Ok Go front man Damian Kulash's Spark Is Fugazi's Repeater

Ok Go front man Damian Kulash's Spark Is Fugazi's Repeater

Author: Adam Unze - Music & Film Interviews May 7, 2025 Duration: 37:26

Damian Kulash, lead singer and guitarist of OK Go, joins Adam for an unforgettable conversation about the album that changed his life: Fugazi’s landmark 1990 release Repeater.


Damian shares his teenage memories of discovering Fugazi in the heart of the Washington, D.C. punk scene and how Repeater gave him a blueprint for making music that was raw, political, human, and totally accessible. From DIY shows in churches to five-dollar ticket prices and all-ages gigs, Fugazi’s ethos left a permanent imprint on him — and helped shape his approach to music, art, and live performance.


We get deep into:

  • The power of seeing music made by real people, in real time
  • How Repeater became a gateway to punk, DIY ethics, and artistic empowerment
  • The surprising parallels between Prince and Fugazi
  • Why the D.C. hardcore scene was a “religion” for creative kids
  • How that same mindset lives on in OK Go’s genre-bending videos and music

Whether you're a lifelong Fugazi fan or just discovering the magic of Repeater, this one’s a wild, inspiring ride.


About Repeater:

Released in 1990, Repeater is the debut full-length album by legendary post-hardcore band Fugazi. Combining punk aggression with experimental songwriting and a fiercely independent ethic, the album set a new standard for underground rock. It remains one of the most influential records of the 1990s.


About Damian Kulash:

Damian Kulash is the frontman of Grammy-winning alt-rock band OK Go, renowned for their groundbreaking music videos and inventive pop-rock sound. OK Go’s commitment to DIY creativity and visual storytelling has earned them a global fanbase — and it all traces back to the raw power of bands like Fugazi.




The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.


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What single piece of art-an album, a film, a television show-fundamentally altered your creative path? That's the central question of The Spark Parade, a podcast hosted by Adam Unze. This isn't a standard interview format; it's a focused excavation of a singular, transformative work. Each conversation with an actor, musician, or cultural icon revolves entirely around that one catalytic piece of culture that ignited their journey. The discussion delves into the personal history and emotional resonance of the work, whether it's a cult classic or a mainstream hit, tracing how its influence continues to echo through their life and career. Listeners are invited into these intimate reflections, hearing stories from artists like Margaret Cho and Maya about the moments of inspiration that sparked everything. The podcast operates at the intersection of music, film, and personal narrative, offering a unique lens on the creative process. By concentrating on a single artifact, each episode provides a deep, nuanced portrait of both the artist and the art that made them. You'll come away from the podcast not just with a recommendation, but with an understanding of how art shapes identity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Spark Parade
Podcast Episodes
Lubalin's Spark Is ET [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:50
Singer and musician Lubalin has been infatuated with Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi family movie E.T. The story's emotional depth and (for a kids movie) surprisingly complex character development stuck with him from t…
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Rosie Lowe's Spark Is Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:29
Singer and songwriter Rosie Lowe became infatuated with Erykah Badu's second album Mama's Gun at an early age. She's continued to love its eclectic musicality and powerful melodies into adulthood. But it's the lyrics tha…
Good News, Bad News [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:18
The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film o…
Orla Gartland's Spark Is Imogen Heap's Ellipse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:32
Irish singer, songwriter and musician Orla Gartland has always been fascinated by Imogen Heap's unique approach to music making. Her use of ambient sounds and new technologies has always pushed Heap's work to the forefro…
KIMBRA's Spark Is The Love Below [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
Singer/songwriter KIMBRA loves the creativity and experimentation that runs through The Love Below, Andre 3000's half of Outcast's monster hit double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. She loves his fearlessness and its…
Travis' Fran Healy's Spark Is Aftersun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:04
Travis front man Fran Healy first heard about the Academy Award nominated film Aftersun in an interview about the importance of music in film. This reference would resonate through Healy's relationship with the film. It…
Noga Erez's Spark Is Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:09
Singer, songwriter and producer Noga Erez first taste of Kendrick Lamar's masterpiece To Pimp A Butterfly came when its smash hit single Alright was played for her on the set of one of her music videos. From there, she q…