THE WASTING TIME PODCAST

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 stories from behind the kit, tales from the road, and insight into what it’s like to be part of so many influential projects, you won’t want to miss this one.

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 Burnt Tapes and Sam Russo, and Nick shares his experience catching friends of the podcast — and Four Chord staples — Keep Flying live in Newcastle.  

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 Free Friends. Together, they chat about Free Friends’ latest release, as well as fresh new music from Good Charlotte, The Paradox, and Alkaline Trio.  

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 Paradox have already worked with legendary producers like Zack Odom & Kenneth Mount, John Feldmann, and Travis Barker – and they’ve got mentorship from pop punk royalty like Joel Madden and Simple Plan. This one’s packed with stories, laughs and a look behind the scenes at one of the fastest-rising bands in the scene. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts! 📸 Don’t forget to tag us and share your favourite moments!

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 tours. Plus, in the intro, Chris and Nick discuss the recent Driveways and Eternal Boy UK tour, along with new releases from Good Charlotte, The Starting Line, and Dance! No Thanks.

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 also dive into The Get Up Kids’ recent UK tour which Nick went to this week in Newcastle. Massive thanks to Nick T for joining us, and to Slam Dunk Festival for once again treating us so well. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

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 segment, we’re joined by Wilson, Justin, and Riley from Last Night Saved My Life! We chat about their awesome new release ‘First Hello’, and everyone weighs in on fresh tracks from MxPx, Avril Lavigne x Simple Plan, and The Wonder Years. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

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 Time and Tide, which dropped on April 24. John walks us through the band’s journey, their DIY ethic, and what the rest of 2025 looks like for Keep Flying. Spoiler: they’re not slowing down. Go spin Time and Tide now—available everywhere you get your music. With Nick away for the intro, Chris is joined by our good friends Gary Yay and Ade Holder from UK punk rock favourites Phinius Gage. We dive into some recent releases from The Ataris, Last Night Saved My Life, Orchards, and Propagandhi. We also have an exclusive first play of the new Phinius Gage single “Masquerade,” out May 16. Ade and Gary give us all the details on the song and what’s next for the band. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

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. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

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 live reactions to the lineup announcement for Four Chord Music Festival in Pittsburgh, which dropped just as we were recording the intro! Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email  

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 and his band are set to hit the road for a UK tour in late March! Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

In this special bonus episode, Nick hops on the tour bus with Derek and Tyler from State Champs during their stop in Newcastle. They dive into their UK tour experience, reminisce about the Emo's Not Dead cruise, discuss the success of their latest album, and share their current music favorites. State Champs self-titled album is available everywhere. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email  

In episode 139, we welcome Kyle and Cody from the band Real Friends to the show! We delve into their latest album, Blue Hour, exploring the evolution of their sound over the years. Cody shares insights about his experience as a newer member of the band and his journey thus far. This album signifies a fresh chapter for Real Friends, and we discuss its potential impact on their future endeavors. Additionally, Chris and Nick cover the stage time announcements for Slam Dunk Festival and discuss new music from A Day To Remember and Keep Flying. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

This time, we were delighted to welcome JR from Less Than Jake. With a career as extensive as theirs, there’s plenty to explore! We dive into their latest EP, Uncharted, discuss how they juggle life beyond the band, and their current songwriting process. JR also shares insights about the band's connection with Fat Mike and their numerous visits to the UK. Additionally, Chris and Nick chat about the new Grayscale album, another fresh single from 408, and the new full length from Amber Pacific! Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

For episode 137, we are delighted to be joined by Rob Kellas of TPD TV. If you've been living under a rock, you might not be aware of TPD TV's huge success on YouTube covering music festivals. We've been fans for a few years now, so it was great to learn more about Rob and his journey becoming a full-time vlogger. Rob talks about the music he grew up on, goes deep on festival experiences and tells us about bands he'd love to join on tour.  Check out TPD TV on YouTube now. Chris and Nick also discuss a recent Neck Deep / The Wonder Years concert, Warped Tour news and the return of Good Charlotte. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email  

Our first episode of 2025! We are joined by The Early November singer, Ace Enders. At the time of our conversation, the band were about to embark on a UK tour celebrating their 2003 record 'Room's Too Cold'. We cover many topics including the band's history with Drive-Thru Records, their old touring days and Ace's relationship with Jack Antonoff.  The Early November have had many releases throughout their long impressive career. The most recent being their self-titled album, which came out last year. Check it out wherever you get your music. We also premiere the song 'Again' by solo artist Days To Waste. Days To Waste's album 'forget me when the summer ends' is out on January 24. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email    

It's our final episode of 2024! This time we had the pleasure of being joined by Pat and Derek from the excellent Driveways. Our pathes had crossed earlier this year in Pittsburgh, and it was great to spend some more time with these guys. The band has been having another superb year (one quick look at Reddit will demonstrate how much love there is for them within the scene). We discuss their recent EP 'Tempest' and how they feel about it. We also touch upon their history and influences, as well as how they balance playing in a successul band with being high school teachers! 'Tempest' is out everywhere. Chris and Nick also take a brief look back at an incredible year for the podcast. A big thank you to every guest we've had in 2024, all our friends in Pittsburgh at Four Chord Festival (especially Rishi and Adam), and of course, our third member Greg O'Grady for his amazing work on the show this year. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email    

It's been a big year for the band 408, releasing another album and continuing to go from strength to strength. We welcomed Mark Faroudi from the band to the podcast. We discussed with Mark the history of the band, how they attracted the attention of John Feldmann and working with songwriters like Matt Thiessen and Nick Bailey. We have also recently released a beer in collaboration with the band and the Jersey City brewery, Departed Soles. Check it out if you're local to the area, it's a DIPA called 408. 408's fantastic single 'All My Fault' is available everywhere. Chris and Nick also compare their Spotify Wrappeds as the year draws to a close. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email

For episode 133, we are joined by Craig Mabbitt of Escape The Fate. Craig was a pleasure to talk to, sharing what it was like joining as the singer for an already famous band and how the fanbase reacted. Escape The Fate are not only popular in the US, Europe and Australia, but also have a huge followings in places like South America and The Philippines. Craig discusses what is like touring in these places. He also explains how they navigate writing poppier songs against the heavier material as well as many other topics.  Escape The Fate’s latest single ‘M.O.N.S.T.E.R’ is available everywhere. Apple Spotify Instagram Twitter Facebook Email