EP376 Behind the Board with Mario Quintero | Spotlights, Pallbearer, Shiner & More

EP376 Behind the Board with Mario Quintero | Spotlights, Pallbearer, Shiner & More

Tom sits down with recording engineer, producer, and mixer Mario Quintero for a deep conversation about three decades of recording music, the evolution of digital production, and the philosophy behind creating massive yet authentic-sounding records. Mario discusses his work with bands including Spotlights, Pallbearer, Hiroe, Shiner, Amblare, Moon Destroys, and Bunuel, explaining how his approach to recording has evolved throughout his career. Rather than relying on endless processing or technical tricks, Mario emphasizes the importance of the song, the performance, and finding the right balance between instruments. After beginning his recording journey with ADAT machines and eventually moving into Pro Tools, Mario explains how the transition from analog recording to modern digital production changed the way musicians and engineers work. He describes how today's musicians have access to an unprecedented amount of information and learning resources, allowing them to develop their skills faster than previous generations. Mario also explains his "less is more" approach to production and how, over the last decade, he has moved away from heavily manipulating individual tracks toward creating space, balance, and interaction between instruments. Additional topics include: * Mario's 30-year recording career * Engineering, mixing, mastering, and production * Working with Spotlights and Pallbearer * Hiroe and long-term musical relationships * Shiner and the pressure of working with established bands * Amblare and the Brian St. Pair recording * Moon Destroys * Bunuel with Eugene Robinson * Working with smaller independent bands * Analog recording and ADAT * The transition to Pro Tools * Modern digital recording techniques * Why "less is more" can produce better records * Balancing huge production with live energy * Mixing and mastering * Translating studio recordings to live performances * Getting musicians to think about the band as a complete unit Mario shares how being both a musician and engineer allows him to work backward from a desired sonic result, often envisioning the final record while creating demos. He also discusses the challenge of remaining objective when you're deeply involved in every stage of a project and the importance of having trusted people who will provide honest, unfiltered feedback. The conversation goes beyond recording technology and into the psychology of making records. Mario explains why producers need to help musicians understand their role within the overall arrangement rather than focusing exclusively on their individual parts. He discusses overplaying, excessive effects, the importance of space, and why emotional impact ultimately matters more than technical perfection. Mario also talks about why he particularly enjoys mixing, describing the process of discovering what a great recording can become once all of the individual performances are brought together. For musicians, producers, engineers, and fans interested in what happens behind the scenes of heavy music, this episode provides an inside look at the creative and technical decisions that turn great performances into great records.

EP375 Mark Sunshine Talks Unida, Patriarchs in Black & His Legendary Music Career

Tom welcomes legendary vocalist Mark Sunshine for an in-depth conversation covering more than three decades of heavy music, from his early days with Elysium and System Addict to his current work with Patriarchs in Black, Unida, and the emerging progressive metal project Lost Beacon. Mark reflects on his musical journey, explaining why he stepped away from music at various points throughout his career rather than settling into performing cover songs. He discusses his time with Elysium before joining System Addict alongside Damon Trotta and Ed Furman, laying the foundation for a career built on authenticity and powerful vocal performances. The conversation explores Mark's recent contributions to Patriarchs in Black, including recording "Immigrant Song" after being recommended by Mike of Non-Fiction. Mark also shares updates on the upcoming 4 Patriarchs release, revealing that three new songs are currently being completed ahead of a September deadline. He also teases another cover song suggested by Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative and Quiet Riot. Additional topics include: * Mark Sunshine's career history * Elysium and System Addict * Patriarchs in Black * Recording "Immigrant Song" * The upcoming 4 Patriarchs album * Working with Johnny Kelly * Unida's return * Mojave Festival 2027 * Tabernas Festival in Spain * Lost Beacon with Trevor from Ashen Hoard * Performing classic songs while maintaining originality * The importance of authentic live performances * Touring as the ultimate test for new music Mark also discusses his role as the vocalist for Unida since 2022, including upcoming appearances at Mojave Festival 2027 alongside Yawning Man, Mondo Generator, Red Fang, and Deathchant. While excited about the band's future, he candidly addresses the frustrations surrounding delays in releasing new material and emphasizes the importance of getting music into fans' hands. Tom and Mark also dive into the philosophy of performing classic songs, discussing Rainbow, Led Zeppelin, and Chicago while exploring the balance between honoring iconic performances and maintaining one's own artistic identity. The conversation closes with updates on Lost Beacon, Mark's collaboration with Trevor from Ashen Hoard, which blends progressive metal and power metal into an exciting new creative direction.

EP374 Holler of Doom 2026 Recap | Festival Review, Doom Metal & Behind the Scenes

Tom welcomes David back to the show for a complete recap of Holler of Doom 2026, reflecting on one of the festival's biggest and most successful years despite unpredictable weather, logistical challenges, and the ever-changing realities of organizing an independent music festival. David shares how heavy rain and overnight storms threatened portions of the weekend but ultimately had little impact on the performances themselves. Thanks to careful planning, dedicated volunteers, and an incredible community effort, the festival ran smoothly with no major incidents while delivering two unforgettable days of underground heavy music. The conversation highlights many of the standout performances from across the weekend, including unforgettable sets from Vibrolas, Crystal Spiders, Faerie Ring, Wyndryder, Year of October, Hollows, Phoxxxy Grandma, Earth Tomb, Riffzard, Ghost in Me, and Veilcaste, whose appearance marked the venue's 100th show. David also discusses how Vibrolas' partnership has helped shape the future direction of Holler of Doom, creating an even stronger foundation for future festivals. Additional topics include: * Holler of Doom 2026 recap * Overcoming severe weather conditions * Festival logistics and organization * Record-breaking pre-sale ticket numbers * Supporting more bands than ever before * Vendor and sponsor appreciation * Hagtronics' festival sponsorship * Merchandise sales and festival branding * Growing attendance from across the United States * Community volunteers and teamwork * Heat exhaustion response and attendee safety * Planning Holler of Doom 2027 * Building one of the Southeast's premier underground heavy music festivals * David also reflects on more than two decades of involvement in underground heavy music and how Holler of Doom has evolved from its humble beginnings into a destination event for doom, sludge, stoner rock, and underground metal fans. The episode concludes with a look ahead at future festivals, upcoming shows, and the continued growth of the Holler of Doom community.

Patrick of Nehoda Discusses Songwriting, Touring & Building a Career Beyond the Music Business

Tom welcomes Patrick of Nashville-based heavy rock band Nehoda for a thoughtful conversation about the band's musical evolution, recording philosophy, the realities of balancing music with full-time careers, and the ever-changing Nashville music scene. Patrick shares the story of relocating from Seattle to Nashville nearly a decade ago in search of a more affordable city where musicians could continue creating while maintaining sustainable careers. Together, Tom and Patrick reflect on Nashville's incredible level of musicianship and how many world-class performers balance their artistic passions alongside everyday professions. The conversation explores Nehoda's evolution across four albums, highlighting the band's decision to embrace a more studio-oriented approach for their latest recordings. Patrick explains how layering guitars, vocals, and additional textures allowed the band to expand beyond their traditional live recording style while preserving the emotional core of each song. He also discusses revisiting earlier material by re-recording five songs with drummer Chip, giving longtime fans a fresh perspective on the band's growth and improved production. Additional topics include: * Moving from Seattle to Nashville * Nashville's thriving music community * Building songs inside the recording studio * The band's evolution over four albums * Re-recording classic songs with drummer Chip * Independent music promotion and PR strategies * Balancing a full-time career with touring * Quality over quantity in live performances * Weekend touring and regional expansion * The changing Nashville music landscape * Staying artistically authentic in a commercial music city * Learning to enjoy the present instead of constantly chasing the next goal * Family, loss, perspective, and finding balance through music Patrick also opens up about the challenges of managing the business side of an independent band while maintaining his passion for creating music. The discussion concludes with an honest conversation about personal growth, the importance of appreciating each milestone, and why making meaningful music remains the band's greatest priority.

EP372 Okay You Win End of Days, DesertFest London & Blues Funeral

Tom welcomes David, Rodrigo, and Antonio of UK heavy rock band Okay You Win for an in-depth conversation about their debut full-length album End of Days, recording with producer Andy Hawkins, signing with Blues Funeral Recordings, and building a career through authenticity rather than chasing trends. The band reflects on the creation of End of Days, discussing how every song was written honestly from personal experiences without trying to fit into commercial expectations. Tom praises the album's dynamic songwriting, particularly the opening track "Smoke," while the band shares the stories behind standout songs including "Beat Me Down," "The Greatest Lie," and "Red Flag." David explains how the lyric "I won't break" became a defining statement for the record, representing perseverance through life's challenges. Rodrigo discusses the collaborative effort that shaped "The Greatest Lie," while Antonio highlights the spontaneous punk energy that made "Red Flag" one of the band's favorite songs to perform live. Additional topics include: * The making of End of Days * Recording with producer Andy Hawkins in Leeds * Signing with Blues Funeral Recordings * Honest songwriting and artistic authenticity * Lessons learned during the recording process * Desertfest London * Opening for Alan Johannes * Performing at London's legendary Underworld * Opening for Orange Goblin at Cart & Horses * Queens of the Stone Age's influence * Favorite emerging UK bands * Touring Europe and future U.S. plans * Expanding internationally while remaining independent The conversation also explores the band's rapid growth, from early local performances with friends to festival appearances and major support slots. The members discuss the importance of staying true to their artistic vision while building momentum across Europe and looking ahead to future tours in the United States. Their passion for songwriting, friendship, and genuine connection with listeners shines throughout this engaging interview.