The Local H Lifers Database

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Movie / TV

Goodfellas

Referenced in 23 episodes

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.

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#235: Road Report #23: It's Karen's Band Now

October 3, 2025

Scott, Gabe, and Ben discuss the current Local H tour, which is halfway done and going well with many sold out shows. They talk about managing the long merch lines, an incident with an autistic fan, and the challenges of being on the road. The hosts also discuss their favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie, answer listener questions, and banter about Gabe's dislike of The Big Lebowski and lack of interest in animated comedy shows like The Simpsons and South Park.

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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

#228: Larry Karaszewski

July 31, 2025

Larry Karaszewski, the famous screenwriter known for films like Ed Wood and The People vs. Larry Flynt, joins the Lifers podcast to discuss his career and love of cinema. Karaszewski talks about growing up obsessed with movies, meeting his writing partner Scott Alexander in film school, and how they transitioned from writing "crappy comedies" to revitalizing the biopic genre. The discussion covers many of Karaszewski's films as well as his passion for screening and championing obscure and orphaned movies.

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#219: Deanna Belos #3

May 15, 2025

Deanna Belos, lead singer of the band Sincere Engineer, discusses her new documentary "No One's Gonna Do It For You" which covers the first 10 years of her band. The documentary was made to catch up new fans on the band's history and origins, and features interviews with band members about their experiences. Belos also discusses her solo European tour plans for October and an upcoming July show in Elgin, Illinois.

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🎸 Replacements

#213: Jim Healy

March 28, 2025

Jim Healy, a film programmer and curator, discusses his career programming films at the Chicago International Film Festival, George Eastman House, and the Wisconsin Film Festival. Healy and the hosts discuss favorite movies about filmmaking, including The Bad and the Beautiful, Contempt, and Boogie Nights.

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#209: Hello, Larry Damore and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

February 21, 2025

Scott Lucas and his co-hosts Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, doing a draft to pick their top choices from the list. They also briefly mention an earlier podcast episode featuring an interview with Larry Damore from the band Pegboy, which they decide not to replay due to being an off episode.

Episode 197 cover
🎸 Replacements

#197: Frank Phobia

November 15, 2024

Frank Phobia, a central figure in the Pennsylvania hardcore punk scene, discusses his band Pissing Razors turning 40 years old and their upcoming album "Going Out Swinging". He reminisces about influential shows and people from the 1980s punk scene and his experiences booking shows and helping touring bands in Pennsylvania.

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#187: Album Imploder: Whatever Happened To PJ Soles? (Side 1)

September 6, 2024

Scott Lucas of the band Local H discusses the writing and recording of their 2004 album Whatever Happened to PJ Soles? with two of the album's producers. They go in-depth on the creative process, influences, and production techniques behind each song on the first half of the album. The band aimed to create an ambitious, experimental rock record that was "handmade" with analog recording methods and a wide variety of sounds.

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#106: What’s The Best?!?: Covers

February 24, 2023

The hosts discuss and play their top 5 favorite cover songs, with picks ranging from The Specials covering "A Message to You Rudy" by Dandy Livingstone to Cheap Trick's rendition of "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino. They debate what makes a great cover song and whether the covers are better than the originals. No songs were picked by more than one host, highlighting the wide diversity of opinions and tastes when it comes to great cover songs.

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#98: Dumb And Dumber

December 30, 2022

Scott, Gabe, Ben and special guest Justine provide commentary while watching the 1994 comedy film Dumb and Dumber. They discuss behind-the-scenes facts about the movie, share thoughts on the plot and characters, and debate which songs from the soundtrack the band Local H should cover at their upcoming New Year's Eve shows. The group also reminisces about seeing the film when it originally came out and analyzes how it holds up nearly 30 years later.

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#83: Road Report #10

September 16, 2022

Scott Lucas and Gabe Rodriguez of the band Local H discuss life on the road while touring to support their album Here Comes the Zoo. They reminisce about pulling a trailer, popping tires, and the long drives between cities. The band is currently traveling as a three-piece with Dave Lugo. Scott and Gabe also discuss the writing and recording of the 25-minute epic track "What Would You Have Me Do?" which closes out the album.

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#79: Grease 2: Greasy Does It

August 19, 2022

In this commentary track episode, Scott, Gabe, Ben and special guest Gwen Ihnat watch and discuss the 1982 musical Grease 2. Gabe is a huge fan of the movie, while the others are watching it for the first time or after many years. They analyze the plot, characters, songs, and choreography, debating whether the movie is an underrated gem or simply an inferior sequel to the original Grease.

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🎸 Replacements

#75: Louise Post

July 22, 2022

Louise Post, lead singer of the band Veruca Salt, discusses her early music influences, the formation of Veruca Salt, their rapid rise to fame, challenges the band faced, and her current solo project. She reflects on the ups and downs of her musical career and feeling creatively liberated working on her upcoming solo album.

Episode 69 cover
🎸 Replacements

#69: Pete Beeman

June 10, 2022

Pete Beeman, drummer of the band Killer Hill, discusses his musical history including playing in the bands Guzzard and Burning Brides. The hosts and Beeman have an amusing debate about favorite bands and movies, and whether one's favorite has to be considered the objective best. They also discuss Killer Hill's heavy metal sound and Beeman's experiences touring with bands like Mastodon.

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#62: Road Report #9

April 22, 2022

Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss their favorite movies and actors while on the road for their band Local H's "LIFERS" tour. They debate the merits of films starring actors like Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Molly Ringwald and Kurt Russell in a free-flowing conversation typical of bandmates killing time together on tour. The discussion reveals the hosts' different tastes in movies and serves as the inspiration behind the band's latest t-shirt design.

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#59: Greg Suran

March 25, 2022

Greg Suran discusses his long career as a touring and session guitarist, playing with acts like Cupcakes, Sunny Day Real Estate, the Goo Goo Dolls, Joe Walsh, the B-52's, and Lionel Richie. He shares stories of his experiences, from recording with famous producers to meeting musical legends while on the road with Joe Walsh. Suran reflects on the all-consuming dedication required of professional musicians and the disorienting impact the pandemic had on those who've built their lives and identities around performing.

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#46: 46. It's A Wonderful LIFERS

December 24, 2021

In this special Christmas episode, Scott, Ben and Gabe do an audio commentary while watching the classic 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. They discuss their history with the movie, point out interesting details and parallels to other films, and analyze its timeless themes and emotional impact. Scott shares how the movie has shaped his worldview and been a therapeutic annual viewing tradition, despite some frustrating changes to the audience experience in recent years.

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#41: Matt Radke

November 19, 2021

Matt Radke, the father and tour manager of the band Radkey, discusses the band's origins, their DIY approach to the music business, and their recent successes touring with major acts. Radke reflects on how he passed his own musical interests and influences on to his sons, who then taught themselves to play and started the band after being inspired by the movie School of Rock.

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#37: Felix Pineiro

October 22, 2021

Felix Pinero, the director of the "Innocence" music video for the band Local H, discusses growing up in Chicago and his passion for filmmaking that developed from an early love of the arts. He talks about meeting and collaborating with Local H frontman Scott Lucas over the years. Pinero recounts the story of how he met actor Michael Shannon at a party in LA, and later convinced Lucas to ask Shannon to appear in the "Innocence" video, which Shannon agreed to do. Pinero describes the experience of directing Shannon in the video shoot. The discussion also covers Pinero's philosophy on directing and how he sees it as a collaborative, "tribal" process of getting the best out of the cast and crew. He compares it to his experience playing in bands. Lucas and Pinero also discuss their plans to shoot a concert film for Local H at the Metro in Chicago, done in an ambitious single-take style.

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#36: Brian Blockinger

October 15, 2021

Scott Lucas and his bandmate Ryan both tested positive for Covid in the middle of their tour, forcing them to cancel several sold-out shows and quarantine at home. Despite feeling relatively okay, Scott is bummed about having to miss shows right as the tour was hitting its stride. However, the band plans to resume the tour at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta which will take place outdoors.

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#20: John McCauley Part Two

June 25, 2021

John McCauley discusses his early years working at a movie theater, his love of horror films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the moment he decided to pursue music seriously despite naysayers. The conversation touches on his move from Nashville back to New England with his family, his musical tastes and influences, and funny tangents about movies and pop culture. Throughout, McCauley displays a laid-back, humorous rapport with the hosts.

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#11: Rachel Lichtman

April 23, 2021

In the podcast, Scott Lucas interviews Rachel Lichtman, the creator of Network 77. They discuss Rachel's creative process, her influences like SCTV and Fernwood Tonight, and her latest project Easy 66, a scripted comedy radio station that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.