Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico

Jack Grisham — the iconic frontman of SoCal punk legends T.S.O.L. joins us to talk about time, reinvention, and his new project Jack Grisham and the Life Undone, a collaboration with Berlin-based musician Lars Triesch. Grisham reflects on a life lived at full speed and the creative impulse behind the duo's debut record — a project he's quick to clarify isn't really a "band,"...

This show is a real mixed bag. We talk about the New Alliance Gallery art opening, how Dag Nasty got signed to Giant Records, 2026 summer tours, and if that's not enough, a replay of our conversation with the great Jim McCarty — Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer of The Yardbirds. Music Clips by The Charms, The Dogmatics, and The Long Wait Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo

Tommy Ng, leader of the indie rock band Jesus the Dinosaur, joins us to promote the band's new single "Sweet Nothing" and share the interesting journey that brought them from Atlanta to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. “For me personally, I’m describing what it feels like to be in a social setting while being maxed out on my social meter. I have a big people-pleasing problem (...

Kier Byrnes has played a Belgian prison, performed for the troops in the Middle East, and toured 17 countries with his band. Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners blend Irish folk and traditional country — accordion, chicken-pickin' guitar, whiskey-soaked ballads, foot-stomping jigs — and have the hardware to show for it: New England and Boston Music Award wins, plus a spot on Americana UK's Top 10 for...

Michael Robert Kelly is the guy you call when your band needs a bass player. In addition to fronting his own project, The Brother Stereo, he's stepped in for his brother Matt's band, the Dropkick Murphys, and logged a ton of shows with the legendary James Montgomery Band. Most recently, while on tour with the Violent Femmes as Brian Ritchie's bass tech, Kelly got the call to fill in af...

Singer/songwriter Katy Nathan first came on our radar when she was running a Joe Perry fan page. Now she's back to talk about her debut single, "Torrential Downpour." Music Clips by The Charms, The Dogmatics, Victory At Sea, Black Helicopter, Ape Hangers, and Katy Nathan Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo

In this episode, we're joined by legendary rock 'n' roller Charlie Farren, who gained prominence as the lead singer of The Joe Perry Project on the 1981 album  I've Got the Rock 'n' Rolls Again , and later with his own band, Fahrenheit. Music Clips by The Charms. The Dogmatics, Victory At Sea, Blame It On Whitman, FBI, and Charlie Farren Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccard...

In this live episode recorded at WMFO in Medford, MA, we're joined by legendary hardcore drummer Mark McKay (The Long Wait, Slapshot) and an acoustic performance by Tad Overbaugh, accompanied by Chuck Vath. Music Tad Overbaugh - "July", "Hurricane Season"(LIVE) Black Helicopter - "Egypt MA" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll" additional music clip from The Charms Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccar...

This episode features brothers and bandmates Jacob and Nicolas Bitove of Toronto's self-described "punktronic" band ROMES, here to talk about their brand new album  Sonic Trash . If you haven't discovered ROMES yet, they've been carving out a gritty, high-energy sound that blends raw rock attitude with glitchy electronic vibes.  Sonic Trash  leans hard into that aesthetic — d...

In the episode, we're joined by Ramona Lundberg of the Norwegian pop punk band Ramona's Tea Party to discuss their new album,  Pour Your Heart Out . Music clips from Ramona's Tea Party, The Zulus, The Long Wait, The Charms, The Dogmatics Produced & Hosted by Steev Riccardo

In this epsiode, we are joined by Bill Hein and Andrew Zicklin, co-owners of Label 51 Recordings and Flatiron Recordings both based in Denver Co. We get into both labels, plus some history between Bill and the host, who worked together at Enigma Records back in the 80’s. Music Clips by The Charms, The Dogmatics, Victory At Sea, Black Helicopter, The Long Wait , and Applied Knowledge Produced and H...

In this episode, we're joined by rock star, actor, radio personality, and one of the coolest dudes around — Michael Des Barres. We look back at his remarkable life of rock 'n' roll and acting, which included bands like Silverhead, Detective, Chequered Past, and The Power Station, along with a stellar assortment of TV and film appearances. These days, Des Barres is back in the rock ring...

Tad Overbaugh is one of Boston's finest songwriters — criminally under the radar, but not for much longer. Tad crafts a sound that's been beautifully described as "alt-country music viewed from Boston," a gritty, lived-in blend of roots rock, Americana, and dive-bar pop that draws comparisons to The Replacements, Drive-By Truckers, and Steve Earle. It was fellow Boston-based songwriter Tom Baker —...

In this episode, we are joined by Ali Lipman and James Christopher of the up and coming Boston emo-punkers Cape Crush! These guys have been tearing it up since around 2021 with anthemic, high-energy tracks that blend raw emotion with seriously catchy punk rock. Music Clips from The Charms, The Dogmatics, The Long Wait, Blame It On Whitman, and Cape Crush are included in this epsisode. Produced and...

This is the pilot episode of a new podcast currently in development called Out On The Couch. Chris Doherty of Gang Green wrote the song that inspired the podcast, so there’s no better way to kick things off than with our friend Chris. Music by Gang Green, courtesy of Taang! Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo

Harold Bronson is a true pioneer of the American independent record scene. As co-founder of Rhino Records, he helped build the label into America’s leading reissue powerhouse, preserving decades of rock history through beloved compilations like Nuggets. Earlier, while attending UCLA, Bronson was a music writer and a founding member of the early ’70s L.A. band Mogan David & His Winos. His memoir, "...

On this epsiode we are joined by Sandy Skye Netburn, a New York–based singer, songwriter, and guitarist crafting songs through the lens of teenage life. With sharp wit, modern language, and emotionally charged melodies, her music blends humor and honesty to spark inspiration and goosebumps. And she is a great guest! Music The Charms "So Pretty" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll&quot...

Kerrin Connolly is about as DIY(Do It Yourself) as it gets as is evidenced by her body of work. She writes the songs, plays all the instruments, makes the recordings, and ultimately manages, promotes, book, and markets it all. And did we mention she's really good at it. Music Clips: Kerrin Connolly "Quiet" The Charms "So Pretty" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll" Greg Allen's Fringe Religion "She'...

This is the first episode of our eighth year as a podcast, so we brought back a couple of longtime friends who joined us last year—Debbie Southwood-Smith and Juli Kryslur. Not only are they best friends, but they’re also longtime music industry vets. This episode is one for the ages. No holds barred. Music Clips The Charms "So Pretty" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll" The Long...

In this episode, we highlight many of the great clips from 2025. Featured clips: Daniel Ash(Bauhaus/Love And Rockets), Dave Dictor(MDC), Fergal Lawler(The Cranberries), Debbie Southwood-Smith, Buck Johnson(Aerosmith), Ronnie Barnett(The Muffs), Johnny Angel, Warren Zanes(Del Fugues), Lilli Dennison, Alice Austin, Nicole Laurenne(The Darts), MEGG, Shurr Jr., Isabella Pombrio, Kevin Kirk, Blame It O...

In this episode, we review and talk about some of our favorite albums and songs of what was a great year in music - 2025! Music Clips The Charms "So Pretty" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll", I Can't Get Over You" Victory At Sea “Happy For You” Black Helicopter "Egypt MA", "Charlestown's Burning" Shurr Jr "Lewis Park" Blame It On Whitman "Bad Mood Walkin" Speedfossil "Peg Leg" The Zulus "Collide"...

In this episode, we’re joined by the great Tracy Bonham, a twice Grammy-nominated American alt-rock singer-songwriter best known for her 1996 breakout hit, “Mother Mother,” and a career that spans far beyond it. Music The Charms "So Pretty" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll" Blame It On Whitman "Bad Mood Walkin" Ape Hangers "She Comes Again" Speedfossil &quo...

The Legendary Rich Gilbert returns to the show to talk about The Zulus 2022 "Outer Space" album which is now available on all streaming platforms for the first time! Music Clips(Used by permission) The Charms "So Pretty" The Charms "The One That You Want The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll" Blame It On Whitman "Bad Mood Walkin" The Zulus "Collide" The Zulus "The Tickler" The Legendary Rich Gilbert "...

Tim Shea, singer, guitarist, and songwriter with Black Helicopter returns to the show to talk about the bands incredible new 2025 album "Balancing Act". Music Clips The Charms "So Pretty" The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll" Black Helicopter "Charlestown's Burning" Black Helicopter "Egypt Ma" Shurr Jr "Lewis Park" Greg Allen's Fringe Religion "She's Stoned" Victory At Sea "Happy For You" Produced an...

On this episode, we are joined by Justin Warfield(She Wants Revenge) who is in the process of launching an incredible series of music entitled “Deathrock Devotionals” under the moniker Warfield. “For Justin Warfield, Warfield marks his first proper solo project since co-founding She Wants Revenge in 2004 - “the only recording and touring project I’ve helmed outside of SWR,” he says. While She Want...