Listen In FULL interviews

I can hardly remember when I first read about the drummer from Def Leppard being a spiritual kind of guy...but I know I never forgot it. So the day we met, and sat by the river, I could tell our collective search for more was similar. I love Rick Allen. I wish nothing but more and more greatness for him. Do you know how many people would let a little ole thing like losing an arm get to them? ...he beat it. This was recorded along side The Grand River in Michigan on 8.15.08... -Frank

What kind of band name is The Vantage? Well, I broke from my credo right from the start to not ask that question. I apologize to you, the band, and to myself for that moment of weakness. But it does lead into some enlightening stuff from Jackson Wise...who I think recorded his side of this Skype chat in a conference room...we did it on October 23, 2013. Enjoy. -Frank

I can’t remember how I first discovered Senses Fail...I know that when I did I could feel the struggle. And struggle is a good thing. It is an interesting thing to meet someone every five years, and dive directly deep into conversation. Personally, I love it. I especially do when it’s someone like Buddy Nielsen. And when you realize, whether through his lyrics or this full-length interview, that his growth is stunning. Buddy has been making peace on the inside, and shining light in the outside. This was recorded on their band wagon prior to their show in MI on 10.18.13. -Frank

Yep. This is why I do this. Meeting people like Dave King of Flogging Molly. He didn’t just fall into the music business, he swam his way through the mud and trash and finally landed on his heart. And that’s where their music and lyrics ends up inside of you and me. He and I grew up around the same time on this earth, yet worlds apart it seems. Luckily(?), we both ended up at the same path...trying to make sense and leave a wake behind us that is worthy. We recorded at The Rothbury Music Festival on 7.3.09 after their set. -Frank

Years. I waited years to sit down with Mike Ness and my traveling microphones. It was worth every second of every year. Turns out he is like me, a father and a man trying to figure things out. And they don't always work out the way you thought! I found Mike Ness to be such a good guy. And I am grateful he took the time (quite a long time!) to discuss life and Social D music, and where it intersects inside of him and all of us. We recorded this prior to their concert in Michigan, on November 27, 2011. Get some real. -Frank

If there is one guy I admire because of his struggles, and therefore his lyrics, it’s Adam Gontier. (He was lead singer of Three Days Grace at this point in time.) Adam never leans on his past addictive ways…he’s just genuine on his search for who he is, and who we all are. That is what I take from this conversation we had. I’ll be interested in what you get from it. This was recorded in Ft. Wayne, IN on January 30, 2010. Love it. -Frank

I love how Justin Pierre’s brain works. It reminds me of me…jumping from here to there, thinking and wondering about things, trying new ways to eat or whatever. The lead singer, and main lyricist for Motion City Soundtrack is so genuine in his pursuit of life. I love that. And each record they release keeps speaking more truth if you ask me. We sat down before their show in Grand Rapids, MI on Oct 17, 2013. We try to hone in our scatteredness, and discuss some truth. -Frank

Dan Haseltine never disappoints. Not with his music efforts. Nor his lyrics. Nor his frank speak about the world around us (and inside of us). I’ve appreciated so much of the career of Jars Of Clay…now he takes a bit of a side step with The Hawk In Paris. This project is distinctive from the first scratchiness on FREAKS. This was recorded on 11.12.13. We recorded this via Google Hangout between Nashville, TN and Grand Rapids, MI. Take this trip. -Frank

Each time I’ve sat down with my traveling microphone and Steven Wilson, I’ve come away a better human being. I think his rational mind helps me (and maybe you) clarify the mystical. I’m mostly intrigued by his lyrics, as you may already know...and that is to take nothing away from his prowess musically. Or of course, the wholeness that is the full grown Porcupine Tree...and each member. They are fantastic. This was recorded on their tour bus prior to their show on 8.25.10 in Grand Rapids, MI, USA. -Frank

GRO had no clue, no clue! that they had an interview scheduled with me. Yet, even though they had to rearrange some things...they still did not treat me like a lowly media type. I love these guys. Josh Jenkins (their lead singer) and I get fully into their songs and mission. Enjoy it. Listen [in] to it. This was recorded backstage, prior to their performance in Grand Rapids, MI at The Intersection on November third in the year of our lord two thousand twelve. -Frank