Ep524: Population II - Randy Holden's Enduring Legacy
Guitar pioneer Randy Holden reveals how record label incompetence destroyed his 1970 masterpiece Population II, leading to depression, exile in Hawaii, and eventual vindication through cult status. Get Population II and III at Riding Easy Records or preorder Population II reissue at Noble Records online Topics Include: Randy Holden is surprised Population II remains influential after recording it in 1970 He knew it would be big—there was nothing like it musically then Population II was ready to release with Sun Amplifiers sponsoring monthly magazine ads National promoters wanted to book shows but needed the album released first Hobbit Records delayed release for eight or nine months, destroying Randy's career The label wouldn't release the record or let Randy out of his contract Owner Leonard Poncher's background was Latino music and auto parts wholesaling Randy was creating a new form of music that became known as heavy metal Poncher's lawsuit with MCA distribution completely tied up the album's release Recording Population II went smoothly with Randy overdubbing all bass parts himself He used four to eight amps recording through a Fender Jazz Bass Engineer Hank Cicalo placed three mics at different distances for guitar tone Randy pioneered mixing through car speakers instead of massive studio monitors His original mix had full dynamics with sweeping highs and lows Mastering engineers destroyed the mix, cutting frequencies to prevent needle skips Randy joined Blue Cheer replacing Dickie Peterson but left over musical differences Blue Cheer wanted shorter songs while Randy pursued extended musical compositions He formed Population II with Chris Lockheed on keyboards and organ bass pedals The name meant two people creating massive sound usually requiring four musicians Randy's guitar journey began with Fender IV, then Sons of Adam The Other Half featured Randy's early heavy guitar work before Blue Cheer He recorded Guitar God album in 1997 after decades away from music Nobody knows the original Population II pressing number Recent remasters by engineers in New York and Smokey Taylor improved the sound Randy's broken ring finger now prevents him from playing guitar properly He manipulated audiences' emotions playing solos through walls of amps for thousands Randy considers music like movies—"Land of the Sun" is theatrical drama Playing live was his reason for living, creating heavenly musical moments His legacy continues through reissues on Riding Easy Records reaching new generations Extended and High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
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Ep523: Celebrating John Prine w Jack Prine
Jack Prine shares intimate stories about his legendary father John Prine, discusses the new "You Got Gold" movie, the history and state of "Oh Boy Records" and reveals intentions for unreleased recordings from the family archives. Check out screenings of "You Got Gold - A Celebration of John Prine" here Topics Include: Jack Prine discusses "You Got Gold" film celebrating his father John Prine's legacy Film originated through family friend connection at Radical Media, directed by Michael John Warren Documentary captures 2022 Ryman concert series benefiting the Hello In There Foundation Foundation started after John's death in April 2020, helping family navigate grief Jack reflects on balancing family's personal grief with fans' collective loss Film features collaborators like Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams sharing stories and performances Many people know John Prine's songs without realizing he wrote them Movie bridges generations from Dwight Yoakam to Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell Tyler Childers shares quirky story about John keeping Dairy Queen coupon in wallet Jack's legal name is John Patrick Prine; uses Jack to separate identity Growing up in Nashville, didn't have special musicians' kids friend group Jack joined family business at Oh Boy Records after college, learning the ropes Worked in warehouse initially, understanding physical product and distribution fundamentals Oh Boy Records started in 1984 as fiercely independent label maintaining creative control Archives contain decades of unreleased recordings being carefully curated for future releases Lost Dogs deluxe edition recently released with unheard track "Hey, Aw, Nothing" John Prine disliked his debut album cover showing him on hay bale John was technologically simple, kept flip phone until he died, browsed cars on eBay 80th birthday celebration planned for October, possibly in Chicago rather than Nashville Jack's lessons from father: live in the moment and always give to others Extended and High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
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Ep522: The Soul Purpose of Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins shares tales of P-Funk, Praxis, Buckethead and community work, philanthropy and mental health advocacy. Bootsy online | Bootsy & Buckethead single | "Is there Anybody Out There" podcast Topics Include: Bootsy's philanthropy and community work Bootsy reveals music now has purpose beyond just making people feel good "If you ain't chasing something, there's no reason to hunt" - finding new motivation From chasing girls and highs on tour to discovering why he still makes music Always gave back to unknown musicians like Buckethead before they became famous Opens up about mental health struggles when he got "too blown up" New "Metal Health" album with Buckethead addresses mental health for everyone First Buckethead collaboration was 1991's "Bucketheadland" recorded in Cincinnati Praxis exploded when Bill Laswell joined Bootsy, Buckethead, Bernie Worrell, and Brain Complete Strangers caught King Records' attention, leading to James Brown discovering them James Brown demanded everything tight; George Clinton allowed creative freedom and experimentation Most P-Funk classics were created spontaneously "while the tape was running" Both Bootsy and Buckethead must wear their signature headgear while recording Eddie Hazel's solo album used Bootsy's instrumental tracks - George's "superhero" vision Reveals George Duke's "Reach For It" is the funk hit he wishes he was on High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
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Ep521: The Raymond Pettibon Interview
In an extraordinarily rare interview, artist Raymond Pettibon discusses his journey, from early punk rock works to present day artistic themes, technique and rhythms, the Getty archives and more. Topics Include: Raymond Pettibon has been drawing constantly since childhood, "always with a pen in hand" Started with crayons, pastels, pencil - India ink came later as too messy Early influences included Albrecht Dürer, etchings, and comic book art equally Self-taught artist who learned through trial and error, never attended art school Studied economics in college, bringing analytical thinking to his art practice Approaches work as fine art, not commercial art, values creative freedom Rarely takes commissions - the more constraints, the less he likes it Band artwork usually selected from existing drawings rather than commissioned pieces Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown" images came from his "Captive Chains" book Artwork inspired by "Blackboard Jungle" film - students destroying teacher's jazz records Has experience teaching, can identify with teacher-student conflicts from that period Left SST Records in 1985-86 due to oppressive environment Describes certain subjects he returns to repeatedly over the decades Works on multiple drawings simultaneously, some remaining unfinished for years Enters a meditative "fugue state" when drawing or writing Never experiences artist's block - blank paper doesn't intimidate him Believes he can write about any subject with natural fluency Doesn't plan series - they develop organically through returning to themes Sometimes works directly on gallery walls during exhibitions for coherence Used to work all day and night when deeply engaged Dislikes deadlines - they make work harder, not easier for him Sees deadlines as triggering psychological rebellion despite wanting to please collectors Hates when people suggest ideas - it "breaks the spell" Admits he's not the greatest draftsman but learned on the job Recently donated personal archive to Getty Research Institute for scholarly access Participated in Getty's research scholar program, one artist among academics Program reconnected him with economics after years away from the discipline Still has unfinished drawings in studio, some over 30 years old Currently creating less due to frustrations with art world dynamics Values complete artistic freedom - no curator has ever asked him to change High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Photo by John Newsom Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
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Ep520: Toody Cole - The Legacy of Dead Moon
Toody Cole of Dead Moon discusses their vinyl rarities, the DIY ethic of the band, owning a mono cutting lathe, refusing major labels, inspiring a generation of musicians around the world. DeadMoonUSA.com | Zipper LP Reissue | Melbourne 2025 shows Topics Include: Toody Cole rushing to airport to retrieve guitar from Spain before Australian tour November 2025 Melbourne shows - jumping on Jenny Don't and the Spurs tour dates First time in New Zealand described as most fun tour ever - prehistoric landscapes Missed Nirvana tour opportunity due to Fred's rule: never cancel committed gigs Fred restored a 1954 mono cutting lathe from pieces using xeroxed manual Machine had tubes like mason jars that dimmed house lights when powered up First 45 cut on the lathe was "Hey Joe" and "Parchment Farm" The Weeds played Vegas Teen Beat Club in the hullabaloo/shindig TV era Teen Beat Records pressing was probably only 300-500 copies maximum Fred never owned original Weeds single - got it back from younger sister Lollipop Shop nightmare: Fred sold publishing for $1, forced into pink sweater Manager claimed Fred Cole was stage name, real name "Freddy Colletti" - totally false Zipper lived in their house, practiced in basement - "70s butt rock" era Captain Whizeagle store name came from Fred's children's story about Snake Troopers 1970 Yukon homesteading attempt broke down outside Whitehorse, changed everything Dead Moon started after splitting business partnership, opening Tombstone Music in 1986 Kelly Manahan drew logo through dozen iterations - Fred kept demanding "gnarlier!" Fred hand-cut moon into graveyard photo for first album cover artwork All early Dead Moon records were mono because lathe couldn't cut stereo Major labels approached during grunge explosion - Fred refused after Lollipop Shop experience Seattle grunge bands were young kids attending Dead Moon's late-80s shows Fred embarrassed by "godfather of grunge" label despite obvious influence on scene Everything DIY: owned stores, cut masters, designed covers, kept all control Portland celebrates Dead Moon Night annually on October 5th with cover bands Fred handpicked songs for Echoes compilation - now 4LP vinyl box set 2017 final European tour with Fred already sick from bone cancer Fred passed November 2017 leaving unfinished songs Toody can only hear mentally House is unofficial Dead Moon museum: lathe, stampers, posters, worn cowboy boots New documentary coming with backstage footage showing band's view of audiences Toody's favorite Dead Moon song "My Escape" was never performed live High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide
About The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Nate is a record collector, music lover and vinyl maniac. Join him on his journey to discuss, share and review all things related to vinyl records. We feature stories about and interviews with musicians, artists and people of knowledge in the area of vinyl records. Additionally we share information on desirable pressings of records, how to tell a $5 pressing from a $500 pressing and care and maintenance for your cratedigging hobby. Subscribe and share with your record-nerd friends. Cheers!
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