Elliot(Eli) Hoffman is the drummer for Car Bomb, a band that formed in the early 2000s from two groups, Neck and Spooge, in Rockville Center, New York. His drumming is influenced by artists like Vinnie Colaiuta and Thomas Haake. Hoffman started playing drums around the age of 10, participated in drum corps during junior high, and later took lessons…

Hannah Marie Marcus is a Manhattan-born musician and olfactory artist whose work spans folk, slowcore, Cajun, and experimental sound. The Hannah Marcus Years: 1993–2004 collects recordings with collaborators including Tim Mooney and members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. She has since scored films, toured with Matana Roberts, and performed scent-b…

In this episode, Overachievers and Underachievers, we sit down with artist Justin Gradin and poet John Tottenham—two creators who dig into the absurd, the anxious, and the unpolished truths of life. From Gradin’s grotesquely layered visual chaos and insomnia-fueled narratives, to Tottenham’s hilariously bitter verses on failure, resentment, and rel…

Gavin Friday, former Virgin Prunes frontman, has built a solo career rooted in electro-pop and theatrical storytelling, with collaborations including U2, Sinead O’Connor, and Laurie Anderson. He has also composed award-winning film scores and worked with artists like Quincy Jones, Fifty Cent and Scott Walker. Known for constantly evolving rather th…

English musician Graham Lewis is a founding member of the legendary post-punk band Wire. Known for his minimal yet charged presence as bassist, vocalist, and lyricist, Graham helped shape the band’s stark aesthetic since 1976. Beyond Wire, he’s explored experimental sound through projects like Dome, He Said, Hox, and UUUU. An art school background …

Pat Thomas is a historian and editor whose latest work, Dispatches From The Literary Underground: Evergreen Review, compiles and reprints the first 100 issues of Evergreen Review (1957–1973) in full color. Drawing on interviews with former staff and new essays from cultural commentators, the book documents the magazine’s role in publishing and prom…

Frank Hurricane is a musician and storyteller blending blues, folk, and spoken word. His album Quintorian Blues showcases his mix of humor, adventure, and spirituality. Recently featured on PBS in an Emmy-nominated documentary, known for his eclectic style, combining country blues with hip-hop influences to create a unique and immersive experience.…

Photo By: Julia Gorton Adam Sobel, nephew of Sumner Crane of the band Mars, studies extreme weather and climate dynamics, focusing on tropical cyclones, severe convection, and precipitation. A professor at Columbia since 2000, he combines theory, observation, and simulation to understand atmospheric behavior and assess risk. Adam also hosts Deep Co…

Rose Tang is a musician, multidisciplinary artivist, and event curator who leads over 30 groups in New York and Seattle. Her music, described by record labels and critics as experimental, free jazz, post-punk, noise, and "Weird Shit", blends diverse influences and unconventional sounds. A Mongol from Sichuan, Rose plays piano, electric guitar, and …

Dave Markey is a self-taught filmmaker and musician who has documented underground music and punk culture for over four decades. His films, including 1991: The Year Punk Broke and Desperate Teenage Lovedolls, capture the energy of the punk scene with a direct, DIY approach. He has worked with Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Black Flag, and the Circle Jerks, …

Jack Rabid has spent 40 years documenting underground music as the founder and editor of The Big Takeover. His writing has appeared in Spin, Creem, Village Voice, and dozens more. He drums for Even Worse, Leaving Trains, Last Burning Embers, and Springhouse. He hosts The Big Takeover Show on realpunkradio.com. Based in Brooklyn with his wife and tw…

Tony O’Neill, a British-born writer now in the U.S., has built a career that moves between fiction, non-fiction, and screenwriting. A former musician who played with Marc Almond and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, he made his literary debut with Digging the Vein in 2005, followed by noir-tinged novels like Sick City—now edging toward a TV adaptation …

Ali Smith, a portrait and documentary photographer, moved to the UK from NYC, where she built a career shooting for The Guardian, The New York Times, and more. She’s shot campaigns for Rimmel, Disney, and Johnson & Johnson and published two acclaimed photography books—Momma Love earned praise from The NY Times and Gloria Steinem. Her work, rooted i…

Bruce Moreland grew up in West Covina California, playing in glam rock bands with his brother Marc before diving into LA’s punk scene in the late ’70s. He hung around The Masque, played bass for The Weirdos, and co-founded Wall of Voodoo, recording on most of their albums between stints in and out of the band. He later formed Black Cherry, played w…

Matilda Joon Dominique Stringfellow In this cuntroversial episode we feature the dynamic poetry of Matilda Joon, and an in depth conversation between Lydia and Dominique Stringfellow concerning the need for female empowerment to replace the ever present imbalance in sexual relationships which have spiraled out of control.…

JD Pinkus, who set a Georgia Boy's State 100-meter freestyle relay record in 1980, left swimming behind in 1985 to tour with the Butthole Surfers, later playing bass for Melvins, Helios Creed, and others. He took up the 5-string banjo, releasing albums like Keep On The Grass (2018), Fungus Shui (2021), and Grow A Pear (2024). JD splits his time bet…

Mike IX Williams, the voice of New Orleans for lack of a better term "sludge" pioneers Eyehategod, embodies the unrelenting grit of the genre. Raised in High Point, North Carolina, he gravitated toward rebellion and punk before finding his footing in the music scene of late-70s New Orleans. Over the years, he’s faced addiction, incarceration, Hurri…

Randy Blythe, frontman of Lamb of God, will release his second book, Just Beyond the Light, on February 18, 2025. The book combines memoir and philosophy, detailing his approach to maintaining perspective through challenges. Randy writes about his childhood, touring, sobriety, and the lessons shaped by his life in music and art.…

During New Year’s week, we noticed a significant dip in our numbers—likely because everyone is enjoying a well-deserved break. Good for you! We’ll be back next week, refreshed and ready, with exciting new guests joining us each week. In the meantime, enjoy this extended intro. Cheers to a eh uh fantastic 2025??…

Elliott Sharp is a composer and multi-instrumentalist active in New York City's avant-garde music scene since the late 1970s. With over 85 recordings across genres such as contemporary classical, jazz, noise, and electronic music, he incorporates elements like algorithms, Fibonacci sequences, and literary themes in his experimental compositions. In…

Yva Las Vegass is a groundbreaking musician and queer icon whose journey from immigrant busker to trailblazing artist has shaped the soundscape of both Venezuelan folklore and American alternative music. Born in Venezuela, Yva began her musical career as a busker, performing on the streets of Seattle after immigrating in the early 1980s. Her unique…

Joey Killingsworth, the driving force behind Joecephus and the George Jonestown Massacre, has spent close to 20 years blending outlaw country with thrashing riff rock to build a loyal following. A Memphis native with deep musical roots—his father, Bo Jack, played with rockabilly legend Eddie Bond—Killingsworth initially resisted country music but l…

Anton Newcombe is the creative force behind The Brian Jonestown Massacre, a band he founded in 1990. He is a prolific songwriter and a hands-on producer. Anton has collaborated with artists like Tess Parks and Dead Meadow and even scores the films and television such as the film Moon Dogs. Beyond music, he runs his label, A Recordings Ltd., likes t…

Daniel House is an entrepreneur and musician, he i the co-founder and bassist of Skin Yard, a band that played a pivotal role in shaping the grunge sound in Seattle and served as a starting point for many influential musicians. Initially purchasing C/Z Records as a platform to release his own music, Daniel transformed the label into one of the corn…

Oliver Edward Ackermann is a musician and innovator best known as the founder of the Brooklyn-based effects pedal company Death By Audio and the frontman of the rock band A Place to Bury Strangers, often called "the loudest band in New York." A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Oliver has crafted custom effects for legendary bands such…

While Lydia and Tim have been busy on their respective tours, finding time to record new episodes has been challenging. In the meantime, take a trip down memory lane revisiting a memorable moment from the early days. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles in January of 2019, Lydia and Tim sat down with the legendary burlesque star and actress, Kitte…

Kevin Rutmanis is a bassist and experimental musician, known for his work with bands like Cows, The Melvins, Tomahawk, and hepa.titus. Recently, he has teamed up with visual artist Gina Skwoz for the project Lords and Lady Kevin, creating boundary-pushing music. Their latest release, Last Days At Hot Slit not to be confused with the Andrea Dworkin …

This episode of The Lydian Spin is filled with haunting reflections and fierce critiques. Lydia opens by reading a sharply worded Daily Beast op-ed from Michael Ian Black on the high stakes of the upcoming election. She then dives into the Shimmy Disc release Poe: To One in Paradise (for Hal Willner), a limited edition LP that celebrates Edgar Alla…

Writer, Oxbow alum, Bunuel frontman and friend of the Lydian Spin, Eugene Robinson, joins Lydia and Tim to read from his memoir A Walk Across Dirty Water and Straight Into Murderer's Row and share other entertaining stories from his life. Catch Lydia and Eugene at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on November 9th.…

Drummer Sim Cain played with the Rollins Band from 1987 until 1997. Before joining Rollins Band, Sim played in the instrumental trio Gone, alongside future Rollins Band bassist Andrew Weiss and Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn. He has also recorded with artists like David Poe, Marc Ribot, David Shea, and played in Elliott Sharp's Terraplane group. Ca…

Babeth Mondini-VanLoo is an artist, filmmaker, and cultural ambassador. She studied art under Joseph Beuys in Germany and earned a Master's in Film & Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1977. Babeth is the programming director and founder of the first Buddhist television station in the West. Her art, often described as Social Sculptur…

Jim Jones is the legendary frontman for Thee Hypnotics, The Jim Jones Revue, and the explosive new project Jim Jones All Stars. Since the late 80s, Jim has been known for his wild, and intense live performances. Lydia, Jim and Tim discuss a myriad of subjects including: touring, underground rock n roll, and in the distinctly British sense, cunts.…

Composer/guitarist Nick Sadler was the guitarist for the rock band Daughters. In addition to this he has played bass and co-authored songs for the band Way Out. Nick also composes music for film and television.By Lydia Lunch

Steve First is an actor, writer, and comedian known for his roles across TV, film, and stage. He gained recognition starring in the Gold Spot commercials for Orange and as a supporting actor in Little Britain. As his alter-ego Lenny Beige, he created and starred in numerous TV shows and live performances. Steve's acting credits span popular shows l…

Peter Jesperson, is a legendary figure in the music world—DJ, label founder, tour manager, and lifelong music enthusiast. He is best known as the former manager of The Replacements and founder of Twin/Tone Records, Peter joins Lydia and Tim to talk about his journey through the industry and his memoir Euphoric Recall, which is a deep dive into his …

A San Antonio-born vocalist, lyricist, and artist, Suzy Bravo has performed in heavy metal, punk, blues, and soul bands. Formerly the front woman for bands like The Rocket 350 (later Suzy Bravo & The Rocket 350), Witchcryer and Temple of Love., she is also in the Plasmatics cover band named Tits Out..…

Nicky Miller is a Berlin-based, genderqueer interdisciplinary artist with roots in France and Vietnam. Specializing in film, performance art, and creative writing, Nicky’s work explores LGBTQ+ sexualities and identities, often tackling politically sensitive topics like sex work, BDSM, and queer practices. Their award-winning films, including Twiste…

Travis Jeppesen, is an American novelist, poet, artist, and art critic who is currently based in Berlin. He has authored several notable works, including The Suiciders, Poems I Wrote while Watching TV, and See You Again in Pyongyang. His latest book is Settlers Landing.By Lydia Lunch

Jennifer Charles is a proud childless cat lady writer, singer/songwriter, actor, and poet, best known as one half of the New York cult band Elysian Fields. She has performed and collaborated with artists worldwide, singing in over 10 languages. Notable projects include Lovage with Mike Patton and Dan the Automator, and her Sephardic Diaspora group …

Chris Mars, is an American painter and drummer best known for his drumming in the iconic Minneapolis band The Replacements. After leaving the band in 1990, he pursued a solo music career before shifting his focus to visual art, where he gained recognition for his nightmarish, surrealist paintings. Chris continues to create art inspired by personal …

The Lydian Spin's latest double feature showcases interviews with members of two standout bands: Catatonic Suns and Tina Kit. Catatonic Suns brings a mesmerizing blend of '90s indie DIY sensibilities with layers of psychedelia. Tina Kit captivates with their energetic, howling performances, represented by photographer and musician Cole Flynn Quirke…

Steve Wynn, frontman of The Dream Syndicate, has released over 25 albums and had more than 300 songs recorded by artists like REM and The Black Crowes. He has played over 2000 shows in more than 25 countries. He is also known for his solo work and projects like Gutterball and The Miracle 3. Steve joins Lydia and Tim from New York to read from his b…

Acclaimed poet Anne Waldman has been a key figure in the Outrider experimental poetry community for over four decades. Her work, rooted in the Beat, New York School, and Black Mountain traditions, elevates feminist and activist themes through powerful performances. A prolific author with over 60 books, including Fast Speaking Woman and The Iovis Tr…

Kramer is a musician, composer, and record producer whose creative ideas can be found all over the American cultural landscape. He is known as the founder of the record label Shimmy-Disc. He was a member of New York Gong, Shockabilly, Bongwater, and Dogbowl & Kramer, and has toured with Butthole Surfers, B.A.L.L., Ween, Half Japanese, and The Fugs.…

Richard Cabut is an author, journalist, and musician. He is the author of the post-punk novel Looking for a Kiss, which has been adapted for the screen. Richard's journalism has been featured in prominent publications like The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, NME, and The Independent. He co-edited the anthology Punk is Dead: Modernity Killed Every Night …

Marianna Simnett is an artist and musician newly based in New York, known for her vivid and visceral explorations of the body as a site of transformation. Her psychologically charged works challenge both herself and the viewer, creating radical new worlds filled with untamed thoughts, strange tales, and desires. Her current work titled Winner is on…

Hey have you heard the news? Jesus Lizard is back! They've dropped a new album and are hitting the road for a tour. To celebrate this exciting comeback, we're jumping on the Jesus Lizard bandwagon. So, we're bringing you a replay of our classic interview with the one and only David Yow.By Lydia Lunch

Matt Katz-Bohen, began playing piano at age 7, expanded his repertoire to include cello, violin, and guitar. An alumnus of New York City’s LaGuardia High School, he became the guitarist and Music Director for the drag queen rock troupe The Touchables, collaborating with notable artists like Jody Watley and Lady Miss Kier. Introduced to Debbie Harry…

Timo Ellis is a musician, composer, and producer from New York City. Over the past two decades, he has appeared on nearly 100 albums and collaborated with artists like Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, and Mark Ronson. His music spans genres, including rock, punk, metal, soul, and electronic. Timo's progressive sludge band, Netherlands, has been active since …