2024 is here and this is a very special episode #30 of Pierre Pressure Podcast. This is a re-broadcast of an interview Pierre did with Gordon Gano, lead singer and guitarist of the Violent Femmes, along with then-drummer Brian Viglione (drummer of Dresden Dolls, Nine Inch Nails, World Inferno Friendship Society) on East Village Radio, hosted by Michael Messenie, AKA the Coach, on his Two For Tennis Show. This interview took place in September of 2013 in a tiny studio in the East Village in New York City. Pierre was thrilled to be asked to co-interview Gordon and Brian of the Violent Femmes on the occasion of their upcoming show at Summer Stage, re-starting an era of touring and recording for the band. The Violent Femmes were a hugely influential part of 1980's culture, starting with their massive hit “Blister in the Sun” in 1983 and continuing to this day.  Their music was life-changing for Pierre and kicked-started his journey as a guitarist and songwriter.

https://vfemmes.com/
https://www.brian-viglione.com/bio
https://www.evr2.com/

Theme song; Marchandise by Pierre de Gaillande, from the album franglais. (originally Merchandise by Fugazi.) Gone Daddy Gone, Old Mother Reagan, Jesus Walking on the Water, Black Girls by Violent Femmes. Let Me Ride by Mercey Seat. Coin-Operated Boy by Dresden Dolls. Baiser en l'Air (Kiss Off in French) by Pierre de Gaillande / Bad Reputation-franglais. Good Feeling (Violent Femmes Cover) by Sea Foxx.

Dan Reeder is an American musician and visual artist born in Louisiana and raised in California. Since 1987, Reeder has lived full-time in Nurnberg, Germany. He releases albums under his own name on John Prine's label, Oh Boy Records. Reeder writes some of the most honest, hilarious, heart-wrenchingly beautiful songs you'll ever hear. His music has been called “outsider folk,” but whatever the moniker, it punches you in the heart with perfectly crafted song-gems populated with drunks, fuckups, and regular people trying to get by. Reeder's music came into my consciousness through the song “Maybe,” a disquisistion on mortality that stands shoulder to shoulder with anything by Tom Waits, Elliott Smith, Georges Brassens, or Leonard Cohen. Did I mention he builds his own guitars and computers? We talked about his accidental discovery of computer recording, getting a call from John Prine's manager at 3am, what America looks like from the vantage point of Germany, and navigating political correctness in changing times. Enjoy this very special episode of PPP.

https://www.danreeder.com

Theme song; Marchandise by Pierre de Gaillande, from the album franglais. (originally Merchandise by Fugazi.) Maybe, Been Thinking About a New Microphone, Clean Elvis, Born a Worm, Nobody Wants To Be You, Pussy Titty, 2016 Election Song, Fun Campfire Song, Bloo You Believe in Bloo Blove, Havana Burning by Dan Reeder. Né Un Ver by Stephan Eicher and Dan Reeder.

In this episode, I talk with Kurt Wagner, founder and singer songwriter behind the band Lamchop,  which make some of the most gorgeously orchestrated indie-pop you’ll ever hear, wrapped around Kurt Wagner’s complex and  exquisite lyrics. 

Wagner lives in Nashville with his wife Mary Mancini, who ran Lucy's Records in nashville before becoming the chair of the Tennesse Democratic Party. We had a great conversation about avoiding the obvious in art and music, the trap of using politics as a promotional tool, and our mutual love of Vic Chesnutt.  Wagner was a friend of Vic’s, and Lambchop backed him for his 1998 album The Salesman and Bernadette. I had the good fortune of also perforning in Vic Chesnutt’s band around that same time.

Wagner has an amazing body of work with his band Lambchop, his solo electronica project Hecta and the excellent country album titled Invariable Heartache. Lamchop’s newest album, released in September, is called the Bible.  

https://www.lambchop.net

https://www.lucysrecordshop.com

Playlist available on Spotify:
Theme song; Marchandise by Pierre de Gaillande, from the album franglais. (originally Merchandise by Fugazi.) Man Who Loved Beer, Up With People, I’ve Been Lonely for So Long, Relatives #2, Give Me Your Love, JFK, Grumpus, and Whatever, Mortal by Lambchop. Change is In our Pocket by HecTA. Wild Mountain Berries by Kort. Scratch Scratch Scratch and Supernatural by Vic Chesnutt.