DC Rock History

• The Slickee Boys - "Cybernetic Dreams of Pi" with Don Zientara

  In this episode, we explore Cybernetic Dreams of Pi, the 1983 release from The Slickee Boys that blends garage rock revivalism with punk attitude and sci-fi themes. The Slickee Boys had been a fixture in the DC music scene since the mid-1970s, building a dedicated following with their irreverent stage shows and DIY approach to recording. With a lineup featuring Mark Noone on vocals, Kim Kane and Marshall Keith on guitars, Dan Palenski on drums, and John Chumbris on bass, the band delivered an album that balanced catchy hooks with an adventurous spirit.   Our guest is Don Zientara, founder of Inner Ear Studios and one of DC’s most influential recording engineers. Don shares insights on working with The Slickee Boys and the recording of Cybernetic Dreams of Pi, as well as the role of Inner Ear Studios in shaping the sound of DC’s music scene. Together, we discuss how The Slickee Boys’ album fits within the broader story of DC rock, from their early DIY singles to their lasting influence on the city’s underground music community.   We also examine the album’s production process, the impact of Inner Ear Studios on the DC scene, and how The Slickee Boys helped expand the boundaries of what punk rock could be in the nation’s capital.   Sponsor: Get 10% off New Columbia Record Club with checkout code DCROCKS   Go Further: Don Zientara – Inner Ear Studios Dance of Days by Mark Andersen and Mark Jenkins Trouser Press – The Slickee Boys   Follow Us: Social Media: @dcrockpod Email: [email protected] Philip Basnight - Broke Royals Alex Vidales - Pilot Waves Don Zientara - Inner Ear Studios   Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight

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• Faith / Void Split with Thurston Moore

  In this episode, we explore the Faith/Void Split, the legendary 1982 release from Dischord Records that captures the duality of the early D.C. hardcore scene. Released as Dischord Records #8, the album pairs Faith’s tight, melodic hardcore with Void’s chaotic, genre-defying intensity. Both bands, formed by teenagers, contributed to the diverse evolution of hardcore punk in the nation’s capital.   Our guest is Thurston Moore, guitarist of Sonic Youth and author of Sonic Life, whose exploration of punk’s formative years and D.C.’s unique underground scene offers insights into the album’s enduring impact. Together, we discuss how the Faith/Void Split influenced not only the local punk landscape but also laid the groundwork for the post-hardcore and noise rock movements that followed.   We also examine the album’s production at Inner Ear Studios, the role of Dischord Records, and the cultural significance of the split LP format in fostering a sense of community and creative experimentation in the early 1980s. Sponsor: Get 10% off New Columbia Record Club with checkout code DCROCKS Go Further: Sonic Life by Thurston Moore Dance of Days by Mark Andersen & Mark Jenkins Dischord Records – Faith/Void Split Follow Us: Social Media: @dcrockpod Email: [email protected] Philip Basnight - Broke Royals Alex Vidales - Pilot Waves Thurston Moore - Sonic Life   Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight

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• Bad Brains - "Bad Brains" with Bartees Strange

  In this episode, we dive into Bad Brains’ self-titled 1982 classic, which still stands as one of the most explosive albums in punk history. Recorded at 171-A Studios in New York, the album blends elements of hardcore punk and reggae, and is widely regarded as a foundational release in the development of American hardcore. Known for its speed, technical proficiency, and incorporation of Rastafarian themes and the philosophy of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), the album helped establish Bad Brains as a central figure in the early 1980s punk scene. Our guest is Bartees Strange, a musician whose work spans punk, indie rock, and experimental pop. In this episode, we discuss the origins of Bad Brains, their early performances in Washington, D.C., and how their fusion of genres and high-energy shows contributed to their influence on punk scenes nationwide. We also explore the circumstances surrounding the “Banned in D.C.” narrative, the production and distribution of their debut cassette, and the lasting legacy of the band across punk, hardcore, reggae, and alternative music communities. Sponsor: Get 10% off New Columbia Record Club with checkout code DCROCKS   Go Further: PMA: Positive Mental Attitude by Napoleon Hill Dance of Days by Mark Andersen & Mark Jenkins Bartees Strange – Official Site   Follow Us: Social Media: @dcrockpod Email: [email protected] Philip Basnight – Broke Royals Alex Vidales – Pilot Waves Bartees Strange – Official Site Podcast Artwork by Rebecca Basnight

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• Minor Threat - "First Two 7"s" with Scott Crawford and Eduardo Nunes

  In this episode, we dig into Minor Threat and In My Eyes, the two EPs that make up First Two 7”s. Across twelve blistering tracks, Minor Threat laid down the foundation for DC hardcore with a sound that was fast, focused, and unapologetically direct. Our guests are Eduardo Nunes of Discologist and Scott Crawford, the filmmaker behind Salad Days and Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine. Together, we explore the band’s early impact, the emergence of Straight Edge, and the lasting power of a group that never stuck around long but still changed everything. This episode centers around records produced by Skip Groff and engineered by Don Zientara at Inner Ear Studios. From the birth of Straight Edge to the tension behind “Out of Step,” we explore how these two short records created a lifelong blueprint for punk communities around the world. Sponsor: Get 10% off New Columbia Record Club with checkout code DCROCKS Go Further: Minor Threat – First Two 7”s on Dischord Salad Days (dir. Scott Crawford) Our Band Could Be Your Life by Michael Azerrad Dance of Days by Mark Andersen & Mark Jenkins Follow Us: Social Media: @dcrockpod Email: [email protected] Philip Basnight – Broke Royals Alex Vidales – StageCraft Eduardo Nunes – Discologist | Wammies Scott Crawford – IMDb

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• Government Issue - "Legless Bull" with Paul Vodra

  In this episode, we dive into the early days of Government Issue and their blistering 1981 debut EP Legless Bull. As the fourth release on Dischord Records, this 10-song, 9-minute blast helped define the label’s emerging sound and captured the chaotic energy of a scene in formation.   We’re joined by Paul Vodra of Hometown Sounds to unpack how Government Issue fit into the fast-shifting DC hardcore landscape. From their unpracticed live debut to their confrontational lyrics, we explore how John Stabb and company became unlikely architects of a movement. Paul also shares the story behind Hometown Sounds, his enduring love for mashups, and the challenges of keeping your ears fresh as a longtime DC music tastemaker.   This episode centers around a record produced by Ian MacKaye and engineered by Don Zientara, recorded in the earliest days of Inner Ear Studios. Tune in as we explore the impact of Legless Bull, the rise of Straight Edge, and the enduring legacy of a band that never fit the mold. Go Further: Government Issue – Legless Bull on Dischord Dance of Days by Mark Andersen & Mark Jenkins Hometown Sounds Follow Us: Social Media: @dcrockpod Email: [email protected] Philip Basnight – Broke Royals Alex Vidales – StageCraft Paul Vodra – Hometown Sounds | DJ Paul Vodra on Instagram Sponsor: Get 10% off New Columbia Record Club with checkout code DCROCKS

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