PODCAST · music
B-Side Breakdown
by Brett Johnson
Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep into the “Why?” behind it. Not only will learn more about the artist’s selection, but you will hear the song or piece in its entirety, and you’ll get a sneak peek into what they are working on now, regardless of artform or medium. I look forward to having artists on the show covering a spectrum of genres, including independent rock, punk, Hip-Hop, post-hardcore, Americana, Country, progressive and beyond. Personally, I think this is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to you joining us for the ride!
Episodes
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E59: "Absolution" by Season To Risk with Steve Tulipana
Three voices, one person’s mind. On “Absolution,” Steve Tulipana used the interplay between himself and his bandmates to explore how someone could commit an atrocity and justify it to themselves. The song came together in Martin Bisi’s studio, where the rhythms Paul Malinowski and Jason Gerken…
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E58: "Pearls" by and with Maintenance
“Pearls” wasn’t chosen as a single, but it was one of the first songs that made Maintenance hear what their new record could become. It began with Costa playing chords on a classical guitar. The band built on that first idea together, while the words took shape from mumbled melodies, notes…
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E57: "RAH RAH RAH" by Nick and the Adversaries with Nick Bacon
“RAH RAH RAH” began as a hook Nick Bacon couldn’t quite turn into a finished song. As he watched people in his Massachusetts community live with the threat of detention, he found the words. Nick talks about why the band released the song before finishing its next record, and how ska’s mix of…
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E56: "Dead Eyes" by The Iron Roses with Becky & Nat
The Iron Roses are back on B-Side Breakdown, and a lot has changed since their first appearance. With their new single "Dead Eyes" leading the charge, Becky and Nat talk about why this record hits harder—both musically and lyrically—and how the band has grown into the sound they always wanted to...
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E55: "Another Day In Paradise" by Arrows At Dawn with Tim Andrews
What happens when the song that started your band also becomes the song that brings it back to life? Tim Andrews joins B-Side Breakdown to revisit "Another Day in Paradise," the first song Arrows at Dawn wrote under their new name and a track that nearly became the band's final chapter. Tim…
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E54: "Tribute" by Overthrow with Chris Ruffini and Anthony Salerna
More than twenty-five years after releasing their last full-length record, Overthrow returned with *Setting the Price*—not as a nostalgia project, but as the continuation of a story that was never truly finished. In this episode, Chris and Anthony break down "Tribute," a song rooted in loss,...
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E53: "High On Faith" by Overton with Shayne Miel
What happens when conspiracy theories stop being fringe entertainment and start influencing the way people understand the world? In Episode 53 of B-Side Breakdown, Shayne Miel of Overton breaks down "High On Faith," a darkly humorous and surprisingly thoughtful song inspired by misinformation,...
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E52 - "The Damned" by and with Marc-Alan Prince
“This song was me finally going backwards and dealing with some demons.” For episode 52 of B-Side Breakdown, Marc-Alan Prince breaks down “The Damned,” a song about chasing perfection, surviving self-destruction, and coming to terms with the difference between romanticized youth and the reality…
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E51 - "Magnetic Rock" by and with DPFKS
This song came from a real moment in the woods that stayed with them long after they got home. On episode 51 of B-Side Breakdown, DPFKS break down “Magnetic Rock,” a song rooted in emotional exhaustion, connection, and a surreal experience on Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail that became the emotional...
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E50 - "Chaser" by Scarboro with Shi
For episode 50 of B-Side Breakdown, Shi from Scarboro breaks down “Chaser,” a song rooted in political exhaustion, fake empathy, and the disconnect between what people say they believe and what they’re willing to act on. Shi talks openly about working in politics and nonprofit advocacy, running…
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E49 - "ASM KoP" by The Blackburns with Nick Palmer
“ASM KoP” started as a phrase Nick Palmer couldn’t shake—something he said constantly in his day job as a retail recruiter: Assistant Store Manager, King of Prussia. What began as a hook turned into something more layered: a snapshot of aging punk lifers navigating retail jobs, suburban malls…
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E48 - "Upside Down" by Battery Eyes with Johnny and Andrew
In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson talks with Johnny Laberda from Battery Eyes and Andrew Cahak of Unstable Shapes about “Upside Down,” a collaborative track that stretches beyond both bands’ usual comfort zones. Born from a casual conversation at Minneapolis mainstay Mortimer’s,...
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E47 - "Through The Shadows" by Dead History with David Jarnstrom
In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson sits down with David Jarnstrom of Minneapolis post-hardcore stalwarts Dead History to talk about “Through the Shadows,” a standout track from the band’s 2025 album Departures. Built around an initial guitar idea from Matt Rezac, the song took a...
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E46 - "Teenager" by Killing Stares with Brad Gunnarson
In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson sits down with Brad Gunnarson—better known around the Twin Cities as B-Gun—to unpack “Teenager,” a Deftones cover recorded under the project name Killing Stares. Originally appearing on White Pony, the song was reimagined for For the Song You...
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E45 - "The Walk To Heartwood" by The Jukebox Romantics with James and Terry
Brett Johnson sits down with James and Terry of The Jukebox Romantics (Downstate NY) to talk about “The Walk to Heartwood” — a heartfelt standout from their 2025 full-length, This One Looks Cool. Equal parts punk gratitude and FEST devotion, the song is a self-described “love letter to Heartwood...
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E44 - "Feedback City" by and with Too Late, But Still
In this episode of B-Side Breakdown, Brett Johnson talks with members of Too Late, But Still about “Feedback City,” a standout track from their 2025 EP Night Songs. The conversation traces how the song came together organically in the room, shaped less by traditional structure and more by…
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E43 - "Goodbye Before You Go" by Banquets with Travis Omilian
Brett Johnson sits down with Travis Omilian of Banquets (Jersey City, NJ) to talk about “Goodbye Before You Go” — a stirring track from the band’s first album in over a decade, Petty Relics. What started in 2010 as a group of friends making melodic punk with a wink (a band named after a beer, a...
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E42 - "Unrest" by Kind Skies wtih Chris Boss & Mitch Snyder
Kind Skies is a great band from Lexington, KY. They do things their way, authentically and organically, and allow things to unfold as they do. I caught up with Chris on the first segment of the episode then the rest of the band showed up for the second. It was great to chat with them and deep…
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E41 - "All I Need" by ExactlyNo with Nick and Ted
Finally got a chance to talk with ExactlyNo, one of my favorite bands from Minneapolis, MN about their single, “All I Need”. Known for their big, dynamic sound—explosive drums, guitars that double as riffs and atmosphere, and vocals that carry both raw edge and melodic intention—ExactlyNo push...
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E40 - "Butterflies" by The Snorts with Aaron Stoquert
Take Two... You'll hear us joke about it in the episode but this was my 2nd attempt at getting Aaron Stoquert from The Snorts on an episode. We pulled up this time around to talk about the song “Butterflies,” off of their 2024 release, "pitter patter", which I can't recommend enough from…
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E39 - "Missing You For Days" by johnnyrook with Zac Boyd
I was happy to get the chance to sit down with Zac from Minneapolis, MN based johnnyrook to talk about their song, "Missing You For Days". johnnyrook has been a staple in the Minneapolis rock scene for decades now, and after a hiatus have come back strong with their new record, "The More Things...
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E38 - "WTF" by Adios Fatso with Sir-Ken Celli
Adios Fatso is a Massachusetts-based DIY punk project injecting dark humor and sharp social commentary into short, explosive songs. I sat down with Sir-Ken Celli from the group and chatted about their jam, "WTF", which was mixed by Andrew Berlin (Descendents, Rise Against) and mastered by Jason...
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E37 - "While Dying" by Skjolden with Carl Skildum
Skjolden is the first solo project from Carl Skildum of Inexorum, Majesties, and Antiverse. Located in Minneapolis and entirely self-directed, Skjolden crosses death metal and melodic black metal. I've known Carl for a long time across multiple bands/projects, and I loved pulling with him on this...
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E36 - "Call To Action" by 504 Plan with Scott Pasch from DCxPC Live Records
504 Plan is a high school punk band from Washington, D.C., whose music is as urgent as it is unfiltered. Their debut vinyl, DCxPC Live & Dead Vol. 6, features the explosive single Call to Action and captures both their sweat-soaked live energy (recorded at DC9) and their studio polish (tracked at...
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E35 - "Psyayayduck" by Indoor Friends with Kat and Amanda
Indoor Friends (Boston, MA) fuse confessional punk and melodic power-pop into something entirely their own, and nowhere is that more clear than in their latest single, psyayayduck What starts as a lyrical spiral of emotional wreckage becomes a full-blown cathartic release—chaotic, catchy, and...
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E34 - "Wolves, Sheep" by Forbidden Seas with Bill Collins
Forbidden Seas is a heavy post-rock band whose members hail from Chicago, Twin Cities, and Los Angeles. I was able to connect with Bill Collins to talk about this new group, their single, "Wolves, Sheep", and lots of other bits. I've known BIll for a long time. This episode was a great opporunity...
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E33 - "Buffalo" by Nowhere Fast with Seth Robinson
I love doing this podcast. Simply for the reason that I am exposed to great bands and their new music. Nowhere Fast hails from Louisville, KY and I got to chat with Seth Robinson from the group to talk about their song, "Buffalo" off thier latest record "Modern Archaic". They are actively booking...
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E32 - "Ghost Trilogy" by and with Jon Snodgrass
Grateful to pull up with Jon Snodgrass and chat about the "Ghost Trilogy" of songs off his recent release, "Stoked Ghost", that came out on Rad Girlfriend Records late last year. I know he's back out on the road again right now and coming through central Florida next weekend. Look him up if…
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E31 - "Perfect Hit" by Bandages with Shannon Wilson
I was able to sit down and chat with Shannon Wilson from the Dayton/Cincinnati, OH based band, Bandages, to chat about their new S/T record and single, "Perfect Hit" featuring Joe Gittleman from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. They are definitely in the rock and punk spectrum but don't fall in any...
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E30 - "Lullaby" by Via Sky with Rich, Nick, and David
Via Sky is an American alternative metal band formed in 2023 in Nashville, TN. The group features the powerful vocals of Rich Stadtlander, alongside Nick Conroy on guitar and vocals, David Abbott on drums, and Blake Goodwin on guitar. With their breakout single “Lullaby,” Via Sky has quickly…
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E29 - "Southside" by Hotbox with Skinny, Danny, and Flip
Hotbox is a Nu Metal Trap Trio from Israel who changed lead singers then relocated to Los Angeles and are doing it. They are playing festivals like "Welcome To Rockville" and "Sonic Temple" with big names and heavy hitters. They are working with producer Bob Marlette on their new record…
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E28 - "Living Funeral" by Divided Heaven with Jeff Berman
Divided Heaven is a a group comprised of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jeff Berman plus a cast of amazing musicians based out of Lancaster, PA. Jeff and I had compelling chat about his recent single, "Living Funeral" calling out the cult of the "Orange Man" and the events of Jan. 6. To honor...
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E27 - "Church Bells" by Night Windows with Ben Hughes
Night Windows is a trio based out of southern New Jersey. Ben Hughes and I connected on their song "Church Bells" from their recent albom "In Memories". Here's something taken from their Bandcamp site that I think really speaks to the vibe of the song: "Where do I go from here? Everyone is…
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E26 - "Grief" by Omnigone with Adam D.
Omnigone is a Northern California (East Bay) based SKA PUNK band founded by two former members of LINK 80. Adam D. and I got to chat about the song "Grief" from their latest reocrd "Feral" that's out on Bad Time Records. Performing at FEST22 a couple of weeks back, they made it back home and head...
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E25 - "Strays" by Early Riser with Kiri Oliver
Early Riser is a cello-driven pop-punk band from Brooklyn, NY. Before Early Riser made it down to FEST22, I was able to connect with Kiri Oliver to talk about their song "Strays" from their latest recording, "Big Life" out on Asbestos Records. You can find the episode on all streaming platforms...
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E24 - "Doppler" by Rad Owl with Jer Jessen
I think this marks the 4th episode with Jeremy Jessen. This time we're chatting all amazing things about the song "Doppler" from Rad Owl's banger of a new record, "Rage Gracefully". Telling on myself, the episode was recorded in late May 2024 and I wasn't able to finally finish the episode until...
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E23 - "Last Song" by and with Sarah McQuaid
Taken straight from her bio, "Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality, “subtle mastery onstage” (Huffington Post) and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience.…
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E22 - "Wind Phone" by and with Annie and the Bang Bang
Annie and the Bang Bang is a prolific four-piece band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN who put out a record in October 2023 called, "Radio Baby". I had the chance to sit and talk with them about their song, "Wind Phone". Please support them buy buying their double LP at:...
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E21 - "Dynamite" by Tragic Hands with Richard Horton
Fun to check in with Rich Horton to talk about the song "Dynamite" from his now defunct band, Tragic Hands. Be sure to look him and them up at the following: https://tragichands.bandcamp.com/album/logic-saves https://www.soundcloud.com/riftyrich https://www.instagram.com/richhorton612/ Also, be...
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E20 - "The Local Sphinx" by Unstable Shapes with Andrew and Mitch
Caught up with Andrew and Mitch from Unstable Shapes to chat about their song "The Local Spinx" and their band overall. Be sure to look them up at the following: https://unstableshapes.bandcamp.com http://www.unstableshapes.com @unstableshapes on Instagram #UnstableShapes #TheLocalSphinx...
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E19 - "Tragedy Ghouls" by The Raging Nathans with Josh Goldman
Had the opportunity to catch up with Josh Goldman from The Raging Nathans to talk about their work "Tragedy Ghouls." It's an open, candid, and sad tale that Josh has to tell behind the track. They persevered and are out on the road with Less Than Jake as this is published. Please show them your...
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E18 - "Central Ave" by Thousand Dollar Movie with Jeremy Radio
Chatted up Jeremy Radio from the Charlotte, NC band Thousand Dollar Movie about their song, "Central Ave" off their latest release, "Give Me A Year". It's an honor and privilege for me to meet working artists who constantly look for new ways to pursue their craft and share it with the world.…
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E17 - "Screaming For A Change" by The Iron Roses with Becky Fontaine and Nathan Gray
I am honored to have met with Becky Fontaine and Nathan Gray from The Iron Roses to talk about "Screaming For A Change", the first single off their s/t new record that came out October 20, 2023. They are an incredibly inspiring duo whether they are co-fronting their amazing band or having an open...
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E16 - "Bizarre Faith" by Perfect Female Type with Jason Herrboldt
Grateful to have another chat with my creative and prolific dear friend, Jason Herrboldt, to talk about the Perfect Female Type song, "Bizarre Faith" off of the record "Wet Circuits". Jason has at least three active project going on right now between Perfect Female Type, Seven Whores of the...
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E15 - "Brush Fire" by and with Eric W. Krueger
Caught up with Eric W. Krueger recently to talk about his song, "Brush Fire", off of his recent solo acoustic release, "Shed Songs". It's a beautiful, stripped down, raw, and vulnerable offering from an incredibly talented and prolific multi-instrumentalist and artist. I've known Eric for many...
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E14 - "San Diego" by Houston with Ian Prince
Got a chance to sit down with Ian Prince from the Minneapolis, MN rock band "Houston" to talk about their song "San Diego" from their latest Init Records release, "The Biggest Show In Space". Ian Prince is one of my favorite drummers to see perform, particularly with the band Houston. He's also...
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E13 - "Summoned By Smoke" by EvilLeaf with Sara and Wes
Catching up with Sara and Wes from EvilLeaf to discuss their song "Summoned By Smoke". Be sure to look them up at: https://evilleaf.bandcamp.com/ https://linktr.ee/evilleaf Other links: https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown https://linktr.ee/brettjohnson #EvilLeaf #SummonedBySmoke #bsidebreakdown...
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E12 - "Aladdin's Castle" by Rad Owl with David Jarnstrom
Talking with David Jarnstrom about the Rad Owl song, "Aladdin's Castle". Rad Owl is a punk rock band based out of Twin Cities, MN. They will be performing at FEST21 in Gainesville, FL on Sunday October 29 at 1AM at Vecinos! Rad Owl https://linktr.ee/radowlband Other links:...
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E11 - "Taken This Long" by Megan and Shane with Megan and Shane Baskerville
Megan and Shane are a country/americana duo now based out of St. Louis, MO. I've known them both for a long time and have had the priviledge of making music with them both in the studio and on stage. This is part two of a two part episoder where they each picked a song they wanted to discuss.…
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E10 - "Alone" by Megan and Shane with Megan and Shane Baskerville
Megan and Shane are a country/americana duo now based out of St. Louis, MO. I've known them both for a long time and have had the priviledge of making music with them both in the studio and on stage. This is part one of a two part episoder where they each picked a song they wanted to discuss.…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep into the “Why?” behind it.
Not only will learn more about the artist’s selection, but you will hear the song or piece in its entirety, and you’ll get a sneak peek into what they are working on now, regardless of artform or medium.
I look forward to having artists on the show covering a spectrum of genres, including independent rock, punk, Hip-Hop, post-hardcore, Americana, Country, progressive and beyond.
Personally, I think this is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to you joining us for the ride!
HOSTED BY
Brett Johnson
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does B-Side Breakdown have?
B-Side Breakdown currently has 60 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is B-Side Breakdown about?
Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep...
How often does B-Side Breakdown release new episodes?
B-Side Breakdown has 60 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to B-Side Breakdown?
You can listen to B-Side Breakdown on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts B-Side Breakdown?
B-Side Breakdown is created and hosted by Brett Johnson.
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