While probably best known for his 1991 book England's Dreaming: The Sex Pistols and Punk Rock, Jon Savage was also an early chronicler of the San Francisco punk scene, championing bands such as the Sleepers, Avengers, and Dils before most audiences outside of the Bay Area or California had even heard of them. In this episode, we hear about his involvement with the zine Search & Destroy; his trip to the West Coast (both L.A. and San Francisco) in 1978; his first-hand observations on the differences between the punk scenes in the U.K. and California; and more.

Show notes, links, and music credits: https://whocaresanywaysf.wordpress.com/2025/06/01/wca-podcast-jon-savage-englands-dreaming/

The podcast returns with a special archival episode in honor of Stephen Bartholomew Clarke (Dec. 10, 1956–February 20, 2025), guitarist for the group Arkansaw Man (1980–1983).

I can't say that I knew him well at all, but I was able to interview him for the book, and he was very generous in sharing his recollections of not just his own band but also the Sound of Music, Richard Kelly and Club Foot, bike messengering, Flipper, and more. We spoke for nearly two hours, which I have edited down to a “tight” 40 or so minutes while doing my best to spruce up the audio quality.

RIP to Mr. Clarke, and sincere condolences to his friends and family.

Show notes, links, and music credits: https://whocaresanywaysf.wordpress.com/2025/03/17/wca-podcast-in-memoriam-stephen-bartholomew-clarke-arkansaw-man/

A new podcast series from the makers (uh, maker) of The Who Cares Anyway Podcast.

Interviews with musicians and artists from around the world on making music in the digital age, Metal, electronic, experimental, and gray areas in between. Available wherever you get your podcasts and at fatalstrategies.substack.com

Music credits:

• Blind Idiot God, "747"
• Terminal Sound System, "Gridlike"
• Dreams of the Drowned, "Midnattskogen Sorte Kjerne"
• Zweizz & Joey Hopkins, "No Clue"