(Don't) Quit Your Day Job
227 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 36 ratingsDid you move to LA in the 80's to make it on Sunset Strip? There are many stories about making music for a living. Sometimes you need a day job and sometimes you play the worst gig. Let's talk about the stuff that happened with people who have "made it" or "come close" or played to a dog in an otherwise empty room. There are funny and enlightening stories out there, so I started a podcast to tell these stories.
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Episodes
Episode 27 with Kevin Koch: Showmanship is Trying Not to Look Like a Moron in Photographs
April 19, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 68.9 MBIn this episode, we talk to Kevin about stick twirls and other aspects of drummer performance artistry. Plus mailmen love dogs, unless they are assholes; musical theater experiences; breaking gear; and the possibility that non-drummers are ogres when they get on the kit. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, and This is the Modern World by The Jam. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katz...
Episode 26 with Mark Tremalgia: You Take a Solo; The Best Steve Stevens Story
April 15, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 81.1 MBIn this episode, Mark tells us an amazing and funny story about playing with Steve Stevens (of Billy Idol fame). Plus finishing up the new Los Cruzados record, recording and playing while drunk, jamming with Mitch Perry and Dug Pinnick (King's X) and guitar player volume wars. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/pa...
Episode 25 with Kevin Koch: Is It Possible to Separate the Artist From Their Politics?
April 12, 2021 13:00 - 28 minutes - 64.2 MBIn this episode, we talk to Kevin about politics in music and whether it is possible to separate the artist from their politics. Plus, changing names from The Me Too's to Los Vampiros Amarillos; opening for The Posies, and describing your band's sound and building cool show bills. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, and This is the Modern World by The Jam. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on show...
Episode 24 with Mark Tremalgia: Are You Gonna Play With More Gain?
April 08, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 66.4 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about trying out for Little Caesar, getting comfortable in the band and dealing with occasional nerves. Feeling pressure when putting out his "Sunday Solos". Plus Try outs on the LA scene including a couple of disasters like auditioning for Love/Hate with a blown up Marshall. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions ...
Episode 23 with Jakob Braun: The Only Way to Clean Your Lederhosen Is With a Goat
April 05, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 81.6 MBIn this episode, Jakob tells us about moving from technician to accordion player and learning more than 120 songs. Is the mark of success having your own bartender onstage while playing in a beer tent? Plus playing huge shows and missing the tiny dive bar, adapting EDM into pop songs, and recording bands remotely. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https://www.facebook.com/katzulhu Jakob is a working mu...
Episode 22 with Mark Tremalgia: Big Shows With Famous Drummers and Baseball With Bagwell
April 01, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 69 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about playing big shows with famous drummers and resulting nerves; the name-dropping episode! Plus playing with Jon E. Love and the Haters, playing baseball with Jeff Bagwell, and friends from Connecticut who found success including Matt Starr and Rivers Cuomo. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.fac...
Episode 21 with Jakob Braun: Recording in Rehearsal Spaces and Taking Advantage of Opportunities
March 29, 2021 13:00 - 31 minutes - 71.5 MBIn our first episode with Jakob Braun, we learn about building a recording studio and making a career out of recording in rehearsal spaces and taking opportunities as they arise. Plus opening for Mad Caddies, engineer vs. producer, real amps vs. digital amps, and recording bands before they are ready. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https://www.facebook.com/katzulhu Jakob is a working musician and pr...
Episode 20 with Mark Tremalgia: Wearing Your Guitar High and Hanging With Joe Perry
March 25, 2021 13:00 - 27 minutes - 63.4 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about bad nicknames (hello "Mark Blaze") and looking cool while wearing your guitar high. Hanging out with Joe Perry and Johnny Depp. Plus how he got a sideman gig with Linda Perry, playing all the hits, and going home for a visit as a rock star. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul...
Episode 19 with Kevin Koch: Are You a Brick Guy or a Rug Guy?
March 22, 2021 14:00 - 33 minutes - 77.4 MBIn this episode, we talk to Kevin about using bricks or rugs to hold the drum kit in place. Plus we discuss favorite venues in Pittsburgh, canceled gigs in the wake of the plague, livestreaming, roasting bands on social media and preparation for recording. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, and This is the Modern World by The Jam. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Production...
Episode 18 with Loren Molinare: Opening for Kiss and Moving from The Dogs to Little Caesar
March 18, 2021 14:00 - 30 minutes - 70.5 MBIn this episode, Loren tells us about opening for Kiss. Twice. Plus hustling to play gigs and make money in NYC in the early seventies, the dream of getting signed to a label, moving from The Dogs to Little Caesar and working in artist relations after the break-up of Little Caesar in the early 90's. Check out the newest video from The Dogs here: https://youtu.be/EqUuDM6uheI Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.nei...
Episode 17 with Kevin Koch: Keep the Day Job or Go on Tour?
March 15, 2021 14:00 - 27 minutes - 62.4 MBIn this episode, we talk to Kevin about whether or not the Post Office is a federal Agency and if there is any danger of closure. Plus we ask if Kevin would walk away from the security of his day job to go on tour with Paul Weller, talk about bad nights, preferred performance slots and sharing gear. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costello, and This is the Modern World by The Jam. Paul works a day job and puts out vin...
Episode 16 with Loren Molinare: Opening for MC5 and Getting The Dogs Out of Detroit
March 11, 2021 15:00 - 28 minutes - 66.2 MBIn our first episode with the guitarist from The Dogs and Little Caesar, Loren Molinare tells us about starting The Dogs while still in high school and opening for MC5. Plus moving to Detroit and then NYC in the early seventies, the many other guitar players in Little Caesar and working a day job for Korg and Blackstar. Check out the newest video from The Dogs here: https://youtu.be/EqUuDM6uheI Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www....
Episode 15 with Mike Dunn: Cover Band Break-up Drama
March 08, 2021 15:00 - 34 minutes - 77.9 MBIn this episode, we talk to Mike about finding potential band members from Craig's List and playing the worst gig ever while trying to recruit new band members. Plus learning to play from guitar tab before learning how to tune your guitar and band break-up drama. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https://www.facebook.com/katzulhu Mike works a day job and plays guitar sometimes.
Episode 14 with Mark Tremalgia: Over the Donner Pass In a Snow Storm
March 04, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 71.9 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about giving lessons until your students die, joining the Chambers Brothers and seeing your face on a giant arena screen while you are playing. Plus the complications of splitting songwriting credits, hanging out with Warren Haynes, rehearsing with Quincy Jones and The Brothers Johnson and driving over the Donner Pass in a snow storm without resorting to cannibalism. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/1015866262...
Episode 13 with Mike Dunn: Cover Bands and Jimmy Page Licks
March 01, 2021 15:00 - 36 minutes - 82.6 MBIn this episode, we talk to Mike about learning Jimmy Page licks and then having fun playing in cover bands in the suburbs of Chicago which includes all of the important topics like drinking Coors Light, starting songs in the wrong tuning, and realizing that no one cares about your gear. Plus playing so loud that you get dizzy, and not wanting to be a better band. Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https...
Episode 12 with Mark Tremalgia: Becoming a Guitar Teacher and the Most Commonly Requested song
February 25, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 72.3 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about Los Angeles landmarks in the late eighties including Tower Records, Hamburger Hamlet and watching Stevie Wonder jam at Guitar Center; jamming with Rivers Cuomo back in CT; plus working at Sam Ash and meeting every musician in LA and moving into teaching guitar. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://w...
Episode 10 with Kevin Koch: Musical Theater to Mailman
February 22, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 72.6 MBIn this episode, we talk to Kevin about his career arc from working as an actor in musical theater to enjoying his day job as a mailman while playing in bands as a drummer. We discuss meeting Dick Dale and the positives of having the security of a day job. We wonder who was the definitive singer in Jesus Christ Superstar. Plus, the best and worst gigs and opening for The Posies. Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Costell...
Episode 11 with Mark Tremalgia: Butter knives in Houston Restaurants
February 18, 2021 15:00 - 33 minutes - 76.7 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about "what if" scenarios for his bands that were so very close to being signed. Plus, the big tour that fell apart featuring Bang tango, Bullet Boys, Enuff Z’Nuff and Pretty Boy Floyd; getting strings changed by someone who should not change strings; how weekly tour payments work and the end of Mark's time in Bang Tango. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vin...
Episode 9 with Kevin Koch: Nerding Out With the Drummer
February 15, 2021 15:00 - 27 minutes - 62.3 MBIn this episode, I start the conversation with Kevin Koch who enjoys his day job as a mailman and uses his vast knowledge of rock history to play drums. We talk about the impact of the pandemic on bands and venues and we tackle the important questions like; are drummers the worst? Can you be a guitar player and a drummer? Why does one decide to be a drummer in the first place? Plus, Kevin is not a drum teacher, but suggests playing along to The Beatles Anthology, My Aim is True by Elvis Cost...
Episode 8 with Mark Tremalgia: A Slap from Mr. Sambora
February 11, 2021 15:00 - 27 minutes - 62.9 MBIn this episode, I quiz Mark to find out if he knew every guitar player from the late eighties LA scene, or only most of them. George Lynch vs. Don Dokken? Is Tommy Thayer actually Ace Frehley? Plus, learning about the value of music stands with Billy Gibbons and getting slapped by Richie Sambora. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https:...
Episode 7 with Mark Tremalgia: A Record Contract is a Bank Loan with Connections
February 04, 2021 15:00 - 29 minutes - 67.1 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about being obsessed with music from a very young age and seeing BB King as his very first concert. How about being in your first band at age 14, and playing outside in December? Is there a difference between a guitarist and a guitar player? Plus going to see bad bands in order to see a great guitarist and trying to write a hit song amid pressure from the label. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521...
Episode 6 with Charlie Thornton: Release a Great Album and then Pandemic Goes Boom
January 28, 2021 15:00 - 30 minutes - 69.2 MBIn this episode, we chat with Charlie about all things Radar including acting like a rock star when meeting people for the first time and deciding if you are actually a Chicago band or not. Is it possible to be a successful band from the suburbs? What happens when your band starts gaining traction in late 2019 and then a pandemic goes boom? Plus supporting Local H, being told by helpful family members to get a job and finding a drummer that you can tolerate. Charlie drives for Grubhub and p...
Episode 5 with Mark Tremalgia: Let's Go On a Big Tour in 1996
January 21, 2021 15:00 - 28 minutes - 65.2 MBIn this episode, we talk about the big 1996 tour featuring Warrant, LA Guns, and Bang Tango. What happens when the drummer quits the night before the tour starts or your pedal board gets stolen? Do tour buses really have chandeliers? Plus chatting with George Lynch and eating pizza with Dweezil and Frank Zappa. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Produ...
Episode 4 with Mark Tremalgia: The Dreaded Record Label Drama
January 14, 2021 19:41 - 26 minutes - 59.9 MBIn this episode, we talk about pay to play on Sunset Strip, neighbors in Skid Row videos and hanging with Paul DiAnno. Plus, so much record label drama with Bang Tango and touring with Tesla. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https://www.facebook.com/katzulhu Mark is a working musician in LA, playi...
Episode 3 with Mark Tremalgia: The Highs and Lows of Touring
January 08, 2021 19:49 - 31 minutes - 73 MBIn this episode, we talk about how Line 6 amps brought Mark and Paul together after many years. Mark talks guitar gear, what it means to be "endorsed" and record label drama in the early 90's. Plus, how Mark joined Bang Tango (hair metal or not??) and the highs and lows of touring which apparently can be experienced all on the same European tour. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl ...
Episode 2 with Mark Tremalgia: The Early 90's Rock Club Scene in LA
December 29, 2020 16:31 - 27 minutes - 63.5 MBIn this episode, Mark talks about the changes in the LA club scene post Nirvana and grunge; not just a decrease in hair spray and flyering. Working at AT&T sales. Plus seeing Alice in Chains for the first time, meeting Stevie Wonder and expanding guitar styles. Mark plays a solo every Sunday morning: https://www.facebook.com/mark.tremalgia/videos/10158662627521585 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 http...
Episode 1 with Mark Tremalgia: Let's Move to LA (in 1987)
December 13, 2020 16:05 - 24 minutes - 55 MBIn our very first episode, Mark tells us what happened when he moved to LA in 1987 with his high school band. Yup, just drive across country and jump out of your van on Sunset Strip. Meet Gene Simmons and Little Richard. And Guns & Roses. Post fliers for Scientology. Here is Mark playing on the Dick Clark show in 1993: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMDc-iRPMv0 Paul works a day job and puts out vinyl and puts on shows via Katzulhu Productions https://www.facebook.com/paul.neil.12 https:...