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The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus appears on Inside Music #200

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Ron Winter

Ronnie Winter of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus stops by Inside Music to celebrate our podcasting milestone and share updates from COVID-19 lockdown.

Making a living in alternative music is a difficult task. Reaching the point of profitability and continuing to excel for five years is almost impossible. Continuing to grow and build an audience for nearly two decades is a feat so insurmountable most artists never come close to achieving it. Still, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is not most artists. The band learned early on that fans are as much as a factor in success as their songwriting, and they harnessed that understanding to establish themselves as one of the most widely-recognized names in rock worldwide.

Vocalist and founding member Ronnie Winter will be the first to tell you that hard work and fan engagement alone is not enough to produce a successful career in music. Luck also plays a much more significant role in success stories than many people are willing to admit. For every artist that gets ahead by engaging with fans and writing good songs, hundreds more utilizing the same techniques and never go anywhere. That is because most musicians are only as good as their fans, and how listeners react to music is what ultimately determines an artist’s fate. People can love a song, but do they like it enough to tell people about it? Do they align themselves with the group or artist so much that they feel intimately involved in that person’s career trajectory? These things matter just as much, if not more than having talent.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus treat fans as if they are members of the band. The group dedicates a large amount of time to reading and replying to messages, as well as interacting with followers through live events online. That devotion to their audience has produced a global following that is willing to go above and beyond to ensure RJA continues to create and deliver songs that matter, and no amount of marketing money or label involvement can duplicate that kind of artist-fan relationship.

To celebrate 200 episodes of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell shares a video chat with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus frontman Ron Winters. Ron tells James about his band’s enduring legacy in alternative rock, his work to engage with fans during COVID, and how the group’s recent single (“Brace Yourself“) became an unexpected quarantine anthem.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus will release their highly anticipated new EP, Emergency, later this year.

Inside Music Podcast · The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (Ronnie Winters)

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Inside Music Podcast #190: Hollywood Undead

Ahead of Hollywood Undead’s new album, George “Johnny 3 Tears” Ragan stops by Inside Music to share his strategy for remaining relevant in the entertainment business.

No one could have predicted the success of Hollywood Undead, including its members. After finding viral success through MySpace during the golden age of social media, the genre-bending group found themselves rising to the top of the alternative music scene. Over a decade and a half later, the band has multiple RIAA certifications, chart-topping records, and sold-out shows on four continents. They’ve also changed countless lives.

On February 14, Hollywood Undead will continue its legacy of releasing boundary-pushing music with New Empire Vol. 1, the first of a two-part release. The nine-track album showcases a little bit of everything the group has become known for, but it also does not shy away from experimentation. Hollywood Undead understands that we are living in confusing times, and they vent their frustrations over the state of things throughout the release. It’s a cathartic collection of anthems meant to start conversations not only about the world around us, but the thoughts and feelings inside us as well.

George “Johnny 3 Tears” Ragan has been with Hollywood Undead since its inception. His appearance on the latest episode of Inside Music is both informative and celebratory. George has witnessed the countless ways the entertainment business can destroy musicians, as well as the many ways people unwittingly sabotage their careers, and he’s here to share his knowledge with listeners. George also opens up about Hollywood Undead’s work in the marijuana industry, and why the group felt it was so important to share two records with fans in 2020. Check it out:

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Inside Music Podcast #189: We The Kings (Travis Clark)

During a brief break from life on the road, We The Kings‘ Travis Clark stops by Inside Music to discuss his career in entertainment.

With enough luck, anyone can go viral. Becoming an internet sensation happens so often in 2020 that it is no longer considered weird or unusual for something completely random to be appreciated and almost immediately forgotten by millions around the world. There may be short term value in such success, like when a song becomes popular on TikTok and earns millions of Spotify plays as a result, but even the best viral stars find a hard time building a career that stands the test of time.

We The King were viral sensations before social media became something everyone looked at every hour of the day. The band’s breakout smash, “Check Yes Juliet.” injected a high-energy dose of sugary goodness into the alternative world and established the group as one of the most accessible acts to toe the line between pop-rock and pop-punk in some time.

Fast-forward to a decade later, and We The Kings continue to breathe positivity into the alternative landscape. The group has outlasted most of their genre peers, thanks mainly to an enduring connection with fans. Every major event in the band’s life over the last decade is present in their music, and that honesty has given fans a perfect soundtrack for personal development. The community built around We The Kings’ music is growing together, and that accomplishment is entirely due to the group’s efforts at transparency.

On this episode of Inside Music, We The Kings frontman Travis Clark hops on the phone with host James Shotwell to discuss his unique career in entertainment. Travis explains the critical moments on the band’s journey where one or two decisions shaped everything that followed, as well as the influence of his personal life on his creative output. He also shares a story about how he came to write for Avril Lavigne, and what fans should expect from We The Kings in the new year.

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Inside Music Podcast #181: Anthony Raneri (Bayside)

Three years after his last appearance, Bayside frontman Anthony Raneri returns to Inside Music with a discussion about the evolving business of entertainment.

Getting a large number of people to care about your music is a challenge the vast majority of artists never accomplish. For those that do, the next challenge is maintaining that adoration and growing your audience while continuing to develop creatively, which is even harder than starting out. Bayside is a band nearing two decades of togetherness, and the group’s latest release, Interrobang, proves they are far from the end of the line.

Bayside burst onto the music scene in the early 2000s, just as the modern age of emo rock was beginning to crest. The group was often lumped into the same genre classification as their Victory Records labelmates Silverstein, Taking Back Sunday, and Hawthorne Heights, but what Bayside brought to audiences was decidedly different. The band is a testament to what happens when you pair punk-influenced rock with cathartic lyricism and just enough angst to keep your fists (and teeth) clenched. Their music is an exercise in vulnerability, offering the deepest truths frontman Anthony Raneri dares to share against soaring hooks and fiery guitar work.

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While many of their peers have left music or faded into obscurity, Bayside has continued on in an age where rock and roll’s viability is often a topic of debate amongst so-called influencers. The band rarely worries themselves with industry politics, however, as they prefer to focus on their fans instead. Their approach to songwriting is essentially the same as when they started, but the influences are much different. As their fans have grown, so have the members of Bayside, and that, in many ways, has made all the difference in their career.

On today’s episode of Inside Music, Anthony Raneri stops by to discuss Interrobang, as well as the group’s unique approach to releasing their best record in years. Raneri tells host James Shotwell how Bayside has managed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of music while many others have not. He also shares insights into his recent influences and what fans can expect from the group’s highly-anticipated Fall headlining tour.

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Inside Music Podcast #180: Savage After Midnight

Making your way in the world today is no easy feat. Savage After Midnight has found a way to break new ground in rock, but reaching this point took nearly a decade of hard work and dedication. Today, vocalist Shi Eubank tells his version of events to Inside Music.

The business of music is a tricky affair. The members of Savage After Midnight have been playing together for the better part of a decade, but the group’s debut EP did not reach the public until Summer 2019. The reasons for this are numerous, and they include everything from a name change to label discussions. The band has seen firsthand how hard it can be to navigate the entertainment industry. However, none of the hurdles they have encountered could destroy their passion for music.

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When you hear Savage After Midnight, you begin to understand the group’s journey. Their music speaks to the underdog mentality of never expecting anything and never taking handouts. Life is never going to go the way you want it to unless you actively work toward the things you want. Savage After Midnight urges listeners to realize their worth and to stand (ten feet) tall in the face of adversity, no matter what comes your way.

You may be thinking that all of this sounds familiar. After all, rock music is filled with motivational anthems about taking one’s life into their own hands. But Savage After Midnight is not your typical rock band. The group has spent the last several years refining their sound and songwriting to such a precise point that every note hits with a genuine sense of authority. You know what they’re saying comes from a place of personal experience, and because of that, you listen intently.

While on tour in arenas across North America with Shinedown, Savage After Midnight frontman Shi Eubank sat down with Inside Music host James Shotwell to discuss the business of music. Shi tells James about the challenges of opening an arena tour, as well as the struggles of creating radio edits for song promotion. He even shares insight into Savage After Midnight’s plans to break through the noise of social media and leave a lasting impact on rock.

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Inside Music Podcast #179: GWAR Attacks!

In what is easily our most explicit and offensive episode to date, GWAR stops by Inside Music to share their perspective on the human condition.

Recently, a Facebook page went viral for suggesting people gather in rural Nevada to raid Area 51, a secretive military base that allegedly houses alien life. Most wrote the page off as a joke, which it was, but several dozen people did meet to celebrate their mutual interest in extraterrestrial life. After all, wouldn’t it be great to know that we are not alone in the universe?

What many failed to realize during this craze was that aliens are already among us. GWAR has been decimating human beings around the world for decades with their unique take on rock and an unbelievable live show. The group is here on Earth to share their knowledge of the universe and cut mankind down to size. They are the judge and jury, the protectors of the heavens, and the ones we were made to worship.

Fans of GWAR find solace in the band’s ruthless approach to satire. Many followers have been doused in blood and other fluids, which often are projected from the corpses of political and cultural figures who are murdered during the group’s performances, and most would tell you such experiences are a right of passage. There is simply no show like a GWAR show.

During a recent stop in Grand Rapids, one member of GWAR sat down with Inside Music host James Shotwell to share his latest insights on the human condition. For nearly twenty minutes, the mysteries of the world’s most outrageous band are revealed in extremely graphic detail. From political leanings to new music, as well as sex, drugs, and the state of rock today, nothing is off-limits in this wild conversation. Enjoy!

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Inside Music Podcast #178: Art Alexakis (Everclear)

Ahead of his debut solo album, Sun Songs, iconic rock musician Art Alexakis stops by Inside Music to share how it all came together.

Art Alexakis is a rock and roll legend. There has rarely been a time in the last three decades where Alexakis’ creativity was not present in the world of pop culture. From his influential work with Everclear to his work on stage and screen, Alexakis has created a path in entertainment that is uniquely his own.

Some may think Alexakis has done everything a person in entertainment could hope to achieve. He’s had numerous singles top the charts of pop and rock radio, toured the world, and went platinum with songs and records in a time when people actually had to visit record stores to purchase music. He was billed as a rock star when the term still meant something, and he continues to hold that title today.

But with all that success and experience, Alexakis still seeks new challenges in his life and art. This October, he will release his debut solo album, Sun Songs, after years of telling himself he would see the record through. The album contains songs that infuse the songwriting and music style fans have come to expect with a wide range of sonic influences that are sure to keep listeners new and old on their toes.

To promote the release of Sun Songs, Art Alexakis recently called Inside Music host James Shotwell to chat about his career, his politics, and his recent infatuation with Bob Seger. The resulting conversation touched on the man Alexakis was when his journey in music began and the one he became through his experience in the spotlight. It’s a revealing look at a person who created the soundtrack to existence for countless millions, and it’s told as one he can tell it.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/art-alexakis-everclear

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Inside Music Podcast #177: Scotter Ward (Cold)

After nearly a decade away, Scooter Ward and Cold are back with their most personal album to date.

Scooter Ward has spent the better part of three decades making music that has changed the lives of countless rock fans around the world. He has topped rock charts around the world, toured everywhere you can name, and influenced a generation of musicians to share their truth with unflinching honesty.

In recent years, however, Ward and Cold retreated from the spotlight to spend more time with family when it mattered most. Having long drawn from his life, he knew he needed time to live before he could create again. Through that experience, he gained a new perspective on life, and that only fueled his passion for music.

Now, Ward is back in the rock spotlight for the first new Cold album in eight years. The band is tighter than ever, and Ward credits the growth the group has experienced to the lessons learned during his time away from the road. In this episode of Inside Music, Scooter recounts why he had to go home, and how the events that transpired there pushed him to create perhaps his most powerful record to date. He also shares his recent experiences in the mountains of Pennsylvania where Cold is hard at work preparing for their long-awaited US headlining tour.

Cold’s new album, The Things We Can’t Stop, arrives September 13.

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Inside Music Podcast #174: Bad Wolves (Tommy Vext)

Bad Wolves frontman Tommy Vext stops by Inside Music to discuss his career in music and much more.

Tommy Vext is no stranger to the world of music. A twenty-year veteran to touring and recording, Tommy reached a new level of success in 2018 when his band, Bad Wolves, topped charts around the world with a cover of The Cranberries’ hit song, “Zombie.” The exposure, coupled with a relentless touring schedule opening for some of rock’s biggest names, has given Bad Wolves a lot of attention in a relatively small amount of time. The band is gearing up to release their Sophomore record this fall, but expectations are already high, and they’re likely to rise further before the album arrives in October.

But how Tommy find himself in this position? How did a former fan and venue security guard reach the heights of rock and roll success with only one album? And furthermore, where will he go from here?

On this episode of Inside Music, Tommy Vext sits down with host James Shotwell hours before taking the stage in West Michigan to share his journey in entertainment. Tommy tells James about his early singing career, his time as a security guard at the iconic Key Club in Los Angeles, and how he found himself helping other musicians live a sober lifestyle. The pair also discuss Bad Wolves’ new record, Bad Wolves Nation, and the expectations the band has for their future in rock.

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Inside Music Podcast #172: Fit For A King

Amid of their busiest year yet, Fit For A King takes times to chat with Inside Music about how they got here and what comes next.

Despite the numerous ways people can discover music, no algorithm or platform can duplicate the impact of getting people to talk to other people about your music. Whether that happens through direct communication or by wearing your merchandise at events, fan to fan interaction is the most potent form of marketing on the planet. Fit For A King reaped the benefits of efforts like this, and today they’re speaking with us about it.

Blurring the lines between metal and hardcore as few groups in recent memory have, Fit For A King craft anthemic tracks that deliver hope and inspiration to those in doubt. Their music has lead thousands around the world to carry the group’s message into their communities and friend circles, which has helped the band grow at an unprecedented rate. Where they go next is anyone’s guess, but continuing success seems more likely than not.

But how did Fit For A King do this? How did a rock band create community and devotion in an era where listeners are more distracted than ever?

On this episode of Inside Music, host James Shotwell sits down with three members of the hard rock band Fit For A King to discuss the band’s growth in recent years. Fit For A King is a rare example of a group that has leveraged their fanbase to create a community that continues to expand in leaps and bounds whether or not they are actively churning out new content. The band explains their approach to marketing, as well as the work involved in creating their terrific music videos.

https://soundcloud.com/inside-music-podcast/fit-for-a-king

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