Couch Riffs

Our guest this episode is Ben London, the Executive Director of Sonic Guild, an organization that every year grant's unrestricted funds to musical artists of all genres. Ben has lived in Seattle WA for over 35 years and is the guitarist in local favorites, STAG, as well as the former singer/guitarist of Alcohol Funnycar. He has previously worked for the Grammys, EMP museum, and has held a number of other music industry positions before finding himself at Sonic Guild.

Sonic Guild will be awarding 2025 artist recipients at a show and ceremony on February 22, 2025 at The Triple Door in Seattle WA. Last year's show was absolutely fantastic and I encourage you to attend and check out some of the massive talents that are bubbling up from the Seattle music scene!

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Our guest this episode is Seattle's original hip hop here, Sir MIxaLot. Rising to notoriety in the 80s with a series of hits and tours, MixaLot put Seattle rap on the map and put him at the top of the charts for 5 weeks with Baby Got Back, a hit that has stood the test of time. I had a fantastic time speaking with Mix for this podcast. What a story teller!

If you're enjoying Couch Riffs Podcast, please consider supporting us at PATREON. https://patreon.com/couchriffs is the only place that Couch Riffs is able to bring any money in to help support and maintain the studio space where these episodes are being recorded. Many, many hours go in to every single episode and your show of support is massively appreciated. Thank you!

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Our guest this episode requires no introduction (but I'll do it anyway). Peter Hook is the co-founder of TWO of the most influential bands to ever come out of the UK, Joy Division and New Order, and currently leads his band Peter Hook & The Light. Hooky is a true blue punk to this day and I had a fantastic time connecting with him here. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast please consider supporting us on PATREON. Patreon is the only thing that helps keep the lights on at CRHQ and your support on this platform is massively appreciated. Thank you!

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My guest this episode is yet another punk rock legend: Jonny Wickersham aka Jonny Two Bags most notably of Social Distortion. Two Bags has also done many hours and miles with Cadillac Tramps, Youth Brigade, US Bombs and most recently Me First & The Gimme Gimmes. I had a fantastic time speaking with Jonny in this podcast episode and I hope that you enjoy our conversation!

If you are enjoying Couch Riffs please consider supporting us on PATREON. Patreon is the only avenue Couch Riffs is able to generate any income from and for the podcast to grown and improve and your support there is greatly appreciated. Unpaid memberships are available, as well! But, for as little as $5 per month you can help keep this free content happening. Thanks so much!

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This episode I'm very happy to have my longtime bandmate and friend Duff McKagan on the podcast. Duff released his most recent solo album, Lighthouse, nearly a year ago and will be touring Europe/UK and the US this Fall. Be sure to catch a show near you! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

If you are enjoying Couch Riffs Podcast please consider supporting us through Patreon for as little as $5/month. Your patronage there is what helps keep Couch Riffs happening, improving, and building. Thanks so much!

photo by Veronica Sams

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Our guest this episode is Teza of TeZATalks, a Seattle/Tacoma-based singer, self-described as hardcore pop. Seeing Teza perform at SMASH and again for Sonic Guild's award ceremony was amazing and I've been looking forward to this opportunity to learn a bit more about her and share it with you all. TeZATalks new album, Black Girl American Horror Story, will be out in Fall '24 and promises to take Teza to the next level and I recommend keeping her on your radar to catch any live performances she may make in your area. You won't want to miss it!

Thanks for watching and listening. If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast please click the subscribe button and consider supporting us on PATREON. Patreon is the only way that Couch Riffs stays funded. Thank you so much for helping keep Couch Riffs rolling along in this way.

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In this episode we host Seattle's darlings, The Fastbacks. The Fastbacks have a new album coming this week titled "For What Reason?" and it is classic butt-kicking pop from The Fastbacks. I enjoyed hosting the entire band but hand in there with me as we wade through the conversation. This is the most folks that have ever appeared in an podcast episode so it was new territory.

Thanks for watching and listening! If you are enjoying the podcast please consider supporting Couch Riffs on Patreon! Your support through Patreon is crucial to the growth and life of Couch Riffs. Thank you!

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Our guest this episode is Alie Byland of Byland, a band that released a phenomenal album earlier in 2024, Heavy For a While. Alie has a great story which she generously shared here with me, for you. Please go check out Byland's new album and see her and her band out on tour this Fall (details to be announced soon, check their website!).

Thanks for listening. If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast please consider supporting us through Patreon.

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https://www.bylandmusic.com

My guest this episode is drummer Faith Stankevich of Acid Tongue, Kathy Moore Super Power Trio and many other live and recording projects. I first met Faith years ago in Seattle and when I moved back to Seattle she was playing the first gig that I worked after landing back. Faith's energy for music is inspiring and contagious and I urge you to go check out any live performance she is involved in. I had a great time hosting her on the show this day and I hope you enjoy! Thanks for watching.

If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast please support us on PATREON. Patreon is the one opportunity that Couch Riffs has to generate any kind of operating funds and your support is crucial and massively appreciated. Thank you so much!

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Our guest this episode, Dave Dederer, is the founding guitarist of The Presidents of the United States of America. Dave has also had quite a storied career behind the scenes in the music and digital world since taking hiatus from performing with PUSA and in recent years has been playing tons of guitar around Seattle. I've known Dave for many years now and have always had a ton of fun hanging with him and I even played the first 1 or 2 Loaded shows with him on bass. What a time! I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

If you are enjoying the Couch Riffs Podcast or any of our other fine, fine content please consider supporting us at PATREON. Patreon is the one and only place where you can support Couch Riffs and help keep it alive and well. It is also the only place where you may download the cover songs that Couch Riffs produces. They are all available for free download! Go get it and help support us today. Thanks so much!

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