Troubled Men Podcast

The master drummer and percussionist with Bonerama, Lynn Drury, the Pimps of Joytime, and the Joe Krown Trio has also played with Anders Osborne, Tab Benoit, Karl Denson, and Ellis Marsalis. His recent kidney transplant, after over 10 years on dialysis, has given him a new lease on life and a long-overdue return to normalcy. With an intense festival season schedule looming, Eric finds some free time to catch up over cocktails. That new kidney will be working overtime cleaning out the toxins after his night with the Troubled Men. Topics include street people, Tiki Tuesday, young love, an A.I. savior, Adderall, teen takeovers, midwifery, home births, the moon shot, "Capricorn One," a musical family, a first drum set, drum and bugle corps, band decorum, leadership, the Frostop, Karl Denson, Doug Belote, Kirk Joseph, Jazz Fest dates, mystery cramping, a diagnosis, touring, the transplant list, dietary restrictions, an organ donor, ice preferences, recovery, water intake, a positive attitude, the clarity of parent

The singer, guitar player, and songwriter with the Hawtsies, the Newborn Naturals, and Boogie Man Smash is also the founder and CEO of Full Tilt Records and a partner in the nightclub Chickie Wah Wah. Having grown up in a mobbed-up Youngstown, Ohio, with a Lou Reed/Velvet Underground obsession during the collapse of the steel industry, he's no stranger to the seedy side of life. Tonight Rob takes a walk on the wild side with the Troubled Men. Topics include Juan's wedding, Bosco from Eddie V., festival season, Frostop demolition plans, our fearless leader, "Welcome in," March Madness, a long buzzer, a Kit Kat heist, an OnlyFans arrest, the rackets, Joey Naples, stealing from the poor box, Beatles cartoons, Elvis's death, a toy guitar, "Transformer," the Who, the Penguin Pub, Ohio bands, Stiv Bators, Thin White Line, Harvey Pekar, Toby Radloff, Shimmy Disc Records, graphic design, moving to New York, the Lakeside Lounge, Jim Marshall, Kelly Keller, 52 Ludlow St., the Strokes, Gram Parsons, the Clash Day shows,

The Grammy Award-winning guitarist with Chubby Carrier and Tyron Benoit also played with departed local legends Michael Ward and Dino Kruse. Under the Choupic Sessions umbrella, he releases recordings from his long-running songwriting collective. Once a regular at Snake and Jake's, tonight Randy returns to the scene with the Troubled Men. For him, it's a definite step down. Topics include road construction, water main breaks, a Glyn Styler recording session, a cast party at Francis Ford Coppola's, a St. Patrick's day parade, the Brain Tuner, unfunny comedies, "The Bear," Mel Brooks, smoking, a poll, a gondola crash, the Liberace Museum, John Mooney at Madigan's, Thibodaux, Bayou Lafourche, mourning, 10,000 hours, a coma, G.I.T., Los Angeles, strippers, Tommy Tedesco, Levon Helm, Steve Masakowski, UNO, Russ Broussard, Keith Keller, Jack Snyder, Tabby Thomas, touring, German bikers, a family band, band camaraderie, Taj Mahal, a publishing company, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coma

The award-winning burlesque performer, producer, and founding creative director of Fleur de Tease, Burgundy Burlesque, and Burlesque Ballroom cut her teeth in the ballet world, training with the Miami Ballet and the American Ballet Theater before moving to New Orleans and embracing the resurgent burlesque movement. With Trixie Minx Productions she has assembled a full roster of classic vaudeville acts including dancers, circus performers, magicians, and aerial artists for private and corporate events. Sideshow acts...circus freaks—she'll feel right at home with the Troubled Men. Topics include a first communion, Bosco, a water main break, locker room stories, Miami, a babysitter, Woody's nightclub, modern ballet, "Dancing On My Grave," "Turning Point," the BAFTA Awards, Tourette's Syndrome, dating, good posture, Pilates training, Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble, riding out Katrina, tassels, a geek act, chicken bingo, Bustout Burlesque, live music, "The Nutcracker," the tease, the balloon dance, nostalgia, Gypsy

The Honey Island Swamp Band singer, guitar and mandolin player, songwriter, and frontman spent years touring and recording with blue-eyed soul man Eric Lindell, appearing on the Conan O'Brien show along the way. His latest project, the RiverBenders with Jake Eckert, Myles Weeks, and Russ Broussard, takes a more acoustic, back-porch approach. Tonight Aaron, a former newspaper reporter, has the tables turned as he gets a good grilling from the Troubled Men. Topics include skateboarding, a water main break, Mardi Gras parades, a snowstorm, a Sonny Landreth and the Iguanas tour, Robert Duvall RIP, Jesse Jackson RIP, Robert Carradine RIP, the Winter Olympics, snow skiing, Washington and Lee University, a Camaro, Pensacola, guitar lessons, poetry, print journalism, moving to New Orleans, teaching English, interviewing Galactic, Theryl DeClouet, Theresa Andersson, playing bass, Robert Maché, Amanda Shaw, Irene Sage, Chris Mulé, a San Francisco exile, the Boom Boom Room, Sam Price, Garland Paul, the Record Plant, Sus

The award-winning roots rock songwriter, singer, guitarist, and bandleader was also the founding singer and bass player in the hard-touring funk jam band Juice. Releasing a series of solo albums of original songs, he's maintained a close association with recording artist and record producer Anders Osborne, who also played on the "Bridges" record released in 2025. Recently returning to performance after recovering from a stroke, Dave takes his chances tonight as he goes head to head with the Troubled Men. Topics include Chaka Khan and Rufus, Bud Cort RIP, the Super Bowl, Black Sunday, the Olympics, Carnival parades, the Clash Day show, Bad Bunny, migas, poetry, a Police lawsuit, a Willie Nelson joke, the Meters, the Grateful Dead, Miles Jordan, the 1990s, cross-country travel, a Banks St. Bar residency, a Montana rendezvous, solo touring, Annie Clements, the "Doin' It For Dave" benefit, Hubig's pies, Mark Howard, Chad Cromwell, George Porter, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman B

The drummer, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader of Omari Neville and the Fuel is also the son of legendary singer and percussionist Cyril Neville of the Meters and the Neville Brothers. Growing up surrounded by the funk, soul, and R&B of the family band, he expanded his musical palette with a love for Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and New York hip hop. Fresh off the Big Easy Cruise, Omari sails into the turbulent waters of the Troubled Men Podcast, and it's every man for himself. Topics include dog attacks, a new year, Stormy Daniels, "Melania," Trixie Minx, a texting ban, the Grammy awards, International Clash Day, Chuck Negron RIP, Michael Skinkus RIP, an AWOL bus driver, a Shawn Williams session, Neville Way, Gentilly, Corpus Christi school, Def Generation, Gaynelle Neville, Mean Willie Green, a first drum set, mentors, Crouzon syndrome, John F. Kennedy High school, Austin post-Katrina, Voice of the Wetlands, Anders Osborne, the New Orleans Suspects, Tabula Rasa, Rejected Youth Nation, trance music, Johnny

The legendary songwriter, singer, guitarist, and author captured the spirit of a generation with her 1996 album "Diary Of A Mod Housewife," then chronicled her formative years in the NYC underground in her celebrated memoir, "Girl To City." The followup, "Girl To Country," covers her time as a single mother in the Nashville songwriting scene. Touring in support of the new book and her latest album, "Hang In There With Me," produced by her punk rock luminary husband, Wreckless Eric, Amy joins René in the Feral Zone to connect all the dots. Topics include an ice storm, the Folk Alliance conference, Loose Cattle, the Broadway Cruise, Red Buttons, Red Skelton, Pittsburgh, Parsons School of Design, "Rock Scene" magazine, black jeans, CBGB, the Dead Boys, the West Village, fashion illustration, Katharina Denzinger, Andy Warhol, Max's Kansas City, punk rock, a leather jacket, English band fashion, the Slits, the Clash, Dave Thomas, starting a nightclub, Tier 3, courier flights, the Cramps at Dingwalls, a London squa

The acclaimed drummer, percussionist, bandleader, and instructor has played with an astounding list of artists including Randy Brecker, John Scofield, Astrud Gilberto, Liza Minnelli, and Sammie Davis Jr. as well as New Orleans heroes James Booker, George Porter, Willie Tee, Earl Turbinton, and Wynton and Branford Marsalis. He's also played on dozens of soundtracks including the Oscar-winning score to "The Shape of Water." Living in Paris for the last 25 years, Jeff returns to New Orleans for a visit and enters the Feral Zone with René and guest cohost Dave Clements for a thorough debriefing. Topics include Doug Belote, the Buddy Boudreaux Band, Mose Alison, Carl Fontana, hustling gigs, AI fakes, a Baton Rouge childhood, double bass drums, Broadmoor High School, Cary Boquet, a dying bass player, Nicky Sanzenbach, studying with Johnny Vidacovich, Gary Peacock, a dropped beat, Loyola University, older musicians, Tiki Tuesday, Dave Watson, Bobby McFerrin, Leah Chase, a house fire, Ricky Sebastian, Eugene Chadborn

The award-winning singer, guitarist, and songwriter with the Neptunes, Thousand $ Car, the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours, King Soul, and FLACK started his first band with Steve Watson and Pete Gordon in middle school, and were packing D.C. clubs with underage kids throughout high school. Back in town to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Kingpin, Jake joins René in the Feral Zone to discuss the long, strange trip. Topics include the 1990s, early sets, Elvis 45s, Blue Velvet Studio, Tom Stern, songwriting, youth hockey, NRBQ, Ft. Reno, D.C. punk rock, Marion Barry, a summer job, Sean Mencher, moving to Austin, Latin class, Davis McLarty, Miles Zuniga, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Mojo Nixon and the Toad Liquors, John Maloney, Rob Savoy, the Bluerunners, Mark Walton, the Mermaid Lounge, a nickname, Dave George, Steve Werthheimer, the Continental Club, Rock'n'Bowl, John Gros, Derek Huston, the Ray Ban stage, the Mistreaters, Tom Clifford, Alex Chilton, "High Priest," tribute bands, Ford's Theater, Johnny Depp, Peter

The beloved songwriter, guitarist, singer, and bandleader of the Milwaukeeans and Tomorrow Sound has counted Joe Ely, Bonnie Raitt, Nick Lowe, and Pat McLaughlin among his long-time supporters and collaborators. With the release of his latest self-titled record, produced by Alex Hall, Paul joins René in the Feral Zone to discuss making the record and their shared history in the rock and roll circus. Topics include a return visit to Milwaukee, the British invasion, Midwestern soul music, local radio, record collections, a pivotal arts festival, the Art Blakey Band, Bobby Watson, a Florida college, learning guitar, the Wild Magnolias, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, attending Jazz Fest, "Blood On the Tracks," James Booker at Tipitina's, Quint Davis, Alison Miner, Gordon Gano and the Violent Femmes, the R&B Cadets, the Flat 5, Casey McDonough, Scott Ligon, Mr. Jazz, StorySound Records, Dick Connette, and much more.  Break and Outro Music: "When We Sing" and "Sunday Drive" from "Paul Cebar" by Paul Cebar Support th

The guitarist and singer with the Susan Cowsill band has also logged time with Amanda Shaw, Gal Holiday's Honky Tonk Revue, and Dirty Mouth, all while holding down a steady gig on Bourbon St. for the past decade. It's the final episode of the year, so Dave and the Troubled Men convene at the Christmas Club Lounge to contemplate the sacred and the profane. The Struggle Continues. Topics include Chanukah, a gift box recap, more bar mail, Rob Reiner's murder, other celebrity deaths, a speed camera hearing, a local terrorist arrest, dementia tests, a White House ceremony, Latoya Cantrell's pettiness, razor blades, going electric, gift ideas, radio jingles, Chicago, "Lucas," an immigrant father, a record collection, piano lessons, a first guitar, the Bears, Walter Payton, hockey, first gigs, Tallahassee, W. C. Fields, day jobs, Dave Stover, Chris Pylant, Trevor Brooks, moving to New Orleans, Tim Robertson, Dave Ferrato, Galatoire’s, Steve Spitz, Cranston Clements, 78s, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raini

The world-renowned drummer, composer, and music instructor's resume includes stints playing with Jaco Pastorius, John Scofield, Gil Evans, Tania Maria, Herbie Mann, Bobby McFerrin, and David "Fathead" Newman. Teaching at New York's Drummers Collective, the University of New Orleans, and the Heritage School of Music, he has been a sought-after mentor for generations of the country's top drummers. While Ricky's days traveling with the circus are far behind him, his session with the Troubled Men proves he still fits in with the sideshow freaks. Topics include a Raiders' controversy, a birthday lunch, Iran-Contra, a mysterious package, ICE agents, Little Freddie King, podcast awards, Gonzales, Carl DeLeo, Carl Schexnayder, playing on chairs, a hateful teacher, a first drumset, a gas station gig, the Emmett Kelly Circus band, Holiday With Horses, Clement Toca, touring Mexico, young love, high school riots, Berklee College of Music, Lou & Charlie's, Henry Butler, George Porter, Exuma, Leigh Harris, Ron Cuccia a

The young guitarist, singer, and songwriter performing with Maggie Koerner, Lynn Drury, Dave Jordan, and the recent New Orleans edition of "The Last Waltz" also plays with his own groups including Cosmic Gumbo, Krewe DeBauchery, and the satirical Christmas-themed Hunks of Coal. Using the esoteric B-Bender bridge, he creates ethereal steel guitar effects reminiscent of classic country recordings. With the release of the first single from his forthcoming solo album, Max drops in on the Troubled Men to brighten the mood in the waning days of a trying year. Hope is not for the weak. Topics include Brant Reiter, a Thanksgiving recap, a McDonald's delivery, the McRib, Mexican restaurant closings, Giving Tuesday, Christmas commercials, a holiday movie, "Snow Wonder," Scott Veasey RIP, St. Tammany Parish, NOCCA, Van Halen, Jay Griggs, Scott Sanders, jazz camp, Steve Masakowski, Brian Seeger, a hippy quarantine, Miles Jordan, Dave Jordan, a calendar, online betting, Clarence White, Carter Wilkenson, Buddy Emmons, Cast

The acclaimed fine art photographer and photojournalist published several photo books while still in undergraduate school. "Project 504-907" contrasted his native New Orleans with Fairbanks, Alaska, where he earned an MFA in photography. Now pursuing a PhD in anthropology, he's conducting a series of interviews with local musicians concerning the state of the scene pre- and post-Katrina. Young people with energy and artistic drive like Miles give the Troubled Men hope for the future. Then again, it could just be the cocktails kicking in. Topics include Dog Night, pita pockets, a Thanksgiving brunch, Others Day, "A Family Affair," Brian Keith, "James at 15," last responders, a 911 call, Sci High school. self-starting, LSU, the high desert, Charles Mason, sports photography, William Eggleston, William Christenberry, iphone photos, academia, the Canadian Rockies, the Northern Lights, moose vs. bears, a Tipitina's benefit, Venice, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro Mu

The Grammy-nominated singer, guitar player, songwriter, and record producer has released 16 solo albums and collaborated with luminaries including Steve Albini, Buck Owens, Lucinda Williams, the Mekons, and NRBQ's Al Anderson. Playing in New Orleans on a tour supporting his excellent new record, "Now Then," Robbie slips into the Feral Zone with René, in the circular safety of the world-famous Carousel Bar.Topics include Marigny Studios, the Beat Exchange, Alex Chilton, "High Priest," a Quaker school, a musical family, Columbia University, NYC, moving to Chicago, the Old Town School of Folk Music, comedy, humor in music, Johnny Paycheck, "Country Love Songs," Marshall Crenshaw, Bloodshot Records, Geffen Records, playing solo, listening rooms, escape velocity, Casey McDonough, moving to L.A., Pete Thomas, touring, and much more. Break and Outro Music: "The Thirty-year Marriage" and "Now Now Now Now Now" from "Now Then" by Robbie Fulks Support the podcast: Paypal or Venmo Join the Patreon page here. Shop for Tro

He's a two-time Grammy Award-winning recording engineer, record and video producer, and owner of the new Uptown audio visual production facility, Sound From Space. Mentored by legends Ellis Marsalis and Keith Keller, among others, he's gone on to make records with Dr. John, B.B. King, Galactic, Rebirth Brass Band, and Allen Toussaint. Tonight Chris faces the music with the Troubled Men, and there are no second takes. Topics include the Mercury Lounge, Houston St., Armistice Day, Guillermo del Toro, bullfights, PETA commercials, TV preachers, delinquent tenants, Sally Kirkland RIP, ethics violations, Sheriff Michelle Woodfork, NLP, Reefer Ridge, the Angola Prison Rodeo, UNO, Rock'n'Roll Music store, Clark Vreeland, Rabadash Studio, Steve Walters, Mike Mayeux, touring with Cowboy Mouth, Fred Leblanc, Magazine Sound Recording, Ben Mumphrey, Mike Napolitano, the House of Blues, Pro Tools editing, the Music Shed, Eric Flettrich, Hermann Ernest, Dockside Studio, Justin Tocket, Collins limiters, Tracey Freeman, Jeff

The organ and piano ace who's toured with Bonerama, Dr. John's final band, and the Take Me to the River AllStars has also played or recorded with Nicholas Payton, Nora Jones, Stanton Moore, Johnny Vidacovich, Big Chief Donald Harrison, several Marsalises, and his own Joe Ashlar Organ Trio. He first became obsessed with keyboards at 4 years old after seeing Herbie Hancock perform "Rockit" on Sesame Street, and was averaging two gigs a week by age 10. Coming to New Orleans in 2007 to play on a Galactic side project with Simon Lott, he quickly found a welcoming music scene and a full calendar of gigs. Tonight Joe drops in for a visit with the Troubled Men, the Bert and Ernie of degenerates.   Topics include elections, the Turks and Caicos Islands, a whistleblower, the Dodgers’ World Series win, escaped infected monkeys, Diane Ladd RIP, Dick Cheney's death, a musical father, a cruel joke, a scavenger grandfather, movie and TV themes, bass pedals, the Yamaha Electone organ, Berklee College of Music, the Nort

The novelist, filmmaker, and publisher of Dirty Magick Magazine is also a college professor and director of the absurdist band showcase "Escape from the Secret Lab." He spent years living in Beverly Hills with a rock star while hobnobbing with indie film darlings, writing screenplays, and accumulating massive debt. With his fourth novel "Midnight Brew" coming out this month, Charlie joins the Troubled Men to see if he can escape from the Christmas Club Lounge. Tune in and find out.   Topics include the World Series, the Maui Jazz and Blues Fest, Geritol, Halloween, a flight mishap, the No Kings protest, Wadzilla, the Unabomber, "Ted," the NBA cheating scandal, an imposter, Biloxi, Old Metairie, Jesuit High School, science fiction, a federal crime, WWOZ DJ training, USC, WTUL, Wavelength magazine, Henry Griffin, Nicky Katt, Adam Duritz, a flaneur, "Boiler Room," Vin Diesel, a nickname, a Rebirth Brass Band documentary, the Tipitina's Foundation, a Keith Keller story, "Looking Back On Sodom," Richard Rayn

The guitarist, songwriter, and singer with John “Papa" Gros, Adam Pearce, and Layla Musselwhite has teamed up with a supergroup of veteran sidemen as Captain Buckles, now celebrating the release of "Hurry Up," their first full-length album. Alex and bandmates Smitti Supab, Phil Breen, Rob Davis, and EZ Smith  are taking the wheel and are charting their own course. Tonight Alex sails into the Christmas Club and ties up with the Troubled Men. Any port in a storm. Topics include election results, Helena Moreno, sour grapes, a captured fugitive, a Mark Sanchez stabbing, John Madden, Diane Keaton RIP, “Baby Boom,” Speedy Sparks, Ft. Lauderdale, Pitbull, skateboarding, teen bands, RYTHMadix, a retired judge, moving to New Orleans, Lynn Drury, John Papa Gros, Jeff Beck, Spinal Tap, Harry Shearer, Tyler Clements, Dockside Studio, Justin Tocket, producers, Jake Eckert, Bobby Charles’ ghost, the Threadhead Foundation, Howard Huelfing, giant heads, the shillelagh, a new baby, and much more. Intro music: "Just Ke