Our guest today is our second comic this week and ever!  Donnie Stopa or "Donnie the Entertainer" as you may know him has toured the country as both a musician and comic, and stopped by to talk about his career including why he loves crowd work and how he deals with hecklers.  I love getting into the pathology of comedy and Donnie had a lot to say.  He's a super good dude and loved talking to him!

Got to Geek Out today with Ade Akinloba from Tampa's own BLACK CLASH!  Ade was nice enough to drop buy and discuss his early years in the desert, his time living on the streets, the passing of his beloved grandmother, James Brown, Green Day, BLM, why both political parties stink, etc. etc.  Ade is an all around sweetheart and I absolutely adore Black Clash.  If you dig the Cro-Mags and other NYC/DC hardcore, you'll love these guys...check them out on bandcamp (he actually gave me access to their upcoming LP "All Sales areFinal").  Ade is the real deal!

Anne Mansfield of the band The Nervous Girls stopped by to talk her music career and her other career (let's just say if you ever wondered what happens to your eyes and other organs when you die, tune in).  We talk about family trauma, Punk in the era of #metoo and everything from Bikini Kill to the Butthole Surfers.  I'm in my glory when I have musicians on.  If you dig Hole, The Distillers, Sleater-Kinney...you'll love The Nervous Girls.  She was nice enough to bring their "Hunger EP" and are currently in the studio working on an LP.  We hit on everything.  Great talk!

Our guest today is Pinellas Family Law Icon, John Thacker!  The Thacker legal empire goes back at least 5 generations and has put out some of the sharpest minds, legal and otherwise.  You might know his brother Greg Thacker and their mutual friend Michael J. Wolf, who'll both tell you John is the superior guitar player (actually Michael would never say that).  In any event, John and I bro'd out and talked about everything from politics to The Pixies.  This was a real easy one for me.  Love me some Thackers!

Our favorite Viking Warrior/Avenging Angel/Hand of God, Tom DeGeorge, stopped by the studio today to update us on the outlook for our favorite local music venue, Crowbar Ybor City, and live music locally and nationally.  We live in a world that has live music venues, and those have to be guarded by men like Tom. Whose gonna get on the ass of those in power, make the calls, you? Tom has a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for live music, and you curse those in power. You have that luxury, you have the luxury of not knowing what Tom knows, that following the rules...while tragic, probably saves the industry. And following the rules while grotesque and incomprehensible, to most, saves live music. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you talk about parties; you want Tom on those calls, you need Tom on those calls! We use words like bar, restaurant, club.  We use these words as the backbone of a life spent creating a live music scene, you use them as a punch line. Tom has neither the time, nor the inclination, to explain himself and what's going on...but he came in today to do exactly that. Either tell Tom 'thank you' and go on your way. Otherwise call NIVA, call your representative, Call Rubio or Scott, support Crowbar Ybor City.  Either way, I don't give a damn, what you think you are entitled to.

We got our first AUTHOR & COMEDIAN!  Darcy Greco stopped by the office today to discuss growing up in Rochester, New York, her pilgrimage to Florida, her career in stand up comedy and her new book, ONE MORE IRIS.  We talked comedy, motherhood, mental health and the artist's journey.  Buy her book so she'll send me more comedians.

Former Army Special Forces Green Beret Colonel (Retired) John Mulbury stopped by the studio today to discuss growing up in Albany, graduating from West Point, what it takes to succeed in Special Forces, serving under Reagan-Bush Sr.-Clinton-Bush Jr.-Obama, the evolution of modern warfare, gun control, BLM, the state of law enforcement in this country and why I'll never be a badass (he didn't say that, I just know it). I have so much respect for Col. Mulbury and his service, and I greatly appreciate him taking the time to discuss his view on these issues and more.

Our first 3 timer, Gabe Echazabal, stopped by, the topic TOP 10 FRONTMEN(+Stevie Nicks) in rock & roll. Obviously we couldn't follow our own rules but we covered a lot of ground: Johnny Rotten, Joe Strummer, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler, Michael Hutchence, Robert Smith, Morrissey, Chuck D, Axl Rose, Ozzy Osbourne, Anthony Kiedis, David Lee Roth, Bruce Dickinson, Henry Rollins, James Hetfield, Nick Cave and Iggy POP to name a few! Gabe is my spirit animal.

The ultimate Gator fan and all around super nice guy, Jason Bangos, stopped by today (Stratocaster, amp and bingo drum in tow) to talk about Detroit, being Greek, being a Father, Phil Wartenberg, College Sports, Marathon Running, etc. We even played a little guitar at the end! He's always game for a good time.

Greg Spadaccini of Spaddy's Coffee Co. stopped by the studio today with a gallon of cold brew to teach me the dark (coffee) arts, discuss mountain biking, fatherhood and all things good. He's a good dude and sells great coffee! He's also given us a promo code "barelylegalpodcast" if you want to buy online. Support local business, buy sustainable!