As The Story Grows

Chapter 193 - "This Is A Labor Of Love" ...as read by Liam Wilson of Azusa Liam joined me to talked about his upcoming stint playing with Devin Townsend, ego in playing music, connecting with the guys in Extol and Azusa's new record, Loop of Yesterdays. Liam Wilson - https://www.instagram.com/liam_wilson/ Azusa on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AzusaBand Azusa - https://www.theazusawebsite.co...

Chapter 192 - "Don't Keep Chasing Something You're Not" ...as read by Andrew Godwin of Embodyment & The Famine Andy  wanted to  make music his career and made decisions in Embodyment (and later The Famine) that would change the trajectory of the band, blindsiding fans (and creating some amazing records). Andy chats about Embodyment's history, the decision to change their sound, wanting to do death...

Chapter 191 - "Everybody Had Our Back" ...as read by Tedd Cookerly of EDL Tedd Cookerly joins the podcast this week to set the record straight on Ever Day Life's history. The band had the respect of their peers and the support from their label to go and be who they were. They were political and  abrasive that hurt their success in the Christian industry. They had people rooting for their success,...

Chapter 190 - "A Gradual Thing That Became A Big Part of My Life" ...as read by Malia Endres of Glacier Veins I'm very excited to introduce Glacier Veins to listeners of this podcast! I've been a fan since their first split ep and the band keeps getting better with each release. Glacier Veins will release their first full-length, The World You Want To See, on February 28th via Equal Vision Records...

Chapter 189 - "Furnace Fest 2020" ...as read by Chad Johnson Furnace Fest is back for a 20th Anniversary celebration! Chad talks about what brought the festival back, putting together a dream line-up, and the joys and challenges of the internet. If you aren't already excited about Furnace Fest, this episode should pump you up! Furnace Festival 2020: https://furnacefest2020.com/ Following along on...

Chapter 188 - "We Just Wanted To Be Part of the Scene" ...as read by Chris Stafford of Few Left Standing Few Left Standing is reuniting for Furnace Fest 2020! Chris talks about the conversation with Chad that brought the band back, plus Few Left Standing's history and recording with Bruce Fitzhugh.  Follow Few Left Standing on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Few-Left-Standing-193189347418144/...

Chapter 187 - "We Realized The Band Had A Legacy" ...as read by Cliffy Huntington The Huntingtons will release Muerto, Carcel, O Rocanrol  on January 31st via Burnt Toast Vinyl, their first new music since 2003. Cliffy joins the show this week for a look at the bands long history, their deal with Tooth and Nail, leaving the band, and what's driving the Huntingtons to make new music.  Links to pre-...

Chapter 186 - "Life Is Beautiful, Life Is So Hard" ...as read by Bryan Patton This week a quick episode reflecting on 2019. Some personal notes on the year and a look at my favorite books, movies, and records of the year. Bryan's Favorite Releases of 2019 - https://themeltdownmusic.com/2019/12/14/favorite-releases-of-2019/ Spotify Playlist of my favorite record - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/...

Chapter 185 - "Emo Is Euphoria" ...as read by Tom Mullen of Washed Up Emo Tom Mullen has been running Washed Up Emo for over 10 years, defending a genre often maligned, slandered, and made fun of. Tom talks about growing up in Vermont, discovering emo, and inspiration that keeps him going! Washed Up Emo - http://www.washedupemo.com/ Turn The Knife - https://open.spotify.com/album/6TiwKVi4iGFGCSbqf...

Chapter 184 - "That's How I Came To Be A Supertone" ...as read by Kevin Chen Kevin Chen was recruited from Bloodshed to join the Supertones. Kevin talks about terrible first band names, discovering hardcore, the rise of The Supertones, and his music career after ska.  ---------- Chapter 184 Music: The OC Supertones - "Resolution" The OC Supertones - "Adonai" The OC Supertones - "Who Can Be Against...

Chapter 183 - "I'm Not Happy Unless I'm Creating Something" ...as read by Kevin Max Kevin Max has been releasing a steady stream of solo records since 2001. His latest, Romeo Drive, is about to be released on vinyl by Old Bear Records. Kevin chats about his creative process and what keeps him driven to try new things. We also discuss DC Talks early days and their evolution in sound.  Kevin's Websi...

Chapter 182 - "Dealing Hope" ...as read by Mic Cox formerly of Zao A year or so after I first asked Mic to come on the podcast, we were finally able to work out a time to chat. Mic talks about growing up a pastor's kid in rural West Virginia, the origins of Zao and their evolution in sound, and his brand new podcast, Bearded Hope.  The Bearded Hope - https://beardedhope.weebly.com/ To Live As Sons...

Chapter 181: "Ridiculously Fortunate" ...as read by Eric Shirey of Pluto Records Eric and I chatted over two days to deep dive his musical history. Eric was in an industrial band that almost signed with REX Records before launching Pluto Records with Brian Cobbel. Eric goes through the early history of Pluto Records, including how the label signed Luti-Kriss (Norma Jean) and As I Lay Dying.  Pluto...

Chapter 180: "In The Back of a U-Haul" ...as read by Kenny, Kris, and Tom from One 21 Kris invited me to Philadelphia Recording Service to chat with him, Kenny, and Tom about One 21. The guys recounted their early days with tons of tour horror stories. They also talked about what is driving their reunion.  Philadelphia Recording Service: https://philarecordingservice.com/ One 21 on Instagram: http...

Chapter 179: "I'm Going To Blame Jeremy Enigk" ...as read by Daniel Fairbanks of Soulfood 76 Soulfood 76's seminal record Original Soundtrack is about to be re-released on vinyl for the first time ever from Old Bear Records. Daniel talked about the band's history, their sound, and Seattle's influence on Original Soundtrack. Daniel also discusses working for Tooth and Nail and Metro One Records, as...

Chapter 178: "We Just Played Every Small Town" ...as read by Dylan Johnstone of Means and Continuance  Dylan Johnstone was kind enough to call me and chat about his musical history and the differences between the scenes in Canada and America.  Means just released some new merchandise that you can buy here . ---------- Chapter 178 Music: Means - "Looking For Life" Means - "Awareness" Means - "Burne...

Chapter 177: "I'm Such a Music Nerd" ...as read by Jake Brown of Computer Club Records Computer Club Records celebrates 20 Years this year! Jake was kind enough to talk about starting the label and where it's headed, writing Regulate the Chemicals with TwoThirtyEight, and what happens when management goes wrong.  Computer Club on Bandcamp: https://computerclubrecords.bandcamp.com/ Jake's Urban Ach...

Chapter 176: "We Experienced A Lot Of Stuff Over Those Years" ...as read by Eric Balmer of Fielding This week, Eric Balmer. Eric talks about the importance of his childhood neighbor, Ryan Dennee, his relationship with Scott Silletta, why he quit music, and the struggle of releasing music in 2019. Eric's band Fielding released a killer record called Rags of Light earlier this year, which I recommen...

Chapter 175: "We're All Enjoying It Together" ...as read by Jeff Fortson of Squad Five-O Squad Five-O was always one of my favorite live bands, so it was great getting to catch up with Jeff about Squad's history and controversy. We dive into the Bombs Over Broadway record and why the band has started doing weekend shows again.  Squad Five-O on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/squadfiveo_offic...

Chapter 174: "It Was Difficult For Me To Write This Record" ...as read by Laura McElroy of Comrades Laura was kind enough to chat with me about relocating the band, being on the road constantly, the band's history, and bearing her soul on Comrades new record, For We Are Not Yet, We Are Only Becoming. Photo by Imani Givertz Comerades: https://wearecomrades.com/ Give the band a like on Fac...

Chapter 173: "Just Here To Play Hardcore and Have Some Fun" ...as read by John Marino of Circle Back Circle Back will release their new ep, Terminus, this Friday, August 30th! I invited John on to talk about his history in the scene and Circle Back. Along the way I discovered John was once the frontman of Outcry (Clenched Fist Records). You can pre-order Terminus at https://crossmyheartr...

Chapter 172: "If I Got An Idea, I Do It" ...as read by Brooks Paschal of Surprises Back in May Brooks released a killer new Surprises record called Natural Disaster. Brooks talks about Sullivan's time on Tooth and Nail and how that ultimately led the band to calling it quits. Brook's also talks about what's driving Surprises and his creative spirit. Natural Disater: https://surprises.ban...

Chapter 171: "We Still Have A Little Gas Left In the Tank" ...as read by Josh Hagquist of The Beautiful Mistake The Beautiful Mistake is back! Josh was kind enough to chat about the band's history, why they called it at day, his work with The Lassie Foundation. Project 86, and Stranger Kings, and why The Beautiful Mistake is back together and writing new music. The Beautiful Mistake on F...

Chapter 170: "We Still Love Hardcore" ...as read by Nate Jarrell and Judd Morgan from Gut Punch Judd and Nate each did stints in No Innocent Victim (Judd a little longer than Nate) but the demands of touring led them to leave N.I.V. and form Born Blind. The guys talk about their history with hardcore, recording struggles, jumping from Facedown to Solid State and why they came back to har...

Chapter 169: "Every Church Will Buy The CD" ...as read by Joe Yerke of The Insyderz The Insyderz bust onto a scene at the right time. Only it wasn't exactly the scene they hoped to be a part of. Joe took the time to talk about about being the kiss of death to record labels, the politics of navigating the Christian music scene, and post Insyderz life. The Insyderz have a few records on Ba...