I didn’t get to say so in the episode itself, but the reason I end the latest edition of The Obelisk Show on Gimme Radio with two live tracks is because, although I never knew him, it was always amazing to watch Reed Mullin play, and it was always clear he relished the impact his work had on the crowd.

The entire episode is a tribute to the recently-deceased Corrosion of Conformity drummer, and it was kind of a whim of an idea I had to put it together. I was doing a regular-type playlist and it just kind of felt like I should say something about Mullin passing away — I already did a remembrance post, so I’ll spare you that here — and then I started to think of what song to play to go with that, and come on. Really? One song? I asked if anyone at Gimme had done any kind of special, and next thing I new, I was thumbing through the decades-spanning C.O.C. catalog to get tracks for a full playlist. And that’s where I wound up. Two straight hours of Corrosion of Conformity and zero regrets.

I tried to cover the different eras of the band as much and as broadly as I could. A few of the bigger hits are in there — “Albatross,” “Deliverance,” etc. — but for a band who’ve done so much, obviously there was a ton of ground to cover and no way to get it all in. The only full-length not included, of course, was 2005’s In the Arms of God, on which Mullin didn’t play. Other than that, I hope this stuff serves as a reminder of how special his playing was and how much he brought to the band.

Anyhow, thanks if you get to listen.

The Obelisk Show airs 5PM Eastern today at http://gimmeradio.com

Full playlist:

The Obelisk Show – 02.14.20

The Obelisk Show on Gimme Radio airs every Friday 5PM Eastern, with replays Sunday at 7PM Eastern. Next new episode is Feb. 28. Thanks for listening if you do.

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As Corrosion of Conformity make ready to embark on their first tour of Australia and New Zealand in six years, the North Carolina-based progenitors of Southern-style heavy rock announce the death of erstwhile drummer Reed Mullin. Mullin, 53, had been in and out of C.O.C. over the half-decade since their reunion with guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan, but his work proved as essential as ever to the band with 2018’s studio return, No Cross No Crown. A founding member of Corrosion of Conformity alongside bassist/vocalist Mike Dean and guitarist/backing vocalist Woodroe Weatherman in 1982, Mullin played on pivotal records like 1985’s Animosity and 1987’s Technocracy, driving the early sound of the then-trio through its hardcore punk furies, but proved no less adaptable to what became their evolving, signature sound and greatest commercial and critical successes.

With those albums, particularly 1994’s Deliverance and its Grammy-nominated 1996 follow-up, Wiseblood, Mullin anchored the powerful groove on which C.O.C.’s legacy and influence would be built, and even as Keenan emerged as a frontman, the drums behind him built the foundation on which the band resided and fleshed out their memorable songs. Years of reported health problems, etc., have kept him out of the band as they have become a working four-piece unit again, but on 2012’s self-titled LP and 2014’s follow-up, IX, a three-piece incarnation of Corrosion of Conformity with Mullin on drums/vocals, Dean and Weatherman reignited an exploration of their punk roots that still held to a riff-led charge. His work there, as ever, was crucial.

Mullin took part in every Corrosion of Conformity recording aside from 2005’s In the Arms of God, a then-swansong of sorts for the band as a four-piece, and was a creative force behind making C.O.C. who they were, are and will continue to be. The last time I saw him on stage was in 2015, and in presence, voice and style, he was a singular, special figure. He will be much, much missed.

Condolences on behalf of myself and the site to Mullin’s friends, family and associates, as well of course as the band itself, which will never be the same.

Their announcement follows:

Reed, It’s with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to a friend, a brother and pioneer.

Love and condolences to the family, friends and fans who will miss you and thanks for the music.

Reed Mullin vocal recording for IX, 2014

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