In this candid and engaging episode of Podcast, Pipeman sits down with Donovan Blair of The Toadies (with contributions from Mark Resnacek) at the Louder Than Life festival. The conversation dives deep into the band's anti-hate messaging, the unifying power of music, their journey with major festivals, and an intimate look at recording their latest self-financed album with legendary producer Steve Albini.Main Topics Covered
- The Toadies' bold anti-Nazi stance at the festival
- The role of music as a force for unity against societal division
- Experiences at major festivals like Louder Than Life and Aftershock
- Creating and releasing their newest album independently
- Working with Steve Albini in the studio before his passing
- Memorable stories from the band’s journey and career milestones
Key Discussions & StoriesAnti-Hate Messaging & Festival Environment
- Pipeman expresses immediate admiration for the band's display of anti-Nazi messaging, emphasizing its personal impact and relevance, especially given current issues of antisemitism 00:44.
- Discussion centers on the importance of not blaming people for the actions of leaders and the manipulative power structures at play in society 01:51, 02:15.
- The concept of music festivals as unifying forces is highlighted, with a call to "get in a mosh pit and hug it out" 02:30.
The Unifying Power of Music
- All agree that music transcends division; festival-goers are described as being present not for political reasons but for the shared love of music 03:13.
- Reference to Kevin Seconds and the phrase: "If the kids are united, we'll never be divided," reinforcing the theme of unity through music 02:36.
Personal Inspirations and Band History
- Donovan Blair reminisces about discovering Metallica and Cliff Burton’s nonconformist style, which heavily influenced his musical journey 04:33.
- Discussion around the pressures of conforming to industry standards in the '80s and how the scene has evolved to embrace authenticity over image 05:03.
Touring, Festivals, & Album Promotion
- The Toadies' journey to getting booked at Louder Than Life and Aftershock, and building a tour around these festivals to promote their new album 06:16.
- Donovan Blair shares excitement about being welcomed to these major festivals and the stars aligning for these opportunities.
Recording the New Record with Steve Albini
- The band decided to self-fund their new album after parting ways with their label, saving from their next two tours to make it happen 06:53.
- Steve Albini, longtime hero and legendary producer, was chosen to record the album; the sessions took place several months before his passing 07:38.
- The album was recorded live in the studio, capturing the energy and chemistry of the band playing together—something they hadn’t done since their first album, Rubberneck 09:53.
- Steve Albini's approach, honesty, and wit are praised, and the positive impact he had on the album is noted 10:12, 11:03.
Memorable Career Stories
- Donovan Blair highlights landing the gig with The Toadies as a defining moment, recalling the nerves and excitement of learning he'd made the band while sitting at his day job 11:49.
- Mark Resnacek (as attributed) shares a story of their first national tour after recording Rubberneck, the thrill of playing a huge arena show opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the surreal experience of seeing his face on the Jumbotron 13:04, 14:12.
Notable Quotes
- "If the kids are united, we'll never be divided." – Kevin Seconds, referenced by Donovan Blair 02:36.
- "Make more music, make less war." 05:56
- "We don't like to have our asses kissed at all. It gets us nowhere." – Donovan Blair 10:41
- "All those people, left, right, red, blue, doesn't matter. We're all human beings—one race, the human race, and we need to start figuring that out so we can get rid of those assholes." – Pipeman 03:13
Resources & Links Mentioned
Pipeman in the Pit is a music, festival, and interview segment of The Adventures of Pipeman Radio Show (#pipemanradio) and from The King of All Festivals while on The Pipeman Radio Tour.
Click Here to Subscribe for PERKS, BONUS Content & FREE GIVEWAYS!
Follow @pipemanradio on all socials & Pipeman Radio Requests & Info at linktr.ee/pipemanradio
Stream The Adventures of Pipeman daily & live Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 1PM ET on W4CY Radio & Talk 4 TV.
Download, Rate & Review the Podcast at The Adventures of Pipeman, Pipeman Radio, Talk 4 Media, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & All Podcast Apps.
