Lead Singer Syndrome with Shane Told

What is it like to be the lead singer of a band? Shane Told, frontman of the critically-acclaimed rock band Silverstein, brings you candid interviews with all of your favorite singers on this podcast. Is it really all sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll? Find out for yourself on Lead Singer Syndrome.

Music
Music Interviews
Music Commentary
251
Morgan Lander (KITTIE)
Episode 112 - Morgan Lander, frontwoman/guitarist of Canada's own groundbreaking all-female metal band KITTIE is the guest of the show this week! After getting signed when they were still teenagers in high school, Kittie's debut album went on to sell over 600,000 copies and was certified gold. Morgan and Shane talk about the wild ride on the way to the top, working with legendary producer GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine), their family upbringing with a "non-musical" father for a manager, the sudden death of guitarist Trish Doan, and their new upcoming DVD documentary and live album, featuring never before seen footage of the bands 20+ year career.
64 min
252
Justin Sane (Anti-Flag)
Episode 111 - Shane calls Justin on his parents landline telephone for an in-depth chat about the past and present of Anti-Flag. The discussion includes the disappointment of legendary venues, working with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, their experiences with major labels, and his upbringing in an Irish-American family in Pittsburgh, PA.
77 min
253
Chris #2 (Anti-Flag, White Wives)
Episode 110 - PART ONE OF A TWO PART MINI-SERIES WITH ANTI-FLAG…
78 min
254
Robb Flynn (Machine Head)
Episode 109 - Happy New Year!!!! The outspoken and always ente…
63 min
255
Donovan Melero (Hail The Sun, Sianvar)
Episode 108 - Lead Drummer Syndrome? Today we have the amazing singer/drummer of Hail The Sun, Donovan Melero. While on their first tour overseas with SIlverstein, we talk about their late blooming ways - finally signing to Equal Vision Records after being an underground band since 2009, his busy schedule also having a side job as a booking agent, and how difficult it is to play technical drums and sing at the same time.
64 min
256
Awsten Knight (Waterparks, Felony Steve, Death ...
Episode 107 - Awsten Knight, frontman of Waterparks, is this weeks guest! The always candid (and hilarious) singer/guitarist of Houston Pop-Punk sensations joins Shane on the phone from a Starbucks in Lafayette, Louisiana. At the tail end of their first ever national headline tour, they discuss getting discovered in an unlikely way, working with Benji and Joel from Good Charlotte, his strange hip-hop side project "Felony Steve", and why he has "beef" with John from The Maine.
79 min
257
Garrett Russell of Silent Planet returns!
Episode 106 - He's BACKKKKKK! So excited to have my friend Garrett Russell (Silent Planet) back on the show. On the eve of their big trek to Europe, we discuss their well deserved APMA award for Best Underground Band, his recent success at managing his own and other bands, doing Warped Tour in a van (!!)and their hustle for free food (and money!) on tour. Always a treat.
85 min
258
Tobi Duncan (Trash Boat)
Episode 105 - Trash Boat frontman Tobi Duncan joins the show to really talk some shit! All jokes aside, Tobi speaks candidly about the success Trash Boat has had so quickly on their first record, literally living his childhood dream of selling out the London Underworld, working with idol Dan "Soupy" Campbell and the pressure they're currently feeling having to make their sophomore album.
70 min
259
HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY!
HAPPY BLACK FRIDAY! Do you like band merchandise…
2 min
260
Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace)
Episode 104 - Stoked for this episode! One of the greatest Canadian bands of all time, the multi-platinum selling Our Lady Peace has been continually putting out great records since 1994's "Naveed". Raine Maida, frontman, songwriter, guitarist and producer joins Shane to discuss their incredible legacy, working as a producer with artists like Pink and Avril Lavigne, his marriage to Chantal Kreviazuk, and their tour celebrating 20 years since the release of the Diamond selling (!) album "Clumsy"
54 min
261
Dustin Kensrue (Thrice)
Episode 103 - Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue, one of the most requested guests, joins the show this week! We talk in depth about their constant reinvention of their sound, their die hard fan base, religion, signing to a major label, and how much he hates the vocals on the first 4 Thrice albums.
56 min
262
Josh Todd (Buckcherry, Josh Todd and the Conflict)
Episode 102 - Buckcherry frontman Josh Todd joins the show this week! An electric performer and true rockstar, his mutiplatinum selling band is known for hits like "Crazy Bitch" and "Lit Up". Josh and Shane talk about how perception isn't always reality when it comes to image, his upbringing in the 1980's in the California rock scene, the video shoot for "Crazy Bitch", and his new solo side project Josh Todd and The Conflict.
51 min
263
Halloween Special with GWAR!!!!
Episode 101 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN! On this special Halloween edition of LSS, I speak with The Berserker Blöthar of GWAR! Sometimes going by his "earth slave name" of "Michael Bishop", we discuss his entry back into the band after nearly 2 decades following the death of original GWAR frontman Dave "Oderus" Brockie. Also discussed is their stint on Warped Tour, how much work it really is being in a band like GWAR, and what happened the first tour when they started shooting blood on the crowd.
58 min
264
Episode 100 - Tim McIlrath (Rise Against)
HAPPY 100th EPISODE EVERYONE! To celebrate, I speak with my good friend, and frontman of Rise Against, Tim McIlrath. We talk about the formation of Rise Against from the ashes of another punk band, their extremely unlikely mainstream success and the story behind "Swing Life Away", and how important it is to continue to spread their message on a bigger platform. An eyeopening must listen!
81 min
265
Matt Heafy (Trivium)
Episode 99! THE GREAT ONE Matt Heafy of Trivium joins the show! 4 years ago, Matt completely blew out his voice. Since that moment, which he thought was the end of his career, he's worked incredibly hard in all aspects of his life. We discuss his intense warm up and practice schedule, his recent love of Brazillian Jiu-jitsu, his pop-punk roots, and how it was to deal with Hurricane Irma.
60 min
266
Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens)
Episode 98 - Big episode! The very talented and charismatic Kellin Quinn joins the show to talk about the radical change of sound on the bands new album "Gossip", his views on gun control, and admitting he has a problem with alcohol. A must listen.
66 min
267
Sebastien Grainger (Death From Above)
Episode 97 - Drummer/Singer of Death From Above (1979) Sebastien Grainger joins the show! We talk about their return with a new album, the challenges of being a 2 piece band, and how hard it really is to play drums and sing at the same time.
62 min
268
AJ Perdomo (The Dangerous Summer)
Episode 96 - Shane gives AJ Perdomo of The Dangerous Summer a call, to discuss THEIR RETURN! Exciting news! They're back, with a new album already finished. AJ speaks of what caused the demise of the band, his vocal style on their last album, and what he's been up to for the last 4 years. A super honest discussion and a must listen!
59 min
269
We Came As Romans (Kyle Pavone and Dave Stephens)
Episode 95 - We Came As Roman is back! To celebrate, both Dave AND Kyle, co-frontmen of the band are on the show. We discuss them taking some time off to find themselves both musically and personally, how they write vocals and lyrics together, their new label Sharptone Records and how their side projects helped shape the sound of the new WCAR record. We also discuss bad band acronyms, leaving the hard partying days in the past, and how they’re moving forward - by checking their egos at the door. RIP KYLE
56 min
270
Roger Miret (Agnostic Front, Roger Miret and th...
Episode 94 - Roger Miret is a true New York Hardcore legend. As the frontman of Agnostic Front, he has been at it since 1980. His story however is not so simple. Born in Cuba, his parents moved to NYC and he faced and extremely abusive childhood, eventually living on the streets, and also served some time in prison for drug trafficking. Now happily married and living in Arizona, he has written a brand new tell-all book chronicling the stories he faced growing up, the hardcore scene and his time locked up. Shane and Roger discuss the behind the scenes stories of the book, and of course what it’s like to be considered one of the “Godfathers of hardcore”. My Riot: Agnostic Front, Guts, Grits and Glory is out now! Buy the book on Amazon: Use link: leadsingersyndrome.com/amazon
57 min
271
James Hart (Eighteen Visions, Burn Halo)
Episode 93 - Shane jumps on the phone with Chicago sports fan, Game of Thrones junkie, and frontman of Eighteen Visions, James Hart. One of the most respected bands in the 90's and 2000's hardcore scene, Eighteen Visions was not only known for their technical and heavy riffs, but also their image, often referred to as "Fashioncore". Now, back together with a new album in 2017, Shane and James discuss being straight edge in your late 30's, his major label experiences, his musical influences, and yes - Fashioncore.
65 min
272
Josh Scogin ('68, The Chariot, Norma Jean)
Episode 92 - Shane sits down with his buddy and '68/The Chariot/ex-Norma Jean frontman Josh Scogin. One of the most critically acclaimed heavy bands of the last decade, The Chariot announced their breakup suddenly in 2013 after a Warped Tour stint where they were arguably as big as ever. Shortly after, Scogin announced his new project '68, a 2 piece band where he now picked up the guitar as well. We talk about the learning curve of becoming a guitar player/singer, looking back on the legacy of The Chariot, touring in Siberia, and the time Silverstein covered The Chariot in their hometown.
71 min
273
Dennis Buckley (88 Fingers Louie, The Story So ...
Episode 91 - Dennis Buckley of 88 Fingers Louie sits down with Shane to talk about being back on the road with a new album after almost 2 decades, watching his ex-bandmates get huge in Rise Against, and the mix up with another band called The Story So Far.
71 min
274
Cole Becker (SWMRS)
Episode 90 - SWMRS frontman Cole Becker takes time out of his busy schedule and joins Shane between lunch and soundcheck while on tour in Providence, Rhode Island. Starting his first band Emily's Army when he was barely a pre-teen, he learned the ropes from his best friend and SWMRS drummer's father, who happens to be Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day. Now 22, Cole has found his own voice and sound, and he discusses Art vs. Business, how to rev up a crowd of young fans, and his mega crush on Miley Cyrus.
58 min
275
Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed, The Jasta Show)
Episode 89 - Hatebreed's own Jamey Jasta sits down with Shane on the very last day of Warped Tour outside the bus in Pomona, CA. Never one to not speak his mind, Jamey and Shane discuss the Victory Records days, keeping their talking/screaming voices in check, Jamey's very successful podcast, and Hatebreed once being sabotaged and called a racist band.
69 min