(Don't) Quit Your Day Job

In this episode, comedian  Neil Rubenstein talks about the day to day realities of being a comedian, being on the road, the importance of trying new things, developing material, and what, if any, jokes are off limits. Plus, physical media, social media, day jobs, and performing at punk rock shows versus comedy clubs. You can check out Neil at these places: http://neilrubenstein.com/ https://www.pa...

In this special episode, our old friend Charlie Thornton (Radar) attempts to convince us that LOCAL H is a good band and not a one hit wonder. We play the song John The Baptist Blues and discuss. Charlie is the Musical Director at  Garage Band U  and plays in the Chicago area based band Radar. Their latest album is called "Goodnight Nurse" https://www.belowthecollar.com/radar https://www...

In this episode,  Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick, The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra) talks about getting a nickname from Maya Rudolph's father, the old Saigon Kick days, having a hit song via fluke or accident, the freedom to move between musical genres, and becoming better as a songwriter by writing songs. Plus, not listening back to releases, writing and releasing tracks within 24 hours as an exerc...

In this episode, Drummer Matt Morris from the very rad Fire Sale talks about what constitutes a super group, imposter syndrome and fitting into the band identity, the importance of having fun in a band, release strategies in putting out new music, and modern production approaches to making music. Plus, how to break through the market noise, the importance of professional product, focusing on the d...

In this episode, our old friend David Rokos talks about the recording and release process for his new record This Is Landing, how to navigate the perils of social media, defining success when livelihood is not at stake, the fun in recording and performance, and how to write personal songs. Plus, the question to release physical copy, playing solo versus in a band, and how to get people to listen t...

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about the current multi-week tour of Europe by The Cruzados including member illness, crowd size, fan interaction, driving long distances, and fancy hotel rooms. Plus, where does 80's music fit in the current climate of live music, what are the possible levels of success, the difficulty in making money on tour,...

In this episode,  Black Guy Fawkes  talks about the response to new album Intrusive Lullabies , the labels of singer-songwriter versus punk versus folk versus protest songs, working through writers block, intimacy and connection, the importance of sequencing the songs and how they flow into each other, messaging for a certain audience. and the potential for turning off certain listeners. Plus, the...

In this episode, Knox Colby of the metal band Enforced talks about the Richmond, VA music scene, support between different musical genres, being inspired by Queen at Live Aid, the feeling of being on stage, growth and changes within the band, and the Metal Archives. Plus, communicating with the audience, self evaluation, balancing a day job with touring, imposter syndrome, and signing to Century M...

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about being star stuck after moving to Hollywood, giving guitar lessons to actors and the kids of movie stars, the very odd phenomena of "no eye contact", how the childhood friendship with Rivers Cuomo ended after he became a star, and the question of a band owing more to the fans than just the performanc...

In this episode, Ryan Foster of Slightly Fuzzed talks about all things stoner rock including the surprisingly small and close-knit scene, memes and parodies, inclusivity and the desire to be a part of something, the importance of audio quality and vinyl to the scene, and how to grow small businesses along with the scene. Plus, Rick Nielson's house for a birthday, a day job in marketing and gra...

In this episode, HIM of the prog-metal band Sermon talks about the reasons for the anonymity of the name and the mask that he wears, the mask as a reflection of the music, songwriting as an extension of mood and feeling in a particular moment, creating alone and then bringing it to others for completion, and developing vocal skills. Plus, the Marillion connection, finding the ease of listening in...

In this episode, multi award winning film and TV writer, cartoonist, author, musician, and voice actor Dave Shelton talks about cultivating a very long and extremely varied career starting out at Tiger Beat magazine and moving on to National Lampoon, Everybody Loves Raymond , Mtv, Marvel and working with Cheap Trick, Cynthia Rothrock, and Jamie Kennedy amongst many others. Plus, listen to a pitch...

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about his recent shows with Little Caesar and Junkyard, doing only weekend tours rather than longer tours for financial reasons, sharing backline and loading gear on your own versus having techs, and the difference between a "has been" or an "almost was". Plus, collapsing label support, the ment...

In this episode, Mike Jacobs from On The Cinder talks about the big ten year anniversary show which included friends and bands from each era of On The Cinder. Plus, changing motivations as the band matures, what it means to put on a good show or performance, the financial realities of going on tour including having lives/jobs that allow for touring, the possible ways to assess yourself, value in e...

In this episode, we speak with old pal Michael Treetop Voss about joining a punk band without any punk band experience, breaking away from stereotypical horn lines in rock songs, the importance of interaction and listening when playing with other people, and the difference between ska horns and other types of horns. Plus, freedom in playing music when money is not the motivator, reflecting on impr...

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar) about working for Entertainment Tonight and wearing a tuxedo at the Golden Globes, recording a new EP with the Cruzados in 3 days, what is on a backstage rider when the band doesn’t drink alcohol, and the realities of making money on tour. Plus, Music Industry Hot Takes about Queen, Alice in Chains, and Fleetwood Mac, and writin...

In this episode, Paul and Emily Slayton of Skeleton Key Brewery talk about starting a brewery, how to get a business off the ground, and what happens when a tornado devastates your business. Plus, the mindset required to start a rebuild, being a springboard for other people’s opportunities, sharing knowledge and helping the community, the process of bringing music and gaming into the business, and...

In this episode, Patrick Schober of Monster Riff and Poetica Marketing talks about creating online content dedicated to Stoner Rock, his day job working with clients on content marketing, segmenting tasks between day job and side work, and the history of Stoner Rock starting with Black Sabbath. Plus, a deep dive into Search Engine Optimization and social media, the importance of the words "electri...

In this episode, Monty Colvin of the super awesome Galactic Cowboys talks about breaking big and signing to Geffen Records, being out on tour with Dream Theater and then getting dropped by the label, working with Sam Taylor, friendship with King's X, and bad timing in the music industry. Plus, the importance of vocal harmonies for the band, getting a role in the movie Airheads, going to Art School...

In this episode, Elmer Maurits of the downtempo, deathcore band Distant talks about being a European band but living in different countries, the love of touring and traveling, the custom guitars and basses needed for playing downtuned music, the importance of melody and moods for extreme music, and what it means to have signed with the label Century Media. Plus, the importance of defined business...

In this episode, Matt Sullivan of the ska/punk band Title Holder talks about the inherent fun of ska music, the importance of making contacts to gain some traction, connecting with Chris DeMakes, the ability to take feedback when writing songs, and the differences between creating music in the studio and live performance. Plus, playing Tony Hawk (badly) for a music video, the importance of high qu...

In this episode, singer/songwriter Danny Attack tells us about touring as an independent artist and traveling alone, growing up as a punk rock kid, the importance of a musical support system, the punk rock brand in the Americana scene, and winning people over via performance. Plus, the importance of the visual part of presentation, removing old material that is no longer representative, dark lyric...

In this episode, Abby Malczon , who is a theater major at Slippery Rock University, tells us about the experiences of moving through a university level theater education program, the required physical and mental preparation for shows, the auditioning process, her hopes following graduation, and the differences between pop/rock and theater singing. Plus, how embarrassing is it for your family to se...

In this episode, Ken Haas of Reverend Guitars tells us everything we could possibility want to know about guitar sponsorship and endorsement deals as well as relationship building for artist signature guitars. Plus, the positives of Toledo, OH, finding the right market niche for Reverend Guitars, trying to be fresh and innovative while remaining broadly appealing, the future of guitar based music,...

In this episode, Niilo Sevänen of the Finnish metal band Insomnium talks about their upcoming (Feb 2023) new album Anno 1696 , melodic death metal as an accessible genre, creating music with artistic freedom, the danger of growing complacent with increasing levels of success, the financial realities of planning tours, and writing a book as the starting point for the new album. Plus, winters in Fin...