Urban Achiever

Mike Lewis (Go Big Win, HOPErageous) is back for a 2nd hour this week. Mike is my best friend, former boss at Zambooie (RIP) and business partner in This Shirt Changes Lives. This go around we get into Mike's time in Puller, how he ended up going to Africa and why he's currently doing charity work in Haiti and thinks you should too. PART 2 OF 2 Mike's merch company is Go Big Win - http://gobigwin.com. He also has bag company that provides jobs in Haiti called HOPErageous - http://hoperageous.com. Finally, Mike's wife Tiffany works for My LIFE Speaks - http://mylifespeaks.com and they are a great organization working with Orphans in Haiti. Finally, this is what it looks like when Mike gets "in the spirit" in Africa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgJniiayhcU.

Mike Lewis (For Love Not Lisa, Puller) is my best friend and he's also made some of my favorite records! Long before Mike was making trips to Africa and Haiti for charity work, he was playing basketball with Warren G and opening for bands like Bad Brains, Green Day, Rage Against The Machine and Fugazi. Life stories like Mike's are why I started this podcast. Turn it up! PART 1 OF 2 Here's that first music video for Soft Hand that we talk about - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxQv1hJ3Xl8 and here's the video for Slip Slide Melting from the Crow Soundtrack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGKTDY_CqMU. Here's a For Love Not Lisa show from back in Oklahoma circa 1994 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI6PnIGhvdQ.

Nate Henry (Sherwood, The Begging Sea) was inspired by a birthday party cover band covering Nirvana to pick up a guitar himself and see what might happen. From his high school bands Summer Snow and Another Dead Hero to Sherwood, MySpace Records and touring with Hanson - Nate's life so far has been full of surprises and a lot of hustle. Don't let that calm exterior fool you, he's a damn good singer, bassist and songwriter as well. I'm a fan and when this is all over I'm sure you will be too! You can get down with all things Sherwood at http://sherwoodmusic.net/ and you can check out Nate's latest solo effort, The Begging Sea at http://thebeggingsea.bandcamp.com/.

Scott Kerr (Five Iron Frenzy, Yellow Second, Pool Party Death Machine) has been to the top of the mountain, the valley below and all the villages in between! We explore Scott's background growing up in the Church and his journey away from faith. We also get into his bouts with basketball, skateboarding, the trumpet, guitar, bass and more. Perhaps, the most shocking revelation is that I didn't completely destroy his music career while managing his band, Yellow Second. Finally, we get into all things Five Iron Frenzy. You didn't think we'd leave that out, did you? You can find Scott on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ScottKerr and his previous and now reunited band FIF at http://fiveironfrenzy.com/. Don't forget to check out the discography of Yellow Second on BandCamp at https://yellowsecond.bandcamp.com/.

Chad Neptune's (Further Seems Forever, Strongarm) story is one of perseverance. In part two of our conversation we go through the various vocal changes FSF went through as well as how they ended and later reformed. We also get into Chad's family's involvement with orphans in Rwanda. You can follow Chad on Twitter at http://twitter.com/chadneptune and Further Seems Forever on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FurtherSeemsForever. You can check out Art Heart at - http://www.facebook.com/ArtHeart.artists and you can learn more and support at ZOE - http://www.zoehelps.org/. Do it for the kids! PART 2 OF 2

Chad Neptune (Further Seems Forever, Strongarm) is a great example of how somebody with no formal music training can end up creating incredible and influential music. From two miserable teen years in Texas to his first trip to Cornerstone festival and being asked to join a band, he's been on an epic journey! Chad is one of my favorite bass players and people! You can follow Chad on Twitter at https://twitter.com/chadneptune and Further Seems Forever on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FurtherSeemsForever. PART 1 OF 2

Dan Richter (Fieldstrip, Hockey Fight) came up in the NYHC and NJ straight edge/punk rock/hardcore scenes. We get into adolescent identity, forming politics, recording songs from speakers, hardcore kids who love Morrissey and why Oprah sucks. Dan also introduces me to the concept of the "bad pancake." Here's that clip of Agnostic Front playing on The Uncle Floyd Show that Dan went to the taping of in 4th grade! - http://bit.ly/1Ew7qC5

Seth Werkheiser (Buzzgrinder, Noisecreep, Skulltoaster, Workbench Podcast) knows what it means to hustle! He also knows what riding 70 miles on a bicycle feels like. Seth has been responsible for creating and curating a mighty mountain of content on the internet. He was also once the bass player in Pink Daffodils and sole member of a one man band. Seriously, look at all this work Seth has produced! Seth W - http://sethw.com/ Buzzgrinder - http://buzzgrinder.com/ Noisecreep - http://noisecreep.com/ The Bike Nerd - http://thebikenerd.com/ Skulltoaster - http://skulltoaster.com/ Novelty And Nonsense E-Mail List - http://eepurl.com/SxYOD The Workbench Podcast - http://workbenchpodcast.com/ Scene Points on iTunes - https://itun.es/i6LL8G3 Somebody please hire this guy! https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethw

Danny Papa (Element 101, Project Stay Gold) was a guitarist and founding member of the New Jersey based band Element 101. In this episode we explore what growing up Italian in New Jersey is like, the importance of influence and the thrill of victory as well as the agony of defeat of being a touring musician. We also get into what he's doing these days as a high school History teacher.

Matt Johnson (Don't Know, Blenderhead, Roadside Monument) and I have been friends for over 20 years. He was the drummer in numerous bands and is also a writer, husband and father. In part 2 of our interview we get into Matt's experiences with Mars Hill Church in Seattle as well as his plans for music and writing in the future. You can follow Matt's writing and updates at http://therealmattjohnson or on Twitter @BlingfortheKing. PART 2 OF 2.

Matt Johnson (Don't Know, Blenderhead, Roadside Monument) and I have been friends for over 20 years. He was the drummer in numerous bands and is also a writer, husband and father. In part 1 of our interview we get into Matt discovering punk, learning to play the drums and the beginnings and endings of his various music projects. Matt is the best drummer I ever played with and one of my favorite people. PART 1 OF 2. You can follow Matt's writing and updates at http://therealmattjohnson or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BlingfortheKing. PART 1 OF 2.

Chris Wible (Dry Bones, Crawlspace, Everdown) is a man of many talents including drumming, cycling, surfing, landscaping and ... impregnating! We get into Chris' younger days in Jersey, when he first discovered his love for the drums, to his involvement in the straight edge hardcore punk rock scenes of Boston and New Hampshire. Warning: This episode contains some junior high school level humor. You check out his band Everdown on iTunes here - https://itun.es/i6L86bT and Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Everdown/92619736898. You can view a video of one of the last songs Everdown ever recorded, Black Clover, here - https://youtu.be/tT6oJeHTn0c. You can check out Chris' landscaping company here - http://www.crwlandscaping.com/.

Louis Defabrizio (Dear Ephesus, Tenderfoot, The Kick, Gasoline Heart) is literally and mover and a shaker. I have seen Lou perform and delight fans in Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia and New York! His stage banter is something you will not soon forget. But perhaps those wild days are behind Louis as he's about to become the father of twins! This episode features two brand new and unreleased songs by Gasoline Heart, "Poor Decisions" and "Love Let Her Go." So chill! You can find out more about Gasoline Heart at http://gasolineheart.com/ and you can download free music at http://gasolineheart.bandcamp.com/. You can follow Lou on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gasolineheart77. If you live in the New York Metro area and need help moving be sure to check out Sweet Lou Moves You - http://loumovesyou.com/.

Chris "Buka" Martello (Argyle Park/AP2, MTV) has the rare distinction of being a non-musician who has put out two records. Buka and I go back to a strange time where kids recorded music video shows onto VHS tapes. We dig into the history of Circle of Dust, Argyle Park and his time as a producer at MTV.

Mikee Bridges (Gecko Monks, Sometime Sunday, Tragedy Ann, Tom Fest, Star Went Nova, Game Church) is my guest this week. Mikee has played many roles including bassist, singer, concert promoter and russian bar evangelist. He is a "what you see is what you get" kind of guy, which obviously makes him one of my favorite people. You can check out Mikee's organization, Game Church at - http://gamechurch.com/ and you can follow him on Twitter at - http://twitter.com/mikeebridges. His official website can be found at - http://iammikee.com/. Enjoy!

Chad Pearson (Mold, Militia Group, P Is For Panda, Reach) and I first encountered each other when he had just landed his "dream job" at Tooth & Nail Records. He went on to start his own booking agency and multiple record labels. He's had a significant hand in the careers of numerous bands including Rufio, Cartel, Brandtson, Copeland and Gasoline Heart. These days he's making big things happen at Reach Records in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s a humble guy who knows how to hustle. Chad is one of the "good guys" in a business full of villains. It's an honor to call him a friend.

Sean O'Donnell (Dogwood, Reeve Oliver, Yellowcard) and I first came to know each other when I was his A&R guy in the 90's. Sean is a talented songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist as well as recording engineer and producer. Be sure to check out Sean's fantastic new album "Spirit Junkie." You can check out Sean's website and discography at http://seanodonnell.us. You can preview and purchase his album at http://seanodonnell.bandcamp.com/ and follow Sean on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SeanTODonnell.

Mark Salomon (The Crucified, Stavesacre, Outer Circle, Neon Horse, White Lighter) and I have been friends for almost 30 years. We first met in the mid 1980's through the magic of photo-copied music publications called fanzines. He is a published author and all around legit bro from back in the day. You find Mark online at http://www.ineverwas.com/. He's also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/thetwilightsown. THIS IS PART 3 OF A 3 PART INTERVIEW!

Mark Salomon (The Crucified, Stavesacre, Outer Circle, Neon Horse, White Lighter) and I have been friends for almost 30 years. We first met in the mid 1980's through the magic of photo-copied music publications called fanzines. He is a published author and all around legit bro from back in the day. You find Mark online at http://www.ineverwas.com/. He's also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/thetwilightsown. THIS IS PART 2 OF A 3 PART INTERVIEW!

Mark Salomon (The Crucified, Stavesacre, Outer Circle, Neon Horse, White Lighter) and I have been friends for almost 30 years. We first met in the mid 1980's through the magic of photo-copied music publications called fanzines. He is a published author and all around legit bro from back in the day. You find Mark online at http://www.ineverwas.com/. He's also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/thetwilightsown. THIS IS PART 1 OF A 3 PART INTERVIEW!