Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal

Latest Episodes:

Ep217: Greg Saunier (Deerhoof) Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

The mighty Greg Saunier of Deerhoof returns to Protonic Reversal! It has been over a year, and last time was pre-pandemic, uprising and election. Wow! Since we barely got through the first couple records last time with all the talk of San Francisco… this talk includes Defund the Police, and policing those that SAY Defund the Police, as well as all of the world events since then. It also gets us through the Chris Cohen era of Deerhoof and (almost all of) the 2000s. Many fine tales, including DAVID BOWIE, Thom Yorke slam dancing and putting together samples in the most torturous and labor intensive way possible. Work/life balance. All that. A DEEP DIVE into Reveille, Apple O, Milk Man, Green Cosmos, Runners Four and a little bit about Friend Opportunity. Part1 and Part3!

HELLS BALLS - An AC/DC Round Table special, with Brian Walsby and Tony Ash Dec 19, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to a round table discussion on the rock band AC/DC, with Brian Walsby, Tony Ash and Conan Neutron. Album by album thoughts and breakdowns by three smart ass rock dudes that really like the band, but also appreciate their total absurdity. HELLS BALLS! It is a protonic reversal special.

Ep216: Syd Butler (Les Savy Fav, 8G Band, Frenchkiss Records) Dec 05, 2020

Show notes

Formation of the 8G Band with Fred Armisen! Playing Late Night with Seth Meyers… guest drummers and adjustments. A new way of working and who does and does not have punk rock reference points. (Also, nobody cares if you don’t watch tv.) Les Savy Fav starting up with 3/5 and playing those songs years later, LSF, the Ft. Thunder house band. Frenchkiss Records! the Cat and the Cobra, and obsessing about a sample. Toko Yasuda! ROME (written upside down), Playing with Shellac. The long history of the Inches 7″ single project, the puzzle and planning it from day one. Half the band writing hooks, half trying to tear it down. Go Forth! and trying to make things bloom on demand. Let’s Stay Friends, Root For Ruin and playing suites of cover songs where you are so behind the beat you get lapped for a live album. All this and much, much more in this very special Protonic Reversal.

Ep215: Tobias Nathaniel (The Red Step, The Black Heart Procession) Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

San Diego rock royalty Tobias Nathaniel is known to most for being half of the core of the iconic and influential Black Heart Procession. Excavating the maudlin, somber and longing of the human spirit and defining a sound. Now he lives in Belgrade Serbia and makes lively rock music with The Red Step. There’s still a color, there’s still a movement. We speak of him being a guitar player known for playing piano the most, AC30s (no pedals!), his contribution on Blonde Redhead’s Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons and one of those songs becoming a famous piece of music in Rick and Morty, working with David J, why The Spell is his favorite Black Heart record, learning to sing in a band after many years of playing music (finding a voice) and lots, lots more!

Ep214: Greg Puciato (Solo Artist, Killer Be Killed, Black Queen, Dillinger Escape Plan) Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Greg has a new record (Child Soldier: Creator of God)! It is under his own name and most of it doesn’t sound much like Dillinger Escape Plan. Listen in as Greg and Conan talk about how directors and actors aren’t expected to do the same thing but musicians are. Boxes and rooms. Doing things because you have something to say vs. wanting to be heard. Spotify, categories and other prisons. The founding of Federal Prisoner and putting out records that way, vs with a major label or established indie label. Making the decision to release the record under the same name he pays his power bill under, and removing the shield of band identity. Playing Alice in Chains songs with Jerry Cantrell in small rooms without volume to back up anything, and playing with people that make you step your game up. The ending of Dillinger Escape Plan, the origin story of Killer Be Killed (who also have a new record out!), and lots, LOTS more.

Ep213: Helios Creed (Chrome) Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

At LONG LAST! A conversation with one of the most mysterious and unsung guitar heroes of “weird music”. Listen in as Helios and Conan talk about taking inspiration from Hendrix and Sabbath live (and the acid), and making timeless records like Alien Soundtracks and Half Machine Lip Moves too. Model trains. The sad decline of Damon Edge, Overcoming illness and adversity, touring with Hawkwind members, common cause with Flipper and Dead Kennedys. Lactating Purple! Look: Helios has had an incredible career, and it is likely you aren’t familiar with all of it. So act accordingly. Also, It is entirely likely that you will get a contact high from this episode.

Ep212: Carina Round (Puscifer, Solo Artist) Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

Puscifer has a new record called Existential Reckoning. Conan talks with Agent Round and discuss: Arcosanti (live at…), Chapman Sticks, Fairlights and “people doing weird shit”, contrasting ideas (Fake Affront). Live vs. record and serving the song, Bob Dylan. New and surprising. Lyrics. Accept songs. “It’s wrong and it’s right, and it’s Puscifier”. Doing the work, even when it is divine. Nick Cave! Tears for Fears (what, seriously?) Listen in on this talented artist talking about process, mindset and worldview.

Ep211: Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3) Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo. Did anybody expect “new” Mr. Bungle? Did they expect it in this form? Well, SURPRISE! The iconic guitar player and composer breaks down playing and recording songs written in high school in Humboldt with thrash heroes like Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo. Flexing different muscles on the lost Bungle “thrash record” and relearning those songs. The difference between the architect/director of a band like SC3, vs JUST being the guitarist. Repairing non-standard/esoteric instruments on the road. Time signatures that are not actually odd. Ches! Danny! Orthodox Theology and Byzantine Chant. Oh yeah, and King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime by Faith No More too. All that and some high minded concepts, ideas and conception about composition, tones and what is and is not paint by numbers. Listen in to THE GRAND INQUISTOR (Conan Neutron) break it down with Trey.

Ep210: DEVO - Something For Everybody 10 Year Breakdown with Gerald V. Casale Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

It has been 10 years since the release of the both groundbreaking and still somewhat lesser known Something for Everybody. As with many things DEVO, it came out just a little bit before its time. Sounding purposefully “modern,” and focus group approved, the energy hats were changed to the more pleasing color of blue, and everything from the mastering to the song choice was meant to shine a light on the world of music ala 2010. Join us for a song by song breakdown, as well as a larger exploration of this fascinating record, with founding DEVO member Jerry Casale. A Protonic Reversal special.

Ep209: Ian Mackaye (fugazi, Coriky, the Evens, Minor Threat, Dischord) Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

AWESOME. Been wanting to do this talk for a long time. In this episode, you will find: Some talk about podcasts (on a podcast), Coriky! The ecosystem around record stores and pandemic logistics. Starting on piano and moving to bass and then guitar! Baritones! Suggestion! fugazi demos! Instrument (but just the jerks). Lack of interest in nostalgia. Sitting down and standing back up, memes and mortality, Ian’s memory palace, being made into “content” and for what reason, some discussion on the psychological effect of social media and what you can and cannot control and some very thought provoking advice and perspective on maintaining sanity in crazy times. Be enCOURAGED and don’t give them your joy.

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