Episode 111: Rites of Spring

This week we’re discussing the short discography of Rites of Spring. Credited (along with Embrace) with helping to create emo-core, Rites of Spring went wild during their brief existence. They played only a few shows—destroying all their equipment in the process—but their influence remains today. Singer Guy Picciotto and drummer Brendan Canty went on to form Fugazi with Ian Mackaye and Joe Lally shortly after.

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Episode 103: Shudder to Think

This week we’re discussing every album by Shudder to Think. Led by Craig Wedren, Shudder to Think started out on Ian Mackaye’s Dischord Records before becoming one of the craziest (and most short-lived) major label acts. Proggy, heavy, punky, and fun as hell. Wedren went on to become an accomplished TV composer (Wet Hot American Summer, Reno 911!, The Whitest Kids U’ Know), which is something none of us were expecting.

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Episode 98: Faraquet/Medications

This week we’re discussing every album by both Faraquet and Medications. If you’re a fan of Ian Mackaye’s Dischord Records and haven’t heard these guys, you’re in luck. Both bands were formed by multi-instrumentalists Devin Ocampo and Chad Molter in the late 90s. While Faraquet and Medications are distinct from each other, both bands are mathy, proggy, beautiful, and always exciting. Great stuff that we wish we could’ve heard sooner.

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Episode 95: Embrace

This week we’re discussing the one and only album by Washington DC’s Embrace. While most notable as being one of Ian Mackaye’s (Minor Threat, Fugazi) many bands, Embrace helped pioneer what we now know as emo, even though they sounded nothing like it. It’s an important record and one Mike likes a hell of a lot more than Alex. Dig it.

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Episode 55: Fugazi

This week we’re discussing Fugazi, the band Mike openly calls “his Beatles.” One summary isn’t enough to explain the profound impact this band has had on independent music, but we will say that Fugazi was formed in Washington DC by former Minor Threat frontman Ian Mackaye and Joe Lally. The two quickly recruited drummer Brendan Canty and second guitarist/vocalist Guy Picciotto. Very few bands in the world have the raw chemistry that Fugazi did and the bond between each member shined through every one of their albums. We like them a lot and this is one of our most gushy episodes by far. Listen to this one before any other episode. And if you’ve already heard other episodes, pretend you haven’t.

Closing track: “Shut the Door” from Repeater (1990)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
The Argument (2001) — Best Album
Repeater (1990) — Personal Favorite
Instrument soundtrack (1999) — Worst Album
13 Songs (1989) — Least Favorite

Alex’s Picks:
The Argument (2001) — Best Album, Personal Favorite
Steady Diet of Nothing (1991) — Worst Album

Albums we discussed this episode…
13 Songs (1989)
3 Songs EP (1989)
Repeater (1990)
Steady Diet of Nothing (1991)
In on the Kill Taker (1993)
Red Medicine (1995)
End Hits (1998)
Instrument soundtrack (1999)
The Argument (2001)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music
Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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Episode 49: Minor Threat

This week we discuss Washington DC’s Minor Threat. Led by Fugazi founding member Ian Mackaye, Minor Threat is one of the most influential (and quite frankly, best) hardcore punk bands around and we had an awesome time dissecting their short discography. Mike nerds out hard on this one and we recommend that anyone interested in the American hardcore punk scene give this episode a shot. It’s a sweaty good time.

Closing track: “I Don’t Wanna Hear It” from Minor Threat EP (1981)

Check out our episode playlists on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc

Mike’s Picks:
Minor Threat EP (1981) — Best Record, Personal Favorite
Salad Days EP (1985) — Worst Record

Alex’s Picks:
Out of Step (1983) — Best Album
In My Eyes (1981) — Personal Favorite
Salad Days (1985) — Worst Record

Albums we discussed this episode…
Minor Threat EP (1981)
In My Eyes (1981)
Out of Step (1983)
Salad Days EP (1985)

Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura for show updates and @pandermonkey for original music
Follow Alex on Instagram @motherpuncher

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