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
Since forming the band in the early 90s guitarist Chris Pervelis has remained consistent in his vision for the hard-hitting death metal unit Internal Bleeding. Through the years the band have had creative highs, numerous line-up changes, and survived tragedy and shady business dealings. Out of all of this comes the band’s latest record Settle All Scores (out now on Maggot Stomp) with Internal Bleeding sounding as fresh, fired-up and visceral as ever. Chris joins me to discuss the record, his musical origins, some of the band’s history and stories and share his insights from decades working in and out of the music business. Closing track: Empire of Terror (Featuring Joe Marchese) Photo: Paul McNeillThanks to Dave at Earsplit PR Buy Settle All Scores Follow Internal Bleeding Support the podcast and extra features at Patreon My music 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
Five years ago life-long music devotee Clément Duboscq decided to take some of his experience as a music writer and musician and start his own micro-agency Vous Connaissez ? PR, representing bands and artists in France and further afield.Not so long after Clément’s move into music PR, he and I worked together on the Non Serviam/ Gobscrew collaboration Biollante and their album J’Espère Que Tu Danseras Quelque Part Clément continues to represent a range of artists across the musical underground, (including a number of previous collaborations with Pelagic Records), several of which have guested on this podcast—most recently ii [Two Eyes].Together we discuss Clément’s musical roots, the history of Vous Connaissez ? PR and various insights from the world of music PR.Closing track: “Among The Mourners” from Life Is by LOONS (released November 28 on Howlin Banana/Head Records/Les Disques du Paradis)Follow Vous Connaissez ? PR:facebookInstagramSupport the podcast and extra features at Patreon My music on my website 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
Gridfailure is Dave Brenner, but just as it’s hard to put a simple genre tag on this music that combines noise, jazz, folk and numerous other elements, the creative inputs that feed one Gridfailure release or another can be manifold. On the project’s latest release Sixth Mass-Extinction Skulduggery III (out now on Nefarious Industries) Brenner brings in a host of collaborators, including Today Is The Day’s Steve Austin, Leila Abdul-Rauf, Mac Gollehon, Greg Meisenberg and many others. Dave and I discuss the album in detail, the origins of Gridfailure and why the record and Today Is The Day’s new record Never Give In are so closely linked. Sixth Mass-Extinction Skulduggery III on bandcampGridfailure on Nefarious IndustriesFollow Gridfailure on Instagram, facebook, TwitterSupport the podcast and extra features at PatreonMy musicPodcast 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
At it’s core -ii- [Two Eyes] is Hélène Ruzic and Benjamin Racine. Since 2018 the duo have been crafting their unique, dark blend of industrial, shoegaze, alternative, ritualistic music.Complemented on their latest album Apostles of the Flesh by Maxime Keller (bass, synths, prepared piano) and David L’Huillier (drums, percussions), Hélène and Benjamin join me to discuss the album, their music, their visual inspirations and the state of the music business for independent artists in France today.Photos: Benjamin RacineBuy Apostles of the Flesh on bandcampFollow -ii- on InstagramSee -ii- live in 2025:- 17.10 : @luxembourg_tattoo_convention - Luxembourg LU- 23.10 : @lautrecanalnancy - Nancy w. @bruit_official et @alcestofficial )- 26.10 : @lescitronsmasques - Yverdon-les-Bains CH- 27.10 : @brindezinc - Barberaz- 31.10 : TBA - Nancy (duo)Thanks to Clément at Vous ConnaissezSupport the podcast and get extra features at PatreonGo to my website for all my musicPodcast 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
What is Yowie? The simple answer is that they’re an instrumental three-piece of drums and two guitars. Once you start trying to describe the music however, this is where the fun starts. My characterisation of listening to Taking Umbrage (the band’s new album, out today on SKiN GRAFT Records) is that it’s like the world has turned into Play-Doh and it’s swirling in a whirlpool that’s being fed through a meat grinder. Perhaps it’s best we turn to drummer and founding member Shawn “Defenestrator” guitarist Daniel “The Quidnunk” (who alongside guitarist Jack “Oakie Doke” currently complete the lineup) for a more sensible explanation of the band’s sound, how they construct their music and how the Yowie sound has evolved over the years. Oh, well how about that! Shawn and Daniel are right here to do just that, so let’s find out what they have to say. We also discuss the gorgeous artwork of Taking Umbrage, created by Arnulf Roedler, with the album available to buy right now from the link below. Taking Umbrage on bandcamp Yowie on facebook Yowie on Instagram Catch Yowie on tour in Europe: Wed.22.10.25 BE BRUSSELS - Magasin 4 Thu.23.10.25 FR - LILLE Centre Culturel Libertaire Fri.24.10.25 UK LONDON - Strongroom Sat.25.10.25 FR AMIENS - Accueil froid Sun.26.10.25 FR PARIS La cantine de Belleville Mon.27.10.25 OFF Tue.28.10.25 DK COPENHAGEN - Rahuset Wed.29.10.25 DE HAMBURG - Hafenklang Thu.30.10.25 DE BERLIN - K19 Fri.31.10.25 PL GDANSK - Klub Zak Sat.1.11.25 PL WOLOW - Nowa Forma Club Sun.2.11.25 CZ PRAGUE - Cafe V Lese Mon.3.11.25 CZ České Budějovice - Žižkárna Tue.4.11.25 OFF Wed.5.11.25 CH GENEVE - La Cave Thu.6.11.25 FR LYON - Les Capucins Fri.7.11.25 FR BESANCON - Les Passagers Du Zinc Sat.8.11.25 BE KORTRIJK - Sonic City FestivalSupport 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
For episode 100 of Whatever Comes Next I wanted to do something special and thanks to Dave Brenner at Earsplit PR I was able to put this multi-interview episode discussion of DIY music together.My guests have decades of experience in the musical underground in pretty much any dimension of getting music out there you can imagine.I talk in turn with Dave Brenner (Earsplit PR/ Gridfailure), Greg Meisenberg (Nefarious Industries / A F*****g Elephant), Steve Austin (Today Is The Day / Supernova Records), Urlo, Lu & Poia (Malleus / Supernatural Cat / Ufomammut), Dan Emery (Black Matter Mastering / Thetan) and Andreas Kohl (Exile On Mainstream Records).What does DIY mean to them? How is the landscape for people in the musical underground now? What can we expect in the future?Thanks to all my guests for taking part.Earsplit PRGridfailure (new album) Nefarious Industries Today Is The Day (new album) MalleusSupernatural Cat Black Matter MasteringExile On Mainstream Records To support the show and get bonus content sign up on 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
Pain Magazine brings together the two musical worlds of industrial-techno duo Maelstrom & Louisahhh and post-hardcore three-piece Birds In Row. Violent God (out on the 3rd of October on Humus Records) is the musical child birthed of this dark union. As lyrically violent and menacing as the music is, Violent God has its moments of not exactly light, but a certain sonic respite that glimmers as shards amongst malevolent, industrial beats, jagged, icy guitars and electronic textures that by turns envelope the listener or sound the alarm.But for all the sonic intensity of the music, Louisa Pillot and Bart Balboa (two fifths of Pain Magazine) make for charming and eloquent guests, as we delve into the creation of Violent God, as well as dissecting the violence of capitalism and the struggles of independent artists navigating their way between the jaws of the machine.Cover photo: Mae Ferron Photo 2: Jodie RoszakCheck out Violent God on bandcampPain Magazine on Humus RecordsPain Magazine on InstagramCheck 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
Multi-instrumentalist Chris Grigg has been involved in numerous musical projects over the past 20 years. Back in 2007 Chris started black-metal project Woe—first solo, before expanding to a full band.With Woe most recently releasing their fifth full-length, Legacies of Frailty, in 2023, Chris has also found time to feature as the drummer for death-metal group Glorious Depravity (the band soon to be releasing their second album, Death Never Sleeps, on Transcending Obscurity Records.)And if that's not enough, in recent times Chris applied his skills from his day job as a programmer to create the independent music platform Ampwall.Chris joins me to discuss some of the history of Woe, from its inception, through his experiences working with Candlelight and the long process of getting the rights back to his music. We also discuss the (double) sale of bandcamp and Chris' determination to create a truly independent alternative in Ampwall.Check out Woe on AmpwallCheck out Glorious Depravity and their forthcoming albumCheck 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
New York based artist and illustrator Caroline Harrison's work with underground and extreme bands and musicians goes back almost 15 years designing the logo and and various cover art for death metal group Pyrrhon, but her journey as a visual artist goes back much further than that. More recently (and including a decade working at the sadly now closed Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn) Caroline has created artwork for bands like Pig Destroyer, KEN mode and Chat Pile, applying her particular style blending together beauty and ugliness. We discuss Caroline's early artistic and musical inspirations, years of balancing other jobs with artistic creation, the pros and cons of social media, the Ampwall platform and how it provides visual artists like Caroline (as well as musicians) with an alternative to bandcamp... and we talk about artist and Lovely Little Girls singer Gregory Jacobsen (who first suggested this interview—thanks Gregory!) Photo by Ebru YildizSee Caroline's work (with links to Ampwall and social media pages) 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
In a musical career that's spanned decades, many projects, several solo releases and becoming a published author Blake Fleming first made a name for himself in the 90s as the teenage drummer for post-hardcore group Dazzling Killmen. Having built an enduring relationship with SKiN GRAFT Records, the band split in 1995. Now 30 years later, as a new iteration of Dazzling Killmen gets back together (original members Blake, Nick Sakes and new recruits Ben Greenberg and Evan Jagles), SKiN GRAFT Records is set to release the long-out-of-print Dazzling Killmen debut Dig Out The Switch (originally recorded by Steve Albini and remastered by Andris Balins and Blake Fleming). Blake joins me to discuss his musical origins, the early days of Dazzling Killmen, working with Steve Albini and Jeff Tweedy on Dig Out The Switch, his solo career, writing The Book of Rhythm and some of his other ongoing projects. Closing track: Serpentarium Thanks to Mark at SKiN GRAFT Records Visit Blake's website Order Dig Out The Switch Check out Dazzling Killmen's upcoming tour dates on Instagram or facebookCheck 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
Speed of Light (released this coming Friday) is the second album by psychedelic-pop-rock project The Silver Snails and a record a decade in the making. Recorded between Italy and Portland, Oregon, the record (like The Silver Snails itself) is tied to no one specific place—with the project's architect Lucas Ward having lived and drawn influences from all over the world. Lucas joins me to discuss the record, the involvement of his wife (and occasionally also their children) in The Silver Snails, their music videos, his history with Portland and Elliott Smith, various insights into the costs of making music, and Lucas' goal to open hearts through music. Closing track: U Say U Know Thanks to Howard at Howlin' Wuelf Media For all things The Silver Snails visit their websiteCheck 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
Gucked Up (out this Friday on Three One G) is the debut album by LA noise-punk five-piece GUCK and fits right into the delightfully cacophonous musical world the label has curated, with bands like Deaf Club, F**k Money and Stress Positions.Vocalist April Gerloff and guitarist Chappy Hull join me to discuss the record, their musical backgrounds, April's history with Three One G founder Justin Pearson and their insights on booking shows and building a musical community.And on the topic of shows, GUCK will be playing a number of shows in September starting in San Diego, CA on the 18th of September at the Soda Bar. Go check them out.Closing track: GUBARThanks to Justin at The Chain / Three One GFollow GUCK on InstagramPre-order Gucked Up from Three One GCheck 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