HiddenTracks

On this week's episode I sit down with Garret Rothman of the extremely essential band CALLING HOURS. Garrett and I met at the second show Calling Hours ever played. The energy, cohesion, and confidence of the band was off the charts. The band Calling Hours is a talented group of individuals that create magic and become more powerful when all the parts come together, kinda like Voltron. Fresh off of CALLING HOURS first ever tour, Garrett gives us a look inside his life in music and the legends he has had the chance to collaborate with. With the debut album just days away, now is your chance to catch a glimpse of your next favorite band and one of the artists behind the music.

CALLING HOURS - "Say Less"       OUT Friday November 11th 2023

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On this week's episode I had the pleasure to speak with Ean Hernandez from the Seattle based power punk collective THE SUBJUNCTIVES. Through my personal music journey a band popped up early in my life that I fell in love with, that band was called SICKO. Ean was an integral part of Sicko and a huge part of my musical life. Now I have another band later in life to fall in love with, The Subjunctives. Along with Hernandez on guitar and vocals,  THE SUBJUNCTIVES include Wendell Howell on drums (also of Desolate Coast) and Jeff Mangalin (Four Lights) on bass.  The sum of their parts has created a pop punk masterpiece with their latest album "Let's Try This Again."  Ean and I talk about the formation of the band, his time away from music and what brought him back. Join Ean and I as we discuss things like "Smart Punks" at a "Bus Stop" while shouting "What's Up Fuckers?"  as people pass by.

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

For the past two decades, Go Betty Go have emphatically established themselves as one of punk rock’s most exciting forces. A gloriously rough-and-tumble sound with melodic aggression, they bring a rich and engaging energy, loaded with lush atmosphere and, at times, an underlying sense of foreboding.

Formed in 2000, in the suburbs of Glendale, California, they entered the LA scene when they were all teens. Go Betty Go is driven by Betty Cisneros’ big, roaring guitar, singer Nicolette Vilar’s soulful, siren call and the momentous urgency of Michelle Rangel’s bass and Aixa Vilar’s tumultuous drumming.

The Latina Punk Quartet swiftly ascended from local shows to a standing-room-only weeknight residency at Los Angeles dive Mr. T’s Bowl, to a national reputation via reams of critical acclaim and non-stop gigging.

Go Betty Go surged through several Warped tours, frequent cross-country tours, an attention-getting invasion of South by Southwest and seemingly had it made. With the release of 2005’s "Nothing is More", their first full-length album on Side One Dummy Records, they set out to tour yet again. They never finished it—Nicolette, exhausted, unhappy and burned out, suddenly quit. She walked away and the band's remaining members found themselves at a crossroads.

Miraculously and reunited, after a friend suggested a one-off 2012 gig, all four original members found themselves back together on stage. As if the band had a life of its own, Go Betty Go was back as suddenly as they had split years earlier.

After requests from fans and venues alike to play one last show together, the ladies of GBG gave in to what they thought was their final farewell show, but once they hit the stage, the chemistry that had once brought them together was restored and they were officially back. That renewal and excitement crackled through their last release “Reboot”, like a high-voltage jolt of electricity, reclaiming their rightful prominence as some of the brightest, boldest women in punk rock.

They continued to plow in full force, playing cross-country festivals and venues alike. But like the rest of the world, the band halted and canceled all touring in 2020 due to the pandemic. In 2022, Go Betty Go was hit yet again with their most difficult challenge to date. As the band prepared to enter the studio and record their next album, Betty was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The news was hard, but it brought them closer than ever.

They worked around Betty’s grueling doctor visits, chemotherapy, and surgeries, and when she was having her better days, they managed to squeeze out their latest studio recording “Black and Blue”. The name refers to the difficult and bruised circumstances that the band has dealt with. With the help and support of GBG fans and the music community alike, they all have helped support Betty with her GoFundMe page and through messages of love and support. The band sees no other road, but the one to recovery, as Betty continues her treatment towards being cancer-free. They are optimistically hopeful, supporting Betty as she works on beating her cancer.

Go Betty Go’s upcoming album “Black and Blue” will be out in early 2024 via LA-based indie label Wiretap Records.

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

This week we welcome Jordan Sokel of PRESSING STRINGS. Pressings Strings lends credence to my feeling of never missing opening bands. I saw the band take an audience to a place they were not expecting to go, right to the merch table to purchase everything they could from the band.  Pressing Strings first formed in 2006 while Sokel was still in college. The band officially debuted in 2008 with their album, Where We Are, and now has a deep catalog that includes the albums Episodes (2010), Pressing Strings (2012), Life of a Tree (2013), Owe the Source (2015), and Settle In (2020) as well as two EPs, Most of Us (2016) and Morning Takes (2021). As Pressing Strings built up their impressive live show and paid their dues gigging, their fame was spreading throughout the entire Eastern Seaboard, leading to headlining venues across Maryland and Washington, DC and frequent festival appearances at Peach Music Festival, Firefly, Sweetwater 420 Fest, Floydfest, and more. Over the last decade, Pressing Strings has also toured and opened for the likes of The Beach Boys, Gov’t Mule, Toad the Wet Sprocket, JJ Grey & Mofro, Rachael Yamagata, Neal Francis, The Toadies, Jerry Douglas, Sam Roberts Band, Michael Glabicki (Rusted Root), Rayland Baxter, and Junior Marvin of the Wailers. In addition to their touring success and amassing over 6 million streams, radio has also taken notice, with national AAA and public broadcasters across the U.S. eagerly embracing Pressing Strings and taking them to the top of their charts.

PRESSING STRINGS - "And I For You"        OUT NOW!!!

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

The  Brisbane-based band making waves across South East Queensland and beyond with their hard hitting live performances. Their urgent and harmonic wall of sound draws on angst and nostalgia of the bands that came before them, such as Nirvana, The Cure, Something For Kate and Midnight Oil.
WIFECULT is the dynamic trinity of Jarith Hughes on guitar and vocals, BradVander Lugt on drums, and Joseph Keating on bass and vocal harmonies.
Together bringing years of industry experience in other bands to the table,including La Dispute, The Almost, and Sunbleached. The fresh release of their latest single "Hold It Down," from the band's EP, "Kindness In Clarity," promises to take their hooky and anthemic writing to the next level with thick baritone guitar riffs, slamming drums, and gripping vocal hooks. "Hold It Down" offers a poignant message of support and understanding for those struggling with their mental health.- “So tell me how it really feels, like you’re pulled into orbit”, “I’ll hold it down for long enough”-. A powerful reminder to stand by loved ones in their darkest moments.
With a promising future ahead and hearts full of gratitude, WIFECULT is tirelessly working to bring their explosive performances to even bigger audiences.

Do not miss your chance to experience the incredible force that is WIFECULT!!!!!

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

HAUNTER is a new force in alt-pop, born from sleepless nights, a desire for growth, and the connective power of music. 

The band traces its roots back to late 2016 when Enoma Asowata (guitars/synths) met producer/songwriter Tyler Smyth while pursuing DIY projects. The duo clicked musically and after several months of talks, Enoma sent Tyler some rough demos of songs he had written, wanting to do something different, challenging, and brutally honest. Lucy LeNoir (vocals) and Mark Schroeder (guitar) joined the group shortly after and the trio began writing and demoing new material reminiscent of their old emo and metalhead groups…and just as quickly scrapped it. The false start didn’t hinder the band’s momentum and the addition of Mike Ray (guitar/keys) solidified the group’s musical dynamic. While writing and recording their debut single with Smyth at his LA studio, the band found their sound stemmed directly from their collective belief that music is akin to its ability to connect and heal people through shared experience – and from that, HAUNTER was born.

HAUNTER - "Untouchable"    NEW SINGLE OUT TODAY!!!!!!!

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

On this week's episode I welcome Joey Bertini of the "newstalgic" alternative band BLEACH GARDEN. Joey shares the story of his bands journey from the beginning to current form. Joey gives us some insight on his  list of influences, likes, dislikes and the questions that he is tired of answering.  We get to hear about a fathers regretful decision that turned into a learning experience for him to pursue his dream. Joey and I find ourselves checking all the boxes that make us feel alone trying to find ways to create and communicate for others to understand us.

BLEACH GARDEN - "Nepenthe"     OUT NOW!!!!

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa

Garry Peterson is a Canadian and American drummer who over the course of a iconic career spanning more then six decades is best known for: being a founding member and co-owner of the legendary Canadian rock band The Guess Who; performing with former Guess Who member Burton Cummings; and performing with Bachman Turner Overdrive during their support of Van Halen’s 5150 Tour. For Garry, being a child prodigy meant success came at a very young age with his first professional gig by the age of four and by six he had already performed with Peggy Lee at the Chicago Theater in Chicago, IL. Similar gigs would following with the likes of Lionel Hampton, The Four Lands, and The Andrew Sisters to name a few.

By sixteen, Garry had joined the Winnipeg band Al & The Silvertones; which over the next couple of years would transform itself into The Guess Who. As a member of The Guess Who, Garry has to his credit: fifteen albums that have charted on Billboard 200; fourteen singles that have charted on Billboard’s Top 40, including two #1’s; and three Gold Singles and three Gold Albums as certified by RIAA. Through The Guess Who, Garry has also been inducted in The Canadian Music Hall of Fame and received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement for contribution to popular music in Canada. Garry is also the only current or former member of The Guess Who that has performed on every single album and participated in every single tour over the course of the band’s lengthy history.

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The Iron Roses are a passionate, unique, and beautiful group of people making music that we hope will change the world. Fueled by the injustices of our current times - their songs are the kind of protest anthems that only a group of seasoned musicians could make. Still angry, still driven, and still screaming – this is a band that will never give up the fight.

It takes serious talent to write and sing songs that sound angry while the music lifts your spirits. So much of political punk is abrasive and unpleasant. No hooks. No melodies. But other times the words sound incongruent with emotionless and insipid music. The Iron Roses manage something rare and commanding with music that lifts the heart coupled powerfully with lyrics that express fury and resentment of the current world. Punk as a genre has been so commodified and diluted over the last decades that it seems to be ever increasingly hard to find bands that resonate this way. That sing and play with such intensity that their authenticity cannot be questioned. That prove that true punk is alive and well and can have you dancing around your kitchen singing along at the top of your voice.

Yes, we can discuss their pedigree, most notably their frontperson Nathan Gray (of Boysetsfire), and their relentless touring and political activism. But none of those things matter if the songs don’t connect with the listener. And this collection of songs are going to do just that. From the opening notes of the first song the cards are on the table. The objective is clear – The Iron Roses are putting to words and music all the thoughts you’ve had these last few dark years. With the worldwide political climate leaning further and further from the left. With rights for many being limited and destroyed. With no end in sight. We need bands like The Iron Roses giving us a soundtrack to fight. Songs to pour our anger and frustration into when we sing along - just as they did when they wrote and recorded them.

The beauty of seeing these six individuals singing their truth is astounding. Watching them grow from strength to strength in the last few years it is unsurprising that this record is the outcome. They, and their songs, represent such power, love, and passion – something that we need more than ever in this world today.

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If you've been wondering what it might sound like when two alt-banjo giants join hands & strings and sell their souls at the crossroads, Ponder Machine is an essential listening experience.

In August of 2022, Kramer parachuted into Asheville, North Carolina to record a mysterious LP of collaborative banjo studies by JD Pinkus & Tall Tall Trees. Pinkus is best known as the bassist who replaced Kramer following his exit from the Butthole Surfers (and his years with The Melvins), and Joyful Noise Recordings artist Tall Tall Trees (aka Mike Savino) is a stunningly talented multi-instrumentalist, known for his work with Kishi Bashi, along with his pioneering excursions into the world of his Banjotron 5000.

Within hours of Kramer's arrival, things got entirely out of hand (in exactly the manner he had hoped), and the results are sure to rewrite the way people see, hear and THINK about the banjo. Ponder Machine proves in a thousand ways that the possibilities are limitless, and the extra 30 minutes of music you get when you buy the Cassette version (or download the digital-only tracks) just hammers the point home. There is method to their madness. Listen closely and you will hear it.

Think John Cage meets Bela Fleck meets Brian Eno. The banjo has never been chewed up and spit out so lovingly. JD Pinkus brought his mushrooms and effects pedals. Mike Savino brought his sourdough and his psychedelic street-smarts. Sweet dreams, y'all.

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Pre and Post roll music brought to you by @sleepcyclespa