The Powered By Rock Podcast

In this riveting episode of the Powered By Rock Podcast, Isaac Kuhlman dives deep into the ever-evolving landscape of rock music, showcasing the best that 2023 had to offer.

This episode is a goldmine for rock music aficionados seeking fresh tunes and for those lamenting the supposed "good old days" when music was at its peak.

Kuhlman meticulously dissects the top songs, breakout artists, and comeback stories that left a mark on the music industry in 2023.

Isaac kicks off the episode by shining the spotlight on new artists such as Magazine Beach and their captivating album "Constant Springtime."

He navigates us through the soundscapes of diverse genres, from punk to power pop, heralding the emergence of bands like the Codefendants and Grave Secrets.

Reflecting on the genre's greatest comebacks, he praises the monumental returns of bands like Portugal. The Man, Diesel Boy, and Blink 182, whose resilience and creativity left fans in awe.

With a balanced blend of nostalgia and novelty, the episode creates a vivid collage of rock music's recent innovations and blasts from the past.

The episode is packed with commentary on musical masterpieces, discussions of the deeper meanings behind the lyrics, and personal anecdotes that highlight the interplay between music and life.

From the energetic riff of "Quarter Life Crisis" by Fat Heaven to the reflective "One More Time" by Blink 182, Kuhlman's selection encompasses the full emotional spectrum.

Episode Summary:

In this gripping episode, Isaac Kuhlman takes us on a personal journey through his musical evolution, from his early influences in classic rock and grunge to his passionate discovery of punk music. He establishes the significance of punk in shaping his identity and provides an exclusive look into the top punk albums of 2023, sharing insights that resonate with both punk aficionados and newcomers to the genre.

Drawing from a diverse array of punk sub-genres, Isaac spotlights a mix of established bands and emerging artists that have defined the punk scene in 2023.

With a keen analytical eye, he dissects each album's distinct elements, showcases the creative songwriting, and praises the communal ethos embedded within the music.

The episode delves into the connection between the music and the listener's personal experience, making it relatable to a broader audience seeking authenticity in art.

• Punk music has been a significant influence in shaping Isaac Kuhlman's musical taste, providing a sense of community, rebellion, and self-expression.
• The top punk albums of 2023 range from well-known bands to indie groups, offering a fresh perspective on the punk genre.
• Wicked Bears' album "Underwater" is Isaac's top punk album pick for 2023, admired for its dark humor, catchy pop elements, and relatability.
• Isaac's album reviews are introspective, noting personal connections and experiences mirrored in the music.
• Discussions of the albums include considerations of the artists' backgrounds, lyrical content, and the sociopolitical commentary embedded in the music.

The Powered By Rock Podcast Made the List of 2023's Top 7 Rock Albums of the Year.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of Isaac Kuhlman's podcast, the host delves into the pulsating world of rock music, presenting his much-anticipated breakdown of the best rock albums of 2023.

With an infectious enthusiasm for discovering under-the-radar tunes, Isaac expertly curates a list that steps away from mainstream soundtracks and digs into the heart of what makes rock music truly exhilarating.

This episode is a treasure trove for rock enthusiasts and anyone seeking fresh, high-octane musical experiences.

Isaac Kuhlman provides a personalized commentary on each album, weaving his experiences and connections with the music.

From the split personality of "There's More To It Than Climbing" by Decent Criminal to the emotional depth of Grave Secrets' debut, Isaac showcases the diversity and evolution of rock.

He expertly touches on the compelling stories behind the music, such as Vinnie Morales's background influencing Grave Secrets' lyrics, further enriching the listening experience.

With a finger on the pulse of the indie scene, Isaac's insightful analysis covers a spectrum spanning from Philly's Magazine Beach to the Aussie beats of the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.

• Isaac Kuhlman shares his curated list of top rock albums of 2023, focusing on less mainstream, yet outstanding music in the rock genre.
• The versatility and depth of the music from artists like Decent Criminal, Grave Secrets, and Magazine Beach are spotlighted, demonstrating a blend of rock styles and emotive lyrics.
• The balance between radio-friendly tracks from bands like White Reaper and Hot Mulligan, along with critically acclaimed but less known bands, illustrates the array of talent in the rock scene.
• Isaac's personal favorite and top album of the year is "The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons" by The Hives, selected for its timeless quality and standout tracks.
• A sense of regret is expressed as Psychedelic Porn Crumpets come in close with their album "Franzoli," marking the second time they've been the runner-up in The Powered By Rock Podcast's annual picks.

About the Guest(s):

Miguel Ferreira is the guest from the Canadian-based pop punk emo band, Northpark. Coming from various musical backgrounds, including R&B, hip hop, and hardcore, Miguel and his bandmates have converged to form Northpark, who began their journey under this new moniker in 2022.

Miguel is a multifaceted musician who has been involved in multiple bands throughout his career. With Northpark, Miguel and the band have released their debut album "Wasteland," which features nine tracks filled with emotive themes and punk energy.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Powered by Rock podcast, host Isaac Kuhlman engages with Miguel Ferreira, the frontman of Northpark, to delve into the inception of their band, their debut album Wasteland, and their newest single "Ink."

Listeners are treated to a behind-the-scenes look into the band's creative process, personal anecdotes, and the vision they aim to bring to life through their music.

The conversation kicks off with the backstory of how Northpark was formed, shedding light on the band's evolution and their journey to releasing a vinyl record of their album Wasteland.

Miguel shares intimate details about the inspiration behind their songs, grappling with personal emotions, and the thematic focus on the complexities of relationships. He also discusses the significance of their band name, its deep roots in his childhood experiences, and the importance of his own musical influences that span across various genres.

Key Takeaways:

• North Park is fronted by Miguel Ferreira and originated as a pop punk band shaped by personal experiences and various musical influences.
• Their debut album Wasteland explores themes of romance, depression, and introspection.
• Miguel opens up about how personal hardships have influenced his songwriting, offering an outlet for emotions that may otherwise impact his family life.
• The new single "Ink" reflects on taking control over one's life and emotions through the metaphorical power of songwriting.
• Future plans for Northpark include a reimagined version of their song "Teal," a full band recording, managing new vinyl production, and a tour with Cleveland Avenue.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's important to be open with your lyrics and not be scared to say too much, almost." - Miguel on songwriting.
• "It's like one of those things where nobody can come down there and help you, because then they're going to be in the same boat as you." - Miguel discussing the meaning behind the song "Wasteland."

Resources:

About The Guest(s): Vinny Morales is a member of the LA rock band Grave Secrets. He is the singer, guitarist and the main songwriter for the band.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with the Vegas alternative rock band Detective Frog today. 

These guys have just released their debut album called Vol. 1 which is an 8-song ripper that is heavily focused on monster movie characters but the music is a pumping energy force that pumps speakers and soundwaves directly into your soul. 

The one thing I was most impressed about with Detective Frog when I was fortunate enough to organize a show that they played on was that they were like a lightning ball of loudness and macabre. It kept me listening to more and more things out of sheer awe whether it was the dual vocals, the compositions or thundering beats, the more you listen, the better their music gets.

I can’t wait to play one of their songs for those that listen to the show after our first segment. So, make sure to stick around for this week’s earworm from Detective Frog.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Canadian-born, Las Vegas legendary host, announcer, actor, and philanthropist Mark Shunock today. 

Mark has played Timon in the Lion King on Broadway, been a born and bred hockey goalie from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he has raised literally millions of dollars for charity, has excited thousands of both hockey and boxing fans here in Vegas as In-Arena announcer for the Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights and as the host of Top Rank Boxing on Friday Nights, and he has helped cultivate music and performing arts in Las Vegas through his venue called The Space where musicians both national and local have performed in the state-of-the-art multi-purpose event space.

If you live in Vegas, you have almost certainly seen his face, and I am glad I finally have the chance to have a conversation with him about all of his contributions to this city and help in supporting Las Vegas’ DIY music scene. 

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with John and Josh of the Vegas based horror-themed punk band Damned By the Night today.

These guys have just released their debut EP called “From the Shadows to the Coffin” which is a 7-song ripper that has a bit of a storyline to it from what I can tell anyway.

It’s sort of like going through a haunted house or watching a horror movie, but with a really catchy soundtrack.

It’ll be right up your alley if you like bands like Screeching Weasel and other midwest pop-punk bands or even a band like The Misfits. There are great melodies, catchy hooks, and it is filled with tongue-in-cheek dark humor.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Julien Robert of the Richmond, Virginia alternative/punk/hardcore band Sleave today.

They have a brand new EP called All These Songs Are About You that just came out at the end of October via Engineer Records in the UK and Sell The Heart Records in the U.S., and it is a 4-song roller coaster ride and marks their first new music since 2019.

I actually came upon these guys via me playing music videos on YouTube and their videos coming up after something that I had played which led me to immediately post about how awesome they were on Instagram. I believe it was the video for “Swept” and then subsequently watching the other videos immediately afterwards.

The band has grown over the years to the point that they toured Canada and even India, and they are in the process of putting out more music in the near future.

So, keep your eyes open for all the goodness that your ears will enjoy soon.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Sal Ellington from the Boston-based pop-punk band Rebuilder today. 

Rebuilder has a brand new album called Local Support that came out in 

The new album is high on my list for best albums of 2023 as it has a great mix of pop-punk mixed with a bit heavier stuff due to the fact that the band has two singers and can jump into different directions whenever they want.

Heck, they even start one song off in a country vibe to sort of bring the mood in a different direction as if you were leaving a concert in a rural bar and being played out by the house PA music.

Rebuilder has some serious accolades and credits such as being on the Clerks 3 soundtrack, being nominated SIX times for punk band of the year in Boston’s annual music awards, and they have played with some big name acts such as Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Pennywise, Bad Religion, NOFX, and Frank Turner to name a few.

I am excited to talk all about Local Support and Rebuilder today, because this is one band and one album you NEED to put in your rotation.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Cody Leavitt from Asteroid M Records out of Las Vegas  today. 

Asteroid M is a multi-purpose label that not only helps distribute awesome music in various formats both digitally and physically, but Cody also helps record, mix and master tracks and albums in his home studio AND even hosts Live band performances that are aired on the Asteroid M YouTube channel.

Not only that, but he helps promote and organize shows for bands in Vegas as well as plays in a band called Not For Sale. So, he is a busy guy with a lot of talent and a massively helpful individual in the Las Vegas music scene.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Corey Glockner from the Orange County pop-punk band Taken Days today. 

They have a brand new album called Any Minute coming out in January of 2024 that is the follow up to their 2021 debut album Every Second which was an absolute melodic pop punk gem.

The new album is going to take your earholes to new heights as well as make Taken Days a household name. Okay, maybe that is just my projection for them in a world that has cast aside rock music for people who push a button on a laptop.

Either way, I am excited for the new album to come out and to talk about the album ahead of time so that all the listeners can get as excited about this magnificent LP as I am.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Steve and Bryan of the Washington D.C.-based punk band American Television today. 

The band has been releasing music since 2013, and their 2016 debut EP “Reaction” was a bombastic introduction onto the scene.

The band has put out another EP called “Adolescence” back in 2021 as well as a full-length in 2020 called Watch It Burn, and even better, they just released their brand new sophomore LP called Scars on September 22nd, and it is absolutely killer.

The album reminds me soundwise of The Copyrights last album Alone in a Dome which anyone who listens to this podcast may know won the 2021 Punk Album of the Year from the Powered By Rock Awards…so, that is some very high praise.

They also have a very cool video for their song “Bittersweet” that I am excited to play for you during the show today. So stay tuned for that.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Tane Graves of the Minneapolis punk band Tightwire today. 

Tightwire released their second album called Head Full of Snakes in June of this year, and it is an absolute Ramones-core meets The Descendents banger with 12 songs coming in at 18 minutes. It’s short, but chock-full of every emotion balanced with catchy melodies and uptempo pop-punk..

The band has played and toured with some big name acts like Dillinger Four and Teenage Bottlerocket, had some lineup changes over the years as well as changing their name entirely upon being signed to Red Scare Industries.

If you like punk music, and you do NOT know of Tightwire, well, fuck me, you’re in luck, because today is your day.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with the weirdest fucking band in the world today Hans Gruber and The Die Hards!

For those who have yet to hear of this band, well, I am not sure I can accurately describe what you can expect from these guys, but imagine if you mixed At The Drive In with The Aquabats and then piped it through Jack Black’s energy core…

That’s what I would say is Hans Gruber & The Die Hards.

The band has released 4 full-length albums since 2017, and broke out in many ways even more last year with their latest release With a Vengeance (a nod to the Die Hard movie franchise’s 3rd installment) which came out in 2022 and was a banger of an album that perfectly encapsulated the band’s sound as well as their intent to make music their own way.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with a man who has had a great impact on my musical life today in Scott Klopfenstein of The Littlest Man Band and who was also a former member of the legendary ska band Reel Big Fish as well as a player in various other influential bands in the 90’s California ska scene like The Scholars.

I still remember watching “Sell Out” on MTV for an entire summer and rocking out to every Reel Big Fish album that came out for the next 15 years or so.

Scott left Reel Big Fish in 2011 but has been fronting The Littlest Man Band since 2003 or so with some gaps in there to pursue other areas of life like starting a family and dabbling in other artistic endeavors.

I recently saw him perform in Las Vegas, and I was very impressed with how much his style and sound had evolved…especially for a guy who I came to know as the goofball trumpet player in my early years.

He is truly a legend of ska and very much an icon of the scene in my eyes.

Today, I am honored to welcome Scott Klopfenstein to the show.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

Today I wanted to continue our DIY Rock Career conversations and speak directly to the musicians that listen to the podcast, and use my background in business to help give some good advice on what TO DO and what NOT TO DO in the music industry.

I think even non-musicians are going to enjoy the episode because I like to talk about how to achieve goals and make your dreams a reality without sounding like a hype machine full of horseshit. 

And I believe the concepts I talk about today can not only be applied to music, but to pretty much any business, any career or just to your everyday lifestyle.

In today’s episode, I want to spend some time talking about the topic How to Become a More Productive and Successful Musician, and how you, as a musician, can apply these ideas to your music career right now to help make progress towards the end goal of making a living from your music without having to work a day job.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast. I’m your host Isaac Kuhlman, and I wanted to actually talk about a topic that I got inspired by from listening to my buddies Brad Nunnery over at Signal Chords and John Montross at Punk Rock Radar when both of them suggested that acoustic songs - as well as intros and interludes - should NOT be released with an album on streaming sites as it might be the first and last time someone listens to you.

I have great respect for both of these guys, and I am going to explain why they are absolutely right and why they are dead wrong about how these types of songs should be released and why they have a great purpose for music lovers.

I want to preface this by saying that BOTH of these guys heavily suggested that they quite literally don’t care about the lyrics to a song at first, and sometimes never, but they rather focus on great melodies and catchy music. 

As much as I love a great melody, I have to disagree with the part about lyrics as someone who has spent most of his life writing songs and poetry.

There is a difference between consuming music and appreciating an artform, and that is part of what I want to talk about today.

So, let’s jump into this fun conversation, and see if I can disagree with my homies without starting an internet feud.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast. I’m your host Isaac Kuhlman, and I wanted to actually spend a bit of time today to catch up on the year of 2023 so far, because there have been some phenomenal rock albums put out this year, and if you haven’t been paying attention, you may have missed them.

So, that’s what this whole episode is going to be about - The Top Ten Rock Albums from the First Half of 2023 (January to June)

You are going to get albums from very well known bands who are putting out good albums, and then you are also going to get some albums from some bands you definitely haven’t heard of.

Obviously, at the end of each year, we also do an awards ceremony called The Powered By Rock Music Awards, and any albums missed from now until December will have their chance to move into the nominations for each category that we do there, but I always think it is fun to dig in early AND not have to wait a full year to get some good music recommendations.

I am also going to give you a list of honorable mentions that you should check out in the show notes below this episode as well.

Let’s jump into the recommendations in no particular order, but make sure to stay to the end to get my insight from each album.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

Today I wanted to continue our DIY Rock Career conversations and speak directly to the musicians that listen to the podcast, and use my background in business to help give some good advice on what TO DO and what NOT TO DO in the music industry.

I think even non-musicians are going to enjoy the episode because I like to talk about how to achieve goals and make your dreams come closer to reality without sounding like a hype machine full of horseshit. 

And I believe the concepts I talk about today can not only be applied to music, but to pretty much any business, any career or just to your everyday lifestyle.

In today’s episode, I want to spend some time talking about the topic How Do You Know What Being A Successful Musician Means?, and how you, as a musician, can apply the answer to that question to your music career right now to help make progress towards the end goal of making a living from your music without having to work a day job.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Tony Conner of the Pennsylvania punk band 22. (twentytwo.) today.

The band has previously released an EP called “505 Palomar Pl.” in 2020 which came out just days into the pandemic which was definitely a big deterrent to growing any band’s visibility and fanbase during that time.

The band has a brand new EP coming out this year, and their first single called “The Sound” has just been released this month, and you can go check it out on your streaming platform of choice right now.

The song is high energy, and rips in the skate punk genre but with a slightly heavier sound to it, if you ask me.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Dave Lake (a.k.a. Diesel Dave) from the legendary punk rock band Diesel Boy today.

If you don’t know Diesel Boy from the name of the band, you almost certainly know the song “Twitty Twister” which appeared on the Survival of the Fattest compilation album that Fat Wreck Chords put out in 1996. I won’t disrespect the song by attempting to sing the chorus as it is an instantly recognizable song by almost any punk rock fan over the age of 35, but suffice it to say, I STILL get that song stuck in my head at random times in my life.

The band has been out of action for about 20 years now though, and they have a brand new album called Gets Old which comes out on July 28, 2023 via SBÄM Records.

I have had the chance to preview the whole album, and it is excellent, and we will dig into that and more.

Hey everybody, welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast.

It’s my pleasure to be speaking with Brian of the L.A. rock band Record Year today.

Record Year has been sporadically playing shows and making music since its creation about 6 years ago, but what’s really exciting about these guys is that they have a batch of new songs that take their music into brand new territory…and I don’t just mean for themselves, but I honestly think the music is unlike anything I have ever heard, and the best way I can describe it is Bruno Mars mixed with Turnstile or something to that effect.

Their latest single “I Love That For You” was released in February of this year, and you can hear backup vocals, trumpets, and just an absolute banging chorus that will make you want to get up and knock shit over.

Hey Brian, welcome to the show!

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Pedro Aida of the supergroup punk band Fire Sale.

Fire Sale may be a pretty new band, but the members of the band are anything but punk rock newbs. 

The band consists of Matt Riddle of Face to Face, Pulley and No Use For A Name fame, Chris Swinney formerly of The Ataris, Matt Morris and Pedro Aida from Ann Beretta.

I have the privilege and honor of speaking with Pedro who is the lead vocalist for Fire Sale today to talk about the new 2-song EP they just released and to talk about some of the inner workings of working in a punk band these days.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

Today I wanted to block off some time to speak directly to the musicians that listen to the podcast, and use my background in business to help give some good advice on what TO DO and what NOT TO DO in the music industry.

This is going to be part of an ongoing series of topics inspired by my desire to help musicians make money from their music without having to sell their souls to a record label or get screwed over.

This is the DIY Rock Career methodology. You create your own career with your own terms to profit off of yourself and your own work while building a loving, supportive fan base along the way.

These episodes will still be interesting to any of you who are NOT musicians listening as well, because a lot of the concepts I talk about today can not only be applied to music, but to pretty much any business, any career or just to your everyday lifestyle.

In today’s episode, I want to spend some time talking about the topic Why Do You Want to Pursuit a Career in Music?, and how you, as a musician, can apply these ideas to your music career right now to help make progress towards the end goal of making a living from your music without having to work a day job.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Ray Carlisle of the sickest punk band around Teenage Bottlerocket. 

Teenage Bottlerocket is one of the most well known post-90’s punk bands with 9 full-length albums released since 2003 along with a few EP’s, a live album, a handful of splits and many appearances on compilations over the years all while touring extensively for most of the last 2 decades.

They were actually the first band I saw live post-COVID as well. They are the epitome of punk rock in almost every sense of the word, and I am excited to hear more from Ray about what they have coming up with all the tours that are following a brand new EP that was just released entitled “So Dumb” (also known as “So Dumb/So Stoked”) on top of all the cool stuff they have accomplished over the years.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with the New York punk band Fat Heaven today. 

Fat Heaven has just released their third full-length album called Trash Life, and it has some absolute bangers on the album including their first single from the album “Quarter Life Crisis,” and my personal favorite track from the album, “Miracle.”

The music, much like the band seems destined not to take itself too seriously and create fun, anthemic punk rock music with a New York state of mind.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

I am excited because today, we have TWO incredible guests on our show as part of our Indie Spotlight series which will be a recurring feature at The Powered By Rock Podcast.

First up, I will be speaking to the Las Vegas based rock band Elephante King about their music, their live performances and some other interesting questions.

You will also get to hear a song from them before the end of our segment.

After that, I will be speaking with Denmark’s own Karina Selvig who is a writer for Dying Scene, Rockfreaks.net, and New Noise Magazine as well as recently becoming a co-host over at Punk Rock Radar.

So, make sure to stick around until the end, because both guests are fantastic.

Welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

I am excited because today, we have TWO incredible guests on our show as part of our Indie Spotlight series which will be a recurring feature at The Powered By Rock Podcast.

First up, I will be speaking to the San Diego based rock band Nights Like Thieves about their music, their new lineup, and so how much longer it will take before Mario is phased out of the band completely..

You will also get to hear a song from them before the end of our segment.

After that, I will be speaking with a kick ass rock band from Tuscaloosa, Alabama called Homebody who are really, really good, and both bands are within each other’s wheelhouse too. So, if you like either band on the show today, you’ll probably like the other as well.

Get up and get ready, because here we go!

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with one of the coolest guys in the punk rock scene in Sam King of Get Dead and the newly created genre-blending punk/hip-hop project Codefendants today. 

Get Dead has evolved from an acoustic punk rock band to a more uptempo sound over the last couple of albums sort of like layering some Rancid on top of Social Distortion, in my own opinion, but in the process making something totally new and incredibly hyperactive in a live setting.

Over the last couple of years, Sam also got linked up with Ceschi (Chess-key) Ramos after helping to raise funds to release him from prison and the friendship turned into the new hip-hop/punk sounding style that is labeled “Crime Wave” to form the Codefendants with Fat Mike of NOFX rounding out the lineup.

I am super pumped to talk to Sam today about all of this and more, because he is one of the single most interesting people in the punk scene today.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast! I am excited because today, we have TWO incredible guests on our show as part of our Indie Spotlight series which will be a recurring feature at The Powered By Rock Podcast.

First up, I will be speaking to the Las Vegas based rock band SECOS about their music, their live performances and some other interesting questions.

You will also get to hear a song from them before the end of our segment.

After that, I will be speaking with AJ Wyatt of the local Vegas rock act Wyatt and the Ashes to talk about his new music and getting a full band together to play shows again.  Stick around to check out both awesome guests.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

Today’s episode is featuring two of the raddest bands that you may have not heard of right now, and I am excited to bring them both on the show.

First up, I will be speaking to the New York rock band Warn The Duke about their fantastic new album All That’s Solid and what else is in store for the band this year.

After that, I will be speaking with the Corpus Christi band New Ends as well to talk about their awesome album from last year Everything’s Better and their new music as well.

I am pumped that I get to talk to both of these bands today, because they are great. 

So stay tuned for both. You won’t regret it.

Welcome to the 2022 Powered By Rock Music Awards Ceremony Presentation presented by Reverend Guitars and The DIY Rock Career.

I’m Isaac Kuhlman, and I’m your host for this evening. I personally want to thank you for joining us to help shine light on the rock music scene and to celebrate the music from 2022. 

I hope whether you agree with the selections and winners or not, that you go listen to the music and appreciate the hard work each artist has put into their craft.

Over the last few years, I have spent a lot of time getting to know a lot of great people in the rock music community, and it is my mission to help promote bands, artists, labels, companies, organizations and even the behind-the-scenes folks who make the world a better place through rock music.

That’s what this ceremony is all about, and I wanted to make sure that, if nothing else, the bands and artists themselves knew how much the world, including myself, appreciate them.

Normally, we would hold this ceremony a little earlier in the year, but due to other projects taking precedence, this was pushed back a few weeks. Sorry to keep everyone waiting so long.

Our company’s mission is not to just highlight the bands that get played on RADIO often. We are incredibly fond of digging around to find good music through small labels and independent artists.

We write about these bands, we talk to them, we try to get to know them. Why?

Simple - there is a LOT of great music that you are missing out on if you only listen to the radio.

I know I would have never become the music fan I am today if I just followed the mainstream music scene.

The nominees tonight are a collection of bands from various genres of rock music who have combined to put out some absolutely brilliant music from the past year.

I really wanted to make sure that not only do they get recognized for doing so, but I also wanted to try to make it possible for others to understand more about these bands and their music while also seeing that they HAVE won an award for their contributions to art.

Without music, the world is a very quiet and boring place.

It’s been absolutely incredible to see live music and rock music have a resurgence over the last year in various ways with new festivals popping up to new labels, new bands, and renewed scenes cropping back up all over the world after having to sit out the good part of 2 years due to the pandemic.

With that said, I thank you for joining me tonight to celebrate all the fantastic artists and their music from 2022. Let’s start the show!

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

I am excited because today, we have TWO incredible guests on our show as part of our Indie Spotlight series which will be a recurring feature at The Powered By Rock Podcast.

First up, I will be speaking to the dudes from the Las Vegas based rock band White Noise about their new album Neapolitan, their live performances and whatever else I think to ask.

You will also get to hear a song from them before the end of our segment.

After that, I will be speaking with Josh Coutts from the Las Vegas radio show Rock Avenue to talk about how he helps promote rock and ska music here in Las Vegas. So, make sure to stick around until the end, because both guests are fantastic.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Dave Cavallo of the Texas-based pop-punk band Dropped Out today.

Dropped Out released one of the most incredible punk albums that I had heard in a very long time last year with their album Get Lost! which is what I consider to be the epitome of pop-punk at its finest.

The band has been putting out music for almost a decade at this point, and if you haven’t heard of them, well, it’s a good thing you are here now, because you are going to be happy that you get to check them out.

I believe Get Lost! was one of only two perfect 5-star ratings that I gave out in our album reviews last year with The Black Keys’ Dropout Boogie being the only other one. That’s pretty high praise considering last year was stacked with great releases.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock Podcast!

I am excited because today, we have TWO incredible guests on our show as part of our Indie Spotlight series that I wanted to make a recurring part of The Powered By Rock Podcast.

First up, we will be speaking to Zhong from the Chinese-based rock band The Sino Hearts about the music, his incredible backstory and some other interesting questions.

You will also get to hear a song from them before the end of our segment.

After that, I will be speaking with Josh Courtright from Room 6 YouTube Channel to talk about how he helps shine a spotlight on indie music here in Las Vegas. So, make sure to stick around until the end, because both guests are fantastic, and I think you’ll really want to hear more about them.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Johnny Marriot from the UK pop-rock/punk band Pet Needs today.

Pet Needs had one helluva year last year as they not only put out their second LP entitled Primetime Entertainment, but they also toured extensively throughout the year with a major opening slot on Frank Turner’s 50 States in 50 Days Tour which is not just huge, but it was one of the most entertaining shows from start to finish I have ever seen.

The band has played shows non-stop aside from the lockdown since 2017, and they released their first album Fractured Party Music in 2021 while everything was on pause. Both albums are absolute magic, if you ask me.

The last thing to know about this band is that they truly play a great live show and engage with crowds of all sizes like they are playing songs just for you. It’s a hard thing to do, but I imagine years of grinding out local gigs helped create the performances that they put out today.

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with Andy Pohl who plays guitar in the punk band Tsunami Bomb, but he also runs the indie record label Sell The Heart Records.

Andy can shred a guitar as well as discover and support great bands, and he even used to do a podcast himself called Question The Answers Podcast.

He’s a man of many talents, and as far as the record label goes, he has helped put out releases from bands such as Neckscars, Decent Criminal, Bumsy and the Moochers, Goddamnit, with some of the new releases like Fat Heaven, Singing Lungs and a brand new Operation Ivy cover song compilation featuring some very cool bands like Catbite, The Raging Nathans and more…

If you are looking for indie rock music, you would be smart to have Sell The Heart at the top of or have high on the list of labels to check out.

Hey there, it’s Isaac from Powered By Rock here to bring Brendan, Jarred and Rye from Mercy Music into the spotlight for a few minutes, and make them sweat with some on-the-spot questions.

Welcome, guys. Are you ready to be put in the spotlight?

1 - Okay, I know during the Palapalooza Podcast you guys were asked to name some of your favorite Vegas bands, and that you kinda forgot some of the bands you wanted to mention. Here’s your shot to redeem yourself. Name as many awesome Vegas bands as you can in 30 seconds…

2 - In the spirit of the movie Old School, if you guys had to compete in a sort of 3-event competition in order to show that your band is the worthy of its own fraternity what would the 3 non-instrument playing events be, and who is in each event?

• Weight lifting - Jarred
• Fashion show - Brendan
• Dance battle - Rye

3 - What one musician who is alive would each of you most like to meet?

4 - If you could make a wish and change something about the Las Vegas music scene to make it better, what would it be?

5 - Being married and having kids makes it tough to be in a full-time band. How hard is it going to be to leave your families behind when you guys have a world tour after the new album comes out?

I want to thank the guys from Mercy Music for stepping In the Spotlight and answering these hot seat questions.

Make sure to go to the show notes below this episode for links to the music and watch our full podcast interview as well!

Until we see you again for the next episode,

Rock on!

Intro Music: "Colorado" by Birds Love Filters

Outro Music: "Snail Mail" by Speedway Sleeper

Welcome to the Season 3 Finale of the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with the Las Vegas rock band Mercy Music about so many things today.

If you have followed this show for a while, you will know that Brendan was actually on the season finale of season 1 which was almost exactly one year ago today. So, I guess this is just going to be an annual tradition now.

Well, in that time, I have gotten to know this band a bit better, and having watched them play several shows, I can say that these guys are the best kept secret in rock music.

The band has a new album coming out in 2023, they have a new SIDE PROJECT band, and they also are going to be headlining a world tour…okay, the last one hasn’t been confirmed yet, but let’s just assume it’s going to happen.

We’ll be speaking with Brendan, Jarred and Rye from Mercy Music right after this

Intro Music: "Colorado" by Birds Love Filters

Outro Music: "Snail Mail" by Speedway Sleeper

Hey there, it’s Isaac from Powered By Rock here to bring Robbie and Jonny from the punk band The Moröns into the spotlight for a few minutes, and make them sweat with some on-the-spot questions.

Welcome, guys. Are you ready to be put in the spotlight?

1 - If you were only going to have one shot to play one of your original songs for your favorite band to show them you are good enough to be on tour with them, what song of yours would you pick, and what band would you be playing in front of?

2 - You guys talk a decent amount about partying and drinking. If you are throwing a bash, who is the first band member to pass out, what’s their punishment, and what are you guys drinking throughout the night?

3 - Your new album is called The Book of Morön which alludes to the famous play The Book of Mormon by South Park’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Are you guys fans of South Park? If so, what character from South Park would each member of the band be?

4 - What were the best and worst shows you guys ever played?

5 - Robbie, you told me that you guys would be up for a Steak Eating Challenge to match Handheld’s maple syrup chugging contest. Are you ready to start? Just kidding. But if you guys were to compete in a food eating contest, what WOULD you eat, and who do you guys think would win between you?

I want to thank the guys from The Moröns for stepping In the Spotlight and answering these hot seat questions.

Make sure to go to the show notes below this episode for links to the music and watch our full podcast interview as well!

Until we see you again for the next episode,

Rock on!

I am going to be speaking with the Calgary-based punk band The Moröns today about their new album The Book of Morön which I think is potentially the best punk album of the year, and we will also be talking about some of the other great things the band has been up to, their history, and why they think Canada is so damn punk these days.

If you haven’t been paying attention, well, you probably need to start listening to these bands from the Great White North, eh?

We will be speaking with the band about all of this and more right after this.

Intro Music: "Colorado" by Birds Love Filters

Outro Music: "Snail Mail" by Speedway Sleeper

Hey there, it’s Isaac from Powered By Rock here to bring Evan Bailey from the Sacramento rock band Oh Lonesome Ana into the spotlight for a few minutes, and make him sweat with some on-the-spot questions.

Welcome, Evan. Are you ready to be put in the spotlight?

1 - Now, there are a lot of bands from California, but not necessarily a lot of famous ones from Sacramento. I know Deftones, Cake and Tesla are all from Sacramento. But do you have a favorite band from Sacramento that maybe people haven’t heard of?

2 - As Sacramento is the capital of California, I figured what better way to really put you in the spotlight than to see how well you know your state capitals. Can you name these state capitals:

1. Oregon - Salem
2. Nevada - Carson City
3. Tennessee - Nashville
4. Connecticut - Hartford
5. South Dakota - Pierre
6. Kentucky - Frankfort

3 - What is your favorite rock album of all time, and who is your favorite rock band of all time?

4 - I am not sure why, but when I listen to your album, I am often reminded of the movie Slingblade which is a great film starring Billy Bob Thornton about a boy who has a shitty stepdad (much like the lyrics of the songs on the album). What’s the best Billy Bob movie?

• Bad Santa

5 - If you could change one thing about California, what would it be?

I want to thank Evan from the band Oh Lonesome Ana for stepping In the Spotlight and answering these hot seat questions.

Make sure to go to the show notes below this episode for links to the music and watch our full podcast interview as well!

Until we see you again for the next episode,

Rock on!

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with the Sacramento indie rock band Oh Lonesome Ana about their incredible new album Megadeth Tee, the process for creating it, and so much more.

I got the chance to hear about this band through a press release for their single “Rushing Lattice” that had a music video accompaniment, and just from watching that video, I knew I had to learn more about this band and made sure to check out the full album when it came out.

We’ll talk more about why this band is so incredible, and why I think you should also be listening to them right after this.

Intro Music: "Colorado" by Birds Love Filters

Outro Music: "Snail Mail" by Speedway Sleeper

Hello and welcome to the Powered By Rock podcast where I am going to be speaking with one of the most important people in the rock music scene in Southern California right now, Rob Castellon of Wiretap Records.

Rob founded Wiretap Records about 8 years ago, and has built it into a solid independent label that routinely pumps out great release after great release with some of the best bands in punk and rock music out there today including bands that have been on this show like Mercy Music, The Dreaded Laramie, Breaklights, Decent Criminal and SHIIVA as well as some other great bands like Bristol To Memory, Odd Robot, Upper Downer, Wicked Bears, Moldy Roses, Reminders and American Thrills just to name some of the bands you may have come to know over the last 8 years.

I finally got to meet him in person last month during the annual Attention Fest that he puts on to showcase some awesome bands from the label, and hearing his story of undying passion for helping the rock music scene, all while having to run the label and manage a life and full-time job is nothing short of heroic.

He also has an offshoot of Wiretap called My Grito which we will talk about as well. Hold on to your butts, and get ready for the true story of running an independent record label right after this…

Intro Music: "Colorado" by Birds Love Filters

Outro Music: "Snail Mail" by Speedway Sleeper

Hey there, it’s Isaac from Powered By Rock here to bring the Milwaukie punk band Bad Year into the spotlight for a few minutes, and make him sweat with some on-the-spot questions.

Welcome, guys. Are you ready to be put in the spotlight?

1 - As a punk band from the Midwest, I am curious who is each of your guys’s favorite Midwest punk bands outside of your own band?

2 -  Wisconsin is known for a few things, but foodwise, it is known for beer, cheese and brats and sausages. First of all, how are you guys not 300 pounds each right now? Secondly, if you had to choose just ONE of those 3 things to keep, and had to ditch the other two, which one food item are you keeping between Beer, Brats, and Cheese?

3 -  It’s pretty easy to pick bands that may have a similar sound to you, but I am going to ask you guys to each choose a MOVIE that you feel best fits the theme of your band. What movie would you choose?

4 - What’s the goal for the band in the next few years?

5 - I know the band is still in its early stages, but let’s say in 10 years, there’s a book written about you guys. What do you think the title of the book will be?

I want to thank the band Bad Year for stepping In the Spotlight and answering these hot seat questions.

Make sure to go to the show notes below this episode for links to the music and watch our full podcast interview as well!

Until we see you again for the next episode,

Rock on!

I am going to be speaking with the Milwaukie based punk band, Bad Year today about their band, their upcoming new music, and the state of midwest punk rock these days.

The band has released two EP’s to this point with a couple of singles as well since forming in 2019. Obviously, in hindsight that meant that right after creating the band, they had to take a massive hit from the pandemic.

So, the band name wasn’t just clever, it was prophetic.

We will be speaking with the band about all of this and more right after this.

Intro Music: "Colorado" by Birds Love Filters

Outro Music: "Snail Mail" by Speedway Sleeper