Couch Riffs

This is the first in a series of episodes through the end of 2019 featuring independent music instrument builders and makers.  Keith Horne has been hand building Marvin Guitars since 2015 and is doing amazing work. His website announces, "They don't make them like they used to. So I do" and its true! His list of clients include Christian Martucci (Dee Dee Ramone/Stonesour/Black Star Riders), Acey Slade (Misfits/Dope/Joan Jett), Jeff Pilson (Dokken/Foreigner), Matt Gabs (The Biters) and yours truly! If you're attending NAMM 2020 be sure to go and check out his stuff. You'll have a better time if you do! Check out his website at https://www.marvinguitars.com and his instagram feed: @marvinguitars  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

This Episode of Couch Riffs Podcast we are SO happy to have our first woman and one of our favorites of all time: Kim Warnick of The Fastbacks. If you don't know Kim or The Fastbacks you're missing out. She's essentially the queen of Seattle punk rock and played bass and sang in Fastbacks from 1979-2001 before joining the amazing Visqueen along with another incredible woman musician, Rachel Flotard. Collectively Visqueen may have been the most well-loved band musically and personally in Seattle history.  Kim is one of the most fun and funniest humans I've ever known and I hope you enjoy this Couch Riffs Podcast episode.  If you're enjoying Couch Riffs please listen to all of the other podcast episodes that are available and check out the video performance episodes! AND, if you want to look your best while loving Couch Riffs check out our Etsy store for t-shirts, hoodies, LP slip mats, trucker hats, and patches. Any and all of your support is much appreciated! If you're REALLY cool and generous you can dedicat

The youngest of The Conspirators by many years, Frank has the amazing position of holding it now for one of the most (if not THE most) recognizable and well-loved guitarists of all-time, Slash. This also practically makes us 2nd cousins. This Couch Riffs Podcast conversation with Frank Sidoris was so fun it was 2 hours long before we even realized it! So, it is broken up in to 2 parts, episode 22 and episode 23.  Thanks for listening to Couch Riffs. Be sure to check out the Couch Riffs video performance series and all the other podcast episodes. You can also support Couch Riffs with a pledge through anchor.fm/couch-riffs or by purchasing t-shirts and hoodies or trucker hats at our Etsy store!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

Part 2 of my very long and fun conversation with Frank Sidoris of Slash's band, Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!  Thanks for listening! Please check out the other Couch Riffs Podcast episodes and don't forget to watch the Couch Riffs video performance series. Its available on IG, FaceBook, and YouTube. If you're enjoying Couch Riffs and you want to be supportive you can pledge monthly support for as little as .99 at anchor.fm/couch-riffs or if you wanna look good and feel good, go buy some Couch Riffs swag at our Etsy store. There's t-shirts, trucker hats, turntable slip mats, and hoodies for the coming Fall and Winter weather!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

My guest this week is the always-a-good-time, shred loving guitarist Eric Howk of the band Portugal. The Man. Eric is a veteran of the Seattle music scene, a great player, a smart musician and writer, and an awesome asset to any band I've seen him play in. Eric is also a wheelchair user which creates touring situations where awkward and seemingly inconvenient situations for other touring musicians can quickly turn in to near nightmares. But, my man is a champion and a true lover of music and he's unstoppable. Period.  Portugal. The Man is writing for the follow-up to their 2017 album, Woodstock, which featured the Grammy Award winning song Feel It Still and exposed the band to a much larger audience. We're excited to see what happens next and what kind of shred Eric commits to the new material.   --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

Couch Riffs is very happy to have Luke Doucet as a guest. I've been a longtime fan of Luke's music and, in particular, his guitar playing. We cover a lot of stuff here, but don't really talk much about guitar playing, oddly enough. But, I mean, how boring is it to TALK about guitar playing. Playing guitar is much more fun. We do manage to talk about drugs, 70s/80s glam music, homophobia and drugs, though. I hope you enjoy!  If you want to help support Couch Riffs please go visit our new Etsy Store and buy some gear for yourself or for friends! If you are an angel you can also directly support the podcast directly at Anchor.fm with a monthly pledge. Thank you so much to everyone who already supports the podcast. You make this infinitely more possible.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

This week Mike talks with Christian Martucci, a rock 'n roll lifer who had the talent to make some higher level stuff happen and the persistence and patience that it sometimes takes to have your number called. And, it couldn't have happened to a more humble and nice dude. His career is a perfect example of doing it for the right reasons, letting opportunities present themselves, and knowing when to pursue or pass on them.  The week of this podcast's release Christian releases a solo EP with some old friends backing him up (including Couch Riffs alumni Acey Slade) and in September 2019 the new Black Star Riders album will be released with a European tour to immediately follow. So far, a very cool 2019 for Christian and I hope that things just get better and better for him.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

Ryan Waters is as cool as they come. And, he's a wicked guitarist. And, possessing those two qualities will get you in to some great situations which Ryan most certainly has. His resume includes playing or recording with Sade, Pink, Liv Warfield, Prince, CeeLo Green, Roadcase Royale, Roberta Flack, and lots more. Ryan is currently out on tour filling guitar duties in the amazing Heart. Not a hint of ego or attitude from this fella, though.  I hope you enjoy our conversation. If you'd like to help in supporting Couch Riffs please visit couchriffs.com and buy some stuff! We have a new Etsy store where all of our crap is. Your support helps a ton in getting the name and the show out to the world.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

Dave Kushner is the guest on this episode of the Couch Riffs Podcast and I LOVED having him as a guest. Dave's career is one built out of persistence (and talent, of course). He cycled through many bands and projects over the years, as many musicians do, before landing the opportunity to play in Velvet Revolver, the band formed by former G'nR members Slash, Duff, and Matt Sorum along with singer Scott Weiland.  Currently Dave is a partner at Monkey Mind Music Group and does music scoring for a lot of things that you've likely heard. Check out their impressive reel here:  https://www.monkeymindmusicgroup.com I love Dave's honest and humble approach to telling his own story and I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it.  Don't forget to support Couch Riffs however you are able and see fit! Like, follow, review, and if you're feeling like looking good you can buy some merch at couchriffs.com. xo Squires --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support

Rob Balducci was a humble and cool fella to hang with for an afternoon and a Hell of a guitarist. He has released 3 albums on Steve Vai's record label, Favored Nations, and is currently preparing material for another collection of melodic hard rock instrumentals. His sense of melody is really tasty and if you have a penchant for this kind of guitar playing I encourage you to check out his music. He's quite capable of flash and burning shred but rarely buries the accelerator.  As always, thanks again for listening and supporting the Couch Riffs Podcast! Please leave a review and help raise our profile if you have been enjoying listening!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

Ben is 13 years old and totally crushing it already. He has a bright future ahead of him and I'm extremely excited to see what he does with his talent and opportunities. If he stays on the course he's on I assure you we'll be hearing about Ben for years and years to come. For now, Ben is using his summer between 7th and 8th grade to tour and make a record.  A big shout out to Ben's parents and ALL parents (and adults) who encourage and nurture young folks' desires to play music or pursue any creative or interesting outlets for their energies. Being supportive of young people is incredibly important and crucial to them growing up to be the next adult that blows everyone's mind. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

Sonny Mayo is one of my favorite people I've met and when I say ever I mean ever. When I simply think about him I usually feel better and smile. That's his way. We met, like many of my acquaintances and friends, on tour under rock circumstances and we've stayed in touch.  Sonny has been in a number of great touring bands but has most recently been focused on sharing his energy with Rock to Recovery, a non-profit that works with treatment facilities by using music and songwriting to help heal people struggling with and recovering from all kinds of addictions.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

This episode features my good friend, musician, engineer and producer, singer/songwriter, and all-around good and decent human being, Joe Reineke of The Meices, Alien Crime Syndicate and, most recently, Society of the Silver Cross which has been making waves with their dark and heavy music and visually striking videos. Their new album has been earning much deserved praise in advance of the 6/28/19 release coming up very soon. Go check out their singles When You're Gone and The Mighty Factory of Death now, available on iTunes and on all streaming platforms now.  If you enjoy Couch Riffs please support by subscribing where ever you enjoy listening and/or watching the companion musical performances! And, if you really really enjoy please do support by buying a shirt, a hoodie, a record turntable slip mat, and pretty soon a trucker hat or a sew-on patch. I mean, C'mon. That's pretty much something for every one!  Thanks again for listening. XO Squires --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/mes

This episode's guest is the charismatic, mysterious, unlikely guitar hero Mrs Smith. Mrs Smith first came on radar a couple of years ago after some videos of street-shredding/busking came across my screen. I've been quietly following along since and it is quite entertaining. I reached out to see about a guest spot back in November 2018 and have actually played bass for Mrs Smith at a live show in New York in between then and now. And, what a fun show. Mrs Smith's ability to improv and interact on stage, off-the-cuff, is really great and it is worth going to catch the solo shows OR the full-band shows if you're able to. If not, Mrs Smith operates one of the most entertaining and interactive social media accounts around. Go check it out.  Thanks again for listening to Couch Riffs! Please, if you can and would like to, support Couch Riffs by listening, pledging at anchor.fm/couchriffs, buying t-shirts and hoodies and sharing episodes with your friends you think would enjoy. You're the best.  --- Send in a voice

Vivian Campbell has had a great career playing in legendary bands since the early 80s. Sweet Savage (as covered by Metallica), Dio's original band for the first three albums (Classic KILLERS, all three), Whitesnake (stepping in to cover John Syke's place), and for the last 27 years Def Leppard who was inducted in to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year (2019). Vivian is currently out touring small theaters and clubs with Last In Line who is supporting their sophomore release. He was a great story-teller, a great guest, and a humble guitar hero. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed making it.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

I'm honestly not sure how this slipped by and went unpublished until now. I mean, Shane recorded the intro that I use on every single podcast for crying out loud. At any rate, Shane Enholm is an open book and anyone willing to read the big words (and the subtext) through his many social media posts, mostly IG videos, already feel like they know him. I certainly did. But, each time that you tune in to his videos or you talk with Shane you learn some insanely interesting little tidbit about him, his life, or the things in his life that he has read up on and studied.  Shane clearly paved a rough road in his earlier life. Unlike many others before and after him he was fortunate enough to make it through and turn himself around and tune his life up, changing his attitude and outlook. Admittedly, many of his instagram stories can be taken in a number of different ways if you only take them at face value. However, Shane is one of the realest dudes I've ever met and his stories are not brags or boasts. He states hims

On this episode of Couch Riffs Podcast I had the pleasure of hosting the guitar/bass team from Buckcherry, Stevie D, Kelly Lemieux, and Kevin Roentgen. We played Nights On Broadway by The Bee Gees and it was a gas! If you haven't seen it please go check it out on IG, YouTube, of Facebook.  We cover a few things in this conversation including the new album, road rage, guitars, and the sexual power of Barry Gibb. Our performance and the conversation we recorded/filmed were bisected by some band business and a drive in my Jeep back and forth to The Chance where the band was playing this night in Poughkeepsie. So, we were only just getting back in to the groove when we had to call it and get back for the band to play their show.  As always, please leave reviews and help support Couch Riffs by subscribing where ever you listen to your podcasts as well as showing pledge support at Anchor.fm/couch-riffs . I also have some great shirts for sale to help fund the purchase of some more new gear to keep the Couch Riffs i

My guest on the Couch Riffs podcast this week is one of the earliest Couch Riffs performance guests from pre-podcast conception. Timo Ellis is an incredibly multi-talented musician with a mind tuned for thrashing convention. As always, Timo and I didn't talk about the weather when we hung out. We cover drugs, classic metal, Grateful Dead, random thoughts, and his career timeline amongst other things.  I hope you enjoy this episode and please help support Couch Riffs if you're able! Subscribe, leave messages, and pledge at Anchor.fm if you're able.  Thanks so much. It really makes a difference!  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

This is the complete conversation during my hang with Jared James Nichols in which the entire video was loooooost! NO! That's okay, the show was  salvaged and I got a good video episode still. Please go check it out! Jared is currently on fire and for good reason: he's amazing and just as genuine and cool as he is talented.  I had such a great time making this episode and the song we performed, Albatross by Fleetwood Mac, is an all-time favorite from the psych-blues genius mind of Peter Green. Go check it out at www.couchriffs.com YouTube, IG, and Facebook!  Thanks for your support! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support

I've known Nabil for over 20 years, been in two bands with him, and clocked countless van miles with him. He's one of the most consistent and rock solid humans I've ever known and I'm happy to call him my friend.  Being a big Soundgarden fan, Nabil picked this week's Couch Riffs song and he crushed it! I totally clammed ALL of my weird little bits, though. And, that's how the cookie crumbles here at Couch Riffs, kids. Practice like you will perform (also, Do as I say, not as I do).  As for Nabil, our conversation in this video is an abbreviated edit of a much longer story of his trail from small indie label owner to being the US General Manager of one of the coolest labels of all time, 4AD (while still operating his own label, The Control Group). I hope you enjoy!  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO BE NOTIFIED OF ALL NEW EPISODES! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/couch-riffs/support