The Itch Rock Podcast

This week, we're scratching The Itch for DOOMSDAY! The (mostly) Texas-based GORE. is one of the most exciting new bands in the metal world, and we were thrilled to speak with guitarist Alex King and bassist Devin Birchfield about their debut EP, A Bud That Never Blooms , out October 25th on Spinefarm Records. The fellas recount how they connected to frontwoman (and NASA engineer) Haley Roughton, t...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to visit the Blue Planet! Three decades of fandom come to a head as Aaron sees Weezer perform The Blue Album for the first time with support from the ever-entertaining Flaming Lips . And he followed that up by seeing a new act with a throwback 90s hip hop sound in the ever-confident Joey Valence & Brae ! Meanwhile, KC had a mixed bag of a time seeing In...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to keep catchin' up! Concerts continue to abound, and this one includes the rhyming trifecta of friendships, road trips, and vacation pro tips! Join us to hear insights about the touring life from friends (current and hopefully future) Oxymorrons , VRSTY , Nothing More , Eva Under Fire , Post Profit , & The Burkharts . Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to run it back! Bryan Kuznitz of Fame on Fire is back to talk about the the band's new album The Death Card , which drops on Sept 6. Insightful and ever-honest, Bryan explains the thematic threads throughout the album, and gives an eye-opening report on the difficulties of being an artist in the age of Spotify and Ticketmaster. Plus, we revisit an amusing story...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to collaborate! Wes Anderson is a longtime internet friend of ours with an impeccable record of guest features on his music. His new single, "Goodbye," features two-time Itch guest Stephen Richards of Taproot , and his previous track, " Heads Are Gonna Roll ," features Benji Webbe of The Itch's Official Favorite Band, Skindred . So the time...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to share the wealth! It's another Concert Catch-up, but this time with stories from the whole gang! We saw no less than 10 bands, recently, including an Itch radio staple, some concert buddies, two podcast guests, some hopeful future guests, and a self-described "brass house" band. There's truly something for everyone to appreciate, and maybe even dis...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for future deja vu! Jutes ' album Ladybug made our top 20 of 2023, and his upcoming follow-up Sleepyhead is shaping up as a contender for 2024! We had to have this prolific songwriter on to discuss his shifting sounds, the challenges of being an independent artist, and balancing his desire for a quiet, private life with the public nature of his relationship wit...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a roundup! We're talking about four of our favorite albums from the second quarter of 2024. And it's an Itch International Rock Roundup to boot, featuring Britain's Bring Me the Horizon , Mexico's The Warning , Texas' Nothing More , and Scotland's Dead Pony ! That's right, Texas is it's own country. It's a mix of heavy hitters and rising stars. Genre shifte...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for unique concert experiences! Aaron saw four shows in four very different environments, and now the guys have to break down the details on poetry readings, surprising mosh pit members, when smoke machines go wrong, and what you get when you choose the free show. Check out The Itch's experiences seeing Micah Bournes , Metric , The New Pornographers , and Fury...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for the end times! Eicca Toppinen of Apocalyptica joins us to discuss the cello metallers' new album Plays Metallica Vol. 2 . Join us to hear about why they followed up on the album that put them on the map nearly 30 years ago, why their tour features the best Metallica set list ever, and (of course) the hard-hitting question of why they included the polarizing...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get hooked! Deal with that pun as Jason Hook of Flat Black joins us to discuss the process of starting a band from scratch after reaching some of rock's highest highs in his previous band. Flat Black's debut album "Dark Side of the Brain" is out July 19th, and Jason has been itching (see, it comes full circle) to talk about it. We cover the origins...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for Michigan! Grand Rapids' Upheaval Festival is coming up, and in a callback to last years coverage, we're breaking down this year's lineup. But this time, it's an Itch fantasy draft, as we each build our own stage from the Upheaval lineup! Shout out to past guests Chris Meyer of MiEntertainment and Rebecca Potzner of BandedPR , as well as the rest of the Uphe...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for Closure! After 17 years, The Exies are back with a new EP, and band leader and Itch friend Scott Stevens joins us for the second time to discuss all the details. Scott reflects on the experience of creating these new songs (and playing the band's reunion show at The Viper Room in LA) with his unique combination of adventurous curiosity, thoughtful introspec...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for serendipity! After a random introduction on an Instagram post, Columbia, Missouri's Hang Your Hate won us over (as discussed in episode 209 ) and eventually became must-have guests. So this week all five of our MoBros joined us for a breeze of a talk covering the origins of their (bandvantage) name, our mutual love for System of a Down, how they make their...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for some hometown heroes! March Bandness winners and St Louis' own Tree One Four joins us to discuss the creative process, performing with The Urge, and last year's Monolithic Hieroglyphic , which landed them a spot on The Itch's Top 20 Albums list. Plus, the singles vs albums debate continues, Aaron misses half the show, and for the first time ever, our guest...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to fight evil with poetry. Aaron does his first ever solo interview with one of his favorite artists, poet and musician Micah Bournes . Micah is raising funds for a double album exploring the ins and outs of romance. Along with that, Micah discusses the nature of war, living as a nomad, using his words to create music, and, well, the audacity of caucacity. It's...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for an instant sequel! We enjoyed our time with Lee and Luke of Lowlives so much that we asked for more of it! Their debut album, Freaking Out , is out now, and we're digging it and digging into it. Join us to hear the story behind their single " Liar, " the difference between a good label and a bad one, how Luke almost left music behind, Billy Corgan...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get low with Lowlives ! Lee Downer and Luke Johnson join us to discuss their journeys through the music industry and the myriad 90s rock influences behind their new earworm-filled debut LP, Freaking Out . Join us for entertaining insight, full music geekery, and the story behind the unsettling Helvis. But wait, there's more! ... With Lowlives. Coming soon. I...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for another set of shows! It was a week of favorites as Fury in Few , Calva Louise , and Oxymorrons all came through St Louis. Join us for an international adventure as Calva visits St Louis for the first time with their Scottish tourmates VUKOVI at Blueberry Hill's Duck Room . Then, Fury in Few brings The Itch to their home turf in our home town with a show at...

This past week, the world lost Jon Wysocki. You may know him as the original drummer for Staind, or from his time in SOiL. The Itch knew him as the drummer for Lydia's Castle , one of the first bands to approach us directly about appearing on the show. About two years ago, we spoke with his bandmates Tonya and Cody. It was an insightful, vulnerable, and humorous conversation, and they had...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to catch up on concerts! It's show season, and we've been out and about experiencing live music from Itch guests, favorites, and new discoveries. KC had a special experience seeing Des Rocs with Jigsaw Youth . KC and Dan caught up with Dead Poet Society and were formally introduced to the nu metal insanity that is Silly Goose . And Aaron saw his new ride-for ba...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to catch fire! Taylor Carroll and Arejay Hale of KemikalFire are back for another great, coffee-and-fragrance-fueled time. We discuss transitioning from being exclusively behind the kit in their other bands (Lit and Halestorm, respectively) to acting as co-frontmen, getting more nervous playing in front of 200 people than 20,000, and words of wisdom from Hoobas...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to dream big! We're sharing our personal interview wishlists with the world, because once it's out there, there's an expectation? Maybe? Plus, we put the call out for who YOU want to hear us talk with, and we've got some excellent responses to share! Join us for laughs and a glimpse into the possible future of The Itch. Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you can...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to see shows by friends old and new! We got to see Itch guests Caskets on their tour with Set It Off and Crown the Empire , as well as repeat Itch guests SAUL headlining with Kingdom Collapse and Hang Your Hate . Join us for a discussion about the pros and cons of drinking too much before (and after) a show and the benefits of having credibility with past guest...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for riffs! And boy do our guests have them in spades! Jake Crawford and Luke Caley of Unpeople (and formerly of Press to MECO) join us for a delightful chat that covers the disbandment of their old band, the formation of their new one, the ingredients that make them so dynamic, and a whole bunch of pure music nerdery... which is the best kind of nerdery. The Un...