The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Band

Anthrax

Referenced in 12 episodes

Episode 237 cover

#237: Road Report #25: Ass, Gas or Grapes (No One Rides For Free)

October 17, 2025

Scott Lucas discusses having hotel issues on tour, including being kicked out of a Fort Lauderdale hotel on a day off due to parking problems. He also had confrontations with hotel staff and guests at other stops, leading to pranks and frustrations as the tour progresses.

Episode 210 cover
🎸 Replacements

#210: Michael Christopher and the BEST?!? Best Picture

March 7, 2025

Michael Christopher, a senior writer for Vanyaland and contributor to various music and entertainment publications, joins the Lifers podcast hosts to discuss the Oscars, with a focus on the best Best Picture winners of all time. The group each shares their top 3 picks, which include Rocky, No Country for Old Men, The Departed, Schindler's List, and Unforgiven.

Episode 197 cover
🎸 Replacements

#197: Frank Phobia

November 15, 2024

Frank Phobia, a central figure in the Pennsylvania hardcore punk scene, discusses his band Pissing Razors turning 40 years old and their upcoming album "Going Out Swinging". He reminisces about influential shows and people from the 1980s punk scene and his experiences booking shows and helping touring bands in Pennsylvania.

Episode 185 cover
🎸 Replacements

#185: Johnny Wator

August 23, 2024

Johnny Wator, longtime Chicago musician and founder of Daredevil guitar pedals, discusses his experiences touring and playing in bands like The Last Vegas and The Evictions. Wator and the hosts have an in-depth discussion about 80s hair metal bands and songs, debating their favorites from that era of rock music.

Episode 164 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#164: Doni Blair

March 29, 2024

Donnie Blair, bassist of the Toadies, discusses his musical journey, from discovering punk and metal with his brother Zack, to playing in bands like Hagfish and Only Crime. He shares stories of touring with Bad Brains in the '90s, the ups and downs of major label deals, and how practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has impacted his life. The hosts also engage Blair in a game of "What's the Best" focused on Iron Maiden songs.

Episode 158 cover
🎸 Replacements

#158: Nick Miller

February 16, 2024

Nick Miller, a legendary Chicago concert promoter, discusses his decades-long career booking shows for acts like Cheap Trick, Bruce Springsteen, and Jeff Beck. The hosts and Miller share stories of their most memorable concerts, including seeing the Replacements, Depeche Mode, and Metallica early in their careers. Miller recounts his unconventional start in the music business and reflects on how the Chicago music scene has evolved over the years.

Episode 143 cover
🎸 Replacements

#143: Freddy Herrera

November 10, 2023

In this episode of the Lifers podcast, Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez, and Ben Reiser interview guest Freddy Herrera, the bass player from the band Everclear. Freddy discusses his musical journey, from starting out playing punk rock in California to eventually joining Everclear in the 2000s. The group also plays a game where they each name their picks for the best bass performances and bass lines in songs, with selections ranging from the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" to Iron Maiden's "Killers".

Episode 116 cover

#116: Michael Alago

May 5, 2023

In this episode, Michael Alago discusses his music industry career, from working at the Ritz in the early 1980s to signing bands like Metallica and White Zombie at Elektra and Geffen Records. He also talks about his friendships with artists like Cyndi Lauper, Eric Bogosian and John Lydon of Public Image Ltd.

Episode 107 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#107: Jim Rota

March 3, 2023

Jim Rota, member of the band Fireball Ministry and producer who has worked on Dave Grohl's documentary projects, discusses his career path from getting a record deal in the late 90s to working in TV and film post-production. He shares stories of touring with bands like Dio and Motorhead, meeting Dave Grohl through mutual friends, and pioneering digital workflows on films like The Chronicles of Narnia. Rota emphasizes the importance of authenticity, building genuine relationships, and encouraging the next generation to pursue their passions in music and film.

Episode 103 cover
🎸 Replacements

#103: Gene Ambo

February 3, 2023

Gene Ambo, a renowned Chicago music photographer, discusses his decades-long career shooting iconic metal, punk and hardcore bands at venues like Metro in Chicago. Ambo talks about his beginnings sneaking cameras into shows in the early 80s, building relationships with bands and magazines, and how the music photography scene has evolved over time. He also shares stories of memorable shows he's shot, from Metallica to Danzig, and reveals plans for future photo book projects focused on the hardcore and hip-hop scenes.

Episode 57 cover

#57: Keith Smith

March 11, 2022

Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser interview their high school friend Keith Smith, who is in the Christian metal band Oblivion Myth. They discuss Keith's musical journey, his faith, and reminisce about the metal and hard rock scene they grew up with in Zion, Illinois in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Episode 48 cover

#48: Greg Corner

January 7, 2022

Greg Corner discusses his experiences growing up as a metalhead in the Chicago suburbs, playing in the band Kill Hannah, and navigating the major label music industry in the early 2000s. He also recounts how he transitioned into DJing, eventually playing Barack Obama's 50th birthday party fundraiser in 2011. Throughout the conversation, Greg and the hosts share stories and opinions on various music and pop culture topics.