Episodes

298
Nov. 11, 2025

E298 Concert Catch-up: Eva Under Fire, Buckcherry, Grandson, Ho99o9, and more!

This week, we're scratching The Itch for All Hallows Eva (our idea, not theirs) and Grannyween (their idea, not ours)! KC and Dan saw a pair of shows in St. Louis featuring Itch guests [Eva Under Fire](https://evaunderfire.os.fan/), [Buckcherry](https://www.buckcherry.com/), and [Grandson](https://grandsonmusic.com/), plus the stylings of [Drew Cagle & The Reputation](https://drewcagle.com/) and an appropriately timed appearance by [Ho99o9](https://ho99o9.com/)! This one features some lessons in...
297
Nov. 4, 2025

E297 Concert Catch-up: Halestorm, Lindsey Stirling, Apocalyptica, Everclear, Local H, Sponge, Revis, and Emerge

This week, we're scratching The Itch to play catch-up! The Itch saw so many shows in September and October that we're still recapping them in November! This work is exhausting, but it's worth it when you get to see legends, modern stars, and triumphant returns. And that's just what we did. First, Aaron and KC visited the Family Arena to see Everclear on their Sparkle and Fade anniversary tour alongside fellow alt rockers Local H and Sponge. Then, Dan and his family caught Itch guests Halestorm a...
296
Oct. 28, 2025

E296 Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait on Being a Disney Adult and Building a Life Beyond the Band

This week, we're scratching The Itch to join the Coffin Crew! Halloween is almost here, and what a more fitting guest than the man who puts the "fun" in "funeral," Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait! After toiling for years, the band has built momentum following some door-opening tour pairings and their excellent 2024 album Welcome to Suffocate City. Now, in the middle of their hectic 290 days on the road in 2025 (yes, you read that right), Lee joins us to talk about how he's adjusting to The ...
Guest: Lee Jennings
295
Oct. 21, 2025

E295 Matt Flood of Caskets on Artistic Evolution and Keeping Writing Fun While Being Emotionally Honest

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get buried... by the weight of good music. (That works, right?) Caskets frontman Matt Flood joins us ahead of the release The Only Heaven You'll Know, an album Matt has described as "the sound of me falling apart in real time." The new record finds him broadening his skills as a vocalist while the band explores heavier sounds and the lyrical themes somehow become more raw than ever. Plus, we discuss Matt's love for Fightstar and the importance of keeping t...
Guest: Matt Flood
294
Oct. 14, 2025

E294 Concert Catch-up: Chevelle, Dead Poet Society, Calva Louise, Wargasm, Dropout Kings, and more!

This week, we're scratching The Itch for some favorites! We're covering three more shows from our stacked September run. First, Aaron cements his change of heart about Wargasm and experiences the energy of Black Cat Bill and Dropout Kings. Then Dan introduces his sons to Chevelle, the redemption-seeking Asking Alexandria, and Itch guests Dead Poet Society. And finally, all three of the guys catch one of our collective favorites, two-time guests Calva Louise, on their first US headline tour with ...
293
Oct. 9, 2025

E293 Morgan James on Building an Audience That Will Follow You and Finding the Soul of 90s Alternative Rock

This week, we're scratching The Itch to jazz it up! Morgan James, whose path has taken her from Broadway to collaborations with Postmodern Jukebox and, most recently, Brass Against, joins us for a change of stylistic pace to discuss her new album Soul Remains the Same. On it she tackles legendary tracks from Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, and more, using soul, jazz, and R&B sounds to draw out the emotions of the songs in a new way. Plus, KC gets to see Morgan in concert a few day...
Guest: Morgan James
292
Oct. 7, 2025

E292 Concert Catch-up: Riot Fest 2025, featuring Green Day, Weezer, Blink-182, Weird Al, John Stamos, and more!

This week, we're scratching The Itch to talk Forever! Riot Fest 2025 is in the books and it was a ripper. Aaron joined the full house of performers and attendees for three days of great shows, bucket list bands, reunions, and, finally... a properly buttered up John Stamos. Check out his recap of finally seeing Green Day, Blink-182, Jack White, and Rilo Kiley, as well as a fresh add to his ever-growing list of favorite UK punks. Plus, Weird Al rules any stage he's on (including the one KC saw in ...
291
Oct. 2, 2025

E291 Tori Kravitz of She's With the Band on Working in PR, Returning to Warped Tour, and Giving All the Flowers

This week, we're scratching The Itch to go Beyond the Breakdown! Tori Kravitz, publicist, podcaster, and pit reporter extraordinaire, joins us to talk all about the off-stage side of the music industry! From working as one of Atom Splitter PR's all stars to spotlighting some of the coolest women in metal on She's With the Band to bringing back Warped Tori for this year's Warped Tour, she's a pro who lives, breathes, and champions music with the best of them. Enjoy. And for more of Tori's s...
Guest: Tori Kravitz
290
Sept. 30, 2025

E290 Concert Catch-up: Linkin Park, Nonpoint, Heartsick, System of a Down, Avenged Sevenfold, and more!

This week, we're scratching The Itch to check off some bucket list bands! The reborn Linkin Park came through St. Louis with Jean Dawson, and the reclusive System of a Down came through Chicago with Avenged Sevenfold, Polyphia, and Wisp... and the full Itch squad went to see them! Plus, the legends in Nonpoint and Heartsick came to Pops with Upon a Burning Body in celebration of their albums Statement and To The Pain, leading to the most unique set from the boys to date! Plus: KC knows how to g...
289
Sept. 25, 2025

E289 Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace on Marriage, Mental Health, and Using Technology to Build True Connection

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get Canadian! Raine Maida of Canada's rock royalty Our Lady Peace joins us as the band continues its 30-year celebration. We discuss the fan-inspired push that led them to reclaim the song "Whatever" as a mental health anthem, the tricky task of using technology to connect with your audience, and the decision Raine and his wife Chantal Kreviazuk made to be so open about the ups and downs of marriage as public figures. Plus, we debut a brand new Burning Que...
Guest: Raine Maida
288
Sept. 23, 2025

E288 Concert Catch-up: Rockin' for The Hook Benefit for Jay Scott featuring Goodbye June, Leilani Kilgore, and more!

This week, we're scratching The Itch for community. Our friend Jay Scott, host of The Hook Rocks Podcast and one of the first music podcasters to welcome us into this world, is facing a long health struggle. In response, more friends of ours, who you may have heard us refer to as "The Groove Council" in past episodes, recently put together a benefit show for Jay's recovery. Aaron was able to attend, and what a beautiful night it was. Chris, Mike, and Rich of The Groove Council join us in this ep...
287
Sept. 16, 2025

E287 Joe Cotela of DED on Punk Influences, Unearned Egos, Working With Chad Gray, and Going Into the Pit Blind

This week, we're scratching The Itch to play DED. As in, we've played DED's new album Resent (out September 19th) so much that we had to have frontman Joe Cotela on to talk about it. Joe talks about the perhaps unconscious decision to go heavier after a more melodic turn on 2021's School of Thought, how he prefers to use heavyweight guests like Chad Gray, Chris Motionless, and Danny Leal on more brutal tracks rather than for radio clout, and how humility is always more attractive than ego. Plus...
Guest: Joe Cotela
286
Sept. 9, 2025

E286 Oxymorrons on Defining Independence and How They Create, Destroy, Rebuild, Repeat on Their New EP

This week, we're scratching The Itch to bring back the boys! Oxymorrons return for the first time since 2023 to tell us all about their new EP, Create. Destroy. Rebuild. Repeat. Life is very different for Dee, Jafe, and K.I. since their last appearance on the show, but they never cease to apply their lessons learned to their art and to their lives, or to share them with anyone who's willing to listen. As always, our conversation with the guys exists in the sweet spot where depth and humor meet, ...
Guest: Oxymorrons
285
Sept. 2, 2025

E285 Nathan Aurora of Aurorawave on Shiprocked, Reggae's Reputation, and Turning a Vision Into Reality

This week, we're scratching The Itch to make waves! Nathan Aurora of Aurorawave joins us for the second time this calendar year to discuss the band's new album Monument, how his vision for the year has become reality, and how The Itch played a role! It's a fun conversation that touches on genre-crossing guest spots, goal setting, and splitting time between two very different musical worlds. Plus, Nathan now has an audience of two tiny ones, and The Itch gets a hint about some possible future Aur...
Guest: Nathan Aurora
284
Aug. 26, 2025

E284 Nova Twins on Industry Acceptance, Mama Nova, Personal Growth, and Pedal Boards

This week, we're scratching The Itch to celebrate! Just in time for Aaron's birthday, we've got a wish list interview with Nova Twins, whose third album, Parasites & Butterflies, drops Friday, August 29th! Amy Love and Georgia South joined us on the eve of their Warped Tour debut to talk about the new album, including the themes behind it and the wild video for "N.O.V.A.", which stars none other than Georgia's mother! Amy and Georgia are a brand to themselves, from designing their own clothi...
Guest: Nova Twins
283
Aug. 19, 2025

E283 Matt Bigland of Dinosaur Pile-Up on Finally Feeling Better and Why Love Is the Worst (and the Best)

This week, we're scratching The Itch to feel better! After a crazy few years that took him from heartbroken to bedridden with ulcerative colitis to smitten with the love of his life, Matt Bigland and Dinosaur Pile-Up are back from the brink of extinction with the killer new album I've Felt Better. It's a welcome return after being essentially absent from the music world for five years, and the band hasn't missed a beat with their funny, vulnerable style of alt rock. Matt joins us in this episod...
Guest: Matt Bigland
282
Aug. 12, 2025

E282 PLAIINS on Their Debut Album, Hamburg, Wearing Paper Bags, and Making People Laugh About Themselves

This week, we're scratching The Itch to put on Happy Faces! And by that, we mean the debut album from Germany's indie punks PLAIINS. Chris, Flo, and Dizzy joined us to discuss how they remain playful in their music even while covering weighty topics like fanatical nationalism, music industry racism, and mistreatment of the working class. It's a fine line, but their album walks it well. Plus, Elton John turns back the clock, a deep dive into the psychology of Burning Questions, and why it's proba...
Guest: PLAIINS
281
Aug. 7, 2025

E281 Concert Catch-up: Winona Fighter and MSPAINT

This week, we're scratching The Itch for a Thursday episode! Aaron saw pod favorites Winona Fighter at the Q101 Lounge and pod newcomers MSPAINT at Wicker Park Fest, and he's got a wholesome tale to tell about it as we continue another run of Tuesday interview episodes. If you've ever wondered what an intimate radio station performance is like, this is the episode for you. Plus, an inter-generational bonding experience and a tribute to a departed friend. Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you ca...
280
Aug. 5, 2025

E280 Arejay Hale of Halestorm on Marriage, KemikalFire, Ozzy's Last Show, and Growing as a Lyricist on Everest

This week, we're scratching The Itch to reach new heights! Halestorm's new album Everest arrives on August 8th, and drummer Arejay Hale stopped by to become a three-time guest and talk about it! This album was a growth experience for him as a writer, as he took a more prominent role as a lyricist as the band pivoted to a more internal approach with fewer co-writers than on previous records. Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Arejay conversation without bouncing around to a few other topics (and ...
Guest: Arejay Hale
279
July 29, 2025

E279 CRegg Rondell of Boy Hits Car on New Music, Returning to the Road, and Being a Blockbuster Stuntman

This week, we're scratching The Itch for Lovecore! CRegg Rondell of Boy Hits Car joins us for a look at the band's history as they prepare for their first show in a year, a gig at the famous Whiskey a Go Go that was originally planned for May before Boy Hits Car was postponed due to Truck Hits Bar. We also discuss the impact of the band's self-titled album, the challenges of being independent in the streaming era, performing barefoot, and CRegg's could-have-been alternate career. It was a pleasu...
Guest: CRegg Rondell
278
July 22, 2025

E278 Concert Catch-up: Babymetal, Jinjer, Bloodywood, and The Warning

This week, we're scratching The Itch for our cutest episode ever! not only did Dan get to see Babymetal, but he brought a couple kids of his own... and then had them on the show to talk about it! That's right, it's the proper debut of Dan's sons Dean and Jacoby, who have eyes on taking over the show. Hear them become famous before your very ears as they tell us all about their experience seeing Babymetal, Jinjer, and Bloodywood, and why KC supposedly made the wrong decision to see The Warning th...
277
July 15, 2025

E277 Retro Champ on Rap, Rock, and Wrestling, Losing a Parent, and Remembering Adam Ramey

This week, we're scratching The Itch to go retro! We're showing hometown pride again as St. Louis' own Retro Champ joins us to discuss his past, present, and future in music. Retro is the very definition of "rap rock," taking inspiration from both classic MCs and nu metallers like Linkin Park and Hed PE. We discovered him when he opened for Oxymorrons, and in this discussion we dive into that relationship, as well as other impactful relationships, such as his late mother and the recently passed ...
Guest: Retro Champ
July 10, 2025

[Short Cuts] Wayne Static, High School Math Teacher?

As mentioned in this week's conversation with elementary school teacher and dead7 frontman Jason Kozik, here's the story of Dan's high school match teacher, who bore a curious resemblance to Wayne Static of Static-X. We've had this clip in the archives since 2021. It was due to see the light of day. Enjoy. If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show f...
276
July 8, 2025

E276 Jason Kozik of dead7 on Dealing With Deaths, Teaching Special Ed, and Being SharpTone's St. Louis Band

This week, we're scratching The Itch for local boys to make good! Jason Kozik of St. Louis' own dead7 joins us on the eve of their debut release with SharpTone Records, Love What You Can While You Got Something Left To Love. The album, full of riffs, ambiance, and not entirely traditional arrangements (plus a dash of heavy pop punk), drops July 11th, and we share Jason's excitement for you to hear it. In this episode, we talk fine tuning a band name, working with The Funeral Portrait and Gore., ...
Guest: Jason Kozik