#38 - Branden Steineckert (Rancid, The Used)

Branden Steineckert is an American drummer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and a rare connective figure between 2000s post-hardcore and modern punk rock.Best known today as the drummer of Rancid, Steineckert first made his mark as a founding member and original drummer of The Used, helping shape the band’s early sound, identity, and breakthrough era. His work appears on the band’s self-titled debut, Maybe Memories, and In Love and Death, releases that went on to become platinum-certified touchstones for a generation of emo, post-hardcore, and alternative rock fans.After The Used, Branden joined Rancid, stepping into one of punk rock’s most respected institutions and continuing a career built on endurance, reinvention, and underground credibility. Beyond the stage, he has worked across production, songwriting, directing, brand-building, and sports culture, including Ghost Pickleball and his role as the creator of Real Salt Lake’s anthem “Believe.”In this episode of The Akiva Abstract, Branden joins Akiva Alpert for a conversation about The Used, Rancid, punk rock, survival, sobriety, reinvention, band dynamics, creative independence, and what it takes to keep building a life in music after decades in the scene.Follow Branden Steineckert: @brandensteineckertFollow Rancid: @rancidFollow Ghost Pickleball: @ghostpickleballThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert, 10% off your first monthMuse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9, use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze: https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6, use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber: https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs: use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI: https://prophetsofai.com/NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id…Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

Kevin Martin is the founding frontman of Candlebox, the multi-platinum Seattle rock band whose self-titled debut became one of the breakout rock albums of the 1990s.Candlebox was certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA and reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200, powered by defining singles including “Far Behind,” “You,” “Cover Me,” and “Change.” “Far Behind” became the band’s signature song, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later returning to the charts decades after its release.In this episode of The Akiva Abstract, Kevin joins Akiva Alpert for a conversation about Candlebox, the Seattle scene, songwriting, fame, survival, touring, the changing music industry, and what it means to keep moving forward after decades in rock and roll.Follow Kevin Martin: @iamkevinmartinFollow Candlebox: @candleboxCandlebox: https://www.candleboxrocks.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp — https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse — https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze — https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6 — use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber — https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs — use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI — https://prophetsofai.com/NordVPN — https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id…Mint Mobile — https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

Justin Pearson is an American musician, author, label founder, and one of the most singular figures in underground music.Best known for his work with The Locust, Dead Cross, Retox, Swing Kids, Deaf Club, Head Wound City, Some Girls, and Planet B, Pearson has spent decades shaping the outer edges of punk, hardcore, noise, grind, art rock, and experimental music.As the founder of Three One G Records, he has also helped document and define a fiercely independent world of confrontational, intelligent, and visually distinct underground culture. His life and work are the subject of the documentary Don’t Fall in Love with Yourself, which traces his role in underground music, Three One G Records, and the San Diego punk scene.Follow Justin Pearson: @justinpearson31gFollow Three One G Records: @threeonegThree One G Records: https://threeoneg.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp — https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse — https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze — https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6 — use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber — https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs — use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI — https://prophetsofai.com/NordVPN — https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id…Mint Mobile — https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

T.J. Miller is an American singer, musician, and the frontman of Still Remains, the Grand Rapids metalcore band known for blending crushing heaviness, soaring melody, emotional intensity, and atmospheric synths.Still Remains became a defining name of the 2000s metalcore era with albums including Of Love and Lunacy and The Serpent, released through Roadrunner Records. Their sound, live shows, and cult fanbase helped make them one of the era’s most recognizable heavy bands.Now, Still Remains return with their upcoming EP Spirit Breaker, out June 12.Follow T.J. Miller: @tjmiller_tjmillerFollow Still Remains: @stillremainsStill Remains Merch: https://stillremainsmerch.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp — https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse — https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze — https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6 — use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber — https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs — use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphetic AI — https://propheticai.co/NordVPN — https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902Mint Mobile — https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

Eric Victorino is an American musician, vocalist, and writer best known as the frontman of Strata, whose sound became a cult touchstone for fans of post-hardcore, alternative metal, emo, nu metal-adjacent, and cinematic 2000s rock. With Billboard Heatseekers chart history, rock-radio singles, and placements across The Punisher soundtrack, Madden, WWE WrestleMania, and the Elektra soundtrack, Strata became deeply embedded in the action-film, video-game, and alternative-rock culture of the 2000s — building a legacy defined by atmosphere, intensity, and catharsis.On this episode of The Akiva Abstract, Eric joins Akiva to discuss Strata’s legacy, the band’s rebirth, their new single “Soar,” their signing with The Artery Foundation, and the emotional force behind a body of work that continues to resonate with listeners drawn to intensity, atmosphere, and catharsis.Follow Eric: @ericvictorinoFollow Strata: @wearestrataWebsite + Merch: https://strata.bandThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderEmber: https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs: use AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI: https://propheticai.co/NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

Uwe Boll is a German filmmaker, producer, and writer known for becoming one of the most polarizing and recognizable independent directors in modern cult cinema. Boll built his reputation through video game adaptations and genre films including House of the Dead, Alone in the Dark, BloodRayne, Postal, Far Cry, In the Name of the King, and the Rampage trilogy. Uwe joins The Akiva Abstract to discuss Hollywood, critics, controversy, cult films, his upcoming action thriller Citizen Vigilante, coming in 2026, and his new zombie film 23 Years Later: The Castle of the Dead.Follow Uwe Boll:Instagram: @uwe_boll_filmsX: @uweboll7YouTube: @uwebollfilmsWebsite: bollfilms.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors: -BetterHelp: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert⁠⁠ (10% off your first month) -Muse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 (AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your order) -Ember: ⁠https://ember.com/⁠ -Eargasm Earplugs: AKIVA10 (10% off your order) -Prophets of AI: ⁠https://propheticai.co/⁠ -NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902-Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva 

Ryan Lu (@e.mo.tions) is an American creator, social media star, and podcaster known for blending astrology, manifestation, and affirmations into a massively popular digital platform. As the host of Delulu with Ryan Lu, Ryan turns “staying delulu” into a practical framework for confidence, growth, and real-world breakthroughs—alongside conversations with high-profile guests.The Akiva Abstract Sponsors: -BetterHelp: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert⁠⁠ (10% off your first month) -Muse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 (AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your order) -Ember: ⁠https://ember.com/⁠ -Eargasm Earplugs: AKIVA10 (10% off your order) -Prophets of AI: ⁠https://propheticai.co/⁠ -NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902-Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva 

Mike McKeever is an American musician, and vocalist/guitarist of the NYC industrial duo Heavy Halo. Their debut LP Damaged Dream dropped July ’25, followed by a U.S. tour with darkwave powerhouse Light Asylum. Next up: an official remix for Andy Bell (Erasure) arriving this December. Prior collaborations include Duran Duran, Alec Empire (ATR), Xavier Swafford (3TEETH), Kontravoid, Pictureplane, and more.From the Press: “raw emotion fused with cold machinery” (@PostPunkzine ), “thundering, soaring industrial metal” (@CvltNation), and “chunky riffs & EBM-panicked beatwork” (@Revolvermag ).The Akiva Abstract Sponsors: -BetterHelp: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert⁠⁠ (10% off your first month) -Muse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 (AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your order) -Ember: ⁠https://ember.com/⁠ -Eargasm Earplugs: AKIVA10 (10% off your order) -Prophets of AI: ⁠https://propheticai.co/⁠ -NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902-Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva 

Chloe Jane is a New York/Ibiza raised pop artist, DJ, visual director, and social media star. Her single “Famous,” produced by Tor Eimon and Jakke Erixson, pairs satirical lyrics with a high-fashion, camp video. Leading into Princess of the Night, she blends 2010s EDM euphoria with big-pop hooks.The Akiva Abstract Sponsors: -BetterHelp: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert⁠⁠ (10% off your first month) -Muse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 (AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your order) -Ember: ⁠https://ember.com/⁠ -Eargasm Earplugs: AKIVA10 (10% off your order) -Prophets of AI: ⁠https://propheticai.co/⁠ -NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902-Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva 

VIBI is a Canadian singer based in Los Angeles who made her TV debut on Netflix’s Building the Band, a chemistry-first music series that hit the U.S, The show hit the U.S. Netflix Top 6 during launch week. Off-screen, she pairs stage-ready pop with diaristic visuals and just released the new Venice-set “why you?” video. The Akiva Abstract Sponsors: -BetterHelp: ⁠https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert⁠⁠ (10% off your first month) -Muse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 (AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your order) -Ember: ⁠https://ember.com/⁠ -Eargasm Earplugs: AKIVA10 (10% off your order) -Prophets of AI: ⁠https://propheticai.co/⁠ -NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902-Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva