Meeting Malkmus - a Pavement podcast

MMT50 - 209 In this episode of Meeting Malkmus, we’re diving into the Top 50 Countdown of Pavement’s most essential tracks with our special guest, Robbie from Grimsby! Join host JD as they discuss some of Pavement’s most iconic songs, explore the evolution of the band’s sound, and reminisce about personal stories of discovering Pavement. Robbie shares his Pavement origin story—from being introduced to the seminal indie rock band during his college years to falling in love with albums like Crooked Rain and Wowie Zowie. Together, they discuss why albums like Bright in the Corners may take time to appreciate and how the narrative around these classic records has evolved. Key Segments: • [1:57] – Robbie’s Pavement Origin Story: Discover how Robbie from Grimsby found Pavement during the Twilight era and why Crooked Rain became his favorite. • [4:31] – The Slow Burn of Bright in the Corners: Robbie reflects on how this album grew on him over time, and why Wowie Zowie clicked instantly. • [7:28] – Ranking Albums: Robbie reveals his current go-to Pavement album, why Slanted and Enchanted holds a special place and the emotional connection that certain albums carry. • [23:43] – Free Association in Pavement Lyrics: Robbie dissects the free-associative lyrics of Pavement, sharing his theories on Stephen Malkmus’s writing process. Join us as we geek out on Pavement songs, dissect indie rock history, and debate the Top 50 Pavement Countdown. Is your favorite track ranked where it should be? Find out as JD and Robbie hash it out! Stay Connected with Meeting Malkmus: • Twitter: @meetingmalkmus [https://twitter.com/meetingmalkmus] • Facebook: facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus [https://facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus] • Website: dewvre.com/meetingmalkmus [https://dewvre.com/meetingmalkmus] • Email: jd.meetingmalkmus@gmail.com Don’t forget to tune in next week as we continue the Top 50 Countdown of the greatest Pavement tracks, chosen by you! This episode was a fun journey through the seminal indie rock band’s catalog. If you’re a diehard Pavement fan, this episode is a must-listen! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

Welcome to another episode of Meeting Malkmus, where we’re counting down the Top 50 Pavement songs as voted by fans. This week, we dive into song #10 on the list, the fan-favorite “Elevate Me Later” from Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. Join host jD and special guest Jen Echo as they reminisce about the band’s seminal moments, tour stories, and the unique relationship fans have with Pavement’s music. From Pavement’s early days and Slanted and Enchanted to their cult status in 90s alternative music, this episode is filled with personal fan anecdotes, live concert memories, and a deep dive into why this indie rock band still resonates decades later. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the band, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on Pavement’s iconic songs. Episode Highlights: • [00:05] – Introduction to the Pavement Top 50 Countdown: Recap of the journey so far, and the importance of “Elevate Me Later” in the Pavement discography. • [01:55] – Jen Echo shares her Pavement origin story and how she first discovered the band while working at an independent record store in the 90s. • [03:22] – Discussing the mystery behind Pavement’s cryptic early years and the appeal of albums like Slanted and Enchanted. • [04:41] – The story of how Pavement built their underground reputation, including details from their early singles and why they connected with indie rock fans before mainstream success. • [05:56] – Jen recounts her experience seeing Pavement live in Columbus, Ohio, in 1992, during the Slanted and Enchanted tour. • [07:24] – Fan stories from Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain tour stops, including surreal concert experiences and a backstage moment with Stephen Malkmus. • [09:06] – The history of Pavement’s live performances and how the band evolved over the years, with a focus on the energy of early concerts. • [10:36] – Jen recalls attending a 1994 concert where fans encountered the band before the show, marking one of her earliest in-person experiences with the group. • [13:09] – The iconic moment when Pavement played an entire set of chronological songs from their discography in a rare Milwaukee show, surprising even their most dedicated fans. • [16:13] – What Pavement meant to the indie rock scene, with a focus on their DIY ethos and how their music resonated with both critics and underground fans. • [20:10] – Jen’s personal anecdotes about being one of the few female superfans during Pavement’s early years and her unique backstage experiences with the band. • [22:32] – The emotional weight of Pavement’s 1999 shows, leading up to their first breakup, and how fans, including Jen, coped with the band’s hiatus. • [23:00] – Discussion on how Pavement’s 2010 reunion tour brought their music to a new generation of listeners and re-energized their fanbase. • [25:35] – jD and Jen explore the deep-cut tracks from Slanted and Enchanted and Watery, Domestic, and how these B-sides influenced Pavement’s lasting legacy. • [29:06] – Final thoughts on the enduring popularity of “Elevate Me Later” and why it deserved its place in the Top 10. • [30:00] – Reflections on Pavement’s role in the 90s alternative music scene, including their influence on indie bands that followed. Key Topics Covered: • Pavement songs: Breaking down “Elevate Me Later” and why it stands out in the Top 50 Pavement countdown. • Indie rock culture: How Pavement helped define the 90s alternative music scene. • Behind-the-scenes stories from Pavement’s tours and their connection with superfans. • Stephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg (Spiral Stairs): Personal fan interactions with these key members of the band. • Nostalgic fan anecdotes about catching Pavement at pivotal moments during the Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain and Slanted and Enchanted tours. Follow and Join the Conversation: • Instagram & Twitter: @meetingmalkmus • Facebook: facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus • Website: www.dewvre.com/meetingmalkmus Be sure to connect with other Pavement fans, share your favorite tracks, and stay updated on future episodes of the countdown! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

MMT50 - RT2 In this episode of Meeting Malkmus, JD hosts a roundtable discussion with Pavement superfans as they break down the Pavement Top 50 countdown. From their live experiences to deep dives into SM's lyrical genius, join the conversation on Pavement‘s top songs and memories from the band’s iconic albums like Wowie Zowie, Crooked Rain Crooked Rain, and Terror Twilight. Time Stamps & Highlights: • [0:15] JD introduces the roundtable, where the group will discuss Pavement’s Top 50 countdown from songs 50 through 11. • [0:29] Jimmy shares his excitement about scoring tickets to Pavement Live in New York and what he expects from the show. • [4:03] Highlight: Jimmy talks about his excitement for “Give It a Day” making the list, describing it as one of his favorites in the 30s. • [4:44] Chris celebrates Blue Hawaiian making the top 50, despite its unusual sound compared to other Pavement songs. • [7:00] Boston Russ discusses his love for “Motion Suggests” and his memorable experience seeing Pavement play it live. • [8:08] JD and the group reflect on the Watery Domestic EP and how songs like Greenlander would have been even better if extended into a 10-inch record. • [10:28] Discussion: The group digs into the appeal of Pavement’s lesser-known tracks like Texas Never Whispers and Linden Lions. • [12:46] Chris critiques Box Elder and Easily Fooled for being too simplistic compared to Pavement’s more evolved songs. • [13:07] Highlight: The group discusses Half a Canyon and how it fared on other Pavement podcasts. • [14:29] Nostalgia: The group reminisces about seeing Pavement live and how their songs evolved during their 2022 tour. • [18:33] Boston Russ shares a story about hearing The Hex in Iceland, creating a magical fan moment. • [25:15] Chris reflects on discovering Pavement in 2004 and wonders how fan age demographics affect the Pavement Top 50 list. • [27:42] Discussion: The evolution of Pavement from their early lo-fi tracks like Slay Tracks to their more produced albums like Terror Twilight. • [32:24] The group speculates which Pavement songs will make the top 10. • [35:16] The impact of Crooked Rain Crooked Rain and tracks like Range Life and Gold Soundz in Pavement’s legacy. • [39:04] Boston Russ gives a shoutout to his friend Sasha, who finally heard AT&T live after multiple attempts. • [45:25] Final roundtable: Everyone guesses what they think will be the number one Pavement song in the Top 50 Countdown. Key Takeaways: • Fans of Pavement are deeply passionate about their favorite songs, and discussions like these reveal how eclectic the band’s music truly is. • The band’s diverse sound across albums like Wowie Zowie, Slanted and Enchanted, and Crooked Rain Crooked Rain has created lasting memories for fans. Connect with Us: • Twitter & Instagram: @meetingmalkmus [https://twitter.com/meetingmalkmus] • Facebook: Meeting Malkmus Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus] • Website: Meeting Malkmus on Dewvre [https://www.dewvre.com/meetingmalkmus] Join the conversation, share your favorite Pavement memories, and stay tuned for the next episode of Meeting Malkmus! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

MMT50 - 211 In this week’s episode of Pavement Top 50 Countdown, host jD is joined by Pavement superfan Martel for a deep dive into one of the top tracks in the band’s catalog as the countdown continues to edge closer to the Top 10. Martel shares his Pavement origin story, recalling the magic of discovering the band back in 1994 when he first heard the Crooked Rain album. From teenage weekends at record shops to hearing those first iconic notes, Martel reflects on the life-changing moment when he became hooked on Pavement. He also recounts memories of the band’s live performances, from major festivals like Reading to more intimate shows, including their legendary 1999 gig in Hull. jD and Martel discuss the unique melodic style and abstract lyrics of the featured track, diving into the mysteriousness and artistic creativity that defines Stephen Malkmus’s songwriting. They explore how Pavement’s music, much like the band itself, holds layers of meaning that reveal themselves over time. The two also touch on Pavement’s other standout albums, including Slanted and Enchanted, Wowie Zowie, and Watery Domestic, appreciating how the band’s work continues to stand the test of time. Listeners will enjoy thoughtful conversations about the band’s place in 90s alternative music, the allure of their cryptic album artwork, and the continued fan devotion seen during the band’s reunion tour. Tune in to hear the next track on the countdown and join jD and Martel as they celebrate the legacy of Pavement, one essential song at a time. Key Topics: • [00:52] Martel’s first encounter with Pavement’s music through Crooked Rain • [02:20] Pavement’s distinctive sound, songwriting, and cryptic lyrics • [05:17] Iconic live performances from Reading Festival to their intimate 1999 Hull gig • [06:23] The enduring legacy of albums like Slanted and Enchanted and Wowie Zowie • [17:11] The excitement around Pavement’s reunion tour and hopes for future music from Stephen Malkmus Don’t miss the countdown as we get closer to unveiling the Top 10 tracks! Connect with Us: Follow the podcast on social media and stay up to date: • Instagram and Twitter: @meetingmalkmus [https://www.instagram.com/meetingmalkmus] • Facebook: facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus [https://www.facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus] Join the conversation, share your thoughts on Pavement’s music, and let us know where your favorite tracks land on the countdown! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/meeting-malkmus-a-pavement-podcast/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

Yes, I have incorporated all the keywords into the show notes. Here is the updated version with all the keywords included: --- **Show Notes: MMT50 - 212** Hey there, Pavement aficionados! jD is back with another episode of our Top 50 Countdown on the *Meeting Malkmus* podcast, exploring the essential tracks by the seminal indie rock band, **Pavement**. This week, we're diving into track number 12 on the countdown. Joining jD is Pavement superfan **Tim from Portland**, and trust us, you don't want to miss this one. It's a rollercoaster ride through **'90s indie rock** nostalgia, **Pavement concert stories**, and a heartfelt plea to support live music. --- **Episode Highlights:** **[0:00] Introduction and Tim's Pavement Origin Story** - **Discovering Pavement through the College Music Journal:**  - Tim shares how he first stumbled upon Pavement in the summer of '94 through the *College Music Journal*, a pivotal moment in his journey into **'90s indie rock**.  - *"Yeah, I ran down to Tower Records in San Diego and got the CD along with a few other ones... been cranking it ever since."* - **First Impressions of 'Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain':**  - His immediate obsession after purchasing Pavement's seminal album, *Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain*.  - *"Right out of the gate, this album was different, and I applauded that."* **[1:57] Early Live Shows and Military Gear Coincidence** - **First Pavement Concert Experience in the San Diego Music Scene:**  - Tim talks about seeing Pavement live for the first time in January '96 at Montezuma Hall, San Diego State University—a highlight in his **Pavement concert memories**.  - **Silkworm as the Opening Act:**   - The concert featured **Silkworm** as the opening act, adding to the night's **indie music nostalgia**.  - *"We decided to dress up... everyone put on some sort of military garb."* - **Serendipitous Moment with the Band:**  - The hilarious coincidence of the band also wearing military attire, showcasing the quirky connection between Pavement and their fans.  - *"We all looked at them and then at each other and just started laughing."* **[4:13] Following the Band and Memorable Performances** - **Photographing Pavement at Bimbo's 365 Club:**  - Tim recalls capturing the band during a show at **Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco**, adding to his collection of **Pavement fan experiences**.  - *"I have some great shots from there... there was definitely, you know, kind of a whole San Francisco vibe going on."* - **Tibetan Freedom Concert Adventure [7:11]:**  - Get the lowdown on Tim's experience at the massive **Tibetan Freedom Concert** in San Francisco, featuring a lineup that included **Sonic Youth** and cemented **Pavement's influence on indie rock**.  - *"There were, I think, like a hundred thousand people there... It was a total bottleneck of a festival."* **[9:05] Unforgettable Gigs and Onstage Antics** - **Mark Ibold's Onstage Incident:**  - Hear about bassist **Mark Ibold's** mysterious onstage moment in Pomona, one of the more intriguing **Pavement concert stories**.  - *"He couldn't play; he couldn't finish a song... the show ended shortly after that."* - **Bob Nastanovich's Live Performances:**  - Discussing **Bob Nastanovich's** energetic contributions during live shows, highlighting the band's dynamic stage presence. **[11:01] Accidental HBO Appearance** - **HBO Reverb Special Featuring Pavement:**  - Learn how Tim unknowingly became part of the **HBO Reverb Pavement** special during a gig at Cane's in San Diego, a unique highlight in his **Pavement concert memories**.  - *"We didn't even know that was happening... Spiral was like, 'Oh, they're doing some fucking HBO show.' He didn't seem happy about it."* **[12:20] Deep Dive into Track #12** - **Why Track #12 Matters in Pavement's Discography:**  - Tim breaks down why this song is in his personal top five, offering insightful **Pavement song analysis**.  - *"This song, you know, it's awesome. It's got rockets; it goes."* - **Personal Connection and Indie Music Nostalgia:**  - How the song's themes resonate with Tim's own travels and experiences across California, enhancing his **indie music nostalgia**.  - *"I know all the places it talks about... Hearing this the first times, we were just like, 'Who are these guys? What are they doing singing about our places?'"* - **The Quintessential Pavement Vibe:**  - Discussing how Pavement's songs often mean everything and nothing all at once, reflecting their unique place in **alternative rock**.  - *"It has kind of a theme but is totally non sequitur at the same time—it's right up my alley. It's cool."* **[18:49] The Pavement Ethos and Live Music Today** - **Stephen Malkmus and the Band's Stance on Fame:**  - Reflect on **Pavement's** unique approach to art over commercial success, and how **Stephen Malkmus** embodies this ethos.  - *"They lean more art rather than commercialized... They always look painfully uncomfortable."* - **Memorable 2010 Reunion and 2022 LA Show:**  - Tim and jD reminisce about the **Pavement 2010 reunion tour** and their first meeting at the epic **Pavement 2022 LA show**, standout events in the **Pavement fan community**.  - *"Everybody that was there really wanted to be there... It just checked all the boxes for me."* **[29:11] Support Live Music: An Impassioned Plea** - **Get Out and Go to Local Music Venues:**  - Tim urges listeners to support live music by attending shows at local venues and supporting **local music venues in Portland** and beyond.  - **Quote:** *"Go out, spend some money, and support the arts. When you go to a concert—even if you only stay for four songs—it has a positive impact on your body and your soul."* - **Local Venue Shoutouts in the Portland Music Scene:**  - Tim mentions his favorite spots in the **Portland music scene**: Turn Turn Turn, the Kenton Club, and the Fixin' To, encouraging listeners to experience the thriving local music scene. --- **Join the Conversation:** - **Twitter:** [@meetingmalkmus](https://twitter.com/meetingmalkmus) - **Facebook Group:** [facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus](https://facebook.com/groups/meetingmalkmus) - **Website:** [jd.meetingmalkmus.com](http://jd.meetingmalkmus.com) --- **Extra Nuggets:** - **Exclusive Live Recording:**  - Tim shares a rare live version of a song from Pavement's Toronto show. It's raw, it's real, and it's right here on the *Meeting Malkmus* podcast. - **Fun Fact:**  - Did you know jD used an abacus and a goat with an extra leg to tabulate your Top 20 ballots in the **Pavement Top 50 Countdown**? Don't ask. - **Akin to a Pavement Band Interview:**  - This episode feels like an intimate **Pavement band interview**, offering deep insights into the band's history and impact on **indie music**. - **Indie Music Podcast Community:**  - As part of the broader **indie music podcast** scene, *Meeting Malkmus* continues to bring you in-depth discussions and interviews with **Pavement superfans** and insiders. --- So grab your headphones, crank up the volume, and let's get amped together on this **indie rock** journey through Pavement's legacy. --- Transcript: [0:00] Previously on the Pavement Top 50: That's right, song number 13 on the countdown is "Shady Lane," J vs. S. Ralph from Lincolnshire, what is your initial thought about this song? "Well, it's an amazing song. It's an amazing song. I mean, I think it might be—maybe I'm putting it third on my ranking of 'Brighten the Corners.' And I would almost say, you know, 'Brighten the Corners' is my favorite Pavement, so it is super up there. It's brilliant." "Hey, this is Westy from the rock and roll band Pavement, and you're listening to The Countdown." [0:39] "Hey, it's JD here, back for another episode of our Top 50 Countdown for seminal indie rock band Pavement. Week over week, we're going to count down the 50 essential Pavement tracks that you selected with your very own top 20 ballots. I tabulated the results using an abacus and a goat with an extra leg—don't ask. How will your favorite song fare in the ranking? You'll need to tune in to find out, so there's that. "This week, we're joined by Pavement superfan Tim from Portland. Tim, how's it going, motherfucker?" "Hey, hey, hey, it's going, motherfucker. It's going great." "That was very Canadian of me, motherfucker. Let's get right to it; let's not mess around here, let's not dilly-dally. Talk to me about your Pavement origin story." "Who? I discovered them through—I believe through College Music Journal, which was a publication back in the '90s. It was kind of—" "I don't think so." "Okay. It was like a half-sized magazine, so I think it was an evolution from zines. I don't know. Anyways, I read a record review of 'Crooked Rain.'" [1:57] "And that's when I was introduced to them. So this was, you know, '94—summer of '94 probably—because I had just left uni and got a house with friends. And yeah, I ran down to Tower Records in San Diego and got the CD along with a few other ones. I would get this College Music Journal and read reviews and go buy albums; that was kind of my thing. So yeah, went down and got 'Crooked Rain' and have been cranking it ever since." "Yeah. So what was it like the first time you spun it?" "Oh man, I loved it. You know, I had just graduated from uni; I was an art and business major of all things, and I was into everything that wasn't normal—trying, anyways. And that's what Pavement was for me, you know? Right out of the gate, this album was different, and I applauded the—I don't know, there's this sense of, like Beavis and Butthead said, trying and not trying, and I love that about this. I recently heard Jack Black say—somebody asked him what kind of bands he's into, and he's like, 'I only want to listen to bands'—this is an old interview—but he said, 'I only want to listen to bands who kick ass, who fucking take names.' And I was like, oof, I wonder if Jack Black's a Pavement fan because they do—they do, but they don't. But I love that about them." [3:40] "That, to me, oozed alternative. So yeah. But I didn't see them play live for, oh, a year and a half later. I was just this morning looking up shows I went to." "Oh, really?" "Yeah. About half the shows I went to were before 2000 and half after. So the first time I saw them was in San Diego in '96 in January, and that was really fun. Just a quick story on that one." [4:13] "I went with a gang of friends, and they were playing at San Diego State University at this place called Montezuma Hall. I would say it holds like, I don't know, 500 people or something—not big. We were all pre-partying and talking about what we were going to wear; we decided to dress up. So everybody put on some sort of military garb—fatigues, whether pants or shirts or hats or what have you—which kind of looked like normal cool kid wear at the time. Then we go to the show, and Pavement walked out on stage, and they were in full military gear. Steve West had a safari hat with mosquito mesh draped over his shoulders, and he had his raccoon eyes—you know, paint around his eyes—and everybody was wearing military stuff, all the guys in the band." "Did you guys catch wind of that beforehand?" "No, it was totally coincidental. We all looked at each other because we knew they were dressed up—they went out of their way—and we all looked at them and then at each other and just started laughing. It was a comical moment, and that was such a good show. JD, kind of like our LA show in May of '22, that first show in January of '96 was fucking awesome. They went nuts. After their encore, Malkmus said something to the effect of—they came back out and he was like, 'San Diego, huh? San Diego's alright. You guys think San Diego's okay? Yeah, San Diego's alright.' And then he said something like, 'Let's fucking fuzz out San Diego.' And then they just went into their last three songs." "Wow." "And just destroyed them. They were so, so good. I kind of followed them a little bit after that. I saw them in San Francisco weeks later; it was so fun for me, I had to get more." "Were they playing 'Brighten' stuff at this point? Because 'Brighten' was going to come out next year. Was it pretty much all 'Wowee'?" "You know, I had a couple setlists pulled up. I have to go back and look. I'm not sure." "And my other question is, that San Diego show—was it opened by Silkworm?" "Yeah, that was the one. They came out with, I don't know, '30s or '40s-looking sailor suits." "What the hell?" "Like Navy sailor suits." "I guess San Diego, huh?" "They looked cute. At the time, we had an amazing army surplus store downtown, and I just figured these guys went and hit it up." [7:11] "That's awesome." "None of them seemed sober that night. They were going for it. I saw them play in San Francisco after that and actually photographed that show at Bimbo's 365. I have some great shots from there." "Is that a good venue?" "Yeah, it was cool. A cool bar-club, smallish—you know, medium-small size. There was definitely a whole San Francisco vibe going on. I brought some friends to that one from San Diego as well; instant fans. Then the Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco the next summer." "You saw that?" "Yeah." "That was kind of typical, you know, festival-type Pavement show." "Sure." "Quick and dirty. We were way in the back." [8:11] "Lots of people?" "Oh, hordes. I think there were like a hundred thousand people there or something." "Holy shit." "It was giant. We were kind of there for the whole experience—you know, Beastie Boys." "So they did a show in New York City and one in San Francisco?" "Yeah, June of '96." "How have we never talked about this before? I don't think we've ever talked about you going to Tibetan Freedom." "Yeah, it was amazing. I drove my truck and had like four people in the back of the camper shell. We just piled in, and it literally took us like five hours to drive two miles to get out of the city. It was a total bottleneck of a festival. That was one of my first festivals where I thought, 'You know, might not really need to go to festivals,' but I continued." [9:05] "The next time I saw them was the following year at this club called Soma in San Diego. That was a great show—small to medium-sized again. They didn't play in San Diego a whole heck of a lot. Then I saw them at the Glass House in Pomona, which is out in the desert east of LA. Ibold, at one point during the show, just kind of lost it—like his brain left his body." "Or he had a serious gear malfunction?" "Because he couldn't play, and the show kind of ended." "Yeah, he couldn't play, he couldn't finish a song—he just couldn't do it. The show ended shortly after that. I remember everybody on stage going, 'What's the deal? What's going on?' Malkmus or Ibold had some sort of breakdown or meltdown. Something happened. Stuff started kicking, I don't know." "A couple of years later, at Cane's in San Diego—Cane's was a bar where they filmed the HBO Reverb special." "Oh, really?" "Yeah, I went to that. We didn't even know that was happening. We just thought we were going to a Pavement gig." "Right." "Walked in—and I have so many stories about seeing these guys—walked in and Spiral was standing right there, just hanging out by himself. I said to him, 'What's going on tonight? What's up with all the cameras?' And he's like, 'Oh, they're doing some fucking HBO show.' He didn't seem happy about it, and that was kind of the vibe of the whole gig that night—they were punching the card, you know." "They're sort of shy that way, right?" "Yeah. I think—I don't know, man." [11:01] "They're a different band, right? They lean more art rather than commercialized." "Yeah." "And I think when you produce something that way, you obviously don't care if you're making Billboard Top 100. So if someone approaches you and they're like, 'Hey, I'm Mike Jones from HBO Reverb. We'd love to film you guys; you're hot right now,' what's your reaction if you're Pavement? You're like, 'Fuck. Okay, here's another drill we got to do and get over with,' you know?" "Yeah." "They always look painfully uncomfortable. Like that Jay Leno performance and even the one on—was it Conan when they did the 2010 reunion? Or maybe it was Jimmy Fallon, I'm not sure." "All I remember is the Leno one." "Yeah, that one's so awkward." "It's so good though." "That personifies them, you know." "They were a little more experienced by '99. By then they'd been playing a bit. Then I saw them at the Hollywood Bowl for the 2010 show with Sonic Youth." [12:20] "Amazing lineup." "Yeah. Both of those shows, in my opinion, were like, get it done. The highlight of all of it—I was hoping at one point either Malkmus coming out and playing with Sonic Youth or Thurston coming out and playing with Pavement." "Didn't happen though." "It seemed like such an opportunity." "Yeah. I was thinking, this might not happen ever again. These guys have to get on stage and play together." "Yes." "And they didn't. The highlight was at the Hollywood Bowl—there's this half wall around the orchestra pit, like out in the crowd, that separates the orchestra pit from box seats, which is kind of where we were. Bob paraded that catwalk—that half wall. He went back and forth—you probably could guess what song he was screaming a chorus to—but he was like, 'I'm trying' all the way across that thing. It's probably like 50 or 60 paces across; it's like a half-circle." "Oh, wow." "It was so fucking cool. Then at the end, even Malkmus was like, 'We're out of here. We're going to the Speedy Ortiz show,' or some shit like that. It was just lights out, you know." [13:41] "Damn." "But then it was a long, long time until I saw them at the Fonda with you, my friend." "Yeah." "That was our first meeting." "Yeah. My hair was too long for you." "Oh my gosh. I'm so glad you canceled your dreads appointment for the next day." "Yes. Well, I was going to ask you to just pour some Coke in my hair and roll them, but we didn't know each other that way." "Denny's at 3 a.m., or whenever we were there." "That's right. That was such a good show. That was so amazing. I know you've mentioned it, but man, that was such a good show. It just checked all the boxes for me. There was so much excitement, so much buzz in the air in that venue. Everybody that was there really wanted to be there. It felt like there weren't sort of pretentious Hollywood people just showing up because it's Pavement, you know." "Yeah. Well, except—maybe you caught a glimpse of this—except the short girl that got in the fight with the other gal there. We saw a chick fight at a Pavement gig in 2022. It was kind of weird. It was kind of awesome. I doubt either of those gals—or maybe one of them, maybe the taller one—is listening, but man, one of them got sent down, like down to the floor from our platform. That was amazing. When I saw that happen, I was like, 'Fuck yes.'" [15:25] "Because it just gave me reassurance that the vibe of Pavement—being all of these different things in indie alternative music, whatever—is still alive. To have something like that at a show. Way better than the 2010 reunion. That holds a special place in my heart because it was my first time seeing them. It was in Central Park; it was really cool. But seeing them with you that night was definitely the best show I've ever seen." "Yeah." "Yeah. Maybe of all the shows I've ever seen, not just Pavement—it was very good." "Yeah." "So anyways, we saw them in '22 a bunch, and I think I counted—from what I could remember—like 12 times I've seen them. So half before 2010, half after." "That's pretty cool." "Yeah. They've always been, you know, sure, superfan status. But more as time goes by, they're kind of a classic for me. If I want to put on something, I usually reach for an album—actual vinyl instead." "Which one is the one you go to? Do you have them all on vinyl?" [16:55] "No, I don't think so." "Okay." [17:00] "I go to 'Crooked Rain.'" "Oh, okay." "That's the one I was first introduced to." "Yeah." "You know, it checks the boxes for me. It's got a big start. It's got a great song number three." "Yeah. We love your number three." "I know. It's got a great midway point. It's got an instrumental—'5 + 4 = Unity,' or '5 - 4 = Unity.' And it's got a lot of staple items that make Pavement Pavement that you can pick out from the beginning to the end of their recordings. It has a little bit of 'Wowee' in it to me. It's a really good mix of who they are." "Yeah, if there was a Pavement Bingo card, you would definitely get a line." "Yeah." "Maybe even a full box." "Yeah, 'Hit the Plane Down'—you couldn't get more punky than that for Pavement." "Yeah." "You know, it's got a hit, 'Cut Your Hair.'" "Yeah." "It's got it all. 'Silence Kid.' When I first put this on, from song one, it became my go-to for when I kicked off things like road trips or moved into a new house. Anytime I've begun something monumental in my life, I would put this album on. It's such a good start. I clearly remember when I moved to LA, set up my stereo, and I put this album on." "Oh yeah." "It just gets me in a really fun, good mood. Creative, too." "Yeah, I like that with 'Pot Hot.'" [18:49] "It makes me fun and creative." "Me too. Well, what do you say we take a quick break and then come back and reveal track number 12? We are almost in the top 10, my friend." "All right." "We'll be right back." [19:04] "Hey, this is Bob Nastanovich from Pavement. Thanks for listening. And now, on with the countdown." "Twelve." [21:46] "All right. Track number 12 on the countdown. I couldn't imagine a better person to do this song, having spent some time in SoCal. It's 'Unfair'—the South taking what the North delivers." "That's right." "Were you delivering to the North?" "I mean, when I sucked and kissed, it's sour." "This song, you know, it's awesome. On the album, it could be a song three for me. It's got rockets; it goes. That's amazing. I'm so glad it's number 12. That's in the top 20, so it definitely should be. It's really high up there for me; it's probably in my top five." "Oh, wow." "So yeah, I'm happy. I've already answered my 'Is it properly ranked' question." "Oh yeah, big time." "I love this one. I mean, it really personifies Pavement—being from Stockton, Sacto area, all of that. This song is about the supposed battle between the North and South of California. I know all the places it talks about. I've been to Shasta many times. We had family living for many years in the Tahoe area; we know all these places. And I guess the jury's still out on where that North-South boundary line really is, because I think this song—" [23:27] "Malkmus likely wrote this song. I think he's just not having the South. He's really dissing it. There's a total vibe here of him just dissing the South." "So it's amazing." "Well, we've seen in his later life him moving to Portland, your hometown. He didn't move to LA. He didn't pack up and move to LA or Nashville, I suppose, would be the other big music place. But yeah, he went to Portland and went with that indie vibe rather than that corporate vibe. So I wonder if he gets that feeling or something." "Yeah, I don't know. It's good—you know, I went back, I was searching through some of those gigs I went to, and I believe it was the San Francisco show I saw in '96 that they closed with 'Unfair.' I'll have to go back and look at this." "Oh, wow." "Such a good song for a closer, leaving on high energy." [24:35] "And just when you think you've maxed out energy-wise, you get to that chorus—a sort of chorus." [24:47] "You know, 'the foothills of our mind,' and when he's just screaming, it goes into a second gear or a third gear and really picks up steam. It's so good." "Yeah, I used to put this on mixtapes." "Oh, you did? That's cool." "Yeah, like road trip mixtapes. It feels really road-trippy to me because he's name-checking all that geography." "Yeah, yeah. That last question in the song, 'To the last psychedelic band'—are they talking about themselves? Is that giving themselves kudos? I don't know. I would love to find that out. But yeah, this song really hits home for me. I drove California so many times; I know all these places. Hearing this the first times—even talking about Shasta early on in the song, verse two—I mean, at the time, my roommate was from Redding, which is adjacent to Mount Shasta. So we were just like, 'Who are these guys? What are they doing singing about our places?' Where are they from? Stockton, which is hilarious because he's like, in the song—" [26:16] "He says, 'This ain't no Bakersfield' or whatever the line is." "Yeah." "And Bakersfield really is not that much different from Stockton." "Oh, no?" "They're both armpit cities." "Oh, really?" "Just armpit cities, yeah." "Like industrial or something?" "Yeah, like farm—ag cities. They're just kind of wastelands." "Oh, wow." "But yeah, I dig this song, dude. It's something you can sing along to and scream along to. It's not a quiet song." "Great to drive to." "Yeah. I'm so glad it's number 12. I would rather have heard it was in the top 10, but I'll take it as number 12. That way, it's still more special for me because it didn't make it to the top 10." "Yeah." "And it would have been my drift. That's kind of like the Pavement thing—like, you don't know us, but you might know us, you know?" "Oh, you're a Pavement fan. Okay. Yeah, you seem like that. I've heard people say that before." "But great, you film hack. I don't need your fade. There are so many good lines in here. There's a theme, but it's kind of all over, which is what I love about these guys. Also, one thing that really vibed with me in the mid-early '90s with these guys is the lyrics not meaning shit a lot of the time, because everything we were listening to around then—there was so much cheese, bro, in rock and indie and alternative. So much music that I just had a hard time being a fan of. I'm not a big singer-songwriter guy. I like quite a bit, but it's not my favorite genre. So to get somebody putting a song together like this—it has kind of a theme but is totally non sequitur at the same time—it's right up my alley. It's cool." [28:27] "That is very cool. Well, thanks so much for coming out today and doing this. This has been great." "Yeah, JD. It's been great. Thanks for doing what you do because there's no one like you who could put this together. So we're all grateful." "Buddy, thanks so much." "Yeah, thank you." [28:48] "That's—I don't know what else to say. That's pretty fucking cool of you to say. Thanks." "From Portland." "And now I'm going to go back into game show host mode. Tim from Portland, do you have anything you would like to plug?" [29:11] "Yeah, I just want to tell everybody out there to get off your ass and go to a gig. Go to a show. Go to your local bar that has a stage. Go to your venue that holds less than 250 people." "Nice." "And support the arts, you know? When you go to these places—here in Portland, Oregon, I have three great places within three or four miles: Turn Turn Turn, the Kenton Club, which is just down the hill from me, and the Fixin' To in St. John's. These are all amazing places to experience live music. If you go in and you pay $10, you don't buy a drink—that $10 is generally going to the band." "Fucking right." "If you don't buy a drink or some food, the bar isn't making any money. Go out, spend some money, and support the arts. This is supporting the arts, and it's such an awesome thing to do. When you go to a concert—even if you hear a gig and only stay for four songs—it has a positive impact on your body and your soul. We walk away with heightened endorphins, and it feels good. You ever leave a show where you're just like, 'God damn, that was amazing. I feel so good. I wish I could do that all over again.' That's the chase, and that's supporting the arts. Everybody's got to keep getting out and doing that. I'm not talking about the mega stadium shows or the big festivals—if you can afford to go to that enormous dome, go for it. I'm talking about hitting up your local spots, your local venues. And if you don't have any, then find the amazing ones and do a road trip. Just get out and go to some shows. That's my plug." [30:50] "That's nice. I like from where you came. So there's that. Hey, it's JD here, checking in from the present. That's right—it's October the 4th today. That episode with Tim and I was recorded way back in February—the Ides of February, in fact. So, you know, as I'm editing this episode—and hey, listen, I don't do a whole lot of editing; I want this to be sort of authentic and real and, you know, all the rest of that shit. So, listening back, Tim's impassioned plea for live music made me think of some of the gigs that we've been to. Tim and I were talking; he's like, 'Hey, remember the Toronto show where they played "Unfair"?' And I was like, 'Fuck yeah, do I?' And he's like, 'I have a file.' And I was like, 'Ooh, send it my way, motherfucker.' Here it is. This is 'Unfair,' live from Toronto, on 'Meeting Malkmus,' a Pavement podcast." [34:47] "All right, man. Thanks, buddy. Well, thanks again. That's what I got for you. Wash your goddamn hands." [34:53] "Thanks for listening to 'Meeting Malkmus,' a Pavement podcast, where we count down the top 50 Pavement tracks as selected by you. If you've got questions or concerns, please shoot me an email: jd.meetingmalkmus at gmail.com." 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