Dad Rocks!

No Promises: A Conversation with Chris Bolger.

On this episode, Josh talks with Chris Bolger. Chris is a multi-talented musician who has been a staple of the Northern New Jersey music scene for decades, having played with the likes of R. Stevie Moore, The Smithereens, and a number of others. Josh and Chris talk about Chris becoming a grandfather, what life was like when his kids were growing up, and his life as a part-time musician. A Spotify playlist of all of the music you heard on the show can be found at https://spoti.fi/47XcOir. (Interview recorded September 18, 2024)

The Gang's All Here: The Return of Joe and Steve

On this episode, Josh welcomes back Joe and Steve to the show. The three guys catch up on what has been going on in all of their lives in the past two years, covering parenting, changes in their careers, and bands they've been listening to and have seen live. A Spotify playlist of all of the music heard on the show can be found at https://spoti.fi/3T9WjJz. (Conversation recorded on August 8, 2024)

Parenting and the Jersey Devil: A Conversation with Mark Moran

On this episode Josh talks with Mark Moran, one of the co-creators of Weird NJ. The two talk about Mark's experience in the north New Jersey music scene, the history of Weird NJ and how it became a cultural icon, and his experience parenting two daughters while also growing the magazine, writing books, and creating a television series. A Spotify playlist of all the music you heard on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/4fpYIcI. (Interview recorded July 2, 2024)

Velvet Collection: A Conversation with Sal Mercuri

On this episode Josh talks with Sal Mercuri, who, for many years, was one of the preeminent collectors of The Velvet Underground memorabilia, until he sold his entire collection to the New York Public Library a few years ago. During the conversation the two discuss how Sal got into music, the evolution of his fandom of The Velvet Underground, how he ultimately became friends with the members of the band and a "manager" for some of them, and how music influenced his two sons, one of whom is now a professional musician. A Spotify playlist of all the music you heard on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/3RCK0oc. (Interview recorded May 22, 2024)

Fortunate Sons: A Conversation with Ian O'Malley

On this episode Josh talks with Ian O'Malley. Ian has been a rock radio DJ in New York City for almost 35 years, mainly at Q104.3 where he has been for the last 25 years. The two talk about Ian's career in radio, the change in landscape of terrestrial rock radio stations in New York City, his sons, and music that he's been enjoying lately. A Spotify playlist of all the music you heard on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/4bvAiMp. (Interview recorded on May 21, 2024.)

Building a Community: A Conversation with Jeff Beck

On this episode Josh talks with Jeff Beck (no not that one). Jeff is the owner of East Side Mags, a comic book store in Montclair, NJ, and he was also part of the North Jersey punk scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The two talk about Jeff's store, his kids' interest in comics and media, his kids' interest in music, how he started playing music, and the North Jersey punk scene of the 90s/00s. A Spotify playlist of all the music you heard on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/4douvd2. (Interview recorded on April 15, 2024.)

It's All About Timing: A Conversation with Alan Evans

On this episode Josh talks with musician Alan Evans. Alan is most well known for being the drummer of the band Soulive, but he is also a recording producer and engineer, as well as the founder of the record label Vintage League Music. The two talk about Alan's recent recording projects, living in Western Massachusetts, being a touring musician with a family, how he got into music, and the beginnings of Soulive. A Spotify playlist of all the music you heard on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/4cAh9Ke. (Interview recorded on February 23, 2024.)

What Does It Means To Be A Father? Part 2: A Conversation with Ricky Johnson

On this episode, Josh welcomes back his college buddy and former guest Ricky Johnson. Ricky was the guest on the episode "What Does It Means To Be A Father?" which was released back in February 2021, where he discussed being a father to a child that was not biologically his, as well as how he, as a black parent, dealt with the events of the summer and fall of 2020. In that episode Ricky brought up how he and his wife, at the time, were trying to have a child together. While they ultimately were blessed with a daughter in late 2023, the journey they took to get to that point was a rollercoaster of emotions. On this episode, Ricky and Josh discuss what Ricky and his wife went through during the last few years, and what his experience has been as a first time father to a newborn.

A Spotify playlist of all of the music on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/49vqQrs.

The YouTube series Ricky produced about he and his wife's journey to conceive a child can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@LovingRnBRickKrisJohnson.

Catskill Kids: A Conversation with Marco Benevento

In this episode Josh talks with musician Marco Benevento, who is best known for being the keyboardist in Benevento/Russo Duo and Joe Russo's Almost Dead, along with his solo work. The two talk about living in Woodstock, NY, raising kids in the Catskills instead of the city or the suburbs, touring while being a parent, his career as a professional musician, and how he started a record label and music festival. Spotify playlist of all the music you heard on the episode can be found at https://spoti.fi/3Sz7NpY. (Interview recorded on January 4, 2024)

Bands of Brothers: A Conversation with Bobby Hackney

On this episode Josh talks with Bobby Hackney. Bobby is most well known for being the bassist and lead singer of the proto-punk band Death, but is also the bassist and lead singer of the reggae band Lambsbread and the author of the new book Vermont Reggae Fest: The Power of Music. He's also the father of 3 sons, all of whom are in the band Rough Francis. Josh and Bobby talk about being a father to three musicians, being in a band with your siblings, past and current events of Death, Lambsbread and the Vermont Reggae Festival, and how parents and kids influence each other's taste in music. The Spotify playlist of most of the music on on the podcast can be found at https://spoti.fi/3TIrxZ9. (Interview recorded on November 30, 2023)