(Don't) Quit Your Day Job

In this episode, Dean Collier tells us about the music scene in Bowling Green, KY, training to be a professional drummer, working at the famous Forks Drum Closet in Nashville and doing tech work on Music Row. Plus deciding to go back to a day job, creating the Captain Deen persona, not wanting to play in a cover band and loving the tourist trap that is Gatlinburg, TN. You can contact and follow De...

In this episode, Jennifer Batten tells us about playing with Michael Jackson, including playing at the Super Bowl halftime in 1993, meeting and then playing with Jeff Beck and developing an online guitar course called Guitar Cloud Symposium. Plus moving from LA to Oregon and wanting to be rich and famous playing the guitar. You can follow Jennifer and get involved with Guitar Cloud Symposium here:...

In this episode, David Wince from City Escape Artist tells us about the highs and lows of being in bands, naming yourself after your dog, switching labels to Allegedly Records and measuring personal success. Plus, why being on a label matters and the impact of politics on playing shows. You can check out Dave and City Escape Artist here: https://www.facebook.com/cityescapeartist https://cityescape...

In this episode, all around guitar ambassador Jude Gold tells us about how he became the guitar player in Jefferson Starship, creating the No Guitar Is Safe podcast, working as the Los Angeles Editor of Guitar Player magazine, and being Chair of the Guitar Department at Musicians Institute. Plus getting yelled at by Ace Frehley, playing in JGB, and releasing solo music. Jude also plays guitar for...

In this episode, Mike Park of Asian Man Records tells us about building up his label from the remnants of Dill Records, working from his mom's garage since 1996, putting out music that is pleasing to his ear while trying to stay relevant and being a role model for Asian-American kids. Plus, The Bruce Lee Band and dealing with Bruce Lee's estate, playing huge venues on Nickelodeon tours and why it...

In this episode, Mark is back from playing the huge M3 Festival in Maryland and he tells us all about it; from sound checking after Night Ranger, to the mechanics and behind the scenes of playing a festival and ending with meet and greets with the fans after playing. Plus hanging out with all the rock stars in the hotel lobby! Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.t...

In this episode, Josh Latshaw of BoySetsFire tells us about the career arc of his band including getting burnt out, break-ups, dealing with labels and the struggles that can come with being a full time musician as well as dealing with popularity differences in different parts of the world. Then learning to work on one's own terms, establishing a record label and successfully balancing a day job wi...

In this episode, Mark talks about meeting and working with Matt Sorum and subsequently playing with Billy Gibbons, Steve Lukather, Slash, and Duff at a large charity event. Plus becoming a side-man; the changing scene in LA as grunge took over, and what it means to be in a "legacy" band. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul w...

In this episode, John Stoecker AKA Johnny Razor, talks about being first call for fill in live shows or recording, preparing for the first show post-pandemic and being too busy to go on tour. Plus, getting the best performance out of bands and the difference between being "bad" and "punk rock bad". John is a busy guy with Johnny and the Razorblades and Razorblade Recordings. You can contact him he...

In our 50th episode, Mark talks about some possible regrets in following trends; dealing with promoters and the similarities/differences between then and now; and getting the right vibe when preparing to rehearse or record. Plus the neighbor that was Ricky in the "18 And Life" video and playing basketball at the YMCA with Denzel Washington and the Wayans Brothers. Mark plays a solo every Sunday mo...

In the start of our conversation with John Stoecker AKA Johnny Razor, we find out what it means to be a Pittsburgh music legend, making a band sound the way that band sounds, and balancing day job responsibilities with a family, a popular band and running a busy recording studio. Plus, how close did Johnny and the Razorblades come to being a country band? John is a busy guy with Johnny and the Raz...

In this episode, Ron Young talks about a friendship with James Cameron that resulted in him becoming "Pool Cue Biker" in Terminator 2; the break-up of Little Caesar after album two, getting sober and figuring out a day job. Plus, the new project with Cruzados, different vocal approaches for different projects, and getting ready for festivals, cruises and shows coming back. Ron is a working musicia...

In this episode, we talk to Dave Bovyn about growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, big afros, and pushing hard with his band Myllhouse to keep egos in check and win the "Million Dollar Battle of the Bands" in the early 2000s. Plus getting flown out to NJ to sing for Marc Anthony and J Lo's backing band and moving into the realtor business and continuing to play live as an acoustic musician. Contac...

In this episode, we start our discussion with Ron Young of Little Caesar and The Cruzados where he talks about signing with Geffen Records in the late 80s, creating the first Little Caesar record with Bob Rock producing, a crazy story about the label manager getting fired and subsequently getting dropped by the label. Plus getting Mark Tremalgia in the band on guitar and getting photo advice from...

In this episode with our youngest guest so far, Abby Malczon talks about the challenges of completing her senior year in high school and subsequently joining the Musical Theater program at Slippery Rock University; the competition within the program and performing remotely during her freshman year. Plus, opportunities when she completes her degree, the punk rock scene in Slippery Rock and the clas...

In this episode, Mark talks about crashing a motorcycle at EVH's house, taking in some mud wrestling, and meeting Steve Martin and Magic Johnson. Plus getting ready for the music industry to come back to life, practicing stage moves, and working in movies and TV as a Set Lighting technician. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Pa...

In this episode, Stephen Hazel talks about starting a YouTube channel dedicated to Math Rock, leaving in the mistakes, and wearing pajamas while shooting videos. Plus, living in South Korea and teaching as a day job, using Patreon to allow him to do the thing that he is passionate about, and recording vocals in a car. You can check out Stephen's YouTube channel Let's Talk About Math Rock and band...

In this episode, Daniel Formica talks about being a vocal coach, starting a business teaching people to sing, and playing at a party celebrating a successful Elon Musk rocket launch. Plus, playing a VH1 event with RuPaul, the impact of nerves, alcohol and smoking on singing and making a career performing in a corporate band. Daniel is a professional singer and vocal coach. You can contact him at t...

In this episode, we chat with Charlie about what has happened in the six months since we last spoke, including becoming a sellout by purchasing a home in the suburbs and getting a day job, even if that day job is as a Musical Director. Plus, getting ready for the first live show in more than a year, shaking off the rust and nerves and planning next steps as the world re-opens. Charlie is the Music...

In the first episode with professional singer Daniel Formica, he talks about the early days in CT, the motivation to move to LA and subsequently trying to decide what to do next. Plus learning to be a singer, taking lessons and the eureka moment; sipping chardonnay from a Dixie cup, and playing a gig at the Playboy Mansion. You can contact Daniel at the following locations: Your Vocal Teacher http...

In this episode with Treetop, he talks about using his trumpet as a weapon to fight fascist rallies in Munich and the resulting sometimes tense situations. Plus the Doping the Void Akron King Burger story, the differences between Munich and Berlin, and starting a new project with label support called Feed LA which is based on spontaneous composition. Treetop plays trumpet in Doping the Void and Fe...

In this episode, Mark talks about the vibrant rehearsal space scene in early 90's Los Angeles; being so inexperienced that you don't realize that most bands do not rehearse in the apartment and seeing a fur clad Axl Rose at a party. Plus playing a show with Bob Weir at NAMM and then driving home while he takes a jet. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/v...

In the first episode with Treetop, he talks about growing up as the son of a Bavarian brass band conductor and learning to play the trumpet. Plus earning his stripes in Poets of Rhythm , joining a punk band and experiencing complete freedom of expression, and digging through crates of old records for hours at a time. Treetop plays trumpet in Doping the Void and Feed LA . You can check him out here...

In this episode, Mark talks about making music videos now versus the late eighties, the great Hollywood Flyer Wars and playing the "clear out band" slot. Plus Hung Up On It Now by Mark Knight and the Unsung Heroes Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Production...

In this episode, Chuck Kowalski of the band The Filthy Lowdown talks about the development of his satirical news site Pittsburgh Unfiltered, creativity and the writing process, and submitting article headlines to The Hard Times. Plus trying to get your output in front of people, the impact of social media and satire in "news" consumption, being wrong about stuff and releasing video game music. Che...