Is Breakfast Included?

In this week’s episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Chris LaPlante, a guitarist and guitar tech in the music industry. Chris opens up about a bunch of topics: his early years in Vermont, some of his musical influences, the punk scene, sobriety, and his work in a psychiatric hospital. Chris is currently out on tour with Falling in Reverse, and he tells us all about it. instagram.com/chris...

This week Bernie chops it up with internet radio show host, photographer, former roadie, and long-time friend, Russ Rojas. Russ talks about his early days, working for Pantera and Lord Tracy and what it was like being there at their formation. Russ also talks about his photography, and what led him to start his podcast, the "4one5 podcast". These two have known each other for years and t...

This week Bernie sits down with author and former North Side King member, Danny Marianino. Danny talks about the infamous 2004 viral video incident he was involved in and how it led him to write, “Don’t Ever Punch a Rockstar: A Collection of Hate Mail and Other Crazy Insults.” He also talks about what the fallout was like and why he would do things differently today. linktr.ee/dannymarianino insta...

In this week’s episode, Bernie and Lisa catch up with tour manager, production manager, sound engineer, photographer, and videographer, Carlos Novais. Carlos shared stories about his move from Sao Paulo, Brazil to California in pursuit of his career and what it was like for him to adapt to a new culture. Carlos is currently working on Candlebox’s farewell tour and took time out of his extremely bu...

In this week’s episode, Bernie chats with Gary Rees, an experienced lighting technician who has worked in the live music industry for over 30 years. Gary shares stories of growing up in Birmingham, UK and how he originally started working in his profession. He and Bernie also talk extensively about Gary’s stepfather, longtime Black Sabbath keyboardist, Geoff Nicholls, as well as Gary’s role in pre...

This week Bernie sits down with Paul Chinook, an actor, producer, and writer of the independent film, "February's Dog”. He and Bernie discuss the significance of the title and Paul's journey in the film industry. They talk about Canadian winters, share personal experiences, and touch on the themes of mental health and technology in the film. Watch "February's Dog" now on...

In this week’s episode, Bernie sits down with Josh Vittek of VittekPR. They discuss Josh’s history as an A&R representative with Carvin, how he started his own public relations company, customizing guitar pickups and strings for Sheptone, and his latest collaboration with Doyle, Von Frankenstein Monster Gear. Take an in-depth look at the passion and detail which fuels the music industry from b...

This week Bernie chats with independent singer-songwriter, Mark Allan Atwood. Mark discusses his passion for songwriting, his musical journey, his artistic influences, and how he found his place in the Texas country music scene. They take a trip down memory lane and reminisce about how they first met in the eighties, as well as discuss his upcoming album titled "Old Scars and Sandbars"....

This week Bernie sits down with North Point Drive's singer and songwriter, Grant Petty. Grant discusses being a teenager and discovering the music scene, his journey in the music industry, he and Bernie’s history, how he moved to LA, and the importance of not fearing failure. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration to pursue their dreams. Get ready to be inspired and learn...

This week Bernie chats with his friend, Steven McSwain, a custom guitar builder and jewelry maker. They discuss Stephen’s history of guitar building, how he got a guitar into the hands of Steve Vai, and how that got his name out to some of the biggest guitar players in the music industry. Stephen also sheds light on the personalized process behind each piece, the authenticity in his work, and the...

On this week's episode, Bernie sits down with Nigel “Skippy” Monk, a seasoned lighting crew chief with an extraordinary passion for his craft. Skippy takes us on a journey detailing how he found his calling in the concert lighting industry. He also shares some insight into his work ethic and discusses his philosophy about trust in a team. ********************************* Hungry for more? Chec...

In this week’s episode, we hop aboard the Duran Duran tour bus with front-of-house engineer, Tom Wood. Tom talks to Bernie about his beginnings in the industry, what it’s like working with top artists such as Shawn Mendes, Journey, and now Duran Duran, and his insights on maintaining humility in the face of success. Tom also opens up about his move to Canada, the importance of empathy and respect...

In this week’s episode of "Is Breakfast Included?", Bernie sits down with his good friend, Conor Hickey. Tune in for a fascinating exploration of horror, wrestling, UFOs, and the comedic genius of Bill Hicks. They dig into horror classics, supernatural folklore, influential comedy and music legends, as well as discuss the evolution of the music industry. *********************************...

In this week’s episode Bernie takes us on a journey through the career of Cosmo Wilson, a veteran lighting director who has worked on some of the biggest tours in the world. He candidly shares his love for the industry, experiences with rock legends, and the evolution of concert lighting. Cosmo also delves into his early rockstar aspirations, his fascination with aviation, and his trademark Hawaii...

This week Bernie chats with award-winning film director in the live entertainment industry, Mark Haney. Mark tells us how he attempted to avoid the music business by focusing his education and career on video. He was then asked to help out with video on just one tour and has since gone on to produce videos on some of the biggest artist’s tours in the world. Influenced by his older brother, who wor...

This week Bernie chats with photographer and director, Paris Visone. Paris is a touring photographer and sometimes videographer who has worked with bands such as Blondie, New Found Glory, Limp Bizkit, Godsmack, and New Kids On The Block. In this conversation she talked to Bernie about the band who inspired her to become a photographer and how it all came full circle when she got to work with them....

This week Bernie sits down with the owner and founder of Old Bones Therapy, Brandon Fields. Old Bones Therapy (OBT) specializes in making compression sleeves, braces, supplements and creams for pain management. Brandon talks about starting the company six years ago and how he made the decision to quit his software engineering job to focus on OBT full-time. Bernie recently started using OBT knee br...

This week Bernie sits down with drummer, artist, and drum tech, John Douglas. John tells us about getting his start in the music industry, from being in a Texas cover band, to landing a record deal, to customizing drum kits and working as a drum tech for some of the biggest acts in the world. John also talks about his love of painting and his recent move from Aerosmith drum tech to Aerosmith drumm...

This week Bernie sits down with the president of InTuneGP, Bert LeCato. InTuneGP manufactures custom guitar picks for some of the biggest artists in the world as well as loads of local and regional bands. Bert disrupted the guitar pick industry by manufacturing a quality product backed by great service and offering small minimum orders. Bert talks to Bernie about leaving his job in 2000 to work on...

This week Bernie sits down with artist and friend, Robin Arthur. Robin tells us all about Paonia, Colorado, the quirky, rural, hippie community where she lives. She walks us through a few of her past jobs, how she became a artist, and why she paints what she paints. Robin is a very versatile artist, specializing in pet portraits, landscapes, abstracts and chickens. Rumor is, she'll paint a chi...

This week Bernie catches up with Blue October’s bassist, Matt Noveskey. Matt talks about his family’s musical roots, what inspired him to take up the bass, his decision to pick up and move from Michigan to Texas in 1998 to join Blue October, and his studio located in Austin, Orb Recording Studios. They had a great conversation and Matt even tells a story about turning a certain bassist on to Aguil...

This week Bernie speaks with bassist/singer of the legendary rock band Kings X, Dug Pinnick. They discuss how Kings X landed in the Christian music scene, got the boot from the Christian community, and found their voice by creating a genre of their own. Dug was not afraid to answer all of Bernie’s questions and share his own opinions on current issues. dugnation.net *******************************...

This week Bernie sits down with Amie Miriello & Vanessa Olivarez of Boys Club for Girls. They discuss how they began singing together, why they need to keep singing together, and their new self-titled album which is being released today. It is a combination of beautiful harmonies, great songs, and fresh air. You can get the album on all streaming platforms as well as buy tickets to their album...

This week Bernie talks with The Nixons’ bassist, Ricky Brooks. Ricky breaks down what it was like being in The Nixons and how they went from being a cover band in their early days, to an all original band. He discussed everything from how they got signed to a major label to how he got fired and how The Nixons reunited in 2017. They also discuss Huver and the limited edition vinyl which was release...

This week’s episode marks the beginning of our third season and for this one, we switched things up a little bit. I, Lisa, turned the tables on Bernie and put him in the hot seat for a change. We learned of his origin story and had a really great conversation. Bernie talked about where he grew up, how he got into the music industry, and what sparked the idea for this podcast. We also discussed som...