Episode 220 - BIG guest this week, in fact he's #47 in the world on Spotify as I type this! Ari Leff aka LAUV joins the show! Before reaching the top of the pop charts with songs like "I Like Me Better" (which is about to hit 1 Billion on Spotify) and "i'm so tired...", Ari cut his teeth in the Myspace scene, with influences ranging from Post-hardcore and screamo like Underoath and The Devil Wears Prada to mellower stuff like Owl City and pop-punk like The Starting Line. We talk about his start as a "behind the scenes" guy, touring with Ed Sheeran, his "fearless" approach to writing lyrics and also where to get a margarita the size of your head in North Hollywood.

Episode 219 - We have another LEGEND on the show this week! For over 30 years, 311 has been killing it with mainstream success and an amazing cult following as well. Lead singer Nick Hexum called Shane from his home to talk about the early days of dubbing tapes, moving by himself from Omaha to LA when he was only 17, and how great it would be to still own an island right about now. Also - Nick breaks down the stories behind the hits "Down", "Beautiful Disaster" and "Amber".

Episode 218 - Ronnie from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus joins the show! After a major label debut SMASH with their first album "Don't You Fake It" going platinum, TRJA struggled to top that mainstream success instead turning it into a rabid core fanbase and huge success on the Christian radio charts. Ronnie discusses everything from the early days of the band to their current "SoCal Punk" single, and talks about what it felt like to sing the national anthem - at an NFL football game.

pisode 217 - A heavily requested guest and one of the all time greats of the scene, Bert McCracken of The Used joins the show! While on tour in Albuquerque before Covid-19 ruined everything, Shane and Bert discuss the REAL beginnings of the band, Bert's addiction and recovery, and the new The Used album which Bert believes is their best one yet.

While under quarantine in Italy, Olga Svetlana talks about the current situation there with Covid-19, the band getting exiled from Russia for political statements, her intense stage presence (including flipping Shane off from the stage), their new bass player Nick Oliveri (of Queens of the Stone Age and Kyuss) and their new album "Disco Sucks".

Episode 215 - Jimmy Wizard (yes, that's his real name) of Higher Power joins the show! Shane and Jimmy discuss his hardcore roots, signing to a major label and the backlash (or lack thereof), his transition into clean singing, his second career as a tattoo artist, and the the 1989 classic Nintendo movie "The Wizard".

Episode 214 - Grammy award winning (and badass) front women Lzzy Hale joins the show! She talks to Shane about the slow and steady climb to the top of the charts, randomly jamming with Slash, having her Dad play bass for the band and what goes on behind the scenes while writing the sexually charged lyrics she's so famous for.

Episode 213 - Johnny 3 Tears of Hollywood Undead joins the show! Despite being incredibly intelligent and well read, J3T talks about his struggle with drugs, his criminal background, and the shift into family life - all while keeping up the stability of Hollywood Undead - fresh off the release of their 6 full length album, New Empire Vol. 1.

Episode 212 - IT HAPPENED!! Punk legend Milo Aukerman of Descendents joins the show! In 2016, Milo was laid off from his science job at DuPont (coincidentally enough where Shane used to work!) and came back into the fold releasing Hypercaffium Spazzinate, the first Descendents album in 12 years. Now with the band back, Shane and Milo discuss the time frame on a new album, the rivalry between Descendents and ALL, some cringeworthy lyrics of the past, and potentially Milo's first solo album - a ukulele album!

Episode 211 - Eric Vanlerberghe, co-vocalist of I Prevail joins the show Live in Downtown Los Angeles at the Fearless Records Pop-up! I Prevail has had an incredible album cycle with hit after hit and tons of radio success. To top it all off, they were nominated for 2 Grammys! During Grammy Weekend, Eric and Shane chat about the accolade, their massive setback on their headlining tour, and if they knew "Hurricane" was going to be a massive hit. Bonus: A random DTLA drifter asks a question!

Episode 210 - Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music joins the show! One of the nicest and hardest working guys in punk rock, Chuck talks to Shane about his upbringing in Florida (his Dad was a PGA Tour golfer), the humble beginnings of HWM and the Gainsville scene, and the breakup and reform of Hot Water Music - now celebrating their 25th year as a band.

Episode 209 - LIVE FROM LOS ANGELES! Shane sits down with Vic, Aaron and Telle during Grammy weekend to talk about whack tour stories, lyric writing, using steroids to get through shows, and Grammy nominations (or lack thereof). Special thanks to Fearless Records for putting this all together!

Episode 208 - Steel Panther's own Michael Starr joins the show! Fresh off their 5th full length album (!!) Michael talks about the early days of being a Las Vegas and LA resident cover band playing 5 nights a week to getting signed to a major label and focusing on their original music. Also covered is how many chicks Michael has slept with, getting tested for STD's - and on a serious note - his recent vocal surgery.

Episode 207 - One of the most influential bands in both metalcore and post-hardcore, Cave In has been making incredible records since the '90's. Stephen Brodsky, who got his start as the bass player in Converge, took over lead vocal duties for the band, who quickly made their name in the scene with their classic space-rock meets emo-core album "Jupiter". After signing to a major label, it looked like Cave In was bound to take over the rock world with tours with Foo Fighters and Muse. Although that never happened, Cave In still holds their place as one of the most important underground rock bands ever. Stephen discusses the early days of being a high schooler in Converge, becoming a lead singer overnight, and the tragic death of Cave In bass player Caleb Scofield.

Episode 206 - Merry Christmas! Piebald is back after 12 years with .... a Christmas EP? That's right, it's a bit random but it's awesome. So, fittingly on Dec 25th, Travis Shettel joins the show to talk about what he's been up to, the old days of the Boston scene, living in New Orleans, and an ill fated local show in Shane's hometown in 2001. Shane also recounts an embarrassing moment meeting the band.

Episode 205 - NEFFEX frontman Bryce Savage joins the show! From playing college baseball to heading up a marketing company Bryce Savage (along with bandmate Cameron Wales) asked himself … when was I happiest? Turns out it was when Bryce and Cam were making songs in their bedroom as teenagers just finding their music footing. With that inspiration NEFFEX was born, along with a fresh attitude that includes putting out a lot of music … 1 song every week, for 100 weeks (!). Now a seasoned, signed band, what’s next for the duo? Have a listen to this eye opening episode and find out!

Episode 204 - Shane's good friend Jeremy DePoyster of The Devil Wears Prada joins the show!! Shane and Jer reminisce about touring together (they've been on the same bill over 100 times), making up for lost time on the education front, TDWP's ridiculous song titles, and singing a lot more on the new TDWP album - "The Act" (out now!)

Episode 203 - Greg Barnett, co-frontman of Scranton turned Philly's finest punk rock band The Menzingers joins the program! We go deep in this one, talking about Greg's background and family life, his political science degree he's finally using (in his songs) and The Menzingers gaining sudden success after 10 years of touring. Greg also breaks down his lyrics about drinking and drugs(tores) from the new album - Hello Exile (out now!).

Episode 202 - Judah Akers, frontman of indie/country/impossible to label band Judah and the Lion joins the show!! Judah talks about the beginnings of the band and advice from "Uncle Don" which has kept them an independent band yet still have had amazing success in the form of a #1 hit, appearances on late night television, and a song featuring Kacey Musgraves. Calling in from Calgary in the middle of a 60+ date tour (!!), Judah and Shane also discuss his unique success, NBA basketball, and being away from home and unable to help deal with family issues like divorce and addiction.

Episode 201 - Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench joins the show! An incredible vocalist and accomplished songwriter (he co-wrote "Call Me Maybe") Shane and Josh discuss the dangers of music videos, songwriting techniques, playing 13 instruments, and Josh's interesting backstory growing up in Vancouver with professional musician parents.

Episode 200!!! We did it! What a milestone, and to celebrate I speak to Alice In Chains frontman William Duvall, who has been in the band since shortly after the passing of Layne Staley. Now, 14 years in the band and finally dropping his first solo album at age 52, William discusses his upbringing in the 1980's Atlanta Hardcore scene, run ins with cops and skinheads, his entry into AIC, and his take on what a true solo record should be.

Episode 199.5 - Happy Halloween! Everyone's favorite horror obsessed act Ice Nine Kills is KILLING it these days! I thought of no better guest for this special episode than frontman Spencer Charnas, who considers Halloween "almost a religious holiday". Spencer and Shane talk about the crazy (and highly successful) year INK has had, what he dressed up as for Halloween almost every year as a child, and their new deluxe release - The Silver Scream: Final Cut.

Episode 199 - He's back again! Underoath drummer/singer and The Almost everything-man Aaron Gillespie returns for a third instalment! Just 3.5 years ago, Underoath had only just talked about reuniting for a tour, and since they've released a new album and toured extensively. Now taking a break, Aaron has revived his solo project The Almost with a terrific new album "Fear Caller". Shane and Aaron talk about the challenges in recording this album, the wild ride Underoath has had, and how expensive cymbals are these days.

Episode 198 - Best known as the lead singer / shredder for SoCal emo-punkers Rufio, Scott Sellers is now a songwriting beast, putting out 4 solo albums in barely over a year. Self producing, self-recording and (sometimes) self-releasing, despite his prolific output the music quality never suffers. Scott and Shane reminisce about the old days of MP3.com, the demise of Rufio, Rufio's first tour ever (Shane was there!) and sort of/not really being labelled a Christian band.