Urban Achiever

Mike Lewis (Go Big Win, HOPErageous) is back for a 2nd hour this week. Mike is my best friend, former boss at Zambooie (RIP) and business partner in This Shirt Changes Lives. This go around we get into Mike's time in Puller, how he ended up going to Africa and why he's currently doing charity work in Haiti and thinks you should too. PART 2 OF 2

Mike Lewis (For Love Not Lisa, Puller) is my best friend and he's also made some of my favorite records! Long before Mike was making trips to Africa and Haiti doing for charity work, he was playing basketball with Warren G and opening for bands like Bad Brains, Green Day, Rage Against The Machine and Fugazi. Life stories like Mike's are why I started this podcast. Turn it up! PART 1 OF 2

Nate Henry (Sherwood, The Begging Sea) was inspired by a birthday party cover band covering Nirvana to pick up a guitar himself and see what might happen. From his high school bands Summer Snow and Another Dead Hero to Sherwood, MySpace Records and touring with Hanson - Nate's life so far has been full of surprises and a lot of hustle. Don't let that calm exterior fool you, he's a damn good singer, bassist and songwriter as well. I'm a fan and when this is all over I'm sure you will be too!

Scott Kerr (Five Iron Frenzy, Yellow Second, Pool Party Death Machine) has been to the top of the mountain, the valley below and all the villages in between! We explore Scott's background growing up in the Church and his journey away from faith. We also get into his bouts with basketball, skateboarding, the trumpet, guitar, bass and more. Perhaps, the most shocking revelation is that I didn't completely destroy his music career while managing his band, Yellow Second. Finally, we get into all things Five Iron Frenzy. You didn't think we'd leave that out, did you?

Chad Neptune's (Further Seems Forever, Strongarm) story is one of perseverance. In part two of our conversation we go through the various vocal changes FSF went through as well as how they ended and later reformed. We also get into Chad's family's involvement with orphans in Rwanda. PART 2 OF 2

Chad Neptune (Further Seems Forever, Strongarm) is a great example of how somebody with no formal music training can end up creating incredible and influential music. From two miserable teen years in Texas to his first trip to Cornerstone festival and being asked to join his first band, he's been on an epic journey! Chad is one of my favorite bass players and people! PART 1 OF 2.

Dan Richter (Fieldstrip, Hockey Fight) came up in the NYHC and NJ straight edge/punk rock/hardcore scenes. We get into adolescent identity, forming politics, recording songs from speakers, hardcore kids who love Morrissey and why Oprah sucks. Dan also introduces me to the concept of the "bad pancake."

Seth Werkheiser (Buzzgrinder, Noisecreep, Skulltoaster, Workbench Podcast) knows what it means to hustle! He also knows what riding 70 miles on a bicycle feels like. Seth has been responsible for creating and curating a mighty mountain of content on the internet. He was also once the bass player in Pink Daffodils and sole member of a one man band.

Danny Papa (Element 101, Project Stay Gold) was a guitarist and founding member of the New Jersey based band Element 101. In this episode we explore what growing up Italian in New Jersey is like, the importance of influence and the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat of being a touring musician. We also get into what he's doing these days as a high school History teacher.

Matt Johnson (Don't Know, Blenderhead, Roadside Monument) and I have been friends for over 20 years. He was the drummer in numerous bands and is also a writer, husband and father. In part 2 of our interview we get into Matt's experiences with Mars Hill Church in Seattle as well as his plans for music and writing in the future. PART 2 OF 2.