The Local H Lifers Database

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Band

Sponge

Referenced in 18 episodes

Episode 251 cover

#251: In a Van 2: Diesel Boogaloo

March 27, 2026

The podcast finds Local H on tour with their rental van having broken down into "limp mode" near Nashville, forcing them to switch to a downgraded vehicle and losing items including a fart machine in the process. Scott discusses selling merch, responding to Facebook complaints from concertgoers about sound levels and his allegedly "off putting" demeanor, and the tour's stuffed pizza adventures with extra sauce and giardiniera. The band is currently opening for Filter and Finger Eleven, playing casino venues, and Scott reveals their upcoming Daytona Rockville Festival appearance will be a pre-show kickoff event rather than a main stage slot.

Episode 250 cover

#250: In a Van

March 4, 2026

Local H frontman Scott Lucas records this episode from a tour van en route to Colorado Springs for the band's first show, joined remotely by Ben and Gabe who are both working through busy schedules. They discuss Scott's recent solo show at X-Ray Arcade where Jake Newborn redeemed himself with a successful stage dive, upcoming tour dates including a 30-minute set on the Filter tour, and plans to release a 30th anniversary vinyl of "As Good as Dead" in time for the April milestone. The conversation meanders through topics including Gabe's confrontation with someone trespassing in his HOA dog park, Dylan O'Brien's performance in "Twinless," and current political anxieties, while the hosts juggle their various work obligations during the recording.

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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#238: Road Report #26: One Battle After Another

October 31, 2025

Scott discusses the ups and downs of the current Local H tour, including a confrontation with an unruly fan at the merch booth in Cleveland. The band also reminisces about their recent shows and experiences on the East Coast leg of the tour.

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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.

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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.

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.

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#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.

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#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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#211: Road Report #23: The LIFERS movie tour edition #1

March 14, 2025

Scott Lucas is on a movie tour screening the Local H documentary "Lifers" in theaters across the country. He shares stories from the road, including screenings in St. Louis, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Portland. Lucas and his co-hosts also discuss his upcoming fall tour with Everclear and Sponge.

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.

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 101 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#101: Allen Epley

January 20, 2023

Alan Epley, frontman of the bands Shiner and The Life and Times, discusses his musical journey from growing up in a musical family to his early bands in Kansas City. He shares stories about Shiner's rise, near-misses with major labels, and eventual breakup, before detailing his subsequent projects like The Life and Times and his new solo record.

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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#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.

Sponge | The Local H Lifers Database