The Matador Revisionist History Podcast

In the latest episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast, Dead Meadow's Jason Simon joins host Matt Sweeney (Chavez, The Hard Quartet) to discuss the 20th anniversary of 'Feathers,' the album's slightly-troubled recording process, remembering founding bassist Steve Kille, as well as the influence of D.C. hardcore, Trad Gras och Stenar, and 13th Floor Elevators. Originally released in 2005, Feathers was a departure from Dead Meadow’s earlier work. The songs were moodier and more densely layered, reflecting the arrival of longtime friend and second guitarist Cory Shane. “The sound was intentionally dark and murky,” says Shane. “Sometimes a rolling stone can gather moss.” The album was recorded amidst personal upheavals and a fair amount of pandemonium – from zoned-out late-night basement sessions in D.C. to a fully-gonzo studio date in New York City.

Today, March 22nd, sees the release of the first tranche of remastered key catalog titles by legendary San Antonio, Texas band The Butthole Surfers on Matador Records: Psychic...Powerless...Another Man's Sac, Rembrandt Pussyhorse, and PCPPEP. Marking the occasion, the band have unearthed and remastered an alternate version of their 1983 track ‘I Hate My Job’ with a new animated video. Watch / listen HERE. In addition, the band’s Paul Leary and King Coffey appear on the latest episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast. In conversation with Matt Sweeney, they discuss the influence of the Meat Puppets and Run D.M.C., the Texas music scene with Dicks, Big Boys and others, early days on the road, run-ins with the fire department and much more.

In May, The New Pornographers’ sophomore album ‘Electric Version’ (2003) celebrated its 20th anniversary. A limited blue vinyl reissue hits stands today and we’ve also dedicated this latest episode of our Matador Revisionist History podcast to the record, with the band’s A.C. Newman joining longtime Matador publicist Nils Bernstein for a stroll down memory lane with our host, Matt Sweeney.They discuss how ‘Electric Version’ defied the un-follow-up-able-ness of ‘Mass Romantic,’ how LA neo-hippies Beachwood Sparks inspired the record’s title, and supply a complete track-by-track walkthrough. “As much as it’s this hard-driving record with these exciting songs that have a lot of information, there’s still a lot of ups and downs and emotional twists and turns,” recalls Bernstein. “It’s just hook after hook after hook.”The era-appropriate rarity “Turn” – originally a Japan-only bonus track – is now available on streaming services. Newly pristine remasters of the “All For Swinging You Around” and “The Laws Have Changed” music videos are also now on YouTube.

Earlier this year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Bettie Serveert’s debut album, ‘Palomine,' first released via Matador in January of 1993. Today, we’re making a bit more noise, bringing you a Serveert-packed episode of the Matador Revisionist History Podcast. This ninth installment features the band’s own Carol van Dyk and Peter Visser in conversation with host Matt Sweeney (Chavez). They discuss Marcel Duchamp, Groningen’s much-loved Vera club, and their first-ever trip to NYC. Also worth a mention: Our limited-edition translucent orange vinyl reissue of ‘Palomine’ is out now and includes a reproduction of the “Brain Tag” 7” included with the original pressing. A deluxe digital edition of the album is also available via streaming services and features three era-appropriate bonus songs (two of which are drawn from the ‘Brain-Tag’ 7”) – “Smile”, “Maggot”, and “Get The Bird.” Newly remastered versions of the music videos for “Kid’s Allright,” “Palomine,” and “Tom Boy” are available to watch on YouTube.

In April, Yo La Tengo’s landmark 1997 album I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One celebrated its 25th anniversary. In this latest episode of our Matador Revisionist History podcast, the band – Georgia Hubley, Ira Kaplan, and James McNew – joins label co-owner Gerard Cosloy to discuss the record’s history and singular standing within the YLT oeuvre. “We know this is considered a key part of the arc,” explains Kaplan. “If we’re at the merch table and somebody is asking, ‘I don’t have any of your records, which one should I get?’ we know this is the right answer. Whether we feel that way or not, we know we’re supposed to recommend this record.” Further reminiscences include the origin of The Condo Fucks, how a fake Brian Brain tribute album spiraled into real-life drama, and why the working title of “The Lie and How We Told It” was “The Hard Singing Song.”

This episode of The Matador Revisionist History Podcast honors Fucked Up’s epic rock opera, David Comes to Life (2011), which first hit shelves 10 years ago last June.Here band members Jonah Falco (Mr. Jo), Sandy Miranda (Mustard Gas), and Josh Zucker (Gulag) look back on the early ’10s with friend and tour-mate Patrick Stickles (Titus Andronicus), himself no stranger to punk rock concept albums. Discussion is nudged along by our host, Matt Sweeney.Their chat yields insight into the writing and recording of David Comes to Life, but also entertaining tangents on composer Jim Steinman’s lewd oblique strategies, roady-ing as a path to physical fitness, and the secret to Fucked Up’s longevity (“If anybody tries to grow and do something better, tear them down”).

Today, we are pleased to announce the inaugural episode of the Matador Revisionist History podcast.It is our hope that this series will add context ­(and content!) to the Revisionist History catalog reissues by calling upon our artists, collaborators, and accomplices to discuss a well-loved Matador ­album celebrating a noteworthy anniversary.First up: Mary Timony’s Mountains, which has recently turned 20 and is once again available in an expanded and remastered 2xLP edition. She is joined on this episode by Liz Phair and Snail Mail’s Lindsey Jordan for a wide-ranging 90-minute discussion touching on their respective debut albums, creative process and favorite tracks from each other’s catalog.