B-Side Breakdown

More than twenty-five years after releasing their last full-length record, Overthrow returned with *Setting the Price*—not as a nostalgia project, but as the continuation of a story that was never truly finished. In this episode, Chris and Anthony break down "Tribute," a song rooted in loss, gratitude, and the people who helped shape both the band and the New York hardcore community. They reflect...

What happens when conspiracy theories stop being fringe entertainment and start influencing the way people understand the world? In Episode 53 of B-Side Breakdown, Shayne Miel of Overton breaks down "High On Faith," a darkly humorous and surprisingly thoughtful song inspired by misinformation, conspiracy culture, and humanity's need to explain the unknown. What began with a single lyric evolved in...

“This song was me finally going backwards and dealing with some demons.” For episode 52 of B-Side Breakdown, Marc-Alan Prince breaks down “The Damned,” a song about chasing perfection, surviving self-destruction, and coming to terms with the difference between romanticized youth and the reality of getting older. What starts as a conversation about touring and punk rock ambition turns into somethin...

This song came from a real moment in the woods that stayed with them long after they got home. On episode 51 of B-Side Breakdown, DPFKS break down “Magnetic Rock,” a song rooted in emotional exhaustion, connection, and a surreal experience on Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail that became the emotional center of the track. The conversation moves through the band’s pandemic-era formation, their attempt to...

For episode 50 of B-Side Breakdown, Shi from Scarboro breaks down “Chaser,” a song rooted in political exhaustion, fake empathy, and the disconnect between what people say they believe and what they’re willing to act on. Shi talks openly about working in politics and nonprofit advocacy, running for Congress from the left, and eventually walking away after years of watching corporate influence holl...

“ASM KoP” started as a phrase Nick Palmer couldn’t shake—something he said constantly in his day job as a retail recruiter: Assistant Store Manager, King of Prussia. What began as a hook turned into something more layered: a snapshot of aging punk lifers navigating retail jobs, suburban malls, and the space between who they were and who they are now. In this episode, Nick breaks down how the song...

In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson talks with Johnny Laberda from Battery Eyes and Andrew Cahak of Unstable Shapes about “Upside Down,” a collaborative track that stretches beyond both bands’ usual comfort zones. Born from a casual conversation at Minneapolis mainstay Mortimer’s, the song evolved into one of the most anthemic and stylistically distinct moments on Battery Eyes’ upco...

In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson sits down with David Jarnstrom of Minneapolis post-hardcore stalwarts Dead History to talk about “Through the Shadows,” a standout track from the band’s 2025 album Departures. Built around an initial guitar idea from Matt Rezac, the song took a long and winding path to completion—nearly left behind before emerging as one of the record’s most spaci...

In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson sits down with Brad Gunnarson—better known around the Twin Cities as B-Gun—to unpack “Teenager,” a Deftones cover recorded under the project name Killing Stares. Originally appearing on White Pony, the song was reimagined for For the Song You Saved, a community-driven Deftones tribute benefiting Oasis for Youth. Brad talks through the long-held id...

Brett Johnson sits down with James and Terry of The Jukebox Romantics (Downstate NY) to talk about “The Walk to Heartwood” — a heartfelt standout from their 2025 full-length, This One Looks Cool. Equal parts punk gratitude and FEST devotion, the song is a self-described “love letter to Heartwood Soundstage” and the Gainesville DIY scene. Built around themes of chosen family, emotional return, and...

In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson talks with members of Too Late, But Still about “Feedback City,” a standout track from their 2025 EP Night Songs. The conversation traces how the song came together organically in the room, shaped less by traditional structure and more by evolving movements and shared instincts. Lyrically, “Feedback City” pulls directly from lived experience—tour...

Brett Johnson sits down with Travis Omilian of Banquets (Jersey City, NJ) to talk about “Goodbye Before You Go” — a stirring track from the band’s first album in over a decade, Petty Relics. What started in 2010 as a group of friends making melodic punk with a wink (a band named after a beer, a debut 7" titled This Is Our Concern, Dude) has grown into something far deeper. Across Top Button, Botto...

Kind Skies is a great band from Lexington, KY. They do things their way, authentically and organically, and allow things to unfold as they do. I caught up with Chris on the first segment of the episode then the rest of the band showed up for the second. It was great to chat with them and deep dive into their track "Unrest" that comes off their August 2025 release, "Echo". Be sure to show your supp...

Finally got a chance to talk with ExactlyNo, one of my favorite bands from Minneapolis, MN about their single, “All I Need”.  Known for their big, dynamic sound—explosive drums, guitars that double as riffs and atmosphere, and vocals that carry both raw edge and melodic intention—ExactlyNo push their sonic boundaries on this track. “All I Need” was produced by Jeremy Tappero and mastered by Bruce...

Take Two... You'll hear us joke about it in the episode but this was my 2nd attempt at getting Aaron Stoquert from The Snorts on an episode. We pulled up this time around to talk about the song “Butterflies,” off of their 2024 release, "pitter patter", which I can't recommend enough from beginning to end. If you’re into songs that sprint, sting, and stay with you after they’re over, this one’s a r...

I was happy to get the chance to sit down with Zac from Minneapolis, MN based johnnyrook to talk about their song, "Missing You For Days". johnnyrook has been a staple in the Minneapolis rock scene for decades now, and after a hiatus have come back strong with their new record, "The More Things Change" released this past July. Be sure to show your support on Bancamp Friday and connect with them on...

Adios Fatso is a Massachusetts-based DIY punk project injecting dark humor and sharp social commentary into short, explosive songs. I sat down with Sir-Ken Celli from the group and chatted about their jam, "WTF", which was mixed by Andrew Berlin (Descendents, Rise Against) and mastered by Jason Livermore (NOFX, Lagwagon) at the legendary Blasting Room. It's a super fun song with a SLAMMING ending...

Skjolden is the first solo project from Carl Skildum of Inexorum, Majesties, and Antiverse. Located in Minneapolis and entirely self-directed, Skjolden crosses death metal and melodic black metal. I've known Carl for a long time across multiple bands/projects, and I loved pulling with him on this episode to reconnect and learn what he's been working on. On this episode, we focus on “While Dying”,...

504 Plan is a high school punk band from Washington, D.C., whose music is as urgent as it is unfiltered. Their debut vinyl, DCxPC Live & Dead Vol. 6, features the explosive single Call to Action and captures both their sweat-soaked live energy (recorded at DC9) and their studio polish (tracked at the legendary Inner Ear with Don Zientara). In this episode, we sit down not with the band, but wi...

Indoor Friends (Boston, MA) fuse confessional punk and melodic power-pop into something entirely their own, and nowhere is that more clear than in their latest single, psyayayduck What starts as a lyrical spiral of emotional wreckage becomes a full-blown cathartic release—chaotic, catchy, and unexpectedly fun. In this episode, the band breaks down the writing process behind psyayayduck and how the...

Forbidden Seas is a heavy post-rock band whose members hail from Chicago, Twin Cities, and Los Angeles. I was able to connect with Bill Collins to talk about this new group, their single, "Wolves, Sheep", and lots of other bits. I've known BIll for a long time. This episode was a great opporunity for me to catch up with him on his music, family, and life overall. Please look them up, follow them w...

I love doing this podcast. Simply for the reason that I am exposed to great bands and their new music. Nowhere Fast hails from Louisville, KY and I got to chat with Seth Robinson from the group to talk about their song, "Buffalo" off thier latest record "Modern Archaic". They are actively booking dates around the US so be sure to get connected to them and show your support when they come through y...

Grateful to pull up with Jon Snodgrass and chat about the "Ghost Trilogy" of songs off his recent release, "Stoked Ghost", that came out on Rad Girlfriend Records late last year. I know he's back out on the road again right now and coming through central Florida next weekend. Look him up if you're in Gainesville, Tampa, or Orlando and get out to the shows if you can! Otherwise, you can keep up wit...

I was able to sit down and chat with Shannon Wilson from the Dayton/Cincinnati, OH based band, Bandages, to chat about their new S/T record and single, "Perfect Hit" featuring Joe Gittleman from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. They are definitely in the rock and punk spectrum but don't fall in any particular sub-genre nor try to align to any specific sound. I personally love that about this band. If...

Via Sky is an American alternative metal band formed in 2023 in Nashville, TN. The group features the powerful vocals of Rich Stadtlander, alongside Nick Conroy on guitar and vocals, David Abbott on drums, and Blake Goodwin on guitar. With their breakout single “Lullaby,” Via Sky has quickly gained recognition, earning radio airplay on Sirius XM’s Octane Station. “The message behind our band is ab...