Lead Singer Syndrome With Shane Told

Episode 124 - Billy Talent frontman Ben Kowalewicz joins the show! Finally! One of the most requested guests, we chat about long breaks between albums, opening for Guns 'N Roses, the challenge of drummer Aaron Solowoniuk's battle with MS, their surprising radio success, and the struggles of gaining popularity in the US. Also, Shane recounts the story of how Billy Talent got signed instead of his old band.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 123 - Underoath is back with a BRAND NEW album out TODAY! In celebration, we have frontman Spencer Chamberlain talking about the rebirth of Underoath, how this album came together, and plans for the future. Also discussed is his battle with hard drugs, abandoning Christianity, and dropping the "F-Bomb" for the first time in an Underoath song. Need band merch? Check out rockabilia.com ! With over 500,000 officially licensed items, it's the best place to find something unique. AND use our promo code PCJABBERJAW for 15% off your entire order today! rockabilia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 122 - I The Mighty frontman Brent Walsh joins Shane and co-host Brendon Potter on the phone calling from Denver, CO while on tour. We talk about their strange start as an acoustic duo winning contests, their label folding right before their shelved first album (which you can get in secret at the merch table), and of course their recent success with their new album. Also discussed is the Flint Water Crisis, the band The Matches, and how terrible San Francisco is for bands.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 121 - Dream Theater's James LaBrie joins the show this week! We talk about his origins in Canada, beating out 200 other singers to join Dream Theater, being in NYC on 9/11, his "tent" on stage, and how he is often overlooked as a vocalist due to the rest of his band taking the spotlight as virtuosos. Need Merch? check out rockabilia.com - over 500,000 unique items all officially licensed from the artists! Use promo code PCLSS and save 10% off your entire order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 120 - Philadelphia's Whitney Peyton joins the show this week, talking about her recent headline tour and van accident, blending hip hop and rap with rock and punk, the challenges of being a female in hip hop, touring with Three 6 Mafia / Asking Alexandria / Twistd and her massive juggalo fanbase. She also lays down a sick freestyle on this episode. Bonus: Shane plays a little 3-6 for the rap fans of the show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 119 - Emarosa's Bradley Walden joins the show, telling his incredible story of how he went from being in the military to discovering his own amazing voice and joining a band. Also discussed is Emarosa's writing process, finding his own identity after filling the big shoes of former singer (and twitter nemesis) Jonny Craig, and how hard it was feeling "under the microscope" when he first joined the band 4 years ago. Need merch?? With spring coming get all the best, OFFICIALLY licensed band merch from rockabilia.com . With over 500,000 items, you'll find something just right for you. Use promo code PCLSS and you'll save 10% off your entire order today! Don't wait! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 118 - THIS IS A MUST LISTEN! I jump on the line with Matt Good, lead singer (for a time) and lead guitarist for From First To Last, and who also had a stint in Craig Owens' Emo-Core supergroup D.R.U.G.S. We talk about the crazy journey From First To Last took all the way to the top of the hype machine, before singer Sonny Moore (now of Skrillex) was forced to quit due to vocal health issues. Now, with last years new song "Make War" with Sonny back on the mic and drumming from Blink 182's Travis Barker - what's next for From First To Last? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 117 - Broadside's Ollie Baxxter joins me this week for an in-depth chat in the back of their van while surrounded by snacks (seriously there was so many snacks). We discuss his unique upbringing homeless on the streets of Las Vegas, how a strangers heart transplant somehow brought him to safety in Virginia, why they cancelled their first ever headlining tour last year, and so much more. Action packed episode! Have a listen and let me know what you think! Email me! leadsingersyndrome@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 116 - Metal/Hardcore legend Howard Jones (Light The Torch, Ex - Killswitch Engage, Blood Has Been Shed) joins the show! He talks to Shane about the reason for the name change of his new band, his Gospel and R&B upbringing that shaped his voice, and the real story of his departure from Killswitch Engage. Bonus: Shane and Howard discuss the best bands with the worst names, and the worst bands with the best names. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 115 - Happy birthday to Shane! But hey did you know Rory Rodriguez is one of the best frontman in the scene right now? Haven’t heard of Dayseeker? Well do yourself a favour and get to know a great band before everyone else on your block! The prolific frontman talks about his family struggles, personal struggles and how he ended up fronting an incredible band and what Shane think is an even more amazing solo career. With a couple amazing albums and some highly acclaimed covers including Adele’s “Hello”, the band is on their way to great success and big things - maybe you heard it here first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 114 - Lagwagon’s Joey Cape, frontman and songwriter of one of Shane’s all time favourite bands joins the show. He talks about how starting out he never wanted to be a singer (“I hate it, I really hate it”), accidentally writing melodies that sound like other songs, having his parents address on the first Lagwagon record for 20 years, the passing of original drummer Derrick Plourde and No Use For A Name frontman Tony Sly, the writing and legacy of the song May 16 - now known as “Lagwagon Day” and the “Joey Chord” - which Shane thinks gives them their unique sound. Need band merch? Go to rockabilia.com for the BEST selection and prices. All officially licensed from the artists. And even better, use promo code "PCLSS" and save 15% off your entire order RIGHT NOW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 113 - This week I sit down to chat with the new frontman of Of Mice & Men - Aaron Pauley. After former frontman Austin Carlile announced he was leaving the band a year ago, California metal-core act Of Mice & Men decide not to replace him, but the keep the core of the band together and enlist bass player and clean vocalist Aaron Pauley with the duties. We talk about how daunting the task of singing and screaming a whole set is, writing the new album, the "bromance" of the rhythm section, and having your signature tattooed on someone's skin forever. We also talk about his former projects, including the criminally underrated Jamie's Elsewhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 112 - Morgan Lander, frontwoman/guitarist of Canada's own groundbreaking all-female metal band KITTIE is the guest of the show this week! After getting signed when they were still teenagers in high school, Kittie's debut album went on to sell over 600,000 copies and was certified gold. Morgan and Shane talk about the wild ride on the way to the top, working with legendary producer GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine), their family upbringing with a "non-musical" father for a manager, the sudden death of guitarist Trish Doan, and their new upcoming DVD documentary and live album, featuring never before seen footage of the bands 20+ year career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 111 - Shane calls Justin on his parents landline telephone for an in-depth chat about the past and present of Anti-Flag. The discussion includes the disappointment of legendary venues, working with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, their experiences with major labels, and his upbringing in an Irish-American family in Pittsburgh, PA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 110 - PART ONE OF A TWO PART MINI-SERIES WITH ANTI-FLAG! The honest and charismatic Chris #2 of Anti-Flag joins the show! As a bass player and hype man, occasional lead singer and stage banter master for Anti-Flag, Chris wears a lot of hats, and he wears them all very well. We talk about how band beef with Dropkick Murphys made him perfect his frontman skills and also led to a huge tour, his humble beginnings as an Anti-Flag super fan, and how they swindled their corporate major label out of a bunch of cash - which they used for a bunch of great causes. Subcribe! Next week we have frontman Justin Sane for part 2 of the Anti-Flag special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 109 - Happy New Year!!!! The outspoken and always entertaining Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn, joins Shane for a special episode kicking off the New Year! They discussing Robb now being considered a “legend” of Metal, playing 2.5 - 3 hour long sets with no openers, and receiving death threats over his “racism in metal” video which has accumulated almost 2 million plays on YouTube. The new Machine Head album, their 9th full length “Catharsis”, is out Jan 26th! Check out rockabilia.com for ALL your band merchandise needs - over 500,000 unique items, all officially licensed from the artists. USE PROMO CODE: PCLSS and get 10% off your order RIGHT NOW. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 108 - Lead Drummer Syndrome? Today we have the amazing singer/drummer of Hail The Sun, Donovan Melero. While on their first tour overseas with SIlverstein, we talk about their late blooming ways - finally signing to Equal Vision Records after being an underground band since 2009, his busy schedule also having a side job as a booking agent, and how difficult it is to play technical drums and sing at the same time. Also - Donovan talks about recording their new album with Beau Burchell (of Saosin) and almost spills the beans on their upcoming tour plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 107 - Awsten Knight, frontman of Waterparks, is this weeks guest! The always candid (and hilarious) singer/guitarist of Houston Pop-Punk sensations joins Shane on the phone from a Starbucks in Lafayette, Louisiana. At the tail end of their first ever national headline tour, they discuss getting discovered in an unlikely way, working with Benji and Joel from Good Charlotte, his strange hip-hop side project "Felony Steve", and why he has "beef" with John from The Maine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 106 - He's BACKKKKKK! So excited to have my friend Garrett Russell (Silent Planet) back on the show. On the eve of their big trek to Europe, we discuss their well deserved APMA award for Best Underground Band, his recent success at managing his own and other bands, doing Warped Tour in a van (!!)and their hustle for free food (and money!) on tour. Always a treat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trash Boat frontman Tobi Duncan joins the show to really talk some shit! All jokes aside, Tobi speaks candidly about the success Trash Boat has had so quickly on their first record, literally living his childhood dream of selling out the London Underworld, working with idol Dan "Soupy" Campbell and the pressure they're currently feeling having to make their sophomore album. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices