Cruel Ultimatum – The Art of Vincemilking 12 E11
Are you ready to rage? Down to get a little funked up? These are horrible lead-up cliches to describe this weeks guest, but I truly mean it when I say there is nothing else like Cruel Ultimatum right now in all the land (of Northern Nevada)!
Formed in the uncertain times of the pandemic, Cruel Ultimatum has only been playing out for about 9 months, but they have definitely come in hot to the local music scene. Cruel Ultimatum is Evan Ultimatum (vocals), Haley Ultimatum (guitar), Scotty Ultimatum (drums) and Daddy Ultimatum (bass). They are a powerviolence hardcore band that have quickly gained a diverse fanbase, spanning the ages.
They are also a blast to hang out with – we are in tears at a few points in this show. I really can’t say much more about it without spoiling the episode, but to was a really great time and we hope you think so too. Their songs are creatively layered and dynamic, shifting gears and time signature smoothly and effortlessly. The strong and aggressive music is complemented by the original lyrics penned by Evan, as if by magic. They gather together as a band and putt on a hell of a performance.
Please don’t forget to get your tickets to the Reno Punk Rock Flea Market. Really, as your spiritual advisor, I recommend following that link (and this link) and buying the 2-day pass for $8 – it’s a great deal. And if you like what we do, please visit our Patreon page and subscribe to help us keep the lights on.
Thanks For Listening.
Eric Marks and Sprocket – Sick, Sad World S12 E10
Hello, loyal listeners! Rev. Rory here and it’s good to be back from my sojourn deep into the land of Navel Contemplation. As usual, a lot on tonight’s show was completely unexpected – including my appearance on the Patreon portion of the show (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, follow the link and subscribe). It really is great to be back on the bus with my podcast cohorts and friends.
First up, we take some time to talk with Jessi ‘Sprocket’ Janusee, Communications Director at The Generator and Founder of the Reno Punk Rock Flea Market, a dynamic makerspace extravaganza, now celebrating it’s 5th year! The Generator has just opened at it’s new location this year – a warehouse space almost twice the size of the last, leading to more opportunity for controlled chaos and fun. The event is going to be pretty insane, with everything from local art vendors to a regional punk rock band lineup with over 25 acts to Drag Queen Story Time for the kiddos to a pugil stick gladiator ring and much much more. It’s really one of the best local events around – and you can’t beat the price $5 per day or $8 for both days, leeaving you that much more money to buy local art! And if you’re interested, you can inquire about becoming a member of The Generator and taking advantage of all their makerspace and educaiton al opportunities throughout the whole year!
We also welcome back to the show our good friend, Eric Marks. Eric is the bassist for Enslave the Creation, a local technical metal band, and that’s how you met him before. But! There is so much more to this restless creative. In addition to bassing, Eric is also a well known photojournalist whose images have appeared in many local magazines and journals (Reno News and Review, This Is Reno, Reno Tahoe Tonight). He is also the lens behind the images of Reno Street Photography, a more artistic and ground-level view of some of the corners of our fair city. We talk a lot about his work over the years.
If you’re keeping your ear to the ground, you probably already know this, but in case you don’t: Psychedelic Jazz Rock Group, Apollo Suns, from Winnipeg MB Canada, is rolling through Reno on April 14th for their “Relationships of Force Tour”. The group is absolutely going to blow your mind and the doors off at The Elbow Room in Sparks. Starting at 8:30, local Nuclear Funk group (and upcoming podcast guests), Phat Mark, will open up the night and get you feeling right! Follow this link for details!
That’s all I know, folks. SO, as usual: Thanks for Listening
JustUs – the JustUs League! S12- E9
In our third installment of Woman’s March we get heavy with the Reno metal scene’s newest super heroes: JustUs. Female fronted by the powerful vocal stylings of Stevie Bxo, this thrash metal quartet are tight and ready to tour in June. From the hiatus of such bands as Infecto Skeletons, Saber Tooth Dragon, and The Damn Ole Band, guitarist Myke Read and drummer Andrew Hockenberry, found themselves facing an ultimatum, become a metal band or lose their singer in their outlaw country band. Sooooo…They conjured tasty licks and grooves, switched it up and the rest is history.
They had been performing as a three piece but recently added bass player Insun Blemel, who really beefs the whole thing up. Of course just as their name suggests they are out for justice. They want the music to address the injustices they see on the daily. Stevie’s words sung with strong passion and conviction, waver from a softer cry to the roar of an angry monster. It was really cool to see up close. We get their origin story, a bunch of songs, and newbies Stevie and Insun play the quiz head to head. Meanwhile, since they’ve played so many times, Myke panels with us and Andrew sits it out. We had a blast and if you’re down with the metal you’ll have a blast with JustUs! Thanks for listening and JustUs for all!
Lily Baran – Know Your Rights! – S12 E8
Ladies March marches on!
This week we are graced by the presence of the sweet and hilariously fun Lily Baran. This young singer-turned-activist-turned-ACLU employee has quite a story to tell. Having only had Lily as a guest of WLP once, way back in 2014, it was great to catch up with her this week.
Lily is a gifted singer with a soulful, soothing and expressive voice; just gorgeous. She does a couple of Nina Simone songs (that’s how good she is), one of them with updated lyrics by Lily that hit the heart poignantly. She also plays us her collaboration with Redfield Clipper, a Jazzy banger, and of course we play a quick round of the quiz. (Mouse asks the dirtiest question ever so sweetly. Lol.)
Lily is an absolute joy to hangout with. She has some shows coming up and who knows, you just might catch her at a Jazz jam or “doing a thing “ with the also amazing Rachel McElheny. In the meantime she’s out there working to ensure our civil liberties and we appreciate her for it. Thanks Lily!
Kadilac Kim gives us the local lowdown and Ian is back! Yay! We’ve got him for two shows until he heads back to school. We’re so proud of him.
And to you, our listeners, life is short and we love you.
Thanks for listening.
Canyon White – Battleborn To Be Wild – S12 E7
Welcome to the first episode of our 5th Annual Women’s March, a WLP showcase of the women of our music scene and beyond. Our lead-off musical guest is Canyon White , the hardest working lady in Northern Nevada’s folk scene. Seriously, she has a gig every night of the week except Mondays, which she graciously made an exception this week to be on our show. We’re sure glad she did. Kicking off our Women’s March with her unique brand of tenderness and humor was a great choice. She’s a hoot to be around. We laugh out loud during a few of her songs (we’re supposed to be quiet, but she was too funny) and got all the feels on others. She has a way with words, lol. Being a native Nevadan, Canyon tells great stories of life in the music and art scenes of Reno Tahoe and the surrounding areas. We discuss Nevada history and hidden hot spots few folks really know about.
Also joining us, Nick’s favorite woman ever, his mom. Teri Karlsson joins us with her husband Hans to talk about her belly dancing troupe, the Babylon Babes, and to check out what her kid has been up to with this podcast thing for 11 years. The quiz is a laugh a minute and some revelations are made.
All in all a perfect little Worst Little Podcast to get Women’s March rolling.
To all the women of WLP, the Reno music scene and beyond, we salute you!
Thanks for listening!
Danny Horton – Silver Tongue Devil – S12 E6
The devil came to Greenville and our guest this week, Danny Horton (aka Jack Danny), took notice. He penned a beautiful song about it. That’s what Danny does with his original material, he writes about his experiences. Like the song that kicked off his adventure into a solo career, “Dear Miss Rose”, written while walking home from jail.
Another song was written after hearing the sound of a distant train while washing dishes. Danny finds inspiration in everything. He’s a beautiful soul with wonderful stories. Each song is a tale told using his sweet Martin guitar, a kick drum, foot tamb and that voice: sometimes weathered vagabond, sometimes smooth crooner and other times hooten and hollerin’. He knows his vocal instrument well and has emotion and range. I liken it to outlaw country folk with a bit of punk rock aesthetic. He’s one of the rare musicians who crosses over and can play punk shows or honkytonks. If X, Hank III, Larry And His Flask, Chris Stapleton, Willie Nelson were some kind of festival line up, Danny Horton would fit the bill.
We hear some road stories from the “Jack Danny” days, when he earned his nickname, to sober Danny Horton days, still getting harassed by the man. Most of us have known Danny for decades now and couldn’t be more proud of the artist and man he’s become. You can find his album Dear Miss Rose on all the usual platforms (coming soon to bandcamp as well).
Please visit us at Patreon and think about becoming a patron of the show.
Thanks For Listening.
Pink Awful-The Awful Truth
This week, Rick, Nick and Intern Mouse came in on The Lovers Holiday to catch up and say farewell to one of our absolute favorite Reno bands, Pink Awful. They have announced that key founding members Ashley Costelloe and Mike Miller are engaged to be married and are moving to Chicago. Drummer Chris Croft rounds out the band on their latest and potentially final, double EP “Apophenia”.
The first cd is red and the second is white. The red one they say is more rocking of the two, more guitars and more like their previous records, and the white one is more moody and electronic. They’re both fantastic, experimental and cinematic. They’d fit in on a lineup like Siouxie and the Banshees, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Le Tigre, Santigold, LCD Soundsystem, Radiohead or Sonic Youth. If you like any of those bands , I think you’re going to dig them.
They are unique in that they’re the ones who sound like Pink Awful. Influenced by others but totally original and refreshing. We talk a lot about each of the five songs previewed. How they created them sonically, technically,how the lyrics came to be and a little insight into their meaning. The music is so different song to song. Dogwater Dick hooked up the studio so we could experience the songs in stereo, a luxury we don’t always have. I highly recommend listening to the two EP’s back to back on headphones or in the car. Sometimes the sound is enormous and sometimes it’s sub-fi ( a term invented on this episode by Mike to describe their lower than low-fi tunes.). We get the origin story of their name and it’s not what anyone thought!
It’s a bittersweet episode and it gets a little emotional. Ashley first joined us in season one, I think, with the duo Sleepy Sunshine, back at the old studio in Sparks. She was there at the Zephyr when Marianarchy was still a new thing. With all that history and all the great music and shows they’ve given Reno, it was hard to hold back some tears.
Join them for the release of Apophenia, and their farewell show, March 4th at The Loving Cup with openers Roxxy Collie. Doors at 8pm Show at 9pm sharp. Bring merch money they’re having a fire sale!
Patreon members got a real treat this week! Become a member at Patreon.com/worstlittlepodcast!
Thanks for listening!
Machine Gun Vendetta – You down with MGV?
Yeah you know WLP!
This week we party with longtime Reno punkers Machine Gun Vendetta! Adam ,Jim and Scott form a power trio with catchy tunes in the tradition of protest and anarchy. We get super tangential starting with the band , venues , touring, childhood celebrity crushes and Danny Trejo. It was fast and loose. We get five songs performed live and the skinny on their new video Dirty Politician and brand new single Broken Glass from their new album Year In Revolt ,coming out in April.
These dudes are tight musicians and tight friends. You can tell they have all the fun together. See them live February 12 with A.D.D. from Sacramento at Whiskey Dicks in South Lake Tahoe.
Speaking of shows, we are hosting a little acoustic show February 25 at the Cellar at Alturas with Eddie Subtitle, Just-In Beaver, Travis Calvert (from Basement Tapes /Thee Living Daylights) and our host and buddy Nick Ramirez.
Thanks for supporting local music and thanks for listening!
Hired Fun – Real Horrorshow – S12 E3
Like barnstormers without a plane, Carson City’s own Hired Fun made their way up to Reno last week to do some loops and flybys at the ol’ Dogwater Studios. What we got was something more, something frightening, something outRAGEously good – horror and killer themed punk rock! Your favorite! We know!
There is a lengthy review/recap of Jon Waters’ career at one point, we get an origin story and talk about Nevada history. For a show that has no particular conversation topic, even this interview ranged far and wide.
We really had a great time with the gentlemen of Hired Fun – there was a lot of talent in the room (and none of it was ours). Definitely a band you will want to check out ASAP. You can catch them at the Falling Axe Fest at Alturas’ Cellar Stage with Hypnotic Death, Contortion, Qarin, and Ones True Will.
Thanks for listening!
One Ton Dually – Rise of the Oldpunks – S12 E2
Continuing in our series of bands who have kept it going through the long winter, we welcome back One Ton Dually! Yes, this is kinda the ‘house band’ (in that Nick and Rory are in it), but we haven’t had them on in four and a half years, so we thought we’d check in and see if they’ve gotten any better.
One Ton Dually is Thee Reverend Rory Dowd (bass, vocals), Nick Ramirez (drums, vocals), Spike Richie (guitar, vocals), and Jack Soft (guitar). They’ve switched the lineup and added some more songs – we get treated to a whole lineup of new songs this episode. As Dogwater Dick quips, they’ve embraced the sloppy punk rock band inside.
They are hungry for Reno rock and roll shows and despite some reschedulings due to the ongoing pandemic (committed to being safe these fellows are), they are excited to invite you to their first show in 2022 at The Matador with Thee Living Daylights and Triflin’ Bitches. It should be a train wreck of a good time.
Thanks For Listening!
