The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Band

The Descendants

Referenced in 9 episodes

Episode 222 cover
🎸 Replacements

#222: Ben Kweller

June 20, 2025

Ben Kweller discusses his new album Cover the Mirrors, which he wrote after the tragic death of his 16-year-old son. Kweller opens up about the emotional songwriting process and how the album helped him grieve and realize the fragility and importance of life. He also reflects on his early musical roots, the formation and dissolution of his teenage band Radish, and going solo.

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 124 cover
🎸 Replacements

#124: Greg Norton

June 30, 2023

In this episode, Greg Norton, former bassist of Hüsker Dü, discusses the band's early years, rise to prominence, and eventual breakup. He shares candid stories about the rivalries and tensions between band members Bob Mould and Grant Hart, and talks about inaccuracies in popular accounts of the band's history. Norton also discusses his post-Hüsker Dü musical projects and his recent battle with prostate cancer.

Episode 122 cover
🎸 Replacements

#122: Post-tour Reflections, Dolly Parton’s Coleslaw & How To DJ A Prom (w/Steve Reidell)

June 16, 2023

Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser reflect on their recent live podcast shows in Chicago and Madison. They are joined by guest Steve Reidell, who DJed the shows under his former stage name Steve Sleeve. The hosts discuss 1982 prom songs they would hypothetically DJ, including hits by Adam Ant, The Dazz Band, Duran Duran, Prince, and Billy Idol.

Episode 118 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#118: Jerry Newbrough

May 19, 2023

Scott Lucas and his co-hosts Gabe and Ben interview Jerry Newbrough, an old friend of Scott's who he was in his first band with called the Family Cruisers back in the 1980s. They reminisce about playing music together, the punk rock scene in Madison, Wisconsin, and Jerry's experiences working at the legendary music venue OK's. Though Jerry no longer plays music publicly, he explains that quitting the music business allowed him to regain his pure love for music itself.

Episode 104 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#104: Dee From Radkey

February 10, 2023

Dee discusses Radkey's musical influences like Nirvana, Weezer and the Ramones, and how the band started out playing shows in their hometown of St. Joseph, Missouri. He talks about Radkey's experience opening for major acts like Fishbone, the Foo Fighters, and Jack White, and how those opportunities came about. Dee also touches on challenges the band faced with their record label wanting to change their sound and bring in outside songwriters, which Radkey resisted in order to maintain creative control over their music.

Episode 88 cover

#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 87 cover
🎸 Replacements

#87: Mike Alonso

October 14, 2022

Mike Alonso, drummer for bands including Flogging Molly, Electric Six, and Five Horse Johnson, discusses his long music career touring and recording with various rock acts. Alonso shares anecdotes about touring with bands like Dio and Motörhead in the 90s, his love of horror movies, and the importance of playing with great musicians who inspire him to keep performing.

Episode 31 cover

#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.