Center Stage: An Abandoned Albums Podcast

Red Rose Way is an emerging alternative rock band blending emotive vocals, dynamic guitars, and anthemic hooks into a sound that feels both classic and contemporary. Rooted in raw honesty, their songs explore love, resilience, and self-discovery, balancing introspection with big, arena-ready energy. Drawing influences from modern alt-rock and timeless pop craftsmanship, Red Rose Way creates music that connects instantly with heartfelt lyrics delivered with conviction and melodic power. This is my conversation with Milos and Tony of Red Rose Way. LINKS Red Rose Way on Bandcamp

Singer-songwriter Pete Droge joins Center Stage for an in-depth conversation about his new album Fade Away Blue—a powerful and deeply personal collection that explores themes of identity, healing, and renewal.  Emerging from the Pacific Northwest in the mid-’90s with his debut Necktie Second and its breakout single “If You Don’t Love Me (I’ll Kill Myself),” Droge quickly became known for his wry, heartfelt songwriting and timeless melodies. Over the years, his music has appeared in films like Dumb and Dumber, Beautiful Girls, Almost Famous, and Zombieland, while he’s also collaborated with Matthew Sweet and Shawn Mullins in The Thorns.  In this episode, Pete reflects on his journey through illness, adoption, and rediscovery, and how those experiences shaped Fade Away Blue. The conversation is honest, uplifting, and filled with insight into an artist who continues to evolve while staying true to his emotional core. LINKS Pete Droge on Bandcamp Pete Droge on Substack Pete Droge on YouTube Pete Droge on Spotify Pete Droge on IG

Los Yesterdays are a California-based band carrying the torch of Chicano soul into a new era. Formed in 2017 by drummer/composer Gabriel Rowland and singer-songwriter Victor “Bad Vic” Benavides, the group began as a studio project rooted in a deep love for vintage East L.A. soul. Their sound—warm, nostalgic, and timeless—draws from Motown, doo-wop, and Latin soul traditions, blending sweet harmonies, textured instrumentation, and heartfelt storytelling. What started as a nod to the past has grown into a vital part of today’s “souldies” movement, connecting generations through music that feels both familiar and fresh. Songs like “Nobody’s Clown” and “Tell Me I’m Dreaming” showcase their knack for crafting melodies that linger. At the same time, their 2024 release Frozen in Time expands their sonic palette with lush arrangements and an undeniable groove. Los Yesterdays continue to honor tradition while carving out their own soulful lane in modern music. LINKS Los Yesterdays on Band Camp Los Yesterdays on IG Los Yesterdays on Spotify Los Yesterdays on YouTube Souldies Article in NYTimes  

The Ladies Of… are an Atlanta-based rock supergroup featuring James Hall, a notable figure in the city's music scene. Their sound is rooted in rock and roll, with Hall's lyrical prowess and dynamic vocals at the forefront. Since their formation, The Ladies Of... have released several albums. Their music showcases a blend of raw energy and poetic songwriting, earning them a dedicated following in the Atlanta area and beyond.  The band continues to perform and record, contributing to the rich and diverse landscape of the city's independent music scene. LINKS The Ladies of ... Bandcamp The Ladies of ... Web The Ladies of ... YouTube The Ladies of ... FB

Mensclub emerged from San Francisco’s anti-indie scene in the early 1990s. They dubbed themselves “the hardest rocking band in the Bay Area,” and they lived up to it—delivering full-throttle, no-frills hard rock that channeled the raw energy of the Midwestern trifecta of the MC5, Grand Funk Railroad, and The Stooges. Mensclub became an underground staple through frequent West Coast tours, their music brimming with tongue-in-cheek swagger, heavy riffs, and a punch-to-the-gut rock attitude. LINKS Mensclub on Spotify Bar None Records “Fly” Official Video SF Weekly from 2009 Fresh Start (the first single) Let's Take Turns Blowin' Ourselves Away (the second single) RON'S CURRENT BANDS Haardvark Haardvark Welt Bomb EP Hot Lunch Self Titled Seconds

Clay Tarver first came on the radar in the late ’80s as the co-founding guitarist for Boston’s Bullet LaVolta, a band that mashed up punk grit with hard rock muscle and a little post-punk weirdness. The band burned bright, fast, and called it quits by 1991. Not long after, Tarver hooked up with Matt Sweeney, James Lo, and Scott Marshall in New York to form Chavez, releasing two beloved albums, Gone Glimmering (1995) and Ride the Fader (1996). They went quiet for a while, but never really broke up—2006’s Matador compilation Better Days Will Haunt You pulled it all together and gave them a brief second wind. This is our conversation with Clay Tarver.  Links Chavez on Bandcamp

Jeff Garber is a versatile singer‑songwriter and composer whose musical journey stretches from indie‑rock roots to TV soundtracks. In the ‘90s, he led the  Champaign‑Urbana group Castor, known for shifting time signatures with effortless flow (Castor, Tracking Sounds Alone). He later fronted National Skyline and Year of the Rabbit, showcasing his range across shoegaze, post‑punk, and alt‑rock. These days, Garber’s focus has shifted toward composition—he scores for Netflix hits like Virgin River and Full Swing, plus other series including Nancy Drew, Pretty Smart, and The Company You Keep. His trailer work includes music for Marvel’s Daredevil and Disney+ content. From underground indie to streaming soundtracks, Jeff Garber continues to evolve—crafting music that’s both emotionally honest and sonically adventurous. LINKS Castor on Bandcamp National Skyline on Bandcamp Year of the Rabbit on Bandcamp

Dauzat St. Marie—that’s dō-zaht saynt mah-ree—the husband-and-wife duo of Mat Dauzat and Heather St. Marie can strip a song to its bare bones and still hit you right in the heart. They started out in the alt-rock-leaning Hydrovibe, but traded the volume wars for something sharper: acoustic-forward, harmony-rich, folk-Americana with a backbone. Their debut EP Falling Again set the tone—grit, heart, and zero filler—and they’ve been relentless road warriors ever since, sharing stages with Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Rick Springfield, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Schuyler Fisk. Along the way, they’ve had viral success, deeply personal triumphs, and globe-spanning side gigs—Mat with Seal and The Buggles, Heather turning her breast cancer recovery into an anthem for the American Cancer Society. With new music like “Burn” and their soulful cover of Seal’s “Crazy,” Dauzat St. Marie continues to make music for midnight highways, small rooms, and the moments you need a voice—or two—in your corner. This is our conversation with Heather and Mat of Dauzat St. Marie. LINKS Dauzat St. Marie on the web Dauzat St. Marie on BandCamp Dauzat St. Marie on YouTube Dauzat St. Marie on IG

In addition to being an actress, Schuyler Fisk (pronounced Skylar) is a noted singer/songwriter. From the beginning, she has marched to the beat of her own drummer, carving a low-friction, roots-pop path that favors sincerity over flash and homegrown hustle over industry hype. After signing with Universal Records and experiencing a bit of major-label chin-channery, Fisk trusted her gut and asked to be released from her contract to pursue an independent path. Schuyler recently stopped by Thunderlove Studio to talk about that independent path, and this is our conversation. LINKS Schuyler Fisk Anna K The Chicken Sisters

Fishbone is a genre-defying band from Los Angeles that emerged in the early 1980s, blending ska, punk, funk, metal, and soul into a high-energy, explosive sound. Known for their chaotic live shows and fearless musical experimentation, Fishbone challenges genre and racial boundaries in the alternative rock scene.  With landmark albums like Truth and Soul and The Reality of My Surroundings, and despite commercial ups and downs, Fishbone remains a cult favorite and a vital influence on artists across rock, punk, and funk. LINKS Fishbone online Fishbone on IG Fishbone on YouTube Fishbone on FB