Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico

On this episode of the show, our good friend Rev. Hank Peirce, who's path in life took him from a being a punk rock kid in a sleepy Southeastern Mass town to becoming a roadie for bands like Slapshot and The Straw Dogs(The FU's) to his current and ultimate life as the ordained Minister he is today. On his encore appearance on the show, Hank talks current affairs and tells us an insane story on how he thinks he may have started an all out brawl at a Slapshot show in Sarajevo.   

Music

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by Nat Freedberg, who has been playing in bands and delivering great songs since the early 80's. Nat tells us about his latest project Freeloader and we go back and discuss some of the legendary bands he has played in, including The Flies, The Titanics, The Satanics, and of course his internationally known and loved band The Upper Crust! We also talk about Nat's two solo records which have also been released in the last two years and show a different side of his songwriting talents.  

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Leah Callahan, who has played in some really cool bands over the years such as Turkish Delight, Betwixt, The Glass Set, and has just released her second solo album entitled "Simple Folk".  We touch all the bases leading up to the release of "Simple Folk" and what lies ahead for the talented singer/songwriter. 

Music

On this episode, we're joined by "Malibu" Lou Mansdorf, the man behind RumBar Records — and quite possibly the biggest name-dropper in podcast history. Lou lights up the room with great stories about growing up in Astoria, NY, navigating the music business, and building RumBar into what it is today. We dig into the label's roster too, talking up some of its coolest acts: Geoff Palmer, The Connection, The Shang Hi Los, Freeloader, Genya Ravan, The Dirty Truckers, Muck and The Mires, and more. Two music industry lifers, zero filters — it's one helluva hoedown.

Music
The Charms "So Pretty"
Shang Hi Los "Sway Little Player"
Muck And The Mires "I'm Your Man"

Recorded by Nick Z at New Alliance East on March 31, 2021
support the podcast patreon.com/twistedrico

On this episode of the Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico podcast we are joined by Denver Co. based Milquetoast & Co front man James McAndrew and Boston fashion designer Cibeline Sariano. James tells us about his early days in Boston and his move to Denver which gave him a musical resurgence when all seemed hopeless, while Cibeline offers her tasteful spin on the Milquetoast & Co video "Cigarette Burns" and talks about her dream to open an art space on how its all coming into fruition...

Music
The Charms "So Pretty"
Milqetoast & Co "Cigarette Burns"

Recorded by Nick Z on March 24 at New Alliance East in Somerville MA
support the podcast patreon.com/twistedrico 

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by Wargasm's singer/bassist Bob Mayo, who takes us through the band's history and details their five year legal battle with their label Profile Records to get released from their deal, which kept them from accepting offers from other labels.

Special guest co-host Duncan Wilder Johnson(Destruct-A-Thon) comes along for the wild ride and adds his take and insight like only he can. Its a heavy ride through the early Boston metal scene and how Wargasm opened for bands like Slayer, Anthrax, Biohazard etc. culminating with nearly all the bands releases now available in one sweet place on Bandcamp...
Recorded on March 17 by Nick Z. at New Alliance East.
Support the podcast at patreon.com/twistedrico

On this episode of the podcast, Curtis Casella, owner and operator of Taang! Records, joins us to share stories about working with bands like Gang Green, The Lemonheads, Bullet LaVolta, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Slapshot. He even chimes in on The Outlets, a band he wishes he'd signed to his label. Curtis discusses his early days in college radio, starting the label in the Boston area as a "singles label" that grew into much more, and eventually relocating to the West Coast, where Taang! is now based in San Diego, California.

Music
The Charms "So Pretty"
Gang Green "Out On The Couch"

Our pal and hard working positive vibe dude Geoff Palmer (known to the old punkers as Geoff Useless) covers all the bases with us as we start with his early days in The Queers, The Nobodys and the fabulous Guts and work though his cow punk solo stuff and the birth of garage rock sensations The Connection right up to the 2020 release "Your Face Is Weird, a great collaboration with Austrailian Lucy Ellis(The Spazzys). His resume is solid and his attitude is 100% spot on as we find out...

Music(used by permission of the artists)

Recorded on March 3, 2021 by Nick Z. at New Alliance East, Somerville MA

Support the podcast: patreon.com/twistedrico

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Darts guitarist Meliza Jackson, who joined the band in 2019 and soon thereafter found herself making an album, opening The Damned's US tour, and flying to Europe to rock the world in a wild and exciting year.  Meliza also talks about her deal with Vox, working with Alternative Tentacles and Jello Biafra, life in Phoenix, meeting her idol Joan Jett, and other fun stuff...

Music(used by permission of the artists)

On this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Magnapop guitarist Ruthie Morris as we cover a plethora of topics including the band's long successful career that has seen the release of six studio albums, including records produced by Michael Stipe, Bob Mould, and Geza X, and a bunch of singles and Ep's released both in America and Europe. Morris also talks to us about how the pandemic has affected the band, the positive political change happening in Georgia, and what the future holds for her and long time bandmate, songwriting partner, and singer Linda Hopper.