This Was The Scene Podcast

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Formed in New Jersey in the late 1990s, Houston Calls blended pop punk energy with catchy melodies and heartfelt songwriting. The band quickly built a loyal following through relentless touring and a string of well-received releases. 
Their sound balanced upbeat hooks with lyrics that captured the uncertainty and excitement of young adulthood. 
Albums like A Collection of Short Stories and The End of an Error helped establish them as a favorite within the mid-2000s pop punk scene. Known for their polished musicianship and memorable choruses, Houston Calls shared stages with many of the genre's biggest acts during their run. Though no longer active, their music remains a nostalgic touchstone for fans of that era's melodic punk and emo-influenced sound.
I got Chitty on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:
Where "Chitty" came from
Face First
As Tall As Lions
Changing the name to Houston Calls and then dropping some members
Being on the latest Drive Thru RSD release this year
Getting signed to Drive Thru but having the first release put out on Rushmore Records
Recording with Ed Rose
Having a hard time recording vocals for the first record
Who Bob and Bonnie is about
Pulling inspiration from Saves the Day
And a ton more
Check out his new songs under the name Throw thermal pod on Spotify and band camp. These are his personal songs that he now puts out to the world.

The Mimsies were an underground band associated with the late 1990s and early 2000s DIY music scene. Their sound combined straightforward melodic elements with a raw, unpolished style typical of independent releases from that era. While they did not achieve widespread commercial success, they developed a small following through word of mouth and local performances. The band is often noted for reflecting the aesthetic and approach of the broader underground punk and indie communities.
Having Aspergers
The Flaming Lips
Moving the band to LA
Blurring the lines with band members
Labels wanting her to leave the band
Having health issues
Her perspective from playing Warped Tour 3 times
Wesley Willis
And a ton more
Check out her book Create What Others Miss: A movement-building guide for brands, leaders, and creators who refuse to stay ordinary. It's a playbook for building brands that matter by trusting instinct, spotting cultural shifts early, and turning those insights into scalable stories, with examples from companies like Spotify, LEGO, and Duolingo.
Lastly you can hire me as a Freelancer for the following:
Design support includes: • Branding and visual identity • Marketing and campaign design • Social, print, and digital assets
Video work includes: • Podcast video clips • Short-form content for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, and ads • Long-form edits for interviews, webinars, and YouTube • Sizzle reels and brand videos • Explainer and marketing video edits • Captioning, on-screen text, and light motion graphics If any of this lines up with something you need, feel free to reach out or keep me in mind!

The The Bombpops are a San Diego punk band known for blending fast, melodic riffs with emotionally honest lyrics. Fronted by Jen Razavi and Poli van Dam, their dual vocals give their songs a raw, conversational energy. They gained recognition through releases on Fat Wreck Chords, the iconic label founded by Fat Mike of NOFX. Their music often explores themes like relationships, anxiety, and personal growth while keeping a high-energy punk sound. With catchy hooks and heartfelt storytelling, they've carved out a strong place in modern punk.
I got Jen on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:
Branching out to be a solo act
Using Instagram to get known
The San Diego punk scene
Red Scare Records
How they signed to Fat
The limitation of the Punk festivals
How do younger bands survive
Being able to travel by just playing solo shows
How has the sale of Fat effected her
Working on the Liquid Death album
Her new solo release
The Fat Mike Covid house party
And a ton more
Lastly if you need a freelance Graphic / Motion Designer then hit me up at [email protected]
Design support includes: • Branding and visual identity • Marketing and campaign design • Social, print, and digital assets 
Video work includes: • Podcast video clips • Short-form content for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, and ads • Long-form edits for interviews, webinars, and YouTube • Sizzle reels and brand videos • Explainer and marketing video edits • Captioning, on-screen text, and light motion graphics If any of this lines up with something you need, feel free to reach out or keep me in mind!

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Matt Allison is a Chicago-based music producer known for capturing the raw, unpolished energy of punk, emo, and indie bands without sanding off their personality. Working out of his Atlas Studios, he's helped shape records for bands like Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, and The Menzingers, giving them that punchy, lived-in sound that feels like a basement show bottled up. His production style leans toward honesty over perfection, letting grit and character sit front and center instead of hiding behind glossy overproduction. In a world of hyper-edited music, Allison's work feels like a deep breath of analog air, where imperfections become the hook. He's quietly become one of the go-to architects of modern punk's sonic identity, even if his name stays just outside the spotlight.
I got Matt on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:
Working with the Lawrence Arms
The Bollweevils
How did he get clients in the beginning
Recording the Broadways
Meeting Alkaline Trio
Recording Goddammit
His take on why so many good bands come from Chicago
Greatest Story Ever Told
Oh Calcutta!
The Menzingers
The Rock Against Bush Comps
And a ton more
If you need a Freelance Graphic / Motion Design with Video Editing Skills, then hit me up.
Design support includes: • Branding and visual identity • Marketing and campaign design • Social, print, and digital assets 
Video work includes: • Podcast video clips • Short-form content for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, and ads • Long-form edits for interviews, webinars, and YouTube • Sizzle reels and brand videos • Explainer and marketing video edits • Captioning, on-screen text, and light motion graphics If any of this lines up with something you need, feel free to reach out or keep me in mind!
Contact me here - [email protected]

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Student Rick was an emo band from South Bend, Indiana. They gained recognition for their song "Falling for You," featured on Soundtrack for a Generation and included in the video games Aggressive Inline and Amped 2. The song was often misattributed online to bands like Taking Back Sunday and Simple Plan during the file-sharing era. Formed in the late '90s, the band solidified their lineup in 2000 and signed to Victory Records in 2001, releasing their debut album later that year. They toured extensively, including the 2002 Vans Warped Tour, but faced lineup changes and injuries along the way. Due to creative differences, Student Rick broke up in November 2002, with members later forming other projects like Hello Vegas and Say Say.
Big shot out to Double J (episode 136) for connecting me with Adam and also giving me a bunch of notes to reference for my questions. 
I got Adam on the Zoom and this is what we chat about:
Hello Vegas
What keeps them from playing reunion shows
Signing to Victory Records fairly quickly
His thoughts on Tony from Victory
Breaking down the artwork of their record
Recording at the Blasting Room
Being on tour on 911
His non love of neu metal bands
Covering Heaven is a Place on Earth
Getting slack for not being a hardcore band that was signed to Victory
Going on tour with Unwritten Law
And a ton more
If you're looking for a Freelance Graphic/Motion Designer, hire me :)
Design support includes: • Branding and visual identity • Marketing and campaign design • Social, print, and digital assets 
Video work includes: • Podcast video clips • Short-form content for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, and ads • Long-form edits for interviews, webinars, and YouTube • Sizzle reels and brand videos • Explainer and marketing video edits • Captioning, on-screen text, and light motion graphics If any of this lines up with something you need, feel free to reach out or keep me in mind!