Superchunk has been making music for almost a quarter of a century, and are touring in support of their tenth studio album, I Hate Music. I got a chance to talk with Mac McCaughan and see them play at the Grey Eagle in Asheville with opening act The Parting Gifts, with Greg Cartwright of The Reigning Sound and Oblivians alongside Floating Action's Brian Landrum and The Ettes' Coco Hames and Jem Cohen.
The name of the album is born out of the loss of a close friend of the band, and is the opening line of one of its songs, the standout track "Me & You & Jackie Mittoo". In Episode 239, Mac talks about this song, the genesis of the new album as well as the video for "Me & You & Jackie Mittoo". I realized after our brief interview that there was a lot more to talk about: how guitarist Jim Wilbur now lives in Asheville, about drummer Jon Wurster's rising profile as a stand-up comic, and Laura Ballance's inability to tour because of her damaged hearing, for starters. Next time, perhaps. But for now, enjoy my chat with Mac and check out the band’s new video here. -Joe Kendrick