Life In The Stocks

Life In The Stocks Episode 345 features legendary low desert musician and stoner rock stalwart, Brant Bjork. This conversation with Brant explores the history of the desert rock movement and the story of Kyuss. We also discuss Brant's time in Fu Manchu, Vista Chino, Stoner, The Low Desert Punk Band, and his myriad of solo records. It's hard to think of many people with as many albums as this man, and we get into as much of it as one hour permits right here and now. Dig in!Follow me on Facebook / 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

Here's another man that's led a rich and multifaceted life. Pete Stahl is probably best known as the lead singer in Scream, the Virginia hardcore band for which Dave Grohl drummed before joining Nirvana. But Pete has sung in a plethora of musical projects - Wool, Goatsnake, Orquesta del Desierto, The Desert Sessions, Earthlings? - and toured with the likes of Rammstein, Queens of the Stage, Rival Sons and Coheed and Cambria in a multitude of different roles. His Instagram handle is @youshouldwriteabook and he really should. Consider this podcast the introductory chapter. Enjoy!Follow me on Facebook / 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

Musician, actor and composer Zander Schloss has led an incredibly interesting life. And we cover as much of it as time permits in this episode of Life In The Stocks, from his break in the music and film industry to his brief stint in the Red Hot Chili Peppers, his longstanding friendship and creative relationship with Joe Strummer, and his time in the Circle Jerks, who coincidentally are the first band in which every member has now featured on the podcast in individual episodes. There's a ton of great stories and plenty of insightful words of wisdom within this conversation, so dig in and enjoy the ride. Follow me on Facebook / 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 punk rock legend and gentleman Joey Castillo returns for his second appearance on Life In The Stocks this week. The Bronx, Circle Jerks and Zakk Sabbath drummer - plus a dozen other bands - joins me to discuss the aforementioned bands and his timelines and involvement with all of them, plus side notes like the time he tried out for Guns N' Roses and the band that he's in with Tim Armstrong and Jesse Michaels from Operation Ivy. Joey is not only one of the most talented and in-demand drummers in the world, he's also one of the greatest guys I've ever had the pleasure of touring, performing and spending time with. He really is an absolute geezer. Love ya, Joey!!!Follow me on Facebook / 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

I first met Millie Manders ten years ago. I saw her performing at a Scroobius Pip Presents night in Camden, and I was so impressed I invited her to come and record an interview and live session for my short lived Punk Show on the equally short lived Team Rock Radio. Since then, I've watched Millie build her career up from scratch and grind away as a successful solo independent artist on the UK punk scene. In this podcast, we talk about the realities, struggles and rewards that come with that territory, and the resulting conversation is a super honest account of life as an independent UK artist, and the ways in which Millie has been able to sustain a full-time career in music. We also discuss the changes in the music industry - both good and bad - over the last ten years, and Millie's full range of musical tastes and influences. Be sure to pick up her new album, Wake Up, Shut Up, Work, which is out now!!!Follow me on Facebook / 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

Lily Meff from The Meffs joins me for Episode 340 of Life In The Stocks. The Meffs are not only one of my favourite UK bands around right now, they are also two of my absolute favourite people. I've shared the stage with the band a couple of times - on tour with Sonic Boom Six and for NOFX's final London shows - and we've had the chance to hang out in Berlin and Madrid, and I can't say enough good things about them, as musicians and as people.In the conversation you're about to hear, I talk to Lily about our mutual friend Frank Turner and his integral role in the story of The Meffs. We also discuss Fat Mike and his involvement with the band, and what it means to The Meffs to have the support of people like Frank and Mike. We talk about two-piece bands, how two is the magic number, and Lily teases new music from The Meffs and drops hint in regards to their new record. The band have a monster arena tour with Alice Cooper coming up in October. Go and see them!!!Follow me on Facebook / 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

Jon Snodgrass doesn't like to call himself a solo artist. He prefers to think of himself as "solo with a bro." He's full of all sorts of bumper sticker philosophies like this, and we get into a myriad of them during the course of this conversation. It also gets quite personal and emotional towards the end. There is no one quite like Jon Snodgrass, as this episode ultimately proves. And remember: 50/50 is 100%Follow me on Facebook / 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

Joining me for Episode 338 of Life In The Stocks is Johnny Marriott from the band Pet Needs. Unbeknownst to me, Johnny has been listening to the podcast for years, so it was a pleasure to welcome him onto the show as a guest. Pet Needs are one of my favourite new UK bands, and their productivity is astounding: since the pandemic they've released three albums and toured all the UK and America with Frank Turner and The Bouncing Souls. If you like this conversation, be sure to check out their music if you're yet to do so. And go see Pet Needs on tour with Laura Jane Grace later this year. Follow me on Facebook / 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

Sam McTrusty from Twin Atlantic is my guest for Episode 337 of Life In The Stocks. I was one of the first people in the world to play Twin Atlantic on the radio back in the Kerrang! days, and I was a big champion of the band in the lead up to the release of their second album, Free. But I've not really seen or spoken to Sam since that time, so it was a genuine pleasure to jump on the mics and catch up on the last decade of our lives. We talk line-up and record label changes, and the past, present and future of Twin Atlantic, including the band's forthcoming album Meltdown, which for my money is the best thing they've done since Free. It comes out in August and it's probably the band's definitive musical statement to date. You heard it here first. Follow me on Facebook / 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