Ep 260: A Conversation with Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America

In episode 311 of the podcast, we’re joined by Chris Wrenn - founder and owner of Bridge Nine Records and Sully’s Brand, and author of the new book Fenway Punk: How a Boston Indie Label Scored Big on Baseball’s Greatest Rival...

In episode 310 of the podcast, we’re joined by Daryl Taberski (vocals) of Snapcase. We dig into the 90s Buffalo scene, the formation of the band, signing with Victory Records, touring in the 90s, records (Progression, Designs...

In episode 307 of the podcast, we’re joined by Mercedes Arn-Horn (vocals/guitar) of the band Softcult. We dig into the band’s come up and formation, the scene in Kitchener, Ontario, the DIY nature of Softcult, and their debut...

In episode 305 of the podcast, we're taking it back to the 2000s. Pat Flynn of Have Heart, Fiddlehead, How Much Art (and many, many others) joins us to talk all things 2000s hardcore. We talk the transition from 90s to 2000s,...

In episode 304 of the podcast we pick up where we left off with Dave Buckner, the original drummer of the legendary Papa Roach. We dig into what it was like for the band post ‘Infest’, expectations surrounding a new record, a...

In episode 303 of the podcast, we’re joined by Dave Buckner, the original drummer of the legendary Papa Roach. We dig into the early days of the band, how they built a following, getting signed to a major label, and their met...

In episode 302 of the podcast, we’re rejoined by Phil Lipscomb, bassist extraordinare of the band Taproot to look back on 25 years of their major label debut, ‘Gift’. We dig into their early days leading up to being signed, h...

In episode 300(!) of the podcast, we’re joined by many of the artists who we had on this past year to enter more music into our “Perfect Songs” catalog. We hit on all genres, all vibes, and all the music nerdery you’ve come t...

In episode 301 of the podcast, we’re joined by Ben Seitz (vocals, guitar), and Luke Shows (guitar) of the band Scarlet Street. We dig into their come up, early shows in Cincinnati, their creative way in which they marketed th...

In episode 299 of the podcast, we’re joined by Jess Margera (drums) and Mike Leon (bass) of the band CKY. We dig into their recent tour of the UK, Mike joining the band, being the coolest band in the world (our words), and th...

In episode 296 of the podcast, we talk to Kevin Palmer (guitar, vocals) and Josh Moates (bass) of the band TRUSTcompany. We dig into their early days and formation, early shows in Alabama, signing to a major label, creating t...

In episode 295 of the podcast, we’re joined by Randy Bradbury (guitars/vocals) and Cameron Webb (bass) of the SoCal punk bank 84 Days. We dig into the formation of the band, how quickly the idea came together to create a full...

In episode 294 of the podcast, we chat with Marcos Siega, director of some of our favorite music videos of all time. We dig into Marcos’ roots as a NYHC kid, his start in directing with music videos, and we drill down on vide...

In episode 292 of the podcast, we give MGMT’s first album, ‘Oracular Spectacular’, the Podioslave treatment. We’re joined by friend of the pod, Kevin K. AKA “PRJCT MGR”. We dig into our early memories of the record, the produ...

In episode 291 of the podcast, we’re joined by Jay Reason to take a 30 year look back at Connecticut Hardcore. Jay needs no introduction, with his involvement in Voice of Reason, The Distance, Blackened, Static Era Records, W...

In episode 290 of the podcast, we’re joined by Sonia Sturino, vocalist and guitarist of Weakened Friends. We dig into their formation as a band, making a name for yourself as a band repping Maine, touring, and the writing pro...

In episode 289 of the podcast, we’re joined by Snow Ellet (guitar/vocals) and Ryan Nolen (vocals/guitar) of the Chicago band Footballhead. We dig into their musical come up, what lead them to forming Footballhead, playing Rio...

In episode 288 of the podcast, we’re joined by Pat Cozens, vocalist of the hardcore punk band Restraining Order. We dig into Pat’s come up, the formation of the band, signing to Blue Grape Music, and their awesome new album, ...

In episode 287 of the podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Zwiefelhofer (bass) and Kaylan Cloyd (guitar) of the band Acceptance. We dig into 20 years of ‘Phantoms’, from their early signing to Columbia Records, its initial release, ...

In episode 286 of the podcast, we’re joined once again by Max Lajoie, frontman of Spite House. We dig into Max touring all over the world, leveling up as a band, Spite House signing to Pure Noise Records, and their excellent ...

In episode 284 of the podcast, we’re joined by Chris Teti (guitarist) and Anthony Gesa (guitarist) of The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die. We dig into their come ups with the band, our mutual love of...

In episode 283 of the podcast, we’re joined by David Mackinder, vocalist of the band Fireworks. We dig into Dave’s musical come up, the early days of Fireworks, their evolution from record to record, and where they are at as ...

In episode 282 of the podcast, we’re joined by Chance Smith, vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the band Kerosene Heights. We dig into Chance’s early influences, the bands formation, their creative processes and their excellent...

In episode 280 of the podcast, we’re joined in person by legendary Maine musician, Dave Gutter. We dig into his nearly 40 years as a musician, his numerous projects, including Rustic Overtones, Paranoid Social Club, Armies an...

In episode 278 of the podcast, we’re joined by prolific drummer, and all around awesome guy, Jay Weinberg. We dig into all kinds of different territory with Jay. Touring with Suicidal Tendencies in support of the almighty Met...

In episode 277 of the podcast, we dig into the legendary album from The Smashing Pumpkins, ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’, with friend of the pod and the King of Maine, Spose. We talk our first memories of the album...

In episode 276 of the podcast, we’re joined by Josh Grabelle, founder and owner of Trustkill Records. We dig into 3 classic Trustkill releases from Poison The Well, Terror, and Bleeding Through. We find out the circumstances ...

In episode 273 of the podcast we’re joined by (hed)PE founding members and guitarists Wes Geer and Chad Benekos to discuss 25 years of their sophomore album, ‘Broke’. We dig into where the band was at coming off the self-titl...

In episode 272 of the podcast, we’re joined by Doug Robb, vocalist of Hoobastank. We dig into the bands come up, their circuitous route to getting signed, hitting the mainstream with their self-titled debut and then blowing u...

In episode 271 of the podcast, we’re joined by Matt (vocals) and Will (guitar) of the band Gridiron. We dig into how they went from playing Call of Duty/joking about starting a band to being on the verge of dropping their 2nd...

In episode 270 of the podcast, we’re joined by David (vocals, guitar) and Neil (guitar) of the band Charmer. We dig into their formation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, their consistent growth as a band, and their excelle...

In episode 266 of the podcast, we’re joined by Eric Egan, vocalist and front person of the band Heart Attack Man. We dig into Eric’s early days in bands, 90’s music, the Cleveland scene, finding your voice as an artist, and t...

In episode 264 of the podcast, we welcome back Greg Bergdorf, founding member and original guitarist of Zebrahead, to talk 25 years of their album ‘Playmate of the Year’. We dig into the pressure of following up ‘Waste of Min...

In episode 263 of the podcast, we’re joined by Anthony Davis, one half of the hip hop group Atmosphere. We dig into his creative process, leveling up as an artist over the years, 30 years of Rhymesayers Entertainment, and the...

In episode 262 of the podcast, we’re joined by Andrew (guitar/vocals) and Matt (guitar/vocals) of the punk/pop punk band Borderlines. We dig into their come up in our home state of Maine, cutting their teeth in The Leftovers ...

In episode 260 of the podcast, we’re joined by Chris Ballew, frontman and bassist of The Presidents of the United States of America, to talk 30 years of their self titled record. We dig into the bands formation, lead up to th...

In episode 259 of the podcast, we’re joined by the one, the only, Daryl Palumbo of Head Automatica/Glassjaw. Head Automatica is BACK. We dig into how that came to be, their two new songs, more music/shows on the horizon, thei...

In episode 258 of the podcast, we welcome on Lewis (guitar) and Sam (vocals) of the band Oversize. We dig into their formation in England, catching and playing shows as a band early on, how Oversize came to be, and their awes...

In episode 257 of the podcast, we’re joined by rapper/MC, Brother Ali. We chat about his come up as an artist, when he first knew rhyming was his calling, working with Anthony Davis, and his phenomenal new album, ‘Satisfied S...

In episode 255 of the podcast, we welcome back Matty Arsenault, vocalist of A Loss For Words. After a brief catch up, we dig into 25 years as a band, and then pivot to a deep dive on their first full length album, ‘The Kids C...

In episode 253 of the podcast, we are joined by Grant Whiteoak, vocalist and guitarist of Heart to Gold. We dig into Grant’s start in the scene, the band’s come up, signing to Memory Music, working with Will Yip, and the crea...

In episode 241 of the podcast, we’re joined by frontman and emcee, legend in the game, Sen Dog. We talk about the early days of Cypress Hill, his many features/collabs over the years, and how those lead him to working with Bi...