Pop-Punk & Pizza

Pop-Punk & Pizza Podcast has officially made it to one-hundred episodes! I’m still in disbelief that we have finally reached this milestone. I say that because at the beginning of January 2020, I announced my hiatus from the podcast. My mental health had reached an all time low and it was hard to function through […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #100: Jacques LaMore appeared first on Pop-Punk And Piz...

Hey, I hope you’re having a great week! So, last week on the Pop-Punk & Pizza social media pages I made a post saying I needed to have more female guests on the podcast. One of the first women I thought of was, Tahlena Chikami, lead vocalist, of ska punk band, Bite Me Bambi. I’ve […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #99: Tahlena Chikami of Bite Me Bambi appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza Podcast .

Hi, all! I hope you had a wonderful Canada Day and Fourth of July. My three year old son watched fireworks for the very first time in person and it was a beautiful thing to witness. It’s the beginning of the month so, it’s time to revamp our Spotify playlist! I must say, I think […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #98: 10 Songs for July 2020 appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza Podcast .

It was just last August when I discovered Chicago skate punkers, Much The Same, at 350 Fest in Tinley Park, IL. They were the perfect band to warm the crowd up for, The Mengziners, who would play later that evening. Most everyone in the crowd seemed to know who Much The Same was and sang […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #97: Franky Tsoukalas & Jevin Kaye of Much The Same appeared first on Pop-Punk An...

If you’re involved in the alternative rock scene in Chicago, there is a good chance you already know who James VanOsdol is or, have at least heard his name. Some know him as the host of the wonderful food and entertainment podcast, Car Con Carne. Others know James for being the host of local music […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #96: James VanOsdol appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza Podcast .

Hey there! Time once again for another “10 Songs” episode. I really enjoy doing these episodes because it gives me a chance to promote awesome DIY music from around the world. Share this episode and playlist with your friends. You never know when you’re going to find your next, “Favorite band”. It could very well […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #95: 10 Songs for June 2020 appeared first on Pop-Punk...

What do you do when times get extremely tough? You write emotionally powerful songs about those terrible life experiences. That’s exactly what, Andrew Zamora, and the rest of the gang in Ontario, Canada’s energetic pop punk band, Weigh The Anchor, have done with their latest single, “Medicate”.  I was grateful to have talked with Zamora […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #94: Andrew Zamora of Weigh The...

Chicago’s Sleep On It was about 10 dates into their, “Pride & Disaster Tour”, when the whole country began locking down because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Guitarist and vocalist, Jake Marquis, explains what that was like for the band at the time and also what they’ve been up to since the lockdown began in mid-March. […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #93: Jake Marquis of Sleep On It appeared first on Po...

10 Songs for May 2020: (In no particular order.) “Okay” – Til Morning “Redcard” – High Wire  “Ceiling” – When The Sun Sets  “Dragged Across The Finish Line” – Sincere Engineer  “Crazy” – Una Jensen “86” – Love Again  “See You Soon” – Hangtime  “Sweathogg” – Head Honcho  “Old School Blues” – Desk Job  “Belly-Up” […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #92: 10 Songs for May 2020 appeared first on Pop-Punk And...

The first time I met Devin and Patrick Parker was when they performed a few acoustic songs on the podcast under the name, Parker, in December of 2018. I was quickly roped in with their simple, but emotionally powerful songwriting methods. It’s a style you can instantly connect with in a heartfelt way. Their latest […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #91: Dev & Pat Parker of Til Morning appeared first on...

It’s been quite a long time since I’ve interviewed a couple on the podcast. This actually marks our first married punk rock couple to be on the podcast. So let’s welcome Matty Benson and Courtney Boyers of suburban Chicago punk band, TAKE THE REINS, to the Pop-Punk & Pizza Party! We discuss their latest single, […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #90: Matty & Courtney of TAKE THE REINS appeared first on...

Starting this month, I’m going to put out an episode of, Pop-Punk & Pizza, once per month, that is completely devoted to sharing ten of my favorite songs with you. I tried to spread the love and even stepped outside of the pop punk genre a little as well. Let me know if you enjoy […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #89: 10 Songs for April 2020 appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza Podcast .

Since the Covid-19 Pandemic reached the United States, several artists have rescheduled tour dates or release dates for new music. However, Chicago punk rock band, Lights Over Bridgeport, decided to push through with the release of their new single, “Morning in Chicago”, and new album, “Better This Way”, dropping May 22nd. Lead vocalist and guitarist, […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #88: Johnny Haml...

In January of 2020, I announced I would be taking a hiatus from the Pop-Punk & Pizza Podcast due to mental health reasons. I never gave a return date. In fact, I said it would most likely be a long time. With everything going on in the world right now, I decided to end my […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #87: Best Quarantine Songs appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza Podcast .

People who have tremendous amounts of creative thoughts and energy flowing freely through their minds always amaze me. One of those people happens to be Chicago based cinematographer and photographer, Alex Zarek. His portfolio includes videos for Real Friends, Belmont, Wilmette, Lucky Boys Confusion, and even world renowned DJ, Marshmello. Alex Zarek Links: Webite: www.alexzarek.com […] The post P...

Was the punk and emo wave in the late 1990s and early 2000s really, “The Last Scene”? There are many who consider it to be the last new thing given to us in rock music. On this episode director, Kyle Kilday, explains why his new documentary about that massive underground music movement is called, “The […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #85: The Last Scene Documentary appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizz...

Last month pop-punk phenoms, Makeout, announced two new members of the band. Oddly enough, both of them are from Chicago and have strong ties to the local scene. New lead vocalist/guitarist, Kyle Dee, is known for previous bands, The Frantic, and The Fall Four. AJ Khah, the new bassist, just left, Sleep On It, earlier […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #84: AJ Khah & Kyle Dee of Makeout appeared first...

  Craig Miller, frontman of Chicagoland pop punk band, Zombie Schoolboy, had several ear catching stories to share on this episode. Including stories from his years in, Danger Is My Middle Name.  Listen to Zombie Schoolboy’s latest single, “Hey California”, here: https://zombieschoolboy.bandcamp.com/track/hey-california Produced and recorded by, Rian Dawnson, of All Time Low. Also on this […] The...

Now that we punk’d our hearts out in the city at Riot Fest, it’s time to Punk The Burbs! Punk The Burbs Fest 3 is this Friday and Saturday, September 20th and 21st, at Basecamp Pub & Eatery in Lisle, IL. I had the chance to talk to the fest organizers, Caitlin Edwards (Bumsy & […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #82: Punk The Burbs Fest 3 appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza Podcast .

Not only is Reed Wolcott the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for We Are The Union, he also works for the legendary ska/punk bands, Goldfinger, Five Iron Frenzy, and more. Reed had some great stories to tell. I hope you enjoy them! Music featured on this episode: “Stability” Lightweights: https://lightweightschi.bandcamp.com “Daydreams” Television Supervision: https://youtu.be/ubFa2ltK9Ws “Traff...

When I think of bands who have successfully blended multiple styles of music into their songs, Ballyhoo!, is one of the first bands that come to my mind. In my opinion, Ballyhoo, is the perfect mix of punk, pop punk, ska, and reggae. It was an honor to have an in depth conversation with their […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #80: Howi Spangler of Ballyhoo! Part 1 appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizza...

This episode of Pop-Punk & Pizza is all about catching up with an old music friend from the “Myspace” era of the scene. We originally met around 2005 when he was in a band called, The Moment, from Rockford, IL. Now, PJ Heckinger, is the lead vocalist of Northwest Pacific punk band, Head Honcho! MUSIC […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #79: PJ Heckinger of Head Honcho appeared first on Pop-Punk And Pizz...

Josh Burke, the lead guitarist of alternative rock band, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, joins us on this episode of Pop-Punk & Pizza! Does Josh and the rest of RJA approve of eating pineapple on pizza? The answer to this burning question is revealed on this podcast! Hosted by, Jacques LaMore. The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #78: […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #78: Josh Burke of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus appeared f...

After twelve long years, southern California ska punk legends, Buck-O-Nine, have released a new album! “FunDayMental” is now available everywhere via Cleopatra Records. Lead vocalist, Jon Pebsworth, comes onto the podcast to talk about how the album took shape. Visit buckonine.com to listen to the new album, view their upcoming shows, and more! The post […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #77: Jon Pebsw...

My friend, Andrew Robert Palmer, returns to discuss what our favorite band’s side projects are. Also, a live performance from, Andy! He’s performing at the International Pop Overthrow Fest in Chicago on Wednesday, April 17th at LiveWire Lounge. Visit: www.arprock.com for more info! The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #76: Andrew Robert Palmer appeared first on […] The post Pop-Punk & Pizza #76: Andrew Rober...