Center Stage: An Abandoned Albums Podcast

Bite Me Bambi, hailing from Orange County, California, is a dynamic ska band formed in 2018. This assembly of seasoned musicians brings a wealth of experience to their energetic sound, drawing inspiration from British two-tone and third-wave ska. Bite Me Bambi infuses their sound with pop-punk energy and rockabilly flair, creating a distinctive musical identity. Their influences include iconic ska bands like The Specials and Madness, as well as punk and rock acts, allowing them to craft a unique fusion that you're sure to dig. Tahlena and Mike stopped by Thunderlove Studio for a chat recently and we had a blast talking with them. Many thanks to their team and to Mike and Tahlena.  LINKS Bite Me Bambi Web Bite Me Bambi YouTube Bite Me Bambi on FB Bite Me Bambi on Twitch Bite Me Bambi on IG Please support independent music.  

Days Between Stations, the Los Angeles-based progressive rock duo of Sepand Samzadeh and Oscar Fuentes, has consistently pushed the boundaries of art rock since their debut in 2007. Blending the genre’s classic roots with contemporary creativity, they have become a vital force in modern progressive rock. Drawing inspiration from seminal acts like Yes, Genesis, and Marillion, the duo bridges the grandeur of the past with the innovation of the present. Their latest album, Perpetual Motion Machines, exemplifies this tradition, weaving complex compositions with thematic depth. Similar to Genesis during the Peter Gabriel era, their music is theatrical, creating vivid, often surreal soundscapes imbued with emotional intensity.

This week, bass player Matt Patterson of The Drive-By Truckers, Laura Jane Grace, The Dexateens, and Model Citizen stops by Thunderlove Studio.

Here is the last interview conducted with Lone Justice. If you haven't already, I would encourage you to listen to the first two episodes and our conversations with Marvin Etzioni and Ryan Hedgecock.  Drummer Don Heffington passed in 2021, but through modern studio wizardry, he is an active participant in the "new to you" release Viva Lone Justice.  These interviews have been released in the order in which they were conducted. This last episode is our conversation with lead singer Maria McKee Think of this as our Rashomon episode.

Welcome to Day Two. Over the next three days, we'll release three separate interviews with the surviving members of the band Lone Justice: Marvin Etzioni, Ryan Hedgecock, and Maria McKee. Drummer Don Heffington passed in 2021, but through modern studio wizardry, he is an active participant in the "new to you" release Viva Lone Justice.  They're being released in the order in which they were conducted. This second episode is our conversation with guitar player Ryan Hedgecock.   Think of this as our Rashomon episode.

Over the next three days, we'll release three separate interviews with the surviving members of the band Lone Justice: Marvin Etzioni, Ryan Hedgecock, and Maria McKee. Drummer Don Heffington passed in 2021, but through modern studio wizardry, he is an active participant in the "new to you" release Viva Lone Justice.  These interviews are being released in the order in which they were conducted. The first is bass player and songwriter, Marvin Etzioni.  Think of this as our Rashomon episode.

This week's throwback is a revisit to the singer/songwriter/guitar slinger with an almost insatiable intellectual and musical wanderlust - Anders Parker. We closed out the fifth season of Abandoned Albums talking with the troubadour who entered the scene in the mid 90’s when a 4-track recording he made in his Portland, OR apartment, titled Man of Sin, got passed around. Anders then formed a band and began walking a trail that has defined his life, as you’ll hear.   As the leader/songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist of the band Varnaline, Parker toured and eventually released 5 albums under that name… and Anders entered the indie music lexicon. As all things do, Varnaline ran its course, beginning phase two of Anders's artistry - a phase that has seen him exploring both his own solo work, collaborating with folks like Jay Farrar of Son Volt, and even adding music to some of the late Woody Guthrie’s songs. The resulting album New Multitudes found him collaborating with Jim James, Jay Farrar, and Will Johnson and remains a fan favorite. The interview would’ve spanned two or three hours in order to cover everything Anders has accomplished in his career… and continues to accomplish.  Geoff and Keith spoke with Anders about a fair chunk of his career and about his new album, The Black Flight, which drops on Friday, August 11. Pull up a chair, relax, and discover one helluva great artist - by every measure and definition of the word.

THROWBACK THURSDAY This originally aired in June of 2023. While we're on hiatus, we're posting some of our favorite episodes, and this one caught both Geoff and me completely off guard.  We'll return on 10.30.  Do you like power pop? Well, we've got a band for you! Dungeon of Skeletons! Their album Patterns left Geoff speechless, and Keith thought it was the "best album of the year." And they both agree that despite the song title, "Doom and Gloom" is the song of the summer. Once in a while, everything just clicks, and this episode is one of those. Frontman Justin Kline stopped by to talk with Keith & Geoff, and the guys had a great chat about all sorts of things. And we're not speaking out of turn in saying some of the stories here might impress you. This is a Rufus-approved, four-paw-rated episode! Links Dungeon of Skeletons Web Dungeon of Skeletons Bandcamp Dungeon of Skeletons IG Dungeon of Skeletons FB Book - Go All the Way

Zebrahead is an American punk rock band formed in Orange County, California, in 1996. Known for their energetic fusion of punk, rap, and alternative rock, the band has cultivated a unique sound that blends catchy melodies with rapid-fire vocals.  The band gained significant attention with their 1998 debut album, Waste of Mind, and solidified their international presence with Playmate of the Year (2000) and MFZB (2003). Zebrahead has a strong fan base in Japan and Europe, often touring extensively in these regions. In recent years, they released the EPs III (2021) and II (2022), showcasing their continued evolution and commitment to high-energy performances.  Zebrahead remains an influential force in the punk rock scene, celebrated for their dynamic live shows and genre-blending music.  LINKS Zebrahead on the Web Zebrahead on IG Zebrahead on FB Zebrahead on Spotify Zebrahead on YouTube

Jenna Fournier is a Cleveland-based musician and visual artist renowned for her ethereal vocals and expressive paintings. As the lead singer and guitarist of the dream pop band NIIGHTS, and with her solo project Kid Tigrrr, she captivates audiences with haunting melodies and atmospheric soundscapes. Both with NIIGHTS and Kid Tiger, Jenna has earned a dedicated following in the indie music scene. Beyond music, Fournier is an accomplished painter whose artwork has been exhibited in many galleries. Her visual art explores themes of emotion and human experience, complementing the introspective nature of her music. Fresh off of singing back-up on the new Smashing Pumpkins record, Jenna stopped by Thunderlove Studio to talk to Keith & Geoff about that, NIIGHTS, and her new Kid Tigrrr album Stoned + Animald... oh, and the Smashing Pumpkins stuff.  LINKS Kid Tigrrr NIIGHTS Jenna on IG LinkTree