Behind the Vinyl

An in-depth conversation with your favorite bands within the alternative music community, prompting endless discovery and good vibes! Follow the Instagram @behindthevinylpod and Twitter @StevenMacri

#178 - Glitterer (Ned Russin) 04/18/2024

#177 - Kevin Devine 04/04/2024

#176 - Matt Pryor 02/28/2024

#175 - Gouge Away (Christina Michelle) 02/01/2024

#174 - Erik Kase Romero 01/11/2024

#174 - Erik Kase Romero For a majority of his music career, Erik Kase Romero has been behind the scenes. Romero has developed into a prominent music producer – most notably working with the Front Bottoms (also plays instrumentals in the live experience), Lorde, and the Bouncing Souls. Romero has developed a name for himself in the industry and his musical genius is something that musicians desire. A quick peek at his website takes the viewer into a magical journey that involves a large list of production. It’s a list that would be considered a “dream” for anyone just breaking into the business. Romero is now a seasoned veteran and in some ways can be picky when thinking about who he will invite to his home studio next. Romero has been involved in bands on the local circuit for years now. But, what seemed like a silly idea, quickly became a reality over the past year. Romero made the decision to branch out with his abilities and start a solo project. While it has been a great success so far, it was no easy decision. As previously stated, Romero has always been in the background through production and instrumentals in various groups. His solo act is serving as a time where he has the mic and the listeners get to hear his powerful words. His single still already caught the listener’s attention for how vulnerable and relatable Romero is through his lyrics. While Romero will continue to push his songs through social media and has several live shows coming up, he does not care for commercial success. This project is not meant to result in headlining huge venues, but instead it’s another chance to grow as a musical mind, and have some fun while doing so. How to be still and still be here is set to be released tomorrow. Make sure to give it a listen and support Romero as he takes on this solo adventure. Audio edited by Tate Daniels Graphic by Rosemary Young Host Steven Macri Instagram - @behindthevinylpod X - @BehindVinyl Leave us a review or subscribe! Both help us big time! /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/29442538

#173 - Paint it Black (Andy Nelson) 12/26/2023

#173 - Paint it Black (Andy Nelson) When you sit back and think about some of the centerpieces of hardcore punk in the early 2000's, Paint it Black will instantly come to mind. Especially in the Philadelphia area. Philadelphia has a long history of great bands that paved the way for what music music is today. Paint it Black fits that category. One of the most exciting news of this year is when Paint it Black decided to release "Famine." It was the band's first full-length record since 2008 and it did not miss. The biggest praise I can say about this group is that they have not lost their sound. I could have been told that this record was from 20+ years ago when Paint it Black was first forming and I would have believed it. They still have the same energy and are sticking to their roots. The band's story is known by now - they came together when another legendary Philadelphia based group, Kid Dynamite, decided to hang up the band tees, and call it quits. Dan Yemin was still had the same drive from the beginning of Kid Dynamite and wanted to continue making music, so he decided to turn things up a notch and form Paint it Black. Instead of sitting with a guitar on the stage, he decided to switch over to vocals, because no matter what, the band will continue as long as the singer is still there. It was a huge honor to have an established musician like Andy Nelson on. Punk music is engraved deep in his heart and it was a true pleasure to hear some of his inspirations. This included a fantastic conversation about Dillinger Four. "Famine" is a record I can play from start to finish, so while we were on the inspirations conversation, we discussed what he believes makes a "perfect" record. Continously, we really explored this album and heard about what it took to make this record. While the band doesn't tour much anymore, everyone should make it a point to see them if they are ever in your city. Spoiler alert- there might be a conversation about Nelson's other band, Ceremony, making a surprise appearance at Sound and Fury. Intro by Rainville Audio edits by Tate Daniels Flyer by Rosemary Young Host Steven Macri /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/29230773

#172 - Public Opinion (Kevin Hart) 12/18/2023

#171 - Charmer (David Daignault) 10/25/2023

#171 - Charmer (David Daignault) Charmer's music has always been a powerful exploration of mental health, and "Rose Thorns" is no exception. What's different this time? The lyrics have matured, and the songs are all about moving forward from the mental health struggles that life throws our way. It's a journey towards finding clarity and purpose in life. David believes this new music takes him back to the "early Charmer" days. Get ready for some amazing harmonies and a huge emphasis on guitar playing in these tracks! In this interview, David opens up about the challenges Charmer faced and the ultimate motivation that drives them today. After college, David took a bold step by moving to the East Coast, fully committing himself to the world of music. The band self-released several EPs, but the growth they hoped for just didn't materialize. It was a tough period. Undeterred, when things didn't go as planned, David decided to return to Michigan with Neil. They had a handful of songs left, so they recorded them, almost like a parting gift to the band. Little did they know, this would mark a turning point. In 2017, Charmer did five dates with Free Throw, and it marked a turning point for them. Prior to that, they had been slogging it out on some pretty tough DIY tours. These tours, while memorable, were often in front of small crowds and with very little money to show for it. Charmer's journey continued with the release of their first LP, but for the first six months, there was radio silence. The album didn't take off right away, and they had to rely on word of mouth to get some attention. It was only when their second record came out that things really started to change. People began to listen to both albums, and Charmer's music started to gain traction. The pandemic brought a lot of downtime and changes for everyone, including Charmer. They found themselves dealing with family obligations and even David hitting the road with Hot Mulligan, which demanded his focus. However, this past year has been a turning point. They finally had the opportunity to sit down and get back to making music. The result? The band feels like they've improved significantly. We are happy that David and Charmer are writing music again. Check out "Rose Thorns" and let us know what you think. Also, make sure to catch Charmer, Free Throw, Prince Daddy & The Hyena, and Saturday's At Your Place on tour! This is just the beginning of an exciting musical direction, and we can't wait to share more with you. Stay tuned for more updates! /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/28425122

#170 - Saturdays At Your Place (Mitch & Gabe) 10/21/2023

#169 - Short Fictions (Sam Treber) 10/18/2023

#168 - Microwave (Nathan Hardy) 09/25/2023

#168 - Microwave (Nathan Hardy) “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it” These words are what Nathan Hardy of Microwave lives by. You can hear it in his songs through the raw emotion that comes out in Microwave’s lyrics. Experienced writer’s often say you have to listen if you ever want to say anything worth while. Basically, in short, it means you have to read and experience other styles in order to develop your own. The same could be said for Hardy who reads often. It comes in forms of books and poetry. It all helps him consistently develop as a writer and a person. People often believe that listening to solely music will make someone a better musician but Hardy has found this fulfillment through literature. However, several years ago all music came to a halt. In 2019 Microwave put out their hit record “Death is a Warm Blanket.” It seemed like the beginning of what would be a fast climb to the top for the band. They were on the heels of going over seas to tour and really built a fan base that showed a consistent love for the band. Those dreams were quickly crushed when the pandemic officially locked everyone away at home and forced the music industry to find new ways to reach an audience. Hardy specifically took a step back from writing so that he could see the next move for the music science. It was unclear when and how touring would even return. After waiting about two years to see what the landscape of music was turning into, Microwave played several huge shows that struck some motivation in them again and resulted in new music. In 2022 Microwave released their first single since 2019 - a refreshing sign for the band’s passionate listeners. Since then several other songs have been released and all signs points towards this only being the beginning. Hardy has such a unique way of looking at different life topics. Especially music as a whole. Listen to this interview because Hardy was a great conversation and taught me a lesson or two. /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/28132670

#167 - Militarie Gun (Ian Shelton) 09/01/2023

#166 - Fidlar (Zac Carper) 08/15/2023

#165 - Restraining Order (Will Hirst) 08/11/2023

#164 - Heavenward (Kamtin Mohager) 08/07/2023

#163 - Gumm (Drew Waldon) 07/18/2023

#162 - Oso Oso (Jade Lilitri) 07/11/2023

#161 - Mikey Erg (At Bond Street) 06/28/2023

#160 - The Bollweevils (Dr. Daryl Wilson) 06/23/2023

#159 - hate5six (Sunny Singh) 06/16/2023

#159 - hate5six (Sunny Singh) We have Sunny Singh, also known as hate5six, for this one. Most hardcore fans know him for popping up at shows across the country with a camera in hand but he has also made a huge impact on the community as a whole. Ever since Sunny decided to leave his full-time job, he has made a pact with himself to push even harder with the new year. This year's goals currently sits at 1,000 recorded sets, in which Sunny was way ahead of schedule when this episode was recorded. What makes hate5six so honorable is that he's willing to give new bands a shot. Someone can send a simple message over social media and Sunny will be in the audience that night. There are countless bands that will contribute quick success to a video that the hate5six name releases of their set. It's a one man project but Sunny releases at the speed of a company of 100+ employees. Since the beginning the goal has been to help bands find an audience. The channel has always been accessible to newer and younger bands. Hard work always seems to pay off when someone has a vision and is willing to put in the time. That is what happened to Sunny when he was asked to jump on the most recent Rage Against the Machine tour for select dates. Sunny had the opportunity to continue to build his name while watching one of his favorite childhood bands return to the stage. Sunny is someone who speaks up about topics that matter dearly to him. He wants to use his platform to educate his followers with the research he conducts. That mindset falls back to his early days with Rage Against the Machine. They opened the door for speaking up for yourself and creating clarity for a large population. This is a project that demands endless hours. Sunny is the definition of "perfectionist." Some would believe that he is filming at a faster rate than most people can consume, but Sunny is beating the odds. His page is closely watched on a daily basis. Sunny is careful with his edits, but the end result is rewarding. These videos are timestamping music history. /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/27177030