The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s. Out of print for over 4 decades, SSD has only recently reissued their two masterpieces "The Kids Will Have Their Say" and "Get It Away" on vinyl. Today SSD founder Al Barile takes us through the making of those records.

Topic Include:

• Interview start
• The continued popularity of SS Decontrol music
• Al was a natural leader for the hardcore scene
• Naturally managing risk
• Jumping to an album – no singles for SSD
• 1900 units of “The Kids Will Have Their Say”
• Self-funding the album, selling the initial pressing
• Recording “The Kids Will Have Their Say”
• Was Al happy with the original recordings?
• Al doesn’t enjoy listening to “The Kids Will Have Their Say”
• Comparing Trust reissue with original Xclaim
• Issues getting the tapes back from a label
• Original pressing of “The Kids….” goes for > $1k
• Why were there no repressings before the recent Trust reissue
• CD issue of “Power”
• Has Al hung onto his records?
• White cover of “The Kids Will Have Their Say” designed by Bryan Ray Turcotte
• Original concept & artwork for “The Kids Will Have Their Say”
• The difference in recording “Get It Away”
• Was “Get It Away” always envisioned as an EP?
• The cover songs that SSD performed
• Original 4800 copies of “Get It Away”
• Running the X-Claim! label/imprint
• All X-Claim! bands ran their own vinyl pressings
• What is the source of the “Get It Away” reissue
• Will there be reissues of “How We Rock” and “Break it Up”
• Al’s health update
• Al wants everyone to get a colonoscopy
• The SSD book “How Much Art Can You Take?”
• Interview wrap up

Order "The Kids Will Have Their Say" and "Get It Away" on vinyl here.

Order the book "How Much Art Can You Take" here.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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The Saints made history with the record "(I'm) Stranded" in 1976 - nearly 50 years later founder/songwriter Ed Kuepper is revisiting the early Saints material with some old bandmates and new friends, including Mark Arm of Mudhoney. Today Ed and Mark discuss the impact and legacy of The Saints with an upcoming tour and 4LP Boxset.

Topic Include:

• How did Ed and Mark come to work together?
• How did Mark originally experience The Saints?
• Prehistoric Sounds didn’t make it to the US
• Did Sire get behind The Saints?
• Promo copies of “Eternally Yours” seem to be plentiful
• Choosing “(I’m) Stranded” and “No Time” for the Fatal Records single
• Recording session for “(I’m) Stranded” & “No Time”
• Was there a 2nd mix before making the Fatal records single?
• Master tapes and multitracks have been lost
• Were there test pressings of the Fatal Records single?
• Sending singles around the world, getting 1st reviews
• Getting telegrams from record labels across the world
• Rare contents of the upcoming Saints boxset
• Original mix of the “(I’m) Stranded” LP – test pressings and remix
• The album was recorded in the same studio as the single
• Potential for technology to separate the instruments of the “(I’m) Stranded” single
• EMI’s response to the updated album mix
• Mark’s feeling good about upcoming tour
• The Saints Paddington Town Hall show recording
• Playful rivalry with Radio Birdman
• Ed and Chris Bailey were on good terms and jointly planning the boxset and reissues
• Present day contact with Kym Bradshaw
• Any discussion of Saints shows beyond the Australian dates?
• Will Mark be singing only or possible guitar as well?
• Hard-Ons version of “Know Your Product”
• The additional photography in the Saints boxset
• The original name of the album was “Erotic Neurotics” with a different cover
• Memories of the photo of The Saints and Nick Cave from Melbourne
• The status of the album cover location and artwork
• Interview wrap-up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Jeff & Steven McDonald formed Redd Kross at a pivotal time in the LA music scene, playing their 1st gigs in their early teens and were mentored by Black Flag. Their influences are vast and their appreciation for musical artistry runs deep.

Redd Kross is back with a new double album - "The Redd Album" - and we talk to the brothers about some of the music and memories that brought them to this moment.

Topic Include:

• The Redd Album – lots of “red” components
• Memories with meeting Beatles
• Jeff wants to meet Bob Dylan
• Steven’s story with George Harrison
• Impressions and moments within the Zappa Universe
• Memories of collecting records in their youth
• Jeff enjoyed finding strange/new music
• Finding music and sharing with others
• Perspectives on Jazz
• Runaways & Ramones were their entry point to punk
• Other young teenagers in the early punk scene
• Police brutality at early punk shows
• Memories of the Polliwog Park show with Black Flag
• Getting Raymond Pettibone artwork for the “Born Innocent” album
• Was Redd Kross ever approached to be on SST or New Alliance?
• Experiencing their music for the 1st time on vinyl
• The early Posh Boy “Red Cross” EP pressings
• The role that flyering played in early career
• Responses to “The Decline of Western Civilization Part II”
• Rare Redd Kross/White Flag single – 100 made
• “Teen Babes from Monsanto” – The Version Especial
• Gasatanka Records label and logo
• Redd Kross master tapes
• Wanting to remix Neurotica
• Modern remixes of classic records
• Creating the “forever” mixes, continuously improving Beatles
• The “Peter Jackson” version of “Raw Power”
• Creating the Redd Album
• Debating and arguing about song sequencing
• Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Guitarist and music-gear mega-collector Joe Bonamassa joins us to talk about his new record label, collecting gear, his appreciation and approach to the art of vinyl records, his new LP "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" on Journeyman records and more.

Topic Include:

• Joe’s record label “Journeyman Records”
• Joe likes mentoring other artists
• Balancing being a musician and a businessman
• Joe’s appreciates music on vinyl
• Hearing music as designed by the artist
• Sequencing a record is like sequencing a live set
• The approach to Joe’s record collection
• Seeing the record collection of Claude Nobs
• Hard to find many recordings on CD or streaming
• What will happen to Joe’s music gear after he’s gone
• American built guitars and amps
• How does Joe maintain his collection?
• Joe won’t say which guitars he’s save
• Who would Joe like to collaborate with?
• Putting himself in the zone for a live show
• Playing the Hollywood Bowl
• Working with an orchestra vs an 8 piece band
• Interview wrapup

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Managing the estate of a legend like Miles Davis requires tremendous coordination, detail and creativity. Vince Wilburn Jr, musician, collaborator and nephew of Miles and co-manager of the Miles Davis Estate discusses the contents, complexities and strategies of managing the Miles Davis Legacy.

Topic Include:

• Uncle Miles – The Chief
• Reviewing offers / keeping quality high on Miles Davis legacy
• Good relationships of team and with former labels
• Are any tapes missing? How much unreleased material?
• Archiving films, stage clothing, instruments
• Miles Davis’ record collection, getting records delivered
• Musicians he appreciated in the 80s
• Miles’ thoughts on early hip hop
• Creating music on the fly, setting up recording sessions adhoc
• He went through many Sony Walkmans
• Where is Miles’ record collection?
• Miles was very supportive of Vince playing music
• The story of “The Man With the Horn”
• Advice Miles gave Vince on being a musician
• Did Miles keep in touch with his Jazz contemporaries?
• Some rare Miles recordings found after his passing
• Recent RSD issues of new Miles recordings
• Ron Carter stories
• What is something people get wrong about Miles Davis?
• Did Miles give any guidance on his legacy?
• Zev Feldman, Kevin Donan connections
• Musicians would visit Miles – Prince would call frequently
• Does the album art exist?
• Upcoming Miles Davis legacy projects
• Memories of being young with Miles
• What’s Vince’s favourite Miles LP?
• UHQRs are the ultimate Kind of Blue pressings
• Test pressings and original acetates are part of the archive
• Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Most record collectors use Discogs each day - so what does the data tell us about the state of record collecting? Founder & CEO Kevin Lewandowski and COO Lloyd Starr talk to us about the data and future of this pivotal platform.

Topic Include:

• Introductions – CEO and COO roles
• A brief history of Discogs
• Original visions and business model of Discogs
• Dealing with users that have high expectations
• Classical music posed some challenges to catalogue
• Is Discogs built for non-physical media?
• Dealing with strange data points and entries
• What is the most expensive items sold through Discogs
• Data trends of record and music buyers
• The architecture of Discogs
• Early challenges supporting with website
• Recent focus on modernizing the Discogs architecture
• Planning new Discogs features
• Dark Side of the Moon is the most catalogued item in Discogs
• New features for the Discogs wantlist
• Events that create surges in purchasing activity
• What role will AI play in Discogs?
• Managing user feedback and priorities for features
• Helping new users become contributors
• Training new users to make edits
• Will Discogs do an IPO someday?
• What will Discogs look like in 5 years?
• Interview wrapup

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

The 1971 album "Moon Blood" by Fraction has fascinated record collectors for decades. The perfect intersection between great musicianship, intriguing backstory and supreme rarity, Fraction "Moon Blood" is now getting an official reissue through Riding Easy Records. Dillon Smith (Noble Records), Lance Barresi (Permanent Records) & Daniel Hall (Riding Easy) share the story of the legend.

Topic Include:

• Fraction “Moon Blood” cover art challenges
• The origin story of Fraction
• Jim Beach of Fraction wants little to do with the reissue
• What do we know about Fraction before “Moon Blood”
• “Moon Blood” had Christian themes
• Only 200 copies were pressed in 1971
• The Doors LA Woman may have influenced the packaging
• The challenge of duplicating the cover art in modern times
• Lack of information on Fraction just adds to the mystery
• Fraction “Moon Blood” musicians never had another public music credit
• What we know about the extra tracks
• The Mexican Summer reissue of “Moon Blood”
• When record collectors started seeking “Moon Blood” in the 80s and 90s
• The influence of Acid Archives
• The Doors heavily influenced Fraction
• The source of the new reissue – comparing to an original
• How Mexican Summer arranged for a reissue
• Dillon’s journey with Fraction “Moon Blood”
• Lance’s original copy of Fraction “Moon Blood”
• Daniel’s experience getting Fraction reissue approved
• The breakdown of reissue vinyl pressings
• Interview wrap up

Order Fraction "Moon Blood" vinyl at Riding Easy Records, Noble Records and Permanent Records.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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9 years since the last album, CJ Ramone and Spike Slawson discuss the new album "Me First & the Gimme Gimmes ¡Blow It…at Madison’s Quinceañera!" - the victories and challenges of the band, disgruntled audience members, picking annoying songs to cover and what's next for the band.

Topic Include:

• What is a quinceañera?
• MFATGG music wasn’t familiar to 15 year old girls
• Traditional Spanish songs in the album
• Making the live album at a quinceañera
• MFATGG is a live band – best way to capture them on record
• Spike and band enjoys the live awkward moments
• A nasty email from a disgruntled audience member
• Dealing with difficult audience members
• American schlager culture / antagonizing the audience
• The process of selecting Madison for the quinceañera
• The family struggled through parts of the show
• Comparing to MFATGG Ruin Johnny’s Bar mitzvah album
• The quinceañera was filmed, when will we see it?
• MFATGG hearing back from artists they covered
• CJ comparing MFATGG to Ramones doing “Acid Eaters”
• Spike hates the original versions of songs MFATGG play
• How are the songs selected for a MFATGG project?
• Nate screws up the “Queen of Hearts” lyrics
• What other songs would Spike like to cover?
• They like covering songs that give them negative responses
• Folding in punk riffs into covers
• Memories of Steve Soto and Manic Hispanic
• Will there be more MFATGG albums in the near future?
• Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Joe Nelson is co-founder of Trust Records, which specializes in preserving and extending classic punk and hardcore records for future generations including Circle Jerks, 7 Seconds, DFL, SSD and more. 

Topic Include:

• Interview kick off
• Origin & Mission of Trust Records
• Creating a legacy, giving back to community
• Adding materials to allow new listeners to understand the history
• Engaging Circle Jerks securing “Group Sex” and “Wild In The Streets”
• Building the trust for a new model of managing punk legacy
• Keith Morris is punk rock Yoda
• Gathering materials, tapes, pictures, artwork for reissues
• Brokering deals for various stakeholders
• Initial pressings often aren’t the best the music can sound
• Using stems for remixing, listener participation
• Difficult projects to pull together
• Upcoming releases: SSD “Get It Away”, Stalag 13 “In Control”, SNFU “... And No One Else Wanted To Play”, Royal Crown Review
• Hepcat – Greg Lee’s special request, Aggression, 7 Seconds “New Wind” and extras
• The story of Descendents / Circle Jerks split – 1st non-reissue
• Trust Records sell out quick – any upcoming repressings?
• SSD “The Kids Will Have Their Say” reissue is true to the original – cover variations
• Pressing records during the pandemic
• Is Trust mainly vinyl? Any CDs or Cassettes, etc?
• 7” singles within some of the Trust releases – 7 Seconds, Agression
• Youth Brigade – Sound and Fury Deluxe Edition – original album
• Negotiating with multiple band members
• What does he think will happen with SST Records?
• The recent sale of Dead Kennedys catalogue
• Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Steve Albini, musician, engineer and producer of some of the most memorable records of the 90s up through today. His ears and musical sensibilities were stellar and his wit and attitude made him appreciated and revered by most. RIP Steve Albini.

Topic Include:

• Steve doesn’t consider himself an audiophile
• Steve’s turntable and home audio system
• Taking care of records
• Favourite record shops
• Liquidating his record collection
• Discovering the Stooges & Ramones in Montana
• Entering the punk scene of Chicago
• Big Black “Lungs” items and inserts
• Experimenting and making each record unique
• Quantities, repressings and collectability
• The Mentally Ill’s “Gacy’s Place” single
• Reverse shoplifting at a record store
• Collecting consignment money
• “Do you know what a hooker DOESN’T want to do on her night off?”
• Seeing bands, taking care of ears and hearing
• Still hearing most detail but aware of decline
• Never comfortable delegating critical tasks
• How does Steve protect his hearing?
• Shifting from “Engineer Steve” to “Creative Musician Steve”
• Balancing priorities, studio bookings and personal music
• What’s the best rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself?
• Who is a band you haven’t worked with that you’d like to?
• Working with The Stooges
• Slint spills tea across the recording console
• Interview wrap up

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