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I grew up always hearing from family members and friends that my dad was in a cool band in the early 70’s…I even remember seeing photographs of him on stage playing guitar. It was frustrating because I had never been able to hear what it sounds like. They only made a limited amount of 7” records that were misplaced over the years. It was not long ago that I came across a song that was uploaded to YouTube by Anton Newcombe (one of my favorite bands) The Brian Jonestown Massacre with the caption “thanks for.” This was the first time I was able to even hear his music so I’d like to thank him someday.
May 25, 2023
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I think a lot of musicians have one particular person they owe a great debt to. That could be a rock star or your stoner uncle who played Black Sabbath riffs in the garage. For me it was David Berman. Because I had played guitar for years before I even heard of him and his music was too quiet for me at first, but something happend.
David Berman gave me a voice.
No one else will ever make singing seem so natural and words so meaningful. Everything can be something and it's always worth trying. Anyone can sing a song as long as they try to. Go put on a Silver Jews record today
3d ago
As entertaining as you think it would be, and more. (Dude is a fantastic and funny conversationalist; even better over a Spanish coffee or four).
One snippet I fully support (ha) --
Stephen, you’re a pretty beloved figure at this point—does that annoy you at all?
Malkmus: No way. For all that shit, I still wouldn’t want to be taking strays from people, or if it got back to me that there’s people saying I’m a dipshit or I don’t tip well enough or whatever, just this internet world. If people are like, “I met that guy, he’s a fucking dick,” that shit hurts. I’ve had people come to me with preconceptions occasionally, and it was no fun. Not like I needed a bodyguard or anything, but still, it’s just like, Dude, you don’t even know me. You want to have a clean record if you can, unfortunately. [laughs]
Maybe another reason why [being a big-headed rocker] doesn’t completely work now is that musicians get more rapid feedback, and sometimes it can be beneficial. In the ’80s, some musicians made these bloated albums that just them and their seven friends thought were brilliant. But now people are instantly like: “You’re old and you suck,” or, “Your jams are flaccid”—and it can help! I’m not saying [the Rolling Stones’ 2024 album] Hackney Diamonds is a genius record or anything. [laughs] But I bet Robert Plant’s new music is better because of the internet.
Sweeney: Because it’s keeping him in check?
Malkmus: Yeah, or he’s listening to younger artists. I mean, Robert Plant seems to be genuinely interested, and he’s a fan of bands like Low—unlike Eric Clapton, who just says he likes the newest guitarist, and then his records sound awful.
Feb 1, 2025
By the Silver Jews.
Or listen at any age, of course. But tomorrow I turn 28 and this past year the song, which references being 27, has held a special role in my life.
… So I wrote about it in my *first* substack post linked^.
But of course, nothing is better than David Berman’s own words.
Feb 28, 2024
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My good friends James Hurst and Hayden Tobin have been working their asses off for the last few years to open a bar in the east village. It’s now my favorite bar I’ve ever been to in New York. I’m so beyond proud of everyone who was involved. It’s a satisfying feeling for a place to open and so quickly feel like home. Catch me eating smash burgers and drinking cheap pints all summer long at The York.
May 25, 2023
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I Recently discovered that rats have been nesting under my Subaru Forster’s hood. I was told that’s a super dangerous fire hazard, so I took it to this guy Tony at Tony’s auto repair in Williamsburg. He mentioned you can buy this gadget that sits under ur hood. It plays a very annoying frequency and even includes a strobe light. I’m praying Ny rats aren’t masochistic harsh noise lovers. My Subaru could turn into New York’s hottest rat nightclub very quickly. Worth a shot though.
May 25, 2023