The Scene was Dead Anyway

This is episode number 23 and on the podcast today I’m joined by Chris  Richards of Q and Not U!!  

From the official Dischord Records biography page:  

"John Davis, Harris Klahr and Chris Richards, formed Q And Not U in the  summer of 1998 (along with former member Matt Borlik) and began playing  out in November of that year. The band's first release, the "Hot and  Informed" single, came out in April 2000 followed by the band's debut  full-length, "No Kill No Beep Beep," released in October of 2000. After  much touring in support of their album the band parted ways with Borlik  and continued as a three piece, releasing the single, "On Play  Patterns," in April of 2002 and their second full-length, "Different  Damage," in the fall of that same year. Q And Not U toured extensively,  in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Japan, with friends like Black Eyes, El  Guapo (Supersystem), Antelope, Erase Eratta, Ted Leo/ Pharmacists, and  many more. The band released their final album, "Power," in October 2004  and parted ways one year later. Chris Richards released a solo album  under the name Ris Paul Ric in 2006. He currently lives in Maryland and  is the pop music critic at The Washington Post."

Dan Brookes is the lead vocalist and frontman for arguably the UK’s best modern day post-punk band – Total Victory. They sight influences such as The Fall, Sleaford Mods, and Dischord Records American post-hardcore punk band ‘Hoover’.

Formed around 14 years ago – they have released three studio albums – The Pyramid of Privilege, National Service, and English Martyrs.

Thumbnail photo courtesy of Rémi Goulet (insta: @el_alem).

This is episode #21 and today on the podcast is the incredible drumming genius Neil Turpin. Known mostly for his band - Bilge Pump - a three piece underground DIY rock band from Leeds. He's played drums for nearly four decades and has also appeared behind the kit in other bands like Solanki, Quack Quack, Polaris and Felix.

On the show today - underground DIY music stalwart - Chris Summerlin of Hey Colossus and formerly/currently Reynolds, Wolves of Greece, Lords, Last of the real Hardmen, Felix, Kogumaza, Grey Hairs, Haress, and Dusty Bible!!

We talk about HC's latest album Dances/Curses, U.S. Maple's interesting live performances, Deerhunter's epic soundchecks, and three records that changed his life! Plus everything in between!!

Kalum Winters runs a record label and promotion based out of Manchester, UK called - Do Your Best. 

In this episode we talk about recent releases on his label, DIY ethics and gigs, plus what's on the horizon for Do Your Best in terms of real live shows!  

This is episode #18 and today I have a very special guest on the show. His band has spanned over 20 years and released five studio albums through Rock Action Records, Play it Again Sam, and Monitor Records. Described by some as the “loudest rock band of all time”. He recently said in an interview with The Quietus “all drums are stupidly loud. So all bands, technically, should be really fucking loud. But, erm, they’re not. Maybe they’re not as loud as us. It’s all a big competition. It’s all a big fight. A noise fight”.   

On the show we talk about the new album ‘Drool’ which is due to be released on the 4th. June 2021 by Joe Thompson’s record label Wrong Speed Records. Described by Tim as “slobbering, dribbling stupidity and salaciousness”.   

Also – we talk about drumming, waking up in an Eddie Vedder shrine, handcuffs in a lampshade, and the amazing longevity of the band. Camaraderie? That’s the word.

''Sprinters is the brain-child of Manchester based songwriter Neil Jarvis. Originally hailing from Wigan, Jarvis has been releasing music under his own name since 2012 and is a regular fixture on the Manchester music scene. After years spent playing solo, he slowly started to recruit a backing band for live shows before settling with a permanent band and forming Sprinters in late 2015. These are Jarvis himself, Jon Hodson (bass), Mark Stevenson (drums) and Jason Hughes (guitar). Over the past two years, Sprinters have forged a reputation as one of the most thrilling live acts in the city, and have played support slots for high profile acts such as The Monochrome Set, Chastity Belt, Holy Wave and La Luz, as well as shows all over the UK under their own steam. In 2015 they released their debut single on Blak Hand Records which received critical acclaim from the likes of The Skinny, who described the single as possessing 'the sort of hazy, warm pared down cookery of Real Estate'.

'Sprinters' is the band's first studio effort, and was recorded (mostly) live in Wigan throughout 2016 with friend of the band, local engineer Ste Jones. Comprised of a selection of songs from Jarvis's solo albums and new material, the record proved to be a labour of love, taking just under 12 months to piece together. Sprinters have emerged triumphant with a pure departure record, heavy on hooks, melodic and lyrical interplay, and a more clear and honed sound than their previous lo- fi recordings. Jarvis cites some of his major influences for the process as: The Replacements, Pavement, Neil Young, Ariel Pink and The Velvet Underground.'' – Iceacapades

This is the second part of the episode I recorded with Tom House. In  this episode we cover the rest of Charlottefield's discography - the Ice  Cream 7 inch, What Are Friends For, and Make it Easy on Yourself - and  everything in between!

Tom House is one of the founding members of Charlottefield –a four piece  alternative rock band born in 1999 and disbanded in 2008. Hailing from  various locations around Brighton, England – Charlottefield released  three studio albums and toured the UK and most of Western Europe.   

In the words of Fat Cat Records – “they shared stages with  contemporaries such as Headquarters, I'm Being Good, Cat On Form and  Paper Cut-Out as well as with some bigger names who threw the odd bone  (British Seapower, The Go! Team), labelmates the Animal Collective and  international luminaries such as Battles (USA), Noxact (Norway), Circle  (Finland) and Picore (Spain).”

Tom House is one of the founding members of Charlottefield – a four piece alternative rock band born in 1999 and disbanded in 2008. Hailing from various locations around Brighton, England – Charlottefield released three studio albums and toured the UK and most of Western Europe.   

In the words of Fat Cat Records – “they shared stages with contemporaries such as Headquarters, I'm Being Good, Cat On Form and Paper Cut-Out as well as with some bigger names who threw the odd bone (British Seapower, The Go! Team), labelmates the Animal Collective and international luminaries such as Battles (USA), Noxact (Norway), Circle (Finland) and Picore (Spain).”

"Here at MUKA we want to give visibility to all underground and DIY creatives in Manchester, from painters to writers, and musicians to shop keepers.  We will do this by celebrating and documenting the work they do, where  they do and why they do it. Through articles, podcasts, playlists, radio  shows and collaboration we will showcase what Manchester’s subcultures have tooffer and provide it in an accessible format for all to enjoy."