Ep520: Toody Cole - The Legacy of Dead Moon

Toody Cole of Dead Moon discusses their vinyl rarities, the DIY ethic of the band, owning a mono cutting lathe, refusing major labels, inspiring a generation of musicians around the world. DeadMoonUSA.com | Zipper LP Reissue | Melbourne 2025 shows Topics Include: Toody Cole rushing to airport to retrieve guitar from Spain before Australian tour November 2025 Melbourne shows - jumping on Jenny Don't and the Spurs tour dates First time in New Zealand described as most fun tour ever - prehistoric landscapes Missed Nirvana tour opportunity due to Fred's rule: never cancel committed gigs Fred restored a 1954 mono cutting lathe from pieces using xeroxed manual Machine had tubes like mason jars that dimmed house lights when powered up First 45 cut on the lathe was "Hey Joe" and "Parchment Farm" The Weeds played Vegas Teen Beat Club in the hullabaloo/shindig TV era Teen Beat Records pressing was probably only 300-500 copies maximum Fred never owned original Weeds single - got it back from younger sister Lollipop Shop nightmare: Fred sold publishing for $1, forced into pink sweater Manager claimed Fred Cole was stage name, real name "Freddy Colletti" - totally false Zipper lived in their house, practiced in basement - "70s butt rock" era Captain Whizeagle store name came from Fred's children's story about Snake Troopers 1970 Yukon homesteading attempt broke down outside Whitehorse, changed everything Dead Moon started after splitting business partnership, opening Tombstone Music in 1986 Kelly Manahan drew logo through dozen iterations - Fred kept demanding "gnarlier!" Fred hand-cut moon into graveyard photo for first album cover artwork All early Dead Moon records were mono because lathe couldn't cut stereo Major labels approached during grunge explosion - Fred refused after Lollipop Shop experience Seattle grunge bands were young kids attending Dead Moon's late-80s shows Fred embarrassed by "godfather of grunge" label despite obvious influence on scene Everything DIY: owned stores, cut masters, designed covers, kept all control Portland celebrates Dead Moon Night annually on October 5th with cover bands Fred handpicked songs for Echoes compilation - now 4LP vinyl box set 2017 final European tour with Fred already sick from bone cancer Fred passed November 2017 leaving unfinished songs Toody can only hear mentally House is unofficial Dead Moon museum: lathe, stampers, posters, worn cowboy boots New documentary coming with backstage footage showing band's view of audiences Toody's favorite Dead Moon song "My Escape" was never performed live High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide Apple: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon Support the show at Patreon.com/VinylGuide