Courted by Adam Ant—a relationship from which they politely withdrew when he suggested hiring a studio band to re-record their songs—and noted by John Peel, Animals & Men were positioned to take whatever version of fame and fortune the first wave of U.K. post-punk had to offer. Founders Ralph Mitchard and Susan Wells speak before their first-ever L.A. show this Thursday. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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In the preface to The Order of Things, Foucault recalls Borges’ description of a ‘certain Chinese encylopedia’s’ taxonomy of fauna (a. belonging to the emperor, b. embalmed … ) as a magically humorous interpretation of reality. Such is the interpretation offered by the Museum of Jurassic Technology. Founded and directed by David Wilson since its nomadic inception in ‘84, the Museum of Jurassic Technology needs not distinguish history from fantasy. Wilson’s collection investigates the whimsical with as much ardor as the technical, the old wive’s tale with as much nuance as the astrophysicist’s process. A walk through his Museum leads one from micro-miniature to 3-D, stereoscopic to X-ray, model to map to taxiderm— instilling within visitors a sense of wonder that endures far beyond the Museum’s doors, turning Culver City into another Borgesian Labyrinth. This interview by Drew Denny.

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Entire island ecosystems arise, corrupt, decay and disappear within the generous lifespan of Yo La Tengo, the New Jersey three-piece who reinvent endlessly what an independent American rock band is supposed to do—play Flamin’ Groovies songs in heaven, for instance. Guitarist/singer Ira Kaplan speaks very early in the morning. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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The girls in the Raincoats have covered the Monks, but didn’t originally know the Monks possibly because they were so much like the Monks—formed perfectly from nothing and destined to disappear too quickly and leave anyone who discovered them later wondering how they’d ever happened in the first place. They play their first-ever Los Angeles show on October 11 at the Part Time Punks fest. This interview by Kevin Ferguson.

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Os Mutantes decided everything was possible and tried to prove it. Low End Theory resident and Blank Blue guitarist Nobody (Elvin Estela) speaks with Mutantes co-founder Sérgio Baptista about helicopters, honesty and the brand-new Mutantes album Haih.

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Rhett Miller and the Old 97’s have probably seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night on several occasions, and they return to earth when whim and inspiration combine to release albums of distinct and considered country-style rock ‘n’ roll. Miller—who is opening for his own band with a set from his new solo album—speaks now about writing a song while little children shriek all around him. This interview by Thomas McMahon.

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While there are some ‘80s bands that should call it quits and put their leather pants in a museum, there are a few making a natural comeback. If it weren’t for Nirvana, perhaps the Vaselines would have never played again, or maybe it would have taken another decade to revive the Scottish twee-pop band from its slumber. But Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee are back with advice on how to grow up. This interview by Daiana Feuer.

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