Brokedown Podcast

Greetings Dead Freaks! It's late December and the year is almost gone. I don't think many of us are going to miss 2020 but let's look instead to celebrate the season and remember a Christmas past. It's just you, me, and the Grateful Dead this time with a little something else thrown in for fun, so stoke up the fire, turn on the outside lights, and let's get this holiday party going on. As I did in...

This week I talked with actor, producer, playwright, and Deadhead, Erik Jensen. Erik has co-written several plays with his wife Jessica Blank including "How To Be A Rock Critic" in which he portrayed famed critic Lester Bangs and this year's "Coal Country" which featured songs and on-stage performance from Steve Earle. We talk about Erik's history as a Deadhead, how their music helped him heal and...

Greetings Dead Freaks! On this episode, I chat with the talented guitarist and songwriter, Zachary Cale. We discuss his most recent album, False Spring, selecting and playing covers, the pros and cons of live streaming, and, of course, Grateful Dead. After that and a selection from Zachary's record, I've got a nice chunk of live Dead for your ear holes. Zachary is a Brooklyn-based musician and Fal...

In this episode I've got two interviews to fill your ears, hearts, and minds. Farmer Dave Scher (Beachwood Sparks, The Skiffle Players) talks about his new EP, "Speak of Love". Then, Dan Horne (Circles Around The Sun, Grateful Shred), tells us about his new release, "The Motorcycle Song EP." We hear a bit from each release and then dig into a big chunk of Grateful Dead. You can find Farmer Dave's...

 Greetings, Dead Freaks! We've got a bonus episode here this week featuring an interview with Billy Bright of the great great band, Wood & Wire. Billy talks about their latest album, "No Matter Where It Goes From Here", Texas bluegrass, songwriting, and, of course, Grateful Dead. We get a taste of the album and then get down with some live Dead to get your feet moving on this late October week.  Y...

Greetings Dead Freaks! This episode is a celebration of Bob Weir's birthday and a dive into his unique and ever-changing guitar sound. I am joined by Alex Wise who is a fan, guitar player, and a radio host. We delve into a number of the shifting aspects of Bobby's guitar playing queuing up examples along the way. Afterwards there's a great chunk of live Grateful Dead to round out the show. You can...

Greetings, Dead Freaks! We're back with a fresh episode, this time a talk with writer, Eric Renner Brown. Eric is a writer and editor for Pollstar and, more importantly, a Deadhead. We talked about how he, a younger fan, got into the band, seeing the post-Dead offshoots with his Deadhead Dad and, of course his favorite tapes. After all of that, I've got some tasty selections of live Grateful Dead...

This episode features a chat with three fans who have a unique responsibility. Toni Fishman and Jason Scheuner own Dick Latvala's archive and, with the help of Scott Medeiros, they are cataloging, and transferring the rich wealth of recordings therein. We had an interesting and wide ranging conversation about what they refer to as "Dick's Stash" as well as their own backgrounds as fans, gearheads,...

On this episode I welcome back Nick Mitchell Maiato. You may know him as one of the guitarists & songwriters from One Eleven Heavy but this go-round he's here to talk about his upcoming solo album, Pino Carrasco. A lot has gone down since we spoke for episode 30 . He and I chat about recording an album at home during lockdown in Spain, some of the local influences he's picked up and, of course, th...

Greetings, Dead Freaks! This go-round, there's no guests, no theme and no worries. It's just you and me and some good old Grateful Dead. Actually, I do spend a few minutes talking about the latest Dave's Pick and Garcia Live releases because they're good and worth your attention. I also spin the first single from the upcoming Garcia Peoples album and as well as a Grateful Dead cover from songwrite...

Greetings Dead Freaks! For episode 74, I spoke with Anne and David from Trummors. We talk about all of their albums, their influences, and Grateful Dead. Afterwards, I deploy a hefty mix of jams to get you through the night. So tune in and hang out with Trummors, the Grateful Dead, and myself. Steeped in their Southwestern environs and brimming with great players, the new Trummors album, Dropout C...

Greetings Dead Freaks! For episode 73, I am joined by Justin Bruce, music fan and weatherman for Las Vegas' KTNV. Justin recently decided to explore the Brent Mydland years of Grateful Dead so I asked him to come on and help me celebrate the late keyboardist as we approach the 30th anniversary of his final shows and passing. We discuss Brent's tenure, his songwriting, and musical contributions. Af...

Greetings Dead Freaks! It's midsummer and I've got a new episode to cool you down. Guitarist Jim Nunally chats with me about coming up as a flatpicker in the Bay Area, making the jump to music full time, playing music with David Grisman, the latest album from the Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally band, and so much more. There's also a mix of Grateful Dead tunes to wrap the whole thing up so stick around...

On June 14th we marked the official 50th anniversary of the release of the Grateful Dead's fifth album, Workingman's Dead. In this episode, author Buzz Poole and I continue to break down the record just has he did in his terrific book. Part of the Bloomsbury 33&⅓ series, Poole's book examines the whole history of The Grateful Dead through the lens of this one album. We flip the album over and expl...

In this episode, we kick off our two-part celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of Workingman's Dead. To mark the moment, author Buzz Poole joins the show to break down the record just as he did in his recent book. Part of the Bloomsbury 33&⅓ series, Poole's book examines the whole history of The Grateful Dead through the lens of this one album. This being part one of our talk, we bre...

This episode features a chat with Chris Funk, guitarist of The Decemberists, who has a new solo album out. We get into those things as well as Chris' history as a Deadhead, listening to some of his music along the way, before diving into a heavy slice of Grateful Dead music. Chris Funk's new album, The Painted Porch, is available at Jealous Butcher Records and via Bandcamp . All profits from Bandc...

This episode features a conversation with returning guest, Andy Barnes. Andy is an old friend, knowledgeable Deadhead, and a lot of fun to chat with about all things. We focus on the three Grateful Dead shows from May, 1973; getting into why there were only three shows and, of course, the great great music that was played. Following the chat, there is an extended mix of terrific tunes so be sure t...

For episode 67, I'm joined by Alex Bleeker of the great band, Real Estate. They released a new album, "The Main Thing" on February 28. We talk about the band, the record, Alex's solo projects and, of course, The Grateful Dead. "The Main Thing" is out now on Domino Records and is available wherever you find your music including the band's website, https://www.realestatetheband.com/ . Alex's side pr...

Back in episode 30, I spoke with James Toth and Nick Maiato of the then new band, One Eleven Heavy. Now, two albums and some tours later, the rest of the band comes on. Dan Brown, Hans Chew, Jake Morris (respectively: bass, keys, & drums) talk about their new live CD, share a few road stories, discuss improvisation onstage, and The Grateful Dead. One Eleven Heavy has two studio albums: "Everything...

Greetings Dead Freaks! For episode 65, my guest is artist Darryl Norsen. Darryl is based in the Boston suburbs where he can often be found digging through dusty bins for inspiration. His artwork is heavily rooted in the rich and vibrant counterculture history where the lines are thick and the colors vibrate which has found him working with a variety of musicians and labels. His current client list...

Hey there, Dead Freaks! We've got an epic episode coming at you to help pass a bit of these weird wild times. Drummers, Ryan Jewell and Joe Westerlund join the show in separate chats to discuss their new albums, music that inspires them, and The Grateful Dead! Ryan Jewell is returning (see ep. 49) to discuss his previously delayed but now available Mosses album, T.V. Sun ( digital , direct via Rya...

Welcome back, Dead Freaks! On this episode I have an extended chat with guitarist Keller Williams about his long career as a solo artist and his many collaborations. We take it all the way back to his first guitar and up to this Summer's much anticipated shows with the Keels, Grateful Grass, and solo, of course. After touching on Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Charlie Hunter, and John Fahey; we also...

Greetings, Dead Freaks! I'm back with a chat with the great Melvin Seals, longtime member of the Jerry Garcia Band and leader of Melvin Seals & JGB ( https://www.melvinsealsandjgb.com/ ). We discuss his background, joining and touring with the Jerry Garcia Band, and JGB over the years. After the interview, I share some recent JGB tracks that are sure to get you moving. Melvin Seals and JGB are abo...

Greetings, Dead Freaks! This episode features two interviews and a new song from each artist. First up Barry Sless of the David Nelson Band chats with me about their new song, with lyrics by the late Robert Hunter: "Movin' Right Along." After we spin that great tune, I talk with Jeffrey Alexander of Dire Wolves (Just Exactly Perfect Sisters Band) and we play a new song from their forthcoming recor...

Greetings Dead Freaks! I'm happy to bring you an interview with Railroad Earth's John Skehan. Railroad Earth has a great new album on the way, entitled "All For The Song". We talk about that, the upcoming tour, and their special shows with the great Peter Rowan playing the songs of Old And In The Way. All that and then, of course, some good old Grateful Dead. I also offer a little recap of the Gar...