Episode 51: Steve Sladkowski – PUP
PUP. Credit: Vanessa Heins
Listen to the Trusty Chords podcast via your preferred platform of choice here.
For 15 years now, Canadian outfit PUP have been defying the concept that their name stands for a Pathetic Use of Potential and have been proving all and sundry wrong as they travel around the world with their unique blend of alt-rock and punk.
Formed in 2010 as Topanga, PUP issued their self-titled album in 2013, with The Dream Is Over following just a few years later. Records like Morbid Stuff and The Unravelling Of PUPTheBand have since cemented their status as consistent, reliable purveyors of stellar music, and their live shows have cemented them as favourites amongst lovers of the genre.
This year, May 2nd, to be precise, PUP release their fifth album, Who Will Look After The Dogs?. As I usually say, it's a brilliant record, and it's one that is undeniably worth your time. Things get even better too, because in just a few short months, they'll be back visiting Australia as part of their global tour plans.
This week, I was lucky enough to be joined by PUP guitarist Steve Sladkowski, who was kind enough to talk about music for far longer than we were supposed to. In honour of his appearance, we're also briefly rebranding the podcast in honour of PUP's 2022 song 'Four Chords.' (Not really, but hey, I'd be remiss not to take the opportunity!)
Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out PUP's Who Will Look After The Dogs?, and once you’re done doing that, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.
Steve Sladkowski’s Trusty Chords
Steve’s One Influential Artist
Wilco
Steve’s Three Impactful Albums
Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue (1959)
Wilco – Sky Blue Sky (2007)
Ray Charles – Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music (1962)
Steve’s Five Trusty Songs
Bill Frisell – 'Go Jake' (1997)
John Newton – 'Amazing Grace' (1779) (We’re keeping this off Spotify because how do you pick a cover of this one?)
Neil Young – 'Unknown Legend' (1992)
Joni Mitchell – 'River' (1971)
William Basinski – 'The Disintegration Loops' (2002) (Technically this is an album, but we’re going with the opening track for the playlist!)
