Shows
DC Rock HistoryFugazi - "In On The Kill Taker" with Chris RyanIn this episode, we revisit Fugazi and take a deep dive into In On The Kill Taker, the band’s explosive 1993 follow-up to Steady Diet of Nothing and Repeater. Released on Dischord Records, In On The Kill Taker captures Fugazi at a moment of creative tension and expansion, pushing their sound toward greater complexity, aggression, and emotional intensity. The album reflects a band refining its identity while challenging both punk orthodoxy and the expectations placed on them as one of the most visible groups to emerge from DC's post-hardcore scene.
By the early 1990s, Fugazi had...
2025-12-151h 01
DC Rock HistoryShudder To Think - "Pony Express Record" with Nabil AyersIn this episode, we explore the history and impact of Shudder to Think and their groundbreaking 1994 album Pony Express Record, a release that pushed the boundaries of what DC post-hardcore could become in the era of alternative music. Formed in 1986, Shudder to Think developed a distinctive sound across early Sammich and Dischord releases before leaning fully into the angular, theatrical, and experimental approach that defined Pony Express Record. Released on Epic Records, the album stood apart from its major-label contemporaries and became one of the most inventive records to emerge from the DC underground.
Shudder...
2025-12-0859 min
DC Rock HistorySoulside - "Less Deep Inside Keeps" with Johnny TempleIn this episode, we explore the history and impact of Soulside, the influential late-80s DC post-hardcore band whose music bridged the energy of the original hardcore scene with the more groove-driven, politically minded sound that would define the next decade. Formed in 1986, Soulside crafted a bold and evolving style heard on records like Trigger and Hot Bodi-Gram, and became one of the most internationally recognized bands of the DC underground through extensive U.S. and European touring.
Emerging from the same community that produced Rites of Spring, Scream, and Fire Party, Soulside brought together B...
2025-12-011h 10
DC Rock HistoryVelocity Girl - "Copacetic" with Jeffrey EverettIn this episode, we explore Copacetic, the 1993 full-length debut from Velocity Girl, a band that helped expand the definition of what Washington, DC-area indie rock could sound like in the early ’90s. Released on Sub Pop at a time when the national spotlight was widening around alternative music, Copacetic blended restless guitar textures, melodic clarity, and a confident sense of atmosphere into one of the era’s most enduring records.
Formed at the turn of the decade, Velocity Girl grew out of the College Park and Silver Spring music communities, releasing early singles on Slumberland Recor...
2025-11-241h 15
DC Rock HistoryUnrest - "Perfect Teeth" with Mark RobinsonIn this episode, we explore Perfect Teeth, the 1993 swan song from Unrest, a band that redefined what DC and Northern Virginia indie rock could be. Released on the legendary UK label 4AD, the album blended minimalist pop, rhythmic precision, and clean-toned experimentation into a concise, stylish statement that still resonates three decades later.
Formed in 1983 by Mark Robinson, Philip Krauth, and Tim Moran, Unrest began as a suburban basement band in Arlington, Virginia. Over the next ten years, they evolved into one of the most distinctive voices in American indie music. Alongside their own recordings, R...
2025-11-171h 09
DC Rock HistoryNation of Ulysees - "13-Point Program to Destroy America" with John DavisIn this episode, we explore 13-Point Program to Destroy America, the 1991 debut album from Nation of Ulysses that turned DC’s post-hardcore scene on its head. Released by Dischord Records and recorded at Inner Ear Studios with Ian MacKaye and Don Zientara, the album fused punk, free jazz, and radical politics into a chaotic and satirical critique of American conformity.
Formed in 1988 by Ian Svenonius, James Canty, Steve Kroner, Steve Gamboa, and Tim Green, Nation of Ulysses presented themselves not just as a band, but as a “political party” advocating for youth liberation and creative revolut...
2025-11-101h 06
DC Rock HistoryFugazi - "13 Songs" with Jim SaahIn this episode, we explore 13 Songs, the seminal compilation that introduced Fugazi’s raw urgency and experimental edge to a wider audience. Originally released in 1989 by Dischord Records, 13 Songs combines the band’s first two EPs Fugazi (1988) and Margin Walker (1989) and stands as a defining document of the post–Revolution Summer era in Washington, D.C.
Formed by Ian MacKaye, Joe Lally, Brendan Canty, and later joined by Guy Picciotto, Fugazi built on the intensity of their hardcore roots while incorporating dub, minimalism, and socio-political critique into their sound. Recorded at Inner Ear Studios in Virgini...
2025-11-031h 06
DC Rock HistoryFire Party - "s/t" with Fire PartyIn this episode, we explore Fire Party, the self-titled debut from one of the most groundbreaking bands to emerge from Washington, D.C.’s post–Revolution Summer punk scene. Formed in 1986 by Amy Pickering (vocals), Natalie Avery (guitar), Kate Samworth (bass), and Nicky Thomas (drums), Fire Party brought a new perspective to D.C. punk — politically charged, emotionally direct, and unapologetically their own.
Recorded at Inner Ear Studios with Don Zientara engineering and Ian MacKaye producing, the album captures the raw energy of late ’80s Dischord Records while pushing its sound into more melodic and introspec...
2025-10-271h 01
DC Rock HistoryEmbrace - "Embrace" with Mark JenkinsIn this episode, we dive into Embrace, the posthumously released self-titled album from one of the most pivotal bands of Washington, D.C.’s Revolution Summer movement. Though only active from 1985 to 1986, Embrace brought together vocalist Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat) with three former members of the Faith, guitarist Michael Hampton, bassist Chris Bald, and drummer Ivor Hanson, to create a record that helped redefine punk’s emotional and musical boundaries.
Our guest is Mark Jenkins, longtime D.C. writer and co-author of Dance of Days. Together, we explore how Embrace captured a moment of transition in th...
2025-10-2047 min
DC Rock HistoryDag Nasty - "Can I Say" with Broke RoyalsIn this episode, we dive into Can I Say, the 1986 debut album from Dag Nasty - a record that helped define melodic hardcore and mark a turning point in Washington, D.C.’s punk history. Formed in 1985 by guitarist Brian Baker after the breakup of Minor Threat, Dag Nasty united veterans of the D.C. scene including Colin Sears, Roger Marbury, and vocalist Dave Smalley. Together, they bridged the aggression of hardcore with melody and introspection, creating a sound that would influence punk and emo for decades to come.
Our guests are Broke Royals, aka Phi...
2025-10-061h 06
DC Rock HistoryRites of Spring - "Rites of Spring" with Mark AndersenIn this episode, we explore Rites of Spring, the 1985 self-titled release that intertwined with Revolution Summer and reshaped the direction of punk in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Rites of Spring formed in 1984 with Guy Picciotto (vocals, guitar), Eddie Janney (guitar), Mike Fellows (bass), and Brendan Canty (drums). The band built on the foundation of hardcore but infused their songs with personal and emotional intensity, creating a record that is often cited as a cornerstone of post-hardcore and what would later be labeled “emo.”
Our guest is Mark Andersen, co-founder of Positive Force DC and co-au...
2025-09-291h 14
DC Rock HistoryS.O.A - "No Policy" & Black Flag - "Damaged" with Jackson SinnenbergIn this episode, we explore No Policy, the 1981 EP by SOA, and Damaged, the legendary debut LP from Black Flag. Formed in Washington, D.C. by Henry Garfield (later Henry Rollins), Michael Hampton, Wendel Blow, and Simon Jacobsen, SOA delivered ten tracks in just over eight minutes, capturing the urgency and fury of the early D.C. hardcore scene. Released as Dischord Records’ second-ever release, No Policy marks Rollins’ first recorded appearance—raw, unrelenting, and full of promise.
We then follow Rollins’ transformation from a Georgetown ice cream shop worker to frontman of Black Flag. After jum...
2025-09-221h 13
DC Rock HistoryNo Trend - "Too Many Humans.../ Teen Love" with Chris RichardsIn 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...
2025-06-161h 02
DC Rock HistoryThe Slickee Boys - "Cybernetic Dreams of Pi" with Don ZientaraIn 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...
2025-06-091h 01
DC Rock HistoryFaith / Void Split with Thurston MooreIn 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...
2025-06-021h 12
DC Rock HistoryBad Brains - "Bad Brains" with Bartees StrangeIn 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...
2025-05-1953 min
DC Rock HistoryMinor Threat - "First Two 7"s" with Scott Crawford and Eduardo NunesIn 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.
2025-05-121h 03
DC Rock HistoryGovernment Issue - "Legless Bull" with Paul VodraIn 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...
2025-05-0556 min
DC Rock HistoryUrban Verbs - "Urban Verbs" with Andrew GrossmanIn 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...
2025-04-2852 min
DC Rock HistoryTeen Idles - "Minor Disturbance" with Rob HarvillaIn 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...
2025-04-211h 02
DC Rock HistoryTiny Desk Unit - "Tiny Desk Unit" with Bob Boilen and Michael BarronIn 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...
2025-04-141h 06
DC Rock HistoryLive at the DC History Conference with Mark OpsasnickIn 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...
2025-04-071h 34
DC Rock HistoryThe Nighthawks - "Open All Nite" with David GoodfriendIn 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...
2024-12-091h 08
DC Rock HistoryAngel - "Angel" with Mystery FriendsIn 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...
2024-12-021h 03
DC Rock HistoryThe Blackbyrds - "City Life" with Dr. Yanick Rice Lamb and John DaiseIn 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...
2024-11-2551 min
DC Rock HistoryRoy Buchanan/Danny Gatton - Anacostia Delta with Anthony PirogIn 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...
2024-11-181h 02
DC Rock HistoryGrin - "Grin" with Brian K and the ParkwayIn 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.
2024-11-1157 min
DC Rock HistoryLink Wray - "Link Wray" with Liam Hughes and Don PotterIn 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.
2024-11-041h 10
DC Rock HistoryThe Fallen Angels - "It's A Long Way Down" with Eduardo NunesThe 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...
2024-10-281h 11
DC Rock HistoryCherry People - "And Suddenly" with The CurrysThe 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...
2024-10-2158 min
DC Rock HistoryThe 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...
2024-10-1457 min
DC Rock HistoryBo Diddley - "Bo Diddley Is A Gunslinger" with John KellyIn 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...
2024-10-071h 18
DC Rock HistoryTrailerDC Rock History- A podcast exploring Washington, D.C.’s greatest rock albums. Featuring Link Wray, The Hangmen, The Fallen Angels, and more.
2024-09-2503 min