In this episode, we talk to Matt and Doug from the rad Ohio band Jacknife Powerbombs about their new album Mors Certa Vita Incerta, the greater Cleveland music scene, being happy with the process of being a band and creating music, difficulties with describing the sound of the band, and getting music in front of people. Plus, gatekeeping, the fusion of band members styles, mixed band bills, and the luxury of being able to record yourself. You can check out Jacknife Powerbombs at the...

In this episode, our pal Steve Cee of RATH & the Wise Guys is back on the show to talk about actually quitting his day job (woah!), making video games and using other avenues of artistic expression to stand out, and structuring time to be as productive as possible. Plus, touring strategies, the importance of physical media, and the difficulty in seeing long term plans for success. You can check out RATH & the Wise Guys at the following...

In this episode, the legend that is John Grove (Coffee With Lions) talks about the York PA scene, how to branch out into other scenes and regions, releasing A Single Second, recording new music, and figuring out the best way to release music. Plus, the official John Grove uniform, how to figure out the right number of shows to play, the requirements of social media, and the difficulty of wearing glasses during performance. You can check out Coffee With Lions...

In this episode, old friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) talks about faking different styles of music based on the licks you can play, when does it make sense for a band to retire, the value of new music from legacy bands, and having fun no matter what. Plus, the different joys of playing in the studio vs live, the idea that a good guitar track can save a bad song, and is John Mayer worth defending? Mark is a working musician in LA, playing in ⁠Little Caesar⁠ and ⁠The...

In this episode, Aki McCullough of Dreamwell talks about the uniqueness of being a band from the music scene in Rhode Island, what it meant for the band to sign with Prosthetic Records, the impact of being on a label, and being meticulous in the studio. Plus, van death, the nuts and bolts of touring, the importance of groove, and evolving on from being a screamo band to something more unique. You can check out Dreamwell...

In this episode, our friend Bree Myers of Allegedly Records and Punk Around and Find Out takes us in depth through her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery; including the importance of support systems, the difficulty in asking for help, and talking openly with friends and family. Plus, reassessing opportunities, a return to writing, arm wrestling, and a shout out to the band Treaties You can check out and contact Bree...

In this episode, the members of the rad and unforgettable band Hans Gruber And The Die Hards talk about the tribulations of being a hard working independent band that works day jobs and tours frequently, the positives of ska, being able to explore different sounds and genres, and managing expectations while on tour. Plus, the necessary evil of social media, using atlas obscura, playing poker for a living, and wardrobe malfunctions. You can check out Hans Gruber And The Die Hards...

In this special episode, our pal Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) talks about late eighties LA, guitar playing in the Hollywood scene and defends the songs associated with Hair Metal. Mark is a working musician in LA, playing in Little Caesar and The Cruzados. He also teaches either in person or via skype. You can contact him here https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia https://www.instagram.com/marktremalgia/ https://www.facebook.com/LittleCaesarOfficial Paul works a day job...

In this special episode, Chuck Veri of iNCO FIdO defends the origins of ska, the many different ska subgenres, the truth of whether reggae or ska came first and the idea that ska did not start as a silly style of music. Plus, we play Housewife's Choice by Derrick Morgan You can check out Chuck and iNCO FIdO...

In this episode, we talk to our pal Mark Tremalgia aka Marky T (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about coming back from The Cruzados European tour, the strike in Hollywood, jamming with actor Tim Russ (Star Trek, Crossroads), and the Richard Fortus versus Nuno media war. Plus, watching GnR rehearsals, the importance of a look for musicians, and a visit from Charlie Thornton. Mark is a working musician in LA, playing in Little Caesar and The Cruzados. He also teaches either in person or via...

In this special episode, our rad pal Rick Girt (The Sneaky Heat Missiles) attempts to convince us that ska is worth listening to and that Hans Gruber and the Die Hards are a ska band. We play the song My Friend Chuck and discuss. You can check out The Sneaky Heat Missiles at the following...

In this episode Dave Simonich (Signs of the Swarm) talks about the evolution of the sound of the band, the importance of growth, acknowledging feedback from the fans, the importance of giving back to the scene/community, and the impact of signing with Century Media. Plus, the resurgence of deathcore, the importance of the message in a song, the impact of Spotify numbers, dealing with the terrible behavior of former members, and reminiscing about shows at 222 Ormsby. You can check out Signs...

In this episode Chris Urriola (Hollis Brown) talks about his love of bass guitar, his debut EP Illustrator, his day job as an expeditor following school in music management at Berklee, hustling in gig culture/economy, and being a stickler but still being open to ideas. Plus, the art of creating songs and fleshing out ideas with friends in the studio, being patient with developing a career in music, the realities of self managing and touring, and being the nephew of Dave Gahan. You can check...

In this episode Thomas Andrew Doyle (TAD) talks about being on the vanguard of the Seattle/grunge scene in the 90's, signing to Sub Pop Records, early influences including music study at university, and subverting listener expectation. Plus, what does the artist owe the listener, the importance of listener interpretation, embracing new things, and running a small record label and recording studio. You can check out TAD at these...

In this episode, comedian Neil Rubenstein talks about the day to day realities of being a comedian, being on the road, the importance of trying new things, developing material, and what, if any, jokes are off limits. Plus, physical media, social media, day jobs, and performing at punk rock shows versus comedy clubs. You can check out Neil at these...

In this special episode, our old friend Charlie Thornton (Radar) attempts to convince us that LOCAL H is a good band and not a one hit wonder. We play the song John The Baptist Blues and discuss. Charlie is the Musical Director at Garage Band U and plays in the Chicago area based band Radar. Their latest album is called "Goodnight Nurse" https://www.belowthecollar.com/radar https://www.facebook.com/RadarChicago/ https://radarchicago.bandcamp.com/ https://katzulhu.com/radar You can...

In this episode, Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick, The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra) talks about getting a nickname from Maya Rudolph's father, the old Saigon Kick days, having a hit song via fluke or accident, the freedom to move between musical genres, and becoming better as a songwriter by writing songs. Plus, not listening back to releases, writing and releasing tracks within 24 hours as an exercise, singers and shredders, release strategies for albums versus songs, physical copy, and social...

In this episode, Drummer Matt Morris from the very rad Fire Sale talks about what constitutes a super group, imposter syndrome and fitting into the band identity, the importance of having fun in a band, release strategies in putting out new music, and modern production approaches to making music. Plus, how to break through the market noise, the importance of professional product, focusing on the details, touring vs festival shows and making a very funny video. You can check out Fire Sale at...

In this episode, our old friend David Rokos talks about the recording and release process for his new record This Is Landing, how to navigate the perils of social media, defining success when livelihood is not at stake, the fun in recording and performance, and how to write personal songs. Plus, the question to release physical copy, playing solo versus in a band, and how to get people to listen to your music. You can check out David at these...

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about the current multi-week tour of Europe by The Cruzados including member illness, crowd size, fan interaction, driving long distances, and fancy hotel rooms. Plus, where does 80's music fit in the current climate of live music, what are the possible levels of success, the difficulty in making money on tour, and the big question of whether of not Mark was ever a jerk. Land of the Endless Sun...

In this episode, Black Guy Fawkes talks about the response to new album Intrusive Lullabies, the labels of singer-songwriter versus punk versus folk versus protest songs, working through writers block, intimacy and connection, the importance of sequencing the songs and how they flow into each other, messaging for a certain audience. and the potential for turning off certain listeners. Plus, the fallout from getting dropped from a tour, the importance of mental health and a support system, the...

In this episode, Knox Colby of the metal band Enforced talks about the Richmond, VA music scene, support between different musical genres, being inspired by Queen at Live Aid, the feeling of being on stage, growth and changes within the band, and the Metal Archives. Plus, communicating with the audience, self evaluation, balancing a day job with touring, imposter syndrome, and signing to Century Media. You can check out Enforced at the following...

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about being star stuck after moving to Hollywood, giving guitar lessons to actors and the kids of movie stars, the very odd phenomena of "no eye contact", how the childhood friendship with Rivers Cuomo ended after he became a star, and the question of a band owing more to the fans than just the performance. Plus, meeting Rikki Rockett in Hollywood, "check out this guitarist", and the new Cruzados record and...

In this episode, Ryan Foster of Slightly Fuzzed talks about all things stoner rock including the surprisingly small and close-knit scene, memes and parodies, inclusivity and the desire to be a part of something, the importance of audio quality and vinyl to the scene, and how to grow small businesses along with the scene. Plus, Rick Nielson's house for a birthday, a day job in marketing and graphic design, and the fuzz club, which is similar to a book club for stoner rock. You can check out...

In this episode, HIM of the prog-metal band Sermon talks about the reasons for the anonymity of the name and the mask that he wears, the mask as a reflection of the music, songwriting as an extension of mood and feeling in a particular moment, creating alone and then bringing it to others for completion, and developing vocal skills. Plus, the Marillion connection, finding the ease of listening in metal, choosing topics for lyrics, and the significant cost with the vision of live...