GUEST LIST: Mike Krol

The Letters, Death by Unga Bunga, The Gaylads, Kate Davis & The Bug Club

The inaugural guest list is coming courtesy of the great Mike Krol. About a decade ago, Mike put out an album titled I Hate Jazz, and passed it along to my pal Pat Byrne, who then passed it on to Terre T, who played it on WFMU. I was listening and became a big fan immediately.

The perfect sound. Great aesthetics. Great lyrics! Brevity! (I love brevity in music.) “This is my ideal music,” I remember remarking to myself, out loud, alone.

Little did I know, we had many mutual friends and I could hang out casually with this musical genius and talented artist and discover he has the same nerdy excitement and passion about musical discoveries that I do—which makes him the perfect person to kick off these guest lists!

Now, I consider Mike a friend, but I still get nervous around ROCK STAR MIKE, which doesn’t always happen with friends that play music. Mike is a chill, nice guy who wears cool, bright jackets. ROCK STAR MIKE is a phenom who wears sunglasses inside and occasionally costumes and can step on a pedal at a moment’s notice to make his voice go, “ohOHohOHohOHohOHohOHohOHohOHohOH.”

Also, Mike’s a talented graphic designer and has some of the best merch and record sleeves going, designed the art for Secret Pizza—the best damn pizza joint in Los Angeles, and did you know there’s a Mike Krol-themed bar in Malmö that you can go to right now*? KRØL BAR.

Mike has never lived in Sweden. But ROCK STAR MIKE lives everywhere.

*KRØL BAR is currently closed until Sunday due to Midsummer.

Here are Mike’s picks. This is the end of Brett talking and the beginning of Mike talking:

Kate Davis - Fish Bowl

Kate put out my favorite album this year, and this is one of my favorite songs on it. I wrote about it at length on my instagram: 

Mike Krol

Mike Krol on Instagram: “This past Friday, my FAVORITE RECORD of 2023 came out! It’s called “Fish Bowl” and it’s by the incredibly talented @katedavismusic. I posted about it on my ‘stories’ a few weeks ago, but here it is for the grid: My wife does A&R for @antirecords, which means I hear new music all the time in our house. Very few records have literally stopped me in my tracks like this one — to the point where I heard it playing in a different room, dropped what I was doing and ran to her to ask “WHAT… IS… THIS???” Kate made a masterpiece, a perfect album. After listening to the whole album on repeat this weekend, I have a hard time picking a favorite song. But if you trust my taste (which you should) and are looking to sample some new music, please cue up “Call Home,” “yoyo,” and the title track “Fish Bowl.” The latter is a work of art; lyrically, sonically, AND visually (watch the music video)! In my opinion, it feels like a glimpse into the future of ‘punk’ and ‘indie rock.’ Congrats to Kate for putting out an album I personally find incredibly inspiring and addictive, and I’m so proud of @allisoncrutchfield for championing this one the moment she heard it. PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR THIS RECORD, and NOW YOU CAN! Consider this my official endorsement — turn this one up loud, and I’ll expect a text from you shortly saying I was right and you found your new favorite record.”

March 28, 2023

Death By Unga Bunga - Camouflage

Death By Unga Bunga are friends of mine from Norway who I've played a couple of shows with over the years. They're some of the best in the game when it comes to power pop / garage / punk / classic rock riff style stuff. They consistently put out great music. This song is a new one from what I assume to be a forthcoming album. If you've never heard them before and want to hear more, I recommend the "Fight!" EP, in particular the song "Fight!"

The Bug Club - Love For Two

Pat Byrne turned me onto these guys. I love this album, it's a perfect little rocker filled with hooks and emotions. Great chord changes, great vibes. Big fan!

The Gaylads - That's What Love Will Do

Changing up the genre here. I love listening to Reggae when I'm working. I don't remember how I came across this song, but I'm a fan of everything it has going on.

And check out that cover art! Damn, the Gaylads BROUGHT it.

The Letters - Nobody Loves Me

I got a reissue of this 7" single as a birthday present this year from my friend Patrick (who is the drummer of a great hardcore band from Vancouver called "Chain Whip" and also has a great solo punk project called "Pack Rat" - check out both!). I had never heard of this band or song before, and the cover art is very weird for a power pop gem from 1980, but once I put the needle down I was SOLD.

I love MUSIC!!! Thanks Brett!