The Brooklyn Blast Furnace

The 2nd in a 5-Part Series focusing on a handful of OG's in the New York Hardcore scene. John Kelly aka "Johnny Waste" is the guitarist for "Urban Waste" and "Major Conflict". We discuss the formation of "Urban Waste" in 1982, the break-up of the band and the resurgence as well as how amazing it is that a bunch of young punk rock kids formed bands way back then and are fortunate enough to still be playing to this day. None of these kids had any idea that they were laying down the ground work for a worldwide movement. We also discuss parenthood and how neither of us thought we would ever be parents. Another small history lesson on the NYHC scene. As always, I hope you enjoy this episode which was recorded at "The Wasteland" in Queens, New York.

The 1st in a 5-Part Series focusing on a handful of OG's in the New York Hardcore scene. John Watson is a New York Hardcore Legend. He is the original singer for NYHC Pioneers, "Agnostic Front" and the former roadie for the "Cro-Mags". From working at "Max's Kansas City" on the gritty Lower East Side of Manhattan in the early 1980's, to being a staple at "A7" (now "Niagara") to the infamous Sunday matinee shows at "CBGB" on the Bowery, to living in C-Squat in Alphabet City. John has been there since the beginning of the birth of New York Hardcore. He is arguably the inventor of the "circle pit" which now takes place at shows all over the world on a large scale at times. He has lived an interesting life and, among the NYHC community, is regarded as a legend. It was an honor to sit down and speak to the man. Enjoy!

Owner and Founder of "Atomic Hot Rods", maker of several documentaries and films including the horror movie "Get My Gun", musician who has played in several bands including "Roger Miret And The Disasters" and "Scrapers" along with being a true crime and serial killer enthusiast like myself... this was a fun discussion to have! Enjoy!

Grand Master Hosun Kang is a 9th Degree Black Belt in the Kuk Mu Kwan style of Tae Kwon Do with over 54 years of experience, several schools and has taught tens of thousands of students and has created hundreds of Black Belts. His father, Grand Master Suh Chong Kang is the founder of Kuk Mu Kwan and has deep roots in Korea. He tells his father's story of training the Korean version of the CIA during the Korean War along with his journey to America. His extremely successful "Kang System" Tae Kwon Do schools, along with his battle with stage 4 cancer and how he lost everything due to a very close family member. I looked up to this man as a child and was extremely grateful to have been able to do this podcast with him. I hope you enjoy this. Respect.

Recorded Live from the New Jersey Horror Con And Film Festival at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tony Moran is a one of a kind guy. I hung out with him for a couple days at the convention. After a very memorable couple of days, on the last day of the convention I decided to record what was intended on being a short interview. But, knowing how Tony is now, it turned into him telling a story to me and 3 other people who came to his table for an autograph and a photo. From him cursing throughout a karaoke version of a Guns N' Roses song the night before to dealing out a well deserved beating to Ace Frehley's bodyguard in an elevator for groping Felissa Rose of "Sleepaway Camp" fame. Completely off the cuff conversation here. I hope you enjoy this.

Ronstin Smith is the vocalist and bass player for the New Jersey based 3-Piece Hardcore/Metal band "Unkempt Herald". Currently working on their new record "Kiddo" which will be out in the beginning of 2019. The record is dedicated to his daughter who tragically passed in 2016. Hear his story. I personally think it's an important one. Thanks for the support as always.

Recorded Live from the New Jersey Horror Con And Film Festival at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ari Lehman played the first ever "Jason Voorhees" in the original "Friday the 13th" film. The boy in the lake. He also has a band called "First Jason" with several releases to date and a new album entitled "The Lord of the Lake" coming soon!

I met up with Anthony "Q-Unique" Quiles at a coffee spot on 86th Street in the heart of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn to talk about a couple, two, three things. We talk how he was introduced and brought into the Hip-Hop subculture by "Crazy Legs" of the Legendary "Rock Steady Crew" to being a member of the underground classic group "The Arsonists". How he then went solo and put out several records under "Q-Unique" along with his metal and grunge background. He met "Fieldy" from "Korn", toured with them for several years and learned how a successful metal band works behind the scenes. He then joined a band group called "Stillwell" with members of Korn and P.O.D. then embarked onto his own group "Kings Bounty" with guitarist Mike Dijan. Very cool, laid back conversation with a super nice guy, all while drinking coffee with our pinkies out and eating avocado toast. Yes... we did. Enjoy.

Recorded Live from the New Jersey Horror Con And Film Festival at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Bob Elmore is widely known for his portrayal of "Leatherface" in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2". He is a stuntman and has worked on dozens of films including "Pirates of the Caribbean" where he plays the role of the executioner and hangs Johnny Depp. He has doubled for John Candy in a handful of movies as well. Super nice guy and a pleasure to talk to. Enjoy.

We're back with Brendan Rafferty. Frontman for the NYHC band "SFA" and long time CBGB employee. We pick up right where we left off a few weeks and 3 episodes ago. With a big "Fuck You" to a certain record label he has issues with. He tells all about the infamous "Phil Donahue" and "Geraldo Rivera" shows that featured Punks and Skins from the Hardcore and Punk scenes from that timeframe; some who are still fixtures in the scene to this day. The truth on why CBGB matinee shows stopped in 1989, along with the truth behind why CBGB closed its doors forever and a bunch more... Brendan has a lot to say and has been there through it all. Enjoy!

Recorded Live from the "New Jersey Horror Con And Film Festival" at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I had a quick conversation with a cult favorite. Ron Millkie. He played "Officer Dorf" in the original "Friday the 13th". He had a small but memorable role, especially if you're a horror nerd like myself. He was funny, super humble and grateful to be at a convention where people flocked to his table to get autographs and take pictures with him. Especially because he had a small part in a film that was released almost 40 years ago.

This is probably the most "conversational" episode to date. I got together with DJ Alex Kayne, "Dizzy" the infamous L'Amour waitress, "Bud" who was a staple at the legendary rock club and Nikki, who was also a regular and practically lived there. We all sat down in Bay Ridge at "The Brooklyn Firefly" and had a conversation about the Legendary "L'Amour". Some say "L'Amours", and I personally pronounce it, "La-Mawz". The club opened in 1981 and closed it's doors for good in 2004. Every rock and metal band that became a household name played there. From 80's Hair Metal bands in their prime, to Thrash and Death Metal to Hardcore bands and cover bands. Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Merciful Fate, King Diamond, Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Carnivore, Suicidal Tendencies, W.A.S.P., KISS, Twisted Sister, Overkill, Hanoi Rocks and literally thousands of other bands have done gigs there. This was fun to do, and like I said, there really isn't any questions, so, sit back and listen as if you were at the table with us. I hope you enjoy this one, it's definitely a little different than the others.

Recorded Live from the "New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival" at the Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I caught up with the Legendary Harry Manfredini for a quick conversation. He composed music for dozens of films and television shows. He is widely known for the iconic soundtrack for the original "Friday the 13th" film. He worked on a total of nine "Friday the 13th" films, as well as "Wishmaster", "House" (1986 film), "Spring Break" and many more. He couldn't have been nicer. Hope you enjoy this.

The long overdue sequel with "Ratbones". He was technically the first guest on the podcast way back on Episode 3. He's back with more crazy stories about going from South Jersey to Detroit, then back again with nowhere to live. Drugs, homelessness, a crazy childhood, Punk Rock, Hardcore and everything in between. "Ratbones" has come a long way. A great guy and always fun to have a conversation with. Enjoy. The song at the end is: Lethal Aggression: No Scene. Rest In Peace John Saltarelli.

Part One of Two... (and maybe more than that) Brendan Rafferty is the singer for New York Hardcore band "SFA"(Stands For Anything)formed in 1984. He worked at the infamous CBGB "Home Of Underground Punk and Hardcore" for a combined 14 years! He was in the U.S. Army, started going to hardcore shows on a consistent basis in 1984 and has seen it all. "SFA" toured the entire United States and Europe. He's very outspoken and pulls no punches, and he doesn't care what you think about that either. Enjoy Part One because this is the "nicer" of the two. Part two gets "real" and he exposes a lot of things and sheds light on the truth about things you were told otherwise about. This was fun as always. Enjoy!