Life In The Stocks

I've got an extra special guest joining me for Episode 330 of Life In The Stocks. It's my dear friend Lzzy Hale from Halestorm. I've known Lzzy for 13 years, but this is her first official appearance on the podcast - the Soundtrack Apocalypse episode during the pandemic doesn't count!And we make up for lost time by diving right into it. We discuss growing up and getting older, moving through life, self-improvement, self-development, being a role model, inspiring others, paying it forward, losing yourself, rediscovering your sense of purpose, going through therapy, songwriting, creativity, connection, cultivating an authentic relationship with your fanbase, showing up for your band mates and them showing up for you, the importance of community and camaraderie, singing with GWAR and Skid Row, Halestorm, obviously, and a lot more more. I've been doing this podcast for nearly eight years and I've done 330 episodes to date, and this one ranks amongst my all-time favourite episodes. Thanks so much to Lzzy for such a lovely conversation, and for being such a great friend to me over the years. Happy listening!!!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

Mike Kroeger from Canadian multi-platinum selling rock band Nickelback joins me for Episode 329 of Life In The Stocks to discuss life in the band people hate to love. Check out the excellent new documentary of the same name, which is out now. It's an honest, engaging and entertaining peak behind the curtain of one of the world's biggest and most beloved / maligned rock bands. Mike is an absolute top geezer as well. 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

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.fissureFollow 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

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

Life In The Stocks Episode 324 features Jen Razavi from The Bombpops. I first met Jen last summer at SBAM festival in Austria. We've shared many great conversations since then, culminating in the podcast that you're about to hear. We discuss creativity, vulnerability, self-expression, personal development, online presence, the greater purpose, gratitude, calmness, contentment, fulfilment, friendships, hustling, building a community, making a living, performing live, playing in a band versus being solo and so much more.Be sure to follow Jen on Instagram @jen_pop and check out her debut solo album, East Side of Eden, 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

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