The Local H Lifers Database

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Movie / TV

2001: A Space Odyssey

Referenced in 16 episodes

Episode 269 cover

#269: (Why Don't We Do It In The) Road Report

October 2, 2026

Scott arrives late to the podcast from Holbrook, Arizona where he's on the final leg of a tour with the Toadies, prompting discussion about restaurant etiquette after he witnessed his bandmate share an "all you can eat" pasta dish. Gabe recounts discovering a Florida bar with line dancing, which leads to extended debate about whether he's becoming a line dancer, while the hosts also argue about AI usage, laundry science, and compete to name the best opening lines from Beatles songs. The episode meanders through topics including the movie Magnolia, Jaws, and Scott's search for a specific Sub Pop children's t-shirt, with announcements about upcoming Florida shows where Gabe may join and a Lifers movie screening in Jersey City on November 21st.

Episode 268 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#268: Joe Swanberg

September 21, 2026

The Lifers podcast hosts Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez, and Ben Reiser interview filmmaker Joe Swanberg about his new film "The Sun Never Sets," shot on 35mm film in Anchorage, Alaska, marking his first theatrical release in a decade. Swanberg discusses his mumblecore filmmaking origins, his transition from digital to film, his current analog filmmaking projects including a pornographic short shot entirely on 16mm, and his video store ventures in Chicago. The episode concludes with the hosts and Swanberg discussing their favorite "needle drops" (musical cues) in film history, with selections ranging from the Pixies in Fight Club to Led Zeppelin in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Episode 264 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#264: Clark Vogeler

July 31, 2026

Clark Vogeler, guitarist for the Toadies, discusses the band's new album "The Charmer" recorded with Steve Albini just weeks before his death, and how they're boldly performing 11 of the album's 19 songs in their setlist to surprisingly enthusiastic young audiences. The episode also features a lengthy debate about instrumental songs versus "background music," with the hosts and Vogeler sharing picks ranging from Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk" to Iron Maiden's catalog, while disagreeing about whether passive listening to music like Tortoise has merit. Vogeler reflects on his transition from film editing to music, the band's frustrating six-year delay between albums under Interscope Records, and why playing live shows remains fun for him despite decades in the business.

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🎸 Replacements

#229: Our Dinner With Dino or: The Great Chips & Salsa Incident

August 7, 2025

Gabe went to a Colombian restaurant in Florida and asked if they had chips and salsa, not realizing Colombian cuisine is different from Mexican. This led to a discussion with guest Dino about Gabe's cultural insensitivity in expecting all Latin American restaurants to have the same menu items. They also discussed Gabe's unusual music tastes, debated the merits of various Mel Brooks and Iron Maiden albums, and played a round of "What's the Best" focused on memorable food scenes in movies and TV.

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🎸 Replacements

#226: Ken Andrews

July 17, 2025

Ken Andrews, director of the new Failure documentary "Every Time You Lose Your Mind", discusses the nearly decade-long process of making the film. He explains how the project started with other filmmakers before he took over, and how he aimed to honestly capture the band's story, struggles with addiction, and resurgence. Andrews also reflects on Failure's career, his early ambitions as a filmmaker, and the band's ability to continue making great records.

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#221: Good Jaws Atlanta

June 5, 2025

Scott Lucas and his band Local H did an interview on Good Day Atlanta in 1997 where Lucas gave intentionally sarcastic and passive aggressive responses to the interviewer's questions. Lucas explains he did this to avoid having to do more early morning interviews, as the band hated having to get up early after playing late night shows. The interview clip has gained notoriety over the years, with Lucas comparing its staying power to how the movie Jaws is now considered a masterpiece.

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#214: Tim Hunter

April 4, 2025

Tim Hunter, director of River's Edge and episodes of Twin Peaks, Mad Men and Breaking Bad, discusses his career and the current political climate in this episode of the Lifers podcast. Hunter compares the blacklisting of his father during the McCarthy era to "Gestapo tactics" and a "blacklist of thought" under Trump. The hosts and Hunter also debate their favorite uses of heavy metal music in films.

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🎸 Replacements

#179: Mike McIntyre

July 12, 2024

Mike McIntyre, a longtime bartender in Chicago, discusses his past as a fisherman in Alaska and being in the band 9 Day Wonder with his brother in the 1990s. The hosts and Mike discuss 90s alternative pop music, with each sharing some of their favorite songs from that era. Mike shares stories of his early days in the Chicago music scene and thoughts on how the bar scene has changed over his nearly 30 years as a bartender.

Episode 128 cover

#128: Barbeyoncé

July 28, 2023

In this episode of the Lifers podcast, Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss the movie Barbie with guest Jill Hopkins. They share their opinions on the film, debating its target audience, humor, and messaging around feminism and empowerment. The hosts also discuss their favorite Beyoncé songs in a draft-style format.

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#127: Bleeps, Barbies, Boxes & Bubonic Butter

July 21, 2023

In this episode of the Lifers podcast, Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss a wide range of pop culture topics including Scott's celebrity encounters, Barbie and Oppenheimer movies, offensive terms, childhood TV shows, and the top 10 talk box songs in rock music. The conversation is filled with humorous tangents and nostalgic references.

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#116: Michael Alago

May 5, 2023

In this episode, Michael Alago discusses his music industry career, from working at the Ritz in the early 1980s to signing bands like Metallica and White Zombie at Elektra and Geffen Records. He also talks about his friendships with artists like Cyndi Lauper, Eric Bogosian and John Lydon of Public Image Ltd.

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🎸 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.

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🎸 Replacements

#99: Pat Healy

January 6, 2023

Pat Healy discusses his acting career, including working with renowned directors like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Werner Herzog. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from films such as Take Me, The Post, Rescue Dawn and Better Call Saul, and reflects on the current state of the film industry. Healy also talks about his love of movies from a young age and how that passion has fueled his work as an actor and filmmaker.

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#73: Julian Antos

July 8, 2022

Julian Antos, the technical director at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago and one of the founders of the Chicago Film Society, discusses his passion for film projection and the challenges of keeping the art form alive in the digital age. He shares stories of tracking down rare prints, programming unique film series, and the intricate technical aspects involved in running 35mm and 70mm film projectors.

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#67: Freda Love Smith

May 27, 2022

Freda Love Smith, drummer of Blake Babies and Some Girls, discusses her decision to retire from drumming after playing a few final shows. She reflects on her music career, including the 1990s Boston music scene, reuniting Blake Babies in the late 90s, and her current band Sunshine Boys. Freda also talks about her work as a lecturer at Northwestern University, her memoir "Red Velvet Underground" connecting food and music, and her upcoming biographical novel about Angela DeAngelis of the Symbionese Liberation Army.

Episode 63 cover

#63: Daniel Knox

April 29, 2022

In this episode, Scott Lucas and Gabe Rodriguez interview Daniel Knox, a musician and former projectionist at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago. They discuss Knox's work putting together David Lynch film festivals at the Music Box, his thoughts on Lynch's films, and his own music career which was kickstarted after Lynch highlighted Knox's organ playing before a screening of Inland Empire. Knox also shares behind-the-scenes details on Lynch's creative process and the relationship between Lynch and co-creator Mark Frost on the Twin Peaks series.