THE AKIVA ABSTRACT

Branden Steineckert is an American drummer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and a rare connective figure between 2000s post-hardcore and modern punk rock.Best known today as the drummer of Rancid, Steineckert first made his mark as a founding member and original drummer of The Used, helping shape the band’s early sound, identity, and breakthrough era. His work appears on the band’s self-titled debut, Maybe Memories, and In Love and Death, releases that went on to become platinum-certified touchstones for a generation of emo, post-hardcore, and alternative rock fans.After The Used, Branden joined Rancid, stepping into one of punk rock’s most respected institutions and continuing a career built on endurance, reinvention, and underground credibility. Beyond the stage, he has worked across production, songwriting, directing, brand-building, and sports culture, including Ghost Pickleball and his role as the creator of Real Salt Lake’s anthem “Believe.”In this episode of The Akiva Abstract, Branden joins Akiva Alpert for a conversation about The Used, Rancid, punk rock, survival, sobriety, reinvention, band dynamics, creative independence, and what it takes to keep building a life in music after decades in the scene.Follow Branden Steineckert: @brandensteineckertFollow Rancid: @rancidFollow Ghost Pickleball: @ghostpickleballThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert, 10% off your first monthMuse: https://shorturl.at/wHKU9, use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze: https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6, use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber: https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs: use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI: https://prophetsofai.com/NordVPN: https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id…Mint Mobile: https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

Kevin Martin is the founding frontman of Candlebox, the multi-platinum Seattle rock band whose self-titled debut became one of the breakout rock albums of the 1990s.Candlebox was certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA and reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200, powered by defining singles including “Far Behind,” “You,” “Cover Me,” and “Change.” “Far Behind” became the band’s signature song, reaching No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later returning to the charts decades after its release.In this episode of The Akiva Abstract, Kevin joins Akiva Alpert for a conversation about Candlebox, the Seattle scene, songwriting, fame, survival, touring, the changing music industry, and what it means to keep moving forward after decades in rock and roll.Follow Kevin Martin: @iamkevinmartinFollow Candlebox: @candleboxCandlebox: https://www.candleboxrocks.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp — https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse — https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze — https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6 — use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber — https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs — use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI — https://prophetsofai.com/NordVPN — https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id…Mint Mobile — https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

Justin Pearson is an American musician, author, label founder, and one of the most singular figures in underground music.Best known for his work with The Locust, Dead Cross, Retox, Swing Kids, Deaf Club, Head Wound City, Some Girls, and Planet B, Pearson has spent decades shaping the outer edges of punk, hardcore, noise, grind, art rock, and experimental music.As the founder of Three One G Records, he has also helped document and define a fiercely independent world of confrontational, intelligent, and visually distinct underground culture. His life and work are the subject of the documentary Don’t Fall in Love with Yourself, which traces his role in underground music, Three One G Records, and the San Diego punk scene.Follow Justin Pearson: @justinpearson31gFollow Three One G Records: @threeonegThree One G Records: https://threeoneg.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp — https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse — https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze — https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6 — use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber — https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs — use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphets of AI — https://prophetsofai.com/NordVPN — https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id…Mint Mobile — https://trymintmobile.com/akiva

T.J. Miller is an American singer, musician, and the frontman of Still Remains, the Grand Rapids metalcore band known for blending crushing heaviness, soaring melody, emotional intensity, and atmospheric synths.Still Remains became a defining name of the 2000s metalcore era with albums including Of Love and Lunacy and The Serpent, released through Roadrunner Records. Their sound, live shows, and cult fanbase helped make them one of the era’s most recognizable heavy bands.Now, Still Remains return with their upcoming EP Spirit Breaker, out June 12.Follow T.J. Miller: @tjmiller_tjmillerFollow Still Remains: @stillremainsStill Remains Merch: https://stillremainsmerch.comThe Akiva Abstract Sponsors:BetterHelp — https://betterhelp.com/akivaalpert — 10% off your first monthMuse — https://shorturl.at/wHKU9 — use code AKIVAALPERT for 15% off your orderRyze — https://get.aspr.app/SH1mo6 — use code AKIVAALPERT15 for 15% off your orderEmber — https://ember.com/Eargasm Earplugs — use code AKIVA10 for 10% off your orderProphetic AI — https://propheticai.co/NordVPN — https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=101072&url_id=902Mint Mobile — https://trymintmobile.com/akiva