This is Just a Phase

Welcome to the bonus content where I continue to chat w/ Martin Dunn, vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist of the band Less Than Expected. We chat more about their new album “Time Enough at Last” and discuss the concept behind it. We also play some songs as we analyze the album track-by-track. Hope you enjoy. +++ song included in this episode are from “Time Enough at Last” and are: “Tuning In,” “View Askew,” “Little Miss,” “Erotomania,” and “Plot Device.” - used with permission from Martin and the band.+++

On this episode I have the joyous experience of sitting down and chatting w/ my good friends Martin and Matt of the Ohio sludge punk band Less Than Expected. We chat about their long awaited brand new second album “Time Enough at Last.” We also chat about Martin discovering Homeless Gospel Choir and starting LTE as a solo acoustic outlet, Martin doing graphic design and comic art, moving up from Florida and life after Kimota Bombs, how Hunter and Dan joined the band, the importance and influence of past members, PunkHouse Records, dealing with mental health issues, and they share some funny stories along the way. So sit back and get fuzzed out w/ this episode of TIJAP. +++ (songs featured by LTE are: “Indolence,” “Eternal Sunshine,” “Astro-Draugr*,” “FauxCD,” “Animal House (acoustic version,)” and “Bipolar Opposites.” - songs used w/ permission from band. * appears courtesy of “The Ragnarawk Soundtrack.)+++

On this rad episode I get the honor of sitting down w/ all four members of Washington, DC punk band Curse Words. We chat about the formation the band nearly 10 years ago, their career up to this point, and bringing Nicole into the fold in 2021. We also discuss their latest album “It Was the Cursed of Times” (out now through Allegedly Records,) their influences, giving the band a fuller sound, the reasoning for concept albums, and so much more. So sit back and get apocalyptic w/ this episode of TIJAP! *** (sounds included in this episode from Curse Words are: “Fist Fight Father Time,” “404,” “Future Bones,” “Igneous,” and “The Morning Sun Has Vanquished the Horrible Night.” - used w/ permission from the band.) ***

I took the podcast on the road (and by the road I mean 7 minutes down the road) to Mom’s Basement Fest and had the pleasure of chatting with all 3 members of the NYC pop punk band The Lousekateers, El Chivo, DANIMAL, and GingerVal. We chat about the making of their brand new album MANDEMIC, out now, as well as their career and influences. We also chat about writing about politics without being a political band, having the opportunity to play Mom’s Basement Fest, their favorite songs to play, and so much more! I play a lot of tracks on here because the band was generous w/ their files and because I think the interview lead us to play more (so added bonus for you listeners!) So, please sit back and enjoy this rare live interview from TIJAP! *** (songs included in this episode are new and old ones: “Bubble,” “FTSC,” “Fanny Pack,” “Cockatiel Boy,” “Johnny Danger,” “Bonorrhea,” “On Fire,” and “The Silence.” - all used w/ permission from the Lousekateers.)***

On this really fun episode I get the pleasure of sitting with Gerry LaFemina, frontman of the Maryland punk band The Downstrokes and creator of the Savage Mountain Punk Fest and Arts Program. We chat about his band and their new album “This Close to Vertigo” (being released on 9/29/23 on CD, Vinyl, and Digital through a joint partnership from Allegedly Records and Coffin Curse Records,) along with the grant they received from the Maryland State Arts Council to help finance it, as well as their free release party the same day. We also chat about our mutual friends Bree Meyer, Jay Prozac, Mike Billup, and others, when our favorite music become elevator music and music featured in commercials, trying to play music and do a festival in the current climate of punk rock in the digital age, bands that have played the Savage Mountain Fest stage, and lots more. So sit back and enjoy this wonderful episode of TIJAP! *** (tracks played from the soon to be released The Downstrokes album “This Close to Vertigo” include: “Kaput,” “Moral Dilemma,” “UFO Baby,” and “She.” - used with permission.)***

On this fun episode I get the pleasure of sitting down and chatting w/ Tyler Adams (not THAT other Tyler Adams) from the Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada pop punk band The Follow Ups. We chat about the band, their partnership with Cellar Dwellers and Mom’s Basement Records, the formation of the band, moving from Ontario to New Brunswick, and the band’s plan on a new full length coming later this year. We also discuss his podcast, The Positive Punker, and talk about mental health, within the scene and individually, and the power of healing, plus what influenced him early on, and looking forward to punk and the next generation, physical releases vs. streaming, and working w/ Nick Spoon and Lesser Creatures. So get off your ass and dontcha miss out on this episode of TIJAP! *** [tracks by The Follow Ups: debut exclusive “Not Alone,” “Hey Yo (Ballad of Razor Ramon),” “Crystal Lake,” and “Love Letters to the Black Lagoon.” - used w/ permission.] ***

On this absolute blast of an episode I get the pleasure of sitting down and chatting w/ Vinny Marone, brainchild of the awesome Philadelphia-area punk band LOUD LOVE. We chat about starting the project as a way to cope during the pandemic and as a way to work w/ people he admired, using the band as a way to convey his variety of influences, our shared love of TwentyOne Pilots, and the way we can connect with our children through music. We also converse about LOUD LOVE’s new EP “The Price of Addiction,” the difficulty of maintaining the drive to play music and THAT unglamorous side of punk rock, the huge influence of Sublime on him and the genesis of their cover of “Same in the End,” and so much more. So sit back and enjoy a great conversation w/ this episode of TIJAP. *** (songs played in this episode by LOUD LOVE are the tracks “Just Fine,” “Hold Fast,” “Eternity’s Fire,” “Issues,” “Croaked,” and their cover of “Same in the End.” Used w/ their permission.)***

On this engaging interview I sit down with Steve Cee from the Tampa, Florida punk band RATH and the Wise Guys for a second time. We chat about his band’s recent Midwest/East Coast tour, their live split release w/ the Cutoffs, and their EP “In the Mirror.” We also talk about the positive vibe the band carries with them, wanting to reach as many people through their music, Florida being the Butthole of America (LOL, just joking people,) and much, much, more! So sit back and have a good time with this episode of TIJAP! *** (songs by RATH and the Wise Guys include: “Paradise,” “Anarchy United - Live,” “Stiffed,” “Nose Candy - Live,” and “Feel Something - Live.” All used with permission.)***

On this insightful episode I sit down and chat with Will West, vocalist and guitarist for the Baltimore power-skate punk band Paperback Tragedy. We chat about the return of all-ages show, growing older in the punk scene, his son following his footsteps into the scene, and the formation of the band. We also chat about PT getting attention in Japan despite never playing there, taking a break and forming Clockbreaker, how the pandemic stopped their stride after reforming, their work w/ Allegedly Records, plus lots of talk about their brand new album”8!” coming out Friday July 14th through Allegedly Records. So sit back and become a coastal warrior w/ this episode of TIJAP! *** (exclusive track from the new album “8!” opens the episode and it’s called “Nothing at All,” then “Smile On” from the new album, “Sticks and Stones” from “Ba Ba Twooshe,” “Divided” from “Threeshe!,” and “We All Die” from “8!” as well. Please enjoy!) ***

On this extremely fun episode one of my best buddies comes back for a 4th time, Nick Spoon from Lesser Creatures. He came back to promote their split w/ The Hawaiians, due out 7/08 via Last Exit Records in EU and Mom’s Basement Records in the US. But just like the previous 3 times the conversation derails into us clowning on each other, making each other laugh, and just genuinely having a good time. We cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, and we do get to topics such as writing songs quick and not overthinking, getting to work w/ Joe Queer, what his wife thinks about him writing songs about himself, and much more. Please enjoy this very fun and loose episode of TIJAP! *** (songs included in this episode are Lesser Creatures songs from the soon to be released split w/ The Hawaiians: “Brains on Toast,” “Knew It All Along,” “My World, & “Back to Meppen. - used w/ permission.)***