Merry New Year! To close out 2021 we talked to our good buddy Page Hamilton. Or should we say Page talked to us? Anyway — after keeping his band Helmet going for over 30 years, the guy’s got some stories. Topics covered in this jam packed episode: The New York indie scene of the early 90s, cancelling 250 shows, Page’s time playing in Band Of Susans, odd time signatures, having a Gabed-up year, Scott and Page geek out over Gang Of Four, Amphetamine Reptile, time signatures, the post-Nirvana major label feeding frenzy, why Germans love Helmet, Gabe finally saw GET BACK, and Page fondly recollects his days playing guitar for David Bowie(!). Time signatures.

Companion Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5kvE23FrwLolugQJGGKBr6?si=fcb827f1c5904f7e

47. LIFERS - Page Hamilton

Just in time for the 20th anniversary of HERE COMES THE ZOO — we finally convince former Local H (and Triplefastaction) drummer Brian St. Clair to do the show. On this episode we talk to the bird-watching legend about recording with Jack Douglas, Bobby Brady, the correct way to pronounce Cheap Trick, Rod Stewart’s dick pics, selling Misfits records to Gabe, the break up of Triplefast, being one of the best drummers to ever come out of Chicago, and Brian comes clean about the great Rights Of The Accused poop mystery.

78. LIFERS - Brian St. Clair

On this week’s episode we have a laid back hang with our friend Chris Anzolone — a great drummer and a long time fixture of the Boston music scene who, in a stroke of mid-life clarity, decided it would be fun to run a record store. So he bought Boston’s Stereo Jack’s and VOILA! He’s the proud owner of a record store in the Somerville area. There’s a little more to it than that — and we get into it. ALSO: Pesto, being a working musician, football vs. football, Evan Dando on the Vineyard, Dolly Parton, and Gabe finally says the “p” word.

93. LIFERS - Chris Anzalone

When word got out that Allen Epley from Shiner and The Life And Times was moving to Chicago, folks were pretty happy about it. Not surprising. You know when people use that phrase “he’s a solid dude”? They’re usually talking about Allen. On this episode, Mr. Epley takes time out from hosting his own podcast —the excellent Third Gear Scratch— to talk to us about his excellent new solo album (called EVERYTHING), his excellent gig with Blue Man Group, the excellent Kansas City rock scene, opening for Shooting Star (excellent!), Chapman Sticks (excellent?), and Broasis — his excellent Oasis cover band. On a scale of one to excellent, this episode is pretty good.

101. LIFERS - Allen Epley

We’ve been trying to get Mahmood Saikh on the show almost since the podcast started. And finally, he has relented, but with the caveat that he be allowed to appear not as a traditional guest —oh, no, no!— he wanted to be treated as “just one of the guys”. A panel position, if you will. Fine. We accept you. One of us. The indie-rock booking-agent maestro DID send us a bio, however — so here it is: 

“Mahmood Shaikh is an agent at Concerted Efforts. He represents a wide range of artists including Algiers, Boris, Frankie Rose, Jawbox, Karate, Mr Twin Sister, Nothing, SURVIVE, Ted Leo, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and many others in North America and other territories.  Previously, he was an agent at Flowerbooking, Inc. where for over a decade he sat next to the guy that booked Local H. 
 
Last name is pronounced “Shake”.”

Anyway, on this episode we talk about Mahmood’s love of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Scott’s Global Entry worthiness, 1982, Michael, Commie Liberal Pinko Tuesday, upside down pizza, U2 cover bands, Gabe’s fever for Pac-Man, and finally — COVERBOY: Chicago’s newest super-group. This is Ben’s kind of episode. Gooble gobble.

112. LIFERS - Mahmood Shaikh

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! On this special mini-edition of The LIFERS Podcast we discuss the greatest Thanksgiving TV episode of all time: Episode 7 of WKRP IN CINCINNATI — “Turkeys Away”. Oh, the humanity.

145. LIFERS - Gabe Rodriguez’s Thanksgiving TV Corner: WKRP

Brendan Kelly and his excellent punk-rock combo The Lawrence Arms have been waging a war on Christmas at various Chicago venues for 9 years now. Just a couple of weeks ago, their beloved and annual anti-Yuletide concerts lovingly dubbed “War On X-mas” sold out two nights at The Metro. So we figured Brendan would be the perfect guy to drop by and vent some holiday spleen while helping us pick —not the best— but the WORST songs the Christmas season has to offer. It will come as no surprise to the many Lawrence Arms fans out there that Brendan was more than up to the task. Merry Christmas, everybody!!!

150. LIFERS - Brendan Kelly’s War On Xmas

Scott has a lot of friends who are also great songwriters. But none of them are geniuses. Except for Kevin Tihista. This week we finally welcome the legendary singer-songwriter to the show. We talk to Kevin about his musical influences, growing up in Santa Cruz, being an extra in “The Lost Boys”, playing bass for Triplefastaction, the difficult transition to solo artist, embracing life as a recluse, his new band Housesitters, and the valuable advice he received from Bob Dylan. Don’t miss out on this one.

162. LIFERS - Kevin Tihista

Some have claimed that Freud thought the Irish were impervious to therapy. While we may never know if he actually said that — we know for goddamn sure that John Haggerty is impervious to any of Scott’s lines of questioning. But that’s okay. Like all great heroes, John’s stoicism belies a heart of gold beating with generosity, fairness, and a firm belief in the human collective. Did we mention that he’s also a hell of a guitar player? On this episode we try to get Mr. Haggerty to talk to us about Pegboy, Naked Raygun, the Chicago punk scene, Steve Albini, Stratocasters, Herb Rosen, O’Banion’s, disco duds, plumbers, Renaissance faires, and the loneliness of saxophone playing guitarists.

176. LIFERS - John Haggerty

Okay… Well, that was a LOT! In many ways, this last Tuesday & Wednesday in Wrigleyville (let’s call it LOCAL H DAYS 2024) was a culmination of everything that’s been in the works since that day when Scott got the call that Helmet was cancelling the tour — just BEFORE he’d received the call that the LIFERS movie was getting a release date at the Music Box (see episode #186). Of course, one could argue that this H convention had been building up since the movie was shot at the Metro almost 3 years ago (to the day — just shy a month!). And that same person could also argue that it all started with the original WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? release 20 years ago — while the zen hippie across the room is babbling about how Scott’s entire LIFE has been leading up to this! And they’d all be right. Whatever the case — there is a lot to say about the LIFERS world premiere at the Music Box and the finale of the WHTPJS? 20th anniversary tour at the Metro — BUT!!! Not on this week’s episode. Instead, Ben has put together a… uh. Vibe? A mood piece? Ah. Here’s what it is: A chunk of audio verite constructed to capture a moment that is already starting to fade from memory like a far-off and hazy dream. Go to bed, Scott!

193. LIFERS - All Roads Lead to Music Box and Metro

Jesse Malin is about as New York as you can get. How New York is he? Well, he’s in a Martin Scorsese movie for starters. Jesse got his start in the hardcore band Heart Attack before pivoting to the rough and ready D-Generation in the ‘90s.  After that band’s demise, Jesse made an even harder pivot when he turned to his acoustic guitar and released the Ryan Adams-produced THE FINE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION — in effect, reinventing himself as a rock and roll troubadour and NYC ambassador. And then about a year and a half ago, Jesse suffered a rare spinal stroke that threatened his ability to ever walk again. But in true LIFER fashion —and with the help of his community and his friends— Malin has soldiered on and is gearing up for a pair of benefit shows at the Beacon Theater on December 1st and 2nd that will mark his return to the stage. It’s a pleasure to have Jesse on the show this week to put some shit into perspective for us and talk about Johnny Thunders, CBGB’s, Bruce Springsteen, Ian Hunter, “Bringing Out The Dead”, Green Day, Rickie Lee Jones and a WHAT’S THE BEST?!? with The Clash. The future is unwritten, everybody!

196. LIFERS - Jesse Malin

Let’s face it. Most rock documentaries suck. But not BORN INNOCENT: THE REDD KROSS STORY. Why? Lots of reasons. There’s the great music, of course. And the way it’s sweet instead of cloying and self-effacing where it could be self-serving. But mostly? It’s the joy of listening to two funny guys telling a good story that’s worth hearing. Well, this week we have one of them on the show: Steven McDonald. A true lifer who’s been doing it since he was eleven (ELEVEN?!?) — he also happens to be one of the best rock bassists out there (AND an all around swell guy). On this episode we talk to Steven about “Crazy Horses”, Moose lodges, his brother Jeff, misbegotten childhoods, runaways, THE Runaways, Black Flag, Rodney Bingenheimer, taking a beer can in the face for the Melvins, comparing notes with Tommy Stinson, Air Supply’s gangster manager, and the I-told-you-so’s of life.

208. LIFERS - Steven McDonald

One of the all time great bands, L7 fused laugh out loud humor with a caveman punk aggression that made them stand out like a blistered sore thumb against the L.A. hair metal landscape of the late ‘80s. But they were chicks, man — so rather than be spoken about in the same righteous breath as the Stooges or the Ramones, the members of L7 had to put up with inane questions about Vixen(?!?). No matter. As with most awesome things, L7 are still here and their influence looms larger than ever.  On this episode we talk to co-founder Donita Sparks about Matthew Sweet covers, Epitaph records, the siren song of LA surf music, Slash records, Sub Pop, yacht rock, Rock For Choice, Milwaukee book makers, fights at Exit, John Waters, SMELL THE MAGIC, and we play the best round of what’s the best ever!

216. LIFERS - Donita Sparks

More than any other band from the ‘90s, Failure was a perfect fusion of technology and art. If you put on a Failure record — you knew it was gonna sound great. So it stands to reason that Failure’s new  documentary — EVERY TIME YOU LOSE YOUR MIND (now on HULU) — is gonna LOOK great. Perfectly shot. Perfectly edited. But what really elevates it above the current glut of streaming documentaries is an innate understanding of the simple art of storytelling. It sucks you in and never allows itself to become a cheap advertisement for the band. It helps that singer-guitarist-director Ken Andrews has a background in film and video production, but it also speaks to Failure’s entire career of meticulous high-production values and DIY quality control. It’s an ethic that persists to this day with a remarkable run of post-hiatus classics that began in 2014 with their comeback album THE HEART IS A MONSTER — an album that kicked off a successful and well deserved second act for one of America’s finest rock bands. One that actually merits a documentary about itself. On this episode we talk to Ken about ALL that stuff. We even touch on some stuff that ISN’T in the doc.

ALSO: We pick our favorite documentaries.

226. LIFERS - Ken Andrews

This week we welcome our ol’ buddy Art Alexakis to the podcast to talk about this little tour he’s doing with Scott in about two weeks from now. No big deal. We also talk about Art’s band Everclear, their major label breakthrough SPARKLE AND FADE (which turned 30 this year and is the reason for this little 2 month tour that Everclear’s doing with Local H and Sponge, by the way), their indie label breakthrough WORLD OF NOISE, California projects, Portland haters, ditch digging, sobriety, girl dads, smoking cigars with Butch Vig, Geddy Lee, Paul Stanley, and we pick the best(?!?) California songs (don’t worry, we didn’t let Art pick “Santa Monica”). PLUS: Scottie Rose tries to put the kibosh on all of it.

231. LIFERS - Art Alexakis

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Local H's major label debut album, Ham Fisted. To celebrate this milestone, the band has recorded and released a brand new re-imagining of the album, which they are calling reFISTED. On this special edition of song imploder Ben Reiser sat down with frontman Scott Lucas and G&P records head honcho Gabe Rodriguez for a deep dive into their thoughts and feelings about the original Ham Fisted as well as a thorough exploration of every track on the new release.

https://gandprecords.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooP2kEik_ANOdGL4WDSG6ZN-cEDL9dapWO1xasE0c7Be7ZwIvDv

232. LIFERS - reFISTED reIMPLODED

This week on another Road Report edition of the podcast: Gabe joins the band (and Karen) on the road for a few shows in his home state of Florida — so we make him drink a shitty NA IPA and record his reactions. That’s all that happens on this episode.

236. LIFERS - Road Report #24: Backstage in Orlando

This week on the podcast: That rarest of unicorns — a Road Report from the van! A salty green grape eating Scott calls in as the Local H tour travels from South Carolina to North Carolina. Plus: A Led Zeppelin What’s The WORST?!?

237. LIFERS - Road Report #25: Ass, Gas or Grapes (No One Rides For Free)

Local H is heading down the home stretch of their tour with Everclear & Sponge — so Scott calls in from the van to file one last(?)road report. Note: This episode contains only 3% of your recommended Halloween content. We BLEW IT!!!

238. LIFERS - Road Report #26: One Battle After Another

And that’s a wrap! After two months and 43 shows, the Everclear/Local H/Sponge juggernaut is OVER! Ronnie DiCola and Pete Beeman beam in to look back fondly on our favorite shows, favorite pizza, and anything else that comes to our frazzled mind about a tour that will surely go down as being one of our best ever. Thank you.

239. LIFERS - Road Report #27: So Much for the Afterglow

Just when Vinnie thought he was done with Scott — The LIFERS Podcast pulls him back in! Vinnie Dombroski —vocalist for the Detroit, Michigan band Sponge— is a hustler, baby. He’s a guy who fully subscribes to the inspiration/perspiration formula. Which is to say: Vinnie’s not afraid of a little hard work (he is, however, apparently afraid of food). On this episode we talk to our pal about Sponge’s unlikely origin story, switching from drumming to singing, growing up in the shadow of Motown, touring with Iggy Pop, driving George Clinton to the airport, career advice from Buzz Osbourne, and the joys of not remembering the ‘90s. ALSO: What’s The Best?!? is BACK!!! And we’re coming for you, Detroit!

240. LIFERS - Vinnie Dombroski

Punching through the post-Thanksgiving gravy malaise — the guys welcome returning champion Josh Caterer back to the podcast for a third time to talk turkey about the Smoking Popes/Scott Lucas/Menthol shows happening this weekend in Chicago (at the Bottom Lounge) and Milwaukee (at X-Ray Arcade). Sounds harmless, right? Surely, there’s no need for things to get dark. Or for anyone to bring up Eric Clapton. Right?

241. LIFERS - Tha Caterer III

Stacy Jones grew up thinking he was a drummer. Nope. Turns out he’s a "musical director". And no — that’s not a fancy euphemism for “drummer”. Don’t worry, Stacy will explain it to you. He’ll also talk about Letters To Cleo, Veruca Salt, American Hi-Fi, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, Aimee Mann, John Brion, Joan Jett, Fuzzy, Flaming Lips, Sheryl Crow and Madonna. That’s right. He’s played with all of them. (Still no Skunk Baxter sighting, though.) PLUS!: A new American Hi-Fi song?

242. LIFERS - Stacy Jones

Meatheads of all stripes populate this year’s LIFERS Christmas episode as we say goodbye to Rob Reiner, F U to Trump, and spout all sorts of wack shit to each other. Yup. It’s pretty black over here. And we’re sure we’d feel much worse if we weren’t under such heavy sedation. So join us as we blur that fine line between clever and stupid and NO! we’re not doing fucking Stonehenge! Merry Christmas, Marty.

243. LIFERS - A Meathead Christmas

This week’s episode is a two-parter.
In 
Part 1: Writer-director Richard Shepard is certainly NOT the kind of director that insists upon himself. He rejects the idea of being labeled an auteur and chooses the path of the journeyman — splitting his time between directing for television, while quietly chipping away at a filmography that is no more insistent than he is. Are you a fan of GIRLS, UGLY BETTY or HANDMAIDEN’S TALE? Then you’ve seen Richard’s work. Do you have a history of stalking around arthouse movie theaters since the halcyon indie-film days of the ‘90s? Then you’ve DEFINITELY seen Richard’s work: THE MATADOR, DOM HEMINGWAY, THE LINGUINI INCIDENT, THE PERFECTION. Do you have a weakness for essayistic documentaries about the even more revered cinema of the ‘70s? Then you LOVE Richard’s work. His seminal documentary on John Cazale (I KNEW IT WAS YOU: REDISCOVERING JOHN CAZALE) is a must for anyone wanting to know more about the late, great character actor. But if you want to know anything at all about Richard Shepard — look no further than Richard’s wonderful autobiographical FILM GEEK (now showing on HBOMax) — a personal remembrance of his father and the ‘70s movie theaters (and movies) that turned a young kid into a movie directing lifer. Not that you shouldn’t listen to this episode. You should totally listen to this episode. (Plus, Richard’s got a great David Bowie story for you.)

And there’s Part 2!: 2025 was a great year for movies (if not the movie business). Grab a pencil and take notes as Scott, Ben and Richard discuss their favorite films of 2025. It’s an informal WHAT’S THE BEST?!? that will give you some great ideas about what to watch next. Also, Gabe coughs a lot and sometimes uses the mute button.

244. LIFERS - Richard Shepard and the Best Movies of 2025

Selena Fragassi publishes more books before 9am than most people do all day. Just last year, the always hustling music writer and journalist wrote and published books about Alanis Morissette, Sabrina Carpenter, Greta Gerwig AND her latest:  PEARL JAM LIVE — a hefty and thorough tome covering the band’s 35 year history as one of the world’s best live acts (it also features a forward written by Scott, but we digress). In between all the manic book writing, Selena somehow finds time for her regular gigs writing for the Chicago Sun Times, monthly appearances on WFLD 32 and contributing to every publication and outlet from SPIN to Loudwire. This week we talk to Selena about life moments with Cameron Crowe, fan letters to Donnie Wahlberg, looking Chrissie Hynde in the eye, what to do when Jim DeRogatis trashes all your favorite bands, the ineffable awesomeness of Bonnie Raitt, the sue-happy UN-awesomeness of Gene Simmons, and getting mammogram advice from Debbie Harry. Pretty awesome. PLUS: Ben gets gonged and our buddy John Oakes calls in with a report from the front lines in Minneapolis.

245. LIFERS - Selena Fragassi

Picture the scene: It’s 1983 on the East side of town in Zion, Illinois! You’re hanging out at your buddy Russ Spice’s house. Playing Judas Priest songs on your Harmony guitars and watching “The Song Remains The Same” on MTV. Instead of James Dean in “Rebel Without A Cause”, our movie idol is Sean Penn as Jeff Spicoli (is it still playing at the Dunes?). Maybe later we’ll ride our bikes down to the lake and swim in the heated shadow of the nuclear power plant and pray that we don’t grow up to be toxic avenging freaks. And then, hopefully, we can scrape enough pot seeds together so we can smoke ‘em through a beer can and get a cheap buzz going — after which, we’ll convince ourselves we have the munchies and try to get Curt to spend his News-Sun paper route money on lunch at Pizza House. It was a glorious time…

246. LIFERS - Russ Spice and the East Side Kids of 1983

Saxophones. Am I right? Some people hate ‘em. Some people tolerate ‘em. Join us as we welcome returning champion John McCauley (of Deer Tick!) back to the podcast to discuss the BEST sax solos to ever sex up a rock song. Warning: This episode could get you pregnant.

247. LIFERS - The Joy of Sax with John McCauley

Scott’s back from his vacation and if you think that means he’s going to be all mellow and well-rested — well, then you don’t know Scott. This week’s episode is going scorched earth as we cover all the drama around the 30th Anniversary AS GOOD AS DEAD reissue debacle — which means plenty of rants about major labels, indie labels, and bootlegger bootlickers. But that’s not all! Scott is mad as hell and he’s not gonna take it anymore — so he also unleashes his inner-Howard Beal on internet trolls, mean music festivals, loud yawners, contractual indecencies, AI dogs, and (especially) those dipshit comment sections. It’s one battle after another over here at The LIFERS Podcast and nobody is safe.

248. LIFERS - The Doozie

Balthazar de Ley has a show with Menthol tonight. He also had a show with his other band Lightfoils last Friday. Plus — he makes his own amps with his own name on them (that you can buy, by the way). And if you pay him enough, he’ll even fix your broken non-Balthazar amps. The point is — he’s a busy guy. But he made time to sit down with us and talk about the BEST!?! debut albums of all time. What a guy! We also talk about the ‘90s Champaign scene, the ‘90s Chicago scene, Menthol is Mother, Poster Children, Hum, Honcho Overload, Menthol’s beleaguered and brilliant second (third?) record DANGER: ROCK SCIENCE!, working at R. Kelly’s studio, working for the Smashing Pumpkins, and OH, YEAH! Menthol is playing with Smoking Popes and Scott tonight in Milwaukee at X-Ray Arcade. Don’t forget your amp, Baltie!

249. LIFERS - Balthazar De Ley

A LOCAL H podcast with Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez, Ben Reiser, and a revolving door of friends, luminaries and beloved “lifers”.

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