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
176
Josh Ramsay (Marianas Trench)
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.
62 min
177
William Duvall (Alice in Chains, Neon Christ, B...
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.
78 min
178
Ice Nine Kills Halloween Special with Spencer C...
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.
29 min
179
Aaron Gillespie Pt. 3 (Underoath, The Almost)
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.
66 min
180
Scott Sellers (Rufio)
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.
56 min
181
Fred Mascherino (ex-Taking Back Sunday, The Col...
77 min
182
Donovan Melero (Hail The Sun, Nova Charisma, Si...
Episode 196 - Shane and his good pal Donovan sit in Shane's car shooting the shit while Hail The Sun is on tour in Toronto. The discussion includes how his new band Nova Charisma came about, co-writing with outside people, writing on a bass guitar (‽), juggling multiple projects - and still not loving police.
74 min
183
Matt McAndrew (SLAVES, "The Voice" finalist)
Episode 195 - Matt McAndrew, "The Voice" finalist and now the new lead singer of SLAVES joins the show! It's been a wild ride for Matt, who found himself auditioning and nearly winning Season 7 of "The Voice" before signing a record deal and releasing the hit single "Wasted Love". After meeting Kevin Thrasher of Escape The Fate just a few months prior, Kevin passed his number onto SLAVES, who cold called him FROM THE AIRPORT on their way to Europe after learning their singer Jonny Craig was bailing on the tour. On a whim, he took the gig not having any idea what he was getting himself into. Matt and Shane discuss his crazy entry into the band, his experience working with Adam Levine of Maroon 5, and a behind the scenes look of how shows like The Voice really work.
55 min
184
Anthony Raneri (Bayside) returns!
Episode 194 - SURPRISE! NEW BAYSIDE ALBUM! Anthony Raneri frontman of Bayside and Shane's good buddy joins the program to talk about the decision to drop a surprise album (on Oct 6!), his favorite and least favorite Bayside albums, baseball, living in Nashville, and a lot more!
78 min
185
Matthew "Murph" Murphy (The Wombats, Love Fame ...
Episode 193 - With multiple Platinum and Gold albums in the UK and Australia, and millions of records sold worldwide, The Wombats have become a household name in the Indie-pop world. Matthew Murphy joins the show and discusses moving to LA from Liverpool England, the "Dark Art" of songwriting, recent fatherhood, and his new solo project - Love Fame Tragedy.
53 min
186
Jake Luhrs (August Burns Red) Returns!!!
Episode 192 - Jake Luhrs, frontman of Grammy nominated metal heavyweights August Burns Red joins the show! While on tour with Silverstein supporting, Jake and Shane discuss the anniversary tour of their seminal album "Constellations", his faith and writing a book about it, playing bass on stage for the first time, and a lot more! Jake also ranks his favorite (and least favorite) ABR albums.
81 min
187
Casey Crescenzo (The Dear Hunter, The Receiving...
Episode 191 - You requested it and FINALLY here it is! Casey Crescenzo - the mega talented mastermind behind The Dear Hunter and former frontman of cinematic post-hardcore legends The Receiving End of Sirens joins the show! The discussion ranges from Casey's super musical upbringing, the demise of TREOS, his only ever music lesson, and Shane's confusion with the "other" band - Deer Hunter.
77 min
188
Dying in Designer
Episode 190 - Dying in Designer (Real name: Bobby O'Brien) joins the show fresh off his debut album! One of the hottest names in the "Emo Rap" genre, Bobby and Shane discuss his signing to punk label Hopeless Records, the importance of albums over singles, hitting rock bottom, and the meaning behind the title of his album "Nobody's Happy".
53 min
189
Ace Enders (The Early November, I Can Make A Mess)
Episode 189 - The talented and prolific Ace Enders joins the show! A long awaited guest, Shane and Ace talk about the upcoming The Early November album (out Sept 27th), how he was kicked out of one of his early bands, and the ill fated Early November Triple Album - which led to their break up in 2007.
72 min
190
Silent Planet (and Friends!)
Episode 188 - Fun episode! Recorded in August Burns Red's dressing room while they're on stage, Shane, Garrett and Thomas talk about worst podcast guests, Travis Barker, being a Christian band (or are they?), and a lot more! Also get ready for random cameos including members of August Burns Red and Silverstein.
78 min
191
Zech Pluister (Sleep On It, Bonfires)
Episode 187 - Sleep On It frontman Zech Pluister joins the show! About to release their (stunning) sophomore album on Sept 13, Zech discusses his wild upbringing with 5 brothers and sisters, his journey into the band, adapting to different song writing techniques, and the art of not just writing sad songs.
61 min
192
Daryl Taberski (Snapcase, Vault)
Episode 186 - Snapcase's Daryl Taberski, singer of one of Shane's favorite bands ever - and the band that got him into hardcore, joins the show! Snapcase burst out of the Buffalo, NY hardcore scene in the mid 90's and quickly became one of the biggest selling Hardcore bands ever. As Victory Records' flagship band, Snapcase was also one of the first underground hardcore bands to play Warped Tour. In 2002, they disbanded but left an incredible legacy. Shane and Daryl discuss his unique vocal style, playing shows again, the Buffalo music scene, and THAT snare drum.
54 min
193
Russ Rankin (Good Riddance, Only Crime)
Episode 185 - Russ Rankin, frontman of punk rock legends Good Riddance joins the show! Russ talks about the start of the band, their (awesome) new album written entirely by him, his relationship with Descendents/Black Flag drummer and producer Bill Stevenson, politics (of course), and his new job as a hockey scout.
51 min
194
Danko Jones
Episode 184 - Danko Jones is a busy busy man. Between his prolific career fronting The Danko Jones band, his podcast(s), book release and more, he is constantly putting himself out there. But his personal life and his views on politics have always been a mystery. We talk about that, his amazing career so far, and what's coming next.
61 min
195
Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance, Frank Iero and...
Episode 183 - Frank Iero, guitarist of My Chemical Romance turned lead singer joins the show! Frank and Shane discuss his near fatal accident in Australia sidelining him for over a year, his new album "Barriers" written about it, My Chemical Romance being bigger now than they ever were, Warped Tour memories, and the rumours of MCR's return.
51 min
196
Tiffany
Episode 182 - I think we're alone now!! Tiffany, 80's teen idol and pop icon joins the show!! I got the chance to hang out on her bus, share a bottle of wine with her and pick her brain. And wow - what a conversation! We discuss everything from her upbringing that led to her "divorcing" her parents, the amazing longevity of her career, the "gimmicky" TV shows she has done, and the Netflix documentary about her stalker fans. Check out her new album and her re-record of "I Think We're Alone Now"!
62 min
197
Daryl Palumbo (Glassjaw, Head Automatica, Color...
Episode 181 - Glassjaw's own Daryl Palumbo joins the show! An absolute legend in the Post-hardcore and NYC music scenes, Daryl talks about his upbringing when NYC was dangerous, his perceived "mysteriousness", Glassjaw not being "cool" enough for the indie labels, and stealing his grandparents Sinatra tapes to trade them in for Agnostic Front records.
66 min
198
Nick Diener (The Swellers, Wounded Touch, The A...
Episode 180 - The Swellers had a hell of a career. An underground skate punk band with a knack for providing the perfect pop-punk hooks at the perfect time - they got signed to Fall Out Boy's Fueled By Ramen label and went on tour with Paramore at their peak. But once the band started being told to tone it down with the "tweeting about pooping" and other antics - they were dropped - also at their peak. Nick Diener - frontman of The Swellers and now acclaimed producer joins the show to talk about what went right, what went wrong, his new hardcore band Wounded Touch, and if the Swellers might ever come back.
85 min
199
Ryan Key (Yellowcard, William Ryan Key)
Episode 179 - IT'S FINALLY HERE! Probably the most requested guest ever, (William) Ryan Key joins the show! After Yellowcard played their final show in 2017, Ryan wasn't sure what he was going to do. Jump forward a couple of years and Ryan is as busy as ever, releasing 2 solo EP's while producing records and even playing guitar and keyboards for New Found Glory on the side. Shane and Ryan chat about the "Gauntlet" he's currently running, his skatepunk upbringing, the "terrifying" end of Yellowcard, and the B-side Silverstein song Ryan sang on in 2011.
69 min
200
Marcus Bridge (Northlane)
Episode 178 - After the departure of former Northlane singer Adrian Fitipaldes, over 2000 people auditioned to be the new frontman for Northlane. Marcus Bridge, a 23 year old with no touring experience got the gig and hasn't looked back with the last 2 Northlane albums charting at #1 and #3 respectively on the Australian charts. Now with a more personal approach to songwriting, Marcus discusses his difficult entry into the band, and his even more difficult - and violent - upbringing in Sydney to heroin addicted parents.
61 min