The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Band

Gang of Four

Referenced in 10 episodes

Episode 256 cover

#256: Album Imploder: AS GOOD AS DEAD (with Steven Haigler) Part One

May 22, 2026

The Lifers podcast explores Local H's 1996 album "As Good As Dead" with the band's Scott Lucas and producer Steven Haigler, discussing how the record was written and recorded in just months after their debut album flopped and Island Records was considering dropping them. The album, which became a surprise success driven by the single "Bound for the Floor," was made quickly under pressure, with Lucas writing most songs in September 1995 while living in a Zion, Illinois apartment, and the band recording at Carriage House studio over Thanksgiving with a more open approach to production than their restrictive first album. Haigler recalls technical challenges including Joe Daniels' problematic rental drum kit and Lucas's out-of-tune guitar that wasn't discovered until halfway through tracking, though these imperfections contributed to the album's raw, chaotic sound that has aged well over 30 years.

Episode 231 cover
🎸 Replacements

#231: Art Alexakis

August 20, 2025

Art Alexakis, frontman of the band Everclear, joins the Lifers podcast to discuss his life and career in music. Alexakis talks about growing up in Los Angeles housing projects, discovering rock and roll at a young age after family tragedy, and his path to getting sober and starting Everclear in Portland in the early 1990s. He shares stories behind the making of Everclear's breakout album Sparkle and Fade as the band rose to fame.

Episode 167 cover
🎸 Replacements

#167: Jake Burns

April 19, 2024

Jake Burns, lead singer of the punk band Stiff Little Fingers, discusses the band's early days in Northern Ireland during the Troubles in the late 1970s. He talks about the influence of The Clash on Stiff Little Fingers' songwriting, getting support from BBC DJ John Peel, and the band's decision to participate in Rock Against Racism concerts. Burns also explains the factors that led to Stiff Little Fingers' initial breakup in the early 1980s before later re-forming.

Episode 129 cover
🎸 Replacements

#129: REM Draft Day With Jason Narducy

August 4, 2023

Jason Narducy and Michael Shannon put on a show at Metro Chicago playing REM's album Murmur in full for the venue's 40th anniversary, with REM's Mike Mills making a surprise appearance to sing backing vocals. The podcast hosts and Narducy discuss the show, their favorite REM songs, and do an REM song draft.

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#60: Joe Shanahan

April 1, 2022

Joe Shanahan, owner of the Metro and Smart Bar in Chicago, discusses the venues' 40-year history. He shares stories of booking and befriending influential artists like REM, Nirvana, New Order and Gang of Four in the 1980s and 90s. Shanahan also talks about his own battle with cancer and subsequent activism to support cancer research.

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#50: David Yow

January 21, 2022

In the podcast, David Yow discusses his music career with the bands Scratch Acid, The Jesus Lizard, and Flipper, as well as his acting career and work as a photo retoucher. He shares stories about recording albums, touring, and interacting with other musicians.

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#47: Page Hamilton

December 31, 2021

Page Hamilton, guitarist and vocalist of the band Helmet, discusses the band's early days playing in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He talks about the influence of jazz and classical music on his guitar playing, getting signed to Interscope Records amidst a major label bidding war in the wake of Nirvana's success, and briefly playing guitar with David Bowie in the late 1990s.

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#35: Matt Garcia

October 8, 2021

Scott Lucas and Matt Garcia discuss the early days of their band Local H, including their influences from metal and punk music that shaped the band's heavy sound. Garcia, who was Local H's original bass player, left the band in the early 1990s due to personal struggles and the challenges of the rock and roll lifestyle. Though Garcia has some regrets, he is ultimately happy with his decision to leave and has gone on to have a fulfilling career as an artist in Portland.

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#15: Kelly Wey

May 21, 2021

Kelly Way, who has worked at the Metro music venue in Chicago since 1995, discusses her experiences in the music industry, her love of booking and promoting bands, and her extensive volunteer work rescuing and fostering dogs. She shares stories of memorable shows at Metro by bands like Foo Fighters and Nick Cave's Grinderman, the challenges and rewards of the past pandemic year, and her passion for helping animals in need through the MCP dog rescue organization. Throughout the casual, humorous conversation, Kelly's enthusiasm for music and animal welfare shines through.

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#12: A Massive Overestimation Of Consumer Curiosity: The 3x5 Tour

April 30, 2021

In 1996, the bands Local H, Limblifter and Stanford Prison Experiment went on the 3x5 Tour, where three bands played for $5 to attract music fans. Despite expectations of label and media support, the shows were poorly attended and the tour became emblematic of the over-estimation of consumer interest by record labels in the 90s alternative rock scene.