This is Just a Phase

On this episode I sit down and chat Industrial music w/ Sam Austin and Rick Polo of the Youngstown, OH band Heck Vektor. We discuss the diversity of the sub-genre and the time spent getting the sound just right. We also converse about the local scene and the many venues in Youngstown, getting into music and their earlier bands, their other endeavors w/ Baroque Monody and Sam’s solo stuff, and so much more. So sit back and get programmed by this episode of TIJAP. *** (songs included are Heck Vektor - “Superspreader (son-of-a-bitch remix,) Heck Vektor - “Best Black,” Sam Austin - “Dissolve,” Baroque Monody - “Plans 2021,” Heck Vektor - “Drop the Blade, and Heck Vektor - “Gary.”) ***

On this episode I sit down and shoot the shit w/ Daisy Valentine of the Pittsburgh punk rock ‘n roll band The Homisides. We not only chat about the band but we also discuss her growing up in DC, her love of Go-Go music, the origin of her stage name, and her and her band mates playing and being influenced by many genres of music. We also discuss her views on being a front woman in a punk band and her thoughts of being a role model and sounding board for other women within the scene, the songwriting process as a collective unit, the bands first two EPs and her thoughts on the future for the band moving forward into 2022. So sit back and unapologetically listen to this episode of TIJAP! *** (songs featured by The Homisides include: “A.T.A.,” “Section 8,” “Must Bleed TV,” “Snuff Me Out,” “Beat My Guest Senseless,” “Worst Enemy,” and “One Shot Down.”)***

On this episode I finally get somebody from the Great White North, as Jordan Elijah of Faster and Louder Records joins me for a truly fun and insightful episode into London, Ontario, Canada punk rock! Not only do we chat about his label, but we also talk about his introduction into punk, being a DJ w/ a radio show on 94.9 CHRW, his work as a promoter, bands he’s influenced by, his first 2 releases by Dave Rocket and The Jobbers, The Followups, and Hellaphant. He also gives me a sneak peek into upcoming releases, and the incredible story of The Probably House, a kick ass all-ages venue in downtown London. So sit back and wave the maple leaf flag w/ this episode of TIJAP! *** (songs featured: Hellaphant – “Shingles”/ Dave Rocket and the Jobbers – “Hey Yo! (The Ballad of Razor Ramone)”/ The Followups – “Just for Dave” / Bad Words – “900 Bucks”/ The Vapids – “Cynical Solution” / Hellaphant – “More Dilemma” / Wired Wrong – “Houdini” / Probably – “Sadistic Vandals” / Johnny Terrian and the Bad Lieutenants – “Enigma Machine”) ***

On this episode I sit down with Modern Angst frontman Jared White and chat about his band’s debut EP entitled “Trampled” which is getting released on all major streaming sites today. We chat about not only that but also about the formation of the band after a long hiatus from music , being burnt out after the decline of his previous band Benedict Arnold, his thoughts on the scene now, being a big fan of compilations, being the son of a baptist minister, growing up in St. Louis and Texas, and so much more. So sit back, and try not to get hysterical over this episode of TIJAP. ***(songs featured are from Modern Angst’s debut EP “Trampled” which includes “The Pieces,” “Mass Hysteria,” and “Trampled.”)***

Happy New Year’s and welcome to the 2nd season of This is Just a Phase! This first episode back is a special one, recorded like a radio program while recapping season 1 and looking onward to season 2. It is a reflection of what happened and for what is to come! Thank you to everybody who recorded segments for this episode and took time out of their day to want to be a part of it! Again, I am truly honored that so many people have enjoyed the ride so far. So let’s get to celebrating w/ this episode of This is Just a Phase!

Season’s greeting, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, and Joyous Krampus to all of you! On this episode I have the privilege of sitting down w/ Matt from the incredible Ecto-punk band from Italy – The Proton Packs! We chat about growing up in Siena, how he got into playing drums from his mother’s uncle, getting into punk rock from Dookie (like the majority of us,) and how he loved how small his scene truly was early on. We also discuss Ghostbusters (obviously,) and how it’s one of the best comedies of the 80s, the insanity that is Dan Akroyd, how the band formed in 2004, their career over the last 17 years, getting more and more popular w/ the help of John from Mom’s Basement, and what’s coming up for them for 2022. So sit back and try not to get slimed by this episode of TIJAP.

*** songs included in this episode all are by The Proton Packs: “Videodrome,” “Continuum,” “Mistery Zone,” “Phantom Vision (live at Raduno, 2021,)” “Tentacle,” “Business as Unusual,” and “Junkie Robot Christmas.”

On this episode of TIJAP I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down w/ all of the members of the Youngstown, OH punk band Gatlin. We chat about how the band formed, the influences on each of them, the OH/PA scenes, local venues we’ve all enjoyed growing up, and not caring about the so-called punk police. We also discuss their inclusion on This is Just a Compilation, as well as their debut Self-Titled EP being released on December 10th thru This is Just a Record Label, as well as their CD release show the following day, December 11th, at the Wickyards in Youngstown, OH. The show also features other bands from the compilation, Letters… and One if By Land, as well as another great local band, It’s All Been Done. So sit back, and get to know the guys on this episode of TIJAP. *** (songs included are Gatlin - “Wrench,” Gatlin - “Let Go,” One if By Land - “Yesterburner,” Letters… - “Bastards (live),” It’s All Been Done - “Lies and Mind Games,” and Gatlin - “Part 8 (live).”)***

On this episode I sit down with Steve Cee of the garage punk ‘n roll band RATH and the Wise Guys. We chat about getting into punk and metal at a young age, growing up in the Virginia and Florida scenes, running a cassette label, doing the solo thing, and finally coming up and forming the band. We also discuss how punk is experiencing a resurgence during the pandemic, our frustration with politics in general, and so much more. So sit back, get the party started w/ this episode of This is Just a Phase. *** (songs by RATH and Wise Guys, R-K Radio, RATH solo, and Maggie Blitz w/ tracks “If I Started Killing,” “Swedge Time,” “21 Years (acoustic,) “Krampus,” and “Bigmouth Strikes Again (The Smiths cover.)***

On this episode I sit down with Scott Parente, a good friend, punk rock fan, and co-host of the Ambivalence podcast along w/ Nick No of Ramonescore Radio Records and Tyler Adams of The Followups. We chat about his podcast, topics that they tackle, including favorite musicals, movies, toys, some of the guests that have been featured, and just being straight up nerds. We also talk about our love of punk rock as fans and how his podcast, even though they don’t talk about punk music, is still punk rock in it own right. Scott is a cool ass guy and I was happy to have him on the show again… let’s be thankful with this episode of This is Just a Phase. *** (feat. music by Lesser Creatures, The Follow Ups, Kobanes, J Prozac, and Jagger Holly.) ***

On this episode of This is Just a Phase I sit down and chat with all five members of the Cleveland punk/hardcore band Jacknife Powerbombs. I was able to sit down and chat w/ singer Matt, guitarists Jim and Mark, bassist Max, and drummer Doug.

It is a fantastic conversation that uncovers how each member got into hardcore and punk rock, how the band formed and how it quickly turned into the current line up, as well as their career, their long hiatus, and their first show after 6 years that took place a few months ago. We also chat about their inclusion on the This is Just a Compilation CD , as well as some funny shared stories from the band’s history. It was a lot of fun getting to know the guys better and hope you enjoy this episode of This is Just a Phase.

*** songs included are all by Jacknife Powerbombs: “Red-Blooded,” “Electrostat Heartattack (live),” Tokyo Takedown,” “Cleveland’s Gotta Burn (live),” and “You Make Me Wanna Run Away.” - used with permission. ***