Episode 38: The Mystery of Sperry Feat. Eugene Robinson (Oxbow, Whipping Boy), Nathan Carter (artist) and Jeremy Adkins (Bay Area Punk)

Episode 38 is a BONUS companion follow-up further exploring the mystery of late 80’s / early 90’s Bay Area writer, spoken word artist, musician and Rollins doppelgänger Mark Sperry. A topic introduced in episode 36 by Jason and guest Martin Sprouse. It seems the two are not alone in their enduring fascination with the lengths Sperry went to in that era to fully adopt the style, attitude, sound and even tattoos very similar to those of Henry Rollins. The homage was so complete it transcended mere influence and entered the realm of performance art. Many questions came up about Sperry’s philosophy, self awareness, and intention behind the project. After the episode aired Jason heard from several listeners about their experiences with Sperry and shares some of their stories here in Ep 38. The first guest is old school Bay Area punk, musician and stand-up comic Jeremy Adkins, who like his friend Sperry was a Rollins devotee at the time, but not nearly to the same extent. He then speaks with Brooklyn based artist Nathan Carter about his experience playing bass at two practices with Sperry’s band Third Rail in the early 90’s. The episode closes with a genuine punk rock legend, author, musician Eugene S. Robinson (Oxbow, Whipping Boy) who shares some stories and impressions of his one time friend and sometime collaborator. Not all questions are answered but some light is shed on an artist who confounded and inspired sometimes in equal measure the select few who were aware of his prolific output at that very specific place and time the was the Bay Area at the start of the 90's. Nathan Carter's Art Nathan Carter instagram Eugene S. Robinson OZY editor at large Eugene S. Robinson Oxbow Jeremy Adkins instagram Sperry's band Third Rail Music: Third Rail 'Losing it' TM pod theme by Jason