Is Breakfast Included?

On this week’s episode, we catch up with singer Anna Ross, who has been performing backing vocals with Duran Duran since 2005. Anna takes us through her early days in Newcastle to breaking into the music industry, landing her first major touring gig with Lisa Stansfield, and eventually joining one of the most iconic bands in the world. She also talks about life on the road, her passion for vocal c...

This week Bernie catches up with longtime friend Joseph Ortiz, lead singer of Lockjaw. Joe opens up about his challenging upbringing, how music became his escape, and the life lessons he learned through his struggles. He talks about stepping away from performing for over a decade to focus on being a father and reclaiming his health. Now as the vocalist of Lockjaw, Joe reflects on balancing creativ...

This week, Bernie and Lisa chat with Arya Goggin, drummer of Skindred, about the band’s unique sound and remarkable journey. Arya talks about his musical influences, life on the road, and the creative process behind the band’s success. He shares stories from his career and reflects on the strong connection Skindred has built with their fanbase. He also discusses playing shows with Andy Taylor and...

In this episode, we chat with Sara Higgins, a talented guitar tech whose journey started as a classically trained cellist. Sara shares how seeing Judas Priest inspired her to pick up the guitar and eventually dive into the world of teching for major acts.  She also opens up about her passion for equine massage therapy and photography, which provide balance to her demanding career. Sara offers a be...

This week Bernie and Lisa sit down with guitarists Peter Stroud and Trace Foster to discuss their new band, Close Enemies. The duo shares the story of how the band came together, their songwriting process, and the unique chemistry that drives their sound. They reflect on their decades of experience touring with icons like Sheryl Crow, Aerosmith, and The Rolling Stones, and how those lessons shaped...

This week Bernie chats with Keith Wallen, a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and talented solo artist. They discuss Keith’s musical journey, from his early days performing to joining Breaking Benjamin and then launching his solo career. Keith reflects on his creative process, shares insight into his solo project  Infinity Now , and talks about the dedication required to balance multiple music projec...

This week Bernie and Lisa sit down to chat with Rachael O’Connor, a talented singer-songwriter and backing vocalist for Duran Duran. Rachael opens up about her journey from a shy, music-loving kid to performing on  The Voice  to sharing the stage with rock legends. She shares stories about overcoming stage fright, working with icons like Kylie Minogue, and the surreal experience of recording and t...

In this episode, Bernie and Lisa chat with Dan Cleary, a seasoned guitar tech who’s spent nearly two decades on the road with icons like Jane’s Addiction and Marilyn Manson. Dan shares how he stumbled into his tech career, the wild mishaps he’s experienced, and the unique bond he’s built with artists over the years. He also discusses his passion for podcasting, including his projects  Rare Form Ra...

This week, Bernie and Lisa talk with Ace Bergman, a world-class guitar tech with more than 20 years of experience in the live music industry. Ace shares his journey from hosting a death metal TV show in Los Angeles to working alongside legends like Slash, Whitesnake, and Matchbox Twenty. He recounts life on the road, the discipline he gained from his Marine Corps training, and the challenges of to...

In this episode we chat with Harold Buchholz, a creative powerhouse whose career spans comics, animation, television, and publishing. Harold talks about his work on  Mystery Science Theater 3000 , his delightful comic  Sweetest Beasts , and his dedication to advocating for family-friendly storytelling. From his love of  Peanuts  to the inspiration he draws from the Midwest, Harold’s story is one o...

This week, Bernie sits down with Greg Marra, a seasoned guitarist, guitar tech, and custom guitar builder. Greg takes us through his journey from a music-obsessed kid in Pittsburgh to working at the highest levels of the music industry. He shares valuable lessons learned from repairing and building guitars, as well as his experiences on arena tours with Billy Idol. Greg also gets into the artistry...

This week Bernie sits down with Fred Kowalo, bass tech for Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx. Fred shares his journey from small-town musician to working alongside some of rock’s biggest legends, with stories spanning decades of music history. From epic parties with Zakk Wylde to the unique challenges of life on the road, Fred reflects on his experiences with both humor and heart. He also opens up about hi...

In this episode, Bernie catches up with singer, songwriter, and guitarist Nick Gibson. Nick shares his journey from Oklahoma to Nashville, discussing his grandfather’s influence on his career and how he overcame early stage fright. He talks about how authenticity drives his songwriting and performance style, while reflecting on the impact of his Native American heritage. Nick also offers funny and...

In this episode, we chat with Mark Damian, a drummer, producer, and audio engineer whose career spans live performance, recording, and even sound design for film trailers. Mark reflects on his early years in Michigan, his journey to Los Angeles, and the challenges of carving out a place in the competitive music industry. He also shares stories about his work on PBS’s Startup, touring with Skunk Ba...

This week, we’re joined by Russell Graham, a talented multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and vocalist, best known for his work with Nile Rodgers and Chic. Russell shares his journey from performing at the Apollo Theater to going viral with his rendition of the Soul Glo theme on NPR’s Tiny Desk. He discusses what it’s like to balance life on the road, collaborate with world-class musician...

This week, Bernie and Lisa sit down with Phillip W. Palmer, an Emmy-winning sound mixer celebrated for his work on hit shows like Glee and Better Call Saul. Phillip discusses the creative challenges of capturing high-quality sound on set, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his time working with iconic stars. He explains that sound mixing goes far beyond technical precision—it’s about inventive...

In this episode, Bernie and Lisa chat with Craig Pfunder, musician, producer, and musical director for Jake Shears. Craig shares his journey, from being adopted and growing up in an interracial family in Georgia, to discovering his passion for music. He reflects on his early influences, the evolution of VHS or Beta, and some of the challenges he faced navigating the music industry. They discuss th...

This week we chat with Nick Rhodes, the legendary keyboardist and creative mastermind behind Duran Duran. In this episode, The Controller pulls back the curtain on some of the band’s most iconic performances, from breathtaking European venues to their upcoming Halloween spectacle at Madison Square Garden. We also explore his thoughts on the future of AI in music and why he’s cautiously optimistic...

This week, we sit down with Adam Moyer and Kiara Williams of the musical duo Key to Adam. They share how they met during an open mic and instantly connected through music. Adam opens up about using music as therapy, while Kiara talks about her journey as a self-taught violinist and West Virginia Fiddle Champion. Together, they discuss their diverse musical style, blending everything from classical...

In this episode, Bernie talks with Paige McKenna Grube and Stacy Stanton-Runge about GOLD: The Documentary. GOLD explores the lives of dancers at the Gold Nugget strip club in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. Paige discusses her background in filmmaking and the journey of creating a film that humanizes and uplifts women in the adult industry, while Stacy shares her personal experience as a dancer and how...

This week Bernie sits down with Jim Runge, a tour manager with over 35 years in the music industry. Jim talks about his early days in the Green Bay punk scene, playing in a band that once caught the attention of a young Dave Grohl. He shares his career transition into production and tour management, balancing his work with raising a family, and how his son has followed in his footsteps as a stage...

In this episode, Bernie chats with Bobby Liebling, co-founder and lead singer of doom metal pioneers Pentagram. Bobby discusses the band's upcoming album, “Lightning in a Bottle”, their first in ten years, featuring a revamped lineup with members Tony Reed & Scooter Haslip of Mos Generator and Henry Vasquez of Saint Vitus. Bobby reflects on the challenges of the past decade, including his...

This week, Lisa and Bernie sit down with actor, author and musician, Keanu Reeves. Keanu shares the story of Dogstar's reunion after 22 years, the inspiration behind their latest album, “Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees”, and the passion he has for the gear he’s using on their current tour. He discusses “The Book of Elsewhere”, a book he co-wrote with China Mieville, and gives...

In this episode, Bernie catches up with longtime friend Will "Mekatron" Jones, a multi-talented musician, composer, and digital forensics expert. Will discusses how his company, Mekatron Media Group provides services ranging from music production to assisting law enforcement with digital investigations. He shares how personal experiences pushed him to excel in digital forensics, making i...

This week Bernie chats with guitarist, songwriter and founder of A Curious Beast, Toby Bittenbender. Toby discusses the band's formation, the release of their debut single "Waves," (available now on all streaming platforms) and how his sobriety played a crucial role in his musical resurgence. He opens up about his past with the band JIBE, the abrupt end of that chapter, and how those...