Ep558: John McCrea of CAKE
The Vinyl Guide
discusses their elusive catalogue on vinyl, rarities of the band, upcoming Australian tour, new recordings, record nerdery and more. Topics Include: John McCrae discusses collecting records, revisiting old favorites like Perez Prado He describes "chasing goosebumps" — the feeling of rediscovering great music Shares vivid teenage memory seeing Led Zeppelin at Knebworth, England Recalls dancing to washing machine rinse cycles as a toddler Names early formative records: Beatles, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie His parents played accordion and folk guitar, shaping his musicality ...
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Ep557: The Secret Return of Neurosis with Steve Von Till
The Vinyl Guide
's reveals how the band secretly rebuilt itself, creating a career-defining album and making future plans for the victory-lap that few thought possible. Topics Include: The Secret recording of Neurosis walked away seven years ago under uncertain circumstances Four remaining members reunited quietly at end of 2024 Aaron Turner brought in to help complete the musical puzzle Reunion tied to , a suicide-prevention nonprofit Heavy music framed as protective factor for indigenous mental health Steve reflects on tribal rhythms and humanity's forgotten earth connection Band knew instantly the new...
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Ep556: Shapel Lacey - Punk, Comedy & Rising Above
The Vinyl Guide
Comedian discusses the power of music, inspiration and how a 1981 Black Flag video sparked a lifelong punk obsession that shaped his identity, art, and resilience. Shapel Lacey | | Topics Include: Talks local record stores, Amoeba, old Sunset location Discovers deep-cut Swedish hardcore at Eastside Records, Arizona Reflects on pre-streaming era, hunting records in person Notices rosary on Crash's grave, debates his beliefs Traces punk discovery to junior high guitar class Friend introduces him to ska punk, then Black Flag Watches 1981 Target video of Rollins-era Black...
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Ep555: The Taj Mahal Interview
The Vinyl Guide
Blues legend shares rare stories about Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, and the that shaped his stunning new record. Topics Include: discusses his new album, Time, and its origins Reveals his decades-long friendship and mutual respect with Bill Withers Explains how Bill Withers heard and loved this unreleased demo Bill Withers' wife gave final approval before the song's release Withers walked away from music rather than change his sound Why the industry pushed Withers to sound more commercial Taj shares why vinyl beats digital for capturing real sound Breaks down the "bell curve" problem...
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Ep554: Everlast - From Rhyme Syndicate to Embers to Ashes
The Vinyl Guide
traces his journey from Rhyme Syndicate graffiti kid to House of Pain to solo artist, revealing how Jump Around's success gave him the freedom to never chase a hit again. Topics Include: Everlast's new album Embers to Ashes drops August 28th with vinyl available He collects art and guitars, not records — leaves vinyl to the DJs His guitar collection spans vintage Fender Strats, Gretsch Falcons, and Martin acoustics Grew up immersed in graffiti culture, his kids are graffiti artists too His house is essentially a private gallery of graffiti and street art Music was always on — mom...
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Ep553: The Ghosts That Haunt Peter Hook
The Vinyl Guide
reflects on 50 years of music, the emotional weight of performing Joy Division and New Order live, and the many memories and ghosts of his past. Topics Include: New Order toured Australia as early as 1982, helped by Factory Australasia's local support. Hooky calls Australia the only place he never wants to leave — he still suffers leaving every time. Peter Hook and the Light played their seventh-ever gig in Melbourne on their first Australian tour. He is now working through every New Order and Joy Division album ever recorded live. Get Ready features songs never played live as New...
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Ep552: The Gospel According to Swamp Dogg
The Vinyl Guide
opens up about his new album "," reflecting on death, faith, and a 70-year career that's produced over 2,000 songs. Extended and high resolution podcast at: Topics Include: New album, , drops on S-Curve Swamp Dogg shares wild theories on what happens after death He opens up about faith, doubt, and fear of dying Reveals he's written over 2,000 songs across 31 albums His very first record came out way back in 1954 Stories of opening for Sam Cooke and Larry Williams Names the R&B legends who shaped his sound early on Louis Jordan's band once crashed at his childhood home Tells...
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Ep551: Lydia Lunch - Confrontationalist, Poet, No Wave Pioneer
The Vinyl Guide
unpacks the raw origins of No Wave, her squatting-and-surviving New York story, and why after five decades of confrontational art, pleasure remains the ultimate rebellion. Topics Include: Lydia Lunch is touring Australia and New Zealand in June She's performing Suicide and Alan Vega covers across multiple cities Australia holds deep personal meaning — Roland S. Howard, Tex Perkins, lifelong friends Lydia considers herself a comedian; most people are just too afraid to laugh Words are her primary art — music is just the machine gun She sleeps in two-hour shifts and wakes famished at...
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Ep550: Black Flag Vocalist Max Zanelly
The Vinyl Guide
vocalist Max Zanelly shares how she went from waitressing to fronting one of punk's most legendary bands and how the new lineup is carving their own space in legacy of the band. Topics Include: Max Zanelly checks in from Toronto, post-Canada tour Black Flag heading to Australia: four cities in late May One year ago, Max had just started rehearsing with Black Flag Only prior music experience: saxophone in middle school band A longtime fan, Max attended a Black Flag show in Vancouver Greg Ginn noticed Max singing every word from the front row Numbers exchanged; Greg said he wanted to make...
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Ep549: Dave Markey & The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell
The Vinyl Guide
Filmmaker discusses his documentary "", the punk scene's most fascinating, mysterious, and surprisingly influential behind-the-scenes figure. | Topics Include: Dave Markey has a large record collection but stopped buying recently. Vinyl prices have skyrocketed — once cheap records now cost thousands. Dave bought records directly from band members at punk shows. Ian MacKaye sold Dave a first press Minor Threat 7". Dave bought Minutemen and Descendents EPs from D-Boon for a dollar. Dave made the Bill Bartell documentary for people who don't know him. Bill Bartell was unknowable...
info_outlineIn a rare interview, Greg Ginn opens up about the latest Black Flag lineup, the SST catalogue, the possibility of long-overdue reissues and the legacy of one of punk's most beloved bands.
Tickets for Black Flag's 2026 Australian Tour
Topics Include:
- Greg Ginn is based in Texas but currently in Long Beach after a tour.
- Black Flag is heading to Hong Kong and then Australia next.
- This will be Black Flag's third tour of Australia.
- Rumors of new recordings remain unconfirmed — Ginn stays tight-lipped.
- The current lineup has been together for about a year.
- Band plays nearly two hours a night across two full sets.
- Proximity of bandmates in Texas keeps the band constantly tight.
- Ginn discovered punk through the Stooges, MC5, and New York bands.
- Television, Ramones, Blondie, and The Damned were early major influences.
- Ginn identifies more with open, varied 70s punk than 80s hardcore.
- He never planned to be in a band — guitar was a personal outlet.
- Finding like-minded people in the mid-70s was genuinely rare and meaningful.
- Ginn started a business at 12 selling ham radio equipment he built.
- He published his own amateur radio magazine as a teenager.
- Black Flag's first EP was recorded as a demo, not a label release.
- Nobody wanted to sign them, so starting SST was a reluctant default.
- Ginn has applied the same DIY experimentation to an organic fertilizer brand.
- He gets bored easily and improvisation is central to keeping music alive.
- Ginn stays connected to a song's emotional meaning, not just its notes.
- Seven band members once lived in a single room during Black Flag's peak.
- Lineup changes were mostly practical — commitment and lifestyle demands were extreme.
- Ginn isn't interested in nostalgia-driven reunions; best music matters most now.
- Fans frequently thank him personally for helping them through difficult life periods.
- He avoids fiction, movies, and video games — prefers reality and constant learning.
- SST vaults are mostly bare — nearly everything recorded was officially released.
- Ginn is open to remastering but skeptical of padding albums with leftover cuts.
- He notes Dead Kennedys recently remixed Fresh Fruit — and wants to hear it.
- Ginn doesn't own a working turntable; portability matters more to him than format.
- SST catalog reissues — including Stains, Dicks, Overkill — are a genuine possibility.
- Ginn believes Black Flag's songs remain timeless, attracting both parents and their kids.
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