Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal

The year is 2025 an the band Silkworm is BACK! This line-up includes early member Joel RL Phelps, who wrote and played on the first three records, but is not as known to people who knew SKWM as a three piece. After the tragic death of drummer Michael Dahlquist in 2005 Silkworm as a band was no more. So let's hear about what these shows entail, how they came about and how it all fits together, shall we? Couldn't You Wait documentary, legacy of the band, growing as musicians, muscle memory, Missoula to Seattle to Chicago, the eras and what songs to play, a quick rundown of the selected Silkworm discography. etc. Tim has been on the show a few times (including a song-by-song deep dive on Firewater) and is always wonderful. In 2025 Silkworm has reformed with original member Joel RL Phelps and new member Jeff Panall. Permanently? We shall see. Tim Midyett returns to talk all about it. SILKWORM! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The Creative Asylum is Daniel House's brand new podcast, a 1:1 interview show exploring the minds & imaginations of people living authentic, creative lives. He may be new to podcasting, but Daniel House has the CV. You may recognize him from his old band Skin Yard with Jack Endino that slightly predate that whole 1990s gold rush. Nirvana opened for them, they had crossover membership with Soundgarden (Matt Cameron!) and put some awesome records. He also operated CZ Records for years, home of the Deep Six comp and later putting out records by the Gits, Silkworm, Built to Spill, 7 Year Bitch and many others. We walk through all of that as well as potential future recording plans and many other things. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The legendary Tom Flynn has a new 7" out DO THE THUD, Dale Crover plays drums on it and the singer for Star Pimp does some vocals. Awesome! We talk about how weirdly timeless The Money Will Roll In by Fang has become, covered by so many famous bands. The foundation of Boner records and operating a record label long before the internet. Meeting Melvins and Steel Pole Bath Tub and then putting their records out. The LYSOL lawsuit, Antler Family, DUH, Suboptics, Star Pimp and FANG! Tom is a unique guitar player and foundational guy in weird and iconoclastic music. Take a listen! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Yowie has been around for a long time. How long? Well their 4th record just came out Taking Umbrage, but they started when Bill Clinton was President. Every Yowie release has had a member leave the band and this one is no different. Defenestrator is now the only original member, and this was recorded without much playing together at all. In fact, ANY of it... yet Taking Umbrage is also one of their best one yet? Learn how Reign in Blood and Dave Lombardo are so important to the Yowie story. How and when Europe "got it". Throwing conventional music standards out the window... Whether Yowie is or is not prog, finding Skin Graft and also the story of the arresting album cover for the new one. All this and so much more! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Dazzling Killmen are back in 2025. What an incredible thing to have the band that released the mighty and influential Face of Collapse playing live shows once again. This episode has a focus on their enigmatic, intense and powerful drummer, who started drums young playing in drum line, and had a whole post DK career with the wonderful Laddio Bolocko. AKA: The band that Mars Volta really wanted to be. Speaking of Mars Volta did you know that Blake played in that band? Twice, actually so stay tuned for all that as well as a Dazzling Kilmen early days and deep dive and the future for that reunited band. Certainly not something that could have been predicted when singer and guitarist Nick Sakes came on last. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

There's a new band they are called HLLLYH and they have a record called Uruburu. But it also the Mae Shi. Kind of... wait, what? Song by song breakdown of this wonderful record as well as the origin story of this new band, how the record came to pass and another look at the very interesting history of the band that was known as The Mae Shi. Jeff Byron has been on the show, now let's talk to brother Tim! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Nina is back! And with a new record only available on bandcamp. Songs for a World of Trouble isn't just an awesome record, you can't get it on the other streamers. However, you CAN purchase it direct from the artist. Dedicated to the late, great Steve Albini it is a grand experiment and a worthy entry into Nina's discography, it comes with a digital book as well. Song-by-song breakdown of that ensues in this conversation, as well as at length discussions at the state of being an indie musician in a walled garden streaming society and lots more. Updates from the very recent Jolie Laide tour and tons more. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The mighty DEAF CLUB have a new record called We Demand A Permanent State of Happiness. This excellent band also features former guest of the show Justin Pearson on vocals. This is their best record yet, and we get into all of that as well as Brian's approach to guitar, music, and songwriting. Nirvana, covers, space in music and coming up as a musician in Argentina vs. the US. Spinning Plate Records and the absolute necessity of the record store in the development of younger music fans. the Videos, the nature of collaborations, noise as hooks and lots, lots more. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

We Contain Multitudes is Jon Fine's new band with Orestes from Bitch Magnet, and it is a corker. Their debut record is called Minako, and it is out now on Expert Work records. A must for fans of Explosions in the Sky, Fucking Champs, Russian Circles, Side 2 of My War, King Crimson, fugazi and things along those lines. It has been 10 years and one month since Jon's last appearance for his book Your Band Sucks: What I Saw at Indie Rock’s Failed Revolution (But Can No Longer Hear). He ended that book by talking about NOT starting another band. So what changed? Well, listen to find out! As well as a free ranging discussion on discovery, creativity, tour culture, the art of creation and so much more. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The incredible and very long-lived Cheer-Accident have a new record called Admission and some are saying it is their best one yet! Out of... 26? The three decade old band are embarking on a tour of the US and while Thymme is a returning guest, Jeff has never been on the show. Let's get into their longtime collaboration, a song by song of Admission, on the ever reliable Skin Graft records, as well as which Styx record is in the crawl space and which brass instrument can or cannot ruin songs and whether tours are better in retrospect in real time. Dive in! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The new B. Hamilton record is one of Conan's favorites of the year. What a pleasure it is to have the wonderful Ryan Christopher Parks back again to talk all about it. Deep dives into songwriting, Raj's process as well as this one bringing a Warp Records (!) feel to some of those rock 'n roll songs. Arrangements and space. Motorik music, synths, experimentation with lyrics and structure. Losing Macy and gaining Ian Miller (but only after the record is done). The art of songwriting, the deep humanity and dark frustrations of every day life. Wordy as hell ep titles and lots, lots more. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Well alright! 4 years after his bandmate Dave Leto's appearance. Protonic Reversal listener (!) Ralph Cuseglio, the voice of Rye Coalition comes on the show to talk PAID IN FULL. A new double A-side 7" and digital single paying tribute to Steve Albini and Rick Froberg with a cover of Shellac - Wingwalker and Drive Like Jehu - Bullet Train to Vegas. Yes indeed it's the first Rye Coalition release in a VERY long time. The entire Rye discography is discussed as well, included On Top and the seemingly cursed Curses, as well as the Lipstick Game, Hee Saw Dhuh Kaet, the documentary the Story of the Hard Luck 5. All that as well as the absurdity and glory of touring and being a band, getting slapped by David Yow (TWICE!), and all that great stuff. Climb the Stairway to the Free Bird on the Way to the Smoke on the Water! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The legendary front man and singer of US Maple FINALLY comes on Protonic. Long Hair in Three Stages has an incredible reissue available for purchase. We talk about all that, as well as the Vietnam theater of Sang Phat Editor, Talker, Acre Thrills, and lots more. Shorty talk (including which 7 inch records are embarrassing or not), Skin Graft and Drag City. Being compared to Beefheart constantly while not being familiar, changing vocal styles completely and lots, lots more. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The enigmatic David J is back with a poetry/spoken word record called the Mother Tree and an accompanying poetry book called Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer. The origin of that record is discussed, as well as many other things. Writing the lyrics for Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus on labels, meeting David Bowie on the set of the Hunger. The stories behind No New Tale To Tell and So Alive. Working with and knowing Jane's Addiction, including being on THAT tour. Poetry writing vs Lyric writing and when you know something is truly special. David J Haskins is an iconic musician and this is a great talk! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Fresh off of opening for the Jesus Lizard (no, really, the night before!), Jason comes on to talk all things The Mustache Stays. Their sixth (!) full length, that Conan thinks may be their best so far. Split/Collab with Rabbits, Split with Baby Gurl, the surprising legs of the Live from the Banana Stand release, Nick moving away AND coming back, and being in High on Fire for a bit. Jason's unique sense of fashion and style in a very uniform world as well as a Song by song breakdown of the new record. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Nina Nastasia is back! And so is Jolie Laide, with a new lush and sprawling record Creatures. the second collaboration between Nina, Jeff MacLeod, Clinton St. John and Morgan Greenwood. This one is a great deep dive into working collaboratively after being a solo artist for many years. John Peel, Steve Albini, being present, and the complicated legacy of her former partner, manager and producer Kennan Gudjonsson. Jim White and actually rocking in a band. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Bible Songs 2 is out! The iconic paragons of uncompromising heavy and intense noisy music are back. With a second album of the darkest most vengeful and just plain messed up stories from that one book. Still guitar, bass, vocals and drum machine. It has been over 5 years, and nearly 300 episodes since Justin was on last, consider this is a broader examination of the band itself, and the mindset behind the creation and expression of it, as well as an exploration into the diy ethics of Controlled Burn records. The art of making very intense music that happens in a place and the minimalism and maximalism of the music. Meticulous, yet dependable the Austerity Program is unique creative entity with a lot of thought behind almost everything to do. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

DEEP CUTS, is the new b-sides, rarities and oddities record from the new 20 year old band RED FANG. We talk about that, and how that usually is not Bryan's favorite kind of release. Some tidbits of the included songs. Early days with Last of the Juanitas (A Conan favorite), The band Party Time. Arrows, Letterman, meeting Metallica, mutant guitars, pedals and simplicity, riff writing, demos, Chris Funk, Ross Robinson, and lots, lots more. Dive deep! Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

Rob is back! And his Star Trek: The Next Generation themed band the Beverly Crushers has a brand new record called Enterprise. It is a deep dive into writing prompt vs. concept record, the vitality and importance of ST: tNG as monoculture influence to hourly procedurals, mainstreaming of sci-fi, and a precursor to serialized prestige television. All this and the origin of The Chop (and the Chop collective). Of course we also talk about the delightful 1001 Album Complaints podcast as well, where Rob and compatriots speak about albums on Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list weekly. Protonic Reversal is on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter, Facebook and even TikTok. Join us there. Also follow the show on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube if you use those services.

The mighty men of Big'n! At last. End Comes Too Soon is the new record and it rips. A song by song with all of that, as well as brief forays unto Ground Rule Double, Discipline, Knife of Sin, Oxes split and so much more. It is a rare glimpse into the Chicago legends history, including the path of Fred Popolo from fan to bass player. What XMSN means, recording the new stuff... All that and so much more.