You Guys Suck, Give Up

Welcome to the YGSGU X-MAS Special 2022!Thanks to all the musicians that gave up their time and talent. If you are cruel and want to skip over some songs to get to the artist you like… here is the song order:1. Sergio Trevino - Original Song2. Alex Riddle - Original Song3. Kelly Doyle - “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”4. Michelle Roberts - “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel5. Brendan Hall - “Last Christmas” by Wham!Merry Christmas!

For the past six years, Rob has been the touring photographer for The Killers. He has since settled down in Fort Worth, TX; taking the time to focus on different endeavors… possibly learning how to drive again.Rob's work - click here

This episode features Houston-based guitar virtuoso Kelly Doyle. A man of immense talent and creativity, he does it all. From shredding on his own projects and others, to making stop animation guitar lessons for those of us hoping to achieve the same level of talent… Kelly is always up to something.Kelly's performance on NPR's Tiny Desk hereKelly's solo music here

This episode features Houston-based drummer Chris Ardoin. He keeps a busy schedule week in and week out - playing gigs, recording in the studio and performing at various churches around town. When he's not playing, Chris manages a vintage drum shop called “Three on the Floor.”Three on the Floor - click here Follow Chris on IG for all upcoming shows - here

This episode features visual artist Dual. Traveling through the art world incognito, Dual truly believes that the art should speak for itself, no matter the face behind it. From starting out as a graffiti artist, with the arrest record to prove it, Dual is now one of Houston's most in-demand muralists - gracing the facades of many beloved landmarks throughout the city. He also operates as a studio artist and has taken his artistic expression wherever it leads him. He also has over 100 plants.Dual's Art - click here

My best friend Dan saw this band at Three Links in Dallas. “You should reach out to these guys” he said. I did. I'm glad I did. This is a recording of us talking to each other after I reached out…King Pari is comprised of Cameron Kinghorn and Joe Christensen. No sooner did they start this new band than Covid happened and did it's thing. I'm glad to say they persevered, and released their debut album. They are now working on their second one. All around, great dudes.Everything King Pari - click hereSunshine Video - click here

This episode features drummer Nick Wilkerson. He is a founding member of the Louisville, Kentucky bred band White Reaper. He's come a long way from studying “Drumming for Monsters” as a youth — White Reaper stays busy headlining tours and serving as direct support for acts like Pearl Jam and The Killers. White Reaper website - click hereMusic - click here

This episode features  photographer Kate Blaising. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she eventually made her way to Austin where a chance friendship, fostered at a diner, would jumpstart her passion for music photography. She also has cats.Website - click here Project ATX 6 - click here 

This episode features photographer and music enthusiast Daniel Jackson. #1 his work has been displayed on both billboards and race vehicles. #2 he is just an all around good dude. He has carved out a career in music focused on putting the joy of experience above all else.Website - click hereFollow his socials - @listenyoungman

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sergio for the second time. He's just a joy to talk to and I will take any and all opportunities to do so.

This episode features Matthew Logan Vasquez. Best known as the frontman/crooner of Delta Spirit, he shatters the axiom “there aren't enough hours in the day” by employing his talents in other groups: Middle Brother, Glorietta and his solo project, MLV. He has very strong opinions on sparkling water.Delta Spirit - click hereMiddle Brother - click hereGlorietta - click hereMLV - click hereI know… it's a lot

This episode features Jack O'Brien from The Bright Light Social Hour. Since their first record came out in 2010, Bright Light has been grinding out a career with energy, fervor and unbridled enthusiasm. They've evolved, lost members, gained members, updated Wikipedia and, above all else, focused on the music. It's been a joy watching them over the years. Everything Bright Light - Click Here 

This episode features Carolyn Patten. What started as an improvised, two-week trip to Budapest in 2020 turned into a 7-month sabbatical that altered the course of her life. Carolyn has been on a life journey ever since and is focused on re-discovering the joys of living.

The second installment of the YGSGU Christmas Special is here. Thanks to all the musicians who gave freely of their time and talents to make this possible. Merry Christmas!

This episode features my high school band director, Donald Thoede. I still call him "Mr. Thoede" - old habits and all. Mr. Thoede has taught at St. Thomas High School, here in Houston, for over 20 years where he directs the Concert Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band (that refuses to march). This one's for all the nerds out there.

This episode features, Houston based singer-songwriter, Max Flinn.  After years of toiling away working for an oil and gas company, Max has spent the past four years cultivating a music career that spans from Houston to Nashville and any state that has good camping. He has never played a Bar Mitzvah... but he is open to the idea.Head to Max's website for music and merch - click here

This episode features Austin based artist Taylor Wilkins. Taylor cut his teeth in the college town of San Marcos before settling down in the Texas capital. He loves his dog so much, he named two bands after him: Otis the Destroyer and Otis Wilkins. Unfortunately, my computer decided to re-start towards the end of our conversation... I had to pop in later and finish the story I was telling. Recording is fun.Otis the Destroyer - click hereOtis Wilkins - click here

This episode features native Chicagoan Casey Deeter. She is a guitar player and teacher who uses her Instagram platform to encourage and educate all levels of musicians. What started as a single clip of her working through a Phish song, has turned into  a substantial social media presence centered around music theory and implementation. She is also great at making cookies larger than your face.Instagram Page - click hereYouTube Page - click here

This episode features singer/songwriter Adam Bricks. We discuss his ventures to New York, Tel Aviv, back to New York and back to Houston. He recently released an album of Demos from 2014 and he is working on a new album to be released some time in the future. Also, he hates cantaloupe. Demos & B-Sides 2014 - listen hereBandcamp - Funeral - listen here

This episode features comedian, teacher, writer Dusti Rhodes. Dusti is an integral part of the Houston comedy scene and hosts the spectacular Comedy Open Mic at Rudyard's. She also has a hard time pronouncing the "Guarldi" in Vince Guarldi. Disclaimer: There were some strange, alien audio anomalies while recording this episode. I did what I could to fix them but the quality is not the best... I apologize. Enjoy! 

This episode features musician, audio engineer and producer John Allen Stephens. Forming the band New York City Queens in 2010/2011, John has established himself as an integral part of the Houston Music community ever since. He has gone on to found his own recording studio, Third Coast Recording Co, and release two albums under his self-named solo project.Third Coast Recording Co.John Allen Stephens - Music

This episode features Daniel T O'Conor: a man who jumped in Lake Michigan for 365 days straight. What started as a hangover cure became a stress reliever and eventually morphed into a charitable collaboration to raise money for local Chicago venues. I very much enjoyed talking with him.Donate to CIVL Chicago here

In this episode... I'm speaking to myself about the joys of starting a band, making a record and the un-joys of breaking up while making a second record: an exercise of finding the happy amidst the sad...

This episode features mixed media artist Tra Slaughter. I met Tra years ago when I worked at an art gallery in downtown Houston during a brief stint in 2014. I sat down with him at his studio in the Elder Street lofts to talk about those times, art installations and plays that devolved into knife fights.View his works hereLearn more about his charity here

This episode features artist, label founder and recent Iron Man (70.3) Chase DeMaster. We discuss his basketball skills, emailing skills, day trading skills and his various exciting visits to Fleet Feet. I had a great time. Enjoy!Check out his label: Very JazzedCheck out his band: Get a LifeCheck out his band: Children of Pop

This episode features music photographer Ismael Quintanilla III. When the pandemic hit us back in March 2019, live music came to a screeching halt; artists started to fade into the background. An idea sprang into Ismael's mind: bring some focus back to the people who had their livelihood stripped from them and bring a new lens to the relationship between artist and photographer. His vision turned into a book: "I Am Here All Day" -- a candid look at how artists are experiencing the pandemic. Better still, all proceeds made from the book go to Austin charities that either help musicians directly, or are run by musicians themselves. It was a great conversation.Buy the book "I Am Here All Day"  hereDirectly support the charities below:HAAMSIMS FoundationDAWABanding Together ATXFree LunchNinas  Arriba

This episode features Utopia Fest founder, Travis Sutherland. Located in the sprawling and beautiful Utopia, Tx, Utopia Fest offers a unique experience of self sustaining  primitive camping with a common sense approach to BYOB. Founded in 2009, the fest continues to offer an intimate musical experience unlike any other national fest. If you haven't been... GO!Utopia Fest - More Info and TicketsLucius by a WaterfallCharles Bradley in a downpour! (Holy Shit)

This episode features Adam Schatz of Landlady. Perfectly timed with the release of their 4th studio album, "Landlady," we meander through topics like band bios, banter, proof reading, apathy, Randy Newman and vanity. There are some great pauses in this one.Buy the new album "Landlady" hereCheck out their new website hereWatch the video for "Supernova" hereLearn how to write a band bio here 

This episode features Calliope Musicals front-woman and founder, Carrie Fussell. Hustling since 2009, the band decided to take a break from touring towards the end of 2019 heading into 2020... we all know what happened then. Their brief hiatus was forced into an indefinite one due to the pandemic that has sidelined live music across the nation. In the meantime, they've been working on a new record and Carrie, herself, has helped with the program "Free Lunch" in Austin, TX to help feed the un-housed community. It was a true joy speaking with her.Calliope Musicals BandcampCalliope Musicals WebsiteNEW SINGLE!FREE LUNCH - Become a Lunch Monitor today and provide 3 healthy meals to those in need with just $10 a month.

This episode features bassist Jon Wisinski. Jon spent years grinding it out in cover bands before auditioning for, and joining forces with one of Country Music's rising stars, Granger Smith. Jon has now been touring most of his life and has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to being a "working musician."

This episode features sound engineer John Griffin. I met John when I recorded my first album. Since then, I have played in several bands with him and recorded many more records. John cut his teeth at the famous Sugar Hill studios and now runs a private studio located on the east end of downtown Houston. He's been a big part of countless records to come out of Houston and continues to leave his mark on Houston's music scene today.

This episode features a conversation with Nathan Quick about his troublesome experience signing with a record label.Southern Miles - This is the video the record label produced...

This Christmas is a unique one and the traditions that will hold so dear are all in flux. In an effort to bring some normalcy back this holiday season, we've compiled some Christmas tunes and intermittent banter to help. This podcast was inspired by the annual Christmas Show Sergio Trevino and friends used to out on at Under the Volcano, here in Houston. I hope we can get back there next year!Special thanks to Sergio Trevino, Ashlynn Ivy-Tamez and Nathan Quick for lending their talents and songs to make this episode possible. Additional thanks to John Griffin for recording and mixing the songs and this podcast.

This episode features a story from Dr. Terry Hall, a philosophy professor at The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Tx. He is also my father...He recounts a story of an expedition to see Simon and Garfunkel in the fall of 1969

This episode features the incomparable Long Islander, Tim Nowicke. Tim is the owner of Generations Audio Visual; a company that operates as the backbone of production for live music and entertainment in Houston. Although he doesn't get behind the sound board himself too much these days, he keeps himself plenty busy handling a crew of over 100 contract employees working throughout the greater Houston area. When the pandemic hit and brought live music to a halt, he opened a Drive-In movie theatre to bring a bit of much needed frivolity. He is also a newfound Pilates enthusiast.Best Little Drive-In - Get Tickets

This episode features the incomparable Long Islander, Tim Nowicke. Tim is the owner of Generations Audio Visual; a company that operates as the backbone of production for live music and entertainment in Houston. Although he doesn't get behind the sound board himself too much these days, he keeps himself plenty busy handling a crew of over 100 contract employees working throughout the greater Houston area. When the pandemic hit and brought live music to a halt, he opened a Drive-In movie theatre to bring a bit of much needed frivolity. He is also a newfound Pilates enthusiast.Best Little Drive-In - Get tickets

Setting out on the road, as a musician, can bring you ups and downs. One thing is for sure: there's always a tale to tell. In the first installment of "Tour Tales" we hear from Sergio Trevino about his experience in Minneapolis.

This episode features my good friend, Michelle Roberts. We cover her musical journey, lasers, and snack food.MIEARS - Just Be With Me

This episode features Austin-based artist Walker Lukens. Walker is a songwriter, band leader, producer and hair product enthusiast. He also has his own podcast called "Song Confessional." Make sure to check that out.Walker Lukens: U2me2 Song Confessional Podcast

This is the pilot episode of "You Guys Suck, Give Up." A podcast centered around candid conversations with musicians and anyone else experiencing the joys and un-joys of dealing with musicians. This episode features a conversation with Houston based artist, Sergio Trevino. Sergio is most well known for his bands Buxton and Ancient Cat Society, but he is involved in a seemingly endless number of other projects. Most of all, he is a real gem.*PSA* This conversation took place in the fall of 2019... just for some context.Buxton tune - "Pool Hall" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMfBXryuyukAncient Cat Society tune - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfqKluj_0BM