CCP Ep. #246: Dying Surfer Meets His Maker by All Them Witches

And we’re back! It’s time to play catch-up as we post some episodes from lost weeks and proceed to count down to our 250th episode, our 5th anniversary spectacular! Expect an episode of the Crash Chords each day ’til Saturday 7/22 — that’s five episodes for five years. Today’s episode gets a bit on the ‘trippy’ side as we explore All Them Witches’ 2015 release, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker, a work of neo-psychedelic proportions with a blues heart. You know the drill: let’s break it down, build it up, tear it down again, and have some fun.

Continue reading

CCP Ep. #190: Everything You’ve Come to Expect by The Last Shadow Puppets

The April 1st comeback of the 2007 supergroup The Last Shadow Puppets (formed by Alex Turner and Miles Kane) has unveiled Everything You’ve Come to Expect, an album brought to us courtesy of listener José (Nokjaw). Let’s all dive into the album together before confronting our topic [at 1:41:15], which explores the physical limitations of musicians and how certain artists have managed to overcome them.

Continue reading

Ep. #42: Feat. Ayron Jones of Ayron Jones & The Way

Today Matt welcomes Ayron Jones, the guitarist and frontman of the rock band Ayron Jones & The Way. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, the band’s latest releases are the singles “Boy from the Puget Sound”, and, as of this February, “Lay Your Body Down.” They also have a full-length album from 2013 called Dream. Hear Ayron chat about what it was like growing up in Seattle during the grunge movement and how it affected his musical development. He also talks about what it was like working with Sir Mix-A-Lot and having him produce the album Dream. Enjoy some final notes on Ayron’s love of playing live as well as his hopes for the band’s next tour.

Continue reading

CCP Ep. #157: Benjamin Booker by Benjamin Booker | Feat. Nelson Lugo

For the third and most ear-piercing occasion on the Crash Chords Podcast, it’s NELSON LUGO! That’s right, our resident magician and comrade-in-mic (from the EPIC PIEcast) joins us once again, this time with an album called Benjamin Booker, a debut LP by the artist of the same name. For the bulk of the show, we tear into the lauded work and see what makes it tick — but not before discussing Nelson himself! Soak in the updates on his “Gathering the Magic” act (previewed in Ep. #72), and hear us commiserate with Nelson over his latest “YouTube blues” — the artist’s struggle with the deadening woes of the medium. Finally, we close out the episode with some thoughts on the application of music in performances and routines. Enjoy!

Continue reading

CCP Ep. #135: The Pale Emperor by Marilyn Manson

Once known as a controversial figure in music for his peculiar image, scathing lyrics, and perceived negative influence, Marilyn Manson’s impact as a counter-culture figure in the 90s has undoubtedly bled into the present day. What’s more, the band and their eponymous frontman are still at it! Let’s dive into Manson’s ninth studio album, The Pale Emperor, and see how it fares. Finally, join us for a brief chat on what it means to be a frontman or frontwoman in a brand-building enterprise. When is it more effective to market a single entity as opposed to a collective? Could this be considered an “afront” to its other members? What’s your take?

Continue reading

CCP Ep. #132: Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet) by Loudon Wainwright III | Featuring Painless Parker

Well, it’s happened. Crash Chords covers the topic of… DEPRESSION. But first, we look at the pain, the comedy, and the minor nuisances of the subject through the lens of today’s album, Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet) by stage veteran Loudon Wainwright III. This album is brought to you by our returning guest, Painless Parker. Practically a veteran in his own right, Painless helps us through the episode with some of his own aptly-focused tunes. So stick around for that and our post-album take on today’s much-maligned, and oft-avoided subject.

Continue reading

CCP Ep. #101: Lazaretto by Jack White | An Interview with Mawk (Mark Young) of (hed) p.e.

Welcome to Crash Chords: Season 3! We have plenty else in store for you this year, but of course our album reviews continue to be the meat and potatoes. Today’s review looks at Jack White, formerly of The White Stripes, and his burgeoning solo work. His latest, Lazaretto, is a medley of ideas inspired by his own writings when he was 19 years old. Join in the analysis! Then, as a taste of what’s to come, we feature a special phone interview that Matt had the pleasure of arranging with Mawk (Mark Young) of (hed) p.e. Visit directly at 2:14:54.

Continue reading