The Itch Rock Podcast

This week, we're scratching The Itch for the greatest week in the history of our sport... er, podcast. Find out why as we recap a trio of shows by artists who are aging like fine wine (though that's probably not what they drink). First, Aaron won't stop til he gets to Normal (or technically Bloomington) to throw paper airplanes at Ben Folds and hear about how Effington could be a wonderful effingp...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to go green! Dale Tanner of Ocean Grove joins us from Melbourne, Australia to discuss the band's new album ODDWORLD . We cover the band's shift in sound from the grunge-y alt rock on their previous two albums to their more nu metal roots, their unique membership setup and the difference between "Ocean Grove" and the "ODDWORLD Collective," an...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get evil! Guitarist Nick Fuelling of Pop Evil joins us to check off one of Dan's wish list band conversations. Pop Evil recently released " What Remains ", the first single from an album set to release in Spring 2025. Nick talks about the new song, the new lineup (which "devoured" another band, one might say), and which Major League Baseb...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a first! This concert catch-up takes a new twist when one of us sees not just a concert, but a concert film made by Local H ! And even recorded, it's somehow a great live show! Join us to recap the tour featuring Seether , Itch guests Skillet , Tim Montana , and Royale Lynn , plus Wage War and 2x Itch guests Fame on Fire ! If you like what you hear, you can...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a revolution! John Cooper of Skillet joins us to talk about their new album of the same name. But though they're known for fist-pumping rockers, we actually spend most of our conversation discussing the band's softer side. Namely, how John and his wife Korey raised their two children on the road, and the song John wrote for his daughter's wedding. Plus, goi...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a sunrise and a surprise! Mike Cunniff of Boston Manor joins us to discuss the band's fantastic two-part album(s) 2022's Datura and the newly released Sundiver. If you're wondering how one thematically connected album is released two years apart, we've got your explanation! Join us to hear about the intricate balance of creating songs that stand alone and f...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for imagination! Atreyu is about to release The Pronoia Sessions , a connection of reimagined classics, and frontman Brandon Saller joined The Itch's trifecta club to talk about it. Brandon's amazing voice is on display more than ever on the new record, and his vibrant personality and artist's heart are on display throughout our conversation. Join us to hear ab...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for consistency! It's time for our regularly scheduled Badflower coverage, plus our first time seeing 2-time guests Lowlives, and our introduction to a reggae metal band that ISN'T Skindred! Join us to hear about a very relaxing night featuring The Movement , Long Beach Dub Allstars , and Aurorawave , a sold-out double bill with Saosin and Lowlives , and Badflo...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to Riot! For the fourth year in a row, Aaron ventured to Chicago's own Riot Fest ... and this time he finally brought friends! Not only that, but he bookended two days at the festival with memorable shows from The Offspring and, perhaps most punk rock of all, legendary composer Hans Zimmer ! Join us for tales of epic soundtracks, Olympic heroes, testing the lim...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for DOOMSDAY! The (mostly) Texas-based GORE. is one of the most exciting new bands in the metal world, and we were thrilled to speak with guitarist Alex King and bassist Devin Birchfield about their debut EP, A Bud That Never Blooms , out October 25th on Spinefarm Records. The fellas recount how they connected to frontwoman (and NASA engineer) Haley Roughton, t...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to visit the Blue Planet! Three decades of fandom come to a head as Aaron sees Weezer perform The Blue Album for the first time with support from the ever-entertaining Flaming Lips . And he followed that up by seeing a new act with a throwback 90s hip hop sound in the ever-confident Joey Valence & Brae ! Meanwhile, KC had a mixed bag of a time seeing In...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to keep catchin' up! Concerts continue to abound, and this one includes the rhyming trifecta of friendships, road trips, and vacation pro tips! Join us to hear insights about the touring life from friends (current and hopefully future) Oxymorrons , VRSTY , Nothing More , Eva Under Fire , Post Profit , & The Burkharts . Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to run it back! Bryan Kuznitz of Fame on Fire is back to talk about the the band's new album The Death Card , which drops on Sept 6. Insightful and ever-honest, Bryan explains the thematic threads throughout the album, and gives an eye-opening report on the difficulties of being an artist in the age of Spotify and Ticketmaster. Plus, we revisit an amusing story...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to collaborate! Wes Anderson is a longtime internet friend of ours with an impeccable record of guest features on his music. His new single, "Goodbye," features two-time Itch guest Stephen Richards of Taproot , and his previous track, " Heads Are Gonna Roll ," features Benji Webbe of The Itch's Official Favorite Band, Skindred . So the time...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to share the wealth! It's another Concert Catch-up, but this time with stories from the whole gang! We saw no less than 10 bands, recently, including an Itch radio staple, some concert buddies, two podcast guests, some hopeful future guests, and a self-described "brass house" band. There's truly something for everyone to appreciate, and maybe even dis...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for future deja vu! Jutes ' album Ladybug made our top 20 of 2023, and his upcoming follow-up Sleepyhead is shaping up as a contender for 2024! We had to have this prolific songwriter on to discuss his shifting sounds, the challenges of being an independent artist, and balancing his desire for a quiet, private life with the public nature of his relationship wit...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a roundup! We're talking about four of our favorite albums from the second quarter of 2024. And it's an Itch International Rock Roundup to boot, featuring Britain's Bring Me the Horizon , Mexico's The Warning , Texas' Nothing More , and Scotland's Dead Pony ! That's right, Texas is it's own country. It's a mix of heavy hitters and rising stars. Genre shifte...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for unique concert experiences! Aaron saw four shows in four very different environments, and now the guys have to break down the details on poetry readings, surprising mosh pit members, when smoke machines go wrong, and what you get when you choose the free show. Check out The Itch's experiences seeing Micah Bournes , Metric , The New Pornographers , and Fury...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for the end times! Eicca Toppinen of Apocalyptica joins us to discuss the cello metallers' new album Plays Metallica Vol. 2 . Join us to hear about why they followed up on the album that put them on the map nearly 30 years ago, why their tour features the best Metallica set list ever, and (of course) the hard-hitting question of why they included the polarizing...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get hooked! Deal with that pun as Jason Hook of Flat Black joins us to discuss the process of starting a band from scratch after reaching some of rock's highest highs in his previous band. Flat Black's debut album "Dark Side of the Brain" is out July 19th, and Jason has been itching (see, it comes full circle) to talk about it. We cover the origins...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for Michigan! Grand Rapids' Upheaval Festival is coming up, and in a callback to last years coverage, we're breaking down this year's lineup. But this time, it's an Itch fantasy draft, as we each build our own stage from the Upheaval lineup! Shout out to past guests Chris Meyer of MiEntertainment and Rebecca Potzner of BandedPR , as well as the rest of the Uphe...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for Closure! After 17 years, The Exies are back with a new EP, and band leader and Itch friend Scott Stevens joins us for the second time to discuss all the details. Scott reflects on the experience of creating these new songs (and playing the band's reunion show at The Viper Room in LA) with his unique combination of adventurous curiosity, thoughtful introspec...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for serendipity! After a random introduction on an Instagram post, Columbia, Missouri's Hang Your Hate won us over (as discussed in episode 209 ) and eventually became must-have guests. So this week all five of our MoBros joined us for a breeze of a talk covering the origins of their (bandvantage) name, our mutual love for System of a Down, how they make their...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for some hometown heroes! March Bandness winners and St Louis' own Tree One Four joins us to discuss the creative process, performing with The Urge, and last year's Monolithic Hieroglyphic , which landed them a spot on The Itch's Top 20 Albums list. Plus, the singles vs albums debate continues, Aaron misses half the show, and for the first time ever, our guest...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to fight evil with poetry. Aaron does his first ever solo interview with one of his favorite artists, poet and musician Micah Bournes . Micah is raising funds for a double album exploring the ins and outs of romance. Along with that, Micah discusses the nature of war, living as a nomad, using his words to create music, and, well, the audacity of caucacity. It's...