Today I’m talking with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/philharderfilms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PHIL HARDER</a>, a filmmaker who’s directed music videos for HUM, Low, Failure, Babes in Toyland, Firehose, Local H, Bailter Space, Afghan Whigs, Seaweed, &amp; many others.&nbsp; In 1985, he &amp; producer <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rickcfuller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RICK FULLER</a> started HARDER/FULLER FILMS, a music video &amp; commercial production house that generated a wide range of visual work across 4 decades. In December of ’97, they shot the “Comin’ Home” video with HUM at the Icehouse in Minneapolis, using a mixture of DIY effects &amp; big budget gloss, staging the band in a psychedelic dream of espionage, locusts, &amp; trippy liquids. In this episode, we talk about the material quirks of the film format, the rise &amp; fall of MTV culture, &amp; what it was like to be in the nerve center of the ‘90s visual world. (Phil broadcasted from a boat in Amsterdam -- excuse the cabin noises...) **** TIMESTAMPS: 02:24 // Firehose, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFcvXl5Hp4w" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walking the Cow</a>" (Intro)03:00 // Video to 8mm to 16mm &amp; Beyond08:57 // A Band Apart09:46 // Foo Fighters, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1qQuSuQaHY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Year</a>"13:33 // Bailter Space, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zptnrC_ygtU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">X</a>"18:33 // Treatments &amp; Creative Control23:12 // Incubus, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgT9zGkiLig" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drive</a>"26:22 // '90s Budgets / Failure, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwXt2PPpU8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stuck On You</a>"31:19 // Visual Effects &amp; Retro Digital37:05 // Didjits / HUM, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQtHEG8GzAQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Comin' Home</a>" **** phil-harder.com ****

008: "Comin' Home" Video feat. Phil Harder (Harder/Fuller Films, Breaking Circus)

Today’s guest is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meatsuit_" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JASON GERKEN</a> from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shinerkc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SHINER</a>. He’s one of your favorite drummers’ favorite drummers, &amp; he's also played in HUM, Molly McGuire, Gunfighter, The Birth Defects, &amp; a handful of others. Shiner’s first record, Splay, was recently remixed &amp; remastered via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/spartanrecords" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SPARTAN RECORDS</a>, who also just reissued the band’s second, third, &amp; fourth LPs — Lula Divinia, Starless, &amp; The Egg. Shiner are about to play some dates in the Midwest, including one at Matt Talbott’s bar Loose Cobra in Tolono. Jason played &amp; toured with HUM in 2015, on a run of shows all over the U.S. with Mineral &amp; Failure, &amp; he’s got lots of cool insights into the successes &amp; challenges of those gigs. It’s telling that we both occasionally drift into the present tense when describing Bryan’s drumming because that stuff will obviously always feel contemporary. In this episode, we talk about finding space to tour, getting that phone call to join HUM, the intricacies of practicing &amp; playing with the band, &amp; drowning in lots &amp; lots of drum fills. **** <a href="https://spartanrecords.com/collections/vinyl?filter.p.vendor=Shiner&amp;sort_by=manual" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SHINER Reissues</a> // Spartan Records **** <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fat-five-jason-gerken-shiner-hum-molly-mcguire/id1487234690?i=1000686625186" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GERKEN Interview</a> // Drummers on Drumming Podcast **** <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/page-hamilton-discusses-helmets-unsung/id1515022631?i=1000652454011" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PAGE HAMILTON Interview</a> // Chris Demakes a Podcast **** <a href="https://archive.org/details/hum1998-04-23" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TALBOTT Intro</a> // Pittsburgh '98 **** TIMESTAMPS: 02:24 // "The Egg" (Shiner)03:08 // Upcoming Gigs06:05 // The Egg LP11:12 // "Jaded Eyes" (Government Issue)14:23 // "Pills" (Shiner)17:22 // Drumming Influences19:27 // HUM in KC20:23 // The Phone Call, Practicing, &amp; Playing27:49 // "Comin' Home" Discussion ****

007: "Comin' Home" feat. Jason Gerken (Shiner, HUM, Molly McGuire)

Today I’m talking to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ihaveadagger" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">COLEY DENNIS</a>, guitarist &amp; founding member of the Athens, GA rock band <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maserati_band" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MASERATI</a>. They’ve covered tons of sonic territory, from post-hardcore to electronic to psychedelia to heavy disco to space rock &amp; beyond. He’s also got a new loud &amp; dreamy rock project called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/red_dwarf_star" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RED DWARF STAR</a>, beaming in from Lausanne, Switzerland where he now lives. In this episode, we talk about the culture shock of the expatriate life, plugging into the early 2000s Athens music scene, &amp; the striking harmony of the light &amp; heavy. **** TIMESTAMPS: 02:05 // “This is a Sight We Had One Day from the Mountain” (Maserati)03:09 // Switzerland05:42 // Athens ‘00s11:36 // Maserati Then &amp; Now15:23 // Red Dwarf Star18:05 // “Lady Aurora Borealis” (R.D.S.)22:27 // HUM on MTV27:29 // Inlet &amp; Enter the Mirror30:31 // “Wallwalker” (Maserati)32:03 // “Cloud City” Discussion **** <a href="https://youtu.be/7n2kHrA2Lrs?si=2aO0Zk2yHXwptVdq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Cloud City” @ AV Fest // 2011</a> ****

006: "Cloud City" feat. Coley Dennis (Maserati, Red Dwarf Star)

Today I'm talking to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/washedupemo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TOM MULLEN</a> from <a href="https://www.washedupemo.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WASHED UP EMO</a>. Tom’s been in the music business for decades, doing digital marketing, executive work, &amp; an array of creative projects at labels like Vagrant, TVT, Equal Vision, Sony, &amp; others.&nbsp; He started the Washed Up Emo website in 2007, &amp; has since expanded it into a podcast with over 250 episodes, a book series, &amp; a DJ night. In this episode, we talk about how the changing media landscape of the late 90s &amp; early 2000s intersected with alternative music culture, the ambivalence around "Midwest emo" as sub-genre &amp; brand, &amp; where Hum might fit within that specific context. We also explore one of the band’s most beloved b-sides, looking at its strange place in their discography. Where does it truly belong? **** <a href="https://www.smilepolitely.com/music/we_need_it_more_than_they_do" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SMILE POLITELY Interview: Matt Talbott</a> **** TIMESTAMPS: 02:16 // Booking Hopesfall &amp; Saves the Day05:00 // Early Podcasting Landscape13:43 // Curiosity &amp; Connection17:35 // Washed Up Emo Podcast20:15 // "Midwest Emo,” the Anachronism24:19 // HUM re Emo34:27 // WRUV, MTV, &amp; the Cat's Cradle36:37 // The Quiet-Loud39:52 // Pre-YPAA Sessions46:45 // DIH Reissue Playback @ Sony51:45 // "Boy with Stick" Discussion **** Other songs: Deftones, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLa0-sQg1YM" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Minerva</a>" // Title Fight: "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu9KgGqXDyw" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Head in the Ceiling Fan</a>" ****

005: "Boy with Stick" feat. Tom Mullen (Washed Up Emo)

Today I’m talking to Sven, the host of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ciabpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CHAMPAIGN IS ALSO A BAND</a>. His show takes a hyper-focused look at songwriters from the Champaign-Urbana music scene (past &amp; present), &amp; each episode tells the story of a song with the people who wrote it.&nbsp; HUM fans should definitely check out his interviews with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rnv123" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RICK</a> from <a href="https://posterchildren.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">POSTER CHILDREN</a> &amp; the guys from <a href="https://terminusvictor.bandcamp.com/music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TERMINUS VICTOR</a>, both linked below. He also runs a tape label called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/failedpoemrecords" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAILED POEM RECORDS</a>, which features local C-U musicians &amp; donates all proceeds to a charity of the band’s choosing. In this episode, we talk about the sonic mystique of college towns, the raw materials of songwriting, &amp; why neglected b-sides can be so important. **** TIMESTAMPS: 02:27 // CIAB Podcast &amp; C-U Scene08:09 // College Town Aura12:39 // Poster Children &amp; Terminus Victor19:46 // Sunday Songwriter Snakepit &amp; MT Live24:16 // "Baby, Baby" Discussion **** CIAB Episodes: https://champaignisalsoaband.podbean.com/e/episode-100-rick-valentin-of-poster-children-he-s-my-star <a href="https://champaignisalsoaband.podbean.com/e/ep127-scott-kimble-don-king-of-terminus-victor-this-isnt-real/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://champaignisalsoaband.podbean.com/e/ep127-scott-kimble-don-king-of-terminus-victor-this-isnt-real</a> <a href="https://champaignisalsoaband.podbean.com/e/episode-8-isaac-arms-of-withershins-fire-flies/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://champaignisalsoaband.podbean.com/e/episode-8-isaac-arms-of-withershins-fire-flies</a> **** Failed Poem Records https://failedpoemrecords.bandcamp.com/album/infringement **** Other songs: Ween, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zeR-o913Ug" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">"Sarah"</a> ****

004: "Baby, Baby" feat. Sven J. (Champaign is also a Band Podcast)

Tap in for some HUM lore from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sirbrigham" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JOSHUA BRIGHAM</a>, guitarist &amp; co-founding member of Charlotte, NC post-hardcore band <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hopesfall" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HOPESFALL</a>. We talk about MTV as contraband, recording The Satellite Years with Matt Talbott, &amp; the cosmic distance of the road life. MT Song Intros // <a href="https://archive.org/details/hum1998-04-23" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pittsburgh '98</a> THE SATELLITE YEARS 2.0:<a href="https://trustkill.bandcamp.com/album/the-satellite-years-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BC</a> // <a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/1WSKkyFz9zTs0OcayrHBjz?si=PkY96_9pQHanu7rFvGPGTQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a> // <a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-satellite-years-2-0/1705978486" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple</a> Timestamps: 02:06 // MTV Confidential 14:06 // Feedback Walls 24:48 // The Satellite Years 33:21 // "Escape Pod for Intangibles" 43:08 // "Apollo" Discussion Other songs: Spacemen 3, "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/0TjixHHisqvzsXZvoTNJSJ?si=1c6b72d5a3204393" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hey Man</a>" // Codeine, "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4dO1Cww8jKU0yWfrWvqLLw?si=829b4cef49a74e5c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cave-In</a>" <a href="instagram.com/lonelierthangodpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IG</a> // lonelierthangodpod@gmail.com

003: "Apollo" feat. Joshua Brigham (Hopesfall)

Today I’m talking to <a href="instagram.com/paranoidfutures" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NICK VANCE</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesbranscome/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JIM BRANSCOME</a>, from the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cinematicvoid" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CINEMATIC VOID PODCAST</a>.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cinematicvoid.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CINEMATIC VOID</a> is a beloved cult film series that runs weekly in Los Angeles through the American Cinematheque.&nbsp;It features gonzo gems from all genres, including horror, sci-fi, Eurotrash, transgressive exploitation classics, &amp; lesser-known oddities. Nick &amp; Jim have also been in many bands -- some together, some apart -- &amp; you can find links to those projects below.&nbsp; In this episode, we talk about coming up in the Baltimore punk scene, the ambivalent return of guitar music, &amp; the journey into a close encounter of the insect kind. I encourage you guys to join the episode discussions at <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/hum" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">R/HUM</a> on Reddit. I’m curious to get your takes, alternate interpretations, &amp; general thoughts. These episodes are just a starting point. INSPITE: https://inspite.bandcamp.com/album/only-the-dead DOUBLE LIFE: https://doublelifela.bandcamp.com/album/indifferent-stars KENT STATE: https://kentstate.bandcamp.com DEEP SLEEP: https://gravemistakerecords.bandcamp.com/album/turn-me-off TIMESTAMPS: 03:13 // Baltimore punk scene (The Loft; Reptilian Records)09:14 // Grindcore Juvenilia (Inspite)13:28 // Coming to L.A.16:24 // Kent State &amp; Conspiracism19:11 // Double Life22:53 // Cinematic Void27:28 // Guitar music returns29:04 // HUM &amp; the 90s34:54 // "Aphids" Discussion Spoken Word Outro (translated from Dutch): As we relaxed &amp; watched the retreating&nbsp;aphids, the window appeared to glow along with the sunset's blazing orange hues. They amuse us without difficulty. It’s just like watching an old vintage film&nbsp;played back slowly &amp; backwards.&nbsp; Maybe more like water slowly draining from a bathtub.&nbsp;I like it here &amp; enjoy being around&nbsp;aphids&nbsp;on a daily basis. I'm not sure if I'm&nbsp;their God, or they are mine. Sometimes I can actually hear their sounds emanating from the little old cracks in the wood. As if they’re walking around. It sounds like a song.&nbsp; When it starts, it's like our cats jumping on the bed. They seem so content; not a worry in the world. All unhappiness is left at home in the dark crevices of the water well. It just goes to show, one does not really have to be alone. //

002: "Aphids" feat. James Branscome (Cinematic Void) & Nick Vance (Double Life, Kent State, Deep Sleep)

Joining me today from Evansville, IN is the multi-instrumentalist, rock ‘n’ roll polymath, &amp; all-around super-talented dude, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mattymcg77" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MATT MCGUYER</a>. He's on guitar &amp; vocals in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amblareband" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AMBLARE</a>, guitar &amp; backing vocals in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mockorange" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MOCK ORANGE</a>, drums in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/offoxofficial" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OFF-OX</a>, &amp; he recently wrapped a midwest tour drumming with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/faerie_ring" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAERIE RING</a>. He's also got a solo project, with an album in production. In this episode, Matt gives a loving tribute to his late friend &amp; AMBLARE bandmate, Bryan St. Pere, who was, of course, deeply revered for his truly unique drumwork in HUM. We also talk about growing up in a rock n roll family, the mysticism of the creative process, &amp; the unexpected sensuality of a song about salamanders. AMBLARE: https://amblare.bandcamp.comMOCK ORANGE: https://www.mockorange.net/discographyOFF-OX: https://off-ox.bandcamp.comFAERIE RING: https://faeriering.bandcamp.com <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lonelierthangodpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LTG POD</a> // lonelierthangodpod@gmail.com

001: "Afternoon with the Axolotls" feat. Matt McGuyer (Amblare, Mock Orange, Off-Ox)

OVERVIEW // <a href="https://h-u-m.net/lyrics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MISSION CONTROL</a> (LYRICS 1.0; Marion Morris) <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lonelierthangodpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IG</a> // lonelierthangodpod@gmail.com

000: Intro

A track-by-track podcast on the space rock band HUM. “Stars” isn’t their only song.

LONELIER THAN GOD

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