THE WASTING TIME PODCAST

It's a pleasure to welcome back Dylan Slocum of Spanish Love Songs to the podcast. Our last full episode with Dylan was in November 2018, so a lot has happened since.

Dylan joins us ahead of the release of the band's new record, 'Future Nausea'. We talk about the writing process and why this could be Spanish Love Songs' best album to date. We look ahead to their upcoming US and European tours and discuss the band's affinity with the UK.

Chris and Nick also find time to discuss recent releases from Driveways and Hawthorne Heights...

Ryan Dominguez joins the podcast to tell us about life in Tokyo Rose in 2026. We spoke to Ryan in the aftermath of their recent EP 'Never Say Die'. He discusses balancing home life and the band, and how the future looks for Tokyo Rose.

Never Say Die is out everywhere via Manic Kat Records.

We also premiere the new song 'Doors' by 20 Years Late.

The Wasting Time Podcast is sponsored by Local Menace Apparel. Head to their store and use the code ‘wastetime’ for 25% discount.

The Wasting Time Podcast is part of T...

The Wasting Time Podcast X Four Chord Music Festival

For the third time, we’ve headed back to Pittsburgh for Four Chord Music Festival, and this episode looks back on Four Chord 12 with the people who make it special.

Chris and Nick are joined once again by festival founder Rishi Bahl and Marketing Director Adam Valen to talk about this year’s event, its history, and why Four Chord means so much to so many.

We really value our partnership with Four Chord and are always grateful to be welcomed back.

You’...

For our second Four Chord Music Festival preview episode, we're delighted to welcome back Will Pugh to the podcast.

Cartel's new album 'Learning How To Cope' has just landed, it's a fantastic listen! Will tells us all about how it came together, and how it feels to release an album for the first time in thirteen years!

We discuss Will's love for Pittsburgh and do a deep dive into the Four Chord Music Festival and what it means to the scene.

The Wasting Time Podcast is sponsored by Local Menace Apparel. Head to t...

The first Four Chord Music Festival special is here.

We caught up with Tim McTague of Underøath to talk through the band’s career, from their early days to the present, including the recent Van to Vans Warped Tour, Tim’s role in co-managing the band, and plenty of chat about Four Chord Music Festival and Pittsburgh.

The Wasting Time Podcast is sponsored by Local Menace Apparel. Head to their store and use the code 'wastetime' for 25% discount.

The Wasting Time Podcast is part of The Never A Phase Network.

Gabe Saporta is on The Wasting Time Podcast!

Midtown are one of the most important bands to The Wasting Time Podcast, so talking to Gabe was always on our hit list. We talk about Midtown, his journey through the scene and the many different chapters of his career, from his early band Humble Beginnings, to founding The Artist Group and later Brotege.

We also get into the huge success he found with Cobra Starship, the changing music industry, his experiences building businesses around artists and plenty more.

And if you’re curious about Br...

Brian Fallon has been someone we have wanted to have on the show for a long time, so this one has been a long time coming.

We caught up with Brian whilst he was in Edinburgh to talk about his incredible career, from the early days of The Gaslight Anthem through to his solo work and everything in between.

The conversation covers his upcoming album Not Bad For New Jersey, which we have had for a while now, and can honestly say is superb. We discuss his relationship with Bruce Springsteen, the artists he'd love...

The Wasting Time Podcast returns with a very special episode recorded at Jimmy Eat World’s headline show at Crystal Palace Bowl.

Chris catches up with Jim Adkins, Tom Linton and Rick Burch to talk about the significance of playing such a huge show in London, the experience of returning to the UK, and the enduring legacy of Bleed American as the landmark album celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The band also discuss British culture, their experiences of the UK and what keeps bringing them back. They also look back at an album that has remained hu...

The Wasting Time Podcast is joined by Australian-based British artist WALWIN. The conversation covers his journey to becoming a solo pop punk artist, the incredible tours he's been on, and what the future holds.

WALWIN also teases an upcoming crossover between pop punk and UK garage, explains why singing in a UK accent is so important to him, and discusses working with the likes of Kid Bookie and Tom Denney.

WALWIN's new single, Parasocial Princess (mixed by Tom Denney), is out now.

In the intro, Chris and Nick discuss new releases from Driveways...

The Wasting Time Podcast is joined by Tom Keiger of pop punk favourites Houston Calls.

Tom looks back on the band's journey from their early days through to becoming one of the most beloved names in the mid-2000s scene. The conversation dives into the stories behind the albums, life on the road, and the moment Mark Hoppus almost ended up producing the band's second record.

The episode also explores what life looks like for Tom today, when the time felt right time for Houston Calls to return, and whether fans can expect new music...

This week, we are joined by Dylan Guzman and Gabriel Muñoz of Super Sometimes. Gabe was mostly keeping his eyes on the road, so Dylan did most of the talking. The San Diego pop punk outfit have had one of those genuinely exciting couple of years, culminating in the release of their new record Show the World What's Underneath.

We dig into their deep, real love of pop punk. Not the kind people perform for credibility, but the kind that comes from growing up in San Diego and absorbing everything the scene has to offer. Dylan w...

This week we are joined by CARR. A singer/songwriter and recent signee of Pete Wentz. She talks about how that signing came about and what it's meant for her, as well as diving into her new album CARRGIRRL, the stories behind it and where she's at right now.

Sponsored by Local Menace Apparell. Head to their store and use the code 'wastetime' for 25% discount.

The Wasting Time Podcast is part of The Never A Phase Network.

We headed to Slam Dunk Festival 2026 for a very special episode, and we got to do it properly, covering both festival sites across the weekend. It's a packed one.

We had the privilege of chatting with the following artists:

A huge thank you to Slam Dunk Festival for having The Wasting Time Podcast along for the ride. This weekend is always one of the highlights of the year for us, and 2026 was no different. Listen now for all of our interviews and our...

This week, The Wasting Time Podcast is joined by Kevin Lyman for a deep dive into the history and legacy of the Warped Tour. Kevin reflects on building the iconic festival from the ground up, balancing its modern-day return with his role as a university professor, and what it was like bringing Warped Tour to the UK for the very first time. He also discusses the huge impact bands like blink-182, Pennywise and Less Than Jake had on the festival’s rise and its lasting influence on alternative music culture.

In the intro, Chris and Nick look ah...

Matt Richardson joins The Wasting Time Podcast and it's immediately clear this is going to be a good one. The UK comedian, presenter and all-round emo/pop punk obsessive sits down to talk career, craft and chaos. He discusses his stand-up shows as well as his presenting gigs, interviewing movie stars and the likes of blink-182 for Virgin Radio. Matt also looks ahead to Slam Dunk Festival this year and why the lineup has him excited. He gets into his TikTok blowing up, what it's like when the algorithm decides it's your moment, and why the emo kid never...

Some bands never get the recognition they deserve. Bottom Line were one of them.

We were always fans. We followed this band through the early 2000s, watching them build something real, and waited on a record made with legendary producer John Feldmann that simply... never came out.

In this episode, we finally get the answers we’ve been waiting for.

Benjamin James Howard joins the show for a candid, no-holds-barred walk through those years.  The sessions, the stories, the industry, and the album that got away. It's raw, it's honest, and is a con...

Hot on the heels of their latest album Eternal Youth, Kenny Vasoli joins the podcast for a brilliant conversation about life in The Starting Line in 2026.

Kenny takes us through the band's history coming up on Drive Thru Records, what it was like working with producer Howard Benson, and how he reacted when Taylor Swift name dropped them in a song.

In the intro, Chris and Nick dig into new music from WALWIN and Sleeping With Sirens. And after Militarie Gun's stunning Tiny Desk performance got them talking, they both reflect on their favourite acoustic...

The Wasting Time Podcast is joined by Rae Brazil, vocalist of Leeds alt-rock outfit Artio, to talk all things Soul Rot — the band's sophomore album, released January 21st via LAB Records.

Rae talks about how the album came together, what it means to make a truly intentional body of work in an era that demands content over craft, and why listeners should experience Soul Rot front to back rather than on shuffle.

And because no conversation with Rae would be complete without it — they get into their love of Tolkien, and what Middle-earth means to them...

Dylan Espeseth joins The Wasting Time Podcast to talk about his journey so far — from building a following on TikTok to stepping into the studio with legendary producer Aaron Sprinkle. Dylan shares how social media helped kickstart his career, the realities of navigating the modern music industry as a new artist, and the creative process behind his latest music.

Dylan's new single Where’d The Time Go, is out now. 

His upcoming full-length album is out April 2.

If you’re into discovering the next wave of pop-rock artists, this is one you won’t want to...

On this episode of The Wasting Time Podcast, we’re joined by After Midnight for a conversation about momentum, identity, and putting Penang on the global pop punk map.

The band break down their rapid rise over the past six months — how the buzz started, what’s changed, and how they’ve handled the jump from local favourites to building international attention. They open up about what it’s like being a pop punk band in Penang, growing a scene outside of the traditional US strongholds, and the realities of pushing the genre forward from Southeast Asia.

We a...

Jordan Pundik joins The Wasting Time Podcast this week for a deep dive into all things New Found Glory — past, present and future.

Jordan chats about the band’s brand new album Listen Up!, reuniting with legendary producer Steve Evetts, and what it feels like to release a record nearly six years after the last one. He opens up about how his kids view NFG, the excitement around the upcoming tour with Yellowcard and Plain White T’s, and shines a light on some seriously underrated NFG gems that deserve more love. The conversation also explores balancing life i...

Matt Caughthran (Mariachi El Bronx / The Bronx) stopped by the show to discuss all things Mariachi El Bronx — from the brand new record to how they juggle two very different bands under one roof.

Matt also discusses the upcoming shows where fans get both The Bronx and Mariachi El Bronx in one night, catching Oasis live, and the experience of being a podcaster himself.

As well as the new Mariachi El Bronx album, Chris and Nick also discuss new music from Joyce Manor and Goldfinger.

This week on The Wasting Time Podcast, we’re joined by Saxl Rose. 

From blowing up on the internet to carving out a genuinely wild music career, Saxl talks us through his journey so far — how going viral opened doors, the grind behind the scenes, and what happens when online momentum turns into real-world opportunities.

We get into what it was like stepping on stage with Paramore, hitting the road with Neck Deep and State Champs, and collaborating with Wiz Khalifa. It’s a conversation about timing, talent, taking risks, and figuring out how to turn mo...

The Wasting Time Podcast kicks off 2026 with a familiar face as Steve Soboslai of Punchline returns to the show.

Chris and Nick catch up with their friend to talk all things Four Chord Music Festival, the magic of Pittsburgh, and take a deep dive into Punchline’s Somewhere To Land — an album that firmly landed on both hosts’ favourite records of 2025 lists. Punchline will also be on a killer tour in the US this spring with hellogoodbye and The Early November.

From festival memories to songwriting reflections, this episode is the perfect way to start the ne...

We’re closing out the year with an absolute legend.

For the final episode of the year, the podcast is joined by Bill Stevenson of Descendents / ALL — a drummer, songwriter, producer, and one of the most influential figures in punk and pop punk history.

Bill dives into the origins of Descendents, the band’s enduring legacy and how he sees their influence on modern pop punk. He also talks about his work as a producer at The Blasting Room, shaping records for countless bands, what touring looks like at this stage of life, and finding balanc...

On the new episode of The Wasting Time Podcast, we’re joined by the iconic Travie McCoy for a wide-ranging and fascinating conversation.

Travie opens up to us about his wild experience in Yeovil, reflects on which Warped Tour legends he thinks could have made great rappers, and shares the story behind his global smash hit “Billionaire” with Bruno Mars. We dig into how Gym Class Heroes were received on the Warped Tour circuit, his breakthrough moments, and what it was really like collaborating with UK stars like Cheryl Cole and Olly Murs.

We also take a...

The Wasting Time Podcast X Four Chord Music Festival — Recap Episode

Four Chord Music Festival and The Wasting Time Podcast present a retrospective look at Four Chord 11.

Chris and Nick are joined by festival founder and main man Rishi Bahl, along with Marketing Director Adam Valen, to look back on this year’s event, its history, and what makes Four Chord such a cornerstone of the pop punk world.

This special also features full interviews recorded across the festival weekend, including conversations with:

In this episode, we are joined by Beth and Ande from As December Falls. The band share their story so far, the journey that led to their success as an independent act, and dive into the making of their brand new album, Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine.

Before the interview, Chris and Nick chat about some recent releases from Militarie Gun and Hit The Lights, and Chris gives his thoughts on the recent New Found Glory show that Koyo opened up.

This time, we’re joined by Cody Okonski from Millington. 

We chat about how the band first came together, how they crafted their unique ska-infused pop punk sound, and Cody’s experience interning for John Feldmann during the recording of blink-182’s California. 

We had a great time hanging out with Cody in Pittsburgh recently at Four Chord Music Festival. If you're not on the Millington train, get on it now!

'Better Safe and Sorry' by Millington is available everywhere now.

This time we’re joined by the legendary Atom Willard, drummer for Alkaline Trio, ahead of the band’s appearance at Four Chord Music Festival. Atom takes us inside what’s ahead for Alkaline Trio and shares his memories of Pittsburgh, a city that’s played a role in his journey.

We also get into his recent time in the studio with Travis Barker, his unforgettable experience when Rocket From The Crypt performed on Top of the Pops, and his incredible career spanning some of the most iconic bands in punk and alternative music.

If you love...

In the build-up to Four Chord Music Festival, The Wasting Time Podcast is thrilled to welcome Jim, Zach and Tom from Jimmy Eat World. The band look back on their incredible career, their creative process, and what it means to still be connecting with fans decades on. They also discuss playing the festival this year and what to expect.

The episode also features an intro segment with Adam Valen of the Four Chord team, where he joins Chris and Nick to chat about this year’s festival. They also dive into new releases from Good Charlotte, The Bu...

This time on The Wasting Time Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Jaret Reddick, frontman of pop punk legends Bowling For Soup. We dive deep into Jaret’s incredible career, his unforgettable UK experiences (including his time on Never Mind The Buzzcocks), and even swap thoughts on the upcoming Four Chord Music Festival, where we’ll both be in attendance. Plus, Jaret reveals what he believes is the ultimate pop punk song — a must-hear for any fan of the genre.

But that’s not all. In the intro, Chris and Nick are joined by Ben DeHan of F...

We are beyond delighted to welcome The Paradox to The Wasting Time Podcast — and even more honoured to be their first ever overseas podcast appearance!

In this episode, we dive into the band’s meteoric rise over the past year — from opening for Green Day, to dominating When We Were Young Fest and touring across the US non-stop. These guys are living the pop punk dream, and they’re just getting started.

We also chat about some wild endorsements from A-listers like Shaquille O'Neal, Lil Nas X, Jenna Fischer, and Jeff Garlin – yes, really!

The Par...

We’re joined by Eric Tobin (Hopeless Records) and Michael Kaminsky (KMGMT) to talk about the upcoming Idobi Radio Summer School Tour. This year’s lineup includes Taylor Acorn, Charlotte Sands, Rain City Drive, Arrows In Action, Beauty School Dropout, If Not For Me, and Huddy.

Tobin and Michael share how the tour came together in collaboration with Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour), and how it fits into the wider ecosystem they’re building to support the next generation of alternative artists. It's a great insight into the planning behind one of the scene’s most exciting new tour...

We’re back from an unforgettable weekend at Slam Dunk Festival 2025 — and who better to help us break it all down than Nick Thompson of Hit The Lights?

In this special episode of The Wasting Time Podcast, Nick Thompson joins us to swap stories from the festival — from his experience rocking the stage, to our own as press soaking in the chaos, catching amazing sets, and chatting with some of our all-time favourites. We were lucky enough to grab time on site with New Found Glory, The Ataris, Dream State and Save Ferris.

Chris and Nick a...

This week on The Wasting Time Podcast, we’re joined by the mastermind behind SBÄM Records — Stefan Beham! Recorded just ahead of SBÄM Fest 7 in Austria, Stefan takes us behind the scenes of how the label started and shares stories from working with some incredible bands like Pulley, Authority Zero, Belvedere, No Fun At All, and Death by Stereo.

SBÄM Fest 7 goes down May 30–31 with a stacked lineup featuring Millencolin, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Zebrahead, and The Ataris – don’t miss it if you’re anywhere near Austria!

PLUS: In our intro segme...

This week, we’re delighted to be joined by John J. Ryan from the unstoppable force that is Keep Flying. If you’ve seen them live, you know exactly why they’re one of the most exciting and unique bands in the punk scene right now—blending high-energy punk rock with saxophones, trombones, and an unrelenting stage presence. We first met the band at last year’s Four Chord Music Festival and instantly hit it off,so it was a real treat to catch up with John.

We chatted just ahead of the release of their powerful new album...

Today on the podcast, we're joined by Canadian singer-songwriter JJ Wilde.

Calling in from the road, JJ chats with Chris about the incredible response to her latest album, Vices. They dive into what it was like to win a Juno Award and share stories from the road, including opening for legendary acts like KISS and Pearl Jam.

Vices is available now on all streaming platforms.

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We're excited to welcome UK artist Kid Bookie to the podcast! Last year was a monumental year for him, with a standout presence on the festival circuit and the release of his album, 'Songs For The Living // Songs For The Dead.' Kid Bookie shares insights into his journey, discussing his impressive collaborations with artists like Slipknot, Good Charlotte, and Tech N9ne, as well as what fans can anticipate from his upcoming projects.

You can find 'Songs For The Living // Songs For The Dead' on all music platforms!

Additionally, Chris and Nick share their...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome musician and actor Thomas Ian Nicholas. Join us as we explore his musical journey and discover how he has developed his unique sound. Thomas shares insights into the music that shaped his upbringing, the bands he has toured with, and the producers who have influenced his work.

Renowned for his roles in films like 'Rookie of the Year' and the ;American Pie' series, Thomas opens up about his acting experiences and how he manages to juggle both his acting and music careers today.

Don’t miss out—Thomas...