The iconoclastic screenwriter, essayist, and former Siberia Bar owner recently self-cancelled from social media after her commentaries drew the ire of the online mob. She now unleashes her polemics in Quillette Magazine and on the Substack platform. This Joan Didion acolyte is no shrinking violet. Tonight Meghann comes on like a runaway train, and the Troubled Men hang on for dear life as it nearly teeters off the tracks. Topics include the Elysian Bar, the Diewater, Yoko Ono, make ‘em ups, “Gle...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 191
The innovative multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer with the Royal Roses, the Monocle, the Panorama Jazz Band, and the Klezmer All Stars turns up to discuss her many projects, as well as her rural, hippie childhood and eventual escape to New Orleans. Her lightness of spirit is a breath of fresh air. Aurora had lots of interdisciplinary training at Oberlin College and Paris' Jacques LeCoq School of Physical Theatre, but tonight it’s the Troubled Men who are made to heel. Topics include f...
Feb 10, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 190
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...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 2
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. Tonig...
Jan 27, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 189
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 Gerani...
Jan 20, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 188
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 t...
Jan 13, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 187
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,...
Jan 06, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 186
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 ...
Dec 30, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 185
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 th...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 184
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 p...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 183
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 ...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 182
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 Christma...
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 181
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 G...
Nov 25, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 180
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...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 179
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 m...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 178
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 encoun...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 177
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. ...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 176
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...
Oct 21, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 175
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 round...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 174
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, Ma...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 173
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 s...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 172
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...
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 171
The adventurous jazz punk percussionist and vibraphonist with Rickie Lee Jones, Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool, and Critters Buggin’, as well as his own groups including Punkadelick, Nolatet, and Billy Goat, is one of the most dynamic performers you’ll find anywhere. His terrific trilogy of Quarantine-era albums has raised the bar for everyone else. Mike comes clean about his triumphs and regrets over a stellar 30-year career that’s stronger than ever and as wild as it gets. Topics include a maiden ...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 1
The recent Grammy winner and string multi-instrumentalist with the Afghan Whigs, the Polyphonic Spree, and the Twilight Singers is also the owner/engineer at the wonderful Marigny Studios. His early orchestral training and rock’n’roll impulses led to a decade touring with the Spree, including two Bowie tours. His post-Katrina volunteer work resulted in permanent relocation to New Orleans and the eventual establishment of the studio. Rick’s a real talent who believes in trusting the professionals...
Sep 15, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 170
A founding member of Louisiana’s LeRoux, the multi-platinum-selling guitarist, songwriter, and singer rode the wave of chart-topping singles (“New Orleans Ladies,” “Nobody Said It Was Easy”) and tours with bands like ZZ Top, the Doobie Bros., Bob Seger, and John Prine. As a songwriter Tony spent 30 years in Nashville writing a string of #1 hits for top-selling country artists like George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Shania Twain. He likes to claim his music biz success has all been by accident. To...
Aug 26, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 169
The boogie piano wild man with Mojo Nixon, the LeRoi Bros., Jello Biafra, Roy Head, Archie Bell, and the Neptunes was mentored early on by Nils Lofgren, Billy Gibbons, and Joe Ely. His tenure as co-owner of the Houston Continental Club has given him a view of the biz from the other side of the bar, while the viral “Altuve Polka” by his Polka? I Hardly Know Her Band was the sensation of the Astro’s World Series Championship. A first call player with Chuck Berry, Wanda Jackson, and Andre Williams,...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 168
The Dash Rip Rock singer/guitarist has spent a lifetime barnstorming the country fronting the revved-up roots punk trio he founded as a college student. The song parody “Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot” pushed them to the top of the radio charts. The band’s roster of drummers including Fred LeBlanc, Chris Luckett, and Kyle Melancon employ a specific muscular playing style, while Bill’s guitar prowess has landed him on projects with artists ranging from Mojo Nixon and the Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra to G...
Aug 12, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 167
The decorated organist and piano player’s star-studded resume includes long stints with Kenny Wayne Shephard and Gatemouth Brown as well as tours with Mavis Staples, Charlie Musslewhite, and the North Mississippi Allstars. He currently leads several world-class organ trios including a new one with Jason Ricci and Doug Belote whose debut record “City Country City” comes out in September. With admirers like Dr. John and Ike Turner, it was just a matter of time before he turned up with the Troubled...
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 166
The Mekons and Waco Brothers founding singer, guitarist, and punk/alt-country pioneer takes a break from his latest Freakon collaboration to discuss his Welsh upbringing, his art school days with pals Gang of Four, his solo projects, and his successful career as a painter. Jon has a tremendous work ethic, releasing the first of 23 singles from the “Lucky Seven Series” and starting bands and records with any free moment. He’s also a real gentleman…qualities the Troubled Nation could use more of. ...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 165
The veteran WTIX radio personality behind "News You Need Now" and joke writer for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Joan Rivers stumbled into the comedy game while wisecracking during local traffic reports. He wound up writing 40 to 50 jokes a day for a variety of outlets including radio DJ clients across the country. The charm offensive continues as Ben drops in on the Troubled Men to dip his big toe into the podcast whirlpool. Topics include the mayor’s race, Edwin Edwards, David Duke, rally ...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 164
