Urban Achiever

Dusty Redmon (Beloved, Dead Poetic, The Almost) is a guy who has found contentment in his life through faith, music and family. After many years and most of his youth on the road he's settled into what he calls a "normal" life. Also, is Beloved getting back together or what?! - http://twitter.com/dustyredmon

Ethan Luck (Kings Of Leon) returns on the 1 year anniversary of his appearance on the first first episode of Urban Achiever. We get into how Ethan became a Vegan, what we think about Starbucks cups and other fun. More importantly we go track by track on Ethan's new EP that comes out on Tuesday, December 8th! Get it here - http://ethanluck.bandcamp.com/album/ethan-luck-the-intruders-ep

Matt Carter (Emery, Bad Christian, Break It Down) has journeyed from a house on a dirt road with no house number to touring the world with his band Emery. He is somebody who should have the words "make it work" tattooed somewhere on his body. From re-wiring the rental storage unit his band used to practice in to converting buses and starting podcast networks - Matt is somebody who knows how to get things done.

Aaron Irizarry (Point Of Recognition) knows what it means to own his faith. He is a husband, father, graphic designer, author and all around legit brother. But his journey was not always filled with positivity. We'll get into some hard lessons he had to learn in his late teens and how he turned things around. You can connect with Aaron on Twitter at - http://twitter.com/aaroni. You can check out the book he co-authored, Discussing Design here - http://bit.ly/RonBook

This week we're going to take a look at my new book, Bottle Breaker. Bottle Breaker is my tour journal from my former band Blenderhead's 1995, 7 week, national tour with labelmates MxPx. We'll listen to stories from that tour with previous guests Matt Johnson (Blenderhead), Joel Bell (Ghoti Hook) and Mike Herrera (MxPx) and I'll read an excerpt from the book. You can download the book now for free by going to - http://bottlebreakerbook.com/.

My guest Ryan Rado (Colson, Ill Patriot, Worker) and I worked together in Nashville at a music merch company called Zambooie. Ryan struggles with conditions that very few of us understand (Tourette's and OCD) and he does it with an attitude that is inspiring. These days he's attempting to provide for his family by creating art and paintings which are beautiful. Buy some art! - http://ryanrado.com/ Check out this documentary, My Quest For Peace Of Mind by Ethan Luck documenting more of Ryan's story here, Part 1 - https://vimeo.com/23889054 Part 2 - https://vimeo.com/24479220 Part 3 - https://vimeo.com/25794359. Here's a video of Worker "Principles" live - https://youtu.be/SQE17deNSMk You should also check out the Worker EP "Neurology" - http://worker.bandcamp.com/album/neurology

Ray Harkins (Taken, 100 Words Or Less Podcast, PETA) turned 35 this week and he's my guest for episode 35. Coincidence? Providence? You decide! Either way, Ray is once of the nicest guys in hardcore. Harkins has spent time working for labels like Abacus, Century Media and No Sleep as well as fronting the band Taken. He is also the host of his own podcast, 100 Words Or Less as well as a Senior Partnerships Manager for animal rights organization PETA. Follow Ray on Twitter - http://twitter.com/xpurposex and check out 100 Words Or Less: The Podcast - http://100wordspodcast.com/.

Joel Eastlick (Defeating Olympus, Eastlick Coffee) came up in the south Florida underground music scene. But, it was a two year mission to Spain that changed his life and faith forever, sending him down the road to the coffee industry and New York City. Eastlick Coffee Co. Twitter - https://twitter.com/eastlickcoffee Eastlick Coffee Co. Instagram - http://instagram.com/eastlickcoffee

Tess Wiley (Splendora, Phantasmic, Sixpence None The Richer, Velour 100) is a talented singer, songwriter, artist and music teacher. We'll get into her upbringing in Texas, musical influences and explore the meaning of words like sanguine, choleric, melancholic and certitude. We'll also dip into the serious sides of her divorce, faith and if she'll ever return to America. Tess Wiley Official Website - http://www.tesswiley.com

A couple decades ago Johnny Thief (Seppuku Tattoo) was a zine publisher (Thieves & Prostitutes) and I was a guy playing in a band. Since that time Johnny dove head first into the art world eventually becoming a world renowned rock poster and tattoo artist. His story, as you will hear, is filled with more twists and turns than a Hollywood blockbuster. I'm amazed that Johnny has survived, let alone thrived and you will be too. Seppuku Tattoo Website - http://seppukutattoo.com/ Seppuku Tattoo Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/seppukutattoo

When I first met Andy Atkins (A Plea For Purging) we were working together at a merch company called Zambooie and he was going by the name "Dozer." But Andy would go on to bigger and better things. As you will learn, however, life is not without bumps and bruises. Andy has a way of laughing at the hard stuff. It's a quality I admire. I love the guy and soon enough you will too.

Jamie Hilsden (Man Alive) was born in Canada, moved to Israel, then back to Canada, then back to Israel again where he started a band with his brother and was later joined by the Shkedi brothers who were half Texan and half Israeli. He also married a girl from Poland. Seriously, this guy has been all over the place! Just listen, it will all make sense in the end, I promise! You can check out Man Alive on Facebook at http://facebook.com/manaliverock.

Jason Vena (Acceptance) has been through band and marriage break-ups and has lived to tell the tale. A decade after their demise and playing to 2-300 people a night, his band Acceptance returned this year to sold out shows on both coasts and more enthusiasm for their music than ever before. Stories of love, friendship and redemption await! Check out the brand new track "Take You Away" at the end of the show. Find Acceptance tour dates, music and more at - http://acceptanceband.com/.

Kris Roe (The Ataris) took time out of his busy schedule with the Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits tour to have a chat with me. We talk about 20 years of The Ataris, major label days versus current touring, his musical upbringing, first concert and more. You can stream or purchase/download new songs from The Ataris upcoming record "The Graveyard of The Atlantic" here - https://theataris.bandcamp.com/album/four-new-tracks-from-the-graveyard-of-the-atlantic. Connect with The Ataris on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/theataris.

Mike Herrera (MxPx, Tumbledown, The Mike Herrera Hour Podcast) has been putting food on the table playing punk rock for over 20 years! On this episode Mike and I get into our national tour from 95, reasons for leaving labels and religion, police states, people throwing bread at Smash Mouth and more!MxPx - http://mxpx.com/The Mike Herrera Hour - http://itun.es/i6LQ4YXMxPx Film Project - http://bit.ly/1KgyjKMMike's Twitter - http://twitter.com/mikeherreratdMike's Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/mikeherreramusicMike's Instagram - http://instagram.com/mikeherreratd/Legionnaire Clothing - http://legionnairearmy.com/Monkey Trench Studios - http://monkeytrenchstudios.com

Matt Fox (Shai Hulud) is a force to be reckoned with! His band is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year and they show no signs of slowing down. We chat about his early musical experiences and his love for Sick Of It All and Metallica. How does such a nice and positive guy who loves Men At Work end up playing such aggressive and angry heavy music? Tune in and find out! All things Shai Hulud can be found at http://hulud.com/. Also on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ShaiHuludUninc and Instagram at http://instagram.com/shaihuluduninc/.

Joel Bell (Ghoti Hook) returns for another hour this week. We get into the recording of later albums Two Years To Never and the 6 Songs EP, line-up changes, festival kick-outs, prayerful promoters and WWJD. And we reveal the meaning behind the phrase, "ladies, for the sake of Christ, put some clothes on!" PART 2 OF 2.

Joel Bell (Ghoti Hook) is my guest this week. His story is a mosaic filled with Whitney Houston, Faith No More, Whitecross, violins, saxophones, misunderstood newsletters, Assemblies of God Teen Talent competitions, banana costumes, tour shenanigans, proper mic technique and more! If you like to laugh, then this is the episode for you! PART 1 OF 2.

Jeff Bettger (Ninety Pound Wuss, Raft Of Dead Monkeys, Suffering & The Hideous Thieves, DRYBNZ) returns for a 2nd hour this week. This round we discuss his 16 year involvement with the former Mars Hill Church in Seattle. We also get an update on what Jeff's up to these days and we try to answer the question is "kicking ass" a fruit of the spirit? PART 2 OF 2 Jeff's Blog - http://www.locustnhoney.com/Artist Reformation - http://artistreformation.com/A Seattle Church - http://www.aseattlechurch.com/DRYBNZ Soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/drybnzDRYBNZ Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/neonpulpits

Jeff Bettger (Ninety Pound Wuss, Raft Of Dead Monkeys, Suffering & The Hideous Thieves) is somebody who sees Jesus in the music of the Sex Pistols. He's an artist in the truest sense of the word. In this first hour we get into his first musical experiences, the formation of Ninety Pound Wuss and what it was like to grow up punk and Christian in a small hick town. PART 1 OF 2 Jeff's Blog - http://www.locustnhoney.com/Artist Reformation - http://artistreformation.com/A Seattle Church - http://www.aseattlechurch.com/DRYBNZ Soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/drybnzDRYBNZ Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/neonpulpits