Caught on the Mike...

Brian Joyce and Nick Trask of Major League join Caught on the Mike to talk about the band’s long-awaited return and the journey that led them back to the stage together. Formed in 2009 in New Jersey, Major League built a passionate following through relentless DIY touring and emotionally driven pop-punk and emo anthems. Their early releases — including The Truth Is…, Variables, and the 2012 full-l...

Ska-punk lifer Chris DeMakes joins Caught On The Mike for a conversation about longevity, songwriting, and three decades of turning punk shows into full-blown celebrations. As guitarist and vocalist of Less Than Jake, Chris has helped define the sound and spirit of ska-punk since the 1990s — blending big hooks, horn-driven chaos, and an unmatched connection with fans. In this episode, we talk abou...

American Vanity joins Caught on the Mike for a deep dive into identity, image, and the evolution of modern rock. Led by dual vocalists Virginia Franks (bass) and Luke Hoffman (guitar), alongside Luke Vanchure on lead guitar and Carter Dennis on drums, the band opens up about stepping into a bold new era after years of national touring as Burn The Jukebox. Now reintroduced as American Vanity, they’...

On this episode of Caught On The Mike, Mike sits down with The Codefendants — the genre-smashing group of Sam King (Get Dead) and Julio “Ceschi” Ramos to talk about their explosive new chapter. We also talk about Fat Mike (of NoFx) recently taking the band to trio status. We dive deep into their latest single “Rivals” featuring hip-hop legend The D.O.C., and how their second collaboration pushes t...

On this episode of Caught on the Mike, I sit down with Seattle singer-songwriter Dylan Espeseth to talk about his new single “Whine” — a stripped-back, emotionally direct track that came together in a burst of instinct and honesty. We dive into the 15-minute writing session that sparked the song, why he intentionally leaned into a raw acoustic sound, and how teaching himself production during the...

Fresh off his February 16th premiere on American Idol, Jake Thistle joins me on Caught on the Mike to talk about his latest single, “Sleep On Me” — a bold, confident statement from an artist stepping into his moment. We break down the meaning behind the track, the edge and urgency in the songwriting, and how it reflects where Jake is mentally and creatively right now. With a sound rooted in classi...

On this week’s episode of Caught on the Mike, I sit down with Kevin and Mike of Great Danes — a project built on experience, reinvention, and unfinished business. Longtime fans will remember Kevin and Mike from their earlier chapter in Halifax, the melodic pop-punk/emo band that helped soundtrack the mid-2000s alternative scene with high-energy anthems and emotionally charged songwriting. After ye...

What if the one word holding you back is the word you use the most? On this episode of Caught on the Mike, Mike sits down with Carla Ondrasik—bestselling author of STOP TRYING!, former Vice President of Creative Writer Development at EMI Music Publishing, and the creator of the powerful No Try philosophy. Carla spent over 20 years helping sell millions of records, working with legendary artists li...

On this episode of Caught on the Mike, I’m joined by Sonia of Weakened Friends for a powerful conversation about resisting numbness, reclaiming creative freedom, and screaming without self-censorship when the world feels heavy. We dive deep into the band’s latest album, Feels Like Hell, a raw, instinct-driven response to burnout, apathy, and the quiet nihilism of modern life. Sonia opens up about...

Author and psychiatrist Justin C. Key returns to Caught on the Mike for a powerful, in-depth conversation surrounding his new novel The Hospital at the End of the World. In this episode, we dive into AI in healthcare, the dangers of automation, the human cost of data-driven medicine, and how real-world medical training inspired one of the most timely speculative fiction novels of the year. Justin...

Alt-pop artist CARR joins Caught on the Mike for an honest conversation about storytelling, fleeting relationships, and stepping into a bold new creative era. Fresh off the release of her new single “Mud,” CARR breaks down how one unforgettable night turned into a cinematic anthem — and how moments that don’t last can still leave a permanent mark. She also dives into the making of her upcoming alb...

Stanley Simmons: From Viral Moment to Americana Revival | Evan Stanley & Nick Simmons Interview In this episode of Caught on the Mike, host Mike sits down with Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons, the folk-Americana duo behind Stanley Simmons, for a conversation about creativity, connection, and finding the right sound at the right time. Though they’ve known each other their entire lives—and grew up...

Five years in, Caught on the Mike has become more than just a podcast—it’s been a journey shaped by persistence, creativity, community, and a whole lot of unpredictability. In this reflective solo episode, I look back on what 2025 represented for the show: 59 episodes released, countless conversations, personal milestones, and lessons learned along the way. From evolving the format to navigating n...

Bill Dess — better known as Two Feet — has become one of the most distinctive voices in modern music, fusing smoky guitar work, brooding electronic production, and raw emotional storytelling. In this episode, Bill opens up about the creative process behind his signature sound, the evolution of his artistry, and the personal moments that shaped fan-favorite tracks like “I Feel Like I’m Drowning” an...

In this special mini-episode of Caught on the Mike, host Mike sits down with the legendary Angelo Moore — frontman of Fishbone, creator of Dr. MadVibe, and one of the most influential voices in ska, punk, and funk culture. Recorded while Angelo was literally taking a break from vacation, this shorter-than-usual conversation still packs all the energy, insight, and soul you’d expect from a man who...

Pennywise bassist Randy Bradbury never set out to start a new band. But one day, inspiration struck — hard — and a stream of songs began pouring out of him like they were meant to exist. What began as a personal creative outlet quickly evolved into 84 Days, a full-blown rock project fueled by instinct, collaboration, and pure musical chemistry. Joined by Grammy-winning producer Cameron Webb, the t...

In the third of three special episodes of Caught on the Mike, we’re joined by Hunter Harrison — a welterweight talent training between Factory X Muay Thai in Colorado and Skywalker 101 Boxing Academy in Nebraska. With a 4-1 amateur record and a reputation for crisp striking and relentless drive, Hunter steps into the cage Friday, November 21, 2025, at Dynasty Combat Sports: Seasons Beatings inside...

In the second of 3 special episodes Omaha’s own Zayden Edwards joins Caught on the Mike ahead of Dynasty Combat Sports: Seasons Beatings, going down Friday, November 21, 2025, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Training out of Premier Combat Center, Zayden’s been putting in the work — bouncing back from a tough submission loss, refining his craft, and staying laser-focused on growth. Kno...

In the first of 3 special episodes of Caught on the Mike, ahead of Dynasty Combat Sports Season's Beatings- Kaleb and Mike sit down with Lincoln’s own rising amateur MMA star, Easton Edmond — training out of Lincoln Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Center and fighting under the banner of Dynasty Combat Sports. With an unblemished 4-0 record, Easton is set to defend his interim lightweight title this Frida...

What happens when two world-class musicians decide to take full creative control and make the music they’ve always envisioned? In this episode of Caught on the Mike, host Mike welcomes Jimmy McGorman and Robb Vallier — the duo behind Flight To London — to talk about their debut album, Instructions for Losing Control. After years of writing and producing for artists like Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavign...

In this episode, GRAMMY Award-winning artist and founding member of reggae royalty Morgan Heritage, Mojo Morgan, joins Caught on the Mike to share the heart and soul behind his deeply personal new project — Jamaica Love. Following the passing of his brother and bandmate Peetah Morgan, Mojo channels his roots, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of family into a sound he calls “Rasta Rock” — blend...

Rising singer-songwriter Brendan Abernathy joins Caught on the Mike to talk about the whirlwind journey behind his debut album, the kid who got it all wrong. From a viral performance that caught the internet’s attention to years spent living out of his car and playing 700+ shows across the country, Brendan’s story is one of heart, hustle, and honest self-reflection. We dig into how he turned unexp...

Legendary drummer and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Frank Zummo joins the show to talk about his powerful new book, Unbreakable Rhythm: My Journey Through Music, Wellness, and Mental Strength. Known for his work with Sum 41, Street Drum Corps, Mötley Crüe, and Linkin Park, Frank opens up about his path through music and how his workshops have evolved into a mission of mental wellness and re...

From the underground industrial scene to the bright lights of pop stardom — and all the unexpected turns in between — Stella Soleil’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and raw creativity. The Chicago native first made her mark working alongside icons like Ministry, Die Warzau, and 16 Volt before forming Sister Soleil, catching the attention of Universal Records, and landing a Top 40 hit wit...

Atlanta’s own DAYDRNKRZ are breaking boundaries and turning heads with their signature mix of reggae-infused hip-hop and alternative rock. In this episode, the band dives deep into their creative process, the story behind their name, and how they’ve built a sound that feels both nostalgic and brand new. Signed to SKP — the same label that’s home to 311, The Ries Brothers, and Sitting on Saturn — D...