(*both laugh*) Episode 52: Tuna Tardugno of Sweat on the band’s debut LP

If you've read any of the press that came out surrounding LA hardcore band Sweat's debut LP, "Gotta Give It Up," you've probably noticed that the common theme throughout is that Sweat aren't a typical hardcore band. They've got a sound and a style and a swagger that are unique; hardcore, for sure, but with riffs and rhythms that range from thrashy to chunky to 70s rock (think Think Lizzy). At the center of the activity is the firebrand that is Tuna Tardugno. It's abrasive and confrontational and a whole lot of fun. 

We caught up for a super fun conversation with Tuna about the band's history (they've only got nine gigs under their collective championship belts, a byproduct of the band's formation less than a year prior to the world shutting down) and recording with Grammy-nominated producer Jack Shirley and their upcoming plans (tour? new album?). We also talked a lot about Tuna's introduction to the world of punk and hardcore in upstate New York and the parallels between the DIY punk and wrestling communities, both of which are near and dear to Tuna's heart. Oh, did we mention Tuna's a wrestler as well? Admittedly, my knowledge of modern wrestling is actually more limited than my knowledge of hardcore, which is pretty effing limited in its own right. Still, I am from the same hometown as Paul "Triple H" Levesque, so maybe I can hold my own a little.

Anyway, this was a super fun conversation. Hope you dig it.

 

Order "Gotta Give It Up" here: https://shop.piratespressrecords.com/products/sweat-gotta-give-it-up-lp

Order Sweat's debut EP here: https://vitriolrecords.bandcamp.com/album/sweat-s-t

Sweat videos:

"Joke's On Me" - https://youtu.be/hBoWvRItbAw

"Hit And Run" - https://youtu.be/uoX_OrpDAVU

Oh, and here's the video Tuna and I were talking about with Mackie on drums. turns out the song was Charles and Eddie's "Would I Lie To You," which somehow is from 1992, not 1964. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANL1tk0Qy9Q