Punk Rock Academic

12/10/2024

Here's the youtube for Punk Rock Academic episode #9 with Dr. Sam Maynard PhD of School Drugs. They're a super rad current band that channels the 80s hardcore spirit of bands like Dead Kennedys & Negative Approach, but the man is also a Political Science professor with a PhD from University of Oxford.

We're talking about the intersection between working in academia and touring in a rad hardcore punk band.

https://youtu.be/wNx3eKOXR28

*links to audio in comments*

Ahoy hoy! Punk Rock Academic Episode 9!This episode features Sam Maynard, PhD. Sam is currently teaching history at a prestigious New Jersey private school. ...

12/09/2024

Ahoy hoy! Punk Rock Academic Episode 9!

This episode features Sam Maynard, PhD. Sam is currently teaching history at a prestigious New Jersey private school. Prior to that he was adjunct faculty in the Political Science department at Monmouth University, teaching courses on International Relations and Latin American Policy, among others.

Prior to serving as faculty, Sam obtained his bachelor’s degree at Monmouth, followed by master’s from Georgetown University and a PhD from University of Oxford, with his research focused on comparative politics and democratization in Latin America.

Dr. Maynard also happens to be the guitarist for the New Jersey-based hardcore band, School Drugs. They have developed a significant following among devotees of that 80s hardcore sound.
School Drugs has toured extensively in the US, UK, and EU.

Sam is a truly punk rock academic. Let’s get into it!

*** Links in comments ***



Graphics by Dan Moilanen
Photo by ALL MY DAYS

12/03/2024

Alex' academic pathway. He took years off between the AS and BS to tour as a drummer in MarchFourth, which is a kinda hippie/ punk rock side show marching band with 20+ weirdos living in a bus around North America for weeks at a time. After his BS he worked as an electrical engineer in Hawai'i for years before starting his hybrid BS/ PhD program at Cornell.

2004 - Gull Lake HS (Diploma 2.1 GPA)
2005 - Kellogg Community College (Did not finish)
2010 - Portland Community College (AS - Liberal Arts *Honors*)
2017 - San Francisco State University (BS - Electrical Engineering 3.67 GPA)
2027? - Cornell University (MS/PhD - Agricultural Science)

Another weird mix of doing terrible in high school, moving away and playing in bands before going to community college in his 20s and doing better. Spending a few years playing music and travelling, and then graduating from college at 31. After working for a few years in a normal job, deciding to get the doctorate from a super prestigious school sometime in his 40s.

12/02/2024

Dallas' academic pathway. He got sober in 2013, which may play a sizable factor in success rates before and after.

2004 - Gull Lake HS (Diploma 1.9 GPA/ 3 months late)
2003 - Kalamazoo Valley CC (Did not finish)
2010 - Grand Rapids CC (Did not finish)
2018 - Honolulu Community College (AA - Liberal Arts 3.51 GPA)
2021 - University of Hawaii at Manoa (BA - Public Health 4.0 GPA)
2024 - Yale (MPH - Social & Behavioral Sciences No GPA)
~2028? - Wayne State (PhD - Sociology of Health & Illness)

Not sure if anybody else has ever gone to the weird combo of Uh Manoa, Yale University & Wayne State University, but it's been an interesting pathway for Dallas leading to starting his current doctoral program in Detroit at the age of 38.

11/29/2024

Black Flag friday specials!
We have shirts for $20 local/ $25 shipped in USA.

-mcculloch on venmo. Include size, and if it's local pickup or delivery, then address if I'm shipping it to you.
.. but message on here first if you have any questions and make sure we have your size and everything.

Bella Canvas soft shirts with sizes running from XS to 3X. Printed in Flint Michigan on US made materials. If you're in or around Detroit we can bring them to you. For $5 we can ship it in the USA. These are actually nice shirts that are comfortable, not some boxy and uncomfortable tees.

If you're foreign, I can look into shipping, but it's probably brutal. Canadians may be fine since Dallas lives 10 minutes from the border, so he may be able to do a duty free/ shipping shirts run in Windsor.

❤️ & 😘,
Alex & Dallas, punk rock academic fashionistas

11/28/2024

Who would you like to see on the podcast? Tag them or their bands and let us know about their bands/ degrees/ high education affiliation, etc.

We need people who have background in some sort of punk adjacent scene and some background in higher education.

Generally we've been doing bands that tour and have some following, but we'd be open to smaller bands we may not know if the person has a cool story. Big tours and albums around the world generally seems more exciting than playing covers at the Holiday Inn bar every other Thursday, but we're open to ideas.

So far everybody has had at least a graduate degree, but we'd be open to dropouts or people with a bachelors or whatever if they're interesting.

We have quite a few episodes lined up and/or recorded, but this will be helpful further down the line to have some ideas.

11/27/2024

Here we go! Punk Rock Academic Episode 8!

Today we’re chatting with John Peck, MA. John is a writer, editor, content manager, and co-owner of Volta Press, a letterpress print studio and underground publisher that he founded with his wife. He has published fiction, essays, and humor in a wide variety of journals and anthologies, and has even spent over a decade lending his talents to the video game industry.

A native of Berkeley, CA, John received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English from Stanford University. His thesis on James Joyce’s Ulysses focused on language as a modernist refiguring of the Christian concept of incarnation, with acclaimed Irish poet Eavan Boland as his advisor.

You may have also heard John as the bassist for the band American Steel since the mid-90s. They released 2 albums with Lookout Records!, then went on hiatus in 2002. During that time, John formed the indie/post-punk band Communiqué, also on Lookout!

American Steel reformed in 2007, putting out two more full lengths on Fat Wreck Chords, and have recently begun performing again after another hiatus during the pandemic.

Without further ado…let’s get into it!

Graphics by Dan Moilanen
Photo by Todd Fixler

*Links in comments*

11/25/2024

Listen to all 7 episodes we've done so far! More coming soon, but catch up on the back episodes.

#7 - Dr. CJ Uy II PhD - (Kill Lincoln/ James Madison University)
#6 - Dr. Greg Chance-Taylor PsyD (ex- MakeWar/ Holy Mountain)
#5 - Toni LaMantia MA (The Abruptors)
#4 - Mark Petz MPNA (Mustard Plug)
#3 - Royce Nunley JD (ex- The Su***de Machines)
#2 - Dr. Michael Bishop PhD (GWAR)
#1 - Dr. Steve Lamos PhD (American Football/ University of Colorado)

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gMqMKNpQlriNUNseTBdfR?si=b80c8f12c23f4495

Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/punk-rock-academic/id1750556368

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e26874e2-c22c-4b25-bd83-9bedb69120db/punk-rock-academic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/

11/14/2024

Alex Yore loves five things in life.

1 - Hot sauce
2 - shirts from trucks stops with eagles or wolves or panthers and s**t, possibly with lightning too.
3 - Latin jazz/ Cuban percussion
4 - crossover hardcore/ thrash metal
5 - hot interviews!

Hes all set on the first 4, so we're recording a couple more episodes this Tuesday to fulfill #5, and they will be awesome. One of them is for the fans of 90s/ early 2000s era beardy gruff punk scene, and the other is 80s style hardcore revival from a currently active band.

In the meantime, check out our older episodes and the newest one with Cj Uy from

Academic nerds are all over the world of Punk, hardcore, ska, metal, indie, etc. And we'll keep bringing them to you.

11/13/2024

Here's the video of our interview with Dr. CJ Uy PhD from Kill Lincoln.

https://youtu.be/z6wogGB_73A

(The video for Dallas was messing up, so he has been replaced by a photo for his parts. Deal with it.)

And the audio is always available too at:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3TdyMH8G0ItJ57xqbnXzkU?si=ec854f9a02d440e2

Apple Music:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/punk-rock-academic-ep-7-dr-cj-uy-ii-phd-kill-lincoln/id1750556368?i=1000676675832

Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e26874e2-c22c-4b25-bd83-9bedb69120db/episodes/74f6f3b1-80ca-4112-aec2-c6f259a29317/punk-rock-academic-punk-rock-academic-ep-7-dr-cj-uy-ii-phd-kill-lincoln-james-madison-university

All right! Punk Rock Academic, Episode 7!This time we’re talking with Dr. CJ Uy II, PhD. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Religion at James Madison...

11/12/2024

All right! Punk Rock Academic, Episode 7!

This time we’re talking with Dr. CJ Uy II, PhD. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Religion at James Madison University in the Shenandoah Valley.

His work focuses on medieval Sufism and Islamic philosophy, and explores some very deep topics like what it means to “know”.

He has an impressive CV, starting with a BA from Yale University Department of Religious Studies, followed by an M.Phil from University of Cambridge. He also holds an MA degree from Stanford University and a PhD from Brown University Department of Religious studies.

Aside from his academic pursuits, CJ also plays bass in the DC-based Bad Time Records ska-core band, Kill Lincoln. They have developed a strong following through years of touring and recording and have played with the likes of Streetlight Manifesto, The Slackers Band, Less Than Jake, and Reel Big Fish. CJ first started with the band back in 2015 and became a full-fledged member in 2018.

I hope you’re all as stoked to hear from him as we are!
Let’s get into it.
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3TdyMH8G0ItJ57xqbnXzkU?si=0b506a2dff3e473e

Apple Music:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/punk-rock-academic-ep-7-dr-cj-uy-ii-phd-kill-lincoln/id1750556368?i=1000676675832

Amazon:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e26874e2-c22c-4b25-bd83-9bedb69120db/episodes/74f6f3b1-80ca-4112-aec2-c6f259a29317/punk-rock-academic-punk-rock-academic-ep-7-dr-cj-uy-ii-phd-kill-lincoln-james-madison-university

YouTube:
https://youtu.be/z6wogGB_73A

Or listen about anywhere else you enjoy podcasts.



Artwork by Dan Moilanen
Photo by Rae Mystic

10/29/2024

This link is to that time Yale School of Public Health let Dallas take over their instragram for the day and get questions.

Pretty killer soundtrack involving The Dopamines, The Clash, Descendents, MakeWar, With Honor, Hot Water Music, and Buck-O-Nine. Probably the first time those bands have ever been played by an official Yale University outlet.

See Instagram 'Dallas' highlights from Yale School of Public Health ()

10/15/2024

I forgot to post the video of us interviewing Toni from The Abruptors. The audio had been up for some time, but dropped the ball.

Take a watch, and then listen to their new single on Asian Man Records.

Episode #5 with Toni LaMantia MA from The Abruptors (Asian Man Records)Hello and welcome once again to Punk Rock Academic! We’ve had a little gap in programm...

10/09/2024

New Episode of Punk Rock Academic

Dr. Gregory Chance-Taylor PsyD
ex- MakeWar & The Holy Mountain

Punk Rock Academic Episode 6!Today we have Dr. Greg Chance-Taylor, PsyD. He is a Dr. of clinical psychology, currently finishing up his residency in Portland...

10/08/2024

OK! Punk Rock Academic Episode 6!

Today we have Dr. Greg Chance-Taylor, PsyD. He is a Dr. of clinical psychology, currently finishing up his residency in Portland, OR. He got a BA in psychology from The New School and his PsyD from Pacific University.

Like many drummers, Greg has played in a lot of bands. He toured and recorded an album with Mischief Brew on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles Records label. He also played in The Holy Mountain, a No Idea Records band from the early aughts. Most recently he’s played with MakeWar on the Fat Wreck Chords.

We discuss Skrillex, Against All Authority, Anarchism, Youth Group, Psychology, Florida Man, North Lincoln, and so much more.

Quite the impressive resume, doctor. Let’s get into it!

Available on Spotify, Apple Music, Stitcher, and most other places people listen to podcasts.
*Links in comments*

09/18/2024

We've been silent, but we have more episodes coming soon.

Here's a recent photo of Alex, who is outstanding in his field. He's finished with the coursework for his MS in Ag Science from Cornell University, but has been busy with gathering research for his PhD. Harvest season is a busy time for Agricultural Scientists, especially when they're also working as teaching fellows. Things will be slowing down a bit soon, and we'll have more time for recreational things like Punk Rock Academic.

Dallas finished his MPH from Yale School of Public Health last May. Now he is back from a 2 month European tour, and has settled in Detroit. He has started his PhD in Sociology of Health & Illness from Wayne State University while also staying busy playing in The Write-Ups.

Keep posted. There are cool interviews ahead.

08/09/2024

Episode #5 with Toni LaMantia MA from The Abruptors (Asian Man Records)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Ca1FHXO1AAvwuoSJUDd9p?si=fa2cb4d641ed4179 (or available on apple music, amazon, stitcher, etc.)

Hello and welcome once again to Punk Rock Academic! We’ve had a little gap in programming, but here we are with Episode 5, and this one’s a real treat!

This time we’ll be chatting with Toni LaMantia, MA. Toni received her Bachelors in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods from University at Buffalo. She also holds an Advanced Certificate in Applied Statistical Methods, also from University of Buffalo, and is taking programming courses through Cornell University (home of our very own Alex Yore!)

She is currently employed by Tesla, using her background in educational and statistics to lead a team in their Vision AI program. You can also catch her singing and playing saxophone and keys with The Abruptors, a Buffalo, NY-based ska band. The Abruptors are signed to the renowned Asian Man Records, and maintain an impressive tour schedule, playing with such legends as Mustard Plug and The Slackers.

As if that weren’t enough, Toni is also a mother, so we’re really grateful she could make time to talk with us and share her story. Let’s get into it!

We'll discuss Big D and the Kids Table, baby goats, Chris Graue, bringing a newborn on tour with Mustard Plug, MIKE PARK, My Chemical Romance, and much more.

07/08/2024

Summer update!

Dallas McCulloch is tour managing MakeWar in Europe and then out with Mustard Plug right afterward. Scheduling interviews has been tricky with this schedule, but the last episode with Mark from Mustard Plug was done from Germany, and more episodes are set to be recorded next Monday, and should be out in a couple weeks.

Meanwhile, Alex is finishing up his masters thesis at Cornell University this summer, so he has been fairly busy. By the time next semester starts he will be Alexander Yore, MS as he furthers his voyage towards acquiring his PhD.

So keep posted, and we'll have some more episodes coming in the next couple of weeks, but it's moving a bit slower now than when we're both living a more normal life with wifi and in the same time zone.