(Don't) Quit Your Day Job

In this episode, Mark talks about Little Caesar as a legacy band and the importance of having a supporting team behind the band. Plus, trying out for and joining Michael Des Barres' backing band, using social media, going on cruises and playing festivals. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl...

In this episode, Chuck Kowalski of the band The Filthy Lowdown and satirical news site Pittsburgh Unfiltered tells us about whether it is easier to be a German Teacher or a punk rock bass player. Plus favorite German soccer clubs, what exactly is a "yinzer", why someone might love hockey and wondering how a band survives living together. Check out Chuck's band and writing output here: The Filthy L...

In this episode, Mark talks about touring in the south (part 2) with Matt Abts (Gov't Mule) and some resulting disasters. Plus developing different revenue streams as a musician, pawning gear to eat ramen, and preparing for many different projects all at the same time. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and...

in this episode, Bree Myers of the label Allegedly Records tell us about starting a record label from scratch, then launching a whole year earlier than planned and working with Ska Box. Plus we talk about women in the music industry, the different flavors of ska, supporting local bands and the famous green jacket. Bree is one of the the honchos at Allegedly Records . You can check them out and con...

In this episode, Mark talks about balancing musical interests, learning from other guitar players and evolving your guitar style over time. Plus getting compliments from Duff McKagan, touring in the early 2000's with Mark Knight (Bang Tango) and hanging with Quentin Tarantino and Johnny Knoxville. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521...

In this episode, Anthony Allen of the band Inoculation and Xeno Guitars tell us about starting a guitar company and measuring success a working metal band in the Cleveland Scene. Plus working a day job as a plumber but dropping it all to go on tour, competitive guitar playing in the metal scene and building the pointiest guitars around. Anthony is the Chief at Xeno Guitars and the Cleveland based...

In this episode, Matthew Farrow of Disaster Area Designs and Alexander Pedals tells us about playing in bands and building pedals. Topics of conversation include building a company and measuring success as the ability to pay bills; developing pedals starting with a name/idea; taking input from forums, pedal symmetry and the impact of Covid crisis. Matthew is the Chief at Disaster Area Designs and...

In this episode, we talk to Kevin about stick twirls and other aspects of drummer performance artistry. Plus mailmen love dogs, unless they are assholes; musical theater experiences; breaking gear; and the possibility that non-drummers are ogres when they get on the kit. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, and This is...

In this episode, Mark tells us an amazing and funny story about playing with Steve Stevens (of Billy Idol fame). Plus finishing up the new Los Cruzados record, recording and playing while drunk, jamming with Mitch Perry and Dug Pinnick (King's X) and guitar player volume wars. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day...

In this episode, we talk to Kevin about politics in music and whether it is possible to separate the artist from their politics. Plus, changing names from The Me Too's to Los Vampiros Amarillos; opening for The Posies, and describing your band's sound and building cool show bills. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, an...

In this episode, Mark talks about trying out for Little Caesar, getting comfortable in the band and dealing with occasional nerves. Feeling pressure when putting out his "Sunday Solos". Plus Try outs on the LA scene including a couple of disasters like auditioning for Love/Hate with a blown up Marshall. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662...

In this episode, Jakob tells us about moving from technician to accordion player and learning more than 120 songs. Is the mark of success having your own bartender onstage while playing in a beer tent? Plus playing huge shows and missing the tiny dive bar, adapting EDM into pop songs, and recording bands remotely. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions h...

In this episode, Mark talks about playing big shows with famous drummers and resulting nerves; the name-dropping episode! Plus playing with Jon E. Love and the Haters, playing baseball with Jeff Bagwell, and friends from Connecticut who found success including Matt Starr and Rivers Cuomo. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul...

In our first episode with Jakob Braun, we learn about building a recording studio and making a career out of recording in rehearsal spaces and taking opportunities as they arise. Plus opening for Mad Caddies, engineer vs. producer, real amps vs. digital amps, and recording bands before they are ready. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.fa...

In this episode, Mark talks about bad nicknames (hello "Mark Blaze") and looking cool while wearing your guitar high. Hanging out with Joe Perry and Johnny Depp. Plus how he got a sideman gig with Linda Perry, playing all the hits, and going home for a visit as a rock star.  Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a d...

In this episode, we talk to Kevin about using bricks or rugs to hold the drum kit in place. Plus we discuss favorite venues in Pittsburgh, canceled gigs in the wake of the plague, livestreaming, roasting bands on social media and preparation for recording. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, and This is the Modern Worl...

In this episode, Loren tells us about opening for Kiss. Twice. Plus hustling to play gigs and make money in NYC in the early seventies, the dream of getting signed to a label, moving from The Dogs to Little Caesar and working in artist relations after the break-up of Little Caesar in the early 90's. Check out the newest video from The Dogs here: https://youtu.be/EqUuDM6uheI Paul works a day job an...

In this episode, we talk to Kevin about whether or not the Post Office is a federal Agency and if there is any danger of closure. Plus we ask if Kevin would walk away from the security of his day job to go on tour with Paul Weller, talk about bad nights, preferred performance slots and sharing gear. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by...

In our first episode with the guitarist from The Dogs and Little Caesar, Loren Molinare tells us about starting The Dogs while still in high school and opening for MC5. Plus moving to Detroit and then NYC in the early seventies, the many other guitar players in Little Caesar and working a day job for Korg and Blackstar. Check out the newest video from The Dogs here: https://youtu.be/EqUuDM6uheI Pa...

In this episode, we talk to Mike about finding potential band members from Craig's List and playing the worst gig ever while trying to recruit new band members. Plus learning to play from guitar tab before learning how to tune your guitar and band break-up drama. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https://www.fac...

In this episode, Mark talks about giving lessons until your students die, joining the Chambers Brothers and seeing your face on a giant arena screen while you are playing. Plus the complications of splitting songwriting credits, hanging out with Warren Haynes, rehearsing with Quincy Jones and The Brothers Johnson and driving over the Donner Pass in a snow storm without resorting to cannibalism. Ma...

In this episode, we talk to Mike about learning Jimmy Page licks and then having fun playing in cover bands in the suburbs of Chicago which includes all of the important topics like drinking Coors Light, starting songs in the wrong tuning, and realizing that no one cares about your gear. Plus playing so loud that you get dizzy, and not wanting to be a better band. Paul works a day job and puts out...

In this episode, Mark talks about Los Angeles landmarks in the late eighties including Tower Records, Hamburger Hamlet and watching Stevie Wonder jam at Guitar Center; jamming with Rivers Cuomo back in CT; plus working at Sam Ash and meeting every musician in LA and moving into teaching guitar. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585...

In this episode, we talk to Kevin about his career arc from working as an actor in musical theater to enjoying his day job as a mailman while playing in bands as a drummer. We discuss meeting Dick Dale and the positives of having the security of a day job. We wonder who was the definitive singer in Jesus Christ Superstar.  Plus, the best and worst gigs and opening for The Posies. Kevin is not...

In this episode, Mark talks about "what if" scenarios for his bands that were so very close to being signed. Plus, the big tour that fell apart featuring Bang tango, Bullet Boys, Enuff Z’Nuff and Pretty Boy Floyd; getting strings changed by someone who should not change strings; how weekly tour payments work and the end of Mark's time in Bang Tango. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://...