mines

Today is a very special episode! Founder of H.A.G.S.: The First Comedy Show Ever, Joe McAndrew, is my special guest today. And it is my pleasure to announce that, since this interview is EXACTLY one year old, a lot of things have happened over the course of this year, and he is headed to new levels of success. With a successful bi-monthly comedy show, (H.A.G.S.), which is nominated for one of the Best Things to Happen in Asbury Park, there is no telling where he's headed next. Also, I've had the pleasure, over the past two years, to meet and form budding relationships with fellow comedians in my area. Those relationships are now gelling into true friendships. I've also had the pleasure of meeting new people coming into the scene, and forge new friendships that I can only hope will last. Heather Lowry, Joe McAndrew, Kyle Groom, and Emmy Crowne, to name a few, are dear friends.

What's up, and welcome back to mines. Where the hell did I go? I'll tell you- if you listen to this episode. I don't leave you hagning from a cliff. I get right into it, and hopefully by the end of this episode you're ready to be along for the ride. This is yours, this is ours, this is mines.

I'm reading from 'Jesus Calling' and sharing my thought with you. #religious #lol

I'm officially in it.  The universe is tightening its grip and my neck is where the thumb meets the index. My small-business cleaning career and creative world are clashing in a no-holds-barred tangle to the death, and my personal life and sanity are on the chopping block. Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic... But, things are getting a little dicey in the world of the mines podcast host, yours truly. In other news, Andrew Lawson, Asbury Park's very own bad boy, joins me today in the Sungeon to shares some insights into the art of comedy. He clues me in on the little things to look for when doing a set as well as things to look for in other comics while they're up there doing their thing. All the while peppering his own flavor into our get-together with spontaneous quips and bits he's working through.

Sometimes on one’s journey they are confronted with the impending weight of the universe crushing down on them. This is the void. Now, when you’re 36 years old, have two children, a wife, house, insurance, car, and utility payments, and a small business; things tend to get a little tricky. Especially when you’re trying to fit a creative pursuit in there. Today Im sharing with you a couple monologues I recorded having to do with the topic of creativity and existential funk. There will be no guest this episode, but I hope you enjoy the inside look at how information rattles around inside my head.

Join me down the Sungeon today for my chat with local comedian and fellow open mic frequenter, Jack Steiger.  Jack holds a special place in my heart because he was the first comic I got an up close look at.  He was there at my very first open mic at Espresso Joe's and his act was my first look at how it's done.  We covered everything from living in Australia, comedy, film school, and even the price of cocaine in Australia.  If you have an interest in comedy check out this episode.

Welcome to Episode 40, folks! I know I’m a bit overdue, but t’s for good reason. I’ve been busy writing sketch, hitting open mikes, and meeting the awesome array of comics from the Asbury Park and Northern New Jersey areas. I’ve been trying to carve out a style, and name for myself as one of the beginners to watch(with very little luck), when I happened upon the amazing Heather Lowry, and without even realizing it, begun to organically form a comedy friendship with her. Here, you’ll hear about her comedy show, ‘No Balls Allowed part 2.’ A comedy event tailored toward women for the sake of advancing the ever shifting pool of female talent. This event takes place tomorrow night at the Infamous Brighton Bar in Long Branch NJ. IF YOU HAVE BALLS YOU CAN ATTEND THIS EVENT.  PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS!!!

How goes it, my friends? This week Mike Cole stops in for a quick chat.  He's a good friend of mine, so we shoot the shit about the present goings-on in our lives, and dissect the ol', "tell her when friends are around", left hook.  Also, I give Dr. Scott, a recent acquaintance of mine, a ride home from a comedy open mic and he fills me in on the finer points of his personal reinvention, and PTSD induced flash-backs- and their consequences. Check out bandcamp.com/Purplesuns if you like the tunes that you're hearing at the intro and outro of my show.

If you're wondering what I've been up to lately, this is the episode for you.  I enrolled myself into improv 101 at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre NY.  The Upright Citizens Brigade was a sketch show in the 90s founded by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh.  As an improv team they gained popularity, began teaching improv, eventually opened up their own theatre and school in NYC, and now own two training centers and 4 theaters; two theaters and a training center in LA and two theaters and a training center in NY.  I've since finished 101 and am onto 201, so I figured I'd give you a taste of what that was like for me.  I never went to college, and never travelled for schooling, so it was a bit of a new experience for me, and being 35, I'm getting into "Old dog new tricks" territory.  I've been pushing myself out of my comfort zone as a theme lately, so you're going to hear me approach someone on the train, Susie, who turns out to be someone pursuing a career in "show biz". And, to top it all off, I sit down with classmate, Emmanuel Pineda, to talk radio, sketch, podcasts, and of course, our improv 101 class, our classmates, and the effect it's had on us as people, and aspiring funny people.

Hello, and welcome back to another addition of mines.  My, "Throw Away Your Vote", campaign is off to a tepid start, so I'm here to fill you in on the main bullet points.  Fuck Trump, he's a joke; Screw Hillary, she really needs it.  Pencil in Bernie Sanders come the 2016 presidential election.  It's not a pretty campaign, but it's simple.  We don't need a nutmeg in the oval office, and a criminal globalist is a criminal globalist. In other news, I met up with the Cringe Worthy Poets Collective to talk, reading, writing, and arithmetic.  Yes, arithmetic.  These 3, (but really 4), fellows, (and lady) filled me in on the finer points of being a "collective" and working together.  Mainly it boils down to letting each member put their best foot forward and supporting each other in their individual decisions. They've made their presence known in the Rochester area by being the first to write, print, assemble, and publish everything all themselves. Classic Chapmen (and woman) Join me today and meet Nathan William Stole, Julio Montalvo Valentin, Robert J. Smith, and Mistral Celeste Khan-Becerra, respectively known as, The Cringe Worthy Poets Collective... Collective, collective, collective, collective, collective, collective

Welcome back to the Sungeon for an all new episode of mines.  I got Darryl Petrone to come down and we caught up with how things have been going for the last few months.  He's known for being an extreme drummer in bands like, Departed, Stabbing Eden, and he even filled in, in a failure-to-launch style, Purple Suns reboot for my, then, retired drummer.  He goes over the finer points of rehauling a band's sound without alienating old fans.  Hopefully this new sound is enough to please old fans, bring in new ones, and fulfill the band's own creative desires.

I got arrested- yea, leave it to me, right? I know that's what you're thinking.  You wanna know the details? Tune in, then. Also, President Zen-1 stops by to discuss what I've been up to for the last few weeks, and even participates in mines' very first improv scene! Like the tunes? Head on over to Bandcamp.com/pueplesuns to check out more from my band and download our 2 EPs, Mines, and Yours. Name your price or throw us a couple bones.

Are you familiar with the visual artists in your area? Christopher Hurtig is one of Asbury Park's finest undiscovered talents.  Don't believe me? Check out his Instagram, where you can find his ever flowing collection of collections he's masterfully crafting on a daily basis, using the finest tipped pens available on the market.  He joined me in the Sungeon and together we cracked something open and slogged through the viscous, jelly-like insides for your listening pleasure.  No bells and whistles today, just straight up Me and my guest verbally gesticulating into microphones and into your ear balls!  Like the tunes?  They're all written by me and performed by my band Purple Suns www.bandcamp.com/purplesuns Thank You!!

Welcome back to the world of mines where Jay Hernandez takes you on a guided tour of the sometimes uncomfortably kooky portions of his psyche.  Did he make it into the great world of The Upright Citizens Brigade training community???!!!!! WHO KNOWS.  Today in This Week’s News: Monthly is back with some extra fire added by none other than the extremely talented Jillian Richardson. Twitter: @thatjillian  I talk with Jillian today over the phone about what it means to be a struggling writer looking for work and carving out a place for your work to live.  I also introduce a new segment today by the name of, “Signs & Connection"

Welcome back for more adventures of Jay Hernandez and his mighty podcast: mines!!! Today I'm talking with busker extraordinaire Teyvan, as he serenades the air around the clueless heads of the passing millennials of Red Bank and the parents that follow on their heels. Today In This Week's News: Monthly returns for another round of side splitting updates and Black Helicopter News CEO and head anchor President Zen-1 takes over the Sungeon for a harrowing report on the black goo phenomenon slowly contaminating the very fabric of our existence. The songs, Black Helicopter News and The Gunshots can be found on President Zen-1's album, Rorschach Test.  Find and buy it at Reverb Nation, iTunes and other major music platforms.  Be sure to check out Black Helicopter News on the Podomatic app both for iTunes and Android, Tune in and other podcast directories

Join me today for my greatest effort yet!  I've got Cord Moreski laying down an electrically descriptive ride into his past present and future. Sharing his stories and insights Cord takes us on a journey through an abridged version of his soon-to-be released chap book, "Stay Afloat Inside".  Today in This Week's News: Monthly and other antics. Thanks you to The Auras for providing the music today, "The Holy Mountain"

It's National Poetry Month and what better way to celebrate than with a conversation with a poet.  Maggie Brown is the real deal as you could presume by her nickname, "Danger".  Also, I continue my antics and, Today in This Week's News: Monthly, makes a triumphant 3rd appearance, in what seems to be a recurring segment on my podcast. Join me, guys !!

I was up to things this week when I ventured out to a "Reading" in Asbury Park, going by the name, "Words on Main".  Catch me street interviewing people as I corner Charles Joseph to figure out what his motivations in all this are and hear about a scene that's being stoked like a brush fire by all the poets involved.  Damian Rucci actually sets fire to your ears with his fire breathing approach to what I'd call, "Stampede" poetry.  Stampede, because you may find yourself involuntarily darting to the nearest corner, scuttling off to avoid being trampled. Poetry, because the flood teeming from this Reading Rainbow word wizard's mouth are mesmerizing like a lit torch to a bank robber. Updates on what I've been up to are included and stick around for my, "Today in This Week's News, Monthly", segment.

HAPPY MOTHALOVIN' PI DAY YOU CIRCLE-SUCKIN, SQUARE-PEGGED, CIRCUMFERENCE-STEALIN', DIAMETER-DORKS!!! I'm back and you probably didn't even realize I was gone.  That's right. I was off finding myself and realized I was already there.  Where you ask? Down in the Sungeon with lead singer/bass player of the thrash metal outfit, Hammer Fight.  Hear how his humble beginnings and dodgings of hate-crime styled pummelings led him to where he stands today.  Front-and-center of the scariest, loudest, fastest and sometimes downright offensive bunch of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.  Pre-order their upcoming release, Profound and Profane, wherever you find music and power these guys out of the two-thousand teens and into our very own roaring twenties.

What's up and welcome to another new year.  It's 2016 and I'm back with more mines for you and a lightly altered and mildly adjusted me to get us through the next 365 days.  Today I'm talking with a once dear friend of mine that I was lucky enough to reconnect with recently, Pete Lazarus.  In a world where anything goes Pete brings to us stories of drug use, abuse and the heartache that tends to follow.  How's he doing now? stay tuned to find out!

Join me today in saying good bye to 2015.  All the good, the bad, the things we're leaving behind and the things we'll be taking along for the ride into the new year.  Join my special guests as they pop in for a quick recap of the year and they share their triumphs as well as concerns moving ahead.  Also, I flash back and share clips of significant conversations in my first year of podcasting to illustrate certain highs, lows and everything in between. 2016, here I come!!

Dead Animals in Jars, zombie attacks, beards, burning Jack-o-lanterns, blood spatters and cigarettes can only mean one thing- Charlie Corpse is in town.  Charlie was kind enough to give me his phone number so I could harass him and pick his brain a little about how an individual gets to be so demented.

Joe Jennings joins me down the Sungeon via FaceTime today for a chat about  tour managing, managing chaos and kidnapping protocol.  What is it a tour manager does..? Who knows, really, but I get an inside look at the life of one-time aspiring film-maker turned globe trotting assembler of the cross country experience.

December 22, 2015 Highs & Lows

December 18-2015 Walking Tree at Slake, Manhattan

What's Ed Tang got hiding up in that head of his?  Raw talent and an urge to rock.  Joins us as we pick apart what came to be the story behind Ed Tang and the Chops and take a peek behind the scenes here at mines as Ed paints a vivid picture of the Sungeon for your listening ears.

December 17, 2015

December 16 2015

Landlines singer, guitar player, Gus Moore joins me today to chronicle his saga while holed up in a truck somewhere outside Houston.  Wanna know how Landlines was formed? Wanna know what made What About Frank? such a unique learning and listening  experience?  Open your ears and listen up, then, and check out some never before heard audio straight from the tinkering of the laser-beam vocal maestro himself.

I got Bob Hughes down the Sungeon today and we're answering an important question; Do you sit or do you stand?  Come check out our conversation where we speak candidly about growing up, coming into yourself and being one eighth of the comedy troupe, Blind Panda Humor.  And if you want to know what we're talking about when asking wether you sit or stand check out Blind Panda Humor's latest video where they explore the methods of cleaning up crack and cast your vote for the side on which you stand.

Join me this week to see what The Parlor Mob & Gods drummer, Sam Bey is up to.  It's always nice to catch up with an old friend, especially when it's someone I used to be in a band with so stay tuned and listen for a band practice style jam where I get to work out one of my more infamous riffs down in the Sungeon.

Today I'm talking with fellow creative forces from the other side of the country.  Freed, who got his start drawing in bibles, is a force the cartoon world will soon have to reckon with.  An artist, writer and cartoonist who will stop at nothing on his journey bound for the 1%.  And Joe Sparacino, a singer/songwriter hailing from Austin TX who will bring his ivory key talents to any port this world has to offer.  Listen as Kansas born piano-man, Dr. Joe, clings to his ambitions to self-produce his debut solo project, manning every instrument, and stay tuned to hear the smash hit, 'My Love For You Is Clean'.

Join me as I catch up with Scott Liss to see how he's doing settling into the LA lifestyle and grind.  I ask him about his craft and how he intends to go about putting a band together and ultimately, when his new album, 'Modern Isolation', will be coming out.  Also, Drew Murphy, recording engineer and sound guy extraordinaire stops by the Sungeon to share his stories and some secrets on how he goes about capturing sound.  He also takes me up on my request to have him mic me up in the Sungeon to let me be the one performing while a fully capable professional stands by. Check out my newest song, That Place, as performed by yours truly.

It's Thanksgiving eve and what better way to roll into a long night of catching up, drinking and recounting days of yore than with my latest conversation. Colin Carhart, drummer for Wreaths and all-in-one emcee, comedian and actor came to hang in the Sungeon.  Hear how the building blocks for Wreaths were discovered and slowly fit into place and the personal side of the tempo slaying, repetition-machine responsible for holding together the only piece of the sonic monster, Wreaths; who can be traced all the way through their guitar splashed, reverb soaked, mantra riddled peeks into the next dimension. Look for the release of Wreaths' well anticipated 6 track epic EP, Mr. Fang.

I had a blast this week catching up with my old friend and his brother, Tanmay and Abilash Buch.  Youngblood and Soap & Foam, respectively.  We talk electronic music, entrepreneurialism, reddit, music and movies as well as a Purple Suns reunion and possible episode.  Liz also joins us in a, "like old times" get together-style pow-wow and old wounds are reopened and hashed over.  Stay tuned for new music by Youngblood/Soap & Foam Collaboration, 'Misnomer', with the atmospheric, 'Go to Bed Pip Pip' and textury, guitar dream, fever trance, 'Seductress'.

Check out my first full band interview this week as I dig deep into the inner workings of Vextion; an up-and-coming rock band from the Jersey shore area.  Listen as newly married couple, Kate and Rob quibble over the mundane as, bass player, Max recalls finding the upstart band on Craigslist only to join forces and kick start a rock revolution.  Stay tuned to catch electrifying performances of the tunes, "Between the Lies" and "Falling Short".

Happy Birthday Wills Weller!!!  Join me today as I catch up with my good friend and drummer of Jersey psych-metal outfit, Toothgrinder,  as we nerd out about drums, bands, technique and being truly in love with your craft.  Also, learn what it's like for a newly signed band when it comes to recording, touring and keeping up with fans they meet out on the road.

What's up and welcome to another killer episode of mines.  Today I'm bringing you Greg Wilkins of Last Perfect Thing and diving deep into the history of the smash indie hit album, Hawaii.  Listen as Greg unravels the last 15 years of ups and downs and upside-downs the band had to endure to get itself to this point. Also, stay tuned until the end to check out a solo performance of the song 'Born to Stay'.

Welcome to my Connecticut road trip series, part 2.  This time I'm mainly recapping the goings-on of the weekend and finishing up the great conversation I had with my long time guitar journey bud, Frank Pascale.  Stick around for a live performance by me of one of my personal favorite tunes, written by yours truly; "A Cannibal Winter".

I'm glad you could join me this week as I recap the blast-of-a-weekend I had in September, as I embarked on my very first solo road trip. With my entire podcast equipment locker stuffed into my trunk, I was determined to make the 300 mile round trip journey to Connecticut and back; in my beat down 10 year old Saturn.  Listen as Frank Pascale and I take a trip down memory lane, recounting days of yore.  At the same time, we tie it all into our collaborative and solo spiritual, creative and musical journeys that have once again brought us together to display our latest and greatest abilities. Hear my recording, engineering and producing debut of Frank's "9 Muses" as a wrap to the episode.

Listen to me rant after waking up and checking out a beautiful east coast sunrise on the Jersey shore.  Also, meet the family that is the reason for me to keep going and continue my search for self and sanity.

The world of hip-hop is not ready for the likes of Ed Bonifide, better known as "Rusty Gills", as he brings to you his comic book inspired world in which he tells tales of slaying sea serpents and the everyday journeys of our hero.  Hear the world premier of "Jaws MF" right here on 'mines' and fill your ears with intense imagery and killer beats by the man himself, Paul Ritchie.

Welcome to my first Saturday episode where I introduce you to Tyler Veit.  An up-and-coming guitarist, singer/songwriter covering everything form psychedelic blues to coffee shop folk. Determined to string together a career in music, no matter the circumstances, Tyler documents and records every step along his journey to becoming the next big thing. Listen to performances off of his debut solo effort 'Blues from the Sun', enjoy.

Welcome to my first double episode where I take you on a trip down memory lane with  buddy of mine, Brian Graham, to catch up with the last ten years and see what this guitar wiz is up to in the present.  Plus, I get Donny Brady, gaming streamer extraordinaire, on the phone to get his take on the "free-cast" world that we are both plugged in to.  Listen as we conspire to turn our sweat equity internet presences into digital empires via listenership, sponsorships & any other steady income stream we can stick our fingers into.

Come dive into the world of indy hip-hop and elevated thinking with me and Andrew "Chosen" Robinson aka President Zen-1.  Go behind the curtain for a peek at the many forms one man can take, including lyricist, producer, hype man and president/CEO of Armageddon Records.  If anyone can take over the world via hip-hop/rap, it's Andrew.  "Philosopher's Stone" and "New World Order"

Known for slammin' skins for Brick Town based Heavy-Rock band, Empire Escorts, drummer Cameron Lockwood joins me down in the Sungeon where we go over things like putting a band together, self teaching drums & the antics that come with the territory.  As you will hear throughout this episode, Cam displays a take-no-prisoners approach when it comes to slaying drums & staking his claim as one of the Jersey shore's most prominent, active & technically skilled drummers on the scene.

Listen as Mark Melicia of the Parlor Mob describes his musical tastes and unfolds the story behind the making of his 1st solo EP, Lights in Love. Stay tuned to the end to hear live performances of "Wasted Heart" and "Purple Sky", from the aforementioned album now available through Bandcamp.com

Come kick it with me & Brian Saint, formerly of the band Republic, Brian Sinner & the Saints & currently of Delta Wave as he paints a picture of Asbury Park in the early 90's. Where the groundwork for the current culture sprung to life against the backdrop of the mystery of Asbury Park.  Are those live performances at the end?!! Yes!

Check out legendary Bluesman Kenny "Stringbean" Sorenson as he tells the tale of how his passion for the blues was born and how he honed his craft through collaborating & emulating on his journey to find his sound.  Check out the feel-good hit of the summer, "Take a Walk" as a bonus to the interview if you stay tuned.

Find out what local rock hero, Paul Ritchie is up to when he's not slowly taking over the world. From producing any of countless albums, from artists ranging from super rock trio to acoustic folk to heavy metal to engineering his own albums from his psychedelic dream plasma rock band, 'Gods' or the planet shattering mind blowing riff-monster that is The Parlor Mob.