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PODCAST

DC Rock History

Join hosts Philip Basnight and Alex Vidales as they explore Washington, D.C.’s rich rock history. Each episode uncovers iconic albums and overlooked gems, featuring stories behind the music, the artists, and the evolving local scene. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the city’s musical legacy, this podcast shines a light on the sounds that shaped rock in the nation’s capital. email: dcrockpod@gmail.com

music music history

All Episodes

66:28

Fugazi - "13 Songs" with Jim Saah

DC Rock History ·

2025/11/03

In this episode, we explore 13 Songs, the seminal compilation that introduced Fugazi’s raw urgency and experimental edge to a wider audience. Originally released in 1989 by Dischord Records, 13 Songs combines the band’s first two EPs Fugazi (1988) and Margin Walker (1989) and stands as a defining document of the post–Revolution Summer era in Washington, D.C.Formed by Ian MacKaye, Joe Lally, Brendan Canty, and later joined by Guy Picciotto, Fugazi built on the intensity of their hardcore roots

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61:55

Fire Party - "s/t" with Fire Party

DC Rock History ·

2025/10/27

In this episode, we explore Fire Party, the self-titled debut from one of the most groundbreaking bands to emerge from Washington, D.C.’s post–Revolution Summer punk scene. Formed in 1986 by Amy Pickering (vocals), Natalie Avery (guitar), Kate Samworth (bass), and Nicky Thomas (drums), Fire Party brought a new perspective to D.C. punk — politically charged, emotionally direct, and unapologetically their own.Recorded at Inner Ear Studios with Don Zientara engineering and Ian MacKaye producing, the

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47:48

Embrace - "Embrace" with Mark Jenkins

DC Rock History ·

2025/10/20

In this episode, we dive into Embrace, the posthumously released self-titled album from one of the most pivotal bands of Washington, D.C.’s Revolution Summer movement. Though only active from 1985 to 1986, Embrace brought together vocalist Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat) with three former members of the Faith, guitarist Michael Hampton, bassist Chris Bald, and drummer Ivor Hanson, to create a record that helped redefine punk’s emotional and musical boundaries.Our guest is Mark Jenkins, longtime D.C

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66:32

Dag Nasty - "Can I Say" with Broke Royals

DC Rock History ·

2025/10/06

In this episode, we dive into Can I Say, the 1986 debut album from Dag Nasty - a record that helped define melodic hardcore and mark a turning point in Washington, D.C.’s punk history. Formed in 1985 by guitarist Brian Baker after the breakup of Minor Threat, Dag Nasty united veterans of the D.C. scene including Colin Sears, Roger Marbury, and vocalist Dave Smalley. Together, they bridged the aggression of hardcore with melody and introspection, creating a sound that would influence punk and emo for

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74:15

Rites of Spring - "Rites of Spring" with Mark Andersen

DC Rock History ·

2025/09/29

In this episode, we explore Rites of Spring, the 1985 self-titled release that intertwined with Revolution Summer and reshaped the direction of punk in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Rites of Spring formed in 1984 with Guy Picciotto (vocals, guitar), Eddie Janney (guitar), Mike Fellows (bass), and Brendan Canty (drums). The band built on the foundation of hardcore but infused their songs with personal and emotional intensity, creating a record that is often cited as a cornerstone of post-hardcore and

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73:33

S.O.A - "No Policy" & Black Flag - "Damaged" with...

DC Rock History ·

2025/09/22

In this episode, we explore No Policy, the 1981 EP by SOA, and Damaged, the legendary debut LP from Black Flag. Formed in Washington, D.C. by Henry Garfield (later Henry Rollins), Michael Hampton, Wendel Blow, and Simon Jacobsen, SOA delivered ten tracks in just over eight minutes, capturing the urgency and fury of the early D.C. hardcore scene. Released as Dischord Records’ second-ever release, No Policy marks Rollins’ first recorded appearance—raw, unrelenting, and full of promise.We then

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01:02:15

No Trend - "Too Many Humans.../ Teen Love" with Chris...

DC Rock History ·

2025/06/16

In this episode, we explore Too Many Humans and Teen Love, the 1983 release from No Trend that challenged both punk and mainstream sensibilities in DC’s underground scene. No Trend was from from Ashton, Maryland consisting of Jeff Mentges (vocals), Frank Price (guitar), Bob Strasser (bass), and Michael Salkind (drums). They took a confrontational approach to music, combining minimal, abrasive instrumentation with lyrics that satirized social norms and punk culture alike.Our guest is Chris

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01:01:30

The Slickee Boys - "Cybernetic Dreams of Pi" with Don...

DC Rock History ·

2025/06/09

In this episode, we explore Cybernetic Dreams of Pi, the 1983 release from The Slickee Boys that blends garage rock revivalism with punk attitude and sci-fi themes. The Slickee Boys had been a fixture in the DC music scene since the mid-1970s, building a dedicated following with their irreverent stage shows and DIY approach to recording. With a lineup featuring Mark Noone on vocals, Kim Kane and Marshall Keith on guitars, Dan Palenski on drums, and John Chumbris on bass, the band delivered an album

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01:12:30

Faith / Void Split with Thurston Moore

DC Rock History ·

2025/06/02

In this episode, we explore the Faith/Void Split, the legendary 1982 release from Dischord Records that captures the duality of the early D.C. hardcore scene. Released as Dischord Records #8, the album pairs Faith’s tight, melodic hardcore with Void’s chaotic, genre-defying intensity. Both bands, formed by teenagers, contributed to the diverse evolution of hardcore punk in the nation’s capital.Our guest is Thurston Moore, guitarist of Sonic Youth and author of Sonic Life, whose exploration of

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53:28

Bad Brains - "Bad Brains" with Bartees Strange

DC Rock History ·

2025/05/19

In this episode, we dive into Bad Brains’ self-titled 1982 classic, which still stands as one of the most explosive albums in punk history. Recorded at 171-A Studios in New York, the album blends elements of hardcore punk and reggae, and is widely regarded as a foundational release in the development of American hardcore. Known for its speed, technical proficiency, and incorporation of Rastafarian themes and the philosophy of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), the album helped establish Bad Brains as a

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01:03:04

Minor Threat - "First Two 7"s" with Scott Crawford...

DC Rock History ·

2025/05/12

In this episode, we dig into Minor Threat and In My Eyes, the two EPs that make up First Two 7”s. Across twelve blistering tracks, Minor Threat laid down the foundation for DC hardcore with a sound that was fast, focused, and unapologetically direct.Our guests are Eduardo Nunes of Discologist and Scott Crawford, the filmmaker behind Salad Days and Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine. Together, we explore the band’s early impact, the emergence of Straight Edge, and the lasting power of a

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56:39

Government Issue - "Legless Bull" with Paul Vodra

DC Rock History ·

2025/05/05

In this episode, we dive into the early days of Government Issue and their blistering 1981 debut EP Legless Bull. As the fourth release on Dischord Records, this 10-song, 9-minute blast helped define the label’s emerging sound and captured the chaotic energy of a scene in formation.We’re joined by Paul Vodra of Hometown Sounds to unpack how Government Issue fit into the fast-shifting DC hardcore landscape. From their unpracticed live debut to their confrontational lyrics, we explore how John

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52:46

Urban Verbs - "Urban Verbs" with Andrew Grossman

DC Rock History ·

2025/04/28

In this episode, we dive into the story of the Urban Verbs and their 1980 self-titled debut. One of the earliest bands to bridge punk and art rock in Washington, D.C., Urban Verbs helped set the stage for the city’s evolving underground scene. With sharp guitars, moody synths, and a theatrical presence, they brought a new wave sensibility to a city still finding its sound.We’re joined by Andrew Grossman of The North Country to explore how Urban Verbs shaped early D.C. rock history both as a band

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01:02:54

Teen Idles - "Minor Disturbance" with Rob Harvilla

DC Rock History ·

2025/04/21

In this episode, we dive into the beginnings of D.C. hardcore with the Minor Disturbance EP by Teen Idles. This is the very first release on Dischord Records and a flashpoint for a new musical movement. Clocking in at just over ten minutes, this ferocious debut from four D.C. high schoolers helped launch an entire scene, complete with fast riffs, hand-drawn Xs, and a new ethos of DIY independence.We’re joined by music writer and podcast host Rob Harvilla (60 Songs That Explain the 90s and the

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01:06:30

Tiny Desk Unit - "Tiny Desk Unit" with Bob Boilen and...

DC Rock History ·

2025/04/14

In this episode (our season 2 premiere!!), we explore the boundary-pushing story of Tiny Desk Unit, one of Washington, D.C.’s most innovative and genre-defying bands. Formed in 1979 by a group of downtown artists and music obsessives, the band fused analog synths, angular guitar work, and poetic vocals into something entirely new. Long before NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, there was Tiny Desk Unit- an art-rock force that helped open up space for original music in the heart of the city.We’re joined by

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01:34:16

Live at the DC History Conference with Mark Opsasnick

DC Rock History ·

2025/04/07

In this episode (our first-ever live taping!!), we dig into the untold story of Washington, D.C.’s pre-hardcore rock era- from 1950 to 1979—with special guest and legendary D.C. music historian Mark Opsasnick. Recorded live at the DC History Conference, this bonus episode serves as the grand finale of Season 1 and a perfect primer for what’s to come in Season 2.Mark- author of Capitol Rock and Rock the Potomac- takes us on a whirlwind tour of the clubs, characters, and cornerstones that shaped

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01:08:48

The Nighthawks - "Open All Nite" with David Goodfriend

DC Rock History ·

2024/12/09

In this episode (our season 1 finale!!), we dive into the electrifying story of The Nighthawks, one of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic blues-rock bands. Formed in 1972 by harmonica maestro Mark Wenner, the band quickly became a cornerstone of the local music scene, playing legendary venues like The Far Inn, Graffiti, and The Cellar Door. With a lineup solidified in the mid-70s—featuring Jimmy Thackery on guitar, Jan Zukowski on bass, and Pete Ragusa on drums—The Nighthawks crafted a sound that was

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01:03:22

Angel - "Angel" with Mystery Friends

DC Rock History ·

2024/12/02

In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we dive into Angel, the debut album from Washington, D.C.’s first glam rock band. Formed in 1975, Angel brought theatrical flair, symphonic rock, and arena-sized ambition to the local scene, blending it with the burgeoning glam rock movement. Their music carved a unique niche, earning them the nickname “the anti-KISS” and establishing a loyal fanbase.The story begins in the vibrant clubs of Georgetown, where guitarist Punky Meadows made his name in

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51:46

The Blackbyrds - "City Life" with Dr. Yanick Rice...

DC Rock History ·

2024/11/25

In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we dive into City Life, the career-defining third album from The Blackbyrds, one of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic jazz-funk groups. Formed in 1973 at Howard University under the mentorship of jazz legend Dr. Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds crafted a sound that fused jazz, funk, and soul into a timeless musical legacy. City Life features some of their most enduring tracks, including the anthem “Rock Creek Park,” capturing the vibrancy of 1970s

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01:02:52

Roy Buchanan/Danny Gatton - Anacostia Delta with...

DC Rock History ·

2024/11/18

In this special episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we take a deep dive into the lives and legacies of two extraordinary guitarists, Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton, as well as the unique musical movement they spearheaded: the Anacostia Delta. Both Buchanan and Gatton were known for their unmatched technical skills, emotional depth, and their contributions to a distinctive blend of blues, jazz, rockabilly, and country that became the hallmark of the Anacostia Delta sound.Hailing from the

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27 results

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