I’m honored to welcome Russ Rankin to Caught On The Mike.

As the longtime frontman of Good Riddance, Russ has spent decades creating music rooted in urgency, conviction, and an unmistakable punk rock spirit. But this conversation is about where he is right now. With Good Riddance releasing Before The World Caves In earlier this year and Russ now releasing his new solo EP, A Season In Hell, there’s a lot happening creatively.

We talk about the freedom of creating outside of Good Riddance, the personal themes behind songs like “What Brand Of Hell,” and his decision to transform The Records’ “Starry Eyes” into a heavier, faster version that carries his hardcore DNA. We also get into songwriting, poetry, finding inspiration in unexpected places, and what continues to push Russ forward after more than three decades of making music.

Getting the opportunity to have this conversation with someone whose music has meant so much to so many people was genuinely an honor.

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In this episode, I sit down with filmmaker, screenwriter and former Sunset Strip rocker Craig A. Williams, co-director of If These Walls Could Rock, the documentary exploring the legendary Sunset Marquis and its six decades at the center of rock ’n’ roll history.

Craig’s connection to the Marquis goes back more than a decade, when he was first brought in to tell the story of the iconic West Hollywood hotel. What he discovered was far more than a collection of wild rock-star stories. The Sunset Marquis became a rare sanctuary where artists could escape the spotlight, create, connect and simply be themselves.

We get into how a relatively hidden hotel became part of the stories of Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Slash, Dave Grohl, Cyndi Lauper, Sheryl Crow, Morrissey and countless other artists. We also talk about the challenge of separating rock ’n’ roll mythology from the stories that could actually be documented, some of the unbelievable moments that didn't make the final film, and what Craig learned from spending years surrounded by this incredible history.

But at the heart of If These Walls Could Rock is an unexpected story about family. We talk about founder George Rosenthal and his son Mark, whose complicated relationship ultimately became an important part of the hotel's story and gives the documentary an emotional center beyond the sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll.

Craig also shares what it was like to return to a place he once dreamed about as a teenage musician on the Sunset Strip and ultimately become one of the people responsible for telling its story.

If These Walls Could Rock is ultimately about much more than a hotel. It’s about music, creativity, community, privacy, legacy and the places that become part of our stories.

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In this episode of Caught On The Mike, I’m talking with sFox, the multi-instrumentalist and producer behind the mysterious creative project MASKS.

MASKS recently released its debut EP, First Life, a five-track introduction to a much larger universe that extends beyond music into graphic novels, visual storytelling and online content. sFox uses the literal mask as an “ego hack,” creating distance between the artist and the work so the music can exist without the distractions that often come with identity and expectation.

We talk about the philosophy behind MASKS, the influence of artists like Peter Gabriel, The Blue Nile and Doves, the idea of music being something to inhabit rather than simply understand, and the creative process behind “Every Little Light,” the final song to arrive for First Life.

This is a conversation about anonymity, ego, storytelling, world-building and what happens when an artist chooses to let the art speak before the artist does.

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In this episode of Caught On The Mike, I sit down with Stand Atlantic for a conversation about their evolution, finding their identity after more than a decade together, and the freedom that comes with finally being comfortable with who you are.

We talk about the band's new era, the decision to embrace happiness and genuine connection in their songwriting, and the raw, live approach they took while making their upcoming fifth album, GODBREATH.

Stand Atlantic released their latest single, “NEXT2U,” on September 25. The song puts a different spin on the traditional love song, focusing on chosen family, friendship, homesickness, and the people who make you feel at home when you're away. “NEXT2U” is the final single ahead of GODBREATH, which arrives October 23 via Virgin Music Group.

We also talk about longevity versus chasing viral moments, staying authentic in an increasingly processed music landscape, and what the next chapter looks like for a band that has already built a global audience with more than 500 million streams and tours alongside artists including A Day To Remember, I Prevail, Simple Plan, Story of the Year and Silverstein.

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In this episode, I sit down with Sam Hoyos of Long Island power pop and punk band Playing Dead to talk about the band’s latest chapter and their new split EP with Best Bones, arriving September 15.

Playing Dead has spent years developing a sound built around big guitars, infectious melodies, harmonies, and unforgettable hooks while pulling influence from punk, indie rock, garage rock, and power pop. On the new split EP, the band takes a more sentimental approach with “Going Back Home” and “Two Fourteen,” two songs that explore a more personal and emotional side of Playing Dead.

Sam and I talk about the songwriting behind the new songs, how Playing Dead has continued evolving throughout its extensive catalog, and why melody and a great chorus remain at the center of everything they do. We also dig into Sam’s unique songwriting process, the influence of bands like The Get Up Kids, Lemonheads, Superdrag, Samiam, and Face to Face, and the challenges of building an audience as an independent band in today’s music landscape.

We also get into the Long Island music community, the importance of peer respect within an underground scene, Playing Dead’s DIY approach, their recent shows with artists including Chuck Ragan, Codefendants, and Gracer, and what comes next for a band that continues creating music simply because they love doing it.

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On this episode, I sit down with Raynes to talk about one of the most unconventional band origin stories I’ve come across. What started with Mat and Joe discovering Mark through an Instagram video eventually became a band, a nine year journey, millions of streams, international touring, and the release of their debut album, Radio Remind Me.

We talk about how Raynes found their unique blend of alternative pop, rock, electronic music, and cinematic songwriting, along with the personal experiences behind songs like Josephine and Roses All Over. We also get into the themes of nostalgia, memory, self worth, comparison, ambition, and the pressure that comes with chasing a dream for nearly a decade.

I also wanted to know what happens when the dream you have spent years pursuing finally starts becoming reality. From discovering each other online to playing major festivals and building an international audience, Raynes have created a story that is just as interesting as the music itself.

This conversation is about music, memory, ambition, friendship, and the strange journey of figuring out who you are while trying to become the artist you always wanted to be.

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In this episode, I sit down with Drew McManus, the artist behind Satsang, to talk about his new album ELOHIM and the experiences that shaped both the music and the person behind it.

Drew and I get into the evolution of Satsang, finding purpose through music, personal transformation, spirituality, fatherhood, recovery, faith, creativity and what happens when an artist allows life experience to become part of the work. We also talk about the making of ELOHIM, the meaning behind the album, and how Drew continues to grow as a songwriter and performer while building a deeper connection with his audience.

This conversation goes beyond the typical new album interview. We talk about the highs and lows that come with creating a life and career on your own terms, the lessons that come with getting older, and the idea that sometimes the music we create reflects the person we are still becoming.

For me, that's what makes conversations like this so meaningful. I'm always interested in what makes people who they are, what shaped them along the way, and how those experiences ultimately find their way into their art.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Matty Mullins and Christian McAlhaney of Anberlin for a conversation about the band’s next chapter and their new album, Currency.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Anberlin, and I’ve also followed the work these two have done outside the band, including Christian’s time with Acceptance and Matty’s career as the frontman of Memphis May Fire. I previously had Stephen Christian on Caught on the Mike about two years ago, so this conversation also gave me an opportunity to revisit Anberlin’s story from a completely different perspective.

We talk about Currency, the songwriting and recording process behind the album, the decision to revisit older unfinished material, and how Anberlin continues to evolve while maintaining the DNA that has defined the band for nearly 25 years. Matty and Christian also get into the themes of hope, perseverance, identity and reinvention that run throughout the record, including the singles “Neverafter” and “Trenches,” which features Switchfoot.

We also talk about Anberlin’s legacy, the importance of allowing a band to grow without running away from its past, the creative chemistry within the current lineup, collaborating with outside writers, and what it means to discover Anberlin for the first time in 2026.

For me, this conversation is ultimately about something bigger than a new album. It’s about what happens when artists have the opportunity to take everything they’ve learned from the past and use it to create something that still feels alive in the present.

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