Day at the Fair was a New Jersey-based pop punk band that gained attention in the early 2000s with their emotionally charged lyrics and catchy, melodic hooks. Best known for their 2005 album The Rocking Chair Years, the band blended heartfelt storytelling with energetic, anthemic soundscapes. Though their time was brief, they left a lasting impression on fans of the Drive-Thru Records era.

I got Rob on the Skype and this is what we chat about.

• The weird show at Mt Arlington Elks in Jersey
• Joining Lanemeyer
• Joining Scratch Kid
• Joining Humble Beginnings
• The antics of Humble Beginnings
• The Forever Endeavor
• Almost getting killed by Casey Lee Morgan
• Him being the reason Brian Fallon joined Lanemeyer
• The origins of Day at the Fair
• The Pain Game
• Signing to Drive Thru / Rushmore Records
• The Bees artwork on the LP
• The Mile After trying to out drink them
• Having weed in the Humble van while it’s getting searched
• The time he slapped me across the face
• And a ton more

Here are the links that I mention in the intro:

Check out his company www.aimplfy.com

Go see him play with Humble Beginnings

Go see him play with Day at the Fair

Go follow my IG @thiswasthescene

Gob is a Canadian punk rock band formed in 1993 in Langley, British Columbia, known for their high-energy sound and catchy melodies. They gained mainstream success in the early 2000s with hits like “I Hear You Calling” and “Give Up the Grudge,” blending skate-punk vibes with alternative rock appeal. Gob's relentless touring and fun-loving attitude earned them a loyal fanbase and a lasting spot in Canada’s punk legacy.

There’s a part at the end where I’m trying to think of the band Sunny Day Real Estate did a split with and it’s Circa Survive which I should have known since I love me some Circa.=

• Weezer’s bass player’s wife
• His first band By A Thread
• Bigwig
• Texas is the Reason
• Going from Goth to Punk
• The Singer playing in Sum 41
• NHL 2002
• Recording with Mark Trombino
• Playing the final SUM 41 shows
• Sunny Day Real Estate
• And a ton more

Click here for my patreon Click here to donate

Click here for my patreonClick here to donate

Useless ID is a punk rock band from Haifa, Israel, known for blending melodic hardcore with emotionally charged lyrics. Formed in 1994, they gained international attention after signing with Kung Fu Records and collaborating with bands like The Ataris and producing with Bill Stevenson of The Descendents. Over the years, Useless ID has built a loyal global fanbase through relentless touring and a discography that spans introspective punk anthems to politically driven tracks.

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

• Seeing Kid Dynamite in a New Brunswick Basement show
• Kris Roe
• Moving away from the Fat Wreck drum beat
• Being on Kung Fu Records
• Sugarcult
• Doing mushrooms at a festival
• Sharing a tour bus with The Used
• Bill Stevenson punching him in the stomach
• Did they like being on Fat even though the label sound changed
• A tip from Tony Sly that he still uses to this day
• Why they’re not currently playing
• The Pixies story
• And a ton more

Check out his label California Sounds. 

Click here to support the podcast

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.

Click for sponsorship rates starting as low as $20

Support through paypal for $1/month

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