Dig Me Out - The 90's Rock Podcast

This week by request we're checking out the 1996 album Excerpts from a Love Circus by Lisa Germano. Working in a space filled with stark and occasionally dissonant sounds, the relaxed vocals combine darkness and humor in a way that caught us both off guard. While you won’t want to put this on your workout mix, we had a lot of fun (? I guess) discovering the world Lisa Germano inhabits on Excerpts. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Lovesick3:36 - History of the Band12:41 - A Beautiful Schizophrenic /“Where's Miamo-Tutti” by Dorothy18:38 - Victoria's Secret/”Just a Bad Dream” by Miamo-Tutti21:59 - LovesickOutro - Bruises Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our requested review this week is unique - an album released exclusively with a comic book - we check out Absolute Zero by Null, packaged in December 1994 with the comic book Blank: The Encephalon Void #1. Since there is a good chance you haven’t heard this, we decided to go track-by-track through this album, which varied in styles and sounds from Ministry and Nine Inch Nails to Helmet and Queensryche, and lead us into a discussion about the current state and future of comic books in the digital format. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Severance3:27 - History of the Band8:29 - Terminal15:28 - Numb20:50 - Skarred24:51 - Driven31:27 - Critical MassOutro - Rain Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our March Round Table Discussion, we're joined by Chip Midnight of Kids Interview Bands, Tom Mullen of the Washed Up Emo, and Louise Post of Veruca Salt to talk about bands reuniting. Louis fills us on how how the band got back together, how the new songs for their Record Store Day seven inch came to be, and plans for a full length album in 2015. We also discuss the break-up of the band and how families and maturity change band dynamics. in addition, we go round the table and discuss whether or not it's necessary for new bands to even put out new material, or if shows are enough, and is it important to have original members back in the band. We also dig into bands if some bands appear to be more interested in the festival paycheck than reuniting for more artistic reasons, what bands reunited that none of us expected, which reunions exceeded expectations and which were let downs, and what bands do we really, really wish would reunite, but probably won't. It's a big show you don't want to miss. Songs in thi

This week's Requested Review is the fourth and final album by Cop Shoot Cop, 1994's Release. Neither of us knew what to expect, and our preconceived notions based on the album cover were quickly dashed as this hard-to-categorize two-bass, drum, minimalist guitar, vocal and occasional piano, horns and harmonica band took us on a interesting ride through post-punk, industrial and straight-up rock conventions. Songs in the Episode: Intro - Interference2:21 - History of the Band8:20 - It Only Hurts When I Breathe12:03 - Any Day Now14:34 - Suckerpunch21:43 - LullabyOutro - Turning Inside Out Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Joining us this week is John Davis of Superdrag and The Lees of Memory. We discuss how The Lees of Memory formed, writing and recording the debut Sisyphus Says released last year, and plans for touring and the second album due out later in 2015. John tells us about his musical up bringing, getting his first guitar, playing in a variety of real and imagined bands, before hooking up with the guys who would form Superdrag. From there, we discuss the pros and cons of working with a major label in the 1990s, how age can alter the perception of lyrics written over a decade ago,  the importance of publishing in keeping a band together, and we get an impromptu drum solo from a young member of the Davis clan. John also explains his decision to (temporarily) put the Superdrag name to rest and record as a solo artist, then front Epic Ditch before taking Superdrag for one last spin. Songs in this Episode: Intro - We Are Siamese by The Lees of Memory4:36 - Deliquesce by The Lees of Memory28:26 - Pine Away by Superdrag43:5

Thanks to a Requested Review, we're able to continue our Britpop month with Mansun and their debut released from 1997, Attack of the Grey Lantern. We (re)discover the perils of trying to review a record released with different versions for the US and UK on various streaming platforms, and not communicating about it before the review. Still, we managed to form some coherent thoughts about a band that draws as much from their nearby Britpop influences as American bands from decades earlier. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Take It Easy, Chicken5:07 - History of the Band10:32 - Stripper Vicar16:05 - Wide Open Space22:46 - The Chad Who Loved Me / Millennium (Robbie Williams)Outro - Taxloss Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

For our Britpop round table, we're joined by returning guests Neal Schmitt and Andy Derer, as well as newbie Jim Kopeny. We talk about how we discovered Britpop and our favorite bands and albums of the era, discuss the effect of "Noelrock" and Wonderwall on the second wave of Britpop bands, and legacy Britpop left behind. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Connection by Elastica3:54 - When & Where We Discovered Britpop11:02 - Albums That Have Stood The Test of Time and Haven't11:51 - King of the Kerb by Echobelly16:36 - Are The Verve Britpop/What Makes the Britpop Sound?24:14 - A Design For Life by Manic Street Preachers30:36 - "Noelrock" and the Wonderwall Effect35:57 - One-Hit Wonders36:59 - Hey Dude by Kula Shaker43:01 - Discussion on Pulp52:49 - Legacy of Britpop/Post-BritpopOutro - Pick A Part That's New by Stereophonics Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week's Requested Review kicks off our Britpop month with one of the Godfather's of the sound, Morrissey, and his 1992 album Your Arsenal. While Morrissey's partnership with Johnny Marr in The Smiths produced legendary results, his output as a solo artists hasn't been nearly as consistent or compelling. With a new band for this album, do they match the lyrical aspirations of Morrissey? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Glamorous Glue3:44 - History of the Band11:47 - You're Gonna Need Someone On Your Side15:16 - We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful17:57 - Certain People I Know20:18 - Glamorous Glue26:42 - The National Front DiscoOutro - We'll Let You Know Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Joining us this week is Kellii Scott of the recently reunited Failure, who will release their first new (and fourth overall) album this Spring (most likely May). Kellii takes us through his drumming history, starting out listening to AC/DC and Rush records while staring at KISS Alive artwork, through his move to Los Angeles and starting out with Liquid Jesus before joining Failure. He shares the story of how he joined Failure (and almost blew it), through the making of Fantastic Planet to the demise of the band, as well as his post Failure gigs playing with Blinker the Star and Veruca Salt, as well as a drumming for Linda Perry, up to the writing and recording of the as-yet-untitled album (we tried to get it out of him!) in progress. How are Failure songs written? Is Fantastic Planet a concept album? What was the catalyst for the band reuniting? Can a band with "mystique" survive in the social media world? We answer all these questions and many more. Note: the sound quality is a little bumpy for the first six

Our Requested Review for this week is Blues for the Red Sun by Kyuss from 1992. Desert rock, stoner rock, metal - whatever you call it, it's heavy, and their sound has influenced bands like Mastodon, Baroness and many more for over twenty years. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Green Machine6:54 - History of the Band20:32 - Molten Universe26:30 - Freedom Run29:13 - Writhe35:20 - Thong SongOutro - Allen's Wrench Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week, we tread new water with our first round table discussion. Joining us are Aaron Perrino of The Sheila Divine and Chip Midnight of Kids Interview Bands to revisit the albums of 1995. First we dive into our favorites from 1995 that still stand the test of time before heading in the other direction, albums that we used to love, but not so much anymore.  Songs in this Episode: Intro - Fig Dish - Bury Me3:33 - The Abbreviated History of 1990s Music6:45 - Favorite Albums from 199529:16 - Foo Fighters discussion31:07 - Not So Favorite Albums from 199543:10 - Neil Young discussion49:59 - White Zombie discussionOutro - Red Hot Chili Peppers - Aeroplane Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Our first review of 2015 is a request to check out the 1993 album Hi-Fi Sci-Fi by Dramarama. Best known for their mid-eighties single "Anything, Anything," Hi-Fi Sci-Fi was the last recording from the band for over a decade. The sound is more refined from their earlier recordings, and incorporates a wide range of influences into their brand of rock that borders on pop punk one minute and Stones-y ballads the next. The album didn't make much of a dent commercially in '93, does it deserve a second listen? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Shadowless Heart4:08 - Anything, Anything5:47 - History of the Band12:46 - Work for Food15:05 - Senseless Fun22:05 - Prayer29:35 - Bad SeedOutro - Right On Baby, Baby Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week, we wrap up 2014 and our fourth season of Dig Me Out out with a list of our five favorite new tunes we discovered, as well as our favorite album of the year. We've got big news about our bigger and better 2015 season, and at the end, we give away our second Requested Review thank you prize. Thanks to everyone who made our fourth year great - our listeners, our guests, our donators - here's to an even better 2015! Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We wrap up our reviews for 2014 with a Requested Review of the Longpigs, and their 1996 debut album The Sun Is Often Out. Smack dab in the middle of Britpop hysteria, Longpigs deliver an album that finds itself somewhere between the very British Suede and Pulp, while also nodding to bigger idea bands like Radiohead and Blur, while still maintaining a unique approach thanks to the guitar work of Richard Hawley. But is that enough? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - She Said3:13 - On And On5:23 - History of the Band15:34 - Elvis19:38 - Lost Myself25:19 - Over Our Bodies29:02 - Jesus ChristOutro - Dozen Wicked Words Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

We're back with another Requested Review, and this week we're checking out the 1997 album Gone by Sydney, Australia's Beasts of Bourbon. With a career spanning over thirty years, BOB's output has been relatively small at only six full-length albums, but their influence, as well as the bands connected to BOB, has been felt world wide.  Songs in this Episode: Intro - Saturated3:23 - History of the Band10:32 - Makem Cry14:18 - Saturated16:09 - I Suppose20:11 - Get OnOutro - So Long Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week we take on Columbus, Ohio punk rock legends the New Bomb Turks. While Green Day, The Offspring and Rancid were tacking punk rock to the mainstream, bands like the Turks forged a louder, more aggressive path along side Rock From The Crypt, influencing the sounds of The Hives and Hellacopters with their Chuck Berry and Rolling Stones riffage on overdrive. Their 1996 album Scared Straight finds the band in new territory, going beyond the vocal, guitar, bass and drum set-up. Does it work? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Hammerless Nail4:24 - History of the Band9:15 - Hammerless Nail14:31 - Professional Againster15:49 - Wrest Your Hands23:16 - Bachelor's HighOutro - Jukebox Lean Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

This week we revisit the 1992 sophomore album The Lizard by Saigon Kick. With sounds the recall a diverse group of bands such as Alice in Chains, Ozzy Osbourne, King's X and even the Beatles, The Lizard is a confusing journey the produces some very high highs and some very low lows. Is it an album worth checking out? Tune in to find out. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Hostile Youth2:58 - Love Is On The Way5:28 - History of the Band11:51 - God of 42nd Street13:26 - All I Want19:27 - Peppermint Tribe21:47 - All AlrightOutro - Freedom Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Joining us this week is Clay Tarver, guitarist of Chavez, to talk about the history of the band and their two releases for Matador Records, 1995's Gone Glimmering and 1996's Ride The Fader. We go deep into the past, present and future of the band, dig into their connection to Ohio via Guided By Voices and the New Bomb Turks, explore the development of the Chavez sound, how Zwan uncovered an unknown Chavez fanbase, discuss the possibility of a new Chavez album, and much, much more. And that's not the half of it, as we revisit his time pre-Chavez in Bullet LaVolta, how college roommate Donal Logue lead him to J.J. Abrams and a career in screenwriting, and working with Mike Judge on the HBO show Silicon Valley. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Break Up You Band6:54 - Cold Joys24:25 - Repeat The Ending36:58 - You Faded40:10 - Peeled Out Too Late43:53 - Break Up Your Band52:33 - The Ghost By The Sea56:48 - Flight '961:33:57 - Wakeman's AirOutro - Top Pocket Man Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A

This week Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom joins us for an in-depth discuss about their 1993 album Big Red Letter Day. We cover a wide range of topics that include: writing, recording and touring the album, what happens when special visitors like Gene Simmons and David Lynch stop by your recording sessions with the legendary Robb Brothers, incorporating influences from bands like The Who and Rolling Stones, making videos, guitar rig set-ups, the band history, how My So-Called Life changed fan demographics, and much much more. Songs in this Episode: Intro - Tree House29:29 - Tree House34:19 - Suppose45:52 - I'm Allowed1:06:35 - Would Not Be Denied1:12:05 - Late At NightOutro - Sodajerk Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt

Big numbers call for big celebrations, and with Dig Me Out hitting episode #200, we thought it was time to tackle a big record. Nevermind? Ten? Badmotorfinger? Siamese Dream? To predicable! Like Guns n' Roses, we decided to go the biggest of the big and tackle the ambitious double album of the decade Billy Corgan wasn't a part of, the one-two punch of 1991's Use Your Illusion 1 & 2. To help us tackle this behemoth, Chip Midnight stops by to help us breakdown these 30(!) songs. Songs in this Episode: Intro - You Could Be Mine19:06 - Live and Let Die29:45 - Perfect Crime39:49 - Dust N' Bones1:02:14 - Civil WarOutro - Don't Cry Follow on Twitter / Facebook Request A Review / Buy A T-Shirt