Stay ConnectedBlowing Smoke with Twisted Rico, hosted by music industry veteran Steev Riccardo, brings you weekly conversations with the people who make the music world go round — musicians, songwriters, producers, label execs, roadies, publicists, and more. Each episode also serves up fresh new music picks, honest song reviews, and no-shortage-of-stories rock ‘n’ roll road tales
Follow along on Instagram @blowingsmokewithTR, or reach out to Steev directly at twistedrico@gmail.com.
Copyright: © Steev Riccardo
This episode features brothers and bandmates Jacob and Nicolas Bitove of Toronto's self-described "punktronic" band ROMES, here to talk about their brand new album Sonic Trash.
If you haven't discovered ROMES yet, they've been carving out a gritty, high-energy sound that blends raw rock attitude with glitchy electronic vibes. Sonic Trash leans hard into that aesthetic — distorted synths, punchy beats, and a chaotic DIY energy that somehow feels both nostalgic and fresh. Drawing from industrial, dance-punk, and hints of '90s grunge, it's loud, a little messy in the best way, and absolutely full of personality. The kind of record where it sounds like they hit "record" and just went all in.
Music Clips by Black Helicopter, Tad Overbaugh, Shurr Jr, Speedfossil, and Romes
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
Please support this podcast at patreon.com/twistedrico
In the episode, we're joined by Ramona Lundberg of the Norwegian pop punk band Ramona's Tea Party to discuss their new album, Pour Your Heart Out.
Music clips from Ramona's Tea Party, The Zulus, The Long Wait, The Charms, The Dogmatics
Produced & Hosted by Steev Riccardo
In this epsiode, we are joined by Bill Hein and Andrew Zicklin, co-owners of Label 51 Recordings and Flatiron Recordings both based in Denver Co. We get into both labels, plus some history between Bill and the host, who worked together at Enigma Records back in the 80’s.
Music Clips by The Charms, The Dogmatics, Victory At Sea, Black Helicopter, The Long Wait , and Applied Knowledge
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
In this episode, we're joined by rock star, actor, radio personality, and one of the coolest dudes around — Michael Des Barres. We look back at his remarkable life of rock 'n' roll and acting, which included bands like Silverhead, Detective, Chequered Past, and The Power Station, along with a stellar assortment of TV and film appearances. These days, Des Barres is back in the rock ring with his explosive new single "Kiss or Kill Me" on Rum Bar Records — and he's here to tell us all about it.
Music Clips from The Charms, The Dogmatics, Blame It On Whitman, The Long Wait, The Zulus, and Michael Des Barres
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
Tad Overbaugh is one of Boston's finest songwriters — criminally under the radar, but not for much longer. Tad crafts a sound that's been beautifully described as "alt-country music viewed from Boston," a gritty, lived-in blend of roots rock, Americana, and dive-bar pop that draws comparisons to The Replacements, Drive-By Truckers, and Steve Earle. It was fellow Boston-based songwriter Tom Baker — a man whose taste we've long admired — who essentially grabbed us by the collar and told us just how good this guy is. And Tad's new record is all the proof you need.
Music Clips by The Charms, The Dogmatics, The Zulus, Black Helicopter, and Tad Overbaugh
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
In this episode, we are joined by Ali Lipman and James Christopher of the up and coming Boston emo-punkers Cape Crush! These guys have been tearing it up since around 2021 with anthemic, high-energy tracks that blend raw emotion with seriously catchy punk rock.
Music Clips from The Charms, The Dogmatics, The Long Wait,
Blame It On Whitman, and Cape Crush are included in this epsisode.
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
This is the pilot episode of a new podcast currently in development called Out On The Couch. Chris Doherty of Gang Green wrote the song that inspired the podcast, so there’s no better way to kick things off than with our friend Chris.
Music by Gang Green, courtesy of Taang!
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
Harold Bronson is a true pioneer of the American independent record scene. As co-founder of Rhino Records, he helped build the label into America’s leading reissue powerhouse, preserving decades of rock history through beloved compilations like Nuggets.
Earlier, while attending UCLA, Bronson was a music writer and a founding member of the early ’70s L.A. band Mogan David & His Winos.
His memoir, "Time Has Come Today" captures that journey through unforgettable stories of early L.A. and legendary artists—many of which he shares with us on the show. Its a wild rock n roll ride....
Music
The Charms "So Pretty" "Don't Let Me Down"
The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll"
Ape Hangers "She Comes Again"
The Long Wait "Your Plight"
The Love Me Nots "Fall Down"
The Prime Movers "Where Its At"
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
On this epsiode we are joined by Sandy Skye Netburn, a New York–based singer, songwriter, and guitarist crafting songs through the lens of teenage life. With sharp wit, modern language, and emotionally charged melodies, her music blends humor and honesty to spark inspiration and goosebumps. And she is a great guest!
Music
The Charms "So Pretty"
The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll"
The Long Wait "Your Plight"
Greg Allen's Fringe Religon "She's Stones"
Blame It On Whitman "Bad Mood Walkin"
Ape Hangers "She Comes Again"
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
Kerrin Connolly is about as DIY(Do It Yourself) as it gets as is evidenced by her body of work. She writes the songs, plays all the instruments, makes the recordings, and ultimately manages, promotes, book, and markets it all. And did we mention she's really good at it.
Music Clips:
Kerrin Connolly "Quiet"
The Charms "So Pretty"
The Dogmatics "I Love Rock N Roll"
Greg Allen's Fringe Religion "She's Stoned"
Black Helicopter "Egypt MA"
Ape Hangers "She Comes Again"
Produced and Hosted by Steev Riccardo
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