Lead Singer Syndrome

Lead Singer Syndrome (with Shane Told) is a podcast where 15 year touring veteran Shane Told (of Silverstein) interviews other lead singers to talk about what it's really like to front a professional, touring, Rock 'n Roll band.  

Episode 73: Dan Marsala (Story of the Year)

Shane's good friend and Story of the Year frontman Dan Marsala joins the show to talk about the upcoming crowd funded Story of the Year album, what it was like to get so much popularity so fast, and what the band has gone through over 15 years of ups and downs. Bonus: Dan and Shane discuss their bromantic past.

Episode 72: Walter Schriefels (Quicksand, RIval Schools, Gorilla Biscuits, Youth of Today)

Huge episode! Gorilla Biscuits guitarist / Quicksand singer / Rival Schools singer / Youth of Today bassist Walter Schreifels joins the show. A wearer of many hats since starting Youth of Today in the mid 1980's, Walter discusses the early days of New York Hardcore, how he got the confidence to transition from guitar player to lead singer, and the move to a major label for Quicksand and Rival Schools. Also discussed are his new super group Vanishing Life and his other project Dead Heavens.

Episode 71: Scott Lewis (Carnifex)

Carnifex's Scott Ian Lewis sits down with Shane before their show at Lee's Palace in Toronto. As frontman of one of the most "under the radar" bands in the Deathcore genre, Scott explains their struggle with former label Victory Records, their hiatus which got him through a hard period of time personally, and their revitalization and growth on the last two albums. Also discussed is Scott's approach to writing, his theatre background, and the current state of the Deathcore genre.

Episode 70: Matisyahu

Gold selling and Grammy nominated Jewish reggae superstar Matisyahu joins the show this week! This super unique chat includes: his change in appearance and how it affected his career, trying to find that "lightning in the bottle" mainstream success again, having a cult following, the art of improvising on stage, and bringing children on the road.

Episode 68: Justin Pierre (Motion City Soundtrack)

Motion City Soundtrack frontman Justin Pierre takes time away from cleaning his floors for a long chat with Shane. Recently, Motion City Soundtrack decided to call it quits after nearly 20 years of non-stop touring and putting out records both on indie and major labels. Justin and Shane discuss "retirement", his previous drug and alcohol problems, the struggles of singing and songwriting, the fake Silverstein/MCS beef on Warped Tour, and his upcoming solo record.

Episode 67: Shawn and Dennis of Alesana

Dennis and Shawn of Alesana take a little time out their day off on tour to call Shane from everyone’s favourite home away from home on tour - Starbucks. They talk everything from their enormous and unexpected success in Latin America, being a part time band, becoming almost completely DIY, and their elaborate song writing processes.

Episode 66: Scott Vogel (Terror, Buried Alive, Despair, Slugfest, Fadeaway)

Terror's Scott Vogel joins Shane after returning from Mexico where he was going through 2 weeks of surgery for his neck and back, after taking years of abuse as the frontman of various hardcore bands over the past 25 years. The conversation includes Scott's relationship with his family, the changing ethics in hardcore, "Vogelisms", and Shane's love of Scott's former band Buried Alive, who put out his favorite hardcore record of all time.

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Episode 65: Sherri DuPree Bemis (Eisley, Perma)

Eisley's Sherri DuPree-Bemis joins the show for a super honest and thorough chat about motherhood while still being a full time musician, getting signed to a major label at such a young age, taking over all the lead vocal duties on their new record, and her marriage to Say Anything frontman Max Bemis.

Episode 64: Jack Grisham (T.S.O.L., The Joy Killer)

Today we have a real Punk Rock LEGEND on the show. Mr. Jack Grisham of T.S.O.L. joins Shane to talk about the band being back together and on the Warped Tour after their debut record came out 36 years ago. Jack, notorious for his on stage antics, says he "never thought he'd live this long", and talks about the early days of the LA Punk scene, his practice as a hypnotherapist in California, and the song "Code Blue" which features the classic horror punk lyrics, "I want to fuck the dead". An awesome listen.

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Episode 63: Vic Fuentes (Pierce The Veil)

Pierce The Veil frontman, and Shane's old buddy Vic Fuentes joins the show (finally) to discuss growing up with punk rock and the importance of still incorporating it into his music, staying grounded and still striking the drums, and why it takes Vic so long to write. He also talks about his very long warm up ritual before shows, and how his Mom prefers when he sings in a lower register.

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Episode 62: Max Kerman (Arkells)

Arkells frontman Max Kerman joins the show to discuss the massive success they've had in Canada (Three top 5 albums, two number 1 singles, and multiple Juno awards including Group of the Year twice), his unique upbringing and high school life in Downtown Toronto, and their very last minute band name change that they are now forever stuck with.

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Episode 61: Davey Muise (Vanna)

At 8 months old, Davey Muise (of Vanna) was left abandoned in a dresser drawer as his drug lord parents were busted by the federal police in a massive raid in Boston, MA. The police found him hours later. He was adopted, but his adopted parents had a divorce. Later in his life, he had a child with a women he loved, and after raising the child for 2 months, he found out it wasn't his. Davey fell into darkness of depression and addiction, only to pull himself out using music. Now, he's not only the frontman of Boston's finest Vanna, but also traveling around America speaking at high schools about his story, inspiring kids to find their passion.

Episode 60: Mark Rose (Spitalfield)

Happy New Year!  Between Christmas and New Years I went on my first ever solo tour, and I brought along my old friend Mark Rose, who used to front the incredible (and criminally underrated) Spitalfield.  Mark has been playing solo for years, so I thought he could show me the ropes.  We talk about the transition from band to solo artist, the demise of Spitalfield, Victory Records, and his "custom song" company Down Write.  

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Episode 59: Sierra Kay (Neaux, Versa Emerge)

Where has Sierra Kay been? After a successful, albeit short career with Pop-Punkers Versa Emerge, Sierra has now started the very cool Brooklyn based indie/post-punk/shoegaze act Neaux with members of hardcore bands Trash Talk and Have Heart. She discusses that, what happened with Versa Emerge, her upcoming solo project - Bad Daughter, and what it was like to receive a gold record for her performance on an A Day To Remember track.

Check out the ALL ACCESS CLUB for as little as $6 a month you get access to bonus episodes, Q+A's with Shane, merchandise, and interaction on a private Facebook page with other fans and Shane himself!  check out:  http://patreon.com/allaccess

Episode 58: Matty Arsenault (A Loss For Words, manager of Pvris)

A Loss For Words frontman Matty Arsenault joins the show and describes their long career where they made plenty of friends, but never quite turned into a huge band in the pop-punk world. Matty discusses how playing with tough Boston hardcore bands felt natural, his dream to open a pizza shop in Japan, and how he picked up his newest gig, being the manager of Pvris.

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Episode 57: Rody Walker (Protest The Hero)(Unedited)

This week we have a unedited (well mostly) episode featuring Rody Walker of Protest The Hero.  The self-deprecating and hilarious frontman (“Most of the time it sounds really bad to me to be quite honest”) talks to Shane about finding his unique voice, struggling on tour, their unorthodox business model, catering to non-English speaking audiences, and how many bands these days in the metal world are using backing tracks.  We also discuss Margot Robbie and having to go #2 outside.  

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Episode 56: Lynn Gunn (Pvris)

Pvris frontwomen Lynn Gunn took time out of her busy recording schedule to join Shane for one of the most action packed episodes yet. At 22 years old, Lynn and Pvris have already played multiple Warped Tours, toured the whole world, and even performed at Lollapalooza. But with so much hype from their critically acclaimed debut record, how much pressure does she feel working on the follow up album? Other topics discussed include: being openly gay and how that factors into "Trump's America", taking vocal lessons and how her voice has changed since the first album, and her approach to on-stage banter.

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Episode 55: Frank Turner

Frank Turner (one of Shane's favourite artists) joins the show during a stop on tour in Toronto. Shane and Frank discuss getting older and the "2 day hangover", pushing yourself too hard, not minding using a tour pass at a festival, his 2000th show, and a lot more.

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Quotables:

“I got immersed in punk, hardcore, and metal, and one day went ‘holy shit has anyone heard of Bob Dylan?’” - Frank Turner

“I love the idea of being blown off the stage by support bands” - Frank Turner

“I like a challenge and particularly the states” - Frank Turner

“If all I ever was a gateway band for other bands than I’m all about that” - Frank Turner

Venues Mentioned In This Episode:

Bands & Artists Mentioned In This Episode

Final Song

Frank Turner - I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous

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