Episode 83: Matt Ebert, Barry Johnson & Chase Knobbe – Joyce Manor

Joyce Manor. Credit: Dan Monick
Joyce Manor. Credit: Dan Monick

If there’s one thing that you need to know about Joyce Manor, it’s that every time they release a new album, their fans are in for a good time. In fact, I’ve been saying that for well over a decade now, having followed the Californian outfit since the release of their second album, Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired, back in 2012.

In the time since, they’ve released four more albums, a few more split EPs, myriad singles and music videos, and toured the world on numerous occasions. Not bad for a little group that kicked off rather quietly back in 2008.

Now, 18 years into their storied career, Joyce Manor are back with their latest album, I Used To Go To This Bar. For diehard fans of the group, it’s exactly what you want out of a record from Joyce Manor, with that frenetic sense of energy and power being paired with their stellar lyrics and inimitable knack for writing a killer tune.

This week, I was lucky enough to have a chat with not just one, but all three members of Joyce Manor, with Matt Ebert, Barry Johnson, and Chase Knobbe joining for what may actually be my favourite episode I’ve recorded to date.

Anyway, I’ll let you be the judge of that from a listener’s perspective. So in the meantime, have a listen to Joyce Manor’s I Used To Go To This Bar, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Matt Ebert, Barry Johnson & Chase Knobbe’s Trusty Chords

Matt’s One Influential Artist

  1. The Weakerthans
  2. The Mountain Goats

Barry’s One Influential Artist

  1. Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
  2. Morrissey (The Smiths)

Chase’s One Influential Artist

  1. Dear Nora

Matt’s Three Impactful Albums

  1. The Promise Ring – Nothing Feels Good (1997)
  2. John Cale – Paris 1919 (1973)
  3. The Sidekicks – Awkward Breeds (2012)

Barry’s Three Impactful Albums

  1. The Beatles – The Beatles (1968)
  2. The Clash – London Calling (1979)
  3. The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966)

Chase’s Three Impactful Albums

  1. Blink-182 – Enema Of The State (1999)
  2. Guided By Voices – Bee Thousand (1994)
  3. Le Joshua – Point To The Sky (2004)

Matt’s Five Trusty Songs

  1. The Pogues – ‘The Sunnyside Of The Street’ (1990)
  2. Phil Lynott – ‘Old Town’ (1982)
  3. Squeeze – ‘Up The Junction’ (1979)
  4. Royal Headache – ‘Stand And Stare’ (2013)
  5. The Exploding Hearts – ‘Throwaway Style’ (2003)

Barry’s Five Trusty Songs

  1. General Public – ‘Tendeness’ (1984)
  2. Fleetwood Mac – ‘Beautiful Child’ (1979)
  3. John Lennon – ‘Jealous Guy’ (1971)
  4. The Clash – ‘Spanish Bombs’ (1979)
  5. AJJ – ‘Brave As A Noun’ (2007)

    And one honourable mention that was not specifically name-checked by Barry during this section, but given his earlier comments, it’s one that couldn’t be overlooked:

  6. Tiger Army – ‘Afterworld’ (2007)

Chase’s Five Trusty Songs

  1. The Beat – ‘Save It For Later’ (1982)
  2. The Beatles – ‘Two Of Us’ (1970)
  3. Blink-182 – ‘Man Overboard’ (2000)
  4. Joni Mitchell – ‘A Case Of You’ (1971)
  5. The Mountain Goats – ‘The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton’ (2002)