(Don't) Quit Your Day Job

In this episode, Mark talks about joining a legacy band and handling the resulting expectations from the band, the fans, as well as bringing some of his own personality to the songs while paying the respect to the original playing. Plus, recording ideas on a phone, writing jingles and playing basketball at the YMCA in late 90's Los Angeles with movie stars. Mark plays a solo on Sunday mornings: ht...

In this episode, Rick O Mortis of Children of October and October Studios, talks about longevity as a primary goal of the band, having 30(!) different bass players, being on tour when COVID hit and the practice requirements of playing drums extremely fast. Plus, the official band haircut, being the type A personality in the band and opening a recording studio. You can check out Rick O and his proj...

In this episode, Jeff Dean of Heavy Seas and Airstream Futures, talks about the need to get out of your creative comfort zone, the impact of luck on finding success in music, getting label support from Little Rocket Records and Sell The Heart Records, and a day job as a recording engineer. Plus touring plans coming out of covid, choosing singles, and seeing Metallica at The Metro in Chicago You ca...

In this episode, Mark talks about finishing up the Little Caesar European tour, decompressing when coming back home, the tour bus lifestyle and how touring has changed since the late 90's. Plus, getting royalties when you hear funk guitar on Jimmy Kimmel, shining flashlights into actors' eyes, and deciding what to do next musically. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/...

In this episode, Chuck Veri of iNCO FIdO, one of the best bands in Pittsburgh talks about the difficulties in having a band with 11 members including rehearsal time, fitting on small stages and songwriting, and what it means to be a band with horns that is not a ska band. Plus, having a hype man in the band and not owning a computer. You can check out Chuck and iNCO FIdO here: https://incofido.com...

In this episode, Chris Lowe of the amazing Cowpunk duo Volk talks about working day jobs to stay afloat as a DIY musician in Nashville, the concept of "selling out" and how to build up a small band, and comparisons to White Stripes and bringing influences into the music. Plus, "nudie suits", the demented Dwight Yoakum, and why it is important to be nice to people. https://www.livevolk.com/ https:/...

In this episode, Amy Morris of the label Allegedly Records tell us about starting a business with partners that you have never met in person, splitting up responsibilities, choosing bands and taking submissions. Plus, launching the subscription service Punk Box, getting merchandise submissions and turning down bands while trying to offer encouragement. Amy is one of the the honchos at Allegedly Re...

In this episode, Frankie Stubbs of the hugely influential band Leatherface talks about how Sunderland, England is like Pittsburgh and thoughts of living in other places, learning how to write and record songs and label expectations, and dealing with right wing fans who completely miss the point of lyrics. Plus how it feels to be an influence on other bands, touring Germany in blazing heat and gett...

In this episode, Matt Glasgow of the band Last Point talks about the effort it takes to play punk drums super fast, learning the trade of carpentry and being able to be a day laborer while out on tour, and signing with Allegedly Records. Plus breaking into California punk rock scenes, getting tattoos, and maintaining a passion for playing in a band. You can follow Matt here: https://www.facebook.c...

In this episode, Mark remains on the road in Europe with Little Caesar and we catch up with him in Bratislava where he tells us about what to do on long van rides, washing clothes in a hotel sink and pooping in venue bathrooms. The tour finishes up in Budapest and France and hopefully Mark will remember where his hotel room is! Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/83429...

In this episode, Gerry LaFemina talks about his passions for literature, poetry and punk rock and how being a tenured Professor of English can be subversive. Plus how the literary community is like the punk rock community, the healthy expression of anger via his band The Downstrokes, poetry versus lyric writing, and the development of the Savage Mountain Punk Festival. You can follow Gerry here: h...

In this episode, Mark is still on the road in Europe with Little Caesar and talks about what it's like to replace members in legacy bands, super fans who follow the band around, shows where people are sitting and how to deal with gear trouble. Plus going to places where he has never been, like Amsterdam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mijrfZzczbg Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www...

In this episode, Mark talks to us all the way from Germany where he is currently touring with Little Caesar. Topics of conversation include COVID precautions, set lists, travel days and days off. Plus rehearsing and tightening up during sound check, giving lessons remotely from another continent and planning finances when going out on tour. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.faceb...

In this episode, Justin Palencsar talks about how far a positive attitude will get you; becoming interested in and apprenticing as a tattoo artist and then building a tattoo business from the ground up called In The Blood. Plus, moving from the country to city, racing motocross and having successful bands in The Last Hope, The Havoc, and Middle Finger You can follow Justin here: https://www.facebo...

In this episode, Mark talks about surviving in late 80's LA by collecting shopping carts and pawning gear to get money to be able to eat. Plus how guitar pedal culture has changed over the past 30 years, getting ready to head to Europe for the Little Caesar tour, travel and the art of guitar maintenance and the impact of Covid on touring. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.faceboo...

In this episode, Andy Pohl of Sell The Heart Records talks about joining Tsunami Bomb, the challenges of going on tour when considering life circumstances like family and day jobs and being trapped in a van for days and days. Plus, why establish a record label, digital versus physical copies, setting expectations when signing bands, measuring success and taking submissions from bands. You can foll...

In this episode, Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth talks about the impact of having a huge hit ("Jenny Says") along with several other hits, what it means for a band's career and corresponding record label politics. Plus treating the live experience like a gospel tent revival, playing Madison Square Garden, advice about enjoying the moment and being a frontman who happens to be playing drums.  You...

In this episode, Lindsey Colby talks about trying out for cover bands via Craig's List, vomiting while singing and attempting to split time between family, career and music. Plus, enjoying the relationship side of being in a band and walking the line between being more serious and maintaining the fun in music. Where does vocal talent come from? Lindsey sings in a few cover bands. You can contact h...

In this episode, Dave Hause talks about his punk rock roots and working in the singer/songwriter world now, releasing records and working with various labels, and commercial versus artistic ways of measuring success. Plus he tells us how to pronounce his name correctly, working as a roadie and owning a construction company, regrets coming out of The Loved Ones and thoughts on aging gracefully. Dav...

In this episode, Drew Neely of Drew Neely and the Heroes and Off the Track Recording talks about building out a studio and establishing a recording business while also maintaining a flexible day job schedule with his interior painting business. Plus, writing, recording and releasing a new song every month, getting burnt out, and naming songs after women. You can follow and contact Drew here: https...

In this episode, Mark talks about hanging out at the Forum Club in late 80's LA at a Skid Row show with Baz and a million rock stars. Plus playing guitar as a kid and how that develops into adulthood, getting out of LA and moving to North Carolina for a short period of time, and prepping for the upcoming Little Caesar European tour with a new drummer. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https:...

In this episode, Trip AKA Chris Trepagnier of Fuck Yeah Dinosaurs and many other projects talks about learning to play bass from RHCP, having the goals of being a full time musician meet the realities of making a living and being a Person of Color in various music scenes. Plus embracing being a role model, releasing on vinyl, and answering the age old bass question; pick or fingers. You can follow...

In this episode, Mark tells us about how musicianship and showmanship fit together, the secrets of shredding on stage and the rock star pose. Plus, fast guitar playing as a competition in the 80's, mental preparation and nervousness, and playing while Richie Kotzen stands right in front of you. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/834296584/videos/10159250207636585/ Pau...

In this episode, Risky Tjokrosonto tells us about moving to Pittsburgh from Indonesia to work on his PHD in Ethnomusicology, focusing on Indie music in Indonesia, the "Politics of Sound". Plus, incorporating theater production values into performance and his band in Indonesia called Risky Summerbee and the Honey Thief. You can follow Risky here: https://www.facebook.com/rsthofficial/ https://www.f...

In this episode, Joe Queer of The Queers tells us about growing up in NH and going to punk rock shows, becoming a restauranteur then getting signed to Lookout Records, pretending to be Richard Hell's cousin and becoming friends with Joey Ramone. Plus never growing out of a love for music, writing songs for the new Queers record and buying gear with your last dollar. You can follow Joe and The Quee...