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

Turntable designer John Stratton founded Pure Fidelity with the aim of creating "heirloom quality" turntables for audio enthusiasts. John discusses his design choices and how we can make the most of our existing turntables and audio systems.

• How John started making turntables
• Materials for turntables make a huge difference
• Determining woods for turntable plinths
• Comparing wood and stone for turntables
• Variations in turntables with same woods
• Tips for all turntable owners to improve sound
• Keep vibrations away from turntables
• What impact does the turntable matt have?
• How do record weights impact record audio?
• Do record weights cause stress on turntable belts?
• Why have a 2nd belt on a turntable?
• Humans can discern variations in speed
• Comparing belts to direct drive and idler wheels
• Moving magnet v moving coil
• Impact of tone arms to the audio signal
• Straight v s-shaped tone arms
• Does tone arm length matter much?
• Proper turntable setup can improve sound dramatically
• Do we need to invest in expensive cables?
• The variation and inconsistency of records
• Records that John tests turntables with
• How would John improve his turntable with unlimited budget?
• Speed control outside the plinth but motor is in
• The ruby bearing of Pure Fidelity
• Interview wrap up

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Mike Love of The Beach Boys shares memories of the early records of the band, recording "Pet Sounds", crafting those beloved harmonies, memories with The Beatles & much more.

• Intro & Australia talk
• Stagecoach 2024 announcement
• What records does Mike Love have?
• "Surfin' / Luau" Beach Boys single on Candix
• Memories of the 1st single
• Signing to Capitol
• Recording "Surfin' Safari" album
• The shift from singles to albums
• Is "All Summer Long" a concept album?
• Friendly rivalry between The Beatles & The Beach Boys
• Being with The Beatles in India, collaborating on music
• Creating process of the Beach Boys harmony parts
• Capitol's response to early listens of "Pet Sounds"
• Working on vocal takes hour after hour, seeking perfection
• Calling Brian "Dog Ears", origin of "Pet Sounds" album title
• Writing lyrics to acetates
• Margot Robbie and The Beach Boys
• Does Mike still have acetates & old records?
• Keith Moon shared a "Pet Sounds" acetate with The Beatles
• The Beach Boys and bootlegs
• Master tapes and The Beach Boys archive team
• Crafting the set list for current live shows
• Most collectable record/vinyl from The Beach Boys
• Paul McCartney on The Beach Boys album artwork
• "Summer In Paradise"
• Interview wrap up, a bit more Australia talk

Stagecoach 2024 info and tickets can be had here.

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Replay of Tom Davies - Nebula - Interview from May 8, 2021.

RIP Tom.

Peter Hook shares stories & anecdotes about the rare records & recordings of Joy Division, the artwork of "Unknown Pleasures", unheard Joy Division tapes, Sex Pistols Manchester Free Trade Hall show & more.

• Peter is recovering from Covid
• New Order Substance was made for Tony Wilson's car
• Burying grief immediately after Ian Curtis' death
• Band-financing "An Ideal for Living" record
• The 45 single sounded dreadful
• New Order didn't want to play Joy Division
• The popularity of Joy Division so many years later
• What could have been on Joy Division's 3rd LP
• Did Ian hear or see the "Closer" album package?
• The band's music activity in the days after Ian's death
• What was the plan for "An Ideal for Living"?
• Changes for "An Ideal For Living" 12" repress
• Band changing name from "Warsaw" to "Joy Division"
• FAC-02 compilation & other early records
• "Licht Und Blindheit" single from France
• Band involvement with record artwork
• The image for "Unknown Pleasures" artwork
• The popularity of "Unknown Pleasures" artwork / Disney
• The fractures within the band members in later years
• Status of Joy Division master tapes
• Additional/unheard Joy Division music
• Ian Curtis' daughter & personal mementos
• Ticket stubs from the Sex Pistols Manchester show
• Memories of the Sex Pistols Free Trade Hall show
• Buying his 1st bass guitar
• When the Sex Pistols returned to Manchester
• Did Peter's parents ever see him play live?
• The runout groove of FAC-40 – Joy Division "Still"
• Interview wrapup

Peter Hook & the Light play Joy Division & New Order "Substance" Albums - Tour Dates

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John Corabi of The Dead Daisies discusses his history with records, the collectibility of his music catalogue on vinyl, his recent book "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades", moments of with the likes of Nirvana, Eddie Van Halen & more.

• Returning to The Dead Daisies
• Relationship with former members
• Is The Dead Daisies the best gig in rock and roll?
• Why did he leave TDD originally?
• Can he balance The Dead Daisies with his solo work?
• John's sorted past, growing up with records
• John is buying records again but doesn't have a turntable
• The collectability of John's vinyl history – Motley Crue, Brides of Destruction, solo work
• Writing his book "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades"
• Blowback because of the book
• Audition for Quiet Riot in the late 80s
• Meeting up with Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl
• Nirvana helped clear out the copy-cat bands
• John's memories of the shift in musical tastes
• John's favourite 15 years of music
• Multiple genres on radio
• Memories of Eddie Van Halen, backyard party
• The Howard Hughes of rock and roll
• The tape library in 5150 studio
• Interview wrap up

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Doug Martsch of Built To Spill discusses stories behind the rare records, recordings, record label challenges, successes of Built To Spill, Treepeople, upcoming tour of Australia & more.

• Vinyl is a primary form for "Built to Spill"
• Reissues of "Built to Spill" & "Treepeople" music
• Working with Warner Brothers on licensing and reissues
• Awareness of master and multitrack tapes
• "Built to Spill" reissues generally happen without Doug's participation
• Some highly collectable "Built to Spill" LPs
• Joining his favourite band "State of Confusion", transforming to "Treepeople"
• Memories of making "No Mouth Pipetting"
• Memories of making "Important Things" 7"
• Message in the runout groove
• "Silence" records & zine
• Working with Jack Endino
• In the Sub-Pop orbit but not on the label
• "Guilt Regret Embarrassment" record label
• Issues with CZ Records
• Locked groove on "Just Kidding" record
• Recording "Ultimate Alternative Wavers" in the early 90s
• "Ultimate Alternative Wavers" vinyl hasn't been reissues in nearly a decade
• Rights reverting back to Doug
• Reception of the album in 1993
• The album cover of "Ultimate Alternative Wavers"
• Hand-made singles of "Car/Girl"
• 3 early singles of "Built to Spill"
• Signing to Warner Brothers / Health care
• The recording mishaps of "Perfect From Now On"
• Original pressings of "Perfect From Now On" sold by Up Records
• Modern reissues are usually done without Doug knowing
• "You Were Right" lyrical rights
• "Built to Spill Play the Songs of Daniel Johnson"
• The packaging and extras with "Built to Spill" albums
• Recording cadence for Built to Spill albums
• Upcoming tour of Australia
• Unique setlists for each show
• Interview wrap up

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Romanus Records is known for producing beautiful and extrodinarily innovative vinyl records. Chris Banta, founder of Romanus, shares how he approaches his craft and continues push the boundaries and assumptions of the vinyl record format.

Emmy Award winning Video of "My Weird Life" featuring Chris & Romanus Records.

Topics include:

• Is Romanus Records a label?
• The early experimentation of Romanus
• Stuff he's put into records – bullets, glitter, blood/fluid, real scorpions, shredded money, razor blades, etc
• Making a working guitar pedal in a record
• Chris' skillset and background – Vinyl Jawa
• Typical Romanus release bundles
• Special limited records are all hand made
• Who presses the records?
• The recent challenges of vinyl supply chain
• King Gizzard bootleg model
• The community around King Gizzard
• Polygondawanaland paid for his son's surgery
• Creating the Holographic effect on vinyl
• Balancing the visual effects and sound quality
• Green glow in the dark records seem to have more quality issues
• How does he create Romanus' hand-made filled records
• Focused on innovation and high quality
• How do we care for liquid-filled records?
• Early liquid-filled records – Disney was the first
• Jay Millar's blood records w The Flaming Lips
• Making records for well known artists – Fall Out Boy –'tear-infused records', Slime Language
• Importance of getting credit for doing special records for other artists
• What lead time do you need for creating a special hand-made record?
• The largest order he had to fulfill – challenging logistics
• Thoughts from Chris on how to find the right career path
• Persistence is required for doing anything you're passionate about
• If you're being adventurous, you're going to suck for awhile
• Salty Dog Records, Private Function
• Interview wrap up

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In memory of Sixto "Sugar Man" Rodriguez, here is the full Vinyl Guide interview from 2018 discussing music, records, recordings and more.

Rest in Peace Mr Rodriguez.

Topics include:

• Interview start / greetings
• Music on vinyl and digital
• Memories of Australia and New Zealand
• Rodriguez was surprised by a large fanbase in Australia
• Writing the songs on "Cold Fact" & "Coming From Reality"
• The accident that took part of his finger
• The "I'll Slip Away" single on Impact records
• What the "Sugarman" character someone he knew?
• Did his style change between the two LPs?
• Fighting injustice in the music industry
• What is the one message Sixto would like to give the world?
• Will we see another Rodriguez album?
• Honorary PhD / Dr Rodriguez
• Did Sixto continue to play music during the years after he made his records?
• Is he familiar with Blue Goose record label out of Australia?
• Do you know where the master tapes of "Cold Fact" and "Coming From Reality" are?
• Touring the world with local musicians
• Taking inspiration from his family who served in military
• How did you choose the path of being an artist?
• What does he want to accomplish in his remaining years?
• The King of Thailand came to his show
• Rodriguez still studies music
• Social commentary on global cultures
• What music, lyrics does he feel are still relevant today?
• End of interview

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Bay Area thrash legend Craig Locicero returns with many tales of record collecting and the rebirth of Forbidden.

Topics include:

• Craig's vinyl collection is growing
• There's no pit at a Porcupine Tree show
• The Locicero family record collection
• Record shops Craig enjoys
• Rediscovering Beatles, Genesis,
• What albums annoy your wife?
• Revisiting Rush and Iron Maiden on vinyl
• The sound of vinyl crackle is comforting
• Does the collectability of records matter?
• Does Craig do boxsets?
• Craig loves Amyl & the Sniffers & King Gizzard
• Discussing bands – The Chats, Cosmic Psychos, PigsX7, IDLES, Slift, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, C.O.F.F.I.N., These New South Whales, Private Function, Neptune Power Federation
• Reforming/rebirthing "Forbidden"
• Getting the approval of Russ Anderson for reviving Forbidden
• Working with Norman Skinner on vocals
• Receiving offer for the Alcatraz Festival
• Filling in for Anthrax
• Writing for a new Forbidden album
• Future Forbidden reissues on vinyl
• Band members and songwriting credits
• What's happening with "Dress The Dead"?
• Joining and playing on "The Boneless Ones" LP / vinyl
• Interview wrap up

Extended, High-resolution & Commercial Free version of this interview available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Kevin Rowland of Dexys shares stories of his early days with records, "The Killjoys" single, forming "Dexy's Midnight Runners", the making of "Geno", "Come On Eileen", his new LP "The Feminine Divine" and more.

Topics include:

• Kevin doesn't have a record player
• Buying records as a kid
• Elvis & The Beatles were a big influence
• Joining his brother's cover band
• Discovering punk, forming "The Killjoys"
• Making the 7" single "Johnny Won't Get To Heaven"
• Kevin and band still haven't seen a penny for that record
• Disintegrating "The Killjoys", forming "Dexy's Midnight Runners"
• Alternative names for "Dexy's Midnight Runners"
• Involvement with Bernard Rhodes
• 2 single deal Oddball records via EMI
• The story of "Dance Stance" single and mix
• Multiple mixes of "Geno", switching to the band favoured mix
• Recognizing the popularity of "Geno"
• Parlophone missed the option making Dexy's free to move labels
• The pressure going into "Too-Rye-Ay"
• Memories of the making of "Come On Eileen"
• Recent remix of "Too Rye-Ay (As It Should Have Sounded)"
• Remastering of "Don't Stand Me Down"
• Dexy's appearance on "The Young Ones"
• Recent burst of Dexys in recent years
• The new album "The Feminine Divine" is a personal album
• Kevin's journey and revisiting learnings from his youth
• Some people aren't comfortable with the evolution of Dexys
• Kevin has always bucked trends in the music industry
• Interview wrap up

Extended, High-resolution & Commercial Free version of this interview available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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