Completely Conspicuous 569: Smash Your Head on the Post-Punk

Part 3 of my in-person conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss our favorite music of 2021 so far. Listen to the episode below or download directly (right click and "save as").

Show notes:

- Recorded at CompCon World HQ

- Still with the fan noise

- Kumar's #7: Sleaford Mods with perennially pissed off minimalist post-punk

- Breitling's #6: Multi-instrumentalist Colleen with hypnotic ambient album

- Kumar's #6: More IDLES-y post-punk from across the pond with TV Priest

- Breitling's #4: More Slumberland bedroom pop goodness from the Reds, Pinks and Purples

- Kumar's #5: St. Vincent goes for a late '70s Bowie vibe

- Kumar's #4: Jeff Rosenstock revisits his ska-punk roots with a remake of his 2020 album No Dream

- Breitling's #3: Blue Ocean with release combining two EPs of shoegaze

- Kumar's #3: Excellent guitar-heavy ripper from Juliana Hatfield

- Breitling's #2: Pardoner with a hot rock release reminiscent of Pavement and Parquet Courts

- Kumar's #1 and Breitling's #5: Kiwi Jr.'s second release of sardonic slacker rock

- Breitling's #1 and Kumar's #2: Dinosaur Jr. with a great collection of songs

- Let's go see rock shows!

Completely Conspicuous is available through the Apple Podcasts directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 289: We Want the Airwaves

Part 1 of my conversation with guest Amanda Guest as we discuss the new online radio station she's launching. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded via Skype
- Amanda was last on CompCon in October 2010
- Moved to San Francisco a year ago
- Launching her own radio station, BFF.fm
- Did a radio show at WMWM at Salem State
- Found studio space to rent at The Secret Alley
- Adventures in Console Purchasing
- Have 4-5 DJs lined up to do shows
- Possible launch date is Sept. 1, but you can listen to music there now
- Best Frequencies Forever
- Using word of mouth
- Partnering with San Francisco venues and brands
- Possible remote broadcasts with DJs from around the world
- Focused on underground music
- DJs "pay to play" in SF
- Hoping to get sponsorships
- Still working full-time while getting BFF going
- Lifelong dream to start a radio station
- SF is a lot more optimistic
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Hate the Taste (live)
Quicksand - Fazer (live)
Rocket from the Crypt - Born in '69 (live)
Dinosaur Jr. - The Only Other Way

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Quicksand and Rocket from the Crypt songs are on the Converse Represent San Francisco live EP, available for free at Soundcloud.
The Dinosaur Jr. song is an unreleased track available for free download at SkullCandy.
 
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 274: Business as Usual

Part 1 of my conversation with guest James Gralian about the post-lockout NHL. Listen to the episode below or download directly (right click and "save as").


Show notes:
- Recorded last weekend via Skype
- Last spoke in October before NHL lockout began
- Season relaunched in mid-January and is wrapping up in next few weeks
- Definitely some bitterness when the NHL came back
- James' many online efforts include The Avs Hockey Podcast and Jerseys and Hockey Love
- JG: Playing hockey has deepened my appreciation for the sport
- NHL teams sign plenty of undrafted college players
- Georges Vezina was known as the Chicoutimi Cucumber
- Jack Falla wrote some great hockey books
- JK: I was mad at both sides after the lockout
- Ended up getting satellite package and following the Leafs anyway
- Greed is a given in pro sports
- The Leafs fired their GM right before season started
- Now they're on the verge of making playoffs for first time in 9 years
- JK remembers the Leafs' 1993 playoff run
- JK: Not a fan of the shootout
- Rough year for James' favorite team, Colorado
- JG: The Avs need to clean house
- To be continued
- Bonehead of the Week


Music:
Beck - Halo of Gold
Buffalo Tom - Mineral
Dinosaur Jr. - Freak Scene
Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus Forever

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Beck song is the B-side to the single "Tropicalia" from the album Mutations. Download the song for free at Epitonic.
The Buffalo Tom song is on the album Let Me Come Over on Beggars Banquet. Download the song for free at Epitonic.
The Dinosaur Jr. song is on the album Bug on SST. Download the song for free at Epitonic.
The Titus Andronicus song is on the album The Monitor on XL Recordings. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. 

Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian; check out his blog PodGeek.

Completely Conspicuous 271: The Best of the Rest

Part 3 of my conversation with guest Brian Salvatore as we wrap up the CompCon Awards. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").

Show notes:
- Recorded via Skype
- Worst Album by Best Band
- Mid-'90s Van Halen was really bad
- George Harrison had some questionable releases in early '80s
- The Clash's Cut the Crap was like a parody of the band
- Best Album by Worst Band
- The Strokes: One-hit-album wonder?
- Jay: Give the band Live credit for somehow having a career
- Best Non-Guitar Solo
- Jay: Looked at instruments other than drums
- Plenty of great bass solos over the years
- Best Live Album
- Stones played faster on Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out
- J. Geils Band were an amazing live act
- Sore Thumb Award for song that doesn't fit on album it's on
- What's the deal with skits on hip-hop albums?
- Best Moustache in Rock
- Jeff "Skunk" Baxter had a classic 'stache
- Zappa was defined by his 'stache
- Bonehead of the Week

Music:
Magnolia Electric Co. - The Dark Don't Hide It
Dinosaur Jr. - Entertainment
Kurt Vile - Never Run Away
Dump - Superpowerless
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The Magnolia Electric Co. song is on the album What Comes After the Blues on Secretly Canadian. Download it for free at Chromewaves.
The Dinosaur Jr. song is a cover of a Phoenix track and is available for free download at Chromewaves.
The Kurt Vile song is on the album Walkin' on a Pretty Daze on Matador Records. Download the song for free at Matador.
The Dump song is on reissue of the album Superpowerless on Morr Music. Download the song for free at Chromewaves.
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.

Completely Conspicuous 237: The Midyear Rock Report, Part 2

Part 2 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling as we discuss our favorite music of the first half of 2012. Listen to the episode below or download it directly.

Show notes:
- Recorded at Clicky Clicky World HQ
- Kumar: New Van Halen album much better than expected
- Breitling: Future Carnivores brings a new wave sound
- Breitling enjoys the Eddie Money jams
- Forced to listen to Starship
- Kumar: Check out the book I Want My MTV
- Kumar: Lanegan goes way beyond straightahead rock
- Breitling: Ride tribute comp features Boston acts
- Get Geddy Lee on the show
- Kumar: Digging the new Rush album
- New Metric album is strong
- Heavy Blanket features Mascis with guitar instrumentals
- Ty Segall was not in Under Siege 2
- Breitling: Looking forward to new release from Everyone Everywhere
- Breitling: New band called Dikembe (no relation to Mutombo) recalls mid-90s emo
- New Dino Jr. due out in the fall
- Kumar: Need to check out new Future of the Left, Henry Clay People
- Kumar's "skeptible" of Spin's Twitter reviews
- Bonehead of the Week

Music:
Future Carnivores - Drugs (demo)
Mark Lanegan Band - The Gravedigger's Song
Soccer Mom - Dreams Burn Down
Dinosaur Jr. - Watch the Corners

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The Future Carnivores song is a demo from the band's forthcoming second album. Download the song for free from ClickyClickyMusic.com.
The Mark Lanegan Band song is on the album Blues Funeral on 4AD. Download the song for free (in exchange for your email address) at MarkLanegan.com.
The Soccer Mom song is on the compilation NOFUCKINGWHERE. Download the song for free at ClickyClickyMusic.com.
The Dinosaur Jr. song is from the forthcoming album I Bet on Sky on Jagjaguwar Records. Download the song for free at Epitonic.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian; check out his site PodGeek.

Completely Conspicuous 215: Could This Be Magic?

Part 2 of my conversation with special guest Brian Salvatore as we discuss the new Van Halen album. Listen to the episode below or download it directly (right click and "save as").



Show notes:

- Recorded via Skype

- Jay: An impressive outing for a band at this stage

- Not many bands have taken such a long break and returned strong

- Mission of Burma and the Feelies are better than ever

- Where does this rank in VH pantheon?

- Jay: Ranks 7th after first six DLR albums, ahead of Hagar

- Brian: Michael Anthony's harmonies are missed

- Brian: VH should do a tour with Dave and Sammy

- What would you pay $90 to see live?

- Brian: McCartney's current band is excellent

- Arena shows are quickly getting priced out of reach of much of public

- Brian: Bob Mould noted particularly egregious lyrics on new VH single

- Brian: Aerosmith is long overdue for a good album

- Jay: Last good Aerosmith album was more than 20 years ago

- Good run of Aerosmith albums in the '70s

- Steven Tyler has become the dude who looks like a lady

- Brian: This VH album could've been much worse

- The sad story of Jason Becker, DLR's guitarist in early '90s

- Jay: Couldn't have expected the new VH to be any better

- Brian: Interested to hear the follow-up

- Bonehead of the Week

Music:
The Hounds Below - For You and I

Dinosaur Jr. - No Bones (live)

Black Mountain - Mary Lou

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Hounds Below song is on the band's as-yet untitled debut album. Download the song for free at Consequence of Sound.

The Dinosaur Jr. song is on the DVD Bug Live at 9:30 Club: In the Hands of Fans. Download the song for free at DinosaurJr.com.

The Black Mountain song is on the soundtrack to the movie Year Zero. Download the song for free at Stereogum.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blogs Clicky Clicky and Keeping Some Dark Secrets. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian; check out his site PodGeek.

Completely Conspicuous 107: That's a Wrap

The podcast's back for the last show of the year, and the decade, with special guest Matt Phillion. We conclude our look at our favorite movies of the decade. Click here to listen to the show in streaming audio or download it directly here (right click and "save as").

The show notes...

Topics:

- We both loved Iron Man

- Robert Downey Jr. IS Tony Stark

- Geeking out on comics

- Shaun of the Dead elevated zombie movie genre

- Appreciating Danny Boyle

- LOTR trilogy: Making the "unmakeable" movies

- Matt praises the Pirates of the Caribbean movies

- Hey Hollywood, leave Matt's childhood alone

- Critically acclaimed movie Matt hated: The Royal Tenenbaums

- Critically acclaimed movie Jay hated: Crash

- Matt's pick for best movie nobody saw: Brotherhood of the Wolf

- Jay's pick for best movie nobody saw: In Bruges

- Joseph Gordon Levitt has done good work in recent years

- Jay's actor of the decade: Clooney

- Matt's actor of the decade: Downey, Jr.

- Actress of the decade: Blanchett or Winslet?

- Director of decade: Coen Bros.

- Bonehead of the Week

Music:

- The Sons of Hercules - Numb

- White Rabbits - Percussion Gun

- Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945

- Dinosaur Jr. - Forget the Swan

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The White Rabbits song is on the album It's Frightening on TBD Records. Download the song for free at Insound.

The Neutral Milk Hotel song is on the album In the Aeroplane, Over the Sea on Merge Records, where you can download the song for free.

The Dinosaur Jr. song is on the album Dinosaur on Merge Records, where you can download the song for free.

The Sons of Hercules song is on the album A Different Kind of Ugly on Saustex Media. The song is courtesy of IODA Promonet:

The Sons Of Hercules
"Numb" (mp3)
from "A Different Kind of Ugly"
(Saustex Media)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album



The show is sponsored by Budget, the country's premier car rental service. Use my special code at Budget.com and save 10% off any reservation or $30 off a weekly rental.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blogs Clicky Clicky and Keeping Some Dark Secrets. Additional music used in the show is by Me and Boris the Bull, which is the brainchild of the mighty Mark Campbell. Thanks to Bob Durling for the album art; find out more about his photography here.

Completely Conspicuous is a Tan God Production. Word.

Completely Conspicuous 99: The Decade in Rock, Part 4

The podcast's back with the conclusion of my review of the decade in rock with special guest Jay Breitling. Click here to listen to the show in streaming audio or download it directly here (right click and "save as").

The show notes...

Topics:
- Breitling's 2007 picks: Dinosaur Jr., Meneguar, Assembly Now, Answering Machine, Radiohead, Spoon, Dntel, Ringo Deathstarr, Johnny Foreigner
- Kumar's 2007 picks: Grinderman, Black Francis, Andrew Bird, Okkervil River, LCD Soundsystem, MIA
- Breitling's 2008 picks: A Weather, The Notwist, Johnny Foreigner, Dinosaur Pile Up, Swimmers, War on Drugs, Destroyer
- Kumar's 2008 picks: Gutter Twins, King Khan and the Shrines, Hold Steady, Ladyhawk, Black Mountain
- Chloe and Amy B. make guest appearances
- 2008: Videogames became a viable way to sell music
- Big box exclusives: AC/DC, Eagles, Pearl Jam, GNR
- Chinese Democracy bombs big time
- Autotune becomes ubiquitous
- Breitling's 2009 picks: Dananananaykroyd, Project AKO, Morrissey, Calories, Fleeting Joys, Johnny Foreigner, Beatings
- Chloe interjects
- Kumar's 2009 picks: Gaslight Anthem, Jay Reatard, Jarvis Cocker, Japandroids, Art Brut
- Death of Michael Jackson should lead to endless albums
- Death of the album
- Bonehead of the Week

Music:
- Dinosaur Jr. - Almost Ready
- Destroyer - Dark Leaves Form a Thread
- Johnny Foreigner - Feels Like Summer

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Dinosaur Jr. song is on the 2007 album Beyond on Fat Possum Records, where you can download the track.

The Destroyer song is on the 2008 album on Merge Records, where you can download the track.
The Johnny Foreigner song is on their 2009 album Grace and the Bigger Picture on Best Before Records. The song is courtesy of RCRDLBL, where you can download the song.

The show is sponsored by Budget, the country's premier car rental service. Go to Budget and save 10% off any reservation or $30 off a weekly rental. Help out the show by patronizing my sponsors.

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blogs Clicky Clicky and Keeping Some Dark Secrets. Additional music used in the show is by Me and Boris the Bull, which is the brainchild of the mighty Mark Campbell. Thanks to Bob Durling for the album art; find out more about his photography here.

Completely Conspicuous is a Tan God Production. Word.

Completely Conspicuous Episode 78: The Sporting Life

Here's part 1 of my conversation with Phil Stacey, sports editor of the Salem News. We discuss the Boston sports scene and the evolution of sports reporting. Listen to the show in streaming audio here or download it directly here (right click and "save as").

The show notes...

Topics:
- The Boston sports scene
- A generational shift from depression to cockiness
- Local sports coverage
- Giving readers what they can't find elsewhere
- Going beyond the game story
- Pinhead of the Week

Music:
- Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You to Know
- Great Northern - Story
- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Everything With You

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The Dinosaur Jr. song is on the forthcoming album Farm on Jagjaguwar Records, where you can find out more and download the song.

The Great Northern song is on the album Remind Me Where the Light Is on Eenie Meenie Records. The song from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart is on their self-titled album on Slumberland Records. Both songs are courtesy of IODA Promonet:

Great Northern
"Story" (mp3)
from "Remind Me Where The Light Is"
(Eenie Meenie Records)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album



The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
"Everything With You" (mp3)
from "The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart"
(Slumberland)

Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album



The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine blogs Clicky Clicky and Keeping Some Dark Secrets. Additional music used in the show is by Me and Boris the Bull, which is the brainchild of the mighty Mark Campbell.

Completely Conspicuous is a Tan God Production. Word.