Big guitars, bigger feelings: Slacker's San Diego story of growing pains and friendship

San Diego's rising rock trio Slacker helped launch the pilot phase of the new KPBS Music Series with a live performance — loud, joyful and a little chaotic in the best way, but played with real precision and skill. Dressed in button-down shirts and ties, the band tore through their songs on the KPBS patio as the lunchtime crowd cheered. We sat down with the band right after their set to talk about where their music comes from — the friendships (and burritos) that built it and the feelings behind their biggest songs. They also share how they recorded their debut album in a legendary San Diego studio using a bass guitar once played by one of the city's most famous bands. It's a story about finding connection, growing together and turning shared experiences into music that feels personal, powerful and magical.

Guests:Slacker: Jp Houle (singer/guitar), Avery Nelson (bass guitar/backup vocals) and Sam Hockaday (drums)

Mentioned in this episode:

• Velvet worms | Ancient invertebrates with soft, velvety skin and tiny limbs that shoot slime to catch prey
• Jimmy Page | Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist known for his influence on generations of rock musicians
• Big Fish Recording Studio | Encinitas recording studio where Blink-182 made their 1997 breakthrough album "Dude Ranch"
• Skyler Deci | San Diego producer and engineer who recorded and mixed Slacker's debut album

Sources:

• Israel: White Phosphorus Used in Gaza, Lebanon (Human Rights Watch, 2023)
• Israel denies using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza (Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, 2023)
• Tiny desk, big talent: Our favorite San Diego artists from this year's contest (Julia Dixon Evans, Anthony Wallace, Ben Redlawsk, Brenden Tuccinardi and Katie Anastas, KPBS, 2025)
• Tiny Desk local listening party: The Neighborhood Kids and Aleah Discavage (Julia Dixon Evans and Anthony Wallace, KPBS, 2025)