Mint Records fans were thrilled to tune into the Netflix and CW TV show Riverdale and spot a Tough Age poster above the bed of main character Archie Andrews. Vancouver's favorite indie pop band was now a part of that show's world of sex, murder and intrigue.
Although Tough Age started as a Vancouver band, the band recently reformed back east when founding members Jarrett and Penny moved to Toronto, adding old friend Jesse on drums. I hung out with the band in the van right before the last show of a west coast tour in their old hometown Vancouver.
What's it like to get your band merch on a big time TV show? Which Tough Age song does Archie need to hear the most? What are the band's crazy Riverdale fan theories? Who are the New Zealand band The Clean and why are Tough Age such big fans? What's it like to stand in the crowd before your set and hear people in the crowd talk smack about you? Which Tough Age song came from a cursed band? Will a mysterious stranger interrupt our interview? Which Tough Age song is about Jarrett's frustration with the Vancouver scene? What's the east coast versus west coast, Toronto versus Vancouver rivalry like when you've lived in both places? You'll have to listen to find out!
Both Jarratt and Penny work in a major Toronto comic book store so in the podcast edition of the show, we get to talk about comics!
Tracks played on the radio edit of the show...
1) Tough Age, Shame (2017) "Shame"
2) Tough Age, Shame (2017) "Unclean"
3) The Clean, Boodle Boodle Boodle (1981) "Point That Thing Somewhere Else" (background/snippet) **
4) Tough Age, Shame (2017) "Piquant Frieze"
5) Tough Age, Tough Age (2013) "Cocaine Vouchers"
6) Tough Age, Shame (2017) "Me In Glue"
ALL songs CANCON except**
