The Modernist Society

John Roy of Smoke and Mirrors Sound System

In this episode, Eric interviews John Roy, currently of Smoke and Mirrors Soundsystem. John Roy started off as one of the younger members of Gangbusters, an early 90's ska band featured on California Skaquake along with a hit list of bands that went on to define the early era of the American take on the genre such as Hepcat, Jump With Joey, Let's Go Bowling, and even No Doubt. He also played in Unsteady, another ska band that impressively toured with a full organ and leslie. Smoke and Mirrors play live as well as release creative vinyl records on Escape Hatch Records from themselves as well as artists such as Monkey, Manganista, Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, and Out of Control Army. We touch on all this and more in this episode of The Modernist Society Podcast.Escape Hatch Records: https://escapehatchrecords.com/Smoke and Mirrors Soundsystem: https://smokeandmirrorssoundsystem.com/California Ska-Quake available on cassette now!https://www.discogs.com/release/6416405-Various-California-Ska-Quake This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themodernistsociety.substack.com

Trace Crutchfield of THIS IS NOW

In this episode, we are joined by the host with the most, Trace Crutchfield. You may remember him from the Coronavirus Potluck episode of The Modernist Society back in 2020, but you more likely remember him as one of VICE’s most beloved on-camera correspondents in the company’s earliest forays into video (think classic Vice Guide to Travel pieces like Screwed in Houston orBolivian Marching Powder. Yes, he was the guy you saw indulging in purple drank, chewing coca with Evo Morales, and fitting right in at a baile funk in the favelas of Rio.) But that was then and this is now, which happens to be the name of the new non-consumerist travel show that Trace is making together with The Modernist Society’s own Jason Mojica. THIS IS NOW is a show that “drifts through the spectacle, notes the marginal, and refuses to let belief limit surprise.” We talk all about the philosophy behind this DOGME 95-inspired approach to the travel show and the upside of low-budget, DIY video production.Thanks for reading The Modernist Society! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.Follow Trace Crutchfield :SubstackTwitterInstagramFollow This Is Now with Trace Crutchfield SubstackTwitterInstagramFollow The Modernist:SubstackTwitter⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠Follow The Modernist Society Hosts:⁠⁠Jason Mojica⁠⁠SubstackTwitter⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠Eric OttensSubstackTwitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themodernistsociety.substack.com

Johnny Berger of Jake's Pizza

We dive into the world of Chicago pizza, the perils of small business ownership, family drama, family trauma, and what constitutes a good tip for a delivery driver with Johnny Berger, author of a zine on these very topics called Jake's Pizza: 40 Years in the Pizza Business, and Other Stories. Jake's Pizza also happens to be the name of the pizza joint that Johnny's family ran in Franklin Park, Illinois for 57 years before its unceremonious demise in November of 2023. We talk to Johnny about what happened; about his forays into comedy, filmmaking, and writing; and about what comes next.This episode is dedicated to the memory of William "Bill" Berger July 13, 1936 — May 12, 2024.Buy a copy of Jake's Pizza at heykidscomics.net!Follow Johnny Berger's never-updated social media account:Twitter⁠⁠⁠Follow The Modernist⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Medium⁠⁠Follow The Modernist Society Hosts⁠⁠Jason Mojica⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Eric Ottens⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themodernistsociety.substack.com

Noah and Reza from Uni Boys

In this episode, Eric goes rogue and interviews a band from WAY after the 1970s, otherwise known as "now." Noah and Reza from the Uni Boys talk about their band, plans, cleaning products, records, and other topics. Follow Uni Boys (and co.)Uni BoysThe Lemon TwigsBilly Tibbals Band⁠Follow The Modernist⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Medium⁠Follow The Modernist Society Hosts⁠Jason Mojica⁠⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠Eric Ottens⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themodernistsociety.substack.com

Fifi from Firestarter

This episode we take you to one of the most unique places on earth - Poor Cow.You may know the owner from such hit bands as Teengenerate, American Soul Spiders, The Tweezers, and Firestarter. If you’re interested, skip the shinkansen and don’t feel bad about temples. The Modernist Society Podcast validates that Poor Cow is not only a legitimate part of Japanese culture, but is The Real Temple.4th floor in a nondescript building, walk in and you are guaranteed to see most of the following regulars:Tsune from Young ParasianHonma from Car CrashHiroshi from The Knocks / FlashlightsYou just landed in Tokyo and you already have friends!Closed Mondays. Follow Fifi for day to day updates.--Follow The ModernistTwitter Instagram Facebook MediumFollow The Modernist Society Hosts Jason MojicaTwitterInstagramEric OttensTwitterInstagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themodernistsociety.substack.com