Washed Up Emo

Latest Episodes:

#151 - Adam Pfahler (Jawbreaker) Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

A documentary was released a few years ago called "Don’t Break Down," about Jawbreaker. Fun fact: Dan Didier, drummer for the Promise Ring, Maritime and Vermont was the producer of the film!

After seeing a screening of the film, I was fascinated at how much footage they had of Jawbreaker. I found out later from Dan that Adam was the one that has been saving everything. When I approached Adam to do the podcast a couple of years ago, Adam said we would need to wait as they were just about to announce all of the reunion shows.

Recently in Brooklyn, Adam and I finally sat down to talk. We discuss where these archival/documentation thoughts started in his life and how the video store that he owned for years was feeding that same itch.

We also discuss what it’s like being in Jawbreaker now and not being as neurotic about taking photos or saving the flyers. In the same light, Adam is fully realizing how important these things are later and the love for his band is how everyone should think about their own band’s legacy, big or small.

Bonus, we talk about emo and how Adam didn’t hear them being called emo until after they broke up. Finally, a couple of rad Nirvana stories about Adam seeing them for the first time and knowing the first single was going to be “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#150 - Mike and Nate Kinsella (American Football) Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

Wow, we made it to 150 episodes. Crazy to think about all the folks that have come on to share their story with you and I. To that, a big part of this is agreeing to be open and talk about their music. American Football gets the gold star.

Before the reunions, in January 2014, Mike was on the podcast for the first time chatting about his career.

For LP2, I had everyone in American Football individually to discuss reuniting and what it was like to write together again.

So for LP3 I wanted to do something different…

This time, I got Mike and Nate together in a room in NYC to discuss every single song in detail on LP3. We go from beginning to end on the writing process, the disagreements, sequencing, and why they made certain decisions for every song.

Mike also recommends some bands I’ve never heard before and Nate reads an email he sent to the band passionately discussing why he feels his track listing order is the way it should go.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#149 - David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

David Bazan has always been on my list to be on the podcast, it just took almost 8 years. I always sorta thought he’d want nothing to do with me or the podcast. As with this stuff, I got over it and just asked. It worked and fittingly, David has also resurrected Pedro the Lion, with the first album under that name in 15 years. The album “Phoenix” out on Polyvinyl Records, is an amazing return. David and I speak about his religious upbringing, lots of Fugazi and we talk a lot about what music does to us when we close our eyes. Specifically that journey that music takes us on and what story you end up telling in the end. I think you’ll enjoy and I was nervous for a lot of this. I don’t know why, just meant a lot I guess.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#148 - Matt Traxler (Brandtson, Steadfast Records) Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

Today we welcome Matt Traxler, guitarist from Brandtson. The band, out of Cleveland was on Deep Elm and The Militia Group back in the day and they recently reissued some lost demos through Matt’s label Steadfast Records. Super fun talking to Matt and a band that if you didn’t realize was around then or now, it’s worth going back and listening to their records.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#147 - Fredrik Brändström (Starmarket) Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

I first heard Starmarket on the 3rd Emo Diaries compilation in 1999 and soon after they released their third album “Four Hours Light.” I was instantly blown away with the post-hardcore sound and the next level indie rock/emo sensibility. I never met these guys back in the day and with some reunion shows recently in Japan and their home country of Sweden, I slide into the DMs on Instagram to see if they’d be up to chatting about their band. Fredrik, the lead singer and guitar player, was more than happy to chat.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#146 - Steve Schiltz (Longwave) Feb 11, 2019

Show notes

Today we welcome Steve Schiltz from Longwave. Steve is also an accomplished music producer and composer for film, TV and advertising. If you’re wondering why Steve is on. I have three reasons.

First, when I moved to NYC, the Brooklyn thing was about to blow up and I was working at a label nearby a lot of these venues in the city where bands like the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and others cut their teeth. Longwave were active around the same time as well and I loved them.

Second, I was and still am, obsessed with shoe gaze. The similarities to the long droning emo songs that I also can’t stop emulating is directly related to my love of shoe gaze. I’d happily quit my job and join a shoe gaze band tomorrow. Hit me up.

Third, I find out a half hour in that a past band Steve was in, Scout, toured with Sunny Day Real Estate! He waited 30 minutes to tell me that. Steve has a very funny story about Jeremy Enigk you’ll want to listen for.

To be honest, this one is sorta for me. Over the years, Steve and I have crossed paths through friends and music here in NYC. I knowwww… It’s not emo, it’s not hardcore but Steve’s music is fucking beautiful and Longwave’s shoe gaze is what I’d want to sound like if I ever picked up my guitar again.

Why should you listen? Steve weaves a rad story about early NYC, the boom of 2000s Brooklyn and the lasting effects of that era that still resonates today.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#145 - Hutch Harris (The Thermals) Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

We’re back and stoked to have episode 145 of the podcast with Hutch Harris, most widely know from the band, The Thermals. Hutch and I have been conversing back and forth on Twitter for years. I’d always loved his take on music, especially the punk and hardcore references. As a fan of his band, The Thermals, I was bummed when not long ago they called it quits. In addition to Hutch being a songwriter, I had also enjoyed his writing he’s done with various outlets, especially a recent piece on Pete Shelley from the Buzzcocks. On top of all that, he recently released a solo album entitled “Only Water” that’s absolutely beautiful! So the stars aligned and we caught up late last year to talk music.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#144 - Erik Ratensperger (Jeromes Dream) Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Today welcome Erik Ratensperger from the legendary screamo band Jeromes Dream.

Jeromes Dream were around for a very short time from 1997 to 2001 born out of the Connecticut hardcore scene. They had a unique way of playing by way of the singer Jeff Smith refusing to use a microphone for shows. Also, the band was known for playing very short sets, usually no longer than 10 minutes. Pretty unique. These guys are right along side Pg.99, Orchid, Saetia in the early screamo era. If you’re unaware, it’s well worth a dive into their career. Head on over to their site jeromesdreamforever.com and you can learn more about them and be ready for new music next year.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#143 - Lauren Mayberry (CHVRCHES) Dec 10, 2018

Show notes

Lauren and I connected a few years ago and I found out she listened to the podcast! The stars aligned and we finally caught up recently to chat.

Lauren is a massive emo fan and we chat deeply about her early days playing drums in bands around Glasgow, Scotland that helped shape who she is today. She was in a couple killer bands before this including Boyfriend/Girlfriend and Blue Sky Archives. Both are mathy, epic and remind me of the mid 90s. Find those on Bandcamp. You should also know the other two members in CHVRCHES, Martin and Iain, were in a great post rock band called Aerogramme. Their first release, A Story in White, is epic and worth a listen.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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#142 - Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop) Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

If you aren’t aware, Anthony’s YouTube channel, The Needle Drop, is insanely popular and influential for reviewing music. How he ended up with this title of Internet’s busiest music nerd, is quite a story.

Recently, Anthony and I connected over the phone to discuss how he got into doing this for a living and what he enjoys most out of reviewing music. Don’t worry, we got nerdy on some real screamo too.

Washed Up Emo is a partner of the Double Elvis podcast network.

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