Part 1 of my conversation with guest Jay Breitling about our favorite music of the year so far.

Show notes:

• Pixies played "surprise show" at TT the Bear's

• Cambridge club is closing after 40+ years

• A primer on the Boston rock club scene

• Free Converse shows were a bummer for those of us who couldn't get tickets

• Van Halen talk continues with Eddie slagging DLR and Michael Anthony

• JB: Indie bands move beyond the '90s guitar rock sound

• Speedy Ortiz explored different textures on new album

• Nice work, Insound

• JK: Reunited bands with good new releases: Sleater-Kinney, Swervedriver and Faith No More

• JB: Pile's new album has a live feel to it

• Hard to categorize Pile

• To be continued

Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Find out more about Senor Breitling at his fine music blog Clicky Clicky. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.