TRAPPO's Mail Bag #8!
We're back with another installment of TRAPPO's Mail Bag! And this is a very special episode, because we've actually got another email! Can you believe it? Another soul out there was brave enough to send us an email! It's a pretty cool email, too, just in case you were wondering. Maybe that's a spoiler alert, since we don't address the email until the end of the episode, but there it is. We got another email, and it's got us feeling things here, dear listeners. Feelings. Remember those? But as to what the email is actually about, we'll leave that for you to discover on your own.
Life needs a few surprises, after all.
But that's not all we're talking about in this latest episode, not by a long shot. We're clearing up misconceptions about our 90s Alternative Mixtape, discussing Zolita's album Evil Angel, the music of Rosalie Cunningham, Rob Zombie's feature films, Tim Heidecker's surprisingly touching Fear Of Death, and (because at this point I think we're doomed to never escape it) uncle Glenn Danzig's Verotika. It's a whole mess of ridiculousness, and you are to blame, dear listeners, because TRAPPO's Mail Bag doesn't happen without you! And we are so thankful for your continued engagement, because it really makes doing the show a worthwhile endeavor. So without any further ado, let's get down to business. You can listen below, or find us on Apple, Google, Anchor, RadioPublic, Pocket Casts and Spotify, so choose your own adventure and explore the space...
That's it for now, but next week we'll finally have our promised album exchange. Circumstances got in the way and the episode had to be delayed, but all things considered, this is a pretty fair substitute. And we've also finally recorded our long-awaited B-52's episode, with all songs picked by you, dear listeners! So keep your eyes peeled for that one coming soon. And we've just closed voting for our TRAPPO Essentials Can(n)on nominees Crease by Kee Avil and Jupiter's Purse by MATTIE, and you'll be hearing those results in future episodes, as well. We've just got a whole lot coming up here on TRAPPO, and you're not going to want to miss any of it!
But before we part company, why don't you join the conversation? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think of the latest episode, suggest future topics for future episodes, or just tell us whatever's on your mind. If you're feeling more verbose, just send us an email and spill your guts! We love your feedback, and it will be addressed on a future episode of the show! And don't forget to follow the official TRAPPO Instagram feed for the complete experience!
Thanks for listening!
Maybe you guys should do a ROb Zombie movie episode, since you both sound like fans of his movies. Rank all of his movies from best to worst, or just have a larger conversation about the movies he's made. Make a catch-all Zombie movie show. That could be cool. Or you could do a ROb Zombie vs. Glen Danzig episode. Try to break their careers down to see who really has come out on top when you add it all together. Who's made the most, best music? Who's made the coolest movies? What about the other stuff they've done in their lives? I know Danzig makes comics, and I think Zombie's worked on one or two, so that could count. That might be a lot to break down in one episode, but it might be worth a shot.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had no idea who Klaus Nomi was before I heard this podcast, so I looked him up and listened to some of his music and that stuff is out there. In a cool way. I didn't know this guy existed and I want to listen to everything the guy's recorded, which unfortunately doesn't sound like a lot. But he sounded like a really interesting artist and I'm glad I discovered him because of the show. Maybe you'd do a deeper dive into his music in a later episode? Thanks for the show and keep making more episodes.
It's difficult to really overstate the impact that real trailblazers in any field can have on future generations. A person like Jobriath kicking down doors in the 1970's was and is a huge deal for the people who followed in his footsteps. Maybe he's little more than a footnote to the mainstream these days, but there are a lot of musical artists who recognize his contributions, not only to music with his amazing glam rock record, but to the greater LGBTQ+ movement. He was fearless in an era when too many were afraid (with good reason) to reveal their truth to the world, and although there's still a lot of work left to do for true equality, we've got a lot more artists like Jobriath out there now to help raise more awareness and get that work done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story, Michael. And thanks to TRAPPO for helping Michael share his story.
More 90's alternative coming soon would be a good thing. There's plenty of ground to cover there, as anybody who lived through the 1990's goes. I've listened to "Two Piece Puzzle" and I think it's great. It may not be the BEST, but it's a killer listen. Would there be any chance of you guys discussing the record and maybe thinking of putting it in your canon? It's pretty good, after all. Just give it a think. I still can't believe that Tim Heidecker is making "real" music, and I haven't heard any of it yet, but I will definitely give that a shot. Soon. My girlfriend backed an album on Kickstarter back in 2020 that was finally released this week. She actually forgot all about the Kickstarter, it had been that long, and when she got the album in the mail she was genuinely confused, because she had no idea what it was for a while, until the name finally clicked in her head: Sadie Gustafson-Zook. You don't forget a name like that. She's been listening to it a lot over the past few days and it's gotten into my head and won't get out. The record is called "Sin Of Certainty" and it's kind of a folk/country thing and I can't quite put my finger on it but it's really, really good. I don't know. Maybe repetition has just burned it into my brain and that's tainted my perceptions, but I think it's really cool music. Am I crazy? Could you listen to this stuff and tell me I'm crazy? Or maybe it's awesome and I'm not losing my mind because my girlfriend keeps spinning this CD in the house and won't stop. TRAPPO HELP ME!
ReplyDeleteCool episode all around. Some pretty good answers, some entertaining shenanigans, and that email was solid. I wrote down some names from Michael's recommendations, and I've been checking them out. Urias has an album out called FURIA and it's pretty cool. That's the real standout for me, right there. But Midnight Star by Chrystabell is spaced out dance pop glory and I'm in love with it. So maybe that's the REAL standout for me. I hope Michael keeps listening to the show, because I think there's a lot to like here.
ReplyDeleteHave you guys ever checked out Black Widow by In This Moment? I Know I recommended it a while back, and I'm pretty sure I remember at least one other person has, too. I feel like you might have addressed this in a previous mailbag, but I don't think you've ever actually talked about the album. Is that on the agenda? Because I'd really like to hear your thoughts on it. Either way, keep trapping, trappers!
I don’t really get into a lot of modern music. It takes a lot for me to really click with something current. I’m not sure why, but that’s just the way my brain works. That’s probably why I like Rosalie Cunningham’s music so much. It’s got such an effortless retro vibe that just hits me. She’s definitely not a nostalgia act, but her sound is rooted in 70’s rock and psychedelia. That’s my jam, right there. She’s got a Grace Slick thing going on that I like a lot.
ReplyDeleteDon't be worried about doing Nine Inch Nails on the show. Just take the pressure off and start at the beginning with Pretty Hate Machine. Problem solved. Make it an irregular series where you check out NIN music from time to time when you can't think of another topic for your episode. The Nine Inch Nails Report. Based on that email, there's a pretty cool little community growing here, and I'm glad to be a small part of it. Welcome to the family, Michael!
ReplyDeleteCan we talk about Angel Olsen? She's been pumping out killer music for years now, and I know she's gotten her share of recognition in the music world, but it's not enough. Angel Olsen is a singular talent who deserves to be celebrated. "All Mirrors" is probably her zenith, but she's never produced a bad song as far as I can tell, and I think I may have heard it all. What's your take on Angel Olsen's majesty, TRAPPO? Inquiring monsters want to know.
My dad had the Klaus Nomi album on vinyl, but it remained in cellophane because he never listened to it. I guess he got it as a gift from somebody as a joke or something because he thought the picture of “the mime in the space tuxedo” was funny. We had to move my dad into an assisted living community after our mom died a few years ago, and I got stuck with his old records. Most of them I donated to a thrift store, but I kept some of them, along with his old record player he kept in excellent condition for over 30 years. I kept the Klaus Nomi record because I always thought that picture on the front was cool. One day I decided to listen to it, so I unwrapped the record and popped it on the player.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with this bizarre music having no idea who Klaus Nomi ever was. Then I got drunk with my sister a few weeks later on the anniversary of our mom’s death and played the record for her. She really got into it, and I told myself to Google this guy the next day to learn more about him. I just forgot to do that until I heard this episode. What a story to be told. Such a fascinating character. I’d love to hear a Klaus Nomi episode in the future.
Have you guys heard “Adult Baby”? It’s a cool album from a band called Kazu my sister turned me onto recently. It’s got dreamy, ghostly vocals and haunting melodies that stick with you. I highly recommend this music.
I used to be a fan of Kevin Smith’s work, but he seems like he’s just forgotten how to make a good movie anymore. I don’t think anything he’s done in maybe twenty years is really any good, and it’s a shame. He tried to make a few horror movies and they didn’t turn out great. He’s made some anthology thing that’s he’s selling as an NFT, which doesn’t make any sense at all, and now he’s finally made Clerks 3, and it just feels desperate. Why doesn’t he just stop making movies and stick with all his podcasts and stand-up stuff? That’s clearly more in his wheelhouse. He’s a gifted talker, an entertaining storyteller, but movies just aren’t his strong suit. I dread revisiting the original Clerks, because I still like the movie a lot but worry it won’t hold up.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you guys think of Kevin Smith? Is there a potential episode on his work in the cards? I’m not interested in anything mean-spirited. A fair and even look at the good, the bad and the ugly would be a welcome addition to your show, I think.
Thanks, TRAPPO.
I actually don’t think EVIL ANGEL is all that bad. It’s not an amazing, life-changing work of art, but it’s well put together and entertaining enough. It’s nice that you’re still encouraging her to continue making music, though, even if you can admit that the music may not be for you. That’s called growing up, and a lot of people just don’t bother with that. Too many trolls out there who just want to tear people down. What sane, empathetic human being has time for that stuff?
ReplyDeleteI just bought a new record on Bandcamp today called TWO RIBBONS from Let’s Eat Grandma. I sampled the music, I liked it, and I bought it. I don’t know what you call this stuff, except really fucking cool, so there’s my recommendation.
Let’s Eat Grandma. And then let’s listen to TWO RIBBONS.
Have you fellas heard of The Haxans? They’re a far-out kind of underground dark pop outfit with some surf rock and techno elements all thrown into a blender with some random issues of Famous Monsters of Filmland and Fangoria and set to purée. They have a record called Party Monsters that’s been out for a while now, and I don’t think they’ve put out another full-length release, but even if they never make another record, Party Monsters is enough to put them in my hall of fame. Maybe you could do an episode on them around Halloween? Thanks and keep making the show!
ReplyDeleteHave you guys ever heard of Starcrawler? I don’t know what the fuck is up with this band. The lead singer looks like an insect and writhes around like a crazy person when she sings, the song’s have weird titles like Chicken Woman or Pussy Tower, and the lyrics (when you can understand them) are just bizarre, but the actual music is so straightforward and … normal that it throws me for a loop. I don’t know what this stuff is. I can’t figure them out. They have a sort of punk-grunge aesthetic but there’s something unhinged about the lead singer. I can’t tell if she’s just deep into her character or maybe she’s actually crazy. There’s something almost dangerous about this band and I can’t tell if it’s just me and I’m reading too much into this, or is Starcrawler a genuinely subversive and challenging musical act? Are they try-hards or the real deal?
ReplyDeleteThunderpussy is pretty similar to Starcrawler in a lot of ways. In your face music that pushes buttons. Pretty cool stuff.
DeleteWould TRAPPO ever consider discussing a comic book? Or maybe you could do a regular book club thing? That would be cool. There’s a lot of cool comics out there, new and old stuff, that you could cover.
ReplyDeleteBreaking down a TV show could be done like a book club. Once a month you guys could watch an episode of a series and discuss it for a while. You’d probably have to focus on a show with shorter seasons to make it more feasible, though, which is fine.
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