Performance Anxiety
Music
About
Have you ever wanted to sit down with your favorite artists and talk about what happens behind the scenes? Have you wanted to hear the crazy stories about recording, touring, and creating art that we all know exist? Performance Anxiety gets those stories for you.
Episodes
- Johnny Iguana (The Claudettes)
Johnny Iguana, keyboardist for The Claudettes, shares insights into his musical journey, including his unconventional start in piano, forming the band, and contributing to the score for the show The Bear. The episode also explores the dist…
- Daniel Rachel
In this episode of Performance Anxiety, author Daniel Rachel discusses his book "This Ain't Rock ‘n' Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika, & The Third Reich." The conversation explores the historical use and fascination with Nazi imagery and symb…
- Patrick Michot (Duskseeker, Rougarou)
Patrick Michot discusses his diverse musical career on Performance Anxiety, exploring his roots in a zydeco family, his involvement in the black metal scene, and his innovative covers of video game music.
- George Usher
George Usher, a musician from the NYC scene, shares his story of moving to New York, playing at legendary venues, and navigating the difficulties of self-marketing before the internet. He also details the 30-year process behind the release…
- Robert Roth & Hiro Yamamoto (Truly)
Robert Roth and Hiro Yamamoto, members of the band Truly, join Performance Anxiety to discuss their musical journeys, the Seattle music scene circa 1989, and their respective histories with Storybook Krooks and Soundgarden. They also touch…
- Side Projects: Genesis (w/Scott Shea & Jordon Zadorozny)
As the episode title says, this episode is all about the band Genesis. My brother Scott has written two in depth articles about the band’s early years for The Strange Brew blog. Both he and long-time podcast friend Jordon Zadorozny of Blin…
- Robert Deeble
Today’s guest is deliberate. He’s that way with his music, his lyrics, and his touring. Welcome singer/songwriter Robert Deeble to the podcast. He’s recently released his latest album, The Space Between Us, and it’s a very easy listen. Rob…
- Erika Switchblade (The Devils)
Today’s guest is fiery. And I have to thank Ian Ottaway for introducing me to her. Welcome Erika Switchblade from The Devils to the podcast. Erika is Italian, in southern Italy. International episodes are always interesting. And Erika sets…
- Smitti Supab (Captain Buckles)
Welcome super nice guy Smitti Supab to the podcast. He’s a bass player for a lot of people. And we talk about a lot of them today. But he’s got his own band, Captain Buckles, that’s released their debut album called Hurry Up. Smitti has ha…
- Side Projects: Family Bands w/Louis Michot & Corey Ledet
Today we’re talking about family bands with two guys who know a thing or two about them; Louis Michot and Corey Ledet. Both of these gentlemen are parts of families with deep musical roots. And they both give us a brief rundown of where th…
- Stéphane Schück (The Salt Collective)
Today’s guest may be one of the hardest working guests I’ve ever had. Please welcome, straight from Normandy, France, Stephane Schuck. Stephane talks about the music that inspired him as a kid. It isn’t your standard rock and roll backgrou…
- Wendy Rae Fowler (Humanist, Mark Lanegan)
Today’s guest is just a badass. I’m so excited about this one that I don’t even want to do too long of an intro. I just want her to tell her story. Welcome Wendy Rae Fowler to the show. She’s got such an interesting story. She plays bass f…
- Howard Wuelfing (Descenes, Discords)
It took me about 7 years to get today’s guest. That’s because he was too busy helping other artists with their public relations. Welcome one of my oldest podcasting friends, Howard Wuelfing. Howard was instrumental in kicking off the DC pu…
- Josh Hight (Pines, The Detachment Kit)
Welcome photographer and musician Josh Hight to the show. Josh’s story is near and dear to me because it centers around two of my passions: music and photography. And Josh’s story is not a straightforward one, either. Although his parents…
- Lucas Ward (The Silver Snails)
Today’s guest is a true family man. Or is it family band? You know what? It’s both. Please welcome Lucas Ward of The Silver Snails to the show. He take a moment from traveling with his family to talk to me about his unusual musical path. I…
- Limahl (Kajagoogoo)
This isn’t exactly a Christmas episode, although it certainly leans heavily into the season. That’s because my guest today is an 80’s icon who has released a Christmas song. Welcome Limahl to the podcast. You may remember him from the 80’s…
- Side Projects: Integrity & Perseverance...and Artisanal Sand w/Conan Neutron
Welcome back, Conan Neutron! Conan’s got a new Secret Friends album out called The Way Of The Neutron. The process and circumstances Conan went through creating this album are the inspiration for this episode.It ’s all about integrity and…
- Arwen Lewis
Today’s guest is a challenge. But I don’t mean that in a negative way.Welcome Arwen Lewis to the podcast. She’s a musician and a podcaster. And this show starts off almost like it’s duelling interviews. And before I go any further, I need…
- The Problem With Kids Today
Today’s guest is plural. I’m fortunate to be joined by the entire band The Problem With Kids Today just before they hit the stage. Tate, Silas, and Reena talk about the music that inspired them, some early band experiences, and how the ban…
- Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker)
This week’s guest is very grounded. That could be because he’s British. Or it could be because his career spans several decades. Welcome the singer and guitarist for Kula Shaker, Crispian Mills. This episode is so interesting. Crispian tal…
- Side Projects: The National Symphony Orchestra w/Aaron Goldman & David Teie
This episode of Side Projects is a little different. THey’re all different, if I’m being honest. But this one is…unusual. I welcome two members of the National Symphony Orchestra to the show; principal flute player Aaron Goldman and cellis…
- The Majesty Of Rock: A Spinal Tap Tribute For Teen Cancer America Pt. 3
Welcome to the third installment of our Spinal Tap series. In this episode we welcome four members of Teen Cancer America' Play It Back Program; Nathan Hooper, Savannah Mason, Juan Razuri, and Elissa Waller as well as the co-founder of the…
- Timothy Reid
Today’s guest is probably the most international guest I’ve ever had. Welcome guitarist Timothy Reid to the show. Timothy comes to us from Japan via North Yorkshire, England. How did he end up in Japan? It’s a really interesting story abou…
- The Majesty Of Rock: A Spinal Tap Tribute For Teen Cancer America Pt. 2
Welcome to the second installment of our Spinal Tap series. This time I’m speaking with Abby Travis, Chas West, and David Hakopyan. Due to a personal obligation, I had to record this differently than I normally do. I was in the middle of A…
- Shane Alexander
Today’s guest was a gift and I mean that in a variety of ways. Of course, his music is a gift. This conversation was a gift. But even connecting with him was a gift for which I have to thank Jeremy Toback. Jeremy suggested I listen to Shan…
- The Majesty Of Rock: A Spinal Tap Tribute For Teen Cancer America Pt. 1
Today is the first of a few special episodes. We’re talking Spinal Tap with Scott Reeder of Kyuss, Kellii Scott of Failure, Dizzy Reed of Guns N Roses, and Jason Achilles, who’s put microphones on Mars with NASA’s JPL. What brings all of t…
- doubleVee
In an unusual turn of events here, this week I have doubleVee on the podcast…the entire band! Welcome both Allan and Barb Vest to the podcast. They are a duo with a very interesting past and a wonderful new EP. Allan was a musical late blo…
- Chris Stamey (The dB's, Big Star's Third)
Today’s guest is Chris Stamey. He’s done A LOT! He grew up in North Carolina, playing bass with Mitch Easter and Peter Holsapple. They played in churches and coffee shops because those were the only places at the time that encouraged origi…
- Jon Muq
Today’s guest makes me feel blessed because his story illustrates just how fortunate I am. Meet Jon Muq. He’s a singer/songwriter from Austin TX via Uganda. Growing up, music was not a presence in his life. But sound was. He grew up withou…
- David Motamed (The Royal Arctic Institute, Das Damen)
Today’s guest mellows me out while also thinking about new revenue streams. Welcome David Motamed from The Royal Arctic Institute to the show. Mo, as his friends call him, has a long career in music mixed with a long career as a liver spec…
- Side Projects: Gospel Music
This episode of Performance Anxiety Side Projects is almost a religious experience. Welcome Morgan Geer of Drunken Prayer and Matt Patton of Drive-By Truckers. Today we’re talking about Gospel music. Morgan and Matt talk about the Gospel m…
- Lemoyne Alexander
Today’s guest is the definition of commitment. Please welcome Lemoyne Alexander to the show. Lemoyne really had no choice BUT to go into show business. His dad was a session drummer for Chess Records and started a family band starring Lemo…
- Arad Evans (The Whimbrels, Glenn Branca)
Today’s guest is a fan of birds. Not really. I don’t know. He’s been in two bands named after birds, so maybe. Welcome guitarist Arad Evans to the podcast. I think Arad may be my first Alaskan on the podcast. Now he wasn’t born there, but…
- Robert Scheffler
My guest today is a regular guy who happens to do a lot of creative stuff! Welcome Robert Scheffler to the podcast. Robert started on guitar after finding the one his mom had when she tried to take up the instrument. He played in school, h…
- Willie Nile (Umberto Snortz)
This guest is the very definition of resilience. Please welcome singer/songwriter Willie Nile. He has a new album out called The Great Yellow Light that shows Willie is still in top form. But he has a long, storied career and that’s where…
- David J. Haskins (Bauhaus, Love And Rockets)
Today’s guest hates traffic as much as I do. Plus he helped invent an entire genre of music. Welcome David J. Haskins to the podcast. He has a new album out, but you may also recognize him from his previous bands, Bauhaus and Love And Rock…
- David Abbruzzese (Pearl Jam)
This guest just blew me away on every front imaginable. Welcome drummer David Abbruzzese to the show. If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because he was in the biggest band in the world at what I consider their peak. Dave played dru…
- Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards)
Today’s guest is a family favorite. That means I’m talking with Erika Wennerstrom from Heartless Bastards. There are times when I’m completely blown away that an artist agrees to be a guest on this podcast and this is one of those moments.…
- Knox Chandler (The Psychedelic Furs, Cyndi Lauper)
This week’s guest makes me just want to have fun. No, it’s not Cyndi Lauper. But he did play with her for years. Welcome multi-instrumentalist Knox Chandler to the show. He moved around a lot as a kid, so music really meant a lot to him. H…
- Side Projects: Duos & Funeral Kazoos w/Charming Disaster & Lung
This episode of Side Projects features a duo of duos: Charming Disaster and Lung. So naturally, we started the show by discussing musical duos. Somehow we wrapped everything up by talking about sad kazoo music. I don’t know how we got ther…
- MikelParis (O.A.R.)
Everything about today’s guest is unusual. From writing his first song (which he performed at his high school graduation, unbeknownst to anyone but him) to being in the cast of Stomp before joining O.A.R., to the way he plays guitar, nothi…
- Zak Loy (Live)
This guest never sits still. Welcome guitarist Zak Loy. If you’re in the Austin, TX area, you might know him from any number of bands or projects like Damesviolet, Alpha Rev, Mother’s Anthem, and more. If you like classic alternative rock…
- Bryan Small (The Hangmen)
Today’s guest is Rock ‘N Roll distilled. Welcome Bryan Small of The Hangmen to the podcast. This guy lived the sex, drugs, & rock ‘n roll life until he realized it wasn’t sustainable. Born in Montana and raised in Idaho, Bryan moved to L.A…
- Modern Drugs
Today’s guests, yes guests, are so uplifting. I’d like to welcome Cara Maurizi, Jim Standerfer, Alan Honeycutt, and eventually Ryan Groff; 4/5s of the band Modern Drugs. This band is so positive it’s almost too good to be true. And you kno…
- Esther Canata (LionGale)
Today’s guest is a blast from my past. Please welcome the multi-talented Esther Canata. Esther and I went to school together. We weren’t great friends (she was a freshman when I was a senior and you know how that goes), but we did know eac…
- Kevin Shields (Detention, Bigger Thomas)
Today’s guest really brings me back. Welcome central Jersey’s finest, Kevin Shields of Detention and Bigger Thomas. Kevin was a founding member of the central New Jersey punk scene that birthed bands like Bouncing Souls and Vision. He talk…
- Nikki O'Neill
Today’s guest is a sweet soul. Welcome Nikki O’Neill to the show. She’s a singer/songwriter steeped in classic soul music. But her story is not one of coming up in Memphis or Muscle Shoals, Detroit, or even Chicago, where she’s based, now.…
- Edwin (I Mother Earth, Crash Karma)
Today’s guest makes me feel heavy. If you’re a fan of I Mother Earth, that’ll make sense to you. My guest is Edwin, I Mother Earth’s lead singer. This was such a great discussion, a long time in the making. Edwin talks about growing up in…
- Side Projects: Getting Into Jazz w/Chris Greene & Mike Baggetta
Today we’re talking about jazz, eventually. My computer crashed so this is take two! My guests are Mike Baggetta from mssv among other projects and Chris Greene of the Chris Greene Quartet. They’ve both been on the show before. I highly re…
- James Cook (Captain's Audio Project, Trashcan Joe)
This guest makes me feel like I’m in a Mark Twain novel. Welcome James Cook of Trashcan Joe. He’s got a new project called Captain’s Audio Project and the two bands are like yin and yang. They both have that old-time jazz feel. But where T…