At Least There’s Fest

1.51: Mike Terry of The Jukebox Romantics

We're about a week from Fest 23 and we have a fitting guest for the occasion, Mike Terry of The Jukebox Romantics. The New York band has been at it for over 15 years and they've lost count of how many times they have played Fest.
Mike and I talk about the early fluctuation of band members, playing the late night shifts at Fest, their new record, recording a music video is Gainesville and much more.
The bands newest record "This One Looks Cool" is out on Sell The Heart tomorrow (October 17) and they are playing on Saturday night at Loosey's. Check out the album and check them out live. They will likely play their new album closer "The Walk to Heartwood" which is a total force of nature. 

1.50: Neckscars

It's our 50th show! Time flies.
Our guests today are Colin and Justin from the New York band, Neckscars. Neckscars formed in 2018 and they have two full lengths to their credit, with their latest just coming out this summer.
We talk about the new record, playing in NY, having a recording session interrupted by Covid, playing Fest, and much much more.
You can catch Neckscars at Loosey's on Saturday night along with several other Sell The Heart bands. Their new album "Unhinged" can be purchased via Bandcamp or Sell The Heart.

1.49: Bobby Caruso of The Caution Children

Welcome back to another episode of At Least There's Fest! My guest today is Bobby Caruso of The Caution Children. The Florida band has been in active in one way or another for nearly twenty years and is playing Fest for the first time in around ten years (give or take).
The band just released their first album in over a decade, "Appropriate Music" and it is one of the best albums of the year in my humble opinion. We talk about the new album, the changing lineup of the band, their amazing live shows and how unpredictable they often are.
Buy the album here and make sure to check them out at Fest on Saturday at Vivid.

1.48: DROUGHT

Fun show today! Stopping by the show are Viggy Ram and Eric Nakano from the Bay Area Band, DROUGHT. The band formed in 2022 and just released their first full length record, Souvenir, this summer.
Viggy and Eric discuss starting a band via Craigslist, working with Pat Flynn from Have Heart/Fiddlehead, touring, writing music, playing Fest for the first time.
The band will make their Fest debut on Friday at How Bazar and will tour down the East Coast just prior to that. Check them out if you can.

1.47: Jon Oddo of Dead Bars

Thank you for tuning into another episode of At Least There's Fest. Joining the show today for episode 47 is Jon Oddo from the Seattle, WA band, Dead Bars.
Dead Bars plays Fest just about every year and Jon makes the argument that Dead Bars wouldn't exist without Fest. He also talks about history of the band, the current lineup, how they write songs, the diversity of styles on the new album, and much more.
Dead Bars released their latest record "All Dead Bars Go To Heaven" earlier this year and it is seriously just a total pleasure, I highly recommend it, whatever that's worth. The band is playing Friday at Vivid and they are also playing a pre-Fest show at the Atlantic on Thursday night as part of a pretty stellar line up. Check it out.

1:46: Ben Roy and Chuck Coffey of SPELLS

Hello and welcome to the 46th (!!!) episode of At Least There's Fest, thank you so much for listening. 
Joining the show for this episode are Ben Roy and Chuck Coffey of the Denver band, SPELLS. The band has been around for over a decade and is playing Fest for the 5th time this fall. The band is knows for their prolific output, fun music, and lively shows.
Ben and Chuck talk about how the band formed, their primary drivers in being a band, what makes this thing work, the energy they try to bring to a room, new music, and their favorite things to do in Gainesville.
Ben is also an accomplished comedian with his latest special "Hyena" being particularly terrific. You can check out both SPELLS and Ben Roy stand up at Fest in a few weeks. Get out there!

1.45: John Massel of North Lincoln

On today's episode I am joined in the virtual studio by John Massel. John is in the Grand Rapids, MI (my hometown) band North Lincoln who will be playing Fest for the first time since Fest 8!
John talks about the formation of the band in the last century, connecting with the Gainesville scene and No Idea, touring with Planes Mistaken for Stars, unreleased tunes, his other band Spares (also playing Fest), and much more. If you are a fan of old band, label, and venue references, then this is the exact episode you've been waiting for.
North Lincoln and Spares both play on Saturday at Boca Fiesta and Loosey's respectively. You can find their records on Bandcamp and streaming services.  

1.44: Peter Marullo of Protagonist

Joining today's show is Peter Marullo of Protagonist. The Florida band formed in 1999 (!!!) and will be playing Fest for the 13th time this fall. 
Peter shares the formation of the band, writing for two vocalists, working with Omnigone, recording new music, past tours, and much more. On the Fest front Peter impressively recalls every venue Protagonist has played at Fest (RIP to many of them) and gives plenty of food recs for folks who are interested. 
You can check out the Fest 21 compilation for their contribution to the record. The band is playing at Loosey's on Saturday afternoon, swing on by.

1.43: Maxwell Stern of Signals Midwest

Hey, if you've enjoyed this podcast so far please consider sharing, rating, saving, and/or supporting this work via our Patreon. I don't want to have make some episodes pay only, it defeats the purpose. But I would love to not lose money. Thanks so much!
Joining the show today is Maxwell Stern. Max is known for his solo work and for fronting the terrific band, Signals Midwest. The band is playing Fest for the 11th time this fall and is back after a one year hiatus.
We talk about his solo work, eating well on the road, his first Fest, food recs in Gainesville, what gets him in the pit, ska, and so much more. 
You can catch Signals Midwest on the road October 2-11  as the they tour around with friends of the show, 500 Bucks. In addition to playing a solo set at Fest and with Signals Midwest, you can catch Max at Fest playing with Timeshares and Orbits as well. Yes, he's playing 4 shows this year. 

1.42: Joker's Republic/PWRUP/Mega Infinity

HUGE show today in terms of fun and in volume of bands. We have THREE bands on today's show with Mega Infinity, PWRUP, and Joker's Republic stopping by together to talk ska, Fest, and their upcoming tour to Fest.
The bands talk about their local (NE) scenes, sharing band members, why everyone looks to Joker's Republic when they need a sub, touring down to Fest as a group, and the changing venue landscape.
If you live on the East Coast, the bands are working their way down from CT on their way to Fest. Check them out! Additionally, Joker's Republic has a new album out on October 10. Listen to the episode to hear about a Fest exclusive variant.