The Wasted Years

Gladiators Eat Fire

Original release date: 1/7/14 Original Episode Notes: Has your van ever broken down in a location so remote that you have to live in a junkyard for three days, almost succumbing to local traditions and never leaving, nearly marrying the one girl in the junkyard - the junkyard princess, if you will - endearing yourself to the local youth, who look up to you like a Rock God descended from heaven? Have you ever had to search for a vet on tour because your dog's anal glands [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_gland] needed squeezing? Have you ever convinced a friend to put on chainmail [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_(armour)] so your questionably sane friend from high school could stab him? Yeah, me neither. Seattle's Gladiators Eat Fire [http://gladiatorseatfire.bandcamp.com/] have done all this and more.

GravelRoad and a Tribute to T-Model Ford

Original release date: 8/25/13 Original Episode notes: GravelRoad [http://gravelroadblues.com/] is a Seattle band steeped in the tradition of North Mississippi Hill Country Blues [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_country_blues]. Their passion for this music drove them to visit the region many times, befriending and playing with the families and stalwart performers of the style, the Kimbroughs [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_Kimbrough] and Burnsides [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._L._Burnside] among them. Through persistence and a little luck, they eventually became the touring band for T-Model Ford [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Model_Ford], crossing the country and world with the 90-plus year-old bluesman, leading to stories from the road quite unlike any others. In a strange coincidence, I met with GravelRoad to record this podcast on July 15th, 2013. The following morning, they received the news that T-Model Ford had passed away at his home in Greenville, Mississippi. They knew he was not in the best of health, and he had ceased touring about a year ago. At the time this podcast was recorded, it was not intended to be a eulogy. Still, the members of GravelRoad spoke with such reverence toward T-Model - the man, his mythology, and his music - that it almost feels fitting as such. So, I dedicate this podcast to the memory of T-Model Ford, one of the last great performers from a bygone era, whose music and spirit still live on in bands like GravelRoad. You can read T-Model Ford's obituary in the New York Times here [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/19/arts/music/t-model-ford-late-blooming-bluesman-is-dead.html?_r=0]. This podcast features the music of GravelRoad and the music of T-Model Ford with GravelRoad as his backing band. GravelRoad has just released their fourth album, "The Bloody Scalp of Burt Merlin," which can be purchased through Knick Knack Records [http://www.knickknackrecords.com/store/GravelRoad/]. "I'm the Blues."

Argonaut

In memory of Dave Takata, Northwest rock n' roll God. Original release date: 3/26/13 Original Episode notes: "So, you've actually seen a bigfoot?" "Duh!" So Says Bobo [http://teamcoco.com/video/finding-bigfoots-james-bobo-fay-perfected-sasquatch-call], of Animal Planet's "Finding Bigfoot [http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/finding-bigfoot]," who frequents Argonaut shows whenever they make their way to Northern California. Argonaut's had a rough go of it. Hell, they weren't even a band for the past several years. They've had a guitarist quit onstage, been screwed by a label, and even almost lost a thumb. But they're back [http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tacomarockcity/2011/02/15/matt-sader-on-argonauts-comeback-new-sound-audio/] due to popular demand, and they soldier on. Shrooming their way across San Francisco. Showering at the Troubadour [http://www.troubadour.com/]. Sleeping in trailers with Juggalettes [http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/naked-juggalettes-nsfw-30847080/#4]. Shitting in parking lots. Letting the bassist from Slipknot [http://www.idioteq.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SLIPKNOT.jpg] sleep in their daughter's bed. Argonaut abides. This episode features music from Argonaut's 2013 EP "What's Your Perfect Day?" All of Argonaut's albums are available here: argonauttacoma.bandcamp.com [http://argonauttacoma.bandcamp.com/]

Ben London - Alcohol Funnycar, STAG, Sanford Arms, Burning Rivers

Original Release Date: 2/20/13 Original Episode Notes: Veteran Seattle rocker Ben London schools Aaron on what it was like to be in a touring band during grunge's heyday, when the words "FROM SEATTLE" would often be larger than the bands' names on flyers. Ben moved from Ohio to Seattle in 1989 with a tight group of friends who would go on to form seminal bands The Gits [http://thegits.com/], 7 Year Bitch [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7_Year_Bitch], and Ben's own Alcohol Funnycar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_Funnycar]. Most of these stories are from that time period, leading up to the murder of Mia Zapata [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Zapata], the suicide of Kurt Cobain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Cobain], and the loss of innocence in Seattle's 90s rock community. Yeah, it gets kinda heavy. But there's plenty of good times as well. Ben has fronted numerous bands in Seattle over the years, including Sanford Arms [http://www.pattern25.com/bands/sanford.shtml], St. Bushmill's Choir [http://www.saintbushmillschoir.com/], and Burning Rivers [http://www.myspace.com/burningrivers], but this podcast features the music of Alcohol Funnycar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_Funnycar] and Ben's current band, STAG [http://www.themightystag.com/].

Jeff Loose

In memory of Jeff Loose. I miss you and I love you, my lifelong friend. Original release date: 1/25/13 Original Episode Notes: The Wasted Years goes out on the road to Toledo, Ohio [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Ohio], and Aaron talks with Jeff Loose [http://www.reverbnation.com/jeffloose], a man who is both an old friend and one of Aaron's favorite musicians. Jeff has been a long-time major figure in the Toledo music scene, running the label Pretend Records [http://www.pretendrecords.com/] and performing in many bands; WEe [http://themusicofwee.bandcamp.com/album/three-song-single-1], GoLab [http://www.pretendrecords.com/golab.html], Stylex [http://stylexohio.com/], Jr. Electric [http://waveburnerrecording.bandcamp.com/album/the-junior-electric-album], and solo [http://www.pretendrecords.com/jeffloose.html] as himself to name but a few. Find out how Jeff's band nearly caused a riot in Clyde, Ohio, forging a lifelong friendship between then teenage Aaron and Jeff. Learn about how Jeff's former band Stylex played a 16 year-old's birthday party in order to help a lovestruck young man get some action. Hear about a dirty BJ that went down in the balcony of an empty theater in Cleveland. Learn about the sad post-show clean-up ritual following a Gil Mantera's Party Dream [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gil_Mantera's_Party_Dream] concert. Most of all, get a little glimpse into the life of a working Midwest musician, where people still play shows in barns and fall through hidden trap doors while doing so. This podcast features the music of Jeff Loose [http://www.reverbnation.com/jeffloose] and his band WEe [http://themusicofwee.bandcamp.com/album/three-song-single-1]. With special guest host, Eli Semer!