The SoCal Setlist

Shred Sean: Blessed by a Broken Heart, Those Guys, and a Life Built on Guitar

“I can’t stop. I’ll stop when I die.” That line sums up Sean Maier’s story. Known to many as Shred Sean, Sean is a guitarist, songwriter, teacher, and performer whose life with music started the way so many great stories do: with one song that changed everything. For Sean, that song was Bush’s “Glycerine.” He heard it as a kid, picked up the guitar, and never really put it down. What started with a seventh-grade guitar class and a few power chords quickly turned into hours of practice, a deep dive into players like Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt, and Paul Gilbert, and a lifelong obsession with getting better. In this episode of The SoCal Setlist with Brian Jensen, Sean talks about growing up in Long Island, working in his parents’ deli, trading sandwiches for VHS shred guitar lessons, building confidence through small wins, and eventually joining Blessed by a Broken Heart after answering a MySpace bulletin looking for a shred guitar player. By 21, Sean had left New York to join the band in Montreal, and by 22 he was touring Europe, signing record deals, recording in major studios, and touring with the band globally. But this conversation is not just about the highlight reel. Sean also talks about the grind: sleeping on floors, touring out of vans, dealing with criticism, watching opportunities come and go, and learning that a career in music requires serious thick skin. As he puts it, people are going to doubt you, and you have to really believe in yourself. From playing large stages in front of thousands, to finding new ways to keep his original music alive, Sean’s story is a reminder that the path is rarely straight, but the people who last are the ones who keep finding a way. This is the story of someone who has passion, purpose, and relentless drive. In This Episode * Sean and Brian talk about: * How Bush’s “Glycerine” sparked Sean’s love for guitar * Growing up in Long Island and working in his parents’ deli * Learning guitar in seventh grade and getting laughed at during an early performance * Building confidence through small wins * Discovering Van Halen, Yngwie, George Lynch, Nuno Bettencourt, and Paul Gilbert * Trading deli sandwiches for VHS shred guitar lessons * Joining Blessed by a Broken Heart through MySpace * Leaving New York for Montreal at 21 * Touring Europe and signing international record deals * Recording Pedal to the Metal Playing in Japan * Why musicians need thick skin * Why Sean says he’ll keep playing music no matter what * His current work with Those Guys and his own original music Follow Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shredstarz/ [https://www.instagram.com/shredstarz/] Watch the official video for "Megadrive" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9MZlI5Ux94 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9MZlI5Ux94] SoCal Soundcheck is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com [http://TsunamiCables.com].

Chris Lozano: From a Coal Mining Town to Nashville’s Studio C

Country-rock artist Chris Lozano didn’t come from a music industry family. He grew up in Paonia, Colorado, a small coal mining town where his graduating class had just 40 people - and where hard work wasn’t a slogan, it was a way of life. In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Chris shares the story behind his journey: singing Motown and classic country as a kid, getting pulled out of middle school detention by a choir teacher who heard something in his voice, meeting the woman who would become his wife, serving in the Marine Corps, and eventually finding his way into country music. Chris also talks about how his military background shaped his songwriting, especially on songs like “Boots on Sacred Ground,” written for the Marines, military members who never came home, and the Gold Star families who carry that loss every day. In one of the most emotional moments of the conversation, Chris explains that he doesn’t write to impress everyone — he writes so the people the song is meant for can feel seen. The episode also goes deep into Chris’s Nashville recording experience at Historic RCA Studio C, working with producer Eddie Gore, and learning from the kind of session musicians who have played with major artists across country, rock, and Americana. Chris shares stories about walking the same halls as legends, tracking with Nashville players, and learning how small changes in songwriting, phrasing, production, and performance can turn a song into something that connects. Chris also opens up about the grind of booking, building a band, getting rejected, and staying persistent: “For every yes I’ve got, I’ve gotten probably like 20, 30 no’s. So don’t take the no’s as you’re a failure.” That mindset runs through the whole conversation - from Paonia to the Marine Corps, from karaoke nights to Nashville, from local shows to national stages. In this episode * Growing up in a small coal mining town in Colorado * How Chris first discovered his voice * Meeting his wife in middle school * Serving in the Marine Corps and learning guitar while stationed in Hawaii * Writing songs with emotional weight and personal meaning * The story behind “Boots on Sacred Ground” * Recording at Historic RCA Studio C in Nashville * Working with producer Eddie Gore * Nashville takeaways, session players, and songwriting lessons * The reality of booking shows and hearing “no” again and again * Building the Chris Lozano Band and taking country-rock on the road Featured/mentioned: Chris Lozano Band, Eddie Gore, Historic RCA Studio C, Bekka Bramlett, Tim Buppert, Steve Mackey, Dane Bryant, Tyler Cain, Jared Kneale, Erik Peterson, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Billy Gibbons, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Elvis Presley, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson. Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrislozanocountry/ [https://www.instagram.com/chrislozanocountry/] Website: https://chrislozanoband.com/ [https://chrislozanoband.com/] SoCal Soundcheck is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com [http://TsunamiCables.com].

Brian Gaylord: “I Have Three Hours to Make You Love Country Music"

“I have three hours to convince everybody in the room that they love country music.” That line says a lot about Brian Gaylord. On this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian Gaylord joins the show alongside Eric Davis of the Brian Gaylord & Country Star Band for a conversation about country music, rodeo grit, original songs, Nashville recording, and the standard behind building a serious live band. Before he was fronting a country band, Brian was a professional rodeo cowboy — traveling, competing, and living inside the culture that would eventually shape his sound. Country music was always there, playing on the radio, becoming part of his voice, his style, and his identity. After knee surgeries and being told he might never ride again, Brian had to figure out what came next. Music became more than a side passion. It became the next arena. That same competitive mindset carried into his recording career. Brian talked about flying to Nashville, working with high-level musicians, recording at the home studio of a Rascal Flatts member, and building songs with players connected to artists like Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw. That standard also defines the Brian Gaylord & Country Star Band. Brian is intentional about the musicians he brings onstage — players who can deliver a polished, full, real country sound. With Eric Davis on guitar and a lineup that includes top-tier players, pedal steel, multiple guitarists, and backing vocals, the band is built to sound big, professional, and unmistakably country. The episode also digs into the challenge of bringing country music into Southern California venues, especially rooms that may not think of themselves as country audiences. Brian’s goal is not just to entertain the crowd. It is to win them over. Brian and Eric also performed live in the studio, giving the episode a stripped-down look at the musicianship behind the stories. In this episode, Brian Gaylord and Eric Davis talk about Brian’s rodeo background, the knee injuries that tested his determination, trading a saddle for his first guitar, recording original music in Nashville, working with top-level producers and session players, building the Brian Gaylord & Country Star Band, winning over non-country audiences, playing original songs live, Eric’s guitar approach, and live in-studio performances. Brian Gaylord on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_gaylord_music/ [https://www.instagram.com/brian_gaylord_music/] Brian Gaylord & Country Star Band on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briangaylordcountrystarband/ [https://www.instagram.com/briangaylordcountrystarband/] Eric Davis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericdavissd/ [https://www.instagram.com/ericdavissd/] SoCal Soundcheck is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com [http://TsunamiCables.com].

Press Rewind’s Matt Rivera on Guitar, Confidence, and the Temecula Music Scene

Matt Rivera’s story starts with a box of cassette tapes. Growing up in Southern California, Matt discovered bands like Van Halen, Aerosmith, Stryper, and Scorpions through his dad’s music collection. His dad played guitar, the songs hit hard, and somewhere in that mix of classic rock riffs and cassette-era discovery, Matt found the thing that would stick with him for life. In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian Jensen sits down with Matt Rivera, guitarist and backup vocalist for Press Rewind, a SoCal dad rock cover band playing classic rock, ’90s, and 2000s alternative rock around the Temecula Valley. Matt talks about growing up in the Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, and Temecula area, starting on piano before switching to guitar, learning early songs like Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Papa Roach’s “Last Resort,” and forming his first band with longtime friend Chris Merchant. The conversation also gets into the story behind Press Rewind, playing with a live band at local open mic nights, learning songs on the fly, and the musicianship that comes from being able to support different singers, players, and requests in real time. Of course, there’s plenty of guitar talk too. Matt breaks down his EVH guitars, PRS Custom 24, LTD George Lynch model, Martin acoustic, 5150 amp, DigiTech Drop pedal, EVH effects, noise gate setup, and why tube amps still have a sound that’s hard to replace. But at the heart of the episode is something every musician can relate to: confidence. When asked about the hardest obstacle he’s had to overcome as a musician, Matt said: “Believing in myself and enjoying what I do. If you’re having fun doing it, that’s all that matters.” That’s the thread running through the whole conversation - from a kid digging through cassette tapes to a guitarist still chasing that same feeling on stage. Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicnerd/ [https://www.instagram.com/musicnerd/] Follow Press Rewind on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pressrewind_band/ [https://www.instagram.com/pressrewind_band/] SoCal Soundcheck Sponsored by Tsunami Cables Great tone starts with great gear, and great gear has to be reliable. Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or setting up for a podcast, your cables are the last thing you want to worry about. That’s why SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com [https://www.tsunamicables.com/]. Offer valid through May 29, 2027.

Apollo Spalding of Hypno Sapo Isn’t Interested in Copies of Copies

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, Brian sits down with Apollo Spalding, guitarist and songwriter for the psychedelic alt-rock band Hypno Sapo. Apollo’s approach to music is anything but one-dimensional. His sound and technique are shaped by a wide range of influences, from Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, the Sex Pistols and Prince to Chicago blues, Delta blues, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Skip James, Celtic/gypsy jazz, Russian composers like Shostakovich, Eastern sounds, reggae, funk and more. But what makes Hypno Sapo stand out is not just the range of influences. It is what Apollo does with them. The band’s music may feel psychedelic, unpredictable and strange, but it is not random. Apollo talks about writing with different modes, tunings, voice leading, tone, dynamics and the details that make each song feel alive. His guitar parts are built with intention, helping give Hypno Sapo a sound that feels original, creative and uncompromising. Apollo also shares how Hypno Sapo came together, what it is like writing and performing original music in a local scene dominated by cover bands, why recording the band live mattered, and why supporting local original artists is so important. Meet Apollo Spalding of Hypno Sapo. Follow Apollo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fwrad_radikal/ [https://www.instagram.com/fwrad_radikal/] Hypno Sapo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypno.sapo/ [https://www.instagram.com/hypno.sapo/] Listen to Hypno Sapo's self-titled debut EP on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htNcyLahWDA&list=PL8KM0L4kq-n_pZVkDHiZ4tPr0t168J-Cz [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htNcyLahWDA&list=PL8KM0L4kq-n_pZVkDHiZ4tPr0t168J-Cz] SoCal Soundcheck Sponsored by Tsunami Cables Great tone starts with great gear, and great gear has to be reliable. Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or setting up for a podcast, your cables are the last thing you want to worry about. That’s why SoCal Soundcheck is proud to be sponsored by Tsunami Cables. These are high-quality, dependable cables built for working musicians, serious players, and anyone who values gear that performs night after night. When your signal matters, your cable matters. Use promo code SOCALSOUND at checkout for 10% off your order at TsunamiCables.com [http://TsunamiCables.com]. Offer valid through May 29, 2027.