The Radiators co-founding guitarist/singer weighs in on the early days of the iconic band, the Tulane connection, and the accidental genius of success outside the music biz game. Dave discusses the MOMS Balls and the role of tape trading culture in building generations of devotees, as well as his post-Rads tenure with Raw Oyster Cult and recent dates with the Last Waltz Reunion tour. He’s been on COVID lockdown, but with the fever behind him, he joins the Troubled Men to blow off some steam. Top...
May 07, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 103
The Lost Bayou Ramblers frontman discusses a batch of new releases on his Nouveau Electric Records label. These include “Les String Noise” (with cellist Leyla McCalla and violin duo Pauline Kim and Conrad Harris) and “L.E.S. Douze Vol. 2” recorded during his residency at minimalist composer John Zorn’s The Stone concert series, as well as the trippy, ambient steel guitar record “Droste” by Lost Bayou Ramblers guitar player Jonny Campos’ Weeks Island project. Louis also talks about touring with P...
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 102
The legendary conga player was featured on classic recordings by Professor Longhair, the Meters, Dr. John, John Mooney, and Allen Toussaint, as well as foundational works by the Wild Magnolias and soul queen Irma Thomas, just to name a few. His eight years on the road with Fess prepared him for almost anything. Tonight he schools the Troubled Men. Topics include a cocktail party, a recap, a character, a crime report, a wager, ads, shaming, the Jeopardy, Alec Trebek, Ruta Lee, Easter, a nickname,...
Apr 23, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 101
In the third and final installment, the stellar lineup of guests, bassist/singer DC Harbold (Clockwork Elvis, More Fun Comics), podcaster Ian Wadley (Diabolus in Podcastica), guitarist/architect Jeff Treffinger (Geraniums, Tribe Nunzio), singer Glyn Styler (Lydia Lunch, Panther Burns), and guitarist/producer Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal, Queens of the Stone Age), weighs in from Safe Houses far and near to offer congratulations and condolences to the Troubled Men on their historic 100th E...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 100
The cavalcade of superstars continues as pop icon Susan Cowsill (the Cowsills, Continental Drifters) hoodoo bluesman Papa Mali (Killer Bees, 7 Walkers), Soviet madman Yegor Romantsov (Debauche), singer/health advocate Kimberly Kaye (Loose Cattle, Chronically Chill), and singer/songwriter Luke Spurr Allen (Happy Talk) toe the Party Line with the Troubled Men. They draw the curtains, dim the lights, and podcast like there’s no tomorrow. Topics include Roger Corman, “Boxcar Bertha,” “Mean Streets,”...
Apr 09, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 100
After the 100th Episode Party gets scuttled by public health concerns and the stay-at-home order, the Troubled Men pivot to a series of 3-way calls to catch up with previous guests. In the first installment, Squirrel Nut Zippers founder Jimbo Mathus, composer/guitarist Jonathan Freilich, bassist/saloon owner Dave Clements, master drummer Johnny Vidacovich, and Tony Award-winning actor/musician Michael Cerveris check in from their safe houses to report on life since the podcast and where they’re ...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 100
In the wake of the emerging pandemic, the Troubled Men convene from their respective safe houses on a party line with Dick Deluxe, the Zelig of rock and roll, to discuss the new paradigm, possible ways forward, and the loss of Kenny Rodgers. Social distancing may be new to most people, but it’s old hat to Manny Chevrolet. Topics include a prediction come true, a job opening, reduced resources, new methods, contagion, an encore appearance, a last hurrah, a sea change, a porchcast, police action, ...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 99
The A-list drummer has played and recorded with everyone from Willie Nelson, Gatemouth Brown, and Alison Krauss to Derek Trucks, Charlie Hunter, and Bobby Rush. Doug’s background as the son of a Lafayette session bass player and mentee of blues/zydeco master Lil’ Buck Sinegal fostered his roots inclinations, while mind-blowing exposure to jazz masters such as Johnny Vidacovich and Ricky Sebastian launched his love of that music. As he completes his documentary on New Orleans drumming and some of...
Mar 19, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 98
The photographer and film editor has been a girl about town since she was a high school student on the nightclub scene. She has worked on such modern classics as “Bayou Maharajah” and “William Eggleston in the Real World.” Aimée now runs the Embassy, a nonprofit recording studio and fashion school in the 9th Ward. With a prominent street named after her Spanish converso ancestor, she’s New Orleans royalty. Tonight she gets down and dirty with the hoi polloi in the Ring Room. Topics include Super...
Mar 12, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 97
With the Klezmer All Stars, the Naked Orchestra, and his work in numerous side projects, you’d think the guitarist/composer would have a full plate. Jonathan’s appetite for adventurous music has also driven him into writing operatic works and creating sound design for film. He’s seemingly undaunted by a challenge, so let’s see how he meets the test of the Ring Room. Topics include a Mardi Gras wrap-up, Thai food, Lent, a 100th episode party, a recording session, “Judy,” a London childhood, an L....
Mar 05, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 96
He's hosted WWOZ’s “New Orleans Music Show” and the nationally syndicated “9-Volt Heart” radio program and is a sound recordist for film and an award-winning documentarian. George’s training in cultural anthropology and cinematography led him to teaching positions at Tulane, UNO, and NOCCA. He’s got a bright future ahead of him, but first he’s got to make it out of the Ring Room. Topics include Family Gras, malpractice, “The Pharmacist,” an eating contest, party planning, John Sinclair, new vent...
Feb 27, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 95
He’s been playing music professionally since he and his brother Charlie were 8- and 10-year-olds sharing stages with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Doug Sahm, and the cream of the Austin music scene. Will spent his teen years making records, touring the world, and hanging out with a who’s who of rock royalty from New York to L.A. The singer/songwriter/guitarist is all grown up with a terrific new record backed by the Iguanas, “Don’t Walk the Darkness,” coming out March 6. He slips into the Ring Room to cha...
Feb 20, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 94
He’s written books on New Orleans icon Ernie K-Doe and the Zydeco culture of south Louisiana. He spearheaded the career revival of the Hackberry Ramblers, producing and playing drums with the Cajun band for eighteen years culminating in their Grammy nomination after 70 years together. Ben is attracted to offbeat characters and cultural ephemera, so of course he winds up in the Ring Room with the Troubled Men. Topics include the Super Bowl, Tom Flores’ Hall of Fame snub, corrupt institutions, a B...
Feb 13, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 93
The guitarist has been a star on the blues scene in Norway for decades, having played on over 70 records with top musicians at home and abroad. Arne’s also an avid fan of New Orleans music and the Troubled Men Podcast. As he completes his first solo record with some Crescent City luminaries, we take the opportunity to haul him into the Ring Room to spar for a few rounds. Topics include a shameful tragedy, a tarp, Corona time, bargain accommodations, a week of gigs, Joni Mitchell, Scandinavian me...
Feb 07, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 92
The slide guitar master spent his teenage years studying and playing Delta blues with the great Son House, one of the foundational practitioners who was an early influence on the legendary Robert Johnson. John’s got a hellhound on his trail—just be careful not to look the beast in the eyes. Topics include a new semester, political drama, haircare tips, police contact, a mentor, a Rochester relocation, vintage underwear, a hitchhiking nightmare, a narrow escape, a New Orleans relocation, meeting ...
Jan 31, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 91
The puppeteer and recording artist is one half of the genre-defying duo Quintron and Miss Pussycat, called the weirdest band in the world by the great John Waters. Miss P has presented original puppet shows from art museums to rock clubs around the world. Tonight she pulls the strings on the Troubled Men and makes them dance. Topics include a celebrity death, a playoff loss, exercise, a previous guest, a mixer, Michael Tisserand, a pointless attack, an elusive guest, a bad interview, weaponized ...
Jan 17, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 90
From the guitar player’s many years with Dr. John, Anders Osborne, and Johnny Sansone, and his recording work with Klaus Voormann and Rickie Lee Jones, to sessions for film and TV and his own solo records, John is known as someone who goes all out for the music. He’s come a long way from the prairies of Montana to the balmy environs of New Orleans. It’s all seemingly led him to this moment in the Ring Room with the Troubled Men. Some things are worth working for. Topics include a new year, low b...
Jan 09, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 89
The singer/songwriter began as a child preacher and revival soloist in the Baptist church of Ringgold, Louisiana. Jerry’s love of music outlasted his faith and led to his tenure in Los Angeles with the Walking Wounded during the 1980s post-punk roots explosion. Eight records and a PhD in literature later, he returned to New Orleans to indoctrinate a new generation of impressionable youth. The Troubled Men welcome any help they can get. Topics include a holiday fire hazard, parties, presents, dri...
Jan 02, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 88
The Pogues cofounding tin whistle player discusses the legendary Anglo-Irish folk punk band’s formation and long career as well as his residence in New Orleans and collaborations with the Lost Bayou Ramblers. With Spider’s background, it’s no surprise he fits right in with the Troubled Men. Topics include infrastructure failure, a misunderstanding, gender-reveal disasters, The Joker, garbage popcorn, an advertisement, filming “Straight to Hell” with Alex Cox in Spain, Joe Strummer stories, the E...
Dec 26, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 87
The Asylum Chorus singer and Pat O’s dueling pianist is also a public policy maven steering the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans in their advocacy work. One of the 2015 City Business Women of the Year, Hannah previously worked in nonprofit home construction following her graduation from Barnard College. If you want to get something done, ask a busy person. Hannah is definitely busy, but still manages to find time to step into the Ring Room for a couple of rounds with the Troubled Men. ...
Dec 19, 2019•56 min•Season 1Ep. 86
The singer from Russian Mafia band Debauche started as a punk rocker in Soviet-era Ukraine. He plays traditional songs of the GULAG and street criminal anthems with a spirit and energy transcending the language barrier to distill the essence of the humanity behind them. Russians are known for their ability to endure hardship. See how Yegor handles the onslaught from the Troubled Men. Topics include holiday blues, a hotline, the Irishman, real violence, a mispronunciation, a Soviet identity, a Uk...
Dec 12, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 85
The Radiators bassist’s long career began with piano prince James Booker, followed by the great Professor Longhair, with some Bay-area blues giants in between. After 40 years together the Rads continue to sell out annual reunion shows attended by their legion of fans from across the country and beyond. The success of the N.O. Suspects is a testament to his professional drive, while his survival of pancreatic cancer shows there’s no quit in him. See how he fares with the Troubled Men. Topics incl...
Dec 05, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 84
The Loose Cattle singer, actor, multiple organ failure survivor, health coach, nutritionist, writer, Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, and Hottest Hell Tours operator has a lot on her plate. After spending close to a year unable to consume food by mouth, she’s got quite an appetite for life. Now she spends her time helping others navigate their own challenges. Let’s see what she can do for the Troubled Men. Topics include the new airport, a TSA encounter, Steve Watson and Midway Pizza, Scrabble, a banjo p...
Nov 29, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 83
The singer, guitarist, and Fulbright Fellow has had an affinity for Brazilian music and culture since his early days as an anthropology student. He spent years studying in Brazil before returning to New Orleans, then moving to New York to synthesize his personal expression of these influences and pass them on to his students in the public schools. Now he’s back in town and in the Ring Room to talk about cultural identity and his journey over drinks with the Troubled Men. Topics include a threat,...
Nov 21, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 82
The drummer and teacher is a paragon of groove, melodicism, and taste. He speaks the language of the heart and plays from the same place. Johnny’s played with everyone from Chet Baker to Professor Longhair. He’s a national treasure. Now he steps into the Ring Room, and we listen. Topics include tenant troubles, a New Orleans childhood, St. Aloysius High School, the Best Life Pharmacy Restaurant, Joe Hebert, the student/teacher relationship, drum influences, notes from Johnny’s NOCCA workshop, su...
Nov 14, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 81
The reclusive singer has maintained a mystery about him in spite of his prolific recorded output of over fifty albums of original material. He enters the Ring Room as we pull back the veil to reveal the thoughtful and humane soul behind it all. A religious ritual comes up, and it gets a bit graphic. Topics include the return to the Ring Room, a protest, malfeasance, a tender memory, early influences, the creative process, home recording success, lo-fi charm, studio challenges, church experience,...
Nov 07, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 80
The N.O. native has spent his career documenting life and street culture of the city. As a newspaper photographer and author he has an intimate understanding of local traditions and where they intersect with modern life. He follows up his book on jazz giant Kid Ory, “Creole Trombone,” with his latest edition, “Jockomo: The Native Roots of Mardi Gras Indians.” He joins the Troubled Men in the Safe House in the wake of a recent structural failure. Topics include a construction disaster, exhaustion...
Oct 25, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 79
The High Holidays are over and the book is closed for another year as the singer and guitar player from the neo-psychedelic band Bipolaroid steps into the Ring Room. Glover talks about their new record, Paint It, Blacker, as well as their legal dispute with the Polaroid company and on-hold music. A steam room invitation is proffered. Topics include a struggle, a barber, pages of guests, impeachment season, Kimba the White Lion, the staff physician, a bank job, band evolution, a camel story updat...
Oct 17, 2019•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 78
The new book, [Dusti Bongé: Art and Life](http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/oct/02/dusti-bonge-art-and-life-remembering-mississippis-/), and recent Ogden Museum retrospective, [Piercing the Inner Wall](https://ogdenmuseum.org/exhibition/piercing-the-inner-wall-the-art-of-dusti-bonge/), covers the 60-year career of Paul’s grandmother, an abstract expressionist powerhouse. Paul’s life of photography, transatlantic sailing, and restoration of 4 masted, square sail tall ships was fostered by...
Oct 10, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 77
The roots of the Grammy-winning Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers go back to brothers André and Louis Michot playing in their father’s group as teenagers. They’re celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band with a new live record, “Asteur,” and the documentary, “On Va Continuer.” Accordion and guitar player André steps into the Ring Room to discuss south Louisiana music and culture, and the band’s efforts to preserve it and carry it forward. The Troubled Men are happy just to make it home. Topics ...
Oct 03, 2019•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 76
