Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Dylan Carlson formed Earth in Olympia, Washington, in 1989. Centered on Carlson’s guitar work, the band helped shape drone metal through slow tempos, sustained tones, heavy distortion, and repetition rather than traditional riffs or fast-playing. Their 1993 release, Earth 2: Special Low-Frequency Version, became a foundational record for the genre.
Following albums such as Phase 3: Thrones and Dominions and Pentastar: In the Style of Demons, Earth went on hiatus in the late 1990s. Carlson restarted the project in the early 2000s with drummer Adrienne Davies. This new era retained Earth’s unhurried approach but introduced cleaner tones and influences from country, folk, jazz, and Western film scores.
Records including Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method and The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull showed how Earth evolved while keeping its signature sense of weight and restraint. Across its history, the band has remained distinctive for creating intensity through atmosphere, space, and patience.

* **00:00** - Intro & Welcome
* **01:06** - Reputation, Character, and Creating Your Own Luck
* **05:16** - Artistic Curiosity & Avoiding Being Pigeonholed
* **07:06** - The New Anthrax Video & Fighting a Chair
* **10:00** - Collaborating with Director Don Argott
* **15:06** - Filming in the Swamps & On-Set Hazards
* **20:34** - Working with Bonnie "Prince" Billy
* **25:07** - Live Performance, Subtlety, and Ensemble Playing
* **30:37** - Taking a Break from Drumming & Finding the Spark Again
* **36:40** - Transitioning to Acting & Working with The Adams Family (*The Glorious Dead*)
* **46:00** - The "Victory Lap" Career Phase
* **48:03** - Studio Work & Reconnecting with Glenn Danzig
* **58:30** - Danzig's Advice: Solo Record & Directing Debut (*Jack Shack*)
* **1:02:18** - Following the Muse & Musical Tastes
* **1:04:00** - Outro & Wrapping Up

The first 7 minutes we ever spoke years 5 plus ago and the last 7 seven minutes we spoke recently ....... gonna miss you Angry my friend!
0:00 – Introduction & the Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome costume story
00:46 – George Miller’s film archives & doing stunts as Ironbar
03:48 – Wearing the Ironbar costume in everyday life
04:15 – True Stories piece: Choosing fatherhood & family over rock stardom
06:32 – Australian phone service issues & shark humor
07:40 – Remembering Robin Williams & his comedic genius
10:57 – The value of true friendship & Thomas Moore’s Care of the Soul
12:50 – Reflections on life, aging, and accepting change with grace
14:38 – Lighthearted closing thoughts & shark jokes

00:00 Intro and Catching Up
01:53 The Future of Rose Tattoo: Writing and Recording
03:43 Physical Media vs. Digital: Why Records Still Matter
04:19 Thrifting for Art: Oscar Wilde and the Renaissance
06:27 Perception and Art: Finding Detail in the Layers
11:34 Evolving Perspectives: Seeing the World with Different Eyes
14:14 All the World’s a Stage: Shakespeare and the Great Actors
19:46 Modern Society: Power Outages and Social Issues
21:05 Mad Max as Prophecy: Social Commentary in Film
23:01 Dystopian Cinema: A Clockwork Orange and Deprogramming
26:08 Classic Dystopia: Blade Runner and 12 Monkeys
27:56 Memory, Aging, and Life Reminders
29:10 Therapy, Future Shock, and Personal Reflection
31:56 The Tragic Story of Tom Duca and "Bound for Glory"
33:06 Final Year of the Band and Future Touring
34:25 A Tribute to the Genius of Robin Williams
39:22 The Value of Friendship and "Care of the Soul"

00:00 – 2026/2027 Tour Plans, Festivals & Retirement Discussion
03:00 – Changes in the Live Music Scene & Touring (Australia vs. US)
05:58 – Changing Crowds & Younger Generations at Rock Shows
08:26 – Road Stories: Far North Queensland Gigs & Routine
11:15 – Aging, Staying Grounded & Perspective Over Time
13:16 – Modern Media, General Knowledge & Politics
16:15 – Global Economy, Resources & Australian Mining
20:05 – Housing Challenges & Current Realities in Australia
22:55 – Broken Hill, the Outback & Mad Max Memories
26:33 – Alternative History, Nikola Tesla & Architecture
31:40 – Ancient Engineering, Mathematics & Pyramids
34:40 – Alvin Toffler’s Future Shock & Visionary Thinkers
36:45 – Neurodiversity, Autism & Eccentricity in History
43:10 – Famous Artists (Van Gogh, Monet) & the Genius/Struggle Dynamic
47:05 – Music as a Creative Sanctuary & Empathy in Art
51:25 – Wrap-Up & Sign-Off

Rock legend Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo joins Laughingmonkeymusic to talk about his powerful new single “Hard Road” and what fans can expect from the band’s upcoming 2026 tour. Known for his raw energy, unmistakable voice, and hard-hitting attitude, Angry reflects on his decades in rock and the drive that keeps him going strong today.

We also talk about how touring has changed, what it’s like to perform for generations of fans, and how new material like “Hard Road” keeps the fire alive. With 2026 shaping up to be a big year, Rose Tattoo’s return to the stage promises to be a celebration of pure, unfiltered rock ’n’ roll.

Angry’s honesty, humor, and passion for the music shine through as he talks about legacy, inspiration, and what still fuels him after all these years. This is a conversation every rock fan will want to catch.

Follow Angry Anderson / Rose Tattoo:
Website – rosetattoo.com.au
Facebook – Rose Tattoo Official
Instagram – @rosetattoobandofficial