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John McCrea of CAKE discusses their elusive catalogue on vinyl, rarities of the band, upcoming Australian tour, new recordings, record nerdery and more.
Tickets & info on CAKE's Australian tour is here
Topics Include:
John McCrae discusses collecting records, revisiting old favorites like Perez Prado
He describes "chasing goosebumps" — the feeling of rediscovering great music
Shares vivid teenage memory seeing Led Zeppelin at Knebworth, England
Recalls dancing to washing machine rinse cycles as a toddler
Names early formative records: Beatles, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie
His parents played accordion and folk guitar, shaping his musicality
Discusses his dad's Eastern European minor-key accordion versus polka music
Talks about "Rancho Seco," his first recorded song, a protest track
Song addressed a nuclear plant illegally releasing radioactive steam locally
Connects Dylan influence and poets to his built-in social justice streak
Reflects on growing up near Sacramento, Berkeley, and Nevada City, California
Compares old Bay Area culture to today's flashier Silicon Valley wealth
Describes Cake's early '90s formation, self-financed four-song EP release
EP funded through show earnings and merch, later expanded into album
Album got European distribution and unexpected early popularity in France
"Rock and Roll Lifestyle" got college radio play before wider fame
Cake signed to Capricorn Records, a small Southern rock label
East Bay Ray advised McCrea to fight for keeping album masters
McCrae says most bands don't retain their masters like Cake did
Vinyl of Cake albums historically hard to find, tied up licensing
Discusses 2014 box set now reselling for $700–$1,000 secondhand
New Cake album is finished, awaiting mixing, targeted early 2027
Explains he avoids forced album themes, focuses song by song
Reflects on why Cake albums come infrequently, citing family, industry fatigue
Criticizes modern music industry as increasingly exploitative and financially unsustainable
Explains reduced touring due to travel dislike and environmental concerns
Considers eco-friendly vinyl options and shifting kids' preference toward CDs
Discusses Cake's DIY visual identity, homemade posters, and lino-cut aesthetic
Talks rare live vinyl pressings, including $300 Crystal Palace release
Wraps up promoting Cake's Australian tour dates and Sydney ticket sales
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About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.