Bandsplain The Ringer

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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