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Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman
Whatever Comes Next with Tom Osman
Author: Getting to know the music makers out on the fringes
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© Tom Osman
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On Whatever Comes Next I explore the world of independent and underground music making. I talk with music makers, producers and label owners to hear their stories. I like music with a sense of mystery. I like surprises and unique stories... and noise... and weirdness... and darkness... and I want to learn more.
tomosman.substack.com
tomosman.substack.com
125 Episodes
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Blunt Knife Castration is an extreme-metal project born out of a fascination with 70s/80s horror movies, a botched surgery and the shadow of the Covid pandemic.Blood & Oil, released this Friday on Remorseless Records is the third release from Simon Bryant under the Blunt Knife Castration name—Simon handling all the playing and recording, with the project being a solo venture up till now. Currently Simon is in the midst of rehearsing with two newly-recruited members, the intention being to take Blunt Knife Castration onto stages in Simon’s local Kent in England and hopefully beyond. With the dirty, noisy, overdriven spirit of sludge-metal icons Eyehategod a musical reference point since 2024 demo Chewed Up And Spat Out, Blood & Oil sees Blunt Knife Castration continue to evolve as Simon channels a more introspective, inner darkness. Simon joins me to discuss the latest record, the project’s origins, his years away from heavy music and plans for the future. Closing track: “Guilt Pig” (Remorseless Records, 2026)Check out Blunt Knife Castration on bandcampThanks to Kyle at Good Boy PRVisit Remorseless RecordsCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderMy music on AmpwallPodcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job KidIntro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
First rising to prominence in underground circles with neo-no-wave group Arab On Radar in the mid-90s, guitarist Steve Mattos has been involved in a number of notable musical projects over the past three decades. Most recently Steve has been making music as part of THERE, a psychedelic, noise-rock four-piece based in Providence, Rhode Island, where Steve was born. Also featuring former members of notable Rhode Island groups like Daughters and The Chinese Stars, THERE recently released their debut, self-titled album on Psychic Static. Steve joins me to discuss the band, the album, growing up in Rhode Island, the influence of jazz throughout his career and the infamous first Arab On Radar show opening for Marilyn Manson in the mid-90s. Closing track: “Disposable Head” (Psychic Static, 2026)Check out THERE on bandcampThanks to J at Psychic StaticVisit Psychic StaticCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderMy music on AmpwallPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
2026 marks the five-year anniversary of Discipline PR, the agency founded by former Ohm Resistance head of PR, Dan Volohov. Catering to musicians and bands across all genres, Dan and Discipline PR have been serving the underground, DIY music world with heart, enthusiasm and creativity since their inception in 2021.With Dan being so embedded in the musical underground it should be no surprise that Discipline PR has had a hand in many of the projects that have been highlighted on this here podcast Whatever Comes Next. Dan in fact helped set up my conversation with Peter Stahl of Scream for the very first ever episode of WCN. As with my conversations with Dave Brenner of Earsplit PR (Episode 100: DIY Special), Clément Duboscq of Vous Connaissez ? PR (Episode 104) and Howard Wuelfing of Howlin’ Wuelf Media (Episode 118) I was delighted to get a chance to pick Dan’s brain on a bunch of music topics as he sees them from his position in PR. It’s a great pleasure for me, both to get insights from people behind the scenes who’ve been great supporters of my own DIY music investigations, but also just to get to chat in real time to people I’m so often firing emails back and forth with. Featuring tales of Keith Levene (of PiL), Touch & Go Records, Mick Harris (of Napalm Death and Scorn) and plenty more.Closing track: “Fixer (with Megan Osztrosits of COUCH SLUT) (SKiN GRAFT Records/ Overdrive, 2024)Agency website: Discipline PRCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderMy music on AmpwallPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Luxury Skin is a musical creation both beautiful and dissonant, elegant and ominous. Last week saw the release of “Die Waiting”, the latest Luxury Skin single and a teaser for the as-yet unnamed follow-up to debut album It’s All Over from 2023. Juliet E. Gordon is the creator of this musical world and she joins me to discuss Luxury Skin and her former band The Classical, and share her insights on writing, recording, touring and the meaning behind some of her songs. Closing track: “Die Waiting” (2026)For all links: luxuryskin.xyzLuxury Skin on bandcampJuliet’s blog on substack: Ask LuxuryCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderMy music on AmpwallPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Jack Carino, Jillian Keats, Adam Kaniper, and Kevin Henson are no novices to the musical underground—having all been involved in various different projects. Together as Stress Spells the four create an intense, anxiety-inducing barrage of slicing, interweaving guitars, jerking grooves and impassioned vocals. Hearts Never Tire is the band’s debut full-length and will be released digitally and on vinyl through Fuzz Records on the 6th of February. Jack, Jill, Adam and Kevin join me to discuss the record, their influences and inspirations and how to pick which battles to fight. Closing track: “Too Little Too Late” (2026)Buy Hearts Never Tire on vinyl or digitally on bandcamp. Thanks to Justin at The Chain. Check out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderMy music on AmpwallPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Never one for rushing his music, Robert Deeble’s latest record The Space Between Us follows up his last full length record Beloved from 2017. A lot has happened in the world since then. In his thoughtful, lyrical way Deeble reflects on the state of the world around him and its impact on human relationships. The Space Between Us is also a record that continues Deeble’s fascination with pulling from literary sources to construct his delicately beautiful songs. In this conversation we discuss Deeble’s music, its various influences, his collaborators and the importance of community.Closing track: “Orphan Song” (2025)Buy The Space Between Us on vinyl or CD on bandcamp—digital copies and streams available from the 6th of February. Photo by Michael WilsonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderMy music on AmpwallPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Back in September 2025, with the help of Dave Brenner of Earsplit PR, I put together a special 100th episode of Whatever Comes Next with eight different guests (including Dave). For this episode, I wanted to dedicate more of the time with my guests to getting their takes and insights on the music business—as it is for independent artists (whether from the position of touring and recording artists, producers, label owners or publicists).As a little extra, I thought it would be fun to ask each of my guests to tell me about some musical experience that changed their lives. Whether it was Dave Brenner having his mind blown at a Neurosis show in the 90s, or Steve Austin of Today Is The Day pretty much fleeing town after being so unnerved by a Jesus Lizard show, I got some great, entertaining stories. Hopefully you’ll feel the same. Check out Dave Brenner’s latest album as Gridfailure Visit Nefarious Industries for all their latest releasesCheck out the latest Today Is The Day recordCheck out Urlo’s latest record as THE MONVisit Malleus for all their work and forthcoming Tarot Kickstarter projectVisit Black Matter MasteringVisit Exile On MainstreamIntro: 00:00Dave Brenner (Earsplit PR/ Gridfailure): 03:17Greg Meisenberg (Nefarious Industries): 14:28Steve Austin (Today Is The Day): 19:33Lu, Urlo, Poia (Malleus/ Supernatural Cat/ Ufomammut): 34:22Dan Emery (Black Matter Mastering): 40:29Andreas Kohl (Exile On Mainstream): 44:05 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Howard Wuelfing started making music, and writing about it in the 70s, first in New Jersey and subsequently Washington D.C. where he found himself in the midst of the burgeoning local underground scene of that time.Descenes and Discords: An Anthology (out now on DiWulf Publishing) presents complete facsimiles of two important fanzines that Wuelfing edited and wrote for during this key time in U.S. DIY music history—including reviews, live reports, interviews and letters and early coverage of bands like Bad Brains and Mission of Burma.In this conversation we discuss the story of both fanzines and Wuelfing’s place in the D.C. underground of the time—the bands, the writers and the community—his subsequent move into music PR and his thoughts on DIY music making today.Closing track: Underheaven “Adding Up To Nothing” (2023)Buy Descenes and Discords: An Anthology from DiWulf PublishingHoward Wuelfing on bandcampUnderheaven on facebookSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
The anonymous, Parisian duo of Void and Moon have been making wildly-creative, unclassifiable music together since 2021, though the history of the project goes back some years earlier. Over the past four years or so the duo have been remarkably prolific, putting out a series of releases as Non Serviam, Hiverlucide, Biollante and Néant—collaborating with various other artists along the way and blending electro, noise, black metal, sludge, goth rock and industrial music into their own particular musical concoctions. With the pair working on various releases to be completed in the new year I caught up Void and Moon to talk about their music, their politics, live performances and what’s coming in 2026. Follow Non Serviam on bandcamp for all their music and related projects and links to their videos on YouTube and other platforms.Closing track: “Biollante” (Trepanation Recordings, 2022)Support the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Around five years ago multi-instrumentalist Jason Roberts started Breaths—a solo project that incorporates various styles and elements and can dramatically shift in sound from one release to the next.Keeping things simple, Jason refers to what he creates as “heavy music”, but listeners may hear traces of Deftones, Cult of Luna, desert rock and nu metal (just as a few examples).Violescent, the latest album by Breaths (out today on Fiadh Productions) was originally intended as the debut release of a band by the same name (Jason joined by drummer Wren and bassist Ski), before the project ultimately transformed into the latest Breaths release.Jason joins me to discuss the record, his musical history, why (for now) he’s done with touring and the impact of technology on the music world today.Closing track: “The Worm” (Fiadh Productions, 2025)Thanks to Bariann at FiadhBuy Violescent on cassetteBuy Violescent on vinyl and CD Follow Breaths on InstagramFollow Breaths on facebookSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Most well known as the long-standing bass player for grindcore pioneers Napalm Death, Shane Embury is a prolific artist whose fascination with experimental and underground music transcends any genre pigeonholing.Dark Sky Burial is a project Embury brought into being during the years of the Covid pandemic and one musically inspired by atmospheric, electronic acts like Coil and Dead Can Dance.Running parallel to Embury’s recent music-making under the Dark Sky Burial name, the musician has been investigating the inner self through a practice of Jungian individuation, making this musical project a deeply personal one of self as well as musical discovery.The Sacred Neurotic, the latest Dark Sky Burial album, will be released this coming Friday on Consouling Sounds. In this conversation we discuss the album, the project, the state of the music business for underground artists and Embury shares stories of his time in Napalm Death and his long-standing love and affection for Cardiacs, a band perhaps equally significant and beloved in the UK underground of the past 50 years as Napalm Death is.Closing track: “Smother” (Consouling Sounds, 2025)Thanks to Dan at Discipline PRBuy The Sacred NeuroticFollow Dark Sky BurialSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Today marks the release of Wyrmoon II the second full-length album by Maine black metal group Wyrmoon. The band’s vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and founder Guinevere Sylvain joins me to discuss the record, songwriting, the band’s origins, stories from the road and music in the digital age. Closing track: “Sickle Knife Devotion” (Fiadh Productions, 2025) Thanks to Bariann at Fiadh Buy Wyrmoon II on vinyl / Cassette Follow Wyrmoon Support the show and get bonus content at Patreon Check out my latest album Real Silence on Drama Recorder Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/ Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
The story of The Balboas stretches back across several decades. It’s a story that intertwines with surf-guitar legend Dick Dale—while on the band’s latest record, Bite! Blood! Repeat! (out this Friday on Burn N’ Surf Records), the groups spiritual bond with the movies of Quentin Tarantino is even more firmly cemented with the feature of The 5678s (who appeared in Kill Bill). This latest record features many other notable collaborations, including Mike Watt and Paul Roessler.Rich Griffith joins me to discuss the record, the band’s history, surfing, punk music, touring and what it means to be a Balboa. Closing track: “Bury It With You” (Burn N’ Surf Records, 2025) Photo: Suzanne ClementsThanks to Dan at Discipline PRBuy the album Music, links and press at The BalboasSupport the show and get bonus content at Patreon Check out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Italian duo Bruno Dorella and Stefania Pedretti have been making avant-garde electro-rock music together as OvO for twenty five years. The electro-industrial Gemma is the pair’s latest album (out now on Artoffact Records).Bruno and Stefania join me to discuss the record, magic, ritual, growing up in Italy, their time living and performing in squats and their thoughts on the digital age in music.Closing track: “Opale” feat. Lord Spokeheart (Artoffact Records, 2025)Photo by Annapaola MartinThanks for Curran at The ChainBuy the albumFollow OvO on facebookInstagramSupport the show and get bonus content at Patreon Check out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Dark, instrumental, jazz-rock duo Mellowdeath are Sara Neidorf and Isabel Merten.Sara and Isabel join me to discuss their debut, self-titled album (out now on Cruel Nature Records), the origins of the band, the visuals and artwork, playing live, the realities of touring and their plans for 2026.Thanks to Dave at Earsplit PRAlbum art by Chloe GroveBuy the album:digitalcassetteFollow Mellowdeath on InstagramSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
In 1979 singer Jeff Buckland, rhythm guitarist Bill Dickson, bassist John Hannah, lead guitarist Tom Milmore, and drummer Jerid O’Connell entered a recording studio for a session overseen by Ed Stasium (producer and engineer for bands like Talking Heads and Motörhead) and recorded a great set of rock n’ roll songs. Surely fame and fortune was right around the corner? Except that recording session never saw the light of day, until a few weeks ago when 1979 Sire Session was finally released to the public thanks to Left For Dead Records.So what happened in the time between? What became of Rousers and the various members? Why did this recording remain unheard for all these years? These questions I explore with guitarist and songwriter Bill Dickson as we discuss the Rousers story, his own musical journey and how 1979 Sire Session finally gets an opportunity to reach the audience it always deserved to have. Thanks to Howard at Howlin’ Wuelf Media. Check out 1979 Sire SessionSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Having been a member of iconic post-punk and industrial bands like PiL, Killing Joke and Pigface, while also playing for NIN and Ministry (just to mention a few notable names), it wouldn’t be hyperbole to call Martin Atkins a living legend of underground music... so let’s do that. This November 28th and 29th will see Reggies, Chicago host ‘Martin Atkins Presents: Killing Joke’s Extremities’ where the drummer and a stellar cast from the musical underground (including Randy Blythe, Justin Pearson and Mark Gemini Thwaite) will perform ‘Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions’, the album Atkins made while a member of the band and one of Killing Joke’s most brutal and eviscerating albums. Some weeks ago I interviewed Atkins via email for New Noise Magazine to get his insights on the event and his time in Killing Joke. This episode of Whatever Comes Next is my second opportunity to talk with Atkins and the first in real time. And oh, what a music nerd’s delight it was. Having opened The Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music in 2021 and being no stranger to guided tours and speaking events, Atkins is a treasure trove of stories and insights. Given such an opportunity to chat with the man you just have to decide which roads you want to go down. Our conversation took in the forthcoming event, what it’s like managing bands, early years working with Trent Reznor, the story of Andy Rourke of The Smiths’ brief time in Killing Joke, working with Steve Albini, as well as some fascinating insights from Atkins regarding touring and the music business. Thank you to Justin Pearson and Rebecca Mendenhall for making this interview possible. Closing track: “Point Blank” Pigface (Invisible 1990 / Cleopatra 2023) For all things Martin Atkins and The Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music Tickets for Martin Atkins Presents: Extremities (including livestream)Support the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
I’ve been an avid follower of all things Veilburner ever since I first became aware of the extreme-metal duo around the time of their 2019 release A Sire to the Ghouls of Lunacy.That was album number four and now as Mephisto Deleterio and Chrisom Infernium (or Dave and Chris as they are without the masks) join me for the second time on Whatever Comes Next (the first time being episode 42) we are just a few days away from the release of their eighth album, Longing for Triumph, Reeking of Tragedy (out this Friday on Transcending Obscurity Records).Join us as Dave and Chris reveal details of the making of the record, Dave’s guitar approach, Chris’ lyrics and album concepts, the duo’s costumes and masks, their album art (courtesy of Luciana Nedelea) and plenty more besides (with an even more extensive version of our conversation on Patreon).Closing track: “Matter o’ the Most Awful of Martyrs” (Transcending Obscurity Records, 2025)For all things Veilburner and links to their music: facebookInstagramTranscending Obscurity storeVeilburner on bandcampSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
Ailise Blake makes music that’s hard to categorise, but grabbed me from the moment I put on her latest record Soave (out this Friday on These Hands Melt).Interconnected with her practices in ceremonial magick, Soave is a highly evocative and atmospheric record, built around voice and guitar, but filled with a range of other instrumentation, to dark, dreamy and beguiling effect.Ali and I discuss the unique circumstances and setting that the album was created in, magick, inspiration, touring and the importance of the visual side of art.Thanks to Dom at 3nationClosing track: “CONSECRATION” (These Hands Melt, 2025)Follow Ailise BlakeBuy Soave from These Hands MeltSupport the show and get bonus content at PatreonCheck out my latest album Real Silence on Drama RecorderPodcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com
THE MON is the solo project of Urlo—bassist, vocalist and synth player of heavy psychedelic rock band Ufomammut, as well as being a core part of Supernatural Cat and Malleus. Songs of Abandon (out on the 7th of November on Supernatural Cat and the first in a two part concept to be followed by Songs of Embrace in 2026) is the latest record from THE MON and one with an unusual story—as well as being uniquely acoustic-guitar driven compared to Urlo’s other releases (both as THE MON and with Ufomammut). Urlo and I discuss the background of the album, the writing, recording and the production. We talk about some of the album’s inspirations like Black Sabbath and Syd Barrett and we consider what makes music heavy and the ineffable qualities of Nirvana, Kyuss and Led Zeppelin. Thanks to Dave at Earsplit PR Photos by Anna Bechis Closing track: “Mayhem” (Supernatural Cat, 2025) Follow THE MON Buy Songs of Abandon from Supernatural Cat Malleus Support the show and get bonus content at Patreon Check out my latest album Real Silence on Drama Recorder Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/ Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com






















