January 2021 – Protonic Reversal: Music Podcast

Ep225: Justin Pearson (The Locust, Dead Cross, Retox, Planet B, 31G)Ep225: Justin Pearson (The Locust, Dead Cross, Retox, Planet B, 31G)

January 30, 2021| Neutron| 8:39 pm

JP is relentless innovator in no compromise noisy business. Well known for the mighty band The Locust (Which didn’t sound anything like Crossed Out), you also may know Retox, or Planet B, or a little group with other members of doing their thing called Dead Cross. If you don’t know that, maybe Swing Kids! The mighty 31G. Busy fella that does a lot of cool stuff. Conan and Justin talk about a lot of things, bringing the DEVO into hardcore, Kool Keith memories that may not exist, soundtracking with beats that are and are not hard enough, some formative experiences in Tijuana, Extreme Elvis, John Waters, and tons and tons more.

Ep224: Chris Summerlin and Joe Thompson (Hey Colossus)Ep224: Chris Summerlin and Joe Thompson (Hey Colossus)

January 24, 2021| Neutron| 3:05 pm

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Wot wot? It’s two of the fine fellows of Hey Colossus, Chris Summerlin and Joe Thompson. Dance/Curses, their THIRTEENTH record, is one of Conan’s favorites of 2020 and so a TransAtlantic quarantimes Protonic Reversal is the order of the day. THRILL to the sounds of every single song on this epic album gone over in forensic detail, DRINK every time Joe claims they won’t be playing one live, or you know… don’t. Fascinating record and band, lots of fun details and process, DIY, etc. Also, some needless (or NEEDED?) digressions into Soundgarden and mumble rap (?!?). Peace and love! Peace and love!

Ep223: The Tunnel (Jeff Wagner, Michael Jacobs, Sam Black)Ep223: The Tunnel (Jeff Wagner, Michael Jacobs, Sam Black)

January 22, 2021| Neutron| 3:00 pm

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Well, look here! It’s SF dark and noisy rockers THE TUNNEL. Join a very special late night quarantimes edition of Protonic to hear these talented lads breakdown every track on their stellar Shapeshifter record (which appeared in the Top 20 of 2020 protonic reversal episode) as well as the Nightfall ep. Listen in to these innovative fellows speak to how they are staying creative during quarantine and where they fit in between the world of spooky death rock and grindy noisy rock. Ladies and gentlemen the hour groweth late, it is the tunnel!

Ep221: Brian Teasley (Man… or Astro-Man?, Servotron)Ep221: Brian Teasley (Man… or Astro-Man?, Servotron)

January 16, 2021| Neutron| 6:03 pm

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It’s Birdstuff of MOAM? A noted raconteur and very funny man, oh yeah and a hell of a drummer! He runs a venue called the Saturn that “rips off” things he likes from other venues during years of touring. (A million dollar PA system costs a million dollars, and being nice is free). There is talk of aliases, and being inspired by dislike. Sending out postcards to fans, touring the world playing music that isn’t exactly HARD SURF, while maintaining a longtime pre-social network connection with highly engaged fans. Reminding Joel Hodgson of the words to the MST3K theme song live, usage of samples to differentiate the songs and tune and stuff. Estrus to Touch and Go and getting darker in the process. Also hear about SERVOTRON playing with Dave Pirner. Starcrunch, Birdstuff and Steve Albini sharing a bed heated by TV dinners (oh yeah, and recording with him too) and sooooo much more. IT’S GO TIME!

Ep220: Eddie Rivas (Distorted Pony, Leopold)Ep220: Eddie Rivas (Distorted Pony, Leopold)

January 12, 2021| Neutron| 1:35 pm

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Eddie and Conan go way back, all the way to Eddie’s late-90s, early 2000s “noise-rock band” Leopold. Plenty to talk about just with that, but he’s also a member of the reunited Distorted Pony(!). A much missed band from the halcyon days of weird music, and a band he was an unabashed fan of. How does one approach playing in one of your favorite bands and what does that look like? From tone to space, to practices with one member in a different state, european tours and everything in between, to being ready to ramp back up in 2020 and pump the brakes because of COVID. Get an insider’s look at this very specific set of parameters in cool noisy music with Eddie Rivas.

Ep219: Darren Jackson (Kid Dakota)Ep219: Darren Jackson (Kid Dakota)

January 5, 2021| Neutron| 11:33 pm

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It has been awhile since the enigmatic Darren Jackson (AKA: Kid Dakota) has been on Protonic Reversal. Last time was right after the reissue of So Pretty on vinyl, and before the sadly overlooked Denervation. This time it is a brand new record for 2020 (or at least a few weeks of it) Age of Roaches! We get into a song by song breakdown, as well as why some of this record has been kicking around for 14 years (!). Darren shares his process for working on the record and managing a day job teaching music, talk of dark lyrics, pastoral fetishism, and why is it that it might be inconvenient to the legend of Kid Dakota that he has continued making records. And in-depth look at an artist somehow shrouded in mystery and hiding in plain site.

Ep218: Heather Smith (Bone and Bell)Ep218: Heather Smith (Bone and Bell)

January 2, 2021| Neutron| 6:33 pm

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Heather Smith is Bone and Bell, an artist who sometimes has a band sometimes doesn’t. Her new record To a Cinder is something to behold. Orchestral Folk? Apocalyptic Americana? None of that does it justice. The songs are dark and true and quite compelling. She comes from a world of noisier music but expressed her art her way. Listen in on a song by song breakdown of the record, as well as the real life story of having to relearn to play completely after a major accident. Turning tragedy into triumph. An excellent visual artist and musician, this has been a long time coming.