Okay, I feel like I have to explain myself. My buddy Jason Yawn, who some of you may remember from Trial by Fire and may know from Beasts of No Nation in the DC area, was scheduled to come in but couldn't make it so we did the first half of the show by phone, which was fine once I corrected a glitch in the phone patch. Then, Kira called in and got a busy signal, so I scrambled to get her reconnected during "Slip It In" (one of the sickest cases of bassmastery in the punk rock canon), remembering that I didn't really prepare a whole lot of clear questions to ask her- just ideas. So, what you hear is what you hear. I still think your ears will accept this episode like brain candy, though. Jason and Kira were both awesome, and my fuckupery could be interpreted as charming.

As a quick note, my intro spiel sounds foggy here for no apparent reason, but it gets much clearer shortly. Don't be impatient with me!

Playlist (Total Length 1 hr 5 min)

 

Another reason of the Big Takeover means another appearance from my good buddy Travis. He always equals a good time, whether he's on to promote his ultimately unsuccessful but rewarding campaign for Congress on the Libertarian ticket in Ohio, or do a genuinely awful John Fogarty impression. We catch up and talk about our own comedy stories from the road since last time around.

Also on this episode, "Vanity Plates" a hilarious sketch featuring Evan Valentine and Chris Brooks! This episode will blow your mind just as much, if not more, than that last one I said would blow your mind.

Playlist

This week, our first live episode of the 2011 season, I welcomed DC storytelling guru SM Shrake, who founded DC Story League and overseen it's blowin' up over the past year. He tells us a couple of unbelievable stories about the legendary Aretha Franklin, and reminds us of how special a place his home state of Michigan truly is.



I was also lucky enough to get a chance to talk to Don Fleming, a many of many musical colors. Not only did Don make big waves in the early 80's post-punk scene with his bands Velvet Monkeys and B.A.L.L., but he's also produced a veritable who's who of 80's and 90's alt-rock bands, including Sonic Youth, Hole, and Teenage Fanclub. Also, Andrew W.(mf'n)K.! And guess who took this photo immediately to the right over there? MIKE WATT (our guest on Episode 3). Wouldn't you believe it? I sure don't.

Also on this episode, Tyler's stories from the road, and some top-secret audio that Alex K and I discovered from a video game design board meeting in late 1985! You won't believe what the creative process was like back cocaine then. I mean, back then. This episode will blow your mind.

Playlist