(Don't) Quit Your Day Job

In this episode, Black Guy Fawkes talks about the response to new album Intrusive Lullabies, the labels of singer-songwriter versus punk versus folk versus protest songs, working through writers block, intimacy and connection, the importance of sequencing the songs and how they flow into each other, messaging for a certain audience. and the potential for turning off certain listeners. Plus, the fallout from getting dropped from a tour, the importance of mental health and a support system, the impact of social media and the dangers of sharing too much, and separating the art from the artist.

You can check out Black Guy Fawkes at these places:

In this episode, Knox Colby of the metal band Enforced talks about the Richmond, VA music scene, support between different musical genres, being inspired by Queen at Live Aid, the feeling of being on stage, growth and changes within the band, and the Metal Archives. Plus, communicating with the audience, self evaluation, balancing a day job with touring, imposter syndrome, and signing to Century Media.

You can check out Enforced at the following locations:

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about being star stuck after moving to Hollywood, giving guitar lessons to actors and the kids of movie stars, the very odd phenomena of "no eye contact", how the childhood friendship with Rivers Cuomo ended after he became a star, and the question of a band owing more to the fans than just the performance. Plus, meeting Rikki Rockett in Hollywood, "check out this guitarist", and the new Cruzados record and video.

In this episode, Ryan Foster of Slightly Fuzzed talks about all things stoner rock including the surprisingly small and close-knit scene, memes and parodies, inclusivity and the desire to be a part of something, the importance of audio quality and vinyl to the scene, and how to grow small businesses along with the scene. Plus, Rick Nielson's house for a birthday, a day job in marketing and graphic design, and the fuzz club, which is similar to a book club for stoner rock.

You can check out Ryan at the following locations:

In this episode, HIM of the prog-metal band Sermon talks about the reasons for the anonymity of the name and the mask that he wears, the mask as a reflection of the music, songwriting as an extension of mood and feeling in a particular moment, creating alone and then bringing it to others for completion, and developing vocal skills. Plus, the Marillion connection, finding the ease of listening in metal, choosing topics for lyrics, and the significant cost with the vision of live performance.

You can check out Sermon at the following locations:

In this episode, multi award winning film and TV writer, cartoonist, author, musician, and voice actor Dave Shelton talks about cultivating a very long and extremely varied career starting out at Tiger Beat magazine and moving on to National Lampoon, Everybody Loves Raymond, Mtv, Marvel and working with Cheap Trick, Cynthia Rothrock, and Jamie Kennedy amongst many others. Plus, listen to a pitch for the craziest movie you have ever heard.

You can check out Dave at the following locations:

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar, The Cruzados) about his recent shows with Little Caesar and Junkyard, doing only weekend tours rather than longer tours for financial reasons, sharing backline and loading gear on your own versus having techs, and the difference between a "has been" or an "almost was". Plus, collapsing label support, the mental impact of playing smaller places, reliving the past as a band versus as a fan, and guitar skill as judged by sales success.

In this episode, Mike Jacobs from On The Cinder talks about the big ten year anniversary show which included friends and bands from each era of On The Cinder. Plus, changing motivations as the band matures, what it means to put on a good show or performance, the financial realities of going on tour including having lives/jobs that allow for touring, the possible ways to assess yourself, value in expression, and encouraging young bands.

You can check out On The Cinder at the following locations:

In this episode, we speak with old pal Michael Treetop Voss about joining a punk band without any punk band experience, breaking away from stereotypical horn lines in rock songs, the importance of interaction and listening when playing with other people, and the difference between ska horns and other types of horns. Plus, freedom in playing music when money is not the motivator, reflecting on improvement as we get older, creating improvisational music versus writing songs, and not being afraid while performing.

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar) about working for Entertainment Tonight and wearing a tuxedo at the Golden Globes, recording a new EP with the Cruzados in 3 days, what is on a backstage rider when the band doesn’t drink alcohol, and the realities of making money on tour. Plus, Music Industry Hot Takes about Queen, Alice in Chains, and Fleetwood Mac, and writing a classic rock song with Chat GPT.

In this episode, Paul and Emily Slayton of Skeleton Key Brewery talk about starting a brewery, how to get a business off the ground, and what happens when a tornado devastates your business. Plus, the mindset required to start a rebuild, being a springboard for other people’s opportunities, sharing knowledge and helping the community, the process of bringing music and gaming into the business, and creating an old timey radio drama called Spectral Silhouette.

You can check out Skeleton Key Brewery at the following locations:

In this episode, Patrick Schober of Monster Riff and Poetica Marketing talks about creating online content dedicated to Stoner Rock, his day job working with clients on content marketing, segmenting tasks between day job and side work, and the history of Stoner Rock starting with Black Sabbath. Plus, a deep dive into Search Engine Optimization and social media, the importance of the words "electric" and "buffalo" in stoner rock, self evaluation, and the impact of AI on content creation.

You can check out Patrick at the following locations:

In this episode, Monty Colvin of the super awesome Galactic Cowboys talks about breaking big and signing to Geffen Records, being out on tour with Dream Theater and then getting dropped by the label, working with Sam Taylor, friendship with King's X, and bad timing in the music industry. Plus, the importance of vocal harmonies for the band, getting a role in the movie Airheads, going to Art School and painting on commission as the main source of income, and Monty's Rockcast podcast.

You can check out Monty and Galactic Cowboys at the following locations:

In this episode, Elmer Maurits of the downtempo, deathcore band Distant talks about being a European band but living in different countries, the love of touring and traveling, the custom guitars and basses needed for playing downtuned music, the importance of melody and moods for extreme music, and what it means to have signed with the label Century Media. Plus, the importance of defined business roles within bands, getting on big festivals, and offering other types of media like books along with music. 

You can check out Distant at the following locations:

In this episode, Matt Sullivan of the ska/punk band Title Holder talks about the inherent fun of ska music, the importance of making contacts to gain some traction, connecting with Chris DeMakes, the ability to take feedback when writing songs, and the differences between creating music in the studio and live performance. Plus, playing Tony Hawk (badly) for a music video, the importance of high quality visuals, releasing singles rather than albums, and social media as a chore but an absolute requirement.

You can check out Title Holder at the following locations:

In this episode, singer/songwriter Danny Attack tells us about touring as an independent artist and traveling alone, growing up as a punk rock kid, the importance of a musical support system, the punk rock brand in the Americana scene, and winning people over via performance. Plus, the importance of the visual part of presentation, removing old material that is no longer representative, dark lyrical content, and booking tours in Europe and the USA.

You can check out Danny Attack at the following locations:

In this episode, Abby Malczon, who is a theater major at Slippery Rock University, tells us about the experiences of moving through a university level theater education program, the required physical and mental preparation for shows, the auditioning process, her hopes following graduation, and the differences between pop/rock and theater singing. Plus, how embarrassing is it for your family to see you perform adult material for the first time?

You can check out Abby at the following locations:

In this episode, Ken Haas of Reverend Guitars tells us everything we could possibility want to know about guitar sponsorship and endorsement deals as well as relationship building for artist signature guitars. Plus, the positives of Toledo, OH, finding the right market niche for Reverend Guitars, trying to be fresh and innovative while remaining broadly appealing, the future of guitar based music, and playing in the band J. Navarro & The Traitors.

You can check out Reverend Guitars at the following locations:

In this episode, Niilo Sevänen of the Finnish metal band Insomnium talks about their upcoming (Feb 2023) new album Anno 1696, melodic death metal as an accessible genre, creating music with artistic freedom, the danger of growing complacent with increasing levels of success, the financial realities of planning tours, and writing a book as the starting point for the new album. Plus, winters in Finland, fan behavior in different parts of the world, and collaborating with Sakis from Rotting Christ.

You can check out Insomnium at the following locations:

In this episode, Sir Richard Dean Girt III of The Sneaky Heat Missiles talks about creating stage and band names, the current wave of ska, creating objectives when starting a band, the difficulty in finding and keeping horn players, and the challenge of getting honest feedback on songs and performance. Plus, having family members in the band, pay to play shows, performing at a haunted prison, and non-traditional events to help raise the profile of the band.

You can check out The Sneaky Heat Missiles at the following locations:

In the first episode of 2023, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar) about what it really means to be famous, the "normal" life of a musician, Cherry Pie and Jani Lane, and practicing as a new years resolution. Plus, guitarists on Cameo, the fluctuating desire to play, staying positive in the face of disappointment, and becoming YouTube famous.

In this episode, Trev Allen of the Struggling Artist Podcast talks about the music scene in Worcester, MA and New England, the importance of true support in any scene, podcasting versus storytelling, and creating and managing an engaging podcast. Plus, the importance of interacting with other people, the differences between having conversations and writing, how ideas are generated, and deciding what to do with finished writing projects.

You can check out Trev's podcasts at the following locations:

In this episode, we talk to our friend Mark Tremalgia (Little Caesar) about the annual Spotify statistics flurry, gauging the value of streams from a business perspective, validation as a songwriter in seeing high numbers of streams, changing songs from recorded versions, and the use of backing tracks when performing live. Plus, legacy bands changing members, sounds and clothes falling out of fashion, and downsizing gear as one gets older.

In this episode, most of the Arizona based band Vacant Skies talks about releasing full length albums despite shorter attention spans, the live scene in Arizona the financial difficulties of touring in the west, the importance of technical ability, and combining different styles of music. Plus, UFOs in Arizona, songwriting and band dynamics, and the importance of setting goals.

You can check out Vacant Skies at the following locations:

In this episode, we talk to our old pal Mark Tremalgia about being inspired or discouraged by other musicians, the dream of being a rock star versus being a musician, and the frustrations inherent in learning and practicing. Plus, is practice enough or is there a gift, where inspiration comes from, middle aged rock star wannabees, and musicians with heydays in the past.

In this episode, Rob Huddleston of Ann Beretta talks about the difficulty of band names, being the "driving force" of a band, getting your music heard pre-internet, the importance of touring and playing live, and resurrecting a band after a hiatus. Plus, the evolution of creating goals, the experience of signing to labels like Lookout, the scene in Richmond VA, Star wars preferences, and putting out a live record with DCxPC.

You can check out Rob and Ann Beretta at the following locations:

In this episode, Vincent Tweten of Phobophilic talks about the challenge of writing lyrics for metal, the importance of a message, organic versus modern production techniques, signing to a bigger label as a marker of success, and clichés in metal including logo design. Plus, the live scene in North Dakota, how waiting for success doesn’t work, and day job freedom.

You can check out Vincent and Phobophilic at the following locations:

In this episode, Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain of influential metal band Voivod talks about joining the band after being a fan from age 11, the challenges of replacing Denis "Piggy" D'Amour, writing new music versus playing catalog, studying music and now teaching, and being the only metal band to ever play a jazz fest. Plus, being a freelance musician and managing different projects, the influence of Japanese culture and Ultraman fandom, and keeping both fans and the band engaged in the music.

You can check out Daniel and Voi Vod at the following locations:

For gigantic episode number 150, we chat with old pal Charlie about getting into podcasting, trying to grow audiences when creating art, attempting to be a musician to make money and trying to break through the noise, and the importance of focusing on yourself. Plus, frustrations with lack of opportunity, the concept of fair treatment, developing a gimmick, and wondering if all press is good press.

In this episode, Scott Pasch of the label DCxPC Live talks about the positive and negatives of Florida Man, what it means to get a PhD in Education, the value of the punk rock community, and trying to lose as little money as possible when starting a label. plus, managing time, making money and being creative, choosing projects to take on, and dealing with social media.

You can check out DCxPC Live at the following locations:

In this episode, we talk to our old pal Mark Tremalgia from Belgium where he is on tour with Little Caesar. Mark talks about Illness while on tour and getting "stage health" to play, mixed emotions when reaching tour end, giving away 250 picks, and people wanting stuff as a measure of success. Plus, restroom etiquette, the mental impact of technical difficulties, swallowing hair, and the "shredder bracket competition" featuring stories about Kevin DuBrow and Warren Di Martini.

In this episode, legendary vocalist of The Dwarves, Blag Dahlia talk about the persona of Ralph Champagne and releasing an outlaw country album, aliases, writing novels and the creation of characters, and exploring different avenues of expression. Plus, desires for commercial success, signing with Sub Pop,  notoriety of The Dwarves impacting projects now, and how being the bad guy can be profitable.

You can check out Blag and Ralph Champagne at the following locations:

In this episode, the founder of BYTA, Marc Brown talks about building a platform specifically for audio, early days of the internet and newsgroups, moving from Canada to England to Sweden, and how the lack of barriers to entry in music is a good thing. Plus, working at Creation Records, what getting signed to a label actually means, living and working in Sweden, and what happens when a band blows up e.g. The Darkness, The Hives.

You can check out Marc & Byta at the following locations:

In this episode, RATH of RATH & the Wise Guys talk about living in Florida as a positive or negative, recruiting band members, collaboration, the required drive to achieve success, developing a musical identity, and the importance of connections. Plus, using social media as a resource, playing live, the different Florida scenes, and breaking through consumer noise.

You can check out RATH & the Wise Guys at the following locations:

In this episode, we talk to our old friend Mark Tremalgia from Spain where he is on tour with Little Caesar. Mark talks about tour itineraries and playing festivals versus headlining shows, being star struck versus feeling like a peer on the musician level, breaking strings, and a puppet show interview in France. Plus, new music from legacy bands, the aesthetics of an amplifier stack versus a combo, and how old is too old to play music.

In this episode, Rob Courtney of Little Elephant Custom Vinyl tells us everything we need to know about the creation of lathe cuts, including the machinery, sound quality, and establishing a successful business. Plus moving from punk rock to audio engineering to lathe cutting, the difficulty of being a music major, the Toledo, OH scene, and being the worst bass player in the orchestra.

You can check out Rob and Little Elephant at the following locations:

For this episode, in addition to our friend Mark Tremalgia, we also have a special co-host in Alec (AJ) Blume. Mark talks about learning and understanding music theory, understanding how to be a good guitar teacher, developing a playing style, and the importance of live performance and the rush of a crowd. Plus, Little Caesar on tour in Europe, touring back in the day versus now, tour rider requirements, and a trivia quiz about the Allman Brothers and ZZ Top.

In this episode, Tim Nave talks about being the Governor of Appalachia, whether or not being "southern" is positive or negative, having a chip on your shoulder, the connection between the "Bitter as Hell" songs, and strategies for releasing physical copy. Plus, not being understandable at a McDonalds due to accent, building an audience, making a living playing music, and other bands named Takat.

You can check out Tim Nave at the following locations:

In this episode, Jonathan Kent of This Is Just a Record Label and This Is Just a Phase Podcast talks about the virtues of living in Ohio, the Youngstown, Akron, and Cleveland music scenes, podcasting and developing a show, and the importance of developing positive relationships. Plus, the idea of collaboration vs competition, participating in communities, gatekeeping in punk rock and getting older.

You can check out Jonathan here:

In this episode, Mike Jacobs from On The Cinder talks about the pros and cons of being a fan of ska, scenes getting older and attracting new fans, the key to success is not breaking up, and the inevitability of gear breaking on tour. Plus touring in Canada, the logistics of creating an indie tour, playing Fest, selling things besides vinyl or t-shirts, and recording new material and looking for opportunities to put it out.

You can check out On The Cinder at the following locations:

In this episode, we catch up with Marcos Mena of the instrumental prog/math rock band Standards while on tour supporting the new album Fruit Town. Marcos talks about math rock, taking lessons from Nick Reinhart and evolving stylistically, music evoking the feeling of playing video games, the clash of art and commerce, and juggling the responsibilities of being in a touring band. Plus guitar endorsements with Aristides and Fishman pickups, playthrough videos, and nail polish choices.

You can check out Marcos here:

In this episode, we talk to our old friend Mark Tremalgia about working on TV sets and his new gig on a sitcom, the possibility of being "discovered" by virtue of working on studio lots and becoming an actor, the cyclical nature of music, and getting ready for the upcoming Little Caesar European tour. Plus, musical Hot Takes part 2.

In this episode, Shahab Zargari of Geykido Comet Records talks about the Las Vegas scene and the impact of large sports franchises, running and maintaining a label for 22 years, the positives of the early days of file sharing, and working at UNLV. Plus, day job pros and cons, making videos and films, meeting your heroes, and the Kevin Smith connection.

You can check out Shahab's projects here:

In this episode, Rachel Blume of Rebel Chef cooking talks about starting your own business from the ground up and the freedom and stress that comes with it, the importance of local music scenes when growing up and the corresponding impact on adult life, and measuring success. Plus ska, getting tattoos of your favorite band, the importance of hobbies, and creating D&D characters.

You can check out Rebel Chef here:

in this episode, Athena Athens of the label Little Lost Girl Media talks about developing a label and fostering a community around music and art, scenes getting older, music as dating, and the nuts and bolts of creating and selling 8 Track cassettes. Plus physical media as collectables, measuring success, skateboard decks, and honoring John Ramone.

You can check out Little Lost Girl Media here:

in this episode, Bree Myers of the label Allegedly Records tell us about creating a community around small, independent record labels and bands and then finding ways to support that community together. Plus, choosing bands for the label, changes to the punk scene, playing too much, and arm wrestling skills.

In this episode, progressive metal band Pathos and Logos talk about creating songs out of divergent sounds and styles while still being metal, creating a mythos and lifestyle to go along with the music, and how new album CULT is a journey and every song is a spell. Plus, playing live as a two member band, the connection with Doc Coyle, and measuring success while building for the future.

You can check out Pathos and Logos at these places:

In this episode, metal content creator and guitarist Nik Nocturnal talks about his love of music and guitar but not taking the traditional band path, the differences between Twitch and YouTube, learning and developing the business mindset along with the passion for music, and collaborating with famous musicians. Plus, branding and developing content, measuring success and what it means to be famous.

You can check out Nik at these places: