Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Toody Cole (instagram.com/deadmoonpdx/) of Dead Moon (https://www.deadmoonusa.com) 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 (https://www.DeadMoonUSA.com) | Zipper LP Reissue (discogs.com/release/28565695-Zipper-Zipper) | Melbourne 2025 shows (facebook.com/ontheloose.au)


Topics Include:


• Toody Cole rushing to airport to retrieve guitar from Spain before Australian tour

• November 2025 Melbourne shows (instagram.com/ontheloose.au/) - 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: Patreon.com/VinylGuide (patreon.com/VinylGuide)


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