#374 with Russ Van Cleave

Summary: I'm sure just about everyone has some mix tape or mix CD or mix playlist (or whatever else gets passed around these days) that they've received from someone at some point that opened them up to whole new collections of bands and artists that might have otherwise been relegated to obscurity. This podcast is dedicated to one of those collections; a mix tape a friend gave me circa 1994 that opened me up to a world that I've since shared with The Replacements, Naked Raygun, The Jam, and a bunch of other great music. I suppose it's safe to say that the best days of the "mix tape" are behind us. I know there are quite a few collectors and distributors out there who remain stalwart disciples of the cassette format. But I don't expect we'll see the cassette format regain its former glory as the preferred mode of music sharing amongst the general population. That being said, I suppose that this installation of my regular podcast could be considered nostalgic. This go around, I decided to pay tribute to a great mix tape my friend Bean made for me circa 1994. I came to college in 1992 eager for new music. I had a background in ‘80s metal and, towards the end of high school and the beginning of college, was starting to familiarize myself with a lot the easily accessible "punk" and "alternative" bands of the day. As I started to involve myself more in college radio, I eventually met Jeff Douglas, colloquially known amongst friends as "Bean." Bean asked me what I listened to and, after a moment of reflection following the short list of bands I recited, said, "I'm gonna make you a tape." What I got from him a few days later ended up being one of the most memorable collections of music anyone has shared with me. At this point, I believe I have accumulated a CD or record containing every song on that tape save the one exception detailed below. There are some bands I have left off in the interest of keeping the runtime for the podcast from getting out of control. But, while I still have a few brain cells left upstairs, I decided that it would be a good idea to document what I recall of that mix tape as part of a Razorcake podcast. Enjoy! –Russ To download the file to your computer, right click the link below and select "save target as..." It's a hefty file, so it may take some time to download to your computer. To play the file without downloading (it depends on your computer's configuration for playing music files), just click it. Your media player should recognize what to do with an mp3. (If it doesn't, you're on your own.) RAZORCAKE PODCAST #374 If you have any problems or helpful suggestions you can contact us through the website here. In the subject put “Podcast.” Hope you enjoy listening. Tracklisting: Pegboy - "Strong Reaction" from Strong Reaction (Quarterstick) --- The Replacements - "Takin' a Ride" from Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (Twin/Tone) Kraut - "Pyramids" from Complete Studio Recordings 1981-1986 (New Red Archives) Dag Nasty - "Circles" from Can I Say (Dischord) --- Squirrel Bait - "Sun God" from Skag Heaven Plus 8 Bonus Tracks (Homestead) Henry Rollins & The Hard-Ons - "Carry Me Down" from Let There Be Rock (C/Z) Fear - "More Beer" from Live... For the Record (Restless) --- M.I.A. - "Tell Me Why" from Lost Boys (Alternative Tentacles) Youth Brigade - "Boys in the Brigade" from Out of Print (BYO) Gorilla Biscuits - "Sitting Around at Home" from Start Today (Revelation) --- Naked Raygun - "Home" from Raygun...Naked Raygun (Caroline) Agent Orange - "Bloodstains" from Living in Darkness (Posh Boy) The Jam - "In The City" from In the City (Many Door) --- Sid Vicious - "Something Else" from Sid Sings (Like Something Madonna Sings About) Pegboy: There are a handful of songs that made such a strong impression that the experience of first hearing them is for