The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Band

Helmet

Referenced in 25 episodes

Episode 261 cover
🎸 Replacements

#261: Mark Reznicek

July 3, 2026

Mark Reznicek, drummer for the Toadies, discusses the band's extensive touring behind their new album "The Charmer," recorded with Steve Albini shortly before his death, and reflects on their tumultuous major label experience with Interscope in the 1990s that led to a seven-year gap between albums. The conversation covers the Dallas-Fort Worth music scene, the band's breakup and reunion, and includes a "What's the Best?" segment where the hosts pick their favorite deep-cut Rolling Stones songs.

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#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 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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#235: Road Report #23: It's Karen's Band Now

October 3, 2025

Scott, Gabe, and Ben discuss the current Local H tour, which is halfway done and going well with many sold out shows. They talk about managing the long merch lines, an incident with an autistic fan, and the challenges of being on the road. The hosts also discuss their favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie, answer listener questions, and banter about Gabe's dislike of The Big Lebowski and lack of interest in animated comedy shows like The Simpsons and South Park.

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#233: Road Report #21: Pack Up the Dog

September 11, 2025

Scott Lucas and his band Local H are on a two-month tour with Everclear and Sponge, traveling in a sprinter van with a crew that includes their dog Karen. They discuss life on the road, issues with merchandise sizes, their viral TikTok hit covering "Shock the Monkey", and the polarized reaction to their album Refisted. The hosts also debate the best John Hughes movies, with Scott advocating for Weird Science as the ultimate depiction of the 15-year-old boy psyche.

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#232: reFISTED reIMPLODED

August 27, 2025

In this episode, Scott Lucas and Gabe Rodriguez discuss the re-recording and reimagining of Local H's debut album Ham Fisted on its 30th anniversary. Lucas explains his motivations for revisiting the album, the challenges of the recording process, and the artistic choices made on each track of the new version titled reFISTED.

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.

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#194: P.J. Postmortem

October 25, 2024

The podcast episode discusses the new Local H documentary film "Lifers", which recently premiered in Chicago. Scott Lucas and co-hosts Gabe and Ben discuss the premiere screening at the Music Box theater, as well as the follow-up full album show the next night at the Metro. They go over rehearsals, the challenges of filming the movie in real-time at a live concert, and quirky scenes that made the final cut. Questions from fans about the Metro show and movie are also answered.

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#190: Road Report #20 (Sincere Engineer edition!)

September 24, 2024

Scott Heisel, Ben Riser, Gabe Rodriguez, and guest Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer record a road report podcast while on tour. They discuss Belos's recent tours with New Found Glory and at Riot Fest, the definition of novelty songs, and attempt to name the best novelty songs. The conversation is humorous and meandering, with the hosts frequently talking over each other and getting sidetracked.

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#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 186 cover
🎸 Replacements

#186: Greg Norman

August 30, 2024

Greg Norman, an engineer at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio in Chicago, discusses his experiences working at the studio and learning from Albini and others in the Chicago music scene. Norman and the podcast hosts discuss their favorite album productions, spanning genres from indie rock to heavy metal to country. They also reflect on Albini's legacy and impact after his recent passing.

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#136: Lifers Lunch Live

September 22, 2023

Scott, Gabe and Ben do a casual lunchtime episode of the Lifers podcast. They chat about various topics like what they brought for lunch, shows Gabe has been attending in Indianapolis, favorite teenage movies, and whether Prince or Jimmy Page is the better guitarist. A few listeners call in with additional questions for the hosts before Scott has to leave for a second lunch meeting.

Episode 125 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#125: 125. LIFERS LIVE!!! - In Madison with Cathy Dethmers

July 7, 2023

Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser of the Lifers podcast recorded a live episode in Madison, Wisconsin with special guest Kathy Dethmers, who opened and ran popular music venues O.K.'s Corral and High Noon Saloon. They discussed the history and impact of those venues on Madison's music scene, Kathy's experiences as a venue owner, and played a few humorous games like Iron Maiden vs Replacements trivia and Cards Against Humanity.

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 98 cover

#98: Dumb And Dumber

December 30, 2022

Scott, Gabe, Ben and special guest Justine provide commentary while watching the 1994 comedy film Dumb and Dumber. They discuss behind-the-scenes facts about the movie, share thoughts on the plot and characters, and debate which songs from the soundtrack the band Local H should cover at their upcoming New Year's Eve shows. The group also reminisces about seeing the film when it originally came out and analyzes how it holds up nearly 30 years later.

Episode 97 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#97: Kyle Stevenson

December 23, 2022

In this episode, Kyle Stevenson, current drummer for the band Helmet, discusses his musical career journey from attempting film school to playing in various LA-based bands in the 1990s and 2000s. He shares anecdotes about challenging tours, including one with the band Filter, and reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Helmet's recent touring attempts. Throughout the conversation, Stevenson and the hosts also exchange humorous stories of their experiences playing music and touring together.

Episode 96 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#96: Katie Augustyn + Here Comes The Zoom

December 16, 2022

Scott Lucas recently completed the Here Comes the Zoo 20th anniversary tour with Local H, which ended in Canada. The episode features calls from fans who attended shows on the tour, sharing their experiences and favorite moments. Katie Augustyn, the organizer of the annual Katie's Kids benefit concert at Liars Club in Chicago which Lucas performs at each year, also joins the podcast to discuss this year's upcoming event.

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#88: Road Report #13

October 21, 2022

Scott, Gabe and Ben discuss food preferences, including Gabe's unusual peanut butter, jelly and pickle sandwich, while driving between shows on their current tour. They also talk about the bands they've been listening to lately, upcoming Halloween costumes, and reminisce about having to stretch out their opening sets when touring with Stone Temple Pilots. The conversation meanders humorously as the band kills time on the road.

Episode 69 cover
🎸 Replacements

#69: Pete Beeman

June 10, 2022

Pete Beeman, drummer of the band Killer Hill, discusses his musical history including playing in the bands Guzzard and Burning Brides. The hosts and Beeman have an amusing debate about favorite bands and movies, and whether one's favorite has to be considered the objective best. They also discuss Killer Hill's heavy metal sound and Beeman's experiences touring with bands like Mastodon.

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#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.

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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.

Episode 35 cover

#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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#27: Road Report #1: Pre-Opening Night Jitters (LIFERS re-TOUR Week #1)

August 13, 2021

Scott Lucas and Ryan Harding of the band Local H discuss going back on tour after a 17-month hiatus due to the pandemic. They talk about the challenges and uncertainties of touring again, including opening act cancellations, potential shutdowns, and venues requiring proof of vaccination. Despite the difficulties, they are eager to get back on the road and play shows again.

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#26: Jill Hopkins

August 6, 2021

Jill Hopkins, a DJ and radio host in Chicago, discusses her career in music broadcasting and podcasting on this episode of the Lifers podcast with Scott Lucas and Gabe Rodriguez. Hopkins talks about her work at Chicago public radio stations WBEZ and Vocalo, her love for the city of Chicago, and reminisces about 80s and 90s music and MTV. She also mentions some of her other projects like a Beyoncé podcast series and a show called The Opus where she does deep dives into classic albums.

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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.