mission of burma

This week we are talking about Boston band Mission of Burma and their 1981 EP / mini LP Signals, Calls, and Marches.

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Songs featured on this episode:

Jawbox - Jackpot Plus

Mission of Burma - That's When I Reach for My Revolver

Misssion of Burma - This is Not a Photograph

Mission of Burma - Outlaw

Now for something a little different. Justin and Dylan each choose their 10 favorite albums of 1982 to discuss.patreon.com/punklottopod

Call our voicemail line: 202-688-PUNK

Leave us a review and rating.

linktr.ee/punklottopod

Songs featured on this episode:

Jawbox - Jackpot Plus

The Fall - Jawbone and the Air-Rifle

Dexys Midnight Runners - Let's Make This Precious

XTC - No Thugs in Our House

The Stalin - Romantist

The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way

Adam Ant - Goody Two Shoes

Devo - Peek A Boo!

Stiff Little Fingers - Won't Be Told

The Faith - Face to Face

Void - Time to Die

Oingo Boingo - Private Life

Bad Brains - Big Take Over

The Damned - Ignite

Siouxie and the Banshees - Green Fingers

The Go-Go's - Vacation

Dead Kennedys - Halloween

A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song

Gun Club - Brother and Sister

X- The Hungry Wolf

Mission of Burma - New Nails

The English Beat - Save It for Later

Mission of Burma has been called, and we quote, "...one of the most important American rock bands of the last 20 years." That quote may be a bit dated, as now it may be 40 years, but either way, Clint Conley may find that to be hyperbole. But the fact remains that bands like The Pixies, Pearl Jam, Moby, REM, Nirvana and Throwing Muses (to name just a few) list Burma as a major influence, it is hard to argue with that moniker.

In 1979, bass player Clint Conley, along with guitarist Roger Miller, drummer Peter Prescott and the “visually unobtrusive” Martin Swope got together to create this seminal Boston band that was part of a post-punk rock scene that inspired so many. Famous for their live performance and ear piercing volume, the amazing part of the story is that they released only an EP called Signals, Calls, and Marches in 1981 which had the fantastic track Academy Fight Song that was covered by REM and then one full LP in 1982 called VS., then took a 22-year hiatus before releasing their later works. 

Clint did not rest on his laurels, although he may argue that he had no laurels to rest on. He went on to get a Masters degree in broadcast journalism and ended up at Boston’s newsmagazine program Chronicle as a producer.  He later formed his own band called Consonant and produced Yo La Tengo’s debut album, but lately has been focused on family, letting go of his vinyl collection, and enjoying life in the burbs.

Clint is a fantastic guy, funny, self-deprecating but very thoughtful and certainly seems very content.  We had a great conversation.

Boston native Mark Kates is the founder of Fenway Recordings and manages several bands, including MGMT, The Cribs, Mission of Burma, Doves, Swim Mountain and KUNZITE.

He had been in the biz since he was a kid, signing a who’s who of bands over the years including Beck, Jawbreaker, Elastica, Alabama 3.

When working for Geffen, he brought them Sonic Youth and also worked with Nirvana, Hole, Teenage Fanclub, XTC, Siouxsie and the Banshees, White Zombie. The list is CRAZY. 

Oh yeah, and he also ran the Beastie Boys record label Grand Royal Records. 

We could go on and on, but suffice it to say he has topped himself by sitting with Ronnie and I for a conversation that runs the gamut.