The New Scene

Keith sits down with Mike Repasch-Nieves to discuss his early life in New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, moving to Boston, the formation of Junius, Mike's history with the band, his departure and the formation of SOM. We also discuss SOM's history as a band, their creative process and how it has evolved over the years, the remote recording process for their 2021 EP "Awake", SOM's "Faith" EP and how they decided to cover Depeche Mode, their latest LP "Let The Light In", the making of the record, overcoming self-critiques, the guitar gear Mike is currently using, the endless search for perfect tone and more.

Keith sits down with Don Devore to discuss growing up in Philadelphia, early music influences, the recent Frail reunion, their discography reissue, how Don updated his guitar parts for the reunion shows, the band's history and unique ideology and their initial breakup. We also discuss Don's first band with Sean McCabe: Mandela Strikeforce, how this band evolved into Ink & Dagger, the meticulous planning that went into every aspect of the band, the meaning and misunderstandings behind the vampire aesthetic, the making of their debut LP "The Fine Art of Original Sin" and the final Self Titled record, the passing of vocalist Sean McCabe, moving to Los Angeles, joining The Icarus Line on bass and appearing on their 2003 LP "Penance Soiree", collaborating with Kurt Heasley in Lilys, the 2010 Ink & Dagger reunion and more.

The New Scene - Episode 269: Luke Garro of Piebald + Artist Spotlight: The Phantom Eye

Keith sits down with Luke Garro to discuss growing up in Connecticut, being inspired by the local scene, Luke's early days in music and how Luke joined Fastbreak by spontaneously jumping on the kit at one of their shows. We also discuss the history of Fastbreak, signing with Big Wheel Recreation, their recent repress of their debut LP "Fast Cars, Fast Women", In My Eyes, the history of the band, the story behind the cover art of their debut LP "The Difference Between" by Pushead, Piebald, how Luke joined the band, upcoming Piebald news and more.

Artist Spotlight: Larry Hundertmark of The Phantom Eye. We discuss the band and their new EP "Cymatic Waves".

Grady Allen returns to the show and we discuss the rise of Anxious after the release of their debut LP "Little Green House", balancing life inside and outside of the band while Grady worked to complete his college education and the positive and negative effects the hardcore scene has had on his life. We also discuss the upcoming Anxious LP "Bambi", recording with Brett Romnes, the themes behind the record, overcoming creative difficulties, new ways of thinking about straight edge and more.

Keith meets individually with Mike Ricketts and Chuck French of Planes Mistaken For Stars to discuss their personal history and trajectory with music as well as the story of Planes Mistaken For Stars. We cover the band's history as well as the making of their most recent LP "Do You Still Love Me?". Planes' front man and guitar player Gared O'Donnell was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer during the making of the LP which subsequently kicked the creative process into high gear. Tragically, Gared succumbed to the disease in November of 2021 but his memories live on through the band, his friends and his family.

Keith sits down with Einar Selvik to discuss growing up in Osterøy, Norway, early music influences and becoming obsessed with the drums at an early age, joining Gorgoroth and recording their 2003 LP "Twilight of the Idols" while carrying future visions of what would become his future project Wardruna. We also discuss the history of Wardruna, the earliest recordings which date back to 2002, how Einar committed himself fully to his vision and developed the project over the years, the making of Wardruna's latest LP "Birna" and the themes behind the record, collaborating with Aurora, providing the soundtrack for "Vikings", what's next for Wardruna and more. 

Keith sits down with Bryan Torres to discuss growing up in La Puente, California, how his cousin saved him from life in a gang and turned him onto music, early hip hop and garage rock influences and the formation and early days of Death Lens. We also discuss how Bryan left behind his full time job and decided to take on music full time, the evolution of Death Lens, the changes the band made internally to push forward their progression, signing with Epitaph Records, recording their latest LP "Cold World" with Brett Romnes, what's next for Death Lens and more.

Artist Spotlight: Colin Dawson of Haunted Horses. We discuss the band and their latest LP "Dweller" out now on Three One G records.

Keith sits down with Aaron Bedard to discuss growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts, how Aaron became interested in music by way of the Dead Kennedys and Sex Pistols, discovering the hardcore scene by seeing Black Flag, Circle Jerks and other bands, and joining his first band at 16 years old. We also discuss the formation of Bane, the early days of the band, Aaron's vocal influences, a look into the history of Bane's debut LP "It All Comes Down to This" and the follow up "Give Blood", how the hardcore scene and Bane helped Aaron deal with past trauma, addressing his trauma for the first time on the song "Wrong Planet", Bane's initial breakup, Aaron's life after the band, the Stu McGuire benefit show and Bane reunion, the future of Bane and more.

Keith sits down with Brendan Murphy to discuss building gaming PC's, adjusting to life in sobriety, the arduous task of beating Elden Ring, Counterparts' recent surprise drop of the "Heaven Let Them Die" EP and the making of the record, END, the history of the band, the creative process behind their latest LP "The Sin of Human Frailty", if "Necessary Death" has the best modern breakdown, navigating online criticism and more. 

Keith sits down with Jesse Leach  to discuss growing up across the country and settling in Providence RI, discovering the local scene, early music influences including Dropdead, Bloodlet and Threadbare, Jesse's early work in music and personal experiences that informed his outlook and creative process. We also discuss Killswitch Engage , their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand with Iron Maiden, the logistics of playing to a stadium sized audience, Killswitch Engage's history as a band, their quick rise to notoriety after the release of their debut Self Titled LP and the massive follow up LP "Alive or Just Breathing", Jesse's departure from the band shortly after its release, Jesse's post-Killswitch band Seamless and how he learned to live as a touring musician in that band, some Times of Grace history, rejoining Killswitch Engage for the "Disarm the Descent" LP, how Jesse rediscovered his artistic voice for their upcoming LP "This Consequence" and more.