Bass legend Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, etc) reflects on Fripp, John Lennon, near-misses with Zappa, Pink Floyd, and life on the road. new Stick Men album "Let's Thrak Again" available here Topics Include: Scheduling chaos / Ron Carter Stickmen's "Let's Thrack Again" reworks a King Crimson rhythm concept Tony defines "thracking" — playing five against seven simultaneously Robert Fripp names complex King Crimson riffs with odd phrases Tony rarely forgets bass parts, even decades later Simple transitions, not hard parts, cause live disasters Upcoming Beat tour features Zappa alumni, except Tony Tony's first NYC band included ex-Mothers of Invention members Peter Gabriel froze onstage during a hostile Zappa co-bill Tony regrets missing a Herbie Hancock/Joni Mitchell session He also turned down touring with Pink Floyd David Gilmour flew in unannounced for a Les Paul tribute Radio Registry once dispatched interchangeable NYC session bassists fast Tony preferred live touring over endless studio session work He's a self-described "road dog" still touring at his age Off-stage, Tony writes memoirs, poetry, and takes photographs He owns many basses but doesn't consider himself a collector Discipline started as a side project before becoming King Crimson Tony chose the Chapman stick over bass in that first rehearsal Fripp lets players interpret parts; Gabriel invents wild new techniques Peter Gabriel suggested cymbals on fingers, inspiring "funk fingers" Tony isn't certain whether "Blood of Eden" used fretless bass He senses a song's emotion before lyrics are finished Tony learned King Crimson disbanded from a stranger at the opera He never actually felt Thrak function as a "double trio" No Australian dates planned yet, though he'd love to visit King Crimson's future depends entirely on Robert Fripp's instincts Aging has slowed his technical dexterity, but not memory He recalls John Lennon's advice: "don't play too many notes" 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

Chad Kassem of Analogue Productions, Acoustic Sounds, QPR breaks down vinyl's post-COVID boom and bust, the fragile global supply chain behind every record, and his new Vinyl Summit celebration. Extended version of interview at Patreon.com/VinylGuide Topics Include: Nate welcomes back Chad Kassem to discuss vinyl and Vinyl Summit Chad recalls moving to Kansas in 1984 as CDs launched He rebuilt his collection, going against the CD trend Vinyl grew slowly for decades before COVID hit Chad bought his pressing plant and presses starting 2010-2011 CD had a 30-year lifespan; Chad always believed vinyl would survive COVID caused explosive demand, "gasoline on fire" growth Overbuying during the boom led to storage and inventory problems Chad had to borrow millions for the first time post-COVID Uneven state shutdown rules gave some competitors unfair advantages Post-COVID growth normalized back to its long-term slow trend Chad discusses his own taste: blues, jazz, rock from the 50s-70s Younger collectors now chase 90s titles like Alice in Chains Collecting interest shifts as older genres' fans age out Comparison to toy collecting trends fading with generations Rising interest in audiophile pressings like UHQR and One-Steps Chad explains why quality mastering and pressing both matter equally Originals aren't always better than modern remasters, and vice versa Small improvements across many steps add up to great records UHQR picks focus on undisputed classic albums Chad genuinely loves Kind of Blue UHQR sold nearly 40,000 copies combined Debate over pressing records at 33 vs 45 RPM speeds Vinyl compound and material costs rising, but slower than expected SACDs, reel-to-reel, and cassettes seeing renewed collector interest Only one lacquer manufacturer remains, a major industry vulnerability Skilled cutter-head repair techs are extremely rare and aging Chad discusses fragile supply chain: lacquers, tape, cutter heads Vinyl Summit announced: October 15-18, Salina, Kansas, 40th anniversary Event replaces old Blues Masters concerts, adds vinyl-industry access Details shared: tickets, guests, and proximity to Austin Record Fair 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

The Damned's Captain Sensible talks vinyl rarities, back catalogue, scented records, chasing the "perfect album," and what may be their final Australia and New Zealand tour dates. Topics Include: Captain Sensible is a record nerd - Still plays childhood favorites: Groundhogs, Pretty Things, Moody Blues, loves Bee Gees' first album Grew up around his dad's pub singing, informally musical Paper round savings meant records played obsessively, analyzed deeply Cites Shane Fenton's "I'm a Moody Guy" as formative Joe Meek's Telstar and tiny Holloway Road studio praised Recalls magical Motown Hitsville USA studio tour in Detroit "Sonar Deceit" track was band's Motown tribute song Lyric inspired by marine biologist's whale-stranding sonar theory Describes uncanny ability to instantly recall and replay songs Hosted radio challenge replaying requested songs live for charity New Rose confirmed as first UK punk single release Stiff Records signed them with a bribe of cheeseburgers Beating the Sex Pistols to release still amuses him Sydney Opera House gig ironic given past band bannings Royal Albert Hall sent rejection letters into the 1980s Mentions unlikely celebrity fans, including Australia's prime minister Recalls Barney Bubbles' art department and album cover mishap First pressing's mismatched back cover became a collector's item Says he collects 60s psych, not punk records himself Discusses Brian James tribute covers album made after his death Five reunion shows almost didn't happen, no live release planned Loves live show chaos, unpredictability, and Rat Scabies' drumming Confirms no hidden unreleased Damned tracks remain in vaults Notes band rarely controls or profits from its own catalog Explains "Strawberries" album concept and its scented vinyl insert Describes love of vinyl artwork, liner notes, and physical ritual Talks pursuit of first editions and test pressings today Names rare Cowsills albums as his current collecting holy grail Tells story of Sid Barrett nearly producing their second album Recalls haunted, sleepless sessions recording Machine Gun Etiquette Reflects on creative bond and offstage humor with Dave Vanian Closes with tour dates, S.F. Sorrow recommendation, and one-step vinyl talk 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

Rhino Records co-founder Richard Foos reveals how a scrappy record shop invented reissue culture, chasing master tapes, getting arrested for selling bootleg records, memories of Frank Zappa, Darby Crash and more. Topics Include: Foos discusses being called originator of reissue culture, credits early employee's phrase. Started as a Los Angeles record shop in 1973. Recalls how scarce and cheap rare records were before collecting culture existed. Describes hunting records at warehouses, swap meets, and Salvation Army stores. Notes punk rock's DIY ethos sparked broader music fandom and collecting. Rhino's shop became a punk hangout; Darby Crash was banned for chaos. Explains how punk bands pressed 45s since albums were too costly. James Brown's out-of-print catalog became Rhino's breakthrough first major reissue. Details licensing process: major labels' passive licensing departments simply approved requests. Rhino insisted on original master tapes, never secondary sources or stampers. Engineer Bill Englott restored recordings purely, never altering original mixes. Some projects stalled without usable masters, like a punk box set. Nuggets compilation missed "96 Tears" for years due to licensing issues. Foos explains Rhino's sequencing philosophy: welcoming newcomers, not strict chronology. Doo-wop box set, initially unpopular internally, became Rhino's best-selling release. Discusses 20-25 year nostalgia cycles driving collectibility of past decades' music. Notes scarce 2000s vinyl pressings now make that era highly collectible. Rhino focused on best listening experience over rarities for rarity's sake. Foos recounts pre-Rhino bootlegging ties and friendship with bootleg artist Bill Stout. Reveals he was arrested for selling bootlegs during a warehouse sale. Discusses how record labels misunderstood fandom, limiting artist output and bootlegs. Reflects on vinyl's spiritual appeal despite many records never being played. Compares cassette-era scarcity to streaming's shifting availability of licensed content. Predicts streaming remains the future, praises YouTube's vast musical accessibility. Doubts catalog values will keep rising, questions which artists endure historically. Criticizes a post-Rhino "L.A. Nuggets" box set for prioritizing rarity over listenability. Recalls Kinky Friedman rejecting a hits compilation over disliking his originals. Explains publishing hurdles licensing music for Freaks and Geeks and WKRP DVDs. Describes working with Frank Zappa on Beat the Boots and elaborate packaging. Shares current work: Shout Factory, wife's Narrative Method, and a new podcast. 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

John McCrea of CAKE discusses their elusive catalogue on vinyl, rarities of the band, upcoming Australian tour, new recordings, record nerdery and more. Tickets & info on CAKE's Australian tour is here Topics Include: John McCrae discusses collecting records, revisiting old favorites like Perez Prado He describes "chasing goosebumps" — the feeling of rediscovering great music Shares vivid teenage memory seeing Led Zeppelin at Knebworth, England Recalls dancing to washing machine rinse cycles as a toddler Names early formative records: Beatles, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie His parents played accordion and folk guitar, shaping his musicality Discusses his dad's Eastern European minor-key accordion versus polka music Talks about "Rancho Seco," his first recorded song, a protest track Song addressed a nuclear plant illegally releasing radioactive steam locally Connects Dylan influence and poets to his built-in social justice streak Reflects on growing up near Sacramento, Berkeley, and Nevada City, California Compares old Bay Area culture to today's flashier Silicon Valley wealth Describes Cake's early '90s formation, self-financed four-song EP release EP funded through show earnings and merch, later expanded into album Album got European distribution and unexpected early popularity in France "Rock and Roll Lifestyle" got college radio play before wider fame Cake signed to Capricorn Records, a small Southern rock label East Bay Ray advised McCrea to fight for keeping album masters McCrae says most bands don't retain their masters like Cake did Vinyl of Cake albums historically hard to find, tied up licensing Discusses 2014 box set now reselling for $700–$1,000 secondhand New Cake album is finished, awaiting mixing, targeted early 2027 Explains he avoids forced album themes, focuses song by song Reflects on why Cake albums come infrequently, citing family, industry fatigue Criticizes modern music industry as increasingly exploitative and financially unsustainable Explains reduced touring due to travel dislike and environmental concerns Considers eco-friendly vinyl options and shifting kids' preference toward CDs Discusses Cake's DIY visual identity, homemade posters, and lino-cut aesthetic Talks rare live vinyl pressings, including $300 Crystal Palace release Wraps up promoting Cake's Australian tour dates and Sydney ticket sales 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

Neurosis's Steve Von Till reveals how the band secretly rebuilt itself, creating a career-defining album and making future plans for the Neurosis victory-lap that few thought possible. Topics Include: The Secret recording of An Undying Love for a Burning World Neurosis walked away seven years ago under uncertain circumstances Four remaining members reunited quietly at end of 2024 Aaron Turner brought in to help complete the musical puzzle Reunion tied to Firekeeper Alliance, a suicide-prevention nonprofit Heavy music framed as protective factor for indigenous mental health Steve reflects on tribal rhythms and humanity's forgotten earth connection Band knew instantly the new material had to be Neurosis Reunion forced confrontation with ego, identity, and aging as musicians Firekeeper Alliance's Fire in the Mountains offer pushed them forward Album written and recorded in secret across three studio sessions Secrecy maintained even among close friends touring together in Australia Fan reaction described as unexpectedly emotional, healing, and hope-filled Steve discusses reduced stigma around vulnerability in heavy music today Vinyl pressing strategy explained: budget-driven first run, quick sellout Running Neurot Recordings on a teacher's salary, tight cash flow Multiple color variants pressed across regional distributors and mail orders Debate over black vs. clear vinyl sound quality explored Steve's approach to buying vinyl: music over pressing obsession Talk turns to Melvins, Hazel Meyer, and DIY label camaraderie Where the line sits between fan service and variant exploitation Vinyl side-length considerations shaped decision to make a double LP Aaron Turner's artwork process detailed, sketched live in the studio Album title changed at the last minute, forcing new artwork Neurosis' visual style rooted in myth, symbolism, and Jungian archetypes Older catalog rights partly held by Relapse and other labels Steve wants a "forever version" repress of the band's earliest albums Original master tapes and artwork found corrupted or lost to time Talk closes on solo tour plans and hopes for Australia 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

Comedian Shapel Lacey discusses the power of music, inspiration and how a 1981 Black Flag video sparked a lifelong punk obsession that shaped his identity, art, and resilience. Shapel Lacey tour dates  |  comedy special  |  Mad Peaceful band Topics Include: Talks local record stores, Amoeba, old Sunset location Discovers deep-cut Swedish hardcore at Eastside Records, Arizona Reflects on pre-streaming era, hunting records in person Notices rosary on Crash's grave, debates his beliefs Traces punk discovery to junior high guitar class Friend introduces him to ska punk, then Black Flag Watches 1981 Target video of Rollins-era Black Flag Rise Above vocals trigger emotional, tearful revelation Explains Black Flag filled a void from turbulent childhood Contrasts Korn/Deftones' anger with punk's empowering message Credits Rollins with teaching self-understanding and personal growth Recalls performing onstage with Rollins at Ohio festival Anger management counselor used Rollins to redirect his aggression Growing up Black, punk, skateboarding in Arizona desert Faced criticism from all sides for musical taste Explored funk, hip-hop, grunge without genre boundaries Connects N.W.A. and Black Flag's shared themes of injustice Discusses punk and hip-hop confronting police brutality parallels Champions open-mindedness across seemingly opposite music scenes Describes local DIY scene at Mesa's Nile basement Panhandled for five dollars to attend all-ages shows Cheerleading came after punk, called "most punk rock" act Discusses tattoos, straight-edge culture, Minor Threat connection Shares personal encounters meeting Henry Rollins and Ian MacKaye Praises Rollins and MacKaye's discipline, historical knowledge, friendship Draws parallels between punk and comedy's DIY authenticity Talks band Mad Peaceful, growing sold-out comedy success Discusses Australia tour interest, interview wrap up 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

Blues legend Taj Mahal shares rare stories about Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and the unreleased Bill Withers song that shaped his stunning new record. Topics Include: Taj Mahal discusses his new album, Time, and its origins Reveals his decades-long friendship and mutual respect with Bill Withers Explains how Bill Withers heard and loved this unreleased demo Bill Withers' wife gave final approval before the song's release Withers walked away from music rather than change his sound Why the industry pushed Withers to sound more commercial Taj shares why vinyl beats digital for capturing real sound Breaks down the "bell curve" problem with digital audio quality Approaches albums as full journeys, not three-minute singles Reveals how effortlessly he sequences songs like a live set Traces his musical roots to a tight-knit 1940s community Recalls learning piano, clarinet, trombone before finding the guitar Explains how guitar evolved from rhythm to lead instrument Names the blues legends who shaped his earliest influences Credits Ray Charles as one of his deepest musical influences Shares rare stories of jamming with Jimi Hendrix live Discusses bootlegs, tape trading, and the ethics of live recordings Compares the Grateful Dead's bootleg policy to other artists Tells the wild story of Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus Recalls dancing Stones and Clapton watching him at the Whisky Explains how British rockers reintroduced blues to American audiences Describes his first-class trip to London and Stones' hospitality Reveals why Labor of Love was released only on vinyl Shares the surprising stat: vinyl never drops below 6% globally Talks new tour dates and hopes to return to Australia Photo by Mike Coeyman 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

Everlast traces his journey from Rhyme Syndicate graffiti kid to House of Pain to solo artist, revealing how Jump Around's success gave him the freedom to never chase a hit again. New LP "Embers to Ashes" available here Topics Include: Everlast's new album Embers to Ashes drops August 28th with vinyl available He collects art and guitars, not records — leaves vinyl to the DJs His guitar collection spans vintage Fender Strats, Gretsch Falcons, and Martin acoustics Grew up immersed in graffiti culture, his kids are graffiti artists too His house is essentially a private gallery of graffiti and street art Music was always on — mom loved R&B and doo-wop, dad loved Southern rock His dad had a guitar; Everlast taught himself basic chords by watching TV Hip hop took over at 15, but guitar quietly stayed in his life He plays guitar like a drummer — rhythm-first, not melody-first The breakthrough came post-House of Pain: suddenly he could play and sing simultaneously Whitey Ford Sings the Blues was conceived as hip hop — "What It's Like" changed everything Jump Around's success gave him the financial freedom to never chase it again He and Muggs deliberately made each subsequent record darker and more distant from it Soul Assassins kept management out of sessions — artistic control was non-negotiable His first ever rhyme came from tagging alongside Divine Styler and the Rhyme Syndicate crew Danny Boy introduced him to punk — Bad Brains and the LA hardcore scene His debut solo record split between pure artistic vision and label-pleasing compromises Tommy Boy won his loyalty over bigger-money offers purely on cultural credibility Just Another Victim with Helmet emerged organically on the Judgment Night soundtrack Lethal sampled and slowed Helmet's track, then sandwiched both versions together After eight-plus years away, Yellow Wolf simply asked "why don't you make a record?" COVID, divorce, and losing his house shaped the emotional landscape of the new album Yellow Wolf pushed him to fully sing — his strongest vocal performance on record A near-miss connection to the Bataclan attack was redirected by a last-minute camera detour He's got shows booked and eyes a final solo acoustic tour as his ultimate bookend 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

Peter Hook reflects on 50 years of music, the emotional weight of performing Joy Division and New Order live, and the many memories and ghosts of his past. Tickets for Peter Hook & The Light, Australia 2026 Topics Include: New Order toured Australia as early as 1982, helped by Factory Australasia's local support. Hooky calls Australia the only place he never wants to leave — he still suffers leaving every time. Peter Hook and the Light played their seventh-ever gig in Melbourne on their first Australian tour. He is now working through every New Order and Joy Division album ever recorded live. Get Ready features songs never played live as New Order, with Steve Morris largely absent during recording. The band's Grammy came from Orgy's heavy metal cover of Blue Monday — Hook loves the weird covers most. He revealed a plan to stage a full New Order classical concert, eyeing the Sydney Opera House. Ian Curtis performed with absolute conviction every single night — something Bernard Sumner couldn't match early on. Hook recalls first seeing Ian smash up a venue at 2:30am, dancing through broken tables — terrifying and electrifying. That chaotic Stiff/Chiswick talent show led directly to Rob Gretton becoming Joy Division's manager. Ian's lyrics, Hook says, are heartbreaking up close — Love Will Tear Us Apart masks devastating words in euphoric music. Singing Ian's words himself has given Hook a profound new insight into what Curtis was actually expressing. Tony Wilson signed them with a handshake — no contracts — while other labels arrived with thick legal documents. Bernard Sumner found the Unknown Pleasures pulsar image in a textbook; nobody planned the iconic sleeve. Hooky was actually sued for bootlegging the Unknown Pleasures artwork — which Factory themselves had originally stolen. Ian Curtis reportedly wrote a letter complaining about how Closer sounded — a detail Hook only learned years later. During Closer sessions, Curtis was being torn apart: marriage collapsing, new love, epilepsy worsening, the band pushing forward. Hook deeply regrets not seeing Ian before his cremation — but a gravedigger privately told him where Curtis is actually buried. The inquest into Ian's death so disgusted the band they decided on the spot to continue as New Order. Joy Division was deliberately boxed away for 30 years; Bernard called playing those songs "miserable" and refused to continue. Bobby Gillespie suggested the album playback concept so Hook could faithfully recreate Martin Hannett's studio sound live. Watching his son learn Joy Division bass lines at the same age Hook was then felt like staring into the past. Performing these songs, Hook says he is "living surrounded by ghosts" of collaborators now gone. The K-93 sessions saw Killing Joke's Geordie Walker move into Hook's Manchester home for six weeks, causing complete chaos. Those lost K-93 tapes mysteriously surfaced after the label went bankrupt — and Jaz Coleman promptly went silent again. 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