Atom 3 of the Protons and Electrons series is now available to listen and order. As always: Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends is Conan Neutron, Tony Ash and Dale Crover (of (the) Melvins) providing the A-Side: RECANT! and on the B-side is Mr. Rick Valentin of Thoughts Detecting Machines (and Poster Children… of course) with Alllies.
Like all of the Protons and Electrons series, this is a digital single, paired with a physical 7″ release that is available to mailorder. There will be 12 of these in total.
RECANT! is riff heavy rumination on heresy and the process of heresy becoming fact.
Rick contributes an excellent guitar track to a future Protons and Electrons release, but most importantly he is part of this series because of what Thoughts Detecting Machines is.
A one man band in the sense of being a self-contained live and recording unit, not in the “bass drum strapped to back and cymbals between legs” sort of way, the way Thoughts Detecting Machines operates has been an inspiration to Team Neutron Friends.
Find a way to say “yes” to awesome opportunities, strip things down to their barest essentials and challenge yourself to dig deeper, try something different and let go of familiar anxieties.
In any case, you can listen to it here and you can order the 7″ as well. Thanks!
Hello! This is “A Litany of Grievances” the new single from Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends (Me: guitar/Vocals, Tony Ash: Bass, Dale Crover: Drums). This is Atom 1, the first volume of a 12 volume series called “Protons and Electrons”. Each Protons and Electrons volume features a great band on the B-side that either plays in Secret Friends, Records with Secret Friends or has some heavy relevance to how Neutron Friends came to be. In this case the other band is TROPHY WIVES, their first release in quite some time. Trophy Wives features the low end majesty of Mr. Tony Ash. Tony and I were label mates with previous bands and toured on multiple occasions. If I am the brain of the Secret Friends, he is absolutely the heart. It would probably exist without him, but I wouldn’t want it too. As per always the incredible Toshi Kasai is in the producer’s chair on this one, engineering and mixing as well, and in this case Cristy Joy provided some excellent background vocals.
The B-Side song: Trophy Wives – “Tomorrowland” was always a favorite of mine live, and it’s a pleasure to have it associated with this series. It’s an ass kicker.
Bob Weston of Chicago Mastering Company mastered and cut the lacquer.
This 7” is available for immediate purchase at $8 each, each one comes in a limited edition hand screened jacket by Christopher Williams of Plastic Flame Press, shipping later in March.
You can also purchase a digital version through bandcamp or through any of the usual ways one does that (as of later this week).
To say that this is a massive undertaking is an understatement of the highest order. It has been a grueling and involved process that is now just beginning to pay off with the actual release. Take all of the hassles of one release and multiply it by a dozen, and then involve other bands as well… yeah… let’s go ahead and say I have some tales. Yet, this is the way we wanted to present this material to you, as singles… months by months as part of this series.
What you will see is a digital single every month, followed by a physical single of the same song the next one.
If you wish you can purchase a “Friends of the Neutron” subscription and guarantee yourself a copy of each one as well as copies of the entire back catalog digitally, a custom t-shirt and another fun surprise. Either way, this is here for you to listen to now, and that makes us very happy. Spread the word!
Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends – “The Way of the Neutron” is a record with Conan Neutron/Tony Ash and Dale Crover Mini-anthems for overwhelming and far too interesting times, defiant fight songs for those counted out or not counted at all. Still here. Still operating. – First song/pre-order and Japan. http://neutronfriends.bandcamp.com . The Way of the Neutron – Mini-anthems for overwhelming and far too interesting times, defiant fight songs for those counted out or not counted at all. Still here. Still operating.
Spangle, and sass, small scale arena rock for smart alecks and malcontents. Big riffs, critical thinking, and big smart rock for freaks, nerds and weirdos. The latest work of the mighty Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends, Way of the Neutron (2025) is a mission statement of the most compelling order. Blending heavy riffs, huge hooks and harmony with relentless abandon. Telling the story of an ethos, a life of uncompromising music and the perseverance of the creative good fight in spite of overwhelming content and stimuli. It is not only the bands most accessible record, it stands alone as a case study for endurance. The very characteristic attitude is a part of Conan Neutron’s DNA. Talking about the first single off the upcoming long-play, Neutron states:
“Who Dares? Is a mission statement song. Most attributable to something a super villain would scream as a hero enters the room, this is a song about not just surviving but thriving often against insurmountable odds. One challenge at a time, one step at a time, one punch at time, one round at a time. Featuring a simple guitar hook and a relentless menacing main riff, it is a motivational soundtrack to dogged persistence. Who Dares? I’m the one who dares.”
The previous record is a split LP with the incredible LUNG called: Adult Prom on Learning Curve Records in 2023, This follows up 2022’s Dangerous Nomenclature. A three song concept ep and 2020’s Dark Passengers: their last dedicated full length release and 3rd full length album. After a relentless and creative 10 year run so far, with love from college radio, press and crowds alike. Neutron Friends show no sign of slowing down at all. Some people may be more familiar with the podcast, Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal , or the 4 Day Caterwaul music festival in Minneapolis but make no mistake about it. Neutron is a born rocker and very good at what he does and the Secret Friends in all iterations are a world class rock band. Available now to pre-order, and to stream in full in bandcamp by March 20th. You can now find your way… to the Way of the Neutron.
Conan Neutron is a guy, Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends is a band. It is a band with a revolving cast of live players. It is a band whose recordings featuring Dale Crover of the mighty Melvins on drums, Tony Ash of Coliseum on bass and the production skills of the iconoclastic and enigmatic Toshi Kasai. The Secret Friends bring forth a wiry and adventurous rock ‘n roll that is equal parts Cheap Trick, fugazi, Queens of the Stone Age, the Cars, and DEVO with perhaps Mean Streets era Van Halen mixed in. Big rock, big riffs, heavy, hooky, a little strange. You get it. This is big rock music that has all the bombast and energy of the classic arena rock bands, but with punk rock attitude. With a bench deeper than a baseball team Conan Neutron, a rock ‘n roll lifer has spent the last 25 years making records and touring making uncompromising, sometimes challenging and daring rock music to anybody that is interested.UPCOMING TOUR-DATES: March 7th – San Clemente, CA – No Joke Gallery March 8th – Los Angeles, CA – Redwood Bar
March 27th – Chicago, IL – Liar’s Club – w/Mr Phylzzz, Ghost Forest March 28th – Madison, WI – Mickey’s – w/Mr Phylzzz March 29th – Kenosha, WI – White Lilac – w/Mr Phylzzz, Dogsblood
March 30th – WILD ANTICS – X-Ray Arcade, Milwaukee, WI (w/Mr Phylzzz, Resurrectionists, Vile Bees, Chi Chi’s Restaurant, Powerwagon, Moon Rebels, Salvation, Primitive Broadcast Service) Japanese leg: April 1 – Nakano City, Tokyo – Moon Step April 2 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Cyclone April 3 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Ruby Room April 4 – Hachioji-shi, Tokyo – Hachioji RIPS April 5 – Fukuyama City, Hiroshima – 5 Cent April 6 – Nanamacho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City – Shizuoka live house Sogen April 8 – Amagasaki, Hyogo – Tora April 9 – Osaka – Hokage April 10 – Tokushima City, Ginza – Crowbar April 11 – Shibuya, Tokyo, Nishihara – Club Heavy Sick April 12 – Kawasaki, Tokyo – Live House YYYs
May 15 – Washington DC – Quarry House w/Club USA May 16 – Boston, MA- O’Briens w/Bedtimemagic, the Freqs, Sapling May 17 – Providence, RI – Fete Lounge w/Hammer Party, Ash and Bone May 18 – New York, NY – Gutter Bar w/EAT, Matte Black May 19 – Philadelphia, PA – Thunderbird Hall May 20 – Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl w/Fashion Week, Wendy’s Ash May 21 – Detroit, MI – Lager House w/Warhorses, Lung May 22 – Chicago, IL – Liar’s Club w/ Lung, Naw, Salvation May 25 – Minneapolis, MN – Caterwaul, 331 Club May 27 – Sioux City, IA – Whiskey Dick’s w/Elephant Rifle, It Really Is May 28 – Rapid City, SD – The Diamond E Collective w/Elephant Rifle, Local Cryptics, Whitfield Rennin May 29 – Casper, WY – Oil City Beer Company w/Elephant Rifle May 30 – Missoula, MT – VFW Hall w/Elephant Rifle May 31 – Boise, ID – Neurolux w/Elephant Rifle June 1 – Reno, NV – Corrigan’s Lost Highway w/Elephant Rifle June 2 – Bend, OR – The Capitol w/Kronk Men, Non Ether, Vacancy Floor June 3 – Seattle, WA – Woodland Theater w/Negative Passengers, Elegant Pleasures June 4 – Portland, OR – Swan Dive w/Gaythiest, Club Deluxe June 5 – Oakland, CA – Stork Club w/HLLLYH, the Freak Accident June 6 – Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing Company w/Cosmic Kitten, Astral Jets, Knopf June 7 – San Diego, CA – Til Two Club w/Cosmic Kitten, Holy Tears June 8 – Los Angeles, CA – Slipper Clutch w/Cosmic Kitten, Tragic Radicals
All photos for Way of the Neutron by Ed Hunsinger PROMO MATERIALS:
Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, Podcast Host, and more-Conan Neutron stops by to talk his new record; Conan Neutron and the Secret Friends: “The Way of the Neutron”, the process of working with Dale Crover of the Melvins on drums for all the records thus far, demoing -vs- going into the studio, working with Australian band DEAD, some his favorite guitarists, some of Conan’s previous guests that Jody’s fascinated with: Guy Picciotto of Fugazi (and a couple of good Fugazi stories), Trey Spruance of Mr Bungle/Secret Chiefs 3, and Ralph Spight of Victims Family- plus much more! Link for pre-order of “Way of the Neutron”:https://neutronfriends.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-of-the-neutronhttps://www.neutronfriends.com/ – Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends – Rock Band: NEUTRON FRIENDS GO JAPAN! April 1 – Nakano City, Tokyo – Moon Step April 2 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Cyclone April 3 – Shibuya, Tokyo – Ruby Room April 4 – Hachioji-shi, Tokyo – Hachioji RIPS April 5 – Fukuyama City, Hiroshima – 5 Cent April 6 – Nanamacho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City – Shizuoka live house Sogen April 8 – Amagasaki, Hyogo – Tora April 9 – Osaka – Hokage April 10 – Tokushima City, Ginza – Crowbar April 11 – Shibuya, Tokyo, Nishihara – Club Heavy Sick April 12 – Kawasaki, Tokyo – Live House YYYs
PROMO MATERIALS: