Episode 13: Don Ankrom (Pitchfork, Frenchy)

The conversation begins with Jason and Don's introduction at “the weirdo wall’ of San Dieguito High School in the mid 80’s and from there they go backwards and forwards to put together a picture of their enduring friendship and Don’s biographical timeline. Don was a founding member of Pitchfork, a band that helped define the post-‘Slow Death’ San Diego post-hardcore era. He talks about forming the band with John Reis and Rick Froberg at this transitional period as they sought alternatives to the violence plagued scene that came before. Among the many blanks the two fill in we learn Jason played a small role in launching Don's life of music making when he sold him his first bass guitar. Another revelation is Don’s recollection of he and Jason's shared transformative experience in the free-form ‘Epistemics’ class of visionary high school teacher Neil Merritt who was the prime inspiration for Jason's early departure from school to go on tour with 7 Seconds. In addition to these stories they talk about tribal/ecstatic/trance-punk pioneers Crash Worship, the influence of Lou’s Records on the North County music scene, Rick Froberg’s fanzine Subculture and much more. Music: TM theme by Jason Pitchfork: Sinking Crash Worship: live performance