Today's episode is our second with a band that is NOT playing Fest this year, but we're giving The Iron Roses a pass. They played Fest the last three years and hope to be back in the future. For now, they are making new music and hitting the road.

Nat and Becky discuss how the band started, how important it is to keep going, the REAL value in always being yourself, the benefits of releasing music on your own and on your terms, plus the joys of touring.

The Iron Roses are hitting the road later this month with Bad Cop Bad Cop and their new 3 song EP, Agitpop, had it's final song released yesterday. Follow the band and it's members on Instagram to keep up to date on new music and new dates. They intend to stay busy.

Fun show today! We are joined by the group 430 Steps. The Orlando band has been making grungy, groove-filled, skate punk inspired hardcore for nearly a decade. They have new music out in two days and will be playing Fest for the 7th time this fall.

The whole band was here for the visit and talked about how they got together out of the ashes of an older band, growing up watching Suicidal Tendencies on late night MTV, the pure joy of making music with your brothers and friends, and how they pack as much energy into every single show as they possibly can.

The band has a full discography that you can find on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms. Their new record will be on streaming services on September 12 and will be available in physical form as soon as humanly possible. Check them out during their late night set at How Bazar on Saturday night at Fest.

Today we are joined on the show by Gayla, Travis, and Jack from Brooklyn's Fat Heaven! The band's last full length came out via Sell the Heart in 2023, but they have some new songs coming out ahead of Fest and a new record in the works after that.

Fat Heaven is the rare band with ZERO band member turnover. Forming over a decade ago the trio talks about getting together, moving in together, throwing house shows, debating exactly how influenced they are by The Misfits, and much more.

The band has dates at the end of the month in Philadelphia and Brooklyn with Guttermouth and The Raging Nathans. You can catch them at Fest on Friday night at Vivid. They promise it'll be a good time.

HUGE show today! Joining me for a very fun discussion is James Siboni of BANE. If you're listening to this podcast you are already familiar with Bane, but I swear, this is a worthwhile listen.

James talks about Bane coming back to play shows, what it was like joining a band full of people you adore, why the energy of a Bane show just hits different, and the pros and cons of being back on the road. 

We also talk about James' other passion: records. James is the founder and owner of Tiger Records in Jacksonville and co-owns Sunshine Records right in Gainesville. James started this endeavor after the breakup of Bane and he talks about that pivot and what it's like to turn your nerd-like obsession into your livelihood. 

Bane plays at 11:30 on Saturday night of Fest. If you are flying into to Jax for Fest, please do yourself a favor and swing by Tiger Records. Then, if you're not broke from buying cool stuff, buy more records over at Sunshine.

Helen McWilliams and Phill Hunt from the Salem, MA band One Fall stop by the show to keep our proud Massachusetts tradition going here on the show.

We start out by discussing Oreos for far too long, but it was a lot of fun. We finally got to music and discussed the start of the band, making new music, making friends in the music scene, and their newest record "Cut & Run". 

They also talk about playing Fest, how they first got on Fest, and their love of Cheerwine and going to bed early. We had a great time and I hope you enjoy the episode. They are lovely people.

You can find their music in all of the familiar streaming services as well as on Bandcamp. You can catch them on September 25 with Bad Cop Bad Cop and The Iron Roses if you are near MA. 

We've got a two-fer on today's show. Joining us to chat is Brett Dierolf of the Muskegon, MI bands Snakeout and Tunnel of Love. Both bands will be playing at Fest this year after making the long journey from West Michigan.

Brett talks about being in multiple bands, trying to build a scene in your hometown, booking shows, and he shares what is EASILY the most impressive/terrible story about traveling to Fest that I have ever heard. 

Tunnel of Love has some new music out and Snakeout is currently making new music as we speak. Both bands play Saturday at what will certainly be a very loud day at How Bazar. Check them out.

Thank you for joining us on another episode of At Least There's Fest. Our guests today are Kenny and Matt from the Portland, Oregon band FeverSleep.

This band is made of scene veterans with deep ties to Gainesville and to Fest. The bands debut EP came out in 2023 on Ashtray Monument and they have two new splits coming out between now and Fest. 

The band discusses their formation, what you get when you add doom metal, emo and hardcore, old Fest parking lots shows, and their plans in coming months. It's a great chat, hope you enjoy it.

Super fun episode today! Joining the pod is Chris Teti from TWIABP! Chris is a producer (for the band other projects) and is the lead guitarist for this legendary band.

The band just released their fifth full length album "Dreams of Being Dust" on Epitaph this past Friday and it is absolutely excellent. Go out to your favorite record store, hit up Bandcamp, or swing by Epitaphs site and buy that thing right now. You won't regret it.

Chris and I talk about the formation of the band and their early years, how they are always expanding and pushing forward musically, how they fit in with both the Pitchfork crowd AND our Fest community, and much much more. Chris rules.

**Please share, save, and rate the podcast. Also please consider contributing something to the Patreon if you are enjoying listening. Thanks!**

Joining the show today is Danny Attack. Danny is an established solo artist and is also the front person for the Jacksonville, FL band, Knives.

Danny and I discuss his growing up in Southern California, moving to FL, the ups and downs of being in a band and depending on others, the benefits of being a solo artist, and what he missed about being in a band.

You can catch Knives in Jacksonville later this month with previous ALTF guests The Raging Nathans and Tides. You can also see Knives and Danny Attack solo at Fest this year (even if you don't have tickets to Fest).

Today's guest is Ben Snakepit from the Virginia band, Carnivorous Flower. The band started as a J Church tribute band and from there started created original tunes.

Ben and I talk about how this unique formation happened, a brief overview of J Church, how three friends being in a band is such a blessing, the new music the band has coming out, and memories of playing Fest 3.

The bands self-titled debut album is out on August 29 via Dead Broke Rekerds. They also have a four-way split out the the Friday of Fest. 

If you want to read a fun story about J Church via Chris Gethard, check this out.