The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Band

Failure

Referenced in 12 episodes

Episode 257 cover

#257: Album Imploder: AS GOOD AS DEAD (with Steven Haigler) Part Two

May 29, 2026

Local H's Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez, and producer Steven Haigler dissect their 1996 album "As Good As Dead" track by track, revealing the influences behind songs like the kazoo-featuring "Lovey Dovey," the straight-edge parody "Back in the Day," and hit single "Bound for the Floor." The discussion covers production techniques, songwriting inspirations ranging from Led Zeppelin to REM, and how the band deliberately positioned themselves as being from Zion, Illinois rather than Chicago to differentiate from the 90s alternative rock scene. They also address the controversy around "Eddie Vedder," explain why the album's master tapes are likely lost in the Universal fire, and reflect on how the record's themes of small-town claustrophobia have endured beyond its initial reception as disposable summer rock.

Episode 226 cover
🎸 Replacements

#226: Ken Andrews

July 17, 2025

Ken Andrews, director of the new Failure documentary "Every Time You Lose Your Mind", discusses the nearly decade-long process of making the film. He explains how the project started with other filmmakers before he took over, and how he aimed to honestly capture the band's story, struggles with addiction, and resurgence. Andrews also reflects on Failure's career, his early ambitions as a filmmaker, and the band's ability to continue making great records.

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#221: Good Jaws Atlanta

June 5, 2025

Scott Lucas and his band Local H did an interview on Good Day Atlanta in 1997 where Lucas gave intentionally sarcastic and passive aggressive responses to the interviewer's questions. Lucas explains he did this to avoid having to do more early morning interviews, as the band hated having to get up early after playing late night shows. The interview clip has gained notoriety over the years, with Lucas comparing its staying power to how the movie Jaws is now considered a masterpiece.

Episode 169 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#169: Scott Quist and Real Rock’n’Roll Movers

May 3, 2024

Scott Quist, founder of Real Rock'n'Roll Movers in LA, discusses his experiences as a drummer in various rock bands and how he started his moving company staffed by musicians. Quist and the hosts reminisce about their time touring together when Quist was a drum tech, including pranks they pulled on each other. They also play a game picking the best songs about working for a living.

Episode 146 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#146: Jess Margera

November 24, 2023

Jess Margera, drummer of the band CKY, discusses the early days of the band and how their unique mix of music and skate videos helped them gain a following. He shares stories of touring with Guns N' Roses in their "weirdest period" and reflects on the challenges of the music industry and staying creative during the pandemic. The hosts and guest also banter about their favorite songs with "black" in the title to tie into the Black Friday theme.

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#68: Joe Kelly

June 3, 2022

Joe Kelly, former singer of the band Lost Cause, discusses his early music career, including touring with Ministry and the Mentors in the late 1980s. He also talks about his later band Beer Nuts and their antics on tour with Local H in the 1990s, such as playing shows naked and destroying the band Creed's career by opening for them with the song "Number of the Beast".

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#52: Dave Brooks

February 4, 2022

In this episode, guest Dave Brooks discusses his experiences growing up immersed in the New York City music scene, from hanging out at his father's Harlem jazz club as a kid to later playing in bands and working as a sound engineer. Brooks shares stories of crossing paths with famous musicians over the decades and reflects on how the NYC venue landscape has evolved, expressing concern about rising rents forcing out iconic clubs.

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#44: Kellii Scott

December 10, 2021

In this episode of the Lifers podcast, drummer Kellii Scott discusses his musical journey, from starting out playing along to KISS records as a kid to delivering cocaine in LA to make connections in the music scene. He talks about joining the band Failure, recording the album Fantastic Planet in Lita Ford's house, the band's breakup and eventual reunion years later, and his current prolific output recording drum tracks remotely for many artists during the pandemic.

Episode 34 cover

#34: Road Report #6: Pizza Party in El Paso!

October 1, 2021

Scott Lucas, Ryan and Gabe Rodriguez are on the road in El Paso, Texas during the Lifers tour. They discuss the shows so far, driving through Texas, and sampling local Mexican food. Gabe is working remotely from an Airbnb in Florida while waiting to move into a new house. The conversation touches on 1990s Internet message boards for the band, a blizzard adventure Ben had in 1996, and the anniversary of Cliff Burton's death. They call their friend Herb to reminisce about old tour stories. The episode wraps up with a call to their tour manager Janine and the arrival of a pizza they ordered from a local place called Grimaldi's.

Episode 23 cover

#23: Hey, Killer

July 16, 2021

The Hey, Killer album by Local H touches on themes of religion, blues, and death across its 11 songs. Recorded in 2015, it was drummer Ryan Harding's first album with the band. The album artwork depicts a sinister figure flashing devil horns, representing a cross between serial killer Richard Ramirez and a character from the Ghost World comic. The songs range from hard-rocking, Metallica-esque riffs to more introspective tracks reflecting on tragedy and the meaning of life.

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#21: Herb Rosen

July 2, 2021

Herb Rosen, owner of Liars Club in Chicago, reminisces about his time playing in punk bands Rights of the Accused and Beer Nuts in the late 80s and early 90s. He shares wild stories from life on the road involving drugs, nudity, and pranks. The conversation also delves into Herb's love of KISS, a serious motorcycle accident he survived, and an upcoming variety show he hosts on Vans Channel 66.

Episode 16 cover

#16: Troy Van Leeuwen

May 28, 2021

Troy Van Leeuwen discusses his music career, from starting as a drummer and learning guitar at age 13 to playing in bands like Failure, A Perfect Circle, and Queens of the Stone Age. He talks about enjoying the role of being a multi-instrumentalist "secret weapon" in bands rather than the frontman. Van Leeuwen also shares anecdotes about the intense touring lifestyle with Queens of the Stone Age and the bands' evolutions across different album eras.