Radical Research Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Jeff: “Was talking with my friend S. Craig Zahler a few days ago, and we were discussing Sarcofago’s 1987 debut, I.N.R.I. Zahler noted that there are some bewildering timing issues in 'Nightmare,' and how he’d like Hunter ('who is 20 times the drummer I am') to try and identify what the hell’s going on. I put this quandary/query to Hunter and let ‘er rip.”

Note I:

The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast Note II:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Sarcofago, “Nightmare” (I.N.R.I., 1987)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

This episode brings to a close our periodic investigations of the Steven Wilson-curated 'Intrigue' compilation. Covering progressive sounds in UK alternative/post-punk music from 1979-89, 'Intrigue' nails its intention, proving that, while traditional prog rock may have waned in the '80s, that spirit of adventure and invention remained alive through the work of dozens and dozens of UK music-makers in this time period. This episode focuses on Kate Bush, Dif Juz, Cardiacs, Dead Can Dance, SLAB!, Momus, No-man and a host of others.

Note I:

If you don’t want to hear about our awesome Patreon supporters and how YOU TOO can support us, and if you don’t want to hear about Deserts of Hex #2, which YOU ALSO would love to read…then skip to the 9:07 mark of this show where we finally start talking about the subject at hand: Intrigue compilation, CD 4. Thank you.

Note II:

The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast Note III:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

­­­intro: Talk Talk, “Living in Another World” (The Colour of Spring, 1986)

[all snippets are taken directly from the Intrigue compilation; the following indicates where the songs originally appeared] Kate Bush, “Waking the Witch” (Hounds of Love, 1985)

This Mortal Coil, “Ivy and Neet” (Filigree & Shadow, 1986)

Perennial Divide, “Beehead” (Beehead 7”, 1987)

The Sisters of Mercy, “This Corrosion” (Floodland, 1987) O Yuki Conjugate, “Ascension” (Into Dark Water, 1987)

Dif Juz, “No Motion” (Lonely is An Eyesore, 4AD compilation, 1987)

SLAB!, “Gutter Busting” (Descension, 1987)

Momus, “Murderers, the Hope of Women” (Murderers, the Hope of Women, 1987)

Dead Can Dance, “The Host of Seraphim” (The Serpent’s Egg, 1988) Cardiacs, “R.E.S.” (A Little Man and a House and the Whole World Window, 1988) The The, “Good Morning Beautiful” (Mind Bomb, 1989)

The Shamen, “Omega Amigo” (Omega Amigo single, 1989)

No-Man, “Night Sky, Sweet Earth” (Speak, 1999 re-recording of 1989 version, originally from The Girl from Missouri EP)

Kitchens of Distinction, “The 3rd Time We Opened the Capsule” (12” single, 1989)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

UNTIL WE PERCEIVE BIFROST...THIS is Radical Research

Our man Ginn loves him some Gadd! In this brief episode, we extract three of Hunter’s favorite moments by his favorite drummer on the planet, Steve Gadd. It results in something we thought we’d never do on this podcast: play a snippet of a Paul Simon song. But you have to admit, Gadd is Badd…Badd Ass!

Note I:

The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast Note II:

All past Radical Research episodes can be found here, where you can also find Jeff’s Peter Steele and Fates Warning books…and more to come soon! Radicalresearch.org

Music cited in order of appearance:

Chick Corea, “Quartet No. 2, Part II” (Three Quartets, 1981)

Chick Corea, “Night Sprite” (The Leprechaun, 1976) Paul Simon, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.

In less than 10 years’ time, Michigan’s maddest scientists, Thought Industry, built a five-album discography that drew upon every available atom and protein in the rock and metal corpora. From the mutated post-thrash of its debut, Songs for Insects, to the melancholy, cosmic vistas of its watershed swan song, Short Wave on a Cold Day, Thought Industry never abandoned their quest for invention and, like the noblest and most knowing bands, drew the curtain on their career at precisely the right moment. Please join us as we pay tribute to these great, mercurial, marginal Michiganians. Note I: All music for this episode was curated by our good friend, Jason Walton, brilliant bassist of Agalloch and Khorada, and host of the excellent podcast, I Hate Music. Hailz! Note II: Thought Industry stylized logo and song titles on their first two albums. Everything was lower case except the Os, which were capitalized. We don’t play that game, but if we did, it would look like this: thOught industry were sO tOtally bad-ass. Note III: If you’re reading this upon episode’s release and are in the Birmingham, England area, say hi to our sponsor, Jim Raggi/Lamentations of the Flame Princess, at the UK Games Expo! https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/ Music cited, in order of appearance: “Songs for Insects” (Songs for Insects, 1992) “Ballerina” (Songs for Insects, 1992) “Alexander vs. the Puzzle” (Songs for Insects, 1992) “Horsepowered” (Mods Carve the Pig: Assassins, Toads and God’s Flesh, 1993) “Republicans in Love” ” (Mods Carve the Pig: Assassins, Toads and God’s Flesh, 1993) “Boil” ” (Mods Carve the Pig: Assassins, Toads and God’s Flesh, 1993) “Watercolor Grey” (Outer Space is Just a Martini Away, 1996) “Jack Frost Junior” (Outer Space is Just a Martini Away, 1996) “The Squid” (Outer Space is Just a Martini Away, 1996) “Pink Dumbo” (Black Umbrella, 1997) “December 10th” (Black Umbrella, 1997) “Earwig” (Black Umbrella, 1997) “Satan in the Gift Shop” (Short Wave on a Cold Day, 2001) “The Measure of Our Miles” (Short Wave on a Cold Day, 2001) “Lovers in Flames” (Short Wave on a Cold Day, 2001) Episode 33 preview: Dark Angel, “Older Than Time Itself” (Leave Scars, 1989) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 32

Crawling out of Manchester to work strange machinations on the English psych-pop era of the late 1960s, Peter Hammill and Van Der Graaf Generator’s sonic architecture was a mirror to that decade’s creative promise and a murder of its utopian ideals. They documented their deeds throughout eight albums between 1969 and 1977, revving up the electrostatic contraption again in the 2000s when the world might have finally been ready for them. When we wear the Keep Prog Weird slogan on our backs, it is the spirit of Van Der Graaf Generator we honor and praise. Note I: Chris Judge Smith wasn’t mentioned in this episode, but should have been. He founded Van Der Graaf Generator with Peter Hammill in 1967, but left in 1968 after the recording of the band’s first single, “People You Were Going To” / “Firebrand”. He’s been recording as a solo artist since then, and as of 1994 has been simply known as Judge Smith. Note II: www.lotfp.com for all of your weird horror and fantasy role-playing needs! Music cited, in order of appearance: “A Place to Survive” (World Record, 1976) “Pilgrims” (Still Life, 1976) “The Emperor in His War Room” ” (H to He Who Am the Only One, 1970) “After the Flood” (The Least We Can Do is Wave to Each Other, 1970) “White Hammer” (two moments) (The Least We Can Do is Wave to Each Other, 1970) “Octopus” (The Aerosol Grey Machine, 1969) “Killer” (H to He Who Am the Only One, 1970) “A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers” (two moments) (Pawn Hearts, 1971) “Scorched Earth” (Godbluff, 1975) “The Sleepwalkers” (Godbluff, 1975) “Cat’s Eye / Yellow Fever (Running)” (The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome, 1977) “Man Erg” (Pawn Hearts, 1971) “Interference Patterns” (Trisector, 2008) Episode 32 preview: Thought Industry, “Third Eye” (Songs for Insects, 1992) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 31

We here at Radical Research like a good departure. Whether that means the beginning of a vacation or the sixth Journey record, departures are just good for the soul. And so goes the third record by Germany’s Deathrow, Deception Ignored, which constitutes a break from the band’s heaving thrash origins and a migration to technically-advanced thrash territory. This episode celebrates the evolution of the Düsseldorf-based quartet and highlights some of D.I.’s most exciting and alarming moments, such as the instrumental high water mark, “Triocton.” Join us on our deep dive into the recesses of tech-thrash history. Note I: Your LOTFP Weird Fantasy Role Playing discount code for this episode: www.lotfp.com Coupon Code: TRIOCTON Note II: Just like the good ol’ days of RadRe, lots of tangents here: Destruction, Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Holy Terror, Kreator, Blind Illusion…it’s gonna happen when we’re talking Deathrow ’88. Note III: Markus and Sven of Deathrow are on record as disliking Deception Ignored. We respectfully completely disagree with their view. Music cited, in order of appearance: “Bureaucrazy” (Deception Ignored bonus track, 1988) “Slaughtered” (Satan’s Gift aka Riders of Doom, 1986) “Mortal Dread” (Raging Steel, 1987) “Events in Concealment” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “The Deathwish” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “Triocton” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “N.L.Y.H.” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “Watching the World” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “Narcotic” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “Machinery” (Deception Ignored, 1988) “Life Beyond“ (Life Beyond, 1992) episode 30 preview: Van Der Graaf Generator, “Cat’s Eye / Yellow Fever (Running)” (The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome, 1977) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 30

Under the guidance of bassist Ralf Hubert, Mekong Delta’s initial phase featured a revolving door lineup of Euro-metal luminaries. Adopting pseudonyms and lurking unseen in shadows, Mekong plied a brand of progressive metal that drew inspiration from composers such as Modest Mussorgsky, Aram Khachaturian and Alberto Ginastera, to name just a few. Never lacking in speed and intensity, Mekong Delta were the technical, antithetical other side of the coin to Germany’s more caustic thrash blitzkrieg. Note I: Your LOTFP Weird Fantasy Role Playing discount code for this episode: Broodmother SkyFortress https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?discount=9484bab643 Note II: MEKONG DELTA PSEUDONYMS/MEMBERS, 1987-1994: Ralf Hubert aka Björn Eklund – bass. Leader/writer for all Mekong Delta albums. Peter “Peavy” Wagner aka Jake Jenkins – vocals/bass. Didn’t play on an album, left early but remained as lyricist for first two albums. Best known for his role as leader of long-running German band Rage. Jochen Schröder - guitar. Earliest lineup, left early, not on an album. Early member of Rage. No pseudonym. Wolfgang Borgmann aka Keil – vocals, first three albums Frank Fricke aka Rolf Stein – guitar, first three albums. Also member of Living Death. Reiner Kelch aka Vincent St. John – guitar, first two albums. Also member of Living Death. Jorg Michael aka Gordon Perkins – drums, first four albums. Also member of Rage, later Running Wild, Grave Digger and Stratovarius, among many others. Uwe Baltrusch aka Marc Kaye – guitar, third album to Visions Fugitives. No other major credits, although he did sub for Frank Blackfire on Sodom’s Agent Orange era touring. Doug Lee (no pseudonym) – vocals. American singer, comes in on 4th album, and on next two. From Florida band Siren, who were on Aaarg Records at some point, hence the connection. Peter Haas (no pseudonym) – drums, Kaleidoscope and Visions Fugitives. Perhaps the most interesting resume of any Mekong member: he was also in Babylon Sad, Poltergeist, Calhoun Conquer, Clockwork (mid ‘90s band of Coroner’s Tommy T. Baron), the Buddy Lackey solo album, and Krokus. honorary mention: Uli Kusch aka Patrick Duval. Drums on 1988 EP The Gnome (title track) and on 2007 album Lurking Fear. Best known for his work in Helloween, Gamma Ray, Masterplan and Holy Moses.

Note III: COMPOSERS and BANDS covered by MEKONG DELTA 1987-1994: Modest Mussorgsky (19th Century Russian composer): “The Hut of Baba Yaga,” “Night on a Bare Mountain,” “Pictures at an Exhibition” Marius Constant (20th Century Romanian/French composer/conductor): “Twilight Zone” Julio Sagreras (late 19th Century, early 20th Century Argentinian guitarist/composer): “El Colibri” Bernard Herrmann (20th Century American composer): “Interludium” (two versions/parts) Lead Belly (20th Century American folk/blues musician): “Black Betty” Alberto Ginastera (20th Century Argentinian composer): “Tocatta” (fourth movement of Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 28) Genesis (20th Century English progressive rock band): “Dance on a Volcano” Aram Khachaturian (20th Century Soviet Armenian composer/conductor): “Sabre Dance” Christopher Young (20th Century American Composer): “Dance” (part 4 of Hubert’s larger original piece, “Suite for Group & Orchestra” Music cited, in order of appearance: “The Hut of Baba Yaga” (Mekong Delta, 1987) “Nightmare Patrol” (Mekong Delta, 1987) “Shiva’s Return” (Mekong Delta, 1987) “Age of Agony”

As Pythagoras mused, “There is geometry in the humming of the strings, there is music in the spacing of the spheres.” So too is there magical energy in the shapely contours of the most mathematical rock music. In this episode of Radical Research, we trace out a heritage of calculus embodied by bands on the acute end of the rock spectrum. From the rarified, Bartok-ian rock of King Crimson to the wildly dynamic Sturm und Drang post-rock of Slint, this episode focuses on the identification of rhythmic land mines and the surreptitious emotions located therein. Keep your vintage TI handy and join us in the liberation from the tyranny of 4/4. Note I: Confessor’s “Condemned” features some of the mathiest metal ever mathed, with a puzzling drum part by Martian percussionist Steve Shelton. Let us know if this helps – mostly likely it will not: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_54BL0aOt5E

Note II: Makers of math rock tend to lean toward ridiculous song titles. Some are featured or mentioned in this episode -- here are a few more winners: Don Caballero “The Peter Criss Jazz”; The Fucking Champs “I Am the Album Cover”; Melvins “Eat Yourself Out”; Breadwinner “Kisses Men on the Mouth on the Mountain” Note III: Lamentations of the Flame Princess Weird Fantasy Role-playing and Radical Research offer you the Tower of the Stargazer introductory adventure for a mere $1 US! ONLY AVAILABLE HERE: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?discount=999b8ca14c

Music cited, in order of appearance: King Crimson, “Fracture” (Starless and Bible Black, 1974) Magma, “De Futura,” two passages (Udu Wudu, 1976) Melvins, “Exact Paperbacks” (Gluey Porch Treatments, 1986) Breadwinner, “Tourette’s” (232 S. Laurel St. 7”, 1990) Confessor, “Condemned” (Condemned, 1991) Slint, “Nosferatu Man” (Spiderland, 1991) Don Caballero, “Rollerblade Success Story” (2, 1995) Happy Family, “Kaiten (Ningen Gyorai)” (Happy Family, 1995) The Champs (aka The Fucking Champs), “Flawless Victory” (III, 1997) Minus the Bear, “Women We Haven’t Met Yet” (Highly Refined Pirates, 2002) Episode 29 preview: Mekong Delta, “The Jester“ (The Principle of Doubt, 1989) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 28

A Skeptic’s Universe is what happens when student becomes master. Spiral Architect’s school years were spent in obscurity, honing their craft, learning their lessons, keeping their noses to the grindstone. In 1998 they began work on their master’s thesis, and in early 2000, upon publication, earned a spot on the lonely pedestal of top-tier tech metal. While owing debts to Watchtower, Fates Warning, Psychotic Waltz, Sieges Even, Toxik and Cynic, the young Norwegians upstaged them all with a most vicious merging of high-test progressive metal, bubbling fusion ferocity, and laboratory-borne aural pathogens.

Music cited, in order of appearance: “Spinning” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Excessit” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Moving Spirit” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Occam’s Razor” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Insect,” two passages (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Cloud Constructor” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Conjuring Collapse,” two passages (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Adaptability” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Fountainhead” (A Skeptic’s Universe, 2000) “Prelude to Ruin,” two passages (A Skeptic’s Universe, Japanese version bonus track, 2000)

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 27

Angular, adventurous, and apocalyptic in nearly equal shares, few bands scratch the collective itches of Radical Research like Victoria, British Columbia’s Nomeansno. From their punky beginnings to the nuanced terror of their mature work, Nomeansno trafficked some of the most dangerous and dexterous rock music of the '80s and '90s. Accompanied by venomous libretti - Rob Wright May be responsible for rock music’s most articulate extrapolation of Hannah Arendt’s theory of the Banality of Evil - Nomeansno summoned a heady din of seething, twisting, mongrel-music. Peerless in a peer-friendly world, Nomeansno takes the road never traveled.

Note I: Caveat! We talk for 7 or 8 minutes at the beginning of this episode about drummer Vinnie Colaiuta before we get into Nomeansno. Note II: Due respect to Mama, Sex Mad, The Worldhood of the World (As Such) and Dance of the Headless Bourgeoisie. All Nomeansno albums are recommended by Radical Research! Note III: Rob Wright is the man. For a long time, he looked like Phil Donohue…and when he was raging on stage, singing with sardonic malice and playing bass like a god, it was a fantastic visual, both hilarious and terrifying. Music cited, in order of appearance: “The End of All Things” (Wrong, 1989) “Victory” (Small Parts Isolated and Destroyed, 1988) “It’s Catching Up” (Wrong, 1989) “Ghosts” (0+2=1, 1991) “I See a Mansion in the Sky” (All Roads Lead to Ausfahrt, 2006) “Forget Your Life” (The Day Everything Became Nothing, 1988) “Real Love” (Small Parts Isolated and Destroyed, 1989) “0+2=1” (0+2=1, 1991) “The Day Everything Became Nothing” (The Day Everything Became Nothing, 1988) “Teresa, Give Me That Knife” (Small Parts Isolated and Destroyed, 1988) “The Tower” (Wrong, 1989) “Under the Sea” (One, 2000) “Everyday I Start to Ooze” (0+2=1, 1991) “Mary” (0+2=1, 1991) “Small Parts Isolated and Destroyed” (Small Parts Isolated and Destroyed, 1989) “The River” (Why Do They Call Me Mr. Happy?, 1993) “Bitch’s Brew” (One, 2000) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it. This is Radical Research Podcast episode 26