On today's episode I'm joined by Rody Walker, vocalist and lyricist of Protest the Hero, ahead of their return to Atlantic Canada in November.

We talk about their new record, Within, the childhood friendship connecting “Liberty Spike” and “Led Astray,” and getting older without getting jaded. Rody explains how he writes vocals over the band’s complicated instrumentals, why he values character over technical perfection, and what it’s like putting more of himself into his lyrics.

We also get into politics, fatherhood, coaching his son’s undefeated baseball team, a Leafs playoff disaster in New Brunswick, some Moosehead research, and Rody shopping for an I Was a Spy CD.

Topics include:

• Touring Atlantic Canada with Choke and Kaonashi

• The band’s punk roots and East Coast memories

• The story behind “Liberty Spike” and “Led Astray”

• Grief, gratitude and growing older

• Politics, parenthood and YouTube

• Writing lyrics, vocal melodies and arrangements

• Vocal characters and “Grandfather’s Axe”

• Coaching an undefeated baseball team

Within is available now. Music, merch and tour dates: https://protestthehero.ca/

Protest the Hero photo credit: Sandra Lee Layden

Modifications made (cropping and graphic design).

The Radical Fabulatorium:

https://www.patreon.com/theradfab

https://www.instagram.com/theradfab

https://www.twitter.com/theradfab

https://www.facebook.com/theradfab

https://www.johnadamian.com

https://www.theradfab.com

#theradicalfabulatorium