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Ep336: Mario Lalli & The California Desert Rock Scene

Mario Lalli has been a pioneering voice in the California Desert Rock scene, from throwing generator parties to founding bands like Yawning Man, Fatso Jetson & Across The River and inspiring hundreds of others. Today Mario shares stories and perspective of the high times in the low desert.

Topics include:

  • Interview start

  • Is Mario a record collector?

  • His early years, family tastes and music

  • Mario working on album art and projects

  • His parents going from Opera Singers to restaurant owners

  • Mario and his 1st band moving to LA & lessons learned

  • The genesis of the Desert Generator Parties

  • What were early lessons that were learnt the hard way

  • Dealing is a-holes at the generator parties

  • The music at the Generator Parties

  • The ugliest generator party (police, injuries, arrests, etc)

  • When did the desert music scene start attracting record labels and entertainment companies?

  • “Do well but don’t do too well”

  • The challenges of succeeding but not meeting other people’s expectations

  • Example: The way Nirvana reacted to success

  • Enabling the music scene through facilitating parties

  • Does Mario have control of all his music?

  • What are they reissuing from the CD-only releases for Fatso Jetson

  • Does he know where all the multitrack and master tapes are?

  • What happened with Across the River and SST Records?

  • Interview wrap up

Extended interview available here: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Yawning Man “Rock Formations” vinyl | Fatso Jetson Vinyl

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About The Vinyl Guide

If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.