Couch Riffs

Our guest this episode is Steven McDonald, an active musician since the 70s yet he's only in his early 50s. A founding member of the band Red Kross, his first gig was as he was graduating the 6th grade and its been non-stop ever since. He is the current bassist in the legendary bands Melvins and Off! and Red Kross is still active, as well. We had a great time talking music and life and I hope you enjoy this conversation.  Check out the Melvins' new acoustic album, Five Legged Dog, out 10/15/21 and available for pre-order on multiple formats, including vinyl.  If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs podcast please support us at PATREON. Your support goes a long way toward the growth and perpetuation of this podcast and our accompanying cover song videos. Thank you so much!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is record producer/mixer Phil Ek, a man responsible for creative choices and esthetic knob diddling on some of my favorite albums. Phil and I share the experience of growing up just outside of Seattle and we dive into his career from the modest beginning at the Art Institute's recording school to running live monitors at the legendary Seattle club, The Offramp, and then into local recording studios as his recording career grew in parallel with Seattle's blossoming indierock scene. I had a great time speaking with Phil and I hope you enjoy this conversation!  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs please consider supporting us at PATREON and be sure to visit our WEBSITE to find all of our audio and video content and a link to our merch store. Thanks for your support!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

My guest this episode is Tim "Ripper" Owens, a vocalist who was rocket propelled into the spotlight when he carried the torch as singer for Judas Priest during Rob Halford's absence from the band. He's been a very active and productive singer since then and continues to sing in a number of bands including KK's Priest, A New Revenge, and The Three Tremors. I hope you enjoy this conversation!  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs' podcast or our cover song performance videos please consider supporting us at PATREON. Your support is what enables us to continue putting out quality content for you to enjoy. Thank you so much! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://timripperowens.com    

My guest this episode is Mark Mallman, the Midwest Madman himself! Mark isn't all that mad, actually. He's an extremely talented songwriter, composer, performer, and arranger. In this conversation we talk about his musical history all the way up to writing music for the pillar of all soaps: General Hospital. I really enjoyed this conversation and hope that you do, too! Please be sure to check out Mark's music on streaming services, his website, and social media pages. Links below. If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs podcast and/or our cover song videos please support us at PATREON. Patreon support is what keeps Couch Riffs going month after month and your support is needed and greatly appreciated at any level. Thank you so much! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://markmallman.com

Our guest this episode is Mark Watrous who is yet another Tri-Cities, WA musician to guest on Couch Riffs. Mark currently plays and tours in The Shins but has stayed busy with a number of awesome projects and gigs, including a touring stint with The Raconteurs, since his band Loudermilk was signed to American 20 years ago. Loudermilk's lone major-label release is slated to finally get the vinyl release it deserves via Latent Print Records and the band will be playing 3 shows to celebrate this pressing/release. September 30/Seattle WA, October 1/Spokane WA, and October 2/Richland WA. If this band exhibits even a spark of the fire from their youth when they perform you won't want to miss it. Thanks for watching and for supporting Couch Riffs on Patreon! Your support helps make these conversations and our cover song quarantine videos happen. I really appreciate it. https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com http://latentprintrecords.com/  

Our guest this episode is the endeniable King of Pentatonics, Zakk Wylde. Zakk's band Black Label Society has a new album titled Doom Crew Inc. releasing on Black Friday '21 (11/27/21) and a newly released video for the lead off single, Set You Free, which is of course drenched in the band's trademark humor. This was a super fun conversation and we covered everything from his dad's WWII experience to designing his new Wylde Audio guitar models coming soon! I hope you enjoy!  If you're loving the Couch Riffs Podcast or our accompanying quarantine-style performance videos please consider supporting us at PATREON. This is the only way that Couch Riffs is able to continue creating and your support is immensely appreciated! Don't forget to check out our sweet merch, too!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com But 2 bags of coffee at Variety + a Couch Riffs mug, enter code: couchriffs at check out and get your mug FREE!  https://varietycoffeeroasters.com/collections/swag/products/couch-riffs-x-vari

Our guest this episode is roadie Tom Cesano who has worked for artists like Faster Pussycat, Weezer, The Rolling Stones, Guns 'n Roses, and MIchael Schenker. We had a great time talking and I hope you enjoy his story of finding human bodies in the basement of the home he purhcased in Detroit! (we'll see how many folks read this description). I hope you enjoy!  Please support Couch Riffs at Patreon. Your support makes this podcast and our cover song videos possible. Thanks so much!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Ian Fowles of The Aquabats. Ian was a great time and we, as usual, got off on multiple tangents regarding religion, aliens, and we even managed to talk about music and guitar playing a little bit. Ian has a great story and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs podcast please consider supporting us at Patreon.com/couchriffs. Your support is what makes the podcast and our cover songs possible. Thank you so much! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com

Our guest this episode is one of Seattle's greatest not-so-secret treasures, Jeff Fielder. Jeff plays with Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) and Mark Lanegan and keeps a busy schedule doing session work, producing, original composition and performances both in Seattle and on the road and around the world. It is always a pleasure to get a chance to hang with Jeff and if the opportunity arises for you to catch him on tour with anyone he's playing with it is well worth it for you to go enjoy his playing. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. If you're enjoying Couch Riffs podcast or our cover song videos please support us on Patreon if you have the means. It is absolutely what keeps us going and what makes this possible. Thank you for the support! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://www.jefffieldermusic.com  

Our guest this episode is the insanely talented Ty Bailie, keyboardist supreme! I met Ty back in Seattle after hearing about him for some time and the first time I saw him play (and the first time I played with him) I was absolutely blown away with musical and friendly excitement. Ty is just as fun to hang and talk crap with as he is to play music with so I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs please support us at PATREON!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode has been a friendly fixture in the Seattle music community since what seems like forever. He toured running live sound for legendary bands like Nirvana, TAD, The Posies and Presidents of the USA and also co-started a Pixies cover band in the 90s called No. 13 Baby which drew much attention and gained a great following. Craig was a great conversation and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs podcast or our covers videos please support us at PATREON. Thank you for your support!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is NY session drummer Parker Kindred. Parker has an impressive recording and touring resume which is no accident, he's great. He is the drummer on a good portion of Jeff Buckley's final studio recordings and has played with Antony and The Johnsons, Joan as Police Woman, Cass McCombs and many others. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! We had a great time. Watch out for Parker appearing in an upcoming Couch Riffs cover song video, as well! If you're enjoying Couch Riffs podcast and/or our cover song videos please support us at: https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Justus Gash, creator of Fuzzimp Pedals out of Portland, OR. Fuzzimp began in 2021 and Justus is candid about his crash course in business, his struggles with learning the logistics and inventory of parts, and where he's headed. I enjoyed talking with him and I hope you enjoy this conversation! Check out his social media and website for details on his pedals!  Thank you for support Couch Riffs on PATREON! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://fuzzimp.com  

Our guest this episode is Matthew Rubano, the incredible bassist with Angels And Airwaves and who has a resume as diverse as Lauryn Hill to Glassjaw, Mary J Blige to Taking Back Sunday. Smart, funny, and ready to talk. We had a great time and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs please support us on Patreon or visit our website to purchase a t-shirt or trucker hat! Thank you for your support.  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  https://mattrubano.com  

Our guest this episode is Per Wiberg, a Swedish multi-instrumentalist with a killer resume that includes Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, Candlemass, and a couple of solo releases which are absolutely killer. Per's most recent release, All Is Well In The Land Of The Living, is an exploration of heavy, psychedelic and goth rock and will not disappoint! The vinyl is sold out (unless you can find a used copy on the market like I did) but some CDs remain and enjoy streaming this album loudly. I woke up extra early to catch Per at reasonable hours for both of us and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs podcast or our killer cover song videos (Per appears in TWO upcoming videos that are both amazing) please support us at PATREON! There are a number of tiers to support Couch Riffs at and it is the only place where you can download the cover songs we are recording. I appreciate your support! Thanks so much! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://varietycoffeeroa

Our guest this episode is Eddie Brnabic, the drive and spark behind Hippie Death Cult which is one of our favorite newer bands. Their new album, Circle of Days (Heavy Psych Sounds) travels beyond the stoner/doom genre's basics and delivers a myriad of metal that is sure to please you. I can't recommend it highly enough! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did because Eddie is rad and has a pretty killer story. Thank you for listening and for your continued support!  If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs podcast or our cover song videos please support us at PATREON! That's the only place where you'll be able to download these covers and your support helps us keep going and make improvements and greater plans for the future of Couch Riffs! Thanks!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://hippiedeathcultband.com https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Zia Uddin. We missed having him on for Drummer Awareness Month but since he was the drummer on our recently published performance of Wishing Well, it seemed like the perfect time to have him on! Zia is an ace human and world class drummer/percussionist playing over the years with Myles Kennedy, Mayfield Four, and now Jaws of Brooklyn, as well. I've known him since 1993 when we were roommates for a short while and he was a constant inspiration to me as someone who worked hard and played TONS of music. I'm so stoked to have him as my guest and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! If you're enjoying Couch Riffs please consider supporting us at PATREON! Your support goes a long way in helping get our quarantine videos produced and its the only place where the cover songs can be downloaded. Thank you for your support! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com

Our guest this episode is Kyle Wolfe of Moon Guitars. Like many folks, Kyle started his career in guitar work as a repair tech and slowly worked into making custom builds. His designs are visually striking and very cool! Also, a very fun and funny guy to talk with who, generally speaking, isn't afraid to speak his mind and we get into a little trash talk in this episode. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! If you're enjoying Couch Riffs videos or our podcast please support us at Patreon! Patreon is the only place where you can download the audio from the video covers that we produce and your support goes directly to the perpetuation of this project and the constant planning and progression of moving toward the final version of Couch Riffs. Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to me. https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://moon-guitars.com  

Our guest this episode is Marcus Farrar of Antibalas and we had an amazing time learning about his musical history. Marcus was recently introduced to Couch Riffs through mutual friend Timo Ellis of Netherlands and sang beautifully & played shakere on a cover song episode. He's also a crushing drummer! Marcus has been with Antibalas for nearly 20 years and the band was nominated for their first Grammy in 2020. They have shows coming at BAM in Brooklyn in June 2021 and later this year at Brooklyn Bowl. Please check their website for dates and tickets! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.  If you're enjoying the Couch Riffs podcast or cover videos please support us at Patreon. Your support goes a long way in helping us produce all of the content we're creating and helps move us toward the final vision for Couch Riffs. Thank you so much for the support!  https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com  

Our guest this episode is Andee Blacksugar. Andee is one of the most talented and under-appreciated guitarists you'll find in the world today. Insane chops and ability to perform so many styles and with incredible form and character. Andee has been playing guitar in KMFDM since their Hell Yeah tour. Andee has released or performed on a total of 13 albums since the pandemic lockdowns began in early 2020. So, he's also prolific and we detail some of that energy and prolific work in this conversation. I hope you enjoy! I did. Thanks for watching. If you're enjoying Couch Riffs podcast or our cover song videos please support us at PATREON. Patreon is the only place you can download the cover songs we produce here and your support goes a long way toward making these two shows happen and moving us closer to our full and final vision for them both, too. Thank you so much! https://patreon.com/couchriffs https://couchriffs.com https://www.blacksugartransmission.com/