Having A Blast with Kyle Devlin

On today's episode, I'm excited because I had the opportunity to speak with Frank Tsoukalas from the Chicago band Much The Same.

Frank is the bassist and co-songwriter for Much The Same. He is also the songwriter and singer of the band Burn Rebuild.

Frank and I have a lot in common. We both grew up on Fat Wreck and Epitaph, we both have bands that were heavily influenced and inspired by those types of bands and it's reflected in the music of our bands.

I also wanted to have Frank on because his social media presence always makes me laugh and it's always entertaining. I knew that Frank, like me, enjoys exercising and lifting weights, so I knew we would probably discuss that.

I also wanted to know what compelled Much The Same to put out a new full length over 13 years after the previous record. It's a fantastic record called "Everything is Fine", and it was one of my favorite records of 2019. So, we get into that.

This is a lot of fun. I had a blast speaking with Frank, I think you'll enjoy our convo.

So, without further ado, please enjoy this multiple-topic conversation with Mr. Frank Tsoukalas.

On today's edition of Flashback Friday's, we're going to be highlighting a record that came out in 2007.

2007 was an interesting year for music. I rejoined a band after spending two years not playing music or being in a band.

I was 23 years old, still trying to figure out who I was.

I think this particular year was kind of like the year 1995. I think the music landscape was changing a bit, especially within the scene. I think people were getting a little tired of sad and dark music with similar themes. People were craving something a little more upbeat, positive, and catchy.

This shift resulted in pop punk and pop rock really having a resurgence. Bands like All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Mayday Parade, The Maine, and A Day to Remember burst onto the scene. Many with very popular debut records.

But I want to highlight a lesser-known band and album that came out in 2007. This is a bit of sad and dark record, too. Perhaps that's why people missed it. Even the title is a bit of a downer. The album I'm highlighting today is "Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather", the second full length from My American Heart.

Hiding Inside the Horrible Weather is My American Heart's second and final album, released on June 26, 2007, by Warcon Records. The album was produced by James Paul Wisner, and the artwork was designed by Don Clark of Invisible Creature.[1] Two music videos for the album's single "The Shake (Awful Feeling)" were released.

This was a band finding their sound and hitting their stride with their first fully realized album. The first album "The Meaning in Makeup" is fun and a good rock and roll album, but Hiding is them solidifying who they were as a band.

I love the eclectic nature of the record. There's pop rock, there's aggressive rock songs, there are speakeasy sultry blues-esque songs, and there are subdued tracks. This record takes you on a journey. The lyrics are introspective and somewhat dark. The singer must have been finding himself throughout the journey of writing this songs and you can hear catharsis and longing in his words.

Building a Better ____ is the fourth full-length album by Illinois indie rock band Park. It was released in 2006.

The fourth word of the album's title is written in a similar style to that used in Mad Libs, as a blank with the word (noun) under it. This has led to some confusion on how to pronounce the title out loud. Frontman Ladd Mitchell has said they just refer to it as "Building..." or "Building a Better". The working title for the album had been "Building a Better Pirate", but the band changed it to a blank as they felt it was too whimsical. On July 22, 2008 Vega Vinyl released "Building A Better ______" on vinyl. An acoustic B-side entitled "Eraser" was later released online.

Ladd Mitchell was the primary songwriter for the album. According to a lyric feature written by Ladd Mitchell for PlayPro.com, the album's lyrical content came from personal experiences of Mitchell such as relationships and dreams.

On today's episode, I'm excited to be speaking with my new buddy Jameson Ketchum.

Jameson has worn many hats within the music industry. He's worked as a publicist, a freelance writer, an editor for publications such as Substream, AMP, and HM Magazine. He's also worked as a tour manager and a booking agent. He's also the host of the Godspeed Podcast.

I wanted to have Jameson on the show because he's about to release his book titled "Name Dropping: Seeking Creative Truth through Trendy Altruism and Punk Rock"

It was a pleasure speaking with Jameson. We bonded over bands like Anberlin and Acceptance, we talk about having doubts while creating something, the creative process in general. It was a lot of fun; I think you'll enjoy it.

So, without further ado, please enjoy this multiple category exploration in conversation form with Jameson Ketchum.

On today's episode of "FLASHBACK FRIDAYS", I'm highlighting one of my favorite records by the band Copeland. Today I'm highlighting their second record "In Motion".

In Motion is the second full-length album by the Lakeland, Florida-based band Copeland. It was released in 2005. The album includes a bonus disc of the Sony Connect Sessions with acoustic versions of "Don't Slow Down," "Pin Your Wings," "Take Care," and "Coffee," the latter two of which are taken from Beneath Medicine Tree.

AllMusic wrote that In Motion "is a surprisingly varied album, offering everything from the muscular emo attack of 'No One Really Wins' to the waltz-time accordion-and-falsetto strangeness of 'Kite.'" Seattle Weekly wrote that the album is characterized by an "emo-tinged whine." Paste called the album "disarmingly anthemic power pop filtered through some unexpectedly theatrical Southeastern sun."

Hey there friends!

Welcome to the show. This is Having A Blast. I am your host, Kyle Devlin.

Normally on the show, I'm either discussing a particular album or band, or interviewing guests, but today is going to be a little different.

I've been having a lot of conversations with friends about the recent announcement from Mark Hoppus that he is battling cancer.

He first alluded to having the disease in a quickly deleted Instagram post from just shy of two weeks ago. It featured a photo from what appeared to be a hospital room where he looked to be undergoing treatment. The text on the picture said “Yes hello. One cancer treatment, please,”.

Several hours later, he confirmed the diagnosis. “For the past three months I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer,” the bassist-singer wrote in a statement. “I have cancer. It sucks and I’m scared, and at the same time I’m blessed with incredible doctors and family and friends to get me through this.”

The 49-year-old Hoppus did not announce what type of cancer he is battling, but shared his optimism that he would beat it.

“I still have months of treatment ahead of me but I’m trying to remain hopeful and positive,” Hoppus added. “Can’t wait to be cancer free and see you all at a concert in the near future. Love to you all.”

Blink-182’s Travis Barker said of his bandmate’s cancer battle in a statement “Mark is my brother and I love and support him. I will be with him every step of the way on stage and off and can’t wait for us to play together again soon.”

Tom echoed this sentiment with a post of his own: I too, have been aware of Mark’s cancer diagnosis for awhile now. And to add to his own words that he used today, I would also like to say that he is strong, and a super-human who is pushing through this difficult obstacle with a wide-open heart. #WeHaveHisBack

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In this episode, I give my favorite six Mark Hoppus tracks that aren't singles.

Hey there friends!

Welcome to another addition of Flashback Fridays! Tonight is the fifth official edition of this particular format.

I hope you all are doing well gearing up for the holiday weekend.

Tonight, I wanted to highlight a record from 2004. Last week we highlighted Gob's "Foot in Mouth Disease" from the year 2003.

Tonight, I'll be highlighting a record that I don't think gets enough attention, and that record is Punchline's "Action".

Punchline is an American rock band from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, United States, that was formed in 1998.

In 2003, the band signed to Fueled by Ramen Records. This was when Fall Out Boy was signed to Fueled by Ramen as well.

On the February 2004 album, Action, produced by Sean O'Keefe, Punchline set itself apart in the world of pop-punk music with bright three-part harmonies, unique melodies, catchy riffs and a strong rhythm section.

I remember sitting in the Punchline van as they played me the record a few weeks before it was set to be released. Chris was kind enough to give me a preview and i knew I was going to love the record. I think it's great from front to back. There's a lot of great harmonies and vocal melodies. The other thing I love about Punchline is that they're not afraid to play around with song arrangements and they take a lot of chances with their music, and where it can go.

They've got a lot of great albums, but I have a soft spot for this record and The Rewind EP. I saw them open for Less Than Jake a couple of times and they were so great live. I remember watching them walk the lines after the shows, hustling, and working hard to get their music out there.

And they're still doing it! They put a great record a couple of years ago called "Lion".

I'm going to play a snippet of a song called "Not Afraid". So, please enjoy.

On today's episode, I'm extremely excited to share my chat with you all. I recently spoke with Zach Gehring of the band Mae. Zach is the guitarist and co-songwriter for the band Mae and he's been in the band since 2004. Right after Destination: Beautiful came out.

I have been a fan of Mae since around 2003/2004. Honestly, they're one of my favorite bands.

Zach and I go into a lot of topics. I want to thank Zach for being transparent, honest, and even vulnerable in parts of our conversation. He gave a lot extremely thoughtful answers to a lot of different questions. We talk about the history of the band, becoming a massively successful independent band, putting out a major label release and then ultimately finding ways to put out music on their own terms.

I felt compelled to support Mae in any way that I could after speaking to Zach, he's just a class act.

We also talk a little bit about trying to learn and having the openness and willingness to learn, even when it's uncomfortable. We also talk about little bit about Zach's love of punk rock and how that influences his personality.

Honestly, I could talk to Zach all day. It was so much fun.

So, without any further delay, please enjoy this multifaceted conversation with Mr. Zach Gehring of the band Mae.