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

#190 - Mat Kerekes (Citizen) 11/19/2024

#190 - Mat Kerekes (Citizen) In this episode, we sit down with Mat Kerekes, the multifaceted frontman of Citizen, to dive deep into his solo work, his ever-evolving approach to music, and his unique balance of passion projects. Whether it’s fronting an iconic band like Citizen, writing his own songs as a solo artist, or stepping into the role of a producer, Mat seems to do it all—and do it well. Mat's most recent solo release, To Dream of Something Wicked, dropped on Wax Bodega to rave reviews, and in this interview, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the record. As Mat explains, the album was a labor of love that came together organically during a transitional time in his life. Written and recorded while moving back home, he unintentionally tapped into a sound that echoed his 2016 release Luna & the Wild Blue Everything—an album that established his solo sound. But with this latest project, Mat says, “This record is just me,” showing that he's not trying to emulate anyone or anything. He’s comfortable with who he is, and that authenticity is reflected in the music. We also explore Mat's evolving relationship with Citizen, touching on the 10-year anniversary of Youth in 2023 (which, for Mat, marked a turning point in both his career and his personal life). He shares funny and heartfelt stories from those early days of the band, as well as his growth—from an insecure high school kid to a driven musician who balances his time between creating, performing, and pursuing other passions like Muay Thai and video games. As we discuss his solo career, Mat reveals that his solo music often happens during downtime from Citizen. While the band will always be his main focus, his solo work offers a refreshing outlet—one that allows him to write without the pressure of a larger team. In fact, his solo endeavors have been more low-key with little press or touring, but we can expect a short 2-3 week stretch in 2025, with Mat playing a handful of dates before moving on to the next phase of his career. If there’s one thing that stands out about Mat, it’s his ability to fully dedicate himself to whatever he does. Whether it’s music, the gym, or martial arts, he gives it everything he’s got. A self-proclaimed gym rat who’s constantly training, Mat is someone who truly takes advantage of the 24 hours in a day, leaving no room for regrets. We had a blast chatting with Mat—his humor, honesty, and passion shine through in this conversation. Be sure to listen to the full interview for insights into Mat's creative process, his growth as both an artist and a person, and of course, some great stories from the road with Citizen. /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/33987682

#189 - Speed (Jem Siow) 10/28/2024

#188 - Been Stellar (Sam Slocum & Skylar Knapp) 10/17/2024

#187 - Luster (Adrian Castillo) 09/24/2024

#186 - The Barbarians of California (Eric Stenman) 08/23/2024

#186 - The Barbarians of California (Eric Stenman) In this episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of a band that emerged from the fusion of passion and persistence. Our story begins a decade ago with Eric Stenman, who was writing heavier music that he never imagined would reach the public eye. Eric's early musical journey intertwined with Aaron Bruno's in the late '90s through their shared love for hardcore music. Despite their separate creative paths —Eric focusing on music production and Aaron eventually forming Awolnation—they would later find a way to create a band together (although they have been working together for years with Aaron writing for Awolantion and Eric producing all of the records). After years of Eric leaning more towards production and not playing much instrumentals, Aaron, having heard some of Eric’s latest work, was impressed and wanted to continue on other songs. This pivotal moment led to the formation of a new band that stands apart from traditional music paths. Unlike many bands that spend years on the road in a van, this group is driven by their love for hardcore music and are doing it because their passions align. With four songs already released, including the recent track "Bazooka" on August 2, listeners can expect some exciting surprises and new directions from this band. The new record will be out on October 4th In our conversation with Eric, we also explored his impressive career as a producer. Since 1997, he’s avoided the day job to build a notable resume working with bands like Deftones, Weezer, Thrice, Dashboard Confessional, Senses Fail, and Awolnation. We asked Eric to reflect on his experiences with these iconic groups, providing listeners with insightful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories. Tune in to hear about the origins of the band, their unique approach to music, and Eric’s reflections on his storied career in the industry. /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/32715577

#185 - Modern Color (Vince Nguyen) 08/14/2024

#185 - Modern Color (Vince Nguyen) We had Vince of Modern Color on to talk about "There Goes the Dream." The writing process for their latest record was fragmented, as Vince has been personally juggling other projects and endeavors—being on the road with Militarie Gun while still touring with Modern Color. It took a little longer to write because they thrive on getting in a room together and bouncing ideas off each other. Nonetheless, the wait was well worth it. Usually, Fleming or Chad come in with a full song, and they start jamming to develop those ideas. The best part? They can be real with each other and give productive feedback. That all led to the carefully crafted songs on "There Goes the Dream." It was a recipe for success for the band. This record is all about making intentional changes. They focused on Fleming’s writing and vocals first, instead of writing the music and adding lyrics later. Modern Color also got more personal with their songwriting, shortening the song lengths, and becoming more direct. These songs tell the story of growing up in the South Bay, surrounded by music everywhere they went. "Where’s Kevin" is one of those stories—it's a handwritten apology to Fleming's mom about sneaking out as a kid. The title itself stems from a building manager who was never around when he was needed. And there’s something for everyone, even an acoustic track like "Night Swim." Growing up in the metalcore scene in the South Bay, they played the same venues with the same bands every weekend. It felt stale, and that's when they realized they wanted to do something different. Since then, it’s been a journey of finding the band's sound and pushing it in a new direction—that’s been the driving force behind Modern Color. Balancing tours has shown Vince the importance of a stable lineup for the band to grow and continue to progress. As they reach 10 years with Modern Color, they reflect on the chemistry built from growing up together. Though our lineup wasn’t solidified until they wrote "Pale" in Vince’s room in 2015, the DIY spirit that started it all continues to push them forward. They are moving ahead, but they also know there’s still so much work left to do. Stick around until the end to hear personal stories from Vince duing our "lighning round." I really loved hearing why Vince explain how he was fidgity as a kid and was always drumming against some type of surface. /episode/index/show/behindthevinyl/id/32579557

#184 - Heart to Gold (Grant Whiteoak) 08/09/2024

#183 - Milly (Brendan Dyer & Yarden Erez) 07/18/2024

#182 - From Indian Lakes (Joey Vannucci) 07/05/2024

#181 - Pissed Jeans (Randall Huth) 06/21/2024

#180 - Riley! 05/16/2024

#179 - Softcult (Mercedes Arn-Horn) 05/06/2024

#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

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