The New Scene

Episode 280: George Hirsch of Blacklisted / Staticlone

Keith sits down with George Hirsch to discuss relocating back to PA from Chicago, growing up in Philadelphia, his introduction to the hardcore scene and the formation of Blacklisted. We also discuss the early days of Blacklisted, life on the road, George's shifting views on the band and the hardcore scene over the years, reconciling with the past, George's new band Staticlone, their creative process, band influences, writing their new LP "Better Living Through Static Vision", why Blacklisted is currently inactive, what George has planned for Staticlone and more.

Episode 279: Austin Kihn (Mind Over Matter Records)

The New Scene - Ep. 279: Austin Kihn of Mind Over Matter Records.

Keith sits down with Austin Kihn to discuss growing up in Michigan, discovering the straight edge hardcore scene, his early bands and leaving the touring life behind to start a tattoo shop. We also discuss Mind Over Matter Records, how the label was started by Austin releasing vinyl for Evergreen Terrace, the trial and error of Austin learning how to screen print records by hand, some insight into Mind Over Matter releases by The Juliana Theory, Bad Rabbits and others, what's coming up on the label and more.

Episode 278: Rocky Votolato (Suzzallo / Solo Artist / Waxwing)

The New Scene - Episode 278: Rocky Votolato (Suzzallo / Solo Artist / Waxwing)

Keith sits down with Rocky Votolato to discuss getting sober, adjusting to life without alcohol, the genesis of Rocky's new band Suzzallo formed after the passing of his child Kienan and how the band became a creative outlet to channel his grief. We also discuss Suzzallo's creative process, the writing of their debut LP "The Quiet Year", collaborating with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For a Cutie on the LP, Suzzallo's future plans, Rocky's early life in Seattle, his introduction to the music scene and witnessing the first Foo Fighters show, his early bands including Waxwing and some of their history, how Rocky transitioned to performing solo and more.

Episode 277: Doug Sabolick of PLQ MRX / Ecstatic Vision

Keith sits down with Doug Sabolick to discuss PLQ MRX, the evolution of the band, the writing of their new LP "Cumgitsum" and the band's creative process, collaborating with Tristan Shone in Author & Punisher, the band's live show, our thoughts on band and tour dynamics, Ecstatic Vision, the beginning of the band, the early writing sessions and how Doug developed his voice, some A Life Once Lost discussion and more.

Episode 276: Ryan Daniels of Hassan I Sabbah / Inland Years

Keith sits down with Ryan Daniels to discuss growing up in Andover, Massachusetts and discovering the local scene which included  the early days of influential bands like Piebald, Cave In and Converge, the formation and early days of Hassan I Sabbah and how the band quickly came together and recorded their first demos in Pennsylvania. We also  discuss the tumultuous history of Hassan I Sabbah, the band's tendency to push buttons and cause a stir with their intense live performances, navigating some of the internal and external conflicts of the band, their breakup, how the band reconnected and pieced together the discography LP for Iodine Recordings, traveling internationally across Europe, Asia and the Sahara Desert, Ryan's solo work in Inland Years, the future of Hassan I Sabbah and more.

Episode 275: Dave and Paula Lombardo of Venamoris

Keith sits down with Dave Lombardo to discuss collaborating with the Misfits and John Zorn, Dave and his family emigrating from Cuba to settle in Los Angeles, learning to play the drums, meeting Kerry King, the formation and early days of Slayer and some stories from Dave's time with the band. We also discuss collaborating with Mike Patton in Fantomas, Mr. Bungle and Dead Cross, meeting his wife Paula, collaborating with her on Venamoris, the making of their new LP "To Cross Or To Burn" on Ipecac Recordings, Dave's solo LP Rites of Percussion and more.

Keith also meets with Paula Lombardo to discuss growing up in Canada, taking piano lessons and discovering her voice at a young age, and moving to Las Vegas to become a backup singer and tour with Wayne Newton. We also discuss Paula breaking off on her own in Nashville to try and become a singer/songwriter, moving to Los Angeles, meeting Dave Lombardo and teaming with him to write music once again as Venamoris, the making of their debut LP "Drown In Emotion" and the new LP "To Cross or To Burn", Paula's creative process and more. 

Episode 274: John Maiello of Dead Bars

Keith sits down with John Maiello to discuss growing up in Central Jersey, discovering the local scene, John's early bands and his decision to move across the country to Seattle and form his own band. We also discuss the earliest days of Dead Bars, how John wrote and recorded the first demo solo, the first Dead Bars show which inspired John to make the band his main pursuit, signing with No Idea records and becoming the last new band released on the label, the making of the new Dead Bars LP "All Dead Bars Go To Heaven" and more.

Episode 273: Jack Beatson of Foreign Hands

Jack Beatson returns to the show and we discuss west coast vs. east coast living, Foreign Hands band dynamics now that Jack lives on the west coast, the wide range of individual influences in the band that contribute to their overall sound, the collaborative creative process behind their debut 2024 LP "What's Left Unsaid", recording with Will Putney, the pre production and recording process for the LP, Jack's personal pursuit of hidden gem hardcore bands from the past, recent tour stories from Japan and Europe plus more.

Episode 272: Jeremy Galindo of This Will Destroy You / You, Infinite

Keith sits down with Jeremy Galindo to discuss growing up in San Antonio, TX, early music influences, the early days of This Will Destroy You, the release of their debut record "Young Mountain", the positive reaction it received upon release, the moment Jeremy decided to leave everything else behind and focus on the band and the sacrifices he makes for his art. We also do a deep dive on TWDY's S/T, Tunnel Blanket and Another Language LP's, the recent creative split within the band and how they will function moving forward. We also discuss Jeremy's new band You, Infinite with former This Will Destroy You bandmate Raymond Brown, their debut Self Titled LP, the creative process behind making the record and more.

Episode 271: Mike Repasch-Nieves of SOM

Keith sits down with Mike Repasch-Nieves to discuss his early life in New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, moving to Boston, the formation of Junius, Mike's history with the band, his departure and the formation of SOM. We also discuss SOM's history as a band, their creative process and how it has evolved over the years, the remote recording process for their 2021 EP "Awake", SOM's "Faith" EP and how they decided to cover Depeche Mode, their latest LP "Let The Light In", the making of the record, overcoming self-critiques, the guitar gear Mike is currently using, the endless search for perfect tone and more.