Bandsplain

It’s draft time once again on Bandsplain. Chris Ryan, Rob Harvilla, and Sean Fennessey join us for the not just a little chaotic Grunge draft where everybody is a Loser in one way or another. Also, a ska season is suggested as a threat, the gang discuss the most 90’s feeling pop star of today, and we hear about Sean’s cool metal friend from high school. All that and more, on this week’s Bandsplain.  Follow Chris Ryan on Twitter @ChrisRyan77 Follow Rob Harvilla on Twitter @Harvilla Follow Sean Fennessey on Twitter @SeanFennessey Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guests: Chris Ryan, Rob Harvilla, Sean Fennessey Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hanif and Yasi are back, as we find Soundgarden on the precipice of releasing their super well known album Superunknown. The vibes? They are not always impeccable, but the songs are phenomenal. Listen as we trace the back half of the Soundgarden catalog, from Superunknown and the underrated Down on the Upside through their reunion album and the Audioslave and solo records in between.  Follow Hanif Abdurraqib on Twitter @NifMuhammad Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Hanif Abdurraqib Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the earlier bands to form in what would become the biggest music scene of the 90s, Soundgarden started up in Seattle in 1984 when two friends from Illinois named Kim and Hiro formed a band with a local drummer named Chris. The band blended influences and styles from post punk and new wave to Beatles and metal, slowly forming a sound that was all their own. Along the way Chris Cornell took the front, took off his shirt, and the band started to take off, especially with the addition of a few new band members. Soundgarden brought the founders of SubPop together and brought major labels sniffing around the scene, though they themselves took a more considered and well-paced path to rock stardom. In this episode we are blessed with the presence of returning guest Hanif Aburraqib to help chart the journey of this excellent band, from their earliest days through their third album, Badmotorfinger. Follow Hanif Abdurraqib on Twitter @NifMuhammad Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Hanif Abdurraqib Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The C/Z Records 'Deep Six' compilation is a thing of legend. An early document of a nascent Seattle scene that would be national news within five years, the comp features several bands that had yet to put out any recorded music, including Melvins, Soundgarden, and Andrew Wood’s first band, Malfunkshun, plus tracks from Green River, Skin Yard, and the biggest band in the scene at the time, the U-Men. Kim Thayil of Soundgarden joins the show to talk about how the compilation came about and how this six-band compilation serves as a cultural artifact of the foundation of the Seattle alternative scene. Follow Soundgarden on Instagram @soundgarden. Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kim Thayil Producer: Olivia Crerie Additional Production Supervision: Jesse Miller Gordon, Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the greatest compilations of its time (the greatest time for compilations), No Alternative was the third in the Red Hot series benefiting AIDS relief. The line up is studded with iconic artists, many on the precipice of their biggest records, from Soundgarden to Sarah McLachlan, and also features influential alternative greats like Buffalo Tom, The Verlaines, and Soul Asylum. It even spawned an MTV special with live performances from Smashing Pumpkins and Goo Goo Dolls, plus short films by the likes of Tamra Davis, Hal Hartley, and Derek Jarman. Plus, the biggest rock band in the world at the time contributed an uncredited song that even without proper listing became a huge part of the comp's hype. We used to be a proper country indeed. The Ringer’s own Chris Ryan joins us to break down this important cultural artifact. Follow Chris Ryan on Twitter @ChrisRyan77 Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dinosaur Jr. rose from the ashes of a teenage hardcore band looking to make some “Ear Bleeding Country.” They went on to become one of the most influential and interesting alternative rock bands of the 80’s and 90’s. The band went from underground to indie to major label to MTV, shedding a few original members along the way, and eventually broke up before reforming the og line-up in the mid 2000’s to put out even more gorgeous records. Singer, songwriter, and Broken Social Scene member Kevin Drew joins us to navigate the long and storied path of Dinosaur Jr.  Follow Kevin Drew on instagram @kevinselection Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE  Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kevin Drew Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is time once again to hear from our beloved listeners, so we opened up the mail bag to answer some of your most pressing questions. Rob Harvilla joins us to help plan Yasi’s trip to Ohio, discuss the sordid swing dance moment of the 90’s, parse Taco Bell menu highlights, and give some answers of his own.  Follow Rob Harvilla on Twitter @Harvilla Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Rob Harvilla Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Claire Cottrill, a.k.a. Clairo, drops by the pod to talk about her sexy, new album, 'Charm'; donkeys; the Beyoncé song that changed her life; her inspired choice of sandwich; listening to the Arctic Monkeys in high school; Dobby the house elf; her favorite Beach Boys era; and more. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Clairo Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Stone Temple Pilots were given no benefit of the doubt by critics in their heyday, but the band had hits, and did not care. Hailing from Southern California, STP’s equally charismatic, talented, and troubled frontman Scott Weiland helped the band take off quickly, and then frequently kept them in a state of disarray for much of their existence. Along the way Stone Temple Pilots put together a catalog of records that is much stronger upon re-examination than many originally thought. Sean Fennessey joins us today to wade through the history of a misunderstood and sometimes tragic band.  Follow Sean Fennessey on Twitter @SeanFennessey Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Sean Fennessey Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jennifer Herrema of Royal Trux, RTX, and Black Bananas comes by the pod to talk about personal style, early-2000s reality television, lychee fruit, memes from loving husbands, the 'Grease' soundtrack, why she’s a Deadhead, and more. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Jennifer Herrema Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kim Deal initially formed The Breeders with her sister Kelley as a side project while she was in the Pixies so that she could record her own songs, but it definitely turned into something way bigger, more iconic, and more influential than that. Through shifting line ups and several starts and stops, the band managed to make some of the best rock albums of the 90’s and beyond, setting the bar for coolness and influencing artists from Nirvana to Olivia Rodrigo along the way. Author and New York Times pop music editor Caryn Ganz joins us to talk about their history, their impact, and of course, their incredible music. Follow Caryn Ganz on Twitter @mehpatrol Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Caryn Ganz  Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shannon Shaw of Shannon and the Clams comes by the pod to talk about their beautiful new album, 'The Moon Is in the Wrong Place'; bad smoothies; dealing with grief through making art; Primus fandom; FMK the Beatles; being saved by Drew Carey; her future career as a product jingle writer; and more. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Shannon Shaw Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice in Chains emerged from the Seattle scene an entity unto themselves. Formed from remnants of local hair metal bands, they naturally evolved into the groove heavy band with a distinct vocal style we know today. Rob Harvilla joins us to parse the legacy of perhaps the most populist band of the Grunge era. Follow Rob Harvilla on Twitter @harvilla Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Rob Harvilla  Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob Harvilla joins Yasi to talk about Steve Albini's legacy, in music and also outside of it. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Rob Harvilla Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jill Hopkins, Brian Fallon, and Steven Hyden step into the arena with Yasi to draft their favorite Pearl Jam songs and moments. The gang cover their favorite live song, favorite radio hit, and more. Will anyone try to win the draft? Or will everyone choose their picks from the heart? Tune in to find out, and decide who won for yourself.  You can follow Jill on Twitter @jillhopkins You can follow Brian on Twitter @thebrianfallon You can follow Steven on Twitter @steven_hyden Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guests: Jill Hopkins, Brian Fallon, Steven Hyden Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kacy Hill comes on the pod to talk about her fantastic new album, 'Bug'; Taurus shit; why being annoying is a woman’s right and duty; going down a nostalgia hole with the Shins; her TikTok algo; why we love Poquito Más; shaking Jay-Z’s hand for way too long; and more. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kacy Hill Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yasi and Kevin return this week to find Pearl Jam on the verge of falling apart (spoiler alert: they didn't). We pick back up as the band enters the studio to record the excellent “Vitalogy.” Ticketmaster emerges as the band’s foil, and Neil Young continues to be one of the band’s greatest allies. Taking cues from his career to help them navigate their own uncharted waters, this episode takes us from 1994 to present day.  Follow Kevin Clark on twitter at @bykevinclark Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kevin Clark  Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Singer-songwriter Madi Diaz comes by the pod to talk about her beautiful album 'Weird Faith,' the importance of Bikini Kill on her artistic journey, daddy’s girls, saying yes to life, revenge fantasies, and more! Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Madi Diaz Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Bandsplain, we dive into the music of Pearl Jam. In the wake of the dissolution of Green River and then Mother Love Bone, a new band coalesces, and explodes after adding an enigmatic frontman in the form of a San Diego surfer named Eddie. From their first shows as Mookie Blaylock to confronting a level of fame they never imagined, the story of Pearl Jam is a whirlwind that has now spanned three decades. On our first installment we take you from the origins of the band through their epic classic “Vs.” Joining us to start this journey is former Ringer writer and current ESPN analyst Kevin Clark. Follow Kevin Clark on twitter at @bykevinclark Listen to songs we detail in the episode HERE Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Kevin Clark  Producer: Jesse Miller-Gordon Audio Editor: Adrian Bridges Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Singer-songwriter Grace Cummings comes on the pod to talk about her gorgeous new album, 'Ramona', being a theater kid, loving Alice In Chains, her favorite member of Wu-Tang Clan, and more. Host: Yasi Salek Guest: Grace Cummings Producer: Chris Sutton Additional Production Supervision: Justin Sayles Theme Song: Hether Fortune Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices