Fascination Street

Mark O'Connell
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Mark O'Connell. Mark is the founding drummer for the band Taking Back Sunday and the founding drummer for the new rock band ME. In this episode, we chat about how Mark became a drummer, and how he came to be in the band Taking Back Sunday. Then we talk about some of the highlights of that band during his 25-year stint with them. Next, we move onto some of Mark's inspirations and his particular drumming style. We do not discuss why Mark left TBS; because I don't really care about that. What we Do talk about is how and why Mark decided to team up with long time TBS guitarist Ed Reyes to build a whole new band. ME. is their new band. Mark O'Connell, Ed Reyes, Neal Amiruddin, and Mike Jansen are 'ME.' I pepper Mark with questions about why he got this particular group of musicians together, and how they found Mike. Then we discuss their debut album 'All Good Things', which came out in July of this year. We hit on a couple of the songs and what makes them impactful; as well as the entire ethos behind putting this band together. Mark generously agrees to let me play my favorite track from the new album, and we even get into the audio mixing and audio engineering of this record. Pay close attention, because in this episode, there is even a personal apology from me to a previous guest & former member of Taking Back Sunday!

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Stephen Tobolowsky. Stephen first appeared on the show on 8.15.22.
It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited!
Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!

Stephen Tobolowsky
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Stephen Tobolowsky. Stephen in an actor who has appeared in nearly 300 films & TV shows. You know him as Ned Ryerson in the cult classic film Groundhog Day, and Clayton Townley in Mississippi Burning, and can currently be seen portraying Mr. Ball on the ABC show The Goldbergs.
In this episode, we talk about almost none of that! Instead, Stephen shares stories about some of the people who have made the biggest impact on his life and career. From strong and powerful women in his childhood, to key women in his college years and beyond, to a meaningful relationship with a world-renowned director who took him under his wing. Stephen is an amazing storyteller, and you will be riveted by not only his memory for detail, but the wild stories from his life!
Follow Stephen on social media:
Twitter: @Tobolowsky
Instagram: @StephenTobo
FB: Stephen Tobolowsky

George Pelecanos
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know George Pelecanos. George is a New York Times bestseller and the author of 25 books, most of which are in the crime fiction genre, and based in and around the Washington, D.C. area. In this episode, we chat about Some of his early experiences growing up in the U.S. capital, a very meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. event that he stumbled upon, and the 'Salad Days' of the D.C. Punk Rock scene. Of course, I dive into what lead him to become a writer in the first place. George didn't write his first novel until he was in his 30s, so I ask him why it took so long and what he was doing to further that goal in the meantime. Then we get into some of George's first books and what those early paydays looked like for him. I would like to thank George for his candidness as far as those early numbers & and those first few steps on his path to the undeniable success that he enjoys now. (Thanks George!). Next, we get into His work as a script doctor and how he came to be one of the writers & producers of 'The Wire'. Not only was George a writer, producer of that show, but he also worked on 'The Deuce', 'We Own the City', 'Treme', 'The Pacific', and so many more. We talk about his screenwriting, his experiences working on some of those shows and why David Simon chose to hire him in the first place; as well as his experiences living in some of those filming locations. Finally, we discuss George's newest novel which is titled "THE BLUE FLAME". This marks the 6th novel featuring his most popular character Derek Strange. George has written Derek Strange stories from when Derek was 12, all through the years to this current story where Derek is in his 70s. We also do a little bit of a deep dive on why some of the details in his books are so important, and why he thinks it matters to get those details correct, even when writing fiction. George also has his next novel already written! "Tell Chuck Berry the News" is a standalone work of fiction that is slated to be released next year. Make sure you check out A-L-L of George's novels and story collections, follow him on social media, and tell him you heard him on Fascination Street Podcast!

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Walt Flanagan. Walt first appeared on the show on 7.20.20. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! 

Walt Flanagan (Part 1)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Walt Flanagan. You know Walt from the wildly successful podcast Tell 'Em Steve-Dave, the AMC tv show Comic Book Men, and most of Kevin Smith's films. In this episode, Walt and I chat about what he did before running Jay And Silent Bob's Secret Stash, how he came to be at The Stash. Walt also shares some fun stories about TESD, and Comic Book Men, plus we talk a bit about Sunday Jeff, and some of the Patreon shows. This is part 1; so make sure you come back next week for part 2. Walt is considered an "un-getable" guest, so I am very honored to have had the chance to speak with him. (Thanks Walt!)

Walt Flanagan (Part 2)
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I finish up my conversation with Walt Flanagan. As you know; Walt is from the popular Tell 'Em Steve-Dave podcast, on the Smodcast Podcast Network, and the Comic Book Men tv series which ran for 7 seasons on AMC. In this episode we chat about: the cancelation of his tv show, when he figured out he could draw comics, whether or not he thinks he already caught Covid19 and if he thinks Covid19 will kill Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash comic book store in Red Bank, NJ.
Follow Walt on social media:
Twit: @The_SecretStash
Insta: @JayAndSilentBobStash
www'TellEmSteveDave.com
Patreon: Patreon.com/TellEmSteveDave

Eamonn Welliver
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Eamonn Welliver. Eamonn is a third-generation painter, a second-generation actor, and a second-generation musician. In this episode, we chat about each of these artistic avenues. But before all of that, Eamonn shares some very personal stories of struggle and triumph. He was very vulnerable and open from the start. Thank you Eamonn. Being a third-generation painter, with his father's & grandfather's work hanging in some of the most prestigious museums in the world; I ask Eeamonn about the pressure to live up to the two before him. He is very candid about those pressures and expectations. Then we discuss his actual style and some of his specific pieces. They are absolutely gorgeous; you should check out his painting page on Instagram. Next, we move on to some of Eamonn's acting work. Among his roles, he played young Harry Bosch in the Amazon series "Bosch: Legacy", and we touch on that a bit. Then we discuss his audition for the lead role in the Bosch prequel 'Start of Watch', coming soon on Amazon. It was a very unique opportunity, and he even tells me about how he felt when he found out he did not get the role.... and that news came from a very interesting place. Finally, we discuss his music. Eamonn Welliver is the genius behind 'God and Her Pistol'. We talk about the new record 'Water in a Closed Fist', why there are no lyrics, and he lets me play my favorite track off of the new album. We also find out Eamonn's plans for the future of his acting, painting, and musical careers. Naturally we have a blast getting to know each other along the way. Definitely check out his paintings, and his music on his social media pages, and keep your eyes peeled for this talented young man on television and film.

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Joanna Kerns. Joanna first appeared on the show on 7.4.22. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!

Joanna Kerns
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Joanna Kerns. Beginning her showbiz career as a dancer, Joanna worked with legends such as Gene Kelly and Dean Martin! We talk about those icons, and then discuss how she landed the historic role of Maggie Seaver on the hit TV show growing Pains. She shares stories about working with Alan Thicke, Kirk Cameron and Tracy Gold. Then we move into her directing career, where she has directed a ton of TV shows spanning sit-com's, to drama's, to dramedies. Finally, we talk about A Million Little Things. Joanna is co-executive producer, and director of this smash hit on ABC. We chat about what exactly her role as co-EP entails, and a little bit about working with James Roday and Jason Ritter before briefly sharing the news that she will be directing one of the episodes of the resurrected TV show Night Court! In the end we make each other a promise, and I don't know if l can fulfill mine!
Follow Joanne on social media:
Twit: @JoannaKerns
Insta: @The.Real.joannaKerns
FB: @JoannaKerns

Steven Martini
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Steven Martini. In this episode, we find out about Steven's New York upbringing, and why he moved from borough to borough as a kid. We also get to hear the story of how he almost died when he was born, and how that event still traumatizes his mother. Then we did into why Steven wanted to get into the acting business, and he shares his experience get his first major role in a film. Steven Martini plays Alex Stone in the 1995 Damon Wayans film 'Major Payne'. Steven shares a little bit of the behind-the-scenes stuff from the audition to the filming, to even some cast field trips that the film's star took them on. We even discuss a potential return to that character and the likelihood of a sequel or even a spinoff! Next, we dive into the lead role & television series that came pretty soon after that film. Martini was the lead actor in the NBC cop drama 'Prince Street'; which came out as part of the "Must See TV" era of appointment television. This show lasted one season, and maybe not even the entire season. Steven explains the politics and the leverage games that studios & networks play with shows, to get what they want. Then Steven explains what he did with his money from that show. He made his own film: 'Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire", produced by Martin Scorsese. Steven made a few films after that including "Lymelife', and most recently "Bittersweet" in 2025. Finally, we discuss 'The Spaceship Martini', which is Steven's band. The band not only has great music, but he also scored his 2025 film, and others using his music. Check out everything Steven Martini all over social media and tell him you heard him on FSP!

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Joe Bouchard.  Joe appeared on the show on 12.28.20. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! 

Joe Bouchard
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know legendary rock star Joe Bouchard. Joe is the founding bass player for the band Blue Oyster Cult. In this episode we chat about how he got involved with those guys, and we discuss some of their most popular hits during his 17 years in the band. Then we talk about his other project; Blue Coupe, with rock stars from other bands….. sort of a Super Group. Finally, we discuss his newest solo album: Strange Legends. During this wonderful chat we talk about all kinds of musicians & friends of his from KISS to Metallica, and more. Plus…. Joe lets me play a song off the new album!
Follow Joe on social media:
Twit: @JoeRockStar
Insta: @AstronomyJoeB
FB: Joe Bouchard
Website: JoeBouchard.com

Kirk Huston
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street, as I get to know Kirk Huston. Kirk is the Transportation Coordinator for some of the best television shows and films of the past 3 decades. In this episode, we chat about how someone gets into this business. Then Kirk shares stories of his path to where he is now. Starting off as a Transportation Captain and moving his way through the ranks; Kirk is now co-owner of his very own Hollywood "Transpo" company. Kirk has worked on such films as "Scream", "Captain Fantastic", (and more), he has also worked on the television series "Bosch", "Bosch: Legacy", "Ballard", the upcoming "Start of Watch", and others. He is kind enough to share stories from the sets of all of these projects. He even tells an amazing story about acquiring & storing "Steve the Bus" for the movie "Captain Fantastic". He also shares some of the behind-the-scenes stuff about Harry Bosch's car on the series, and some of the modifications necessary to get some of the on-film shots, and what happened to the car after the show ended. He also explains the process of wrecking a vehicle on screen and what that entails. He even tells some hilarious stories about vehicle mishaps on smaller indie films, and how the different departments on a production work together to get the job done!

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with guest Carole Baskin. Carole first appeared on the show on 2.8.21. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!

Carole Baskin
Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Carole Baskin. You know Carole from the 2020 Netflix sensation Tiger King. In this episode we chat about what got her onto her Big Cat saving mission, her experience on Dancing With The Stars, her ex-husband Don Lewis, and her husband Howie. We also talk a bit about Tiger King, Joe Exotic, and her foundation Big Cat Rescue; before closing out the show talking about how you can help save endangered Big Cats, and her organization's new Oculus Virtual Reality game featuring Big Cats. Enjoy!
Follow Carole on social media:
Twit: @Carole_Baskin
TikTok: @CaroleBaskinCat
FB: Big Cat Rescue
Donate to BCR at: BigCatRescue.org/Donate
Reach out to your congressperson at: BigCatAct.com