DC Rock History7 Apr 2025

Live at the DC History Conference with Mark Opsasnick

In this episode (our first-ever live taping!!), we dig into the untold story of Washington, D.C.’s pre-hardcore rock era- from 1950 to 1979—with special guest and legendary D.C. music historian Mark Opsasnick. Recorded live at the DC History Conference, this bonus episode serves as the grand finale of Season 1 and a perfect primer for what’s to come in Season 2.

Mark- author of Capitol Rock and Rock the Potomac- takes us on a whirlwind tour of the clubs, characters, and cornerstones that shaped the early D.C. rock scene. From Link Wray’s groundbreaking power chords to the glam theatrics of Angel, we explore how local acts like The Chartbusters, The British Walkers, The Cherry People, Grin, and The Razz helped carve out the city’s rock identity before the explosion of punk in the ‘80s.

This episode also features an extended listening session curated by Mark himself, featuring 10 essential tracks that trace the arc of D.C. rock across three decades. Plus, a lively mailbag segment, a peek behind the scenes of the podcast, and a live Q&A with the conference crowd.

If you’re new to the podcast, this is the perfect place to jump in. If you’ve been rocking with us through Season 1, this is our love letter to you—and to the forgotten legends of D.C. rock.

Go Further:

• Books by Mark Opsasnick

• Social Media: @dcrockpod

• Email us your thoughts or questions: dcrockpod@gmail.com

• Philip Basnight – Broke Royals

• Alex Vidales – StageCraft

Artwork by Rebecca Basnight

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(39)

Smart Went Crazy - "Con Art" with Devin Ocampo

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Con Art, Smart Went Crazy's 1997 swan song and one of the most ambitious records to ever come out of the Dischord catalog. The band formed in DC in 1993 as a ...

11 Maj 1h 2min

Tuscadero - "The Pink Album" with Tuscadero

In this episode, we take a deep dive into The Pink Album, Tuscadero's 1994 debut and one of the defining records of the DC indie pop scene. Formed 1993 in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, Tuscadero bu...

4 Maj 56min

The Dismemberment Plan - "Emergency & I" with Chris DeVille

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Emergency & I, the Dismemberment Plan's 1999 landmark and the album that cemented the band as one of the most distinctive acts to emerge from the DC indie sce...

27 Apr 1h 5min

The Pietasters - "Willis" with Stephen Jackson

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Willis, the Pietasters' 1997 record and the album that brought the DC-bred ska band to their widest audience. Formed at Virginia Tech by a group of suburban W...

20 Apr 58min

Foo Fighters - "The Colour and the Shape" with Mike Jones

In this episode, we take a deep dive into The Colour and the Shape, the Foo Fighters' 1997 sophomore record and the album widely credited with establishing Dave Grohl as a frontman in his own right. R...

13 Apr 53min

Shudder to Think sets the record straight!

In this episode of the DC Rock History Podcast, we sit down with Shudder to Think, one of the most singular and adventurous bands to emerge from the Washington, D.C. underground, for a wide-ranging co...

6 Apr 1h 1min

Fugazi - "In On The Kill Taker" with Chris Ryan

In this episode, we revisit Fugazi and take a deep dive into In On The Kill Taker, the band’s explosive 1993 follow-up to Steady Diet of Nothing and Repeater. Released on Dischord Records, In On The K...

15 Dec 20251h 1min

Shudder To Think - "Pony Express Record" with Nabil Ayers

In this episode, we explore the history and impact of Shudder to Think and their groundbreaking 1994 album Pony Express Record, a release that pushed the boundaries of what DC post-hardcore could beco...

8 Dec 202559min