Off the Top: where bald people, mainly musicians, discuss the burdens and the beauty of hairless life. Interviews, fashion tips, industry secrets, and more. Hosted by Justin Wm. Moyer: attorney, former Washington Post Pulitzer-honored journalist, and frontperson of the D.C. dance-punk band Light Beams.
Seth Lorinczi has worn many hats over his bald pate. Member of D.C. art punk originators Circus Lupus and West Coast heroes the Quails. Psychedelic experiencer and author of "Death Trip: A Post-Holocaust Psychedelic Memoir." And currently at work on a history of the iconic venue D.C. Space. Seth shows up to talk about what it's like to grow up goth-curious and what it's like to look like a lumberjack. Also: Justin contemplates going to a D.C. "bald meet-up."
12 Oct 2026
Episode 8: Michael Lisman, ex-USAID
"Off the Top" expands the bald conversation this week to welcome an intimate chat with Michael Lisman: knockaround guy, poker player, and former USAID worker who tells the tale of his DOGE survival. Also: the first segment of "Not Everybody Knows This, But . . . " in which Justin explains the gray-market poker community in the District of Columbia. And "Off the Top's" first product endorsement that, fortunately or unfortunately, is definitely not a paid advertisement. Truly an episode for the bald government worker in all of us.
5 Oct 2026
Episode 7 of "Off the Top": Joe Lally of Fugazi, the Messthetics
What can be said about Joe Lally that hasn't already been said? Genius bassist. Singular songwriter. And an all-around kind gentleman. Here, for what seems to be the first time, Joe discusses how his clean pate evolved from a fashion statement to an acceptance of reality -- and remembers how Adam Yauch aka MCA took him to his last haircut on the streets of New York in the 90s. Double special bonus: a lot of bass-related content for the lame bass nerds who know they are really heroes.
28 Sept 2026
Episode 6: Bob Doto of SPRCSS
Bob Doto is known for his yogic wisdom, mastery of notetaking systems, and -- last but far from least -- as frontperson of the criminally underrated late 90s/early aughts band S Process, aka SPRCSS. And Bob's bald. Ease closer to your listening device as Bob and Justin discuss final haircuts, New Jersey parenting styles, and Bob's new podcast "Baby Fish Mouth," which explores the American romantic comedy tradition. Bonus: Justin explores the Must Move Studio mailbag for the first time.
21 Sept 2026
Episode 5: Shelby Cinca of Frodus, Catbeats
At 50, Shelby Cinca -- powerhouse multi-hypenate behind Frodus, Catbeats, the Cassettes, and record label Swedish Columbia, among many other projects -- is at peace with what he calls "the egg": that is, baldness. After all, the hairless life and a fresh start in Europe brought Shelby the opportunity to exit his formerly hectic screamo existence and become a father, a monk, a healer, and the creator/translator of music for felines by felines. Also: a very long discussion of Queensrÿche and how bald people can make "hair" metal.
14 Sept 2026
Episode 4: Dave Nesmith of Sleepytime Trio
Dave Nesmith's resume is unassailable. Maximilian Colby. Sleepytime Trio. Rah Brahs. Bats and Mice. Dave is also bald and ready to talk about the unpleasant side effects of certain hair restoration drugs; what having a "bald attitude" really means; and what it's like to have skin-to-skin contact with one's newborn in the hospital under nurses' supervision while looking like a bald clown. Also: Justin is mistaken for a member of Sleepytime merely because he is bald.
6 Sept 2026
Episode 3: Kelly Young of Velocity Girl
Kelly Young of Velocity Girl: a person who appreciates the finer things in life. Music. Whiskey. Poker chips. Kelly has thoughts about touring with a middle-aged body; about whether sugar should be in distilled spirits; and about how televised Texas Hold 'Em changed the game at the tables. And we speculate at length about just what the deal is with The Edge of U2.
31 Aug 2026
Episode 2: Sal Principato of Liquid Liquid, 178 Product
Salvatore Principato — frontman of the legendary post-punk band Liquid Liquid, currently of the improv crew 178 Product — joins us for a candid conversation about losing his hair, finding his voice, and reshaping his identity as a performer over decades. It's all here: Vulnerability onstage. Feeling more at peace now than at 25. And vegan Italian food.
24 Aug 2026
Episode 1: Craig Wedren of Shudder to Think
In this debut episode of "Off the Top" hosted by Justin Wm. Moyer, musician and composer Craig Wedren opens up about losing his hair — from the hairdresser who wept, to shaving his head on tour in Europe in 1989 among anarchists, to how baldness affected his career.
18 Aug 2026
Episode 0: ”Off the Top” Premieres Aug. 24
Off the Top: where bald people, mainly musicians, discuss the burdens and the beauty of hairless life. Interviews, fashion tips, industry secrets, and more. Hosted by Justin Wm. Moyer: attorney, former Washington Post Pulitzer-honored journalist, and frontperson of the D.C. dance-punk band Light Beams. Featuring members of Shudder to Think, Fugazi, Velocity Girl, Frodus, SPRCSS -- and non-musicians as well.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
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