Episode #57: Artie Kane

On this episode, we talk about a lifetime in the film score world with composer and conductor, Artie Kane, who composed the music for over 250 television shows, conducted scores for 60 motion pictures, and had eight marriages and a career spanning over eight decades.

At the end of last year, Kane released his memoirs, entitled Music To My Years: Life and Love Between the Notes. In the book, out now from Amphora Editions, the musician recounted his life in Hollywood and New York as a child prodigy, composer and conductor working with such stars as Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, John Williams, and Quincy Jones.

This interview is a little different than most, in that Kane is a very busy man, so we sent him the questions via email, and he recorded his responses at his home studio.

Tracklist:
Artie Kane, "Samba De Orfeu" (Henry Mancini Presents Artie Kane Playing the Swinging Screen Scene)
Artie Kane, "Laura's Nightmare" (The Eyes of Laura Mars OST)
Danny Elfman, "The Frighteners Main Titles" (The Frighteners OST)
Artie Kane, "Dynasty: The Downstairs Bride"
Artie Kane, "Knockout" (Wonder Woman Original Television Soundtrack)

Episode #56: Stan Bush

On this episode, we talk about '80s action with the one and only, Stan Bush.

If there is a list of iconic '80s movie songs, Stan Bush's "The Touch" has to be be on it. Notably featured in 1986's Transformers animated movie, the song has made repeated appearances in any number of '80s homages, and its soaring opening lines are instantly memorable.

However, while Bush is best known for that song, his work on the early Jean Claude Van Damme hits Kickboxer and Bloodsport, are just as amazing, as well as the highly-underrated "Hearts Vs. Heads" from the equally-underrated 1986 sci-fi teen movie, The Wraith.

Tracklist:
Stan Bush, "The Touch" (Transformers: The Movie OST)
Stan Bush, "Never Surrender" (Kickboxer OST)
Stan Bush, "Hearts Vs. Heads" (The Wraith OST)
Stan Bush, "Fight to Survive" (Bloodsport OST)
Dirk Diggler, "The Touch" (Boogie Nights OST)

Episode #55: Your Favorite Soundtrack with April Wolfe

On this episode, we continue our occasional series, Your Favorite Soundtrack, where we talk to our favorite podcasters about the soundtracks they love. On this episode, we talk with Switchblade Sisters host, April Wolfe, about the 1994 Keanu Reeves / Sandra Bullock action extravaganza, Speed.

Switchblade Sisters is a podcast providing deep cuts on genre flicks from a female perspective. Every week,  Wolfe -- former lead film critic for L.A. Weekly -- sits down with a phenomenal female film-maker to slice-and-dice a classic genre movie - horror, exploitation, sci-fi and many others! Along the way, they cover craft, the state of the industry, how films get made, and more.

Tracklist:
Billy Idol, "Speed" (Speed: Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)
Saint Etienne, "Like A Motorway" (Speed: Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)
Blues Traveler, "Go Outside and Drive" (Speed: Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)
Carnival Strippers, "COT" (Speed: Songs From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)
Mark Mancina, "Main Title" (Speed: Original Motion Picture Score)

Episode #54: Your Favorite Soundtrack with Franklin Fantini

On this episode, we continue our occasional series, Your Favorite Soundtrack, where we talk to our favorite podcasters about the soundtracks they love. On this episode, we talk with Dollar Country host, Franklin Fantini, about Alejandrro Jodorowsky's 1973 surrealist fantasy film, The Holy Mountain.

Tracklist (all cuts from The Holy Mountain OST):
"Trance Mutation"
"Rainbow Room"
"Pissed And Passed Out"
"Psychedelic Weapons"
"Pantheon Bar (Bees Make Honey...)"

Episode #53, Troma's War with Chris DeMarco

Following on the success of Troma's Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke 'Em High, Troma's War saw the independent studio taking on the action-adventure genre in their own way. Surprisingly well-reviewed, the movie doesn't quite have the following of the studio's tentpole franchises, but it's definitely an entertaining and inventive Tromatic view of the guns and glory films which were everywhere in the latter half of the '80s.

Troma's War tells the story of a group of marooned citizens who stumble upon a terrorist plot to take over the United States. With no help in sight and no way to contact reinforcements, it’s up to these ordinary people to save the world! 

Musician Chris DeMarco performed the music for the film, as well as appearing in it. His score -- along with the power ballads "Alive" and "Storm Is Rising" -- was a major part of how well Troma's War works. Sadly, it was never legally available in any form, failing even to make an appearance on Troma's 20th anniversary compilation, Toxic Tunes From Tromaville.

Featuring the complete motion picture score including cuts not used in the final film, Troma's War was released on 140-gram red and orange “Triumphant Explosion” colored vinyl back in July of last year. Limited to 1000 copies worldwide, the LP was put out by New York's Ship to Shore PhonoCo, in collaboration with Locked Groove Recording Company.

We spoke with Chris DeMarco last year about his work on Troma's War, as well as what he's up to now.

Tracklist (all cuts from the Troma's War OST):
Chris DeMarco, "Alive"
Chris DeMarco, "On the Beach"
Chris DeMarco, "Storm Is Rising"
Chris DeMarco, "Triumphant"

Episode #52, Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Photo by: Katarzyna Cepek Photography

Since 1981, the alternative rock band Soul Asylum has gone from a scrappy pack of dudes recording for Minneapolis label Twin/Tone to becoming a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum act. Along the way, the band's recorded music for all kinds of films. Most notably, Soul Asylum or its frontman, Dave Pirner, have had songs in three of director Kevin Smith's films, as well as So I Married An Axe Murderer, Twister, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and The Faculty. Pirner also recorded as part of the Beatles cover act the Backbeat Band for the 1994 film, Backbeat.

I was lucky enough to speak with Dave Pirner back at the start of September about all of these, as well as Soul Asylum's latest album, Change of Fortune. It's kind of all over the place, but Priner seemed up to discuss pretty much anything, so while it's kind of long, it's really fun. Check it out.

Tracklist:
Soul Asylum, "Can't Even Tell" (Clerks OST)
Soul Asylum, "Misery" (Clerks II OST)
Dave Pirner, "Tube of Wonderful" (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back OST)
Soul Asylum, "The Break" (So I Married An Axe Murderer OST)
Soul Asylum, "Miss This" (Twister OST)
The Backbeat Band, "Long Tall Sally" (Backbeat OST)
Soul Asylum, "School's Out" (The Faculty OST)

Episode #51, Clueless with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Dicky Barrett

On this episode, we talk about Amy Heckerling's 1995 teen comedy, Clueless, with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' frontman, Dicky Barrett, who had two songs in the film -- "Someday I Suppose" and "Where'd You Go" -- and also prominently appeared in a club scene during the movie.

The Bosstones celebrated the 20th anniversary of their smash hit album, Let's Face It, with a bunch of dates this year, and when I spoke with the band's frontman, Dicky Barrett, about their Lawrence show this summer, I took the opportunity to ask him about the Bosstones' appearance in Clueless, and how the club scene came to be.

Tracklist:
the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Someday I Suppose" (Ska-Core, The Devil, and More)
the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Where'd You Go" (More Noise & Other Disturbances)
Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees" (The Bends)

Episode #50, Jungle Trap with Taken By Savages

On this episode, we continue our Halloween series, talking with Annie Choi and Joe Ziemba of the synth duo, Taken By Savages, about their music for the unearthed 1990 James Bryan shot on video horror movie, Jungle Trap.

Shot in 1990 and unreleased until this very moment, Jungle Trap is the final collaboration between exploitation demigods director James Bryan (DON’T GO IN THE WOODS) and the late actress Renee Harmon (FROZEN SCREAM). The movie is a decapitation-fueled, shot-on-video horror masterpiece about a jungle hotel haunted by kill-crazy ghosts in loin cloths.

The movie remained unedited, unscored, and unseen by human eyes for over two decades, until it saw release back in late July. Under Bryan’s guidance, the Bleeding Skull team meticulously edited the movie and Taken By Savages recorded a soundtrack utilizing vintage 1980s synthesizers.

Jungle Trap is currently available on DVD, VHS, and via digital download from Bleeding Skull Video. Taken By Savages' score for Jungle Trap is available digitally on Bandcamp and on vinyl LP from Mondo.

Tracklist:
Taken By Savages, "Shorts Authority" (Taken By Savages)
Taken By Savages, "Enter the Trap" (Jungle Trap OST)
Taken By Savages, "Have You Seen Rita?" (Jungle Trap OST)
Herschell Gordon Lewis, "Brains Knocked Out" (The Amazing Film Scores of Herschell Gordon Lewis)
Taken By Savages, "Raise the Spirits" (Jungle Trap OST)
Taken By Savages, "The Guests Arrive" (Jungle Trap OST)
Milli Vanilli, "Girl You Know It's True" (Girl You Know It's True)
Taken By Savages, "Exit the Trap" (Jungle Trap OST)

Episode #49, The Lost Boys with G Tom Mac

On this episode, we continue our Halloween series, talking with G Tom Mac, about "Cry Little Sister," his theme song to the 1987 teenage vampire film, The Lost Boys. The soundtrack to The Lost Boys is a collection of amazingly catchy tracks. Be it INXS teaming up with the Easybeats' Jimmy Barnes to do a version of "Good Times," the Who's Roger Daltry covering "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me," or the exquisitely perfect version of the Doors' "People Are Strange" by Echo and the Bunnymen, the soundtrack is a solid collection of classic songs by what were then modern artists. It's a nice nod to the ageless nature of the forever young vampires in the film.

However, the film's theme song, "Cry Little Sister," by Gerard McMann, is the only cut to appear twice in The Lost Boys, and definitely does a great  job of sonically conveying the concept of the film in a thre-minute pop song. McMann, who now performs under the aegis of G Tom Mac, has also recorded a musical sort of prequel to The Lost Boys. A Lost Boys Story sees release later this month, and we were excited to talk with McMann about both the film and the upcoming musical.

Tracklist:
Gerard McMann, "Cry Little Sister" (The Lost Boys OST)
Gerard McMahon, "Look In Your Eyes" (Fast Times at Ridgemont High OST)
G Tom Mac, "Frog Bro Hero" (A Lost Boys Story)
G Tom Mac, "Sleep All Day" (A Lost Boys Story)
Thomas Newman, "To the Shock of Miss Louise" (The Lost Boys OST)

Episode #48, Freaked with Blind Idiot God

On this episode, we're kicking off Halloween a little early, talking with Andy Hawkins and Gabe Katz of Blind Idiot God, about the band's contributions to the 1993 bizarro comedy, Freaked. The movie is so much more than just a funny movie. It's bizarre, anarchic, and maybe the very definition of a cult film. The studio tried to bury it, and it was only thanks to sporadic showings on late night cable that it developed any sort of following at all. Directed by Tom Stern and Alex Winter, and written by Stern, Winter and Tim Burns, the film came on the heels of the trio's MTV sketch show, The Idiot Box.

Freaked is a crazy-pants bit of claymation, makeup, and blaring punk rock. In addition to Blind Idiot God, the soundtrack also features the Butthole Surfers, which should definitely clue you into the sheer madness of the film, whose plot is too bizarre for words. Suffice it to say, there are freaks, evil corporations, ecological warnings, and a talk show hosted by Brook Shields. The film's soundtrack was never officially released, but the titular song, by Henry Rollins and Blind Idiot God, sees its debut when Blind Idiot God's sophomore album, Undertow, is re-released on October 13, where that song is a bonus track.

Tracklist:
Blind Idiot God, "Freaked" (Undertow)
Blind Idiot God, "Sawtooth" (Undertow)
Blind Idiot God, "Major Key Dub" (Undertow)
Axiom Funk, "Hideous Mutant Freekz" (Funkcronomicon)

Episode #47, EuroTrip with Lustra's Nick Cloutman

On this episode, we're talking with Nick Cloutman, guitarist for the alt-rock band, Lustra, about their appearance in the 2004 teen comedy, EuroTrip. The 2004 teen comedy has ended up having some surprising legs, due to its absurdist nature. The jokes and situations in the film put it in the arena of films like Supertroopers, with a strong ensemble cast. A good portion of the long-term popularity is due not only to cameos from the likes of Fred Armisen and Lucy Lawless, but also to the catchiness of a song in the film's earlier scenes, entitled "Scotty Doesn't Know," which was written for the film by the band Lustra.

Tracklist:
Lustra, "Scotty Doesn't Know" (Eurotrip OST)
Lustra, "Sniffing Cigarettes" (Left For Dead)
MC Jeffsky Feat. Igor, "Scotty Doesnt Know EURO! Remix" (Eurotrip OST)

Episode #46, MST3K: The Return with Har Mar Superstar

We're glad to be back from vacation, and on this episode, we're talking with Sean Tillman -- better known as Har Mar Superstar -- about his musical contributions to the Netflix series, Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return, as well as his new EP, Personal Boy.

Tracklist:
Har Mar Superstar & Felicia Day, "MST3K Love Theme" (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return)
The Skeleton Crew, "I Wish I Was Back In Old Canada (The Canada Song)" (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return)
Har Mar Superstar, "Personal Boy" (Personal Boy)
The Skeleton Crew, "Wild Rebels Cereal" (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return)
F.A.M.E.'s Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra, "Mighty Science Theater" (Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return)

Episode #45, Your Favorite Soundtrack with Bianca Brown & Sarah Jane

On this episode, we continue our summer series, Your Favorite Soundtrack, where we talk to our favorite podcasters about the soundtracks they love. We start with Bianca Brown, co-host of ScreenGab, talking about Amelie. We also talk with Sarah Jane, writer for Talk Film Society, about Valley Girl.

Tracklist:
Yann Tiersen, "J'y suis jamais allé" (Amelie OST)
Yann Tiersen, "La valse d'Amélie" (Amelie OST)
The Plimsouls, "A Million Miles Away" (Everywhere At Once)
Josie Cotton, "He Could Be the One" (Convertible Music)
Modern English, "I Melt With You" (After the Snow)

Episode #44, Your Favorite Soundtrack with Justin Lore & Liam O'Donnell

On this episode, we kick off our summer series, Your Favorite Soundtrack, where we talk to our favorite podcasters about the soundtracks they love. We start with Justin Lore, creator of Horror Business, a podcast where he and co-host Liam O'Donnell watch and talk about two related horror films. We also talk with Liam, who, in addition to co-hosting Horror Business, is -- along with Joshua Alvarez -- one of the co-founders of Cinepunx.

Tracklist:
The Misfits, "Horror Business" (Collection I)
Brad Fiedel, "Terminator Main Titles" (Terminator OST)
Brad Fiedel, "Reese & Sarah in Garage" (Terminator OST)
Patti Labelle, "New Attitude" (Beverly Hills Cop OST)
The Pointer Sisters, "Neutron Dance" (Beverly Hills Cop OST)
Harold Faltermyer, "Axel F" (Beverly Hills Cop OST)

Episode #43, Federale & The Films of Ana Lily Amirpour

On this episode, we're talking with Federale's Collin Hegna about the Portland band's work in the films of Ana Lily Amirpour. Federale's been releasing music for a decade now, but their music came to the notice of many genre fans with its inclusion in Amirpour's debut feature, the striking take on the vampire film entitled A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night. The group also has a song in the director's recently-released The Bad Batch. Collin and I talked about the formation of the band, as well as their work in Amirpour's films.

You can buy vinyl copies of The Bad Batch soundtrack and All the Colours of the Dark from Mondo.

Tracklist:
Federale, "Sarcophagus" (The Blood Flowed Like Wine)
Federale, "Black Sunday" (The Blood Flowed Like Wine)
Federale, "All the Colors of the Dark" (All the Colors of the Dark)
Federale, "Sisyphus" (The Blood Flowed Like Wine)
Federale, "Tribe" (The Blood Flowed Like Wine)

Episode #42, Deadtime Stories with Larry Juris

On this episode, we're talking with Larry Juris about his work on the '80s horror anthology, Deadtime Stories. In addition to his work on Deadtime Stories, Mr Juris's production company did work in dubbing for many anime series, including the majority of the episodes for Pokemon. We
talked with Mr Juris about all that and more.

Deadtime Stories was released on Blu-ray earlier this year from Scream Factory, and the Larry Juris score will soon be available on vinyl from Terror Vision, after some pressing plant issues gave it serious delays.

Episode #41, Deathgasm & Pool Party Massacre with Axeslasher

On this episode, we speak with Professor Pizza, vocalist for thrash metal band Axeslasher, about the group’s inclusion in the heavy metal horror films Deathgasm and Pool Party Massacre.

Deathgasm is the amazing 2015 splatstick film from New Zealand, and if you haven’t seen it by this point, please stop reading and come back in an hour and a half. It’s metal as hell, funny, and so very, very bloody. There’s also some surprisingly-deep lessons to be learned about not judging appearances, as well as interpersonal relationships. Plus, bludgeoning with a dildo. The soundtrack is positively killer (pun intended), and features Axeslasher in addition to Midnight, Nunslaughter, and Bullet Belt. You can snag it on double vinyl LP from Death Waltz.

Pool Party Massacre was just released on DVD and Blu-ray, and the low-budget slasher is a hilariously gory romp which sees a bevy of bikini-clad young ladies attacked with an entire garage’s worth of power tools and yard equipment. The Drew Marvick-directed flick was put together on a budget of something like $6000, and it makes the most of every penny. We’ve been sharing the joys of it since we first saw it last month, and if you loved Deathgasm, you will be super-thrilled with Pool Party Massacre.

Listen closely for details on how to win a copy of Pool Party Massacre on DVD!

Tracklisting:

All tracks by Axeslasher, and available at their Bandcamp.

"The Axeslasher"

“Mark of the Pizzagram”

“Invasion of the Babesnatchers”

“In the Woods There Is No Law” (1986 mix)

“The Drifter’s Warning”

Episode #40, Craig Wedren

On this episode, we speak with Craig Wedren, former frontman of Shudder to Think, who’s composed music for nearly every project from MTV comedy troupe the State, including Reno 911! Miami, Balls of Fury, and the 2001 cult classic, Wet Hot American Summer. We talk the fascinating story of how Wedren got to where he is today, as well as recent projects such as NBC’s DC Comics sitcom, Powerless, and the new movie, How to Be A Latin Lover.

Tracklist:

Craig Wedren & Eli Janney, “Boys and Girls – Action” (The State)

Shudder to Think, “X-French Tee Shirt” (Pony Express Record)

Craig Wedren & Theodore Shapiro, “Higher & Higher” (Wet Hot American Summer OST)

Craig Wedren & Jefferson Friedman, “Powerless Opening Titles” (Powerless)

Craig Wedren & Pink Ape, “No Estoy Triste” (How to Be A Latin Lover OST)

Craig Wedren, “Wet Hot American Summer” (Wet Hot American Summer OST)

Craig Wedren & Theodore Shapiro, “American Summer” (Wet Hot American Summer OST)

Episode #39, Austin Powers with Matthew Sweet

On this episode, we're talking with power pop icon Matthew Sweet about his work as part of Ming Tea, the house band for the 1997 Mike Myers' comedy, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this week.

Originally released on May 2, 1997, the movie was a box office success and pop culture sensation. Successfully skewering modern sensibilities and '60s culture simultaneously, Myers crafted a character who would go on to be in two fabulously successful sequels.

Adding to the interest of the character was the fact that Powers was so swinging in the '60s that he sang for his own psychedelic rock band, Ming Tea. The band featured rather prominently in the first film, appearing in between-scene cutaways, as well as performing in a music video for "BBC" over the film's closing credits. While Ming Tea's interstitial music would appear in the film's 1999 sequel, The Spy Who Shagged Me, the band wouldn't appear in a film again until 2002's Goldmember, wherein they performed "Daddy Wasn't There."

The band featured Mike Myers as Austin Powers on lead vocals, with the notable inclusion of the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs as Gillian Shagwell on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, and Matthew Sweet as Sid Belvedere on bass and backing vocals. They played a live show or two, but never recorded a proper album. We were lucky enough to speak with Sweet by phone about the whole Ming Tea history, and it was an absolute blast.

Tracklist:
The Wondermints, "Austin Powers" (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery OST)
Ming Tea, "BBC" (Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery OST)
Matthew Sweet, "Girlfriend" (100% Fun)
Matthew Sweet, "Trick of the Light" (Tomorrow Forever)
Ming Tea, "Daddy Wasn't There" (Austin Powers in Goldmember)
Matthew Sweet, "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" (Saturday Morning: Cartoon's Greatest Hits)

Episode #38, "Coady & The Creepies"

On this episode, we take a side trip into the world of comics to talk about Coady & The Creepies, a new comic from Boom! Studios imprint Boom! Box, with writer Liz Prince and artist Amanda Kirk. Sisters Coady, Criss, and Corey are bandmates in the band Coady and the Creepies. After a van accident leaves Corey badly scarred and Criss in a wheelchair, they're getting back into the punk scene.

But, they still need to contend with the challenges of staying true to their punk ideals, while also dealing with the media attention they've attracted, as well as the tension surrounding the fact that Coady escaped the accident seemingly unscathed. Now on tour, they're fighting their way through the (sometimes literal) battle of the bands.

Issue #2 of Coady & The Creepies is out Tuesday, April 19, and you can order it via your local comic shop or online via the Boom! Studios shop.

Tracklist:
Coady and the Creepies, "Creepies R Go!" (single)
Shang-A-Lang, "Waiting For the End" (Waiting For the End)
Daniel Johnston, "Devil Town" (1990)
Chumped, "Songs About Boats" (Teenage Retirement)