The Fresh Beers Podcast (Part 1) W/ Beers With Bands: Fresh Finds Podcast Season 4 Episode 7

Hello and welcome to a very special bonus episode of the Fresh Fines Podcast, the show about discovering new music with good people. I'm Ryan and today I have Michael Torres of The Beers With Bands Podcast for part one of our two part crossover. How are you doing, man? Dude, I'm doing great. I'm so stoked on this. Dude, it's going to be a good time. It's going to be a good time and I don't even think I mentioned this when we first got on because we kind of just went right into things. Yeah. It's nice to like finally talk to you rather than just listening to each other's voices on our own separate podcasts. It is kind of a weird like thing because I know that you listen to my show. I listen to your show, but like we've never actually talked to each other so it is kind of like a weird like thing. So do you want to introduce yourself a little bit, talk about the podcast and kind of what you do with that? Yeah. For people that might not be aware, like he said, I'm Michael from Beers With Bands, check it out right behind me. Got the sick band. Yeah. I do another. Dude, thank you. I do another DIY music podcast in the scene. I kind of sit down with different bands throughout the states, sometimes different countries and just kind of talk about what they have going on new music wise, talking some stories from the road, usually while having, you know, a beverage or two in a couple of days. Yeah. And, you know, just all about good music, good times and good vibes. So you actually started that like 2019 if I'm correct, right? First episodes were in 2019? Yeah. So the first round, but like August 2019, for everyone listening, forgive me, I had exciting done. I'm going to try and trust the store real quick, see if that helps any. Well, yeah, started in like August of 2019 and I kind of mentioned this on a few different episodes of mine, but like I originally wasn't supposed to be the sole host. Of the show. Oh, really? Yeah. So the original plan was me and my good friend, Brian Martinez, he sings for a band called Eugene Levy out of the Quad Cities in Iowa and Illinois, but we used to, he was in a band called Exodus Emergency and I used to tour, manage and sell merch. We also went to high school together, but that's just a fun fact. And basically, we got done with the life of that band and missed talking to all of our friends because we would only tell each other, we would like always reminisce, but tell each other our same stories. Yeah, yeah. And so we were like, dude, we should just like start a podcast and just go talk to all our friends. And then it's an excuse to like go visit them and like catch up about stuff. Yeah, because the first ones were just like the bands from that scene, basically. It was like other Iowa city bands. Were you recording in person at that point, too? Yes. So those ones are all in person. So if you've seen my setup, I know it's kind of hard to see it. I do have like mics everywhere, but I have like these little like, they almost look like they could be from like Star Wars or something. But they look like little mics and they're just super easy, super portable. So like my goal was always go on the road, go visit all the friends and then like just record it and make it easy. Yeah, that's awesome. So with that, it kind of like evolved a little bit. Did you take a break between like that initial run of like, I'm just talking to my friends and getting to the point where you were like kind of talking with other bands virtually or was that like, like how did that go? So yeah, I mean, I did all like my as many local friends as I could and then in the same time of us doing that and like him deciding that because we lived about an hour away from each other. So it was kind of hard to like get together and then go somewhere. In that time, I had decided to move from rural Iowa to Minneapolis. Yeah, which is where you're at now, right? Yeah. So when I moved here, I was like, okay, I know a handful of people, but I don't know enough people to like maybe start sitting down with them and then also COVID happened right when I was moving. Yeah. So that's what really through a wrench and like my whole game plan of, okay, maybe I don't have people come over anymore. Maybe I can't focus on doing all these in person local scene ones. Maybe I brought in a little bit and then just kind of see what else is out there in the States besides like the local scene that I wasn't even aware of or a part of yet here. So that was the one life thing like blessing of COVID was it opened the doors to what beers with bands could be. Yeah, and I think that there's like a lot of things like I know that my show started out as like a COVID project as well. So like there's a lot of interesting things with like different people's projects and the fact that like you had the time or at least most of us had the time to like start some sort of new thing because you were either working remote and like, you know, had more time that you weren't in the office or whatever or, you know, just straight up weren't working at all. So like that that was where a lot of people's, you know, projects kind of started. Yeah. And funny enough, so I work for a bank and at the time I was a personal banker. So I was still considered like, I came over with the term that they used for like they like we were first. What do they call like hospital workers? Like, first spot. Frontline work. Yeah. Yeah. So I was still deemed like that, even though our doors are shut so I still had to go, yeah, central workers. So like I still had to go to the office every day, which was a major bummer because then I just sat around and did nothing. Yeah. But then it once I started doing some of these episodes, I would kind of sneak in like a pewter and kind of edit some episodes during the day because I wasn't doing anything else. That's how you got to do it, man. Like that's what I do all the time too is just edit my stuff while I'm at work when nothing else is going on. Right. It's great. It's the one time that feels like I'm actually getting paid to do the podcast. Yeah. Right. Exactly. You're kind of like double dipping a little bit. Yeah. So how did you first get involved in like the local music scene even out there? Like I know that you said that you worked with some friends bands, you toured with them, you did the tour management thing, the merch slinger thing. Do you play like an instrument or anything? Did you get into like playing bands or anything playing in bands or anything like that? Or was it just kind of like I have friends who do this and it's cool so I'm just going to get involved? Yeah. I was always kind of like behind the scenes. I did try and learn bass once as I got very impatient with it so I didn't, I didn't last very long. You know, one of those things were like your level one but you want to be level at least like five or six already. Yeah. Type it things. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. So yeah, I was always just kind of behind the scenes. In Iowa, like I used to book some shows, we had some pretty decent ones come through. You know, I had before hot moly became hot moly as to what they are now like November. We got them coming through a coffee shop and playing some dope shows. Oh, that's crazy. Yeah. And, you know, so that was kind of like in Iowa and then the band died. I kind of stepped away from the scene and then when I moved to Minneapolis and kind of got immersed to the scene here, I had thankfully met people from show swapping all the time. So I already had like a group of friends and then like just once, you know, COVID allowed us to like go out to shows again. Yeah. Then I started meeting more people in the scene and like now I have this like weird interconnected web of people throughout like Minneapolis scene wise. But I don't partake in it as much as I did back in Iowa. Sure. In the same aspect, but it's cool to see the differences, but it also the similarities between like two very drastically different scenes. What is the scene like in Minneapolis? What types of music does it tend to skew to like what are the age groups like that sort of deal? Yeah. So it's kind of Minneapolis is a great town for music and it's also just filled with like these different scenes. Obviously we have like a hardcore scene like every town I feel like has a really good prominent hardcore scene. They've been throwing like some kick ass shows. I know like they kind of just announced the the prelims or the the main lineups for snow and flurry that happens out here kind of like sound in in theory, but snow and flurry because we're in Minnesota. You sure? Yep. So those are looking sick. And I know there's also a really good it's so it's kind of weird depending on age depends on like kind of what scene it kind of seems like and this is like an outsider's perspective as someone that's one of those year for like four years. So like everyone like kind of my age and like older is usually in like the the more punk scene and like their shows happen at like eight o'clock on a Thursday night and then a brand on bar so that everybody can get to bed and to go to work on Friday. Yeah. Well you would think but then like their shows go like until midnight it's like we all have to work tomorrow. Like this doesn't make any sense. And then there's like these other scene which is filled with like killer bands like basketball divorce core Anita Velvita and just like it's basically 30 and younger. It feels like a cuddle a lot of those shows, but then it's just so mixed with like either kind of like a post hardcore emo pop punk and like they're all very well mixed into each other. So if you can bridge that gap and like find like the fine line between like the age groups like it's really cool with me being like on either side kind of in between it. Yeah. No, I feel that for sure. Are there like venues that specifically cater to like, oh yeah, this is more of like a hardcore venue, whereas this is more of like kind of it in an emo like garage rock venue? Or is it a lot more of like mixed spaces where there's like just the few venues that people play at and they'll do like a show of this genre and then a show of this genre with like back to back. So I haven't seen anything where it's like very like genre specific venues. Like I know there's a few that mainly the punk kids will play at just because it's usually it's in like the back of a bar. So all it just shows you really don't happen there. But then there's like a handful of venues that I feel like everyone kind of plays that granted. There's also venues that pop up. I feel like every week that I've never heard of both the main three that are around right now are a pillar forum, which is like a coffee shop and then they just added like this whole venue to it. But the stage is like a half pipe ramp. Oh, that's. - Sick as hell. - Dude, it's so badass. I haven't been there yet, but the pictures look amazing. - No, I hate you so much. - And then there's like Cloudlin Theater, which is another cool DIY spot. A lot of shows are done by like 10 there. And then there's another spot called the Underground Cafe, which is a pretty good sized spot. And I've seen older cross-punks play there, and I've seen Keyford Cheap, which is a completely different indie folk style band almost play there. Like everyone kind of plays wherever they're able to get like a show at. - Yeah, that's totally fair. That's one of the weird things about Detroit. I just talked about this on the episode that just came out with a cascade riot, which is the scene around Detroit is just so like strange because like the Detroit Metro area is just so spread out. We've got tons of venues, and a lot of them cater to like, well, it's weird, 'cause there are some that like catered to very specific things. And then there are others where it's like, oh, one night it'll be like a country western band, and then the next night it'll be like a fucking hardcore show. So it's like really weird, and only having been here two years, and you've only been where you're at for like four years, and only been able to go to shows for like two basically, right, or three. - Yeah. - It's just so weird around here. I continually always just like find new venues and new bands and stuff. - Well, like so where I grew up in Iowa, like I was right in the Iowa City area, and the main show that we, like venue that we'd all go to for local shows would be like games in Iowa City. - Okay. - And there's another venue in town of like a couple blocks over, but that one would always gonna be like, if like a touring band would come through, that's where they would mainly go. Yes, some would go to games, but all like the bigger ones, like if they're coming in like a full bus, they're usually playing at the other venue type deal. So like I've seen like, hell of a buy and stuff at that venue, but then I've also seen like, like, rotting out at the punk venue, which was the perfect spot for them. - Yeah. - But then there was also another venue in town called Wildwood, and that one would always be like, exactly what you think. It's like, they got barbecue, and it's usually just country music being played. - Yeah, yeah. - But they got bought out by the people that own games. So like they run it now, which they still have their country music, but it's also cool because now like, some like heavier bands are playing there. I can't think of one off time ahead, but like, it's cool to see that dynamic change over time as to like being fully country now, being like kind of like an all mixed venue. - Yeah, that's really neat. Do they tend to do out in Minneapolis a lot of like mixed bills where it's like, not all the same genre, or is it like a lot more of like, would these bands sound kind of similar, and so they're gonna be on a bill together? - I'd say it's like 90% similar sounding bills, and then with like, there'll be like a few bills that you'll see which kind of have like a little twist to it. - Okay, yeah. - But I feel like for the most part, it's like if you know you're gonna see like Band-A, every band is pretty much gonna sound like kind of a version of Band-A within a spectrum. - Yeah, I think that makes sense. So after you moved and like kind of started doing the podcast virtually, you started getting on more and more like, you know, bands from around the country. What was, did you have like a band that was your first like, holy shit moment where you're like, I can't believe that I got these motherfuckers on the podcast right now. - Yeah, this might be a deep cut for some people, or they might not even know what the fuck I'm talking about. Did you ever hear of a band called Crucial Dudes? They were kind of big in like 2013 to like 2015. - That's a little before my time as far as, as far as being into that stuff. - Totally fine. So they were a pop-up band from New Jersey, and I, you know, it was around the time where I was still trying to figure out like timing for all the episodes, you know, going through those hurdles. And I was just like, fuck it. Like I didn't have episodes for a little bit and I was doing these mini-sodes where it would basically be like 30 minutes I would just drink the entire time and just talk about like a band that I really loved. - And just kind of ramble. - Yeah, just kind of ramble. I posted this episode about, and they were part of it. And I saw them like kind of like it, or they might have reposted it too. And I was like, huh. What if I just send this email real quick and just like see what's up? If like one of them wants to come on and like talk about like the heyday of their band because their band was pretty prominent for like a lot of people. And they said yes, and they were down to do it. So I had one of their members come on and we kind of just shot the shit. And the entire time I'm just like freaking out 'cause it's like someone who's, if like, if I had a CD of their album, it would probably be destroyed 'cause I listened to it so much. Thankfully, I had it only digitally. - Like it was insane to me that they took the time to do that. And like we're down for it. And that was like the biggest like holy shit. Like what could this whole podcast thing be if I like put in the time and I can get them? Who else can I get? - Yeah. So like after that, like I know that you have a very extensive backlog and quite a few bands that you've had on before they kind of like shot up big. But like I think one of the big ones that people always bring up has been quad. Like you had them on before they ever like got to where they are now doing, you know, big like headlining tours and going out with Hot Mulligan who are also, you know, another like fairly new recent like blow up band. But like what are some other ones that you're just like really proud of having like kind of gotten in on the ground floor of? - Like one for sure that I'm really proud of and like it almost feels a little weird to say, well like not like weird that they are on but like weird that like I got to them right when I did was arms length. I was able to sit down with them like before. I think right after the first EP came out, like they hadn't even been to the States yet done. Like because now the only time they come to the States they're on these like these crazy fucking like giant tours. - Yeah. - And like it was really cool to sit down with them. Trying to think of someone else that's done really crazy. I mean, I think those them have been quad they're probably like the biggest that have, I've seen like the exponential blow up out of nowhere. Everyone else, that's not to take away from anyone else that's been on because everyone else, like I love everyone that comes on and I appreciate them so much. But like those two, I don't know what was going on those days that they put out those records but like they blew up, they found the right crowd and like totally deserving for all of them 'cause they're like the nicest people ever. - So how long have you been doing like the weekly uploads thing? - Weekly uploads, I think started in, I think it's like March of like 22 or 21. - Okay. - And it's, it was basically, I think it's 21 'cause I, me and my friends had gone, I had finished out, I don't know, it might be 22 'cause I think we finished out the year of 2021. I took January of 2021 off or 2022 off 'cause me and my friends, but it was like our first big trip once everything kinda opened up, we went to Jamaica. - Oh, okay. - So we went there, I took like January off for that and then kind of took February off to like records of episodes or start recording episodes and then it was like March of that year that I just was like, okay, I was able to record all of these and like put them out and I've figured out a weird like system of like, okay, if I record it this time, I can have them ready by here to start putting out here and then it's just been hit the ground running ever since. - Hit the ground running, never fucking stopped. (laughing) - See, it's crazy to me, man. Like the more than just, 'cause you don't do a lot of editing on your show, it's a very casual style. My show is a lot more heavily edited for like pacing and that, but yours has a lot more of this like casual, unedited conversational kind of tone, which I'm sure helps a lot with that turnaround, having to do a lot less cutting of things in order to like get it ready to put out. But like even just the reaching out to people, actually getting them, you know, to record and all that and never missing a week is like crazy to me. Because I was doing weekly episodes when I first started and I got to about six months of it and just burned out so hard because it was like, you're just constantly, like you're putting down the tracks as the trains moving and it's crazy to keep up with. - Yeah, and I think one thing that helped was just easing into it rather than like starting as a brand new podcast and just being like, okay, I'm just gonna jump into this and like go full-bore because I don't know if I could have kept up with myself if I would have done like weekly episodes start. If I, as much as it's terrible to say, if we wouldn't have had the pandemic to give me all the free time to kind of like ease into the work I would have been. - Yeah, exactly. - Especially because like at the beginning I was doing, I would record the episodes and you know how it is when you first start being like a host on a podcast, you don't understand the flow or you don't remember, you don't learn the ways of like keeping the conversation going so there's a lot of like pauses and like ums that you have to like get out. And so a lot of my early episodes, I was, thankfully I was only doing audio then too, but I would go through and like let's say we record for an hour and a half. I listen to that thing all the way through, cut out as many ums, all the lulls as I could. - Yeah. - And now being you know, almost five years removed from that. If there is like a low period, I remember where it's at so I can easily go in and cut it out, but then it's mainly just the rest of it is fine or if there's I know a spot that needs to be cut, I'll go and cut that, but for the most part, I can keep the conversation going enough where I'm just like, that's good enough for me because that's what I enjoy listening to. So I'm sure everyone else does. And then I just put it out. Do my little. and then send it? - I think that that is one of the weirdest things, like getting into doing like the interviewing that I've noticed too, 'cause I've even like looked at some of my old episodes and stuff like that. And it's like, you really do just figure out a much better flow in like how to like talk with people. It's always way easier when the other person is also like very natural at their conversation. Because I know that there are some people where it's like pulling teeth, where it's like you're like, this is a very one-sided conversation. They'll chime in occasionally, but it's like, those are always the hardest and the ones that I feel like I have to edit the most to like get to sound conversational, you know? - Yeah, and like it, and like I totally understand, I get those people outside of podcasting on my very like introverted person surprisingly. - It's the same here actually. - It's so rough. Like I get nothing against those people, 'cause I love them. But when you ask like an open-ended question to hopefully just keep the conversation going and then it's just like a couple of words and you're like, okay, we've had a been recording for like 45 minutes and you look and it's like 15 minutes, you're already through most of your questions and then it's just like trying, it feels like a license a little like challenge every once in a while, 'cause you're like, okay, how do I keep this going to not make it feel like I'm dragging it out, but to at least get it to a certain time point where it feels like a full conversation has been had. - Yeah, 'cause you don't wanna sound like your model logging the whole time, but it's also like if you can't get somebody to answer these open-ended questions that makes things really hard, 'cause that's like a lot of what this is is like you ask an open-ended question, they talk about something, hit on a point that you're like, oh, that's interesting, let me pull more out of that. And like if the other person like doesn't work with you and it makes it real hard. - Yeah, and like, and I'm sure you understand this too, is like with my episodes, I like to have them be a certain life 'cause I know that there's certain things I wanna talk about. If we don't hit that point, it feels so unnatural if I'm like, okay, normally by this question we're like minute 35, if I'm already like 20 minutes in and we're already hitting here, like I either gotta like rethink and reconfigure how I want this whole episode to go. - I think it's really interesting with all of that just like, you know, the, again, the progression just going from like somebody who's just like, I just talk to like somebody who actually like kind of knows how to like socially engineer a successful conversation in a way. - Like I mentioned, I'm one of those introverted people outside of this too. It was kind of funny, I was seeing this girl at one point and like our second data, we were just sitting there basically almost in silence 'cause I didn't know what to say. And she's like, how is this possible? You run a podcast and you talk to people every week, I'm like, yeah, but like it's different, like, I don't know, like we're behind screens. I did research, I know what I want to ask. Like I can't just look up things about you and be weird about it, like I can't be like, so I saw you had a dog, when we had me being traded soulfully - Tell me more about that. - Yeah, but I don't know. It's a difficult thing sometimes, but it also falls on us to see that as like a podcast host and like be able to kind of break open that shell a little bit of things. - Yeah. - 'Cause once you do that and like, I've had people that just start going and like won't stop rambling after being like, so introverted to the beginning. I'm like, where was this the entire time? - Yeah, exactly. So what do you do as far as like the research aspect of things? Like obviously you listen to the music to make sure that you know what you're talking about when it comes to whether it's the new album, older projects, you know, all that sort of thing. Do you like read a lot of articles? Do you like go through like their like Instagram and Twitter accounts to see if you can find any interesting things? I know that you've referenced some of my episodes a couple times, like you had a full blown meltdown on and you specifically like mentioned something that I said at one point. But like what is all of that like that process look like? - Yeah, so for sure, like if I'm sitting down with someone, you know, like I'm gonna be sitting down with someone for this part too, so you know, I had to check out their music. But like I'll go listen to the new stuff, try and listen to, depending on how much they have out, try and listen to a lot of the old stuff, kind of get the flow of the band. That way I kind of understand like the life of them. - Yeah. - And then I kind of peruse Instagram and Twitter because usually a band is the most unhinged on Twitter. So you can usually find some like funny stuff to bring up. - That's where you find like their most like, yeah, like you said unhinged shit and also like like inside jokes and shit that you can kind of like ask about a little bit. - Yep, so you know I'll pull from those main spots. I try not to look at too many articles or if I saw that they were on like another podcast, I try not to listen to that like before I have them on. Just because I don't wanna like intentionally think of like intentionally, unintentionally like pull something from one of those and like bring it in. So like if there is someone that's coming on and I know that they've done like, they just put out an album, they're gonna be doing a lot of press stuff. I'll preface at the beginning. I'll be like, hey, I have a list of questions. Some of them maybe repeats. - Yeah. - And I apologize if there are any. We can always skip them if you want. But I'm hopeful that like at least 70% of my stuff is you know something you weren't asked already on something on a different publication. It also helps that I get in real like at ADHD mindset. We'll be talking and then I'll just like randomly like think of something. It's also like drunk brain sometimes where I'll just like randomly think of something to just throw in there that. I just like in that zone just completely thought of. - Oh yeah. No, I think that that's the best is when you just like completely unscripted just like, oh, I just had this thought and then it turns into like a 15 minute conversation. - Yeah, those are always the best. And then like even with like the list of questions that I make, a lot of them I leave, when they're in my notes, like I leave them pretty vague. Just to also see like where the conversation's gonna go first and then kind of what I want to pull in or kind of like we mentioned earlier where we could mention something in a topic that we're talking about. And then like I already have any of my mind like ready waiting for the next break as to like reference something that we talked about in the middle of that to kind of tie it back into now to keep going the whole conversation. But yeah, mainly Instagram and Twitter. So if anyone's listening, that's that's what we're gonna look up your stuff. - Yeah. - And where we're gonna find like the best stuff to kind of pull from. - I also always like read like the Spotify bio 'cause usually that'll have like some good information. It's always kind of annoying when you like just can't find basic information about a band. Like. - Oh yeah. - Like what? One of my biggest pet peeves is when bands don't list where they're based out of. - Because like in my opinion that should be like one of the number one things that you have on your bio on social media, on Spotify, on whatever. Because there's such a like big thing to knowing what scene a band is from to understand their sound. Because you're like, oh well they're from this place. So it's like they're doing this thing which is kind of like, you know, they're taking this thing and kind of flipping it on its head. Whereas, you know, two bands can have a very similar sound and come to it in different ways based on like the scenes that they're active in. - Yeah, and yeah, I think we both stressed about this on Twitter at one point. And I have, the worst also is when you find someone on Spotify and you're like, oh, like I wanna see what other socials look like. Maybe there's like they only have a single out like, maybe there's a hint of like an album and like someone that I might wanna talk to at some point. So you go and hit that bio on Spotify and not only is there not a bio but there's not links to any socials. They're like, oh my god. So then you spend what you, like what feels like way too long to try and find them on like a social platform. You finally find them and then, you know, you can go from there. But then sometimes I'm like, do I really wanna spend the time doing this like it should be there. Not just for like people that want you on their podcast but like just for fans to find you and follow you. - No, I think that that's so important. Like from making it as easy as possible for somebody to see like a goofy tweet that you made or something like that and be like, oh, that's a band. I wonder what they sound like. Be able to like tap a couple things on your little, your little box in your hand and be able to, you know, listen to the new stuff like as soon as possible. And it's always annoying when you have to be like, all right, so I'm gonna Google this. It's especially bad when it's like there are certain bands that have like names that are just like impossible to Google. Like, great band from Nashville, dad hats. I've had them on my show before but it's like they're impossible to Google anything about because you look up dad hats and it's just like custom printed dad hats. And you're like, okay, dad hats band and it's just a bunch of band merch printed on dad hats. And you're like, okay, their new single is called my favorite show is the weather channel. So you're like, my favorite show is the weather channel by dad hats. And then it's just like, it's a dad hat with the weather channel logo on it. But you're like, God, fucking dammit. - Dude, I think the worst was like, I had a search for a band and finally found them. I found their Instagram but their Instagram was private. And I was like, what the fuck? Like what was the point? - How are you a band with a private Instagram? (laughing) - I was like, why? - I think another really bad one for me was, there's a local Detroit band called Times New Roman and their EP was called 12 Point. I'm like, I can't find the shit at all. Like I appreciate the joke but like make it a little easier. If you're naming a band, think about searching. engine optimization just a little bit. Oh my god that's so funny. So I know that you're like a bit of a vinyl guy too. A bit I think might be an understatement. That's like half of the things I see you tweet about is like picking up new vinyl. What are like some of your favorite like records albums, EPs that you've like been able to pick up and add to your collection recently? So I know we talked about Ben Quatt. I was able to get I think one of the earlier pressings of their EP and it was it was totally out of luck because I had missed it when they were first on like they were selling them totally fucked up on getting one and then I think it was within the like the last six months Choei found some more and they posted them and I like I was waiting to buy my phone that day. I was like no one talked to me at noon. I got shit to do. So I'll say we'll scoop one of those up. A man with a plan. I think some of my favorite ones that I have are going back to Crucia dudes. I have pretty much everything that they've done. I only like very collect for select few bands and I'm like they're one of them. So I have kind of all those. I think one that's really cool that I have that feels weird that I even have it is anyone remembers Jesse the body Ventura. He you know former WWE star, former governor of Minneapolis or Minnesota. He put out some music and I'll have to send you pictures of this. Oh my god. It's a picture disc it's it's it's double-sided just one song on each side but the the arts like one he's like in like this like almost like his outfit from Predator and he's holding this this this gun on one side and then the other side I can't remember what he's wearing but it's just I was at the rickshaw one day and it was like 12 bucks and I was like I can't leave without this like I just need to grab this and just take it with me. No I feel you that's amazing. And then one other cool one that I think I have that I'm pretty happy like I have a like a slightly few that I really stoked on like there's a pure noise two or sampler that I was able to get my hands on that is like this highlight or yellow and it's just like a really cool variant and then I there's oh I think one of my my favorite ones is I had got an early pressing of turnstiles glow on color pressing. Oh yeah. I think I got the pink from the first run so I'm very stoked on that unfortunately my a lot of my vinyl habits have been dying down lately but if you can see behind me depending on which camera I'm looking at I do have some of the homies behind me. Yeah I can see full blown meltdown back there I can see Saturdays at your place I can't tell what the other two are. The other one so I picked those Saturdays and full blown for this one and then I just let just did the shuffle for the other ones so I have stage ships the finer things and then alkaline trios from here to infirmary. Is that something that you do for every episode is like pick specific vinyl to have in the background that like kind of matches the theme. So I just started doing it so that's amazing enough. I've had those shelves for probably two years now but I lived in like a rental before so I was like I don't really want to put them up and then now that I own my own house I was like okay I need to especially since I switched banners the the beers of bands one is new and it wasn't always there at a mix tapes flag and I was like I I have all this open space I should put records up and just like change them out for every episode. So this is technically the second episode that I've had them up for okay I did an episode recently with some dudes you know miniapolis band called unattractive giant monster great band name dude great band name they just put a new album called jazz actually it's jazz because there's a question mark. No I have for that episode I put up like four miniapolis twinsities artists. Okay yeah yeah right on and then I think the last thing that I had like prepared to talk about was that you're kind of next month which will be like a month ago two months ago by the time it actually comes out time lines are really weird. Time's a construct yeah but you're actually getting back into booking because you have a show coming up back in Iowa City which is is it for your birthday or the anniversary of the podcast really something like that right. It's the it's the anniversary of the podcast so it's the five year show but I'm doing it a couple months early in Iowa City at games which is my favorite venue in the in the world when I used to book some shows for me that was the the venue that I always wanted to try and get the good bands to play at and I was able to book some shows but yeah so I have that show coming up in June times construct with seven of my favorite bands and friends and I'm so so fucking stoked. Yeah who's playing on that bill. So I have my homies Dustin and Aaron they're each playing they're each doing their own like synth set going by the names Big City Rips in Obertaq. I think they're I think Obertaq has some stuff on Spotify. I don't remember if Dustin and Big City Rips does yet. I also have my friend Jayce Win they play you and they also do poetry so it's really cool to they've also been on the podcast too. All the bands have been on the podcast. Yeah which is really cool but they do you know ukulele and poetry and then I have my friends and new neighbors and they're kind of like Iowa City punk. I have my friends in five a.m. they're kind of like a pop rock band from the Quad Cities and then I also have my friends in Eugene Levy like I mentioned earlier Brian their singer was you know I had to have make sure they're part of it since he was kind of the start of this whole podcast. Yeah and then I also have my friends in TV cop you know which is like PowerPop from Iowa which I'm so so stoked to see the the new record played that night. I I'll listen to that after watching your episode with them back in like January I think they they're so good that that album is phenomenal. Yeah I'm so stoked to see it I get my copy of this record and then I'm they apparently already have a good amount of songs that are new and written so I'm sure I'm gonna hear a decent amount of new stuff of that is gonna be unbelievable but yeah everyone that that's on I'm really stoked on just the the connections like new neighbors hasn't been on the podcast yet but two of the members were like I would book them on all the ship like a lot of the shows that I used to book when bands would come through town so like they've been homies since like 10 11 years now and I'm like I have them on like just jam packet whether 40 to 400 people show I don't give a shit like I'm hanging out with all my friends at the end of the day it's kind of like a victory lap basically exactly exactly um and you know as long as it goes well which I know it will um I'm already in the early contemplation stations stages uh for the mini hapless show that one will probably be a little bit bigger but it will happen either this year if it hasn't been announced by the time the stuff comes out probably won't happen but it'll maybe happen next year nice that's awesome is there anything else that you specifically wanted to touch on before we move on to like the next part of the episode um you know all I would probably say is you know uh here's a band is approaching episode 200 which will happen this year as well as the five year and it's crazy to think uh that those two are coinciding um and happening at all and I appreciate everyone that uh has taken the time to tune in and listen like especially you like the connections that have happened in in this whole scene and I like I appreciate everyone and you know we'll see where it goes from here yeah I think it's so cool seeing like these what I consider to be like you know newer projects starting to hit these milestones I think that that's fucking awesome because I mean you're even as you started like 2019 2020 so you I mean you're well also you're close to that okay 2020 and like and it's crazy like I was thinking about this like we both started roughly within the same time frame but we actually I don't think we've only I think we've only like interacted on Twitter and socials sometime within like the last year uh yeah I took a while to I was actually thinking about that I found you about a year ago in March I believe or May so somewhere I think it was March or April it was April uh because it was the uh it was we both had Jake from the Marrier on episodes uh for uh if we fall asleep too early I think was the name of the EP and that was your second time having him on but it was like I had just recorded and was editing the episode and I saw him like retweet this podcast called Beers With Bands that he was on and I was like oh this sounds interesting and that was when I was like all right this is a cool concept I dig this a lot I appreciate you checking out and being along for the ride uh it's cool to see everyone that you've had on it's also kind of cool to see too like you know it really shows how big I feel like the scene is because like we're both doing this this podcasting and now we have like five at the door and then like we talked about earlier like then no tracks is out there too but like I don't see a lot of double touches which is crazy uh yeah and amazing to see well because I was joking about it when you had full blown meltdown on your episode that he was the first to get the DIY podcast triple crown of five at the door fresh finds and Beers With Bands and I yeah it's it really is surprising that like we don't have more overlap but when we do I personally I like to watch the other people's episodes if they happened before mine because sometimes there'll be like a part of like a conversation or like a tangent or something that somebody goes on and I'm like that wasn't satisfying enough for me like I wanted I wanted to go into that a little bit deeper so I use that as like a jumping off point okay well I'll make sure to keep in mind if there's anyone that ever comes on Beers With Bands first and then goes on fresh finds to tune in to see what I might not have dug up enough and see what you do. These are the things that Michael was specifically not good enough at. Actually, also one last thing I want to point this out, because I don't remember. I think it was after we got done doing the episode, but Will from Flow Bowl meltdown. He even set back in December when we recorded his, he was like, "You need to go on fresh fines or make something happen," because he even set them like it would be a cool time for us to get together. So I will, this one's for you, it finally came to fruition like six months later, but it's finally happening. Dude, that's amazing. So moving on to the next part of the episode, this is where we're going to share some tunes, some fresh fines, if you will. This is usually either new releases up and coming underground DIY bands that we just feel like deserve more of a platform. I'm going to go first and we're just going to go back and forth, which is going to give you the closing song, I hope you've got something really strong to close on. I think I got a good one. Nice. Okay, okay. So, my first track is by a band called Former Critics. They are a local Detroit punk, kind of hardcore adjacent band. I wouldn't really call them hardcore, although like if you see them live, they have that energy. If you know what I mean, but it's weird because I've talked about this so much, but the Detroit scene has so many bands in it that I'm constantly finding new ones. Even if they've played like at the venue that's like just up the road from my house, I'm finding new bands like in other places. So I actually, the first time that I found them was when I saw them at Snoop Fest, which was a festival out in Lansing. If you don't know that was held for Tequila Mockingbird, his birthday, basically it was just a big birthday party that was also like a one day festival. Oh, yeah. Yeah, it was super cool. And that was like a half hour or hour and a half away from me or something like that. So I just did like a day trip out there for it. And they were one of the last bands to play. I think they were like second to last or something like that. And their energy was just incredible. Like, you know, they've got their front woman doesn't usually play an instrument. And so she's just like, you know, rocking with the, with the mic stand and like doing all that sort of stuff, just being an amazing, like, you know, hype person for the show. And I listened to this whole album on my drive back home after that show. It's called Ring of Salt. And it was released in late 2022. So it's like a year and a half old at this point, basically. And this song is probably my, one of my favorites off of it, which is called Candy. I'm not a date in my custom or how that clock on wall says, "I'm unwow." If another man was to be wrong, I swear to God, you won't be one to lie. But this is my set, take your eye, candy, color, the quality and keep it, but I won't wait for me. I want a candy, baby, party, I'd like you and I'm not sorry. And everything about the screams I've given up and all my dreams and you think I should feel. Don't just wait till please get off your knees, I feel it for real, real, real, it's meditation, I think I should take your, candy, color, the quality and keep it. But I won't wait for me, I want a candy, baby, party, I'd like you and I'm not sorry. I want a candy, baby, party, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry. Take your, candy, color, the quality and keep it, but I won't wait for me, I want a candy, baby, party, I'd like you and I'm not sorry. I want a candy, baby, party, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I want a candy, baby, party, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry, I'd like you and I'm not sorry. very like weird ways. It's like this is a local band that has literally played the venue up the road from me like in the last month. And I'm finding them on like this other thing that's like completely divorced from that. It's like really strange. The amount of times that like so many episodes the same way where it feels like there's a new band all the time. And I remember one time I was like on, I think it was like on Twitter. And I think it might have been like the sad jams playlist that gets retweeted every once in a while. But like someone had retweeted it. And they're like, Oh, here's our cover artist. It's so and so. And I clicked on the band name. And it's like miniapolis. I'm like, I've never heard of these people. Like it's just crazy how like you find them so far removed, even though like they're in your neck of the woods. Whenever I find that, I'm always just like, all right, once the next time they're playing a show, once the next time they're playing a show, I have to find them. But like, yeah, one of the things that I really like about this band in particular is that their song structures are so good. Like it's a heavy hitting rocker of a song. It's got that really cool like breakdown bridge section. It's got a really cool guitar solo, which I really like to because it feels like the guitar solo is kind of like falling out of style. In modern music, even in like music a lot. And so I think that all of that is like super cool. Yeah, when that guitar solo came in, it was super wicked because yeah, you don't really notice it or here too often anymore, which is kind of shame. Like we need more guitar solos. Just fucking rip it and shred it. Well, there's also been like just the move towards like shorter songs in general. And I think that kind of part of that is getting rid of the guitar solo. Tarasolo. Be patient. because it's like that, that is, it takes up a significant part of the song. It's essentially like another verse in length, essentially. - Yeah, that is true, 'cause it is kinda, it does feel weird sometimes when you look at like, newer stuff being released and it's like, more than three minutes long. Like this one was like, what, three minutes 40? And like it feels so weird to think, considering like everyone's stuff right now, I feel like it's so quick and like maybe two 40 usually. - Yeah, it's like three minutes or less a lot of the time. I also on this song just absolutely love the bass tone. Like one of the things that I've been getting into a lot recently is punk bands that have a very prominent like, picky bass sound because it's like, there's something about having that articulation and being able to like hear the strings of the bass instead of like just the low end. - Oh yeah. - There's something about that grit in that grime that just like, oh, I love it. So good, so what do you have for your first pick? - So my first one is a song called, how do you feel from a band called Savings? - Okay. - The bass out of New Mexico, you know, like just, I feel like a lot of the stuff I list too is kinda like this emo to like Indie to like, Al Rock, Sphere, Spectrum, and they fall perfectly in that. This is the first single off their new full length that will actually be on August. - This is the first single of it? - Yeah, this is the first single. You know, I came across it, I feel like a couple weeks ago and it's just been one of those that like, I immediately kinda like saved it to my phone and I was like, okay, I need to keep an eye on this, see what progress is. And I also wanna state like, all the bands that I've selected, I tried to make sure I wasn't selecting anyone that's been on, any of my episodes that I wanna play favoritism and like these are all bands that like, I'm recently just found that I think are killing it. - That's what I'm looking for. - Yeah. - That's, fresh front, it's gotta do it to the full extent, you know? - Yes, sir. But yeah, this one's really sick, this is called, like I said, how do you feel? (upbeat music) ♪ I feel it all on the inside ♪ ♪ But I'm waiting for just another wake up ♪ ♪ Calling the morning ♪ ♪ I concentrate the madness ♪ ♪ Why am I like this? ♪ ♪ It's tell me that we're just a generation of sadness ♪ ♪ Then cannot you lay low? ♪ ♪ Let it go ♪ ♪ Move on and probably give up ♪ ♪ I don't know ♪ ♪ You tell me that it's okay to be dramatic ♪ ♪ It won't be too long ♪ ♪ And so you're stuck in a static ♪ ♪ Can you feel it now? ♪ ♪ Can you feel it for me? ♪ ♪ Somewhere, somewhere ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm rich, it's not me yet ♪ ♪ So I can't stop breathing ♪ ♪ I don't wanna be dead ♪ ♪ So I can't see it, can you feel it now? ♪ ♪ Something tells you to wake up ♪ ♪ And face all that same things you put in a makeup ♪ ♪ You're lying to my face ♪ ♪ Now you say it's so made up ♪ ♪ You're of a stepping boundary, saying you love me ♪ ♪ You lie and say your face now like you're above me ♪ ♪ Overwhelmed and happy, somebody saved me ♪ ♪ You've heard it all before, but it ain't say the same thing ♪ ♪ Can you feel it now? ♪ ♪ Can you feel it? ♪ ♪ Say it yourself or not ♪ ♪ Don't breathe it, can you feel your stuff or things that you don't wanna get saved yourself or not? ♪ ♪ Don't breathe it, can you feel yourself or things that you don't wanna get saved? ♪ ♪ Now, now, do you feel it? ♪ ♪ Somewhere, somewhere ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'm rich, it's not me yet ♪ ♪ So I can't stop breathing, I don't wanna be dead ♪ ♪ So I can't see it, can you feel it now? ♪ - I love that, that was super sick. - Right, I think the thing that I really love about that song is one, just the vibes. It's very west coast-fiving feeling, obviously they're freaking next door. - Oh, for sure, yeah. - But then it feels like a really good summer album. And then especially that little part at the very end, where you kind of just hear the guitar just going through those chords and you just hear him going, "Oh, oh, that to me is very block-party-coded." And it brings me back to that. So it makes me love it even more. It's just such a good, viby song. And I can't wait to see what the rest of it looks like. - Yeah, it's like production is super punchy. One of my favorite bits, kind of similar to the "Oh, oh, part" is where everything drops out for just like that breath. - Oh yeah. - But like, I love building tension in that way, with like little bits where like everything drops out and then just like comes back in. Like it's such a simple, arranging trick to do, but like it hits every time. - Oh yeah, especially like, I had a thought there, and I can believe it lots, but yes, it hits every time. And like it's so cool when it happens. And you like it throws you for a loop, especially when you like, let's do it the first time. Like you're like, what's happened? And then like, before you can even process your thought, like it's already back, punching you right back in the face, taking for the rest of the song. - I also think it's interesting, just like modern pop punk in general. And I think that like this kind of does that. Did you listen to the statements EP last year? They're from Baltimore? - I don't think so. - Okay, I don't remember the name of the EP. But anyway, there are another band that kind of like makes me think about this, which is how a lot of modern pop punk has like the really like, kind of that heavier style. 'Cause like, you think about like classic pop punk. It was a lot more like, punky sounding. If that makes sense. Like the guitars weren't like, downtuned quite as low and like that kind of stuff. And I feel like modern pop punk is indebted to like late 2000s, early 2010s Easy Core, where it's taking the, 'cause that was like pop punk meets metal core basically. And it's taking that and taking the sounds of the metal core part of that as far as like guitar tones and that sort of aspect. But going back to straight pop punk and not doing like the breakdowns and like the like harsh vocals and stuff like that, which I think is really interesting how it was just like, you have pop punk. Then you've got like, it merges with hard, or with like metal core to get like the Easy Core thing. And then kind of they took the sound of that and then brought it back to just like straight pop punk again. - Yeah. - Yeah, it's cool to see that evolution. 'Cause everyone I mean feels like talks about, like the different, different evolutions of email, but no one really breaks down or talks about like the different phases of pop punk as that we've seen throughout our lives. - Yeah, 'cause I mean, you think about like, you kind of start out at least in my opinion, pop punk with like, you know, the late 90s, early 2000s bands, you know, you've got your, your blank and your, some might consider green day pop punk. I think they're more like straight punk, but you know, same sort of deal, you know, you're bowling for soup, all that kind of stuff. Then it kind of like got to a boiling point and it got to like the heavier stuff and you kind of got into like a data remember and that sort of like Easy Core thing. Then you kind of got like, what a lot of people call it, like the Emo pop punk or like the like pizza pop punk. - Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. It's like you're, you know, you're like four years strong and like that kind of stuff where it's like mixing a whole lot more with Emo and then kind of now back into like more straight pop punk as well as like the, you know, the thing that a lot of people are doing that is very controversial but you know, like kind of the MGK flavor of like pop punk as well that's like on the radio a lot more that's kind of like integrating like trapped and like that kind of stuff too. - Yeah, I will say that is one record that is not in my collection. - But granted, it is an amazing, like as much as we hate to agree with it, that is a pretty solid album, at least the first one that you put out. - Tickets to my downfall? - Tickets to my downfall, yeah. It was catchy, it's literally gave us exactly what we wanted from a pop up album. - I think for the time, it was great. And then kind of like just MGK being MGK, kind of like several people on it. Yeah, exactly. And then like a lot of the tracks on whatever the follow-up to that was, I don't even remember but yeah, it like rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. But I do think that there is like some good stuff that's coming from that like sect of pop punk. I just think that a lot of people are kind of, like traditionalists and don't want to like it because it's so associated with MGK and MGK is kind of not a great person to put it lightly. So my next tune is actually one kind of a little bit of self promotion a little bit because it's a song that I produced. It's from the Void Cavalier EP that came out about a month ago, maybe a little bit more. Void Cavalier, Jared, somebody who was very active on Twitter, I've seen him in a little while, but basically he calls himself swamp emo. It's like southern, think of like like folk kind of Americana music, but then with like an emo twist on it, basically. I think it's really good. It's a solid five track EP and this one is the closing track and it's also my favorite, which is called Wimsy Durge. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Oh 100%, especially with how it came out now, you know how sometimes a band will put on a track and then they'll do an acoustic version, you know, strip it down and you can kind of be like, oh okay, this makes sense, you can see it, but this one, you can't see it any other way. It after listening to it in this version, I can't see it doing any other style, any other version of this song, this is this song. To me, I think that part of that is it being written as an acoustic song, as opposed to being, oh this is a pop punk song, this is an emo song, that we're then turning into an acoustic song, because usually there are other elements there where maybe the lyrics aren't super strong or whatever, and so you can kind of be like, well it's a cool riff, so it's a cool song anyway, and it's like, well if you just play like the basic chords on the guitar then it, you know, it takes a lot of the life out of it, but this being written as an acoustic song, I think that, that lends to it. Another, another interesting thing about this track in particular is it's the only track that has doubled guitars on it. That's like, yeah, it's a fairly, fairly common thing in like, a lot of modern rock music to double track the guitars and panum left and right, so that basically it sounds like one big guitar, you know, that just takes up the entire stereo field. Most of this project is just a single acoustic guitar and a single voice, maybe a couple of like harmonies or something like that, but this has after the, when that little lead part comes in, the little instrumental section, he double track the guitars on that, and I was like, that section is my favorite part of the entire project, because it's genius in my opinion. It sets up this like implied rhyme of like what, they'll mistake your perfume with a part of some funerary, right? Because I sprayed it on your side of the bed and laid still till I, and then it comes in. And like, there's the implied rhyme of laid still till I died, but instead of doing that, it goes into like this like strummed guitar part, and I was like, I have to make this hit as hard as I can. And so like, it was like the only instance where there were the double guitars, so I was like, all right, so panum super hard. I'm going to compress the hell out of them, put like a bunch of saturation so that they just sound so much bigger than any of the other guitars on the project, so that it just like, it slaps like that, you know? Dude, well, it came out sick. Like, there's things I want to ask, but I don't want to take too much away from from the next episode where people got to come back for part two and yeah, listen to those answers, but like I'm stoked on the outcome and like that you were able to be a part of it too. Me too. Well, it was one of those things where initially they were going to just try and like mix it themselves. And it sounded really good that way. Like, there were a couple of like mixed issues where I was like, oh, you could take out a little bit of the bass and the acoustic guitar, it'll sound a little bit cleaner that way, whatever. But it kind of got to the point where it was like, well, why don't you just do it? You're the one who's giving all the input anyway. And so it just kind of kind of turned into that thing. But yeah, I'm super happy with how that project turned out. I'm really looking forward to the follow up to it, which I know is already in the works. So very still done that. Yeah, so I'm gonna look forward to it. So what do we have coming up next? So my next track is from a band called Townies. Fuck yeah song. It's a song rust. You know, I usually try and probably like you and most people, you know, we have our weekly like release radars that kind of update every Friday. And they have continuously track by track. I think it was during the primary single. They're in the release of the singles. But like one track of theirs is always ended up on it. And whether it's ruster or a different track, but like I was like, okay, like that was the last single of the three. Okay. Yeah. But yeah, like everyone I've been super pleased with. So I have rust for this track. [Music] ♪ ♪ What's your name I forgot I should listen to myself ♪ I'm coming if you want I should listen to myself ♪ For the friends you love is all before I move in ♪ If you can, but you don't ♪ I should listen to myself ♪ It'd be so hard to make decisions and pull ♪ Be a good example ♪ People need it faithful ♪ Something I don't love you ♪ Just but got it hard too ♪ I don't ♪ I don't ♪ I don't ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Stop it I don't love you ♪ Just but got it hard too ♪ I don't ♪ I don't ♪ ♪ You name I forgot ♪ ♪ It's so good so catchy and then like I just love his vocal style especially like leading up into it where it kind of starts off slow and are like quieter and like kind of builds in like it works so well and I did forget to mention like this is off their latest album and I forgot to put that into my notes as to what the album was called of this I'm certain of this I'm certain so everyone make sure you go check that out because this album is sick it's honestly probably like it's like legitimately a contender for my album of the year at this point like I there hasn't been a day that I've gone without listening to this project since it dropped basically I also with that that title of the project I like that that is a not a song title but it is a lyric in one of the songs I think that that's really cool when bands do that they use like a lyric from one of the songs as like the title of the album 'cause it's from Gallows which is the first track on the album there's the line of this I'm certain I'm closer to the Gallows than I'll ever be the crown like yeah it's cool when they do that it's like it's in like the same aspect of like when you're watching a movie and like the title comes up in the movie and you're like they yeah they said the thing I also just like there's an itch that this scratches for me where it's like it's kind of got that emo thing going on kind of got that punk thing going on it walks that line really well in my opinion but it's also just got this like super garage-y like crazy energy to it to that like it feels so natural to listen to like it doesn't feel produced at all if that makes sense oh 100% like this it feels like I also love those albums too or like this one feels it where it feels like just something that was just put together almost like in a garage basement but not having that full 'cause you know how like you have those home recordings where like they can either be like basement recordings or like they can be like basement recordings like there's definitely that line but it doesn't feel like oh we went to a whole studio on paying thousands of dollars to have this all done and like it just feels natural and like so but it's also not low-fi yeah it's not like oh we recorded this on a beer soaked for track over the course of a half hour I also just threw out this entire project there are so many good lines I don't know the names of any of the guys in the band but he has such a like poetic way of writing lyrics that I absolutely adore like just going throughout the project there are so many like just like one-off lines and stuff like that that I'm like yeah that was a good one that was a good one I like that apparently they're from Boston but are now based in LA yeah I did see that it's kind of interesting to me 'cause I've seen I had seen a couple people posting about them before this album came out and then I think something probably about it being released on we're trying yeah something about it being released on We're Trying probably helped get it a lot of traction but it was like the first single came out and everybody was like oh this is this is some good shit I like it so much yeah and like finding out the whole Boston LA thing you know nothing against living in either one of those cities but when you look at the cover art for this you know you see that the truck bed some dogs in the back they're called townies I off the bat was like oh they have to be like Midwest to like to like rust belt I know like a lot of the bands that end up coming on on my podcast are like from Philly area but like I just assumed somewhere in that area and then to find out like no it's Boston to LA like it threw me for a loop because I could totally see them being or sounding like they're from that Midwest to Rust Belt area no I always like before I looked it up I always like assumed that they were from somewhere in the Midwest just because of like the aesthetic of it it also sounds very Midwest to me like this doesn't sound like your typical Boston sound to me like I feel like Boston has like a lot more of like an aggressive sound typically with the music that comes out of there and this sounds yeah a lot more Midwestern which I think is interesting so for my next track we already kind of talked about vinyl a little bit I just recently like over the last month started getting into vinyl I finally I got my tax return and that was what I spent it on was getting a record player and so starts the debt Dude when we start to get when we start to getting those shit what were they calling like the Covid just checks basically yeah yeah yeah the like relief checks or whatever yeah that that also is when I started my collection so yeah it's a slippery slope be careful yeah but so one of the things that I really like is there's a local record store here in Detroit called People's Records and a lot of it is used records got a huge selection of like jazz and classic rock and hip hop and like that kind of stuff they don't really have a whole lot of like metal or punk or anything like that but they have a small section that's like metal and punk stuff that is also a section for local music because they work with local bands and local labels and stuff like that to supply like record I don't think they really do like tapes or CDs a whole lot but they do records and so I was just like going through the like local releases section and just like looking for something that was interesting I wasn't even looking for anything that I was familiar with anything specific I was just like what looks cool and I found this band called Taurus Eyes I actually have the vinyl off to the side so I can show you there we go I saw this yeah I saw that and just like immediately hold on am I I may have stopped recording give me just a second okay I'm back just found out that my video recording stopped at some point so hopefully you're not just looking at like a blank screen for most of that but anyway so I found this vinyl looks like this I wanted to make sure I had it in frame in the other shot and that was why that was why I found out so luckily we're back I am still recording I am recording again now but that's such a cool and like trippy cover I love it yeah and it's interesting because like the local section isn't divided into genres or anything it's just like this is local music and so I had no idea what it was going in I was just like this is some really cool really cool looking like album art and so I'm just going to buy it I think it was like 15 bucks or something like that I'm like totally yeah it's one of those things where it's like it could be good or it could be shit but this cover art is going to be amazing either way yeah and it's a really weird synth wave electronic like IDM EDM type stuff not usually like the type of thing that I'd be like super into like I enjoyed on occasion personally I think that it works better listening to the entire album than just a single track but I feel like this track stands the best on its own out of all of them this song is called enamel ♪ For the time of the year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ For the time of the year ♪ ♪ For the year of the year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ For the time of the year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ For the time of the year ♪ ♪ For the time of the year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ ♪ And once every year ♪ (upbeat music) (upbeat music) And then it like transitions into the next track like basically seamlessly. It's a super cool listen to the entire project. - I was gonna say that that fade out was so nice and intricate. Like I can't imagine like, oh no, I can't imagine, but like I can't imagine what the next song would be like how it ties in like I know it's just gonna flow and just be amazing throughout. - Oh yeah. It's a great thing to just like put on and listen to and really just like get lost in like all these lush like synth layers and stuff. It's super cool. - Yeah, yeah that would definitely be a good one to like just smoke a little bowl, get put it on. Maybe don't smoke too much 'cause I feel like you're gonna get lost and get a little freaked out but just like smoke the right amount. - Just a little bit. - Yeah, yeah, no, no, that's it. That was exactly how I experienced it the first time but it was perfect. (laughing) - It was really weird though because like I picked this up and I was like, all right, this is cool. I wanna find out some more information about this. It's a duo, they have a bandcamp and it's basically got like just the basic information of like synth music from Detroit essentially and I was just like, all right, social media. They have an Instagram with zero posts, all right? Do they have any other social media? I can't find any other social media. So I was like, so I'm gonna, it has in the credits the names of the two people who work on it so I'm like, all right, I'm gonna search for these people's names. No Instagram, no Twitter. I found a Facebook page for one of them. They hadn't been active since 2019. I'm like, I can't find anything about this band. Like what is the deal with this project? So it remains a mystery to me which is kind of frustrating. - There was me of a story that I saw recently where I guess like some kids in like college back in like private early 2000s found like this track or like the CD like that was handed out at an after show and like the band that had handed it out had never played it on their show ever. But these kids kept listening to this CD all the time just being like, this is great stuff. Like whatever happened to this band and I couldn't be getting these deals wrong. But never heard like they would search for the band and never find them after all these years. And then they finally like posted something on like Reddit. I was like, I think I saw this story and it was just like the random guy was just like, oh yeah, I was in that band, I was the bassist. Yeah, and like a full circle of like who they were and stuff like that. It's just it's kind of, oh maybe it'll be one of those situations where you'll post about it and like get more information. Since granted they do, you're the band you're looking up at least has like Instagram page, but they don't post anything. But like funny enough story. - They're also from the Detroit scene. So like it's possible that like you never know, I could have talked to these people before. I have no idea. It is kind of interesting though. Like I don't know how much you know about like the history of like music and Detroit. Cause like Detroit is a very rich music history type of city. But it was the birthplace of techno music. - That I didn't know. - Yeah. And there's actually going on right now this weekend is one of the largest like techno EDM festivals in the country is going on in Detroit right now. It's called movement. And so it's really interesting that there's like such a like long legacy of like electronic music. And there's a ton of like venues that do like like DJ sets and like electronic music and stuff like that. It's really cool. - Yeah, I didn't, that's for some reason that feels crazy to me knowing that Detroit was like the home of that. But most people when they think about like Detroit as like an outsider that doesn't, that isn't from Detroit. - Yeah. - You either think of like rap and hip hop or you think of like Motown. You don't think about like techno or EDM. - You think about like punk sometimes too. Cause you think of like a Iggy Pop in the studios. Like that kind of stuff was all Detroit. But yeah, there, it's crazy like the longer I live here learning more and more about like the legacy of music in the city and just like there's so much stuff that I didn't even realize was from here initially. That it's like, it's really cool getting into it. - Well, I mean, so you know, like I mentioned I've lived in Minneapolis for, you know, four years now and I only found out like year and a half, maybe two years ago that most city child track is literally from Minneapolis, didn't know that at all. And someone was like, oh yeah, they're from here. And I was like, there's fucking news to me. And then I emailed, yeah, and then I emailed their lead singer because he has a side project. Yeah, because he does like his own solo stuff. No email, no email back. - Oh, unfortunate, unfortunate. But yeah, so I just think that it's really cool kind of doing the like create digging vinyl thing, picking up stuff that like you probably never would have gotten into otherwise and just being like, actually, this shit's really cool. - Yeah, when I would like spend my, like let's say there was a Saturday that I was like, okay, I'm gonna go to the record store this Saturday. I would go, the main spot I would go here in the Twin Cities would be Chippo in St. Paul for everyone as local. It's like this huge spot. Huge is depends on your contract. But it's a charity good size like place. They have what seems like every single genre, they have a bunch of like old school stuff. They also, in each genre, they also have like returns. But I would go and just basically have my headphones in, listen to like my normal stuff as I go through. But then like if I came across a record that kind of like looked cool or someone sounded interesting, you know, I would pull up their album, kind of play it a little bit, get a feel for it. And just like, that's how like I would take like some things home knew that I normally wouldn't take. And then I would also go to this other record store. I think it's called like South. side music or something like that, but they have a really good like local section or like return section so I was able to get like a lot of like good stuff that I like I list to return in there because you know pop on kids got to pay for the shit but I I benefit off of that uh so it worked down nice yeah I think that it's just like a really cool way of like discovering music this very different from how we tend to discover music now through like algorithms and stuff like that it's like this is what's available try and find something that you think is cool you know right yeah especially like with the the five that are on my list for this episode are all just algorithm based of like hey you listen to all stuff that kind of sounds like this here listen to this but it is cool to like go and find something just like the natural way of like oh like I this just look cool so I took it home or um it's like going to a show and not knowing who is playing on any like not knowing any of the bands that are playing and just finding it that way yeah yeah I I will do that a lot too because there's a the logger house which is a venue that's like a 10 minute walk from my apartment I'll go over there sometimes and just be like I have no idea who's playing but you know it's a $10 show it's a Saturday I'm not doing anything else like let's just go and see if there's something see if something cool happens right like that's the that's the perfect thing to do so uh what's your next pick gonna be so my next pick is a song called Frankie and Ava by this band called the Lost Teens it's a best friend duo based out of New Orleans it's New Orleans it's gonna be interesting okay yeah it's gonna probably be out of everything I play for today's episode it's gonna be like the most out of pocket um okay think of like 1950s almost like timepiece like if you're watching a movie like what you would expect in a movie to come up with that this is like probably one of those like guilty pledges were like this stuff hits so well and it's not just emo and pop on it's completely out of the field I'm so I'm so stoked for this this sounds awesome oh Eva how does it feel I brought you back to life and now you're here I picked your best part I sold you up nice so now tell me dear do you feel all right do you feel all right Frankie my dear I'm feeling kind of weird my hands don't look like they used to your scars on my neck and bolts in your neck you look different too I think I'm kind of scared of you oh what did he bring me back just dark and long someplace I needed you near my dear oh I'm sorry I brought you back I couldn't go on without you by my side my head's in a spin I don't feel quite right your monster out of me I'm not quite alive I know you're scared too so here's what we'll do you get revenge together in this dark monster oh what did he bring me back just dark and long someplace I needed you near my dear oh sorry I brought you back I couldn't go on without you by my side oh what did he bring me back oh what did he bring me back just dark and long someplace I needed you near my dear oh sorry I brought you back I couldn't go on without you by my side oh what did he bring me back oh what did he bring me back oh what did he bring me back I couldn't go on without you by my side oh what did he bring me back that's amazing dude right I think I think one of the pictures I saw on Instagram they have this full band it's not just the two of them um obviously you can tell it sounds pretty full in there but I think it was like it was a good group size photo of people that are in this and I don't want to butcher the number I want to say it was like seven or nine people total but oh wow it's like the rest of the album which this came off as it's called uh meet the lost deans which came out in April is the same style like I just love the vibiness to it like that really like sock hoppy feel to it and I mean who else can really put together a whole conversation between Frankenstein and Brian or Frankenstein and make it sound like that like I can't think of anyone else well yeah it reminds me a lot of like when you were introducing it I was preparing myself for like some kind of like New Orleans jazz or something like that and this kind of reminds me of like classic country ballads like and I really like that like um I've talked about this before but I used to I have I have gone to recently as well this um traditional music festival up in the Upper Peninsula with Michigan in Marquette it's called the Hyawatham Music Festival and this is like absolutely the type of stuff that like you would see like on on the main stage like sometimes so it's it's interesting because it's got this like weird kind of like I don't know I feel a special connection to it because of like going to that festival like several times and stuff like that yeah it's just fun to it really makes me I don't know if they'll take this as a digger out by the like it really makes me want to go watch Greece uh and just kind of getting that whole like time period mood for it but yeah this is one of those ones too that like well back to the future yeah like my algorithm has been like just really doing like this weird thing lately where it weird in like the best way where like I get through like the the playlist of like what it suggests and then like about halfway or three quarters of the way through it all just throw a curveball and just like go down like this rabbit hole of stuff for a little few songs and you know I'm not disappointed uh in it so it's it's pretty great I think one of the one of the weird things I recently switched from Spotify to title just like their their business practices were annoying me a lot and I was and I tried title title has better sound quality which is really nice but one of the things that kind of annoys me is that a lot of smaller bands which is generally what I listen to don't get a lot of algorithmic stuff because not as many people listen to them and then already not as many people listen to this band and then also not as many people use title and so often like the the smaller bands uh they don't have enough info on what people like that listen to this music to give like those types of like you know playing radio after an album is over or something like that which is probably the biggest thing that I miss about Spotify is more of those like algorithmic recommendations and stuff like that yeah I'm in Apple music early so okay I most of these bands most of everyone I think on this list has been from my Apple music playlist or like curated stuff I feel like they're pretty good about uh promoting uh smaller bands like you know recently kingpink put out a new album and you know red sun both local home uh yeah uh so like you know when those get done you know you know it'll start off with like the the other people in the scene like stars hollow maybe some Saturdays at your place um then I'll throw in it'll pepper in like some other or like Oklahoma bands that I have never heard of before. And then, you know, sometimes it'll pull in those bands that I kind of mentioned earlier, which haven't really said anything since like 2014. But there's still from that area of the country that the other bands are from. So it's like, it's the same thing. - For a long time, it was almost like, no matter what I listened to, after the album was over, Spotify was like, all right, so here's a Saturday's song and here's a full-blown meltout song. And I'm like, all right, cool. - That is the one thing. So like, I have Apple Music and then I also have Spotify that is the one thing I don't like or like irks me about Spotify is I'll get done listening to someone's record on there. And then the immediate after the record gets done, songs are always the same. - Yes. - Whereas if I go to Apple Music and I listen to the same album and it gets done, it'll always be a different song that plays after it to start that like radio. - Yeah, I think that that's another thing where Spotify is kind of falling behind is like, their shuffle algorithm gets kind of like stuck sometimes. I don't actually listen to a whole lot of stuff on shuffle anymore. Like I've always kind of been an album listener guy, but like recently, I just haven't been listening to playlists a lot. It's just like, I'm just gonna put on an album and then when that album's over, I'm gonna put on another album and I don't know. Just like the way that I listen to music has changed recently. - Yeah, I usually start out with playing an album and then just see where it goes from there. So like here in a few weeks when I drive home back to Iowa for my time there, I'll probably start my drive. Maybe put on the Red Sun EP and then just see where my algorithm takes it from there and then see how long I get tired of listening to that style before I switch it to either like tsunami or something like that to kind of just switch off the mood and I mean, it's like a four and a half hour drive so I can't listen to the same thing the entire way, you know? - Yeah, no, that's fair. I've got a long drive coming up, going down to Nashville fairly soon. So I'm starting to curate stuff to listen to for that too. As well as also like podcasts and stuff like that. I'll probably catch up on some beers with bands at that point. - Okay, I'm sure I'll have a good episode for you to listen to for your drive. But what do you got next in this gauntlet? - My next track is probably one of my favorite DIY albums that I've found since getting involved with this scene and I've never actually gotten around to featuring it on an episode for whatever reason. I don't know if it's just because I thought it was too old or if I, you know, it didn't match the vibe of what I was trying to curate for who the guest was or what the deal was, but I've just never gotten around to featuring this band, which is Career Day. They're like an emo punk band from New York City and this is probably my favorite track off of their album. I believe they just got done tracking the follow up to this album, which will hopefully be coming out either later this year or sometime next year. But this song is called It Never Ends. (upbeat music) ♪ You know I'm sorry to think that the courage is bombastic ♪ ♪ It really ain't too much ♪ ♪ As big as with the back you're right ♪ ♪ Just they call the protest riots ♪ ♪ I don't think we're winning with rock ♪ ♪ How many times can they break our necks ♪ ♪ And shake our fist 'til they do it again ♪ ♪ Divided, depressed, dissolved, dispossessed ♪ ♪ A few for where we're headed where we've always been ♪ ♪ Another clue, no, no ♪ ♪ We're too bad ♪ ♪ Gotta be peaceful ♪ ♪ Baby, at the store where we're scripted and dreams ♪ ♪ You'll delete by the state, but you've gotta be peaceful ♪ ♪ Just with guns, breathe, tap with men ♪ ♪ Though you've got anything to do ♪ ♪ Just mark it but slide in the language of violence ♪ ♪ Shake it back, I guess it never ends ♪ ♪ Starting it down, what I was starting to know ♪ ♪ What use is morality in a duel ♪ ♪ Hard not to wanna give up that choices that they give us ♪ ♪ A conflict or target or justice regarding ♪ ♪ Blankly, I'm struggled to find anyway ♪ ♪ To cry out, cake with the minute wave ♪ ♪ The system just does what it's designed to do ♪ ♪ A proper response is all over you ♪ ♪ Another clue, no, no ♪ ♪ We're too bad ♪ ♪ Gotta be peaceful ♪ ♪ Baby, at the store where we're scripted and dreams ♪ ♪ You'll delete by the state, but you've gotta be peaceful ♪ ♪ Just with guns, breathe, tap with men ♪ ♪ Though you've got anything to do ♪ ♪ Just mark it but slide in the language of violence ♪ ♪ Shake it back, I guess it never ends ♪ ♪ Never ends, never ends ♪ ♪ Never ends, never ends ♪ ♪ Another clue, no, no ♪ ♪ Another clue, no, no ♪ ♪ We're too bad ♪ ♪ Gotta be peaceful ♪ ♪ Baby, at the store where we're scripted and dreams ♪ ♪ You'll delete by the state, but you've gotta be peaceful ♪ ♪ Just with guns, breathe, tap with men ♪ ♪ Though you've got anything to do ♪ ♪ Just mark it but slide in the language of violence ♪ ♪ Shake it back, I guess it never ends ♪ - Career day fuckin' rules. - Dude, it's legitimately one of my favorite projects that I've found since getting involved with the emo scene. - Yeah, I feel like a lot of their stuff has not missed. And then I love, too, that we had that little guitar solo in the song, too, which kind of reversed back to kind of what we were talking about earlier, where we don't see it a lot, but it's nice to see it pop up again. - Yeah, yeah, exactly. I also think their lyrics are really great political commentary, too. The first line in this song, I'm starting to think that these co-exist bumper stickers really ain't doing much. Like, it's such a great line, 'cause it's like, you know, it's all these people who like think that they're like doing this big thing, and it's really like, okay, but like, it just kind of like displays your ideology, but doesn't actually, you know, do anything in the grand scheme of things. - Right. - But I'm also surprised, 'cause like I said, this is probably my favorite song off of that project. I think it's the catchiest. - And I was surprised when I realized that it wasn't a single leading up to the album release. - You know, it is surprising, but at the same time, I gotta give them props for not putting it out as a single, 'cause like, I feel like there's some bands that, you know, put out, obviously, you know, when you're doing that release stuff, and you can attest to this, you know, doing your show stuff, when you're doing that, those single releases up into the album, you wanna put out your, some of your, your, your heavy hitters, but to hold back a heavy hitter, and be like, no, no, no, we're gonna hold onto this one, and let them, we're gonna let it marinate until they find it on this album. Like, that's a big bold move to do. - Well, and I think that that's another thing, like, going back to the kind of, like, album listener conversation. One of the things that I find really interesting is the fact that, like, a lot of the time, your favorite songs on an album aren't the singles when you're somebody who, like, listens to the album, you're like, this album cut is actually really cool, and like, most people probably haven't given it a chance because it wasn't a single, and they listen to, like, the album through once, and, you know, went back to what they knew. - Yeah, or what ends up happening, too, is, and I know I've talked about this on some of my episodes, is, like, a band will front load their album with all, like, the hits, and especially, like, they'll have those hits be the singles. So by the time you get to song five or six, you're like, oh, I've heard all the good stuff, so why should I keep going and listen to the rest? And it's such a bummer when it happens, because, like, there could be a gem on song, like, eight, that no one ever gets to, because it just was just poor layout in the release schedule. - I think that that's, in art, in and of itself, is, like, doing the track list and having, like, a good pacing for a record, because, yeah, you don't want it front loaded, because then, like, the back feels boring, you know, potentially, and you don't want it back loaded, because then, like, people might not ever get to, like, the best tracks on the album. Like, recently, I don't know if you're really into, like, metal, like, metal core, like, any of that type of stuff, era released in album. They're, like, a progressive metal core band, and that was a weird one for me, because it was, like, all of my favorite tracks are on, like, the back half of the album, and so I was, like, yeah, this is all right. This is all right, this is all right, really, you know? And so it's, it's, like, I really only listen to, like, half of that album anymore, because it's, like, the front half, I'm just like, okay, sure, but, like, the back half is, in my opinion, where all the actions at. Yeah, and, like, when you go to the layout, the track listing, you really got to be good. Like, obviously, take this with the greatest song. This is coming from someone that doesn't have music out, and this is just someone that's, like, listening to music, so don't come at me. But, like, you really want to lay it out where, if there, if you know as a band, that there's going to be songs that you don't think people are going to, like, fully connect with, you want to, like, kind of, put those ebbs and flows throughout the entire album. That way, like, if we listen to a song that you don't think is going to be the hit, but then we listen to a hit, and we go into it, like, it keeps us along for the ride, rather than, like, having that initial drop at the beginning, and then the rollercoaster's done, and you're, like, okay. I think the perspective coming from a listener is important, though, because, like, most of the people that are going to be listening to your album aren't necessarily musicians, who, like, writing music just for other musicians is something that you can do, but you're very much limiting yourself in doing that. If you're trying to write music for a broader audience, then that's something that you're more likely to get a little bit more traction on. - Yeah, that is true, but at the end of the day, put out what you think is best. - Oh yeah. - Let us all soak it in and have a good time, but yeah, don't front load, and if don't have all your singles within the first five songs, let's at least do that. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. So what's your next pick gonna be? - So my next pick is a song called DK. - It is from a band called, if Kansas had trees, funny enough, they're not from Kansas. They're from Booksberry, Pennsylvania. You know, me and my Pennsylvania bands, I don't know what it is, and I'm not even from there, but this is the title track off that EP called DK. (rock music) (rock music) ♪ Self-consumed and hit away ♪ ♪ To lock you out and shut me down ♪ ♪ And how would I react ♪ ♪ 'Cause this was you ♪ ♪ And why can I see that ♪ ♪ Washing away ♪ ♪ Corns beneath my tongue ♪ ♪ Lost your knife on 'em ♪ ♪ And feel the tension ♪ ♪ Swaving away ♪ ♪ And breathe the still, the sin ♪ ♪ Cut off all my strings ♪ ♪ Are bouncing to shame ♪ ♪ So why do I ♪ ♪ Spank 'n' day ♪ ♪ See me there ♪ ♪ Wasting away ♪ ♪ Who will want ♪ ♪ A memory ♪ ♪ So run away ♪ ♪ To waste it to wash me away ♪ ♪ Corns beneath my tongue ♪ ♪ Lost your knife on 'em ♪ ♪ And feel the tension ♪ ♪ Swaving away ♪ ♪ And breathe the still, the sin ♪ ♪ Cut off all my strings ♪ ♪ Are bouncing to shame ♪ ♪ Corns beneath my tongue ♪ ♪ Lost your knife on 'em ♪ ♪ And feel the tension ♪ ♪ Swaving away ♪ ♪ Who will want ♪ ♪ A memory ♪ ♪ So run away ♪ ♪ And breathe the still, the sin ♪ ♪ And breathe the still, the sin ♪ ♪ And breathe the still, the sin ♪ (dramatic music) - I like that ending with the little like speed up thing. - Yeah, but yeah, like I mentioned, that's the song "DK" off their EP title track. - Yeah, so where did you say that they're from? 'Cause they're not from Kansas. - Yeah, they're from Wilkesbury, Pennsylvania. I think it's like outside of Philly-ish. That's, I'm also saying that in from my office memory, probably more screen area, but Philly, or Pennsylvania. - You and your Philly you slash Pennsylvania bands, man. - It's two years. - There's some sort of connection. - I don't know what it is, like I've been, I've never even like really been to Philly. I've driven through Philly, that's about it. And yet I, and I'd say like at least 50% of the bands that have been on have all been from Philly. It feels like. - Yeah, and you always mention that every time you have a Philly band on, you're like it's another Philly band, can you imagine? - Who would have thought? - Yeah. - But yeah, like I came across that track as fresh, as it might be, maybe I think even the yesterday. And I was like real fresh. - Yeah, really fresh. I tried to keep it super fresh for this episode. And like when it really got into it, like I was getting like title fight, like floral green vibes. When I listen to this song, so I was like, damn, like this is this one, like that fucking hits. Like the rest of the EP is just solid too. And they haven't been around for a super long time either. - No. - 2021. - Yeah. - Oh, November. - November 2021. So basically like 2022 is really when they first like became active in the scene. - Right, and like I think I, for this band, I did like see an article like, you know, they kind of formed during the pandemic. A lot of them were at the time in college. And like now they're, I don't know, I mean probably by the time the subs comes out, I think it's already been done. But they're playing like the one step closer, like in Koyo, like I really show or something. Like that with Arms Length, shout out Arms Length that we talked about earlier. Like it's a solid stacked lineup. And then they're part of it too. Like that's, it'll be a solid show. - It's kind of crazy to me to see like, how quickly some bands go from being like, you know, just this little baby band to being like, you know, on some of these like crazy ass lineups and stuff like that. I mean, you've got like, what are considered like, classics in the scene that have only been around for like a couple of years basically. - Yeah, it's crazy when you think about it in that, in that terms like kind of like going back to Arms Length. I mean, they put out that EP and then next thing we know, before they even put out the full length, they were already on all these big tours doing crazy things, same with Ben Quad, you know, put out the EP and then boom, doing all this stuff being on tour with Hamoli. But like it's insane to see just like the right thing pop off. And like, just see how that trajectory just works. And like what you kind of have to do, 'cause it just kind of throws a whole wrench and like the normal system of like, oh, I thought we had to do this to get to here. And like, they're like not to say like, to take away from either album, but like it just one album can just push you further than like what the normal like rulebook says it should. - Yeah, I mean, just releasing one like modern classic can really like get you on a lot of people's radar. I mean, Saturdays were kind of like that too, where they were just kind of like this local Michigan band. And then always cloudy came out and it's just like, you know, they took off like crazy. - Yeah, I mean, like yeah, them with always cloudy kerosene heights with like south is somewhere. And we see it happen with two with the cast or fight scene with I'm gonna blank on the name of that EP. But like put their latest EP. - Hey maker. - Yeah, hey maker. It's crazy to see and it's cool to just be like, okay, we're all in the DIY scene. We're seeing it firsthand. Just fucking go. And just I'm excited to see where all those go from there. - I mean, just this year too, you saw like liquid mic absolutely take off when Paul Bunions slingshot released. Like they've gone on like a couple national tours now, I think and got like a right up and rolling stone and shit. - Yeah, so liquid mic and Harrison Gordon are two bands that lead the four their albums dropped. I like granted, I'm also really bad at social media. But at least I at least scroll through Twitter on like at least a couple of times daily basis. But like, you know, I scroll through, I see nothing of either one of these bands and then they both dropped their albums. - Suddenly they're everywhere. - And I'm like, who the fuck are these guys? And what did I miss in the last like 12 hours or like 30 days? What the fuck is going on? And they're two of the most phenomenal records ever. And like they deserve all the hype, but it was just crazy to see them like in my mind, like kind of blow up I don't know where. And then to find out like liquid mic has a previous album which I was able to get when they came through a couple of previous albums. - Yeah, and you know, like it's just cool to see how like that just kind of happens overnight sometimes. - The thing that was really crazy to me specifically with liquid mic is the fact that Mike went to the same college that I did at the same time. And I knew his old band back when they would just play shows like around campus and like all that type of stuff. And then suddenly I'm like, oh, they've got a new project out, all right, cool, cool. And then like they just like take off. I'm like, holy shit. - Yeah. - Yeah, it was, it's very weird kind of like being, you know, a day one on like those types of things, you know. - It's very cool to see, that's for sure. - So my final pick of the afternoon is by a band called The Good, The Bad and The Zuggly. They are a punk band from Oslo, Norway. - Okay. and they've been a- around for almost a decade now. And they, this is off of their most recent project, which is actually a whole album of, like, B-sides from throughout their career. This song is called Crank It Up, and it is one that you're gonna wanna crank up. So, let's just get this one planned. (upbeat music) (rock music) ♪ I live my life as a warrior ♪ ♪ I am a lonely cop ♪ ♪ But when it comes to the battle ♪ ♪ I put back the darkness with my legs to rock ♪ ♪ My people is my weapon ♪ ♪ I fight those holy fights ♪ ♪ You must extend my faith ♪ ♪ If you wanna see the night ♪ ♪ Yeah, Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ (rock music) ♪ I am a pity native ♪ ♪ But at the same time ♪ ♪ I'm super scared ♪ ♪ I'm being hated ♪ ♪ All your natural sick crinkers ♪ ♪ Raise your glasses, be proud ♪ ♪ For me's all over the keyboard ♪ ♪ Exciting and loud ♪ ♪ Yeah, I'm a pity native ♪ ♪ But I'm excited and loud ♪ ♪ Yeah, Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ (rock music) ♪ If you're good, keep the bluest ♪ ♪ Make yourself a cup of tea ♪ ♪ Sit down, relax ♪ ♪ Here's the easy guide to B and B, C ♪ ♪ Throne that's where anyone comes from ♪ ♪ Not at any time ♪ ♪ Don't talk about general rules ♪ ♪ Never, ever close that line ♪ ♪ Don't touch anyone's hair ♪ ♪ Comments, the color of anyone's size ♪ ♪ Don't wear glasses ♪ ♪ Look, the glass broke ♪ ♪ Have you ever rest yourself? ♪ ♪ Why, ACVT, never stay ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ When you have a speech ♪ ♪ When you have a speech ♪ ♪ Ah, Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ ♪ Crank It Up ♪ (rock music) That is a heavy hitter. That is solid. (laughing) I was, I was love finding like the bands from like Norway, Finland, all like that northern, like northern Europe area that just like put out just the anger punk stuff. - Mm-hmm. Well, in the interesting thing is I found these guys like 2020, I think, because, and I featured them on like a really early episode of the podcast as well. And I kind of like forgot about 'em for a while. And then like it popped up again and I'm like, "Oh shit, yeah, I forgot about these guys." This fucking rips. - Yeah, it's super solid. I know it's also cool too. It's all Norway's one of those countries where like, they also have really good English in their systems. But like, it's always interesting finding European bands, 'cause they know, I don't know if they think that it'll connect more with like the normal punk viewers in like America or what, but like they decide to say it all in English rather than like their native tongue. - Mm-hmm. - So it's kind of cool doing it that, 'cause like I remember there was a few different, now they're right behind my window. - I remember I found like a few different like pop punk bands from like Spain, but they would sing in English rather than singing in Spanish. - Yeah, and I think it's interesting because sometimes that can work really well. And then other times it's just like, you're not quite there. - Right. - Like I think of chunk no-capped in chunk. Their first couple albums, their vocalist was like, singing phonetically, basically. - Yeah. - It didn't sound like he really knew like the language, but like they've gotten a lot better. I don't know if you've listened to their projects from 2021, I think it was, but that's actually really good. - Yeah. It's like not, this isn't me bashing on other countries singing in English either. This is just more like, it's very commendable to do that and go out of your comfort zone. But like it's also cool just to see the cool punk stuff that like other countries are coming up with and like the voice that they're coming out with or like how they decide to put it out. - Yeah, exactly. I think that it's just like super cool. Like I said, I just like randomly found them and I'm like Norwegian punk. All right, this is sick. (laughing) So. - I will say why Spotify release radar has been giving me a decent amount of like European bands. And it's been a treat every time. - Yeah, I think it's super cool 'cause like the scene is just different. They've got different sounds that are popular over there. And so you get like this kind of like fresh take on like the same genres that you're into, you know? - Oh, yeah. - Like to me, this sounds very classic. Like it's got just like the classic. (humming) Like you don't really get those types of riffs around here in the States anymore. And I was like, that's, this is cool. This is just like no nonsense punk rock. - Yeah, 100%. - All right, so what do we have? I'm closing out this episode. - So I don't, the Fresh Beer's podcast. - Yeah, closing out part one. I hope I did well. This song is called "Watering Dead Plants" by Anna called "A Modest Proposal". It is their second single so far leading into their debut LP which comes out in July, which is gonna be called "Let Them Smell Their Flowers". It's just good kind of like heavier than what I think I've played so far. But I'll let it kind of speak its own as we play it. (upbeat rock music) ♪ Having decided ♪ ♪ Followed the way ♪ ♪ It has to be a way to ♪ ♪ Come from the city ♪ ♪ Question your fate ♪ ♪ Start losing fate ♪ ♪ All right, fate ♪ ♪ Same as today ♪ ♪ I feel pervination ♪ ♪ Got chasing tears ♪ ♪ Stomping the sorrow ♪ ♪ It's such a storm ♪ ♪ Replay your fate ♪ ♪ To get lost in a gone way ♪ ♪ Remember your days ♪ ♪ What it is ♪ ♪ It's what it is ♪ ♪ What it is ♪ ♪ It's what it is ♪ (upbeat rock music) Yeah, I'm into that. I like that a lot, too, right? I really like to slow down at the end, too. It's super cool. Yeah, so like I said, that's their second single. The other single that's out is a little bit heavier. It's called pressure, but I'm definitely stoked to see where it's going with these two songs so far. Vocally, it kind of gives me like a kerosene height vibe a little bit, which I really like that vocal style. I don't really know what you would call it, because it's not harsh vocals, but it's like the scream with the vocal fry that's more aggressive than a lot of emo-type stuff. Yeah, you can see it, too, with DOS, one of their vocalist sounds the same way, but it's really cool to see. That's something that I just really like in a lot of music is when people are able to get that good vocal distortion sound. It's something that I want to do in my music so bad, but I've watched so many tutorials, and it's never clicked, and I'm like, I can't figure it out. Do you know when the album is slated to come out? Yeah, I think it's July 2nd. Okay, so by the time this is out, that'll probably be out as well. How long have they been around? That I have to double check. It looks like they've got singles dating back to early 2022. Yep, it looks like an EP came out in 2022 as well. So this is leading into their debut full length, so. Nice. Ben around for a little while. I think I have it in my notes as to, they're from Indiana for I have to mention that as well, but midwest band. Yeah, nice little midwest band. I don't think I've covered really or find out about like 20 Indiana bands. I feel like it's one of those scenes where like I know things happen, but you don't really hear about too much outside of it, I feel like. Yeah, I feel like because I know a lot of people from Indiana who talk about, you know, local shows and bands and stuff like that, but I feel like a lot of them haven't kind of like gotten out of that yet and like into like the wider market quite as much. Yeah, because like the only Indiana band that I can never think of is Greg Orden. I don't know if you are familiar with them. I'm not familiar with them. They were like a solo, like more acoustic act. Now they're part of like a hardcore band, but they're from like Fort Wayne, Indiana. They used to be signed underneath no sleep and did some decent on touring, but that's the only band that I can ever think of when it comes to Indiana. I had double check before I just said it as a fact, but summer bruiser from Indiana. Oh, they're they're a bigger one. I think that they're probably like the biggest Indiana band, like biggest Indiana DIY band that I can think of. Oh, for sure. Yeah. And then they just got announced that they're doing that tour coming up. And I'm very blanking on who with, but I'm pretty sure they were on that one summer bruise. Yeah, they just got added to a tour. Well, I am going to try and look at that. I think I think Connor from the summer shack is seeming for them. Yeah, with super American presented by Emo Knight Brooklyn. Now I'm just reading the poster. But yeah, no, I think that that song was really cool. Good, solid, like three minute song, you know, you get to the point. I recently kind of talked about this a little bit as far as like, you know, lengths of songs and stuff like that. I feel like most of the songs that I write are like at least three minutes, but like we kind of talked about before, you know, stuff is kind of like starting to get shorter and shorter. I feel like I feel like the two minute song is really like becoming like a big thing, which is crazy to me because I don't know how you can fit a full songs worth of stuff into like two minutes, but yeah, it's, it's definitely something like, obviously, you know, you checked out my episodes, you know, that at least for the audio episodes, I include the a couple songs from the band that comes on. And I'm usually like, hey, like for the beginning, I like to do a 30 to 40 second intro. And they're like, okay, cool. Here, use this song. And I'll check it out. And yeah, it might be a two minute song, but like trying to find something that's not just like repetitive chorus for the two minutes and find like something that's because, you know, start off with that opening crack. I want to go right into a really good solid verse or chorus, but like, when 90% of the song is like the same thing, it's really hard to find like that one stand out part of the song to be like, that's what encapsulates what this band is before we even start. I feel like it's either that or you've got like, like a lot of bands are kind of like not doing traditional choruses as much anymore. Like we were kind of talking about that with, I had Manor Gates on a couple months ago. And we were talking about the new red sun, not to keep bringing them back up, but they're just so prevalent right now. But it's like, you look at like a lot of their songs and it's kind of like, especially like red sun faux, which was the song that we were talking about. It's just like an A section and a B section and both of them are catchy as hell, but neither of them are really a chorus. Yeah, yeah. Funny enough, I was also thinking of red sun when I was giving my example too. So full circle. They're inescapable right now. It's true. That's so funny. But yeah, another very solid song. Is there anything else that you specifically wanted to mention before we sign off for the end of the episode? You know, all I got to say is one people make sure to tune into part two of this over on Beers of Bands. But one big thank you to Ryan. You know, I'm happy we got to do this. You know, maybe one of these days will hopefully get to do one of these in person. And I'm just happy I got to be part of fresh fines. It's always nice to be on the other side of the table and get asked questions and like get interviewed rather than being the interview. I feel like you think about that sometimes like when you're interviewing somebody, you're like, what would what would my answer be to this question? And so it's like kind of cool to like get to be on the other side of it. Yeah, for sure. This has been the Fresh Fines podcast. The show about discovering new music with good people.