What can we say about Speed and their iconic hit record Only One Mode that hasn't already been said? If you're a hardcore fan, you know the vibe. This lovable group from Australia brings everything you could ask for: raw energy, relentless drive, and authenticity on and off the stage. They're more than just a band; they're an unstoppable force in hardcore, breaking boundaries worldwide.

In this latest episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Jem from Speed. Going into this, I knew I was a HUGE fan. But after diving into Jem's past interviews, I could see why Speed resonates so deeply with fans. Jem's responses are thoughtful, warm, and make you feel like you've been friends for years.

In my pre-interview deep dive/preparation, I stumbled on a post by one of the band members' parents—it was a true celebration of the band's journey. You can see the genuine love they have for each other. From holiday gatherings to major events, Speed is more than a band; they're family.

What was supposed to be an 1-hour convo turned into an epic 2-hour hangout (sorry, Jem!). Tate and I walked away feeling like we made a friend. Huge thanks to Jem for being so open and genuine. We'll always be fans of Speed!

In this episode, we dive deep with Sam and Skylar of Been Stellar as tearlier in the year they celebrated the release of their debut album, Scream from New York, NY. Having crafted their musical bond since the age of 14, the duo reflects on the evolution of their sound from singles and EPs to a full-length record.

Join us as they share the story behind the album—how the pressure of previous EP's success fueled their desire to create something raw and authentic. Sam and Skylar discuss their mission to deliver emotionally resonant lyrics that defy trends and showcase their unique identity as a band.

With the vibrant backdrop of New York City as their canvas, they explore the challenges and triumphs of relocating from Michigan to the bustling metropolis. Discover how their shared experiences in a new city shaped their music and lyrics, and how they navigated a scene marked by the closure of historic venues. It took away from that magical notion that musical dreams could be created in NYC. However, determination carried them up to this point as they found ways to throw their own shows early on at venues such as art galleries.

This episode is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the power of friendship in the ever-evolving music landscape. Tune in to hear the heartfelt sounds of Been Stellar and understand what it truly means to scream from New York!

This week, we sit down with Adrian from Luster to dive deep into their creative process and the unique dynamics of the band. We discuss how they manage to blend emotional vulnerability with a sound that's evolved over the years.

Highlights Include:

• The surprising fact that, despite playing shoegaze the most, it's what Adrian listens to the least!
• The origins of Luster as a "bedroom project," with Adrian and Alvin sending ideas back and forth, allowing the rest of the band to contribute at their own pace.
• How Adrian and Alvin's friendship began 10+ years ago at California shows, not as childhood friends, but as kindred spirits shaped by a shared culture and humor.
• Adrian's thoughts on embracing emotion in music, especially within Latin culture, where expressing feelings is often discouraged.
• Why moving to a small town of just 400 people has given Adrian the peace and space he needs to be creative.
• Reflections on the band's emo-adjacent sound and how Adrian's emotional experiences influence his lyrics.

Plus, Adrian shares stories of growing up listening to everything from Nu Metal to Slayer, and the band tattoos that have left a lasting mark: Morrissey, Unbroken, Psychic TV, and Swans.

This episode is filled with honest insights and reflections from a band that started with a simple mission—to play music with friends—and has checked off dream collaborations along the way. Don't miss out on this amazing conversation!

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of a band that emerged from the fusion of passion and persistence. Our story begins a decade ago with Eric Stenman, who was writing heavier music that he never imagined would reach the public eye. Eric's early musical journey intertwined with Aaron Bruno's in the late '90s through their shared love for hardcore music. Despite their separate creative paths —Eric focusing on music production and Aaron eventually forming Awolnation—they would later find a way to create a band together (although they have been working together for years with Aaron writing for Awolantion and Eric producing all of the records).

After years of Eric leaning more towards production and not playing much instrumentals, Aaron, having heard some of Eric's latest work, was impressed and wanted to continue on other songs. This pivotal moment led to the formation of a new band that stands apart from traditional music paths. Unlike many bands that spend years on the road in a van, this group is driven by their love for hardcore music and are doing it because their passions align.

With four songs already released, including the recent track "Bazooka" on August 2, listeners can expect some exciting surprises and new directions from this band. The new record will be out on October 4th

In our conversation with Eric, we also explored his impressive career as a producer. Since 1997, he's avoided the day job to build a notable resume working with bands like Deftones, Weezer, Thrice, Dashboard Confessional, Senses Fail, and Awolnation. We asked Eric to reflect on his experiences with these iconic groups, providing listeners with insightful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.

Tune in to hear about the origins of the band, their unique approach to music, and Eric's reflections on his storied career in the industry.

We had Vince of Modern Color on to talk about "There Goes the Dream." The writing process for their latest record was fragmented, as Vince has been personally juggling other projects and endeavors—being on the road with Militarie Gun while still touring with Modern Color. It took a little longer to write because they thrive on getting in a room together and bouncing ideas off each other. Nonetheless, the wait was well worth it. Usually, Fleming or Chad come in with a full song, and they start jamming to develop those ideas. The best part? They can be real with each other and give productive feedback. That all led to the carefully crafted songs on "There Goes the Dream." It was a recipe for success for the band.

This record is all about making intentional changes. They focused on Fleming's writing and vocals first, instead of writing the music and adding lyrics later. Modern Color also got more personal with their songwriting, shortening the song lengths, and becoming more direct. These songs tell the story of growing up in the South Bay, surrounded by music everywhere they went. "Where's Kevin" is one of those stories—it's a handwritten apology to Fleming's mom about sneaking out as a kid. The title itself stems from a building manager who was never around when he was needed. And there's something for everyone, even an acoustic track like "Night Swim."

Growing up in the metalcore scene in the South Bay, they played the same venues with the same bands every weekend. It felt stale, and that's when they realized they wanted to do something different. Since then, it's been a journey of finding the band's sound and pushing it in a new direction—that's been the driving force behind Modern Color.

Balancing tours has shown Vince the importance of a stable lineup for the band to grow and continue to progress. As they reach 10 years with Modern Color, they reflect on the chemistry built from growing up together. Though our lineup wasn't solidified until they wrote "Pale" in Vince's room in 2015, the DIY spirit that started it all continues to push them forward. They are moving ahead, but they also know there's still so much work left to do. Stick around until the end to hear personal stories from Vince duing our "lighning round." I really loved hearing why Vince explain how he was fidgity as a kid and was always drumming against some type of surface.

Tate jumps behind the mic for an exclusive interview with Grant from Hear to Gold!

We chat about everything from new jams leading to a 10-song record coming out at a later date. The journey started out with self-producing the first album and eventually the band teamed up with Memory Music. Now they are a force in the music scene just recently working alongside the incredible Will Yip which has been a game changer.

While their writing process remains consistent, collaborating with a broader team outside the band has fueled their fire even more. The motivation is at an all-time high, and the band is stoked about what's coming next.

Grant opens up about his thoughts on corporate music and how it contrasts with his true vision of what music and art should be. Keeping his morals intact, he's managed to balance two jobs while making it clear that his passion for music—and touring—comes first.

Oh, and did we mention that Tate and Grant have a serious appreciation for Weezer? I think most will love this part of the conversation!

There's also a fun conversation about genre classification which in Grant's mind is totally subjective. But one thing's for sure—their energy behind every song is 100% authentic and natural. If you haven't yet, make sure to check out Heart to Gold's new song "TNT" which came out at the end of July.

We're super excited to share our latest episode featuring Brendan Dyer and Yarden Erez of Milly!

Their 2024 record, "Your Own Becoming," released on June 28, has been one of my most anticipated albums this year for me, especially after the single "Drip From the Fountain" dropped. This album is easily in my top 5 for 2024!

The band started crafting this masterpiece on a New Year's Day when Brendan decided it was time to make a record. It was a coming together moment where they realized that they needed to go hard on the new songs. They poured their hearts into the songs, meeting three times a week and pushing their creative limits. This album marks a comeback for Brendan, who wasn't entirely happy with their first full-length album.

In this episode, we dive into some cool stories behind the songs - especially a fun fact about one of the songs coming their way in a trade from waveform*. Also, "Drip From the Fountain" almost didn't make it onto the record after they were told it didn't have the juice? It eventually became the first single released leading into the record.

This podcast had a different start to it where we used a lightening round of questions to learn about the background of the group. We had silly questions like most meaningful band tee they own and superstitions amongst the group (like the amazing response Brendan gives - *cough* Panda Express *cough cough*). But, there are also questions that allow us to learn about how the band formed and the journey leading up to this most recent release. There's also a fun conversation about some of the tours they are tagging along for such as Basement, Fiddlehead, and Balance and Composure.

We are to have Joey Vannucci of From Indian Lakes on to discuss his new record, "Head Void", which was released on May 15! This is his first FIL album since 2019, and it was worth the wait.

"Head Void" is a very organic, pick-up-the-guitar-and-bang-on-the-drums type of record. None of these songs were sitting around for long—they were all written and finished within a couple of months. Each track brings a unique sound, continuing his tradition of exploring different musical landscapes with every release.

While Joe Vann, his solo project, marked a significant chapter in his career, releasing three albums in three years, he is now building on all the music he created while starting FIL. This interview has a little bit of everything. Joey grew up on 40 acres of land and then moved to New York City when his wife landed a job. For some that would be a culture shock, but it wasn't a difficult adjustment for Joey. NYC offered so many amazing opportunities, especially within music.

In this episode, we also dive into 90s and early 2000s TV shows, video games, and there's even a little NBA playoffs discussion thrown in for good measure.

During a recent music lull, podcasts dominated my morning commute until Pissed Jeans shook me awake with their new record! The song "Moving On" hit me like a lightning bolt – from the killer intro riff to those raw, punk vocals, it was pure magic. Their latest album "Half Divorced" reaffirmed my punk roots, reminding me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place.

These guys aren't just a band; they're a rebellion against the mundane. Taking a break from adulting, they crank out music that's loud, unapologetic, and utterly captivating. Randall Huth brought their story to life on the podcast – trust me, it's a wild ride worth tuning into.

If you haven't already, crank up "Half Divorced" and let Pissed Jeans transport you to a time when punk ruled and conformity was nowhere in sight. Don't miss out – this is punk rock at its finest!

Get ready to switch gears with us as Tate Daniels, the wizard behind the editing scenes, steps into the limelight for an electrifying interview with the entire Riley! band!

Fresh off the press, their latest record "Keep Your Cool" dropped on April 19, and if you haven't tuned in yet, well, you might just be Patrick Star living under a rock. This full-length masterpiece marks a monumental moment for the trio since joining Counter Intuitive Records, adding another gem to the label's star-studded catalog of bangers.

Mark your calendars because this Texas threesome is hitting the road starting late June, with shows lined up all the way through July. Until then, keep those speakers blasting with their latest tunes and dive into the behind-the-scenes scoop in our interview - trust us, you won't want to miss out on the fun facts about the lovable Riley!