Laugh Now Die Later

Ep. 142 - Teru Kagami ft. Seudo Youth

Teru is the frontman of the Japanese hardcore punk band Kagami, whom I had the pleasure of talking to with the help of our friends in Seudo Youth.

We discuss the current Japanese hardcore punk scene, how he learned to speak English, culture shocks from California, the formation of Kagami, and more.

Ep. 141 - Patrick Blaine

This episode is for Bay Area fans, by one of their own—talented drummer and lifer Patrick Blaine. He has played on tons of records over the years, including notable projects like Spiritual Cramp, Abi Yoyos, the Tony Molina Band, and currently Smirk and Toner.

We talk about his time playing in Abi Yoyos in high school, the Bay Area underground scene in the early 2000s, going to school in England, his complicated relationship with music, future goals, and more.

Ep. 139 - Ned Russin

Ned and I have brief conversation before Glitterer’s set at the Midnight Hour while on tour.

We discuss major corporations in hardcore, ”Xpression Records”, as well as past notable projects he’s worked on and more.

Ep. 138 - Mark Ausencia

Mark is the frontman behind the beloved San Bernardino punk band Ausencia and the mind behind the DIY punk record label Verdugo Records. While being a dedicated punk, Mark has also excelled in academia and is currently a college professor.

Mark and I discuss his rough upbringing, getting into punk before the internet, attending school for 11 years to receive a PhD, starting a family, and much more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Ep. 137 - Max Hellesto (Regional Justice Center, Vatican Voss)

Max is the frontman and inspiration behind the wholehearted yet menacing-sounding project that is Regional Justice Center, while also showcasing a different side of creativity by performing in a rap project under the name “Vatican Voss.”

Max was incarcerated at the age of 18, shortly after his brother, Ian Shelton, began Regional Justice Center to commemorate him. After being a free man for a few years, Max and I speak about fronting RJC, his childhood and teenage years, adapting to life after prison, and what the future holds.

Ep.136 - Justin Cuevas

Justin Cuevas, better known as Crucial J, is the frontman of New Brigade, one of the vocalists in Minority Unit, and one of the best moshers in Southern California.

Justin and I talk about his upbringing in El Monte, playing sports, staying out of trouble as a teenager, the foundation of New Brigade, Soul Search’s major influence in California, joining the Marines, and more.

Ep. 135 - Mack Chami

Mack Chami is the mastermind behind God is War and one half of the duo behind the powerful and vicious project Terror Cell Unit.

Mack opens up about his childhood, growing up in a mentally abusive household, the struggles of being half Arab, experiencing war and evacuation in Lebanon, becoming a father, and more.

Ep. 134 - Remy Veselis

Remy Veselis is one half of the acclaimed duo Death Bells. He also showcases his talent as the guitarist for Object of Affection and Lovesick, manages tours for bands like Gatecreeper and Provoker, and runs the iconic venue Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles' Fairfax District.

In this episode, we explore his upbringing, the hardcore scene in his hometown of Byron Bay, Australia, the gradual rise of Death Bells, and his move to Los Angeles, along with a few life lessons he's learned along the way.

Episode 133: Ron "Going Underground Records"

Ron is the owner and founder of "Going Underground Records," a record store located in Bakersfield. Born and raised in Bakersfield, Ron, at the age of 21 in 2001, bought the inventory of a former record store, "Andy’s Noise," to open "Going Underground Records." My girlfriend Raquel, Daniel (our editor), and I took a trip to Bakersfield to learn as much as we could from Ron’s story.

We discuss Muñoz Gym, being a young punk in Bakersfield 20+ years ago, the inspiration behind "Going Underground Records," opening a second location in Los Angeles, and more.

Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.