The Leaving Trains at Maxwell's (01-31-1987)
Episode 45 highlights some of the very best selections from The McKenzie Tapes! Featuring tracks from Yung Wu, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Superchunk, The Leaving Trains, Dinosaur Jr., and more! The episode wraps up with a clip of a Howard Stern interview with Joey Ramone from 1985. Enjoy these two look-a-likes talk about groupies and other road stories!
Episode 44 features an all female song selection in honor of the recent International Women's Day and Women's History Month! Tom starts off the episode with a sneak preview of a very special McKenzie Tape - Maureen Tucker at Maxwell's on March 27, 1987. Plus some more of Tom's favorites including Courtney Barnett, Hey Anna, La Luz, Nadia Reid, Beaches, Lina Tullgren, and more!
Catch Tom at the Hi Hat on Saturday March, 10th!
I'm heading to Los Angeles via Phoenix, so Episode 43 highlights a few great shows in the LA area this weekend and also features songs by some of my favorite acts from the area. Hot jams from: Dent May, Jawbreaker, La Luz, No Vacation, The Gems, Guantanamo Baywatch, Prettiest Eyes, No Parents, Triptides, and the Beach Boys!
Jawbreaker begins a three night residency at the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday March 8th with support from Waxahatchee. San Francisco's No Vacation, who released the excellent "Intermission" last year, will be at the Hi Hat on Friday March 9th. Local act, The Gems, are featured on a bill at The Smell with a bunch of other LA rockers. You can catch Tom at The Hi Hat on March 10th, where he'll be enjoying Guantanamo Baywatch, Prettiest Eyes, and No Parents!
In Episode 42, Tom chatted with Dan and Joey of Montclair, New Jersey's Shred Flintstone! 2018 is shaping up to be a big year for this trio, as they're currently in the early stages of a southern U.S. tour that will take them all the way to SXSW! Listen in to hear all the details on thee group's dates at SXSW and their brand new album, which is slated for release this April. The Shred boys were nice enough to share an exclusive, never before heard track from this forthcoming release - "Scalps!" Plus, two of your favorite Shred Flintstone jams from their 2017 EP, "Cartoon Physics!"
Oh, and of course, Shred's picks! You're in for a treat, as drummer Joey selected a very intriguing MCKENZIE TAPE! Episode 42 contains a sneak peak of At The Drive-In's live performance at Bowery Ballroom on October 28, 2000. Savor this juicy track party people, as the rest won't be released until October 2018!
Thanks Shred Flintstone for stopping by!
This poster will be available at Monty Hall!
Episode 41 highlights an amazing week of shows in Jersey City. There's no reason to cross the Hudson River this weekend, as Screaming Females will be gracing the Monty Hall stage for the third consecutive year. This time around, they're playing three shows with support from some wonderful acts: Teenage Halloween, Snakeskin, and Spowder.
On Friday February 23, Twin Peaks top an incredible bill with support from The Districts and local favorites, Trü. Plus, everybody's favorite Bar None Records recording artist, Freedy Johnston, will be throwing down on Thursday February 22 at the Fox and The Crow in the Heights.
If you're inclined to travel out of JC, NJ based label Mint 400 Records is showcasing some of their best talent at Pianos on Saturday February 24th. Sink Tapes, who just released an excellent new record entitled "Secret Club," are sharing the stage with Cyclone Static, The Components, Tony Saxon, and SHRB. Remember Sports are also at the Silent Barn on Thursday February 22nd!
We're best friends!
In Episode 40, Tom chats with Anna (the Anna!), Erin, and Matt of New Jersey indie pop mainstays, Hey Anna! Boy, did these four have a blast talking about MUSIC!
Listen in to hear all about their brand new single "Garage Queen," which just became available on EVERY music platform you can imagine!! Plus, you'll learn all about the group's origins, sisterly songwriting, and a fun story behind one of my favorite Hey Anna songs, "Mt. Picchu." Of course (DUH!), Hey Anna has AMAZING taste in music, so you do not want to miss their picks from Tom's collection! The group just released brand new music video for "Garage Queen," which you can see by clicking below!
Click above to see the brand new video for "Garage Queen!"
You can get your own WAX copy of "Run Koko" via bandcamp (click above)!
If you appear on Look At My Records, you just may walk away with a complimentary box of JAM!
In Episode 39, Tom chats with Chris Gennone of C.R. & The Degenerates. The group just released their last album under the Degenerates moniker, "The World According To C.R," and boy is it a wonderful record that caps off a deep catalogue of alt-country goodness. Listen in to hear all about the project's origins, the next steps for Chris and his band mates, and of course, lots of excellent picks ranging from the Mekons to Freedy Johnson!
In Episode 38, Tom chatted with Lorenzo Gillis Cook of Petite League. Petite League is fresh off a big 2017, which saw the release of their second full length, "Rips One Into The Night." Listen in to hear their plans for 2018! Plus songs from Hypoluxo, Gingerlys, Fruit & Flowers, Long Neck, and Adult Mom. Oh, and Tom also fills you in on the archiving project he's been working on, "The McKenzie Tapes." He wraps up Episode 38 with two exclusive live tracks from Superchunk and Dinosaur Jr. from 20+ years ago!
Episode 37 features a wide-variety of genre bending jams from great bands playing in your hood this weekend! There's a wonderful five band bill going down at White Eagle Hall on Friday January 19th and Royal Trux will be performing at Market Hotel for two nights! Plus, the debut of Mike Tarovsky's new project, Edna. Glazer is looking through that oracle with the song "Making This Shithole A Shithome." They'll be playing New Brunswick on the 20th. Check 'em out!
Happy new year, everyone! In formulating a playlist for the first episode of 2018, I realized that I acquired several excellent cassette releases from local artists in the last year. So, I wanted to share with everyone some of my favorite tracks from these great releases. Featuring tracks from Patio, No Honeymoon, Holy Tunics, Parrot Dream, The Royal Arctic Institute, Sheen Marina, Journalism, Grim Streaker, and more!
Zach and Tom displaying their favorite records of 2017! Listen to the episode to uncover their #1s!
In Episode 35, Tom and Zach discuss in vivid detail their top five records of 2017. Which bands/artists made the final cut?? There's only one way to find out - listen to this episode!
Thanks to all the wonderful artists who made 2017 an extremely memorable year for music!
Tom and Zach enjoying Yo La Tengo this past August at Central Park!
Remember Zach Romano from Episode 15? Well, it's almost 20 episodes later and he's back to share his favorite records of 2017. That's not all, though! You'll also hear all about Tom's favorite records of 2017! Let me tell ya, 2017 was quite the year for music - with so many amazing releases, it was extremely difficulty to pick a top 10.
In Part 1, Tom and Zach will guide you through picks 10 through 6. Stayed tuned for Part 2, which will drop later in the week!
In Episode 33, Tom chats with Sarah, James, and Laurie of the London based trio, Fassine! The band is coming off an eventful 2017, as they recently appeared in the highly anticipated XTC documentary, "This Is Pop," and released a critically acclaimed new record entitled "Gourami." Listen in to hear about their latest record, their plans for 2018 (they're in the process of writing a complete different sounding record), and four live tracks recorded at Battery Studios. Like what you hear? You can get your hands on these live tracks FOR FREE by signing up for Fassine's mailing list at http://www.fassine.com. Get that VIP treatment!
We also touched on a variety of XTC related topics, including Fassine's stellar contribution to the documentary, XTC's influence on the band's ethos and sound, and the band's legacy in the states and the U.K. Although we spoke via Skype, an episode of Look At My Records would not be complete without some picks! So, each of us picked our personal favorite XTC song for you to enjoy. I threw in a Colin Moulding jam for good measure.
Oh and great news - "This Is Pop" will be airing on Showtime Networks on Thursday January 11, 2018! It'll be available on demand immediately thereafter. Mark your calendars!
Tom recently sat down with Cameron Carr of the Columbus, Ohio based band, Trying. Listen in to hear all about their origins in Ohio, touring experiences in rural Appalachia, and plans for their debut full length. Plus Cameron's eclectic picks! Tom threw in some Ohio based picks at the end for good measure.
Now based in Brooklyn, Trying is making their NYC debut this Sunday December 10th at Pianos. Don't miss them!
In Episode 31, Tom sits down with Monroe, NY indie rockers, The Racer, to talk about their string of luscious new singles. Listen in to hear two of their latest tracks, Apogee and Skeptic, plus lots of talk about their songwriting process, overall development as a group, and even a little bit of Linkin Park talk.
Plus their picks! Oh and my pick for feel good song of the century! If you know me well, you won't be shocked.
Episode 30 features a lovely and HILARIOUS conversation with the No Honeymoon. This Brooklyn based foursome recently dropped a brand spanking new EP entitled "It's Whatever," which is available via digital download and limited edition cassette on their bandcamp. IT'S SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES SO GRAB IT WHILE YOU CAN!
Listen in to hear their picks, some throat singing, and several hearty laughs. A big thank you to No Honeymoon for stopping by! You can check them out at St. Vitus and Bar Matchless in the super near future.
In Episode 29, Tom sits down with singer-songwriter Liv Lombardi as she celebrates the one month anniversary of her latest EP, Freedom Girl. Tune in to hear the eclectic back stories to all five songs on this excellent release. Plus, lots of music talk and Liv's picks!! You can catch her this Friday at Tierny's in Montclair and at the Secret Loft on Thursday November 30th!
In Episode 28, Tom sits down with Brooklyn-based dream pop band Parrot Dream! Hear members Kiki, Gonzalo, and Matt chat about their beginnings in Chile, songwriting process, and influences for their upcoming 2018 releases! Also, listen to Parrot Dream's picks from Savages, The Breeders, Alvvays, Hoops, The Raincoats and more! You can catch them at the Footlight on Saturday November 11th!
Episode 27 features some picks from one of Tom's recent crate digging excursions. Yeah, that's right - the surfy instrumental goodness of the Raybeats, plus some Paisley Underground jams from The Three O'Clock, and New Jersey favorites, The Silos.
Can you believe the Raincoats are in town? Ought also has two shows lined up, including in support of Waxahatchee at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City. In Episode 27, you can also hear additional hardcore excellent jams from L.A. Witch, Las Rosas, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Tall Juan, and the dynamic duo of Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile. Tickets are still available for their show at Loews Theater in Jersey City. I'm bringing my entire family - that's how great the show is gonna be! Don't miss out!
Episode 26 kicks off with an upbeat, jangly indie pop song of the Scottish persuasion from Close Lobsters. Plus our buddies from the great white north, Japandroids, are back in town with Cloud Nothings. Tom also serves up an XTC cover from the wonderful Fassine and some Shannon & The Clams to hold you over until they take over Monty Hall on Sunday October 29th! Tom rounds out the set with tracks from Parrot Dream, the Gories, and more. Listen up!