Going Off Track

New Age Records owner & Freewill bassist, Mike Hartsfield talks about running all aspects of the record label out of his house even merch, which his daughter helped him kick-start in 5th grade. Of course, he was publishing his own zine, "Universal Brain Basher" (and interviewing King Diamond) at 13 himself, so no surprise there. We talk about all variations of hardcore thru the decades and fin...

Oceanator's Elise Okusami gives Benny some help with his upcoming knee surgery. She details how the choice between basketball and music got made for her and we also dig into some Fugazi, Dookie and electronics recycling.

Guitar repair master and road-dog, Kyle Roggendorf joins us to discuss becoming a metal-head in kindergarten. He also reminisces with Benny about letting The Gaslight Anthem rehearse in his basement and explains why he still buys CDs. Raritan Bay Guitar Repair

Hot Water Music bassist, Jason Black joins us to discuss how many times he's knocked out Chuck Ragan with his guitar's headstock. He can't help Benny with his goose-problem, but has a lot of nice things to say about Mike Watt, Fishbone and Metallica.

Broadway Calls guitarist-vocalist, Ty Vaughn checks in from the rugged Pacific Northwest to tell us of the cool uncle who inspired him to play guitar, recording with the mighty Bill Stevenson and how he's really just a hardcore kid killing time.

Singer and guitarist for None More Black and Kid Dynamite, Jason Shevchuk joins us to tell how he screamed his way to a hernia. We also get into the time he covered Dave Hause in fake blood and reveal a very pertinent secret about his latest project.

Best friends from youth, Josh Grabelle and Carl Severson started Trustkill and Ferret Records respectively. They join us to talk about meeting in math class 30 years ago then going on to found two of the seminal hardcore labels of the last 20 years.

Sincere Engineer, the delightful Deanna Belos checks in from out chilly Chicago-way to discuss research mice, driving with no window in minus-60° weather, and all the cool emo shows she saw with her mom, whose car she wrote her first album in.

Silverstein frontman, and Lead Singer Syndrome podcast-host, Shane Told joins us this week to talk sports (Raptors/Bluejays fan) and how hearing Metallica for the first time at ten years old, on his older sister's CD player inspired his punk-rock career.

We're kicking off 2022 with our second annual "Optimist Club" special. First up: Benny's old pal and spiritual alignment aid, Professor Neel. Also on board, the talented solo-artist, Kayleigh Goldsworthy and we cap it off with a VERY special guest.

The Menzinger's guitarist/vocalist, Greg Barnett visits us this week to talk about his new solo album that he wasn't going to do unless the band approved. We also rank the Lefty Guitarist Hall of Fame and find out about sketchy bungie jumping in Poland.

Minus The Bear (and Botch) guitarist, Dave Knudson joined us to talk about a naked-Botch show witnessed by teenage Benny, home studio techniques, silly porn names and his 9yr. old's beat making attempts.

Big D and the Kids Table frontman, Dave McWane joins us this week with guest-host, Jeff Rosenstock to explain why ska and heavy metal are similar genres. We also get into why Covid was the "artist's gift" for him and some tips for young bands.

Music author/journalist Dan Ozzi joined us from his LA treehouse to discuss his new book, "Sellout" about major labels going after punk rock. We also got into Dan's penchant for ball-busting and his thing for the Vice IT guy.

Chris McLane of South Carolina hardcore band, Stretch Arm Strong came on this week to chill us out with his cool, southern vibe and tell us fun stories like seeing Black Flag in 1984 as a 12 year old kid.

Author of "In Defense of Ska", Aaron Carnes joined us this week to talk about his awesome, fun, and easy-read of a book that even the ska-uninterested will find worth checking out.

Guitarist, roadie, amazing human, Ian Perkins of The Gaslight Anthem and Horrible Crowes, came on this week to throw a LOT of laughs our way. We try hard to figure out his over-arching interest in people and hatred of social media.

Kevin Dye sings and plays guitar for indie-band, Gates but he's also an experienced, sought-after music producer and engineer. He talks to us about how those two things are permanently interwoven as well as getting his start with the legendary Levon Helm.

Pioneering, skateboard legend, Steve Caballero got on with us this week to discuss his new band, Urethane, the history of skateboarding and his place in it, and getting busted by his first girlfriend's parents, bare-assed and mid-coitus.

This week Benny gets to geek out on sports with Yankees Baseball expert, Jack Curry of the YES Network and NY Times. Don' worry, Jack is a HUGE music fan and the discussion is deep and endearing... and often sports-like.

Brit and Tim from the ska-band, Catbite join us this week from Philly to talk about the trials of the van and some truly wacky Covid experiences that they refused to let keep them down. Also dog-bites vs cat-bites... very informative.

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones guitarist/songwriter Joe Gittleman joins us this week to discuss the early days of the band and the old Boston hardcore scene. We also hear a lot of praise for Fishbone, Rancid and Joe Strummer.

Murder by Death frontman, Adam Turla checked in with us from Louisville to relay a real, Irish ghost story. He talks about what it was like playing a live show in a cave during a flash flood and a haunted hotel. Oh yeah, he also wields a dream-hammer.

Against Me! guitarist, James Bowman joined us to talk about moving to New Jersey, being a punk-kid in south Florida and Bowman Audio Endeavors, his awesome guitar-pedal company that's definitely the coolest Covid induced project ever.

Lovable, singer-songwriter Mikey Erg, frontman for The Ergs!, drummer for Worriers, talks about working with legendary producer Steve Albini on his latest album. He also used to do remixes of Bon Jovi in his dad's recording studio when he was eight!