And Now The Band

Heavy Music
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Daily

And Now The Band is a podcast focused on music mainly in the Rock or Metal realm. With a love of music of all sorts, there is a heavy emphasis on the underground variety. Tom (the Host) spends his time going to shows all over, watching bands play in front of crowds from no one to 10s of thousands of people. Join the conversation and learn about some bands you may never have heard of without this show. Life is an experience, don't forget to enjoy it.

  1. 1d ago

    EP391 Masters Ashes: ‘Masters Ashes,’ Concept Albums, Doom Metal & Capturing the Live Feel

    On EP391 of And Now The Band, Tom sits down with members of Masters Ashes to dig deep into the band's album Masters Ashes—a record conceived not simply as a collection of songs, but as a literary work meant to be experienced from beginning to end. The band explains how the album was structured almost like a book, complete with a beginning, continuous narrative flow, and an ending that functions like an epilogue. Written as a trilogy of songs, Masters Ashes was created from a conceptual standpoint and, according to the band, without expectations about where it might lead. The goal was simply to create music for the love of creating music. The conversation explores the band's blend of doom metal, death metal and black metal, while maintaining a traditional rock-oriented setup without relying on electronics. Special attention is given to Katie's keyboards, which add another atmospheric dimension to the album without overpowering the core band sound. A major part of the discussion focuses on the album's recording and production. Six basic tracks were recorded in Afzaals home theater loft, with additional recording taking place at Ryan's studio. The band talks about Ryan's ability to create a massive, epic sound while still maintaining warmth and character through digital recording. Tom and the band also discuss the changing relationship between analog recording and digital Pro Tools, and how modern digital techniques can still capture the qualities musicians traditionally associate with analog equipment. The band had particularly positive things to say about working with Ryan, praising his versatility, collaborative approach and ability to bring a different perspective to a recording. Tom compares Ryan's work with other respected producers including Steve McAllister and Billy Anderson, while also discussing Ryan's work with Bad Wires. The conversation eventually turns to one of the most important questions for any heavy band: How do you capture the feeling of a live performance on an album? Tom and the band talk about why imperfections, unexpected moments and even mistakes can sometimes make a recording better. They share stories about recordings where something unplanned ultimately became part of the magic, and discuss the importance of stepping away from a song when something isn't working and returning with a fresh perspective. “Conflict 3” becomes a particular point of discussion, with Jeff identifying it as one of his favorites because of its connection to the band's live performances at Born Free. Tom and Afzaal agree that the song has a particularly strong groove and live energy. The conversation also gets into the band's approach to playing Masters Ashes live. The album isn't designed around constant touring, and logistics make live performances more complicated. The band has already been offered a festival opportunity for 2028 while exploring possibilities for 2027, but any performances will need to be carefully planned to preserve the quality and character of the music. There is plenty of gear talk as well, including bass cabinets, 8x10s, 4x10s, 1x15s, potential 2x15 setups, traditional cabinets versus in-ear monitors, and why some musicians still prefer the physical impact and organic stage presence of a real cabinet setup. Tom and the band also discuss the importance of having an open-minded studio environment, allowing musicians to experiment rather than having someone dictate every detail. That freedom, they explain, helped make the Masters Ashes recording experience particularly rewarding. 🎙️ And Now The Band — EP391🎵 Masters Ashes — Masters Ashes⚰️ Doom Metal • Death Metal • Black Metal • Atmospheric Metal🎚️ Production & Recording • Ryan • Analog vs. Digital • Live Sound #MastersAshes #AndNowTheBand #DoomMetal #DeathMetal #BlackMetal #DoomDeath #ExtremeMetal #HeavyMusic #UndergroundMetal #ConceptAlbum #AlbumInterview #MetalPodcast #MusicPodcast #Ryan #LouisvilleMusic #HeavyMetal #IndependentMusic #Metal

  2. 4d ago

    EP390 Matt McGuyer ‘Silver Linings,’ Fatherhood, Music & Finding Positivity

    EP390 of And Now The Band features Matt McGuyer discussing his upcoming album Silver Linings, arriving October 30th on streaming platforms. Tom and Matt dive into the writing, recording, and production behind the new album, including Matt's collaboration with mixing and Mastering by Mario Quintero of Spotlights. Matt explains how Mario understood the sound he was trying to create and helped turn his musical ideas into mixes that captured the album exactly the way he envisioned it. At the heart of Silver Linings are deeply personal songs shaped by Matt's experiences as a husband, father, musician, and working professional. With three children and a full-time job with a local street department, Matt talks about finding time to create music while balancing family and everyday responsibilities. He describes many of the songs as essentially "songs to myself"—personal reminders about lessons learned, staying positive, and continuing forward when life getsdifficult. Matt and Tom also discuss the organic way songs develop, recording music independently, and the differences between creating music alone and working within a band. Matt breaks down his guitar-first songwriting process, recording multiple takes, and the challenges of capturing vocals, drums, andother instrumentation when you're handling much of the recording yourself. The conversation expands into their shared love of heavy and alternative music, including Hum, Failure, Molly McGuire, Spotlights, Shiner, Electric Hawk, Sweet Cobra, Deftones, Mr. Bungle, and the Melvins. They talk about the importance ofbands connecting with an audience and how a great live performance can turn someone into a lifelong fan. Matt also discusses the possibility of bringing Silver Linings to the stage. He's interested in playing shows in Louisville,Indianapolis, St. Louis, Nashville, and on the East Coast, but finding the right musicians—particularly players who can sing and perform the material live—remains a challenge. Matt explains why he would rather perform with a realband than rely heavily on tracks. The discussion also touches on the tight-knit regional music community, including Blessed Black, Veilcaste, Crop, Moon Temple, and other local acts, as well as the challenges of balancing music, work, touring, and family life. A new single is planned for early October, followed by the full album on October 30th. 🎙️ And Now The Band EP390 — Matt McGuyer 🎵 Album: Silver Linings 📅Release Date: October 30, 2026 📀 Streaming Release #MattMcGuyer #SilverLinings #AndNowTheBand #HeavyMusic #AlternativeMusic #Doom#Metal #UndergroundMusic #LouisvilleMusic #LouisvilleKY #MarioQuintero #Spotlights #Hum #Failure #Shiner #MollyMcGuire #Deftones #IndependentMusic#NewMusic #MusicPodcast #HeavyMusicPodcast

  3. Sep 28

    EP389 Arj of The Still Out: Relaunching the Band, New Music & Keeping Josh's Legacy Alive

    On EP389 of And Now The Band, Tom catches up with Arj of The Still Out to discuss the band's relaunch, new music, the challenges of moving forward without co-founder Josh Stoddard, and the next chapter for the band. Arj talks openly about taking on many of the responsibilities Josh previously handled, including management, promotion and social media, while trying to rebuild The Still Out and continue making music. The conversation also explores the deeply personal connection between music, grief and memory. Arj discusses how working on the new record has actually helped him feel closer to Josh, often imagining what Josh would think about decisions involving the band. He also talks about Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, another musician he considers a mentor whose influence continues even after his passing. Arj explains why revisiting The Still Out's previous album ‘Crystallized’ can be difficult, particularly songs such as “Last Chapter,” which Josh sang on. The conversation then moves toward the band's future, including upcoming live performances and the new album. The Still Out will play St. Vitus on September 25th, opening for Drag Talk, followed by a headlining show at Sleepwalk in Brooklyn on November 20th, which will also serve as the band's vinyl release party. The upcoming record features several notable guests, including Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, Mikey Jones of The Lemonheads, and Jody from Fountains of Wayne. Arj also discusses the song “Let the Listeners Hurt” and the band's plans for a music video, while explaining their efforts to book more shows and find opening slots on upcoming tours. Tom and Arj talk about how younger listeners are discovering music differently, with today's audiences often moving freely between genres. They discuss everything from post-rock and alternative music to older underground bands being rediscovered through platforms such as TikTok. The conversation also looks at the evolution of music distribution—from tape trading and physical media to streaming and social media—and how modern technology has changed the way listeners discover music. From The Still Out's new chapter and the emotional process of continuing without Josh to new music, vinyl, touring and the changing way people discover bands, EP389 is an honest conversation about music, memory, loss and moving forward. EP389 Topics: The Still Out • Arj • Josh Stoddard • Crystallized • Let the Listeners Hurt • Adam Franklin • Swervedriver • Mikey Jones • The Lemonheads • Fountains of Wayne • Adam Schlesinger • Alternative Rock • Post-Rock • Underground Music • Vinyl • Music Discovery • TikTok • Streaming • St. Vitus • Sleepwalk Brooklyn • New Music Subscribe to And Now The Band for more conversations with musicians, artists and people shaping the independent music scene. #TheStillOut #Arj #JoshStoddard #Uncrystallized #Swervedriver #FountainsOfWayne #AdamSchlesinger #TheLemonheads #AlternativeRock #PostRock #IndependentMusic #Vinyl #NewMusic #UndergroundMusic #AndNowTheBand #MusicInterview

  4. Sep 25

    EP388 Mother of Graves The Light That Keeps Us, Songwriting, Piano & The Art Of Atmosphere

    On EP388 of And Now The Band, Tom catches up with Chris of Mother of Graves to discuss the band's upcoming album ‘The Light That Keeps Us,’ releasing October 16th on Profound Lore Records. Chris talks about the band's songwriting philosophy, their evolution as a band, and the process of building an album that keeps listeners engaged from beginning to end. Rather than relying on overly long songs, Mother of Graves focuses on creating music with peaks, valleys, atmosphere and momentum, with tracks generally ranging from 4½ to 8 minutes. The band spent roughly two years refining around a dozen songs before deciding on the final tracklist. Chris explains how some riffs had been sitting around for years before finally finding their place on the new record. One of the standout examples is “Eventide Angel,” which developed when Chris took a riff from an earlier song and transformed it into a recurring guitar theme. The result added a distinct gothic quality to the track. Chris and Tom also discuss the increased use of piano on The Light That Keeps Us. While piano had appeared in Mother of Graves' music previously, this album features it much more intentionally. Brandon contributed ideas that were brought to life by Ben, helping reinforce the album's darker and more somber atmosphere. Tom particularly highlights the opening track “Somber” and the way its piano bookends help establish the album's mood. The conversation also explores whether Mother of Graves could eventually perform the entire album live. Chris explains the technical challenges involved, particularly with the band's complex guitar arrangements, and why they want to test songs in a live environment before committing to a full-album performance. Chris also reveals the band's album release show on November 21st at Black Circle in Indianapolis, featuring The Secrecy, Veilcast and Avernus. The discussion touches on the current underground metal scene, including seeing Carrion perform and the band's technical musicianship, as well as the excitement of seeing heavy music receive attention from publications such as New Noise and Decibel. Chris also names “Wingless Soul” as one of his favorite tracks on the album, explaining how a guitar riff he'd been developing for years finally found its perfect home. The band worked carefully on the album's sequencing and kept the overall runtime around 45 minutes, helping preserve the sound quality of the vinyl release. Physical editions include black, green marble, white and gold-speckled vinyl. From songwriting and riffs to piano, gothic atmosphere, live performance and vinyl, EP388 takes a deep look at the making of Mother of Graves' ‘The Light That Keeps Us.’ ‘The Light That Keeps Us’ — October 16th, 2026 — Profound Lore Records EP388 Topics: Mother of Graves • The Light That Keeps Us • Profound Lore Records • Chris • Somber • Eventide Angel • Wingless Soul • Dark Metal • Gothic Metal • Doom Metal • Death Metal • Songwriting • Metal Recording • Piano in Metal • Vinyl • Black Circle Indianapolis • Carrion • Veilcast • Vernis • New Noise • Decibel Subscribe to And Now The Band for more conversations with the musicians and artists shaping heavy music. #MotherOfGraves #TheLightThatKeepsUs #ProfoundLoreRecords #DarkMetal #GothicMetal #DoomMetal #DeathMetal #HeavyMetal #Metal #UndergroundMetal #Songwriting #Vinyl #IndianapolisMetal #Carrion #Veilcast #AndNowTheBand #MetalInterview

  5. Sep 21

    EP387 Shabti: 20 Years of Musical Evolution, Black Metal Influences & the New Album

    After 20 years, Shabti is still evolving. On EP387 of And Now The Band, Tom sits down with Rob of Shabti for a wide-ranging conversation about the band's two-decade musical journey, black metal influences, songwriting, recording, independent releases, physical media and the realities of being an underground metal band. Rob explains how Shabti began with his vision influenced by atmospheric black metal, eventually evolving from earlier thrash influences into a more complex and aggressive sound. The conversation explores the importance of musical evolution and how a band can develop naturally without losing its identity. Rob also discusses Shabti's latest album, which was written over several years, with some material dating back to before the COVID hiatus. He talks about the recording process, guitar re-amping, vocals and working with different studios and engineers. One of the most interesting topics is Shabti's DIY recording philosophy. Instead of relying on one producer or studio for everything, Rob takes an a la carte approach, working with different people for tracking, mixing and mastering based on their expertise and compatibility with the band's music. The conversation also covers working with Colin Marston on mastering, recording at Acadia Recording, mixing in North Carolina and the challenge of becoming “nose blind” to your own music. Rob explains why stepping away from a recording can be essential before making final decisions. Tom and Rob also discuss how the music industry has changed. Modern technology and online distribution have made it easier for underground bands to release music independently without relying as heavily on traditional record labels. They also talk about the renewed popularity of cassettes and physical media, including Shabti's limited cassette release through Contem Light. Rob shares some of the albums that shaped his musical journey, including Neurosis – Times of Grace, Emperor – Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Emperor – In the Nightside Eclipse, and The Cure – Pornography. The conversation eventually moves into the modern metal live experience, including Cannibal Corpse, Mayhem, Gorguts and Blood Incantation, and the importance of learning from experienced musicians. With Shabti's drummer leaving the band, Rob discusses the band's next steps, including finding a new drummer, potentially touring to support the current album, or beginning work on the next release. From atmospheric black metal and Emperor to DIY recording, independent releases, cassettes and the future of Shabti, EP387 is a deep dive into the evolution of an underground metal band. EP387 Topics: Shabti • Rob of Shabti • Black Metal • Atmospheric Black Metal • Underground Metal • DIY Music • Independent Releases • Metal Recording • Colin Marston • Emperor • Neurosis • The Cure • Cannibal Corpse • Mayhem • Gorguts • Blood Incantation • Cassettes • Physical Media • Metal Production Subscribe to And Now The Band for more conversations with the musicians and artists building the underground heavy music community. #Shabti #BlackMetal #AtmosphericBlackMetal #ExtremeMetal #UndergroundMetal #Metal #Emperor #Neurosis #Gorguts #BloodIncantation #CannibalCorpse #DIYMetal #IndependentMusic #MetalInterview #AndNowTheBand

  6. Sep 18

    EP386 Gavin Zollo: In the Key of Doom, DIY Music & the Future of Festivals

    On EP386 of And Now The Band, Tom sits down with Gavin Zollo to discuss the modern music industry, independent releases, record labels, underground music and the creation of In the Key of Doom, a new doom-focused festival built around community rather than corporate festival culture.Gavin and Tom begin with a discussion about how dramatically technology has changed the music business. Artists now have access to recording, distribution, promotion and direct-to-fan platforms that make it possible to release music independently without relying entirely on traditional record labels.They acknowledge that labels can still provide valuable resources, but the conversation focuses on how independent artists can use self-releasing, PR companies and modern digital platforms to build audiences while maintaining greater control over their music.The conversation then moves into the underground festival world and Gavin's philosophy behind In the Key of Doom.Rather than immediately trying to build a massive festival, Gavin chose to start with a two-day event in a 450-capacity Brooklyn venue, following his production company's philosophy of “big loud music in small dark rooms.” The goal is to create an intimate environment where the music, bands and audience remain at the center of the experience.Gavin talks about the importance of keeping ticket prices reasonable, paying bands fairly, using local gear and artwork, providing quality food and hospitality, and keeping as much money as possible circulating within the underground music community.He also explains why he considers himself a producer rather than simply a promoter, and how his approach to festivals is based on creating a memorable experience for both musicians and fans.The festival's concept originated with Gavin's personal playlist “Meditations in the Key of Doom,” which became the inspiration for Friday night's Meditations portion of the festival. The lineup includes bands such as Bongripper, while the second night, Celebrations, provides a contrasting experience built around shorter and faster songs.Gavin also discusses the challenges of festival curation, including losing High Desert Queen because of medical issues and bringing in Heavy Temple as a replacement. Rather than booking bands strictly according to popularity, Gavin describes building the lineup around sonic progression, creating an experience that introduces audiences to bands they may not already know.The discussion covers Insomniac, Howling Giant, Spotlights, Bongripper, Heavy Temple and other bands connected to the underground doom, stoner, sludge and doomgaze communities.Tom and Gavin also talk about the importance of experienced local organizers and consultants, including Gavin's decision to bring in Ryan, who works with Ripple Fest. They discuss festival logistics, backline equipment, minimizing gear changes and maximizing the amount of time bands actually spend playing.The inaugural In the Key of Doom festival is scheduled for October 2–3 at The Meadows in Brooklyn, with the industrial setting allowing bands to play at high volume without the typical outdoor festival dB restrictions discussed in the interview.Gavin also talks about the realities of selling festival tickets in the post-COVID era, including the trend toward last-minute ticket purchases and the difficulty of relying on early presales to determine whether an underground event will break even.From independent music and record labels to doom metal, festival production, artist compensation, venue selection and building community, EP386 goes behind the scenes with someone actively working to create a different kind of underground music experience.

  7. Sep 11

    EP385 BRAT: Liz & Brenner Talk ‘Manslayer,’ New Orleans Metal & Taking BRAT to the Next Level

    BRAT is back with a new album, a new creative approach, and bigger ambitions. On EP385 of And Now The Band, Tom sits down with Liz and Brenner of BRAT to talk about the band's upcoming album ‘Manslayer,’ arriving September 25 through Prosthetic Records. Liz discusses taking over lyric writing for the new record and how stepping into that role created a new creative outlet while allowing her to bring more of her own perspective into BRAT's music. The band also talks about evolving their sound on Manslayer, adding more catchy, participatory elements while still maintaining the heaviness that has become part of BRAT's identity. The conversation dives deep into the band's influences and the importance of touring. They talk about Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under, EyeHateGod, Crowbar, Acid Bath, Goatwhore and the ways different bands and tours have influenced BRAT's songwriting. One of the most interesting examples comes from “Social Grace,” where Brenner explains how a riff was inspired by BRAT's experience touring with EyeHateGod. Rather than simply copying their influences, BRAT approaches these musical homages as a way of acknowledging the bands that have helped shape them—while still trying to make the ideas their own. Tom, Liz and Brenner also discuss the resurgence of the New Orleans metal scene, particularly the renewed attention being given to legendary bands like EyeHateGod, Crowbar and Acid Bath. They talk about how younger audiences are discovering these bands through newer platforms such as TikTok and why the work ethic of New Orleans musicians has helped these bands remain relevant decades later. Touring becomes another major topic, including memorable tours with Revocation and Of Sulfur, the unique atmosphere of Nekrogoblikon, concert etiquette, taking care of pets while on the road, and some of the venues and bands BRAT hopes to share stages with in the future. Liz and Brenner talk about dream tours with bands including Metallica, Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus, as well as the significance of playing St. Vitus in New York during BRAT's early touring years.The band has plenty more touring ahead, including shows with Gwar, a headlining Manslayer tour, and a six-week European tour with Napalm Death that will take BRAT into several countries they haven't previously visited. BRAT will also celebrate the release of Manslayer with an album release show at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, featuring local support from Joystick and Fiend. The show marks what the band describes as the first metal show at the venue.Looking further ahead, Liz and Brenner discuss BRAT's ambitions to headline larger venues and reach new audiences in South America, Southeast Asia and Australia. From Manslayer and songwriting to New Orleans metal, touring, influences, dream lineups and BRAT's future, this is a deep conversation with one of the most exciting bands coming out of the underground heavy music scene. EP385 Topics BRAT Liz and Brenner Manslayer Prosthetic Records New BRAT album BRAT songwriting Liz taking over lyric writing BRAT's evolving sound Catchy and participatory songwriting Cannibal Corpse Six Feet Under EyeHateGod Crowbar Acid Bath Goatwhore New Orleans metal New Orleans underground music TikTok and discovering older metal Touring with Revocation Ov Sulfur Nekrogoblikon Concert etiquette BRAT's touring experiences St. Vitus Gwar Napalm Death European touring Metallica Dying Fetus BRAT's future touring goals South America Southeast Asia Australia Manslayer album release show New Orleans Jazz Museum Listen, subscribe and follow And Now The Band for more conversations with the artists pushing heavy music forward. #BRAT #BRATBand #Manslayer #LizBRAT #BrennerBRAT #ProstheticRecords #NewOrleansMetal #DeathMetal #Grindcore #Metal #HeavyMetal #ExtremeMetal #NapalmDeath #CannibalCorpse #AcidBath #Crowbar #Ihategod #Goatwhore #AndNowTheBand #MetalInterview

  8. Sep 7

    EP384 Peter Tägtgren PAIN, Hypocrisy, New Singles & the Future of Metal

    Peter Tägtgren has spent decades building one of the most recognizable careers in extreme metal — from Hypocrisy and The Abyss to his industrial-metal project PAIN — and on EP384 of And Now The Band, Peter joins Tom for a wide-ranging conversation about music, family, creativity, recording and what comes next. Peter talks about his new single “I Don’t Give a F**k,” explaining the personal meaning behind the song and why it isn't intended as a political statement. The conversation also explores how the internet and modern technology have changed the way people receive information compared with the 1980s and '90s. One of the most personal parts of the interview is Peter's discussion of his son Sebastian Tägtgren, who joined PAIN as the band's drummer at 18. Peter talks about watching his son develop as a musician, Sebastian's contributions to the heavier elements of PAIN's recent material, and what it's like having a father-son partnership inside the band. Peter also reveals his plans for a new song and video every six to eight weeks, with upcoming tracks featuring guest musicians. Rather than following the traditional album-release cycle, Peter is embracing a singles-driven approach and plans to release multiple standalone collaborations over the coming year. Tom and Peter also discuss the possibility of putting some of these standalone songs onto 7-inch vinyl, Peter's massive KISS singles collection, the changing landscape of music promotion, and the differences between creating and promoting metal music in the past versus today. Peter opens up about his recording process as well, including his upcoming work , why he limits long studio sessions, taking breaks to protect the quality of the work, and why focusing on one band at a time helps him stay creatively focused. From Hypocrisy to PAIN, from extreme metal to industrial music, from fatherhood to the future of music releases, EP384 offers a personal look at one of metal's most prolific musicians, producers and songwriters. EP384 – Peter Tägtgren | PAIN | Hypocrisy | New Music | Sebastian Tägtgren | Metal Peter Tägtgren's career with PAIN and HypocrisyThe Abyss and Peter's early metal careerNew single “I Don't Give a F**k”The meaning behind Peter's new songMusic and politicsThe internet and changing information landscapePeter and Sebastian TägtgrenSebastian joining PAIN at 18Father and son making music togetherSongwriting and PAIN's heavier directionPeter's new singles strategyReleasing music every 6–8 weeksCollaborations and guest musiciansStandalone singles vs. traditional albums7-inch vinyl releasesPeter's KISS singles collectionRecording with ElevatiPeter's studio philosophyTaking breaks during long recording sessionsThe evolution of music promotionPAIN and HypocrisyThe future of metal music Subscribe to And Now The Band for more interviews with the musicians, producers, artists and people shaping heavy music. #PeterTagtgren #PAIN #Hypocrisy #SebastianTagtgren #IndustrialMetal #DeathMetal #SwedishMetal #HeavyMetal #Metal #NewMusic #AndNowTheBand #MetalInterview #ExtremeMetal #TheAbyss

See All (406)

About

And Now The Band is a podcast focused on music mainly in the Rock or Metal realm. With a love of music of all sorts, there is a heavy emphasis on the underground variety. Tom (the Host) spends his time going to shows all over, watching bands play in front of crowds from no one to 10s of thousands of people. Join the conversation and learn about some bands you may never have heard of without this show. Life is an experience, don't forget to enjoy it.

Information

  • Creator
    Heavy Music
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    406
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Heavy Music
  • Show Website
    And Now The Band