Eyes,  and collaborator with a host of notable artists, he has left an indelible mark on the genre. He is also the owner Hanson Records in Oberlin Ohio. In October, Aaron will be performing at the Fridman Gallery in New York.

This week's guest on the podcast is Donita Sparks, a very talented musician, songwriter, and close friend of Lydia. She is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the legendary all-female rock band L7. With her unmistakable voice and fierce guitar skills, Donita has been a driving force in the rock scene for decades. Her dedication to social and environmental issues shines through in L7's upcoming single and video, Cooler than Mars, scheduled for release on September 12th. The song passionately urges humanity to prioritize the present and focus on urgent matters rather than becoming fixated solely on the allure of future life on Mars and space exploration. Beyond her work with L7, Donita collaborates with Lydia and other musicians in contributing to the Marianne Faithfull charity record. L7's momentum remains strong, with an extensive tour across the United States in September, followed by shows in South America throughout October and November, concluding in Australia in December. With shows selling out rapidly across all markets, Donita and L7 continue to leave an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond.

This week's episode deviates from the traditional Lydian Spin mold as there will be no intro or interview. Instead, join Lydia on tour with Tim and Matt Nelson in the spoken word outfit Murderous...Again. And if they didn't come to a town near you, don't worry because today's episode features a live recording of their show last week in Palo Alto. Immerse yourself in the evocative atmosphere of Murderous...Again. Lydia provides the spoken word accompanied by Tim on bass and Matt on saxophone, bringing the experience right to you, as if you were in the audience.