Brian Lacy

THE AUDIOECLECTICA PODCAST: EPISODE 20- COMEBACK ALBUMS

It’s been a minute since there was a new Audioeclectica Podcast episode! And here we are now, a year into the all new Audioeclectica Podcast. Can’t believe it’s been a year already. This episode is our “Don’t Call It A Comeback Episode- Comeback Albums”

On this episode myself (Brian) and my co-host Justin, get into the nitty gritty of bands and their comeback albums. We discuss albums by Alice In Chains, Failure, Neurosis, Poison The Well, The Smashing Pumpkins, At The Gates, Faith No More, Soundgarden and so many more.

Grab your favorite spot and sit back for an hour while we get into all the fun!

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ALBUM REVIEW: FAILURE- LOCATION LOST

The idea of making an “album” these days seems to escape most bands. While so many are so focused on the quick song or short attention span fans, Failure have returned with their seventh album, Location Lost, and remind everyone why making an album is so important. 

Location Lost is an album that shows Failure at a vulnerable and fragile state that draws from personal, societal trauma and issues. When you put this album on and the crisp sound comes bellowing out of your speakers, it’s a passionate and deep presence felt. There truly is magic between the music created by Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kellii Scott. Each brings in a unique batch of influences and styles thus creating a tour de force of music and art. 

Across nine songs and forty minutes, Failure does what they do best, rock! The album opens with “Crash Test Delayed” a delicate space rock song that incorporates the bands early post punk/new wave influences. For a moment you can feel like it’s 1986 but, then realize it’s 2026. “The Rising Skyline” is a beautiful mellow-dramatic piece. The collaboration with Hayley Williams is the perfect choice. Her vocals on the second verse and then intertwined with Ken and Greg’s voices, is stunning! “Solid State” picks up the energy and glistens like a twinkling star. “The Air’s On Fire” is a gem. It’s one of those songs that makes you turn up the volume. You know where too. “Halo And Grain” strikes you with a grabbing bass line that lets you glide into quite the melodic treat. “Someday Soon” is another in the post punk/new wave song, with a sweet twist of melody and delicate pulsating rhythm. The title track “Location Lost” is another treat. It has an almost Magnified era vibe to it as well. “A Way Down” is going to be a classic in the bands catalog. There’s such a fun to this song that it really makes you want to play this one while “taking a ride, with your best friend.” Closing this album is “Moonlight Understands.” The unfolding subtleness allows you to drift along into a fuzzy state that leaves you contemplative.

For those that are new to Failure, this album might not grab you at first. Stay with it though as everything you enjoy about Failure is here in this album. As I mentioned earlier, their post punk/new wave influences shine throughout. Even the production of the album pulls from some of those early albums. If you have a really great set of headphones, put them on while listening. You’ll get a whole other listen out of it. It has been talked about that this could be the final album for the band. If so, it’s a real delight to hear the honesty and passion of Ken, Greg and Kellii. I sincerely hope there is more to come from Failure. For now though, Location Lost has now been found with Failure. 

Overall Rating: A

By: Brian Lacy

FAILURE- LOCATION LOST:

AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: RYAN STUBER (TREDICI, ex SHUVEL)

This is quite a fun and exciting interview to present to you all. It’s with great excitement that Audioeclectica shares this very in depth interview with Ryan Stuber from the band Tredici. You might also know Ryan from the band Shuvel, and if you’ve been to the Roxy Theatre in the last fifteen plus years, you saw Ryan there as he was the manager! We go into all the details of Shuvel, their time on Ozzfest 2000, tour stories, time working at the Roxy, musical projects through the years leading up to his new band, Tredici. So, get to your favorite place to listen, grab your favorite beverage and listen to this great interview with Audioeclectica and Ryan.

AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: RYAN STUBER (Tredici, ex Shuvel):

OTHER LISTENING OPTIONS:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/luckystarradio/audioeclectica-18-shuvel-tredici-ryan-stuber

CREDITS:
Host: Brian Lacy (Audioeclectica)
Co-Host- Justin Sinclair (Sinister Reviews)

Interviewee: Ryan Stuber of Tredici

Background Music: Vufcup

Distributed By: Lucky Star Radio

TREDICI’S LATEST SINGLE- BUTTERFLIES:

AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: JOHN BUSH

I’m very excited to bring you this interview. A few weeks back myself (Brian) along with my podcast co-host and friend Justin, had the opportunity to interview John Bush of Armored Saint/Category 7/ex Anthrax. We talk about growing up in Los Angeles at a very interesting time, Armored Saint, joining Anthrax and working with them, and of course, the John Bush plays Anthrax shows! Thank you John for taking the time! What a great show it was too! Our recap of The Whisky A Go Go show is here too! If you get the chance when it comes through, go see John Bush play his era of Anthrax songs. Seriously, it’s so damn good!!! Now, enjoy the interview below!!

Audioeclectica Interviews: John Bush:

STREAM THE INTERVIEW WITH OTHER OPTIONS BELOW:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/luckystarradio/audioeclectica-17-john-bush

SHOPPING WITH AUDIOECLECTICA: CD TRADER- TARZANA, CA

Who doesn’t love a good shopping excursion?! Especially when the store more often than not has what you want, need, and probably shouldn’t buy. Any excuse for me to go to stores like that is a no brainer. On this shopping with Audioeclectica trip, we venture to Tarzana, CA in the San Fernando Valley to, CD Trader.

CD Trader has been in business for over 30 years and is one of the largest record stores in the greater Los Angeles area. They have quite the large selection of CD’s, vinyl, cassettes, DVD/Blu-Ray, and then some that will keep you busy as you search the aisles and shelves. Seriously, you could spend a lot of time in this store. The vinyl section is filled with quality new and used releases. Each section is organized by genre and stored well. The vinyl area has vinyl on the top and bottom to search and there are a lot to go through. The 7” section is a fun one to search through as here you’ll find some interesting gems. The walls surrounding the store are filled with choice picks from first pressings to autographed copies and some that will make you want to say “it’s only money.” The DVD/Blu-Ray section takes up a good half the store on against the surrounding walls. If you are a physical media person like myself, you’ll definitely want to stock up on movies here. This section is always full of great films and movies be it a silly one for $3 or the newest release for a good price. There is always something to find in this section even if you weren’t originally looking for it. And who can forget their CD section. Lots of choices and good prices for the used ones. The prices throughout the store are good and fair. Their long running stamp card program will get you a few dollars discount once filled. That’s always a handy thing to have! Parking is great too. There are plenty of spots up front and behind the building. CD Trader is a big and bright store that you can see what you are looking at. And on those hot summer valley days, the A/C works well! Another fun thing about this store is their community bulletin board. You’ll find out about a lot of great local events on here including Cobalt Presents shows!

I can spend a lot of time at CD Trader digging around for things on my list and the random things that aren’t. There is a lot good about this store but, that’s not to say there isn’t room for improvement. The vinyl section, as good as it is, can be a bit tough to search through at times. There are a lot of albums on the bottom shelves and while they are in alphabetical order, they aren’t very well sorted and organized by band. Also, if it’s busy in the store and section, it feels like you are being stepped on when searching the bottom rows. I do have a few ideas on how to make this work better along with an organizing it a certain way (I’m more than happy to share with the owner/manager). Sometimes when you’re shopping, the in store music choices that are played are pretty strange thus making for a bit of a weird trip to the shop. And this part doesn’t apply to all that work here but, there are a couple people that work at CD Trader that have an “elitist” vibe. It’s mainly only when you are checking out and the guy or guys give your purchase “that look” or a little off handed comment.

All in all though, CD Trader is a great store with good prices, a solidly good selection and best of all, it’s local and independent! The next time you are in the valley, stop by CD Trader and tell them Brian from Audioeclectica sent you!

By: Brian Lacy

CD Trader Info:

18926 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356

http://www.cdtradertarzana.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cdtrader/?hl=en

COLLABORATIONS: YUNGBLUD & THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- ZOMBIE

Every so often a mainstream artist really surprises me. For a while now, I’ve had my hear and eyes on Yungblud. When I first heard him in 2018, I wasn’t too into what he was doing. Then as time went on and the evolution of Dominic Harrison grew, I could tell that there was more than what was happening at first. Deep down, you could tell he wasn’t going to sit idly by and let others dictate where he was to go. So instead, Yungblud/Dominic committed to his vision and went for it. The end result is the album Idols. Since I don’t believe in guilty pleasures anymore, I have to say this album is quite enjoyable and full of rather interesting songs that explore more than just a surface level that pop music usually does. Instead, digging into the bands and artists that fed into Dom becoming “Yungblud” makes Idols a great listen. The song “Zombie,” and no it’s not The Cranberries song or a cover, has really taken things to another level. The song is now nominated for a Grammy and has an all new, reimagined version that features The Smashing Pumpkins. Since this alternate version with The Smashing Pumpkins arrived last week, I’ve been stuck on it. The original version of “Zombie” already had a Pumpkins gloss to it and now, it’s fully realized with this collaboration. When Billy Corgan sings the lyrics and especially the second verse, the chills and goosebumps will appear! If you get the chance to, check out Billy’s interview show, The Magnificent Others, and watch the couple interviews he’s done with Dominic/Yungblud. They are great intereviews and gives a really good insight into who he is as a person and artist. This kid is the real deal and I’m quite interested to see what comes next! And who can forget his absolute stellar performance of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” at the Back To The Beginning concert!

YUNGBLUD and The Smashing Pumpkins- Zombie:

By: Brian Lacy

2025 READERS POLL RESULTS

Welcome to 2026 and another fantastic year of Audioeclectica! While 2025 was quite the interesting year for the world, musically it was a solid year of great albums from bands new and older. The amount of new music I heard, the shows I saw, I’m pretty stoked on what 2025 was for music. That being said, 2026 is already shaping up to be a great year for music. Before we start the fun of 26, here’s the results from the 2025 Readers Poll. Thank you to everyone that reposted, shared stories, told friends, and of course voted at the end of the day! Below are the results based on comments left and messages sent.

Cheers To A Wonderful 2026!!

See you all on here or at a show!
Brian

And Now The Results Of The 2025 Audioeclectica Readers Poll:

Best Bassist: Sunny Faris- Blackwater Holylight

Best Drummer: Art Quanstrom- The Owling

Best Guitarist: Kal Michael- The Owling

Best Guitar Duo: Mike Repasch-Nieves/Joel Reynolds- SOM

Best Vocalist: Sean Ingram- Idle Heirs

Best Producer: TIE: Josh Barber- Idle Heirs and James Hammontree/Sanford Parker- Black Magnet

Best Album: TIE: Idle Heirs- Life Is Violence and The Owling- You Don’t Bow, You Will Learn

NOW GO LISTEN TO THESE BANDS AND ALBUMS!!!!

AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: HEAVY HALO

A couple weeks ago I got the chance to talk with the band Heavy Halo. Their album, Damaged Dream, came out earlier in 2025 and has not left my rotation. I’ve been really intrigued by this band. Their mix of industrial/electronic music along with 90’s alternative is infectious and gets your blood pumping. Heavy Halo will be on tour next year with My Life With The Thrill Kill Cult. Definitely go check them out!

And now, enjoy this conversation with Heavy Halo!


OTHER STREAMING OPTIONS:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/luckystarradio/audioeclectica-15-heavy-halo

2025 END OF THE YEAR LISTS: BEST BASSIST

What a great year 2025 has been for music. So many great albums, tours, songs, you name it. And now the time has come for…

The 2025 Audioeclectica End Of The Year Lists begin with the list for Best Bassist. As always the stipulation for this is that an Album or EP had to be released in 2025.

Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.

This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!

01) Hunter Burgan- AFI
02) Matt Bellinger- Nine Necks
03) Jim Baglino- Deadguy
04) Sunny Faris- Blackwater Holylight
05) Sacha Dunable- Guiltless
06) Justin Forrest- SOM
07) Sydney Moore- The Anti Groupies
08) Jordan Olds- Blood Vulture
09) Kemble Walters- Chevelle
10) Zach Cooper- Coheed And Cambria

AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: ANDY KNAPP OF SNOT / STRONGER THAN MACHINES

THIS IS AN AUDIOECLECTICA EXCLUSIVE

Hi! I’m very excited to bring you episode three of The Audioeclectica Interview Series. On this episode we are joined by Andy Knapp the new singer of Snot as well as the singer of the band Stronger Than Machines. This is Andy’s first interview since becoming the singer for Snot and I couldn’t be happier to present this to you all. Listen to the interview below and be sure to check out Snot and Stronger Than Machines!

I will be at the Snot show at the Glass House on December 5th! Hope You Are Too!

The Audioeclectica Interviews Episode 003: Andy Knapp (Snot/Stronger Than Machines):

Click Below For More Streaming Options:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/luckystarradio/audioeclectica-14-snot-andy-knapp

SNOT ONLINE:

https://www.instagram.com/snotband/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/SnotOfficial/

STRONGER THAN MACHINES ONLINE:

https://www.instagram.com/stmofficial/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/p/Stronger-Than-Machines-100063632820821/

Episode Credits:


Host: Brian Lacy (Audioeclectica)
Co-Host: Justin Sinclair (Sinister Reviews)

Recorded and Produced By: Brian Lacy
Co-Produced and Edited By: Diggy Kat

Intro Music: Brian Lacy (And The Streets Were Silent)
Background Music: Vufcup

Andy Photo: Istvan Bruggen

Distributed By: Lucky Star Radio