Going Off Track

Chris Farren and Jeff Rosenstock, together known sometimes as Antarctigo Vespucci (usually with Benny on drums) are two long-standing, "friends of the Offtrack family" and they came on to throw some laughs and keep us company during election day.

Founding member of heavy-hardcore band Terror, Scott Vogel has also been in a whole bunch of other, seriously legit bands that you know. This week we get into everything from therapy to Madball to cutting your own hair.

Avail frontman, punk-folkster Tim Barry checked in from lovely Richmond, VA to talk about his early metal days, adult dorms and a recent, massive LSD trip that ended up involving 2am chats with his publisher and accountant.

Bad Cop/Bad Cop is a badass, punk-rock band and this week their singer-guitarist, Jennie Cotterill tuned in to give us the low-down on the band and then take us off-track into baking, guitars, sculpture, and the evil Mrs. Hammond.

Clutch drummer, Jean-Paul Gaster is the backbone of his group but he's also a big Miles Davis fan and has great advice on working with stone. At the end of the day though, it's just fun to listen to Benny bro' down with a fellow time-keeper.

Bryan Kienlen, bassist for The Bouncing Souls and tattoo artist, talks about the Jersey punk band's earliest incarnations, and adventures, in high school thru to the newest, and cutest, addition to his family.

Touché Amoré frontman, Jeremy Bolm is a hardcore-punk master who loves vinyl records and believes in aliens. Hear us discuss all that, Alaska and how his grandpa was pals with Bob Hope.

There's a few punk musicians out there with successful record labels but Syd Butler may be the nicest of them all. Hear stories like his first band with Ian MacKaye's sister and freezing in the Seth Meyers studio where he plays bass in the 8G band.

Michael Kelly intimidated Benny, who couldn't shake his House of Cards character, Doug Stamper. But guess what? He's not only a great film and TV actor, but a great guy as well. He's also... a guitar player! It's a great conversation, enjoy.

Joe Sib is many things, punk-rock frontman for Wax and 22 Jacks, record label owner (SideOneDummy) and standup comedian. We discuss all of it, from growing up as an awkward skater kid with a big head, to turning life's little tragedies into laughs.

Rise Against frontman, Tim McIlrath is a modern day icon of punk rock and it was a delight to hear some of his origin stories and insights on life. His "best-of-Chicago" list is solid info too, even though he refused commit on a pizza spot.

Brilliant young songwriter and producer, Bartees Strange makes compelling, vital music. He's got a lot to talk about as well, like growing up an outcast in Oklahoma then finally finding identity in an all-black neighborhood in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

Hardcore punk band, War On Women shred on stage and walk the walk offstage where they take real action on some of the big social issues that come up in their songs. From feminism to angry skinheads, this is a fun and enlightening chat with Shawna and Sue.

Punk-rock producer and hardcore-frontman for Battery, Brian McTernan has a lot to talk about, including some memorable experiences with Benny. We talk straight-edge, worst-band-in-the-studio stories and his new band, Be Well, along the way.

Fat Mike of NoFX is always going off track and he pulls no punches with us on this week's episode. There's plenty of raging punk rock mania but he also manages to get pretty introspective at one point... then quickly returns with a "fuck Radiohead".

The mythical Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music gets our heads straight this week with tales of fishing, brawling and reveling in the glory of nature while staying respectful of it's fury.

Punk-rock pro, Matt Caughthran of The Bronx misses all the stupid little shit of being on the road and with his fans. Among other road-stories is a stunner involving Fletcher from Pennywise in Australia with a deadly bottle of vodka. Don't miss it.

A NYC musical treasure, singer songwriter, Jesse Malin could also be called the Zelig of rock and roll. He's seen a few decades and incarnations but is as vital as ever. He's also a great guy to talk to, which we definitely enjoyed doing, so listen up.

Singer/songwriter, Laura Stevenson who is basically 'Offtrack family' joins us after giving birth in quarantine to bring hope while discussing Benny Goodman, Blink 182 and surviving an avalanche in western Canada. Oh yeah... "banana" is her safe word.

Singer/songwriter Jared Hart of Mercy Union and The Scandals, gets down with fellow Mercy-member Benny, discussing Tiki bars, pink flamingo crimes and baseball. But things really kick into gear when Jared starts talking about his hometown, the amazing Bayonne, NJ!

Sean Bonnette of folksy-punkband, AJJ comes on board this week to discuss serious social change. Don't worry, that's only the first half. We also get to his favorite skate spots, Chris Farren on mushrooms, and Ben's cousin, the nun.

Hardcore kid turned national security reporter, Spencer Ackerman joins us to talk some shit about THE SHIT. But he's old pals with Benny so we do go off track and talk a little music-90's hardcore... and political journalism. Check it.

Milo, from The Descendents! Do we really need to say any more? No. But we will... it's Milo! From The Descendents! Punk rock, Minutemen, Black Flag, "she tolerates my farts"... it's Milo!.. from The Descendents!

Mathcore's main man, Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan gets our heads straight on keeping it fucking real down on the farm. He also advocates for taking care of your own business and doing whatever it takes to support your muse.

Teenage Bottlerocket singer/guitarist Ray Carlisle checked in with us from the prairie to talk about cowboys and fishing... well that's just the first 5 minutes. The interview is as fun as his awesome punk rock band, bouncing from Nicolas Cage to road-dog tips. If you don't like Teenage Bottlerocket it's because you haven't heard them, so AFTER this interview, crank it up!