The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Copyright: © TheVinylGuide.com interview is property of Nate Goyer. Featured songs are the property of their copyright holders, used with their permission.

Latest Episodes:

Ep459: The Making of "Free LSD" with Dimitri Coats Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Dimitri Coats dives into the creation of OFF!'s groundbreaking film project "Free LSD". Hear the story behind the band's journey with punk legend Keith Morris and the eight-year odyssey that led to their ambitious cinematic swan song.

Topic Include:

Interview intro
The inception of "Free LSD"
How different is "Free LSD" from the original "Watermelon" plans?
Learning how to write a script
Buzz and Dale of Melvins played on some Free LSD demos
Mario was originally written into the movie
Early filming at live shows for movie prep
OFF! almost didn't survive losing the rhythm section
Dimitri's background in acting
Greater confidence in acting than music
Working with Malcolm McDowell
Managing OFF! prepared him for movie production
Jonathan P Shaw was attached very early on
Sculpting the mood and emotion of the film
Bringing in new fans to OFF! through the movie
OFF!'s breakup and potential reanimation
Keith and Dimitri's focus is diverging
The community of friends that appear in the film
Working with Jack Black – filming on an iPhone
How DH Peligro saved "Free LSD"
The passing of DH Peligro
Participation of David Yow, Davey Havok, Don Bolles, Zander Schloss
Coordinating concepts that carry through the album, movie and packaging
Giving the band permission to try new things
Retiring the band directly after their most ambitious project
OFF! is exhausted and ready to move on
Conflict and evolution of friendship and bandmates of Dimitri and Keith
Keith and Dimitri helped one another reinvent themselves
Big contributors to the film, revising the script to budget
The meticulous details of the film
The crew following Dimitri's vision
The challenges during filming the movie
The process of developing OFF! music
There was a lot of extra songs/outtakes from the Free LSD sessions
The Blu-Ray / CD package of "Free LSD"
Potential additional theatre screenings & Q&A
The Blu-Ray / CD will be the only place for fans can hear 2 of the outtakes
Lots of easter eggs, details and additional layers to the movie
Interview wrap-up

Order the "FREE LSD" Blu-Ray and CD package here

Stream "FREE LSD" to your home here.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep458: Keeping it Reel with Blag Dahlia of Dwarves Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Blag Dahlia of Dwarves discusses band history, collectible records, the challenges of running a label and the balance of art and business, as well as new and reissued Dwarves vinyl.

Topic Include:

Dwarves should be a record collector's goldmine
Blag's early memories of getting record collections
Listening to rap, electronic, industrial – not much punk
Dwarves records have an inherent collectability
Making the various collectible Dwarves records
Ralph Champagne album was a tough sell for Dwarves fans
Why hasn't there been a proper Dwarves concept album?
Blag is an author – lending those skills to a narrative in music
Who is closer to the real person: Blag Dhalia or Ralph Champagne?
The Greedy record imprint for Dwarves material
The Burger Records scandal missed the Dwarves
Blag is very hands-on with creating records
He doesn't enjoy running the label – but good help is hard to find
Being underwhelmed by publicists
Blag would rather write and record and leave the rest to others
Dwarves artwork – creating special covers, logos, etc
Limited parody covers by John at PunkNews.org
Record collectors love the parody covers
Time is right for a Dwarves renaissance
Hard to find a good booking agent
Did any prior labels push back on the vision of Dwarves?
Bad feelings about Sub-Pop
Did Dwarves ever get approached by major labels in the early 90s
Major labels missed aligning with a songwriter like Blag
Marilyn Manson has a big budget and industry marketing
A Dwarves rebirth would require a movie / documentary
Blag controls majority of Dwarves materials
Has there been serious discussion of a Dwarves movie?
The most collectible Dwarves record
Collectible Dwarves Sub-Pop variants
Dwarves still do 7" records – not many bands still do
Interview wrap up

Get Dwarves records and merch

Tix for upcoming Australian tour

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep457: Hugh Cornwell - The Stranglers & Beyond Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

Hugh Cornwell takes us through early records of his life, rare records of the Stranglers, solo materials, analogue recording and more.

Topic Include:

Aussie tour, New Album
Does Hugh have a record collection?
Early music in the Cornwell household
Hugh's early musical trainings
Quitting PhD program to pursue music
Formation and evolution of The Stranglers
Recollection of the early UK punk scene
Keyboards fill in a lot of sound
United Artists investment in The Stranglers
Bonus singles in early Stanglers albums
Does Hugh have masters and tapes for post Stranglers material?
Making materials available on vinyl
Remixing and removing keyboards from recordings
Running digital files to analogue provides improved sound
Memories and learnings from Steve Albini
Moments of Madness LP and road testing songs
Leaving songs to be finished in the recording studio
Song and lyric writing process
Hugh's movie Podcast
Discussion of Silent movies
Interview wrap up

Hugh Cornwell's Aussie tour info here

Preorder new LP "All The Fun of the Fair" here.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep456: Al Barile - SS Decontrol (SSD) & X-Claim! Records Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Society System Decontrol (SSD) self-released several landmark hardcore punk records in the early 80s. Out of print for over 4 decades, SSD has only recently reissued their two masterpieces "The Kids Will Have Their Say" and "Get It Away" on vinyl. Today SSD founder Al Barile takes us through the making of those records.

Topic Include:

Interview start
The continued popularity of SS Decontrol music
Al was a natural leader for the hardcore scene
Naturally managing risk
Jumping to an album – no singles for SSD
1900 units of "The Kids Will Have Their Say"
Self-funding the album, selling the initial pressing
Recording "The Kids Will Have Their Say"
Was Al happy with the original recordings?
Al doesn't enjoy listening to "The Kids Will Have Their Say"
Comparing Trust reissue with original Xclaim
Issues getting the tapes back from a label
Original pressing of "The Kids…." goes for > $1k
Why were there no repressings before the recent Trust reissue
CD issue of "Power"
Has Al hung onto his records?
White cover of "The Kids Will Have Their Say" designed by Bryan Ray Turcotte
Original concept & artwork for "The Kids Will Have Their Say"
The difference in recording "Get It Away"
Was "Get It Away" always envisioned as an EP?
The cover songs that SSD performed
Original 4800 copies of "Get It Away"
Running the X-Claim! label/imprint
All X-Claim! bands ran their own vinyl pressings
What is the source of the "Get It Away" reissue
Will there be reissues of "How We Rock" and "Break it Up"
Al's health update
Al wants everyone to get a colonoscopy
The SSD book "How Much Art Can You Take?"
Interview wrap up

Order "The Kids Will Have Their Say" and "Get It Away" on vinyl here.

Order the book "How Much Art Can You Take" here.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep455: The Saints 73-78 with Ed Kuepper and Mark Arm Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

The Saints made history with the record "(I'm) Stranded" in 1976 - nearly 50 years later founder/songwriter Ed Kuepper is revisiting the early Saints material with some old bandmates and new friends, including Mark Arm of Mudhoney. Today Ed and Mark discuss the impact and legacy of The Saints with an upcoming tour and 4LP Boxset.

Topic Include:

How did Ed and Mark come to work together?
How did Mark originally experience The Saints?
Prehistoric Sounds didn't make it to the US
Did Sire get behind The Saints?
Promo copies of "Eternally Yours" seem to be plentiful
Choosing "(I'm) Stranded" and "No Time" for the Fatal Records single
Recording session for "(I'm) Stranded" & "No Time"
Was there a 2nd mix before making the Fatal records single?
Master tapes and multitracks have been lost
Were there test pressings of the Fatal Records single?
Sending singles around the world, getting 1st reviews
Getting telegrams from record labels across the world
Rare contents of the upcoming Saints boxset
Original mix of the "(I'm) Stranded" LP – test pressings and remix
The album was recorded in the same studio as the single
Potential for technology to separate the instruments of the "(I'm) Stranded" single
EMI's response to the updated album mix
Mark's feeling good about upcoming tour
The Saints Paddington Town Hall show recording
Playful rivalry with Radio Birdman
Ed and Chris Bailey were on good terms and jointly planning the boxset and reissues
Present day contact with Kym Bradshaw
Any discussion of Saints shows beyond the Australian dates?
Will Mark be singing only or possible guitar as well?
Hard-Ons version of "Know Your Product"
The additional photography in the Saints boxset
The original name of the album was "Erotic Neurotics" with a different cover
Memories of the photo of The Saints and Nick Cave from Melbourne
The status of the album cover location and artwork
Interview wrap-up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep454: The Return of Redd Kross with Jeff & Steven McDonald Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Jeff & Steven McDonald formed Redd Kross at a pivotal time in the LA music scene, playing their 1st gigs in their early teens and were mentored by Black Flag. Their influences are vast and their appreciation for musical artistry runs deep.

Redd Kross is back with a new double album - "The Redd Album" - and we talk to the brothers about some of the music and memories that brought them to this moment.

Topic Include:

The Redd Album – lots of "red" components
Memories with meeting Beatles
Jeff wants to meet Bob Dylan
Steven's story with George Harrison
Impressions and moments within the Zappa Universe
Memories of collecting records in their youth
Jeff enjoyed finding strange/new music
Finding music and sharing with others
Perspectives on Jazz
Runaways & Ramones were their entry point to punk
Other young teenagers in the early punk scene
Police brutality at early punk shows
Memories of the Polliwog Park show with Black Flag
Getting Raymond Pettibone artwork for the "Born Innocent" album
Was Redd Kross ever approached to be on SST or New Alliance?
Experiencing their music for the 1st time on vinyl
The early Posh Boy "Red Cross" EP pressings
The role that flyering played in early career
Responses to "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II"
Rare Redd Kross/White Flag single – 100 made
"Teen Babes from Monsanto" – The Version Especial
Gasatanka Records label and logo
Redd Kross master tapes
Wanting to remix Neurotica
Modern remixes of classic records
Creating the "forever" mixes, continuously improving Beatles
The "Peter Jackson" version of "Raw Power"
Creating the Redd Album
Debating and arguing about song sequencing
Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep453: Joe Bonamassa & The Art of Collecting Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

Guitarist and music-gear mega-collector Joe Bonamassa joins us to talk about his new record label, collecting gear, his appreciation and approach to the art of vinyl records, his new LP "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" on Journeyman records and more.

Topic Include:

Joe's record label "Journeyman Records"
Joe likes mentoring other artists
Balancing being a musician and a businessman
Joe's appreciates music on vinyl
Hearing music as designed by the artist
Sequencing a record is like sequencing a live set
The approach to Joe's record collection
Seeing the record collection of Claude Nobs
Hard to find many recordings on CD or streaming
What will happen to Joe's music gear after he's gone
American built guitars and amps
How does Joe maintain his collection?
Joe won't say which guitars he's save
Who would Joe like to collaborate with?
Putting himself in the zone for a live show
Playing the Hollywood Bowl
Working with an orchestra vs an 8 piece band
Interview wrapup

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep452: Managing the Miles Davis Legacy with Vince Wilburn Jr Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Managing the estate of a legend like Miles Davis requires tremendous coordination, detail and creativity. Vince Wilburn Jr, musician, collaborator and nephew of Miles and co-manager of the Miles Davis Estate discusses the contents, complexities and strategies of managing the Miles Davis Legacy.

Topic Include:

Uncle Miles – The Chief
Reviewing offers / keeping quality high on Miles Davis legacy
Good relationships of team and with former labels
Are any tapes missing? How much unreleased material?
Archiving films, stage clothing, instruments
Miles Davis' record collection, getting records delivered
Musicians he appreciated in the 80s
Miles' thoughts on early hip hop
Creating music on the fly, setting up recording sessions adhoc
He went through many Sony Walkmans
Where is Miles' record collection?
Miles was very supportive of Vince playing music
The story of "The Man With the Horn"
Advice Miles gave Vince on being a musician
Did Miles keep in touch with his Jazz contemporaries?
Some rare Miles recordings found after his passing
Recent RSD issues of new Miles recordings
Ron Carter stories
What is something people get wrong about Miles Davis?
Did Miles give any guidance on his legacy?
Zev Feldman, Kevin Donan connections
Musicians would visit Miles – Prince would call frequently
Does the album art exist?
Upcoming Miles Davis legacy projects
Memories of being young with Miles
What's Vince's favourite Miles LP?
UHQRs are the ultimate Kind of Blue pressings
Test pressings and original acetates are part of the archive
Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep451: Data, Trends & the Future of Discogs Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

Most record collectors use Discogs each day - so what does the data tell us about the state of record collecting? Founder & CEO Kevin Lewandowski and COO Lloyd Starr talk to us about the data and future of this pivotal platform.

Topic Include:

Introductions – CEO and COO roles
A brief history of Discogs
Original visions and business model of Discogs
Dealing with users that have high expectations
Classical music posed some challenges to catalogue
Is Discogs built for non-physical media?
Dealing with strange data points and entries
What is the most expensive items sold through Discogs
Data trends of record and music buyers
The architecture of Discogs
Early challenges supporting with website
Recent focus on modernizing the Discogs architecture
Planning new Discogs features
Dark Side of the Moon is the most catalogued item in Discogs
New features for the Discogs wantlist
Events that create surges in purchasing activity
What role will AI play in Discogs?
Managing user feedback and priorities for features
Helping new users become contributors
Training new users to make edits
Will Discogs do an IPO someday?
What will Discogs look like in 5 years?
Interview wrapup

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Ep450: The Legend of Fraction "Moon Blood" May 27, 2024

Show notes

The 1971 album "Moon Blood" by Fraction has fascinated record collectors for decades. The perfect intersection between great musicianship, intriguing backstory and supreme rarity, Fraction "Moon Blood" is now getting an official reissue through Riding Easy Records. Dillon Smith (Noble Records), Lance Barresi (Permanent Records) & Daniel Hall (Riding Easy) share the story of the legend.

Topic Include: