This week we're discussing Birthing, the latest album by Swans. Our history guy and interviewer Tom Osman is filling in for Alex this week to reflect on our recent interview with Michael Gira, as well as take a deep dive into the final massive Swans album we're likely ever going to get. Birthing is as intense as it gets for Swans, so fans will be in for a treat, despite its 2 hour runtime. Be sure to check out all our episodes chronicling Swans’ entire discography (episodes 150, 160, and 170), as well as our interview with Michael Gira. Birthing releases on May 30.
Read MoreInterview with Michael Gira of Swans
This week we're interviewing Michael Gira: leader, vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter for the legendary Swans. Swans' latest album, entitled Birthing, releases on May 30 and is reported by Gira to be the band's final large-sounding, expansive album. Michael was generous enough to have a phone conversation with Mike and Tom to talk all about it, as well as his creative process as a whole. Swans are a band like no other and if you haven't already, check out all of our episodes chronicling each of their studio albums.
Read MoreA Sudden Craving by The Children... | Album Review + Interview
This week we’re discussing A Sudden Craving, the newest album by The Children… And for the first time ever, we have included an exclusive interview with the band. Made up of Michael Wiener, Jim Coleman (Cop Shoot Cop), and Phil Puelo (Cop Shoot Cop, Swans), The Children have created some of the most fascinating, texture-rich music you will hear this year. However, Wiener’s vocals will separate the weak from the strong, as his choices are unlike any you’ve heard before. Beautiful, intricate, dark, and most of all, completely insane. Enter at your own risk.
Tom’s interview with Jim and Michael begins at 35:48
Read MoreMike and Tom Debate Albums!
This week we’re mixing things up. Mike is in Berlin, Germany and decided to meet up with our history guy, Tom Osman, to go back into the EAE archives and debate some of our past picks. The Black Flag, Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden, Swans, Husker Du, and Celtic Frost episodes, to be exact. From each of those episodes, Tom picked two albums to debate with Mike. Whose side are you on?
Read MoreEpisode 170: Swans (Pt. 3)
This week we’re finishing our series on Swans, covering every album from their reunion in 2010 all the way to their most recent 2023 release, The Beggar. This era of the band is a massive sonic force unlike any other in the world and is not for casual listening. 2 hour albums, 30 minute songs, punishing intensity, and gorgeous atmosphere and musicality. Through this era, Michael Gira proves his uncompromising artistic vision in ways few others in history can compete with. Prepare yourself.
Read MoreEpisode 160: Swans (Pt. 2)
This week we’re discussing every album by Swans from 1987-1996. This era of the band is easily their most blindsiding, as they shifted heavily from the brutality of their early records to a more musical, goth, and at times even poppy direction. And what’s more shocking is that they still ruled every step of the way. While Michael Gira still had a revolving door of members in the band at this time, vocalist and keyboardist Jarboe became an essential part of this era of Swans.
Read MoreEpisode 150: Swans (Pt. 1)
This week we’re discussing every album by Swans from 1982-1986. Led by the unpredictable and immensely talented Michael Gira (and accompanied by long-time collaborators Norman Westberg and Jarboe), Swans is a band that can’t possibly be described in a paragraph. Their musical range is unprecedented and continues to evolve today. However, this era of the band made some of the most punishing, brutal, and disturbing music ever made. Unlike anything and truly barbaric. Enter with caution.
Read More2019 Wrap-Up Episode
If you're wondering why there's no video for this episode, it's because Mike's an idiot and he managed to lose it. Since this is a music podcast, it’s only necessary we talk about our favorite albums of the year, if only to prove that we’re still hip. Aside from Alex and Mike’s picks for album of the year, there are no rankings on this episode. All of these albums are great and you should listen to them all. Finally, to close off the episode, we talk about our biggest surprises and disappointments from albums we’ve talked about on the podcast. It’s a good time, aside from the fact that there's no video, completely ruining a visual gag where Mike was literally wearing 3 different Lingua Ignota t-shirts, slowly revealing them one-by-one throughout the episode and confusing the hell out of Alex. If you listen closely, you can hear when it happens. Happy New Year!
Closing track: “Tourniquet” by Baroness from Gold & Grey
Check out our episode playlists on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/user/motherpuncherinc
Mike’s album of the year:
Lingua Ignota — Caligula
Alex’s album of the year:
Baroness — Gold & Grey
Mike’s Picks:
Ioanna Gika — Thalassa
Marissa Nadler & Stephen Brodsky — Droneflower
Big Brave — A Gaze Among Them
Baroness — Gold & Grey
BONES UK — BONES UK
Buildings — Negative Sound
Danny Brown — unknowwhatimsayin¿
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds — Ghosteen
Swans — Leaving Meaning.
Alex’s Picks:
Malibu Ken — Malibu Ken
Karen O & Danger Mouse — Lux Prima
Anderson .Paak — Ventura
Rico Nasty & Kenny Beats — Anger Management
Helms Alee — Noctiluca
black midi — Schlagenheim
Lingua Ignota — Caligula
Tool — Fear Inoculum
Brittany Howard — Jamie
Blackwater Holylight — Veils of Winter
clipping — There Existed an Addiction to Blood
Follow Mike on Instagram @popejesseventura and Alex @motherpuncher
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