Showing Promise

We’re kicking off 2026 with a deep dive into live music! In this episode, I’m breaking down some recent standout shows before turning the spotlight on the two biggest events in the alternative music world: the return of Vans Warped Tour for its 30th anniversary and When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas. I briefly explore the history of both festivals, what makes them fun, and how they’ve evolve...

In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Brook Munro. Brook and I met back in the early 00's, just as our local punk and hardcore scene was on the rise. Over the years, Brook has played in numerous bands, evolving as both a musician and a songwriter. Brook shares his personal journey through music — from punk rock gigs to the more intentional artistry of his current projects. And, of course,...

Holy crap! It's episode 30! I can hardly believe we've made it this far. To say I’m grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. Thank you so much to every guest who’s joined me on this journey, and to every listener who’s tuned in. Your support means everything. For this special milestone episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back my dear friend Bill. Nearly two years after our original conversa...

This is the second and final episode recapping my recent trip to Japan. In April 2025, I spent a week exploring the vibrant city of Tokyo — a highlight of which was an entire day at Tokyo Disneyland. As a lifelong Disneyland enthusiast, I’ve always been excited by the idea of visiting the international parks, and the chance to experience Tokyo Disneyland was truly irresistible. In this episode, I’...

Konnichiwa, friends! I have recently returned from my latest international travel adventure, and it was a sick one. I went to Tokyo, Japan! It has been a long time since I've set foot in a new country, and while I was slightly nervous about the trip, it ended up being an awesome experience.  Inspired by this year's Star Wars Celebration, I spent a week exploring the streets, sights, and...

For this episode, I am joined by my friend Ben Fowers, guitarist for the straight edge hardcore band Embrace Today. We discuss Ben's life in Boston, how he got into punk and hardcore music, and what it was like growing up in a city with serious hardcore history. We dive into his early days of picking up the guitar, starting his own bands, and eventually joining Embrace Today. Ben shares his e...

Lunch break is over and we are back in session, so don't be tardy! That's right, people, I haven't dropped out yet. Thanks for hanging in there with me! In this episode, I am joined by my friend and fellow SLO High alumni, Diego Castañeda. Diego and I were classmates at San Luis Obispo High School, and this year (2024) marks our 20 year graduation anniversary. Talk about hardcore! W...

Earlier this year, I had the chance to see Poison The Well on their anniversary tour celebrating 20 years of You Come Before You —and the show was nothing short of epic. Poison The Well was one of the first hardcore bands I ever got into, and just hearing their name instantly takes me back to a pivotal time in my life, when I was first discovering heavy music. But they weren’t the first, and they...

Happy New Year!! That's right, people, it's 2024 and we are coming in hot. For my first episode of the new year, I am catching up with the incomparable Tennisen Deakman. Tennisen and I spent the better part of a day hanging out, prattling on about pretty much everything there is. We may have actually said too much but, we had fun. And isn't that what is important. Thanks to Tennisen...

Before we close out 2023, I just want to say thank you so very much for listening to the podcast this year. It has been such a fun and fulfilling project, and I'm looking forward to continuing in 2024. And finally, another big thank you to my guests for spending time and talking with me. Which actually makes a great segue... In this episode I am joined by my friend Bill, given name William. B...

Mom, this was never a phase! I'm back from fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada after attending the second annual When We Were Young Festival. WWWYF is the ultimate emo celebration, bringing together sensitive millennials from all over the world to sing our favorite songs and relive our teen-angst glory days. But how did the second year compare to the first? I'm here to tell you all about it, in w...

September has come to and end, but October is about to start! And I've got just the person to help get us in the "spirit" of things. I'm thrilled to welcome back my friend Crystal Saenz, and once again morbid curiosity has gotten the best of us. It doesn't take long for us to descend in to darkness, as we discuss the more macabre side of life. Plus, Crystal shares more sup...

Fall is here! Which means it's time for hoodies and hauntings. And what better way to kick off the spooky season than having monsters scream at you all night! Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights has become one of my favorite annual traditions, and the 2023 event did not disappoint. Through the mazes, scare zones, and Terror Tram, Universal puts on a frightening, yet fun experience. I al...

It's my birthday! So you know what that means, another year older and another year wiser... or something like that! And for this special occasion I've got a special birthday guest, my bff, Stu. Stuart helped me start this madness almost two years ago as my very first guest, and now fate and friendship has brought us here together once again. Stuart and I revisit some of our most cherishe...

Work sucks, I know! On this episode I'm hanging out with my friend and former boss, Brendan Klein. Brendan and I met in 2011 when I was hired at Really Likeable People (RLP), a distribution company founded by Tom DeLonge. This company housed various brands such as Macbeth Footwear, LoserKids. Com, The Keep A Breast Foundation, Modlife, Atticus Clothing and more. RLP was a unique work environm...

Part 2 of my epic conversation with Anna! This time around we're exploring a variety of majorly important issues, discussing boy bands, classic adolescent games, tv shows, and some incredible pick-up lines. Follow Anna on Instagram @killedyoupolitely Thank you for listening! Find me on Instagram at @mattxcementina Intro/Outro music by Stuart Stock-Tucker

Oh my god, we're back again. Brothers, sisters, everybody sing. That's right, people, it's episode 16! In this episode I am joined by my friend Anna Miller to talk about...well, everything. Anna and I revisit some of our fondest memories, reminiscing about shows, bands, venues, and navigating adolescence within the hardcore music scene. Anna also shares her experience and perspectiv...

You say goodbye, and I say hello! In this episode I’m diving headfirst into the world of Beatlemania. I’ve been a devoted Beatles fan for as long as I can remember, always dreaming about seeing the Fab Four live in concert. But let’s be real—that was never going to happen across this universe. So, if I couldn’t see them together, I would have to see them individually. After all, they’re still Beat...

It has been a wild week, but we are back in action! I have recently returned from a trip across the pond for this years Star Wars Celebration. Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate Star Wars convention, and changes location every year it's held. For 2023, SWC went international to jolly old London, England. Over the course of 4 days, ExCel London was completely taken over by Star Wars fandom....

Episode 13 is here — and we're talking tats! For this lucky number 13, I’m joined by my friend and talented tattoo artist, Jake Emery of the award-winning Port Side Tattoo here in San Diego. In this episode, Jake shares his journey from curious beginner to professional artist, opening up about what it really takes to break into the tattoo industry. We dig into the creative process, shop cultu...

Greetings, Earthlings! We are keeping the space vibes rolling with another out-of-this-world episode! This time around I am joined by my friend and coworker, AC, to share some of our experiences over the years while running the To The Stars retail store in Encinitas, California. This shop was far from ordinary, and attracted a lot of curious and excited customers from all over the planet. Needless...

Showing Promise Episode XI - Defense Of The Ewoks. That's right padawan's, we're hitting lightspeed and going full Star Wars. In this episode, I am joined by my friends Chris and Steve for a lively discussion about our favorite galaxy far, far away. Thank you for listening! Find me on Instagram at @mattxcementina Intro/Outro music by Stuart Stock-Tucker

Well everyone, we've done it. Idk how, but we've done it. It's episode 10! And to mark this very special occasion, I've got my very special first returning guest. I'm joined once again by the one, the only, the incorrigible Corie Ferguson! Not only was Corie one of my first podcast guests, but she was also the first person I met in this strange new city of San Diego, and o...

In this episode, I'm sharing some of the interesting and particularly cool celebrity encounters I had while running the To The Stars retail shop in Encinitas, California. To The Stars is the entertainment brand of punk rocker and San Diego native, Tom DeLonge (Blink-182, Angels & Airwaves, Box Car Racer), and his retail store attracted a wide variety of customers and fans. Located in a hi...

Happy New Year! And happy birthday?! For most of us, these annual celebrations are two separate occasions. But for my first guest of 2023, they are one and the same. My buddy Dan was the first dude I met after moving to San Diego, and we've been friends ever since. I have some bones to pick about his taste in movies, but otherwise it's business as usual as we discuss being born on a holi...