Before there was MTV, there was New Wave Theater. Peter & The Acid King is a documentary podcast that explores the life and unsolved death of New Wave Theater host and key cultural curator Peter Ivers. The show takes us on a deep dive through the grimy, chaotic world of the early ‘80s Los Angeles punk rock scene from which he emerged. Narrated by native LA punk and esteemed director Penelope Spheeris.
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Peter Ivers’ death marked the end of an era. Though David Jove tried to recreate New Wave Theater, he couldn’t do it without Peter. We examine the legacy Peter left behind, and the scene that ended with his death.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25/New+Wave+Theatre+%2325+-+Dead+Kennedys%2C+Martini+Ranch%2C+Killer+Pussy%2C+Mnemonic+Devices%2C+Fear%2C+Plugz.mp4)
Twin Peaks
The Top (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R3w9E7Kzy4&t=63s)
ABC News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMI9A4z7K-c&t=410s)
In Heaven, Everything is Fine by Josh Frank
New Wave Musician Killed; Family Creates Harvard Fund (https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1983/3/18/new-wave-musician-killed-family-creates/)
'An Einstein among Neanderthals': the tragic prince of LA counterculture (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/an-einstein-among-neanderthals-the-tragic-prince-of-la-counterculture)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
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See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
20 Nov 2023
Peter and the Acid King: Theories
Samoan drug gangs, secret lovers, and the acid king. There’s a lot more to Peter’s story that’s left to uncover.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
In Heaven, Everything is Fine by Josh Frank
'An Einstein among Neanderthals': the tragic prince of LA counterculture (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/an-einstein-among-neanderthals-the-tragic-prince-of-la-counterculture)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
13 Nov 2023
Peter and the Acid King: The Party’s Over
How do you mourn someone who was so very alive? It’s a question Peter’s friends asked over and over. Today, we look into how Peter’s community grieved the loss of their friend.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
The Peter Principle, John Leone
In Heaven, Everything is Fine by Josh Frank
'An Einstein among Neanderthals': the tragic prince of LA counterculture (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/an-einstein-among-neanderthals-the-tragic-prince-of-la-counterculture)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
6 Nov 2023
Peter and the Acid King: The Crime Scene
Many of Peter’s friends arrived at the crime scene before the police. Which meant that by the time the cops arrived, the scene had already been corrupted—and multiple pieces of evidence had gone missing. Years later, people would discover that evidence in some unexpected places.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
Who Killed Peter Ivers, Michael Bygrave
Quincy, ME
NBC News
CBS News
In Heaven, Everything is Fine by Josh Frank
'An Einstein among Neanderthals': the tragic prince of LA counterculture (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/an-einstein-among-neanderthals-the-tragic-prince-of-la-counterculture)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
30 Oct 2023
Peter and the Acid King: The Day He Died
A big secret. Tornados. Rain. A lost wallet. $15,000 dollars in cash that’s gone missing. Peter’s last day feels ominous.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
NBCLA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGbl6Ip9n6k&t=4s)
In Heaven Everything is Fine, Josh Frank
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/#:~:text=Around%202%3A30%20p.m.%20on,fully%20clothed%2C%20on%20bloodstained%20sheets.)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
23 Oct 2023
Peter and the Acid King: The Acid King
Enter: The Acid King. People were equal parts inspired by and terrified of David Jove. He sold acid to the Rolling Stones, fled Canada on a felony charge, and… oh yeah, he created New Wave Theater.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
Rarefied Heir (https://rarifiedheirpodcast.libsyn.com/rarified-heir-podcast-episode-61-lili-haydn-part-1-lotus-weinstock)
LIFE, Keith Richards
In Heaven Everything is Fine, Josh Frank
Sex, Drugs & Rock N’ Roll: The Rolling Stones’ Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi5A5GS17AQ&t=507s)
Marianne Faithfull, Queen of British Pop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7l5ogO_5_U)
The Great Rolling Stones Drug Bust (https://www.nme.com/photos/the-great-rolling-stones-drug-bust-1402298)
Lotus Weinstock; Comedian and Author (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-04-mn-28752-story.html)
How the Acid King confessed he DID set up Rolling Stones drug bust for MI5 and FBI (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1323236/The-Acid-King-confesses-Rolling-Stones-drug-bust-set-MI5-FBI.html)
The surprising afterlife of a ’70s L.A. cult: How the Source Family became hot IP in 2023 (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-04-12/source-family-cult-l-a-father-yod-mark-ruffalo-rick-rubin-vegetarian-restaurant)
Father Yod: the 1970s cult leader whose wild psychedelia was more suited to Disneyland than dive bars (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/dec/21/father-yod-the-1970s-cult-leader-whose-wild-psychedelia-was-more-suited-to-disneyland-than-dive-bars)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
16 Oct 2023
Peter and the Acid King: New Wave Theater
When an opportunity that combines Peter’s love of music, performance, and LA’s underground comes his way, he feels like it might be a new beginning. But Peter has no idea what—or who—he’s dealing with.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
“How Punk is This?” Ask Me Another, NPR. (https://www.npr.org/2013/10/30/241866098/how-punk-is-this)
Punk and Tomatoes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AumYnYlG9fg)
Starting from the Zero (https://medium.com/cuepoint/starting-from-zero-2dafd23948aa)
Inside John Belushi’s Long Lost Punk Song With Fear (https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/inside-john-belushis-long-lost-punk-song-with-fear-73830/)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
Unraveling the Mystery of Peter Ivers (https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/peter-ivers-becoming-peter-ivers-interview)
Rediscovering Peter Ivers, a punk-rock Zelig with a glittering résumé and mysterious demise (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-12-04/peter-ivers-becoming-reissue-new-wave-theatre)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
9 Oct 2023
Peter and the Acid King: The LA Underground
As host of New Wave Theater, Peter Ivers found himself in the middle of the LA punk scene. From police raids, DIY-venues, and the outsiders it attracted, we explore punk music and the LA underground.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
Decline of Western Civilization Part I
In Heaven Everything is Fine by Josh Frank
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
Unraveling the Mystery of Peter Ivers (https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/peter-ivers-becoming-peter-ivers-interview)
Rediscovering Peter Ivers, a punk-rock Zelig with a glittering résumé and mysterious demise (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-12-04/peter-ivers-becoming-reissue-new-wave-theatre)
Starting from the Zero (https://medium.com/cuepoint/starting-from-zero-2dafd23948aa)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
2 Oct 2023
Peter and the Acid King: The Man in the Radiator
After his first album flops, Peter Ivers moves to LA for a fresh start. As his friends excel in film, TV, and music, Peter starts to fall behind.
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This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
Decline of Western Civilization Part I
Animal House
Eraserhead
Grand Theft Auto
In Heaven Everything is Fine by Josh Frank
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
'An Einstein among Neanderthals': the tragic prince of LA counterculture (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/an-einstein-among-neanderthals-the-tragic-prince-of-la-counterculture)
Peter Ivers: A Death of Innocence (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-19830327-la-time/24677306/)
Rediscovering Peter Ivers, a punk-rock Zelig with a glittering résumé and mysterious demise (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-12-04/peter-ivers-becoming-reissue-new-wave-theatre)Unraveling the Mystery of Peter Ivers (https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/peter-ivers-becoming-peter-ivers-interview)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
25 Sept 2023
Peter and the Acid King: Peter Ivers Is Dead
On March 3rd, 1983, Peter Ivers—the eccentric and beloved host of New Wave Theater—was found bludgeoned to death in his apartment. Forty years later, his friends are still searching for answers about what happened to him.
This episode features information and audio from the following sources:
Decline of Western Civilization Part I
Wayne’s World
New Wave Theater (https://archive.org/details/new-wave-theatre-episodes-1-through-25)
Over the edge: The incredible life and mysterious death of Peter Ivers (https://ew.com/music/2020/01/05/peter-ivers/)
'An Einstein among Neanderthals': the tragic prince of LA counterculture (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/dec/27/an-einstein-among-neanderthals-the-tragic-prince-of-la-counterculture)
Peter Ivers: A Death of Innocence (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-19830327-la-time/24677306/)
Rediscovering Peter Ivers, a punk-rock Zelig with a glittering résumé and mysterious demise (https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2019-12-04/peter-ivers-becoming-reissue-new-wave-theatre)
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
19 Sept 2023
Introducing: Peter and the Acid King
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See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
11 ratings
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