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
301
Deryck Whibley (Sum 41)
Episode 74 - Sum 41's Deryck Whibley joins the show (at 8:30AM!) and talks to Shane (total fanboy) about his new found sobriety, the early days of Sum 41, the massive comeback they've made, and obviously Guns 'N Roses.
59 min
302
Dan Marsala (Story of the Year)
Episode 73 - Shane's good friend and Story of the Year frontman Dan Marsala joins the show to talk about the upcoming crowd funded Story of the Year album, what it was like to get so much popularity so fast, and what the band has gone through over 15 years of ups and downs. Bonus: Dan and Shane discuss their bromantic past.
61 min
303
Walter Schreifels (Quicksand, Rival Schools, Go...
Episode 72 - Huge episode! Gorilla Biscuits guitarist / Quicksand singer / Rival Schools singer / Youth of Today bassist Walter Schreifels joins the show. A wearer of many hats since starting Youth of Today in the mid 1980's, Walter discusses the early days of New York Hardcore, how he got the confidence to transition from guitar player to lead singer, and the move to a major label for Quicksand and Rival Schools. Also discussed are his new super group Vanishing Life and his other project Dead Heavens.
67 min
304
Scott Lewis (Carnifex)
Episode 71 - Carnifex's Scott Ian Lewis sits down with Shane before their show at Lee's Palace in Toronto. As frontman of one of the most "under the radar" bands in the Deathcore genre, Scott explains their struggle with former label Victory Records, their hiatus which got him through a hard period of time personally, and their revitalization and growth on the last two albums. Also discussed is Scott's approach to writing, his theatre background, and the current state of the Deathcore genre.
58 min
305
Matisyahu
Episode 70 - Gold selling and Grammy nominated Jewish reggae superstar Matisyahu joins the show this week! This super unique chat includes: his change in appearance and how it affected his career, trying to find that "lightning in the bottle" mainstream success again, having a cult following, the art of improvising on stage, and bringing children on the road.
66 min
306
Danny Worsnop (Asking Alexandria, We Are Harlot)
Episode 69 - Well, this is definitely my favourite episode yet! Don't let the shorter running time fool you, this one is action packed! Danny Worsnop explains his departure and return to Asking Alexandria, his wild and spontaneous youth, drinking and drug use, and the head scratcher of him starting his own solo country project.
52 min
307
Justin Pierre (Motion City Soundtrack)
Episode 68 - Motion City Soundtrack frontman Justin Pierre takes time away from cleaning his floors for a long chat with Shane. Recently, Motion City Soundtrack decided to call it quits after nearly 20 years of non-stop touring and putting out records both on indie and major labels. Justin and Shane discuss "retirement", his previous drug and alcohol problems, the struggles of singing and songwriting, the fake Silverstein/MCS beef on Warped Tour, and his upcoming solo record.
81 min
308
Alesana (Shawn and Dennis)
Episode 67 - Dennis and Shawn of Alesana take a little time out their day off on tour to call Shane from everyone’s favourite home away from home on tour - Starbucks. They talk everything from their enormous and unexpected success in Latin America, being a part time band, becoming almost completely DIY, and their elaborate song writing processes.
66 min
309
Scott Vogel (Terror, Buried Alive, Despair, Slu...
Episode 66 - Terror's Scott Vogel joins Shane after returning from Mexico where he was going through 2 weeks of surgery for his neck and back, after taking years of abuse as the frontman of various hardcore bands over the past 25 years. The conversation includes Scott's relationship with his family, the changing ethics in hardcore, "Vogelisms", and Shane's love of Scott's former band Buried Alive, who put out Shane's favorite hardcore record of all time. It's Shane's birthday today! If you want to buy him something on his Wish List, check out leadsingersyndrome.com/bday
79 min
310
Sherri DuPree-Bemis (Eisley, Perma)
Episode 65 - Eisley's Sherri Dupree-Bemis joins the show for a super honest and thorough chat about motherhood while still being a full time musician, getting signed to a major label at such a young age, taking over all the lead vocal duties on their new record, and her marriage to Say Anything frontman Max Bemis.
75 min
311
Jack Grisham (T.S.O.L., The Joy Killer)
Episode 64 - Today we have a real Punk Rock LEGEND on the show. Mr. Jack Grisham of T.S.O.L. joins Shane to talk about the band being back together and on the Warped Tour after their debut record came out 36 years ago. Jack, notorious for his on stage antics, says he "never thought he'd live this long", and talks about the early days of the LA Punk scene, his practice as a hypnotherapist in California, and the song "Code Blue" which features the classic horror punk lyrics, "I want to fuck the dead". An awesome listen.
54 min
312
Vic Fuentes (Pierce The Veil)
Episode 63 - Pierce The Veil frontman, and Shane's old buddy Vic Fuentes joins the show (finally) to discuss growing up with punk rock and the importance of still incorporating it into his music, staying grounded and still striking the drums, and why it takes Vic so long to write. He also talks about his very long warm up ritual before shows, and how his Mom prefers when he sings in a lower register.
68 min
313
Max Kerman (Arkells)
Episode 62 - Arkells frontman Max Kerman joins the show to discuss the massive success they've had in Canada (Three top 5 albums, two number 1 singles, and multiple Juno awards including Group of the Year twice), his unique upbringing and high school life in Downtown Toronto, and their very last minute band name change that they are now forever stuck with. Check out Lootcrate! It's a rad subscription service that brings you 4-6 pop culture items every month for only $20 a month. It's the best surprise you know is coming. Go to lootcrate.com/leadsinger and use promo code leadsinger to get $3 off today!
76 min
314
Davey Muise (Vanna)
Episode 61 - At 8 months old, Davey Muise (of Vanna) was left abandoned in a dresser drawer as his drug lord parents were busted by the federal police in a massive raid in Boston, MA. The police found him hours later. He was adopted, but his adopted parents had a divorce. Later in his life, he had a child with a women he loved, and after raising the child for 2 months, he found out it wasn't his. Davey fell into darkness of depression and addiction, only to pull himself out using music. Now, he's not only the frontman of Boston's finest Vanna, but also traveling around America speaking at high schools about his story, inspiring kids to find their passion.
82 min
315
Mark Rose (Spitalfield)
Episode 60 - Happy New Year! Between Christmas and New Years I went on my first ever solo tour, and I brought along my old friend Mark Rose, who used to front the incredible (and criminally underrated) Spitalfield. Mark has been playing solo for years, so I thought he could show me the ropes. We talk about the transition from band to solo artist, the demise of Spitalfield, Victory Records, and his "custom song" company Down Write.
75 min
316
Sierra Kay (Neaux, Versa Emerge)
Episode 59 - Sierra Kay of Versa Emerge and Neaux joins the show!
72 min
317
Matty Arsenault (A Loss For Words, manager of P...
Episode 58 - A Loss For Words frontman Matty Arsenault joins the show and describes their long career where they made plenty of friends, but never quite turned into a huge band in the pop-punk world. Matty discusses how playing with tough Boston hardcore bands felt natural, his dream to open a pizza shop in Japan, and how he picked up his newest gig, being the manager of Pvris.
60 min
318
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6 min
319
Rody Walker (Protest The Hero)
Episode 57 - This week we have a unedited (well mostly) episode featuring Rody Walker of Protest The Hero. The self-deprecating and hilarious frontman (“Most of the time it sounds really bad to me to be quite honest”) talks to Shane about finding his unique voice, struggling on tour, their unorthodox business model, catering to non-English speaking audiences, and how many bands these days in the metal world are using backing tracks. We also discuss Margot Robbie and having to go #2 outside.
81 min
320
Lynn Gunn (Pvris)
Episode 56 - Pvris frontwomen Lynn Gunn took time out of her busy recording schedule to join Shane for one of the most action packed episodes yet. At 22 years old, Lynn and Pvris have already played multiple Warped Tours, toured the whole world, and even performed at Lollapalooza. But with so much hype from their critically acclaimed debut record, how much pressure does she feel working on the follow up album? Other topics discussed include: being openly gay and how that factors into "Trump's America", taking vocal lessons and how her voice has changed since the first album, and her approach to on-stage banter.
77 min
321
Frank Turner
Episode 55 - Frank Turner (one of Shane's favourite artists) joins the show during a stop on tour in Toronto. Shane and Frank discuss getting older and the "2 day hangover", pushing yourself too hard, not minding using a tour pass at a festival, his 2000th show, and a lot more.
64 min
322
Craig Owens (Chiodos, BadXChannels, D.R.U.G.S.,...
Episode 54 - Craig Owens joins Shane this week to talk about his "roller coaster" career as the singer of Chiodos, supergroup D.R.U.G.S, and now his new project BadXChannels. Craig openly discusses his role as the "heel" of the scene, his departure and rejoining of Chiodos, the collapse of D.R.U.G.S, his polarizing personality, and what is was like to collaborate with Dr. Dre. Go Blue!
71 min
323
Caleb Shomo Pt.2 (Beartooth, Attack Attack, Sil...
Episode 53 - Happy One Year Anniversary Everyone! The very first guest to ever join Shane on this podcast for the inaugural episode is back..... Mr Caleb Shomo of Beartooth. It's been almost a year and a half since Shane and Caleb talked, they discuss: the hype machine that doesn't stop for Beartooth, feeling more and more comfortable in Caleb's own skin, but not 100%, the pressure of following up a hit debut album, and of course, Silvertooth! Silvertooth Lives.
69 min
324
Mike Hranica (The Devil Wears Prada, God Alone)
Episode 52 - The Devil Wears Prada frontman Mike Hranica joins Shane on the back of the Silverstein bus for a casual chat over some beers. Mike talks about the embarrassing beginnings of the band, his disdain for Donald Trump, feeling rejuvenated with new band members, and how he feels conflicted writing down "musician" as his occupation.
84 min
325
Chris Roetter (Like Moths To Flames, ex-Emarosa)
Episode 51 - Chris Roetter of Like Moths To Flames joins Shane on the Rise Records "Rise Up Tour" for a super honest discussion. Topics range from How To Get Signed to a label then versus now, being a secular band touring with Christian bands, and how to deal when the initial hype surrounding your band fades away. Bonus: Chris announces their re-signing back to Rise Records!
68 min