The MC Lars Podcast

An interview with Neil Olstad (one half of the legendary Twin Cities childrens’ band Koo Koo Kanga Roo)!  I caught up with Neil while we were both on tour in the UK to talk basketball, theme parks and music.  We discuss about the similarities between a curated day at Disneyland and coming to see a Koo show, and tips and tricks on how touring bands can help rescue bad shows (which never happens to Koo or me).  We also talk about the podcast medium and Neil’s two shows, both on Minneapolis’s professional basketball teams ("Lynx Dynasty" and "Wolvescast").  A great interview with a brilliant dude.

Special Guest: Neil Olstad.

This week on the MC Lars Podcast, pop culture journalist Chris Gates and I talk about our years growing up together on the Monterey Peninsula, our first band together (Horris, for which he played bass) and how being English majors helped us both in our careers as freelance content creators. We also talk about his years as a writer for MAD Magazine, Gates’s perspective on the current classification of video games as an “art “and his foray into the world of indie comics publishing. An amazing conversation with a brilliant dude. Thanks Chris!

Special Guest: Chris Gates.

An interview with my original bassist, Rob Piccininni Jr., who toured with me extensively during the "Graduate" era of 2006 - 2009. We talk about the first UK tours, his new band Red Hymns, and the current state of punk rock. Representing the New Jersey music scene to the fullest, Rob will always be one of my favorite people, and it was awesome to catch up with him. Are NOFX still great? We find out in this episode! Thanks Rob!

Special Guest: Rob Piccininni Jr..

Rodney Anonymous and I connected when he e-mailed me after I gave him a shout out in a 2011 interview. Since then, we became good friends, performing together and recording a verison of "Mr. Raven" for the "the Edgar All Poe EP". We talk about tour stories, the loss of his friend Dave Blood, his favorite gothic and industrial bands and his solo and side projects. Not only is Rodney a fantastic storyteller, he is energetic and hilarious. A very cool second episode to conclude my Dead Milkmen series.

Special Guest: Rodney Anonymous.

This week, I sit down with Joe Jack Talcum, of legendary Philadelphia punk band the Dead Milkmen. We talk about his life growing up in rural Pennsylvania, his solo careers, and the loss of his friend Dave Blood in 2004. We also talk about the benefits of touring solo v. a band, his new split on This & That Tapes, his creative process, and how the Dead Milkmen were more "post-punk" than "punk", in his recollection. We also talk about what it was like signing to an indie label distributed by a major label in the 80s, and how he wished the band had never made any music videos. A great conversation with a legendary dude.

Special Guest: Joe Jack Talcum.

An interview with YTCracker (Bryce Case Jr.), one of the pioneers of nerdcore. We talk about how he got in trouble with the law for hacking NASA, what it was like opening for MC Frontalot and mc chris, and Case's upcoming projects. We also share some of our political views, and realizing we agree on some topics, but disagree on others. "Digital Gangster LP II"? Quite possibly! We speculate on how we might catch the magic again. A great conversation with an awesome guy.

Special Guest: YTCracker.

This week, I catch up with my childhood friend Tim Thompson, director of videos by "Weird Al" Yankovic, Reel Big Fish and many of my music videos. We talk about our first band Amphoteric, growing up on the Monterey Peninsula, and a tragedy that brought us closer together. A creative and visionary friend, Tim Thompson is one of my favorite people! A very special episode.

An interview with Marin County teacher and musician Chris Peck in which we discus his upcoming Ancient Baby album and how his time as an undergrad at NYU helped strengthen his jazz chops. I grew up with Chris, as our fathers were college roommates and later both became lawyers, and we always spent time together. Ever since I was a kid, I've always looked up to Chris as an older brother, and have always been appreciative of the love and support he's shown me over the years in my own musical journey and beyond.

Special Guest: Chris Peck.

An interview with San Francisco mashup artist Chalie Kubal (a.k.a. wait what) about his musical projects, his forays into the tech industry, and the time he created a meme that became a handbag. A very interesting conversation with a very intelligent guy who has used his education to further himself as an artist, create some cool projects, and forge a very unique path for himself. Thanks for being on the podcast, Charlie!

Special Guest: wait what.

Parry Gripp and I talk about his early years, his love of RUSH, what it was like touring with Weezer while they supported "Pinkerton" and how he created the "nerdcore" musical subgenre in the mid-90s. We also talk about how winning an Emmy for his song “I’m Not Very Nice" from the Disney show "The 7D" both changed and did not change his life. He explains why Nerf Herder stopped touring as much as they did in the 90s, but talks about their upcoming album. We also brainstorm on a future Parry Gripp / MC Lars collab. Oh shoot! Awesome episode!

Special Guest: Parry Gripp.