Pop punk/skate punk band After the Fight is back after a period of relative quiet. They’ll be releasing a new song (“Age of Distraction”) on 5/24/24, the same day as their first show in four years, at Montrose Saloon (also appearing: Medicine Hat, the Fomites and 13 Monsters).

Josh, Steve and Tim of After the Fight join me for delicious hot dogs from Byron’s Hot Dogs (1701 W. Lawrence) and catch me up on the band, starting with its formation 20 (!) years ago.

Thanks so much to Byron’s for the great eats and hospitality!

Car Con Carne (a Q101 podcast) is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit Alex Ross on YouTube (@TheAlexRossArt) to keep up to date with one of the comics industry’s most important and celebrated creators.

##

The summer season at Ravinia kicks off next month… and there’s no place more comfortable to see outdoor shows.

Your Ravinia Ticket gets you a free ride in Metra’s UP North Line… e train ride to and from the park on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line. Just show your same-day concert ticket to the conductor, and you’re good to go!

Go to ravnia.org for the full season schedule and tickets!

##

A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.
Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

##

Thanks to everyone who participated in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb at Soldier Field on May 19! We had a fun day, and did something really meaningful and important for our community.

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:00.000 –> 00:00:02.120
This right here is Car Con Carne.

00:00:02.140 –> 00:00:08.620
It is a Q101 podcast presented by Alex Ross Art, alexrossart.com.

00:00:09.100 –> 00:00:12.460
Things are ramping up for the James Gunn Superman movie.

00:00:12.480 –> 00:00:17.280
This is going to kickstart, reignite the DC universe in film.

00:00:17.500 –> 00:00:19.220
Superman is going to be ground zero.

00:00:19.540 –> 00:00:29.180
And the model that James Gunn has used for Superman in this new movie is what Alex Ross has created through the years, Kingdom Come, his work in DC Comics.

00:00:29.200 –> 00:00:33.560
Now, Alex Ross has done so much more than just Superman and Kingdom Come in the comics.

00:00:33.580 –> 00:00:38.640
And you should go to alexrossart.com to check it out and maybe buy yourself some original artwork.

00:00:38.700 –> 00:00:40.700
He is truly the best.

00:00:40.720 –> 00:00:52.680
His photorealistic paintings of these heroes and villains make them look like they’re real people, make them look like they could walk into a live music situation to go see After the Fight.

00:00:52.700 –> 00:00:54.360
That’s how real they look.

00:00:54.380 –> 00:01:03.620
alexrossart.com or visit him on YouTube at the Alex Ross Art, or just get a little hint of what he’s all about by watching this, if you’re watching on video.

00:01:32.744 –> 00:01:36.184
So, the summer season at Revinia kicks off in just a couple weeks.

00:01:36.204 –> 00:01:39.324
There is no place more comfortable to see outdoor shows.

00:01:39.704 –> 00:01:43.344
And if you want to get there the easy way, take the Union Pacific North Line.

00:01:43.724 –> 00:01:48.664
Your Revinia ticket gets you a free ride, as long as you show that same day ticket to the conductor.

00:01:49.244 –> 00:01:50.044
And you’re good to go.

00:01:50.064 –> 00:01:53.744
Just jump on Metra and check out what’s going on at Revinia.

00:01:53.764 –> 00:01:55.404
revinia.org to buy your tickets.

00:01:55.784 –> 00:01:56.864
Check out the whole schedule.

00:01:56.864 –> 00:01:58.084
Maybe I’ll see you at Violent Femmes.

00:01:58.384 –> 00:01:59.484
Maybe I’ll see you at Daltry.

00:02:00.144 –> 00:02:01.284
Maybe I’ll see you at Los Lobos.

00:02:01.304 –> 00:02:02.204
There’s so much coming up.

00:02:02.464 –> 00:02:03.404
revinia.org.

00:02:03.864 –> 00:02:05.904
What is a smart home, I hear you asking?

00:02:06.404 –> 00:02:07.084
Great question.

00:02:07.104 –> 00:02:09.684
A smart home connects virtually all the technology in your home.

00:02:09.964 –> 00:02:20.104
With an easy automation installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and yes, fun to use.

00:02:20.504 –> 00:02:22.724
Transform your living space with cutting edge home automation.

00:02:22.764 –> 00:02:27.004
Experience seamless control over audio, video, lighting, climate, security and more.

00:02:27.144 –> 00:02:29.204
Embrace the future of smart living.

00:02:29.564 –> 00:02:31.784
Your home, your rules, motherfucker.

00:02:32.064 –> 00:02:37.464
Get a quote by visiting easyautomation.net, easyautomation.net or call my guy Dan.

00:02:37.724 –> 00:02:40.704
630-730-3728.

00:02:40.924 –> 00:02:42.324
He told me I could say that.

00:02:42.944 –> 00:02:48.824
Finally, I wanna thank everyone who participated in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climate Soldier Field on Sunday the 19th.

00:02:49.344 –> 00:02:51.224
What a fun day, what a great cause.

00:02:51.764 –> 00:02:53.524
I really appreciate you coming out for that.

00:02:53.544 –> 00:02:56.044
All right, that all aside, I’m James VanOsdol.

00:02:56.844 –> 00:03:02.284
This is Car Con Carne joining me in the car, patiently waiting for their turn.

00:03:02.304 –> 00:03:03.944
It is After the Fight.

00:03:04.504 –> 00:03:12.384
In the car with me, I have, to my immediate right, if you’re watching this, well, if you’re listening, it’s also true, that is Josh, vocals, guitars.

00:03:12.724 –> 00:03:14.684
In the back, we have Steve on bass.

00:03:14.704 –> 00:03:17.624
He is to my right in the rear, and Tim is behind me.

00:03:17.824 –> 00:03:18.664
He plays drums.

00:03:19.024 –> 00:03:19.324
I do.

00:03:19.704 –> 00:03:24.104
After the Fight, three quarters of the band, the other quarter couldn’t make it tonight, but that’s fine, it’s a small car.

00:03:25.444 –> 00:03:26.024
It’s a small car.

00:03:26.664 –> 00:03:43.484
So, a lot to talk about, you guys have been around for a while, you went away for a little bit, now you’re back, but before we get there, I also want to mention we are at Byron’s Hot Dogs, one of my favorite hot dog places, not just in Chicago, on Earth, Byron’s Hot Dog, 1701, West Lawrence.

00:03:44.604 –> 00:03:45.744
Just a favorite place.

00:03:45.964 –> 00:03:47.644
Want to thank Byron’s for the hospitality.

00:03:48.104 –> 00:03:51.784
Before we talk about your band, let’s do a little show and tell.

00:03:51.804 –> 00:03:52.784
What did we get from Byron’s tonight?

00:03:55.964 –> 00:03:57.544
This is the the unboxing.

00:03:58.004 –> 00:04:03.804
So of course, when you go to one of the greatest hot dog places in the world, you get a chicken sandwich.

00:04:03.824 –> 00:04:04.064
Right.

00:04:04.084 –> 00:04:04.924
That’s what they all say.

00:04:05.144 –> 00:04:05.464
Right.

00:04:05.584 –> 00:04:06.204
Chicken sandwich.

00:04:06.224 –> 00:04:07.324
I think Anthony Bourdain said that.

00:04:07.404 –> 00:04:07.804
All right.

00:04:08.544 –> 00:04:10.084
So very nice.

00:04:10.104 –> 00:04:10.944
Should be pretty good.

00:04:11.524 –> 00:04:12.264
Got the yard bird.

00:04:12.544 –> 00:04:15.144
I got the classic Byron’s Hot Dog.

00:04:15.144 –> 00:04:15.964
No tomatoes, though.

00:04:16.424 –> 00:04:17.024
No tomatoes.

00:04:17.084 –> 00:04:18.004
No tomatoes.

00:04:18.204 –> 00:04:26.024
I got the classic dog with tomatoes because I respect the process, I respect what Byron’s does here.

00:04:26.104 –> 00:04:27.184
You don’t reject anything.

00:04:27.464 –> 00:04:28.364
I reject nothing.

00:04:28.384 –> 00:04:30.204
Tim, what did you get?

00:04:30.304 –> 00:04:31.524
I went hard with a double.

00:04:31.784 –> 00:04:32.864
This thing looks incredible.

00:04:33.844 –> 00:04:34.244
Oh, yeah.

00:04:34.504 –> 00:04:35.324
We got cheese.

00:04:35.344 –> 00:04:35.944
We got it all.

00:04:37.104 –> 00:04:41.024
And you have no cares or worries about making a mess of my car with that, do you?

00:04:41.444 –> 00:04:41.724
None.

00:04:41.804 –> 00:04:42.624
None whatsoever.

00:04:45.344 –> 00:04:45.844
Oh, this is…

00:04:46.544 –> 00:04:51.844
I’m telling you, for people who watch this podcast, and I find that a lot more people watch it than listen to it, which is cool.

00:04:51.864 –> 00:04:53.664
I mean, that’s what we’re at in 2024.

00:04:54.664 –> 00:04:57.404
This is really what a Chicago dog should look like.

00:04:57.424 –> 00:04:58.444
You got the sport peppers.

00:04:59.244 –> 00:05:06.224
You got that neon relish tucked in there, the mustard, celery, salt, tomatoes.

00:05:06.644 –> 00:05:09.104
There’s no dainty or dignified way to eat this.

00:05:09.124 –> 00:05:13.364
So I’m just going to go hard as a wise man once said.

00:05:14.184 –> 00:05:15.524
I would start with the sport peppers.

00:05:16.524 –> 00:05:17.804
You start with the sport peppers?

00:05:17.884 –> 00:05:20.244
Yeah, just as a nice little appetizer.

00:05:20.264 –> 00:05:23.844
You pick them off and eat them or you take a bite that has a sport pepper?

00:05:24.324 –> 00:05:25.124
I’m taking it off.

00:05:25.784 –> 00:05:26.204
Really?

00:05:26.484 –> 00:05:28.644
Yeah, it’s too difficult otherwise.

00:05:29.064 –> 00:05:34.084
What people who don’t live in Chicago realize, there’s an artistry to this dog.

00:05:34.444 –> 00:05:36.564
It’s not just about the flavors, it’s about textures too.

00:05:37.084 –> 00:05:45.664
Because I think the sport pepper and the tomato and the soggy bun, they all serve a purpose in the way it feels as you eat it.

00:05:45.684 –> 00:05:49.484
And this is an artfully constructed Chicago dog.

00:05:49.504 –> 00:05:51.144
And they know what they’re doing.

00:05:51.564 –> 00:05:51.924
They do.

00:05:51.944 –> 00:05:55.924
And the dude who was behind the counter here, he was savant-like.

00:05:55.944 –> 00:05:57.564
He remembered all of our individual orders.

00:05:57.584 –> 00:06:02.444
15 minutes after we ordered, he, yeah, Chicago dog, everything.

00:06:02.464 –> 00:06:05.004
Surprise, he had the double burger.

00:06:05.264 –> 00:06:06.644
He had the hot dog, no tomato.

00:06:06.664 –> 00:06:07.524
He just remembered all that.

00:06:08.384 –> 00:06:09.364
You tell me your name.

00:06:09.484 –> 00:06:10.964
I’ve forgotten it in five seconds.

00:06:12.004 –> 00:06:14.084
Yeah, yeah, I’m with you there.

00:06:14.844 –> 00:06:15.944
It’s hard to remember anything.

00:06:16.624 –> 00:06:19.764
After the fight, oh, a huge rat just went by.

00:06:19.784 –> 00:06:20.724
Welcome to the show, you see that?

00:06:21.404 –> 00:06:22.064
Oh, dude, where?

00:06:22.844 –> 00:06:24.264
It’s a small cat size, yeah.

00:06:24.344 –> 00:06:25.864
It was the size of a small cat.

00:06:25.884 –> 00:06:27.904
We’re right by the alley of Florence.

00:06:28.224 –> 00:06:29.584
The rat was nowhere near Byron’s.

00:06:29.604 –> 00:06:32.264
Let the record show.

00:06:32.284 –> 00:06:34.204
We’re facing the opposite direction of the restaurant.

00:06:34.284 –> 00:06:36.224
Nowhere near Byron’s, but that was a gigantic rat.

00:06:37.404 –> 00:06:38.904
It was impressive.

00:06:39.264 –> 00:06:41.284
There’s a whole waiting to happen with that rat.

00:06:42.904 –> 00:06:45.484
After the Fight, Pop-Punk, Skate-Punk band.

00:06:46.804 –> 00:06:48.384
20 years old, is that even possible?

00:06:48.884 –> 00:06:49.704
Surprise, yeah.

00:06:49.884 –> 00:06:57.164
I mean, it’s the longest relationship I’ve been in other than my marriage and familial relationships, yeah.

00:06:57.744 –> 00:06:58.664
It’s insane.

00:06:59.864 –> 00:07:03.904
We’re all juggling life, a career and trying to build a little bit of wealth.

00:07:04.084 –> 00:07:08.744
The Brown Ambition Podcast with host Mandy and Tiffany, the budget niece that can help.

00:07:08.764 –> 00:07:12.724
When it comes to navigating your career, it really isn’t a linear path.

00:07:12.724 –> 00:07:18.524
You just have to make the best choices with the information that you have at the time and just trust in the journey.

00:07:18.604 –> 00:07:20.664
Our job security is ourselves.

00:07:20.724 –> 00:07:22.544
It is our ability to bounce back.

00:07:22.604 –> 00:07:26.544
And if there’s one thing that I’ve learned is that I’m always gonna rise to the top.

00:07:26.624 –> 00:07:30.264
Brown Ambition, wherever you listen.

00:07:30.284 –> 00:07:31.184
Makes me feel real old.

00:07:31.264 –> 00:07:32.444
Were you babies back then?

00:07:34.024 –> 00:07:35.484
I was, I was only 21.

00:07:36.324 –> 00:07:40.004
These guys were much older than me, being 26, 27 years old.

00:07:40.864 –> 00:07:42.944
So this was 2004 you got together, right?

00:07:43.764 –> 00:07:44.644
2004.

00:07:45.464 –> 00:07:46.684
Let’s start there.

00:07:46.984 –> 00:07:47.944
How’d you all find each other?

00:07:49.024 –> 00:08:04.324
So Corey, who is not here, and I were in a band called Burnside Bridge from like 2002 through early 2004, which broke up and our original drummer, not Tim, was in a band that broke up.

00:08:04.504 –> 00:08:07.824
And actually, he had just broken up with his girlfriend.

00:08:07.844 –> 00:08:09.464
So he was someone we were friends with.

00:08:09.484 –> 00:08:11.064
We’d played with his band.

00:08:11.404 –> 00:08:12.584
Throw their name out there.

00:08:12.604 –> 00:08:13.584
Par 5 was the name.

00:08:15.744 –> 00:08:21.984
And so Burnside Bridge had gotten into a fight and we broke up and he broke up with his girlfriend.

00:08:22.004 –> 00:08:23.984
So we reached out to him.

00:08:24.004 –> 00:08:27.744
You want a drum, start something else.

00:08:28.064 –> 00:08:32.704
And the name he came up with, I’ll give Blake the credit.

00:08:33.864 –> 00:08:35.144
This is After the Fight.

00:08:35.164 –> 00:08:38.244
You guys, after your band fight after my.

00:08:39.164 –> 00:08:40.784
That all makes sense, okay.

00:08:40.804 –> 00:08:46.924
So that is, you know, and for the longest time, it sounds like, and I get it, it sounds like a hardcore band name.

00:08:47.264 –> 00:08:52.964
People would often mistake, hence the motto, not hardcore since 2004.

00:08:53.064 –> 00:08:54.084
No, never been.

00:08:55.164 –> 00:08:55.704
But yeah.

00:08:56.104 –> 00:08:56.924
That makes sense.

00:08:57.204 –> 00:09:00.804
And I never ask bands to tell me what’s behind your name, but I’m glad you told me that story.

00:09:02.084 –> 00:09:04.944
So you started out, you’re all relatively young.

00:09:05.624 –> 00:09:08.084
How are we still here talking about this band 20 years later?

00:09:08.104 –> 00:09:10.024
We don’t learn from our mistakes.

00:09:10.044 –> 00:09:10.944
You obviously like each other.

00:09:10.964 –> 00:09:18.684
Yeah, we don’t learn from, we have way too much fun hanging out in practice.

00:09:18.704 –> 00:09:28.064
We just didn’t, yeah, we enjoy getting together and, I mean, cause yeah, we hadn’t played a show in four years, but we were practicing fairly regularly over that time when we couldn’t.

00:09:28.084 –> 00:09:31.084
Just getting together, goofing off, laughing, you know.

00:09:31.264 –> 00:09:39.124
Music is what happens in between the jokes and you know, when we stop laughing for a few minutes, we’ll play a song and then resume.

00:09:39.444 –> 00:09:45.004
Yeah, After the Fight is 95% inside jokes that just either can’t be repeated or shouldn’t be.

00:09:46.284 –> 00:09:54.344
We used to be, yeah, I mean, back when it started playing everywhere we could, anywhere we could get our foot in the door, two or three shows a month, whatever we could do.

00:09:54.364 –> 00:10:04.504
And then, you know, over time, you know, kids start showing up, our own kids start appearing, and then less shows, taking time off.

00:10:05.204 –> 00:10:10.864
You realize, looking back, it’s like I could not carve out the time anymore.

00:10:11.384 –> 00:10:17.424
But it’s not, I’ve never felt like it was, I don’t know, time to stop doing it.

00:10:17.804 –> 00:10:18.684
There’s no reason to.

00:10:20.084 –> 00:10:21.544
Despite all the audience feedback.

00:10:23.564 –> 00:10:24.184
Too shy, yeah.

00:10:24.924 –> 00:10:29.104
So, yeah, so the past four years have been quiet, but After the Fight returns in a big way.

00:10:29.124 –> 00:10:33.844
The first gig in four years, May 24th, Montrose Saloon, 2933 West Montrose.

00:10:34.164 –> 00:10:38.124
Not all that far from where we are right now at Byron’s Hot Dogs, the wonderful Byron’s Hot Dogs.

00:10:38.924 –> 00:10:47.364
It is After the Fight, along with Medicine Hat, the Fomites and 13 Monsters, former Car Con Carne guest, recent Car Con Carne guest, 13 Monsters.

00:10:47.384 –> 00:10:49.624
That right there is a bill, Montrose Saloon, May 24th.

00:10:50.844 –> 00:10:53.284
Are you practicing a lot for this?

00:10:55.044 –> 00:10:57.224
We’ll get another one, we’ll get a second one.

00:10:57.244 –> 00:10:58.264
We got one more coming up.

00:10:58.284 –> 00:10:58.564
Yeah.

00:10:59.184 –> 00:10:59.884
Next Sunday.

00:10:59.904 –> 00:11:00.384
No pressure.

00:11:01.264 –> 00:11:02.104
No, we’ll be ready.

00:11:02.804 –> 00:11:06.784
And yeah, I’ve not been to Montrose Saloon, so I’m looking forward to a new venue.

00:11:07.264 –> 00:11:10.004
Well a lot of the places we played have closed up.

00:11:10.624 –> 00:11:10.904
Yeah.

00:11:10.924 –> 00:11:11.964
Mutiny, Quenchers.

00:11:12.464 –> 00:11:14.424
Yeah.

00:11:14.504 –> 00:11:15.564
That’s the reality.

00:11:16.924 –> 00:11:32.724
Now in conjunction with this live appearance at Montrose Saloon, May 24th, along with Medicine Hat, the Fomites and 13 Monsters, Age of Distraction, the first new After the Fight song we’ve heard in a while, a song which has a video to go along with it.

00:11:32.744 –> 00:11:33.084
Yes.

00:11:33.504 –> 00:11:34.764
You guys shot a video.

00:11:35.884 –> 00:11:39.864
This is about the most literal thing I’ve ever seen, a garage band shooting a video in a garage.

00:11:41.604 –> 00:11:41.904
Yeah.

00:11:43.384 –> 00:11:43.684
We…

00:11:44.004 –> 00:11:46.204
Direct and on the nose is what we are.

00:11:47.664 –> 00:11:49.484
Well, we can’t even take credit for any of that.

00:11:51.004 –> 00:12:05.024
But, it’s my neighbor, Evan Kulzicki, he’s a junior at Patevia High School, is taking a class, like a film studies class, or I’m not sure exactly what it is, but independent film studies.

00:12:05.984 –> 00:12:09.604
I started this, came up about as an idea back in the fall.

00:12:10.304 –> 00:12:18.944
I was sitting around playing cards with his parents and I mentioned to them, A, would he be interested in filming a music video for After the Fight?

00:12:19.424 –> 00:12:20.304
Just threw that out there.

00:12:20.324 –> 00:12:21.664
So, you got a high school kid to do this for you?

00:12:21.684 –> 00:12:22.084
Yeah.

00:12:22.104 –> 00:12:22.684
That’s awesome.

00:12:22.704 –> 00:12:34.624
We didn’t even have the song, well, the song, we had been working on it, but it kind of gave, yeah, he absolutely liked it, he could use it as part of his portfolio for his independent studies.

00:12:34.644 –> 00:13:03.504
So, that kind of actually gave us a little bit of purpose through the rest of the year, like, okay, let’s get this song down, let’s get it recorded so we can have a proper version, let’s get it to him, and I, all we did is we gave him, we gave him the track, we gave him the lyrics, and said, whatever you want to do, it’s kind of his thing, and you want us in it, you want us in it, whatever, you know, and so, it’s 100%, you know, all credit goes to him, it’s all his ideas, and yeah.

00:13:05.144 –> 00:13:07.884
Yeah, good for him, he’s got a portfolio piece, in that portfolio piece.

00:13:08.304 –> 00:13:17.464
Is there anything more Midwestern than, well, the garage man in the garage, but in the garage, we see a snowblower and a leaf blower, and that says suburban Chicago to me.

00:13:19.804 –> 00:13:22.664
That’s the reality of every homeowner’s garage right there.

00:13:23.084 –> 00:13:29.884
Yeah, I think we purposely like left some of that stuff out front just to identify that we are exactly who we think we are.

00:13:29.904 –> 00:13:34.224
I had asked him, I said, do you want me to throw some tarps up to block off the fact that it’s a garage?

00:13:34.244 –> 00:13:35.864
Nah, nah, let’s leave it.

00:13:36.344 –> 00:13:39.744
Yeah, we’re clearly not looking at Tampa in this garage.

00:13:40.824 –> 00:13:43.084
So, you mentioned the lyrics, which you shared with him.

00:13:43.784 –> 00:13:50.524
Just based on looking at the video, screen time, distractions, what’s the song about?

00:13:50.544 –> 00:14:10.484
The heart of it, I guess the crux of it is, I’m always fascinated, I’m guilty of it with my family, but like of the situation where in this day and age you have people gathering together to sit and ignore each other on their phones, like with the television on the background and it…

00:14:10.504 –> 00:14:11.344
Perfect example, right there.

00:14:11.364 –> 00:14:11.984
Nothing, yeah.

00:14:12.824 –> 00:14:13.744
Nothing malicious.

00:14:13.984 –> 00:14:17.884
It’s just, it’s the way the world seems to be now.

00:14:18.744 –> 00:14:25.384
So yeah, I was kind of like going through my head with the lyrics.

00:14:26.904 –> 00:14:27.544
It’s crazy.

00:14:29.344 –> 00:14:31.584
Let’s talk a little bit about musically and the song.

00:14:32.204 –> 00:14:34.324
Steve, the bassist gets a moment to shine on the song.

00:14:35.404 –> 00:14:36.844
There’s a very clear bass moment.

00:14:37.544 –> 00:14:38.944
They let me have a lot of bass moments.

00:14:39.324 –> 00:14:42.884
I don’t know if it’s wise, but it’s fun to do.

00:14:43.384 –> 00:14:44.324
I like the bass moments.

00:14:44.344 –> 00:14:45.344
They’re always really good.

00:14:45.364 –> 00:14:47.364
Well, that’s because you get to stop playing for a few seconds.

00:14:48.584 –> 00:14:49.584
It’s pure laziness.

00:14:50.984 –> 00:15:00.044
Now, as far as the high school director goes, there’s a nice little transition video-wise in here where the band switches from black and white to color.

00:15:01.004 –> 00:15:02.424
As the TV is smashed, yes.

00:15:03.904 –> 00:15:08.264
Yeah, so there’s like a storyline to this, such as it is.

00:15:08.344 –> 00:15:08.644
Yeah.

00:15:08.724 –> 00:15:10.884
Yeah, I love it.

00:15:10.904 –> 00:15:15.224
He was really kind of creative with where he wanted it to be.

00:15:15.244 –> 00:15:21.364
His kid had a vision, and I think from all of our perspectives, we were just like, run with it, man.

00:15:21.504 –> 00:15:29.704
I was thinking, before we sat down together here at Byron’s Hot Dogs, 1701 West Lawrence, there’s also a Byron’s over by Wrigley and Irving Park Road.

00:15:29.724 –> 00:15:46.704
I was thinking about when I was on the radio, I used to be on the radio, and I had a show at my most recent radio station where I played local music, and I realized I played back to the riff a couple of times from After the Fight, I played the Democratic Process, and toward the end there, I think I played Action Reaction.

00:15:47.544 –> 00:15:48.364
So we have a little history.

00:15:48.784 –> 00:15:49.144
Yeah.

00:15:49.564 –> 00:15:50.944
We go back a little bit.

00:15:50.964 –> 00:15:51.764
We go back a little bit.

00:15:51.784 –> 00:15:52.564
That’s right.

00:15:52.584 –> 00:15:53.484
Not the full 20.

00:15:54.504 –> 00:15:54.764
I was…

00:15:54.784 –> 00:16:02.444
You named one of the best personal finance podcasts, the Stacking Benjamin Show with Joe and his friends makes financial literacy fun.

00:16:02.464 –> 00:16:03.764
Let’s hear another success story.

00:16:03.784 –> 00:16:05.924
This one comes to us from stacker Derek.

00:16:05.944 –> 00:16:12.624
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00:16:12.624 –> 00:16:14.564
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00:16:19.104 –> 00:16:23.544
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00:16:26.444 –> 00:16:33.304
We recorded that, I mean, that was our last full length and that was just pre-pandemic, right?

00:16:33.324 –> 00:16:35.364
We had just released that.

00:16:36.304 –> 00:16:37.364
August 2019.

00:16:37.604 –> 00:16:39.024
Yeah, August 2019.

00:16:39.084 –> 00:16:45.224
And then we played our last show January 2020 and then everything shut down.

00:16:45.344 –> 00:16:45.624
Yeah.

00:16:47.984 –> 00:16:50.484
It feels like such a long time ago and it really does.

00:16:50.504 –> 00:16:50.904
It does.

00:16:50.924 –> 00:16:51.924
It does.

00:16:52.284 –> 00:16:53.104
I think that’s a good thing.

00:16:54.664 –> 00:17:05.644
But since we have the new song, Age of Distraction, a question I keep coming back to, especially as you talk about doing that last album at the end of it all, what’s the approach?

00:17:05.844 –> 00:17:12.864
Does it make sense to do albums anymore or are you thinking more a la carte, like you’re just going to do like a steady release of singles?

00:17:12.924 –> 00:17:14.544
What’s the approach moving forward?

00:17:16.004 –> 00:17:18.884
That’s an excellent question because I think about that a lot.

00:17:20.224 –> 00:17:26.724
It was actually kind of nice to go in and just do one song over a handful of hours.

00:17:27.224 –> 00:17:32.544
It was just not from a cost perspective, but you don’t have to plan out.

00:17:32.544 –> 00:17:35.224
I mean, it doesn’t take a whole weekend to do it.

00:17:35.244 –> 00:17:38.304
We go in and if you get the song down, get that out.

00:17:39.224 –> 00:17:40.264
You have a single focus.

00:17:40.464 –> 00:17:52.124
Yeah, and it’s nice and if you wait till you have a full album’s worth of material, you may never release music again, depending on how.

00:17:52.604 –> 00:17:56.904
So I can’t say we’ve actually talked about it as a band.

00:17:57.264 –> 00:18:03.484
Yeah it was nice to just solidify that one song and then just go into the studio with our buddy Kiefer and bang it out.

00:18:05.824 –> 00:18:11.204
Within a couple of days we have a finished complete song to do all the things we want to do with it.

00:18:11.844 –> 00:18:22.104
You know, I think the reality of all that really just kind of like, I think the nature that speaks to kind of the age of distraction and like this is our reality right now.

00:18:22.124 –> 00:18:25.804
It’s streaming, it’s like I need the whole season of this at once.

00:18:26.004 –> 00:18:30.484
I need a new song from these guys right now, I’m not going to wait for a whole album.

00:18:30.484 –> 00:18:39.084
You know, it’s like the immediacy and just that’s where everything has moved into that like instant gratification.

00:18:39.224 –> 00:18:41.524
You know, I see it, I want it, I need it now.

00:18:41.664 –> 00:18:44.624
And that’s, you know, just kind of meeting that need.

00:18:45.844 –> 00:18:47.084
First gig in four years.

00:18:47.884 –> 00:18:48.824
This is a big moment.

00:18:49.084 –> 00:18:57.324
It is the return of After the Fight, Montrose Saloon, 2933 West Montrose on the north side of the city of Chicago, May 24th, along with Medicine Hat, the Fomites and 13 Monsters.

00:18:58.144 –> 00:19:05.764
I guess the question is, with the new song, with this show, is there more After the Fight to come after May 24th?

00:19:07.064 –> 00:19:16.644
I mean, yeah, I’m working, trying very hard to drum up other, since 20 years of band, I’d like to play a lot more shows this year.

00:19:16.664 –> 00:19:20.804
So a lot being relative, you know, two or three more shows would be awesome.

00:19:20.984 –> 00:19:25.984
So I’m working all avenues trying to get other gigs.

00:19:26.004 –> 00:19:29.984
So I’m trying to work, get something in my hometown, Batavia.

00:19:30.224 –> 00:19:34.944
It’d be nice to play there with a bunch of people that have never, you know.

00:19:34.964 –> 00:19:37.144
People that don’t go to punk rock shows.

00:19:37.164 –> 00:19:40.304
That aren’t going to drive out to the Montrose Saloon to come see us.

00:19:41.444 –> 00:19:43.864
Can’t you like play in the parking lot of Kiss the Sky or something?

00:19:43.884 –> 00:19:48.004
Well, Kiss the Sky, I’ve reached out to them and I haven’t, I’m getting a lot of silence.

00:19:48.024 –> 00:19:49.964
So I don’t know, try to not take it personally.

00:19:50.424 –> 00:19:51.984
Well, like, you know, who are you guys?

00:19:52.004 –> 00:19:52.884
It’s hard to convince.

00:19:53.744 –> 00:19:59.944
It’s hard to convince people and a lot of these places, it’s, I mean, Batavia, Geneva, St.

00:19:59.964 –> 00:20:06.084
Charles, that area, it’s 99.9% cover bands that play anywhere or acoustic acts or whatever.

00:20:06.304 –> 00:20:19.744
So finding a place that is willing to take a chance on an original band, much less 40 year old punk band, like 40 year olds in a punk band, it’s kind of a unicorn on the suburbs, which is.

00:20:20.244 –> 00:20:21.404
And I hear that all the time.

00:20:21.624 –> 00:20:23.564
Yeah, I recognize it as the reality.

00:20:24.484 –> 00:20:25.724
So we’re trying.

00:20:26.564 –> 00:20:29.264
As far as new material, I think.

00:20:29.584 –> 00:20:30.664
We’re always working on stuff.

00:20:30.744 –> 00:20:33.824
Like Josh and Corey, who is not present here.

00:20:34.424 –> 00:20:35.504
Hi Corey, if you’re watching this.

00:20:36.324 –> 00:20:37.504
They’re always writing songs.

00:20:37.524 –> 00:20:47.064
They’re always bringing new songs and it’s like, they’ll just present it and we’ll start jamming on it and be like, okay, cool, I think we could work on this.

00:20:47.084 –> 00:20:48.164
I don’t think that’s ever going to end.

00:20:48.184 –> 00:20:51.084
It’s just a matter of getting it down in a timely manner.

00:20:51.764 –> 00:20:54.384
Like Josh said, we can’t really wait for an album.

00:20:54.404 –> 00:21:01.204
We just have to get something that feels good and get it down and put it out because that’s the only way it’s going to happen.

00:21:01.964 –> 00:21:02.804
You know what feels good?

00:21:03.144 –> 00:21:03.424
Yeah.

00:21:03.524 –> 00:21:04.324
Byron’s Hot Dogs.

00:21:04.424 –> 00:21:04.844
It does.

00:21:04.864 –> 00:21:05.844
It really does feel good.

00:21:07.464 –> 00:21:08.624
The Chicago dog is perfect.

00:21:08.944 –> 00:21:13.264
My only concern, and I’ve mentioned this before, one hot dog never feels like enough.

00:21:13.284 –> 00:21:14.044
It is.

00:21:14.544 –> 00:21:19.164
From a caloric perspective, it’s enough, but one always feels like a tease.

00:21:19.404 –> 00:21:20.364
Yeah, definitely.

00:21:20.964 –> 00:21:22.844
Are we allowed to talk about other hot dog places?

00:21:22.904 –> 00:21:23.184
No.

00:21:23.344 –> 00:21:24.324
No, okay.

00:21:24.804 –> 00:21:26.344
We should have all gotten chili dogs.

00:21:26.884 –> 00:21:28.364
Byron’s Hot Dogs, 17-01.

00:21:28.384 –> 00:21:30.204
But we’re not by the tasty freeze.

00:21:30.884 –> 00:21:32.324
After the Fight, thank you so much.

00:21:32.364 –> 00:21:34.524
Again, Age of Distraction, the new one.

00:21:34.584 –> 00:21:36.584
When it becomes available, where can they hear it?

00:21:37.744 –> 00:21:40.044
All the streaming platforms.

00:21:40.104 –> 00:21:43.224
Yeah, it’s coming out, actually, 10 o’clock, the night of our show.

00:21:43.244 –> 00:21:44.324
Will it be available on Tidal?

00:21:44.744 –> 00:21:47.204
On Tidal, yes.

00:21:50.364 –> 00:21:52.904
Being perfectly honest with you, there was such a long list.

00:21:52.924 –> 00:21:58.144
Like, we released it through Distro Kid, and I think when we released the last…

00:21:58.164 –> 00:21:58.784
I’m just busting balls.

00:21:58.804 –> 00:22:00.144
I don’t know when it’ll be on Deezer.

00:22:00.384 –> 00:22:01.184
I don’t know.

00:22:01.784 –> 00:22:07.404
But like, there was maybe five different options of digital platforms you could release it to, so check it out.

00:22:07.404 –> 00:22:08.504
Or just come find one of us.

00:22:08.524 –> 00:22:09.204
We’ll press play on a boombox.

00:22:09.224 –> 00:22:11.564
There’s like over a dozen now, and I don’t know what half of them are.

00:22:12.444 –> 00:22:12.804
So.

00:22:12.984 –> 00:22:13.784
No, there’s no boombox.

00:22:13.924 –> 00:22:16.204
All right, thank you, After the Fight.

00:22:16.684 –> 00:22:17.284
Thank you, James.

00:22:17.304 –> 00:22:17.624
Thank you.

00:22:18.504 –> 00:22:22.584
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