Episode 31 - Tauren Blackman

Send us Fan MailTauren Blackman’s story is a crash course in what it takes to build a real metal career from the ground up - from a Fender acoustic found on the side of the road to opening for national acts, blasting through the MySpace era, and finally stepping back onstage after eight years away. If you grew up on heavy music, local shows, or the wild early days of Pacific Northwest metal, this one hits hard.Cody sits down with longtime friend Tauren Blackman for a deep, funny, and surprisingly emotional ride through the scene that shaped him. They trace the moment Pantera, Black Sabbath, Ozzfest, and a teenage obsession with Crazy Train turned him from guitarist into vocalist, then follow the path through the first bands, the van-life rehearsal days, the flyers, the bike runs, and the clubs that turned Salem and Portland into a proving ground.You'll discover how 12 Gauge became Kill On Sight, why a battle-of-the-bands win changed everything, and what it was really like opening for Hed PE, Scum of the Earth, 36 Crazyfists, and other heavyweight names. Tauren also shares how Still Dead pushed his sound into darker, more theatrical territory, with horror imagery, serial-killer themes, and a full-length album - *Sharon the American Glory* - that still holds up today.We also break down the creative process behind "Time Bomb," including how an old riff idea became a new song, how Jonny Santos pushed Tauren into a raw, live-in-the-room performance, and why capturing a first-take emotional reaction can hit harder than overthinking every note. Then comes the payoff: Tauren’s first live appearance in eight years, back in his hometown, performing in front of family, friends, and the same community that watched it all unfold.This episode is packed with nostalgia, backstage stories, scene history, and the kind of hard-earned insight only comes from someone who’s lived every phase of the grind. Perfect for metalheads, musicians, and anyone who loves the stories behind the music.Follow: https://www.facebook.com/share/19XqKF5bXA/?mibextid=wwXIfrlisten to Still Dead: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3LcHP3O4FvixNkpykDHoZL?si=aVCFS5GYShmu-uBxpcA7TA&utm_source=copy-link“Time Bomb” music video: https://youtu.be/I4KTJ2bQmuw?is=61knsWdaix4YE2oj  Support the show