Breaking Bread with Benn Grim

Ceschi (Pronounced Chess-Key) Ramos is a New Haven resident and has been one of Connecticut's Hip Hop beacons to the rest of the world for over ten years now. Ceschi and I discuss rap, the music business, politics and the growing climate of racial tension in the hip hop community today. Ceschi also draws some connections between certain hip hop personalities and the Alt-Right. Ceschi dropped his latest album "Sad Fat Luck" last week on Fake Four Inc, you can purchase the album and other merch at fakefourinc.com Ceschi has also begun the sad Fat Luck tour so check his website for tour info. Intro/Outro track is titled "Take it all Back."

Alex Williams is the owner of Blue Earth Compost in Hartford Connecticut. Blue Earth Compost is a food scrap collection service for residents, events and businesses in Connecticut. They will collect your scraps and deliver the finished product back to you 3 times a year all the while making the whole process clean and easy. Alex and I are joined by Know Good Market's own Jeff Deveraux. The three of us discuss the practice and benefits of composting, it's positive environmental impact and the future of renewable energy. Blue Earth Compost recently started an Indiegogo campaign to help repay a $150,000 loan from the Department of Economic and Community Development. The loan was used to purchase a state of the art garbage truck built specifically for compost collection and processing. Intro/Outro instrumental provided by Sammy Marion.  

Harley Carrara and Steve Karp are 2/4 of the Connecticut Hardcore/Punk band FTE or Front Towards Enemy. FTE was active throughout the 90's and played with other CTHC bands such as Hatebreed, Cornerstone, Fastbreak, Fine Line, Mindwar and Line of Fire. Harley, Steve and I talk about the Connecticut Hardcore scene in that era and we reminisce on some stories from that time. FTE has an upcoming show on Saturday January 12th at Cherry Street Station with Dissolve, Intercourse, Conetiquette and Down With Rent. 7pm, $7, 21+. Intro/Outro track is titled "Tough Guy" by FTE. 

Kane Gelaznik is a local multi-instrumentalist who is proficient in various genres of heavy/obscure music. Kane and I discuss music, life, Connecticut Hardcore, his musical projects and other weird and evil shit. Kane and I each share a paranormal story from our youth and then Kane tells us the secret to playing in multiple bands while working on multiple projects. Intro/Outro track: Unholy Vampiric Slaughter Sect - Let Light Give Way To Crimson.

Brett Maddux is an accomplished poet currently residing in Hartford's blooming West End. Brett is also the Author of BLACKBIRD, 4PM, a robust collection of over 50 poems available through whichiswhypress.com Brett and I sit down and discuss his beginnings in the Iowa hardcore/punk scene, our mutual love for our capital city and most importantly, his latest offering to the poetry gods. Brett recites a few poems from the book and in between, we discuss the origin of the poem and his motivation for writing it. For more info visit whichiswhypress.com or @whichiswhypress on Instagram. Intro/Outro music is an untitled instrumental by friend of the podcast, Sammy Marion.  

Paul Thorstenson is a musician, creator, Poughkeepsie native and avid contributor to the Hudson Valley Hardcore scene. Paul and I discuss the roots and beginnings of his band Dissolve, the East Coast hardcore scene, the final days of the iconic venue, The Anthrax and the loving relationship between the HVHC scene and CTHC. Intro/Outro Track is a song off of Dissolve's last 7 inch titled "Human Howitzer."

Amla Mehta is a motivational speaker who at the age of 16 was diagnosed with Gyrate Atrophy. Gyrate Atrophy is a rare genetic eye condition in which the patient gradually loses his or her peripheral vision between the ages of 45 to 60. Only 200 people are diagnosed in the world. Amla speaks to me about her condition, being diagnosed at a young age, her hobbies, her experience as a helper and an empath and the speaking engagements and workshops she provides. For more on Amla and her story visit www.amlainspires.com Intro/Outro music is a instrumental demonstration selected from the catalog of producer Sammy Marrion. 

"Colonial Chris" is a marketing manager for a local greenhouse manufacturer that specializes in building greenhouses for marijuana grows. Chris and I talk medical marijuana, recreational marijuana, the state of Connecticut regarding those two topics, marijuana dispensaries and music. Chris and I switch gears and talk about our history as friends and our mutual love for Deafheaven. Intro/Outro track is a lost song by yours truly recorded about 8 years ago.

Keith Buckley is the frontman for the band Every Time I Die and he is the Author of his newest book, "Watch." I met up with Keith on the back of his bus at (the last) Warped Tour in Hartford CT a couple weeks back. Keith and I talk about the mid 90's hardcore scene, his new book, being a Warped Tour installation, bands today and what it takes to be a cool dad. "Watch" will be released to the public through RareBirdBooks.com this coming September 18th and is currently available for pre-order. Intro/Outro track is titled Broken Bicycle by Tommy Doomsday.

The Hempsteadys are a ska, punk, rockish type of band that cannot be pigeon holed into any single genre. The Hempsteadys are comprised of 12 members but today I sit down with 4 of them, NME the Illest, Cody Freedom, Andrew Carey and John Logan. We talk about the roots and beginnings of The Hempsteadys, the other members of the band, their new video (that drops tomorrow August 1st), and their new album Séance! Séance! out on Telegraph Recording Company. Intro/Outro track is called "Still Life with Woodpecker" which is the name of the bands new video. The album can be streamed at dyingscene.com and can be purchased through thehempsteadys.com. 

Dan Flans and Brian Niederhauser are the gentlemen behind The Sunday Morning Hangover Podcast. I sit down with these two and we discuss podcasting, the format and premise of their show, funny awkward sex stories followed by a hilarious game thought up by Dan and Brian. The Sunday Morning Hangover Podcast is available through iTunes and smhpodcast.libsyn.com. Intro/Outro music is an instrumental demonstration by Chef Ed Jones. 

Aaron Butkus is is the founding father of the influential Connecticut Hardcore band Death Threat and is also a skilled pizza maker working in restaurants such as Roberta's in Brooklyn New York and Little City Pizza in Avon Connecticut. Aaron and I have been friends for close to 20 years and he has been a huge influence on my musical taste and lifestyle from a young age. Aaron and I reminisce back to the days of yorn when we didn't have to much to worry about, our lives as young pot smoking, acid dropping hardcore show goers and working at the Baja Cafe under the legendary Joey Tata. Intro/Outro track was provided my the Career Crooks with their new single "Crook with a Deal."

Andrea Cortez of Tainted LLC, Mallory Mason of the YUP Network and Mike Marques of Arbor Light Studios are three key players in Hartford's thriving and vibrant art scene. I sit down with these three individuals to talk about the pros and cons of the term "Art District", the future of Hartford's beautiful Parkville section and the dangers of gentrification in our fair city. This podcast opens the much needed dialogue to answer the question of, "What do we call Hartford's art community, on a whole, while being inclusive of all!" Intro/Outro music is an instrumental that I never used titled "Shin Kicker" created by my old friend and NASA Nautical researcher, Adam Gates. 

Dimitrios Zaharidis and Chris Parrot are the two men behind the two cocktail bars, Highland Brass Company of Waterbury and Little River Restoratives of Hartford. I sit down with these two local cocktail heros and we chop it up good. We discuss all things cocktails, their influences in the industry, what it takes to stay on top of your cocktail game, the overall bar life and our mutual favorite Greek, John Tsipouras. We had an excellent discussion about the industry so if you would like to see what it's all about and you haven't been yet, I suggest you check out these establishments, even if you don't drink, because they will make you something tasty like they do for me.  

The Resistance is a crew comprised of four young Central Connecticut area Chefs. Xavier Santiago of Trattoria Toscana, Manchester CT, Sean Butler of Francesca's Wine Bar and Bistro, Collinsville CT, Mike Touranjoe of Max Tavern, Springfield MA, and Carlos Perez of 4 Eat and Drink, Farmington CT. These gentlemen walk me through their beginnings as chefs and what they aim to accomplish in the years to come. The Resistance are hosting a dinner on May 29th at Trattoria Toscana in Manchester. The Flower Moon, date hailed as the start of the growing season and rebirth of the crops, sets the inspiration for the evening. Seating is limited and this event will sell out. For tickets call Trattoria Toscana at 860-783-5888. Intro/Outro track is a Instrumental by Sammy Marion titled Sloppy Toppy.   

Roy Riedl is a successful chef, restaurant owner and food truck proprietor. Ray and his lovely wife Heather run el Pollo Guapo and the Mercado food truck. el Pollo Guapo is known for their fresh and new take on rotisserie chicken and Mercado is defined as "Span-ish" tapas. Ray and I discuss what it takes to be an effective boss and team member. Roy and I get into his culinary roots and map out his ascent from line cook to small business owner with one of the tastiest products out there. Intro/Outro track is an instrumental provided by Sammy Marion.

The 2018 Best of Hartford Magazine winners seemed a bit off when I perused the list this year. The deeper I got, the dumber it sounded, (like McDonald's winning best french fries) and I had a couple friends that contacted me and felt the same. On this episode of the podcast I partner up with 3 awesome and influential personalities that pretty much dominate the field in their prospective markets. Sarah McCoy from Story and Soil Coffee, Ben Dubow of Bistro on Main and Heather Riedl of the Mercado food truck and el Pollo Guapo restaurant. Together we dismantled the list, gave kudos to those that deserved, shouted out the forgotten, and had a hearty laugh at the insanely undeserving. Intro/Outro music is a track by Career Crooks titled "Good Luck With That."

Alaska is a Rapper from Brooklyn New York and Elsphinx is a Rapper from Albany. Both of these gentlemen are from the Pig Food Records camp based out of Albany. Alaska has a new album out with our other friend PJ Katz titled "He's the PJ I'm Alaska." We sat down and discussed all things Rap music and prepared ourselves for Alaska's record release party that was to take place that evening. We had many a laugh at the expense of other rappers. Intro/Outro music is a track called "Work" of of Alaska's new album. 

Old Self is a rapper and teacher from Southern Connecticut. Old Self and I try to pinpoint the day we met, we discuss the secret rap FaceBook group that we make jokes in, we talk about music as professionals and being accountable for the youth and we also discuss the threshold of being politically correct in todays ever changing music scene. Old Self has an awesome video out on youtube titled "Word Art" and you can buy his album that drops today here!   https://wearethekarmakids.bandcamp.com/album/word-art-gallery  

Today I joined forces with three of my favorite women from the Connecticut food scene. Kristin Eddy is an accomplished pastry chef that works her culinary magic for such establishments as Millwright's, Cook and the Bear and Porron and Pina. Winter Caplanson is the mastermind, photographer and writer behind Connecticut Food and Farm Magazine. Carrie Carella is the Connecticut Cupcake Queen and founder/owner of Middletown's NoRA Cupcake Company. I sit down with these awesome women to discuss something we do not have in common... and that is being a successful woman! Each one of these women has a firm grip on their profession and I get a glimpse into what it takes to be a respected, professional, business minded woman in todays cutthroat and ever changing food service/restaurant biz. Intro/Outro music is a track titled "12/12/12" and it is a secret song you can only hear if you purchased the "Dry Aged" tape that was released Feb 24th. If you want one send me a smoke signal and wire transfer.

I welcome my friend Mister (@spooky_moulder_) back onto the show for a second run to make up for my tomfoolery that was deleting 17 podcasts at one time while trying to archive them. Mister and I tackle such topics as our favorite conspiracy theories, the universe, religion vs. aliens, Egypt and our favorite video games. Mister gives me a quick overview of the new social media platform Vero and we both give our takes on social media on a whole. This is the first episode back after a 2 month break and I'm happy to be back! Intro/Outro music is supplied by Yours Truly with my man @robviktum on the pads. The track was part of an EP release @pigfoodrecords did as a donation surprise for last weeks #AAOshow. If you'd like a copy, head on over to pigfoodrecords.com or find me in THA STREETS!

Matt Grippo (@mattgripp) is my younger brother of two years. Matt lives in San Francisco and is an accomplished bar tender. Matt and I talk a bunch of bar industry stuff, early Connecticut hardcore, living in San Fran and what it takes to be a good dad. Todays podcast will be the last Breaking Bread with Benn Grim podcast. I'd like to thank my sponsors and everyone that listened and supported over the last year. Outro music is an untitled track supplied by my friend Griffwon.    

Mike Detelj (@detelj.86f) is a young, free thinking artist from Hartford CT and he is 1/12 of the UZOO CREW. Mike and I discuss today's new hip hop music scene, easy fame, Soundcloud conspiracies, politics, racism, the left vs the right, immigration ideals, humanity on a whole and what you are going to need to be a good person in 2018. Into/Outro music was supplied by Mike himself with an unreleased track titled "Play This at my Funeral prod. by VILLN 

Joel is a Connecticut Chef who has been working in the restaurant industry for the better part of 15 years. Joel just recently opened up his own restaurant, Grano Arso in the quiet, quaint village of Chester. Joel brought me a copy of this weeks menu and we analyze the ins and outs of pasta making, the benefits of seasonal and frequent menu change and menu construction. Joel and I talk a bit about customer service, the "nose to tail" and "waste nothing" approaches to cooking and the importance of the term "locally sourced." Joel and I talk a bit about his time as a young hardcore show goer and then we speak on the advantages and disadvantages of the TV cooking show world. Intro/Outro music is provided by Erik Lamb with his track titled, Kiss the Ring.

Van Hurd is a current Nutmegger transplanted by way of Texas. Van is Head Chef and Pit Master at Taino Smokehouse in Middletown with a new location slated to open in Meriden this spring. Van and I talk about our favorite local restaurants, our favorite regions of BBQ (we both answered Carolina), his return to Hell's Kitchen as an all star chef and his personal views on the local chef competition scene. Intro/Outro music was supplied by Abs0lute and Xkwisit with their new single titled Dark Clouds. 

Jake Blake (@jakeblakeart) is a food snob, cutting edge goth, fine artist, Brazilian jiu jitsu white belt and black metal aficionado. Jake and I discuss food, friendship, fitness, bjj, true meaning of what makes good people good and bad people bad and what it takes to sell art. Jake and I both share funny and real stories about our fathers and Jake ends the podcast with a hilarious story about coexisting with his in-laws. Intro/Outro music supplied by Words Hurt with a track titled, "The Kids Are Alright."

Harley Carrara (@traditioncycles) is a Chopper enthusiast/builder, skateboarder, hardcore frontman and philosopher. Harley grew up in my hometown of Bristol Connecticut and was 4 years older than I. Harley and I share tales of the Central Connecticut Hardcore scene, mutual and converging tales of our adolescence and his love for motorcycles and the open road. Harley gives his take on being an artist and the long forgotten practice of being original. Intro/Outro music is a track by PUS titled "Begging."  

Greg Thomas (@blackfreighter) is the man behind the boards at Silver Bullet Studios and the audio mind power behind a lot of your favorite bands recordings. Greg and I talk music, the Connecticut Hardcore hay day and most importantly, his experience recording a 25 ta Life record and having Rick ta Life stay at his house for a week in Burlington CT. Intro/Outro music supplied by Alaska and Lang-Vo with another single from their Words Hurt project titled "World's Worst Life Coach." 

Today I broadcasted live from Goldburgers' Capitol Ave location from the Pork for Puerto Rico Event to help raise money for the victims of Hurricane Maria. I sat down with three specific patrons that came in to donate. Wiley, Roy and Drew. Wiley is a artist/photographer, Roy is a successful food truck owner and chicken master, and Drew is a carpenter, party animal and life time oi fanatic. Each one of these gentlemen gave me a small glimpse into their day to day and they all each gave me their views on being charitable Americans. Music provided by Dark Will Come with a new track titled, "Longingly I walk towards the wood." 

Tim Marotto (@cheftim_m) and Matt Crowley (@mattcrow77) are the duo behind the Goldburgers Empire. Tim, Matt and I discuss food, opening restaurants, charity and what it takes to make a good team in and outside of the workplace. I say charity because Goldburgers at 399 Capitol Ave Hartford is having an event on Sunday November 5th to benefit the ongoing struggle that his happening in Puerto Rico as we speak. Come down, grab a pork sandwich or some pork rice and beans and help support a good cause brought to you by two awesome guys. Heres a spoiler, I'll be recording live from Goldburgers that day so come on in and say hi!  

N.M.E. The Illest (@nmetheillest) and Stryfe (@stryfe_ct_hiphop) are two rap buds of mine from New London Connecticut. They work out of the Danger Room studio along side of Chumzilla and Apathy. N.M.E., Stryfe and I discuss preforming live, the art of hip hop/rap and we also make fun of some some rap friends. Intro/Outro track is titled "Hate Me Quietly" By N.M.E. produced by Skobiewon and Mark Castillo with cuts by Chumzilla. 

Blacastan (@blacastan) is a Hartford native and critically acclaimed underground rapper. Blacastan is a member of the Demigodz and Army of the Pharaohs. Blacastan is also one half of the hip hop duo, Watson and Holmes co-piloted with producer Stu Bangas. Blac and I discuss the music industry, hip hop and his origins in music. Intro/Outro music is a track entitled, Take Your Medicine by Tha Red Baron. 

Connor Steen is a fitness enthusiast and supplement guru. Connor works at the local Max Muscle and is also a personal trainer. Connor and I talk about lifting/exercise routines, steroids, dieting and life. Connor closed out the podcast his new smash hit, "Protein Farts." Intro/Outro music is titled, "Respect My Odyssey" by Chumzilla and Benn Grim.   

On todays podcast I have my buds Skobie and Chum and we discuss our opinion of a few movies that are in theaters, our contrasting ideas of what we think Chum's penis looks like and some other rabble rousing bullshit. We also talk about some of our favorite foods and the difference between the methods these gentlemen use to cook their steaks. Todays Intro/Outro music is Skobiewon feat. Erik Lamb off of "Drive" Act One: Double Clutch.

David Dews (@ratbearhandmade) is a local craftsman from the Hartford area. David is best known for his hat company, Ratbear Handmade. David, along with two friends, recently launched the beginnings of a local skate company called Sad Dad Skateboards. David and I talk small business and what it takes to be a (sad) dad. This weeks intro/outro music was supplied by Alaska and Cryptic One with another single from their "IT" project titled "I AM"

Tim Wiggins (@wigginscc) is a rapper, father, working class hero and hood legend. Tim and I use to make up 2/3 of the Connecticut Hip Hop outfit, The Mizery Crew. In a world of fake and meaningless acquaintances, Tim stands as one of my best and longest running friendships. Tim and I recount some old drug war stories, fight stories and some of our fondest shared memories. Intro/Outro music was supplied by Upstate New York's Jack of all Trades and Mic Lanny. Their new single, "25K" available now on iTunes. 

Tyler Anderson is a Connecticut culinary icon and a key player in the New England food scene. While still manning the helm at Millwright's Restaurant in Simsbury CT, Tyler has opened another high profile restaurant in West Hartford's Blue Back Square called Cook and the Bear. Tyler and I talk food, life, family, hardcore, punk and most importantly being a restauranteur. Intro/Outro music is a track produced by Sammy Marion titled "King of the Nutmeg."

Chris Grosso (@xchrisgrossox) is a spiritual guru (he is to me!) and he is also the author of the books The Indie Spiritualist and Everything Mind. Chris and I talk about our roots in Connecticut Hardcore, our respective pasts, the fun/trouble we had as younger people and the turn for the better both of our lives have taken. We talk about Chris' books and a new publication he has in the works. Intro music was supplied by my bud Brendan "Absolute" Paulsen. The track is titled "Anthrax" off of the album he just wrapped up with Shyste, "Lord of the Flies".

On this weeks episode of the podcast I have my friend Marshall Demming of Hartford Denim Company (@hardenco). We talk denim, running a small business, growing your company and his experiences of starting a business in Hartford CT. We talk about the glory days of Hartford nightlife and the who's who of local artisinal goods. Intro/Outro music is a song titled, "We're Not Here To Be Loved", this is the experimental offering of my friend Kane and Anthony from Vein. 

Apathy (@apathydgz) is the godfather of Connecticut Hip Hop, a member of the World Famous Demigodz Crew, a member of the rap super group Army of the Pharaohs and he is also a Freemason. We talk life as a rapper, touring, being a dad and the untimely death of the late Linkin Park front-man Chester Bennington. Apathy and I break down life on the road, touring in Europe and making a home for himself in southeastern Connecticut. Intro and outro music was provided by The Atoms Family, Cryptic One (@cryp_uno) and Alaska (@timlaska_atoms) debuting their smash hit W.F.A.F.   

On this episode I sit down with my new bud Chef John Adler (@jonadzer) and we cover a wide range of culinary topics beginning with his history as a chef, his training and his love for cooking. I pick Chef Jon's brain and we get into the complexities of flavors, how to conserve everything and then pickling and lacto-fermentation. Chef Jon schools me on all kinds of cooking methods and we even touch on the topic of foraging and hunting. Intro music is June Leaf by Dead Friend. 

In this episode of the podcast I sit down with my friend John Skobrak (@skobiewon) and we talk rap, production, recording, mixing and mastering, science fiction, life and addiction. John was the first guest I actually gave homework to. The night before the podcast we both watched three new short films on Youtube by Neil Blomkamp, the creator of the movies District 9, Elysium and Chappie. We discuss these films and then turn the focus of the conversation to addiction in the music industry. Intro music is an unreleased track off of my latest project with Rob Viktum (@robviktum) titled "Dry Aged", my last physical release on Pigfood Records. 

In this weeks episode I sit down with my friend Adam Sahlin (@adam_sahlin) to talk lacto fermentation, politics, vegan food, our favorite restaurants, cooking and music. Adam and I do not leave out the segment where I make the guest incriminate themselves by sharing debaucherous tales of yorn. We speak about our roots in Connecticut Hardcore and how we met, way back. This week's intro music is brought to you by the group Words Hurt. Words Hurt consists of my friend and ex label mate Alaska (@timlaska_atoms) of the Atoms Family (best verse on Cannibal Ox's Cold Vein) and Lang-Vo (@lang_panda).

This week on BBwithBG I sit down with my friend Marvis "Marvalyss" McDaniel (@marvalyss) and talk hip-hop, rap, beats, rhymes and life. He and I discuss what it takes to stay relevant in today's dying underground rap scene and what we love and hate about it. We touch on the projects he is working on and what we can expect from him release wise in the next couple months. Marv and I also break down hip-hop sub-genres and then he hits me with two FIRE 16's. Beats provided by Summer Slam Sam, Adam Bomb and Nobs.

This week we sit down with Chef Niles of Millwright's restaurant in Simsbury CT. Being one of the best tasting menus in the area, we talk to Niles about how he became head chef in Chef Tyler's absence, his love for Minus the Bear, his quaint hometown of Collinsville and a hilarious pant-shitting story. More than likely we will be having no episode next week due to a total rebrand and overhaul but we will be back on Monday July 4th with a special Independence Day edition!