The Creative Asylum Podcast

Hiro Yamamoto (Truly, Soundgarden) - EP207 - The Creative Asylum

This week we sit down with Hiro Yamamoto — co-founder and original bass player of Soundgarden, one of the most important bands from the Seattle Music explosion that changed the course of rock forever. Hiro’s musical journey is rich and expansive. From the thunder of early grunge to the expansive psych-rock of TRULY, and his instrumental surf-punk band, the Bellingham-based Stereo Donkey, he's now back into the spotlight with the re-release of TRULY’s seminal Fast Stories…from Kid Coma (which includes an upcoming tour that’s got fans buzzing). Recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as one of the founders of Soundgarden, Hiro reflects on a lifetime of riffs, risks, and reinvention.This episode however goes well beyond his musical journey. Hiro and I talk about how the experience of being a Japanese-American — and a person of color has shaped some of his attitudes. At a time when our country is wrestling with disturbing echoes of its worst moments, the racially targeted rhetoric to threats against due process and a codified rejections of basic human rights, Hiro identifies why it's important that your voice be heard if you have a platform to speak from. We explore how those challenges intersect with art, identity and community, and why voices like his matter now more than ever. Join us for an episode that’s equal parts musical history, genuine reflection, and the urgency of the challenges that face us as a nation. * * * * PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Website: https://www.TheCApod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCApod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CreativeAsylumCA/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victor Krummenacher (Camper Van Beethoven, The Third Mind) - EP206 - The Creative Asylum

In this episode, a deep and wide-ranging conversation with Victor Krummenacher — songwriter, bassist, and creative heart behind Camper Van Beethoven, co-founder of Monks of Doom, and a singular voice in alternative music with a remarkable catalog of solo records to his credit. Victor’s musical journey has always been adventurous, exploratory and deeply human and with that, we talk about The Third Mind, his most recent collaborative band that he's a part of with Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Alvin (The Blasters), drummer Michael Jerome (Richard Thompson, Better Than Ezra, John Cale), guitarist David Immergluck (Counting Crows, John Hiatt), and singer/songwriter Jesse Sykes (from Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter)Well past his influential musical career, we talk about the state of art and music-making in the age of AI. Victor shares candid views on why he believes the current AI push may not be the boon many claim will be the future for the creator economy, and what that means for musicians, storytellers, and the future of creative work. The question in my mind is: HOW do we stake out our claim in the creative world where technology threatens to replace the very humanity of real creative energy and effort? * * * * PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Website: https://www.TheCApod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCApod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CreativeAsylumCA/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Bagge (HATE Comics) - EP205 - The Creative Asylum

Few cartoonists have captured the anxious, abrasive, and darkly hilarious spirit of American life quite like Peter Bagge. Best known as the creator of HATE, the iconic Fantagraphics series that defined a generation of alt-comics readers, Bagge’s work blends elastic cartooning, savage satire, and razor-sharp social observation. Mentored early on by Robert Crumb during his time editing Weirdo, Bagge absorbed the underground tradition and detonated it—filtering punk attitude, suburban dread, and grunge sensibilities into a style that’s unmistakably his own.In this episode, Bagge reflects on a career that moves effortlessly between the margins and the mainstream. Based in the Pacific Northwest, he’s brought his distinctive voice not only to Fantagraphics and independent comics, but also to unlikely institutions like MAD Magazine and even Marvel, where he put his stamp on an issue of Spiderman. The conversation dives into influence, craft, cultural satire, and longevity—offering insight from an artist who has never stopped pushing at the boundaries of what comics can say, or how loudly they can say it. * * * * PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Website: https://www.TheCApod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCApod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CreativeAsylumCA/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kira Roessler (Black Flag, dos, Oscar Winner) - EP204 - The Creative Asylum

Kira Roessler is a rare artist whose creative impact started in the 1980s as the bassist for Black Flag during one of the band’s most explosive and influential eras. She later co-founded dos with her then-spouse, Mike Watt, writing deeply personal, minimalist music that pushed punk’s emotional and structural boundaries to new areas of exploration.Beyond the world of SoCal punk, Kira has managed an equally remarkable path in the film industry, building a career as a sound editor that culminated in winning an Academy Award as part of the team for Best Sound Editing for Mad Max: Fury Road. In this conversation. Kira reflects on creativity, diligence and focus as templates for a work style that spans different areas of expertise. Always maintaining her DIY ethos, Kira remains passionate about staying true to her values while also being disciplined with how she approaches her work and creativity. * * * * PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Website: https://www.TheCApod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCApod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CreativeAsylumCA/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff P!nkus (Butthole Surfers. Melvins) - EP203 - The Creative Asylum

This is a fun one - a conversation with Jeff “JD” Pinkus, best known for his work with the legendary Butthole Surfers as well as his stint as the bass player with Melvins. Jeff's approach to music is unique - he has his own sense of warped psychedelia, a genuine reflection of his sometimes wildman mind. In this episode, we begin to understand his fearless spirit and boundary-pushing ethos, qualities that have made him a cult icon and a relentlessly creative visionary.Beyond the distortion and zany demeanor, JD brings a singular voice with his trippy solo banjo work, an experience that has to be experienced live to fully appreciate. We talk about his early days first getting onboard with one of the most uncompromising bands in indie rock, the playfulness behind some of his more beloved projects, and the unpredictable journey of making music on his own terms. This is a conversation with a true architect of some weird and wonderful sounds. It was great to catch up with him! * * * * PLEASE FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Website: https://www.TheCApod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCApod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CreativeAsylumCA/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.