SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast: a free-form discussion of metal/prog drummers, recent gigs, and how we're learning to navigate this seemingly never-ending pandemic as professional musicians. Topic list: • What coffee are we drinking today? • Patrick’s coffee brewing tips • Praise for drummer Dave Lombardo of Slayer and Mr. Bungle • Dave Lombardo’s on-and-off again relationship with Slayer • Lombardo vs. drummer Paul Bostaph • New tour dates in early October (Wichita KS, Omaha NE, etc.) • T-Bone Tom’s in Kemah on October 23rd • Acoustic Blaggards shows... without a fiddle player? • Many thanks to Tim Kennedy for providing video footage from our performance at the Sherwood Virtual Celtic Gathering • Our recent show at Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. in Bryan TX • Eric’s new drum kit • Texas Governor Greg Abbott is choking our pubs and breweries • Praise for Chris Buckley, former Blaggard fiddler who played with us last week • Time signature changes vs. “feel” in rock music • Eric’s favorite Rush song • Eric’s upcoming PASIC roundtable discussion on Neil Peart, featuring Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater • Do prog bands take themselves too seriously? • Our habit of teasing audiences with brief bits of classic rock songs we have no intention of actually playing • Our new album is in the mixing stage • Looking forward to getting out-of-state for the first time since the pandemic started • Memories of our first road trip with Eric back in 2017 • NEXT WEEK: a giveaway of Blackwater Brewing Co. beer on Episode 87 • Upcoming Houston-area shows in November • People who request songs and then disappear • Song requests that make no sense • Billy Joel’s overt Beatles influence on “Nylon Curtain” Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast: record store memories from our youth, disappointing albums, musicians we like but wouldn't want to work with, difficult working relationships in bands. Friday September 25: Blaggards LIVE on Facebook from Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. Blaze gets mad!! Iron Maiden Chile 1996 Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll (1987) - Bonus Clip: Chuck & Keith Rehearse The Police - Better Than Therapy, Living The Police Reunion Ricky Gervais Discusses Friendship with David Bowie Topics: Eric's "ointment" story Recapping our first full-length performance in months How much time off is too much? The challenge of developing an unspoken language as a band when we're not gigging Managing different tempos and keys in a set list Last week's show with Cindy Heywood (see Episode 84) Slade Ham's recent outstanding stand-up comedy show at Improv Houston (see Episode 83) Other comedy shows we've seen The possibility of Blaggards doing shows with stand-up comedians Eric's memories of Hi-Ho Records in Berlin, New Hampshire Patrick's memories of Houston's Cactus Records in the old days Patrick and Eric remember learning about new album releases by reading music magazines Chad remembers the joy of discovering new album releases at record stores just by chance Chad's deep disappointment with Peter Gabriel's "So" album when it first came out in 1986 Eric explains the one thing that makes Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" cool Eric's disappoinment with the Boo Radleys Patrick's disappoinment with Iron Maiden's Blaze Bailey period Chad's disappoinment with Queen's "Hot Space" album Patrick's disappointment with Freddie Mercury's solo material Eric's disappointment with Sting's early '90s solo material A critique of the "Synchronicity" album by the Police The joy of a watching solid three-piece band perform like the Police or ZZ Top Sting and Stewart Copeland's turbulent working relationship Musicians we like but wouldn't want to work with (Chuck Berry, Buddy Rich, James Brown, etc.) Tin Machine versus David Bowie's solo material Bootsy Collins' experience working with James Brown Ricky Gervais' friendship with David Bowie Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

September is National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, and this week on #SlapperCast, we talk with musician and author Cindy Heywood, a proud survivor of anxiety disorder and suicidal depression. Cindy is a fierce defender of the rights of all who suffer from addiction and mental illness. She's a well-known mentor on internationally published suicide prevention forums, and her and editorials have been featured in internationally published magazines. She is currently working on the second edition of her book "Super Invisible Nobody", which details her recovery from anxiety disorder and suicidal depression. Suicide Talkz (Facebook) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention SF (Suicide Forum) Topic list: Cindy's background in the Houston music scene and the "Richmond Strip", where Patrick and Cindy first met How the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic compares to the 1979 oil crisis How the uncertainty of the pandemic can lead to anxiety and depression The world is in mourning for a culture and a way of life that we've lost due to the pandemic How Cindy's anxiety disorder led to alcohol addiction How suicidal depression is often not outwardly noticeable to others Cindy's descent from anxiety disorder into suicidal depression How understanding the dysfunctional roots of family relationships can be essential to recovery Cindy's experience with family therapy, and how it doesn't always result in mutually happy endings Never give up, your situation is not hopeless Cindy's experiences with online forums and her Suicide Talkz Facebook page, and how that led to writing her book "Super Invisible Nobody". The importance of reclaiming your perception of yourself The epidemic of suicide in military and law enforcement How the pandemic is driving innovation in mental health on the internet Communication is essential / there's no shame in asking for help The danger of isolating yourself ("You cannot do it alone") Chad, Patrick and Eric's methods of coping during the pandemic The value of productivity, creativity and physical activity How sharing your own struggles with depression can be essential in helping others ("Go deep or go home") The essential healing powers of humor and music Eric's "Crown Royal" story Recapping our recent gig at Sherwood Virtual Celtic Gathering Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Special Guest: Cindy Heywood.Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast, we're joined by our longtime friend, comedian Slade Ham! We talk about a ton of stuff, mostly focusing on the similarities between comedians and musicians, regarding things like creative process, work ethic, and plagiarism. Show notes SladeHam.com Until All the Dragons are Dead — Slade Ham's book Slade's YouTube channel Whiskey Brothers Podcast Whiskey Brothers on Amazon Prime Video Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Special Guest: Slade Ham.Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast: Houston's near-miss with Hurricane Laura An update on last week's show (Episode 81) with pub/brewery owner Chris Steele and his efforts to reopen his businesses during the pandemic under current TABC restrictions Upcoming guest: comedian Slade Ham The op-ed battle between Jerry Seinfeld and James Altucher about the fate of New York City How the pandemic is affecting retail space and office space real estate Do we have any strange pre-show rituals? How audience feedback affects musicians and comedians How many marriages are Blaggards responsible for? Why we miss the routine of loading in/setting up/breaking down/loading out gear at shows The importance of a quick load-out after a show Struggles with weight loss/maintenance during the pandemic Will we do a #SlapperCast live stream? We will we record and release our version of Danny Boy? Many thanks to Kelli for your questions! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KTIUoy1mh-s Show notes NYC Is Dead Forever… Here’s Why — James Altucher https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/nyc-is-dead-forever-heres-why/ Jerry Seinfeld: So You Think New York Is ‘Dead’ (It’s not.) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/24/opinion/jerry-seinfeld-new-york-coronavirus.html Sorry Seinfeld: Your Love of NYC Won’t Change the Facts About Its Crisis — James Altucher https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/sorry-seinfeld-nyc-crisis/ Slade Runner: Houston/Mr. Wizard's World — Slade Ham https://youtu.be/7qpGszjT_9U Digging Up Mother — Doug Stanhope https://www.amazon.com/Digging-Up-Mother-Love-Story/dp/0306825384\ Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast, we talk with our dear friend Chris Steele, owner of O'Bannon's Taphouse and Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. in Bryan–College Station, Texas. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M3LH57ok7UE How Chris got started in the bar industry, and how his wife Stephanie got him hooked on quality beer The genesis of O'Bannon's Taphouse and Blackwater Draw Brewing Co. (BWD) The challenges that O'Bannon's and BWD are now facing during the pandemic with the inconsistent and unreasonable restrictions being placed on bars/restaurants in Texas. How alcohol laws in Texas have changed since the pandemic, and how they might (should) continue to change Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Special Guest: Chris Steele.Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast, Patrick's brother Andrew Devlin joins us to talk about his company PitchHub. What Andrew's life has been like with three young boys virtual learning from home Why Andrew prefers Spotify over other streaming music services Andrew's company PitchHub, which helps businesses create video content to use online PitchHub's concept of helping clients create a "video business card" How PitchHub could be useful for musicians Why PitchHub has so much work with realtors How the pandemic is affecting the real estate business, as people no longer have to worry about living close to work How music venues might adapt to the pandemic The challenge of adding real applause to live stream performances How late night talk show hosts have adapted to working from home Working on song arrangements in the recording studio instead of on stage Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/66cBy-PqV-I Show notes PitchHub Eric C. Hughes drum lessons (echdrumlessons.com) Patrick leading a Saint Paddy's Day crowd in College Station to welcome his nephew Patrick (Andrew's son) to the world Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Special Guest: Andrew Devlin.Support SlapperCast

Former drummer and Forever Blaggard Mike McAloon rejoins us for a whole episode! Help save live music venues at Save our Stages How life has changed for Mike since he left the band Mike's assessment of Eric's drumming in Blaggards Eric's assessment of Mike's drumming in Blaggards The generational differences between Mike and Eric's approach to drumming and musicianship in general Great 1990s drummers How Mike first became a drummer What Mike misses about being in Blaggards Favrorite gig we've ever played as Blaggards How the bar industry and live music have been suffering during the pandemic How Mike's dad was instrumental in getting Mike into Blaggards Chris Longwood has agreed to master the new Blaggards album Show Notes Matt Cameron's drum fill into final chorus of Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" Aaron Comess | PASIC 2018 Life is a Highway — Tom Cochrane Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Special Guest: Mike McAloon.Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast: Eric's memories of 1978 Sessions LIVE show on Thursday, August 13 at 5 PM Central Drive-in concerts? Blaggards FACE MASKS will soon be available When Eric got "cut off" with the Derailers at Applebee's in Santa Fe, NM How people's opinions tend to fly out of control on social media More new BLAGGARDS songs brewing the studio Liberty DeVitto's biography (former Billy Joel drummer) Our dream interview subjects (alive or dead) The importance of interviewing family members as a historical document Realistic interview subjects The art of conducting a good interview Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast, we welcome our longtime fiddler, the incomparable Jeff Duncan! Jeff has been performing and recording with us since 2008, and will be prominently featured on our forthcoming new album. Topics include: How we first met Jeff The influence Jeff's parents had on his musicianship Jeff's talent for playing songs he's never heard before What music we're listening to in our cars right now What bands would we like to play in given the opportunity Sight-reading or play by ear? Audience members trying to insert themselve into your gig How did Jeff choose fiddle as an instrument? The importance of teaching music to kids Challenges in teaching music remotely during the pandemic Current Blaggards projects in rehearsal and the recording studio The value of arrangement skills (including praise for our original fiddler Turi Hoiseth) Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WOW-TDCtx2U Show notes Drum lessons with Eric C. Hughes Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Special Guest: Jeff Duncan.Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast:  Recapping our recent live stream show Memories of Super Bowls past New songs we've been working on in the recording studio Patrick has started intermittent fasting High praise for Houston's Star Pizza and Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. How our sleeping habits have (or haven't) changed since we've stopped gigging Difficulties we've had getting decent sleep while on tour Stories of the excruciatingly long drive from here to West Texas Memories of visiting Big Bend National Park Patrick's habit of wandering off into desert landscapes with no phone connectivity  The far-reaching influences of Sergio Leone's "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" The excellent storytelling of Joel & Ethan Coen's "No Country for Old Men" Remembering SCTV Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

This week on SlapperCast: Blaggards are SIXTEEN years old Comparing our sound gear from 16 years ago to what we use today The strong possibility of another shelter-in-place order The effect that the pandemic is having on bars and live music Comparing house bands from late-night TV shows What we think about mandatory mask-wearing Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/S98pgB6g1I0 Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

This week on #SlapperCast: The new mask order in Texas Singing difficulties on stage and in the studio Bands that have played with symphonies Bands that never changed their formula Favorite live albums, and what makes a good live album Famous musicians who are children of famous musicians Favorite musicals we've seen, played in or accidentally interrupted (thanks again Bob!) Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

This week on SlapperCast: Bars in Texas are shut down again due to the pandemic What Blaggards have been up to in the recording studio Eric's creepy gig story Musicians who influenced other musicians and didn't get the recognition they deserved (thanks again Bob!) Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aLc-tcsep-I Show notes That's Alright Mama — Arthur Crudup That's All — Sister Rosetta Tharpe Amsterdam — Scott Walker Back On The Streets — Gary Moore Truth and Soul — Fishbone Suspect Device — Stiff Little Fingers Teenage Kicks — The Undertones Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast

A freeform conversation during a thunderstorm. As the rain falls, we talk about our ongoing recording sessions for the new album, re-examine our opinion of Buc-ee's, reminisce about Two Pesos (and how much better it was than Taco Cabana), heap praise upon H-E-B and Whataburger, and indulge in a bit of nerdy gear talk. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p9vXry_sgxc Join us in IRELAND Fall 2021 Ireland 2021 — Sign up to learn more about our next Ireland tour Show dates Blaggards.com Facebook Bandsintown Follow us on social media YouTube Facebook Twitter Instagram Become a Patron Join Blaggards on Patreon for bonus podcast content, live tracks, rough mixes, and other exclusives. Rate us Rate and review SlapperCast on iTunes Questions? If you have questions for a future Q&A episode, leave a comment on Patreon, or tweet them to us with the hashtag #slappercast. Support SlapperCast