Sappenin’ Podcast with Sean Smith

Destructobot. The epitome of anger, noodle riff master and comedy reference sweetheart, James 'Bob' Davies, is our guest on Episode 358 of Sappenin' Podcast! As Raiders finally release their long-awaited and first official body of work, 'Cold Eyes / Dead Hearts', exclusively with Bandcamp, The Blackout founding guitarist breaks his media silence, with never before told secrets behind mentally juggling both bands, industry success parallels and the landscape of their respected futures. In this conversation, Bob open up on using Raiders as an artistic expression, writing new music, why it's taken so long to record a catalog of songs, staying completely independent vs The Blackout's impressive label history, exploring modern business formulas, appreciating their past achievements, building a fresh unsigned community with artists like Fangs Out, Delour and NIGHTLIVES, experiencing hard truths, underground tour mayhem, unfiltered meme moments, unexpected plans for The Blackout in 2026 and more! Turn it up and join Sean and Morgan to find out Sappenin' this week!Follow us on Social Media:Twitter: @sappeninpodInstagram: @sappeninpodSpecial thank you to our Sappenin' Podcast Patreons:Join the Sappenin' Podcast Community: Patreon.com/Sappenin.Kylie Wheeler, Janelle Caston, Paul Hirschfield, Tony Michael, Scarlet Charlton, Dilly Grimwood, Mitch Perry, Nathan Crawshaw, Molly Molloy, James Bowerbank, Amee Louise, Kat Bessant, Kieran Lewis, Alexandra Pemblington, Jonathan Gutierrez, Jenni Robinson, Stuart McNaught, Jenni Munster, Louis Cook, Carl Pendlebury, James Mcnaught, Martina McManus, Jason Heredia, John&Emma, Danny Eaton, RahRah James, Sian Foynes, Evan, Ollie Amesbury, Dan Peregreen, Emily Perry, Kalila Keane, Adam Parslow, Josh Crisp, Vicki Henshaw, Laura Russell, Fraser Cummings, Sophie Ansell, Kyle Smith, Connor Lewins, Billy Hunter, Harry Radford, George Evans, Em Evans Roberts, Thomas O’Neill, Sinead O'Halloran, Kael Braham, Jade Austin, Charlie Wood, Aurora Winchester, Jordan Harris, James Page, Georgie Hopkinson, Helen Anyetta, John Wilson, Lisa Sullivan, Ayla Emo, Kelly Young, Jennifer Dean, Tj Ambler-Shattock, Chaz Howkins, Michael Snowden, Justine Baddeley, David Winchurch, Jim Farrell, Scott Evans, Andrew Simpson, Shaun Croucher, Lewis Sluman, Ellie Gowers, Luke Wardle, Grazyna McGroarty, Nathan Matheson, Matt Roberts, Joshua Lewis, Erin Howard,, Chris Harris, Lucy Neill, Amy Thomas, Jessie Hellier, Stevie Burke, Robert Pike, Anthony Matthews, Samantha Neville, Sarah Maher, Owen Davies, Bethan Downing, Jessica Tiernan, Danielle Oldershaw, Samantha Bowen, Ruby Price, Jule Ferl, Alice Wood, Billy Parmiter, Emma Musgrave, Rhian Friggens, Hannah Kenyon, Patrick Floyd, Hayley Taylor, Loz Sanchez, Cerys Andrews, Dan Johnson, Eva B, Emma Barber, Helen Macbeth, Melissa Mercury, Joshua Ryan, Cate Stevenson, Emily Moorhouse, Jacob Turner, Madeleine Inez, Robert Byrne, Christopher Goldring, Chris Lincoln, Beth Gayler, Lesley Dargie-Walker, Sabina Grosch, Tom Hylands, Andrew Keech, Kerry Beckett, Leanne Gerrard, Ieuan Wheeler, Hannah Rachael, Gemma Graham, Andy Wastell, Jay Smith, Nuala Clark, Liam Connolly, Lavender Martin, Lloyd Pinder, Ghostly Grimoire, Amy Hogg.Diolch and Thank You x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ken Vasoli, the energetic vocalist and melodic bassist of The Starting Line, joins the conversation as the band celebrates the release of their first album in 18 years, 'Eternal Youth.' He shares behind-the-scenes stories about their independent label, Lineage Records, and the creative freedom it allows. Ken opens up about painful tour injuries, his unorthodox songwriting habits, and quirky merch ideas, like selling used bass strings. He also humorously recalls surreal experiences with UFOs and being referenced by Taylor Swift. It's a lively and heartfelt chat!

Liam Cromby, former frontman of We Are The Ocean and now a solo artist, shares his journey through music and mental health. He reflects on the surprise success of his acoustic tour, discusses a viral TikTok moment that rekindled connections with fans, and reveals plans for a unique reunion with his old band. Cromby also delves into creative well-being, his songwriting education, and the personal stories behind his new music. With a blend of nostalgia and innovation, he invites listeners to reflect on growth and resilience in the music industry.

Jenna McDougall, frontwoman of Tonight Alive and solo artist known as Heavenshe, opens up about her artistic rebirth after a hiatus. She dives into the creative process behind her new music, exploring her journey from overwhelmed teen star to independent artist, and how therapy and journaling helped reclaim her identity. She also touches on exciting collaborations, including a potential tour with Tay Jardine, and shares captivating UFO stories. Amidst her musical evolution, Jenna emphasizes the power of authenticity and connection in the industry.

Phil Bayer, the dynamic vocalist of FLOYA, shares his inspiring journey from the metalcore scene to creating uplifting pop-rock. He reveals the secrets behind their new single and the band’s creative writing trips, including a unique bootcamp in Morocco. Phil discusses their surprise reception in Japan and the joy of performing at the Radar Festival. He opens up about balancing artistic vision with market demand and recounts humorous anecdotes from unusual gigs, all while looking forward to their upcoming album and wishing for dream collaborations.

Lzzy Hale, Grammy-winning powerhouse and frontwoman of Halestorm, and guitarist Joe Hottinger join the conversation. They delve into their latest album 'Everest' and reflect on their journey through the rock scene. Listeners get backstage anecdotes, including heartfelt tributes to Black Sabbath and the balance of personal connections on tour. The duo also shares their funny tour experiences and how Lzzy's lyrics empower women. Plus, they reveal plans for a lively Nerf gun battle at future concerts!

Chris Freeman, co-vocalist of Hot Mulligan and a skateboarding photographer, brings his wit and charm to the conversation. He shares the secrets behind their quirky song titles and discusses their unique blend of humor and seriousness in music. From memorable tour stories and managing the chaos of fame to his unexpected love for go-karting, Freeman gives fans a glimpse into the band’s creative world. He even touches on his experiences writing for wrestling. Tune in for a lively mix of laughs and insights!

Join Maria Lessing (Future Palace), Charlie Rolfe (As Everything Unfolds), and Alice Lake (Lake Malice), three powerhouse frontwomen redefining modern metal. They discuss their unique journeys through the industry, tackling stereotypes and gender inequality with humor and style. Expect candid tales about stage mishaps, tour essentials, and the balance between artistry and audience expectations. Their vibrant anecdotes on camaraderie, makeup tips, and even catering hacks reveal the fun and challenges of life on the road in the music scene.

Moon Valjean, guitarist for Goldfinger and founding member of Story Of The Year, shares his vibrant journey in the alternative music scene. He discusses exciting details about Greek Fire’s future and reflects on his iconic backflip retirement, replaced by a Tony Hawk-approved spin-kick. The conversation dives into the essence of collaboration within Goldfinger and the authentic experience of live performances. Moon shares hilarious backstage anecdotes, including an unexpected encounter with a duck, and reminisces about cherished milestones in his career.

This week features Gabe Saporta, frontman of Cobra Starship and skincare entrepreneur, alongside pop-punk sensation Taylor Acorn, who shares her new record deal excitement. Andy Biersack of Black Veil Brides reminisces about Warped Tour's influence on his life. Charlotte Sands delights with stories from her recent collaborations, while Shane Told of Silverstein reflects on festival legacies. Joe Mulherin, aka Nothing, Nowhere, discusses blending genres, and Matt Cutshall adds humor from the emo scene. They dive into unforgettable festival moments, music industry insights, and the vibrant connection that keeps fans and artists united.