Life In The Stocks

Photographer and graphic artist Jesse Fischer joins me for Episode 328 of Life In The Stocks. We have a fascinating chat about skateboarding and punk rock, the rise and peaks of those movements, developments in technology and the music industry, how the scenes and society have changed, the lasting legacy of those early punk bands and Jesse’s favourite memories from those times, the creative process, influence and inspiration, working for Thrasher, Epitaph, Fat Wreck Records & Hellcat, and the beauty of chasing your dreams.I've really been enjoying this latest run of conversations and I hope you're enjoying listening to them as well. Loads more great ones on the way, too. Big thank you to Jesse for this one. Be sure to check out his work on Instagram: @mr.fissure

It's been a lone time since I've had a visual artist on the show, and I'm thrilled to welcome agitprop artist, illustrator, record sleeve & band logo designer and master of the medium of collage, the iconclastic Winston Smith as my guest for Episode 327 of Life In The Stocks.We discuss all things art, creativity, counter-culture, punk rock, and Winston's longstanding relationship with and connection to bands like Green Day and the Dead Kennedy’s, who he’s created iconic album art, band logos & record sleeves for. We also talk about his friendship with and admiration for artists such as Ralph Steadman and Gee Vaucher from Crass. And his upcoming art show at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, Been Wrong So Long It Looks Like Right to Me, which runs from June 15 to August 12. For more info on Winston’s work, head to winstonsmith.com He's currently selling skateboards based on the iconic 'IDOL' collage that became the front cover for the infamous Dead Kennedys EP 'In God We Trust.' Score one whilst stocks last. Follow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com

Cult rock 'n' roll guitar slinger Kid Congo Powers joins me on Life In The Stocks this week for Episode 326 of the podcast. We discuss his upbringing as a Mexican American in East LA in the 1970s, playing in The Gun Club and the genius of Jeffrey Lee Pierce, creativity, experimentation, addiction & recovery, the inspiration and lasting legacy of Poison Ivy and The Cramps, the band's recent renaissance period after Goo Goo Muck appeared on Tim Burton's TV show Wednesday, energy, escapist entertainment and the darker side of rock n roll, and so much more.You can also catch Kid giving guided tours at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas this weekend.Tickets can be bought here: https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com/guided-tour-ticketsFollow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com

We've got a very special guest on the show this week. Joining me for Episode 325 of Life In The Stocks is John Reis aka Speedo aka The Swami from Rocket The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, The Sultans, The Nightmarchers, Back Off Cupids, Plosivs, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and more.The singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, DJ and underground music guru discusses his experiences with Gene Simmons and Johnny Rotten - two pasts LITS guests and two of my favourite rock ‘n’ roll heroes / villains - being a producer and making records, being a frontman and performing live, playing in Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and the genius of Spike Slawson, his Swami John Reis records, his love of all things punk rock, GG Allin and more. You can also catch John giving guided tours at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas this weekend as part of the Punk Rock Bowling festival, tickets for which can be bought here:https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com/guided-tour-ticketsFollow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com

We also discuss Stacey’s upbringing and history with depression and addiction, and her non-profit organisation The Sidewalk Project. And we get into her battle with cancer and overcoming that whole ordeal.Finally, we talk about the new Bad Cop record and Stacey's upcoming guided tours at the Punk Rock Museum, tickets for which you'll find here: https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com/guided-tour-ticketsIf this podcast is anything to go by, Stacey has stories for days!!!Follow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com

The Yorkshire tri-factor that began with Joe Elliott three weeks ago is now complete, as renowned gun for fire, underground guitar god, singer-songwriter, solo artist and all-round nice bloke Chris Catalyst joins me for Episode 322 of Life In The Stocks. Chris has played with everyone from the Sisters of Mercy and Ghost to The Wildhearts and Ugly Kid Joe. He also has his own band Eureka Machines. And he's a prolific solo artist. And we try and cover as much ground as possible in the allotted time, from being a solo full-time creative person and the joys and perils that come with the territory to the inspirational power of music and the importance of a positive perspective on life and the world around you. It's an uplifting discussion and I hope you take something positive away from it. You can also catch Chris on tour this month. Dates and ticket link below. Fri 24 May - Wolverhampton KK’sSat 25 May - Glasgow AudioSun 26 May - Edinburgh BannermansThurs 30 May - York Fulford ArmsFri 31 May - Blackpool WaterlooSat 1 June - Huddersfield ParishTickets at chriscatalyst.com/gigsFollow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com

Mike Vennart from Empire State Bastard, Biffy Clyro & Oceansize joins me for Episode 321 of Life In The Stocks. We had Joe Elliott on the show last week and Mike Vennart on the show this week - from one Yorkshire rock legend to another. Amongst many other topics, we discuss Mike's love of Jane's Addiction, his lifelong love affair with heavy metal, coming up on the UK music scene alongside Biffy Clyro, watching their meteoric rise and eventually joining the band, starting Empire State Bastard and how that band came about, and what it's like making music with Dave Lombardo. Follow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com

Ladies and gentlemen, the Mighty Joe Elliott from the multi-platinum-selling Def Leppard joins me for Episode 320 of Life In The Stocks. This actually marks Joe's third appearance on the podcast, but there's never any shortage of fun stuff to talk about. Joe's one of the chattiest guys around. Here, we discuss everything from stadiums tours with Motley Crue and the shenanigans that went down on the road to the working class roots of Def Leppard and what's held the band together over all these years. We're also talk about the band's breakthrough album Pyromania, the 40th anniversary edition to which is out now. Follow me on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram: @mattstocksdjMy first two books (Life In The Stocks Volume One & Two) are also out NOW and available to buy from all reputable online book stores. Signed copies can be purchased direct from the publishers: rarebirdlit.com