Thursday, May 1, 2025

A Chat With BAD KARMA

 

Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with the reunited members of late '80s/'90s NJ band Bad Karma - Doug "Slugger" Vizthum, Tom "DLO" DiEllo, and Wally "WB" Bird - about the band's history and upcoming first show in 15 years at Randy Now's Man Cave in Hightstown, NJ, on May 16.





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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Words for Mike Peters



Mike Peters was the kind of man you wanted to see live forever.

Kind and humble with an unshakable spirit, he faced more trials and tribulations than someone with his heart and talent ever should have. Just over a year ago, I was offered the chance to interview him on my podcast. I couldn’t reply “yes!” fast enough.

I’m a journo who’s been around more than a bit, but on the day I connected with Mike over Zoom, I was 11 years old again — the kid who discovered and fell in love with Alternative Rock thanks to The Alarm and other acts I heard left of the dial.

Watch the video below — you’ll be amazed by his energy and drive despite everything he endured.

What a damn beautiful man.

Lately, I’ve been working to digitize 25 years’ worth of audio interviews, which means my recent weeks and months have been filled with the voices of the departed. I recently preserved hours of conversation with Genesis P-Orridge. David Thomas, another classic interviewee, passed not long after. I grabbed an unlabeled microcassette and heard Raven’s sarcastic charm speaking to me. Another unmarked tape began with a hotel receptionist:

“Hello, thank you for calling [whatever hotel]. How can I help you?”

“Hello, I’d like to be connected with one of your guests, Andrew Gill …”

Mike is the third podcast guest I’ve lost in the past eight months. That’s hard to take.

Life is short. Embrace the moment. Create art. Go for it all. Smile widely through your struggles. And sing your songs.

Mike sure as hell did.



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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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Thursday, April 24, 2025

A Chat with ALEC BYRN (Fmr. Label Manager, EG RECORDS)


Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with former music industry executive Alec Byrn (EG Records/Phonogram/Polydor) about his experiences with Killing Joke, Roxy Music, The Ramones, The Boomtown Rats, The Orb, and other legendary acts.





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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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Words for David Thomas



How the hell did David Thomas, a.k.a. Crocus Behemoth, end up fronting two of the greatest bands in history?

He was a big guy, far from a pinup, and looked like a ’50s dad tired after a long day selling appliances. And he sang like Big Bird. Definitely not the coolest kid in class, but undoubtedly the smartest. Nothing about him even remotely screamed "star" — and I suspect he’d angrily shun such a notion anyway — but that’s precisely why he was one of the truest rock stars and artists you’d ever meet.
I’m glad I did.
Seeing Rocket from the Tombs in 2003 in Hollywood blew my mind. I bought Rocket Redux soon after and discovered, in the liner notes, that my co-worker John Thompson was THAT John Thompson.
John. Another beautiful oddball. He saw the oddball in me and promptly hooked me up with Pere Ubu paraphernalia that would give the typical record collector a stroke. He also put me in touch with David — his one-time roommate, which made all the sense in the world — when I mentioned I wanted to write about Rocket from the Tombs.
John cautioned me that David could be a tad tough. I figured as much.
He was lovely. Articulate and to the point. Someone who clearly didn’t suffer fools gladly. I just made sure not to be one on the phone. Emails were exchanged. I still have them. Exactly what you’d expect. They’re irreplaceable to me.
David and I met up after a Pale Boys gig at Spaceland a bit further down the calendar. He plopped himself at the edge of the stage after the show and sold merch out of a cardboard box. No glamour. No backstage pass. Just the real thing. A rock star. (Sorry, Crocus, but you were. Probably the last one we’ll ever see.)
I once asked him what kept him going. Here was his response:
"An overwhelming sense of failure and utter dread of public humiliation, basically. I don't think I've done anything right, so I don't want to quit until I get it right. I'm tired of the humiliation of not getting it right. That's what keeps me going. If I ever get it right, I'll quit that day."
I’ve never heard more beautiful words.
And I’ll never hear something like “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” again.
We all remember our first time with that single, don’t we?
Here’s the thing, David. You had it right from Day One; the rest of us are just struggling to catch up.
Goddamn, you were something else.
Tell John I miss him.


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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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Sunday, April 20, 2025

A Chat with Legendary Songwriter RUSS BALLARD


Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with legendary songwriter Russ Ballard (KISS/Argent/Rainbow/Ace Frehley/Peter Criss/America/Santana/Hot Chocolate/Frida/Roger Daltrey/The Shadows) about his forthcoming album, Songs from the Warehouse / The Hits Rewired, and highlights from his decades-long career.

Links in the Video Description





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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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A Chat with BAG PEOPLE


Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with the reunited members of seminal early-'80s Chicago/NYC band Bag People – Algis Kizys (SWANS/Of Cabbages and Kings/Pigface/Foetus), Carolyn Master (Of Cabbages and Kings/Glenn Branca), Diane Wlezien (Of Cabbages and Kings), Gaylene Goudreau (DA!/Bloodsister/Revolt-Chix), and Pete Elwyn (Plebroom Theatre Group) – about their history and the recent vinyl release of archival recordings from 1983 on Drag City. Jordan Mamone (Alger Hiss), who played a major role in coordinating the Drag City LP, later joins them in the conversation.

Links in the Video Description






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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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A Chat with KNOX CHANDLER (PSYCHEDELIC FURS/SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES/SOLO)


Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with veteran musician Knox Chandler (Psychedelic Furs/Siouxsie and the Banshees/Cyndi Lauper/The Golden Palominos/R.E.M.) about the creative process behind his forthcoming solo release, The Sound (out May 30 on the Blue Elastic label).

Links in the Video Description





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EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


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