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In this episode, we explore the current Nine Inch Nails “Peel it Back” tour. We have with us longtime lighting designer Paul “Arlo” Guthrie and longtime front of house sound mixer Jamie Pollock. Together we take an in-depth look at the creative and technical aspects of the show design from the conception of the idea through each segment of the 4-act performance. It’s fascinating hearing their unique perspectives on what it took to bring this incredible show to fruition.

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Greg Price knows how to push air. He has made his reputation by mixing the most powerful bands our industry has ever produced. Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Rage Against the Machine, Tool and now Metallica amongst many, many more. Greg shares stories, philosophies, and techniques that have defined his career. It was great catching up with my old friend. 

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Radio Check recognizes the farewell performance of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath with a special episode celebrating the “Back to the Beginning” concert that took place at Villa Park in Birmingham. We welcome back Jake Berry, the show’s production director, and welcome for the first time Patrick Woodroffe, creative director and Greg Price, the shows audio designer. These three industry luminaries tell the story of how the show came together and how it ultimately unfolded. We also share great Ozzy stories and recognize just how influential Sharen Osbourne has been to Ozzy’s exceptional career…. Epic from the start.

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Dallas Schoo is one of the last bastions of original guitar techs who paved the way for how things are done today. He launched his career by chance while at college in Boulder Colorado in 1971. He tells us how he got started and guides us along his incredible journey that led him to working with U2’s Edge for the past 38 years. Dallas is a gifted storyteller with volumes of history that he kindly shared with Matt and I. 

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Nigel Buchan has been the head of production in the Southwest for over 30 years producing shows for Evening Star and then Live Nation. Before moving to Phoenix in the early 90’s, Nigel who hails from England was a successful touring sound engineer mixing seminal bands like the original Motorhead, Judas Priest during their British Steel era and Van Halen’s legendary 1984 tour. Nigel tells Matt and I classic stories about Lemmy’s hijinks and witnessing the break-up of the original Van Halen. He is one of our industry’s true legends.

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Sooner Routhier is one of the most versatile creative designers in our industry having the unique ability to cross over into any musical genre producing visually striking shows at the highest level. From working as a lighting tech regionally in New England, to programming shows for other LDs, all the way to designing tours for some of the biggest artists in the world, winning several awards along the way, Sooner has a great story of her rise in the industry. Coldplay, Green Day, Muse, Carol G, Rhianna, and the Lumineers are just a few of the artists that have been beautifully represented by her work. She also talks to Matt and I about her design company, “Sooner Rae Creative”, her collaborative design group “The Playground”, and her passion project “Even Network” that sponsors young individuals looking to get into the business. 

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Sideman is the title multi-instrumentalist Andy Fairweather Low prefers. Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and George Harrison have all called him their right-hand sideman. AFL, who has an incredible memory for detail, generously walks Matt and I thru his illustrious career playing with several legends of the last 50 years. He even humorously shares the story of being called out by Jimi Hendrix for playing out of key. What a storyteller, what a guitar player, what a great guy. This was an absolute pleasure.

(I absentmindedly left my podcast microphone on the road. I apologize for my poor audio)

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Eric Piontkowski is on the leading end of the next generation of great production managers. “Ski” as he prefers to be called, is a strong example of how hard work and determination lead to amazing things. He tells us his story of travelling in vans playing with club bands, attending Full Sail University and eventually getting on the road with Clair Brothers as an audio tech. Ski is now one of the most respected production managers in our industry. His story is as fascinating as it is inspiring. 

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Tim Lougee, aka “Gooch” has been tour managing at the highest level for 35 years. His learned, effective outlook and approach to his work is refreshing and makes for great story telling. We visit tales over his entire career from his early days doing security at the Metro in Chicago, meeting and growing up with the Smashing Pumpkins, having to remove sweaty stage armor off of Gene Simmons after his first show, to navigating the eccentricities of Neil Young. This is a great podcast.

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Mark Spring pulls no punches. He says what’s on his mind unapologetically. Springo, a Parnelli Lifetime Achievement recipient, shares sensational stories with Matt and I spanning his 40 plus year career. From his early days working for Show Lights touring huge productions with the likes of Def Leppard all the way through his 22 years as production manager for Paul McCartney. This man knows what it takes to produce massive shows for some of the most prominent artists in our industry. His stories are unique, entertaining and fun.