The (unofficial) Lifers Database

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Steven Spielberg

Referenced in 20 episodes

Episode 249 cover

#249: Balthazar De Ley

February 26, 2026

Balthazar De Ley, founding member of Menthol and former Hum guitarist, discusses the Champaign music scene's evolution, the band's major label struggles with Capitol Records, and his current work building and repairing guitar amplifiers after spending a decade with Smashing Pumpkins. The episode includes a "best debut records" segment where the hosts and guest debate classic first albums from Jesus and Mary Chain, Violent Femmes, Iron Maiden, and others.

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🎸 Replacements

#245: Selena Fragassi

January 16, 2026

This episode features a conversation with author and music journalist Selena Fragassi about her recent book "Pearl Jam Live," along with discussions about her journalism career, interviews with rock legends like Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry, and the Chicago music scene. The hosts and Fragassi engage in a "What's the Best" segment where they debate their favorite Pearl Jam songs.

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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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🎸 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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🎸 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.

Episode 191 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#191: Road Report #21 (with Ronnie DiCola!)

October 1, 2024

Scott, Ben, and special guest Ronnie DiCola record a podcast episode while on tour in Memphis, Tennessee. They discuss Kris Kristofferson's recent passing, swap stories from the road, and debate which are the best road trip movies of all time. The casual, humorous conversation touches on wide-ranging topics and showcases the camaraderie between the hosts.

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#188: Album Imploder: Whatever Happened to PJ Soles? (Side 2)

September 13, 2024

The second half of a deep dive into the album Whatever Happened to PJ Soles? by the band Local H. The two band members discuss the writing and recording process behind each song on the album's second side. They reflect on the album's varied musical styles, lyrical themes of midlife crisis and self-reflection, and how they pushed themselves creatively on an ambitious record that didn't always meet external expectations upon release.

Episode 169 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#169: Scott Quist and Real Rock’n’Roll Movers

May 3, 2024

Scott Quist, founder of Real Rock'n'Roll Movers in LA, discusses his experiences as a drummer in various rock bands and how he started his moving company staffed by musicians. Quist and the hosts reminisce about their time touring together when Quist was a drum tech, including pranks they pulled on each other. They also play a game picking the best songs about working for a living.

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#157: “Gabe! Who do we have on the show today?”

February 9, 2024

Gabe, Scott and Ben discuss nostalgic teen movies like Zapped and The Stoned Age, with Scott reading excerpts from a book called "Teen Movie Hell". They also talk about the duet performance of "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs at the recent Grammy Awards, which they found very meaningful and moving. The hosts go on several tangents, including about Gabe organizing a Super Bowl squares betting pool.

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#151: 2023: And SCENE!

December 29, 2023

Scott is in Austin, Texas to play some shows with his band Local H. The hosts discuss various topics from this past year including interviews they conducted, movies and TV shows, and some notable celebrity deaths. They also talk about their upcoming New Year's Eve plans to perform comedy shows together in Chicago.

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#142: Jon Hertzberg, T.R. Baskin and Chicago Movies

November 3, 2023

The podcast episode discusses Chicago-based movies with guest Jonathan Hertzberg, who runs the boutique Blu-ray label Fun City Editions. Hertzberg is releasing a Blu-ray of the 1971 film T.R. Baskin, which was shot in Chicago and features an audio commentary track by the podcast hosts.

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#134: Jennifer Reeder

September 8, 2023

In this episode, filmmaker Jennifer Reeder discusses her artistic journey from video art to feature films like Perpetrator. She shares how her Midwestern roots and experiences in the Chicago punk scene of the 90s have influenced her unique style that blends horror, musicals, and explorations of femininity. Reeder also talks about her creative process, her love for the city of Chicago, and feeling supported by her hometown film community.

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#126: AC/DC, America & Rick Froberg

July 14, 2023

The hosts discuss their Fourth of July experiences, touching on politics, favorite foods, and reflections on the holiday. They then pay tribute to musician Rick Froberg, who recently passed away at age 55, by sharing memories and discussing his musical legacy and impact. The hosts wrap up by debating and ranking their favorite AC/DC songs, with passionate arguments made for tracks spanning the band's discography.

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.

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#100: 100th Episode!!!

January 13, 2023

In this special 100th episode of the Lifers podcast, hosts Scott Lucas, Ben Reiser, and Gabe Rodriguez reminisce about their favorite moments and guests from the show's history. The conversation covers many of the most memorable episodes, interviews and stories that have made the podcast entertaining over the past 100 weeks.

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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.

Episode 96 cover
🤘 Iron Maiden

#96: Katie Augustyn + Here Comes The Zoom

December 16, 2022

Scott Lucas recently completed the Here Comes the Zoo 20th anniversary tour with Local H, which ended in Canada. The episode features calls from fans who attended shows on the tour, sharing their experiences and favorite moments. Katie Augustyn, the organizer of the annual Katie's Kids benefit concert at Liars Club in Chicago which Lucas performs at each year, also joins the podcast to discuss this year's upcoming event.

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#89: Road Report #14 : Slurry Road

October 28, 2022

In this episode of the Lifers podcast, Scott Lucas, Gabe Rodriguez and Ben Reiser discuss Rod Stewart's disappointing concert performance, share stories from their recent show at The Metro in Chicago, and debate the best rock and roll voices of all time. They also talk about the new Halloween movie, reminisce about seeing actor Udo Kier at a film screening, and answer listener questions about their favorite venues, songs, and black and white movies.

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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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#15: Kelly Wey

May 21, 2021

Kelly Way, who has worked at the Metro music venue in Chicago since 1995, discusses her experiences in the music industry, her love of booking and promoting bands, and her extensive volunteer work rescuing and fostering dogs. She shares stories of memorable shows at Metro by bands like Foo Fighters and Nick Cave's Grinderman, the challenges and rewards of the past pandemic year, and her passion for helping animals in need through the MCP dog rescue organization. Throughout the casual, humorous conversation, Kelly's enthusiasm for music and animal welfare shines through.