Life In The Stocks

We're rapidly approaching the end of Series Four of Life In The Stocks, at which point the podcast will be going on hiatus. I hope you've enjoyed this recent run of guests and conversations. The main thing that strikes me as I prepare to take a break from the show - and as I look back on all the people I've been lucky enough to interview over the years - is all the wonderful friendships and connections that I've made along the way. Thank you to everyone who's been a part of the journey. Mike Squires is someone I first met 12 years ago whilst working at Kerrang! Radio, when he was out on the road with Duff McKagan. Whit Crane was also there that day, and as well still playing with Duff, Mike now also plays with Ugly Kid Joe. That's a perfect metaphor for the symbiotic nature of this business. When it's good it's great - there's nothing quite like it. And it all seems to come full circle eventually. I know Mike can attest to that. This was a really wonderful conversation and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Be sure to check out Mike's podcast Couch Riffs whilst you're at it. And look out for him on bass on tour with Duff McKagan this October.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

Kelly LeMieux from Goldfinger and Buckcherry is my guest for Episode 346 of Life In The Stocks. Kelly is one of the most enthusiastic and stoked people I've met through music. His positive energy is infectious and he's got a great attitude towards both life and the business. We get into the full scope of it here, from the early days of the Electric Love Hogs with John Feldmann to his longstanding friendships and relationships with Feldy, Charlie and Darrin from Goldfinger. Having now had all those guys on the podcast, I'd love to see them all bury the hatchet and play together again. We shall see. Thanks to Kelly for a great talk: this episode offers all kinds of interesting insights into the LA music scene from the 1980s to the present day. 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

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