In an exciting update for fans of music history, the podcast No Dogs in Space has made its return with a brand new season titled Punk 2.0. After a two-year hiatus, hosts Carolina Hidalgo and Marcus Parks have resumed their exploration of punk music, launching this season with a focus on the legendary band, the New York Dolls. The season opener debuted this week and is especially significant to Hidalgo, who shares a connection to the band through her Staten Island roots and its frontman, David Johansen.
In this latest season, Hidalgo and Parks aim to revisit the fundamentals of their storytelling. Their emphasis on punk rock stems from a realization of their expertise in this genre, with Parks remarking on their desire to expand their narrative scope, even considering subjects as broad as Beethoven. However, they have concluded that the most compelling stories reside within punk rock, where the history often reveals “art school kids fucking around,” simplifying the narrative down to relatable human experiences.
The delay in releasing the new season was influenced by several factors; primarily, the hosts faced challenges with their initial concepts. Their first idea centered around the DC punk scene. Hidalgo shared with The Verge that their initial plans included in-depth looks at the Bad Brains but encountered problematic aspects of their history, such as the band’s homophobic tendencies. This prompted a reevaluation of their approach.
Subsequently, the duo attempted to encapsulate the entire DC punk scene, a task that Hidalgo warns was overly ambitious. Parks described how the scope of their project kept expanding, encompassing significant acts outside the DC scene like Chuck Brown and the go-go genre. Ultimately, after eight months of research, they acknowledged that combining all these stories proved unfeasible, leading to the delightful conclusion that they can explore Link Wray in a two-part series set for release later this year.
Among the captivating diversions during their work, Hidalgo unearthed a fascination with Mott the Hoople, famous for the David Bowie hit, “All the Young Dudes.” She noted that their lead singer, Ian Hunter, rose to fame from humble beginnings, illustrating the power of serendipity in the music industry.
Parks, too, has dedicated much of his attention to Jackie Curtis, a drag queen who played a significant role in shaping punk aesthetics. His anecdotes about Curtis reflect the vibrant, often chaotic interplay of personalities that defined the punk scene.
These explorations amplify the appeal of No Dogs in Space. The hosts embrace their deep-seated passions, with Parks stating, “Obsession really is, it is kind of our superpower.” Both have recently reported being diagnosed with autism, seeing this as a reinforcement of their unique perspective and dedication in storytelling.
For those new to the series, starting with the episodes focused on the New York Dolls offers a solid introduction. However, the show’s comprehensive coverage of influential bands like the Replacements, Dead Kennedys, and Joy Division should not be overlooked. Listeners can now catch the episodes not only on traditional platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, but also as full video episodes on YouTube for the first time.
Editor’s Take
The return of No Dogs in Space with its latest season signifies a revitalization of interest in punk culture and music history. For audiences and industry followers, the engaging narrative style combined with deep dives into lesser-known figures adds a rich texture to the punk genre’s legacy. This could inspire a resurgence in similar storytelling formats, offering new opportunities for learning and exploration in the music landscape.
Source: www.theverge.com
