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Dcrockpod
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DC Rock History
No Trend - "Too Many Humans.../ Teen Love" with Chris Richards
In this episode, we explore Too Many Humans and Teen Love, the 1983 release from No Trend that challenged both punk and mainstream sensibilities in DC’s underground scene. No Trend was from from Ashton, Maryland consisting of Jeff Mentges (vocals), Frank Price (guitar), Bob Strasser (bass), and Michael Salkind (drums). They took a confrontational approach to music, combining minimal, abrasive instrumentation with lyrics that satirized social norms and punk culture alike. Our guest is Chris Richards, pop music critic for The Washington Post and founding member of Q and Not U. Chris shares his perspective on...
2025-06-16
1h 02
DC Rock History
The Slickee Boys - "Cybernetic Dreams of Pi" with Don Zientara
In this episode, we explore Cybernetic Dreams of Pi, the 1983 release from The Slickee Boys that blends garage rock revivalism with punk attitude and sci-fi themes. The Slickee Boys had been a fixture in the DC music scene since the mid-1970s, building a dedicated following with their irreverent stage shows and DIY approach to recording. With a lineup featuring Mark Noone on vocals, Kim Kane and Marshall Keith on guitars, Dan Palenski on drums, and John Chumbris on bass, the band delivered an album that balanced catchy hooks with an adventurous spirit. Our guest i...
2025-06-09
1h 01
DC Rock History
Faith / Void Split with Thurston Moore
In this episode, we explore the Faith/Void Split, the legendary 1982 release from Dischord Records that captures the duality of the early D.C. hardcore scene. Released as Dischord Records #8, the album pairs Faith’s tight, melodic hardcore with Void’s chaotic, genre-defying intensity. Both bands, formed by teenagers, contributed to the diverse evolution of hardcore punk in the nation’s capital. Our guest is Thurston Moore, guitarist of Sonic Youth and author of Sonic Life, whose exploration of punk’s formative years and D.C.’s unique underground scene offers insights into the album’s enduring im...
2025-06-02
1h 12
DC Rock History
Bad Brains - "Bad Brains" with Bartees Strange
In this episode, we dive into Bad Brains’ self-titled 1982 classic, which still stands as one of the most explosive albums in punk history. Recorded at 171-A Studios in New York, the album blends elements of hardcore punk and reggae, and is widely regarded as a foundational release in the development of American hardcore. Known for its speed, technical proficiency, and incorporation of Rastafarian themes and the philosophy of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), the album helped establish Bad Brains as a central figure in the early 1980s punk scene. Our guest is Bartees Strange, a musician whose work sp...
2025-05-19
53 min
DC Rock History
Minor Threat - "First Two 7"s" with Scott Crawford and Eduardo Nunes
In this episode, we dig into Minor Threat and In My Eyes, the two EPs that make up First Two 7”s. Across twelve blistering tracks, Minor Threat laid down the foundation for DC hardcore with a sound that was fast, focused, and unapologetically direct. Our guests are Eduardo Nunes of Discologist and Scott Crawford, the filmmaker behind Salad Days and Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine. Together, we explore the band’s early impact, the emergence of Straight Edge, and the lasting power of a group that never stuck around long but still changed everything.
2025-05-12
1h 03
DC Rock History
Government Issue - "Legless Bull" with Paul Vodra
In this episode, we dive into the early days of Government Issue and their blistering 1981 debut EP Legless Bull. As the fourth release on Dischord Records, this 10-song, 9-minute blast helped define the label’s emerging sound and captured the chaotic energy of a scene in formation. We’re joined by Paul Vodra of Hometown Sounds to unpack how Government Issue fit into the fast-shifting DC hardcore landscape. From their unpracticed live debut to their confrontational lyrics, we explore how John Stabb and company became unlikely architects of a movement. Paul also shares the story behin...
2025-05-05
56 min
DC Rock History
Urban Verbs - "Urban Verbs" with Andrew Grossman
In this episode, we dive into the story of the Urban Verbs and their 1980 self-titled debut. One of the earliest bands to bridge punk and art rock in Washington, D.C., Urban Verbs helped set the stage for the city’s evolving underground scene. With sharp guitars, moody synths, and a theatrical presence, they brought a new wave sensibility to a city still finding its sound. We’re joined by Andrew Grossman of The North Country to explore how Urban Verbs shaped early D.C. rock history both as a band and as key players behind...
2025-04-28
52 min
DC Rock History
Teen Idles - "Minor Disturbance" with Rob Harvilla
In this episode, we dive into the beginnings of D.C. hardcore with the Minor Disturbance EP by Teen Idles. This is the very first release on Dischord Records and a flashpoint for a new musical movement. Clocking in at just over ten minutes, this ferocious debut from four D.C. high schoolers helped launch an entire scene, complete with fast riffs, hand-drawn Xs, and a new ethos of DIY independence. We’re joined by music writer and podcast host Rob Harvilla (60 Songs That Explain the 90s and the 2000s) to explore how Minor Disturbance lai...
2025-04-21
1h 02
DC Rock History
Tiny Desk Unit - "Tiny Desk Unit" with Bob Boilen and Michael Barron
In this episode (our season 2 premiere!!), we explore the boundary-pushing story of Tiny Desk Unit, one of Washington, D.C.’s most innovative and genre-defying bands. Formed in 1979 by a group of downtown artists and music obsessives, the band fused analog synths, angular guitar work, and poetic vocals into something entirely new. Long before NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, there was Tiny Desk Unit- an art-rock force that helped open up space for original music in the heart of the city. We’re joined by founding members Bob Boilen and Michael Barron as we trace the ban...
2025-04-14
1h 06
DC Rock History
Live at the DC History Conference with Mark Opsasnick
In this episode (our first-ever live taping!!), we dig into the untold story of Washington, D.C.’s pre-hardcore rock era- from 1950 to 1979—with special guest and legendary D.C. music historian Mark Opsasnick. Recorded live at the DC History Conference, this bonus episode serves as the grand finale of Season 1 and a perfect primer for what’s to come in Season 2. Mark- author of Capitol Rock and Rock the Potomac- takes us on a whirlwind tour of the clubs, characters, and cornerstones that shaped the early D.C. rock scene. From Link Wray’s groundbre...
2025-04-07
1h 34
DC Rock History
The Nighthawks - "Open All Nite" with David Goodfriend
In this episode (our season 1 finale!!), we dive into the electrifying story of The Nighthawks, one of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic blues-rock bands. Formed in 1972 by harmonica maestro Mark Wenner, the band quickly became a cornerstone of the local music scene, playing legendary venues like The Far Inn, Graffiti, and The Cellar Door. With a lineup solidified in the mid-70s—featuring Jimmy Thackery on guitar, Jan Zukowski on bass, and Pete Ragusa on drums—The Nighthawks crafted a sound that was equal parts gritty blues and high-energy rock & roll. We explore their journey...
2024-12-09
1h 08
DC Rock History
Angel - "Angel" with Mystery Friends
In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we dive into Angel, the debut album from Washington, D.C.’s first glam rock band. Formed in 1975, Angel brought theatrical flair, symphonic rock, and arena-sized ambition to the local scene, blending it with the burgeoning glam rock movement. Their music carved a unique niche, earning them the nickname “the anti-KISS” and establishing a loyal fanbase. The story begins in the vibrant clubs of Georgetown, where guitarist Punky Meadows made his name in bands like The Cherry People. Alongside keyboardist Gregg Giuffria, bassist Mickie Jones, vocalist Frank DiMino, and dr...
2024-12-02
1h 03
DC Rock History
The Blackbyrds - "City Life" with Dr. Yanick Rice Lamb and John Daise
In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we dive into City Life, the career-defining third album from The Blackbyrds, one of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic jazz-funk groups. Formed in 1973 at Howard University under the mentorship of jazz legend Dr. Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds crafted a sound that fused jazz, funk, and soul into a timeless musical legacy. City Life features some of their most enduring tracks, including the anthem “Rock Creek Park,” capturing the vibrancy of 1970s D.C. Recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, and released in 1975, the album blends...
2024-11-25
51 min
DC Rock History
Roy Buchanan/Danny Gatton - Anacostia Delta with Anthony Pirog
In this special episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we take a deep dive into the lives and legacies of two extraordinary guitarists, Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton, as well as the unique musical movement they spearheaded: the Anacostia Delta. Both Buchanan and Gatton were known for their unmatched technical skills, emotional depth, and their contributions to a distinctive blend of blues, jazz, rockabilly, and country that became the hallmark of the Anacostia Delta sound. Hailing from the Washington, DC area, these guitar virtuosos influenced generations of musicians with their groundbreaking techniques and passionate playing. Despite...
2024-11-18
1h 02
DC Rock History
Grin - "Grin" with Brian K and the Parkway
In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we dive into the career-launching debut album from one of DC’s own—Nils Lofgren—and his band Grin’s self-titled 1971 album. Known for his electrifying performances with Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young, Nils Lofgren first made his mark right here in the DC area. Growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, Nils got his start in local bands and quickly became one of the area’s most in-demand guitarists. With Grin, he created a distinct blend of rock, folk, and West Coast polish that captured a unique moment in early ’70s music.
2024-11-11
57 min
DC Rock History
Link Wray - "Link Wray" with Liam Hughes and Don Potter
In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we spotlight one of the most influential yet underrated figures in rock music—Link Wray—and his self-titled 1971 album. Known for pioneering the power chord with his seminal instrumental “Rumble,” Wray’s influence reverberates through generations of guitarists, from Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend to modern-day rockers. But there’s more to Wray’s story than the raw power of his music. Born in Dunn, North Carolina, and raised in a time of racial and cultural tension, Wray brought the struggles and resilience of his indigenous heritage into his work.
2024-11-04
1h 10
DC Rock History
The Fallen Angels - "It's A Long Way Down" with Eduardo Nunes
The Fallen Angels’ album It’s A Long Way Down captures the dark, experimental edge of the late 60s D.C. rock scene, blending complex psych influences with themes of existentialism and societal critique. Rising alongside local contemporaries like The Cherry People, The Fallen Angels pushed the boundaries of rock, moving from Georgetown clubs to recording with the iconic Roulette Records. But how did a band so fiercely original navigate the challenges of D.C.’s underground music scene? In this episode, hosts Philip Basnight and Alex Vidales sit down with Eduardo Nunes, host of the lon...
2024-10-28
1h 11
DC Rock History
Cherry People - "And Suddenly" with The Currys
The Cherry People’s album And Suddenly captures the energy and optimism of the 60s D.C. rock scene, blending pop, psychedelia, and rock into a sound uniquely their own. Rising to prominence in the wake of the British Invasion, The Cherry People took the nation’s capital by storm, building their reputation at local clubs before recording their debut album in New York. But what happens when a local sensation meets the challenges of national fame? In this episode, host Philip Basnight sits down with The Currys, an Americana trio from Charlottesville, VA, to dig i...
2024-10-21
58 min
DC Rock History
The Hangmen - "Bitter Sweet" with Pete Stahl (Scream)
The Hangmen’s debut album Bitter Sweet is a testament to the untamed energy and raw talent of D.C.’s 60s rock scene, but it’s also a record marked by turbulence and transformation. From their early days as local favorites at Montgomery Junior College to playing at the home of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, The Hangmen pushed the boundaries of garage rock in the nation’s capital. But what happened when this promising band signed with Monument Records, known for its polished, radio-ready sound? In this episode, hosts Philip Basnight and Alex Vidales sit down w...
2024-10-14
57 min
DC Rock History
Bo Diddley - "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" with John Kelly
In 1959, rock pioneer Bo Diddley made a surprising move from Chicago to Washington, D.C., a decision that would shape the local music scene in unexpected ways. Known for his signature beat, homemade guitars, and magnetic stage presence, Bo left an indelible mark on D.C.’s music history. But why leave Chicago for the capital? And what legacy did he build here? In this episode, Philip Basnight, Alex Vidales, and special guest John Kelly—longtime Washington Post columnist and drummer for The Airport 77s—dive into the D.C. years of Bo Diddley’s career. W...
2024-10-07
1h 18
DC Rock History
Trailer
DC Rock History- A podcast exploring Washington, D.C.’s greatest rock albums. Featuring Link Wray, The Hangmen, The Fallen Angels, and more.
2024-09-25
03 min