Top of the Hill

Episode 7: Dexter and the Moonrocks Are the Band of the People

"God did not give me the gift of being a musician," Dexter and the Moonrocks drummer and social media savant Ryan Fox says. "God gave me the gift of marketing." Fox might be selling himself a bit short. While it's true that Dexter and the Moonrocks have made waves over the past several years with a series of hilarious viral TikToks, the Abiliene, Texas-based musicians also built a devoted following through a clever blend of alternative rock and country music that they've dubbed "Western space grunge." The band's newest EP, 'Happy to Be Here,' has racked up millions of streams thanks to catchy, bittersweet, rocking songs like "Sarahtonin" and "Ritalin," and the band is touring rigorously across the United States, packing 1,000 and 1,500-cap rooms and beyond. Fox visited the 'Top of the Hill' podcast to detail Dexter and the Moonrocks' tireless work ethic, what country music means to them and how they've harnessed social media to yap their way to the top.

Episode 6: The Dirty Nil Are Happier Than Ever

So you wanna be in a rock 'n' roll band? You should hear this testimony from the Dirty Nil frontman Luke Bentham first. The Dundas, Ontario rockers released their fifth album 'The Lash' on Friday, July 25. It's another blistering collection of high-octane anthems inspired by the likes of the Who and the Stooges, full of arena rock histrionics and hardcore punk ferocity (with a few tender moments in between). It also marks the happiest chapter of the Dirty Nil's career to date. Luke and I discuss the Catholic inspiration behind 'The Lash,' the exorbitant costs of running a radio campaign, the trials and tribulations that inspired much of their new album, and why the Dirty Nil are having the best time of their lives.

Episode 5: Cinema Stereo Are Getting Better All the Time

The members of Nashville-by-way-of-Orlando rock band Cinema Stereo have been playing together for years, and they had the luxury of toiling in private as they worked out the kinks in their sound. Now they're ready to bring their vibrant, modern-vintage rock 'n' roll to the masses. Take it from me: My band, Ne’er-do-well, has shared the stage with Cinema Stereo twice in Austin, and both times they've won the crowd with their fiery twin-guitar leads, soaring hooks and infectious stage presence. Singer/bassist Ian Rayha, guitarists Will Sawyer and Sebastian Borysek and drummer Luke Pate stopped by 'Top of the Hill' to discuss the new Cinema Stereo EP 'Can't Get Close Enough,' the grind of DIY touring, the small markers of success that motivate them along the way, and why at this point in their fairly young career, they've already come too far to give up.

Episode 4: Old Neon's Got a New 'Resolution'

Listening to Old Neon's brand of Warped Tour-ready pop-punk, it's tempting to say they don't make 'em like this anymore — but the Pittsburgh quintet's new EP 'Resolution' is proof that, actually, they do. Produced by the Wonder Years' Matt Brasch and mastered by veteran Philadelphia producer Will Yip, 'Resolution' is packed with top-down pop-punk anthems sporting gigantic hooks, soaring vocals and zesty lead guitar. Old Neon guitarist Mike McInnes details how the band's age gaps and diverse musical interests influenced the EP, their experience opening for modern pop-punk legends Knuckle Puck, and their commitment to building their audience one show and one fan at a time.

Episode 3: Lowlives Are Going for Broke

On paper, Lowlives had a spectacular 2024, releasing their debut album 'FREAKING OUT,' going on tour with Alkaline Trio and performing at Download festival. But, as lead singer/guitarist Lee Downer puts it, they also "fuckin' ate shit." Downer (ex-The Defiled) and drummer Luke Johnson (ex-Lostprophets) were music industry veterans by the time they formed Lowlives, which is a fancy way of saying they'd been burned more times than they could count. So it makes sense that the minute they stopped caring about other people's ideas and started doing things on their own terms, big things started happening. On the latest episode of 'Top of the Hill,' Downer and Johnson talk about the long, hard road to releasing 'FREAKING OUT,' their trial-by-fire debut U.K. tour and why they just can't quit playing back-breaking (and bank-breaking) vintage amps.