The Wasted Years

Original release date: 1/7/14 Original Episode Notes: Has your van ever broken down in a location so remote that you have to live in a junkyard for three days, almost succumbing to local traditions and never leaving, nearly marrying the one girl in the junkyard - the junkyard princess, if you will - endearing yourself to the local youth, who look up to you like a Rock God descended from heaven? Have you ever had to search for a vet on tour because your dog's anal glands needed squeezing? Have you ever convinced a friend to put on chainmail so your questionably sane friend from high school could stab him? Yeah, me neither. Seattle's Gladiators Eat Fire have done all this and more.

Original release date: 8/25/13 Original Episode notes: GravelRoad is a Seattle band steeped in the tradition of North Mississippi Hill Country Blues. Their passion for this music drove them to visit the region many times, befriending and playing with the families and stalwart performers of the style, the Kimbroughs and Burnsides among them. Through persistence and a little luck, they eventually became the touring band for T-Model Ford, crossing the country and world with the 90-plus year-old bluesman, leading to stories from the road quite unlike any others. In a strange coincidence, I met with GravelRoad to record this podcast on July 15th, 2013. The following morning, they received the news that T-Model Ford had passed away at his home in Greenville, Mississippi. They knew he was not in the best of health, and he had ceased touring about a year ago. At the time this podcast was recorded, it was not intended to be a eulogy. Still, the members of GravelRoad spoke with such reverence toward T-Model - the man, his mythology, and his music - that it almost feels fitting as such. So, I dedicate this podcast to the memory of T-Model Ford, one of the last great performers from a bygone era, whose music and spirit still live on in bands like GravelRoad. You can read T-Model Ford's obituary in the New York Times here. This podcast features the music of GravelRoad and the music of T-Model Ford with GravelRoad as his backing band. GravelRoad has just released their fourth album, "The Bloody Scalp of Burt Merlin," which can be purchased through Knick Knack Records. "I'm the Blues."

In memory of Dave Takata, Northwest rock n' roll God. Original release date: 3/26/13 Original Episode notes: "So, you've actually seen a bigfoot?" "Duh!" So Says Bobo, of Animal Planet's "Finding Bigfoot," who frequents Argonaut shows whenever they make their way to Northern California. Argonaut's had a rough go of it. Hell, they weren't even a band for the past several years. They've had a guitarist quit onstage, been screwed by a label, and even almost lost a thumb. But they're back due to popular demand, and they soldier on. Shrooming their way across San Francisco. Showering at the Troubadour. Sleeping in trailers with Juggalettes. Shitting in parking lots. Letting the bassist from Slipknot sleep in their daughter's bed. Argonaut abides. This episode features music from Argonaut's 2013 EP "What's Your Perfect Day?" All of Argonaut's albums are available here: argonauttacoma.bandcamp.com

Original Release Date: 2/20/13 Original Episode Notes: Veteran Seattle rocker Ben London schools Aaron on what it was like to be in a touring band during grunge's heyday, when the words "FROM SEATTLE" would often be larger than the bands' names on flyers. Ben moved from Ohio to Seattle in 1989 with a tight group of friends who would go on to form seminal bands The Gits, 7 Year Bitch, and Ben's own Alcohol Funnycar. Most of these stories are from that time period, leading up to the murder of Mia Zapata, the suicide of Kurt Cobain, and the loss of innocence in Seattle's 90s rock community. Yeah, it gets kinda heavy. But there's plenty of good times as well. Ben has fronted numerous bands in Seattle over the years, including Sanford Arms, St. Bushmill's Choir, and Burning Rivers, but this podcast features the music of Alcohol Funnycar and Ben's current band, STAG.

In memory of Jeff Loose. I miss you and I love you, my lifelong friend. Original release date: 1/25/13 Original Episode Notes: The Wasted Years goes out on the road to Toledo, Ohio, and Aaron talks with Jeff Loose, a man who is both an old friend and one of Aaron's favorite musicians. Jeff has been a long-time major figure in the Toledo music scene, running the label Pretend Records and performing in many bands; WEe, GoLab, Stylex, Jr. Electric, and solo as himself to name but a few. Find out how Jeff's band nearly caused a riot in Clyde, Ohio, forging a lifelong friendship between then teenage Aaron and Jeff. Learn about how Jeff's former band Stylex played a 16 year-old's birthday party in order to help a lovestruck young man get some action. Hear about a dirty BJ that went down in the balcony of an empty theater in Cleveland. Learn about the sad post-show clean-up ritual following a Gil Mantera's Party Dream concert. Most of all, get a little glimpse into the life of a working Midwest musician, where people still play shows in barns and fall through hidden trap doors while doing so. This podcast features the music of Jeff Loose and his band WEe. With special guest host, Eli Semer!

Original release date: 12/21/12 Original Episode notes: You likely remember Asy and Chloe Saavedra as Smoosh - two very young and ridiculously talented girls who played with nearly everyone (Pearl Jam, Death Cab, Cat Power, Eels, Bloc Party, you name it) and even appeared on Jimmy Kimmel. Just imagine the behind-the-scenes workings of a family forced into the crazy, late night, booze-fueled and chaotic world of professional touring musicians. Listen and find out about the challenges of learning who famous people are (they didn't know if the singer of Pearl Jam was Eddie Vedder or Eddie Murphy). Find out about the perils of putting fake gum on E's keyboard (is he really as grumpy as people say?). Learn about the difficulties of doing homework on the road, and about sleeping in tents backstage before late shows that were past their bedtime. But, that is the past. We also talk about their recent reinvention as Chaos Chaos, and the impetus behind their new direction. This podcast features music from Chaos Chaos's fantastic debut EP, "S."

Original release date: 11/30/12 Original Episode notes: If you're involved in the music scene in Seattle, then you know who these guys are. And if not, well, sit back and enjoy the ride. They've each played in a lot of bands, but this episode focuses on their time together in The Cops, who were one of the most exciting live bands around for a number of years. In addition to their musical output, they are Seattle cultural impresarios, with Mike running the consistently good Mt. Fuji Records, and Drew co-owning Hazlewood, one of the best places to have a cocktail in the city. There's so much we talked about in this episode, so as a teaser, I'll just share with you the notes I took while editing this: "David Yow parties hard. ATP drug dog taunting. Dog suit. Partying with Red Fang and Big Business, shunning Danny from Tool. Murder City Devils' tour rider. Hold Steady assholes. Touring with Cursive and Jeremy Enigk. House with water torture buckets. Soap Opera Star's band." Listen and figure out what all of that means. This episode features the music of The Cops, all of which is available at Mt. Fuji Records.

Original Release Date: 11/13/12 Original episode notes: Things I learned from recording a podcast with Into the Storm: 1) It is possible to be paid 17 cents for a show. 2) Exactly what type of mental anguish it takes to drive a man to write "The World's Most Offensive Song." (Hint - it involves a push mower, 80s rock, and Wyoming). 3) You can fix a van's radiator with an egg. 4) It is still possible to pick-up a prostitute in Vegas at 3AM when covered from head to toe in motor oil, but only if you have your wallet. 5) These guys have what is, so far, the greatest shit-splosion story I've ever heard. This podcast features music from the EP "Captains" and the forthcoming EP "Light Lovers and Heat Mongers." Check out their music here: www.rideintothestorm.com And do yourself a favor and watch their awesome video here.

Original Release Date: 9/18/12 Original Episode was 2 parts. This is both parts 1 & 2 together. Original Episode notes: This two-part episode was a labor of love for me. In 2002, two of my best friends attempted to deliver a Honda Accord from Akron, Ohio to Seattle, WA while simultaneously writing an album about their experiences on the road. The goal was to record the album once they arrived in Seattle, with me - a hopeful young musician and engineer - twiddling the knobs. The car and one of the two friends never made it. (No, he didn't die. He just got stranded, and then went home.) The car delivery may have been a failure, but the album lived on in our hearts. Two years, three states, five recording locations, seven musicians, and many, many beers later, the album was completed and released. Solyoni has gone through many incarnations since, and its members have spread across the nation, but the joy of making this album has held us together, albeit loosely and with sporadic output. I sat down to record this story with Solyoni founders and main songwriters Dan Lurie and Dominic Aulisio, and once we got going, it was hard to stop. Basically, we got drunk and recorded a whole bunch of material. This isn't exactly a "tour" story. It's the tale of a roadtrip, a crazy idea, and how a group of young fellas from Ohio came to the great Northwest, learned a thing or two about making music, and maybe actually grew up a little. Chances are, you've never heard the album Prairie Monsters. You can go here and download it for free, or for however much you care to donate.

Original Release Date: 8/27/12 Original Episode Notes: I am a lucky guy. I keep getting to make podcasts with musicians from some of my favorite bands. G. Stuart Dahlquist is one of these people. I'm a huge fan of Southern Lord Records, and Stuart was instrumental in the early years of this highly influential label, recording albums and touring with Burning Witch, SunnO))), and Goatsnake (fuck yeah!). Currently, Stuart composes and plays in two other amazing and very different projects; Asva and Brokaw. But would you believe that prior to this illustrious career, Stuart was in a heavy funk Chili Peppers-esque party band with a million dollar record deal on MCA? Or that the best show he ever played was in a grocery store in Entiat, Washington, population: 1,112? Or that you really shouldn't allow he and Stephen O'Malley to wander freely, in Amsterdam, on mushrooms? Find out about this and more on Episode 6 of The Wasted Years.

Original Release Date: 8/12/12 Original Episode Notes: You might know him from his band Helms Alee, or his company Verellen Amplifiers. You might know him from his reunion shows with his old band Harkonen - but you probably don't know him from any of Harkonen's original shows, which he describes, simply, as "bummerly." Then again, you might know him as Botch's little brother; the roadie with the pink fanny pack crouched behind the drumset with a homemade light show and a 40oz. of OE. Ben Verellen is all of these things, and a real nice guy to hang out with to boot. Ben and I delve into some tour stories, and also get to philosophyzin' about the nature of The Tour, and how not to let it bring you down. This podcast features music from Helms Alee's amazing second album Weatherhead, available at www.hydrahead.com or at most fine independent record stores.

Original Release Date: 7/26/12 Original Episode Notes: You wanna know who would be a hilarious band to go out on the road with? Smooth Sailing, that's who. But beware, you'd also have a pretty high chance of a van breakdown, becoming a fugitive from California law, shitting yourself, and/or death by flying car. But at least you'd know these guys always had your back, even if that sometimes included Jackass-like pranks resulting in loss of hair, beer, or both. I had a really fun time listening to Ryan, Jake, and Chris weave their tales like only a tight band of road warriors can. Smooth Sailing has the recipe down pat: good friends, good adventures, good music. This podcast features music from the Smooth Sailing album "xoxo" available for purchase here: www.smoothsailingtheband.com

Original Release Date: 7/9/12 Original Podcast Notes: Dylan Carlson abandoned by SunnO))) in The Netherlands! Sex freaks in Paris! On-stage hippy beat down! Redneck Pee-wee Herman!  Jonas Haskins has played and toured with lots of bands; Earth, The Jesus Chords, Sera Cahoone, Poor Moon, Low Hums, Zoe Muth, Alela Diane, and Marissa Nadler, to name a few. It was great to catch up with Jonas and enjoy some doughnuts and coffee in the breakfast nook of his Wallingford, Seattle home. As expected, with lots of touring comes lots of excellent stories.  This podcast features music from the Low Hums self-titled debut LP, available here: https://lowhums.bandcamp.com/

Original Release Date: 6/25/12 Original Episode Notes: One-armed Dominatrixes. Dog-shit encrusted floors. Bed bugs. Crust punk germ-o-phobes. American flag theft. It's all part of normal touring life when you're Seattle band He Whose Ox is Gored. I sat down with Brian, Lisa, and JC in their practice space at The Black Lodge and the stories did flow. I had never met them before this podcast session, so it takes us a few minutes to find our stride, but then hilarity ensues. Serious hilarity. So here's to new friends, new connections, and new community. It's what The Wasted Years is all about. That... and ridiculous tales of drunken stupidity on the road. This podcast features excerpts of these songs from He Whose Ox is Gored's "Nightshade" EP: - Charming the Snake - Nightshade Available to purchase here: hewhoseoxisgored.bandcamp.com As always, thanks for listening.

Original release date: 6/18/12 Original Episode Notes: Brian Cook, currently of Russian Circles, used to play for legendary hardcore act Botch, followed by the much beloved These Arms Are Snakes. We sat down in Brian's apartment and enjoyed a few beers while he spun tales of drunken woe from his TAAS touring days, followed by a tale of wake-the-fuck-up from a more recent Russian Circles trip. This Podcast features excerpts of three songs by Russian Circles, from the album Empros: 309 Atackla Mladek Available here - www.russiancirclesband.com Huge thanks to Brian for taking the risk and being my first podcaster. I hope you all enjoy this.