Hank Williams, Jr. has had a lot to long for–a dead famous father, an accident that left him scarred and forced to wear his trademark beard, hat, and sunglasses at all times, and he must be upset that all his “rowdy friends” in country music are actually liberal pinkos who love prisoners, government programs, and true American freedoms, i.e. Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, the late Johnny Cash, you name it.

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We met up with Busdriver at a coffee shop in Silverlake to discuss the future, the present, and the bits of past that stick around like gum on the bottom of your shoes. His newest Jhelli Beam is out now on Anti-. This interview by Daiana Feuer.

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The Mekons lived Leeds but dreamed Texas and Tennessee and after finding their feet in first-wave punk songs like “Where Were You,” they left the world of Rough Trade for the open range. They are working on a new album tentatively called 100 Years and singer-guitarist-activist Jon Langford speaks as he takes his dog to the vet. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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shooting bruce la bruce from paul rodriguez on vimeo L.A. RECORD photographer Paul Rodriguez sends this behind-the-scenes video documenting the Bruce LaBruce photo shoot for our July 2009 issue. Read the interview here.

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Bruce LaBruce is ready to leave the blood behind but not without one final splatter. A self-described “reluctant pornographer,” Bruce’s films feature as many romantic moments as they do scenes of explicit sex. For every gut- or stump-fuck, there is a glance or line so heartfelt I can’t help but think Bruce LaBruce’s sincerity is his most dangerous weapon. Interview by Drew Denny and video by Paul Rodriguez here.

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Dance music and electronica produce a great many ephemeral acts, but Crystal Method’s debut Vegas placed Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland at a seemingly permanent place at the pinnacle of both genres. Divided by Night is the first studio album in five years, with scads of guest stars doing cameo appearances. This interview by Ron Garmon.

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Ya Ho Wha 13 were the band formed out of the pre-dawn practice sessions that served also as morning meditation for the Source Family, the L.A.-area religious sect that ran their own health food restaurant during the ‘70s. Drag City has collected nine unreleased songs for this month’s Magnificence in the Memory. This interview by Dan Collins.

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Femi Kuti is the son of Fela and the righteous leader of his own Positive Force. He speaks now just days after the Nigerian government shut down the Shrine, the historic venue that was the birthplace of Afrobeat. This interview by Chris Ziegler.

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Though Sweden’s economy is in as much trouble as ours, TSOOL wasn’t bashful about releasing their latest effort Communion—a discussion of the corporate mass psychosis that has slowly taken over the world—as an epic 90-minute double-CD. Ebbot, Ian and Mattias chat with Linda Rapka about their album.

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Extra Golden started when a graduate-studies project grew into a part-American-part-African benga band in Kenya and recently won notice for their particularly timely song “Obama,” which is about the president and not the beer. Their Thank You Very Quickly is out now on Thrill Jockey. This interview by Kevin Ferguson.

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