The Macks are one of the most creative, focused bands in the Northwest, producing banger after banger at a breakneck pace that can hardly keep up with their work ethic and restlessly evolving sound. Their sixth full-length "Bonanza" dropped just a few weeks ago, and Sam and Ben from the band joined us to talk about prolific rocking/rolling with an eye toward improvement, the hail-mary toiletry of the contemporary American mall, the marketability of merch based on individuals, the Juggalo-curious lifestyle, and gearing up for their massive ongoing tour.

Music this week:

• "Nice" by The Macks (22:34)
• "Flesh and Soul" by BALTHVS (34:09)
• "Cowboys & Cattlebroads" by The Macks (50:57)
• "Paystub" by Forty Feet Tall (71:28)
• "Downhill Racer" by Couch Slut (84:52)

Cherry Cheeks is fast-paced, punk/art rock with substance and a sneer. Kyle Harms, the creative force of the band, joins the show this week, and more delighted we could not be. We discuss the persona of the punk rock brat, the importance of songs with genuine meaning, embracing the performer within, the erotic potential of deep-faking yourself, and the plight of the proletariat vis a vis the monocle.

Music this week:

• "Therapy" by Cherry Cheeks (15:23)
• "Wings of Fire" by The Boojums (28:55)
• "Black Hair" by Lothario (45:36)
• "Motivator" by Cherry Cheeks (64:43)
• "Fucking It Up" by Sex Mex (78:06)

Rock 'n roll rippers Helena Rats are in the house this week! The band's May release "Plague City" embraces the rich possibilities of fast, heavy-tinged guitar music without pretension—though not without an accessible complexity that rewards the true heads. Diego and Jeff from the band pop in to talk about the new tunes, drink-to-performance ratios, the cocktail of ingredients that make up their sound (hint: the 70s play a role), the languages of rock shorthand, and the simpler times of their teenage fandom.

Music this week:

• "Grab the Shovel" by Helena Rats (13:01)
• "Time Out" by Stuck (36:05)
• "Bombit Baby" by Helena Rats (52:04)
• "Night Terrors" by Altar Girl (67:06)
• "Somebody Put PCP in My Clam Chowder" by Xray Xeroxx (92:29)

This week we talked to David Weed! We chopped it up about comic books, video games, food that will burn your mouth, secondary condiments, basketball, puppets, and so much more. Oh, we are back!

Music this week:

David Weed, Grails, Armpit Termites, and Private Lives

Tabor Dance has grown from a single person shaking off the isolation and disorientation of the pandemic into a Portland institution for a community of thousands. This week, the fellas sit down with Tabor Dance President Katrin Dougherty and Founder Mitchell Hartman to hear the TD origin story, how it was shepherded into maturity through growing pains, and how it continues to grow and evolve. Plus, Drew proves how square he is when it comes to the culture of EDM.

Music this week:

• "Ring Tail" by Monster Rally (14:56)
• "Forever" by Sparklecore Soundsystem (37:02)
• "The Escape" by JK Soul (45:35)
• "Alone" by Cherry Cheeks (91:52)

Prolific Portland beatmaker and bass player MLTZR joins the fellas this week to drape us in warm, sonic blankets. Restless-but-disciplined, MLTZR is in constant search of vibes, grooves, and connections. We talk about the joys of collaboration, success in creation as an act of completion, exhausting his sonic curiosities, THC-infused wetnaps, and snacking on pickle chips. All that plus some license plate detective. None of us deserve an episode this good...but here we are.

Music this week includes:

• "From the Yard" by MLTZR (27:10)
• "The Jody Grind" [Horace Silver cover] by MLTZR (43:41)
• "Cherry Blossom" by Foliage Beats (59:29)
• "Toucan Wing" by BoomBaptist (94:33)

It's the long-overdue return of the great NorthernDraw! And he's brought along his collaborator (and top-shelf guest in his own right) LT Headtrip. The two joined us on Draw's birthday (!) to discuss their newest joint release, the siiiiiiick two-hander "Novel Path". We get INSIDE the music on this one with two born creators, talkers, storytellers, and strip club enthusiasts. You can grab "Novel Path" now, and you can check out NorthernDraw's beat showcase, Thirsty City, every last Wednesday at Portland's own Goodfoot Lounge.

Music this week:

• "That Awful Sound" by Lt Headtrip and NorthernDraw (17:31)
• "Druck" by LeoLex (37:30)
• "Pirate Radio Waves" by Lt Headtrip and NorthernDraw ft. Rob Sonic (55:11)
• "Om Jag Var" Lt. Headtrip and NorthernDraw ft. Evelina Lu (100:37)

After an unplanned hiatus, the boys come back STRONG with a real Season 2 Hall-of-Fame guest as the GREAT Leo London of The Domestics joins the show! One of Portland's most well-rounded and prolific songwriters, Leo plays some stripped down tunes live, and is an overall super fun, thoughtful thinker on all things music. We get back to our roots with deep dives into the concept of authenticity, fedora self-consciousness, developing a musical taste, and the howling loneliness of the American songbook.

Songs this week include:

• "Tunnels and Trains" by The Domestics (11:53)
• "I Fed Animals" by Volk (26:30)
• "Love You Always" by The Domestics (39:50)
• "The Fix is In" by Will Stenberg as performed by Leo London (60:30)
• "5ft Rising High" by Twistur (70:00)