The Matador Revisionist History Podcast

The Matador Revisionist History Podcast
  • 4.6 (26)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS

For more than 3 decades, Matador Records has been nestled soemwhere in the top half dozen independent labels. Some years were better than others - everyone's got an opinion, especially the recording artists. Hear their stories on "Matador Revisionist History" and find out what really happened (sort of).

  1. Episode 16 - Railroad Jerk's Marcellus Hall and Dave Varenka on 'One Track Mind'

    MAR 19

    Episode 16 - Railroad Jerk's Marcellus Hall and Dave Varenka on 'One Track Mind'

    In celebration of the 30th anniversary of 'One Track Mind,' Railroad Jerk’s own Marcellus Hall and Dave Varenka join host (and personal friend) Matt Sweeney in conversation for the latest episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast. They look back on recording the album with Settly in Manhattan's Tin Pan Alley, late nights at Max Fish, some fond memories from tour, including the time when everyone in the caravan got stalled at the border of Slovenia except for Dave and Marcellus, which led to one of the best shows of their careers in Ljubljana.

    54 min
  2. Episode 15 - Dead Meadow's Jason Simon on 'Feathers'

    FEB 19

    Episode 15 - Dead Meadow's Jason Simon on 'Feathers'

    In the latest episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast, Dead Meadow's Jason Simon joins host Matt Sweeney (Chavez, The Hard Quartet) to discuss the 20th anniversary of 'Feathers,' the album's slightly-troubled recording process, remembering founding bassist Steve Kille, as well as the influence of D.C. hardcore, Trad Gras och Stenar, and 13th Floor Elevators.  Originally released in 2005, Feathers was a departure from Dead Meadow’s earlier work. The songs were moodier and more densely layered, reflecting the arrival of longtime friend and second guitarist Cory Shane. “The sound was intentionally dark and murky,” says Shane. “Sometimes a rolling stone can gather moss.” The album was recorded amidst personal upheavals and a fair amount of pandemonium – from zoned-out late-night basement sessions in D.C. to a fully-gonzo studio date in New York City.

    48 min
  3. Episode 14 - Bardo Pond's Michael Gibbons w/ Joe Tunis

    10/25/2024

    Episode 14 - Bardo Pond's Michael Gibbons w/ Joe Tunis

    On the latest episode of the semi-semi-regular Matador Revisionist History Podcast, we are joined by Bardo Pond founder and guitarist Michael Gibbons, Carbon Records founder, longtime WAYO host and Bardo-ologist Joe Tunis, and our podcast host Matt Sweeney (Chavez, The Hard Quartet). The conversation marks the 25th anniversary reissue of ‘Set and Setting,’ plus the double LP rarities compilation ‘Melt Away,’ both out TODAY. Michael, Joe, and Matt dig into the earliest days of Bardo Pond— fighting (and then bonding) over a Lester Bowie LP with bassist Clint Takeda, opening for Smog and Royal Trux at Philadelphia’s Khyber Pass, and eventually even tuning their instruments.

    55 min
  4. Episode 13 - Butthole Surfers' Paul Leary and King Coffey

    03/22/2024

    Episode 13 - Butthole Surfers' Paul Leary and King Coffey

    Today, March 22nd, sees the release of the first tranche of remastered key catalog titles by legendary San Antonio, Texas band The Butthole Surfers on Matador Records: Psychic...Powerless...Another Man's Sac, Rembrandt Pussyhorse, and PCPPEP. Marking the occasion, the band have unearthed and remastered an alternate version of their 1983 track ‘I Hate My Job’ with a new animated video. Watch / listen HERE.  In addition, the band’s Paul Leary and King Coffey appear on the latest episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast. In conversation with Matt Sweeney, they discuss the influence of the Meat Puppets and Run D.M.C., the Texas music scene with Dicks, Big Boys and others, early days on the road, run-ins with the fire department and much more.

    49 min
  5. Episode 12 - F****d Up and Natalie Judge on 'The Chemistry of Common Life'

    02/21/2024

    Episode 12 - F****d Up and Natalie Judge on 'The Chemistry of Common Life'

    Last fall, we celebrated the 15th anniversary of Fucked Up’s ‘The Chemistry of Common Life’– an era-defining punk LP that also just so happened to be the Canadian band’s Matador Records debut. This Friday, our long-in-the-works orange vinyl 2xLP reissue will finally arrive on shelves. Find that ⁠HERE⁠.  Today, you can listen to a brand new digital EP, ‘44th & Vanderbilt,’ which compiles three ‘ChemCom’-era session performances with No Age’s excellent remix of “No Epiphany.”  This episode of the Matador Revisionist History podcast finds FU members Mike Haliechuk and Jonah Falco in conversation with former Matador employee (and current ⁠World of Echo⁠ proprietor), Natalie Judge. They discuss making the record, recording nine months of overdubs, quitting their day jobs, and asking Michael Stipe to jump on the mic for a Feelies cover at the close of their 12-hour long record release show (spoiler: he passed).

    48 min
  6. Episode 11 - The New Pornographers' A.C. Newman and Matador's Nils Bernstein on 'Electric Version'

    09/22/2023

    Episode 11 - The New Pornographers' A.C. Newman and Matador's Nils Bernstein on 'Electric Version'

    In May, The New Pornographers’ sophomore album ‘Electric Version’ (2003) celebrated its 20th anniversary. A limited blue vinyl reissue hits stands today and we’ve also dedicated this latest episode of our Matador Revisionist History podcast to the record, with the band’s A.C. Newman joining longtime Matador publicist Nils Bernstein for a stroll down memory lane with our host, Matt Sweeney. They discuss how ‘Electric Version’ defied the un-follow-up-able-ness of ‘Mass Romantic,’ how LA neo-hippies Beachwood Sparks inspired the record’s title, and supply a complete track-by-track walkthrough. “As much as it’s this hard-driving record with these exciting songs that have a lot of information, there’s still a lot of ups and downs and emotional twists and turns,” recalls Bernstein. “It’s just hook after hook after hook.” The era-appropriate rarity “Turn” – originally a Japan-only bonus track – is now available on streaming services. Newly pristine remasters of the “All For Swinging You Around” and “The Laws Have Changed” music videos are also now on YouTube.

    1h 21m
  7. Episode 10 - Pretty Girls Make Graves and Phil Ek on 'The New Romance'

    09/07/2023

    Episode 10 - Pretty Girls Make Graves and Phil Ek on 'The New Romance'

    Today, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pretty Girls Make Graves’ sophomore album, The New Romance. Originally released in 2003, this was the Seattle punk band’s Matador Records debut. After more than a decade out of print, the album will return to us in a limited edition white vinyl pressing in stores on November 3. A deluxe digital version also lands today on digital services and features two b-sides “Magic Lights,” newly available on streaming, and a cover of Bow Wow Wow’s home-taping anthem, “C-30 C-60 C-90 Go!” And what’s more, singer Andrea Zollo and guitarist J. Clark guest on the latest installment of our Matador Revisionist History podcast series alongside producer Phil Ek and our host, Matt Sweeney.  Pretty Girls Make Graves formed in Seattle in 2001. The members – Andrea Zollo, Derek Fudesco, J. Clark, Nick Dewitt, and Nathan Thelen – were already local underground luminaries, owing to their time in punk and hardcore bands like Death Wish Kids, Area 51, and Murder City Devils. The quintet released an EP, a handful of 7” singles, and a full-length, Good Health (Lookout! Records), before getting a cold email from Matador Records founder Chris Lombardi, who may or may not have read a positive review in Pitchfork. A deal was struck and the band decamped to the bucolic Bear Creek studio to track The New Romance with Ek.  On this episode, Zollo and Clark go deep on the band’s early years, talking influences (Drive Like Jehu, Ink & Dagger, Fugazi), rock band do’s / don’ts, and what it’s like to practice riffs in a freezing cold paper maché igloo.

    52 min
  8. Episode 09 - Bettie Serveert on "Palomine"

    07/07/2023

    Episode 09 - Bettie Serveert on "Palomine"

    Earlier this year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Bettie Serveert’s debut album, ‘Palomine,' first released via Matador in January of 1993. Today, we’re making a bit more noise, bringing you a Serveert-packed episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast. This ninth installment features the band’s own Carol van Dyk and Peter Visser in conversation with host Matt Sweeney (Chavez). They discuss Marcel Duchamp, Groningen’s much-loved Vera club, and their first-ever trip to NYC.  Also worth a mention: Our limited-edition translucent orange vinyl reissue of ‘Palomine’ is out now and includes a reproduction of the “Brain Tag” 7” included with the original pressing. A deluxe digital edition of the album is also available via streaming services and features three era-appropriate bonus songs (two of which are drawn from the ‘Brain-Tag’ 7”) – “Smile”, “Maggot”, and “Get The Bird.” Newly remastered versions of the music videos for “Kid’s Allright,” “Palomine,” and “Tom Boy” are available to watch on YouTube.

    1h 16m
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For more than 3 decades, Matador Records has been nestled soemwhere in the top half dozen independent labels. Some years were better than others - everyone's got an opinion, especially the recording artists. Hear their stories on "Matador Revisionist History" and find out what really happened (sort of).

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