This week, we're scratching The Itch to get with The Program [https://linktr.ee/BRKNLOVEMUSIC]! BRKN LOVE [https://www.brkn-love.com/] just dropped an excellent album by that name, and we talked all about it with frontman Justin Benlolo [https://www.instagram.com/justinbenlolo/?hl=en]. We discuss the recording and release rollout differences from their prior records, worrying less about how a studio recording will translate on stage, and how in relationships, we're often the ones hurting ourselves. Then The Itch gets further context about BRKN LOVE's memorable Shiprocked 2024 performance and Justin reveals the album to bury him with. Plus, a surprising genre tag, the allure of Charleston, South Carolina, and the Michael Jackson song that absolutely sucks. Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E265 Justin Benlolo of BRKN LOVE on Self-Reflection, Trainwreck Shows, and Translating the Studio to the Stage

This week, we're scratching The Itch to bloom! Aaron had quite an unusual adventure seeing Superbloom [https://linktr.ee/superbloomnyc] and Footballhead [https://linktr.ee/footballheadchi] at the Cobra Lounge [https://cobralounge.com/] in Chicago, so we had to discuss the oddities of the evening and how he might be the ultimate anti-wingman. But also, bands! Superbloom is a standout in the 90s rock revival, and Footballhead had the right energy to make a good first impression. Enjoy a brief interruption of our interview streak for a quick reminder that live shows are the best!

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E264 The Itch On Tour: Superbloom and Footballhead

This week, we're scratching The Itch for extreme behavior. Cody Hanson of Hinder [https://www.hindermusic.com/] joins us this week for what turns into a roundtable talk about Bring Me Back to Life, the band's first new album since 2017. He discusses what made the band decide to record new music after initially planning not to, how "Everything Is a Cult" in modern society, how the band has embraced the title of "divorced dad rock," and songs from their past that could've hit it big like "Lips of an Angel" ... if the timing were right. Along the way we pay overdue respect to Ian Thornley and Big Wreck and learn how many drum kits Cody has... and how many fish tanks Dan has. Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E263 Cody Hanson of Hinder on Divorced Dad Rock, Honest Songwriting, Longevity, and the Importance of Timing

This week, we're scratching The Itch to multitask! Blake Allison and Joey "Chicago" Walser formed Egypt Central [https://www.facebook.com/egyptcentral/] in 2002, then Devour the Day [https://devourtheday.com/] in 2012, and most recently have both become members of Pop Evil [https://popevil.com/]. Being together in so many bands for so many years, they've amassed quite a bit of wisdom and experience... and some pretty wild stories. And they're always interested in the next challenge or opportunity. Currently, that means the ambitious task of pulling double duty on Devour the Day's tour supporting Pop Evil. Join us for a great conversation on how these two longtime friends started making music together, and what they still aim to accomplish. Plus, someone almost gets shot over an energy drink. Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E262 Devour the Day on Border Patrol, Enjoying the Adventure, and Opening for Themselves with Pop Evil

This week, we're scratching The Itch for sci-fi! Lotta Ruutiainen of LUNA KILLS [https://lunakills.com/] joins us to discuss her band's new album DEATHMATCH, including a song that came together through a writing practice she never wants to try again. We also discuss her love for all science fiction, the decision for a Finnish band to sing in English, her literal rock star tattoos, and the joy of discovering Deftones for the first time. Plus, The Itch dares to ask about a band name origin, and Aaron is reminded that he needs to see Blade Runner. (He now has.) Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E261 Lotta Ruutiainen of LUNA KILLS on Sci-Fi, Discovering Deftones, Panic Attacks, and Lana Del Rey Tattoos

This week, we're scratching The Itch to be quitters! Gio and Jerrod of Giovannie and the Hired Guns [https://www.gioandtheguns.com/] join us to talk about their new album Quitter. We discuss the making of the record, Gio getting responsible, how Jerrod became a Hired Gun, and what is easily the most entertaining dream tour we've heard so far.

Plus, Dan fears for his life, a venue still struggles to win us over, and The Itch sees a country show. Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E260 Gio and Jerrod of Giovannie and the Hired Guns on Blending Genres, Getting Responsible, and Being Texan

March Bandness is live! The 5th Annual Itch Invitational Tournament features 8 first-time entries who dropped excellent albums in 2024. Vote here [https://bit.ly/25mb8] (or at the link in our IG bio) for your first round favorites and send 'em all the way to the championship! The winning band gets an episode dedicated to them, but you get the bragging rights for supporting the artists you love. The polls won't be open for long, so get your votes in and enjoy!

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

March Bandness 2025 Voting Is Open!

This week, we're scratching The Itch to talk with the Captain! Alan Koenig, founder of ASK4 Entertainment [https://www.ask4ent.com/] and its flagship event Shiprocked [https://www.shiprocked.com/] (see what we did there?) joins us to discuss the past, present, and future of The Itch's favorite festival at sea. Join us for some fascinating insight into how the festival was born out of a working relationship with Vince Neil, the excitements and challenges of booking a lineup, and how Alan avoids issues with font size on festival posters. Plus, a sneak peak into the Carnival Horizon, the cruise's new boat for 2026, and The Itch makes a pitch. Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E259 Alan Koenig of ASK4 Entertainment on Shiprocked Origins, Poster Fonts, and Building the Best Festival Lineup

This week, we're scratching The Itch to get sick! Disturbed [https://disturbed1.com/]'s all-time nu metal debut album The Sickness is 25 years old, and the band is playing it in full on tour. Alongside a now dual-fronted Three Days Grace [https://threedaysgrace.com/] and an always earnest Sevendust [https://sevendust.com/], the tour came through the Enterprise Center in St Louis... and so did The Itch. Plus, Aaron revisits an experience from last year, seeing a screening of Local H [http://www.localh.com/]'s film Lifers [https://www.instagram.com/local_h/], and this time KC joins him! This one's got it all: fire, cinephiles, unexpected but entirely welcome cameos, and a lot of love for St Louis. Enjoy.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

E258 The Itch On Tour: Disturbed, Three Days Grace, and Sevendust + Local H (again, sort of!)

This week, we're scratching The Itch for reggae metal! Nathan Aurora [https://linktr.ee/nathanauroramusic]'s band Aurorawave [https://aurorawavemusic.com/] released one of our favorite albums [https://open.spotify.com/album/1acLsezUzC1g63xfpngrta] of 2024, and he's putting the finishing touches on the exciting follow-up. Nathan joins us to talk about straddling the line between his reggae roots and his metal aspirations, his Crossed Heart Clothing [https://crossedheartclothing.com/] company, his approach to guest features [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIxJv_IGAHk&feature=youtu.be], and the time a baby was his biggest critic. Nathan is one of the most driven guests we've had, and one of the easiest conversations. Enjoy. And if you know a reggae keyboardist who can scream, send him Nathan's way.

If you like what you hear, you can hear more of us every Sunday night broadcasting rock to the masses from 6-9pm CST on KCLC-FM. If you're not in the St. Louis area, you can stream the show from 891thewood.com [https://www.lindenwood.edu/891-the-wood/kclc-hd1/], TuneIn [https://tunein.com/radio/891-The-Wood-s32063/], Radio.net [https://www.radio.net/s/kclc], and OnlineRadioBox [https://onlineradiobox.com/us/kclc/]!

And if you have the itch to hear some of the best new tracks in rock, follow our New Rock Roundup [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7CKwfFVN7myUbxXteAKWCH?si=e8cea38e15ab4bb5] playlist!

For any and all friendship, questions, inquiries, and offers of pizza, The Itch can be found at the following: Website: itchrocks.com [http://www.itchrocks.com] Facebook: Facebook.com/itchrocks [http://www.facebook.com/itchrocks] Instagram: Instagram.com/itchrocks [http://www.Instagram.com/itchrocks] Email: itchrocks@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening. If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a positive review and rating on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1512599997], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6pecfP5Mr6aotzL0dUjXsk], or Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/rock-matters-1196790] to help our audience grow. If you don't like what you hear, please tell us anyway to help our skills grow.

Our theme song "Corrupted [https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pmx9qwpO7VsB2P27gVKId]", is used with permission from the amazing Skindred [https://skindred.probitymerch.com/]. All other content is copyright of The Itch. All rights reserved, including the right to rock on.

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast [https://pinecast.com]. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-6cf77a for 40% off for 4 months, and support The Itch Rock Podcast.

E257 Nathan Aurora of Aurorawave on Features, Fatherhood, and Breaking a Reggae Band Into the Rock World

The Itch is a longtime rock radio show on 89.1 The Wood (KCLC-FM). Now its hosts have entered the podcasting world with rock news, reviews, and interviews exploring the deep connection between people and music. If it gets your head banging and your blood flowing, it's an itch we're here to scratch.