The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine!

Almost Famous Magazine
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Welcome to The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine – your ultimate destination for everything music! Dive deep into the world of music production, backstage stories, and creative insights with our exclusive content. We bring you engaging conversations with a diverse range of talents, including musicians, lighting and stage designers, sound engineers, and other creatives in the music industry. almostfamousmagazine.com Our channel features in-depth interviews with top artists such as Tony Scalzo of Fastball, Nic Collins, Ben McKelvey, Tim Howar, Steve ”Smiley” Barnard, Rob Ruckus, Kate Clover, Gizz Lazlo, Scott Mayo, Kris Dollimore, Lightnin Woodcock, Sharif Dumani, Yolanda Charles, Jim McDermott, Gary O’Toole, Dave Kerzner, Salim Nourallah, Dean Friedman, Jonas Reingold, Sub-Radio, Lilith Clockwork, C**t-45, The Baboon Show, Skwert Gunn of Public Serpents, FIDLAR, The Toasters, Jack McBannon, and many more. Join us as we explore the stories behind the music, the technical aspects of live performances, and the creative processes that bring unforgettable shows to life. Subscribe now to Almost Famous Magazine and stay updated with the latest in the music world!

  1. Sep 18

    Erik “Smelly” Sandin on 40 Years of NOFX, Addiction, Recovery, Reinvention & F*%$in’ Up!

    Erik “Smelly” Sandin, longtime drummer of NOFX, sits down with The Hang! to talk about addiction, 34 years of sobriety, the end of NOFX’s live run, 40 Years of F****n’ Up, and why punk rock gave him a purpose. Sandin’s relationship with music started long before NOFX. Growing up in Southern California, he remembers hearing Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Miles Davis around the house. By his teens, he just wanted to play. It didn’t really matter what instrument. Drums happened to be the open spot in a punk band, and he took it. That eventually led to NOFX and a completely different life. Erik talks about developing his approach behind the kit and why “less is more” became central to the way he plays. For him, drums aren’t there to fill every available space. They’re there to support the song. That leads into a great conversation about young musicians, social media, technical ability, AI-generated music and the difference between copying something well and actually creating something of your own. The conversation gets much more personal when Sandin talks about heroin addiction. Fat Mike eventually told him that unless he went to rehab and got sober, he was out of NOFX. Erik describes that moment as realizing he was about to lose the last thing in his life that still meant something to him. He went into a 60-day program determined to give it everything he had. More than three decades later, he says one of the biggest changes wasn’t simply stopping drugs. It was acceptance. Erik also looks back at his relationship with Fat Mike, the intervention NOFX later held for him, the band’s final shows and what it was like realizing just how far this group of teenage punks had traveled. NOFX concluded its farewell tour with three San Pedro shows in October 2024 after more than four decades together. There’s also 40 Years of F****n’ Up, the 2026 James Buddy Day documentary about NOFX’s history and farewell run, and a conversation about why the Punk Rock Museum matters as a place where the punk community can actually see its history under one roof. And before Erik has to run, we talk about something else changing punk: more women finding their place in the scene and more parents bringing their daughters to shows. We didn’t get to everything. Pickle Stix, Erik’s custom surfboard company, is waiting for Part 2. Sandin turned his longtime surfboard-shaping hobby into a business during the pandemic. What part of Erik’s story hit you the hardest? Drop it in the comments, and subscribe to The Hang! for more conversations with the people making music and the people who helped shape it. https://linktr.ee/Nofx83 https://www.40yearsoffuckinup.com https://picklestixsurfboards.com/ https://www.thepunkrockmuseum.com #ErikSandin #nofx #smelly #punkrock #40YearsOfFuckinUp #PunkRockMuseum #PunkInterview #drummer  CHAPTERS: 00:30 Meet NOFX Drummer Erik “Smelly” Sandin 02:43 Growing Up on Zeppelin, Dylan and Deep Purple 04:10 How Erik Sandin Became a Drummer 07:34 Why “Less Is More” Behind the Drum Kit 11:29 Social Media, Musicians and AI-Generated Music 19:50 Fat Mike and the People Who Changed Erik’s Life 22:32 Heroin Addiction, Rehab and 34 Years of Sobriety 28:00 Looking Back Through 40 Years of F****n’ Up 32:21 Is NOFX Really Finished? 35:00 Punk Rock Museum, Community and Women in Punk The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    Erik “Smelly” Sandin on 40 Years of NOFX, Addiction, Recovery, Reinvention & F*%$in’ Up!

  2. Aug 26

    Wonderland Rejects on Reinventing Punk With “New Grunge”, Punk, Protest & Hello Rejects!

    In this episode of 'The Hang!', Wonderland Rejects make their second appearance on The Hang! following a huge few months that included performing at Doll Fest and completing their sophomore album, Hello Rejects, arriving August 29. This interview explores a band refusing to stay inside punk rock’s traditional boundaries. Where Goodbye Wonderland embraced a raw, old-school punk sound, Hello Rejects goes deeper—mixing punk with blues, hip-hop, EDM, dance music, Tejano and grunge. The band even describes the evolving sound as “New Grunge.” Alice, Dolly and Kitty break down the creative evolution behind the record, from more ambitious guitar work and unusual drum patterns to “Thank You Billie Holiday,” which recognizes the Black blues musicians whose influence runs through rock, punk, metal, rap and popular music. They also discuss “El Rey Rojo,” bringing Spanish and Tejano influences into their music, and “Cardboard Me,” a slower and surprisingly complex song that pushed Kitty into new rhythmic territory. But Hello Rejects goes beyond musical experimentation. The band explains why their songwriting has shifted from primarily exploring their own experiences as queer and trans women toward confronting larger issues including racism, white supremacy, representation and supporting marginalized communities. What You’ll Learn From The Band: • Why Wonderland Rejects call their evolving sound “New Grunge” • How blues, rap, EDM and Tejano entered the band's punk sound • The stories behind “Thank You Billie Holiday,” “El Rey Rojo” and “Cardboard Me” • Why Artisan Octopus is trying to make live music more diverse and inclusive The conversation also introduces Artisan Octopus, the band's new live-events and media collective built around a simple idea: different artists, communities, generations and musical styles can remain completely themselves while still working together. As the band puts it: “Music is the greatest superpower that a human being has.” Support your artists. Buy the record. Buy the merch. Go to the show. Support your local music community. And subscribe to The Hang! from Almost Famous Magazine for more conversations with independent artists pushing music forward. https://www.instagram.com/wonderlandrejects1312 https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@WonderlandRejectsOfficial⁩   The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine #WonderlandRejects #HelloRejects #punk #punkrock #grunge #newgrunge #thehang #podcast  Chapters: Wonderland Rejects discuss the evolution of their sound from the punk roots of Goodbye Wonderland to their latest release, Hello Rejects. This conversation features the band members breaking down the creative shift between their earlier work and their current musical direction. If you follow indie punk music, this discussion provides insight into how the group approached their songwriting process and artistic growth. Beyond the interview, you get a look at the energy behind their live performance style. We examine the contrast between their raw, old-school punk influences and the new textures present in Hello Rejects. Fans of the band can hear firsthand what inspired this transition and how they view their evolution as musicians. Catch more artist interviews and band spotlights by subscribing to the channel. Which track from Hello Rejects do you connect with the most? Let us know in the comments. 00:00 Wonderland Rejects Return 01:46 Life After Doll Fest 03:41 Hello Rejects & the Birth of “New Grunge” 07:25 “Thank You Billie Holiday” 08:28 Punk, Blues & the Roots of Modern Music 12:41 Punk Meets Tejano: “El Rey Rojo” 15:22 The Challenge Behind “Cardboard Me” 19:21 Artisan Octopus & the Power of Live Music 21:20 Why Representation in Music Matters 27:51 What’s Next for Wonderland Rejects https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    Wonderland Rejects on Reinventing Punk With “New Grunge”, Punk, Protest & Hello Rejects!

  3. Aug 21

    Elliot Lozier - Doom Scroll Survived Dead Vans, flooded gear, Ravines and more! Are they cursed?

    In this episode of The Hang!, Elliot Lozier takes us from discovering The Offspring as a kid and teaching himself drums, guitar, bass and mandolin to the formation of Doom Scroll and the creation of Exhausted Dialogue. This interview explores Doom Scroll’s unusual combination of punk aggression, folk instrumentation, metal influences and layered harmonies—as well as the almost unbelievable string of disasters that inspired “The Ravine.” Dead vans, flooded gear, shattered windows and an actual ravine rescue eventually became fuel for the music. Lozier also explains the video-game concept behind Exhausted Dialogue, the surveillance themes of “Panopticon,” the endless grind behind “Sisyphus,” and the existential dread driving “Horsemen,” featuring Ian Cook. What You’ll Learn: * How Doom Scroll created its aggressive acoustic folk-punk sound * The insane true story behind “The Ravine” * Why video-game NPCs inspired Exhausted Dialogue * How Propagandhi, metal and punk shaped Elliot Lozier’s songwriting Here’s what you’ll learn about the DIY philosophy behind Doom Scroll, the musicians who bring the songs alive onstage, and why Elliot dreams of one day recording with Rick Rubin. 🎸 Support independent music: stream or buy Exhausted Dialogue, see Doom Scroll live, grab merch, and subscribe to The Hang! for more artist interviews. #DoomScroll #ElliotLozier #FolkPunk #PunkRock #punk  https://www.doomscrollband.com/ https://doomscrollband.bandcamp.com/album/immoral-compass https://www.instagram.com/doomscrollband   DOOM SCROLL TOUR DATES August 20 — Sioux Falls, SD — The Den August 21 — Minneapolis, MN — 56 Brewing August 22 — Evansville, WI — EUM August 23 — Detroit, MI — Sanctuary August 24 — Dayton, OH — Cosmo Joe’s August 25 — Lafayette, IN — People’s Pub August 26 — Cleveland, OH — No Class August 27 — Millersville, PA — Phantom Power August 28 — Philadelphia, PA — Nikki Lopez August 29 — Brattleboro, VT — Stone Church August 30 — Brooklyn, NY — Gold Sounds September 1 — Richmond, VA — The Camel September 3 — Lynchburg, VA — Super Rad Arcade Bar September 4 — Chapel Hill, NC — Local 506 September 5 — Asheville, NC — Static Age September 6 — Charlotte, NC — The Milestone September 7 — Birmingham, AL — The Firehouse September 8 — New Orleans, LA — Okay Bar September 9 — Houston, TX — Trip Six September 10 — Austin, TX — Alienated Majesty Books September 11 — Denton, TX — Rubber Gloves* September 12 — Oklahoma City, OK — Grand Royale* *Doom Scroll only; no Hans Gruber and the Die Hards. CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Elliot Lozier & Doom Scroll 03:14 The Offspring, Drums & Musical Beginnings 07:22 From We The Heathens to Doom Scroll 10:26 Becoming a Self-Taught Multi-Instrumentalist 13:29 Creating Doom Scroll’s Acoustic Punk Sound 17:14 The Meaning Behind Exhausted Dialogue 19:28 The Insane True Story Behind “The Ravine” 25:06 Panopticon, Sisyphus & Modern Life 34:29 “Horsemen,” Ian Cook & Doom Scroll’s Band Chemistry 43:05 Propagandhi, Rick Rubin & Elliot’s Influences The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    Elliot Lozier - Doom Scroll Survived Dead Vans, flooded gear, Ravines and more! Are they cursed?

  4. Aug 19

    David Myhr - The Art of the Perfect Pop Song!

    In this episode of The Hang!, David Myhr joins Scott Saldinger of Almost Famous Magazine to trace a musical journey that started at a piano in northern Sweden, exploded into Beatles obsession, led to The Merrymakers and eventually became a decades-long solo career built around melody, harmony and classic pop songwriting. This interview explores David Myhr’s creative process, his collaboration with songwriter Bill DeMain, working with Jellyfish’s Andy Sturmer, finding success in Japan and the making of his third solo album, Everything Is All About You. David also gets candid about today’s music industry — where releasing a great song is only the beginning. Artists now have to become their own promoters, content creators and community builders just to make sure people know their music exists. What You’ll Learn from David: • How The Beatles shaped his approach to songwriting • Why melody usually comes before lyrics in his creative process • What Andy Sturmer taught him about making records • Why promoting music may now be harder than creating it Here’s what you’ll learn from an artist who never stopped chasing the feeling of hearing a melody come together: sometimes success isn't becoming a pop star — it's making something you’re proud of and discovering that someone halfway around the world connects with it. 🎧 Support independent music: buy the record, grab the vinyl or CD, see artists live, buy merch and share the music you love. Subscribe to The Hang! from Almost Famous Magazine for more conversations with musicians, songwriters and artists. #DavidMyhr #PowerPop #Songwriting #TheMerrymakers #TheHangPodcast #TheHang #podcast    https://davidmyhr.com https://facebook.com/davidmyhr https://instagram.com/davidmyhr https://YouTube.com/user/davidmyhr   CHAPTERS: 00:00 David Myhr and Everything Is All About You 02:30 How The Beatles Changed Everything 05:07 Learning to Write the Perfect Pop Song 06:32 The Merrymakers and Going Solo 11:28 Everything Is All About You 15:05 Say Yes and David’s Songwriting Process 22:27 Andy Sturmer, Jellyfish and April’s Fool 25:15 Finding Success in Japan 33:16 Surviving the Modern Music Industry 38:28 Dream Collaborations and New Music The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    David Myhr - The Art of the Perfect Pop Song!

  5. Aug 12

    The Dirty Turkeys: What Is Acid Cow Punk?

    In this episode of 'The Hang!', The Dirty Turkeys — Sam Baker, Ty Tullar, Brad Hansen and Russ Hansen — hang with Scott Saldinger to unpack how childhood friendships, basement jams and wildly different musical influences became one seriously unpredictable band. This interview explores why The Dirty Turkeys would rather build a genuine community one live show at a time than change their music to chase algorithms. They also get into their explosive live performances, the strange origin of their band name, the creation of “Under Your Spell,” and why staying human matters as AI-generated music and content become more common. Here’s what you’ll learn: • How The Dirty Turkeys created their “Acid Cow Punk” sound • Why “Under Your Spell” feels like a breakthrough for the band • How live shows and word of mouth built their fan community • Why authenticity matters more to them than instant viral fame You’ll also hear about Cowboy Caravan, their creative process, dream collaborators, favorite artists, their move toward San Francisco and the next chapter with Soul Sugar. If you love psychedelic rock, garage rock, surf rock, punk, outlaw country or bands that refuse to stay inside genre lines, meet The Dirty Turkeys. Subscribe to Almost Famous Magazine for more independent artist interviews on The Hang! Website Instagram YouTube  #TheDirtyTurkeys #AcidCowPunk #PsychedelicRock #IndependentMusic #thehang CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet The Dirty Turkeys & Acid Cow Punk 03:01 How The Dirty Turkeys Became a Band 03:52 Psychedelic, Punk & Country Influences 07:37 How Four Friends Write Songs Together 09:09 The Crazy Story Behind “The Dirty Turkeys” 13:01 Inside a Dirty Turkeys Live Show 17:36 Building Fans Without Going Viral 20:24 “Under Your Spell” & Finding Their Sound 22:20 Where to Start With The Dirty Turkeys 27:15 Family, Friendship & Musical Support 31:28 Soul Sugar, San Francisco & What’s Next 33:53 Being a Musician in the Content Era 37:16 AI, Human Art & Staying Authentic 41:44 Dream Producers & Collaborators 47:04 Supporting Independent Artists 48:04 What The Dirty Turkeys Listen To The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine

    The Dirty Turkeys: What Is Acid Cow Punk?

  6. Aug 4

    V Torres on Healing, Grief & “Woman” her story will move you!

    In this episode of The Hang!, V Torres joins Scott Saldinger to share the story behind "Woman", her seven-song sophomore album arriving independently September 1, 2026. Raised in Southern California on her parents’ vinyl collection, V absorbed everything from Joni Mitchell and James Taylor to Pink Floyd, outlaw country, funk, grunge, and psychedelic rock. She started playing guitar around age 11, wrote songs inspired by the Arizona desert, and eventually found her voice at college open mics in Los Angeles. This interview explores how divorce, grief, healing, desire, and learning to love herself became connected chapters in Woman. V also talks about co-producing the record, rebuilding songs in the studio, honoring her late friend Kevin Sousa, pressing vinyl for the first time, and experiencing the thrill of connecting with a festival audience. V tells you about: * How she developed her indie-rock and Americana sound * Why "Woman" took nearly nine years to become an album * How grief influenced “Winter Solstice” and the recording process * Why Beck is her dream producer and collaborator Here’s what you’ll learn about the perseverance, community, and personal investment required to create independent music. Watch the full conversation, subscribe to The Hang!, and support V Torres by streaming her music, purchasing the album or vinyl, and seeing her perform live. #VTorres #WomanAlbum #IndieRock #SingerSongwriter #podcast #musicinterview  Website Instagram YouTube Apple Music Album pre-order   The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    V Torres on Healing, Grief & “Woman” her story will move you!

  7. Jul 29

    Dorian Balis Left Opera to Write His Truth!

    In this episode of The Hang!, host Scott Saldinger talks with Dorian Bailis about a musical journey shaped by opera, heavy metal, grunge, classical music, Americana and raw emotional storytelling. After studying vocal performance and building a professional opera career, Dorian realized that writing his own songs had become his most honest form of expression. He opens up about leaving New York, starting over in Nashville and creating what he calls “modern folk n’ roll.” This interview explores the stories behind “Polka Rose,” “Beyond the River” and “Not So Lonely Valentine’s Day,” including the personal loss that inspired Dorian to stop waiting and take a chance on a different life. He also discusses why songs are never completely finished, how live audiences continue the creative conversation and why albums still matter in a singles-driven music industry. Dorian Shares: * How he transitioned from opera to modern folk songwriting * Why Nashville gave him new opportunities to perform original music * The personal stories behind “Polka Rose” and “Beyond the River” * How authenticity helps music survive algorithms, trends and AI Subscribe to Almost Famous Magazine, share the episode and support independent artists by streaming their music, attending shows and purchasing vinyl and merchandise. #DorianBailis #nashville #opera #singersongwriter #interview #musicianinterview  https://www.dorianbalis.com/ https://www.instagram.com/dorianbalis https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dorian-balis/1683393900 www.youtube.com/@UChXcae0PRDO3IOIahXV-FlA  CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet Dorian Balis 01:21 Music, Metal and Early Influences 10:55 Leaving New York for Nashville 14:14 The Story Behind “Polka Rose” 19:10 Loss, Regret and “Beyond the River” 22:41 Love and “Not So Lonely Valentine’s Day” 25:18 Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Live Music 27:27 From Opera Singer to Songwriter 30:10 Building an EP in a Singles-Driven Industry 32:21 Can Good Music Beat Algorithms and AI? 39:09 Authenticity and Connecting With Listeners 41:28 Dorian’s Dream Collaboration With Bono 46:26 Kendrick Lamar, Deafheaven and Brian Wilson 49:40 What Comes Next for Dorian Balis The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

  8. Jul 15

    Colm Gavin: Dublin Folk Songwriter, Songwriting, Songs, Stories & Soul!

    In this episode of The Hang!, host Scott Saldinger talks with Colm Gavin about music origins, creative flow, collaboration, mentors, and building a life around songs. Colm Gavin is a Dublin-based singer-songwriter whose music blends contemporary folk, soft jazz, parlor-song charm, and classic storytelling. His work has reached listeners across Ireland, Europe, the UK, and North America, with songs praised by major artists and industry voices and released through BEO Records. Public profiles note that his early solo releases reached No. 1 on the Irish iTunes charts and that his music has been playlisted on radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. This interview explores Colm’s childhood connection to music, the Orlando trip that opened his ears to Roy Orbison, The Carpenters, Springsteen, and classic radio, and how taking over his brother’s guitar lessons changed everything. Colm also talks about his teacher and mentor Peter Stanton, why practice and creativity should live in different rooms, and how collaboration turns a simple idea into something that suddenly exists. Here’s what you’ll learn from Colm: * How he found his way into music and songwriting * Why folk, jazz, theater, and parlor songs shape his sound * How collaboration helps songs grow beyond the writer * Why mentors, discipline, and flow state still matter In this episode, Colm also discusses Live at Whelan’s, touring Ireland and the UK, writing for other artists, and why sincerity, preparation, and community remain at the heart of real music. Subscribe to Almost Famous Magazine for more artist interviews, music stories, and conversations from The Hang! #ColmGavin #irishfolkmusic #SongwriterInterview #irishmusician  Instagram YouTube  Bandcamp Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to The Hang! 02:15 Meet Colm Gavin 03:00 How Music First Found Him 05:23 Taking Over His Brother’s Guitar Lessons 07:24 Early Influences: Dylan, Clapton & Cat Stevens 08:46 Defining his Sound 13:34 Where New Listeners Should Start 15:32 Songs, Editing & Creative Flow 17:46 Knowing When a Song Is Finished 20:29 Practice vs. Writing Time 23:05 Collaboration and Creative Alchemy 26:06 Why No Artist Succeeds Alone 28:45 Moments of Recognition and Self-Doubt 32:07 Remembering Mentor Peter Stanton 38:37 Touring, Ireland Shows & What’s Next 45:23 Dream Collaborations: Randy Newman & Elton John 48:40 Road Music, Asia & 80s Rock   The Hang! Podcast – Presented by Almost Famous Magazine https://www.almostfamousmagazine.com

    Colm Gavin: Dublin Folk Songwriter, Songwriting, Songs, Stories & Soul!
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Welcome to The Hang! As Seen On Almost Famous Magazine – your ultimate destination for everything music! Dive deep into the world of music production, backstage stories, and creative insights with our exclusive content. We bring you engaging conversations with a diverse range of talents, including musicians, lighting and stage designers, sound engineers, and other creatives in the music industry. almostfamousmagazine.com Our channel features in-depth interviews with top artists such as Tony Scalzo of Fastball, Nic Collins, Ben McKelvey, Tim Howar, Steve ”Smiley” Barnard, Rob Ruckus, Kate Clover, Gizz Lazlo, Scott Mayo, Kris Dollimore, Lightnin Woodcock, Sharif Dumani, Yolanda Charles, Jim McDermott, Gary O’Toole, Dave Kerzner, Salim Nourallah, Dean Friedman, Jonas Reingold, Sub-Radio, Lilith Clockwork, C**t-45, The Baboon Show, Skwert Gunn of Public Serpents, FIDLAR, The Toasters, Jack McBannon, and many more. Join us as we explore the stories behind the music, the technical aspects of live performances, and the creative processes that bring unforgettable shows to life. Subscribe now to Almost Famous Magazine and stay updated with the latest in the music world!

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