The LIFERS Podcast

Latest Episodes:

110. LIFERS - Jimmy Flemion Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Hey, everybody! It’s Jimmy Flemion from The Frogs!!! And we can scarcely believe it. To coincide with the elusive Mr. Flemion’s rare public appearances this week (tonight in Milwaukee and Saturday night in Chicago —with Scott opening up!) we were lucky enough to get the man on the podcast to talk about the forthcoming Frogs documentary, growing up in Milwaukee with his brother Dennis, glam rock, The Kinks, being in a band with Sebastian Bach, the sweet embrace of grunge, the Dio documentary, Pat Robertson, Smashing Pumpkins, and a certain Go-Gos cover gets the Song Imploder treatment.

109. LIFERS - Todd Philips Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Todd Philips has it all figured out. He’s got an artistically fulfilling day job in film editing that affords him the time to go on tour when the opportunity presents itself. He’s made a wonderful life in L.A. for himself while remaining super-tight with his Boston rock family. And —most importantly— he knows “Paddington Bear 2” is the best movie of all time. On this episode we talk to Todd about playing drums for Juliana Hatfield, Bullet Lavolta & the Lemonheads — touring with Soundgarden, getting screwed by Lita Ford, being a sorta “brother in law” to David Yow, teaching Scott to ski, Pedro Pascale, and why drummers make the best editors. PLUS!: “All The Kids Are Right” gets the Song Imploder treatment. You’re welcome?

108. LIFERS - Aly Jados Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

Cool people don’t really like to talk about themselves — and Aly Jados (of the super awesome Chicago band Blood People) is really cool, so she REALLY doesn’t like to talk about herself. But all that reserved reticence won’t stop the guys from pestering Aly about her dad’s guitar, scary band names, her new Monday bowling nights, making heavy music that’s catchy as fuck, singing Steven Tyler songs in front of Steven Tyler, favorite Metallica songs, Punky Brewster, ghosts, and Gabe’s scented balls.

107. LIFERS - Jim Rota Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

After a crazy weekend featuring a Local H show at The Metro, the guys get together and talk about underwhelming concert shirts, the Chicago mayoral election (sorry, Lori), and being on baby watch. And then our new pal Jim Rota of Fireball Ministry & The Company Band pops in to liven up the joint and talk about touring with Dio, making movies with Dave Grohl, Pop Up Video, Sonic Highways, Lemmy, Scott Reeder, Beck royalty checks, the Chronicles Of Narnia, and being a rock and roll Forrest Gump. You’re gonna love this guy.

106. LIFERS - What’s The Best?!?: Covers Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

On a happy Local H At The Metro Day, the guys count down their favorite covers. What’s the best?!? PLUS: Devil Gaby, These Are The Daves I Know, the Boston Globe calls us “dude-centric”, Gabe sold some books, Shmoo sucks, Mix Master Ben dredges up a traumatic childhood memory for Scott, and What’s The Most Un-Punk Thing Gabe Did This Week?

105. LIFERS - Walter Schreifels Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

We finally got Walter! Our ol’ buddy Walter Schreifels has been in more bands than you’ve had hot lunches and on this episode we tried (TRIED!) to get to all of them. We failed, of course — but here’s some of what we DID get to: Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, Rival Schools, Youth Of Today, Gabe’s “Good & Plenty” zine, recording “Slip”, CIV, Don Fury, The Ramones, Walter sings the hits, Gabe’s Gorilla Biscuits jacket, Walter plays “La Grange”, and Ben whiffs hard on Van Halen. And oh yeah—before we forget. Thank you, Walter! https://deathwishinc.com/collections/iodine-recordings/products/quicksand-slip-deluxe-book

104. LIFERS - Dee From Radkey Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

At 29, Dee Radke is the youngest guest we’ve had on the show — but even if you were to stack a group of 50 year old lifers twenty feet high, you still couldn’t out-lifer the guys in Radkey. On this episode we talk to Dee about bands of brothers, the influence of Richard Linklater’s ‘School Of Rock’, Fishbone hitting on your mom, touring with Foo Fighters, Jack White’s big hugs, dodging Covid on tour with Local H, video games, and Scott busts out an impromptu preview of the LIFERS movie. PLUS!: The guys give their picks for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. You’ll never guess Gabe’s number one.

103. LIFERS - Gene Ambo Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Chicago photographer Gene Ambo has shot more bands than you’ve had hot meals (and some of you really need to stop posting pictures of those meals). On this episode we talk to the long lens legend about his excellent photo book (HEAVY METRO: ACCESS ALL ERAS), shooting Motörhead (minus Fast Eddie), Lemmy’s short shorts, the heyday of rock magazines, fake blood with Samhain vs. real blood with Iggy Pop, getting in on the ground floor with Metallica, Paul Natkin, the days of actually mailing shit, and Ben finally gets a good Enuff Z’nuff story. PLUS!: The guys have Oscar fever — so they’re giving their picks for who will win, who should win, and who REALLY should win.

102. LIFERS - Justin Slazinik Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Sullen is one of the great bands of the ‘00s and Justin Slazinik —who, along with Shanna Kiel, was the co-leader of that band— is one of the great songwriters of the era. And now he’s back with a new band (called Slazinik, appropriately enough) and a great new record that comes out in April (called LICK ‘EM TOMORROW — equally appropriate!). On this episode we talk to our ol’ buddy about Sullen, Left Brain Heart, secret tour languages, being a sandwich artist, getting sober, THICK records, baseball, and OutKast. Welcome back, Justin. PLUS!: What do you call that hair that’s on Scott’s face?

101. LIFERS - Allen Epley Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

When word got out that Allen Epley from Shiner and The Life And Times was moving to Chicago, folks were pretty happy about it. Not surprising. You know when people use that phrase “he’s a solid dude”? They’re usually talking about Allen. On this episode, Mr. Epley takes time out from hosting his own podcast —the excellent Third Gear Scratch— to talk to us about his excellent new solo album (called EVERYTHING), his excellent gig with Blue Man Group, the excellent Kansas City rock scene, opening for Shooting Star (excellent!), Chapman Sticks (excellent?), and Broasis — his excellent Oasis cover band. On a scale of one to excellent, this episode is pretty good.

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