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Sloancast

Sloancast

By Rob Butcher and Ken Gildner

Two superfans take deep dives into the career and catalogue of the Canadian rock band Sloan.
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Ep. 12: 1st Concert Watchalong (30th Anniversary Special)

SloancastFeb 10, 2021

00:00
26:41
Ep. 53: 12 (feat. Julian Muia)

Ep. 53: 12 (feat. Julian Muia)

Sloan's 12th studio album — 2018's aptly titled "12" — is an exercise in collaboration and Sloanocracy. After half a dozen years of ripening, we're joined by musician and power pop connoisseur Julian Muia to take a retrospective look at the album and discuss it's place within the GBOAT pantheon.

Feb 05, 202402:01:05
Ep. 52: The Closers

Ep. 52: The Closers

As a bookend to our "Openers" episode, we individually rank and discuss each of the closing tracks to Sloan's 13 studio albums and reveal the Sloancast community rankings as well. If it feels nearly impossible to rank these tracks, it's because it is.

Jan 24, 202401:13:50
Ep. 51: The Openers

Ep. 51: The Openers

What makes a great opening track? In this episode, we dig into the openers to each of the band's 13 studio album releases to date. Rob and Ken deliver their own rankings, and we also reveal the Sloancast community's ranking of these seminal tracks.

Nov 23, 202301:07:25
Ep. 50: Elaine Hsu

Ep. 50: Elaine Hsu

In celebration of our 50th episode, we invited superfan, artist and early Sloan internet celebrity Elaine Hsu to tell us her story. Join us as we chat about about the early Sloan fan internet community, the Psychotically Obsessed Sloan Fan Page, the viral phenomenon that was/is "Simpsloans"/"Sloansons", as well as her encounters with the band over the years.

Sep 26, 202301:45:23
Ep. 49: Drum Challenge

Ep. 49: Drum Challenge

Think you know Sloan? How's your musical acumen? How attentive of a listener are you? Rob and recurring guest Aaron Pinto try to guess 20 Sloan songs based alone off of an isolated clip of their drum tracks. Play along (no cheating!) and let us know how many you got right!

Jul 21, 202301:22:13
Ep. 48: Craig Northey

Ep. 48: Craig Northey

We were thrilled to be able to welcome Odds frontman and Trans-Canada Highwaymen member Craig Northey to Sloancast! Listen in to hear about the upcoming Odds studio LP, his musical upbringing and approach to composition, intersections throughout the years with Sloan, as well as the inside scoop on the CanRock hockey community.

Jun 28, 202352:04
Ep. 47: Smeared

Ep. 47: Smeared

We may have missed the official 30th anniversary of Sloan's debut LP last year, but the time has finally come to delve deep into Smeared. We welcome fellow Sloan superfan and hardcore/grunge/shoegaze connoisseur Greg Polard back to Sloancast as we discuss the meteoric success of the band in 1992 and the impact that Smeared had on the band's eventual trajectory. And in classic Sloancast fashion, we also piece apart each track in excruciating detail.

May 31, 202302:09:51
Ep. 46: Gordon from Double Wonderful

Ep. 46: Gordon from Double Wonderful

We talk to NYC-based Sloan superfan and band t-shirt creator extraordinaire, Gordon Kenny (alias Double Wonderful), about his Sloan-centric family upbringing and the New York Sloan concert scene throughout the years. Plus, find out about the exclusive band t-shirt he designed for Sloan's April 20th gig at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.
Apr 17, 202301:01:54
Ep. 45: Action Pact (Part 3 – feat. Chris Murphy)

Ep. 45: Action Pact (Part 3 – feat. Chris Murphy)

To round off our three-part 20th anniversary special on Action Pact, Chris Murphy joins us to give the inside scoop on the period in the band's history leading up to the album, as well as on the album's recording and production. He also gives us his reactions to each of the tracks after two decades of maturation.

Apr 01, 202301:32:34
Ep. 44: Action Pact (Part 2)

Ep. 44: Action Pact (Part 2)

As part of our continuing celebration of the 20th anniversary of the band's 2003 album "Action Pact", we take a look at each of the album's songs in succession.

Mar 24, 202301:45:31
Ep. 43: Action Pact (Part 1)

Ep. 43: Action Pact (Part 1)

In this 20th anniversary year of the release of the album, we discuss 2003's Action Pact in detail both from the perspective of the events leading up to the release (including the aftershock of the Pretty Together era) as well as with a view to the band's changing creative processes. Plus, Emily Plunkett joins us to give an update on her bid to get the band into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Feb 23, 202301:22:03
Ep. 42: Greg Rhyno

Ep. 42: Greg Rhyno

We round off 2022 with an interview with author and musician Greg Rhyno, whose debut novel "To Me You Seem Giant" takes a semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical glance at the Canadian indie rock scene of the mid-90s, including depictions of the members of Sloan and other Murderecords artists. Plus, Rob spills the beans on his brief-yet-illustrious career as drummer of Sloan.

Dec 31, 202201:28:31
Ep. 41: Jay Ferguson

Ep. 41: Jay Ferguson

To round off our series of interviews with the four members of Sloan, we sit down with Jay Ferguson and chat about his own "cradle-to-Sloan" story. Tune in to find out more about Jay's gig at Old Dan's Records, about his pre-Sloan careers with Deluxe Boys and Kearney Lake Rd., about his love for collecting music paraphernalia, and about his almost-career as a professional baseball player.
Nov 06, 202201:49:38
Ep. 40: Steady Preview

Ep. 40: Steady Preview

Join us as we dive into the band's 13th studio album "Steady", due for release on October 21st, 2022. Find out why this band just keeps getting better on each and every outing!
Oct 09, 202201:19:30
Ep. 39: Haris Cehajic

Ep. 39: Haris Cehajic

In our first-ever (partially) in-person interview, we sit down with musician, drone enthusiast and guitar/instrument tech to the GBOAT, Haris Cehajic, to talk about his history as part of the band's road crew, the band's upcoming 13th studio album "Steady", as well as his directorial debut for the first single off of this album, "Scratch the Surface". We also entertain our first-ever call-in guest.

Sep 25, 202256:16
Ep. 38: The Album Covers

Ep. 38: The Album Covers

You like ranking stuff? So does Sloancast. Join us as we each individually rank the 16 covers of Sloan's major releases (13 studio LPs, 2 major EPs, 1 live album) from least favourite to favourite, discussing along the way the merits of each piece of artwork.
Aug 28, 202201:58:44
Ep. 37: Supervoice

Ep. 37: Supervoice

Move over, Lennon & McCartney: there's a "new" lead vocal amalgam from the colonies whose double helix harmonic stylings will blow your minds. In this episode, we discuss the iconic lead vocal combination of Patrick Pentland and Chris Murphy, illustrated through ten examples from across the catalogue. 

Jun 11, 202201:31:16
Ep. 36: Paul Myers

Ep. 36: Paul Myers

In this episode, we sit down with Toronto-born, California-based writer, journalist, musician and all-round Cancon renaissance man Paul Myers to chat about his  own overlap with the Greatest Band of All Time, Sloan's place in the power pop canon, and the correlation between comedy and music. Be sure to check out Paul's Record Store Day Podcast as well as his upcoming documentary The Kids In The Hall: Comedy Punks!

Apr 25, 202250:03
Ep. 35: Parallel Play (ft. Ben Lindbergh)

Ep. 35: Parallel Play (ft. Ben Lindbergh)

Together with NYC-based writer and podcaster Ben Lindbergh, we tackle 2008's Parallel Play—an album sandwiched between the classic statements Never Hear The End of It and Hit & Run, and which, despite now being chronologically in the middle of their career, in many ways signals the beginning of the latest phase in the band's sound. Ben also takes us through his own personal Sloan story, including the perhaps only instance (yet) of an on-stage proposal over the band's 30-year career.

Apr 01, 202202:20:22
Ep. 34: Ned Brower and Taylor Locke

Ep. 34: Ned Brower and Taylor Locke

In this episode (which has been a Long Time Coming), Rob takes a virtual trip south of the border to sunny Los Feliz, Los Angeles to chat with singer-songwriter/musical multi-talents Ned Brower and Taylor Locke. Find out about the musicians' longtime appreciation of the GBOAT, about their particular admiration of 2001's Pretty Together, as well as about their own personal encounters with the Sloan throughout their own careers. 

Mar 17, 202201:13:08
Ep. 33: Alive & Alright Recap (w/Ron Baker)

Ep. 33: Alive & Alright Recap (w/Ron Baker)

In this post-mortem look at the band's "Alive & Alright" concert footage from February 2000, we're joined by Ron Baker (aka Blue Suit Ron), who was present at the taping of the special.
Feb 27, 202201:19:42
Ep. 32: Alive & Alright Preview (feat. Laura Mayo)

Ep. 32: Alive & Alright Preview (feat. Laura Mayo)

In this emergency episode of Sloancast, we set the time machine for February 4th, 2000 and the filming of a live performance of the entire Between the Bridges album in front of a select group of 40 fans—the result of which will eventually spawn the "Friendship" music video. Prior to the release of the footage on Side Door on this February 4th, we chat with superfan Laura (Q) Mayo, who attended the original show, and talk to Rob about his own run-in with the concert footage.

Jan 23, 202235:44
Ep. 31: Sloancast 30 (Part 2)

Ep. 31: Sloancast 30 (Part 2)

Kicking off the 31st year of Sloan, we continue with our hand-picked playlist concept "Sloancast 30". In part 2, we talk through tracks 16-30 of this selection—intended to highlight everything great about the greatest band of all time and convert even the pickiest of (not-yet-indoctrinated) music snobs.

Jan 16, 202202:05:05
Ep. 30: Sloancast 30 (Part 1)

Ep. 30: Sloancast 30 (Part 1)

If you had to create a playlist to convince a non-Sloan fan about the band's greatness, what songs would you pick? To commemorate the end of the greatest band of all time's 30th anniversary year, we asked ourselves this very question. The result is the Sloancast 30, a hand-picked selection of tracks that embody the special qualities of the band and helps tell their story. So not our favourite 30 tracks per se, but the most meaningful. And not ABBA Gold, but rather "More ABBA Gold".

Dec 17, 202102:04:50
Ep. 29: Heron & Crane

Ep. 29: Heron & Crane

We sit down with Dave Gibson and Travis Kokas from the band Heron & Crane to talk about their lifelong superfandom for Sloan, including reflections on on-stage and off-stage encounters with the band and with other groups in the Murderecords/Sloan-adjacent universe. Plus: why Dave is the real reason why Pretty Voice and Pick It Up And Dial It aren't played live any more, and why Travis might have the most impressive Sloan collection of anyone out there.

Nov 21, 202101:43:50
Ep. 28: Chris Murphy

Ep. 28: Chris Murphy

For this special one-year anniversary episode of Sloancast, we were honoured to have been able to sit down and chat with Sloan's very own Chris Murphy about his early years and his musical upbringing—through to the formation of the GBOAT (Greatest Band of All Time) in 1991. Get the inside scoop on Chris's musical influences, on the carousel of bands he featured in during the '80s, and on the series of events that led to the formation of Sloan.

Oct 28, 202101:34:38
Ep. 27: The Double Cross

Ep. 27: The Double Cross

Ten years on from the album's release, we are joined by regular guest Aaron Pinto to tackle 2011's The Double Cross track by track. In this, the most compact of their 12 studio albums to date, the band established one of its most unique production statement and signalled the beginning of their contemporary sound.
Oct 21, 202101:56:48
Ep. 26: Hardcore (ft. Greg Polard)

Ep. 26: Hardcore (ft. Greg Polard)

The BPM is about to skyrocket: In our first podcast collab episode, we're joined by Greg Polard—host of the Somethin To Dü and Where It Went podcasts—to discuss Sloan's hardcore influences, and specifically their 2013 Hardcore 7" (Jenny/It's In You, It's In Me) as well as the supplementary Hardcore Covers EP.

Oct 11, 202101:45:05
Ep. 25: Gregory Macdonald (Part 2)

Ep. 25: Gregory Macdonald (Part 2)

It was so nice, we talked to him twice: in part two of our discussion with multi-talented multi-instrumentalist Gregory Macdonald, we chat about his contributions to Sloan studio recordings since 2008's Parallel Play, about injuries and spontaneously filling in for band members, as well as about Greg's own solo projects—including 2020's Cola Wars and the upcoming New Age Doom project featuring Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Sep 23, 202101:51:21
Ep. 24: Gregory Macdonald (Part 1)

Ep. 24: Gregory Macdonald (Part 1)

He's Sloan's veritable Fifth Beatle, and he's finally making his appearance on Sloancast: in part one of our two-parter, we sit down with musical multi-talent Gregory Macdonald as he recounts his musical upbringing and his path to becoming an integral part of the greatest band of all time.

Sep 11, 202101:22:47
Ep. 23: Pretty Together (Part 2 — Live @ MUCH)

Ep. 23: Pretty Together (Part 2 — Live @ MUCH)

In our continuing coverage of the 20th anniversary of Pretty Together, we turn back the dials to October 30th, 2001 and tune in together to Much Music for the band's televised "Live @ MUCH" show. Watch along with us on YouTube or just listen in as normal! And don't miss Rob's television debut (even in 2001, he was asking the tough questions).

Aug 22, 202101:00:47
Ep. 22: Catherine Stockhausen

Ep. 22: Catherine Stockhausen

If you've ever looked into the liner notes of a Sloan album, her name will be familiar to you, and if you've ever picked up a "classic-era" Sloan album, you'll have seen her work: on the latest episode of Sloancast, we talk to Catherine Stockhausen about Sloan (and other bands that you'll know) through her lens.

Jul 18, 202101:23:42
Ep. 21: OCTA 25

Ep. 21: OCTA 25

On the latest episode of Sloancast, podcast regular Aaron Pinto joins us to reflect on the importance and the greatness of Sloan's "One Chord To Another" upon its 25th anniversary. In the first of our anniversary OCTA-related talks, we dote on the album's sonic place within the band's catalogue, on the reason it was the gateway for so many new Sloan fans, and on why Sloan is the Wu-Tang Clan of rock music.

Jul 04, 202101:38:58
Ep. 20: Smeared 2?

Ep. 20: Smeared 2?

Calling all multiverse theorists! On the latest episode of Sloancast, we hypothesize on the direction that the band’s second album might have taken had Sloan/DGC decided to continue in a grungier direction similar to Smeared and the band's '93 material—as opposed to creating what would become Twice Removed. Brace yourselves for the selection of our "Smeared 2" single.

Jun 06, 202101:48:47
Ep. 19: Kevin Hilliard

Ep. 19: Kevin Hilliard

It’s the guest you’ve all been waiting for: join us for our talk with Sloan crew all-rounder Kevin Hilliard (aka Skip Lowe, "Lamps" Hilliard, Kevrock, The Clapper), as we touch upon topics as diverse as MRCH 108.8, setting up and tearing down shows, practical jokes on tour, Bruce Dickinson’s stubble, Black Abba, and Emilio Estevez.

May 23, 202101:26:59
Ep. 18: Terry Pulliam

Ep. 18: Terry Pulliam

In the latest episode of Sloancast, we sit down for a chat with Halifax music stalwart and producer of Pepperment and Smeared, Terry Pulliam. Get the inside scoop on the Hear and Now contest that launched the band's career, on the recording techniques used during the Pepperment/Smeared sessions, on early band gear, and on the true namesake of Gus' Pub in North End Halifax!

May 13, 202101:15:55
Ep. 17: Patrick Pentland

Ep. 17: Patrick Pentland

We were thrilled to be able to sit down with Patrick "The Hitmaker" Pentland for a chat on Ripping Convulsions, sobriety, being the band's bassist for about a month, songwriting processes, and why the Jesus and Mary Chain in fact have Patrick to thank for their post-2007 renaissance. Plus: get the inside scoop on a new Sloan album in the works for the near future.

Apr 25, 202101:59:17
Ep. 16: Pretty Together (Part 1)

Ep. 16: Pretty Together (Part 1)

We finally delve into the album that polarizes the Sloan fanbase (both casual and super) the most—2001's Pretty Together. Join us and our special guest Travis Stokl (drummer extraordinaire of The Elwins) as we examine the album's meaning in the oeuvre, the reason why it "sticks out", and why it's one of the most underrated elements of the band's legacy. 2021 is a Pretty Together anniversary year, so get ready for more content soon!

Apr 11, 202101:52:55
Ep. 15: Jay Coyle

Ep. 15: Jay Coyle

In this all-superfan episode of Sloancast, we chat with artist manager, direct-to-fan expert, music educator and Sloan crew member Jay Coyle (Music Geek Services) about his own superfandom for the band, stories from the tour bus, and the genesis of merch and fan articles. Plus: a sneak peek into the band’s release plans for the near future!
Mar 28, 202101:30:02
Ep. 14: HFX 1991 (Stephen Cooke + Shant Pelley)

Ep. 14: HFX 1991 (Stephen Cooke + Shant Pelley)

We delve into the musical scene of Halifax in the 1980s and 1990s and talk to guests and 30-plus-year fans and friends of the band Stephen Cooke and Shant Pelley about proto-Sloan band formations, strange bar opening hours, the Peppermint "CD release" show, and a long, lost fan tribute cassette (that might yet see the light of day).

Mar 08, 202101:33:37
Ep. 13: Andrew Scott

Ep. 13: Andrew Scott

We join Andrew Scott in his frigid Toronto garage studio for a chat about youth, musical origins and visual art. Learn about his early band experience, about the development of his visual art praxis, and about the true meaning of his lyrical content.

Feb 15, 202101:28:26
Ep. 12: 1st Concert Watchalong (30th Anniversary Special)

Ep. 12: 1st Concert Watchalong (30th Anniversary Special)

In this "Sloancast snackable", we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band's first concert (on February 8th, 1991 at the NSCAD cafeteria in Halifax) by launching a new format: join us for a live watchalong of the video footage of the concert that the band graciously shared to commemorate the occasion. 

Feb 10, 202126:41
Ep. 11: Commonwealth (Part 2)

Ep. 11: Commonwealth (Part 2)

Together with our guest Aaron Pinto, we wrap up our side-by-side dissection of Sloan's 2014 double LP, talking to the Shamrock and Spade sides. How many distinct parts of Forty-Eight Portraits can you count? 

Feb 05, 202101:35:22
Ep. 10: Commonwealth (Part 1)

Ep. 10: Commonwealth (Part 1)

Where does one begin when it comes to discussing Sloan's perhaps most unique album project, 2014's Commonwealth? A good starting point is to invite writer and Sloan superfan Aaron Pinto back for a chat on this contemporary-era gem. In this episode, listen to us get carried away about the complex beauty of the first LP of the double album, featuring the Diamond (Jay) and Heart (Chris) sides.

Jan 28, 202101:55:34
Ep. 9: Fan Q&A, 1997 vs. 2021

Ep. 9: Fan Q&A, 1997 vs. 2021

Ever wonder why Sloan hated Manitoba gigs? Or where the photos for the Party Album cover were shot? Or why Andrew's middle name isn't Bradley? With a nod to the innocence of the early internet, we take a look at fan questions from 1997 in a Q&A with Chris Murphy (presumably) from the official Sloan website. Keeping the motto "all filler, much killer" in mind, we reflect on CMM's answers from a 2020s perspective, adding our own insights into the mix.

Jan 02, 202101:53:18
Ep. 8: Aaron Brophy (formerly of Chart Magazine)

Ep. 8: Aaron Brophy (formerly of Chart Magazine)

We talk to music journalist Aaron Brophy—former Managing Editor of Chart Magazine—about Chart’s importance on the Canadian alternative music scene and its relationship with Sloan, including their two-time selection of Twice Removed as the best Canadian album of all time. We also yak about Andrew Scott’s and Chris Murphy’s skills on the ice. Apologies for slight audio quality issues; someone (Ken!) didn't do a proper sound check.

Dec 06, 202001:13:17
Ep. 7: Never Hear The End Of It (Part 3: Tracks 16-30)

Ep. 7: Never Hear The End Of It (Part 3: Tracks 16-30)

In this third instalment of our look at the 2006 album Never Hear The End Of It, we discuss the second LP and tracks 16-30 of the album. Tune in for even more minutiae on all-time favourites Such such as Ill-Placed Trust and Another Way I Could Do It.

Nov 22, 202001:37:57
Ep. 6: Never Hear The End Of It (Part 2: Tracks 1-15)

Ep. 6: Never Hear The End Of It (Part 2: Tracks 1-15)

What's that? You wanted an excruciatingly detailed analysis of Never Hear The End Of It? Luckily for you, you might not ever hear the end of our commentary on this album. Today, we take you song by song through the first LP and tracks 1 to 15 of Sloan's 2006 magnum opus. Give the album a re-listen and stream our analysis simultaneously for maximal effect. We promise, we only have a couple of hours to go on this topic before we move on.

Nov 21, 202001:38:34
Ep. 5: Never Hear The End Of It (Part 1: Preamble)

Ep. 5: Never Hear The End Of It (Part 1: Preamble)

We (finally!) begin our conversation on the greatest rock album of all time—2006's Never Hear The End Of It. In this prelude to our song-by-song examination of the album, we discuss the years leading up to its release and ponder why the album was an inevitability in Sloan's career.

Nov 03, 202001:19:13
Ep. 4: Ron Baker (Blue Suit Ron)

Ep. 4: Ron Baker (Blue Suit Ron)

How does a teenager from Malton, Ontario end up becoming the (real) star of three Sloan music videos and two Muchmusic specials? Our chat with superfan Ron Baker (known to most as "Blue Suit Ron") elucidates this and more—including the origin of Ron's famous threads.

Oct 24, 202001:12:21