B-Side Breakdown

B-Side Breakdown

Welcome to the B-Side Breakdown! A podcast where I, Brett Johnson your host, will chat with friends, heroes, and those who inspire, to learn about a song or piece of music they have written, new or old, released or previously unreleased that is particularly meaningful to them and ideally get deep into the “Why?” behind it. Not only will learn more about the artist’s selection, but you will hear the song or piece in its entirety, and you’ll get a sneak peek into what they are working on now, regardless of artform or medium. I look forward to having artists on the show covering a spectrum of genres, including independent rock, punk, Hip-Hop, post-hardcore, Americana, Country, progressive and beyond. Personally, I think this is going to be a lot of fun and I look forward to you joining us for the ride!

Episodes

June 22, 2025 38 mins
504 Plan is a high school punk band from Washington, D.C., whose music is as urgent as it is unfiltered. Their debut vinyl, DCxPC Live & Dead Vol. 6, features the explosive single Call to Action and captures both their sweat-soaked live energy (recorded at DC9) and their studio polish (tracked at the legendary Inner Ear with Don Zientara).

In this episode, we sit down not with the band, but with Scott Pasch, founder of DCxPC Liv...
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Indoor Friends (Boston, MA) fuse confessional punk and melodic power-pop into something entirely their own, and nowhere is that more clear than in their latest single, psyayayduck

What starts as a lyrical spiral of emotional wreckage becomes a full-blown cathartic release—chaotic, catchy, and unexpectedly fun.

In this episode, the band breaks down the writing process behind psyayayduck and how they balance humor, heartbreak, and har...
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Forbidden Seas is a heavy post-rock band whose members hail from Chicago, Twin Cities, and Los Angeles. I was able to connect with Bill Collins to talk about this new group, their single, "Wolves, Sheep", and lots of other bits.

I've known BIll for a long time. This episode was a great opporunity for me to catch up with him on his music, family, and life overall.

Please look them up, follow them where you can, and support their craft...
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I love doing this podcast. Simply for the reason that I am exposed to great bands and their new music.

Nowhere Fast hails from Louisville, KY and I got to chat with Seth Robinson from the group to talk about their song, "Buffalo" off thier latest record "Modern Archaic".

They are actively booking dates around the US so be sure to get connected to them and show your support when they come through your part of the world.

Nowhere Fast:

...
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Grateful to pull up with Jon Snodgrass and chat about the "Ghost Trilogy" of songs off his recent release, "Stoked Ghost", that came out on Rad Girlfriend Records late last year.

I know he's back out on the road again right now and coming through central Florida next weekend. Look him up if you're in Gainesville, Tampa, or Orlando and get out to the shows if you can!

Otherwise, you can keep up with him at:

https://radgirlfriendrecords...
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I was able to sit down and chat with Shannon Wilson from the Dayton/Cincinnati, OH based band, Bandages, to chat about their new S/T record and single, "Perfect Hit" featuring Joe Gittleman from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

They are definitely in the rock and punk spectrum but don't fall in any particular sub-genre nor try to align to any specific sound. I personally love that about this band.

If you've been paying attention to the ...
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Via Sky is an American alternative metal band formed in 2023 in Nashville, TN. The group features the powerful vocals of Rich Stadtlander, alongside Nick Conroy on guitar and vocals, David Abbott on drums, and Blake Goodwin on guitar.

With their breakout single “Lullaby,” Via Sky has quickly gained recognition, earning radio airplay on Sirius XM’s Octane Station.

“The message behind our band is about finding the strength to overcome ...
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Hotbox is a Nu Metal Trap Trio from Israel who changed lead singers then relocated to Los Angeles and are doing it. They are playing festivals like "Welcome To Rockville" and "Sonic Temple" with big names and heavy hitters.

They are working with producer Bob Marlette on their new record, "America", that should be out sometime in 2025.

You can keep up with them at:

Hotbox:
https://www.instagram.com/hotboxband
https://www.youtube.com/@Hot...
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Divided Heaven is a a group comprised of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jeff Berman plus a cast of amazing musicians based out of Lancaster, PA.

Jeff and I had compelling chat about his recent single, "Living Funeral" calling out the cult of the "Orange Man" and the events of Jan. 6.

To honor his intentions for this song and his exception work, I wanted to get this song published on election day 2024.

If you've not voted yet today,...
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Night Windows is a trio based out of southern New Jersey.

Ben Hughes and I connected on their song "Church Bells" from their recent albom "In Memories".

Here's something taken from their Bandcamp site that I think really speaks to the vibe of the song:

"Where do I go from here? Everyone is getting older. I’m losing people both to death and life. I’ve written about the sadness that comes with the gift of life, but never like this. This...
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November 5, 2024 44 mins
Omnigone is a Northern California (East Bay) based SKA PUNK band founded by two former members of LINK 80.

Adam D. and I got to chat about the song "Grief" from their latest reocrd "Feral" that's out on Bad Time Records.

Performing at FEST22 a couple of weeks back, they made it back home and head down to Glass House in Pamona, CA for a show with Catbite, Against All Authority, and The Suicide Machines.

You can find the episode on all ...
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Early Riser is a cello-driven pop-punk band from Brooklyn, NY.

Before Early Riser made it down to FEST22, I was able to connect with Kiri Oliver to talk about their song "Strays" from their latest recording, "Big Life" out on Asbestos Records.

You can find the episode on all streaming platforms here:

B-Side Breakdown
https://linktr.ee/bsidebreakdown

Please follow Early Riser on their socials, pre-order their vinyl in HOT PINK, and stre...
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I think this marks the 4th episode with Jeremy Jessen. This time we're chatting all amazing things about the song "Doppler" from Rad Owl's banger of a new record, "Rage Gracefully".



Telling on myself, the episode was recorded in late May 2024 and I wasn't able to finally finish the episode until last week.



Pinky swear, I'll do better.



"Rage..." came out in late Spring 2024, on Sell The Heart Records based out of San Francisco, and the...
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Taken straight from her bio, "Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality, “subtle mastery onstage” (Huffington Post) and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of...
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Annie and the Bang Bang is a prolific four-piece band from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN who put out a record in October 2023 called, "Radio Baby". I had the chance to sit and talk with them about their song, "Wind Phone".

Please support them buy buying their double LP at: 

https://annieandthebangbang.bandcamp.com/music

#AnnieAndTheBangBang #RadioBaby #WindPhone #brettjamesjohnson #threecrowsclub #musicpodcast #bsidebreakdown
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Fun to check in with Rich Horton to talk about the song "Dynamite" from his now defunct band, Tragic Hands. Be sure to look him and them up at the following:

https://tragichands.bandcamp.com/album/logic-saves
https://www.soundcloud.com/riftyrich
https://www.instagram.com/richhorton612/

Also, be sure to check out his coffee shop and restaurant:

https://www.thecoffeeshopne.com
https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeeshopnortheast/
https://www.re...
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Caught up with Andrew and Mitch from Unstable Shapes to chat about their song "The Local Spinx" and their band overall.

Be sure to look them up at the following:

https://unstableshapes.bandcamp.com
http://www.unstableshapes.com
@unstableshapes on Instagram

#UnstableShapes #TheLocalSphinx #brettjamesjohnson #threecrowsclub #musicpodcast #bsidebreakdown
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Had the opportunity to catch up with Josh Goldman from The Raging Nathans to talk about their work "Tragedy Ghouls."

It's an open, candid, and sad tale that Josh has to tell behind the track.

They persevered and are out on the road with Less Than Jake as this is published.

Please show them your support through https://www.radgirlfriendrecords.com

#TheRagingNathans #TragedyGhouls #JoshGoldman #RadGirlfriendRecords #brettjamesjohnson #th...
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Chatted up Jeremy Radio from the Charlotte, NC band Thousand Dollar Movie about their song, "Central Ave" off their latest release, "Give Me A Year".

It's an honor and privilege for me to meet working artists who constantly look for new ways to pursue their craft and share it with the world. Jeremy has a ton going on and I think all of it is really cool. He has earned my ongoing support, I hope he gets yours as well.

You can stream ...
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I am honored to have met with Becky Fontaine and Nathan Gray from The Iron Roses to talk about "Screaming For A Change", the first single off their s/t new record that came out October 20, 2023.

They are an incredibly inspiring duo whether they are co-fronting their amazing band or having an open chat on a podcast.

I've not had a chance to see them live....YET! That is a priority for me in 2024. I hope it becomes a priority for you ...
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