My Interview with Jason Narducy (Bob Mould, Superchunk, Split Single, Sunny Day Real Estate)

This episode features my interview with musician Jason Narducy. He is probably best known as a member of Bob Mould's band, as well as for playing with Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate, and his own bands, Verbow and Split Single. He also has a project with actor, Michael Shannon, where they cover the music of R.E.M. 

Jason recently conducted a solo, "living room" tour where he performs intimate shows inside of fan's homes. In advance of his appearance in Omaha, I spoke to Jason for a piece on my radio show, New Day Rising. After the piece aired and I caught Jason's show (which was awesome, btw), I realized that  I had about 20 minutes or so of interview that was left on the cutting room floor. And here we are...

Here is the full interview I conducted with Jason along with some clips and photos from his solo show, and from recent appearances with Bob Mould and Superchunk. Hope you dig it.

Album Review: SUPERCHUNK "Songs In The Key of Yikes" (VIDEO)

In today's video,  I am reviewing is "Songs in the Key of Yikes" from indie rock veterans, Superchunk. This is the band's first album with new drummer, Laura King, and the band doesn't miss a beat (sorry for that lame pun). 

This record is a great anecdote to the non-stop bummer that the world has become. Mac McCaughan has delivered another fantastic batch of infinitely catchy and relatable songs. Thirty-five years in the game, and showing no signs of slowing down!

New Superchunk, Live CAKE, Melvins + L.A. Guns | Music News & a Surprise Email! (VIDEO)

This episode begins with some awesome news. I got an email from Mike Watt thanking me for the video I made a few weeks ago. He also shared the video on his Facebook page.

Next, there's new music from Superchunk and Juniper! You may remember that Juniper's album, 'She Steals Candy,' was my Number One of 2023. Well, when Juniper, herself, left home for college, it looked like that was the end of the band. However, there is, at least, one more song! Juniper covers Rick Springfield's "I've Done Everything For You." The new song can be found on a new Rick Springfield tribute album. 

Caught the long running San Francisco band, Cake, the other night at The Astro. I review that show; and touch on recent shows from L.A. Guns, Melvins, and Violenteer.

I have covered the band Violenteer in the past. I caught a different version of the band recently at a free show at O'Leaver's. They altered the band's name to Violin/tier, and had a guest vocalist (and maybe a new drummer?). It was cool. The "new" drummer is actually from a great local band called Pagan Athletes. That drummer also sang and played guitar in the opening band called Titus Groaners. Had never seen them before, but loved the brief set.

Lastly, I give a plug to my other channel Rock N Roll Book Club and tell you that the newest episode is about the Ione Skye memoir, "Say Everything."

Bob Mould & Mike Watt: Seeing Two Legends In the Same Week! LIVE Review (Clips, Photos) (VIDEO)

Friends, this video was a joy to make. I was able to see two of my musical idols in one week! I saw Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) and Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, The Stooges, Prono For Pyros).

I've been into the music of these two since I first heard them in the late 80s. I missed out on Hüsker Dü and Minutemen, but was absolutely there for Bob's solo career and for Sugar. With Watt, I saw fIREHOSE at least a dozen times, caught his first solo band with Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder back in 1995, saw him in Banyan, and probably ten other bands, as well. I've had the good fortune to chat with both of them a couple of times over the years.

With this video, I wanted to discuss the shared history of Mould and Watt. Their friendship dates back to 1981. I also wanted to discuss the newest albums featuring both men - Bob's 'Here We Go Crazy' and MSSV's 'On and On.'

I then review both shows: Bob Mould Band on April 14 and MSSV on April 21. Two legends, one week. I hope you dig this big crux!

BOB MOULD Live at Waiting Room, Omaha, NE 4/14/25 (PHOTOS)

Bob Mould Band & Craig Finn at Waiting Room

Bob Mould returned to Omaha last night, April 14, in support of his newest solo album, Here We Go Crazy. I've been a fan of Mould's music (Hüsker Dü, Sugar, and solo) since the late 1980s, and even named my radio show - New Day Rising - after the Hüsker Dü song and album. Obviously, there was no way I was going to miss this show.

The show was incredible, and featured a number of songs from the new album. He also played at least six Hüsker Dü songs, by my count.

Bob's band: Jason Narducy on bass, and Jon Wurster on drums

In his 60s, Mould still has the same intensity he did 30 years ago

Another amazing concert from Bob Mould. To me, the song of the night was "Hate Paper Doll." It was so unexpected!

SUPERCHUNK / MDOU MOCTAR Live!! Two Night Stand! (VIDEO)

This week, I'm reviewing two EPIC concerts that happened back to back in the same venue in my hometown of Omaha.

First night was Mdou Moctar. This is some of the most amazing guitar music I've ever heard. It is hard for me to describe the trance like state the music can put you in. Hopefully, my video clips do it justice. The band records for legendary indie label, Matador Records. 

Opening the show was Rosali. While Rosali herself is based in North Carolina and records for Merge Records, her band is from Omaha. These guys were amazing, as usual. They remind me of Aimee Mann fronting Crazy Horse. Seriously.

Night 2 belonged to Superchunk! To say I really needed this show would be the understatement of the year. Superchunk is one of "my bands" -- and I have been ride or die with them since 1991. But, I hadn't seen then since 2010; and the line-up these days looks kinda different than it did back then. Didn't matter. The show was completely cathartic for me, and it let loose a lot of feeling. I really dug seeing Superchunk again. It made me so happy.

Australian indie rockers Quivers was the opener. Great band with a fondness for R.E.M. - I'll take it. I bought the split 7" with Quivers and Superchunk being sold at the merch table. Plus, the guys were nice to me when I made the faux pas of saying Alvvays is from Australia.

SUPERCHUNK / QUIVERS @ Waiting Room, Omaha, NE 10/17/24 (PHOTOS)

Here are some of my favorite photos from the Superchunk / Quivers show at Waiting Room in Omaha, on October 17, 2024

Hit the Dark Stuff YouTube page for videos from the show: https://www.youtube.com/@Thedarkstuff
 

Mac McCaughan

Laura King is the new drummer

Jim Wilbur

Jason Narducy

Opening the show was Melbourne, Australia's QUIVERS

Bassist Bella Quinlan

The Last New Releases of 2023? What's Good for 2024? (VIDEO)

"Welcome back, friends. I'm down here in the bunker preparing my Best of 2023 video. Before I completed it, I wanted to make sure to talk about some of the final new releases of the year. Don't want to miss anything, right? Just as I was getting ready to make this video, I got a bunch of new music scheduled to come out in early '24. These are no ordinary releases, either. Some really big stuff. So, sit back and enjoy..."

Bands/Artists in this video: Superchunk, The Kills, Mitski, Cat Power, The Lemonheads, J. Mascis, Sleater-Kinney, Mama Zu.

New Yo La Tengo Video: "I'll Be Around"

The video stars Mac McCaughan from Superchunk for some reason.