Start The Beat With Sikes

For the 17th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend Caleb for a conversation about writing short stories and hating your day-job. To be completely honest I haven't even listened to this episode since we recorded it so whatever. We'll all just have to wait and see what happens... Sit back, relax and lets START THE BEAT!

For the 16th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend Genevieve for a conversation about podcasting, painting and all other sorts of creative jibber-jabber. She runs a website called www.apcollector.net and she does lots of cool stuff and I'm bad at typing these introductions so just sit back, relax and lets START THE BEAT!

For the 15th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend Cameren for a talk about the ups and downs of being in bands, the new ninja turtles movie and figuring out what the hell we're supposed to be doing with our lives now that we're "adults" or whatever... Sit back, relax and lets START THE BEAT!

For the 14th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend John and had a cool conversation about making art, playing in bands, collecting records and somehow I even manage to continue my ongoing trend of talking to people who at one point in time wanted to be goth... Sit back, relax and lets START THE BEAT!

For the 13th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend Wyatt and talked about everything that you would probably expect us to talk about like being goth teenagers and being in bands and how being a grown up stinks. We also get into his recent dive into the world of wrestling and how all of that came into fruition. It's pretty awesome and there's only one way to find out about it people... START THE BEAT!

For the 12th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my new friend Michelle and we got to know each other a little better all while a microphone was recording us. Everyone does that right? Totally not awkward or anything... What came out of it was actually a pretty solid conversation about childhood, growing up, finding "the scene", the ups and downs of doing freelance artwork, alternative subcultures and more! Curious to learn some things you might not already know about the both of us? There's only one way to find out people... START THE BEAT!

For the 11th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my good friend Christmas for a conversation about bad teenage haircuts, Chicago, Taco Bell, Juggalos, ringworm, retail life, awkward fetishes and just trying to stay positive & productive as a reasonable mature adult in a world full of so much chaos. Where is this bumpy road going to take us you ask? There's only one way to find out people... START THE BEAT!

For the 10th episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend Ashley for a conversation about growing up with metalhead parents, being the goth cheerleader and struggling to stay passionate about the things you care about most while also trying to pursue a career in them. Will we figure out all of life's secrets or just be left with even more questions than we started off with?? There's only one way to find out people... START THE BEAT!

For the eighth episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my buddy Chris for a low key conversation about music in general and just how much of a positive impact it can really have on your life! It's all good vibes, good tunes & good talks this week and I would be surprised if all of you didn't take something positive from this conversation. There's only one way to find out though... START THE BEAT!

For the seventh episode of #startthebeat I sat down with my friend Cody aka Stillborn Identity and found out that the two of us have a lot of things in common. This discovery led to a really cool conversation about being socially awkward indie rappers, having too many hobbies and never having enough time in a day. Will we find a way to work through it all together or forever be slaves to the DIY struggle? Only one way to find out... START THE BEAT!

For the sixth episode of START THE BEAT I sat down with my Uncle Timmy aka Aunt Tina (who is the only member of my family that I still willingly speak to) for a conversation about rolling with the punches of life and pursuing your dreams at any costs. We recorded this episode at his apartment in New York City where he is currently living while finishing the writing process for a book about our crazy family. It's all sex, drugs and rock & roll this week friends so stop reading and START THE BEAT!

For the fifth episode of START THE BEAT I sat down with my favorite warrior JT aka Overlord Brom of the band Dethlehem for a good, lengthy talk about discovering heavy metal, playing heavy metal and just being heavy metal in general while maintaining a sense of humor about it all. Lots of other crap gets talked about as well and if you're curious theres only one true way to find out... START THE BEAT!

For the fourth episode of my new-ish podcast I sat down with my homeboy Matt for a little chit chat about always having to much on your plate and being too much of a control freak to let anyone but you find a way to manage all of it. Will we work through these issues together or spiral into a whirlwind of general negativity and bitterness? Only one way to find out... START THE BEAT!

For the third episode of my new podcast I sat down with my homeboy Jack for a laid back conversation about working during the day, rocking hard at night and grocery shopping with your significant other on Sundays. A solid conversation about finding "inner peace" in the simple things and just doing whatever makes you happy. Yeesh... This sounds like it might actually be a genuinely positive conversation. Only one way to find out... START THE BEAT! NOTE: There are portions of this episode that drop out and due to circumstances beyond my control I cannot fix them. (Original files no longer available) Sorry!

For the second episode of my new podcast I sat down with my friendly pal Tim for an intense conversation about being a promotor with goals & aspirations bigger than your average DIY joe. We also talk about the struggles of being an artist and getting your name "out there" countered with some potential solutions to these problems. (We're still working it out ourselves so don't take it from us) Defintley recommend this episode for anyone involved in a local music scene because Tim's views may give you a new perspective on things... or they might just piss you off. Only one way to find out... START THE BEAT! *Some words from Tim about the episode to note: " I don't really feel like starting a war with Roboto/DIY scene people. I don't agree with the attitude I used in talking about it all. People do what they do and that's totally cool. I just don't want this conversation taken out of context when I don't really feel the same way I did a month or so ago, when I had more ambition and when my argument was fresh

For the first episode of my new podcast I sat down with my good friend Josh for a lovely conversation about some of our most memorable "first time" experiences. The conversation goes everywhere you might expect and further... Punk Rock, Weird Porn and growing up are just a few of things we talk about in this intimate one on one conversation.