Question The Answers

This week, Andy is joined by Aaron-Rev Peters, the guitarist/co-vocalist of Seattle punk band The Drowns.  The band has been gaining a large following over the last few years, with a recent appearance at Punk Rock Bowling, tours all over the United States, Europe and Japan, and releases on Pirates Press Records, Bypolar Records, Gunner Records, and more.    

Aaron cut his teeth in the band Success, also based out of Seattle, and has called the Pacific Northwest his home for the majority of his life.  We touch on what it was like to grow up in the scene that gave us Grunge and how it has changed in recent years.  Aaron give us a bit of perspective about what it is to be a part of the 'street punk' scene, and reflects on some of his favorite bands within that scene.  He also shares some memories of having performed on an Aircraft Carrier while appearing at Pirates Press's Rock The Ship festival.  All that, and he breaks down some of his favorite bands from the Seattle scene and his 5 desert island albums.  

You can hear The Drowns and purchase their music here: https://thedrowns.bandcamp.com/ 

To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU 

Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. 

Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  

The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

This week, Andy is stoked to have Philadelphia ska band Catbite as guests.  The 4-piece outfit have been making waves within the ska/punk scene over the last few years, making a huge splash with their debut self-titled album, which was released in 2019 via Bad Time Records.  In 2020, the band had big touring plans, which were unfortunately sidelined from the pandemic, but that didn't stop the band from delivering a TON of output in the form of a split 7-inch EP with label mates Omnigone, several music videos, some cover songs, collaborations with the likes of Mike Park, and even a livestream performance or two.    

We caught the band just after returning home from recording their follow up album in Long Beach, CA, and we go into a bit of history of the band, along with some discussion on where they are hoping to go.  We talk about how the ska scene is just THRIVING right now, and we go over some of their favorite artists and albums.  

You can find and purchase their music here: https://catbite.bandcamp.com 

To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. 

Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  

The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

This week, we have a special episode where Andy and a solid crew of guests break down their favorite albums of 2020.  As crazy of a year as it has been, it has been a fantastic year for music, with a grip of incredible albums being released.  Andy is joined by Kendra Sheetz (editor of The Bad Copy), Rob Castellon (founder of Wiretap Records), John Gentile (feature editor of Punknews.org), three of the four members of Philadelphia ska band Catbite, and Dominic Davi (bassist of Tsunami Bomb).  Each one of them has a unique list of favorite from the year, and a lot of their picks may surprise you.  There are only a few albums that are repeated, which is actually really great to hear.  We created a Spotify Playlist with all of the albums mentioned in these lists, which you can listen to here: https://spoti.fi/2KhjxNf    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

Aaron Carnes loves ska.  He loves it so much, that he has dedicated the last 7 years of his life putting together his soon to be released book, In Defense of Ska.  The book is a love letter to the genre, diving very deep into the music's history and cultural impact.  In the book, Aaron takes us from the dancehalls of Jamaica to the working class neighborhoods of London and over to the orange groves of Anaheim as he delivers tales of the various groups of bands that helped to showcase the music since the 1950's.  There is an entire chapter dedicated to defending Reel Big Fish, a great story about how a little known band in the East Bay area that was a HUGE inspiration for the lads in Operation Ivy & Rancid, along with the story of how Let's Go Bowling avoided being gunned down in their van after a gig.  It's really a great book that anyone that appreciates ska would enjoy.  Aaron has written for the likes of Playboy, Salon, Bandcamp Daily, Sierra Club, Sun Magazine and is the music editor at Good Times Santa Cruz weekly newspaper.  He spent several years as a the drummer for the hyper ska punk band Flat Planet, and has toured with the likes of Skankin' Pickle and MU330 doing merch and roadie duties.  The book comes out in May of 2021 via Clash Books (clashbooks.com) and is available to pre-order now.  You can follow Aaron and his activities via his website - https://aaroncarnes.substack.com/p/coming-soon.  To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

Lisa Root takes on the monolithic task of running New Noise Magazine, a music centered magazine that has been around now for 7 years and is going strong.  As the founder and editor-in-chief, Lisa leads the ship and it's crew through the crazy deadline cycle and manages to make a significantly positive impact on the music scene on a really large scale, covering interview, articles and features on various bands, as well as a ton of album and live show (when they were happening) reviews.  Thankfully, she admits that she has the right personality for the job, and her love of the music scene and punk rock ethos carry her through the journey of creating each issue.  During this episode, we talk about what it takes to get each issue out, along with what it means to be working in print media during the time of Covid.  She gives me some history of the magazine and we discuss where it's heading.  Lisa also shares with me some of her favorite artists and her desert island albums.  To learn more about New Noise, head to their website - https://newnoisemagazine.com/  To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

This week, Andy is joined by Devon Kay.  Devon is the singer & guitarist for Devon Kay & the Solutions, not to mention a member of Direct Hit! (Fat Wreck Chords).  The Solutions have recently released a new album, Limited Joy, which is out  now on A-F Records.  The Chicago band blends punk with elements of power-pop, new-wave and even some influence from ska to formulate a truly original sound.    During the pandemic, Devon has been keeping busy as a content creator, and not just in a music sense.  He dove head first into the world of Twitch streaming and we spend some time during the episode exploring that world.  We go over some of the finer details of recording an album.  He shares with me some of his favorite bands that people may not have heard about, and as usual he shares his 5 desert island albums.  You can find more about Devon Kay & The Solutions at these links: Website - https://devonkayandthe.solutions/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/devonkayandthesolutionsBuy the album here - https://devonkayandthe.solutions/shopDevon's Twitch Channel - https://www.twitch.tv/devonkaytwitches To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

This week, Andy is joined by Jeff Berman of the band Divided Heaven.  They just released a brand new single called "They Poisoned Our Fathers", out now via Smartpunk Records.  The song is a scathing commentary on the division that has taken place in the United States, and features Lydia Loveless as an accompanying vocalist.  Divided Heaven have released several records over the years, most recently the EP Cold War Hangover, and the full-length COLD WAR via Wiretap Records.    During this episode, Jeff and I discuss the new single and what it's message encompasses.  We dig into how there is a glut of artists making content, but not always quality content and why that can be harmful sometimes.  We go over a few of Jeff's favorite artists that you may have never heard of, and he also gives me his top 5 desert island albums.  You can hear the new single at the end of this episode, but can also purchase/stream it here (along with their back catalog): https://dividedheaven.bandcamp.com/ To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

This week, recording engineer and producer Scott Goodrich joins us.  Scott has been an in-house engineer at Bay Area's Nu-Tone studios as well as recording out of his home studio for quite awhile now, and has amassed a very impressive resume of clients.  Artists like Broadway Calls, Direct Hit!. Decent Criminal, Unconditional Arms, The Story So Far, among others have benefited from Scott's skills and knowledge.  During this episode, we spent some time discussing the benefits of using a recording studio vs a home recording set up, and whether or not traditional studios may be necessary for most artists.  We dive into a discussion of quality over quantity, and he provides some advice for any artists looking to record.  He shares with me a few of his favorite artists that you may not have heard of, as well as his top 5 desert island albums.  You can find out more info about Scott here: https://www.scottkgoodrich.com/  To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

Mike Cubillos is a veteran in the PR (public relations) world.  Before founding his own company, Earshot Media, he spent many years as an in-house PR agent for major labels like Mercury Records, and independent labels like Mojo, working with bands like Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, Cherry Poppin' Daddies & more.    Working in a field that is heavily laden with rejection and monotonous work, Mike is truly a hero within the scope of the music scene, handling the Herculean task of getting his clients work noticed by media outlets and giving them the most exposure in the shortest amount of time, since we all know, there is so much white noise out there.  I've worked with Mike a few times, and his work ethic is top notch.  I was happy that he was willing to share some stories and discuss his role within the music scene.  He gives me some of his favorite albums and local bands, too.    You can check out his clientele at: https://www.earshotmedia.com/ To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)

This week, Andy is joined by Alan Snodgrass, a photo journalist for New Noise Magazine (among other publications) that has covered just about every band you can think of over the years.  Having fallen into the punk scene as a young man, his love of the music has stayed with him and he can be often found at a local punk show snapping away, both professionally and just for the simple joy of going.  I've had the pleasure of getting to know Alan over the years, and he's a great guy, with a lot of rad stories to share.  I think he has a real knack for capturing bands live, and during this episode he was kind enough to share some of his photos with us, which you will see during the interview.  You can see some of his work at both New Noise Magazine or his personal music website (links below)  https://newnoisemagazine.com/ https://www.digitaldiversion.net/  To hear some of the music mentioned on this and our previous episodes, check out and follow this playlist on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3oI01ZU    Question The Answers is co-sponsored by The Bad Copy and Sell The Heart Records, be sure to follow them as well to stay up to date on music news, reviews, and to check out the releases on our label. Sell The Heart Records - https://www.selltheheartrecords.com | @selltheheartrecords (IG)  The Bad Copy - https://www.thebadcopy.com | @thebadcopy (IG)