Post-punk Heartstrings

Episode Overview In this episode, JimmyJames & Just Jim sit down with The Flashing Astonishers, the long‑running Syracuse indie/post‑punk band whose history stretches from their 1995 formation, through an eight‑year hiatus, to a full reunion in 2010. Guitarists Dan Musclow and Gregg Yeti, bassist Chuck Gwynn, and drummer Tony Tornebene dive into their origins, influences, studio stories, and the strange lore that’s grown around their music.The conversation quickly turns into classic Astonishers chaos: overlapping stories, inside jokes, questionable memories, and unexpected detours into band mythology, songwriting oddities, and whatever the future might look like for them.Band Background Formation: 1995Location: Syracuse, NYHiatus: Eight‑year break in the early 2000sReunion: 2010Related Project: Gregg Yeti & the Best Lights (2007)Current Lineup • Gregg Yeti — Guitars• Dan Musclow — Guitars & Vocals• Chuck Gwynn — Bass• Tony Tornebene — DrumsTopics CoveredEarly Days & Influences • What it was like going to school with Jim Anderson.• How each member first fell in love with making music — the albums, instruments, and first records that set them on their path.• The band’s formation in 1995 and the early chemistry that shaped their sound.• Sonic touchpoints: Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, Sugar, Pavement, Guided by Voices, and other bands that helped define their aesthetic.Songwriting & Creative Process • A look at how tracks like “The Back Nine” (Forever Unprepared) and “The Star Off Machine” take shape.• How their process has shifted or stayed the same across decades.Albums & Key Tracks • “Lip Balm” (Everything Is Going to Stop) — its unmistakable ’90s feel and the story behind the Morrissey nod.• “I’m Not One” — how its tight, punchy rhythm came together in the studio.• “Only Gone” — the reflective, melancholy‑bright moment on The Star Off Machine, and why a more fleshed‑out version appears on On Involuntary Bliss.• “Too Many Cigarettes” — whether it’s autobiographical or a character study, and how fans responded.• “Capsized” — why Allison Gates was brought in for vocals and what she added to the track.Gregg Yeti’s GBV Connection • Gregg’s contribution to the Guided by Voices tribute compilation Sing for Your Meat (2011), covering “Quality of Armor,” and what it meant to appear alongside The Flaming Lips, Superdrag, and others.Band Lore & Humor • Do cats really see ghosts?• Who is the King of Cans?• Who broke the stained glass — and why?• The mystery of the villainous Manchester Priests.Live Shows & Activity • Touring history: regional vs. national.• Whether the Porches EP sparked the desire to play live again.Genre Identity • If someone finds their record in a shop, should they look under indie rock, post‑punk, college rock, or “should have been huge”?What’s Ahead • Upcoming releases, future shows, and where The Flashing Astonishers are heading.Follow The Flashing Astonishers: • Website: https://bio.site/flashingastonishers • Bandcamp: https://theflashingastonishers.bandcamp.com/ • YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDxDXhiHelPdSWVLtUmUp_A • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflashingastonishers/Follow Gregg Yeti: • YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greggyetiAbout Post‑punk Heartstrings Post‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality — following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

Episode OverviewIn this episode, JimmyJames and “Just” Jim sit down with Greg Gordon and Cooper Gillespie of LANDROID, the high‑desert art‑rock trio rounded out by Nigel Roman, who was unable to join the interview.Greg and Cooper explore the band’s origins, their creative chemistry, the philosophical threads running through their work, and the stories behind the songs that define their latest album.Topics CoveredMusical Beginnings – Greg and Cooper trace their earliestmusical memories and how their paths eventually converged.High Desert Influence – How the stark beauty and isolationof the high desert shaped their sonic identity.Early Albums & Pre‑LANDROID Bands – A look back at theprojects and bands they were in before forming LANDROID.Songwriting Process – From initial sparks to fully layeredproductions — including Greg’s desire to write a 30‑minute track.“The Beginning” – Why this track feels like stepping into analter‑ego for Cooper, and how Nigel’s contributions shaped the song.“Yellow Sea” – Cooper discusses her fascination withmortality and the group reflects on near‑death experiences.Gnosticism & Spiritual Curiosity – How learning aboutGnostic ideas influenced the album’s themes and a broader conversation aboutreligion.Songs as Self‑Confession – Cooper chooses “Sometimes.” Gregchooses “The Ending,” inspired by a vivid dream.Songs as Alter‑Ego – Cooper: “The Beginning.” Greg: “Say MyName.”Quiet/Loud Dynamics & Pauses – How LANDROID usessilence, restraint, and sudden bursts of sound to create emotional tension.Greg’s Love of Layering – Vocals, synths, textures — whystacking sounds is central to their identity.Reproducing Music Live – The challenges and surprises oftranslating studio complexity to the stage.Creative Conflict – Do they ever argue creatively? And whatthey do when a song simply isn’t working.“Closing Doors” – The mood, the lyrics, and the emotionalweight behind the track.“Autonomous” – Themes, textures, and how the song fits intothe album’s larger arc.“Stay” – The choppy metal‑style guitar, Phil Collins‑inspireddrums, and how the track came together.What’s Coming Up – Future plans, new music, and whatLANDROID is excited about next.Featured Songs (Clips Included)“So Say We All” – intro“Lost in Transmission” – transition from intro“The Beginning”“Yellow Sea”“Sometimes”“The Ending”“Say My Name”“Closing Doors”“Autonomous”“Stay”WHERE TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT LANDROID:Official Band Website: https://www.landroidmusic.com/Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/landroid/1469591125Bandcamp: https://landroid.bandcamp.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landroidmusic/YouTube: https://youtube.com/landroidmusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/landroidmusicTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@landroidmusicSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DIJjtbZhJdqXSVSFfBWyP?si=xkPGQDZGTcaeThyWeeX2wA&nd=1&dlsi=125b811b6db84926  Connect with Post‑punk HeartstringsPost‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who leadwith emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp⁠Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstringsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kpSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

Episode SummaryAfter more than two decades away from releasing music, Craig Douglass Miller—frontman of the 90s Dallas band The Reach and now the creative force behind Blueburst—joins us for a deep, funny, and vulnerable conversation about rediscovery, mentorship, depression, and the long road back to making art.Craig opens up about the years he spent convinced he was“done,” the advertising career that took over, the drinking that diverted him, and the quiet creative ember that never fully went out. He talks candidly about the emotional through‑line from The Reach to Blueburst and the longing thatshaped both eras.And of course, we get into the pivotal role of MartyWillson‑Piper, whose guidance, friendship, and gentle pressure helped Craig rebuild confidence, finish songs, and step back into the musical life he thought he’d lost.Key TopicsCraig’s 20‑plus‑year hiatus from releasing musicHow COVID, stillness, and a guitar‑filled house cracked thedoor openMentorship, accountability, and the creative partnershipwith Marty Willson‑PiperThe emotional DNA connecting The Reach to BlueburstDepression, confidence, and the fear of failureThe 90s Dallas scene, mailing cassettes to college radio,and the strange gap between industry interest and tiny crowdsWhy echo pedals never stopped being coolWriting personal lyrics vs. character‑driven songs (thatstill end up being personal)Reflections on aging, contentment, and the themes behindSupernovaBlueburst — Official LinksWebsite: https://blueburst.band/Bandcamp: https://blueburst.bandcamp.com YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@blueburstmusicFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueburstmusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueburstmusicConnect with Post‑punk HeartstringsPost‑punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead withemotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kpSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

In this episode, we sit down with Gregg Yeti of The Flashing Astonishers for a wide-ranging, humorous, deeply human conversation about friendship, Syracuse music history, shoegaze influences, DIY culture, and the long, winding road of making art over decades.Gregg shares stories from his early days hanging out in basements, the musical influence of Jim Anderson, discovering bands through mixtapes and 120 Minutes, forming The Flashing Astonishers in the mid-’90s, and navigating the chaos, creativity, and camaraderie that shaped the band. He also opens up about personal struggles, the band’s long hiatus, his prolific solo years, and the renewed energy behind their recent recordings.Highlights:Growing up in Syracuse and discovering alternative music through friends, MTV, and mixtapesEarly basement hangouts, Telecasters, and the seeds of songwritingThe formation of The Mildreds and eventually The Flashing AstonishersRecording early demos in a bathroom and bringing them to Pyramid StudiosInfluences including Ride, Slowdive, My Bloody Valentine, Pavement, Guided By Voices, and Teenage FanclubStories behind songs like Back Nine, Lip Balm, I’m Not One, and Only GoneGregg’s solo years as Gregg Yeti & The Best Lights and Leopard PonyThe band’s breakup, personal challenges, and eventual reunionThe making of the Porches EP and a mountain of unreleased materialThe joy of physical media, DIY packaging, and planting creative seedsFuture plans for new Flashing Astonishers musicBand Lineup:Gregg Yeti — guitar, bass, vocals, songwritingDan Musclow — vocals, guitar, songwritingTony Tornabene — drumsChuck Quinn — bassSongs & Artists Mentioned:Back Nine, Lipbalm, I’m Not One, Only Gone, Capsized, plus references to The Cure, The Swirlies, and more.Closing:If you enjoy deep-dive conversations about alternative music, DIY culture, and the stories behind the songs, follow Post-punk Heartstrings for more interviews, album discussions, and musical archaeology.Follow The Flashing Astonishers:Website: https://bio.site/flashingastonishersBandcamp: https://theflashingastonishers.bandcamp.com/YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCDxDXhiHelPdSWVLtUmUp_AFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflashingastonishers/Follow Gregg Yeti:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greggyetiPost-punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality—following the deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kpSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings

In Episode 53 of Post-punk Heartstrings, we sit down with legendary drummer Aaron “A-Train” Smith, whose career spans alternative rock, new wave, and influential Christian music scenes from the 1980s onward.Aaron shares stories from his time with The 77s, his work in the post-punk/new wave world with Romeo Void, andrecording sessions with artists like Rich Mullins, Charlie Peacock, Chris Taylor and Ojo Taylor. Along the way we talk about musical influences, Nashville sessions, and the unique intersection of alternative music and faith-based communities.Aaron also reflects on his early musical upbringing, learning drums as a kid, and the winding path that led him fromNorth Carolina to Sacramento and eventually Nashville.If you enjoy deep dives into alternative music history and behind-the-scenes musician stories, this is an episode youwon’t want to miss.Episode Highlights• Aaron’s early musical influences and learning drums in North Carolina• Joining The 77s and the band’s creative peak in the late 80s and early 90s• The famous drum solo in the live version of Mercy Mercy• Playing with Vector, Romeo Void and The 77’s during the new wave era• Recording and touring with Rich Mullins and the Ragamuffin Band• Nashville session work with Charlie Peacock and Margaret Becker• Recording stories and studio memories with Steve Scott• Working on projects including recordings with Chris Taylor and more recently Ojo Taylor’s BEHOLD albumSongs Featured in This Episode• Caught in an Unguarded Moment –The 77shttps://open.spotify.com/artist/2S6tJwZf8kzP0bQm7m4VqW• Desperately – Vectorhttps://open.spotify.com/search/vector%20desperately• Higher Ground – Chris Taylorhttps://open.spotify.com/search/chris%20taylor%20higher%20groundArtists & Projects DiscussedThe 77shttps://open.spotify.com/artist/2S6tJwZf8kzP0bQm7m4VqWRomeo Voidhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/3IbXhW2hYhI8M2YF3yJf9YRich Mullinshttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6zZySmcFZ2zvR3yQY7dF9VCharlie Peacockhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/3y2YhKkK8QbP8S9Pq7Z3t3Margaret Beckerhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6qF2iV7R7E4kP9hGQeW0k0Steve Scotthttps://open.spotify.com/search/steve%20scott%20musicPost-punk Heartstrings explores artists who lead with emotion, commitment, and originality—followingthe deeper threads that connect sound, memory, and meaning.Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/PostpunkHeartstrings/⁠YouTube ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Post-punkHeartstringsPod-wf5kp⁠Spotify ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3kngtZ8HsbDL0YFt4m6otZ⁠Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/postpunkheartstrings/.🎵 Songs & Artists Featuredin This Episode• A Girl in Trouble (Is a TemporaryThing) — Romeo Voidhttps://open.spotify.com/search/A%20Girl%20in%20Trouble%20Romeo%20Void• Caught in an Unguarded Moment —The 77’shttps://open.spotify.com/search/Caught%20in%20an%20Unguarded%20Moment%2077s• Higher Ground — Chris Taylorhttps://open.spotify.com/search/Higher%20Ground%20Chris%20Taylor• The Altars — Ojo Taylorhttps://open.spotify.com/search/The%20Altars%20Ojo%20Taylor• Mercy Mercy (Live) — The 77’shttps://open.spotify.com/search/Mercy%20Mercy%20Live%2077s• Minor Characters — Steve Scotthttps://youtu.be/zty_menBhBc?si=65FbRRslKjIgSvRl• Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone — TheTemptationshttps://open.spotify.com/search/Papa%20Was%20a%20Rollin%20Stone%20Temptations• Sunshine — Ray Charleshttps://open.spotify.com/search/Sunshine%20Ray%20Charles• Desperately — Vectorhttps://youtu.be/F1oT8W5tY_I?si=oWi57SUjYj0WswQ2 • What Is the Mystery — SteveScotthttps://youtu.be/elC06ATHkro?si=aUE3I2_HcjcyqAEC