Going Off Track

Drummer for The Bouncing Souls and Joan Jett, just to name a few, Michael McDermott is another Jersey treasure. From his early ska days and Murphys Law, to Budokan, the kid's got stories and he's telling! And be sure to check him out in The Kilograms with Joe Gittleman and Sammy Kay.

Hardcore NJ drummer for Ensign, P.E.D. and many more, Chris Ross has known Benny since the latter was a wee punk. We go deep into the lore of New Jersey punk & hardcore, from the magic of 67 Hardy St. and the Bouncing Souls house basement shows to The Melody & The Roxy. There are also many fun, (some embarrassing) young Benny moments.

Coliseum singer/guitarist, Louisville native, Ryan Patterson gives us the lowdown on 'zines, throwing shows and managing a record label. He talks about pushing forward to escape his small town and how "everywhere is a creative outlet". Be sure and check out his new band, Fotocrime.

Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio joins us this week to talk mustaches and basketball. Oh yeah, he's got an awesome day-job too. We get deep into AT's new album and drummer as well as going back to those VFW gig days and the beloved Fireside Bowl, Chicago!

Popeye Vogelsang of legendary hardcore band, Farside, joins us this week to discuss pizza and sex, growing up a puny little punk kid, "bowling it out!" with Jimmy G. of Murphy's Law and his new band, Calling Hours. photo: Josh Nesmith

Senior NBA Writer for The Ringer and contributor to the NY Times, LA Daily News and Sports Illustrated, Howard Beck also knows a thing or two about music. Benny has a blast talking hoops with him and comparing basketball positions with band members.

In another, 'pal-of-the-podcast' episode, we talk to the 2nd nicest drummer in the biz, The Menzingers' own Joe Godino. Yoga with the Descendents' Bill Stevenson, muscle maintenance with Hot Water Music's George Rebelo and hangin' with Kevin from The Office. It's all in there.

Dave Hause is a great songwriter, singer, performer and an awesome podcast guest, especially for this show. Benny and Dave dig into their shared past, the rewards and pains of being a professional musician and Fat Mike's over-reaction to Dave's article on how punk-rock Taylor Swift was.

Listening to Donovan Woods talk is almost as good as listening to him sing. The lyrics are there! Maybe the backing track of Benny and Brad cackling at his stories isn't quite as nice as Donovan's sweet acoustic guitar but hey, it's storytime. Tim McGraw in a garbage can, check it out.

Deep thinking drummer, podcaster and renown singer/songwriter, Emil Amos joins us gets way deep with Benny. "Melt down this whole machine so people can see what's inside the Matrix." Then he tells us about how hid dad used to be sailing pals with John Oates of "Hall and". It's a very Emil episode.

Hot on the heels of finishing up his brilliant new album, Hellmode - our most popular, and represented guest of all time, singer/songwriter, music maniac, nice guy, Jeff Rosenstock! This is Jeff's 11th or 12th appearance on the show, his 4th solo episode and he is very happy to have coincidentally made episode #420. Please enjoy, we did.

Guitarist/vocalist from Taking Back Sunday, Brody and The Color Fred, Fred Mascherino regales us with a few epic tales including an early, wild trip to California that irreversibly impacted both his personal and professional life.

Rock guitarist/songwriter Emily Wolfe checks in from the big 'ole state of Texas to talk about horror movies, turning to ROCK with sobriety and totally blowing up somebody's wedding.

The amazing and talented Jesse Malin, from July 2022 - PLEASE DONATE to Jesse's SweetRelief fund. This guy has given so much to others in need and he needs some help now himself. Please give what you can.

Dynamic hardcore frontman, Brendan Garrone of Incendiary joins us this week from Long Island to talk about the scene, local pizza, the evils of social media, and making friends with Skynet.

The amazing Chris Pierce has been "the adult in the room of punk" for a while now, as the founder of Doc Hopper, drummer in School Drugs and the "man behind the glass" in the studio, he's essential to his adopted Jersey scene and the whole scene in general. This was a fun convo.

The legendary Gentleman Jim Norton kept us going so long, he became a 2-parter! We'll just drop names for this one... Fred Schneider of the B52's, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Evan Dando - Madonna didn't even make the cut because the other stories were so good!

The one and only Gentleman Jim Norton joined us for an epic session that is all off-track. From his upbringing in the Church of the Precious Blood to becoming the #3 Trivia Host in the World, while along the way road-managing Rancid (during intense times) and The Goops! (among others). Oh yeah, he also played bass in Crucial Youth as a... youth. It's another informative Road Dog special!

This week, Ben Walsh of Tiger's Jaw checks in to throw love at his band with "Things About Brie" and some major, drummer-love. We def go off track with this one - strange sleep experiences, The Office and The Menzingers' original ska band to name a few.

My Chemical Romance guitarist, Frank Iero gets down and Jersey with Benny this week. We dig deep into early memories, hanging with his drummer Grandpa and pals to a scary MyChem basement show. It's all Franky... and Jersey.