Height Zone World

Lord Grunge is one half of the legendary Grand Buffet. He's recently released two excellent solo records, as well as releasing two records with Shark Tank. Grunge is one my closest friends in the world, and he's always been like an older brother to me, in the rap game and in life. I was excited to get him to break down this detailed history of Grand Buffet. He talks about Grand Buffet's early shows in restaurants, biker bars and parking lots in the outskirts of Pittsburgh. We talk about their early opening tours with Wesley Willis, Nature Kids and Sage Francis. He breaks down becoming a headlining touring act off the strength of their live show, as well as the burnout of relying on touring as a sole source of income. Mike Riley hooked us up with this excellent homage to Black Sheep's A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing. It all went down at the Lineup Room.

DDM is one of my favorite rappers in Baltimore. He first gained recognition as a battle rapper at Baltimore's 5 Seasons. He's been working as a solo artist for years, and he recently teamed up with Paul Hutson to form Bond Street District. He tells me about growing up as a loner kid with a rich fantasy life, watching Sailor Moon and Westerns on TV. We talk about learning to rise above the dark side of the music business, and how he went from filing for bankruptcy at age nineteen to becoming business savvy and independent. On the second half of the show, Paul Hutson joins the conversation, and they break down their new Bond St. District project. Mike Riley's art this week is an homage to Rob Base and D.J. E-Z Rock's It Takes Two. As always, this was recorded at The Lineup Room.

A-Class is one of the most consistent battle rappers in the game, and he's earned respect in Grind Time, King Of The Dot and countless other battle leagues. We first met at a house show in 2003, and I've followed his career ever since. I had a great time getting the inside scoop on how the battle rap world works. He told me about going from high school battles to Scribble Jam to the modern battle era. He talked about being excited by seeing how the battle world has evolved, and being inspired by the challenge of having to perpetually write more bars for upcoming opponents. We also talk about the strangeness of grown men tearing each other down with racial jokes. This week, Mike Riley came with a tight homage to Eazy E's Eazy-Duz-It. It all went down at The Lineup Room.

My guest this week is Mike Riley. We talk about having an undercover vice cop for a Dad, his rocky experience running the Lo-Fi Social Club, drawing a comic book from scratch in 24 hours and finding his place in the Baltimore art world.

My guest this week is Travis Allen. We talk about growing up in western Maryland, his early bands, our work together on my Bed Of Seeds album, and our time on tour together. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Artwork by Mike Riley Comics.

My guest this week is Matt Pless. We talk about our early days making music in Baltimore County, finding an audience in the folk-punk scene, his struggle with being labeled as the 'occupy wall street' act and going on tour for two years. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Artwork by Mike Riley Comics.

My guest this week is Drew Scott. We talk about his early days as a producer in New Jersey, old school message boards, Something Complex, Black Sage and his new Drewcifer Scott album. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Artwork by Mike Riley Comics.

My guest this week is Secret Weapon Dave. We talk about growing up in Massachusetts, the Colors soundtrack, being in a hardcore band and making beats with Mickey Free. Recorded at the Lineup Room. Artwork by Mike Riley Comics.

My guest this week is Ricky Ray. We talk about seeing Run-DMC perform at Cherry Hill Shopping Center, his early days with Saul Williams and Zion-I and his forthcoming The Doc And The Desperado project with CX Kidtronik. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley Comics.

My guest this week is Black Zheep DZ. We talk about coming up under Tim Trees, starting a clothing line and being part of the 7th Floor Villains collective. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

My guest this week is Brandon Lackey. We talk about learning to run a studio, making beats, working at White Marsh Carmax and not giving up. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

My guest this week is Mickey Free. We talk about growing up together, rapping on stage at age eleven, being in wack bands and entering the comedy world. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

My guest this week is Ben O'Brien. We talk about growing up in Oswego, Nuclear Power Pants, Wham City Comedy and diving into the world of standup. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

My guest this week is the writer and musician, Tim Kabara. We talk about Baltimore music history, Universal Order of Armageddon, music journalism as advocacy and running an after-school rap club. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

My guest this week is Jenn Wasner of Wye Oak, Flock of Dimes and Dungeonesse. We go in on imposter syndrome, writing jingles, tour blues and smashing writer's block with self-acceptance. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

My guest this week is Emily Slaughter. We talk about her time in AK Slaughter, California, our mutual disdain of freestyles and The Simpsons Sing The Blues. The Lineup Room is on the mix. Mike Riley Comics is on the pix.

Episode 3- I talk with the one and only King Rhythm, aka Franklin Yaker. Brought to you by The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

Episode 2 - I talk with my good friend Colin Swegman, aka PT Burnem. Recorded at The Lineup Room. Art by Mike Riley.

Episode 1 - I talk with my good pal, bandmate and future tourmate, Eze Jackson. (Drawing by Mike Riley)