Ep495: Private Function Still On Top w/ Chris Penney

Ep495: Private Function Still On Top w/ Chris Penney

Author: The Vinyl Guide April 23, 2025 Duration: 59:40

Private Function frontman and instigator Chris Penney discusses the rare, collectable and controversial vinyl art of the band and reveals some details of their new album.

Topics Include:

  • Chris Penney injured himself at a house party.
  • Private Function opened for Green Day recently.
  • Bassist Milla broke her ACL during a show.
  • Band got stuck in a cyclone for six days.
  • New album has a shrugging emoji as its title.
  • Album features 2,590 microscopic album covers on the sleeve.
  • Each album copy comes with a magnifying glass.
  • Album name is hidden somewhere in the artwork.
  • Available for pre-order April 23, shipping May 23.
  • Being released in Australia, America, and Europe.
  • Chris started in a band called Mesa Costa.
  • Private Function began with demo recordings at home.
  • First release: "Six Smoking Songs" cassette (100 copies).
  • Reissued with "bin night" sounds layered over it.
  • Another reissue with Christmas carol audio added.
  • Released fake pregnancy tests as band merchandise.
  • "St. Anger" album named after controversial Metallica album.
  • Had to change Spotify artwork due to Metallica similarity.
  • Released an obscure 8-track version of the album.
  • "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" album had Queen-themed artwork.
  • Special "Mystery Bag" vinyl contained bags resembling drugs.
  • Their song "Aubrey Wodonga" became strangely popular in Spain.
  • Released "The First Two Tapes on a 12-inch."
  • Included Subway job applications with the album.
  • 10 copies included handwritten letters of recommendation for Subway.
  • "370HSSV0773H" album featured scratch-off lottery ticket material.
  • Winner received $2,999 and their face on reprints.
  • Needed special gambling exemption to sell in South Australia.
  • Special "gold" edition contained the band members' urine.
  • Another special edition contained beer-making ingredients.
  • Upcoming album will have 100 special variant copies.
  • Chris was banned from America for six years.
  • Recently received American visa for touring.
  • Australian tour in June, European tour in July.
  • Planning potential U.S. tour later this year.

Preorder the new Private Function album here

EXTENDED, Commercial free, high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide

Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep477: From Deep Six to Skin Yard Select - Daniel House of CZ Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:07
Daniel House of CZ Records had a pivotal role in the Seattle music scene of the 1980s and early 1990s, including his work with Skin Yard, his time as a key employee at Sub Pop Records, and working with influential bands…
Ep476: Redd Kross - Born Innocent with Jeff and Steven [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:38
Jeff & Steven McDonald join us to discuss the new documentary "Born Innocent - The Redd Kross Story", learnings from their lifelong musical partnership, memories of early punk days, David Bowie, Germs and more. Topics In…
Ep475: Lords and Lady Kevin + Trevor Dunn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:51
A chaotic dive into the world of Kevin Rutmanis, Gina Skwoz, and Trevor Dunn as they discuss the new Lords & Lady Kevin + Trevor Dunn LP "Last Days at Hot Slit", their experimental music-making process, the liberating un…
Ep474: Lucas Harwood - Heavy Moss, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:09
Lucas Harwood of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard discusses his new project Heavy Moss, their eco-conscious approach to vinyl production, the making of their album Dead Slow, life on tour, King Gizzard vinyl, posters,…
Ep473: Damon Che and Kristian Dunn of Yesness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:57
Yesness is a 2-piece featuring Damon Che (Don Caballero) and Tristan Dunn (El Ten Eleven). We discuss their formation, writing and recording their debut album "See You at the Solipsist Convention", math-rock, post-rock,…
Ep472: Andy Scott of The Sweet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:10
Andy Scott of The Sweet discusses band history, rare records, various versions of "Desolation Boulevard", mega-hits like "Ballroom Blitz", "Fox On The Run", meeting Beatles, Australia tour & lots more! Topics Include: An…
Ep471: Mac McCaughan - Superchunk, Merge Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:27
Mac McCaughan of Superchunk and co-founder of Merge Records shares insights into the label, being a record collector, "Peak Vinyl" limited vinyl releases, vinyl production, Superchunk's upcoming tour in Australia and hea…
Ep470: Steve Diggle of Buzzcocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:37
Steve Diggle of Buzzcocks shares stories from the early punk scene, the making of "Spiral Scratch", rare vinyl releases, the band's lasting influence and his new book "Autonomy." Topics Include: Steve logs on – golf shir…
Ep469: Cook Craig - Pipe-Eye, King Gizzard, The Murlocs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:13
Cook Craig of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and The Murlocs discusses his new Pipe-Eye solo LP, early and rare recordings, KGATLW bootlegger series, touring & lots more. Topics Include: Name preference Cookie's record…
Ep468: Justin Trosper of Unwound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
Justin Trosper of Unwound discusses the band's resurgence, vinyl reissues, intergenerational fanbase, reflections on maintaining artistic integrity and what may be next for the band. Topics Include: Unwound's upcoming de…