Grade were a key part of Victory Records' late-90s surge, blending hardcore intensity with emotional depth and forward-leaning songwriting. Their music felt restless and urgent, pushing beyond genre lines without losing the raw energy that defined the scene. Releases like Under the Radar and Headfirst Straight to Hell helped bridge hardcore, post-hardcore, and early emo influences at a pivotal moment. Though their time was brief, Grade left a lasting imprint on the Victory era by proving heaviness and vulnerability could coexist.

I got Greg on the Zoom and this is what we chat about

• Almost being a pro BMX rider
• Calling themselves Rebirth for a hot second
• Not being as big as some people thought
• Almost getting on Revelation Records
• Victory Records
• Under the Radar
• Inner band turmoil
• The A Year in the Past... Video
• The story behind the album cover
• Why Kyle won't talk about the band
• Kyle's current voice issues
• And a ton more

Lastly I'm opening my skills back up to graphic and video offerings to the following:

Design support includes:

• Branding and visual identity
• Marketing and campaign design
• Social, print, and digital assets

Video work includes:

• Podcast video clips
• Short-form content for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, and ads
• Long-form edits for interviews, webinars, and YouTube
• Sizzle reels and brand videos
• Explainer and marketing video edits
• Captioning, on-screen text, and light motion graphics

If any of this lines up with something you need, email mike@drive80.com

Avery is a pop-punk band that started in the NJ music scene in 1999. What started as just Nina on bass and Janet singing while playing drums, evolved over the years, with Jess coming on as guitarist, Janet moving up to vocals and keys, and Mike joining on drums. Over the next 10+ years, Avery played hundreds of shows including multiple festivals, toured nationally, and released two records. Avery songs were also featured on multiple television shows on Nickelodeon, Disney, and MTV. The band also wrote the theme song for a commercial for Rebelle Friendship Bags. After a 10 year hiatus, Avery reunited in the summer of 2019 for a series of reunion shows with fellow bands from the NJ pop punk music scene. Though the members are split between the east and west coast, Avery will continue playing occasional shows throughout the year (it was way too fun not to do it again).

I got Janet and Nina on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• Growing up together
• Pillow changing their minds about starting a band
• How they felt at shows
• The origins of the name Avery
• Recording at Portrait Studios
• Their connection to Black Flag and the Misfits
• Breaking Marky Ramone's drumset
• Nina's sparkle bass
• Getting songs played on Nickelodeon and Disney
• How did the band end
• Playing the 2019 show after one practice the night before
• And a ton more

Click here to hire my Sister who's a Realtor in Plymouth, MA
Click here for Piebald's upcoming shows

Click here to Check out Janet's DJ night Sun, Dec 14 at 2:30 PM at Wonderville on 1186 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York.

Chooch were a 5 piece power punk group from Pittsburgh. Debut ep recorded in 1997, group disbanded a couple years later with a brief reunion in 2002

• Alice Cooper
• Having 2 bass players
• The Electric Banana
• Pollen
• The Rockin A Tard Place Compilation
• My Pal Trigger
• The Kevin Seconds show
• Ryan Greene
• Cleaning up the album that they still haven't put out
• And a ton more

Click here for Ace Enders/Chris Barker's Dec 19 show

Click here to support the podcast

Rye Coalition came out of Jersey City in the early nineties and quickly built a reputation as one of the most fearless and inventive bands in the post-hardcore world. They toured with heavyweights like Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, and The (International) Noise Conspiracy, earned praise from outlets including Spin, Pitchfork, and The Village Voice, and worked with legendary producers Steve Albini and Dave Grohl. Their documentary "Rye Coalition: The Story of the Hard Luck 5" became a cult favorite, cementing their status as one of the most underrated but widely respected bands of their era. Loud, chaotic, swagger-filled, and always a little dangerous, they were the group other musicians whispered about as a secret influence. If you know, you know.

I got Ralph on the Zoom and this is what we chatted about:

• John Hiltz
• Gern Blandsten Records
• What bands inspired their live show
• Did their music stand for anything?
• Recording with Steve Albini
• recording with Dave Grohl
• What did signing to Dreamworks do for the band
• And a ton more

Be on the lookout for some old music of theirs to release in 2026 and follow their instagram.

Click here for Herbs GofundMe

Sleepytime Trio formed in 1995 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, originally as a side project of Maximillian Colby. Known for their volatile, emotional sound and chaotic live shows, they quickly became a defining force in the late 90s post-hardcore scene, sharing stages with bands like Hot Water Music, Frodus, and Shotmaker. After a hiatus in 1998, members went on to form acts like Engine Down, Rah Bras, and Milemarker before reuniting to tour again. Their definitive discography, remixed by J. Robbins and remastered by TJ Lipple, showcases all their studio recordings and captures the raw energy that made them legendary.

In 2024, Solid Brass Records partnered with Sleepytime Trio and their longtime label, Lovitt Records, to work on a vinyl discography to memorialize this important band. The definitive Sleepytime Trio discography to date is packaged in a single pocket gatefold LP sleeve with complete lyrics. It also includes an 8-page zine/booklet featuring an extensive show list, behind-the-scenes notes, photos, and memories from friends of the band. There is a BONUS insert also included in this pressing only!

I got Drew on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• 911
• His thoughts on still touring
• Fan tattoos
• The meaning of 4 AM Friday
• Their album artwork
• Writing songs with no lyrics
• Never having bad shows
• Ink and Dagger
• Why they chose to be on different labels with their releases
• Butterscary Flies
• re issuing Memory Minus Plus Minus
• Drive Like Jehu
• And a ton more

Go buy their vinyl here

Park was an emo/indie rock band from Springfield, Illinois, active primarily in the late '90s and 2000s. Known for their heartfelt lyrics, melodic guitar work, and driving rhythms, they gained a loyal underground following with albums like No Signal and It Won't Snow Where You're Going. Though they disbanded in 2007, their music remains a staple of the Midwest emo scene and continues to influence new bands today.

• His book
• Dirty Sara
• The No Knife and Jimmy Eat World show
• Almost ending the band before signing to Lobster Records
• Dynamite Boy
• Getting a better response on the West Coast
• Their album It Won't Snow Where You're Going
• Playing the Warped Tour
• Their Blink 182 cover for a tribute album
• What lead to releasing Jacob the Rabbit in 2014
• And a ton more

Keep an eye out for some upcoming news from them on their instagram

Grab his book Theory Markspurn here

Support the podcast here

Hamilton St Cafe & Stage in Bound Brook, NJ was a beloved hybrid venue that blended a cozy café atmosphere with an intimate stage for live music. Throughout the early 2000s, it became a cultural hub for local and touring punk, indie, and alternative acts, fostering a tight-knit community. Though it closed in 2007 after severe flooding, it's still remembered fondly as a cornerstone of the NJ music scene.

I got Adam on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• The Melody Bar
• Picking Chris Ross' brain
• How Hamilton St opened
• The random box story
• The Palace
• Opening night
• My Chem and Jack Antinoff
• The cocaine story
• Getting in a fight with the dude from LFO
• The World/Inferno Friendship Society
• Myths and Legends about the place
• Johanna Angel
• Was it haunted
• Closing down
• And a ton more

Go check out Into the Void Printing run by Alf from Ex Number Five - https://www.intothevoidprintco.com/

and Autodidact Brewery

From Indian Lakes is an American indie rock band formed in 2009. The band's sound generally incorporates elements of pop, acoustic, emo, shoegaze, and rock creating a distinctive blend that has earned them a dedicated following. They recently released their album "HEAD VOID" and continue to tour, representing a mature evolution of Vannucchi's songwriting that began in California's mountain communities.

I got Joe on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:

• His band Hard Chiller
• Loving the Deftones
• Copeland
• Tooth n Nail Records
• Triple Crown Records
• having stage freight
• What does he write about
• Absent Sounds
• Turning down a Thrice tour
• Recording an album with the dude who produced Gotye
• Putting out their own records
• Their latest record Head Void
• And a ton more

Go check out their latest album Head Void on Spotify or Buy it Here