Troubled Men Podcast

The Tony Award-winning actor and musician returns to discuss his latest role on HBO’s new “Gilded Age” period drama and his band Loose Cattle’s recent “Heavy Lifting” album. Guitarist and composer Jonathan Freilich joins the proceedings to add his two cents. Everyone’s been through a lot in the last few years, and Michael is no exception. Tonight he enters the Feral Zone as we search for the first glimmer of dawn. Topics include a return guest, continuing education, Neil Young and Crazy Horse at the Barn, minimalism, Phil Spector’s maximalism, lockdown recordings and video production, new songs, Kimberly Kaye, Will Sexton, emotionalism, artistic ownership, session work, Mark Bingham, Peter Stampfel, dreams coming true, “The War of Art,” process, gigs, “The Drowning Pool,” West Virginia, academic parents, rural progressives, Exeter Academy, Lilli Lewis, Yale, a pivotal time period, health protocols, “The Plot Against America,”

The guitarist and songwriter for the Geraniums and Tribe Nunzio and co-owner of the Mermaid Lounge has just released “Hope Is Not For The Weak,” a double album of Geraniums recordings the Bukowski-meets-the-Velvet-Underground outfit collected from years of sessions at the famed Studio in the Country. He discusses the band’s long history, as well as the recent passing of singer and lyricist Brendan Gallagher and drummer Daemon Shea. These songs have always felt like a drunken prayer to God. Tonight Jeff joins the Troubled Men as they all count their blessings. Topics include post-holiday malaise, Mardi Gras season, home testing, a terminal strategy, a bottle of vodka, Yoko Ono, a Betty White parade, Greg Ensslen, Vernon Rome, Holden Miller, the Economy Cafe, Melinda Pendleton, George the Max, Clint Montz, Mermaid Recording, Glyn Styler, Malcolm Burn, Bogdanovich films, a date with Tatum O’Neal, “Paper Moon,” Cybill Shepherd, smoking, “This Is About This,” a Circl

The Dream Syndicate and Continental Drifters (Susan Cowsill, Vicki Peterson, Peter Holsapple) bassist, vocalist, and songwriter covered a lot of territory from L.A.’s Paisley Underground to the New Orleans-based indie-rock supergroup. Tonight Mark reaches out from his post-Katrina Las Vegas Safe House, where he places his bet and takes his chances with the Troubled Men. Topics include postponed tour dates, a recording session with Goat, fear, risk, Mardi Gras, Ronnie Spector R.I.P., a new Geraniums record, a haircut, a Cowsill party, the slums of Beverly Hills, early bands, influences, a rehearsal studio, Steve Wynn, Karl Precoda, touring with R.E.M., the Music Machine, the Talpa Restaurant, a Carlo Nuccio apartment, the Drifters formation, the Hollywood rock scene, a Too Free Stooges show, the trip from L.A. to N.O. and back, salvaged tapes, a flooded bass, Phil Lynott’s bass, meeting Led Zeppelin, a Mick Jagger party, Kyle Melancon, the desert, a torso, Punk Rock Bowling, and much more. Intro mu

The award-winning filmmaker behind classic music docs like “Deep Blues,” “The Kingdom of Zydeco,” and “Gospel According to Al Green” has spent decades highlighting American jazz, soul, and roots artists like Sun Ra, Gil Scott-Heron, Sonny Rollins, and Robert Johnson. His post-Katrina feature ”New Orleans Music In Exile” chronicled the dispersion of musical refugees across the region and their struggles to carry on. After a lifetime of shooting on the fly, he joins the Troubled Men as they roll tape and see what happens. Topics include a quarantine week, tour prep, a new year, Ruffles, a broken murder record, a drunk driver, Billy Nungesser, “Iguanas in the House,” film school, Samuel Fuller, a “Dylan goes electric” concert with Dad, a civil rights household, a great-grandfather’s legacy, Jim Crow laws, R.L. Burnside, the Panther Burns, Robert Gordon, Bob Palmer, a memoir, Frank Rizzo, Blaze Starr, Bob Hope, a USO reunion, Frances La

The powerhouse drummer and vocalist with the Emmy Award-winnng Imagination Movers spent 20 years propelling Dash Rip Rock’s punkabilly onslaught from coast to coast. From “Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot” to “I Want My Mommy,” he plays it all with intensity and finesse. As the School of Rock music director, he passes on his unbridled love of rocking out to the next generation. Since Kyle’s used to dealing with children, he should have no problem handling the Troubled Men. Topics include an old nickname, Hillel Slovak, Christmastime for the Jews, stuck inside of Mobile, Dusti Bongé, Quintron, Miss Pussycat, TV marathons, an Advent pill calendar, Chuck Prophet votes for the Hound, shooting galleries, champing at the bit, a French name, the Brother Martin band, Marty Hurley, Arthur Hardy, Stanton Moore, Keith Spera, Sgt. Pepper, Keith Moon, a Passover gig, meeting Bill Davis, Chris Luckette, touring, Kelly Keller, a TV show, Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest, a bra, a diaper, Studio

He’s a multi-instrumentalist, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Thelonious Monster collaborator, and a cofounder, along with Flea, of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. His career includes playing viola in the orchestra for Ray Charles and playing saxophone with the Chili Peppers, naked except for a sock. Crediting his high school music program with saving his life, he felt compelled to return the favor. Tonight Tree loses the sock and lets it all hang out with the Troubled Men. Topics include a new variant exploding, Mardi Gras plans, an anniversary, Geritol, Castellon’s Pharmacy, Bosco syrup, an N.Y.C. childhood, rural New Jersey, an L.A. relocation, Fairfax High, a school orchestra, college plans, Berklee College of Music, discovering the viola, solving the woodwinds, the harmonica, a change of plans, drug casualties, a golden age, Jack Irons, nicknames, biking to gigs, Hillel Slovak, “Mother’s Milk,” “Truth or Consequences,” Two Free Stooges live, a teaching career, Ho

The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and guitar master’s work with Americana legends like Dave Alvin, Chris Gaffney, and Wanda Jackson as well as his many excellent solo records, including his latest, “Love & Desperation,” speaks for itself. Cutting his teeth in the Southern California honky tonks, the San Bernadino-bred Telecaster slinger has seen it all from the inside out. An artist of subtlety and nuance, Rick throws caution to the wind as he meets up with the Troubled Men to survey the canyons of their minds. Topics include early darkness, shutdowns, sleeping in a car, loitering laws, Marty Allen RIP, a Kevin Gordon tour, tornados, online shopping, express lane friction, a military childhood, Spahn Ranch, flower power, the Bakersfield scene, the Blasters at the Palomino Club, Gene Taylor, Wyman Reese, Festivus, “Public Domain,” Amy Farris, Christy McWilson, R.E.M., John Doe, D.J. Bonebrake, dead friends, “From An Old Guitar,” the Cinema Bar, Tito’s Ta

The virtuoso sousaphone pioneer with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, and his own Backyard Groove reinvented the instrument in the modern band context. Singled out as a star among stars, he’s played and recorded with Elvis Costello, Luther Dickinson, Dr. John, and Bobby Rush. In keeping with his flagship band’s moniker, Kirk keeps it dirty as he goes tit for tat with the Troubled Men. Topics include a new show intro, a Zoom group social event, the drunkest countries, an Australian postcard from Nicole Pavy, RIP Bob Dole, Marty Allen, a lunch faux pas, the N.O. Mt. Rushmore, the 7th ward, the Andrew Bell Jr. High band, Noel Kendrick, band director Donald Richardson, “Frog” Joseph, Charles Joseph, Jerry Brock, the Olympia Brass Band, woodshedding with Roger Lewis, the brass band tradition, tuba vs. sousaphone, destiny, the Majestic Brass Band, touring Europe, the music biz, childhood influences, jam bands, artistic identity, transcendence, Freeman’s Oh Yeah club, and m

The radio personality, bar owner (Circle Bar, Lakeside Lounge NYC), and rock ’n’ roll musicologist moved to the punk rock ground zero of 1977 Lower East Side at age 18, meeting the Cramps, the Ramones, Richard Hell, and Lester Bangs on his very first day in town. His original WFMU radio show (’85-’97) established an outlet for unhinged rockers, blues wailers, greaseball classics, and instrumental madness from his massive collection of 45s and 78s. His new The Hound NYC radio show and Hound Howl podcast carry on that same love of music from the edge. The Hound brings his unvarnished opinions and acerbic wit as he joins the Troubled Men for a stroll through the rubble of memory lane. Topics include a Susan Cowsill Christmas concert, Thanksgiving, a new variant, mob influence, Paterson, N.J., Bud Abbott’s FBI file, life in Florida, Miriam Linna, the Contortions, Lydia Lunch, Robert Quine, Bradley Fields, the Home for Teenage Dirt, record collecting, the Dead Boys, Alex Chilton, Ned

The master drummer and percussionist with Anders Osborne, Karl Denson, and Pimps of Joytime cut his teeth in the Bay Area drum corps scene as a member of the World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drumline. That discipline and precision has served him over a career traveling the globe with rock gods, jazz legends, funk royalty, and punk revolutionaries. Eric has flourished in spite of life-threatening health challenges. Tonight he weathers a sit-down with the Troubled Men. Topics include a Christmas concert, a family gathering, pandemic envy, a carjacking, bow and arrow stick-ups, a gift idea, a female president, a musical family, the dot-com boom, an NYC relocation, the Bomb Squad, Radio Mundial, Theresa Andersson, fast food, Kirk Joseph, Bonerama, label nightmares, John Papa Gros, juggling bands, mystery symptoms, the N.O. Musicians Clinic, a shocking diagnosis, bus tours, dialysis, lost time, MusicCares, movie and TV work, “Belushi,” “Green Book,” and much more. Intro music: Styler/Com

The guitar wiz with George Porter Jr., Maria Muldaur, and Marc Broussard escaped the cultural void of Florida and found a home in the musical mecca of New Orleans. No matter what the situation, Chris always knows just what to play. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men and figures out what to say. Topics include election results, future candidates, a sand trap, a Brass Against pissing contest, Thanksgiving plans, Taylor Swift on SNL, a booster, shot, a family band, high school, Barry Greene, Bunky Green, Trey Brewer, a broken arm, basketball, Teddy Washington, Steve Masakowski, Ingrid Lucia, Benny Carter, touring, teaching, a Brando story, a Dylan son, a birthday gig, and much more. Intro music: Styler/Coman Break and Outro music: “Want To Get Funky” and “The Ladder” from “Crying for Hope” by George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners Support the podcast here. Join the Patreon page here. Shop for Troubled Men’s Wear here. Subscribe, review, and rate (5 stars) on Apple P

The clarinet player, arranger, and driving force behind the Panorama Jazz Band has an affinity for exotic folk music from around the world. A founding member of the N.O. Klezmer All Stars, he’s been mining this vein since he first got to town. Panorama’s “Good Music for You” song-of-the-month subscription service keeps the fresh releases coming. Ben makes time to spell it all out for the Troubled Men. Topics include a trip to Chicago, college plans, a physical exam, a naked football fan, a gypsy roofer, stolen yard signs, street work, an Annapolis childhood, music training, Quaker schools, modern dance, Go-Go music, the Smithsonian, Jonathan Freilich, Arthur Kastler, the Little People’s Club, Dean Stockwell, “Compulsion,” “Blue Velvet,” Mark Rubin, Bruce Springsteen, a Passover program, the Spotted Cat, Frenchmen St., Turkish dates, a bar hustle, a Copenhagen hustle, the Music Box Village, a wedding story, and much more. Intro Music: Styler/Coman Break and

Guitarist Rick Miller and bassist Mary Huff along with Dave Hartman on drums play rockabilly, surf, country, R&B, and Americana from the wrong side of the tracks. Southern-fried favorites with fans and critics alike, Southern Culture’s decades of hard touring and prolific record releases have only sharpened their humor and whet their appetite for rocking. With their latest record, “At Home With Southern Culture on the Skids,” fresh out of the oven, Rick and Mary join the Troubled Men for a meeting of the Troubled Minds. Topics include crime and punishment, a basketball injury, Timothy Hutton, a Buick LeSabre, a van breakdown, Geffen Records, crack, band origins, a coin flip, the Panther Burns, the White twins, the Cramps, Eddie Cochran, AM radio, Virginia, cheap guitars, D.I.Y. recording, a major label deal, “Flirting With Disaster,” Mary Tyler Moore, a wood shop teacher, ‘Dirt Track Date,” the Tonight Show, Ray Farrell, a NASA gig, Hasil Adkins, Miriam Linna, a C

The folk and Western recording artist is a modern troubadour traveling and writing songs of cowboy life in Big Sky country. The singer, guitarist and mandolin player’s latest record, “Range of the Buffalo,” is nominated for multiple International Western Music Assoc. awards. Kerry is comfortable around the campfire and legendary at the Sands Motel. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men with some tall tales from the open plains. Topics include a season in Hell, the campaign, street work, a fan encounter, white pants, an army brat, western exposure, Roy Rogers, cowboy poetry, outlaws, fans, horses, a big winner, Jews in the West, the Bundys, a name change, Chip Dolan, archaeology, Wild West shows, library concerts, storytelling, the Highway 281 tour, and much more. Intro music: Styler/ Coman Break and Outro music: “Range of the Buffalo” and “When the Bullet Left the Gun” from “Range of the Buffalo” by Kerry Grombacher Support the podcast here. Join the Patreon p

The sound engineer with acts like the Neville Bros, Maceo Parker, Steel Pulse, and Ani DiFranco, he’s also the owner of the House of 1000Hz studio, boasting a star-studded client list of national and regional artists. Goat’s early tenure at the experimental Music Gallery in his native Canada taught him to be ready for anything: recording the electric rake with Eugene Chadbourne, mixing Vladimir Putin singing “Blueberry Hill” at a Russian celebrity gala, and now a sit-down with the Troubled Men. Topics include a returning tenant, Manny for Mayor, Gov. Edwards cremation, a city council DWI, night shows, “Brown Sugar,” a nickname, first bands, Depeche Mode, Toronto, arts grants, Canadian content, Ethan Allen, Daniel Lanois, Kingsway Studio, live recording, Trina Shoemaker, test tones, Chopper Brady, a job offer, a drag race with Aaron Neville, Helen Gillet, a John Zorn session, a Russian soldiers story, and much more. Intro music: Styler/Coman Break and Outro music: “LOG

The Memphis titan of the tenor sax has played and recorded with artists including Al Green, Alex Chilton, Tony Bennett, Mavis Staples, Mose Allison, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. A fixture on sessions at Ardent Recording and Sam Phillips Studios, and with famed producers Willie Mitchell and Jim Dickinson, he covers the waterfront from jazz to R&B, soul, and rock’n’roll. Jim shines on any stage he finds himself on. Tonight he sits in on a set with the Troubled Men. Topics include ditch digging, losses, Manny for Mayor, prequels, a resignation, NFL culture, family ties, a school band, a Huey’s residency, Doug Garrison, Jerry Lawler, Stan Getz, Eddie Harris, Jim Terry, Stax, the Memphis Horns, Leon Russell, Berklee College of Music, Sid Selvidge, Fred Ford, Nokie Taylor, the Antenna Club, Doug Easley, the Del Fuegos, the Replacements, Duck Dunn, Randy Haspel, band sandwiches, Levon Helm, Joe Mulherin, Austin City Limits, a Clinton inauguration, Garth Hudson, Brenda Lee, C

The award-winning blues guitar player, vocalist, and songwriter migrated from Canada to Austin on invitation from legendary impresario Clifford Antone. The young Tele slinger immediately found herself sharing stages with giants like Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, and Jimmy Vaughan. Fifteen solo records later, she celebrates the release of “Pinky’s Blues,” backed by Mike Flanigin (Billy Gibbons), Chris Layton (SRV), and her original bassist, Jon Penner. Sue holds her own as she goes a couple of rounds with the Troubled Men. Topics include recovery, a tenant, a DUI charge, assassins, Manny for Mayor, Malevitus, a trash threat, #1 with a bullet, a blues introduction, a James Cotton show, touring with Mark Hummel, visa hassles, the blues circuit, an Antone’s residency, shooting dice, Texas love, Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, lost legends, Will and Charlie Sexton’s birthday gig, the Continental Club, a calling, the paisley Telecaster, the Sue Foley Podcast, Charo, meeting the Iguanas, and m

The Grammy-winning pianist, vocalist, and songwriter has worked with top acts like Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, Dr. John, and Eric Burdon. His solo records with the Absolute Monster Gentlemen are widely acclaimed as some of the finest examples of modern New Orleans funk and R’n’B. He’s played Royal Albert Hall and San Quentin State Prison. Now Jon finds the sweet spot between the two on the Troubled Men Podcast. Topics include storm repairs, roof leaks, a thumbs up, election season, a fundraiser, Manny for Mayor, a textbook nightmare, accents, slang, an English childhood, an exotic aunt, family musicians, a punk adolescence, hearing Professor Longhair, moving to New Orleans, a Maple Leaf job offer, red beans and rice, a James Booker seizure, early bands, Johnny Adams, a piano vacuum, Mighty Sam McClain, Guitar Slim Jr., mask aversion, the Quarantini Happy Hour, Charlie Gabriel, piano lessons, live dates, Thursdays, travel, Frostop, and much more. Intro music: Styler/Coman Break music: "Getcha Go

The tenor sax master’s resume includes Sturgill Simpson, Marcia Ball, Anders Osborne, George Porter, and Rickie Lee Jones. His exciting solo releases range from experimental collaborations such as redrawblak with Simon Lott, as well as modern jazz records (“Quintet,” “The Dockside Sessions”) and the upcoming concert film “Extended + Brad Walker.” Brad’s a sensitive soul with a spiritual bent. Should be an interesting contrast to the Troubled Men. Topics include the mayoral campaign, restarting school, Ida aftermath, a FEMA trailer, a stalker returns, a fundraiser, N. Carolina tobacco country, high school band, LSU music school, Teach for America, a NYC identity, a master’s degree, Jeff Albert, Mardi Gras balls, TV appearances, tenor vs. baritone sax, beard vs. mustache, original music, the Circle Bar, the desert, Buddhism, universal truths, Lee Allen, Mark Mullins, Jason Mingledorff, John Papa Gros, a quarantine quote, Esplanade Studio, a glimmer of hope,

The veteran engineer, producer and tour manager with Preservation Hall, Zachary Richard, Essence Fest, and the Ogden Museum has produced a new record with the recently departed singer/songwriter from Big Sun, Joe Tullos. The “Vessels” project was a labor of love by Michael and a close-knit stable of players and the final artistic statement of a dying friend. On the heels of Yom Kippur, the Troubled Men turn from the sacred to the profane. Topics include memory loss, pocket notes, a stump grinder, FEMA, RIP Norm Macdonald, the Jeopardy saga, the start of school, RIP George Wein, the founding of Jazz Fest, programming, Thursdays, a Detroit childhood, a move south, St Paul’s, the audio game, trad jazz, Lafayette, RIP Warren Storm, Linda Ronstadt’s uncle, Sound Check Music, “LA Juke Box,” hanging with the Rolling Stones, Pyramid Audio, loose change, trash pickup, the River Road Collective, Meg Griffin, Kevin Aucoin, Mark Byrdawg Dillon, Randy Ellis, Brendan Gallagher, a burial