Going Off Track

The Menzingers have been guests just once before but come up so often that they certainly feel like GOT family. Vocalist/guitarist Tom May kept that vibe alive with a homey conversation about UFOs, Philly and New Years resolutions (which he loves).

For our first show of 2021 we gathered three of Benny's spirit animals - Dr. Neel, Roger Harvey and Aunt Judy for their unique, optimistic look at the year ahead. We also got a few lessons from the year we left behind and some epic New Year's Eve stories.

Jimmy Eat World drummer, Zach Lind is a seriously grounded individual - his whole band is! It's part of the secret of their success. We get into that as well as growing up in a conservative household and some beer-snobbery as well.

Emo-screamer and post-hardcore band, Thursday frontman, Geoff Rickly is one of the most intelligent, sincere, old pals of the show. He checks in to discuss good vs evil, Jeff Rosenstock, and take us from the stray cats of Brooklyn to the growling, neighborhood dogs of Iowa.

Slowcore/indie-rock band Nothing's Domenic Palermo gives us one of the most interesting and varied conversations in a while. From the low-down on listening to Hot97 in prison, to out-drinking all other bands in the studio, this is one you won't forget.

Foo Fighter and alt-country artist, Chris Shiflett checked in to talk about his early days roadying for Wax and working at Fat Wreck Chords before joining No Use For A Name. We also get current with his new record and his "Walking The Floor" podcast.

Hardcore screamer, Andrew Neufeld of Comeback Kid is yet another hard-rocking Canadian sweetheart. He regales us with stories of transporting exceptional sausage and being shown "24 Hour Party People" in a Serbian jail.

Indie/alt-singer/songwriter Jon Snodgrass has collaborated with everybody, from The Descendents and Lagwagon to Chuck Ragan. Our awesome convo with him goes just as many places, from writing jingles for friends to Warren Zevon and baseball.

Punk/ska band, The Flatliners frontman, Chris Cresswell misses the road but also feels guilty about the amount of fun he had staying home this summer. We also talk songwriting, playing in Hot Water Music and pre-Canadians burning down the White House.

Kate and Jon Hiltz - you may not know who they are (yet) but these two have been instrumental in the Jersey music scene, from inspiring little Benny to nurturing, and managing The Bouncing Souls, these two are brother and sister punk-rock matriarchs.

Chris Farren and Jeff Rosenstock, together known sometimes as Antarctigo Vespucci (usually with Benny on drums) are two long-standing, "friends of the Offtrack family" and they came on to throw some laughs and keep us company during election day.

Founding member of heavy-hardcore band Terror, Scott Vogel has also been in a whole bunch of other, seriously legit bands that you know. This week we get into everything from therapy to Madball to cutting your own hair.

Avail frontman, punk-folkster Tim Barry checked in from lovely Richmond, VA to talk about his early metal days, adult dorms and a recent, massive LSD trip that ended up involving 2am chats with his publisher and accountant.

Bad Cop/Bad Cop is a badass, punk-rock band and this week their singer-guitarist, Jennie Cotterill tuned in to give us the low-down on the band and then take us off-track into baking, guitars, sculpture, and the evil Mrs. Hammond.

Clutch drummer, Jean-Paul Gaster is the backbone of his group but he's also a big Miles Davis fan and has great advice on working with stone. At the end of the day though, it's just fun to listen to Benny bro' down with a fellow time-keeper.

Bryan Kienlen, bassist for The Bouncing Souls and tattoo artist, talks about the Jersey punk band's earliest incarnations, and adventures, in high school thru to the newest, and cutest, addition to his family.

Touché Amoré frontman, Jeremy Bolm is a hardcore-punk master who loves vinyl records and believes in aliens. Hear us discuss all that, Alaska and how his grandpa was pals with Bob Hope.

There's a few punk musicians out there with successful record labels but Syd Butler may be the nicest of them all. Hear stories like his first band with Ian MacKaye's sister and freezing in the Seth Meyers studio where he plays bass in the 8G band.

Michael Kelly intimidated Benny, who couldn't shake his House of Cards character, Doug Stamper. But guess what? He's not only a great film and TV actor, but a great guy as well. He's also... a guitar player! It's a great conversation, enjoy.

Joe Sib is many things, punk-rock frontman for Wax and 22 Jacks, record label owner (SideOneDummy) and standup comedian. We discuss all of it, from growing up as an awkward skater kid with a big head, to turning life's little tragedies into laughs.

Rise Against frontman, Tim McIlrath is a modern day icon of punk rock and it was a delight to hear some of his origin stories and insights on life. His "best-of-Chicago" list is solid info too, even though he refused commit on a pizza spot.

Brilliant young songwriter and producer, Bartees Strange makes compelling, vital music. He's got a lot to talk about as well, like growing up an outcast in Oklahoma then finally finding identity in an all-black neighborhood in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

Hardcore punk band, War On Women shred on stage and walk the walk offstage where they take real action on some of the big social issues that come up in their songs. From feminism to angry skinheads, this is a fun and enlightening chat with Shawna and Sue.

Punk-rock producer and hardcore-frontman for Battery, Brian McTernan has a lot to talk about, including some memorable experiences with Benny. We talk straight-edge, worst-band-in-the-studio stories and his new band, Be Well, along the way.

Fat Mike of NoFX is always going off track and he pulls no punches with us on this week's episode. There's plenty of raging punk rock mania but he also manages to get pretty introspective at one point... then quickly returns with a "fuck Radiohead".