My Weekly Mixtape

This week, I’m joined by Doug Aldrich of The Dead Daisies to break down the band’s first-ever blues album, Lookin’ For Trouble. This powerhouse release reimagines timeless classics by legends like Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and more, giving these iconic tracks a fresh, modern rock edge.

Doug and I also take a deep dive into his incredible career, highlighting favorite tracks and standout memories from his time with Whitesnake, Dio, House of Lords, and Lion. (Yes, we even reminisce about Lion’s unforgettable performance of the Transformers: The Movie theme song!)

Whether you’re a Dead Daisies fan, a blues-rock lover, or a long-time Doug Aldrich follower, this episode is packed with stories, riffs, and deep musical insight.

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This week, I’m joined by Cody Hanson, drummer and founding member of Hinder, to celebrate the release of their brand-new album Back To Life and reflect on the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough debut, Extreme Behavior.

We dive deep into the evolution of Hinder’s sound over the past 20 years, the story behind their unreleased 2020 album, and the process of releasing Back To Life through Evil Teen Records.

Cody shares how music streaming platforms impact their album and single releases, the art of crafting setlists that balance hits, fan favorites, and new songs, and the band’s unique approach to cover songs, including Eddie Money’s “Take Me Home Tonight” and The Eagles’ “Life In The Fast Lane.”

He also weighs in on Lakeview’s viral cover of “Lips of An Angel” and reveals the five essential Hinder tracks he would put on his ultimate Hinder mixtape.

Packed with stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes details, this episode is a must-listen for any Hinder fan.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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This week, Zack Derby, co-host of The Neatcast joins me to take a trip back to the moment that mattered most in the CD era—the instant you hit play and everything snapped into focus. Together, we’re building an epic ’90s rock playlist dedicated entirely to album openers: the songs that set the tone, made promises, and told you right from the jump whether you were in for something special.

From grunge-era gut punches and punk rock rallying cries to hard rock muscle and alt-rock mood setters, these are the first tracks that defined albums—and, in many cases, entire careers.

Whether they kicked the door down or slowly reeled you in, each of these openers shaped the way we remember the decade, one perfectly sequenced Track 1 at a time.

No skips. No warm-ups. Just the sound of a generation starting strong every single spin.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Chris Vos, lead singer and guitarist of The Record Company, for an in-depth conversation covering highlights from across the band's career.

We dive into the fascinating story behind the band’s name — and how their label reacted to it. Chris opens up about the pressure following their Grammy Award nomination for Give It Back To You, and how it influenced their second album All Of This Life.

We also discuss working with the legendary producer T-Bone Burnett to re-record “You & Me Now,” and explore how placements on hit TV shows like Suits, Nashville, Shameless and CSI have impacted their journey.

Plus, we get into the cover songs they’ve recorded over the years, including the Beastie Boys' "So What’cha Want," Cypress Hill’s "I Wanna Get High," and Big Mama Thornton’s "Ball & Chain." Chris shares insights into how The Record Company’s sound has evolved across their discography — and much more.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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This week, I’m joined by Chris Ballew of The Presidents of The United States of America as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band’s self-titled debut—an album that helped define what ‘90s alternative rock felt like. Chris and I get into everything: his run performing with Beck’s live band, the origins (and wonderfully weird design) of the basitar and guitbass, and how the Presidents carved out their own lane as “the alternative to the alternative.”

We dig into the stories behind the hits—“Lump,” “Kitty,” “Feather Pluckin’,” “Peaches”—and the unexpected chain of events that led to Weird Al Yankovic's parody “Gump.” Chris also shares why Wayne Kramer of MC5 initially shut down their “Kick Out the Jams” cover, how their version of “Video Killed the Radio Star” came to be, and the wild nu-metal detour that was Subset, his project with Sir Mix-A-Lot. And of course, we talk about his solo adventures, from Casper Babypants to the twice-a-year solo albums he continues to release.

From behind-the-scenes moments to genuine musical innovation, this episode is packed with the stories and spirit that made The Presidents so memorable. If you love ‘90s alt-rock, deep cuts, or just a great origin story, you’re in for a good one.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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WrestleMania has always delivered some of the most iconic entrances in WWE history — moments where the music hits and the crowd instantly knows something unforgettable is about to happen. In this episode, I’m joined by The Four Jobbers (Brad, Jordan, Ryan, and Jason) to curate the ultimate countdown of the Top 10 WWE WrestleMania entrance themes of all time.

From legendary superstars to era-defining anthems, we break down the entrance songs that elevated matches even before they began, defined characters, and became inseparable from WWE’s biggest stage.

Whether it’s a theme that shook the stadium, signaled a career-making moment, or still gives fans goosebumps years later, these are the entrance themes that helped turn WrestleMania into pop-culture history.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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In this exclusive Industry Dive episode, I’m joined by Chris Gehringer — Senior Mastering Engineer and Partner at Sterling Sound — for a deep dive into modern music mastering and the never-ending conversation around loudness.

With decades behind the glass, Chris has mastered everything from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Naughty By Nature’s self-titled debut to modern chart-toppers from Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa. Along the way, he’s earned more than 20 Grammy nominations and built a reputation as one of the most trusted ears in the business.

We talk about how mastering has evolved over the years — what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how today’s tools and expectations have reshaped the way records sound. We dig into the current state of the loudness wars, the real impact of brickwalling on dynamics, and whether the industry is finally starting to accept that louder doesn’t always mean better.

Chris also shares stories from inside Sterling Sound, including insights into the interludes he helped create for 36 Chambers, thoughts on the controversy surrounding Metallica’s Death Magnetic, and where immersive formats like Dolby Atmos — along with AI — fit into the future of mastering. Along the way, we even touch on perspectives from artists like Shinedown’s Eric Bass, who’s been vocal about his preference for more dynamic masters.

Whether you’re an industry professional, an audio nerd, or just someone who’s ever wondered why certain records feel the way they do, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the art, science, and philosophy behind the final step of making music sound finished.

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🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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In honor of Record Store Day, we're diving into the rich history and cultural impact of this iconic event with a special Tunestiles Throwback interview.

Join us as we chat with Record Store Day co-founder Carrie Colliton about the origins of RSD, the legendary Record Store Day Ambassadors over the years—including Metallica, Jack White, Josh Homme, and the Foo Fighters—and what it takes to secure those coveted exclusive RSD releases.

We also explore the electrifying live events, navigating the ever-changing social media landscape, managing record flippers, and—most importantly—how Record Store Day continues to champion and celebrate independent record stores around the globe!

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠

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This week, Sean Faust joins me to dive into Phish’s studio catalog with a specially crafted playlist for new listeners. Our goal: the ultimate “Phish 101” mix for anyone curious about their music.

We’ve included a mix of fan favorites, radio hits, and standout tracks that bridge the gap between Phish’s studio recordings and their legendary live performances.

Whether you’re just discovering the band or revisiting their catalog, this episode is filled to the brim with tasty jams for you to enjoy…myself.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠

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This week, we’re dialing up the only proven cure for that lingering rock ’n’ roll fever — more cowbell. Joining me as guest curator is Jon Loree, drummer for Tantric and Smile Empty Soul, as we assemble a playlist packed with 20 of the ultimate cowbell anthems in rock music history.

From classic rock staples that helped define the sound of arena-sized anthems to heavier modern tracks where the cowbell still hits with surgical precision, this playlist celebrates one of rock’s most unmistakable — and oddly essential — percussion elements. Love it or laugh at it, there’s no denying the cowbell’s role in shaping some of the most iconic grooves ever recorded.

Along the way, Jon brings his perspective as a working drummer, breaking down what makes a great cowbell part actually work — when it drives the rhythm, when it adds swagger, and when it becomes the hook you can’t unhear once it locks in.

Whether you’re a casual listener, a rhythm-section obsessive, or someone who still quotes that sketch (like me!), these songs prove the cowbell isn’t a gimmick — it’s a weapon.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠

📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠