"We’re so lucky to be able to have the privilege of feeling this nervous. Most people don’t get to walk up on stage and, and, and, you know, so enjoy it, embrace it."

In this episode of The Aftershow, hosts Ben Thompson and Bryan Schools sit down with Adam Czeisler and Cole Peterson from SweetWater, a band on the fringes of Seattle’s explosive early '90s music scene. Dive into their journey from the late '80s grunge era, major label contracts, and nationwide tours to the challenges of maintaining a music career in an ever-changing industry. Hear about their friendships with iconic Seattle bands, the highs and lows of major label deals, and the transition from full-time musicians to navigating new careers. They also share insights from their recent reunion, recording new music, and how the internet is reshaping their connection with fans. A nostalgic, honest, and inspiring conversation for anyone curious about the real stories behind the Seattle sound.

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SweetWater band, Seattle Sound, Grunge music, 1990s alternative rock, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Seattle music scene, Rock reunion, Major label signing, Indie bands, Music careers, Touring musicians, DIY recording, New album 2025, Music industry stories, #Sweetwater, #SeattleSound, #Grunge, #AlternativeRock, #MusicPodcast, #RockHistory, #BandReunion, #IndieMusic, #NewMusic, #MusicIndustry, #MusicianLife, #SeattleBands, #90sRock, #TourStories, #PodcastInterview.

“I worked a double shift at my… restaurant job. And then on Thursday night, we’d hop in the van, drive to New York, play at CBGB’s… and then be back on Monday for work.”

Letters to Cleo frontwoman Kay Hanley joins The Aftershow to trace her path from Dorchester to the major-label spotlight and beyond. Kay opens up about the Boston club scene of the early '90s, the Billboard review that changed everything at SXSW, and the surreal experience of recording next to Weezer at Oceanway Studios. She reveals the shocking radio industry practice that limited female-led bands to just one slot in the top 20, shares behind-the-scenes stories from Parks and Rec's Unity Concert (including her starstruck Jeff Tweedy moment), and explains how working with Babyface on Josie and the Pussycats taught her that creating music could actually pay the bills. Plus: her transition from reluctant frontwoman to Disney composer, the "cockamamie schemes" that led to Doc McStuffins, and why she co-founded Songwriters of North America to fight for fair pay in the streaming era—because 70 million YouTube streams shouldn't equal seventeen bucks.

Perfect for fans of Letters to Cleo, '90s alt-rock history, Parks and Rec lore, and anyone curious about the business side of making music actually sustainable.

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Letters to Cleo, Kay Hanley, Boston alt-rock, Here & Now, Aurora Gory Alice, Wholesale Meats and Fish, Go!, Giant Records, 90s alternative rock, Parks and Rec, Ben Wyatt, Unity Concert, 10 Things I Hate About You, Josie and the Pussycats, Doc McStuffins, Disney Junior, Kindergarten the Musical, Songwriters of North America, SONA, Michelle Lewis, Babyface, radio discrimination, streaming royalties, T.T. the Bear's, SXSW

“We were a clandestine operation: a guitar band smuggling Sanskrit mantras onto Radio 1.”

Kula Shaker bassist and co-founder Alonza Bevan joins The Aftershow to rewind from late-’80s pub gigs and London house-share jam sessions to the UK chart rise of K and beyond. Alonza unpacks how the band’s Indian spiritual influence fit alongside Britpop, how major labels “push the button,” and why creative control mattered when recording with producer John Leckie—and later going epic with Bob Ezrin on Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts aboard David Gilmour’s storied studio boat. He shares the blessing-and-curse realities of a hit cover with Hush, the media storm around misread symbolism in the late ’90s, and the pressure that led to a tactical retreat before reforming with renewed purpose. Plus: touring America vs the UK, playing literal “toilet tours,” joining Johnny Marr’s Healers with Zak Starkey, and how a veteran band navigates today’s singles-first, algorithmic music world while gearing up for K’s 30th anniversary.

Perfect for fans of Kula Shaker, 90s UK rock history, psychedelic pop, and anyone curious how bands survive—and thrive—through changing eras of the music business.

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“I may not be the best guitarist they played with, but I was the most prepared.”

New Jersey legend Heath Saraceno joins The Aftershow to trace the arc from Midtown’s quick rise and major-label years to his rejuvenating run with Senses Fail—and the hard reset that followed. Heath opens up about the expectations and realities of MCA and Columbia, the creative peak and underappreciated impact of Forget What You Know, and why he ultimately stepped away from full-time touring. He shares the exact mindset and preparation that landed him in Senses Fail, the emotional toll of endings, and the discipline it took to build a second career from the ground up in the electrical trade.

Along the way: Dave Grohl’s “C-team” bachelor party, four-guitar hardcore chaos, how social media changed the definition of “sellout,” and why coming home every night can be the best part of growing up—without giving up the music.

Perfect for fans of Midtown, Senses Fail, 2000s pop-punk/emo history, and anyone navigating life after the dream job.

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“Royalties started coming in, and it scared me. I could either fund my addiction—or change my life.”

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“When you’re lost, look for universal truths. Raising your kid is a no‑brainer.”

Former Sum 41 drummer Steve Jocz—better known as Stevo32—joins The Aftershow to talk about the meteoric rise of Sum 41, the label battles and shifting dynamics behind the scenes, why he ultimately walked away at the height of it all, and how fatherhood and a move to Australia brought him back to the drums on his own terms. Steve opens up about early bidding wars and MTV-era videos, the “Underclass Hero” pivot, the rough years around Scream Bloody Murder, leaving to be present for his newborn, rediscovering music through jazz study, and the unexpected joy (and occasional chaos) of building a YouTube channel from scratch. It’s a candid, funny, and human conversation about identity, maturity, money myths, and making peace with the past—without losing your sense of humor.

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