Punk Rock Academic

Dallas McCulloch and Alex Yore

5.0 (1)
Education
Updated Biweekly

2 PhD students who have spent a lot of time on tour. Alex & Dallas are talking with others who have a background in both higher education and punk rock (or adjacent scenes), and discussing how they intersect and impact one another and have shaped their lives. Nice Midwestern Boys.

01/16/2025

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 11: Kate Reddy, MA (108 & Equal Vision Records)

Hello everyone and welcome to Punk Rock Academic Episode 11! For this episode we were fortunate enough to get to sit down with the incomparable Kate Reddy, MA. Kate is currently a PhD student in the Anthropology department at U Albany. Prior to that, she received her MA degree from U Albany and a Bachelor’s in Writing and Literature from the New School in New York City. Kate08 is a mainstay in the punk and hardcore scene. She’s played with the legendary Krishna Conscious hardcore band 108 on and off since the early 90s. Kate08 is also co-owner of the celebrated independent label, Equal Vision Records. Equal Vision has put out album from an admirable roster of bands, including the likes of Saves The Day, Bane, Chiodos, Bear Vs. Shark, Hot Water Music, Yellowcard, and so many others. It was a treat to get to chat with this pillar of the punk rock community. Let’s get into it.

54 min
12/26/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 10: Jennie Cotterill, MFA (ex-Bad Cop/ Bad Cop, Reckoner)

Salutations! Punk Rock Academic Episode 10! This time we are chatting with Jennie Cotterill, MFA. Jennie teaches several courses in the Illustration Department at Cal State Long Beach. In addition to her teaching duties, she also makes album cover art and even has her own custom cake service called Jennie Bakes. Jennie’s been active in the punk scene for years, singing and playing guitar in the Fat Wreck Chords punk band Bad Cop/Bad Cop from 2011 to 2022. She recently started the band Reckoner with (Kyle O’Neil of Fireworks, Candace Hansen, and Sven Wallwork) who released their new track ‘She is the Knife’ just prior to this episode’s release. So stoked that Jennie could fit us in between all her teaching, baking, and shredding. Let’s get into it! Photo by Leah Castile Graphics by Dan Moilanen

1h 23m
12/09/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 9: Dr. Sam Maynard PhD (School Drugs)

Ahoy hoy! Punk Rock Academic Episode 9! This episode features Sam Maynard, PhD. Sam is currently teaching history at a prestigious New Jersey private school. Prior to that he was adjunct faculty in the Political Science department at Monmouth University, teaching courses on International Relations and Latin American Policy, among others. Prior to serving as faculty, Sam obtained his bachelor’s degree at Monmouth, followed by master’s from Georgetown and a PhD from Oxford, with his research focused on comparative politics and democratization in Latin America. Dr. Maynard also happens to be the guitarist for the New Jersey-based hardcore band, School Drugs. They have developed a significant following among devotees of that 80s hardcore sound. School Drugs has toured extensively in the US, UK, and EU. Sam is a truly punk rock academic. Let’s get into it!

1h 10m
11/27/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 8: John Peck MA (American Steel)

Here we go! Punk Rock Academic Episode 8! Today we’re chatting with John Peck, MA. John is a writer, editor, content manager, and co-owner of Volta Press, a letterpress print studio and underground publisher that he founded with his wife. He has published fiction, essays, and humor in a wide variety of journals and anthologies, and has even spent over a decade lending his talents to the video game industry. A native of Berkeley, CA, John received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English from Stanford University. His thesis on James Joyce’s Ulysses focused on language as a modernist refiguring of the Christian concept of incarnation, with acclaimed Irish poet Eavan Boland as his advisor. You may have also heard John as the bassist for the band American Steel since the mid-90s. They released 2 albums with Lookout! Records, then went on hiatus in 2002. During that time, John formed the indie/post-punk band Communiqué, also on Lookout! American Steel reformed in 2007, putting out two more full-lengths on Fat Wreck Chords, and have recently begun performing again after another hiatus during the pandemic. Without further ado…let’s get into it! Graphics by Dan Moilanen Photo by Todd Fixler

1h 16m
11/12/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep.7: Dr. CJ Uy II, PhD (Kill Lincoln/ James Madison University)

All right! Punk Rock Academic, Episode 7! This time we’re talking with CJ Uy, PhD. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Religion at James Madison University in the Shenandoah Valley. His work focuses on medieval Sufism and Islamic philosophy, and explores some very deep topics like what it means to “know”. He has an impressive CV, starting with a BA from Yale’s Department of Religious Studies, followed by an M.Phil from the University of Cambridge. He also holds an MA degree from Stanford and a PhD from Brown University’s Department of Religious studies. Aside from his academic pursuits, CJ also plays bass in the DC-based Bad Time Records ska band, Kill Lincoln. They have developed a strong following through years of touring and recording and have played with the likes of Streetlight Manifesto, Suicide Machines, The Slackers, Less Than Jake, and Reel Big Fish. CJ first started with the band back in 2015 and became a full-fledged member in 2018. I hope you’re all as stoked to hear from him as we are! Let’s get into it.

51 min
10/08/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 6: Dr. Gregory Chance-Taylor PsyD (ex-MakeWar / The Holy Mountain)

OK! Punk Rock Academic Episode 6! Today we have Dr. Greg Chance Taylor, PsyD. He is a Dr. of clinical psychology, currently finishing up his residency in Portland, OR. He got a BA in psychology from the New School and his PsyD from Pacific University. Like many drummers, Greg has played in a lot of bands. He toured and recorded an album with Mischief Brew on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label. He also played in The Holy Mountain, a No Idea Records band from the early aughts. Most recently he’s played with MakeWar on the Fat Wreck Chords. Quite the impressive resume, doctor. Let’s get into it!

51 min
08/09/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 5: Toni LaMantia M.A. (The Abruptors - Asian Man Records)

Hello and welcome once again to Punk Rock Academic! We’ve had a little gap in programming, but here we are with Episode 5, and this one’s a real treat! This time we’ll be chatting with Toni LaMantia, MA. Toni received her Bachelors in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods from University of Buffalo. She also holds an Advanced Certificate in Applied Statistical Methods, also from University of Buffalo. She is currently employed by Tesla, using her background in educational and statistics to lead a team in their Vision AI program. You can also catch her singing and playing saxophone and keys with The Abruptors, a Buffalo, NY-based ska band. The Abruptors are signed to the renowned Asian Man Records and maintain an impressive tour schedule, playing with such legends as Mustard Plug and The Slackers. As if that weren’t enough, Toni is also a mother, so we’re really grateful she could make time to talk with us and share her story. Let’s get into it!

49 min
07/04/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 4: Mark Petz, MPNA (Mustard Plug)

All right! Punk Rock Academic Episode 4, coming at you. I know I say this every time, but this is another great episode! We have with us today Mark Petz, MPNA. Mark is currently a teacher, grant writer, and non-profit strategist in the Southwest Michigan area. He has had a long and diverse career in the non-profit sector as a director, coordinator and fundraiser, raising millions of dollars. Mark holds a BA in History from Alma College, a small liberal arts school in central Michigan. He earned his Masters of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University, also in his home state of Michigan. Perhaps you know of Mark from his exploits with the legendary ska-punk band, Mustard Plug. Mustard Plug have been staples of the ska scene since before the Clinton era, having played over 2000 shows in 19 countries on 5 continents. Mark played saxophone with the band in the early days 1992-1995 and then lent his talents to the ‘Evildoers Beware’ album after his departure. After many years away from the band, he began playing with the band occasionally starting in the late aughts, accompanied them on their 2020 Australian tour, and has been back on the roster as a member ever since including their newest album, "Where Did All My Friends Go?" Time for some laughs and Michigan accents. Let’s get into it.

1h 8m
06/19/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep. 3: Royce Nunley JD (Ex-Suicide Machines/ Blueprint 76)

Punk Rock Academic EPISODE 3 IS OUT NOW w/ Royce Nunley, JD (Ex-Suicide Machines) Greetings! Salutations! And welcome to the third installment of Punk Rock Academic. We’ve got another great episode, if I do say so myself. We’re talking with fellow Michigander Royce Nunley, JD. He is the founder of The Nunley Law Group, a full-service legal practice in the greater Detroit area. Royce obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and received his JD from Wayne State University, both while in his 30s. Prior to his education, he founded the band Blueprint 76, operated his own recording studio, and was tour manager for Reverend Horton Heat. But he is perhaps even better known for his earlier work as the bass player for The Suicide Machines. The Suicide Machines are a hardcore ska band formed in Detroit in the early 90s. Royce joined the band just out of high school and was with the band for their first four albums, at which time the band was signed to Hollywood Records (yes, that Hollywood Records). Royce left the band in 2002, before embarking on his quest through academia. Always a pleasure to talk with another nice Midwestern fella. Let’s get into it! https://www.nunleylawgroup.com www.suicidemachinesdetroit.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/31v7ijnAMVL9V7Uzr1sFcI?si=8v1_xvxxSi2yIlBPFbyX5Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qiRuOTqcj0

47 min
06/04/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep 2: Dr. Michael Bishop aka. Blothar The Berserker/ Beefcake The Mighty (Gwar)

Punk Rock Academic EPISODE 2 IS OUR NOW w/ Dr. Michael Bishop PhD (Gwar) Hello and welcome to the second episode of Punk Rock Academic! And we’re in for a real treat this time! We have with us Michael Bishop, PhD. Michael came up in the 1980s punk scene of the Richmond, VA area. In his 30s he enrolled in community college and worked his way all the way to a PhD in Critical & Comparative Studies from the Music Department at University of Virginia. His dissertation was entitled, “A Socioesthetics of Punk: Theorizing Personal Narrative, History, and Place. He currently works as a Content Specialist and UX Writer for Interfolio, which makes a variety of management software aimed at academic institutions. He is, of course, best known for his roles as Blothar the Berserker and Beefcake the Mighty in the—shall we say—‘seminal’ punk band, GWAR. Hailing from the deepest reaches of outer space, GWAR are the epitome of shock-rock bands, blending elaborate costumes and props with a deep mythos and irreverent humor. They have appeared in movies, talk shows, video games and have played more shows around the world than this puny human can even fathom. Michael, as Beefcake the Mighty, was the bass player and principal song writer for the band on their first 4 albums. He later rejoined the band in 2014 as the lead singer Blothar the Berserker, a position he still holds. I hope you all are as pumped about this as I am. Let’s get into it! Dr. Michael Bishop Ph.D., University of Virginia 2012 https://linktr.ee/blothar https://www.instagram.com/blothar.of.gwar Gwar: Website:⁠ www.gwar.net Facebook:⁠ www.facebook.com/gwar⁠ Instagram:⁠ www.instagram.com/gwar Twitter: www.⁠twitter.com/gwar Spotify⁠: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dnH7fdVm2X07MK6Fkbhbt?si=73Bc-nicRt2I4cRKxslpCg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gwar

48 min
05/21/2024

Punk Rock Academic Ep 1: Dr. Steve Lamos PhD (American Football/ UC Boulder)

Welcome to the inaugural episode of ‘Punk Rock Academic’! I’m really excited about this episode! Today we have with us Steve Lamos, PhD, Associate Professor of Writing and Rhetoric in the English Department at University of Colorado, Boulder. He is the author of the book, ‘Interests and Opportunities: Race, Racism, and University Writing Instruction in the Post-Civil Rights Era’, which won a special commendation from the Conference on College Composition and Communication Outstanding Book Award Committee. He is, perhaps, best known for his role as drummer of the indie emo band American Football, where his fluid and organic drumming is the perfect backbone to the intimate, melodic blend of indie emo, math rock, and jazz. American Football actually started in the late 90s in Champaign, IL, played a few shows, recorded an EP and an album with Polyvinyl Records, then disbanded. 15 years later, Polyvinyl re-released their eponymous debut album, which launched the band to a well-deserved spot among the greats in the scene, where they continue to perform for sold-out crowds around the world. Dr. Lamos’ upcoming book, ‘Resonant Rhythms’ will explore intersections between his work in academia and his life as an indie musician. We couldn’t ask for a better first guest, wouldn’t you say? Let’s get into it. Dr. Steve Lamos Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2004 M.Ed., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1997 B.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 1995 American Football: Website americanfootballmusic.com Facebook facebook.com/americanfootballmusic Instagram instagram.com/americfootball Twitter twitter.com/americfootball Spotify open.spotify.com/artist/5FwydyGVcsQllnM4xM6jw4 YouTube www.youtube.com/@AmericanFootballmusic

41 min
04/29/2024

Trailer #1! First episode coming May 20th!

Alex Yore MS & Dallas McCulloch MPH are a couple of PhD students who have spent much of their lives on tour. They're on a mission to find other academics with a background in punk rock and adjacent scenes, and discuss how the two intersect. There's a ton of awesome bands, promoters, label workers, managers, etc. who are shaped by the punk rock scene but also have a background in higher education. Additionally, so many people in the halls of academia spent their youth at dingy DIY punk rock shows, and bring those experiences into their approaches to research and their professional lives. Alex & Dallas have been friends since 1st grade. They both grew up in working class families in the boonies outside of the factory town of Battle Creek Michigan. They started in gifted classes, but were both terrible students that both required summer school at some point and finished high school with a 1.9 and 2.1 GPA respectively. They spent their young adult years largely playing music and touring. Eventually, they wound up thriving in community colleges, then state universities for undergrad, before getting Ivy League educations in graduate school, and they are currently working on PhDs as they enter middle age. ... but they'll still hang in some s****y basement and watch some punk bands, but ideally they're home by 11pm.

1 min

12 Episodes

2 PhD students who have spent a lot of time on tour. Alex & Dallas are talking with others who have a background in both higher education and punk rock (or adjacent scenes), and discussing how they intersect and impact one another and have shaped their lives. Nice Midwestern Boys.

Creator

Dallas McCulloch and Alex Yore
Years Active

2024 - 2025
Episodes

12
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Dallas McCulloch and Alex Yore
Show Website

Punk Rock Academic