I’m joined for this episode by two guys who spent decades turning a smart, biting sense of humor into underground, DIY favorites as part of Too Much Joy, and later… Wonderlick. We talked during the pandemic about Too Much Joy in a standard COVID-era “Zoom” chat… and this time around, I met Tim Quirk and Jay Blumenfield in person.

We met at the wonderful Blue Island Beer Company, where the band was set to play later in the evening. Sitting outside on a perfect Chicago weather day, we chatted about:

-The differences between Too Much Joy and Wonderlick

-The new album, “Wonderlick Goes to War”

-Tim’s obsessiveness about… everything?

-Why is there a documentary crew following them around everywhere?

-What the studio sessions were like for this album

-What being a musician is like in 2025, as opposed to Too Much Joy’s heyday

-The Chicago connection to the new Wonderlick album

-Vinko Bogotaj: Who was he? Why does Wonderlick have a song about him?

-There’s a major Too Much Joy reissue on the way!

 

See Wonderlick on tour, and give “Wonderlick Goes to War” a listen. They’re awesome.

Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: 

 

Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space? Easy Automation is a local business, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, that delivers custom automation solutions tailored to your lifestyle. 

 

Whether you’re upgrading your home entertainment, streamlining your office tech, or enhancing the atmosphere in your restaurant or sports bar, they’ve got you covered.

Their expert team designs and installs personalized systems—from smart lighting and climate control to audio/video distribution and robust Wi-Fi networks—all managed through an intuitive app on your favorite device.

 

Easy Automation makes technology work for you—effortlessly, reliably, and always with your satisfaction guaranteed.

 

Visit easy-automation.net or call Dan at 630-730-3728 and take control of your environment today!

 

##

 

Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs.  They’re local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here’s why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever - their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between. They’ve worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante’s Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and the list goes on and on.

 

Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he’s doing - besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices. 

 

Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.

 

You can always expect prompt and quick communication as they're a small company and are hyper-focused on making your vision a reality. Their goal isn't just to print another t-shirt; you put your heart and soul into your project or business- they want their work to reflect that passion, as well. Email info@explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote today.!

I&rsquo;m joined for this episode by two guys who spent decades turning a smart, biting sense of humor into underground, DIY favorites as part of Too Much Joy, and later&hellip; Wonderlick. We talked during the pandemic about Too Much Joy in a standard COVID-era &ldquo;Zoom&rdquo; chat&hellip; and this time around, I met Tim Quirk and Jay Blumenfield in person.
We met at the wonderful Blue Island Beer Company, where the band was set to play later in the evening. Sitting outside on a perfect Chicago weather day, we chatted about:
-The differences between Too Much Joy and Wonderlick
-The new album, &ldquo;Wonderlick Goes to War&rdquo;
-Tim&rsquo;s obsessiveness about&hellip; everything?
-Why is there a documentary crew following them around everywhere?
-What the studio sessions were like for this album
-What being a musician is like in 2025, as opposed to Too Much Joy&rsquo;s heyday
-The Chicago connection to the new Wonderlick album
-Vinko Bogotaj: Who was he? Why does Wonderlick have a song about him?
-There&rsquo;s a major Too Much Joy reissue on the way!
&nbsp;
See Wonderlick on tour, and give &ldquo;Wonderlick Goes to War&rdquo; a listen. They&rsquo;re awesome.
Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation:&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a smart, seamlessly connected space? Easy Automation is a local business, headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, that delivers custom automation solutions tailored to your lifestyle.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Whether you&rsquo;re upgrading your home entertainment, streamlining your office tech, or enhancing the atmosphere in your restaurant or sports bar, they&rsquo;ve got you covered.
Their expert team designs and installs personalized systems&mdash;from smart lighting and climate control to audio/video distribution and robust Wi-Fi networks&mdash;all managed through an intuitive app on your favorite device.
&nbsp;
Easy Automation makes technology work for you&mdash;effortlessly, reliably, and always with your satisfaction guaranteed.
&nbsp;
Visit easy-automation.net or call Dan at 630-730-3728 and take control of your environment today!
&nbsp;
##
&nbsp;
Exploding House Printing is here for all of your screen printing, embroidery and other merchandising needs.&nbsp; They&rsquo;re local, headquartered in the heart of Hermosa. Here&rsquo;s why I want you to consider them for your t-shirts, merch, whatever - their focus is on small businesses, bands, brands, and everything in between. They&rsquo;ve worked on products for Meat Wave, Empty Bottle, the Music Box, Dante&rsquo;s Pizzeria, the Brokedowns, and the list goes on and on.
&nbsp;
Jonathan at Exploding House has been doing screen printing for decades. He knows what he&rsquo;s doing - besides his technical expertise, he delivers production efficiency and cost awareness to offer boutique print shop quality at much lower, large print shop prices.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Check out their work on Instagram at @explodinghouse, or check out their site at explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote, or to see a list of some of their clients.
&nbsp;
You can always expect prompt and quick communication as they're a small company and are hyper-focused on making your vision a reality. Their goal isn't just to print another t-shirt; you put your heart and soul into your project or business- they want their work to reflect that passion, as well. Email <a href="mailto:info@explodinghouseprinting.com">info@explodinghouseprinting.com</a> for a quote today.!

Car Con Carne is an award-winning interview podcast hosted by legendary Chicago media personality James VanOsdol (Q101, WXRT, WGN, WLUP). Hosted in James's car, at live events, restaurants, brewpubs and recording studios, Car Con Carne offers engaging and honest conversations with people you want to know, mostly from the world of music.

Advertisement