Silversun Pickups bassist Nikki Monninger joins host Mike Gomoll on the Joey's Song Podcast for a warm, wide-ranging conversation ahead of the band's third year performing at Joey's Song. Nikki opens up about the band's latest collaboration with legendary producer Butch Vig — teasing a harder-edged sound and a January release timed near Freezing Man.

The conversation dives into the origin story of Silversun Pickups' relationship with Butch Vig, the "family" atmosphere that's grown around the Joey's Song community, and why the band keeps returning year after year to support epilepsy research. Nikki also reflects on meeting bandmate Brian Aubert during a study abroad program in Cambridge (and finally confirms that infamous airplane story), shares memories of the band's Rock Band fame with "Panic Switch," and talks about welcoming Marissa Paternoster and Hugo Burnham into the Joey's Song fold

Things wrap up with a fun round of This or That (Beatles or Stones, Seinfeld or Friends) and Overrated or Underrated (eight hours of sleep, vintage guitars, and the great debate over making your bed on tour)

Recorded October 7, 2025

Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to funding epilepsy research and treatment. Every stream, download, and share helps push that mission forward.

Learn more, buy tickets, or donate: https://joeyssong.org

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Dave, Ryan and Jeremy are joined by Butch Vig, Tanya Donelly, Gail Greenwood, Kay Hanley and Freedy Johnston to cover this CVB classic

She's the scene stealer of Joey's Song — and in this episode, you'll find out exactly why. Singer-songwriter Sierra Swan joins Joey's Song Founder Mike Gomoll for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. From touring the world with Ringo Starr to co-writing with Aimee Mann, from growing up as the daughter of legendary songwriter Billy Swan to singing on a Frank Black solo album with a black eye and a story she probably shouldn't tell — Sierra brings the kind of warmth, candor, and rock 'n' roll wisdom that makes her one of the most beloved recurring artists in the Joey's Song family. Sierra Swan is a Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and producer who has released multiple albums and EPs, most recently sharing exclusive new music with fans through her Substack community (Sierra Swan Music). Her collaborators read like a who's who of rock royalty: Ringo Starr, Linda Perry, Aimee Mann, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), and Frank Black of the Pixies — connections that go back to her famous father, Billy Swan, the songwriter and rockabilly artist who penned "I Can Help," rubbed elbows with Kris Kristofferson at the first-ever recording of "Me and Bobby McGee," and counted John Lennon among his superfans.

In this episode, Mike and Sierra cover: - What it was really like to tour with Ringo Starr — first class all the way, a tight-knit band van, and a love story backstage that Mike found deeply moving

- How Linda Perry pulled strings to get Sierra signed to Interscope — and why Aimee Mann ended up co-writing AND singing on one of her records - Growing up as Billy Swan's daughter — Nashville legends, a communal music scene, and why John Lennon was obsessed with her dad's music - The Frank Black story — a black eye, a wooden ladder, too many drinks, and an impromptu studio session she and her sister still can't believe actually happened - Sierra's take on what's gone wrong in the music industry: the death of the band, the streaming economy, the "grit" that disappeared with the '90s, and why she wakes up every morning tempted to pull her catalog off Spotify - Why Joey's Song feels like "summer camp" and "recess" — and what makes the Girls vs. Boys band format one of the most pure expressions of musical joy she experiences all year Plus: This or That (Beatles vs. Stones, Seinfeld vs. Friends, past vs. future), Overrated or Underrated (vintage guitars, eight hours of sleep, making your bed), and Sierra's Substack where paid subscribers get exclusive music you won't find anywhere on streaming. Joey's Song is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity with one mission: raise money so that research into treatments and cures for epilepsy gets the funding it needs. Our annual flagship benefit, Freezing Man, brings together some of the most talented independent artists in rock to perform, collaborate, and raise money for a cause that matters. Every listen, subscribe, and share helps us spread the word. #SierraSwan #JoeysSong #LINERnotesPodcast #EpilepsyAwareness #EpilepsyResearch #IndieMusicPodcast #RingoStarr #LindaPerry #AimeeMann #BillySwan #FrankBlack #Pixies #DaveStewart #MusicHistory #WomenInRock #IndependentArtist #FreezingMan #MusicPodcast #RockMusic #SongwriterPodcast