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Life of Defiance

Life of Defiance

By Mason Beard and Roland Street

Two creative people trying to build conversations with musicians and artists to enhance the experience of the music industry.
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Two Birds, One Drumstick

Life of DefianceNov 19, 2020

00:00
53:19
Your Tips Pay For My Bong Rips: Society's Finest

Your Tips Pay For My Bong Rips: Society's Finest

This week, Roland and Mason sat down to speak to the current lineup of Society's Finest, which includes Josh Ashworth (vocals), Jordan Brady (guitars), Joel Bailey (bass), and Chad Wilburn (drums). We discuss the benefits of the modern internet age, the difficulties of being involved in the Christian music industry, and what the band is presently up to as a whole. 

MUSIC:

All tracks from Society's Finest - The Journey So Far

  • Monarch
  • Dead People
  • 1955
  • Knife Fight

LINKS:

Society's Finest accounts:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Jan 28, 202201:00:15
We Heard Horror Stories About You: Stephen Sarro (Tantrum of the Muse, UnTeachers)

We Heard Horror Stories About You: Stephen Sarro (Tantrum of the Muse, UnTeachers)

One more to cap off the year. Mason and Roland got to sit down with Stephen Sarro of Tantrum of the Muse and UnTeachers back in October and it's just now coming out! It's been that kind of a year. But nevertheless, the conversation is an enjoyable one, where Stephen discusses the controversy of Tantrum of the Muse, the difficulty of starting UnTeachers, and every little antic of his in between. He also mentions their new album is being worked out, so stay tuned for that! MUSIC: UnTeachers - Swim With a Knife Tantrum of the Muse - The Bowels of Elkton Vengeance Rising - Beheaded Tantrum of the Muse - Happy As a Lark Tantrum of the Muse - Eunuch Tantrum of the Muse - Screw the Christian Industry Tantrum of the Muse - Victoria Has a Secret LINKS: Stephen's links UnTeachers on Facebook Tourist Trap Media (Help Stephen clean out his merch closet) Podcast accounts: Facebook Instagram   Mason's links: Instagram Facebook Mystic Winter Symphony of Heaven The Thlipsis TIMŌRĀTUS Return to Dust Promotions Roland's links: Instagram Facebook YouTube Roland Street Video & Photo (Facebook, Instagram)
Dec 31, 202101:34:19
Death Comes For Us All: A Tribute To Chuck Schuldiner

Death Comes For Us All: A Tribute To Chuck Schuldiner

In this week's episode, Mason introduces others to speak about their experience with DEATH, the legendary death metal act from Florida. A fantastic band was formed by an amazing human being in Chuck Schuldiner, who passed away on December 13, 2001. Not much to say on this episode. We hope you enjoy. Here is to Chuck.

MUSIC:

All tracks from DEATH, which can all be found at Bandcamp, save for Symbolic.

  • Lack of Comprehension
  • Symbolic
  • Flesh and the Power It Holds
  • Painkiller (Judas Priest cover)
  • Jealousy
  • Scavenger of Human Sorrow
  • Living Monstrosity
  • Voice of the Soul
  • Zero Tolerance
  • Altering the Future
  • Crystal Mountain

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Dec 20, 202141:59
Tech Talk Ep. 1: Logan Thompson (Symphony of Heaven, Elgibbor, Koronatizor, etc.)

Tech Talk Ep. 1: Logan Thompson (Symphony of Heaven, Elgibbor, Koronatizor, etc.)

This week, Mason and Roland started a new experimental series for the podcast called "TechTalk", where musicians and artists come on the show and discuss the techniques and technology they use to do what they do. Gear talk is a constant in musician circles and this is a quick and easy way to hear about it from peers and people we're fans of. A shorter episode than normal, but some new ones are coming soon. Promise.

MUSIC:

LINKS:

Logan's link

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Nov 05, 202121:00
Staring at my Guitars: Rob Volkoff (Aseity, Life Renewed, I Prayed For An Afterlife, etc.)

Staring at my Guitars: Rob Volkoff (Aseity, Life Renewed, I Prayed For An Afterlife, etc.)

This week, Mason spoke to Rob Volkoff of Aseity, I Prayed For An Afterlife, and most recently Life Renewed. The conversation stems over Rob's career and how much time and effort he put into a number of projects including O, House of Jacob, Discerner, and many others. Rob covers his career extensively, talks to Mason about how many mutual connections they have had over the years, and goes deep into the meaning of his latest song, "Vision/Revision".

MUSIC:

  • BoughtXBlood - Restoration
  • O, House of Jacob - Degradation
  • Blessed by the Broken - Ignite
  • Aseity - Silent Whispers
  • Aseity - Losing Myself
  • I Prayed For An Afterlife - One Within
  • Life Renewed - Vision/Revision

LINKS:

Rob's links

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Sep 03, 202101:36:27
Mixing Evanescene and Veil of Maya: Monica Soe (Aseity)

Mixing Evanescene and Veil of Maya: Monica Soe (Aseity)

This week, Mason and Roland sat down to talk to Monica Soe of Aseity about her band, her artwork, and her musical background, hopes, and dreams. Her band has certainly begun to take on a life of its own mixing very well-defined bands together. Give this episode a listen and go follow Monica at the links below!

MUSIC:

  • Phinehas - Dark Flag
  • Aseity - Losing Myself
  • Aseity - Silent Whispers

LINKS:

Monica's links

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Jul 02, 202150:37
BONUS: Two Truths and a Lie

BONUS: Two Truths and a Lie

This week, Roland and Mason play a game. They came up with a fake band name and included them in a list with two existing bands. No music from the bands mentioned will be included in case you want to play along. Hopefully, you do. However, we included bands in a similar genre to each one. Following the game, the two also cover the most absurd band names that exist, according to Rolling Stone. All links below!

MUSIC:

  • Chevelle - I Get It
  • The Famine - Killing for Sport
  • Inhale Exhale - The Impatient Will Suffer
  • Vials of Wrath - A Black Bile Bog
  • Becoming Saints - Vox Mortem
  • Once Nothing - Whiskey Breath
  • Candiria - Remove Yourself
  • Drottnar - Axiom
  • Islander - Cold Speak
  • Skald in Veum - Goatwhore
  • Know Nothing - Country for Earthlings
  • Shamash - Suffering Servant
  • Cynic - Evolutionary Sleeper
  • Zao - Clawing, Clawing, Never Cutting Through

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Jun 11, 202134:23
The Drunk Nun: Why We Left...

The Drunk Nun: Why We Left...

Roland and Mason are back after several weeks of relaxation in paradise (or so they would have you think). To return, they talk new releases, review new releases, talk about shows returning, tours, why Indiana has a poor-to-nonexistent music scene, and finally, a recent controversy that has occurred lately in the metal scene.
MUSIC:

Breaking Benjamin - The Diary of Jane
Aseity - Silent Whispers
Spiritbox - Secret Garden
ZAO - Nothing's Form
Twenty One Pilots - Choker
Megadeth - Symphony of Destruction
Megadeth - Sweating Bullets

LINKS:
Podcast accounts:

Facebook
Instagram

Mason's stuff:

Instagram
Facebook
Mystic Winter
Symphony of Heaven
The Thlipsis
TIMŌRĀTUS
The Bearded Dragon Productions
The Metal Onslaught Magazine
True American Black Metal (film)


Roland's stuff:

Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
RSVP (Facebook, Instagram)
Lost in Faith
Street Drummer (YouTube)

Jun 04, 202143:00
Indiana Death Choir: André Chiang (Shamash, Necromanicide)

Indiana Death Choir: André Chiang (Shamash, Necromanicide)

Mason sat down this week with André Chiang of Shamash and formerly of Necromanicide to talk about a number of things, including both his bands, his deep-rooted love of Jesus Christ, his admiration of Steve Rowe and Mortification, as well as a lot of history with Asia's metal scene. Not to mention a joke about Mason dyeing his beard multiple colors if this episode gets 100 plays in a month. Oh, not to mention the Indiana Death Choir aka Mason and Logan Thompson, both of Symphony of Heaven. Give the episode a listen for context!

MUSIC:

  • Whitecross - Holy War
  • Mortification - Necromanicide
  • Necromanicide - Hate Regime
  • Abated Mass of Flesh - Deathcrusher
  • Mortification - Nocturnal
  • Infectious Maggots - Shapechanger
  • Stryper - Soldiers Under Command
  • Shamash - At the Throne
  • Death - Open Casket
  • Shamash - Suffering Servant

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Mar 26, 202101:07:14
Traversing the Metal Subgenres

Traversing the Metal Subgenres

Roland and Mason go on a crazy adventure throughout the genres of metal. Or at least, Wikipedia's list. They go on some weird tangents on some weird genres. It was educational and very odd. Also, not sponsored by Liquid Death.

MUSIC:

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Mar 12, 202155:27
Circle Back to Limp Bizkit: Underrated or Overrated

Circle Back to Limp Bizkit: Underrated or Overrated

In this week of Life of Defiance, Roland and Mason are back and they are playing "Underrated vs. Overrated". They compared bands, musicians, musical aspects, and additional nostalgic paraphernalia. Check it out!

MUSIC:

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Feb 26, 202101:00:35
We Met the Kidz Bop Kids: Bryce and Reece Maopolski (Brotality)

We Met the Kidz Bop Kids: Bryce and Reece Maopolski (Brotality)

This week Mason (Roland was unavailable for this episode, so Mason took the interview solo this week) sat down and talked to Bryce and Reece Maopolski of the thrash and groove metal band Brotality! We discussed the band's newest album, Worldwide Desolation, as well as the band's beginnings, big shows they played, and some interesting news about a second album. Also, a story about Kidz Bop? What? Yes, you read that right. Hope you listen to this episode!

MUSIC:

  • Brotality - I Am Fire, I Am Death
  • Brotality - Spiral Out
  • Brotality - Salting the Wound
  • Brotality - Hypernova
  • Today is the Day - The Descent
  • Brotality - Legions Fall

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Feb 12, 202151:53
Limited Space on this Flat Earth: Spencer Byers

Limited Space on this Flat Earth: Spencer Byers

Today, Roland and I sat down with our close friend Spencer Byers. And did it go downhill from there? Conspiracy theories, joking around, and towards the end, Spencer turned the tables on us and wanted to ask us questions about the music industry. Spencer is a guy our age who is wanting to get into it just like us and we're there to support him in this venture. Follow him on Instagram! (Also, if you want a guitar, hit this man up.) Sidenote: Mason's brother Silas makes a cameo appearance. What a weirdo.

MUSIC:

LINKS:

Podcast accounts:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Jan 29, 202101:11:41
I'm Hype Too: Hyperion Zhang (The Thlipsis, Risen)

I'm Hype Too: Hyperion Zhang (The Thlipsis, Risen)

Welcome to 2021! It's already been an interesting year, only two weeks in. Anyway, we decided to kick it off with an interview. We talked to Hyperion Zhang of The Thlipsis and Risen, both projects Mason has been involved in at one point or another. Hyperion talks to us about The Thlipsis, his time with Risen, how he and Mason met, upcoming shows, recordings, and the current lineup of the band. On a side note, we also discuss a controversial topic relating to a metal guitarist in the news lately.

MUSIC:

LINKS:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:


Jan 16, 202154:00
Joey Nogle (Plus Top 3 Movies)

Joey Nogle (Plus Top 3 Movies)

Welcome back, welcome back! Hope you all have a Happy New Year and that you had a Merry Christmas! I'll warn you now but the audio is really rough on this episode, with Roland's mic cutting in and out, and Mason's having a lot of static. However, hopefully, that will not take away from our guest, Joey Nogle! Our country-loving friend Joey has been working on new music, while also teaching his loveable dog Bruce how to pray (more on that later). We also talk about our favorite films. Hurtful words are exchanged in the process as well, but that's normal.

MUSIC:


LINKS:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Jan 01, 202101:08:24
For Those About To Rock

For Those About To Rock

We are back after a few weeks. Trying to give this every two weeks thing a shot. We're busy dudes, what do you want from us? Anyways, we're back this week and we covered five bands each we discovered this year that we found, so 10 in total. Also, toward the end, for whatever reason, we discussed what next year looks like for the music scene and generally for the public. These are simply our opinions and we are trying to be gracious with them.

Huge thanks to Erik Street (for putting up with us) and Monica Soe (for the dope artwork), as well as all the bands we have mentioned for the killer material!

MUSIC:


LINKS:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Dec 18, 202001:26:56
Waltteri Mäensivu (TheCoolGuitarGuy)

Waltteri Mäensivu (TheCoolGuitarGuy)

Our first guest!!! Waltteri Mäensivu joins Roland and Mason on the third episode of Life of Defiance Podcast, where they talk everything from music to COVID, independent fact-checkers to "extreme Finnish". Waltteri hails from Finland and has been working on his career since. Performing his own music, Waltteri is definitely on his way to something special. Huge thanks to Waltteri for taking a risk with us and being our first guest! Thanks to Erik Street for assisting in the production of the videos for this podcast (maybe we'll release those one day, who the heck knows) and Monica Soe for the artwork of our podcast. MUSIC: Renascent - God Our Fortress and Refuge (https://renascent.bandcamp.com/album/praise-of-the-lord-god-almighty) [This band is also from Finland. Mason and Eero are in Symphony of Heaven together] Waltteri Mäensivu - Lost and Found (https://youtu.be/GGC0SUGsfoQ) Waltteri Mäensivu - Virus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UUUD0YT0d4) LINKS: Waltteri's stuff: Instagram YouTube Twitch Mason's stuff: Instagram   Facebook   Mystic Winter   Symphony of Heaven   The Thlipsis   TIMŌRĀTUS   The Bearded Dragon Productions   The Metal Onslaught Magazine   True American Black Metal (film) Roland's stuff: Instagram   Facebook   YouTube   Roland Street Video & Photo (Facebook, Instagram) Lost in Faith   Street Drummer (YouTube)
Dec 04, 202051:02
Down the Port Hole

Down the Port Hole

Yes, that’s two drum puns in a row. May have to capitalize on that. Anyway, this week Mason and Roland go into the mindset of musicians, specifically drummers in this case. Even the mindset of Christian drummers! Or if you want to get even more niche, Christian metal drummers. 

Another thank you to Erik Street for working with us on the technical/behind-the-scenes side, as well as Monica Soe for creating the dope artwork!

MUSIC:

LINKS:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:

Nov 21, 202001:06:05
Two Birds, One Drumstick

Two Birds, One Drumstick

Hello! Welcome to the Life of Defiance Podcast, hosted by Mason Beard (Symphony of Heaven, Mystic Winter) and Roland Street (An Infinite Moment, Lost in Faith); a couple of drummers from the Midwest. In this episode the two talk about their upbringings and the bands and musical ventures they have partaken in.

Huge thank you to Erik Street for manning the camera for the video version of this and to Monica Soe of Aseity Graphics (go hire her!) for designing the cover of our podcast.

MUSIC:

  • Angel of Sodom - Righteous Kill (https://angelofsodom.bandcamp.com/album/divine-retribution)
  • Heliocentric - God of Empathy (https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Felicity-Heliocentric/dp/B07ZXKZN58)

LINKS:

Mason's stuff:

Roland's stuff:


Nov 19, 202053:19