“We can all probably think of songs and bands that we’ve heard over the years where it just stopped us dead in our tracks, and life was never the same after it.” - Dane

Before the stage lights, there were school pictures, hand-me-down pianos, borrowed records, Toughskins—and one very practical decision to switch from guitar to bass. 

In Episode 9, Kimberly takes Dane, Steve and Bryan back to school, at least in spirit. Bryan shares how growing up in the country with no neighbors led him to practice every night, get noticed at a party and hit the road at 16. Steve talks about learning rock melodies by ear on his grandmother’s piano, while Dane remembers the Marshall amp and AC/DC records that made guitar feel possible.

The conversation moves through the records that taught them, why bass players and drummers stay busy, and how a melody can transport us to another time. They revisit the movies and school supplies that shaped their generation, the concerts that first lit the fuse and the choices they might reconsider if they could return to high school knowing what they know now.

The episode also includes a post-show compliment that stopped them in their tracks: after a recent Opium Western gig, a listener compared the band’s final sets to the musical heart of Sinners—one of the highest compliments Dane says he has ever received.

Plus: Spicoli, Cheap Trick, Chuck Berry, Trapper Keepers, a semipro football detour, teachers worth remembering and Kimberly’s assignment for the band: watch Botso.

Links mentioned

• Opium Western
• Opium Western Radio on Spreaker
• Sinners — official movie site
• Botso — official documentary site
• “Hook” by Blues Traveler
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High
• Invincible
• Chuck Berry

No script. No filter. Just musicians talking about the lessons that stayed with them—and the ones they learned nowhere near a classroom.

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

What happens when two longtime classic rock radio guys start following the strangest stories on-screen?

“If you can figure out a way to be who you are and get paid to do that thing, that makes you like one of the luckiest people in the world.” - Mike Homes aka Mike the Intern

Mike the Intern and Jay Stevens of Dark Side of the Stream podcast and 104.7 The Cave join Dane, Steve and Kimberly for a loose, funny conversation about documentaries, local radio and staying unmistakably yourself on and off the mic.

Mike explains how a nickname became a 20-year radio identity and what he learned while moving into programming leadership at 104.7 The Cave. Jay talks about balancing radio with fronting Machine Gun Symphony, while the Opium Western crew gets honest about day jobs, performance and the freedom their own band gives them.

They also dig into analog recording, creative shortcuts, tribute-band chemistry, leadership and vocal longevity. Through it all, one idea keeps surfacing: “The magic is in the process.”

Expect classic rock stories, documentary rabbit holes and gloriously unfiltered real talk. Listen now and follow Opium Western Radio for more.

Documentaries and Movies mentioned:

• Abducted in Plain Sight
• Earth, Wind & Fire: To Be Celestial vs. That’s the Weight of the World
• Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.
• Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
• Waco: American Apocalypse
• The Idaho Student Murders
• Maternal Instinct
• A Toxic Love Story
• Sinners
• Seven Samurai
• Yojimbo
• Man on the Moon — likely; the transcript garbled this reference
• Black Roses
• Road House — the 1989 original
• Bloodsport
• Kickboxer
• Jaws
• Deep Impact

Links:

• Dark Side of the Stream podcast: https://www.1047thecave.com/dark-side-of-the-stream/
• 104.7 The Cave: https://www.1047thecave.com/
• Machine Gun Symphony: https://www.facebook.com/machinegunsymphony/
• The Grasshopper Unit: https://www.facebook.com/thegrasshopperunit/

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

What happens when a musician has played long enough for the knowledge to leave the page and settle into the body?

In Episode 7, “The Music Remembers,” Kimberly sits down with Dane and Steve for a conversation about musical longevity, instinct, family inheritance—and the things that stay with us long after we think they’re gone.

The episode begins with legendary bluesman Buddy Guy celebrating 90 years of life with another tour. That launches a spirited discussion about how musicians adapt as they age, why melody matters more than speed, and how mastery becomes less about showing what you can do and more about knowing exactly what the song needs.Steve explains why rhythm isn’t just the drummer’s job—and how musical training, theory, experience and soul eventually become instinct. Dane describes the visceral connection that allows musicians to lock into a groove without thinking their way through every note. Along the way, the conversation touches on music-centered films including “Sinners,” “Crossroads” and “Song Sung Blue.”

Then the campfire gets a little stranger.

Dane shares stories of Civil War cemeteries, unresolved energy and deeply personal experiences that have shaped his beliefs about music and the unseen world. Steve reflects on recurring dreams, the house where he grew up and the musical inheritance passed down through his parents.

At the emotional heart of the episode is the story of a song Steve’s hearing-impaired mother began singing to herself. She created the melody and lyrics; Steve added the piano and hopes to record it for the world. Its refrain says everything: “I’ll still be loving you.”

This episode explores:

• Why great musicians learn to choose the right notes
• The difference between theory, technique and soul
• How an entire band becomes part of the rhythm section
• Musical instinct and the power of the groove
• Creativity, paranormal awareness and recurring dreams
• The music—and love—we inherit from our families

Come sit around the campfire for a no-script, no-filter conversation about craft, memory, mystery and the strange ways music keeps carrying us home.

Follow Opium Western on social media, explore the new merch and stay close. The next adventure is already playing.

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

Who dies first in an Opium Western horror movie—and would the band accept a gig at a haunted hotel? Episode 6 goes completely off the rails.

“Don’t you go trying to take control of this train. It wants to go off the rails.” - Dane

A power outage. A whisper from the closet. A drummer who thinks talking to the ghost is probably the reasonable response. 

Episode 6 of Opium Western Radio begins with an innocent conversation about Cape Fear and quickly wanders—exactly as a no-script, no-filter conversation should—into paranormal encounters, horror-movie survival strategies and the important question of which member of the group would die first. Spoiler: Kimberly votes for Steve. Her reasoning is difficult to argue with.

“Well, without a drummer, you’re not gonna get a good show.” - Steve

Dane shares his experiences inside old San Francisco buildings and explains why he believes musicians and composers may be unusually receptive to the energies surrounding them. That leads the group into haunted venues, paranormal attachments and whether Opium Western would accept a gig at a famously haunted hotel. Steve remembers the theft of his favorite drum kit in 2007 and devises an appropriately rhythmic plan for haunting the person responsible. The conversation then careens into Halloween music, historic rock-and-roll neighborhoods, movies Steve must watch before he is allowed to leave his house, the actors who should portray the band and Kimberly’s deeply questionable high-school career as a fishmonger who hated fish.

“Being open to music and composing kind of predisposes you to being aware of … things that … we can’t see.” - Dane

Beneath the ghost stories and movie banter, this episode offers a revealing glimpse into Opium Western’s creative world: Dane’s cinematic intensity, Steve’s openhearted humor and the friendship that allows the conversation to wander wherever it wants. Because the music may be the invitation—but this is what happens around the campfire.

Listen, subscribe and come inside the strange, funny and occasionally haunted world of Opium Western.

Contains adult language and conversations about paranormal and spiritual beliefs.

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

This week on Opium Western Radio, there isn't much of an agenda—and that's exactly the point. The conversation begins with Kirk Hammett's comments about modern music before wandering through everything from vintage glam rock makeup and Naked Zoo stories to songwriting, touring, political expression, musical freedom, and what "living the good life" really means. Along the way you'll hear:

• why musicians never really take a day off
• the obsession with chasing the perfect guitar tone
• stories from the glam-rock 80s
• Brian's unforgettable "Queen City Sluts" performance
• why music often says more than words ever can
• thoughts on entertainers, politics and knowing your audience
• dreams of touring Europe with Opium Western
• what freedom actually means to lifelong musicians
• a healthy dose of completely pointless (but hilarious) "rinky-dink" conversation

No script. No filter. Just friends talking music.

Resources & Mentions

• Living the Good Life Podcast – Hosted by Kimberly Henrie
• Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
• Clive Davis
• The Police
• The Clash
• U2
• Lita Ford
• The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks)
• Dave Brubeck Quartet
• Humble Pie
• Peter Frampton
• Ted Nugent
• Bob Ross
• Mister Rogers
• Naked Zoo (Bryan's former band)
• Crazy Craig's Shipwreck – Kimberling City, Missouri

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

Oh, my gosh! Welcome! Welcome to Episode 4! Thank you so much for being here!

You guys, today’s show is so big. It is so good. We have the entire band in the house! We’ve got Dane, we’ve got Steve, and drum roll please... we have Bryan! The new guy! The FNG!  He’s being thrown right into the fire!

They’re talking about stage swag, handling the crazy heat, and how they arrange songs without completely driving each other crazy. It’s so good.But seriously, it’s a total party until Steve starts eating pepperoni right into the microphone. No, I'm serious! He brought a whole charcuterie board! We talk about the telepathic voodoo of a real rhythm section, why Kid Rock might be a glorious hack, and Dane drops a bombshell—he thinks Taylor Sheridan is the Antichrist! I know! It gets wild!🎸 

What’s in this episode?:

• More Humid Than Humid: The guys talk about being completely locked inside the AC, dealing with brutal summer weather, and dropping a classic White Zombie reference right out of the gate! 
• The '80s Metal Vault: High school reunions, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and the devastating Van Halen split of 1986. 
• Commanding the Crowd: A debate on stage presence, why Post Malone can hold 20,000 people with just a microphone, and the raw soul it takes to truly connect with an audience.
• The Pretty-Boy Advantage: Dane and Steve admit they brought Bryan into the band for his awesome bass energy—and because his good looks distract the crowd from a "homely bunch of gits." 
• Gourmet Bicycle Tires: A fun detour into steak, seafood, and the existential guilt of accidentally eating highly intelligent octopuses. 
• Shared Lunacy: Brilliant band names that should have been album titles, how Ray Kroc totally stole the McDonald's empire, and a deadpan reminder from Bryan to Remember the Alamo!

🎙️ The Backstage Pass (Shout-Outs):

• The Anthems: Jeff Beck's Going Down, Iron Maiden's Hallowed Be Thy Name, Don Henley's Heart of the Matter.
• The Fuel: Price Chopper pepperoni, Boar's Head, and the band's official, totally unsponsored snack of choice: Zesta Saltines!
• The Destinations: Life-changing Mexican food in Tucumcari and Uncle Julio's in Dallas. 

📢 WE NEED YOU ON TOUR!
Listen to me, you guys. The guys are setting up their tour routes right now, and they need to know where the real fans are hiding! If you are in Colorado, Memphis, or anywhere on the map, speak up! Drop a comment below and tell these guys exactly where to show up and play live!And hey, if you have a question for Dane, Steve, or Bryan, DM us a voice note with your question, or DM us on socials. They might just answer it on the next show!As Steve says, you’ve gotta be happy to listen to this show—there is zero compassionate listening happening here! We love you guys!Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

We'll see you next week, everybody! 

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

Episode Summary:

The crew is back for week three, and things are getting wonderfully off the rails. With Kimberly preparing to pilot her mobile command center across state lines, Dane and Steve hold down the fort to talk about the official streaming release of their new single, "Make Me Love You". But what starts as a discussion about blues-rock chemistry, pristine venue acoustics, and legendary classic rock drum grooves quickly devolves into a brilliant, self-produced marketing breakthrough: an upcoming album featuring absolutely zero noise.From dreaming about the majestic stages of Red Rocks and Royal Albert Hall to inventing a genre-defying concept that would make Spinal Tap proud, this episode bridges the gap between old-school musical grit and pure, unscripted comedy.Key Moments & Hot Takes:

• The USS Iowa of RVs: Kimberly maps out her upcoming 15+ hour journey, proving that true leaders can run a global musical explosion from just about anywhere.
• "Make Me Love You" is Live! The band celebrates dipping their toes into the digital space via DistroKid. You can now find the track weaving its way into your favorite playlists on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and Pandora.
• The Struggle of the Soul: A candid look at why true artists find it so difficult to put a monetary value on something that comes straight from the soul.
• Acoustic Dreams: Dane and Steve break down what makes a venue legendary (hint: wood walls good, concrete and mirrors bad) and swap stories about crossing paths with Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
• The "Silent Treatment" Masterpiece: In an extended, unfiltered brainstorming session, the guys pitch their next boundary-pushing concept—a 10-track album of sheer, unadulterated silence. It’s visual, it’s terrifyingly quiet, and it’s completely self-produced.
• Laying the Groove: Steve pays homage to studio legends Jeff Porcaro (Toto) and Steve Gadd, breaking down what it actually means to keep the time rock-solid and stay out of the way.
• The Next Track: A sneak peek at what's next in the pipeline, including plans to cut fan-favorites like "Mi Vida, Mi Corazon" and the high-energy "Over the Top".

Look Out For:

Dane: "We’re going to put out an album with complete silence. Seriously. Ten tracks of sheer silent bliss... It's open to interpretation. It's about what you thought. What did YOU hear?"

Steve: "Silent Treatment. Yeah. Silent and deadly... I didn't hear a single mistake."

Connect with Opium Western:

• Stream the new single "Make Me Love You" on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon.
• Leave us a comment on the episode and let us know: What did you hear (or see) during our Silent Treatment preview?

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

Welcome back to week two of Opium Western Radio!

This week, the guys are back in the studio with Kimberly to unpack what it really takes to transition from a "bedroom warrior" to a professional gigging musician, the timeless magic of analog energy, and the wild backstory behind their track, "Make Me Love You".Whether you're a lifelong crate-digger or a digital native, grab a glass of wine, turn up the speakers, and dive deep into the classic rock melting pot with us.

Inside The Episode:

• The Saturday Monsoons: Dane recaps his recent solo gig at the Tree House and how a sudden storm brought out the best in the local crowd.
• Going to the Well: A look inside the band's massive eclectic influences—from Chicago and Jeff Beck to Zappa and jazz-infused rock—and how those diverse sounds become the secret sauce for their jam sessions.
• The Work vs. The Play: Why making music look effortless actually requires a "shit ton of work", the grit it takes to conjure up your mojo at will, and why the best performances are a pure energy exchange with the audience.
• Mechanical Soul vs. Digital Ether: The band gets nostalgic over vinyl, eight-tracks, and home-recorded cassettes, breaking down why the human ear responds so beautifully to the mechanical, healing reproduction of sound.
• The Story Behind "Make Me Love You": Dane shares the true (and edgy) backstory of a chance encounter with a Myspace redhead at a country bar in Wichita, and Steve explains how he used his music theory background to build the track's massive, stacked vocal harmonies.
• Studio Archives & A Live Jam: The guys share an update on heading back into the studio to retrack some archive gems and wrap up the show by writing a brand-new track right on the spot.

"If it's badass and cool now, guess what? 20 or 30 years from now, it still will be. It never goes out of style." — Dane

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Artists & Tracks: Chicago (25 or 6 to 4), The Doors, Jeff Beck, Chick Corea, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ozzy Osbourne (Crazy Train), Paul McCartney, and Kansas.
• The Gear & Nostalgia: Classic Klipschorn speakers, eight-track tapes, and the lost art of holding your finger on a cassette recorder record button.

Let's Party!
Opium Western is always on the hunt for the next great stage, and yes—they play private parties! If you have a reason to celebrate (or even if you don't), reach out to Kimbetly to get the band booked. As Steve says: "Just have a fricking party!"

Connect With Us:

• Website:http://www.opiumwestern.com
  
  
• Listen & Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Opium Western Radio: No script, no filter, just the music and everything around it.


Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

Welcome to Opium Western Radio. In this first episode, Dane Mulligan and Steve Froese sit down with Kimberly Henrie to introduce themselves, the band, and the podcast. Two musicians with decades of stories between them — from USO tours in Korea to Bill Haley's original Comets to the night at Waxie O'Shea's that proved Opium Western was something real. This is where it starts.

 TIMESTAMPS
[00:00] Welcome to Opium Western Radio
[00:01] Introductions — Dane Mulligan, Steve Froese, and Bryan Lawson
[00:02] Playing resort towns — the Branson conveyor belt
[00:04] How long has Opium Western been a band?
[00:05] What the name Opium Western actually means
[00:07] Spaghetti Westerns, Tombstone, and the gritty Western vibe
[00:08] Rock vs. Western — what kind of band are they really?
[00:09] The blues element — and the haunted piano in the corner
[00:10] Steve's background — Penny Gilley, USO tours, Korea
[00:13] Bill Haley's Comets, Barry Williams, Jay Osmond, and the road to Opium Western
[00:14] How Dane and Steve found each other
[00:15] The night at Waxie O'Shea's that changed everything
[00:16] Making people dance to classic rock — why it matters
[00:18] The difference between a musician and an entertainer
[00:19] Playing to an audience of one
[00:23] How Dane and Steve play off each other on stage
[00:24] Steve's Kiss origin story — the Paul Lynde Halloween Special, 1976
[00:27] Dane playing guitar and bass simultaneously — how and why
[00:29] Make Me Love You — how it came together
[00:32] People talk with their feet — how to read a room
[00:33] What future episodes will look like
[00:35] Where to find Opium Western live
[00:36] Make Me Love You — the Easter eggs, the Jesus Christ Superstar line, and the Roxanne moment
[00:39] More music coming — Over the Top, Dwight Yoakam, and the full album plan
[00:41] Bryan Lawson preview — and why you should come back for Episode 002

TOPICS COVERED
Origins of Opium Western — the name, the concept, the band
Playing resort towns and tourist destinations
The danceable element of classic rock — Hendrix, Zeppelin, and groove
Steve's career — USO tours, Branson tribute shows, professional musicianship
The difference between a musician and an entertainer
Playing to an audience of one — connecting personally at scale
Dane playing guitar and bass simultaneously
Make Me Love U — the recording process, Easter eggs, and spontaneous moments
Reading a room and playing to the audience
What's coming — more music, the full album, and Bryan Lawson

LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED
Opium Western — http://opiumwestern.com
Make Me Love U — available on YouTube
Waxy O'Shea's, Branson Landing — the gig that started it all
Mansion Studios — recording studio used for Opium Western
Chris Omardian — producer/engineer (son of Michael Omardian, Steely Dan)
Penny Gilley — country artist, cousin of Mickey Gilley; Steve's early touring connection
Bill Haley's Comets — Steve performed with original members in Branson 
Paul Lynde Halloween Special, 
1976 — Steve's first Kiss experience 
The White Stripes / Jack White — inspiration for Dane's guitar and bass approach

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).

No script. No filter. No five-minute limit on trouble. Opium Western Radio is where classic rock, cold drinks, and conversation collide. The Opium Western bandmates sit down and let it roll. No agenda. No green room prep. Just the kind of conversation that used to happen after the show, before everyone forgot to hit record. Expect music, opinions, cigars, the occasional argument, and a lot of laughing at things that probably shouldn't be funny. New episodes dropping regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss it.

Opium Western:

Dane Mulligan - vocals, guitar
Steve Froese - drums, vocals
Bryan Lawson - bass

OpiumWestern.com

For Booking Info: (541) 399-6878 or [email protected]

Opium Western Radio produced in part by King Henrie Creative LLC.

Featured Music: "Make Me Love U" by Dane Mulligan & Steve Froese. Written by David Mulligan. Recorded at The Mansion Studios in Branson, MO. Music used with direct authorization and full rights clearance from the master and publishing rights owners (David Mulligan & Steve Froese).