Interviewing bands and musicians that left the music scene or took on an extended hiatus. Hosted by Bryan Schools and Ben Thompson, The Aftershow uncovers what artists go through when they step away from the stage.
In this episode, Ben and Bryan explore the rarely told story of Andrew Everding, the keyboardist integral to Thursday’s rise during the post-hardcore boom. Andrew recounts a journey beginning with a house fire and serendipitous band invite, through Thursday’s ”War All the Time” breakthrough and major label whirlwind, and finally into his creative reinvention as a music-for-media entrepreneur with Tiny Lion. Along the way, he draws a vivid picture of the emotional peaks, career pivots, and lessons learned about saying yes at the right time. For anyone who’s ever wondered what becomes of musicians after the house lights turn off, Andrew’s story is real, honest, and unexpectedly inspiring.
30 Oct 2025
Joe Sib (Wax, 22 Jacks, SideOneDummy Records): From Punk to Punchlines
A vibrant deep-dive with Joe Sib, former frontman of Wax and 22 Jacks, SideOneDummy Records co-founder, and comedian. Joe shares candid stories from punk’s heyday, lessons learned from life on the road, why he reinvented himself in comedy, and what keeps him driven after decades in music and entertainment. The episode offers wisdom, hilarious moments, and true behind-the-scenes grit.
16 Oct 2025
James Menefee (River City High, Fun Size): Pouring Drinks for Your Former Tour Mates
James Menefee started his first punk band at twelve and spent three decades in Richmond, Virginia’s music scene with Fun Size and River City High. He toured with Blink-182, New Found Glory, and Jimmy Eat World, watched bands they opened for become famous, and got signed to a major label—only to have it go bankrupt at their breakthrough moment. Now tending bar in Richmond, he reflects on practicing in Gwar’s Slave Pit, hearing his songs on the radio, and serving drinks to former tour mates. A candid story about persistence, near-misses, and finding meaning in a dream that almost came true.
9 Oct 2025
Rich Beddoe (Finger Eleven, Saint Asonia): Redemption, Regret, and Rock
This episode features an intimate and candid conversation with Rich Beddoe, longtime drummer for Finger Eleven and co-founder of Saint Asonia, as he explores his journey through music, addiction, recovery, and family. From finding his place in Canadian rock, battles with genre labels, and the high-pressure moments of fame, to the deeply personal lows of addiction and rebirth in sobriety, Rich opens up about the past, what he’s lost, and what truly matters now. Listeners will hear honest reflections on identity, regrets, amends, and the importance of gratitude and being present—making this one of the most powerful The Aftershow interviews.
3 Oct 2025
Adam Czeisler & Cole Peterson (SweetWater): From Grunge’s Fringe to New Beginnings
In this episode of The Aftershow, hosts Ben Thompson and Bryan Schools sit down with Adam Czeisler and Cole Peterson from SweetWater, a band on the fringes of Seattle’s explosive early ’90s music scene. Dive into their journey from the late ’80s grunge era, major label contracts, and nationwide tours to the challenges of maintaining a music career in an ever-changing industry. Hear about their friendships with iconic Seattle bands, the highs and lows of major label deals, and the transition from full-time musicians to navigating new careers. They also share insights from their recent reunion, recording new music, and how the internet is reshaping their connection with fans. A nostalgic, honest, and inspiring conversation for anyone curious about the real stories behind the Seattle sound.
23 Sept 2025
Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo): From Boston Alt-Rock to Disney Soundtracks and Fighting for Songwriters' Rights
Letters to Cleo frontwoman Kay Hanley joins The Aftershow to trace her path from Dorchester to the major-label spotlight and beyond. Kay opens up about the Boston club scene of the early ’90s, the Billboard review that changed everything at South by Southwest, and the surreal experience of recording next to Weezer at Oceanway Studios. She reveals the shocking radio industry practice that limited female-led bands to just one slot in the top 20, shares behind-the-scenes stories from Parks and Recreation’s Unity Concert (including her starstruck Jeff Tweedy moment), and explains how working with Babyface on Josie and the Pussycats taught her that creating music could actually pay the bills. Plus: her transition from reluctant frontwoman to Disney composer, the ”cockamamie schemes” that led to Doc McStuffins, and why she co-founded Songwriters of North America to fight for fair pay in the streaming era—because 70 million YouTube streams shouldn’t equal seventeen bucks.
16 Sept 2025
Alonza Bevan (Kula Shaker): Psychedelia, Britpop’s Shadow, and 30 Years of Keeping the Magik Alive
Kula Shaker bassist and co-founder Alonza Bevan joins The Aftershow to rewind from late-’80s pub gigs and London house-share jam sessions to the UK chart rise of K and beyond. Alonza unpacks how the band’s Indian spiritual influence fit alongside Britpop, how major labels “push the button,” and why creative control mattered when recording with producer John Leckie—and later going epic with Bob Ezrin on Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts aboard David Gilmour’s storied studio boat. He shares the blessing-and-curse realities of a hit cover with Hush, the media storm around misread symbolism in the late ’90s, and the pressure that led to a tactical retreat before reforming with renewed purpose. Plus: touring America vs the UK, playing literal “toilet tours,” joining Johnny Marr’s Healers with Zak Starkey, and how a veteran band navigates today’s singles-first, algorithmic music world while gearing up for K’s 30th anniversary.
9 Sept 2025
Heath Saraceno (Midtown, Senses Fail): From Major Labels to Real Life, and Back to the Stage
New Jersey legend Heath Saraceno joins The Aftershow to trace the arc from Midtown’s quick rise and major-label years to his rejuvenating run with Senses Fail—and the hard reset that followed. Heath opens up about the expectations and realities of MCA and Columbia, the creative peak and underappreciated impact of Forget What You Know, and why he ultimately stepped away from full-time touring. He shares the exact mindset and preparation that landed him in Senses Fail, the emotional toll of endings, and the discipline it took to build a second career from the ground up in the electrical trade. Along the way: Dave Grohl’s “C-team” bachelor party, four-guitar hardcore chaos, how social media changed the definition of “sellout,” and why coming home every night can be the best part of growing up—without giving up the music.
Perfect for fans of Midtown, Senses Fail, 2000s pop-punk/emo history, and anyone navigating life after the dream job.
2 Sept 2025
Dave Krusen (Pearl Jam, Candlebox, Hovercraft): Ten, Yellow Ledbetter, sobriety, and the long road back to music
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen joins The Aftershow to talk about the whirlwind behind recording Ten, the unexpected life of Yellow Ledbetter, and the personal battles that pulled him off the road—and ultimately brought him back. Dave opens up about the phone-book audition that changed his life, the pressure and promise of the Seattle scene, getting sober amid overnight success, and the serendipitous path through Hovercraft and Candlebox. We also get into vault tracks, Hall of Fame night, arm surgeries that nearly ended it all, why he still isn’t ready to “hang it up,” and the new music and gigs on his horizon. Honest, reflective, and full of deep-cut stories fans will love.
10 Jul 2025
Sum 41 - Steve "Stevo32" Jocz
On this episode of The Aftershow, Bryan and Ben are joined by former Sum 41 drummer and pop/punk legend Steve ”Steveo32” Jocz. Our boys dive in to the early days of success, what really led to that breakup and Steveo’s post-rockstar life.
What’s it like being the hot girl that people wanted to bring home? Are parents impressed when your kid’s band blows up? What are awards trophies really meant for? All of this with Steve in Australia, and Bryan from the comfort of his... closet?
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
145,348
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
11
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
32
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