Episode 10 - Chaos Chaos (formerly Smoosh)

You likely remember Asy and Chloe Saavedra as Smoosh - two very young and ridiculously talented girls who played with nearly everyone (Pearl Jam, Death Cab, Cat Power, Eels, Bloc Party, you name it) and even appeared on Jimmy Kimmel. Just imagine the behind-the-scenes workings of a family forced into the crazy, late night, booze-fueled and chaotic world of professional touring musicians. Listen and find out about the challenges of learning who famous people are (they didn't know if the singer of Pearl Jam was Eddie Vedder or Eddie Murphy). Find out about the perils of putting fake gum on E's keyboard (is he really as grumpy as people say?). Learn about the difficulties of doing homework on the road, and about sleeping in tents backstage before late shows that were past their bedtime.

But, that is the past. We also talk about their recent reinvention as Chaos Chaos, and the impetus behind their new direction. This podcast features music from Chaos Chaos's fantastic debut EP, "S."

Available by subscribing on itunes or by streaming below.

Check out the video for their single My Hands here.

Episode 9 - Mike Jaworski and Drew Church of The Cops

If you're involved in the music scene in Seattle, then you know who these guys are. And if not, well, sit back and enjoy the ride. They've each played in a lot of bands, but this episode focuses on their time together in The Cops, who were one of the most exciting live bands around for a number of years. In addition to their musical output, they are Seattle cultural impresarios, with Mike running the consistently good Mt. Fuji Records, and Drew co-owning - with Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden - Hazlewood, one of the best places to have a cocktail in the city.

There's so much we talked about in this episode, so as a teaser, I'll just share with you the notes I took while editing this: "David Yow parties hard. ATP drug dog taunting. Dog suit. Partying with Red Fang and Big Business, shunning Danny from Tool. Murder City Devils' tour rider. Hold Steady assholes. Touring with Cursive and Jeremy Enigk. House with water torture buckets. Soap Opera Star's band."

Listen and figure out what all of that means.

This episode features the music of The Cops, all of which is available at Mt. Fuji Records.

Episode available by subscribing at itunes or by streaming below.

Interview with Aaron in NadaMucho.com

I was interviewed for an article about The Wasted Years in NadaMucho.com. Check it out here.

Episode 8 - Into the Storm

Things I learned from recording a podcast with Into the Storm:

1. It is possible to be paid 17 cents for a show.
2. Exactly what type of mental anguish it takes to drive a man to write "The World's Most Offensive Song." (Hint - it involves a push mower, 80s rock, and Wyoming)
3. You can fix a van's radiator with an egg.
4. It is still possible to pick-up a prostitute in Vegas at 3AM when covered from head to toe in motor oil, but only if you have your wallet.
5. These guys have what is, so far, the greatest shit-splosion story I've ever heard.

This podcast features music from the EP "Captains" and the forthcoming EP "Light Lovers and Heat Mongers."

Check out their music here: www.rideintothestorm.com
And do yourself a favor and watch their awesome video here.

Available by subscribing at iTunes, or streaming below:

We're in City Arts Magazine!

Huge thanks to City Arts Magazine for showing The Wasted Years some love in print! I can't believe they used that photo! (photo courtesy of Mike Spine, taken at Cape Disappointment, WA)

Man, I really need to get some new episodes posted. I have two in the editing process right now - Into the Storm and Mike Jaworsky and Drew Church from The Cops and like 20 other bands.

Coming soon.
Aaron

Episode 7.2 - The Making of Solyoni's Prairie Monsters, Part 2

Part 2 of 2.

The second part of The Making of Solyoni's failed road trip album "Prairie Monsters," in which we discover the fate of the Honda Accord, the connection between all-you-can-eat spaghetti and rap-rock, and how to use a wolverine claw in place of a rape whistle.

You can view a photo essay of the road trip here.

And you can download the album for free or a suggested donation here.

Podcast is available by subscribing at iTunes, or by streaming below.

Peter Falk in The Brinx Job, the film that inspired Solyoni's "Gold Mime Robberies."

Episode 7.1 - The Making of Solyoni's Prairie Monsters, Part 1

Part 1 of 2.

This two-part episode was a labor of love for me. In 2002, two of my best friends attempted to deliver a Honda Accord from Akron, Ohio to Seattle, WA while simultaneously writing an album about their experiences on the road. The goal was to record the album once they arrived in Seattle, with me - a hopeful young musician and engineer - twiddling the knobs. The car and one of the two friends never made it. (No, he didn't die. He just got stranded, and then went home.) The car delivery may have been a failure, but the album lived on in our hearts. Two years, three states, five recording locations, seven musicians, and many, many beers later, the album was completed and released. Solyoni has gone through many incarnations since, and its members have spread across the nation, but the joy of making this album has held us together, albeit loosely and with sporadic output.

I sat down to record this story with Solyoni founders and main songwriters Dan Lurie and Dominic Aulisio, and once we got going, it was hard to stop. Basically, we got drunk and recorded a whole bunch of material. This isn't exactly a "tour" story. It's the tale of a roadtrip, a crazy idea, and how a group of young fellas from Ohio came to the great Northwest, learned a thing or two about making music, and maybe actually grew up a little.

Chances are, you've never heard the album Prairie Monsters. You can go here and download it for free, or for however much you care to donate.

I hope you enjoy this one. Part two will post soon.

Available by subscribing at iTunes, or streaming below: