The Interview Show with Scott Wood 2017

NY indie rock band The Lemon Twigs at its core is brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario. The band’s debut record Do Hollywood  came out last year and each brother wrote five songs on the record. When you see them play live, the brothers switch instruments, so they can sing the songs each wrote. Although young–the youngest D’Addario is still a teenager–the brothers have been immersed in music since they were born. Their father is a professional musician and their mother is a lifelong music fan.
Do Hollywood got started after the brothers sent Jonathan Rado, frontman of California indie rock band Foxygen, some demos over Twitter. Before they knew it, the band was signed to legendary label 4AD (home of SOHN, Deerhunter, Future Islands, The National, among others) and working with Rado on what would become Do Hollywood.
I got to hang out with the brothers the last time they were in town. Do the brothers really fight a lot? What was it like working with Jonathan Rado from Foxygen? What are the details behind the secret debut record that the D’Addario brothers have disavowed? Which legendary musician’s career would each brother like to have? You’ll have to listen to find out. 

My hang sesh with The Lemon Twigs turned out to be so fun, there was a lot of talk I couldn’t fit into the radio version of the show. In the extended version of the show, I talk with the brothers about growing up in a musical family, two more songs from the Do Hollywood record (“Hi+Lo” and “As Long As We’re Together”) and the other secrets the brothers are hiding.

Tracks played on the extended version of the show...

1) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "These Words"
2) Foxygen, ...And Star Power (2014) "Brooklyn Police Station" (background)
3) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Baby, Baby" (partial)
4) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "I Wanna Prove To You"
5) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "As Long As We're Together" 
6) The Lemon Twigs, What We Know (2014) "The Corners I Was Locked Behind (When I Was There)"
7) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Hi+Lo"
8) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Haroomata"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show

The Interview Show with The Lemon Twigs (podcast edition) #224

NY indie rock band The Lemon Twigs at its core is brothers Brian and Michael D’Addario. The band’s debut record Do Hollywood  came out last year and each brother wrote five songs on the record. When you see them play live, the brothers switch instruments, so they can sing the songs each wrote. Although young–the youngest D’Addario is still a teenager–the brothers have been immersed in music since they were born. Their father is a professional musician and their mother is a lifelong music fan.
Do Hollywood got started after the brothers sent Jonathan Rado, frontman of California indie rock band Foxygen, some demos over Twitter. Before they knew it, the band was signed to legendary label 4AD (home of SOHN, Deerhunter, Future Islands, The National, among others) and working with Rado on what would become Do Hollywood.
I got to hang out with the brothers the last time they were in town. Do the brothers really fight a lot? What was it like working with Jonathan Rado from Foxygen? What are the details behind the secret debut record that the D’Addario brothers have disavowed? Which legendary musician’s career would each brother like to have? You’ll have to listen to find out. (Also check out the extended version of my chat with the D’Addario brothers below for more fun with The Lemon Twigs!)

Tracks played on the show...

1) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "These Words"
2) Foxygen, ...And Star Power (2014) "Brooklyn Police Station" (background)
3) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Baby, Baby" (partial)
4) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "I Wanna Prove To You"
5) The Lemon Twigs, What We Know (2014) "The Corners I Was Locked Behind (When I Was There)"
6) The Lemon Twigs, Do Hollywood (2016) "Haroomata"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with The Lemon Twigs (radio edit) #224

Pittsburg punk rockers Anti-Flag are 10 records into an extraordinary career. Since its inception, the band has been known for political activism, focusing on anti-war activism, anti-imperialism, class struggle, human rights, anti-sexism and anti-homophobia. These guys are personal heroes of mine because not only do they make music for the underclass, but Anti-Flag is a successful business that provides a living for the band and their friends.

I hung out with Anti-Flag drummer Pat Thetic in the alley behind the venue while openers Lee Corey Oswald took the stage.

Why did the band decide to make their 2015 record American Spring? Who crashed my interview? How does the band combat boredom on the road? How has punk music changed over the band's career? How will Pat answer when you offer him a joint? Which track on American Spring is a protest to drone attacks? Does Anti-Flag mentor young punk bands? Did Pat have a mentor when he was younger? Why is the song "Anatomy of Your Enemy" special to Pat? What has been the best fan reaction to Anti-Flag's music? Which musician does Pat want to thank for his influence on his life? Which Anti-Flag track was inspired by the Occupy Movement? Why don't more punk rockers run for public office? Are Anti-Flag more threatening to the political establishment than Killer Mike (from Run the Jewels)? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1) Anti-Flag, American Spring (2015) "Brandenburg Gate"
2) Anti-Flag, American Spring (2015) "Sky Is Falling"
3) Anti-Flag, Die for the Government (1996) "You've Got to Die for the Government"
4) Anti-Flag, Mobilize (2002) "Anatomy of Your Enemy"
5) Anti-Flag, The General Strike (2012) "The Neoliberal Anthem"
6) Anti-Flag, For Blood and Empire (2006) "This Is the End (For You My Friend)"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Anti-Flag (podcast edition) #225

Pittsburg punk rockers Anti-Flag are 10 records into an extraordinary career. Since its inception, the band has been known for political activism, focusing on anti-war activism, anti-imperialism, class struggle, human rights, anti-sexism and anti-homophobia. These guys are personal heroes of mine because not only do they make music for the underclass, but Anti-Flag is a successful business that provides a living for the band and their friends.

I hung out with Anti-Flag drummer Pat Thetic in the alley behind the venue while openers Lee Corey Oswald took the stage.

Why did the band decide to make their 2015 record American Spring? Who crashed my interview? How has punk music changed over the band's career? How will Pat answer when you offer him a joint? Which track on American Spring is a protest to drone attacks? Does Anti-Flag mentor young punk bands? Did Pat have a mentor when he was younger? Why is the song "Anatomy of Your Enemy" special to Pat? What has been the best fan reaction to Anti-Flag's music? Which musician does Pat want to thank for his influence on his life? Which Anti-Flag track was inspired by the Occupy Movement? Why don't more punk rockers run for public office? Are Anti-Flag more threatening to the political establishment than Killer Mike (from Run the Jewels)? You'll have to listen to find out!

Tracks played on the radio edition of the show...

1) Anti-Flag, American Spring (2015) "Brandenburg Gate"
2) Anti-Flag, American Spring (2015) "Sky Is Falling"
3) Anti-Flag, Mobilize (2002) "Anatomy of Your Enemy" (mp3)
4) Anti-Flag, The General Strike (2012) "The Neoliberal Anthem"
5) Anti-Flag, For Blood and Empire (2006) "This Is the End (For You My Friend)"

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with Anti-Flag (radio edition) #225

When I caught the Vancouver soundcheck of old friends and Toronto punk band PUP, the boys were trying to make a song from the new record, The Dream Is Over, work in their live set. At that point, PUP were three months into a world tour so I was shocked that by then every song on the record hadn't been played over and over and over. 

I hung out with Stefan from PUP as he waited for his sister to come pick him up for dinner. Which song from the new record The Dream Is Over do they still not play live? How can a tour can make you want to kill your best friends? How do the members of PUP break from punk band cliches? What is the song "DVP" about? Which PUP song is about a pet lizard? What would a love song from PUP sound like? Which song from the first record will the band never stop playing live and why? Which song was inspired by a girl calling Stefan a piece of shit? What "not loud" music are the guys in the band enjoying right now? What's Stefan's favorite type of sushi? Which song does the band consider "just for them?" You'll have to listen to find out. 

Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...

1)PUP (the band), The Dream Is Over (2016) "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will"
2) PUP (the band), The Dream Is Over (2016) "DVP"
3) PUP (the band), The Dream Is Over (2016) "Sleep In The Heat"
4) PUP (the band), PUP (2013) "Guilt Trip"
5) PUP (the band), The Dream Is Over (2016) "My Life is Over and I Couldn't Be Happier"
6) PUP (the band), "You Don't Get Me High Anymore" (unreleased Phantogram cover)**
7) PUP (the band), The Dream Is Over (2016) "Familiar Patterns"

ALL songs CANCON--except **

The Interview Show with PUP the Band (podcast edition) #226

May 2017 was supposed to be the start of the next stage in the career of queercore band PWR BTTM. They were set to release their next record Pageant--the follow up to the well-received 2015 full length debut Ugly Cherries. But then Jezebel.com posted accusations of sexual assault against PWR BTTM member Ben Hopkins by an anonymous accuser. Before the end of May 2017, the band found themselves dropped by their label and management team and a touring member of the band quit. The band have issued a statement on their Facebook page denying the accusations, but all this has left many PWR BTTM fans not knowing what to think.

I first saw PWR BTTM a few years ago when they opened at the Biltmore for Ra Ra Riot. While I interviewed Wes from Ra Ra Riot, he proudly wore a neon-pink PWR BTTM sweat shirt. Next time I saw the band, they were headlining at 333 on a bill with Bellows and Lisa Prank. It was a great night, a fun crowd. (Each act on the bill stayed to watch the others perform at the back of the room--which is a rare thing.) My leather jacket straight music snob friends (there to see Bellows) could mix with tank top, glitter and cotton candy colored hair queer folk there to see PWR BTTM. Two very different crowds who don't mingle enough got to enjoy a great show together and everyone felt safe.

While at the PWR BTTM show, I met Maguire (who goes by the pronouns them/they), a young PWR BTTM super fan--such a fan they had come to Vancouver from a remote community just to see the band. I wanted to get their take on this horrible situation.

"The space that PWR BTTM created was like no other. I've been to punk shows, rap shows, and rock shows of all sorts, but PWR BTTM stood out because of the way they didn't just use the space, but transformed it. For a few short hours, I felt safer at a show than I'd ever felt previously. Both band members constantly stressed the importance of their "No Mosh" policy and what consent means to them between quips about appetizer bread from the nearby Ethiopian restaurant and being berated by hot Canadian border guards. They spoke and the people listened, danced, and respected their wishes and the people around them. As someone who has woken up with bruises from errant moshers the day after a show the feeling of being able to really let go and not worry about what other people are doing in the space surrounding me, allowed me to enjoy the music more than you ever could at a regular show where people are pushing you mercilessly, unconcerned with any other person's idea of enjoying a concert. The idea that each person entered into this space purely to enjoy the music without impeding others elevated the experience.

This band has meant more to me than any other ever has. Hands down. And it still does, I can't change the way this band changed me and the effect their music has had on me. I am who I am today because of things I have learned from their records. I am sincerely devastated more than anything by the accusations laid against them."

This is my chat with Ben and Liv from PWR BTTM as we hung out in the band’s tour van parked outside 333 while it rained outside on a Friday night in November 2016.
 
Tracks played on the show…

1) PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries (2015) “I Wanna Boi”
2) PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries (2015) “Ugly Cherries”
3) PWR BTTM, Ugly Cherries (2015) “Dairy Queen”
4) PWR BTTM, Cinderella Beauty Shop (2014) “Carbs”
5) PWR BTTM, Cinderella Beauty Shop (2014) “Gendr”
6) PWR BTTM, Cinderella Beauty Shop (2014) “Trade”

NO songs CANCON

The Interview Show with PWR BTTM (podcast edition) #232

The Interview Show producer and host Scott Wood climbs into the tour van to hang out with your favorite indie bands. This podcast covers all kinds of music--anything from electronic to hip hop to indie to punk to metal. Listen!

The Interview Show with PWR BTTM (podcast edition) #232

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