LONELIER THAN GOD

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Latest Episodes:

019: "I'd Like Your Hair Long" feat. Laurent Schroeder-Lebec & Larry Herweg (Pelican) Aug 10, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m talking with LAURENT SCHROEDER-LEBEC & LARRY HERWEG, from the Chicago heavy rock band PELICAN.

Since 2001, they’ve released 7 LPs, plus a host of singles, splits, EPs, live albums, & compilations. Their most recent record, FLICKERING RESONANCE, is highly recommended & came out a couple months back on RUN FOR COVER RECORDS.

Pelican just finished a run of US shows & are currently touring Europe thru mid-August. They’ve also got plans for new material on the way.

In this episode, we talk about the Midwest music underground, loudness as celebration, & the elemental interplay of riffs & percussion.

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https://www.pelicansong.com

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https://pelican.bandcamp.com

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"I'd Like Your Hair Long" (120 Minutes)

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:09 // "Evergreen" (Pelican)

03:13 // Playing @ Loose Cobra

06:21 // Fireside Bowl & Chicago Scene

21:22 // Flickering Resonance LP

21:40 // "Gulch"

27:53 // "Cascading Crescent"

34:17 // Song Titles

42:57 // Recording @ Earth Analog

46:10 // Hearing/Seeing HUM

55:44 // "I'd Like Your Hair Long" Discussion

01:33:43 // "Pining For Ever" (Pelican)

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018: "Hello Kitty" feat. Balthazar de Ley (Menthol, HUM, Lightfoils) Jul 26, 2025

Show notes

Joining me today is BALTHAZAR DE LEY — singer, guitarist, bassist, producer, engineer, studio technician, &, most recently, amp maker.

In the early ‘90s, he joined HUM, which was, back then, written in all lowercase. He played bass on their first record Fillet Show, & toured & wrote songs with them over the course of several years.

He then formed & fronted MENTHOL, formerly known as Mother, whose 3 beloved LPs combined off-kilter riffing & synth lines with surrealistic & Faustian tales of the '90s alt rock signing boom.

When Menthol parted ways, he began engineering records for other bands. He then worked as a studio technician for the Smashing Pumpkins for close to a decade.

In 2017, he founded BALTHAZAR AUDIO SYSTEMS, where he designs & builds vacuum tube guitar amplifiers. He also plays guitar in the Chicago shoegaze band LIGHTFOILS. Links below.

In this episode, we talk about youthful insouciance, a specific strain of ‘90s midwestern space rock, & the endearing & enduring power of smallness.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.”

Donations only, no paywalls.

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https://www.balthazaramps.com

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https://lightfoils.bandcamp.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:35 // "What's Your Rationale?" (Menthol)

04:19 // The Breeders Amp

06:30 // Bad Flannel

09:11 // "Frustration" (Bad Flannel)

12:10 // Joining HUM

15:16 // Rick & Rose

17:24 // Fillet Show LP

20:00 // "Space Gun" (Poster Children)

25:20 // Early HUM Influences

28:40 // Menthol

29:39 // Mud Records

35:22 // "Walk of Shame" (Menthol)

36:40 // Ardent Studios

40:00 // Writing Lyrics

44:23 // "Dry Heaves" (Menthol)

48:36 // "Bedheaded, Red-Eyed, & Bewildered" (Menthol)

49:57 // '90s Alt Rock Explosion

58:13 // Menthol Artwork / Danger: Rock Science!

01:04:21 // "Hello Kitty" Discussion

01:28:58 // Lightfoils & Balthazar Audio Systems

01:32:21 // "Strange Living" (Menthol)

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017: "Green to Me" Video feat. Gerald V. Casale (DEVO) Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Today I’m talking with the artist, musician, filmmaker, & sociocultural prophet GERALD V. CASALE. In the early ‘70s, Jerry co-founded the mutant-pop performance art group DEVO, who have since released 9 studio albums, 10 EPs, a soundtrack, 10 live albums, 16 compilations, 25 singles, & 9 video albums, not to mention creating some of the most distinct & unforgettable images in American music history.

DEVO are currently touring North America in celebration of their 50th anniversary. A feature-length documentary on the band will premiere on Netflix on August 19th, & recently they’ve been restoring & rereleasing their early short films, including 1976’s THE TRUTH ABOUT DE-EVOLUTION.

Most of our conversation explores Jerry’s music video filmography from the ‘90s, when he worked with bands like HUM, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Silverchair, & many others.

In this episode, we talk about the power of the moving image, the suffocating everyday presence of screens, & the struggle to prevent your vision from being smothered by the suits.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks for listening.

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https://www.geraldvcasale.com

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https://clubdevo.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:31 // "Mechanical Man" (DEVO)

03:15 // Early Cinephilia

05:11 // D.I.Y. Filmmaking

07:08 // "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Video

12:28 // Production Process

13:57 // VFX & "Girl U Want" Video

17:12 // '90s Video Work

22:57 // Foo Fighters, "I'll Stick Around" Video

27:22 // Soundgarden, "Blow Up the Outside World" Video

31:08 // Silverchair, "Freak" Video

34:44 // HUM, "Green to Me" Video

43:44 // "Auto Modown" (DEVO)

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016: "Green to Me" feat. Jacob Givens (Waterproof Records, Temple of the Dads) Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is JACOB GIVENS, TikTok phenom, musician, podcaster, actor, writer, & comedian.

His enthusiasm for music has attracted over 500,000 followers across his social media platforms, & he’s racked up millions of views from viral videos about iconic moments in 90s alternative & beyond.

He also runs the podcast WATERPROOF RECORDS, where he’s done episodes on HUM, the Flaming Lips, Deftones, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, & many more.

In this episode, we talk about the pull of theatricality, the power of ‘90s vocal hooks, & the feral euphoria of palm muting.

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If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.”

Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks again for listening.

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LA TIMES Article

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WGN Feature

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:19 // Tulsa to Champaign

07:59 // Reaction Videos & Silent Film

17:56 // "The '90s Alt-Rock Vocal Hook Supercut"

22:54 // HUM on MTV

28:22 // “Green to Me” Discussion

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015: "Folding" feat. Jeff Garber (Castor, National Skyline, Year of the Rabbit) Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is the multi-talented JEFF GARBER — singer, guitarist, composer, producer, & engineer. From the mid-to-late ‘90s Jeff played in the Champaign, IL indie rock band CASTOR, who released 2 LPs, a single, & some compilation tracks, all of which have just been remixed, remastered, & pressed to vinyl on Matt Talbott’s EARTH ANALOG label. That set is called Moving Backgrounds; it’s now up for pre-order on POLYVINYL RECORDS. Link below.

Jeff’s next project, NATIONAL SKYLINE, which he started with Nick Macri (C-Clamp), Derek Niedringhaus (Castor), & Jeff Dimpsey (HUM), put out over a dozen releases, some on indie labels & some self-released.

He moved to Los Angeles in 2001 under the suggestion of producer/engineer/mixer Ken Andrews (Failure). Along with Andrews, Tim Dow, & Solomon Snyder, he formed YEAR OF THE RABBIT, who signed with Elektra Records & released their stellar self-titled album in 2003, followed by tours with A Perfect Circle & Pete Yorn.

After the demise of Elektra Records, he trained as an engineer & producer under Andrews throughout the 2000s. With the release of National Skyline’s 2009 epic Bliss & Death, Garber drew the attention of several key figures at MTV. That self-released album had several songs featured on TV shows The Hills, Jersey Shore, & Teen Mom.

Jeff went on to provide thousands of music tracks for shows on ABC, NBC, Fox, AMC, & many more. He's been awarded SESAC’s Honors in Cable Television & also received network TV honors at BMI.

He's currently the composer for the Netflix hit series Virgin River & Full Swing, & he writes & records music in his basement studio in Altadena, CA.

In this episode, we talk about the magnetism of college towns, end-of-the century anxiety, & endless endless layers of guitars.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

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https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/products/castor-moving-backgrounds

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:15 // "Pontiac" (Castor)

04:34 // Castor News

08:40 // Origins

14:07 // "Trackstar" (Castor)

15:26 // Influences & Inspirations

18:31 // "Anecdotes" (Castor)

23:52 // Recording with Matt Talbott

26:52 // National Skyline

30:06 // "Reinkiller" (National Skyline)

35:52 // Year of the Rabbit

37:57 // The Gospel of Fantastic Planet

40:11 // YOTR Live

41:17 // "Let It Go" (Year of the Rabbit)

46:56 // Showcase Showdown

52:50 // Electra 2000 Tape

55:40 // Inlet LP

1:00:36 // "Folding" Discussion

1:30:13 // "Dust Gun" (Castor)

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"Folding" Live in STL (2018)

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014: "Firehead" feat. Carson Wilcox (Bleed, Narrow Head) May 29, 2025

Show notes

Sat down today with Carson Wilcox, the drummer of the Dallas, TX bands BLEED & NARROW HEAD.

Bleed just released their excellent S/T DEBUT LP on 20 Buck Spin. It fuses a wide range of styles from the alt-metal of the late '90s & early 2000s, but it's also got elements of lesser-cited bands like Curve, Filter, & God Lives Underwater. It's a super cool compound of things. I also highly recommend the SOMEBODY'S CLOSER EP that came out a couple years before it.

Bleed are currently touring the West Coast with One Step Closer until early June, & this October Narrow Head are going on the road with Rival Schools.

In this episode, we talk about owning your influences, '90s-specific mutations of the “Paradise City” riff, & why drummers going slightly off-grid can work so well.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

I appreciate all the support so far, & thanks, as always, for listening.

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DRUM CAM

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https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/bleed

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https://narrowheadtx.bandcamp.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:21 // "Marathon" (Bleed)

03:24 // Bleed LP: Mixing & Influences

10:19 // "Silver" (Bleed)

12:10 // Programming & Post-Production

15:40 // "Ash Anywhere" (Narrow Head)

17:09 // Hearing (& Playing) HUM

27:44 // "Firehead" Discussion

48:30 // "Through the Cylinder" (Bleed)

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013: Fillet Show LP feat. Rick Valentin & Rose Marshack (Poster Children, 12 Inch Records) May 15, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guests are RICK VALENTIN & ROSE MARSHACK from the Champaign, IL indie rock band POSTER CHILDREN. They co-founded the group in 1987 & have since released 12 LPs, along with various singles, EPs, compilations, & a feature film.

They’ve been on indies, majors, & everything in between, & they took an avant-garde approach to music tech & media — doing enhanced CDs, early mp3 releases, DIY websites & design, & the proto-podcast podcast RADIO ZERO, which they’ve broadcast from 1998 to the present.

Rick & Rose also run 12 INCH RECORDS, home to bands like HUM, Love Cup, Dis-, & their non-Poster Children projects Salaryman & Thoughts Detecting Machines. They also also teach in the School of Creative Technologies @ Illinois St. University.

In 2023, Rose published her first book, PLAY LIKE A MAN: MY LIFE IN POSTER CHILDREN, which is absolutely essential reading for anyone who cares about indie & alternative culture in the last 4 decades. It’s a cool mix of genres, moving from tour diary to music criticism to scene history & beyond.

They’ve been on my Mount Rushmore of possible guests for a long time, & it was super fun & revealing to get granular with them about all things rock, whether indie or major, from the late ‘80s to today.

In this episode, we talk about regional style, the Champaign-Urbana band member maze, the idea of rock music as both art & technology, & much much more.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks for listening.

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https://posterchildren.com

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BOB MOULD (Letterman)

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STEVE ALBINI, "The Problem with Music"

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POSTER CHILDREN, R.T.F.M. Enhanced CD Tour

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:01 // “Eye” (Poster Children)

03:57 // Opening for Bob Mould

09:34 // R.T.F.M. LP

12:50 // “Dream Small” (Poster Children)

13:45 // Enhanced CDs

20:47 // Mark Rubel & Pogo Studio

29:01 // HUM Member Genealogy

34:44 // 12 Inch Records

40:38 // Fillet Show LP

50:44 // “Space Fuck”

59:02 // “Formaldehyde”

01:01:21 // “Hortense”

01:03:56 // “I Like It”

01:12:06 // YPAA Vinyl

01:15:01 // Play Like a Man Book

01:21:22 // Art & Science

01:28:26 // “Matter Crush” (Poster Children)

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012: "Dreamboat" feat. Carlos Ramirez (No Echo, Black Army Jacket, Lakota, Deny the Cross) Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is CARLOS RAMIREZ, co-founder & editor-in-chief of NO ECHO, a worldwide hardcore website that just celebrated its 10th anniversary. It’s a vast & respected resource for all things hardcore, metal, & punk, updated daily across the web & the usual social media platforms.

Carlos played bass in the mid-to-late '90s NYC powerviolence band BLACK ARMY JACKET, who released their discography compilation Open Casket in 2023 on Brainscan & State of Mind Recordings. He later played in LAKOTA, DENY THE CROSS, & HOPE COLLAPSE.

In this episode, we talk about the ‘90s revival in underground music, the ambivalent status of genre tags, & the way certain riffs can unify & transcend different styles of music.

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NO ECHO Playlists (Spotify)

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:16 // "Hope for the Haunted" (Lakota)

03:26 // Starting NoEcho.net

13:26 // '90s Revival & Genre Tags

21:43 // Hearing HUM

26:06 // HUM @ Irving Plaza

30:04 // Vibes vs. Songs

32:46 // "Dreamboat" Discussion

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011: "Double Dip" feat. Chris Enriquez (Spotlights, On the Might of Princes, Orange 9mm) Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is CHRIS ENRIQUEZ, music industry professional by day, drummer to many many bands by night.

Chris has worked for a wide range of heavy music media, including Revolver, Guitar World, Loudwire, Brooklyn Vegan, The Hard Times, Alternative Press, & as of 2025, he left all brands to join NEW NOISE MAGAZINE.

In the late ‘90s & early 2000s, he played drums in the influential Long Island post-hardcore band ON THE MIGHT OF PRINCES, whose full story is told in the documentary film Hold on to a Time, which Chris produced & directed. Link below.

In the mid-2000s, he moved to New York City, where he drummed in Primitive Weapons, who toured with Quicksand, Glassjaw, Dillinger Escape Plan, Thursday, & others.

He’s since joined SPOTLIGHTS, JULIE CHRISTMAS, & the reformed ORANGE 9MM, all of whom have upcoming shows you can check out on his Instagram, @chrisenriquezdrums. He also does remote drum sessions for musicians around the world.

In this episode, we talk about what makes certain ‘90s bands timeless, the aesthetics of texture & imperfection, & what it would be like to drown in sound.

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On the Might of Princes, Hold on to a Time (Documentary)

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Chino Moreno, Baker's Dozen (The Quietus)

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Radiohead, "No Surpises" (Grant Gee)

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:42 // "The Particle Noise" (Spotlights)

03:38 // Deftones @ MSG

06:05 // Post-90s Longevity & Punk Roots

17:19 // "Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons" (Primitive Weapons)

18:12 // Joining Orange 9mm

21:35 // "Suspect" (O9mm)

22:58 // '90s 2.0

25:21 // HUM on MTV

27:38 // Hearing Electra 2000

32:50 // "Double Dip" Discussion

01:04:15 // Upcoming Shows

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010: "Diffuse" feat. Brad Wood (Record Producer) Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is BRAD WOOD, super-producer, mixer, engineer, & musician.

Brad’s done hundreds of records, many of which are by some of my favorite bands — Tar, Sunny Day Real Estate, Codeine, Veruca Salt, Seam, Liz Phair, Triple Fast Action, Far, That Dog, & so on.

Brad also worked on HUM's second album Electra 2000, a couple of their early singles on 12 Inch & Mud Records, & on “Diffuse,” which was originally a compilation track but later added to the reissues of E2K on Martians Go Home & Earth Analog Records.

In this episode, he looks back on recording some of those early albums, gives a verbal virtual tour of his former studio, Idful Music Corporation, which was a crucial nucleus of '90s indie & alternative culture, & talks about the ways in which classical music motifs emerge in heavy riffing.

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https://www.bradwoodmusic.com

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"Diffuse" Live // 1995

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:16 // 30th Anniversaries

05:50 // Atonal Hooks

06:31 // "Seether" (Veruca Salt)

09:02 // "25" (Veruca Salt)

11:13 // Idful Music Corporation

16:09 // Early-Mid '90s Chicago Scene