As The Story Grows

Chapter 116: "...and what the heck does Pyrrhic mean? (Part Two)" ...as read by Jeff Gretz of Zao Here is part two of my conversation with Jeff Gretz of Zao. In this latter half of the conversation Jeff tells me about starting Zao's own label Observed/Observer" and he walks us through the new ep "Pyrrhic Victory" which will be out this friday Nov 3rd. Thank you Jeff! Wanna preorder this thing? http://www.zaoonline.net Chapter 116 Music: Zao: "Physician, Heal Thyself" Then a clip of each song of the new EP: "Drifting Shadows In Walking Dreams" "Gifts Of Flower And Stone" "Clawing, Clawing. Never Cutting Through" "The Host Has Bared Its Teeth" " Feed It Pain" As The Story Grows links: Help out at Patreon Follow on Twitter See what we're doing at Lavirra Productions ATSG Website ATSG Music and Merch Leave some feedback at iTunes Join the Email List ATSG Facebook Email: asthestorygrows@gmail.com This chapter was edited by

Chapter 117: "Twenty Years And Counting" ...as read by Jason Black of Hot Water Music Twenty years ago today Gainesville Florida natives Hot Water Music released their second full length called "Forever And Counting". This is the first album I ever heard by them and although I will admit it isn't their best effort it is still my favorite. Imagine my surprise to get bassist Jason Black on the show to learn that "Forever" is the bands least favorite release. HA! Well, I don't care...we're doing this anyway. Jason Black and I sat down to discuss how Hot Water Music got started because a strip mall happened to have a frozen yogurt and a Subway in it. We talk a lot about the new release "Light It Up" and we step track by track through the "Forever And Counting" album. Thanks Amy Sciarretto of Atom Splitter for making this possible. All things HWM: https://www.hotwatermusic.com Vultures video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL6vwDDyZek Chapter 117 Music: HWM: &q

Chapter 115: "You Gotta Be Picky Sometimes (Part One)" ...as read by Jeff Gretz of Zao I love talking to drummers because I feel like I can speak the language. Well, leave it to Jeff Gretz to be so far beyond talented that he can speak the elevated level of the language of drumming. I can't say enough good things about Jeff. I have tremendous respect for a drummer that can be sitting on his couch watching football and within two hours be reading the notation for a drum solo without music and recording it for an Ally Sheedy movie. Sure we all know Jeff is the drummer for Zao but we also discuss Emanuel And The Fear, The Knells, Leverage Models, IKillYa and From Autumn To Ashes. Gretz tells the story of how Dan of Zao got ahold of him to play drums by leaving a note at Jeffs drum shop. We get some insight of the drumming community of New York and how the world sometimes isn't quite as big as it seems. We also attempt to get to the bottom of Jeff "leaving" Zao during the hiatus. Yeah...he kin

Chapter 114: "Doing" ...as read by Johnathon Ford of Unwed Sailor / Roadside Monument Johnathon Ford of Unwed Sailor took some time out of his overloaded schedule to record his first podcast with me. Mr. Ford discusses Mr. Bishop's Fist, Warlord, Roadside Monument, Pedro The Lion, Decahedron, Unwed Sailor and just about every story that connects this outlandish resume. Johnathon takes us to the House Of Funk In Seattle (where Jeremy Enigk performed on the couch he was living on) all the way to living at JPUSA and trading a ride back home for a sega genesis. We discuss how whiskey can get you in trouble but a good IPA never hurt anybody. We also cover the Transformers movie, the GI Joe series, Christian school dress codes and all the other important stuff that makes a person question everything they've ever been told. Thank you Johnathon for taking the time; it was truly an honor. (Thanks to Matt Putman for being one of my loudest and most effective cheerleaders. Love you brother.) "Take A Minut

Chapter 113: "Knowing (Part One)" ...as read by Johnathon Ford of Unwed Sailor / Roadside Monument Johnathon Ford of Unwed Sailor took some time out of his overloaded schedule to record his first podcast with me. Mr. Ford discusses Mr. Bishop's Fist, Warlord, Roadside Monument, Pedro The Lion, Decahedron, Unwed Sailor and just about every story that connects this outlandish resume. Johnathon takes us to the House Of Funk In Seattle (where Jeremy Enigk performed on the couch he was living on) all the way to living at JPUSA and trading a ride back home for a sega genesis. We discuss how whiskey can get you in trouble but a good IPA never hurt anybody. We also cover the Transformers movie, the GI Joe series, Christian school dress codes and all the other important stuff that makes a person question everything they've ever been told. Thank you Johnathon for taking the time; it was truly an honor. (Thanks to Matt Putman for being one of my loudest and most effective cheerleaders. Love you brother.) "

Chapter 112: "From Deep Inside The Anti-Matter Room; II of II" ...as read by Kurt Bachman of Believer Here is the second half of my conversation with Kurt Bachman of Believer. He and I wrap up our conversation for about another half an hour and then things get crazy. I read comments and questions from Liam Wilson of Dillinger, Klank of...well...Klank, Mark Garza of Embodyment / The Famine, Darren Johnson and Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice, Jeff Bellew of The Crucified / Stavesacre, we hear live from Jeff King and Kevin Leaman of Believer in the room, we get Lance Garvin of Living Sacrifice and the IMPOSSIBLE to find Joey Daub of Believer on the phone to have a four way discussion about "The Phoenix". This was one of the funniest, most spontaneous conversations I've ever had on the show. Yeah I'm name dropping...wouldn't you? www.believerband.com Chapter 112 Music...ALMOST all Believer: "Gone" "Trilogy Of Knowledge: Part III "The Key" "The Brave" &qu

Chapter 111: "From Deep Inside The Anti-Matter Room; I of II" ...as read by Kurt Bachman of Believer Kurt Bachman of Believer is one hell of a cook. He invited me to his home to meet his dog Gabriel and record his first podcast with me. I love Believer and always have from day one so we took our precious time with this one. We ate, we drank, we were merry and recorded the whole thing. We talk about everything from his first guitar, how he met Joey and started Believer, faith, beer...it's such a doozy that I've split it into two. Hey, they're recording and releasing an entire album two songs at a time. There are no rules anymore. http://www.believerband.com Chapter 111 music are all selections from Believer's entire discography: "Sanity Obscure" "Mindsteps" "888" "The Need For Conflict" "Home" As The Story Grows links: Help out at Patreon Follow on Twitter See what we're doing at Lavirra Productions ATSG Website ATSG Music and Merch Leave some fe

Chapter 110: " * " ...as read by Jeff Bellew of Stavesacre The self-professed "human asterisk" Jeff Bellew has recorded his first podcast chapter with ATSG. He has graced our ears with the latest Stavesacre release "MCMXCV", The Crucified "Pillars Of Humanity", Chatterbox, Mortal and the list goes on. Professor Bellew explains how we ALL should've been measuring our cassette lengths to figure out the genre. Jeff tells us his entire story and it's a good one...the accidental glance of a penny saver ad which led to a musical career all the way up to what might happen next. Beautiful guy inside and out. Enjoy! This chapter is dedicated to my newest patron Brandon Graves. Thanks Brandon! https://www.stavesacre.com Chapter 110 Music: Stavesacre: "Sundown Motel" Stavesacre: "Mr. Larkspur" Stavesacre: "On Being A Human" The Crucified: "The Strength" Mortal: "Alive And Awake" Chatterbox: "Epignosis" Stav

Chapter 109: "A New Heavy" ...as read by Darren Johnson, formerly and occasionally still of Living Sacrifice Darren Johnson otherwise known as "DJ Sacrifice" swings in for a visit. DJ finally gives us the dirt on the fact that there was no dirt with his departure with Living Sacrifice; it was just time. I've been wanting to ask him about that for twenty years. Darren gives us one of the funniest stories I've heard yet: a dude SHOT HIMSELF to be in a band with Lance Garvin. DJ tells us some very old and timeless stories as well as an exclusive listen to a new project he was asked to do a song with called Tetelestai. I love doing this show for many reasons and this chapter is just another example of how amazing this journey has been. Thanks DJ. Go make friendlys with DJ: https://www.facebook.com/darren.johnson.773981 LS FB: https://www.facebook.com/livingsacrifice/ Tetelestai is coming: www.anewheavy.com Slow Southern Steel Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDK6ECp-6Zc Chapter 10

Chapter 108: "A Well In-Tensioned Virus" ...as read by Jeff Martin of Lo-Pan See what I did there? I met Jeff Martin at a Zao show in Indianapolis and we hit it off. I asked him onto the show and it's just that easy. Here he is. Jeff is the VERY talented vocalist of the band Lo-Pan and I've really come to love listening to him sing. Jeff was nice enough to take some time out and tell us about his early years and how it has all lead to what he is doing now with Lo-Pan...which includes a tie-in with Ooziest. Not to shabby, Jeff. He also has a new band called Acula and I can't wait to hear what he is doing vocally in a darker band with nine minute songs. Thanks Jeff! http://lopandemic.com https://www.facebook.com/lopandemic Chapter 108 Music: I played all five songs from their latest release "In Tensions" on Aqualamb Records "Go West" "Sink Or Swim" "Long Live The King" "Alexis" "Pathfinder" As The Story Grows links: Help out at Patreon F

Chapter 107: "All of Less Art, more or less" ...as read by Mike Minnick of Less Art What happens when Thrice, Kowloon Walled City and Curl Up And Die all combine their artistic forces? You get Less. Mike Minnick sits down with me and goes over every square inch of the new Less Art album "Strangled Light" on Gilead Media. Mike was the vocalist of the kegger-ruining band Curl Up And Die from Vegas and now lives in Chicago. Mike was asked to put his honest and gut-wrenching lyrics to this amazing album and offered the time to sit with me and cover it all. He tells a bit of back story, we clean up the alternate facts on his wiki page and then we go track by track for you. Thank you Mike, Less Art, former guests Ian and Riley and Gilead for allowing me to do this. This is getting a nod for AOTY2017 from me. Enjoy all of Less Art. Less Art FB: https://www.facebook.com/LESSARTBAND/ The "Diana The Huntress" podcast. Wow. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/506/secret-

Chapter 106: "Where The Mosh Pit Meets The Dance Floor" ...as read by Klank Meet Daren Diolosa, the one and only Klank. Listen as Mr. Klank leads us through the early days of Circle Of Dust all the way up to being bitten by a rattlesnake and almost dying last year. How'd he get his name? In here. How he met his wife at the circus? Yep. Dug Pinnick slept on his couch for a week? You betcha. Signed with Tooth And Nail in blood? No joke. Some of his wildest stories? Yessirs we gots 'em. Plus we go track by track for his newest release "Rise". Klank you very much. http://klanknation.com Chapter 106 Music: Circle Of Dust: "Deviate" Argyle Park: "Headscrew" Klank's 2017 album "Rise" in it's entirety: "Bring Me Down' "Better Place" "The Beast Within" "Only Human" "Rise" "These4walls" "De-Volve" "Manipulation" "Till The End" "The Damage" "Something About You" (

Chapter 105: "Ghosting The Room" ...as read by Jason Thomson of Vast Robot Armies This chapter is dedicated to one of my favorite finds called Vast Robot Armies. Jason Thomson and I became fast friends via email about the podcast and long story short: here we are. Jason founded a band called Vast Robot Armies and I have really taken a liking to their Life And Times/Archers/Hum/Polvo style. Jason and I talk about how the band got started as pretty much just him, meeting up with Allen Epley of Life And Times, misconceptions of Canadians, being a new dad and a killer Will Sasso story. Check out the links to learn everything you need to know about VRA and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Definitely scratching the itch for me... https://www.facebook.com/VastRobotArmies/ Chapter 105 Music: from the VRA release "Dinner Music" https://vastrobotarmies.bandcamp.com Motor Home Sailing Stones Dinner Music Commodore Grey Area Living (from Goodnight Myopia) Cruel Elephant Mahovolich

Chapter 104: "God Is The Warmest Place To Hide" ...as read by Jeremy Hunt of Qoheleth This podcast has afforded me the opportunity to become friends with folks that I listen to already. Sometimes my friends BECOME musicians I listen to. Jeremy Hunt has become such a great friend that I am more than honored and excited to introduce his new musical project Qoheleth. Jeremy, along with his drummer Mike Strickler and the "visual identity" position being filled by his cousin Caiden Withey are up to something unique and very special. Jeremy tells me all about being born overseas and living in France, moving all over the world and the eventual goal of coming home to the east coast. Mr. Hunt is in seminary and has the daily wrestling match with his own faith which I am always interested in hearing about. Qoheleth was assembled as part of a college thesis and I wanted you all to hear about this. Yeah, it's just a noise rock band...but this story has angles I wanted you to hear. I backloaded this ch

Chapter 103: "Podcast Empowered" ...as read by Bruce Fitzhugh, Lance Garvin, Chris Truby, Jason Truby and Brandon Ebel Where were you on June 3rd, 1997? (I don't remember either.) But, I know something special that happened that day. A band from Little Rock, Arkansas called Living Sacrifice released their fourth full-length album called "Reborn" on new Tooth & Nail metal spinoff label Solid State Records. People have called this one a game changer; others claim this was Christian metal's first "metal core" album. I personally think this is one of the most important Christian metal albums to ever hit the scene. You are going to hear from all four members who recorded on the album along with executive producer and label owner Brandon Ebel. This massive undertaking began it's planning stages about five months ago and I'd like to personally thank all five guests who took time from busy lives to speak with me. I especially need to thank my partner-in-crime Bryan Patton who is resp

Chapter 102: "Suns and Daughters" ...as read by Alexis Marshall of Daughters (and formerly As The Sun Sets) Recorded on March 31st, 2017 Alexis Marshall has been the lead vocalist of Daughters for 15 years. He was the lead in the group As The Sun Sets and I'd recommend them as well. This guy is actually one of my favorite vocalists because I love his approach to his vocal style. Snarky and backhanded with plenty of metal still in the tank. "Lex" tells me about his troubled childhood, parental stuff, living on couches and his climb out of alcoholism. I love this discussion because he didn't have to open up like he did...but he did. We learn that the iconic "announcement" after As The Sun Sets and before Daughters was a mistake. There is plenty of turbulence in the band's past. And, hilariously, if it hadn't have been from Andy Low of Robotic Empire kinda lying to Lex and Nick they may not be back together now. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed speaking to him. Daugh

Chapter 101: "This one's for Jet" ...as read by Mike Felumlee of The Bigger Empty and The Smoking Popes (Recorded on April 11th, 2017) Mike Felumlee has quite a musical resume....and drummer for The Smoking Popes and Alkaline Trio wasn't quite enough. Mike is the lead vocalist and guitarist for his group The Bigger Empty. Mike tells us about skateboarding in the basement, playing a show for the deaf and opening for Weezer to about 17,000 people. We also cover dogs, his band Duvall and what it is like to be a non-religious guy in a band that suddenly has a religious change. Oh...and this little thing called "Live at The Rock Room." Crazy. This is a great chapter and we have Gary Strack of Reybee Inc to thank for the hook up. Thanks, Gary! The Bigger Empty FB page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBiggerEmptyBand/ The Bigger Empty Reybee page: http://www.reybee.com/wp3/roster/the-bigger-empty/ The Bigger Empty on La Escalera: http://laescalerarecords.com/bigger-empty-eps/ You have GOT to check ou

Chapter 100: "Podtera?" ...as read by Joshua Toomey, Erik Hall and Brandon Kellum This may be the world's first online podcast cover band. Maybe? That's actually not a big deal anyways...nevermind. But Podtera? We've been assembling a cover song for well over a half-a-year and the best we could come up with is PODTERA? Long story short: Brandon Kellum (vocalist of American Standards), Erik Hall (of the guitar podcast Shoot The Shred), Joshua Toomey (former bassist of Primer 55 and host of the Talk Toomey podcast) and myself decided to start an online cover band. Why? Because we can. Our first song is Elite from the Deftones. Why? Because Erik makes bad decisions. We're naming the band Podtera. Why? Because Josh makes bad decisions. It can be found on my bandcamp page for free. Why? Because I make bad decisions. ...and so do YOU! Thank you for listening to this show a hundred times. When I rebranded this thing I was intimidated that no one would care. In the grand scheme of podcasts...no one does. Bu

Chapter 99: "The Anniversary Of A Miracle" ...as read by Chad Neptune, Jason Berggren, Chris Carbonell, Steven Kleisath and Billy Power Hey, you know what today is? Today is the 20th anniversary to the very first Solid State release "The Advent Of A Miracle" by Strongarm. Join Bryan Patton (appearing on his first episode) and I, strap on a party hat and grab some cake and lets talk ADVENT! This is a very special chapter for me as we are joined by five guests: bassist Chad Neptune, former vocalist Jason Berggren, album vocalist Chris Carbonell, drummer Steven Kleisath and former label AR rep Billy Power. Thanks SO much for listening today. I've been wanting to do this for a while. Chapter 99 Music: "The Advent Of A Miracle" in its entirety "These Times That Try Men's Souls" "Supplication" "Council Of Perfection" "More BitterThan Death" "Advent Of A Miracle" "Measure Of Consequence" "Sorrow Is A Sage&qu

Chapter 98: "Loser Lifer" ...as read by Jesse Matthewson of Ken Mode Jesse Matthewson, lead vocalist and guitarist of the Canadian outfit Ken Mode was good enough to grace us with his chapter. I caught Jesse in a bit of some downtime within Ken Modes schedule so this conversation is about as hangout as you can get. He's not even promoting anything as of yet...but he assures us that a whole new direction is afoot in the Ken Mode camp. We discuss the unique geographical challenges on being a band in the Canadian tundra, vocal challenges that come with downtime, early inception of the band, he (and brother/drummer Shane's) management company and how the rest of the world is viewing good ol' America right now. All things Ken: http://www.ken-mode.com Chapter 98 Music: Ken Mode: "Management Control" Ken Mode: "The Pioneer" Ken Mode: "The Irate Jumbuck" Ken Mode: "Blessed" Kittens: "Tiger Comet" Ken Mode: "The Goat" Ken Mode: "