Today I’m talking with the artist, musician, filmmaker, & sociocultural prophet GERALD V. CASALE. In the early ‘70s, Jerry co-founded the mutant-pop performance art group DEVO, who have since released 9 studio albums, 10 EPs, a soundtrack, 10 live albums, 16 compilations, 25 singles, & 9 video albums, not to mention creating some of the most distinct & unforgettable images in American music history.

DEVO are currently touring North America in celebration of their 50th anniversary. A feature-length documentary on the band will premiere on Netflix on August 19th, & recently they’ve been restoring & rereleasing their early short films, including 1976’s THE TRUTH ABOUT DE-EVOLUTION.

Most of our conversation explores Jerry’s music video filmography from the ‘90s, when he worked with bands like HUM, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Silverchair, & many others.

In this episode, we talk about the power of the moving image, the suffocating everyday presence of screens, & the struggle to prevent your vision from being smothered by the suits.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks for listening.

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https://www.geraldvcasale.com

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https://clubdevo.com

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TIMESTAMPS:

02:31 // "Mechanical Man" (DEVO)

03:15 // Early Cinephilia

05:11 // D.I.Y. Filmmaking

07:08 // "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" Video

12:28 // Production Process

13:57 // VFX & "Girl U Want" Video

17:12 // '90s Video Work

22:57 // Foo Fighters, "I'll Stick Around" Video

27:22 // Soundgarden, "Blow Up the Outside World" Video

31:08 // Silverchair, "Freak" Video

34:44 // HUM, "Green to Me" Video

43:44 // "Auto Modown" (DEVO)

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Today’s guest is JACOB GIVENS, TikTok phenom, musician, podcaster, actor, writer, & comedian.

His enthusiasm for music has attracted over 500,000 followers across his social media platforms, & he’s racked up millions of views from viral videos about iconic moments in 90s alternative & beyond.

He also runs the podcast WATERPROOF RECORDS, where he’s done episodes on HUM, the Flaming Lips, Deftones, the Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, & many more.

In this episode, we talk about the pull of theatricality, the power of ‘90s vocal hooks, & the feral euphoria of palm muting.

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If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.”

Donations only, no paywalls.

Thanks again for listening.

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LA TIMES Article

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WGN Feature

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:19 // Tulsa to Champaign

07:59 // Reaction Videos & Silent Film

17:56 // "The '90s Alt-Rock Vocal Hook Supercut"

22:54 // HUM on MTV

28:22 // “Green to Me” Discussion

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Today’s guest is the multi-talented JEFF GARBER — singer, guitarist, composer, producer, & engineer. From the mid-to-late ‘90s Jeff played in the Champaign, IL indie rock band CASTOR, who released 2 LPs, a single, & some compilation tracks, all of which have just been remixed, remastered, & pressed to vinyl on Matt Talbott’s EARTH ANALOG label. That set is called Moving Backgrounds; it’s now up for pre-order on POLYVINYL RECORDS. Link below.

Jeff’s next project, NATIONAL SKYLINE, which he started with Nick Macri (C-Clamp), Derek Niedringhaus (Castor), & Jeff Dimpsey (HUM), put out over a dozen releases, some on indie labels & some self-released.

He moved to Los Angeles in 2001 under the suggestion of producer/engineer/mixer Ken Andrews (Failure). Along with Andrews, Tim Dow, & Solomon Snyder, he formed YEAR OF THE RABBIT, who signed with Elektra Records & released their stellar self-titled album in 2003, followed by tours with A Perfect Circle & Pete Yorn.

After the demise of Elektra Records, he trained as an engineer & producer under Andrews throughout the 2000s. With the release of National Skyline’s 2009 epic Bliss & Death, Garber drew the attention of several key figures at MTV. That self-released album had several songs featured on TV shows The Hills, Jersey Shore, & Teen Mom.

Jeff went on to provide thousands of music tracks for shows on ABC, NBC, Fox, AMC, & many more. He's been awarded SESAC’s Honors in Cable Television & also received network TV honors at BMI.

He's currently the composer for the Netflix hit series Virgin River & Full Swing, & he writes & records music in his basement studio in Altadena, CA.

In this episode, we talk about the magnetism of college towns, end-of-the century anxiety, & endless endless layers of guitars.

If you’d like to back the podcast, click “support the show” at the bottom of the notes & then “see membership options.” Donations only, no paywalls.

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https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/products/castor-moving-backgrounds

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TIMESTAMPS:

03:15 // "Pontiac" (Castor)

04:34 // Castor News

08:40 // Origins

14:07 // "Trackstar" (Castor)

15:26 // Influences & Inspirations

18:31 // "Anecdotes" (Castor)

23:52 // Recording with Matt Talbott

26:52 // National Skyline

30:06 // "Reinkiller" (National Skyline)

35:52 // Year of the Rabbit

37:57 // The Gospel of Fantastic Planet

40:11 // YOTR Live

41:17 // "Let It Go" (Year of the Rabbit)

46:56 // Showcase Showdown

52:50 // Electra 2000 Tape

55:40 // Inlet LP

1:00:36 // "Folding" Discussion

1:30:13 // "Dust Gun" (Castor)

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"Folding" Live in STL (2018)

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