On this installment of Six Questions, we welcome our old friend Matt Berenson. Matt and I kick things off with the debut single from a band that would go on to be one of the biggest acts in rock and roll history.
From there, Matt hops into the Six Questions Time Machine™ to travel back to witness a legendary show at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles in 1966. That show featured a trailblazing headliner that would sadly go under-appreciated in their own time, while also featuring the coming out moment from one of LA’s most famous musical exports.
We talk about the rambunctious band and punk poet that first motivated the political mind of a young Matt Berenson, and how the messages of that band are still so vital to our struggles today.
In the second half of our discussion, Matt centers his love on a little band from Dayton, Ohio for more than one answer. We talk intensely about the genius of the Bobs; both Dylan and Pollard. There is talk of sublime vocal melodies, motorcycle accidents, and 100 song setlists.
Matt also shares the story of his very first concert; an intimidating experience that features a legendary west coast punk outfit, an iconic LA venue, and Matt’s hair catching on fire.
Come join me and Matt Berenson for six musical questions. Here we go.
Cheers,
Matty C
WAIM Podcast #020 - Matt Berenson
When my longtime friend and musical sherpa Todd Stonehouse handed me his copy of Secret Stars, the Greatest Underdogs Of The Rock n Roll Era, he grinned and said, “You are gonna love this.”
WAIM Podcast #021 - Matt Berenson - Part Two
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WAIM #046 - Matt Berenson Ranks R.E.M. With Matty C
When author and producer, Matt Berenson first published his list ranking all of the fifteen albums in the R.E.M. canon, I felt one more cosmic connection to him and his fandom for the most famous band from Athens, GA. I was thrilled to read Matt’s piece and see how the LPs stacked up in his estimation. Furthermore, I began to wonder where I would differ and where our ideals on the perfect R.E.M. record might converge. I accepted my own challenge, and I was off.
