Washed Up Emo

Today on the podcast we welcome Bull Gervasi from Policy of 3, Four Hundred Years, and R.A.M.B.O.! Bull has an amazing story to tell about his music and personal life. An absolute legend in the scene from Policy of 3 to Four Hundred Years, he pursued punk and DIY in a way that should be modeled and taught in schools. Even if you don't know the bands, you will after this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Colin McCann from Don Martin Three, Vulture Feather and Wilderness. Don Martin Three were from St Augustine Florida from the years 1993 to 1996. If you’re a fan of Moss Icon, Indian Summer and Policy Of 3. Screaming, quiet loud parts, and amazing guitar work, this is a band to listen to. We talk about that time and the bands from the 90s when the word didn’t mean much. We then get into Vulture Feather, a new album called Liminal Fields is out now and one of the best albums of the year. So search it out. We talk about the meaning behind the band and struggles Colin had before making music again. This was a beautiful conversation with someone I never expected to reach out and happy they did.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's an honor to have J. Robbins on the podcast. As someone that I've enjoyed his music performances in bands like Jawbox and Burning Airlines, to being a part of some of the most influential albums in my life as a producer/engineer, it was hard to not geek out the entire time. He couldn't have been nicer to talk through his life, influences, and his impression on emo and music making today. Be sure and check out his website JRobbins.net to learn more about the projects he's been a part of and his own music that he's continuing to make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome back Michael Malarkey. I had him on episode 197 and we’re back again to chat about his new music with the group Burial Clouds. Michael, especially on Instagram, is always first to comment on an an obscure screamo band from the 90s. We caught up about some of his fav bands from the 90s ear, what he has to do before every show or play he performs. We talk festivals for a bit and how he handed Jake Bannon from Converge his demo when he was 20 years old. Plus get stoked on Botch and how getting called for movie or tv gigs messes up his show plans.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome again Jeff Caudill from Gameface and his new band called Low Coast. They have an album out right now called Existing the Dream out on Spartan Records. Think Death Cab for Cutie meets Wilco. What was great is that Jeff and I did this in person and was so nice after so many interviews have been done remote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Ben Green from Fairweather and Ivakota Recording Studios. Ben and I speak about his time growing up, being exposed to music, forming Fairweather, struggles in the mid 00s, and was really candid about not just the successes but the mistakes the band made. Fairweather has new music that you should check out and enjoy the many stories about Equal Vision Records and someone named Dan, who is the GM over there and a dear friend of Ben and I. Also we get into Ben’s 2nd life at his studio as a producer/engineer running Ivakota Recording Studio. A really fun way to end speaking about how he learned things from his band and helping today’s bands try not make the same ones. Lastly, we nerd out a bit on metal throughout the episode including a story at the end you won’t want to miss. And to celebrate the metal chat, we both made metal playlists on Spotify and those will be linked on Washed Up Emo dot com or below depending on your podcast player. Learn more about Ben at BenGreenSound.com

Today on the podcast we welcome Popeye Vogelsang from Farside, Your Favorite Trainwreck, and a new band he’s in called Calling Hours. Popeye is most well known for being a guitarist and vocalist of the band Farside, founded in Orange County, California in 1989 and released their records on Revelation Records. Farside played with a ton of hardcore, punk, and emo bands throughout their life. We talk about his musical family, hardcore, his interesting life after full time music by being a well known as a voice actor and much more. Popeye is a legend in the scene and someone I’ve wanted to have on for a long time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast are the members of Braid talking about their 25th Anniversary and tour for Frame & Canvas. I thought it’d be funny to interview them in order asking similar questions about the album, their feelings on resisting this record, the remixing of the album from J Robbins, and touring. What’s amazing is everyone gave different answers and memories. Plus, the secret gem of the episode is worth listening through the whole thing I promise you. I had each person describe the other band members in one word. The answers they give are insightful, sweet, and hilarious. First up is Todd Bell, then Bob Nanna, Chris Broach, then finishing up with Damon Atkinson. What’s amazing listening back to these interviews is how different everyone is but how they need a vote of 4 to decide anything as Braid. They’re back, ready to rock again. Lastly, please stay for Damon’s stories which had me laughing and a great set closer to the episodes. We hadn’t spoken before for the pod, so we had a little extra time to chat.

Today on the podcast we welcome Sohrab Habibion from Edsel, Kids for Cash, Obits and SAVAK. Sohrab also filmed a ton of shows back in the day in the DC area and his YouTube channel is full of amazing performances from a time when many shows weren’t filmed. We tap about his time in NYC, DC, bands, his musical life that continues to this day. Sohrab's YouTube Channel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Rich Balling from The Sound of Animals Fighting, Hospital Gown, Pyramids, and RX Bandits. Rich and I reconnected recently as we last crossed paths during my days at Equal Vision during The Sound of Animals Fighting release “Lover, the Lord Has Left Us…” back in 2006. Now The Sound of Animals Fighting has a new EP called “APESHIT” out on Born Losers Records. Rich and I discuss his career balancing music, collaboration and his day job. Old shows he saw growing up in LA, plus his amazing knack as a teacher in real life to provide some real knowledge about listening to your heart, your mind, and realities we face as creative people. And yes, we talk emo. It’s a podcast about emo.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Melody Caudill. She’s the name behind Career Woman, that’s currently partnering with the fabulous Lauren Records. You may recognize the last name. Melody is the daughter of Jeff Caudill from Gameface and a new band called Low Coast. All that to say, Melody recently released a song called “Patience (I Like You)” that blew me away. Jeff had been sending me her music since she began writing and I was always intrigued with how a rock star’s daughter could go down the same path when most often times they rebel and do something opposite. I threw out the idea to chat with them together. Melody and I kicked Jeff out after about 20 minutes or so and got talk directly about her musical journey, writing process, her wants and dreams. For those listening, Melody is a freshman in college and way the hell ahead of how I was at her age and it was an absolute joy to hear her perspective on things in life and music. She even played Gilman Street in SF recently. Can’t get any cooler than that. T

Today on the podcast, we welcome M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger and Ex-Ignota. They may have never crossed your path. That’s ok. Upon further inspection, a singer songwriter signed to Merge may bring more questions than answers. We met through a post I made on Instagram. I went, why does that name seem familiar. I reached out and after recognizing the name of his old band on Ebullition called Ex-Ignota, which were a hardcore band from the 90s in Goleta/Santa Barbara area. Fittingly, I took a drive up recently to see him perform in Santa Barbara and speak in person for the podcast. MC was insanely generous with his time and even shouted out the podcast to the crowd during the show. You’ll hear about how M.C. had house shows that would make anyone yearn for a time machine and a love for the early days of emo that was super deep and I learned a ton from him about his position in the scene and where he is today and how it shaped him. His past may be in hardcore and emo with his pedal full on a now full time

Today on the podcast we welcome Vanessa Downing from Samuel or as they known now as Samuel SC. SC is for State College in Pennsylvania where they got together. Samuel was around for 2 years from 1993-1995 and released a split 7” with Texas is the Reason and releases with Art Monk and others. They’re this great moment in that era after the alternative boom and hardcore/emo intermixed. What’s amazing is the band members reconnected further during the pandemic and are back with a new album, touring upcoming and a realization that people cared about their old band. Vanessa and I speak about her life and music endeavors that still burn bright today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome David Knudson from Botch and Minus the Bear. I was so excited that David said yes to the podcast and we spoke recently after the first set of Botch reunion shows. We talk about being creative, Seattle in the 90s outside of grunge, and his battle with making better choices in life. Including a deep conversation on how alcohol can catch up with you and the lessons he learned from rehab but also his family. This new Botch tour and music wouldn’t have happened without love from his family and friends to see this other side. We’re the lucky recipients of that but now knowing the struggle and the strength David had during that time was truly inspirational. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Jake Brennan. I’ve wanted Jake on the podcast for years! You may know him from his podcast Disgraceland or as a member of the band Cast Iron Hike. He also started Double Elvis, a podcast network that I’m a part of. So full disclosure, we’re partners but that being said, I’ve probably had Jake on my wishlist since I started the podcast. We get into a lot about intention and what drives creators like Jake and others. He is in such a great place doing something he loves and it came out of intent. We discuss Fugazi, storytelling, origins of why he tells the stories he does and what his favorite sport is. A truly great conversation with Jake on being a creator and you know it, we talked about when he heard the word emo and his thoughts around it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Daniel Littleton from The Hated. Daniel has a whole other band called Ida and that’s a whole separate episode. Today, we just stick to The Hated, which has had their catalog meticulously handled by our friends at Numero Group and recently played some reunion shows. The Hated were an early emo band. Daniel goes to great lengths to explain his fascination and frustration with the word but in the end he weaves a tale that talks about his upbringing in a biracial family that shaped his life and also seeing bands like Bad Brains or women in music helped guide where he is today. A true legend and I invite you to sit back and listen, which I do for most of this, on a time and place before the word was even uttered. This one is an absolute trip to listen back to and I hope you enjoy.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome back for the 3rd time, Evan Weiss. Evan and I have spoken two other times, episode 23 (2013) and episode 66 (2016). Today we talk about his new projects, his favorite emo albums of all time, and we look back at the emo revival era with a critical eye. We only had an hour with this busy man, so strap in for a quick one. I’m sure he’ll be back sooner than later. https://www.intoitoverit.com/ https://www.patreon.com/stormchasersltd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome Ken Shipley from Numero Group and Tree Records. Many may know Numero Group for their fantastic reissues and they have a show coming up this weekend in LA celebrating 20 years called Numero 20. A very special show with bands we’ve featured on the podcast the last few weeks and more to come. What we’re going to touch on more for this episode is how he got to Numero and his first experiences figuring out the world of record making under the name Tree Records. A fantastic run of releases highlighted by a series called Post Marked Stamps that put many bands we love in the emo genre on the map. A true honor to spend an hour with a person that I look up to professionally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we welcome Ted Leo from Chisel. You may know Ted Leo or Ted Leo and the Pharmacists. Or you’re wondering what Ted is doing on the podcast. We’re deep in our Numero Group 20 Celebration and if you heard the last episode with John Dugan of Chisel, Ted has a great history in hardcore in the NYC area going to shows at ABC No Rio among others and we talk about those days, his thoughts on emo from DC, the early 2000s scene and how special this upcoming "Set You Free" reissue and shows with Numero Group means to him. Ted was an absolute blast to chat with and you’ll wonder where the time went as he weaves stories and moments together that at one point says he’s never said in any other interview. A true honor to have a DIY legend on the podcast and couldn’t have been happier to have it line up with Numero Group’s reissue of “Set You Free” and their upcoming shows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the podcast we welcome John Dugan from Chisel, which we talk extensively about and they’re about to do some reunion shows for Numero Group and reissues for some classic 90s that crossed over into many genres. One that I didn’t realize happened that I do a podcast about was emo. This band is really close to my heart too. I found this band through John’s younger brother Mike. I met Mike my freshman year on campus after someone on our hall said someone down the hall likes weird music too. The first record Mike played for me was Chisel. We became fast friends and ended up seeing Chisel in 1997 with Karate at a house show in Chapel Hill. Little did we know the band would dissolve soon after that show and that would be the end of it. Years later, I’ve spoken to John through his various musical endeavors or at family functions when I’d see the Dugans in Northern Virginia. Full circle moment and happy to have John on to talk about Chisel and his many musical band over the years. We touch on his experience wi