On this week’s episode we have a laid back hang with our friend Chris Anzolone — a great drummer and a long time fixture of the Boston music scene who, in a stroke of mid-life clarity, decided it would be fun to run a record store. So he bought Boston’s Stereo Jack’s and VOILA! He’s the proud owner of a record store in the Somerville area. There’s a little more to it than that — and we get into it. ALSO: Pesto, being a working musician, football vs. football, Evan Dando on the Vineyard, Dolly Parton, and Gabe finally says the “p” word.

93. LIFERS - Chris Anzalone

We’ve been trying to get Mahmood Saikh on the show almost since the podcast started. And finally, he has relented, but with the caveat that he be allowed to appear not as a traditional guest —oh, no, no!— he wanted to be treated as “just one of the guys”. A panel position, if you will. Fine. We accept you. One of us. The indie-rock booking-agent maestro DID send us a bio, however — so here it is: 

“Mahmood Shaikh is an agent at Concerted Efforts. He represents a wide range of artists including Algiers, Boris, Frankie Rose, Jawbox, Karate, Mr Twin Sister, Nothing, SURVIVE, Ted Leo, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and many others in North America and other territories.  Previously, he was an agent at Flowerbooking, Inc. where for over a decade he sat next to the guy that booked Local H. 
 
Last name is pronounced “Shake”.”

Anyway, on this episode we talk about Mahmood’s love of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Scott’s Global Entry worthiness, 1982, Michael, Commie Liberal Pinko Tuesday, upside down pizza, U2 cover bands, Gabe’s fever for Pac-Man, and finally — COVERBOY: Chicago’s newest super-group. This is Ben’s kind of episode. Gooble gobble.

112. LIFERS - Mahmood Shaikh

In August of 2023, three Chicago residents disappeared in the woods near Elkhorn, Wisconsin while recording a podcast... 
A week later their recordings were found.

132. LIFERS - Sleepaway Glamp

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! On this special mini-edition of The LIFERS Podcast we discuss the greatest Thanksgiving TV episode of all time: Episode 7 of WKRP IN CINCINNATI — “Turkeys Away”. Oh, the humanity.

145. LIFERS - Gabe Rodriguez’s Thanksgiving TV Corner: WKRP

Scott has a lot of friends who are also great songwriters. But none of them are geniuses. Except for Kevin Tihista. This week we finally welcome the legendary singer-songwriter to the show. We talk to Kevin about his musical influences, growing up in Santa Cruz, being an extra in “The Lost Boys”, playing bass for Triplefastaction, the difficult transition to solo artist, embracing life as a recluse, his new band Housesitters, and the valuable advice he received from Bob Dylan. Don’t miss out on this one.

162. LIFERS - Kevin Tihista

If you were at all worried that famed Chicago rock critic, SOUND OPINIONS co-host, and prickly pear-par excellence Jim DeRogatis might be mellowing with age — fear not! We’re here to assure you that Jim is just as fearless and opinionated as ever. And it’s a delight. On this episode he talks about being transformed by Lester Bangs and The Velvet Underground, seeing The Feelies 100 times, 8 1/2 months of Rolling Stone, 22 years of R. Kelly, assholes at The Sun Times, Wire cover bands opening for Wire, getting the truth out of Genesis, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? drummers.

182. LIFERS -Jim DeRogatis

You’re listening to SONG IMPLODER — where musicians take apart their songs piece by piece and tell the story of how they were made. And then talk shit about those songs and make you embarrassed you asked about them in the first place. On this episode we examine Local H’s 5th studio album: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? Released in April of 2004, the album marked a major stylistic departure and reevaluation for the band — paving the way for all that’s come in its wake. Now on the eve of a remastered re-release, we join singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott Lucas, producer Andy Gerber, and master of his domain Gabe Rodriguez to look back on the writing, recording and reception of the album that Lucas and many of the band’s fans have come to see as their finest. I’m Ben Reiser.

187. LIFERS - Album Imploder: Whatever Happened To PJ Soles? (Side 1)

You’re listening to SONG IMPLODER — where musicians take apart their songs piece by piece and tell the story of how they were made. And then talk shit about those songs and make you embarrassed you asked about them in the first place. On this episode we conclude our examination of Local H’s 5th studio album: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? Released in April of 2004, the album marked a major stylistic departure and reevaluation for the band — paving the way for all that’s come in its wake. Now on the day of a remastered re-release, we join singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott Lucas, producer Andy Gerber, and master of his domain Gabe Rodriguez to look back on the writing, recording and reception of the album that Lucas and many of the band’s fans have come to see as their finest. I’m Ben Reiser.

188. LIFERS - Album Imploder: Whatever Happened to PJ Soles? (Side 2)

Local H are STILL on the road. So you know what that means. ANOTHER ROAD REPORT!!! But this time we’re dragging Sincere Engineer’s Deanna Belos into the hotel chat room to talk about laundry, P.J. Soles movies, Riot Fest, New Found Glory tours, M.A.S.H, Hootie & The Blowfish, Bruce Springsteen noogies, and (as promised) a supersized round of WHAT’S THE BEST?!?: Novelty Songs.

190. LIFERS - Road Report #20 (Sincere Engineer edition!)

Hey, everybody! It’s Ronnie DiCola!!! The WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? tour is in the home stretch as we welcome the third partner in the Local H throuple to the show. For the very first time! You’d think we’d take this opportunity to query Ronnie about his hopes and dreams and history playing drums in Chicago institutions like The Arrivals and All Eyes West. But noooo! We squander that chance with inane chatter about Was Not Was, Three 6 Mafia, Gabe’s cats, WHAT’S THE BEST?!? road movies, boob jokes, the fucking LIFERS movie, and a skit about Kris Kristofferson (R.I.P.!) and Toby Keith.

191. LIFERS - Road Report #21 (with Ronnie DiCola!)

Ben's got a head cold. Gabe's got cats. Scott and Ronnie are holed up in a haunted hotel room in Utah so naturally the conversation turns to merch lines, REM vs Van Halen, the LIFERS movie, and our favorite subject these days: dinosaurs. Also, you've got lots of questions, and we've got some answers. It's a road report, people!

192. LIFERS - Road Report #22: The Last In Line

Okay… Well, that was a LOT! In many ways, this last Tuesday & Wednesday in Wrigleyville (let’s call it LOCAL H DAYS 2024) was a culmination of everything that’s been in the works since that day when Scott got the call that Helmet was cancelling the tour — just BEFORE he’d received the call that the LIFERS movie was getting a release date at the Music Box (see episode #186). Of course, one could argue that this H convention had been building up since the movie was shot at the Metro almost 3 years ago (to the day — just shy a month!). And that same person could also argue that it all started with the original WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? release 20 years ago — while the zen hippie across the room is babbling about how Scott’s entire LIFE has been leading up to this! And they’d all be right. Whatever the case — there is a lot to say about the LIFERS world premiere at the Music Box and the finale of the WHTPJS? 20th anniversary tour at the Metro — BUT!!! Not on this week’s episode. Instead, Ben has put together a… uh. Vibe? A mood piece? Ah. Here’s what it is: A chunk of audio verite constructed to capture a moment that is already starting to fade from memory like a far-off and hazy dream. Go to bed, Scott!

193. LIFERS - All Roads Lead to Music Box and Metro

Jesse Malin is about as New York as you can get. How New York is he? Well, he’s in a Martin Scorsese movie for starters. Jesse got his start in the hardcore band Heart Attack before pivoting to the rough and ready D-Generation in the ‘90s.  After that band’s demise, Jesse made an even harder pivot when he turned to his acoustic guitar and released the Ryan Adams-produced THE FINE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION — in effect, reinventing himself as a rock and roll troubadour and NYC ambassador. And then about a year and a half ago, Jesse suffered a rare spinal stroke that threatened his ability to ever walk again. But in true LIFER fashion —and with the help of his community and his friends— Malin has soldiered on and is gearing up for a pair of benefit shows at the Beacon Theater on December 1st and 2nd that will mark his return to the stage. It’s a pleasure to have Jesse on the show this week to put some shit into perspective for us and talk about Johnny Thunders, CBGB’s, Bruce Springsteen, Ian Hunter, “Bringing Out The Dead”, Green Day, Rickie Lee Jones and a WHAT’S THE BEST?!? with The Clash. The future is unwritten, everybody!

196. LIFERS - Jesse Malin

Ben Kweller’s excellent new record COVER THE MIRRORS comes with a heartbreaking back-story —it was borne out of the tragic death of his teenage son Dorian— but in typical Kweller fashion, the album is an inspirational and life affirming collection  that also happens to be the best thing he’s ever recorded. On this episode we talk to “the kid” about producing himself, growing up in Texas with a drummer dad, Face Time collaborations, his first slug-bugging meeting with Scott, Jewish rockers, Nirvana and Garth Brooks, why you’ll never make it through his new song “Letter To Agony” with dry eyes, and we pick the best(!?!) Beach Boys songs. 
Upcoming Ben Kweller Tour Dates:
Tickets at benkweller.com
Follow BK's socials @benkweller

July 9, 2025	Wednesday	Aspen, CO	Belly Up
July 11, 2025	Friday	Denver, CO	Bluebird Theater
July 12, 2025	Saturday	Fort Collins, CO	Aggie
July 14, 2025	Monday	Salt Lake City, UT	Urban Lounge
July 17, 2025	Thursday	Seattle, WA	Neumos
July 18, 2025	Friday	Vancouver, BC	Biltmore Cabaret
July 19, 2025	Saturday	Portland, OR	Mississippi Studios	
July 21, 2025	Monday	San Francisco, CA	Independent
July 22, 2025	Tuesday	Venice, CA	The Venice West
July 23, 2025	Wednesday	Los Angeles, CA	Troubadour
July 25, 2025	Friday	San Diego, CA	Casbah
July 26, 2025	Saturday	Phoenix, AZ	Crescent Ballroom

222. LIFERS - Ben Kweller

It's 4th of July - so that means it's time for hot dogs, fireworks, and Fig Dish! 

On the eve of the 30th Anniversary re-issue of That's What Love Songs Often Do (first time on vinyl), 3/4s of Fig Dish (Blake Smith, Rick Ness, and Mike Willison) stop by to shoot the shit about their upcoming live gigs opening for Letters to Cleo, and stick around for a special edition of Album Imploder!

224. LIFERS - Hotdogs, Fireworks, and Fig Dish!

More than any other band from the ‘90s, Failure was a perfect fusion of technology and art. If you put on a Failure record — you knew it was gonna sound great. So it stands to reason that Failure’s new  documentary — EVERY TIME YOU LOSE YOUR MIND (now on HULU) — is gonna LOOK great. Perfectly shot. Perfectly edited. But what really elevates it above the current glut of streaming documentaries is an innate understanding of the simple art of storytelling. It sucks you in and never allows itself to become a cheap advertisement for the band. It helps that singer-guitarist-director Ken Andrews has a background in film and video production, but it also speaks to Failure’s entire career of meticulous high-production values and DIY quality control. It’s an ethic that persists to this day with a remarkable run of post-hiatus classics that began in 2014 with their comeback album THE HEART IS A MONSTER — an album that kicked off a successful and well deserved second act for one of America’s finest rock bands. One that actually merits a documentary about itself. On this episode we talk to Ken about ALL that stuff. We even touch on some stuff that ISN’T in the doc.

ALSO: We pick our favorite documentaries.

226. LIFERS - Ken Andrews

227. LIFERS - Ozzy

Picture the scene: You’re a young screenwriter getting your first taste of success — but it’s with a movie that didn’t quite come out the way you wanted and the victory feels hollow. Suddenly, you find yourself being typecast as a writer of silly comedies while the industry boxes you out and the opportunities and (self)respect begin to slip away. What do you do? If you’re Larry Karaszewski (and long time screenwriting partner Scott Alexander) you swerve hard out of that lane and typecast YOURSELF as auteurs of your own re-invented genre: The Anti-Biopic! Out of this savvy strategy the enduring classic ED WOOD is born and you are swept up in Hollywood’s warm and loving embrace. Cut to a montage of THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT, MAN ON THE MOON, BIG EYES and a lifetime of accolades, happiness and total fulfillment. THE END! On this episode we talk to Larry about going to inappropriate movies at the drive-in with his dad, a college experience that actually paid off, writing PROBLEM CHILD and then watching Robert DeNiro watch it, having a roommate that wrote HEATHERS, resurrecting Frank Perry, producing AUTO FOCUS, David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian, orphan films, Milos Forman, and we pick the best(!!!) New York movies.

228. LIFERS - Larry Karaszewski

The fallout from the Great Chips & Salsa Incident continues as we invite Dino Proserpio from the I EAT MOVIES podcast to help us stage a cultural intervention for Gabe. As most of you are aware, interventions are never pretty — so we’ve lightened things up with some petty squabbling over East Coast vs. Third Coast, Sean Connery impersonations, Jennifer vs. Bailey, Greg Giuffria, potatoes vs. tomatoes, and we pick the best(?!!) uses of food in pop culture. You’ll understand when you hear it.

229. LIFERS - Our Dinner With Dino or: The Great Chips & Salsa Incident

The New Orleans rock band Zebra has always existed out of time. Despite having one of the fastest selling debuts in Atlantic Records’ history, Zebra never really fit in with the glammed up ‘80s metal bands they were being lumped in with on the pages and airwaves of Hit Parader and MTV. But that apparent inability to fit in may be exactly what endeared them to a herd (or a zeal) of avid fans who would wear out their bare bones cassette of ZEBRA and eventually go to Kmart and stealthily rip open a vinyl copy of the record to steal the lyric sheet so he could figure out what Randy Jackson was singing. Okay. We may be talking about Scott here. ANYWAY — this week we’re thrilled to welcome Mr. Jackson to the podcast to talk about the 50th anniversary of Zebra, recording with Jack Douglas, being a rock band in New Orleans, being a rock band in Long Island, befriending Twisted Sister, touring with Cheap Trick, seeing The Beatles live, being forced to talk about Bon Jovi, and the lyrical prowess of the Moody Blues. And more black beans.

230. LIFERS - Randy Jackson

This week we welcome our ol’ buddy Art Alexakis to the podcast to talk about this little tour he’s doing with Scott in about two weeks from now. No big deal. We also talk about Art’s band Everclear, their major label breakthrough SPARKLE AND FADE (which turned 30 this year and is the reason for this little 2 month tour that Everclear’s doing with Local H and Sponge, by the way), their indie label breakthrough WORLD OF NOISE, California projects, Portland haters, ditch digging, sobriety, girl dads, smoking cigars with Butch Vig, Geddy Lee, Paul Stanley, and we pick the best(?!?) California songs (don’t worry, we didn’t let Art pick “Santa Monica”). PLUS: Scottie Rose tries to put the kibosh on all of it.

231. LIFERS - Art Alexakis

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Local H's major label debut album, Ham Fisted. To celebrate this milestone, the band has recorded and released a brand new re-imagining of the album, which they are calling reFISTED. On this special edition of song imploder Ben Reiser sat down with frontman Scott Lucas and G&P records head honcho Gabe Rodriguez for a deep dive into their thoughts and feelings about the original Ham Fisted as well as a thorough exploration of every track on the new release.

https://gandprecords.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooP2kEik_ANOdGL4WDSG6ZN-cEDL9dapWO1xasE0c7Be7ZwIvDv

232. LIFERS - reFISTED reIMPLODED

Local H is on tour with Everclear and Sponge - so Scott called in from a hotel in Medford, Oregon to file a Road Report about being on tour with Everclear and Sponge.

233. LIFERS - Road Report #21: Pack Up the Dog

The Local H tour with Everclear and Sponge is headed back east - so Scott called in from a hotel in Baker City, Oregon and this time Gabe and Ben were ready. With YOUR questions! Well, at least it's something.

234. LIFERS - Road Report #22: Eastbound and Dog

Local H is halfway through their tour with Everclear and Sponge — so Scott called in from Tennessee where the band is staying in a cabin by the lake while they prepare to resume the tour in a cave underground. You’ll understand when you hear the episode. 



Local H tour dates: 

Oct 3 — The Caverns — Pelham, TN

Oct 4 — The Eagle Theatre — Sugar Hill, GA

Oct 5 — Vinyl Music Hall — Pensacola, FL

Oct 7 — The Plaza Live — Orlando, FL

Oct 8 — Bilheimer Capitol Theatre — Clearwater, FL

Oct 9 — The Parker — Fort Lauderdale, FL

Oct 11 — Sunrise Theatre — Fort Pierce, FL

Oct 12 — Ponte Vedra Concert Hall — Jacksonville, FL

Oct 14 — Charleston Music Hall — Charleston, SC

Oct 16 — Neighborhood Theatre — Charlotte, NC

Oct 17 — The NorVa — Norfolk, VA

Oct 18 — Asbury Lanes — Asbury Park, NJ 

Oct 19 — The Paramount — Huntington, NY

Oct 21 — Big Night Live — Boston, MA

Oct 22 — Irving Plaza — New York, NY

Oct 23 — Toad’s Place — New Haven, CT

Oct 24 — Xcite Center at Parx Casino — Philadelphia, PA

Oct 25 — Black Cat — Washington, DC

Oct 27 — House Of Blues — Cleveland, OH

Oct 28 — Bogart’s — Cincinnati, OH

Oct 30 — Egyptian Room at Old National Centre — Indianapolis, IN

Oct 31 — The Vixen — McHenry, IL

Nov 1 — First Avenue — Minneapolis, MN 

Nov 2 — Thalia Hall — Chicago, IL

235. LIFERS - Road Report #23: It's Karen's Band Now

This week on another Road Report edition of the podcast: Gabe joins the band (and Karen) on the road for a few shows in his home state of Florida — so we make him drink a shitty NA IPA and record his reactions. That’s all that happens on this episode.

236. LIFERS - Road Report #24: Backstage in Orlando

This week on the podcast: That rarest of unicorns — a Road Report from the van! A salty green grape eating Scott calls in as the Local H tour travels from South Carolina to North Carolina. Plus: A Led Zeppelin What’s The WORST?!?

237. LIFERS - Road Report #25: Ass, Gas or Grapes (No One Rides For Free)

Local H is heading down the home stretch of their tour with Everclear & Sponge — so Scott calls in from the van to file one last(?)road report. Note: This episode contains only 3% of your recommended Halloween content. We BLEW IT!!!

238. LIFERS - Road Report #26: One Battle After Another

And that’s a wrap! After two months and 43 shows, the Everclear/Local H/Sponge juggernaut is OVER! Ronnie DiCola and Pete Beeman beam in to look back fondly on our favorite shows, favorite pizza, and anything else that comes to our frazzled mind about a tour that will surely go down as being one of our best ever. Thank you.

239. LIFERS - Road Report #27: So Much for the Afterglow

Just when Vinnie thought he was done with Scott — The LIFERS Podcast pulls him back in! Vinnie Dombroski —vocalist for the Detroit, Michigan band Sponge— is a hustler, baby. He’s a guy who fully subscribes to the inspiration/perspiration formula. Which is to say: Vinnie’s not afraid of a little hard work (he is, however, apparently afraid of food). On this episode we talk to our pal about Sponge’s unlikely origin story, switching from drumming to singing, growing up in the shadow of Motown, touring with Iggy Pop, driving George Clinton to the airport, career advice from Buzz Osbourne, and the joys of not remembering the ‘90s. ALSO: What’s The Best?!? is BACK!!! And we’re coming for you, Detroit!

240. LIFERS - Vinnie Dombroski

A LOCAL H podcast with Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez, Ben Reiser, and a revolving door of friends, luminaries and beloved “lifers”.

The LIFERS Podcast

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