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 115: Rory Rodriguez (Dayseeker)

Happy birthday to Shane! But hey did you know Rory Rodriguez is one of the best frontman in the scene right now? Haven’t heard of Dayseeker? Well do yourself a favour and get to know a great band before everyone else on your block! The prolific frontman talks about his family struggles, personal struggles and how he ended up fronting an incredible band and what Shane think is an even more amazing solo career. With a couple amazing albums and some highly acclaimed covers including Adele’s “Hello”, the band is on their way to great success and big things - maybe you heard it here first.

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Episode 114: Joey Cape (Lagwagon, Bad Astronaut)

Lagwagon’s Joey Cape, frontman and songwriter of one of Shane’s all time favourite bands joins the show. He talks about how starting out he never wanted to be a singer (“I hate it, I really hate it”), accidentally writing melodies that sound like other songs, having his parents address on the first Lagwagon record for 20 years, the passing of original drummer Derrick Plourde and No Use For A Name frontman Tony Sly, the writing and legacy of the song May 16 - now known as “Lagwagon Day” and the “Joey Chord” - which Shane thinks gives them their unique sound.

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Episode 113: Aaron Pauley (Of Mice & Men, Jamie's Elsewhere)

This week I sit down to chat with the new frontman of Of Mice & Men - Aaron Pauley. After former frontman Austin Carlile announced he was leaving the band a year ago, California metal-core act Of Mice & Men decide not to replace him, but the keep the core of the band together and enlist bass player and clean vocalist Aaron Pauley with the duties. We talk about how daunting the task of singing and screaming a whole set is, writing the new album, the "bromance" of the rhythm section, and having your signature tattooed on someone's skin forever. We also talk about his former projects, including the criminally underrated Jamie's Elsewhere.

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Episode 112: Morgan Lander (KITTIE)

Morgan Lander, frontwoman/guitarist of Canada's own groundbreaking all-female metal band KITTIE is the guest of the show this week! After getting signed when they were still teenagers in high school, Kittie's debut album went on to sell over 600,000 copies and was certified gold. Morgan and Shane talk about the wild ride on the way to the top, working with legendary producer GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine), their family upbringing with a "non-musical" father for a manager, the sudden death of guitarist Trish Doan, and their new upcoming DVD documentary and live album, featuring never before seen footage of the bands 20+ year career.

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Episode 111: Justin Sane (Anti-Flag)

Shane calls Justin on his parents landline telephone for an in-depth chat about the past and present of Anti-Flag. The discussion includes the disappointment of legendary venues, working with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, their experiences with major labels, and his upbringing in an Irish-American family in Pittsburgh, PA.

Episode 110: Chris #2 (Anti-Flag, White Wives)

PART ONE OF A TWO PART MINI-SERIES WITH ANTI-FLAG! The honest and charismatic Chris #2 of Anti-Flag joins the show! As a bass player and hype man, occasional lead singer and stage banter master for Anti-Flag, Chris wears a lot of hats, and he wears them all very well. We talk about how band beef with Dropkick Murphys made him perfect his frontman skills and also led to a huge tour, his humble beginnings as an Anti-Flag super fan, and how they swindled their corporate major label out of a bunch of cash - which they used for a bunch of great causes. Subcribe! Next week we have frontman Justin Sane for part 2 of the Anti-Flag special.

Episode 109: Robb Flynn (Machine Head)

Happy New Year!!!! The outspoken and always entertaining Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn, joins Shane for a special episode kicking off the New Year! They discussing Robb now being considered a “legend” of Metal, playing 2.5 - 3 hour long sets with no openers, and receiving death threats over his “racism in metal” video which has accumulated almost 2 million plays on YouTube. The new Machine Head album, their 9th full length “Catharsis”, is out Jan 26th!

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Episode 108: Donovan Melero (Hail The Sun)

Lead Drummer Syndrome? Today we have the amazing singer/drummer of Hail The Sun, Donovan Melero. While on their first tour overseas with SIlverstein, we talk about their late blooming ways - finally signing to Equal Vision Records after being an underground band since 2009, his busy schedule also having a side job as a booking agent, and how difficult it is to play technical drums and sing at the same time. Also - Donovan talks about recording their new album with Beau Burchell (of Saosin) and almost spills the beans on their upcoming tour plans.

 

Looking for the coolest and best quality band merch? Check out rockabilia.com - all officially licensed and over HALF A MILLION unique items. The best part ? Use promo code PCLSS for 15% off your entire order right now!

Episode 107: Awsten Knight (Waterparks)

Go to rockabilia.com for all your band merch needs, and use promo code "PCLSS" for 15% off today!!!!!! Awsten Knight, frontman of Waterparks, is this weeks guest! The always candid (and hilarious) singer/guitarist of Houston Pop-Punk sensations joins Shane on the phone from a Starbucks in Lafayette, Louisiana. At the tail end of their first ever national headline tour, they discuss getting discovered in an unlikely way, working with Benji and Joel from Good Charlotte, his strange hip-hop side project "Felony Steve", and why he has "beef" with John from The Maine.

Episode 106: Garrett Russell (Silent Planet)

He's BACKKKKKK! So excited to have my friend Garrett Russell (Silent Planet) back on the show. On the eve of their big trek to Europe, we discuss their well deserved APMA award for Best Underground Band, his recent success at managing his own and other bands, doing Warped Tour in a van (!!)and their hustle for free food (and money!) on tour. Always a treat.

Episode 105: Tobi Duncan (Trash Boat)

Trash Boat frontman Tobi Duncan joins the show to really talk some shit! All jokes aside, Tobi speaks candidly about the success Trash Boat has had so quickly on their first record, literally living his childhood dream of selling out the London Underworld, working with idol Dan "Soupy" Campbell and the pressure they're currently feeling having to make their sophomore album.

Episode 104: Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace)

Stoked for this episode! One of the greatest Canadian bands of all time, the multi-platinum selling Our Lady Peace has been continually putting out great records since 1994's "Naveed". Raine Maida, frontman, songwriter, guitarist and producer joins Shane to discuss their incredible legacy, working as a producer with artists like Pink and Avril Lavigne, his marriage to Chantal Kreviazuk, and their tour celebrating 20 years since the release of the Diamond selling (!) album "Clumsy"

Episode 103: Dustin Kensrue (Thrice)

Thrice frontman Dustin Kensrue, one of the most requested guests, joins the show this week! We talk in depth about their constant reinvention of their sound, their die hard fan base, religion, signing to a major label, and how much he hates the vocals on the first 4 Thrice albums.

Episode 102: Josh Todd (Buckcherry, Josh Todd and the Conflict)

Buckcherry frontman Josh Todd joins the show this week! An electric performer and true rockstar, his mutiplatinum selling band is known for hits like "Crazy Bitch" and "Lit Up". Josh and Shane talk about how perception isn't always reality when it comes to image, his upbringing in the 1980's in the California rock scene, the video shoot for "Crazy Bitch", and his new solo side project Josh Todd and The Conflict.

Episode 101: Blöthar (GWAR)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! On this special Halloween edition of LSS, I speak with The Berserker Blöthar of GWAR! Sometimes going by his "earth slave name" of "Michael Bishop", we discuss his entry back into the band after nearly 2 decades following the death of original GWAR frontman Dave "Oderus" Brockie. Also discussed is their stint on Warped Tour, how much work it really is being in a band like GWAR, and what happened the first tour when they started shooting blood on the crowd.

Episode 100: Tim McIlrath (Rise Against)

HAPPY 100th EPISODE EVERYONE! To celebrate, I speak with my good friend, and frontman of Rise Against, Tim McIlrath. We talk about the formation of Rise Against from the ashes of another punk band, their extremely unlikely mainstream success and the story behind "Swing Life Away", and how important it is to continue to spread their message on a bigger platform. An eyeopening must listen!

Episode 99: Matt Heafy (Trivium)

Episode 99! THE GREAT ONE Matt Heafy of Trivium joins the show! 4 years ago, Matt completely blew out his voice. Since that moment, which he thought was the end of his career, he's worked incredibly hard in all aspects of his life. We discuss his intense warm up and practice schedule, his recent love of Brazillian Jiu-jitsu, his pop-punk roots, and how it was to deal with Hurricane Irma.

Episode 96: AJ Perdomo (The Dangerous Summer)

Shane gives AJ Perdomo of The Dangerous Summer a call, to discuss THEIR RETURN! Exciting news! They're back, with a new album already finished. AJ speaks of what caused the demise of the band, his vocal style on their last album, and what he's been up to for the last 4 years. A super honest discussion and a must listen!