Seeing Them Live

S03E18 - Speechless: Horace Pinker's Memorable Meeting with John Paul Jones

In this episode Charles interviews the core members of the Chicago-based punk band Horace Pinker, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Scott Eastman, drummer Bryan Jones, and bassist and vocalist Greg Mytych. Charles delves into the history of the band, which was originally formed in Tempe, Arizona. Horace Pinker has toured extensively, performing in over 20 countries and sharing stages with renowned acts such as Green Day, The Offspring, and Blink 182. They have released eight studio albums, including their latest, 'Now and the Future.'The interview touches upon their musical journey, personal concert experiences, and the influence they had on other bands and their fanbase. Bryan recounts a memorable story of loading in gear for the band MDC, while Scott shares his experience of seeing Bad Brains live in the late '80s. The band members also discuss some of their weirdest and most disappointing shows, including an incident involving a ceiling fan in Germany and a lackluster performance by Texas is the Reason.The highlight of the interview is when Bryan describes the time, he had dinner with David Grohl of Foo Fighters and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin but missed an opportunity to start a conversation with John Paul Jones.The conversation also highlights the impact of their music, with accounts of fans reaching out and young musicians covering their songs. They reflect on the longevity of their career, the experience of touring, and their continued passion for music. The episode concludes with the band expressing their gratitude to fans and mentioning that more information can be found by Googling 'Horace Pinker.'BANDS: Agent Orange, All Systems Go, At the Drive-In, Bad Brains, Bad Religion, Blink-182, Bulimia Banquet, Butthole Surfers, Dag Nasty, Descendents, DI, Doughboys, Duran Duran, Firehose, Fugazi, GBH, Green Day, Guns N’ Roses, Horace Pinker, Hüsker Dü, Jawbreaker, Jimmy Eat World, KISS, Led Zeppelin, MDC, Meat Puppets, Metallica, Minutemen, Monster Magnet, NOFX, NRA, Queens of the Stone Age, Seven Seconds, SNFU, Texas Is the Reason, Them Crooked Vultures, The Cult, The Offspring, Yellowcard.VENUES: Aragon, Boat on the Rhine River (festival performance in Cologne, Germany), Bobby’s Eastside, Burlington, Fireside Bowl, Fitzgerald’s, House of Blues, Living Room, Reggie's, Riot Fest, Riviera, Silver Dollar Club, UIC Pavilion. PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLivePlease help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.WEBSITE:https://seeingthemlive.com/Visit the Seeing Them Live website for bonus materials including the show blog, resource links for concert buffs, photos, materials related to our episodes, and our Ticket Stub Museum.INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708

S03E17 – Andy Gets Washed Out at Bonnaroo

In this episode of Seeing Them Live, Charles and Doug welcome back Andy, a school teacher and avid live music fan, to share his an After Show Report on the 2025 Bonnaroo Music Festival. Despite carefully planning his trip with his friend Teddy and driving nine hours to the festival, Andy faced a series of unexpected challenges and adventures. The trip kicks off with a tense interaction with law enforcement when they are pulled over by a Kentucky State Trooper, escalating as a K-9 unit arrives. Fortunately, they are allowed to proceed to Bonnaroo without any legal troubles.Upon arrival, Andy and Teddy set up their elaborate campsite, which included modern amenities like a solar generator and 42-inch TV. The first night involved acclimatizing to the youthful crowd and loud electronic dance music that played until the early hours. Things took a dramatic turn when Teddy experienced a sudden medical emergency and had to leave, promising to return later to pick Andy up. Later, a severe storm brought torrential rains and flooding, leading to the cancellation of the entire festival due to infrastructural failure. Despite disappointment, Andy encountered numerous acts of kindness from fellow festival-goers and eventually managed to get back home safely, albeit with a vivid, unforgettable experience.BANDS: Dogs in a Pile, Eurythmics, Foster the People, Goose, Insane Clown Posse, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Lemon Twigs, Luke Combs, Marcus King, Miranda Lambert, Parisi.VENUES: 2025 Bonnaroo Music Festival. PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLivePlease help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.WEBSITE:https://seeingthemlive.com/Visit the Seeing Them Live website for bonus materials including the show blog, resource links for concert buffs, photos, materials related to our episodes, and our Ticket Stub Museum.INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708

S03E16: True Crime in Rock - Case Files from the Rock and Roll Detective

In this episode of 'Seeing Them Live,' Charles and Doug explore the intersection of True Crime and Rock and Roll with guest Jim Berkenstadt, also known as the Rock and Roll Detective. Berkenstadt has a worldwide reputation for uncovering the hidden histories and mysteries within popular music. His exhaustive investigative works span from serving as a historical consultant on several high-profile documentaries to publishing award-winning books that delve into the enigmatic corners of rock history. Berkenstadt recounts his initial foray into rock investigation during eighth grade when he explored the 'Paul is Dead' conspiracy surrounding Paul McCartney. This early experience sparked his lifelong passion for becoming a rock detective, leading to a prolific career that has seen him solving many mysteries in the music world involving elements of True Crime. Jim shares stories about attending memorable concerts, including a terrifying but exhilarating Wings concert in 1976 where pyrotechnics blew him and his friend off their chairs. He also recalls sneaking into a sold-out George Harrison concert and the emotional tribute concert for George Harrison organized by Eric Clapton.Berkenstadt discusses his book 'Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed,' which tackles complex topics such as the FBI's extensive and somewhat absurd investigation into alleged obscene lyrics in the song 'Louie Louie,' the CIA’s possible involvement in Bob Marley’s death, and the Beach Boys' interactions with Charles Manson.Additionally, Berkenstadt's book 'The Beatle Who Vanished' narrates the incredible yet true story of Jimmy Nichol, a drummer who substituted for Ringo Starr during a Beatles tour, only to mysteriously disappear from the public eye. The discussion also covers Berkenstadt's involvement in music documentaries like 'George Harrison: Living in the Material World' and his upcoming work on Nirvana's Nevermind album. Through a combination of rock legends, government intrigue, True Crime, and lost histories, Jim Berkenstadt brings to life the dramatic and captivating interplay of True Crime and rock and roll.BANDS: Billy Preston, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Foo Fighters, Garbage, Green Day, Jeff Lynne, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Muddy Waters, Nirvana, Ravi Shankar, Ringo Starr, Smashing Pumpkins, The Beatles, The Euphorics, The Quarry Men, The Rainbows, The Rolling Stones, The Spotnicks, The Traveling Wilburys, Tom Petty, Traffic, Wings.VENUES: Chicago Stadium, Edgewater Hotel, Royal Albert Hall, Soldier Field, Sunset Marquee, The Checkerboard Lounge. PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLivePlease help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.WEBSITE:https://seeingthemlive.com/Visit the Seeing Them Live website for bonus materials including the show blog, resource links for concert buffs, photos, materials related to our episodes, and our Ticket Stub Museum.INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708

S03E15: Meeting My Heroes - Photographer Matt Carmichael's Rock and Roll Adventures

This episode of Seeing Them Lives features an engaging conversation with Matt Carmichael, a seasoned live music fan and concert photographer, known for his long-term association with Poi Dog Pondering. The discussion delves into Carmichael's early concert experiences, starting with seeing the Jackson 5 at the Silver Dome in 1984. Matt shares intriguing anecdotes about the first concert he attended with his dad and reflects on the evolving context of that experience over time. He also recounts the unexpected presence of Paula Abdul as choreographer and a juggler named Chris Bliss opening the Jackson 5 performances, adding intriguing details to his music journey. The discussion explores Carmichael's storied career, highlighting his time as the house photographer for various iconic Chicago venues and his ongoing contributions to the band Poi Dog Pondering. He narrates the captivating story of how he built and managed the band's first website in 1994, leading to a cherished relationship with its members, characterized by unique moments and extraordinary access to the band. Stories of notable concert photographs, nurturing artist relationships, and dealing with fame punctuate the narrative, demonstrating Carmichael's passion and dedication to his craft. A substantial part of the conversation shifts to Carmichael's memorable experiences photographing famous bands like the Rolling Stones, where the planned and professional approach of the band stands out in contrast to other gigs. He shares stories about his work featured in Swedish postage stamps and meeting various musicians over the years.He details heart-pounding moments with Mooney Suzuki and Gogo Bordello, where bands took risky performances. Additionally, Matt discusses his long-standing website, RocknRoll.net and discusses his latest project—a book compiling fascinating stories of meeting and working with iconic musicians and heroes. His work combines his love for music, photography, and personal narratives to create a rich tapestry of rock history and personal growth.BANDS: Blind Melon, Poi Dog Pondering, Sahara Hot Nights, The Rolling Stones,  Zoe Keating.VENUES: The Vic (Chicago), Metro (Chicago), Grant Park (Chicago). PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLivePlease help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.WEBSITE:https://seeingthemlive.com/Visit the Seeing Them Live website for bonus materials including the show blog, resource links for concert buffs, photos, materials related to our episodes, and our Ticket Stub Museum.INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708

S03E14: 3 Year Anniversary Episode

In this special anniversary episode of 'Seeing Them Live,' producer and co-host Doug takes the helm to celebrate the podcast's third year. With Charles on a break, Doug guides listeners through a curated selection of some of the most compelling and memorable moments from their library of 44 episodes. The journey begins by acknowledging the podcast's inception, inspired by Charles's book 'Ticket Stub Stories,' and how the team aimed to capture and chronicle concert experiences from various perspectives, ranging from professional musicians to average concertgoers.Doug introduces listeners to a diverse array of guests, from Tom Fitzer, who recounts his wild antics at concerts, to Roger Merlot, a 70-year-old live music superfan who holds records for attending consecutive gigs. The episode takes an emotional turn with Dawn Fontaine's powerful story about how music, specifically from the band Soraia, helped her navigate the darkest period of her life following a personal loss.Adding another layer of excitement, Doug reveals download statistics, showcasing the global reach of the podcast, with fans in over 30 countries. Additional clips feature tales like Rudy Childs' chaotic encounter with Sharon Osborne during an Ozzy Osborne concert, and Emma, an 8-year-old concert photographer capturing big acts like Joan Jett and Duran Duran. This anniversary special encapsulates the essence of 'Seeing Them Live,' celebrating the joy, chaos, and transformative power of live music experiences. PATREON:https://www.patreon.com/SeeingThemLivePlease help us defer the cost of producing this podcast by making a donation on Patreon.WEBSITE:https://seeingthemlive.com/Visit the Seeing Them Live website for bonus materials including the show blog, resource links for concert buffs, photos, materials related to our episodes, and our Ticket Stub Museum.INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/seeingthemlive/FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550090670708