San Diego's rising rock trio Slacker helped launch the pilot phase of the new KPBS Music Series with a live performance — loud, joyful and a little chaotic in the best way, but played with real precision and skill. Dressed in button-down shirts and ties, the band tore through their songs on the KPBS patio as the lunchtime crowd cheered.
We sat down with the band right after their set to talk about where their music comes from — the friendships (and burritos) that built it and the feelings behind their biggest songs. They also share how they recorded their debut album in a legendary San Diego studio using a bass guitar once played by one of the city's most famous bands.
It's a story about finding connection, growing together and turning shared experiences into music that feels personal, powerful and magical.
Guests:
Slacker: Jp Houle (singer/guitar), Avery Nelson (bass guitar/backup vocals) and Sam Hockaday (drums)
Mentioned in this episode:
- Big Fish Recording Studio | Encinitas recording studio where Blink-182 made their 1997 breakthrough album "Dude Ranch"
- Velvet worms | ancient invertebrates with soft, velvety skin and tiny limbs that shoot slime to catch prey
Sources:
- Israel: White Phosphorus Used in Gaza, Lebanon (Human Rights Watch, 2023)
- Israel denies using white phosphorus munitions in Gaza (Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, 2023)
- Tiny desk, big talent: Our favorite San Diego artists from this year's contest (Julia Dixon Evans, Anthony Wallace, Ben Redlawsk, Brenden Tuccinardi and Katie Anastas, KPBS, 2025)
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or abuse, confidential help is available 24 hours a day. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or visit https://online.rainn.org to chat with a trained staff member.
From KPBS Public Media, The Finest is a podcast about the people, art and movements redefining culture in San Diego. Listen to it wherever you get your podcasts or click the play button at the top of this page and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, Pandora, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
Have feedback or a story idea? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at thefinest@kpbs.org and let us know what you think.