Dive Bar Mitzvah

We're in one of my favorite dives with one of my favorite guys: Nate Abshire! In preparation for his shows this week at Acme Comedy Company with Bryan Miller, he and I chat about eating alligator, "Strokin'" and how an appreciation of Randy Newman isn't a crime. Grab a cold one, share, comment and listen along!

Baby it's cold outside and thankfully, it's nice and toasty inside Cuzzy's. In this episode I chat with Minneapolis' titans of garage rock, the Batson brothers! From their start as kids in the early 70s to today, they can be counted on to k.o. any other band on the bill. Listen as we chat about how to get an audiences attention with blood, how Sha Na Na was the best band at Woodstock and getting pelted with bottles by Husker Dü while opening for the Ramones. It's got all that and more! Listen now, comment, like, share and follow us on twitter @divebarmitzvah!

Warning: this episode is 40% laughter. I let the guest pick the bar this week, and he did a great job. We're at Schuller's Tavern in Golden Valley, MN with comedian Kjell Bjorgen! We talk about being a carny, my brief career with Girls Gone Wild, his brief career in horror movies, and the wonder of Cyndi Lauper and other 'strong female vocalists.'

You can hear the sizzle in this episode of Dive Bar Mitzvah-- we're at Matt's Bar, 'the home of the Juicy Lucy!' There's a nearly unspoken history of Minnesota's role in modern computing and in this episode I chat with one of the trailblazers: Bob Alberti! From helping to develop multiplayer online role-playing games to working on the revolutionizing the internet with Gopher, he was there in the trenches. Today he's still working with computers but he splits his time with the insult comedy troupe Vilification Tennis! He's a well rounded guy.

I took a week off and regrouped as only we could.. at Adrian's Tavern! I meet up with comedian, writer and friend Bryan Miller after drinking our way through a horrible election. We chat with him about plagues of frogs, trying to hit a heckler with a car and opening for Dave Chappelle! It's the salve that heals. Listen now and follow us on Twitter at @divebarmitzvah!

Fall brings many bounties but one of the best is the Sound Unseen film festival! This is our second year chatting about SU and organizer Rich Gill is here to tell us about all of the great films this years fest, working with Mitch Hedberg and the joys of Men At Work. Listen along to this and people playing pool in this soon to be award winning episode of Dive Bar Mitzvah! Also, follow us on Twitter at @divebarmitzvah!

It's our first Halloween episode and it's genuinely a spooky one. We couldn't have a better guest than Mike Brody! He is the official event comedian for the SyFy Channel’s TV show “Ghost Hunters” and to quote Winston Zeddemore, he's 'seen shit that'd turn you white.' We chat about spending the night in Alcatraz, favorite Twilight Zone episodes and I share a heartwarming story about being taken over by a spirit. It happened! All this and ghost tech glitches are in this one.

Dive Bar Mitzvah goes global? YES WE DO! Our first intercontinental episode is coming to you all the way from Berlin! We chat with drummer extraordinaire David Anania! We chat about his present gig in the Blue Man Group, the problems of getting arrested on the train, hanging with Phil Collins and about his actor father who appeared in the Godfather (!) This all went down at the lovely Scotch & Sofa in the Prenzlauer Berg area of Berlin. Ranked one of the 'world's best bars.' Yeah!

It's our gala 30th episode and to mark the occasion, we're goin' bowling! Listen along as i chat with Dan Corrigan and Danny Sigelman about their new book "Heyday" with chronicles Dan's illustrious career as a rock photographer. We discuss the book, the upcoming release party at the Entry, Danny's former career as an disc jockey in China and Dan's side gig giving tours at First Avenue. And we bowl surprisingly well.

It's fall and we're back from our hiatus with a humdinger of an episode! I chat with comedian, host and traveling husband Wayne Burfeind at the historic (?) Frenchman's Pub in Richfield, MN. We discuss what I've been up to, how to cook with weed and I apologize a lot. I also forget Vincent D'Onofrio's name. Listen now!

This week we're over in the Northside with DJ extraordinaire and old pal Dean Vaccaro! We chat over libations about game show reboots, playing Prince songs for Prince, lesser-known Prince jams and what really goes into a good red sauce. Dean is a oracle of what's cool in the Twin Cities and he was truly on the front line during a golden era. Follow us over at divebarmitzvah.com!!

We're navigating through tough times with this week's guest Patrick Susmilch! We chat about a dark day in Minneapolis, but rebound with Kim Possible, Jock Jams and his new album Validate Me. Let the healing begin! Follow us at @divebarmitzvah!

This week we're in the wonderful city of Fargo talking to the wonderful Ophelia Flame! We chat about her spectacular career in burlesque, rocking in Fargo, and who is the scariest kind of stripper. This is not to be missed. Find her at www.ophelia-flame.squarespace.com and follow us at @divebarmitzvah!

You can't beat Mayslacks meat and you can't beat this episode! I was thrilled to chat there with David about 'rasslin, his years as a disc jockey, working in record stores and how we'd be great in a buddy comedy. It's funny, it's touching and it makes you think... just like a good buddy comedy. And Mayslack's meat. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!

This episode features filmmaker Brandon Crowson chatting about his new film "The World Has No Eyedea" a full-length documentary about hometown hero Micheal "Eyedea" Larsen. We chat about the man, the music, the making of the documentary and even how to fix a water heater on the cheap. Follow us at @divebarmitzvah!

We're on the road and we've ended up in Stillwater, Minnesota! Fear not, this week's guest knows the mayor. Chris Maddock talks to me about awkward hair, growing up in Stillwater and the dangers of hosting the most dangerous open-mic comedy night around! He also tells me how I've scarred him. Emotionally, that is. It's a good one. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!

We're back, and this time it's mercifully just audio! It's a very special episode, too.. listen to me get interviewed by the man who I'm interviewing! Yes, it could only be our local rockstar storyteller Rob Callahan. He interviewed me for an article he was writing and I interviewed him for you, the wonderful home audience. We chat about mistakes, successes and this weeks bar: the wonderful Hunan Garden in downtown St. Paul. We both have a lot of history in this great dive and it shows in the conversation. Follow us, share us.. etc. Oh, and read his edit here: http://www.mnartists.org/article/making-it-ian-rans

We're starting a new batch of episodes with a winner! I chat over Crab Rangoon with Mark Mallman! We chat about his new album, the best Elvis movies, strip clubs, Billy Joel and the worst songs to do at karaoke. All while at one of the best old-school Asian restaurants in the state. Follow us on Twitter at @divebarmitzvah!

This time around we're back in St. Paul talking to Nate Kranz, old friend, booker of bands and general manager of First Avenue-- and all their ships at sea. We chat about the renovation of the Palace Theatre, David Bowie influenced cocktails and the fact that TouchTunes is the death of good bars. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!

Hot damn, it's comedian Patrick Bauer! Happy to have an upbeat chat about topics such as death and sobriety. Also, Quentin Tarantino, being a second generation comedian and why neither of us could be a farmer. Follow us on Twitter at @divebarmitzvah!

This episode accidentally became bittersweet. We chat about David Bowie's birthday and knowing he can't last forever, comedy at rock shows and if you can do a cleanse while drinking 3.2 beer. We also try to avoid a growing but very real displeasure to our presence. This all makes it a *great* episode. Follow us @divebarmitzvah!

In this episode we're back in the Big Easy chatting with former I.R.S. Records A&R man John Guarnieri about his time in the music biz-- and what a time it was! From hanging out with the Cramps to signing the Bangles to controversies with the Dead Kennedys and laughing Mötley Crüe out of his office, it's a look back at a great time for music from someone who witnessed it on the front lines. Follow us @divebarmitzvah!

In this episode we're in the famous 19 Bar with the famous Jaime Carrera! We chat about famous cats, art, public nudity and if straight people should be allowed anywhere near gay bars. Follow us @divebarmitzvah!

This week we're at Legends Bar with Justin Fowler! We chat over a trivia night about the new American Head Charge album "Tango Umbrella," woodworking, cooking for cash and the wonder of Klaus Nomi. Listen along and follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

On this week's episode we're at Sandy's Tavern "Home of the World's Greatest Burger" with Tommy Ryman! We talk about dogs in sweaters, his time on Last Comic Standing, what makes a good diner and the magic of Tom Hanks. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

On this week's episode we visit a favorite haunt of mine and chat with music video pioneer Chuck Statler! We talk about his career working with DEVO, Elvis Costello and Prince, his upcoming documentary and he finally explains some of the famous visuals he's unleashed. It's all this and a LOT more. Strap in and enjoy. Oh, and follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

On this week's episode we dare go to the infamous Red Dragon with the intoxicating Robyne Robinson! Over a Wondrous Punch we chat about the protests in Minneapolis, interviewing Prince, getting busted by Mr. T and our signs of the Chinese zodiac. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

On this week's episode, we go underground to the depths of a home basement bar!! I chat with old pal Tony Zaccardi about Guns N' Roses, the changing face of Northeast Minneapolis and being in jail together. Yup. It's true. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

On the tenth episode of Dive Bar Mitzvah, we chat with writer, graphic designer and musician Jon Hunt! We prattle on about classic rock, his work with the Velvet Underground and the ancient seductive art of karaoke! Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

On this weeks episode we're chatting with disc jockey Jason Nagel at "the Home of the Dago," Dusty's Bar! We chat about his recent career hiccup, spotting local music on the rise and the strange people who call in on overnight radio shifts. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

This week we're in St. Paul's oldest bar with Sound Unseen's Jim Brunzell! Sound Unseen is Minnesota's best film fest and it's starting this month! We chat with Jim about the music video for Fishheads, the lack of nostalgia for laserdiscs and growing up with a professional wrestler as a dad! Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

We bring our run in New Orleans to a close with the amazing and intoxicated Derek Sheen! We talk about prog rock, when your mom is your fan and proper etiquette when seeing street fellatio. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

This week we're ON THE ROAD! In the great city of New Orleans, I chat with comedian David Heti about his new album, teaching comedy and the wonders of the TV show "Intervention Canada." Cutter's always brings out the magic and it really did on this night. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

This week we're in one of my favorite dive bars with Hastings 3000! Listen along while technology goes down and the regulars play Bob Seger. Hastings and I talk about the perils of living in an ambulance, being in a jam band and I unexpectedly gush about the music of Men At Work. I was also surprised about that one. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

In this episode we have a first: we're in a bowling alley! Listen while I chat with Corey Adam about Bob Dylan, living in Las Vegas, getting hit in the head with a pipe and the right time to drop the 'c' word. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

I'm thrilled to have comedian Maggie Faris on this week! We hide in a corner of Otter's Saloon where Maggie can see into the men's room while we chat about college crowds, karaoke and driving a semi through NYC. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!!

It's time for the second episode of Dive Bar Mitzvah! This time we have the legendary creator of First Avenue and the "#1 unforgettable Minnesota character*" Steve McClellan! We chat about how to properly clear a bar of it's occupants, how to deal with a corrupt landlord, and my thoughts on Scott Walker. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!! * http://www.startribune.com/music-critic-jon-bream-lists-his-faves-from-40-years-of-concerts-and-interviews/323509361/ ** I had some software issues with this episode and it's 5am and I want to go to sleep. If you hear some hiccups, it's not your imagination.

It's the first ever episode of Dive Bar Mitzvah! Listen to Ian chat with Rana May at the N.E. Palace over a fishbowl of booze and discuss illegal venues, fruit flies and why you need dog insurance. Follow us on Twitter @divebarmitzvah!!