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The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

ep497: mclusky is still here with andrew falkous

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Nate Goyer

Music, Music History, Music Interviews

4.7579 Ratings

🗓️ 5 May 2025

⏱️ 75 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

andrew "falco" falkous discusses the reformation of his band mclusky after a nearly 20-year hiatus, their upcoming album on ipecac recordings, the rare catalogue of vinyl releases and more!

Topics Include:

  • falco confirms mclusky's new album "the world is still here and so are we."
  • album will be released on may 9th on ipecac recordings.
  • falco feels ipecac is the perfect label home for mclusky.
  • he hopes this is just the end of "act one" for their reunion.
  • falco approaches life expecting problems but finding humor in them.
  • humor is essential to mclusky's songs without becoming a joke band.
  • falco keeps files of potential song titles for future use.
  • songs usually emerge from playing together in the same room.
  • first takes often contain the magic that makes songs special.
  • falco writes most lyrics but damien wrote lyrics for two songs.
  • "your mother is a ballpoint pen thief" came naturally in writing process.
  • falco describes songwriting as writing 1000 bad songs to get 10 good ones.
  • performing gives falco confidence he doesn't have in other social settings.
  • the current mclusky lineup consistently delivers intense live performances.
  • "mclusky do dallas" remains their most popular album by far.
  • steve albini recorded both "do dallas" and "the difference between me and you..."
  • "lightsaber cocksucking blues" started as a throwaway whole lotta rosie parody.
  • the line "flying is fearful of me" just emerged while performing.
  • "she will only bring you happiness" had radio potential until "sex criminal" line.
  • self-sabotage is part of mclusky's essence, even when unintentional.
  • falco considers swearing an essential part of rock music.
  • australia has been mclusky's strongest market since early in their career.
  • melbourne, sydney and brisbane show strongest streaming numbers for mclusky.
  • the band has toured australia approximately ten times since 2002.
  • prescriptions music is falco's label for future of the left and christian fitness.
  • falco considers mclusky "mostly my band" but credits all members' contributions.
  • damien sayell (current bassist) recently recovered from a health scare.
  • jack egglestone (drummer) has jazz training and remarkable listening skills.
  • mclusky reunion began with charity shows for venues like le pub in newport.
  • the current lineup feels like a distinct band, not future of the left playing mclusky songs.
  • recording the new album was spread across three weekends over 18 months.
  • bob weston remastered "mclusky do dallas" giving it a different sheen.
  • future of the left albums and more christian fitness reissues are planned.
  • their favorite songs on the new album are those recorded most recently.
  • the name "mclusky" came from a character in british tv show "grange hill."

order the new mclusky album here

commercial free, high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.patreon.com/VinylGuide

listen on apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
listen on spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hey, record nerds, check out the next level audiophile furniture at sidetracked workshop.com.

0:05.9

Sidestracked Workshop makes beautiful record furniture.

0:08.6

I personally have a sidetracked workshop double sidekick in my house, and it's not only gorgeous, but incredibly practical.

0:14.6

Check them out for yourself at sidetracked workshop.com.

0:17.8

Don't keep your records and crates, and don't trust that feeble IKEA furniture.

0:22.4

Give your vinyl the respect it deserves with furniture from sidetracked workshop.com.

0:28.0

And now on with the show.

0:30.6

Welcome to the vinyl guide.

0:32.4

The podcast for record collectors and music nerds.

0:35.4

Here's your host, the biggest record nerd of them all, Nate Goyer.

0:38.8

Well, hey, everyone, it's Nate.

0:40.9

Welcome to episode 497 of the Final Guide, the podcast for record collectors and music nerds.

0:47.4

And I'm on the road again.

0:49.4

I'm here in Austin, Texas, getting ready for the Austin Record Convention.

0:56.2

It is going to be sweet.

1:01.1

I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. I can't wait to get out there and start saying hi to folks and digging through the records and finding some goodies. And I hope if you're

1:06.2

in Austin as well, we were able to connect. I could be easily distracted with a beer and barbecue,

1:11.7

but towards the end of the day, please. Anyway, I'm going to make this upfront rather quick,

1:16.2

but I got to tell you, I'm very excited about this episode because this is a gentleman I've always

1:21.5

wanted to have on the show. In fact, I did a quick search of my emails, and I have been

1:26.0

trying to get a hold of this guy for going on about three years now.

1:29.8

One of my favorite bands of the 2000s, McCluskey.

...

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