The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Referenced in 9 episodes

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 216 cover
🎸 Replacements

#216: Donita Sparks

April 26, 2025

In this podcast episode, Donita Sparks from the band L7 discusses her musical career and influences. She talks about moving from Chicago to LA, forming L7, and the band's rise to fame in the early 90s rock scene.

Episode 208 cover
🎸 Replacements

#208: Steven McDonald

February 14, 2025

Steven McDonald, bassist of the band Redd Kross, discusses the band's 40+ year career from their early days in the LA punk scene opening for Black Flag to their recent reunion, new album and documentary. He shares colorful anecdotes about the challenges and adventures of being a "lifer" musician.

Episode 158 cover
🎸 Replacements

#158: Nick Miller

February 16, 2024

Nick Miller, a legendary Chicago concert promoter, discusses his decades-long career booking shows for acts like Cheap Trick, Bruce Springsteen, and Jeff Beck. The hosts and Miller share stories of their most memorable concerts, including seeing the Replacements, Depeche Mode, and Metallica early in their careers. Miller recounts his unconventional start in the music business and reflects on how the Chicago music scene has evolved over the years.

Episode 133 cover
🎸 Replacements

#133: Steve Berlin

September 1, 2023

Steve Berlin, saxophone player for Los Lobos, discusses his early music career in the LA punk/roots rock scene of the late 70s and 80s, playing with bands like The Blasters, Top Jimmy, and producing acts like Faith No More. He shares how he joined Los Lobos and helped shape their eclectic sound on albums like Kiko, and talks about his later production work with indie rock band Deer Tick and the band Diamond Rugs. Throughout the conversation, Berlin reflects on his fortunate music career collaborating with many renowned artists.

Episode 103 cover
🎸 Replacements

#103: Gene Ambo

February 3, 2023

Gene Ambo, a renowned Chicago music photographer, discusses his decades-long career shooting iconic metal, punk and hardcore bands at venues like Metro in Chicago. Ambo talks about his beginnings sneaking cameras into shows in the early 80s, building relationships with bands and magazines, and how the music photography scene has evolved over time. He also shares stories of memorable shows he's shot, from Metallica to Danzig, and reveals plans for future photo book projects focused on the hardcore and hip-hop scenes.

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 84 cover

#84: Road Report #11 with Dave Lugo

September 24, 2022

Scott Lucas and his band Local H had to cancel their Seattle show due to Scott losing his voice from a combination of allergies, dry air, and illness spreading in the van. They discuss the vocal issues, the shows they have played so far on the tour, and are joined by their touring member Dave Lugo. The group also chats about various other topics like recent movies, the challenges of touring, and humorous anecdotes from the road.

Episode 57 cover

#57: Keith Smith

March 11, 2022

Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser interview their high school friend Keith Smith, who is in the Christian metal band Oblivion Myth. They discuss Keith's musical journey, his faith, and reminisce about the metal and hard rock scene they grew up with in Zion, Illinois in the 1980s and early 1990s.