Unrest - "Perfect Teeth" with Mark Robinson
Description
In this episode, we explore Perfect Teeth, the 1993 swan song from Unrest, a band that redefined what DC and Northern Virginia indie rock could be. Released on the legendary UK label 4AD, the album blended minimalist pop, rhythmic precision, and clean-toned experimentation into a concise, stylish statement that still resonates three decades later.
Formed in 1983 by Mark Robinson, Philip Krauth, and Tim Moran, Unrest began as a suburban basement band in Arlington, Virginia. Over the next ten years, they evolved into one of the most distinctive voices in American indie music. Alongside their own recordings, Robinson founded Teen-Beat Records, a label that combined DIY punk values with graphic design, eccentric curation, and a numbered catalog system that became iconic in its own right.
In this conversation, we’re joined by Mark Robinson, Unrest’s guitarist, co-vocalist, and Teen-Beat founder. We talk about the band’s formation in the early ’80s, the lo-fi cassette years, the arrival of bassist Bridget Cross, the band’s art-pop sensibility, and the bold recording decisions that led to Perfect Teeth including a 7-inch box set and a faux Simon Le Bon production credit. We also discuss how Unrest carved a lane completely their own within the broader DC scene.
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Hosts:
- Philip Basnight – Broke Royals
- Alex Vidales – Pilot Waves
Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight
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