(Don't) Quit Your Day Job

In this episode, Mark gives us all of the details of band auditions in LA including determining a good personal fit, dressing for the part, copping the feel and mindset of another player, and choosing the right instrument. Plus, trying our for Ignite and Love/Hate, performance mode versus meeting people mode and the new Cruzados record is out on vinyl Mark plays a solo on Sunday mornings: https://...

In this episode, Chris Lowe of Cowpunk duo Volk talks about the most recent tour of the western USA, all of the things that can go wrong with a Kia Sedona, the financial impact of missing shows, and the laundry requirements of a touring band. Plus, playing SXSW. artist compensation and the impact of streaming services for working bands. and the best ways to support bands you love. https://www.live...

In this episode, Jeff Scott Soto of Sons of Apollo, Yngwie Malmsteen, Journey, JSS and many other projects talks about the desire to be a household name, getting the gig with Yngwie when he was 18, playing with superstar guitar players, a background in pop and soul music, and trying to establish an identity and career. Plus, recording a live album in Bulgaria, being a person of color in the music...

In this episode, Cohen Hartman aka SpiralCaster talks about using an alias for his art, learning studio work from his grandfather in Louisiana, running a record label, becoming a guitar teacher as a day job, and starting a YouTube channel as a pedal demonstrator as a way to get people to care about his music. Plus, the importance of offering value, the toll of social media and performing music dur...

In this episode, Al Staehely talks about graduating from law school in Austin, TX, moving to California to be a musician, joining Spirit and putting out solo records. Plus, paying your dues, not expecting your career to decline, the importance of having a trademark and the Spirit versus Led Zeppelin copyright lawsuit. Also, how do you get a suit from Lyndon Johnson's dead brother? You can check ou...

In this episode, Josh Mowry of the Miskatonic Brewing Company talks about his journey from young upright bass player, to college cover band professional to paralegal to starting a brewery from scratch. Plus, law school student versus clay tennis court technician versus orchestra last chair versus cruise ship crooner. You can check out Josh at the following locations: https://www.miskatonicbrewing....

In this first post 100 episode, Mark gives us all of the details about touring in a big tour bus including break downs, high expenses, privacy issues, choosing bunks, and the never ending party. Plus having techs at local shows to look cool, on-stage hair mishaps and being in the recording studio for the first time. Mark plays a solo on Sunday mornings: https://www.facebook.com/834296584/videos/10...

In this episode, Becky Fontaine of Nathan Gray and The Iron Roses talks about singing with Nathan Gray but also working as his Tour Manager, balancing family, motherhood and music, controlling chaos and the desire to be a part of something. Plus, how intimate shows are wonderful and terrifying, stuffed animal mascots, working day jobs from the road, and dealing with misogyny. You can check out Bec...

In this episode, Jeff Duncan talks about the early 80's in LA, Sunset Strip, Odin as a very popular scene band and then getting the opportunity to join Armored Saint. Plus, the impact of being in The Decline of Western Civilization Part 2 , moving to Las Vegas to play guitar and make a living, playing in DC4 with his siblings, and the importance of maintaining output and being creative. You can fo...

For our 100th episode, I talk to Jimmy Minarchick of The Morning Buzz about the state of podcasting, being nervous talking to new people and using social media as a necessary evil. Plus, playing music that you don't love to be in a band, using a non-smart phone, and starting a screen printing company out of thin air. You can check out Jimmy's efforts at the following locations: https://www.faceboo...

In this episode, Mark talks about having his family learn about what he has done via the podcast, making mistakes and the imperfectness of guitar, and the future of dealing with pandemics and gigs. Plus working on the Big Brother set, balancing the day job with music, and the competition of late 80's Hollywood via egos, song formula, looks and guitar as athletics. Mark plays a solo on Sunday morni...

In this episode, Fuzznaut talks about where his moniker comes from, playing solo with big gear rigs, using delay as another guitarist, and getting into guitar gear culture. Plus, being an Instagram artist and breaking into YouTube, the difficulty in creating compelling video as another form of expression, and reconciling creating art for yourself while attracting an audience. You can check out Fuz...

In this episode, Brian Forsythe of Kix talks about leaving the band in the early 90's, deciding to get clean and healthy after jail, being recognized, and the origin of the "Damage" nickname. Plus, getting back together with Kix, joining Rhino Bucket, playing cruises and what it means to be in a "legacy" band. You can check out Brian at the following locations: https://brianforsythe.com/ https://w...

In this episode, Pete Magliocco of Quincy Square Music Company talks about his band experiences while simultaneously working as a chef, choosing to play the trombone and the ability to read music, providing entertainment during the early days of the pandemic and the risks of starting a music store from the ground up. You can check out Pete at the following locations: https://www.facebook.com/quinc...

In this episode, Brian Forsythe of Kix talks about the early days of Kix and the arrival of hair metal, playing a showcase for Atlantic Records and what it meant to get signed, and the band peaking with Blow My Fuse. Plus, being an east coast band, headlining the M3 Festival, and being 2 million dollars in debt. You can check out Brian at the following locations: https://brianforsythe.com/ https:/...

In this episode, experimental artist Eli Tyler talks about what makes a performance Avant Garde, visualizing soundscapes, costumes and choreography into a performance, mental preparation, and collaborating with the fashion industry. Plus, being told that Asians can't sell, definitions of success, and playing the Asian Television Awards. You can check out Eli at the following locations: https://www...

In this episode, Justin Burket of The Snipped talks about "dadcore" and band vasectomy requirements, why drummers are the worst, creating interesting merch and signing with Allegedly Records. Plus, material handling, putting out physical copies of music, and how the expectations of success change over time. You can check out Justin and The Snipped at the following locations: https://www.allegedlyr...

In this episode, Nathan Gray of The Iron Roses and BoySetsFire talks about performance as a ministry, being approachable at shows, varying levels of popularity in EU versus USA and turning new fans on the recent Frank Turner tour. Plus, building a new career with purpose, the importance of a support network and dealing with social media vitriol. You can check out Nathan at the following locations:...

In this episode, Jimi Bell of Autograph and House of Lords talks about being a left handed guitar player, the connotations of being a "shredder", trying out for Ozzy's band versus Zakk Wylde, and being in a movie with Joan Jett. Plus playing the hits in legacy bands, inventing Shredneck, and playing abilities changing as you get older. You can check out Jimi at the following locations: https://www...

In this episode, Connor Frost talks about developing a viable music career in punk rock bands and providing songwriting coaching and mentoring. Plus, tempering expectations, deciding a song is good enough, touring in China and being a role model for Asian-Americans You can check out Connor at the following locations: http://www.connorfrost.com http://www.instagram.com/connorlfrost https://www.face...

In this episode, Mark talks about legacy bands including Kix and his friendship with Brian Forsythe, being the sole guitar player in what was a 2 guitar player band, and organizing schedules for busy bands with busy members. Plus, hanging out with Ray Gillen, on stage volume wars and dispensing therapy as a guitar teacher. Mark plays a solo on Sunday mornings: https://www.facebook.com/834296584/vi...

In this episode, Tim Nave talks about developing his hillbilly musical identity in eastern TN, playing punk shows in church basements, working night shifts and taking the business of music seriously. Plus, what is experimental folk, the impact of religion on musical expression, and does Gen Z have bad taste in music? You can check out Tim Nave at the following locations: https://www.theartistknown...

In this episode, Mike Jacobs from On The Cinder talks about never leaving upstate NY, starting out in ska bands, living with bandmates and touring in vans that get gradually less lousy over time. Plus being a particularly thorough DIY band, the usefulness of pros and cons lists, releasing vinyl on your own label and being a stay-at-home dad You can check out On The Cinder at the following location...

In this episode, Daniel Formica talks about vocal coaching, dealing with vocals problems before it is too late, the tribulations of singing in a professional cover band, and some common singing myths. Plus, aging vocalists, performing "Jane" by Jefferson Starship and what the heck was yarling in the nineties? Check out Daniel singing Jane as discussed in the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

In this episode, Elvis Tribute Artist Aaron Smith talks about his love of Elvis from an early age, developing his era specific Elvis act and spending time with members of Elvis' inner circle. Plus, how the Elvis Tribute community is like the punk rock community. the importance of both stage moves and vocals, and living with autism. You can check out Aaron here: https://www.facebook.com/AaronElvist...