Theory of a Deadman part 1: The Record Deal that Launched the Band & 604, Surviving Napster & More

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan Simkin sits down with Tyler Connolly and Dean Back of Theory of a Deadman to tell the full, unfiltered origin story of the band — from basement showcases and water delivery jobs to label bidding wars, major record deals, and multi-platinum hits. They break down the exact moments that changed everything: how Default and Nickelback unexpectedly shaped Theory's early trajectory, the chaos of early music videos, recording Gasoline with Howard Benson, navigating label politics, surviving the Napster era, and the creative risks that helped Theory of a Deadman outlast an entire generation of rock bands. This is a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about longevity, mistakes, and why playing the long game in the music industry actually works. They talk through (in order): – "I was actually nervous about this one" – How the band got signed and launched 604 as a record label – All or Nothing nostalgia – How RX & Napster changed everything for Theory – Being drawn into the Nickelback push back – Gasoline & the big change in Theory's tunes & lyrics – The complicated relationship with drummers & managing money early on – Why the long game works in music Part 2 drops January 21. This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms and YouTube in video. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.