Episode 144: TOOMS

Episode 144: TOOMS

The members of Limerick, Ireland’s sludge metal band TOOMS have been making music together since before TOOMS was even a thing. Having started out together first as Gaia, bassist Anto Donnellan, drummer Kieran Grace and guitarist/vocalist Alex Hölzinger decided in 2017 the time had come to take the music into a new dimension and so TOOMS was born. Following their debut full-length album The Orb Offers Massive Signals in 2020 the existential black hole that was the global Covid pandemic was not strong enough to completely derail the band—with the trio having now released their follow up KARST on Fiadh, Cursed Monk and Road to Masochist. Visit the TOOMS bandcamp page for KARST and all things TOOMS. [https://tooms.bandcamp.com/merch] Follow the band on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/tooms_uta/] See TOOMS live in Galway and Cellar bar on the 26th of June, supporting Bad Aul Dose with Skellig and Partholón — tickets here. [https://fixr.co/event/bad-aul-dose-tooms-skellig-partholon-the-cellar-tickets-796512250?lang=en-US] For more stories from the musical underground you can read my new column at New Noise Magazine: https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/Mapping The Underground [https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/] Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dramarecorder.bandcamp.com/album/real-silence] My music on https://ampwall.com/a/tomosmanAmpwall [https://ampwall.com/a/tomosman] Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Get A Real Job Kid [https://www.garjk.com/] Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com [https://tomosman.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 143: Bob Bert (Lydia Lunch, Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore)

Bob Bert has been involved in too many projects over the years to squeeze them all into a 40minute interview, but by golly I’ve done my best. We are first of all here to discuss Beach Bongo Bloodbath, his solo debut, out this Friday on Bar/None Records (in the year of the label’s 40th anniversary). On top of discussing this quirky delight of a record we find the time to talk about Lydia Lunch, John Spencer, Sonic Youth, Bewitched, Suicide (the band!!), Boredoms, playing CBGBs during the No Wave years, covering and interviewing Richard Hell, working with Steve Albini and Mark Kramer, interviewing Vincent Gallo for his 90s/early 2000s magazine BB Gun and, actually, even more. And if that doesn’t whet your appetite, then I guess you’re not a Bob Bert enthusiast. If you are, however, please do come this way. And by “this way” I mean watch/listen to this interview. Check out Beach Bongo Bloodbath on bandcamp. [https://therealbobbert.bandcamp.com/album/beach-bongo-bloodbath] And if you’re in New York, you can get tickets for Bob Bert’s Album Release Bash at Bowery Palace on June 15th right here as if by magic. [https://www.bowerypalace.com/tm-event/bob-bert-album-release-bash/] Thanks to Howard at Howlin’ Wuelf Media For more stories from the musical underground you can read my new column at New Noise Magazine: https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/Mapping The Underground [https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/] Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dramarecorder.bandcamp.com/album/real-silence] My music on https://ampwall.com/a/tomosmanAmpwall [https://ampwall.com/a/tomosman] Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Get A Real Job Kid [https://www.garjk.com/] Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com [https://tomosman.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 142: Johnny Iguana (The Claudettes)

Chicago Illinois’ The Claudettes have been through various transformations since their instrumental, two-piece origins of 2013’s Infernal Piano Plot…HATCHED! The most recent evolution has been the introduction of powerhouse singer Rachel Williams, who came in after the band parted ways with previous lead singer Berit Ulseth. Throughout every permutation punk-raised pianist Johnny Iguana has been leading the charge, and with the band’s latest album Garage Glamour (Pravda Records) released tomorrow Johnny joins me as we run through the history of The Claudettes, from their earliest beginnings right the way up to now. Along the way there’s time for us to talk about many musical influences and inspirations, from Bob Mould to Raymond Scott. We talk punk, we talk blues, we talk rock n’ roll and more. It’s all for the love of the music and if ever I felt like my poor, neglected guitar needs to be given some attention, it’s certainly the case after this conversation. Visit The Claudettes [https://theclaudettes.com/] for releases, videos, upcoming shows and more. The Claudettes on bandcamp. [https://theclaudettes.bandcamp.com/music] Thanks to Howard at Howlin’ Wuelf Media Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dramarecorder.bandcamp.com/album/real-silence] My music on Ampwall [https://ampwall.com/a/tomosman] Podcast artwork and logo: Get A Real Job Kid [https://www.garjk.com/] Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com [https://tomosman.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 141: Caterwaul 2026

Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Caterwaul celebrates its fifth year this coming weekend (the event being held from Friday 5th - Sunday 7th of June) and co-founder Conan Neutron is here to tell us all about it. What’s more, he’s brought a friend—Rye Coalition vocalist Ralph Cuseglio (whose band headline the Saturday. The event features no shortage of fan favourites from the alternative rock (aaaaagh I hate that term, but I’m using it again!) underground—like Dazzling Killmen, Stress Positions, Didjits and Season to Risk. Too many bands to mention in one intro, so why not just go to the event website HERE [https://ticketstripe.com/caterwaul2026] for the full lineup? And while you’re at it, you could pre-purchase a ticket. For sure, no one’s throwing about large sums of cash in the DIY underground and events like Caterwaul are a great opportunity to be among likeminded music nerds, watching great bands perform. But don’t just take my word for it. Get the lowdown from Conan and Ralph. There’s even time to talk with Ralph about their major-label trauma that derailed the release of their Curses album (which eventually saw the light of day in 2006). Finally, let’s all send positive energy to Caterwaul co-founder Rainer Fronz who just yesterday underwent a heart transplant. Wishing him a speedy and full recovery. All things Caterwaul. [https://www.caterwaul.org/] Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal interview show. [https://www.protonicreversal.com/podcast/] Conan Neutron & The Secret Friends on bandcamp. [https://neutronfriends.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-of-the-neutron] Rye Coalition on bandcamp. [https://ryecoalition.bandcamp.com/album/paid-in-full] For more stories from the musical underground you can read my new column at New Noise Magazine: https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/Mapping The Underground [https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/] Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dramarecorder.bandcamp.com/album/real-silence] My music on https://ampwall.com/a/tomosmanAmpwall [https://ampwall.com/a/tomosman] Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Get A Real Job Kid [https://www.garjk.com/] Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com [https://tomosman.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 140: Nathan Carson (Point Line Plane)

Twenty-plus years is a long break to have in almost any relationship. But while Nathan Carson and Joshua Blanchard (together known as Point Line Plane) originally called time on the musical project they formed together at the turn of the century back in 2005, the end of Point Line Plane did not mean the end of the friendship. Just as well, because when the stars aligned and SKiN GRAFT Records proposed a remastered reissue of the duo’s eponymous debut, Carson and Blanchard had already been discussing playing shows together again. Fast forward to now and Point Line Plane have played a number of shows in May (several with an also-reformed Dazzling Killmen), with three more dates to come in June (culminating with a performance at the final date of this year’s Caterwaul Fest in Minneapolis). Add to that, the remastered debut is out tomorrow (digitally and on vinyl for the first time). While Point Line Plane received no small amount of attention during their first run, this was at a time before the ubiquity of online representation. Put another way, the impact the band made isn’t reflected online. So let’s do our small bit to right that wrong as Nathan Carson joins me to discuss all things Point Line Plane past, present and future, other musical projects and his agency Nanotear Booking [http://www.nanotear.com/]. Buy [https://pointlineplane.bandcamp.com/album/point-line-plane]Point Line Plane [https://pointlineplane.bandcamp.com/album/point-line-plane]from bancamp. [https://pointlineplane.bandcamp.com/album/point-line-plane] Point Line Plane on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/pointlineplaneband/] Thanks to Mark at SKiN GRAFT Records Photo by Lucy Fur For more stories from the musical underground you can read my new column at New Noise Magazine: https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/Mapping The Underground [https://newnoisemagazine.com/column/mapping-the-underground-1-conan-neutron-on-tour-drama/] Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://dramarecorder.bandcamp.com/album/real-silence] My music on https://ampwall.com/a/tomosmanAmpwall [https://ampwall.com/a/tomosman] Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/Get A Real Job Kid [https://www.garjk.com/] Intro music: “Detachment” by Tom Osman This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tomosman.substack.com [https://tomosman.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]