Houseboy was a Chicago-based pop‑punk/emo outfit that emerged in the mid‑1990s, co-founded by Brett Friesen (drums) and Ace Cowden (vocals/guitar) along with Daniel Garcia and Thom Lemke discogs.com +7 last.fm +7 skatepunkers.fandom.com +7 . Known for their high‑energy live shows—often opening for acts like Guttermouth, Samiam, and Face to Face—the band released a handful of catchy DIY recordings including the Last Friday’s Selfless Allstars 7″ and the full‑length Ya Right! before lineup changes and personal tragedy led them to disband in 1999 discogs.com +4 skatepunkmemories.blogspot.com +4 skatepunkers.fandom.com +4 . Despite a relatively short run, Houseboy became a staple of the Chicago punk scene and left behind a legacy of spirited melodic tunes celebrated by local fans and preserved on compilations like Achtung Chicago! Drei

I got Brett and Ace on the ZOOM and this is what we chat about:

• Seeing Green Day for $5
• Brett’s friend getting caught up with the mob
• Playing with Sublime at the Fireside
• Brett meeting his wife
• Punching a Mall Cop
• Stealing beer and getting chased by the cops
• Driver Eleven
• Stiffpole records
• Brian Granik
• Recording their last album
• Local H
• The reason the last album is greyed out on Spotify
• Reuniting recently
• And a ton more

Keep an eye out for their next album when it drops. They’re still writing it so it might take some time but you can follow them on their IG @houseboyband_official

Check out Brett’s discogs

Check out Ace’s discogs

Support the podcast for $1 on Patreon

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Moving Mountains is an American indie rock band known for blending post-rock ambiance with emo and post-hardcore intensity. Emerging from New York in 2005, they gained a devoted following with emotionally driven albums like Pneuma and Waves, praised for their cinematic soundscapes and introspective lyrics. Their music captures both quiet vulnerability and explosive power, earning them a lasting place in the hearts of fans across the alternative scene.

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

• Recording their new record
• Deep Elm
• Waves
• Why it takes so long to put out a record
• Their song Alleviate
• Triple Crown Records
• The alley money story
• Prawn
• Taking forever to release records
• And a ton more

Check out their first full-length album in 12 years—Pruning of the Lower Limbs, which is set for release on June 27 of this year—featuring ten tracks including the haunting lead single “Ghosts”.

Day at the Fair was a New Jersey-based pop punk band that gained attention in the early 2000s with their emotionally charged lyrics and catchy, melodic hooks. Best known for their 2005 album The Rocking Chair Years, the band blended heartfelt storytelling with energetic, anthemic soundscapes. Though their time was brief, they left a lasting impression on fans of the Drive-Thru Records era.

I got Rob on the Skype and this is what we chat about.

• The weird show at Mt Arlington Elks in Jersey
• Joining Lanemeyer
• Joining Scratch Kid
• Joining Humble Beginnings
• The antics of Humble Beginnings
• The Forever Endeavor
• Almost getting killed by Casey Lee Morgan
• Him being the reason Brian Fallon joined Lanemeyer
• The origins of Day at the Fair
• The Pain Game
• Signing to Drive Thru / Rushmore Records
• The Bees artwork on the LP
• The Mile After trying to out drink them
• Having weed in the Humble van while it’s getting searched
• The time he slapped me across the face
• And a ton more

Here are the links that I mention in the intro:

Check out his company www.aimplfy.com

Go see him play with Humble Beginnings

Go see him play with Day at the Fair

Go follow my IG @thiswasthescene

Gob is a Canadian punk rock band formed in 1993 in Langley, British Columbia, known for their high-energy sound and catchy melodies. They gained mainstream success in the early 2000s with hits like “I Hear You Calling” and “Give Up the Grudge,” blending skate-punk vibes with alternative rock appeal. Gob's relentless touring and fun-loving attitude earned them a loyal fanbase and a lasting spot in Canada’s punk legacy.

There’s a part at the end where I’m trying to think of the band Sunny Day Real Estate did a split with and it’s Circa Survive which I should have known since I love me some Circa.=

• Weezer’s bass player’s wife
• His first band By A Thread
• Bigwig
• Texas is the Reason
• Going from Goth to Punk
• The Singer playing in Sum 41
• NHL 2002
• Recording with Mark Trombino
• Playing the final SUM 41 shows
• Sunny Day Real Estate
• And a ton more

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Click here for my patreon
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Useless ID is a punk rock band from Haifa, Israel, known for blending melodic hardcore with emotionally charged lyrics. Formed in 1994, they gained international attention after signing with Kung Fu Records and collaborating with bands like The Ataris and producing with Bill Stevenson of The Descendents. Over the years, Useless ID has built a loyal global fanbase through relentless touring and a discography that spans introspective punk anthems to politically driven tracks.

I got Yotam on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Seeing Kid Dynamite in a New Brunswick Basement show
• Kris Roe
• Moving away from the Fat Wreck drum beat
• Being on Kung Fu Records
• Sugarcult
• Doing mushrooms at a festival
• Sharing a tour bus with The Used
• Bill Stevenson punching him in the stomach
• Did they like being on Fat even though the label sound changed
• A tip from Tony Sly that he still uses to this day
• Why they’re not currently playing
• The Pixies story
• And a ton more

Check out his label California Sounds.

Click here to support the podcast

American Steel is an influential punk rock band from Oakland, California, formed in 1995 by Rory Henderson and Ryan Massey. Known for blending melodic punk with elements of hardcore and folk influences, the group released notable albums like "Rogue's March" and "Jagged Thoughts" on Lookout! Records before moving to Fat Wreck Chords for later releases. After a hiatus in the early 2000s, during which members formed the band Communiqué, American Steel reunited in 2007 and continued to be recognized for their thoughtful lyrics and distinctive vocal harmonies. Their music is characterized by catchy hooks, energetic performances, and a sound that evolved from raw punk to more polished rock while maintaining their emotional intensity and political consciousness.

• Quitting drinking
• Tony Sly
• The band’s mission statement
• Getting on Lookout!
• Rogue’s March
• Getting kicked out
• Communique
• Getting on Fat
• Touring with the Lawrence Arms
• Toby from Red Scare Records
• Tips for giving merch sales to clubs when you're a band
• And a ton more

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise to a TON of New Jersey folk who love beer, tattoos, vinyl, and spending their hard earned cash then email me at thiswasthescene@gmail.com.

I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up.

Support the podcast by buying me a beer at my favorite vinyl shop

The Aquabats are an American rock band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California, known for their distinctive superhero personas and costumes. They blend elements of ska, punk, and new wave music with humorous lyrics and theatrical live performances featuring staged fights against costumed villains. Led by frontman MC Bat Commander (Christian Jacobs), the band gained wider recognition through their children's television series "The Aquabats! Super Show!" which aired from 2012 to 2014. Throughout their career spanning nearly three decades, The Aquabats have maintained a dedicated cult following while continuing to release albums and perform their energetic, family-friendly shows.

I got Ricky on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Assorted Jelly Beans
• Getting heckled on stage
• Almost becoming the drummer for Blink
• What did he bring to the Aquabats creatively
• Touring with the Offspring
• Yo, Gabba Gabba
• Do they always call each other by their stage names
• Josh Freeze
• And a ton more

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise on the podcast I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up at thiswasthescene@gmail.com or on my instagram thiswasthescene which you should also go and follow.

Click for sponsorship rates starting as low as $20

Support through paypal for $1/month

Dana Bollen is a podcaster, tour manager, merch guy, cow beller, and a ton more. You may have seen him around the country when he was selling merch for Story so Far, Piebald, UnEarth,

This is a different format from a normal interview because it’s mostly us talking about the scene, the behind the scenes of our podcasts, and basically just 2 dudes being dudes.

if you want a real behind the scenes of our podcasts then this is for you. If not, you still may enjoy it.

I got Dana on the Skype and this is what we chat about:

• Showing up to Piebalds 2016 reunion with a cowbell
• Currently being on the road with Poppy
• Getting a ton of his episodes taken down
• Both of us interviewing Max Bemis
• Our thoughts on Furnace Fest
• Jeremy from A Day To Remember giving the real story about suing Victory
• His undying love for Piebald
• Being a cowbell aficionado
• His brakes going out while driving on tour
• And a ton more

Make sure you check out his new 6 part mini series podcast called Live Free or DIY that will be hitting the streaming services this April or May.

It’s about the DIY punk/hardcore music scene. They have a panel that includes Norm from Texas is the Reason, Luke form Piebald, Chris from Bridge Nine Records, Ace from Early November, Joey from Koyo, Brandon from Vanna, and a ton more.

Lastly if you’re looking to advertise on the podcast I have pricing starting at $20 so just hit me up at thiswasthescene@gmail.com or on my instagram thiswasthescene which you should also go and follow.