Punk Till I Die

In ep213 we chat with Mark Rainey, head honcho at TKO Records. Since their first release in 1997 (One Man Army) they’ve been putting out consistently great sounding punk rock by lots of your favorite bands. We talk label history, focus on some TKO bands and talk about Cascade Record Pressing, his new(ish) vinyl pressing plant in Oregon. With music by The Templars, Tyrant, Poison Idea, Lower Class Brats, and ANTiSEEN.

Now this is a special one. In ep212 we have the honor of chatting with Hiawatha Bailey. Don’t know the name? Well you will certainly know some of the people he has been involved with! From being a student revolutionary and member of the White Panther Party in the 60s with folks like John Sinclair and Wayne Kramer (MC5), he then went to prison, formed a band and played CBGBs and rubbed elbows with Blondie the Ramones etc. The stories are insane! From getting French kissed by Iggy to being taught self defense by Hilly Kristel, to vandalizing bikes with Dee Dee. It’s all here. With music by Cult Heroes and Dee Dee Ramone & the Chinese Dragons.

In Ep211 Tom and Neil talk about the Xmas holiday, New Years celebrations and Neil’s birthday. There’s some record collecting/organization talk, as well as upcoming gigs. I think we must be tired of all the pop punk that’s been on recently because it’s a very Oi!/Street punk focused show. With music by Bonecrusher, East End Badoes,Victory, B Squadron, The Struggle, Top Dog, Queensbury Rules, and the Remote Controls.

So here it is, Tom and Neil’s official best of list for 2022. Of course there’s plenty of other chatter too, but we do manage to focus for a couple of hours! Most are obvious if you have been listening for the past year, but there are some surprises! Music by Screeching Weasel, New Rocket Union, Norcos Y Horchata , Houseghost, The Oxys, Venomous Pinks, Black Halos, Avenues, Ravagers and Slaughter Boys.

In ep209 we meet up again with our old friend Ricky Frankel for his annual "best of the year" list. He gives us his top 10 albums, along with some other favorite EPs/7”s from the past year. The usual ball-breaking ensues, but he gives as good as he gets! With songs by Cigar, Ann Beretta, The Upfux, Raging Nathans, DFMK, Codefendants, The Chisel, MESS, No Plan and The Suicide Machines.

Ep208 is guest free so you get to hear your regular hosts bitching about anything and everything. In particular some young “punk” band from Michigan and the website Brooklyn Vegan come under Neil’s crosshairs. Plus, Tom went to see the Cro-Mags and we go over our top gigs of the year. With music by Furious George, Rivalry, Cro-Mags, The Kingcrows, Poison Idea, Hung Like Hanratty, JFA, and The Black Halos. Plus a special dating tip from the Shangri-Las!

In episode 207 we spend an hour with Blind Marc, drummer with The Dayglo Abortions. He has a new solo album out called “Isolated Earthlings” so we chat with him about that, and catch up with what’s going on with The Dayglo Abortions. Music by Isolated Earthlings and The Dayglo Abortions.

In ep206 we spend a couple of hours chatting with Pop Punk Priestess Heather Wheaton. She is a regular on The Dummy Room podcast, and her knowledge of obscure European pop punk is second to none! It’s a freewheeling conversation sprinkled with songs from her favorite albums of the year. With songs by Dropped Out, Starter Jackets, Spot McRackin, Screeching Weasel, Outtacontroller, Hakan, Stinking Polecats, Limoges, The Manges and The Windowsill.

On episode 205 the guys welcome back their good friend Matt Swisher from Failure Records & Tapes. We chat about the new Failure releases and Matt presents a very special Top 5 of 2022 list. We also have the exclusive world premier of the brand new song from The Queers, "Julie Don't Live Here Anymore"! Songs by Sloppy Seconds and The Queers.

Well, it came and went and what a complete cock-up it was. The “So-Cal Punk Invasion” hit the totally unprepared Des Plaines Theater. We discuss the lead up, the event and what we did the following day. Let’s put it this way: it wasn’t good but it sure was memorable! With music by FYPM, Dead Ending, The Dickies, Satans Rats, The Clitboys, Life Sentence, The Exploited and CH3.

In ep203 it’s just Tom and Neil. Neil talks about a Sunday night gig he went to: She Wants Revenge and The Chameleons, and Tom is coming into town so we discuss the “So-Cal Punk Fest” coming to lovely Des Plaines next week.

In ep202 we shoot the shit with Jeff Clayton, longtime frontman with AntiSeen, the pride of Charlotte. We talk band beginnings, albums, pro wrestling. All sorts really. He doesn’t give a crap so he’s a perfect guest for us! All songs by ANTiSEEN.

In ep201 it’s just the lads doing what they do best: shooting the shit and talking nonsense! Tom talks about his recent trip down to Austin to see Sloppy Seconds and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, and we all talk about recent musician deaths, stand in band members and a recent Sex Pistols auction! Music by Jerry Lee lewis, MDC, Misfits, Didjits, Dead Kennedys, DGeneration, Sex Pistols, Haymaker and The Crooks.

In ep200 we continue the tradition started in ep100 and talk to 10 of our loyalest listeners. We have folks from all over the world! Well, the USA, UK and Australia, but that’s close enough. They chat to us for 15 minutes and pick a song. Email us or contribute in the Facebook group and you could be on episode 300! Songs by The Negatives, Firestarter, The Slowdeath, Molotov Cocktail, Private Function, The Jasons, The Gizmos, 7G, Didjits and Dead Kennedys.

In ep199 we shoot the shit with Jason Kottwitz. You might not know the name but I know that you know some of the bands he’s been in: Dead Boys, Sylvain Sylvain and the Sylvains, M.O.D., The Bulemics, to name a few. He’s had a long career in the punk rock and roll scene and has played with legend after legend. How did this small town Illinois kid play with so many legends? Listen and find out.

Ep198 is dedicated to the Dead Boys/Briefs/Suzi Moon/ Poison Boys show in lovely Lombard IL. Tom drove in, we all got hotel rooms, and we met Suzi Moon and band in a record store before the show. Then we discuss the gig in great detail. What a fun Saturday it was, but wouldn’t want to do that again in a hurry! Music by Electric Frankenstein, Misfits, The Queers, Poison Boys, Suzi Moon, The Briefs, Dead Boys and Bat Hearse.

In episode 196 we visit with Blag and get down to the nitty gritty of the new side project album “Introducing Ralph Champagne”. It’s a 70s style outlaw county album but featuring some of the dirtiest lyrics you will ever hear! However, it’s not all fun and games as Blag also talks about the July 4 slaughter in his hometown of Highland Park IL, and he gets political for a minute. With music from The Dwarves and Blag as Ralph Champagne.

In episode 197 Tom and Neil talk about the two gigs they were both at that week. Tom went to see Exodus and Agent Orange in Grand Rapids, while Neil went to see Amyl and the Sniffers and Agent Orange in Chicago. Let’s just say that Neil wasn’t too impressed by the Amyl show… With music by The Crumbs, Die Kreuzen, Agent Orange, Angry Samoans, Ganser, The Briefs and The Apers. And sorry for the messed up version 1 of this. Dunno how that happened!

In episode 195 we visit with BA from Sloppy Seconds for the third time! We talk about whatever is on his mind really, including his impressive weight loss and his double knee replacement! But we also discuss their upcoming tour in great detail. Most of the songs are by Sloppy Seconds, but we do play songs by Ultraman and Raging Nathans too, two of their upcoming support bands.

In episode 194 we focus on BYO records. Following our recent dissection of our favorite tracks on SST we decided to do a similar thing with BYO. But of course we talk about tons of other nonsense too including the swing revival, college sports, and the data of Queen Elizabeth II! With music by Youth Brigade, Aggression, SNFU, The Briefs, CH3, The Business, and 7 Seconds.

In ep193 we talk to Suzi Moon for the 2nd time but with the band (Drew and Patti) in the interview too. After all, they are an integral part of the band! There's much talk of the new album and the recent European tour, and they all picked some of their favorite songs.

In ep191 we sit down with the Rev from The Drowns again. The last time was April 2020, so it was great to talk their newest releases & their recent European tour! Music by The Drowns, Get Dead, The Last Gang, Cyanide Pills, The Cunninghams and Avengers.

In ep192 it's just the 2 of us. Neil goes off on the Taylor Hawkins overkill amongst other topics, and we read lots of listener email. With music by The Nerves, Crass, Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Mad Sin, Black President, Elastica, Gallows and The Fall.

In ep190 the lads talk to Casey and Chris from Slaughter Boys. We talk band history, their EP and 1st album on No Front Teeth Records and their fabulous new album "Till the End of the Weak" on GarageRock Records. All music by Slaughter Boys.

It was a busy 2 weeks for Neil! In ep189 he recounts his adventures going to see Poison Boys (Delilahs), the Meteors (Reggies Music Joint) and Zero Boys (Reggies Rock Club). With music by Poison Boys, The Meteors, Fuerza Bruta, Zero Boys, and Blanks 77.

In ep188 Tom travels to the Savage Arts Punk Festival in MD. He was there for all 3 nights, so he goes into detail about the bands. Music by Plasmatics, The Explosion, Norcos y Haracha, The Jasons, Huntingtons, 45 Adapters, Blanks 77 and Pistol Grip.

In ep187 we chat with Christoph Jesus, lead singer and founder of Crazy and the Brains. We talk the band's creation coming out of New York's art scene and the subsequent evolution of the band. And of course that xylophone! All music by Crazy and the Brains.

Following on from our interview with Jim Ruland in ep185, in 186 we discuss OUR top 5 SST releases. Some interesting picks emerge! With songs by Black Flag, Husker Du, Saccharine Trust, Desecendents, Dicks, Bad Brains and Bl'ast!

In ep185 we talk to Jim Ruland, author of the new book "Corporate Rock Sucks! The rise and fall of SST Records". He also co-wrote the Keith Morris and Bad Religion books. Music by The Stains, Transition, Blind Idiot God, St Vitus, Negativland, and Oxbow.

In ep184 we give our top 5 albums of 2022 so far. Tom-- 5: Doc Rotten, 4:Radio Buzzkills, 3: New Rocket Union, 2: Meth Rats and 1: Ravagers. Neil-- 5: Kate Clover, 4: Venomous Pinks, 3: Doc Rotten, 2: Ravagers and 1: Sack.

All roads lead to Coopersville MI! In ep183 I visit Tom for the weekend and all kinds of mayhem ensues, including getting busted by river cops! Music by All, Supergrass, Anti-Nowhere League, US Bombs, Verbal Abuse, Joe Jackson, Bad Assets and Naked Raygun.

Neil is coughing like a fool, but that doesn't stop us from talking up all kinds of stuff, plus Tom travelled to Indiana! With music by Riverdales, Smut Peddlers, Born Shit Stirrers, Smogtown, Covert Flops, Flatfoot 56, Workin' Stiffs, The Shutdowns, and Good Men Doing Nothing.

In ep181 we chat with Gerry from Savage Mountain Punk Fest. We talk his background, the history of the fest, the venue, and the bands you can see this year. Songs by The Jasons, Tiger Sex, Blanks 77, Submachine, Handguns, The Downstrokes, and Bastard Bearded Irishmen.

It's the epic weekend episode!. Neil saw Suzi Moon, Capgun Heroes, Zoanoids and Sack, and Tom saw the Boris the Sprinkler 30th anniversary extravaganza. Music by Anti Heros, Suzi Moon, Broken Bottles, The Ergs, Capgun Heroes, Zoanoids, Sack, and Jerk!

In ep178 we chat with Scott Brooks, bass player from Milwaukee punk band, Avenues. We talk being a twin, band history, their new album called "We're All Doomed", and the punk scene in Milwaukee. All music by Avenues. Get the new album from their bandcamp!

In ep179 Neil talks about going to T1 Fest night 1 at Reggies in Chicago. We also talk record labels, the Ramones boxset and the new Dead Boys tour. Songs by The Cramps, Zoanoids, Decry, Bitter Truth, Ramones, NOTA, China White, Stains and J Prozac.

In ep177 we chat with Terry Smith, founder of the 3-day punk festival Camp Punksylvania. It had its inaugural year in 2021 and is bigger and better this year! Music by Dissidente, The What Nows, Get Dead, Sorry Mom, Some Kind of Nightmare, and Froggy.

In ep176 it's just me and Tom. I give a long review of "Pistol" and then we talk record buying, the cost of vinyl, and upcoming shows. With music by Septic Death, The B-52's, The Rezillos, The Dickies, Misfits, Bishops Green and The Stephens.

In ep175 we catch up with Jason, proprietor of GarageRock Records. We last talked to him at the start of Covid so we had lots to discuss! Music by Castillo, Star Strangled Bastards, Slaughter Boys, Instant Ruin, Cut City, Bloodstains and Broken Bottles.

in ep174 we are joined by Rev Norb, driving force behind Boris the Sprinkler's madcap brand of punk rock. We talk band history and their 30th anniversary shows. Songs by Suburban Mutilation, The DUIs, Smart Shoppers, The Minors, Leghounds and Boris The Sprinkler.

In ep173 Tom went to 2 gigs in 3 days while Neil has Covid, missed the Amyl gig and is feeling bleak! With music by Sex Gang Children, Hex Bombs, Rumjacks, Flatfoot 56, Southern Death Cult, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Randy Bastards.

In ep172 we talk to Justin Day, singer from Meth Rats, a Baltimore based hardcore band. We talk band history, touring, the Baltimore scene, and their excellent new (2022) album called "Ultimate Culprit". All songs by Meth Rats.

In ep171 Neil discusses going to see Kate Clover midweek at Beat Kitchen in Chicago. We also talk Riotfest, RnR hall of fame and Howie Pyro. With music by The Lurkers, Kate Clover, The Freeze, MDC, Radiators from Space, DGeneration, Clowns and The Drowns.

In ep170 we talk bands we have seen multiple times, plus Neil covers his recent gig experience watching Suzi Moon and The Ravagers. With music by The Pist, Defiance, Didjits, Buzzcocks, The Chameleons, Adolescents, Tiger Army and New Rocket Union.

Listeners submitted their favorite offensive songs and did not disappoint! Don't play it around your kids or mom! Music by Amazing Space Frogs, Macc Lads, Diesel Queens, DOA, Nig Heist, Amazing Pink Holes, The Authorities, GG Allin, Chaotic Dischord, Forgotten Rebels, Dwarves, Dayglo Abortions.

In ep168 Tom talks about gigs he just went to: DRI (good) and Megadeth (not so good). We also talk upcoming RSD wants and upcoming gigs. Music by UK Subs, Crisis, Black President, The Carpettes, The Exploited, The Valves, Art Attacks and Voice of Addiction.

In episode 167 we talk to Andy (guitar, vocals), Doug (bass) and AJ (drums) from the NJ punk band Doc Rotten. Chaos ensues! We mainly talk about their fabulous new album called "Unite Resist". You should buy it! But the conversation goes in a million different directions! All music by Doc Rotten.

In ep 166 Tom returns from spring break in Alabama and Neil is in new digs. We talk birthdays, deaths and VIP tickets at gigs. Music by Random Conflict, Buzzcocks (new track!), DRI, Mike Ness, Corrosion of Conformity, The Only Ones, and The Saints.

In ep165 Tom comms to Chicago AGAIN to see the punk event of the spring: Negative Approach, 7 Seconds and Circle Jerks at the Vic Theater. Fun ensues. Music by Circle Jerks, 7 Seconds, Negative Approach, Soft Boys, Off!, The Pivots and Sham 69.

In ep164 we talk about the epic weekend: at Reggies in Chicago for 5 bands Friday night, then Logansport IN for 3 bands Sat night. Music by The Tossers, Evil Empire, 500 MTM, Crazy + the Brains, Flatfoot 56, Huntingtons, Distractions and Capgun Heroes.