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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

61:27

Fugazi - "In On The Kill Taker" with Chris Ryan

DC Rock History ·

2025/12/15

In this episode, we revisit Fugazi and take a deep dive into In On The Kill Taker, the band’s explosive 1993 follow-up to Steady Diet of Nothing and Repeater. Released on Dischord Records, In On The Kill Taker captures Fugazi at a moment of creative tension and expansion, pushing their sound toward greater complexity, aggression, and emotional intensity. The album reflects a band refining its identity while challenging both punk orthodoxy and the expectations placed on them as one of the most

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59:55

Shudder To Think - "Pony Express Record" with Nabil...

DC Rock History ·

2025/12/08

In this episode, we explore the history and impact of Shudder to Think and their groundbreaking 1994 album Pony Express Record, a release that pushed the boundaries of what DC post-hardcore could become in the era of alternative music. Formed in 1986, Shudder to Think developed a distinctive sound across early Sammich and Dischord releases before leaning fully into the angular, theatrical, and experimental approach that defined Pony Express Record. Released on Epic Records, the album stood apart

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70:32

Soulside - "Less Deep Inside Keeps" with Johnny Temple

DC Rock History ·

2025/12/01

In this episode, we explore the history and impact of Soulside, the influential late-80s DC post-hardcore band whose music bridged the energy of the original hardcore scene with the more groove-driven, politically minded sound that would define the next decade. Formed in 1986, Soulside crafted a bold and evolving style heard on records like Trigger and Hot Bodi-Gram, and became one of the most internationally recognized bands of the DC underground through extensive U.S. and European

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75:17

Velocity Girl - "Copacetic" with Jeffrey Everett

DC Rock History ·

2025/11/24

In this episode, we explore Copacetic, the 1993 full-length debut from Velocity Girl, a band that helped expand the definition of what Washington, DC-area indie rock could sound like in the early ’90s. Released on Sub Pop at a time when the national spotlight was widening around alternative music, Copacetic blended restless guitar textures, melodic clarity, and a confident sense of atmosphere into one of the era’s most enduring records.Formed at the turn of the decade, Velocity Girl grew out of

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69:01

Unrest - "Perfect Teeth" with Mark Robinson

DC Rock History ·

2025/11/17

In this episode, we explore Perfect Teeth, the 1993 swan song from Unrest, a band that redefined what DC and Northern Virginia indie rock could be. Released on the legendary UK label 4AD, the album blended minimalist pop, rhythmic precision, and clean-toned experimentation into a concise, stylish statement that still resonates three decades later.Formed in 1983 by Mark Robinson, Philip Krauth, and Tim Moran, Unrest began as a suburban basement band in Arlington, Virginia. Over the next ten years,

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66:36

Nation of Ulysees - "13-Point Program to Destroy...

DC Rock History ·

2025/11/10

In this episode, we explore 13-Point Program to Destroy America, the 1991 debut album from Nation of Ulysses that turned DC’s post-hardcore scene on its head. Released by Dischord Records and recorded at Inner Ear Studios with Ian MacKaye and Don Zientara, the album fused punk, free jazz, and radical politics into a chaotic and satirical critique of American conformity.Formed in 1988 by Ian Svenonius, James Canty, Steve Kroner, Steve Gamboa, and Tim Green, Nation of Ulysses presented themselves

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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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33 results

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