The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Band

The Smiths

Referenced in 13 episodes

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.

Episode 210 cover
🎸 Replacements

#210: Michael Christopher and the BEST?!? Best Picture

March 7, 2025

Michael Christopher, a senior writer for Vanyaland and contributor to various music and entertainment publications, joins the Lifers podcast hosts to discuss the Oscars, with a focus on the best Best Picture winners of all time. The group each shares their top 3 picks, which include Rocky, No Country for Old Men, The Departed, Schindler's List, and Unforgiven.

Episode 175 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#175: DJ Scary Lady Sarah

June 14, 2024

DJ Scary Lady Sarah has been a prominent figure in the Chicago goth scene for over 30 years, starting the long-running club night Nocturna in 1988 which still attracts large crowds today. Originally steeped in punk and hardcore in her youth, she transitioned to playing darker, more ethereal goth and industrial in the late 80s. The discussion covers her DJ career, the evolution of the goth subculture, and her current music projects.

Episode 174 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#174: Angela Mullenhour

June 7, 2024

Angela Mullenhour from the Chicago band Sybaris discusses the band's upcoming album, which was originally recorded in 2011 but is just now being released. She shares her musical influences growing up in Indiana, how she started playing guitar and writing songs after moving to Chicago, and the formation of Sybaris in the early 2000s. The hosts and Angela also discuss songs related to the theme of murder.

Episode 170 cover
🎸 Replacements

#170: 170. QUITTERS - Tim Edwards

May 10, 2024

Tim Edwards, former booking agent for the band Local H, discusses his career in the music industry and his decision to quit booking bands in 2018. He shares anecdotes about booking shows for Local H, including an infamous college frat party gig that went disastrously wrong.

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 147 cover
🎸 Replacements

#147: Michael Tedder

December 1, 2023

Michael Tedder discusses his book "Top 8: How MySpace Changed Music" and shares his thoughts on selling out in the music industry. The guests also play a game picking their favorite songs from 2003.

Episode 137 cover
🎸 Replacements

#137: Marc Solheim

September 29, 2023

Mark Solheim, the talent buyer for Riot Fest, discusses what goes into booking and organizing the annual music festival in Chicago. He shares behind-the-scenes insights on securing major headliners like The Cure, curating each day's lineup to have a certain theme and aesthetic, and some of the logistical challenges in the days following the festival. The hosts also do a "What's the Best" segment focused on everyone's favorite songs by The Cure.

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.

Episode 105 cover
🎸 Replacements

#105: Walter Schreifels

February 17, 2023

In this episode, Walter Schreifels discusses his musical journey from Gorilla Biscuits and Quicksand to CIV and Rival Schools. He reflects on the challenges of making music in the major label system in the 90s and the creative process behind Quicksand's 2017 reunion album Interiors.

Episode 77 cover

#77: Kay Hanley

August 5, 2022

Kay Hanley discusses growing up in Boston in the 1970s, the formation and success of her band Letters to Cleo in the 1990s, and her more recent work as a songwriter and composer for TV shows like Doc McStuffins. She also talks about her experiences filming the movie 10 Things I Hate About You and recording a cover version of a Local H song.

Episode 53 cover

#53: J. Robbins

February 11, 2022

In this episode, J Robbins discusses his musical journey, from getting into the DC punk scene as a teen in the 80s to playing in influential bands like Government Issue and Jawbox. He shares insights into Jawbox's experience signing to a major label in the 90s while maintaining their DIY roots, and talks about his transition into producing and recording bands. Robbins also touches on Jawbox's recent reunion shows and the challenges of revisiting old material.

Episode 6 cover

#6: Josh Caterer

March 19, 2021

Scott Lucas interviews Josh Caterer, lead singer of the band Smoking Popes, about their upcoming album The Hideout Sessions which releases on March 26th. They discuss the album's mix of classic American songbook covers and reinterpreted Smoking Popes songs, Caterer's songwriting influences, and the ups and downs of the band's career. Caterer also shares plans to record another live album called The Space Sessions in May.