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No Motiv is a punk rock band from Oxnard, California, that emerged from the Southern California scene in the mid-1990s. Known for blending melodic punk, post-hardcore, and emotionally charged songwriting, the band built a loyal following through energetic records and relentless touring. They released several albums through Vagrant Records, including And the Sadness Prevails…, Diagram for Healing, and Daylight Breaking. Over the years, No Motiv has remained a cult favorite among fans of the late-'90s and early-2000s punk and emo scenes.

I got Roger on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• How long we've been trying to make this interview happen
• Him being a huge No Motiv fan before joining the band
• Ventura Warped Tour
• Vagrant Records
• First tour was with Good Riddance
• What did Vagrant blowing up do for the band
• Did the band ever break up
• Being in Not Another Teen Movie
• Warped Tour
• Siren Records
• The chaos of the Ignorance is Bliss tour
• And a ton more

Check out his band Hard Chiller with Joey from From Indian Lakes Episode 266 of this podcast.

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The Copyrights are a punk rock band from Carbondale, Illinois, known for their fast, melodic sound and sharp, hook-heavy songwriting. Formed in 2002, the band draws heavily from the classic pop-punk tradition of bands like Screeching Weasel, The Queers, and Dillinger Four. Over the years, they've released a steady run of albums packed with short, energetic songs that balance humor, frustration, and everyday life. They've built a loyal following through years of touring and appearances at punk festivals like The Fest in Gainesville. More than two decades in, The Copyrights remain a dependable part of the DIY punk scene, delivering catchy punk rock without trying to reinvent the wheel.

• Us being on the same bill together in a school in Illinois
• Meeting Ian MacKaye when he was 12
• Story of the Year
• Red Scare Records
• fucking up on stage
• What's up with No Idea Records
• Dear Landlord
• All American Rejects
• Fest with Brendan Kelly singing Slapstick
• And a ton more

Catch them at Fest this year.

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Gatsbys American Dream is a Seattle-based rock band known for blending pop-punk, post-hardcore, progressive rock, and emo into a sound that rarely stays in one lane. Formed in the early 2000s, the band built a devoted following with albums like Ribbons and Sugar, Volcano, and their self-titled 2006 record. Their songs are packed with unusual structures, sharp hooks, literary references, and the kind of unpredictable shifts that made them stand out from the mid-2000s scene. Despite never reaching the mainstream level of many of their contemporaries, Gatsbys became a cult favorite and influenced plenty of bands that followed. After years of sporadic activity, the band reunited and released Modern Man in 2025, their first full-length album in nearly two decades.

I got Nic on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• There's a song out there where he's auditioning for Chiodos
• Playing short sets on purpose
• Acceptance band
• progressing their sound on the 2nd record
• Getting made fun of by Goldfinger fans
• Kane Hodder
• Fearless Records
• Their $40,000 music video
• Playing with Katy Perry on Warped Tour
• Flipping their van
• Pranking on the road
• And a ton more

Check out their shows in Austin and Chicago in Nov and Seattle in Dec.

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Mae is an American alternative rock and emo band formed in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2001. Known for their melodic songwriting, atmospheric sound, and uplifting lyrics, they became a standout act in the mid-2000s emo scene with albums like Destination: Beautiful and The Everglow. Rather than leaning into angst, Mae built a loyal following through themes of hope, self-reflection, and personal growth. Their energetic live shows and strong connection with fans helped them earn a lasting place alongside many of the era's most respected independent bands. More than two decades later, Mae continues to be celebrated as one of the most thoughtful and enduring bands to emerge from the 2000s alternative scene.

• Sounding like Jimmy Eat World
• His first band Unsung Zeros
• Joining MAE
• Seeing color when you hear music
• Writing Everglow
• The band's take on religion
• Singularity
• Helping charities while on tour
• And a ton more

Follow whatismae to keep an eye out for their new album that's coming out on Equalvision Records.

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…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead formed in Austin, Texas in the mid-'90s, led by longtime creative partners Conrad Keely and Jason Reece. The band quickly became known for explosive live shows, smashed gear, instrument swapping, and a sound that blended post-hardcore, noise rock, punk, and indie rock. Their early albums built a strong underground following before they signed with Interscope Records and released Source Tags & Codes in 2002. That album became the band's breakthrough, featuring songs like "Another Morning Stoner," "Relative Ways," and "How Near, How Far." Over the years, Trail of Dead continued experimenting with everything from sprawling concept albums to progressive and orchestral rock while keeping their raw energy intact. More than 25 years into their career, they remain one of the most unpredictable and ambitious bands to come out of the late-'90s indie and post-hardcore scene.

I got Conrad and Jason on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• Growing up in Seattle scene
• Sneaking into a studio to record their first album
• Merge Records
• Interscope Records
• Recording Source Tags & Codes
• Trashing their equipment during their sets
• Will You Smile Again
• The Jesus Lizard story
• Their thoughts on Spotify and streaming
• The Slipknot story (you don't want to miss this one)
• And a ton more

Go give Conrad's Patreon a follow

Catch Jason's band on tour and give their instagram a follow.

Check out their show with Frank Turner on Sept 27 in Dallas, TX at Southside Ballroom.

Go follow my new podcast 2 Dudes 1 Scene Podcast with Dana Bollen. And follow my IG @thiswasthescene

Senses Fail emerged from New Jersey in 2002 and became one of the defining bands of the 2000s post hardcore and emo scene. Known for blending melodic hooks with aggressive instrumentation, the band built a devoted following through emotionally raw lyrics and high energy live performances. Frontman Buddy Nielsen has remained the driving force behind the group, guiding its evolution through multiple lineup changes while continuing to release new music. Albums like Let It Enfold You, Still Searching, and Life Is Not a Waiting Room helped cement Senses Fail as a staple for fans of heartfelt, cathartic rock. More than two decades into their career, the band continues to tour and create music while influencing a new generation of artists in the alternative scene.

Shot out to Ryan Dominguez from Tokyo Rose for suggesting this convo and helping Mike and I connect. Which we did on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• His thoughts on who's winning in the music industry
• Tokyo Rose
• Johnny KillBrand
• Drive Thru and Vagrant
• Is Dave Flores the inspiration for the artwork of Let It Enfold You
• Leaving the band
• Penfold
• How he helped get Let It Enfold You certified
• And a ton more

Please buy some merch if you'd like to help out.

Go follow my new podcast 2 Dudes 1 Scene Podcast with Dan Bollen. And follow my IG @thiswasthescene

Small Towns Burn a Little Slower was a Minneapolis/St. Paul band that blended emo, indie rock, and pop punk into a sound that felt both melodic and emotionally raw. Formed in 2002, they quickly built a loyal following through relentless touring and releases on Rise Records, Triple Crown Records, and Dead Letter Records. Their 2005 full length, Mortality as Home Entertainment, earned them recognition from Alternative Press as one of its "100 Bands You Should Know About." Their music paired soaring hooks with introspective lyrics, making them a standout in the mid 2000s emo scene alongside many of the era's rising bands. Although they called it a day in 2008, their catalog has continued to find new listeners and remains a favorite among fans of heartfelt, guitar driven punk and emo.

Chitty from Houston Calls mentioned them on his interview so I gave them a listen, dug it, got them on the Zoom, and this is what we chat about:

• The Minnesota scene
• The bread theft
• Getting on Rise Records
• Their first tour being 3 months long
• Triple Crown Records
• Recording with Ed Rose
• Auditioning for Drive Thru
• Myspace
• Kind of getting screwed by Immortal Records
• And a ton more

Ryan has a new EP so go check it out.

Give Toilet Rats and We Are The Willows a listen wherever you do the streaming thing.

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If you live north of Boston, on the North Shore, in Southern New Hampshire, or Maine, meet Joyleaf Interiors.

Your home shouldn't look like a furniture showroom. It should look like you. Whether it's a vinyl collection you've spent years building, concert posters from unforgettable shows, or vintage treasures with a story to tell, Joyleaf Interiors helps turn the things you love into a space full of personality and character.

Shannon and Allison specialize in creating warm, authentic homes using what you already own, helping you avoid costly redesigns and trendy looks that quickly fade.

Website JoyLeafInteriors.comIG - Joyleafinteriors

The Early November is an influential emo and alternative rock band from New Jersey that emerged in the early 2000s and became a staple of the scene alongside many of the era's defining acts. Known for frontman Ace Enders' heartfelt songwriting and dynamic vocals, the band blends introspective lyrics with a mix of acoustic melodies and energetic rock arrangements. Their breakthrough album, *The Room's Too Cold*, helped establish a loyal fanbase and remains a favorite among emo enthusiasts. More than two decades into their career, The Early November continues to tour, release new music, and connect with audiences through their honest, emotionally driven sound.

I got Jeff on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• Their current merch designs
• Chris Barker
• Someone's girlfriend helping them get on Drive Thru
• A ton about The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path
• What's the relationship Drive thru records
• Internal fighting in the band
• Getting back together after taking a break
• Flipping their van
• And a ton more

Check out footballhead which he gives a shot out to at the end.

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This is part 2 from last week's episode which you can find wherever you podcast :)

And here are the rest of the things Chitty and I chat about:

• How was it being on Drive Thru Records
• Mark Hoppus wanting to produce their record
• Touring with Day At The Fair
• Mustachio
• How the band ended
• And a ton more

Go support his wife's business over at triangleschoolconsulting.com. She helps families navigate the often overwhelming process of choosing the right school for their child, offering personalized guidance for PreK through 12th grade placements across public, charter, magnet, and private schools in the Triangle area. The firm combines deep local knowledge with a child-centered approach to help parents make confident, informed educational decisions.

Support this over on Patreon Follow the instagram

Formed in New Jersey in the late 1990s, Houston Calls blended pop punk energy with catchy melodies and heartfelt songwriting. The band quickly built a loyal following through relentless touring and a string of well-received releases.

Their sound balanced upbeat hooks with lyrics that captured the uncertainty and excitement of young adulthood.

Albums like A Collection of Short Stories and The End of an Error helped establish them as a favorite within the mid-2000s pop punk scene. Known for their polished musicianship and memorable choruses, Houston Calls shared stages with many of the genre's biggest acts during their run. Though no longer active, their music remains a nostalgic touchstone for fans of that era's melodic punk and emo-influenced sound.

I got Chitty on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• Where "Chitty" came from
• Face First
• As Tall As Lions
• Changing the name to Houston Calls and then dropping some members
• Being on the latest Drive Thru RSD release this year
• Getting signed to Drive Thru but having the first release put out on Rushmore Records
• Recording with Ed Rose
• Having a hard time recording vocals for the first record
• Who Bob and Bonnie is about
• Pulling inspiration from Saves the Day
• And a ton more

Check out his new songs under the name Throw thermal pod on Spotify and band camp. These are his personal songs that he now puts out to the world.