Interviews Episodes

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a homecoming! Arya Goggin of Skindred was our second ever interview, back in November 2020. To celebrate 5 years as a podcast, the man who drums on our theme song makes his long overdue return to keep our weekly interview streak going. We've spoken at length about the huge role Skindred plays in The Itch's story, so Arya was the perfect choice. And he brings not only a great memory of his experiences in St. Louis (and our previous conversation), but the a...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for honesty! Han Mee and Jim Shaw of Hot Milk join us for a refreshingly candid conversation about their new album Corporation P.O.P (out June 27th) and the ideas surrounding it, including shedding an ill-fitting "pop punk" tag, writing quickly to capture the moment, English identity, and American insanity. Plus, a dodgy opening scene, an Anchorman joke, and Dan's family responsibilities strike again. This is a good one. Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get with The Program! BRKN LOVE just dropped an excellent album by that name, and we talked all about it with frontman Justin Benlolo. We discuss the recording and release rollout differences from their prior records, worrying less about how a studio recording will translate on stage, and how in relationships, we're often the ones hurting ourselves. Then The Itch gets further context about BRKN LOVE's memorable Shiprocked 2024 performance and Justin reveal...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for extreme behavior. Cody Hanson of Hinder joins us for what turns into a roundtable talk about Bring Me Back to Life, the band's first new album since 2017. He discusses what made the band decide to record new music after initially planning not to, how "Everything Is a Cult" in modern society, how Hinder has embraced the title of "divorced dad rock," and songs from their past that could've hit it big like "Lips of an Angel" ... if the timing were right. Alo...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to multitask! Blake Allison and Joey "Chicago" Walser formed Egypt Central in 2002, then Devour the Day in 2012, and most recently have both become members of Pop Evil. Being together in so many bands for so many years, they've amassed quite a bit of wisdom and experience... and some pretty wild stories. And they're always interested in the next challenge or opportunity. Currently, that means the ambitious task of pulling double duty on Devour the Day's tour ...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for sci-fi! Lotta Ruutiainen of LUNA KILLS joins us to discuss her band's new album DEATHMATCH, including a song that came together through a writing practice she never wants to try again. We also discuss her love for all science fiction, the decision for a Finnish band to sing in English, her literal rock star tattoos, and the joy of discovering Deftones for the first time. Plus, The Itch dares to ask about a band name origin, and Aaron is reminded that he n...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to be quitters! Gio and Jerrod of Giovannie and the Hired Guns join us to talk about their new album Quitter. We discuss the making of the record, Gio getting responsible, how Jerrod became a Hired Gun, and what is easily the most entertaining dream tour we've heard so far. Plus, Dan fears for his life, a venue still struggles to win us over, and The Itch sees a country show. Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broad...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to talk with the Captain! Alan Koenig, founder of ASK4 Entertainment and its flagship event Shiprocked (see what we did there?) joins us to discuss the past, present, and future of The Itch's favorite festival at sea. Join us for some fascinating insight into how the festival was born out of a working relationship with Vince Neil, the excitements and challenges of booking a lineup, and how Alan avoids issues with font size on festival posters. Plus, a sneak p...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for reggae metal! Nathan Aurora's band Aurorawave released one of our favorite albums of 2024, and he's putting the finishing touches on the exciting follow-up. Nathan joins us to talk about straddling the line between his reggae roots and his metal aspirations, the Crossed Heart Clothing company he runs with his wife, how he got guest features like Brandon Saller and Dan Jacobs of Atreyu and Jonathan Vigil of The Ghost Inside on his band's debut album, and t...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to take off our masks. Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire and Anberlin joins us to discuss the new Memphis album Shapeshifter, which looks internally to how we can become better versions of ourselves by unmasking our shames and shortcomings. We'll also discuss how he got his favorite band to appear on the album, balancing the responsibilities of two bands (and the rest of life), and the amazing work his wife Brittany and friend Jake Luhrs of August Burns Red a...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for some world building! Eric Bass of Shinedown joins us to discuss his outstanding debut solo album Eric Bass Presents... I Had A Name. It's a thrilling rock opera of sorts featuring a cast of characters battling against villainous forces,... and sometimes their own minds. Eric speaks candidly about the fascinating process that led to the album (in between Shinedown records, no less), his own mental diagnoses and faith journey, the album's upcoming companion...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to read a book! Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. is releasing his autobiography, Son of Southtown: My Life Between Two Worlds on February 25th. He joins the show to discuss his story of God's faithfulness, band drama and reconciliation, and the changes and challenges of the music industry. Plus, Aaron has his long-awaited chance to ask about the cover art of The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, we learn about the process behind P.O.D.'s newest album Veritas, and a ...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to fight! Coco from Winona Fighter returns, and this time she brought the boys! Join her, Dan, and Austin as they break down the origins of some of the songs on their debut LP My Apologies to the Chef (out Feb 28), their choice to hand pick the opening acts for the corresponding Yes, Chef tour (including our mutual friends Fury in Few), and their commitment to staying authentic and supportive in the music world while still keeping their sanity. Plus, a specia...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for bass! Emma Anzai, co-founder of Sick Puppies and more recent addition to Evanescence, joins us to discuss Wave the Bull, Sick Puppies' first new album in nine years. We discuss the prominence of her bass guitar in some of the tracks, the Beastie Boys influence in their recent single "Going Places," their upcoming tour with Metallica, handling jet lag when traveling from Australia to basically anywhere else in the world, and an interaction with a certain m...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get educated! Shiprocked sails along, we bring you the second part of the 2022 conversation that introduced us to Oxymorrons. And this is where it gets serious (while somehow remaining silly). Dee, KI, Jafe, and Matty dive deep on the authentic vs the performative, the futility of social media, the cheapening of art as content, and putting Black faces in rock spaces. Plus, Dan makes a new comic geek buddy, Aaron gives a guest homework, and we're bringing s...

This week we're scratching The Itch to ... not be here! The boys are back on a boat enjoying Shiprocked, but while we're out partying with Oxymorrons, we thought we'd post a pair of throwback episodes to when we first met them three years ago, kicking off a genuine friendship. This two-part conversation remains quite possibly our all-time favorite. And when you listen, you'll understand why. Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the ma...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for Sno! It's not only in St Louis and Chicago, but in Scotland as well! Janine Shilstone of VUKOVI becomes The Itch's first Scottish guest as she joins us to discuss "Sno," the newest single from (and a character in) her band's new album My God Has Got a Gun, out January 25th on SharpTone Records! It's a vulnerable discussion about the various things that helped her heal from being in a dark place, including therapy, touring the US with Itch guests Calva Lou...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to send the year out in style! Official fourth member Eva Marie of Eva Under Fire joins us for another holiday tradition (and to continue building her lead as our most frequent guest). Despite not releasing much in the way of new music, 2024 was still a year of firsts and gains for Eva and the boys, and we're here to talk about all of it. Well, most of us anyway. Dan wasn't able to make it until the end of the conversation, but a cameo still counts! Join us f...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get choppy! The excellently facial-haired Brandon Yeagley of Crobot joins us for a conversation full of industry insight, artistic excitement, and... giant eggs. We were introduced to Brandon in a quite memorable way at Upheaval 2023, and when you hear this conversation, you'll understand why he's endeared himself to us even more. Enjoy, and check out Crobot touring with fellow Itch guests Nonpoint and Heartsick this January! If you like what you hear, yo...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a tradition! Jason Zeilstra of Nonpoint continues introducing us to his bandmates one by one. one year at a time, this time joining us alongside bassist Adam Woloszyn! The fellas recap another eventful year for the band, compare stories of on-stage injuries, share their memories of Nonpoint's upcoming anniversary albums Statement and To The Pain, and talk one of their other mutual passions... superhero nerdery! Nonpoint will be touring the US in January ...

This week, we're scratching The Itch for rejection! Well, in a sense. Nick Wheeler, guitarist and co-founder of The All-American Rejects joins us for a freewheeling discussion (see what I did there?) that covers his history with the band, his current studio work, and ... his favorite rewatch podcasts? Plus, Taco Bell talk, Aaron declares a Perfect Pop Song, and Dan finally finds a context to bring up Smallville! We say it often, but this is a fun one. Enjoy. And come hang with The Itch in St. Lo...

Today we're scratching The Itch for a post-Thanksgiving tradition! To show our gratitude to our incredible guests and listeners, we've compiled a collection of previously unheard clips from each of our 2024 interviews. We hope you enjoy this extra helping of conversational goodness as you recover from your food coma. If you listen all the way through, you'll find previews of a few future episodes as an early Christmas gift. Enjoy. Featured in this episode: Fury in Few, Fire From the Gods, Dead ...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to go green! Dale Tanner of Ocean Grove joins us from Melbourne, Australia to discuss the band's new album ODDWORLD. We cover the band's shift in sound from the grunge-y alt rock on their previous two albums to their more nu metal roots, their unique membership setup and the difference between "Ocean Grove" and the "ODDWORLD Collective," and his support of organizations such as Support Act and Sea Shepherd. Ocean Grove is a band on the rise, and Dale's talent...

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get evil! Guitarist Nick Fuelling of Pop Evil joins us to check off one of Dan's wish list band conversations. Pop Evil recently released "What Remains", the first single from an album set to release in Spring 2025. Nick talks about the new song, the new lineup (which "devoured" another band, one might say), and which Major League Baseball stadiums he's partial to. Plus, he confirms a longtime Itch theory about the band's name. Enjoy. Episode art photogra...