Thanks to everyone who asked where I was the last 2 weeks. I took a break to work on music and rethink my approach to the podcast to make the process more efficient and sustainable long term.
Mike Ilich and I have a new project dropping soon â stay tuned!
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Mike Leon has built an incredible career playing bass with The Absence, Havok, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, and now the legendary CKY. In this episode, we dive into how he went from fan to band member, his unique approach to bass, and the stories and survival skills that come with life on the road.
Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a rating and give me a follow. New episodes drop every Monday!
Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/mikeleonshreds
https://www.instagram.com/ckymusic
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It was really great to catch up with my long time friend and touring buddy Rick Woods. Rick plays bass for See You Next Tuesday and is the main songwriter for his other two projects Hollowed Body and Purse Candy. Keep an eye our for new material from all 3 bands next year!
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Episode links:
See You Next Tuesday - "A Mountain of Fire"
https://instagram.com/rickbeard
https://instagram.com/rickwoodstattoo
https://instagram.com/cunexttuesdaygrind
https://instagram.com/hollowedbodydeath
https://instagram.com/pursecandybingo
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In this solo episode, I break down the incident with the creep who "shucked his cob" at the recent Korn concert at Metlife Stadium, share my thoughts on Deftones' new record Private Music, and give an update on my current project with former bandmate Mike Ilich.
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Dan Weyandt and Scott Mellinger, vocalist and guitarist for metalcore pioneers Zao, hang out on Riff Tacos to discuss their 25+ year journey, the evolution of the band, and what's next.
Comment below with your favorite Zao record! Mine is currently The Crimson Corridor.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please help me out by following the show and leaving a rating.
Episode links:
Zao Live From The Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N6KSzTadBU
https://www.instagram.com/zaoband
https://www.instagram.com/danimus1977/
https://www.instagram.com/scottmellinger/
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Roxferry joins me for their first ever podcast â a fast-rising, heavy garage rock duo out of New South Wales, Australia. We talk riffs, songwriting, gear, and their strategy for going viral.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/roxferryband
"Do It Again" orchestral version
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I talk with Satanic Tea Co vocalist Dominic Alvernaz aka "Crucifix" about how starting a handmade, small batch tea company turned into touring as a death metal band.
Check out their music video for "Maggots Are Multiplying"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqioZ3Noj30
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/satanicteaco
https://www.instagram.com/pitchblacknorth
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I talk about some music news, WWE, Battlefield 6, AI and do a quick gear rundown for the people who have asked. I still plan do shoot a proper gear video when time allows!
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Three years ago, David Truax "Lurk" went from Van Flip Podcast host to owning Lambgoat.com, one of the most infamous underground music news sites covering metal, hardcore, and all things heavy. Known for its savage comment section, it's been a staple in the music scene for over two decades.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/lurkcity
https://www.instagram.com/lambgoat
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Will Wehrung is the vocalist for Residerâa rising southern California band blending nu metal roots with modern metalcore. Check out their latest single "Death Adder" off their upcoming EP 'SHADE'âreleasing everywhere July 25 via Overshadow Records.
đ€ If you're in the San Diego area, go see Resider live at their headlining EP release show August 2 at Brick By Brick!
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Episode links đ:
"Death Adder" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjZWrpJk_SI
https://www.instagram.com/residerofficial
https://www.instagram.com/sybersounds
https://www.instagram.com/overshadow_rocks
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Daniel and Nicholas from Body Prison join me to talk about the challenges of being a newer deathcore band, the process behind their two intense full-lengths, and whatâs coming next from one of Australiaâs heaviest new acts. Check out their latest record Everything You Never Wanted To See.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/bodyprisonau
https://www.instagram.com/dmacavellii
https://www.instagram.com/njvanvidler
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Will Jackson is the former vocalist of From A Second Story Window, appearing on Delenda, Conversations, and the singles âSo Say We Allâ and âEarthen Eyes.â
In this episode, we dig into his roots in the North Carolina hardcore and metal scene, his path from End of All to joining FASSW, and share stories from our time together on the road and in the studio.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/wheelbranson
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Solo episode | I talk about leaving Ohio in my 20s to chase film and music in LA, and the unpredictable path of jobs and creative projects that led me to freelancing and podcastingâmy first acting gig, meeting Ben Affleck, that one horror movie I was in, and a new project in the works with Mike Ilich (Robinson, ThunderRider).
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Episode links:
What Say You - "Potentials": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9926AJ3iTgs
ThunderRider: https://open.spotify.com/artist/74C9UPcqAAdj8NqfpE7Lis?si=jViNiJgHRR2Fl2t3eObGOg
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Destroyer Destroyer is back with their new EP 'VOID' and their first show in 17 yearsâJune 28 at The Sanctuary in OKC. Corey Ray and Noah Taylor join me to talk about the reunion, the band's early years, and what it's like writing new material as a four piece.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/destroyerdestroyerok
https://www.instagram.com/craywalls
https://www.instagram.com/noah_drums_official
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Kyle Medina is the vocalist of Florida deathcore powerhouse Bodysnatcher. In this episode, we talk about his recent performance with Float Face Down for their reunion show, how he got started doing vocals, the origins of Bodysnatcher, and the 10-year anniversary re-release of their debut EP Abandonment.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/heavygloom666/
https://www.instagram.com/bodysnatcherfl/
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Chad Fjerstad is a musician, author, and adult film actor. Heâs played bass in Dead To Fall, Nehemiah, and The Primals, and currently performs in Kâmono, Ass Life, and More Ephemerol. For the past 16 years, heâs worked in adult film, recently winning Best Actor at the 2025 AVN Awards. Chad is the author of two books, including the audiobook 'Warship', which he narrates himself. While fictional, the first half loosely reflects his time in Dead To Fall, and the second follows his move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in adult entertainment.
Heads upâsome video glitches in this one due to a platform issue. Audio's all good. Thanks for bearing with it!
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Episode links:
Warship on Audible: https://adbl.co/4dWVaOO
https://www.instagram.com/fiercedad
https://ephemerolnightterrors.bandcamp.com/
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Mike Ilich was the vocalist for both Robinson and ThunderRider. In this episode, we discuss how he got started as a vocalist, dive deeper into Robinsonâs history, and talk about how ThunderRider was formed in the wake of FASSW and Robinson disbanding. We also kick around the idea of starting a new project together!
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/mjilich
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John Kempainen is the former lead guitarist for The Black Dahlia Murder from 2002-2008 playing on the albums Unhallowed, Miasma, and Nocturnal. We get into the early BDM days, writing process, gear, touring and why John decided to leave the band.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/john_kempainen
Trevor Tribute "Statutory Ape" Cover
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Jon Hunt is the vocalist of Chicago metalcore pioneers Dead To Fall. Our bands came up together and ended around the same time in 2008, so we share a lot of history. In this episode, we talk touring chaos, Jonâs move to Spain, getting blacklisted from Furnace Fest, writing heavy music, and teaching kids how to shred. We swap road stories, dig into creative struggles, and look ahead at the future of music with AI.
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/hunthorn
https://www.instagram.com/deadtofall
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Dennis Lee is the front man and screaming vocalist for post-hardcore/screamo band Alesanaâa staple in the early 2000's/Myspace era who continue to kill it to this day.
In this episode we cover:
Catch Alesana live on their upcoming tour dates, including Welcome To Rockville.
May 15 - Pensacola, FL · Handlebar
May 16 - Daytona Beach, FL · Welcome To Rockville
May 17 - Augusta, GA · Grantski Records
May 18 - Columbia, SC · New Brookland Tavern
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Episode links:
https://www.instagram.com/dennydiablo
https://www.twitch.tv/sweatyhandshake
https://www.instagram.com/alesanaofficialig
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