The Local H Lifers Database

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Band

Fig Dish

Referenced in 23 episodes

Episode 243 cover

#243: A Meathead Christmas

December 19, 2025

In this episode, Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss the shocking death of actor/director Rob Reiner and condemn Donald Trump's insensitive reaction to it on Twitter. They also debate the merits of various Christmas and non-Christmas movies, romantic comedies of the 1990s, and the hosts' upcoming New Year's Eve shows.

Episode 240 cover
🎸 Replacements

#240: Vinnie Dombroski

November 21, 2025

Scott Lucas from Local H interviews Vinnie Dombroski, lead singer of the band Sponge, about touring together recently and Dombroski's long career in music. They discuss the challenges and joys of being on the road for extended periods, Sponge's musical influences, and swap stories about the Detroit music scene. The hosts and Dombroski also play a game picking their favorite songs by Detroit artists.

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#239: Road Report #27: So Much for the Afterglow

November 14, 2025

The band Local H discusses the highlights and lowlights of their recently completed 43-show tour opening for bands like Everclear and Sponge. They reminisce about their favorite pizza places on the road, standout shows in places like Minneapolis, Boston and Cincinnati, and the grueling final days of the tour. The band also previews some of their upcoming solo acoustic shows and New Year's Eve gigs to close out the year.

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#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.

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#236: Road Report #24: Backstage in Orlando

October 10, 2025

Scott Lucas and his band Local H are backstage in Orlando while on tour with Everclear and Sponge. Gabe Rodriguez joins them for a few shows in Florida and tries a non-alcoholic beer that he finds terrible. They discuss the tour so far, including playing in an underground cave venue in Tennessee, upcoming shows, and some confusion around their touring schedule.

Episode 228 cover
🎸 Replacements

#228: Larry Karaszewski

July 31, 2025

Larry Karaszewski, the famous screenwriter known for films like Ed Wood and The People vs. Larry Flynt, joins the Lifers podcast to discuss his career and love of cinema. Karaszewski talks about growing up obsessed with movies, meeting his writing partner Scott Alexander in film school, and how they transitioned from writing "crappy comedies" to revitalizing the biopic genre. The discussion covers many of Karaszewski's films as well as his passion for screening and championing obscure and orphaned movies.

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.

Episode 225 cover

#225: Fig Dish Promotional Obligation Part 2: The Revenge

July 11, 2025

Blake Smith, Rick Ness and Mike Willison of the band Fig Dish discuss the inspiration, recording process and marketing of their 1995 debut album "That's What Love Songs Often Do" with Scott Lucas and Gabe Rodriguez. The band shares anecdotes about working with producer Lou Giordano, their expectations for the album's success, and the record label's reaction upon delivering the finished album. Thirty years later, the band reflects on their mixed feelings about the album as they prepare to re-release it on vinyl and play anniversary shows.

Episode 224 cover

#224: Hotdogs, Fireworks, and Fig Dish!

July 4, 2025

In this podcast episode, the members of the 1990s Chicago rock band Fig Dish (Blake Smith, Rick Ness, and Mike Willison) discuss the 30th anniversary reissue of their debut album "That's What Love Songs Often Do" and reflect on the writing, recording, and promotion of the album. The band also discusses their upcoming shows and the challenges of rehearsing after many years.

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#201: Hey, everybody! It’s STILL our 200th episode!!!

December 12, 2024

In this 200th episode of the Lifers podcast, hosts Scott and Gabe discuss their favorite episodes and guests over the show's history, as voted on by listeners. Top episodes feature guests like Jeanine Andersson, Jeff Murphy, and Andy Gerber, with Scott's dad taking the top spot. The hosts also reflect on the show's evolution and recurring segments like "road reports".

Episode 189 cover

#189: Road Report #19 or: How To Stop Worrying and Learn To Pronounce Lititz, PA.

September 18, 2024

In this episode of the LIFERS podcast, Scott, Ben, Ryan and Gabe catch up while on tour in Pennsylvania. They discuss the shows so far, issues with rowdy audience members, and ongoing tour logistics. The conversation meanders through various topics including 80s novelty songs, recent movie remakes, and Gabe's struggles shipping merchandise. Overall, it's a casual, humorous chat between friends sharing the trials and tribulations of life on the road.

Episode 153 cover

#153: 153. LIFERS Live!!! - At Gman Tavern with Fig Dish (01/02/24)

January 12, 2024

Scott Lucas of Local H hosted the Lifers podcast live at the Gman Tavern in Chicago. The show featured Scott playing some acoustic songs and discussing topics like working remotely during the pandemic with co-hosts Gabe and Ben. Special guest Rick Ness from the band Fig Dish also appeared to discuss an upcoming album of previously unreleased recordings from the 1990s.

Episode 148 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#148: Joel Spencer

December 8, 2023

Joel Spencer, formerly of the band Menthol from Champaign, Illinois, discusses his music career and current work as a librarian. Menthol recently reunited to play shows after disbanding in the late 1990s when they were dropped from Capitol Records.

Episode 130 cover
🎸 Replacements

#130: Rick Ness

August 11, 2023

Rick Ness, member of the band Fig Dish, discusses the band's history, from their early days playing Neil Diamond and REM cover songs to getting signed by a record label using creative tactics. The band recently released a collection of unreleased tracks recorded with producer Andy Gerber during sessions for what would have been their third album. Ness also shares humorous tour stories and anecdotes about the 1990s Chicago music scene.

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#127: Bleeps, Barbies, Boxes & Bubonic Butter

July 21, 2023

In this episode of the Lifers podcast, Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss a wide range of pop culture topics including Scott's celebrity encounters, Barbie and Oppenheimer movies, offensive terms, childhood TV shows, and the top 10 talk box songs in rock music. The conversation is filled with humorous tangents and nostalgic references.

Episode 123 cover
🎸 Replacements

#123: 123. LIFERS LIVE!!! - In Chicago with Josh Caterer

June 23, 2023

Josh Caterer of the band Smoking Popes joined the Lifers podcast for a live episode in Chicago. They discussed the band's history, Caterer's songwriting process, and funny tour stories. Caterer also played a few acoustic songs for the audience.

Episode 111 cover
🎸 Replacements

#111: Mike Zelenko

March 31, 2023

In this episode, Scott Lucas interviews Mike Zelenko, drummer of the Chicago band Material Issue. They discuss Zelenko's musical background, the formation and early days of Material Issue, and the new documentary film about the band called "Out of Time".

Episode 92 cover
🎸 Replacements

#92: Mike Willison

November 18, 2022

In this episode, Scott Lucas and Gabe Rodriguez interview Mike Willison, formerly of the bands Fig Dish, Caviar, and Prairie Cartel. Willison discusses the history and evolution of those projects, his songwriting process and use of sampling, touring mishaps and adventures, and his current career in the wine industry.

Episode 66 cover

#66: Mike Lustig

May 20, 2022

Mike Lustig, former guitarist of the band Ruth Ruth, shares stories about his early music career, from getting signed quickly to Mercury Records with his high school band Janata, to the ups and downs of playing with Ruth Ruth in the 90s alt-rock scene. He discusses opening for major acts like the Kinks and Stevie Ray Vaughan, coping with frequent label changes, and some lowlight moments involving the radio host Mancow and an unfortunate gastrointestinal incident before a big showcase.

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#58: Blake Smith

March 18, 2022

Blake Smith, formerly of the bands Fig Dish and Caviar, joins the podcast. They discuss the Chicago music scene in the 90s, touring mishaps and pranks, and the ups and downs of being in major label bands during that era.

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#40: Road Report #9: Last Night of the Re-tour at the Metro

November 12, 2021

Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss the final show of the Local H tour at the Metro in Chicago, which coincided with Gabe's 50th birthday. The show was filmed for a Local H movie, with the band giving the audience instructions on how to act and not look at the cameras. Throughout the evening, Ben interviews various people at the Metro about the band, the tour, and their experiences as Local H fans.

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#31: Road Report #4: Detroit Rock Hotel (Waiting For Jeremy And Ryan)

September 10, 2021

Scott Lucas is in Detroit on tour with his band Local H, waiting for his bandmate Ryan and their friend Jeremy who plays bass in Soul Asylum, to return from a dispensary run. Lucas discusses the tour, playing pranks on other bands, and his plans to make a "slacker"-style concert film shot in real-time at a Local H show. The hosts also discuss music from Iron Maiden, Kanye West, the Replacements, Insane Clown Posse and ABBA.

Episode 11 cover

#11: Rachel Lichtman

April 23, 2021

In the podcast, Scott Lucas interviews Rachel Lichtman, the creator of Network 77. They discuss Rachel's creative process, her influences like SCTV and Fernwood Tonight, and her latest project Easy 66, a scripted comedy radio station that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.