If you’ve taken anything away from the sort of artists I’ve had on this podcast in recent years, you can probably surmise I’m a bit of a fan of the more indie, alternative, punk, and heavier genres.
One of the groups that does manage to traverse all of those elements is The Menzingers, a punk-influenced outfit from Scranton, Pennsylvania who this year celebrate two decades in the game.
Releasing their first album in 2007, new records have been a regular occurrence for the group, who signed with the legendary Epitaph Records for 2012’s On The Impossible Past and have stayed there ever since.
Over the years, they’ve been pumping out plenty of brilliant records, playing countless live shows, and just generally being the very definition of unsung heroes in the world of music. Seriously, go back and listen through their discography – it’s pretty hard (if not impossible) to find a dud.
This week, The Menzingers return with their latest record, Everything I Ever Saw, and if you’re a newcomer to the group, it’s a solid showing of what makes them great. It’s got hooks, it’s got choruses, it’s got some pretty heavy songwriting, and it’s got that undeniable element that makes us all love them.
A couple of days ago, I was lucky enough to have a chat with Greg Barnett – vocalist and guitarist of The Menzingers – about the band’s history, their new record, and our shared love of The Mountain Goats. (Stay tuned for Greg and I launching the ‘Full Force Pittsburgh’ tribute podcast at some point in the far away future.)
Anyway, have a listen to The Menzingers’ Everything I Ever Saw, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Greg Barnett’s Trusty Chords
Campbell’s One Influential Artist
Greg’s ‘Mount Rushmore’ Of Influential Artists
- Tom Waits
- Bruce Springsteen
- Joe Strummer (The Clash)
Honourable Mention:
- Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
Campbell’s Three Impactful Albums
- The Clash – London Calling (1979)
- Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska (1982)
- Tom Waits – Rain Dogs (1985)
Campbell’s Five Trusty Songs
- Bruce Springsteen – ‘Dancing In The Dark’ (1984)
- The Mountain Goats – ‘Dance Music’ (2005)
- Tom Petty – ‘Time To Move On’ (1994)
- The Clash – ‘Lost In The Supermarket’ (1979)
- Tom Waits – ‘Who Are You’ (1992)