The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds – Details, episodes & analysis

Guitar pioneer Randy Holden reveals how record label incompetence destroyed his 1970 masterpiece Population II, leading to depression, exile in Hawaii, and eventual vindication through cult status.

Get Population II and III at Riding Easy Records or preorder Population II reissue at Noble Records online

Topics Include:

• Randy Holden is surprised Population II remains influential after recording it in 1970
• He knew it would be big—there was nothing like it musically then
• Population II was ready to release with Sun Amplifiers sponsoring monthly magazine ads
• National promoters wanted to book shows but needed the album released first
• Hobbit Records delayed release for eight or nine months, destroying Randy's career
• The label wouldn't release the record or let Randy out of his contract
• Owner Leonard Poncher's background was Latino music and auto parts wholesaling
• Randy was creating a new form of music that became known as heavy metal
• Poncher's lawsuit with MCA distribution completely tied up the album's release
• Recording Population II went smoothly with Randy overdubbing all bass parts himself
• He used four to eight amps recording through a Fender Jazz Bass
• Engineer Hank Cicalo placed three mics at different distances for guitar tone
• Randy pioneered mixing through car speakers instead of massive studio monitors
• His original mix had full dynamics with sweeping highs and lows
• Mastering engineers destroyed the mix, cutting frequencies to prevent needle skips
• Randy joined Blue Cheer replacing Dickie Peterson but left over musical differences
• Blue Cheer wanted shorter songs while Randy pursued extended musical compositions
• He formed Population II with Chris Lockheed on keyboards and organ bass pedals
• The name meant two people creating massive sound usually requiring four musicians
• Randy's guitar journey began with Fender IV, then Sons of Adam
• The Other Half featured Randy's early heavy guitar work before Blue Cheer
• He recorded Guitar God album in 1997 after decades away from music
• Nobody knows the original Population II pressing number
• Recent remasters by engineers in New York and Smokey Taylor improved the sound
• Randy's broken ring finger now prevents him from playing guitar properly
• He manipulated audiences' emotions playing solos through walls of amps for thousands
• Randy considers music like movies—"Land of the Sun" is theatrical drama
• Playing live was his reason for living, creating heavenly musical moments
• His legacy continues through reissues on Riding Easy Records reaching new generations

Extended and High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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• Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Jack Prine shares intimate stories about his legendary father John Prine, discusses the new "You Got Gold" movie, the history and state of "Oh Boy Records" and reveals intentions for unreleased recordings from the family archives.

Check out screenings of "You Got Gold - A Celebration of John Prine" here

Topics Include:

• Jack Prine discusses "You Got Gold" film celebrating his father John Prine's legacy
• Film originated through family friend connection at Radical Media, directed by Michael John Warren
• Documentary captures 2022 Ryman concert series benefiting the Hello In There Foundation
• Foundation started after John's death in April 2020, helping family navigate grief
• Jack reflects on balancing family's personal grief with fans' collective loss
• Film features collaborators like Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams sharing stories and performances
• Many people know John Prine's songs without realizing he wrote them
• Movie bridges generations from Dwight Yoakam to Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell
• Tyler Childers shares quirky story about John keeping Dairy Queen coupon in wallet
• Jack's legal name is John Patrick Prine; uses Jack to separate identity
• Growing up in Nashville, didn't have special musicians' kids friend group
• Jack joined family business at Oh Boy Records after college, learning the ropes
• Worked in warehouse initially, understanding physical product and distribution fundamentals
• Oh Boy Records started in 1984 as fiercely independent label maintaining creative control
• Archives contain decades of unreleased recordings being carefully curated for future releases
• Lost Dogs deluxe edition recently released with unheard track "Hey, Aw, Nothing"
• John Prine disliked his debut album cover showing him on hay bale
• John was technologically simple, kept flip phone until he died, browsed cars on eBay
• 80th birthday celebration planned for October, possibly in Chicago rather than Nashville
• Jack's lessons from father: live in the moment and always give to others

Extended and 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

Shooter Jennings reveals the story of hundreds of unreleased recordings his father Waylon made between 1974-1984, including stunning covers now being released as "Songbird" - plus more musical stories from the lives of the Jennings family.

Order the new "Songbird" LP here.

Topics Include:

• Shooter Jennings discusses upcoming Songbird release featuring his late father Waylon's unfinished recordings
• Most songs were actually complete with vocals and instruments already recorded professionally
• Waylon privately recorded after 1974 RCA battle, keeping hundreds of tapes unlabeled
• Tapes digitized in 2008 but sat untouched until Shooter systematically catalogued everything recently
• Discovery process was emotional journey revealing Waylon's constant studio experimentation and joy
• Found treasure trove including Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird" cover and multiple complete albums worth
• Shooter mixed everything on vintage 1976 analog console maintaining authentic original sound
• Three planned album releases starting with Songbird, featuring different themes and flavors
• Tony Joe White plays harmonica, Jessi Colter sings, original band members returned
• Cataloging required detective work, Googling lyrics, consulting surviving band members for identification
• Growing up as Waylon's son meant different childhood, touring summers, recognizing fame
• Family record collection included Beatles, Harry Nilsson, later Waylon bought entire collections
• Teenage Shooter brought home Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana; parents showed concern but support
• Waylon's deep friendship with Buddy Holly, plane crash guilt haunted him for years
• Eventually found closure visiting crash site, could finally look at wreckage photos
• Parents advised being authentic, not copying others; mother worried about rough crowd
• Shooter's career shows risk-taking from country to experimental electronic and industrial music
• Produced diverse artists from Duff McKagan to Marilyn Manson, always seeking creative challenges
• Early collaboration with father on Fenixon project mixed country with industrial influences
• Vinyl remains important, frequent Amoeba Records visits, special Record Store Day releases planned

Extended and 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

Fat Mike, founder and curator of The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas gave me a personal tour of the displays and vinyl records within the Punk Rock Museum. And man is it friggen cool, pls enjoy our walkthrough!

Video is available at Patreon.com/VinylGuide!

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

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Adam Ian Sykes & Matthew Baty of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (or Pigsx7) joins us to discuss the records and collectibles of their career, their acclaimed live shows, their upcoming trip to Australia, the history and impact of their peculiar band name and much more!

Topics Include:

• Matt is bang on time
• 1st time coming to Australia
• Matt's stage outfits
• Adam joins – Australia tour dates
• Live from New York on vinyl
• The story of the band name
• Bands of influence on PigsX7
• 1st release – split with Cosmic Dead
• "The Old Noise" record label
• Remixing "The Wizard & the 7 Swines" for reissue
• Do Matt & Adam collect records?
• Artwork on PigsX7 albums
• Psychopomp cassette release on Box records
• Matt switching from drums to vocals
• Stage wear for PigsX7 live shows
• Writing/recording "Feed the Rats" & "King of Cowards"
• Recognizing the legs the band was developing
• "Viscerals" and "Offcuts" recordings
• Single with The Lovely Eggs
• "Land of Sleeper" recording & artwork
• Australian tour, spiders & 2024 plans
• Interview wrap up

See PigsX7 on their upcoming Australian tour!

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
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Alain Johannes is celebrating the 1st vinyl release of the final Eleven album "Howling Book". Today we discuss this record, the early days, recording with Chris Cornell, missing tapes, incomplete tracks, future vinyl & more.

• Inicio de la entrevista
• Where's Alain's record collection?
• "Howling Book"'s first time on vinyl
• Alain used to work at a record store
• Going to early punk shows – Fear, Germs, etc
• Early Flea forming his bass style
• Alain's 1st appearance on vinyl
• Early years, moving to Los Angeles
• "Recorded by Alain Johannes"
• Does Alain hear music before recording or large exploration?
• Making "Spark" after Natasha's passing
• Outtakes for "Howling Book" reissue
• Getting recording gear for "AvantgardeDog"
• Incomplete final recordings with Natasha
• Chris Cornell – Euphoria Morning / Mourning
• Alain finding masters for "Euphoria Mourning" for reissue
• Memories of Chris' state of creativity during "Euphoria Morning"
• Eleven album catalogue and challenges of vinyl reissues
• No multitrack tapes of the early Eleven albums
• San Andreas Records / Todd Rundgren & Master tapes
• Alain may have connected XTC & Todd Rundgren
• Declining projects – Metallica & Christina Agulera
• Memories of Silverchair – Touring & Young Modern
• What is This? On "The Wild Life" soundtrack
• Bonding with Eddie Van Halen over Alan Holdsworth
• Impact of Eleven and continuing to inspire musicians
• What's next / 2024 / coming to Australia
• Interview wrap up

Order the "Howling Book" vinyl at OrgMusic.com or from your local record store.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
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Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden) and I nerd out on Melvins while discussing his new limited RSD vinyl release "Gory Scorch Cretins", a project developed with Melvins & team.

• Connecting with Melvins after Chris Cornell tribute show
• Melvins version of Spoonman
• Working at Toshi Kasai's studio
• Early memories of Melvins
• The art and evolution of Melvins
• Matt's favourite period/albums of Melvins
• Work ethic of Melvins
• Working in the studio on Matt's songs
• Sharing drums between Matt & Dale
• Doing a Melvins parody of "Gluey Porch Treatments"
• Working with Taylor Hawkins
• Plans for "Nighttime Boogie Association"
• So many people loved Taylor Hawkins
• The way Taylor listened to music
• Unreleased tracks
• Melvins & Tom Hazelmyer artwork
• Only 2500 "Gory Scorch Cretins" pressed on white vinyl
• "Keep it Trippy Records" is an homage to Taylor
• Matt's sessions with Tony Iommi
• Who else would Matt like to play/collaborate with?
• New album from Pearl Jam / possible 2024 shows
• Status of final 7 Soundgarden songs
• KISS parodies and memories
• "KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park"
• Interview wrap up

Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
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ONYX Record Press in one of the newest record plants in the world. Opening in 2023 and based in Los Angeles, founders Moe Espinosa (aka Drumcell) and Gil Tamazyan talk to use about the vision of ONYX records and help educate us on the art of vinyl production.

• Interview start
• Why open a vinyl pressing plant in 2023?
• What does ONYX do different?
• What are common mistakes that ONYX is addressing?
• People can visit the pressing plant
• Where does the pressing waste end up?
• ONYX's approach to stampers
• Materials, black & coloured pellet talk
• Are we still seeing growth in vinyl numbers?
• Is sound compromised by various colours and variants?
• Increase in warped and scuffed records
• What's lead time for records at the moment?
• Developing new talent for pressing records
• Wild mastering jobs – locked grooves, vinyl tricks
• Making a $7,000 record out of hashish
• Pressing records with items inside
• What's in the future for vinyl records?
• Impact of record weight (180g)
• What are the recommended sleeves for vinyl?
• Sequencing music for the vinyl format
• Interview wrap up

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
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David Lowy may be Australia's busiest rockstar, but it's not all music related. As founder of The Dead Daisies, David also balances a full schedule of leading a private equity organization for the Lowy Family Group, as well as a keen interest in aviation and philanthropy. Today David talks about his history with The Dead Daisies and balancing it alongside his other interests.

• Interview start
• How does David balance his various interests
• Early interest in music
• 1st record was the Easybeats
• Parental expectations and personal desires
• Rediscovering music, spontaneously buying a guitar
• Connecting with Doc Neeson
• Origin of the name "The Dead Daisies"
• Creating the band, the rotating cast of musicians
• Joining with some Guns & Roses tour musicians
• Why release a "Best of" album now?
• David's involvement and contribution to band decisions
• What would he like to see the Dead Daisies do next?
• What thrills David these days?
• History with aerobatics
• What does David collect?
• David's record collection and listening habits
• 1st band to play in Cuba
• Did David ever get into the Sydney punk scene?
• Has his father, Frank Lowy, ever seen a Dead Daisies show?
• Will we see The Dead Daisies in Australia next year?
• Does David fly the band on tour?
• Ever spent time with Malcolm Young?
• Interview wrap up

Check out the "Best of The Dead Daisies" vinyl here.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
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Psychedelic Porn Crumpets' founder Jack McEwan discusses the band's stunning vinyl records, early and collectible releases, running a private record label, the origin, challenges and benefits of the band name, the new LP 'Fronzoli' and lots more.

• Interview start
• What is "Fronzoli"?
• The cover of new LP
• Operations at "What Reality? Records"
• Autographing and doodling on records
• 1st Aussie press of Fronzoli
• Pressed at Zenith records
• How did Jack get into records?
• Jack loves making record packaging & art
• Progression of popularity of PPC
• Evolving the band to be a profession
• Investing in recording gear, learning to operate it
• "High Visceral" Pts 1 & 2 reissues?
• Who is "Rhubarb Records"?
• "People Taking Pictures" on What Reality? Records
• Highly collectible PPC records
• The origin of the name "Psychedelic Porn Crumpets"
• Challenges/benefits of that band name
• PPC has large fanbases where weed is legal
• Story of the "Levitation Sessions" LP
• Being disappointed by some vinyl represses
• PPC products and ideas for merch
• The Fronzoli cassettes are sold out
• Interview wrap up

Pick up a vinyl copy of 'Fronzoli' here.

Extended, Commercial-Free & High Resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8