Troubled Men Podcast

The Grammy Award-winning drummer, engineer, and producer playing with slide guitar phenom Sonny Landreth for the past 20 years was also with bayou superstar vocalist and accordion player Wayne Toups during the height of his '90s beefcake madness. Coming from a family counting more than 10 drummers among them, he learned his craft as a mere lad. Producing area talent at his Brignac Lane recording studio in Gonzales occupies any free time he has between live shows. Tonight Brian comes up out of the swamp to regale the Troubled Men.   Topics include a forgotten passport, a close call at customs, cruelty, Signalgate, political violence, Lucinda Williams at Chickie Wah Wah, Kraftwerk at the Civic, a bad meal, Jack in the Box, talent shows, teen bands, a drug bust, an orchestral approach, Carl Schexnayder, "Back To The Bayou," James Burton, Harrah's Casino, Charlie Brent, Toto, Yacht Rock, Donald Fagen, Chubby Carrier, Hipboot Joe, Sonny Landreth and Dave Ranson, Cindy Cashdollar, Michael Landau, Gary Novac, Jimmy

The proprietor of Atchafalaya restaurant was also a founding partner in both Snake and Jake's Christmas Club Lounge and the beloved Circle Bar. While a career waiter at top New Orleans restaurants including Upperline, Bayona, and Gautreau's, he would open Snake's at midnight and tend bar for the late-night superstars including celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain until well after sunrise. His new "Rhythm Kitchen" TV series for PBS explores the intersection of fine dining and music with live performances and specially-curated menus. Tonight Tony returns to the scene of the crime with the Troubled Men and Clempire czar Dave Clements as they commune with the ghosts of the Christmas Club's past. Topics include pleading the 5th, the next mayor's race, moving to Guam, Yonkers, a threesome, festival season, government cuts, a BJ's gig, Arnie Fielkow, Dave Clements, Tom Fitzmorris RIP, St. Louis, pro hockey, a game show on ice, a debate champion, only children, debate camp, spreading, law school plans, hospitality culture

The retired Florida police chief, community gadfly, and blogger with his own "Barker's View" is a longtime visitor and fan of New Orleans, having spent many a Mardi Gras ensconced with the barflies at the Circle Bar. As a private citizen, he's got opinions on everything, and is known to take exception with the local political establishment. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men in the flesh. Will it be a ride-along or a drive-by? Tune in and find out. It could go either way. Topics include a body, Carnival time, Eric Traub, Roberta Flack R.I.P., "Play Misty for Me," a firing squad, getting stoned, a dismissed ticket, fired workers, DOGE, a bruise, a domestic conflict, Waffle House, Harmony Circle, a fried potato poorboy, Will Smith, sex trafficking, pimping, escort services, the Vice Squad, a CPAC groping, the cocaine epidemic, pill mills, Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis, Chris Rose, smoking, bar tabs, bar mail, day drinking, the Junior Explorers, college failure, army discipline, FBI training, Eddie Compass, Ray Na

They all said it wouldn’t last, but as usual, they were wrong. Episode 300 was a rousing success, with former guests and listeners from the Troubled Nation showing up for a night of fellowship at Snake and Jake’s. With a cavalcade of stars — musicians, artists, writers, and misfits — the Troubled Men convene to do what they do. If you’re not Troubled, you’re not paying attention. And if you can’t laugh at your problems, they can. Trouble Never Ends! Topics include the LA fires, guinea pigs, the snowstorm, an argument, the Ring Room, the Midnight Cowboy, aging, Miss Yolanda, dead guests, Dave Clements, Nicky Sanzenbach, Mojo Nixon, knife control, rounded scissors, Saints emails, catechism class, porn work, an unwanted child, DC Harbold, “Counter Culture,” More Fun Comics, a Circle Bar artifact, Clockwork Elvis, CC Adcock, Jude Law, the Help, Portia de Rossi, Chris Champagne, “Secret New Orleans,” Paul Sanchez, high anxiety, dental charts, award shows, Natasha Sanchez, a new record, Keith Duncan, the Ogden Muse

The singer, guitarist, and songwriter was a close associate of John Cale, providing the haunting vocals on “Only Time Will Tell” and touring with his group for several years. A Lower East Side luminary, she was the talent booker at Max’s Kansas City and door person at CBGB, palled around with Eno and Tom Verlaine, and toured Europe with Television. Deerfrance joins René in the Feral Zone with her bassist and Tav Falco’s Panther Burns alum Kai Eric to discuss the glory days of NYC punk, their new record, “The Sad Electronic Now,” and the current state of the world. Topics include a double bill with Lorette Velvette, Memphis, Ross Johnson, dropping out of school, San Francisco in the late ’60s, vows of silence, MDMA, the Academy of Music, discovering Devo and the B-52s, ORK Records, No Wave bands, Jane Friedman, the post-Vietnam drug scene, an Alex Chilton story, Elaine Polk, Coney Island therapy, the Cramps, Miriam Linna, a U.N. childhood, public speaking, acting class, the dramatic pause, living with Jean-Mi

The award-winning songwriter, singer, and guitar player now fronting his own Rolling Road Show was also a founding member of Cowboy Mouth, the Backbeats, and the Write Brothers. With over 20 solo releases and “Nine Lives: A Musical History of New Orleans” in his catalogue, he’s seen the music biz from every angle. Having recovered from debilitating health issues, Paul takes his life in his hands as he joins the Troubled Men to chat it up about the highs and lows of a lifetime on the stage. Topics include New Year’s Eve, the Islamic State terror attack, Kings Day, Carnival season, an annual physical exam, a smoke alarm, the “Deep Dive” pilot, Trader Joe’s, a wives’ club, the Beverly Dinner Playhouse, a heart attack, an older brother, acting, auditions, sage advice, Ann Miller, Catholic school, a mugging, the platoon system, the punk scene, escaping high school, Steve Walters, Vance DeGeneres, a Stephen Soderbergh video, the Cold, Alex McMurray, Dave Pirner, Fred Leblanc, Dash Rip Rock, Bill Davis, a P.A. job,

The performance artist and singer fronting art punk dance band Malevitus and burlesque/hip hop act MC Sweet Tea returns to talk about new recordings, shooting videos, and the inclusion of her underground classic “Properfukt” on the Amy Schumer TV show ”Life and Beth.” Tiana is also known as the Mary Poppins of punk rock, and tonight, as always, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Topics include Christmas, Boxing Day, a surprise attack, the Anarchist Cookbook, baking, bar dogs, a Chanukah gathering, latkes, a giant baby Jesus, the Raiders vs the Saints, a baby wolf, the Kentucky Derby, the Weber grill, minimal supervision, Austin, San Francisco, Richard Linklater, a Henry Griffin film, the Shim-Shamettes, a solo record, Linda Montano, intention, Marcus Bronson, sobriety, Rob Cambre, fan mail, lockdown, Carlo Nuccio, a child’s video, early childhood education, MTV, Jeff Massey, Ben Jaffe, Nicole Pavy, a final question, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro

The drummer and singer’s career has included stints with R.L. Burnside, Link Wray, Sparklehorse, Epic Soundtracks, Untamed Youth, and so many more. He’s been in Rock’n’roll College forever and remembers most of it. Tonight Clarke joins the Troubled Men to review the highs and lows of a life on the road. Never leave the van. Topics include Vietnam vets, the stranger, a survey, RFK Jr., service dogs, a cat toilet, “Joker: Folie a Deux,” a Maxwell’s gig, an assassination, a drone invasion, insurance, soap operas, a first meeting, a jam session, Don Spicer, the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, a toy drum set, guitar mass, a teen band, a Mercy Sweet 16 gig, Branford Marsalis, LSU, the Sex Pistols in Baton Rouge, the Human Rayz, Bill Davis, Dash Rip Rock, Our Favorite Band, Charlie Pickett and the Eggs, the dBs, S.C.O.T.S., Cindy Wilson, Deke Dickerson, Cape Cod, Trey Halliwell, absinthe brewing, the Incredible Casuals, the Beachcomber, the Lyres, the Panther Burns, Ross Johnson, Los Straightjackets, Nikki Sudden, the Royal

The multi-Grammy-winning violinist, singer, and songwriter and his band BeauSoleil have been at the forefront of Cajun and Zydeco music for 50 years. Collaborations with Keith Richards, Richard Thompson, and Mary Chapin Carpenter and their numerous appearances on Prairie Home Companion have been icing on the cake. Tonight Michael joins René in the Feral Zone to illuminate the meaning behind it all. Topics include a St. Louis Cathedral gig, the Franklin restaurant, a waitress bit, the Iguanas at Broadside, a family farm, a Quarter horse track, a musical family, a Sunday dance, playing trumpet, the banjo, Gene Autry, Elvis, a drummer cousin, Little Rickie, Zachary Richard, a roadhouse oasis, a French festival, Montreal, Phil Johnson, Coteau, Nathan Abshire, William Blake, Lil’ Buck Senegal, research grants, cultural anthropology, the rosary in French, Garrison Keillor, the Jazz Fest tour, Gary Stewart, Maple Leaf gigs, Dennis Magee, the Big Island Jazz and Blues Fest, snorkeling, simplicity, set lists, “Alligat

The singer, guitarist, and songwriter with Morning 40 Federation and Rough Seven is also the owner of BJ’s Lounge and cohost of the “Obligations At the Lounge” podcast. Scully spent years as a middle school history teacher and authored the children’s book, “T-Roy’s Pirogue.” Tonight he joins the Troubled Men where his love of dive bar culture and experience handling unruly children pays off. Topics include a sweet spot, a Thanksgiving recap, a big dog, an Advent calendar, an old flame, UCLA, a Biloxi gig, the Loose Cattle record release at the Temple House, the new WWOZ studio, Hunter Biden’s pardon, a guilty priest, a hand puppet, Vin Scully, a Missouri childhood, underground music, Fugazi, college, Nirvana, an older brother, learning guitar, frat hazing, moving to New Orleans, Monaco Bob’s, the Attack Family, Commander’s Palace, Josh Cohen, finding the Bywater, No Wave music, thematic shows, national touring, breakup shows, a Morris Jeff poster, Louis Michot’s Nouveau Electric Records, sobriety, the Iguanas

The piano player, drummer, and vocalist with Mem Shannon, Vince Vance and the Valiants, and Dr. Sick is also an ace audio engineer and sound mixer with his own Uptown Audio Productions. With years running sound for the cream of Louisiana musical artists, he learned from the masters the fine art of leading a band and putting on a show. Rob has always beaten his own path through life. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men, whose path has deserved a good beating for some time now. Topics include Thanksgiving eve, a Loose Cattle New York City gig, Tammy Faye on Broadway, the Kingpin, political shunning, the McRib’s return, Ford LTD, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, a grocery clerk, being legally deaf, a shopping cart collector, Chuck Woolery RIP, the Playboy Olympics, the Mansion, Tony Curtis, O.J. Simpson, Don Adams, RFK Jr., Cheryl Hines, Maine, piano lessons, Ben Franklin alumni, Chinese students, N.O. Music Exchange, Jimmy Glickman, Rock’n’Bowl, touring with the Iguanas, an Oregon move, Nurse Ratched, teaching at the Scho

The singer, guitarist, and songwriter with the Hellcats, Tav Falco’s Panther Burns, and the Kropotkins was steeped in the Memphis underground of Tav and Alex Chilton and nourished on a diet of canned tuna on toast, menthol cigarettes, and primordial blues. She emerged fully formed as Lorette Velvette, ready to take the world by storm. After a retreat to country life to raise a family, she resurfaced with a new band and a reignited sense of urgency. On a recent swing through town, Lorette entered the Feral Zone to shine a light on the dark recesses of her past, present, and future. Topics include Counter Fest, Memphis May, a dentist visit, WEVL, Misty White, the Antenna Club, Sue Easley, the Gustarvo diet, Steve Magee, “The World We Knew,” Lisa McGaughran, international touring, HoJo’s clam rolls, a film series, art actions, Diane Green, Patrick Mathé, Doug Easley, “Wall of Death,” “Cherry Mansions,” Misty White, an AWOL drummer, the Zippin Pippins, Amy LaVere, the Lolitas, Deerfrance, Australia, “Hoodoo Train

The award-winning journalist, author, and TV host has covered music, entertainment, and more for the Times-Picayune, the Advocate, and Offbeat magazine for decades. His book, “Groove Interrupted,” explored the post-Katrina musical landscape, and his “Let’s Talk” weekly TV show features local and national personalities. Keith has conducted hundreds of interviews, but tonight the Troubled Men turn the tables as the hunter becomes the hunted and predator becomes prey. Topics include an election recap, the blame game, 2nd term plans, a Michael Deas stamp, “The Vermilion Coat,” lame duck actions, Willie Nelson, Crazy Horse, the 4B boycott, a customer confession, bathroom advice, a Dr. John tribute show, Sicilian roots, N.O. East, Brother Martin H. S., Michael Tisserand, Rush, college music acts, a vegetarian meal for R.E.M., a Reba interview, a Hall and Oates show, a Courtney Love article, Hole, Keith O’Brien, Frank Donze, Pulitzer prizes, post-Katrina duty, looting the Walmart, downsizing the paper, a Jerry Seinf

The Troubled Men convene at Snake and Jake’s in the final hours of campaign season as the polls close and the first vote counts roll in. Joined by Clempire Czar Dave Clements and resident philosopher, bartender, and former Goldman Sachs analyst Juan Parke, they hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and resolve that however it turns out, the struggle will continue. Topics include a dictator shirt, a Dodgers win, Dennis Allen’s firing, Derek Carr, college playoffs, news coverage, voting candy, Vegas odds makers, undecided voters, P. Diddy, keys to the city, a postal parking ticket, the Tedeschi-Trucks band, a lump of votes, Steve Rapport, Tony Hinchcliffe, Tucker Carlson, eroding norms, the ring of power, a Puerto Rico joke, insult comedy, intern opinions, historical ignorance, objective truth, Steve Bannon’s prison release, Murders & Assassinations, fluoride, conspiracies, a rare elixir, RFK Jr., the Electoral College, a prescient prediction, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/C

The poet, lyricist, and longtime Chuck Prophet songwriting partner grew up in Sinatra-era Palm Springs and was miraculously healed of a mystery ailment by a meeting with Elvis. He later spent time as a comedy writer in L.A. alongside legends including Andy Kaufman and Robin Williams. With the release of Chuck’s new “Wake the Dead” cumbia record cowritten with Kurt, he joins the Troubled Men in an attempt to laugh it up as the flames grow higher. Topics include an ATF crackdown, Halloween, handing out advice, the War on Terror, Eric Paulsen RIP, Teri Garr RIP, “Mr. Mom,” Swifties on the streets, an unusual opening act, an early voting threat, a toxic garden plan, a police scandal, Barry Hannah, the Old World, Jilly Rizzo, Frank Weinstock, Shecky Greene, Liberace, Charles Bukowski, the L.A. Free Press, the Memphis Mafia, B12 shots, Kathryn Kuhlman, Canned Heat, Dale Spalding, Mike Fabian, the Improv, Bone Cootes, “Temple Beautiful,” Emperor Norton, Chris Lane, Stephanie Finch, dance music, a lymphoma diagnosis,

The multi-Grammy-nominated Lafayette singer, accordion player, guitarist, and songwriter hit the international festival circuit as a 13-year-old prodigy, having already spent years recording and playing roadhouse dances alongside cajun and zydeco masters including Lil’ Buck Senegal and Buckwheat Zydeco. He continues to electrify audiences with his Hub City All Stars featuring longtime songwriting partner and piano player Eric Adcock. Tonight he crosses the swamps to charm the Troubled Men. Topics include a shared birthday, eating alone, a federal probe, more Diddy lawsuits, a Jane’s Addiction update, the Cuban grid collapse, Halloween candy, Swifties, an e. coli outbreak, a Hawaii festival, Wayne Toups, Michael and David Doucet, the Comeaux family, the Romero Brothers, a grandfather’s accordion, parents’ records, WAR, Zachary Richard, the Montreal Jazz Festival, Clifton Chenier’s band, Boozoo Chavis, “Tammy Faye,” “Joker: Folie å Deux,” Edwin Edwards, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Sonny Landreth, open tuning, Rodne

The Grammy-winning drummer, Single Lock Records label owner (Jon Cleary, Loose Cattle, Blind Boys of Alabama, Cedric Burnside), and artist manager left Tuscaloosa to put down roots in the fertile loam of legendary Muscle Shoals. A decade on, he has relocated to New Orleans as he launches his one-stop music company, Well Kept Secret. Reed’s got a lot of irons in the fire. Tonight he joins the Troubled Men as they stare into the flames. Topics include the Mermaid Lounge reunion, the election, school zones, the Diddy files, a wood chipper accident, tree cutting, garage bands, record store culture, the Rev. Fred Lane, the Stones sessions, the Alabama Shakes, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, FAME Studios, pills, Rick Hall, David Hood, pozole, DIY, Americana Fest, Michael Cerveris, “Someone’s Monster,” integrity, album packaging, a Braille record cover, Al Jackson, regionalism, Jimbo Mathus, the Rumble, a moral exercise, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro Music: "The Sho

The acclaimed violinist, singer, producer, composer, and musical saw master with Jimbo Mathus’ Squirrel Nut Zippers, the Late Greats, and Career Suicide spent years with the Asylum Street Spankers and various circus sideshows and burlesque troupes honing his punk-jazz-vaudeville aesthetic. The product of his musician father’s amateur genetic engineering project, he’s found a natural home in the subterranean excesses of the city. Dr. Sick joins the Troubled Men during the Days of Awe as they behold what the Lord hath wrought. Topics include a gig recap, Gretna Fest, Kerry Brown, hurricanes, a grocery remodel, laying teffilin, Bosco lost and found, Dave’s birthday party, dementia, Q-tips, leeching, Dr. Kevorkian, a musical family, Buffalo, the Singing Drakes, a one-room schoolhouse, a karaoke empire, a first violin, a first guitar, vintage drugs, Boston, bad habits, practicing, busking on Royal St., Spike Jones, “Weird Al” Yankovic, an answering machine message, taping the radio, Danny Elfman, Oingo Boingo, Foo

The musician, producer, and author of the new Continental Drifters bio, “White Noise and Lightning” started corresponding with band members Susan Cowsill, Russ Broussard, Peter Holsapple, and Vicki Peterson when he was 13 years old. Leading his own art rock band A Fragile Tomorrow with his fellow triplets, he forged a familial bond with the Drifters, including extended visits with band members, even opening shows for Vicki with the Bangles. With the recent publication of the book and tribute CD, “We Are All Drifters,” Sean joins the Troubled Men to fill in a few more pieces of the Continental Drifters puzzle. Topics include a new Mayor Cantrell-adjacent indictment, Fouad Zeton, an airline fracas, a seeping wound, airplane attire, a store lock-in, the Jane’s Addiction tour meltdown, Perry Farrell, podcast corrections, a Bosco presentation, Jack-in-the-Box, fast food, a book tour, the Subdudes, Raji’s, Carlo Nuccio, R.E.M., “Vermilion,” psychedelics, a record deal, Malcolm Burn, studio work, moving to Savannah,

The founding bass player, vocalist, and songwriter with hard rock veterans Suplecs (with Durel Yates and Andrew Preen) has also toured internationally as the bassist with heavy music heavyweights EYEHATEGOD. As proprietor of the Portside Lounge, he operated the premier tiki bar and Mardi Gras Indian headquarters in New Orleans. Decades working in the movie biz filled his free time. With this kind of cross-cultural resume, it was only a matter of time before he’d get dragged onto the Troubled Men Podcast to explain himself. Now that time has come. Topics include the House of Blues, brunch with Joey Buttafuoco, Heidi Fleiss, exotic birds, Billy Bob Thornton’s mynah bird, a carwash, Les Paul, missing Bosco, P. Diddy in jail, Tito Jackson RIP, Jack-in-the-Box, Naked Night at the Christmas Club, Brother Martin H.S., skate punks, Rick Nick in RZA, the Meters’ influence, slow music, Loyola U., big amps, Paul Webb, tuning down, Russell Batiste, the Slugs/Crowbar, a mystery package, Loose Change, Man’s Ruin Records, v