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American Steel is an influential punk rock band from Oakland, California, formed in 1995 by Rory Henderson and Ryan Massey. Known for blending melodic punk with elements of hardcore and folk influences, the group released notable albums like "Rogue's March" and "Jagged Thoughts" on Lookout! Records before moving to Fat Wreck Chords for later releases. After a hiatus in the early 2000s, during which members formed the band Communiqué, American Steel reunited in 2007 and continued to be recognized for their thoughtful lyrics and distinctive vocal harmonies. Their music is characterized by catchy hooks, energetic performances, and a sound that evolved from raw punk to more polished rock while maintaining their emotional intensity and political consciousness.

• Quitting drinking
• Tony Sly
• The band’s mission statement
• Getting on Lookout!
• Rogue’s March
• Getting kicked out
• Communique
• Getting on Fat
• Touring with the Lawrence Arms
• Toby from Red Scare Records
• Tips for giving merch sales to clubs when you're a band
• And a ton more

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise to a TON of New Jersey folk who love beer, tattoos, vinyl, and spending their hard earned cash then email me at [email protected].

I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up.

Support the podcast by buying me a beer at my favorite vinyl shop

The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California, known for their distinctive superhero personas and costumes. They blend elements of ska, punk, and new wave music with humorous lyrics and theatrical live performances featuring staged fights against costumed villains. Led by frontman MC Bat Commander (Christian Jacobs), the band gained wider recognition through their children's television series "The Aquabats! Super Show!" which aired from 2012 to 2014. Throughout their career spanning nearly three decades, The Aquabats have maintained a dedicated cult following while continuing to release albums and perform their energetic, family-friendly shows.

I got Ricky on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Assorted Jelly Beans
• Getting heckled on stage
• Almost becoming the drummer for Blink
• What did he bring to the Aquabats creatively
• Touring with the Offspring
• Yo, Gabba Gabba
• Do they always call each other by their stage names
• Josh Freeze
• And a ton more

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise on the podcast I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up at [email protected] or on my instagram thiswasthescene which you should also go and follow.

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Dana Bollen is a podcaster, tour manager, merch guy, cow beller, and a ton more. You may have seen him around the country when he was selling merch for Story so Far, Piebald, UnEarth, 

This is a different format from a normal interview because it’s mostly us talking about the scene, the behind the scenes of our podcasts, and basically just 2 dudes being dudes.

if you want a real behind the scenes of our podcasts then this is for you. If not, you still may enjoy it.

I got Dana on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Showing up to Piebalds 2016 reunion with a cowbell
• Currently being on the road with Poppy
• Getting a ton of his episodes taken down
• Both of us interviewing Max Bemis
• Our thoughts on Furnace Fest
• Jeremy from A Day To Remember giving the real story about suing Victory
• His undying love for Piebald
• Being a cowbell aficionado
• His brakes going out while driving on tour
• And a ton more

Make sure you check out his new 6 part mini series podcast called Live Free or DIY that will be hitting the streaming services this April or May. 

It’s about the DIY punk/hardcore music scene. They have a panel that includes Norm from Texas is the Reason, Luke form Piebald, Chris from Bridge Nine Records, Ace from Early November, Joey from Koyo, Brandon from Vanna, and a ton more.

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise on the podcast I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up at [email protected] or on my instagram thiswasthescene which you should also go and follow.

AD: Zink Modern Tattooing in Butler, NJ, 503 Main St. M-F 11-7 Sat 11-5 (walkins are welcome) is a cutting-edge tattoo studio that blends professional artistry with a punk rock spirit, boasting over 91 years of combined artist experience. With a roster of talented artists who have worked with members of bands like My Chemical Romance, Penfold, The Escape Engine, Perfuma, We’re All Broken, Lanemeyer, etc, the shop offers custom designs that transform your artistic vision into stunning body art. Located in a clean, modern environment, Zink provides more than just tattoos - it offers a unique experience complete with snacks (Azarja reeah wanted me to really put an emphasis that they love snacks) and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're seeking intricate custom designs or permanent cosmetics, Zink Modern Tattooing is ready to turn your tattoo dreams into reality. 

Visit their website here

Formed in 2002, The Junior Varsity began as a local band that released their first EP that same year and their debut full-length album The Great Compromise in 2004. The band gained recognition through energetic live performances, touring with notable acts like Fall Out Boy and Good Charlotte, and signing with Victory Records in 2004, which led to their album Wide Eyed and appearances on the Warped Tour in 2005 and 2006. Their third album Cinematographic was released in 2007, featuring a stop-motion music video for "The Sky!" created by the Robot Chicken animation team. In October 2007, the band announced an indefinite hiatus after their farewell show in Springfield, Illinois, with Wildrick later touring with The Dear Hunter and David Cook.

I got Nick on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Social media being awful and awesome
• the band Park
• What fans thought about their range in song topics
• Other bands with the same name
• Getting on Victory
• Getting robbed on tour
• The Houston Calls fools
• Bayside’s accident
• Touring with Panic at the Disco
• Rise Against
• The Robot Chicken Animators doing one of their music videos
• And a ton more

Check out their latest song Guilt on the streaming apps and the re-release of Wide Eyed on Smartpunk Records on Vinyl this year.

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise on the podcast I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up at [email protected] or on my instagram thiswasthescene which you should also go and follow.

This is a REPOST of Episode 203 with Joe from Jejune. Below is a recap of what we chatted about: 

• Being roommates with the President of Geffin Records
• Dropping out of Berklee
• Rama from Big Wheel
• Staying in touch with Jim from Jimmy Eat World
• Will they ever have a reunion show
• The split with Jimmy Eat World
• His band I wish I
• The Actuality of Thought video comp
• Changing their sound on the second record
• almost being kidnapped by Germans
• And a ton more

Lastly I do explainer animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, noone understands what we do” then email me at [email protected]

​Feel free to support  the podcast for as little as $1 a month through Patreon

Assorted Jelly Beans was a high-energy ska-punk band from Riverside, California, known for their fast-paced, raw sound blending ska, punk, and hardcore influences. Formed in the mid-'90s, they gained recognition through their association with Kung Fu Records, co-founded by Joe Escalante of The Vandals, and their self-titled 1996 debut album became a cult favorite among ska-punk fans. Their music, characterized by infectious horn-free ska rhythms, political lyrics, and breakneck tempos, helped solidify their place in the underground punk scene.

• Starting the band in their senior year
• Meeting the Vandals with a broken jaw
• Messing with other bands on tour
• Touring with Guttermouth
• The video for No Time
• Being on Tony Hawk’s Underground
• The Aquabats
• the reunion show in 2015 even though he hates the word “reunion”
• And a ton more

Check out his new project Shock Brace. Bandcamp | Instagram

Lastly I do explainer animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, we need to visually explain what we do in 60-90 seconds” then email me at [email protected]

​Feel free to support  the podcast for as little as $1 a month through Patreon

Sparta is an American post-hardcore band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001 by former members of At the Drive-In, including Jim Ward. Known for their melodic yet aggressive sound, the band released influential albums like Wiretap Scars (2002) and Porcelain (2004), Threes (2006), Trust the River (2020), and their Self-Titled in 2020 blending intricate guitar work with emotionally charged lyrics. After multiple hiatuses and lineup changes, Sparta continues to create music, with Jim Ward remaining the core creative force. 

I got Jim on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Recording in LA during the fires
• U2 changing his life
• Why they didn’t work with Ross Robinson again
• Porcelain
• Playing on talk shows
• Big Day Out Festival
• While Oceana Sleeps
• Taking Back Control
• Napolean Solo
• And a ton more

Check out his Girls Sumer Camp called You Rock where During two weeks in July, campers will learn to play an instrument, form a band, write an original song, and perform live on stage. Along with music instruction, campers will participate in community-building workshops, enjoy live musical performances, and more!

Lastly I do whiteboard animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, we need a whiteboard animation” then email me at [email protected]

​Feel free to support  the podcast for as little as $1 a month through Patreon

Polar Bear Club was a post-hardcore/melodic punk band from upstate New York. They were active mostly from the mid-2000s to around 2015. Their sound was a mix of gruff, emotional vocals with melodic yet aggressive instrumentals. They released albums on Triple Crown Records, Bridge Nine Records and Rise Records. And toured with such bands as The Gaslight Anthem, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, Every Time I Die, The Bouncing Souls, Bad Religion, The Story So Far, Citizen, New Found Glory and Taking Back Sunday.

I got Jimmy on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• His band The Disaster
• 2 things that kickstarted them to tour
• Red Leader Records and Matt Rosenberg
• As ’Twere the Mirror
• Member changes
• Clash Battle Guilt Pride
• Bad tours
• His voice changing on the last record
• Audiotree
• How the band ended
• Will there be a reunion
• And a ton more

Check out his new band Shy Tooth on Spotify and all the platforms

Lastly I do whiteboard animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, we need a whiteboard animation” then email me at [email protected].

Codeseven was an influential post-hardcore band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They started in the mid-1990s and evolved their sound significantly over time. Early in their career, they leaned heavily into metalcore, but as they progressed, their style shifted towards a more melodic, atmospheric post-hardcore sound, blending elements of rock and ambient music. Their album The Rescue (2002) is a standout, showcasing this evolution with its lush, experimental soundscapes. Codeseven disbanded in 2005 but reunited briefly for some shows in the early 2010s. They're often fondly remembered for their genre-defying creativity and emotional depth.

I got Jon on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• What it was like to tour recently
• Starting off with 2 singers
• Howard Stern critiquing their Boys of Summer cover
• Dave leaving the band
• Not wanting to headline
• Changing their sound
• Getting compared to Cave-In
• Mewithoutyou
• All The Best Dreams
• The Circa Survive tour in 2010
• What brought on the new album
• And a ton more

​Feel free to support  the podcast for as little as $1 a month through Patreon

Lastly I started doing whiteboard animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, we need a whiteboard animation” then email me at [email protected].​

Get your Realtor Instagram Stickers by clicking here.

The Blood Brothers were an American post-hardcore band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1997. Known for their chaotic, high-energy sound and distinctive dual-vocal style, they blended elements of punk, screamo, and experimental rock. Their music often featured frenetic rhythms, abrasive guitars, and cryptic, provocative lyrics. The band released several albums during their career, including "Burn, Piano Island, Burn" (2003) and "Crimes" (2004), and “Young Machetes” (2006). They disbanded in 2007 but have reuinited in 2014 for a show and recently at the end of 2024 for a run of shows across the US.

I got Jordan Blilie on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Best Friends Forever Fest
• The early 90s Seattle scene
• Deciding from the start to have 2 singers
• The Locust
• Working with Ross Robinson
• Adding more space to their songs on Crimes
• Mark being an amazing drummer
• The Henry Rollins Show
• And a ton more

​Feel free to support  the podcast for as little as $1 a month through Patreon

Lastly I started doing whiteboard animations so if your marketing department has said recently “Hey, we need a whiteboard animation” then email me at [email protected].​

Get your Realtor Instagram Stickers by clicking here.