Troubled Men Podcast

The acclaimed violinist, singer, producer, composer, and musical saw master with Jimbo Mathus’ Squirrel Nut Zippers, the Late Greats, and Career Suicide spent years with the Asylum Street Spankers and various circus sideshows and burlesque troupes honing his punk-jazz-vaudeville aesthetic. The product of his musician father’s amateur genetic engineering project, he’s found a natural home in the subterranean excesses of the city. Dr. Sick joins the Troubled Men during the Days of Awe as they behold what the Lord hath wrought. Topics include a gig recap, Gretna Fest, Kerry Brown, hurricanes, a grocery remodel, laying teffilin, Bosco lost and found, Dave’s birthday party, dementia, Q-tips, leeching, Dr. Kevorkian, a musical family, Buffalo, the Singing Drakes, a one-room schoolhouse, a karaoke empire, a first violin, a first guitar, vintage drugs, Boston, bad habits, practicing, busking on Royal St., Spike Jones, “Weird Al” Yankovic, an answering machine message, taping the radio, Danny Elfman, Oingo Boingo, Foo

The musician, producer, and author of the new Continental Drifters bio, “White Noise and Lightning” started corresponding with band members Susan Cowsill, Russ Broussard, Peter Holsapple, and Vicki Peterson when he was 13 years old. Leading his own art rock band A Fragile Tomorrow with his fellow triplets, he forged a familial bond with the Drifters, including extended visits with band members, even opening shows for Vicki with the Bangles. With the recent publication of the book and tribute CD, “We Are All Drifters,” Sean joins the Troubled Men to fill in a few more pieces of the Continental Drifters puzzle. Topics include a new Mayor Cantrell-adjacent indictment, Fouad Zeton, an airline fracas, a seeping wound, airplane attire, a store lock-in, the Jane’s Addiction tour meltdown, Perry Farrell, podcast corrections, a Bosco presentation, Jack-in-the-Box, fast food, a book tour, the Subdudes, Raji’s, Carlo Nuccio, R.E.M., “Vermilion,” psychedelics, a record deal, Malcolm Burn, studio work, moving to Savannah,

The founding bass player, vocalist, and songwriter with hard rock veterans Suplecs (with Durel Yates and Andrew Preen) has also toured internationally as the bassist with heavy music heavyweights EYEHATEGOD. As proprietor of the Portside Lounge, he operated the premier tiki bar and Mardi Gras Indian headquarters in New Orleans. Decades working in the movie biz filled his free time. With this kind of cross-cultural resume, it was only a matter of time before he’d get dragged onto the Troubled Men Podcast to explain himself. Now that time has come. Topics include the House of Blues, brunch with Joey Buttafuoco, Heidi Fleiss, exotic birds, Billy Bob Thornton’s mynah bird, a carwash, Les Paul, missing Bosco, P. Diddy in jail, Tito Jackson RIP, Jack-in-the-Box, Naked Night at the Christmas Club, Brother Martin H.S., skate punks, Rick Nick in RZA, the Meters’ influence, slow music, Loyola U., big amps, Paul Webb, tuning down, Russell Batiste, the Slugs/Crowbar, a mystery package, Loose Change, Man’s Ruin Records, v

The Latin, soul, and jazz singer with Muévelo, Kumasi Afrobeat, and now Los Tremolo Kings journeyed from her Cuban parents’ D.C. home to New Orleans after a chance karaoke encounter launched her professional career. Guest co-host Jeff Treffinger (Tribe Nunzio, the Geraniums, Strawberry) joins René and Margie in the Feral Zone to trace her path back to the music of her roots. Topics include a musician survey, the mayor’s podcast, a parental warning, the Mermaid Lounge Reunion, a Kingpin show, Mario Monterosso, a Doug Garrison 40th anniversary, speaking Spanish, Cuban relatives, a family resemblance, travel school, the D.C. music scene, the 9:30 Club, synth pop, Suicide, “Cubist Blues,” Big Village at Jazz Fest, world travels, writing, the New Orleans lifestyle, the Fugitives of Funk, leading a band, dance music, Frenchmen St., paying dues, Brent Rose, Hugo Montero, Michael Skinkus and Moyuba, the divine, the M&Ms, Marigny Studios, Keith Keller, George French RIP, Tyler

The enigmatic singer and guitarist behind Big Ass Mustache and Strawberry Presents and drummer for Dolly Dillon with Jeri Cain Rossi has always possessed a quiet intensity on stage. Starting out playing on the streets of the French Quarter, he now fronts the reformed STRAWBERRY with Jeff Treffinger of the Geraniums and Tribe Nunzio on guitar. Tonight they join René in the Feral Zone to reminisce about the glory days of the Mermaid Lounge and Pussycat Caverns as they cast a jaundiced gaze on the future. Topics include a bar theft, Chris Lane, the Cramps at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, a worst state list, Lake Charles, summer camp, Tony Kushner, Norwich, a marching group, playing saxophone, the Dirty Dozen, jazz band, the wrestling team, boxing, “The Big Easy,” street musicians, Jeremy Lyons, a Bad Company party, Willie Dixon, house parties, Talley Mulligan, Greg Easterly, Soup Chain, single parenthood, a forced break, Glyn Styler, Kenny Claiborne, War Amps, a Siberia gig, a new band, cover so

The renowned dramatic soprano diva has spent decades performing at the highest levels of the opera world. Having studied at voice at NOCCA, she now teaches at Haute Ecole de Musique in Switzerland as a Professor of Voice and at studios around the globe. After a career soaring to the heights of European culture, Jeanne-Michèle returns to her old stomping grounds to join the Troubled Men as they plumb the depths at the Christmas Club Lounge. Topics include the start of school, new vocabulary words, a Fitbit, Pensacola Beach, Nixon, Quakers, the Olympic closing, a Biden visit, parking rage, Sex Dog groupies, family intrigue, music studies, theater, NOCCA, practicing, college, acting training, punk rock bands, the Hostages, ice cream, a dramatic soprano, Bert Braud and Lorraine Alfaro, Wagnerian repertoire, a diva, castrati, opera origins, Jodie Foster, “Adam,” ticket prices, Robert Wagner, video games, healthcare, the Swiss, the trashy side, the Three Tenors, Pavarotti, groupies, fan art, a st

The Grammy Award-winning singer, accordion player, and songwriter started his career as a teenager playing dances in his hometown of Crowley, La. Recordings with legendary producer Jay Miller led to a deal with Mercury Records and international acclaim as a powerhouse performer combining Cajun, Zydeco, and Southern rock. Wayne’s music has taken him around the world and back. Tonight he makes it big with the Troubled Men. Topics include bananas, an old girlfriend, a boil water order, a police car crash, coming indictments, a campaign pledge, White Linen Night, Will Smith, Anthony DelRosario, Turducken Productions, John Madden, Olympic track and field, Edwin Edwards, David Duke, a fais do-do, Michael and David Doucet, Amédé Ardoin, Milton Adams, Walter Mouton, oilfield work, Clifton Chenier, touring with Carole King, Jazz Fest, Sonny Landreth, Brian Brigand, Denmark, cultural exchange tours, Slash, Jeff Porcaro, Huey Lewis, hunting, Paris, fine wines, the Band Courtbouillon, Dr. John, and mu

The NY Times bestselling author’s latest book, “Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose and the Last Glory Days of Baseball,” has been hailed as a masterpiece of sports writing. An award-winning journalist who’s written for the Boston Globe, the Atlantic, and the Washington Post, he covered Manny Chevrolet’s first campaign for mayor of New Orleans in 2002 with an extensive feature in the Times-Picayune. Keith goes way back with the Troubled Nation. Tonight he returns to help the Troubled Men figure out where it all went wrong. Topics include remote A/C, a shopping list, the Olympics, new sports, naked fencing, doping, javelin catching, tipping, a Trump blunder, judicial term limits, an online beef, a history degree, school sports, Chicago papers, afternoon newspapers, a gluten allergy, Harry Lee, a longshot story, a rockumentary, an electrocution, a first book, a Nell Nolan story, a missing newspaper, a rural basketball powerhouse, “Fly Girls,” early female pil

The award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and singer began his career as Westbank Mike and the Fischer Project. He also plays with the Iko Allstars and the Desert Nudes. An arts education activist and mental health advocate, Mike has spent years promoting the healing power of music. Maybe he can help the Troubled Men. Topics include cold showers, old talk shows, Dick Cavett, Groucho Marx, Bob Crane, an assassination attempt, red blood, the Big Island Jazz and Blues Festival, Bastille Day, Dr. Ruth RIP, mayhem, Gentilly, Mike Vila, tablature, a Valencia dance, Dave Pomerleau, Jesuit High School, the Back 9, coffeehouse gigs, college, a psychedelic Jazz Fest, tripping at the Riviera Country Club, tattoos, the Apple Barrel, mentors, Walter Wolfman Washington, boundaries, musical children, the School of Rock at Red Rocks, Lynn Drury, Banks St. Bar, Carlo Nuccio, Derek Huston, a family tour, CR Gruver, peer-to-peer learning, a $100 sticker, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break and

The actor and comedian produced and hosted the Comic Strip burlesque show and was the emcee for the Fleur de Tease Burlesque Revue. Chris is also a film worker with a starring role in Henry Griffin’s free jazz comedy, “Mutiny.” Tonight the Valparaiso Men’s Chorus veteran joins the Troubled Men as they play it by ear. Topics include Essence Fest, the concealed carry law, the presidential debate, a hotdog contest showdown, a Gulf Coast trip, Paul Bongé, the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum, Bob Tannen, presidential immunity, SpeeDee oil change, Maine, the draft, Ann-Margret, Tulane, the New Orleans mystique, the Boy Scouts, the Smiths, Nicky Katt, dead people, the Sundance film fest, Royal Fingerbowl, “Blair Witch Project,” Rio Hackford, Doug Stanhope and Dave Attell, cheap rent, set painting, Steve Walters, Suplecs, Danny Nick, Chazfest, the Mermaid Lounge, Brendan Gallagher, Pat Cronin, “Comedy F-ck Yeah,” a Mardi Gras costume, and much more. Intro Music: "Just K

The acclaimed portrait artist and illustrator with the NY Yankees, the NY Times, and Madison Square Garden; friend of Dali, Ali, Frazier, and Roberto Duran; and tour photographer with Weather Report and Jaco’s Word of Mouth featured in episode 257 returns for a second round. It’s a free-associative gabfest covering art, sports, music, and a double vasectomy. Tune in to see who makes the cut. Topics include a Musicians Clinic party, Jeff Landry, the Ten Commandments, a Latoya Cantrell lawsuit, an old grad student, a wheelchair attack, a debate, Fat Beach Day, Jackie O, a spy pilot, Milton Glaser, LeRoy Neiman, Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Brent, Dr. John, Johnny Vidacovich, training camp, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Don King, a bad weight cut, MMA, the USFL, crooked sports, Tyson Fury, Norman Mailer, Dan Penn, Doc Ellis, Dick Cavett, Traffic, the Vegas Sphere, a Paul McCartney joke, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break and Outro Music: "The First Kiss Is Free" and "Flame On

The keyboard and guitar player with Southern rock powerhouse band Drive-By Truckers is also a pop music fanatic, having released a string of candy-coated solo records over his career. His latest collaboration, “Roll Up A Song” with “Space Ghost” writer Pete Smith, is a power pop gem garnering a 4-star review from Mojo magazine. Developing an affinity for the Troubled Men while playing on the latest Loose Cattle project, Jay uses a rare night off after a recent Truckers show to tip into Snake & Jake’s for some fellowship, frivolity, and hot pozole talk. Topics include Father’s Day, Jerry Lewis, Malevitus, Tiana Hux, Chris Champagne, Siberia Bar, Joey Chestnut, Kobayashi, a giant cupcake, the Civic, the Breeders, a U.S. tour, “Southern Rock Opera,” the Betamax, NY suburbs, Yankee seats, Joe Jackson, “Steppin’ Out,” Moving to Athens, the Datsun 510, country club gigs, Spooner Oldham, a Halloween gig, a job offer, Model Citizen, Dial Back Sound

The co-founding keyboard player and singer with the New Orleans Suspects spent years playing funk and soul music on the Southeastern club circuit before landing in town. Noticing a vacuum in children’s music training, he established two local branches of the School of Rock, where he passes on lessons learned over a lifetime on the bandstand. Tonight CR joins the Troubled Men for a masterclass in post-gig distractions. Topics include Pride month, shame, Galatoire’s, Michael Dominici, Alice Cooper, an assessment win, a Gardenia Moon recording session, Jerry West RIP, Bill Walton RIP, tornados, granny porn, Leon Medica RIP, redheads, Philadelphia, classical training, Rush, the Talking Heads, a school lunch set interrupted, a Dead cover band, a box truck, pay phones, fan mail, the Maple Leaf Bar, Frenchy, Kevin O’Day, Jake Eckert, the Usual Suspects, Willie Green, Reggie Scanlon, the Rhythm Shack Studio, Wet Willie, Eddie Christmas, a James Booker story, clown camp, Paul Green, “Rock Schoo

The DBA co-founder ran the Frenchmen St. nightclub and booked talent for over 20 years. Selling the iconic institution last year, he resurrected the beloved Chazfest, promoting 2024’s event at the Broadside along with several other shows through his New Suit Productions. Having worked in clubs his entire life, like the Troubled Men, Tom does some of his best work in the dark. Topics include a Sonny Landreth and the Iguanas tour recap, Sidney Smith’s birthday party, a Wet Willie set, Bosco, a roach farm, tenant issues, a sucker punch, prop guitars, the Hunter Biden trial, the Pope’s book, Hudson Valley, Bard College gigs, California living, DBA NYC, Kelly Keller, Geraniums gigs, Karen Brady, CC Adcock, powdered booze, competition, booking philosophy, Dana Colley, Michael Jackson, soundproofing, dying partners, the NIVA/NITA conferences, new ownership, tour cancellations, disc golf, a club owner’s poker game, and much more. Intro Music: "Just Keeps Raining" by Styler/Coman Break Music: "

The acclaimed writer and comedian has recently published his debut novel, “The Knights of Wade,” a comic tale set in New Orleans. Having written several successful children’s books, including “Jokes for Crescent City Kids,” his latest work has been favorably compared to “A Confederacy of Dunces” for its quirky local flavor. Tonight Mike encourages the Troubled Men to forego the knavery, and get on with some proper behavior. Results vary. Topics include a Jazz Fest recap, the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, tents, the outdoors, an emotional support alligator, a doctor’s note, Slidell, a school newspaper, LSU, a humor column, a crazy family, a youngest child, a class clown, Don Rickles, Jerry Seinfeld, a comedy class, Toastmasters, eulogies, Jerry Lewis, John Hinckley, Jodie Foster messages, the Comedy House NOLA, Ken Jeong, a construction project, an Angus Lind endorsement, Pelican Publishing, media and communications, Walker Percy, John Ken

The award-winning photographer and freelance journalist’s focus on New Orleans culture dates to her work for the legendary Michael P. Smith. While working as Gambit Weekly staff photographer, she’s chronicled the city’s contrasts and contradictions, producing images both comic and tragic, sacred and profane. Her new book, “The Danse Macabre: Celebration and Survival in New Orleans,” is a vibrant expression of this eternal ethos. Tonight Cheryl joins the Troubled Men to laugh it up as twilight descends. Topics include a men’s room, a Passover seder, Chazfest, a Kingpin gig, Jazz Fest, pedicabs, Heart, rescheduling weed, bong hits, Jude Acers, Baylee Badawy, Naked Gardening Day, the Marigny, Madisonville, an Amish father, the Half Moon, country life, an escape to college, newspaper jobs, New Orleans Magazine, Errol Laborde, Teresa Askew, an office job, teaching in Honduras, hepatitis, Mardi Gras Indians, Bruce Springsteen with the Iguanas, gutter punks, Chris Rose, death, goo

Musician and electrical/HVAC contractor Sage Maas and Narcissy guitarist/mastermind and registered nurse Jay Holland have been running partners going back to the heyday of the Mermaid Lounge. Sage survived a chaotic childhood to become a heroic and generous instigator. Jay is a guitar hero who plumbs the depths on stage and off, performing feats of derring-do that leave audiences stunned. Tonight, on the cusp of Chazfest, they double-team the Troubled Men for an over-the-top-rope Battle Royale. Everyone’s a winner. Topics include a dentist visit, a French Quarter Fest recap, Sober Sidekick, Flakka, O.J. Simpson B.I.H., Barry Scheck at the urinal, a late arrival, the mayor’s podcast, ear roaches, the electric chair, death row with Ted Bunny, Uncle Barry, artist parents, Kandinsky, a fashion designer, murder and mayhem, piles of cocaine, drug dealers, doctors, changing the mood, self-sacrifice, school therapy, a mother’s helper, a Virginia home, 9/11, a Mardi Gras Super Bowl, Alex McMurray, a

The master drummer with credits including Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, and Alison Krauss has completed his documentary film project,”Street Beat: Drumming Below Sea Level,” that examines New Orleans drummers and the second line tradition. Interviewing elders, such as Zigaboo Modeliste, Johnny Vidacovich, Carlo Nuccio, and Raymond Weber, and younger players, including Jason Marsalis and Stanton Moore, the film traces the roots of the form as well as its modern applications. Doug appeared on the last episode before the 2020 pandemic shutdown. Tonight, as the storm clouds gather, he returns to take cover with the Troubled Men. Topics include an Iguanas tour recap, the eclipse, Chinese glasses, Sonny Landreth, Dave Ranson, Brian Brigand, the mayor’s podcast debut, the Vagiplug lady, flooding at Zulu HQ, a Bob Dylan show, the Saenger Theater, the “Road House” remake, CC Adcock, Tommy McLean, the women’s NCAA Final 4, a returning guest, recent drummer deaths, Donald Mar

Brad Orgeron/Jack Orion is a 1st generation glam and punk rock singer and guitarist from the Contenders/Backstabbers and Aces 88 who started a band after seeing the New York Dolls, and was a witness to the local scene from its earliest days. Damien Youth is a reclusive, prolific psych/folk rock singer and guitarist who’s recorded over 50 albums of original music. Together they are the Belladonna Lovers. Tonight they join the Troubled Men for some Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf-style repartée. Topics include spring break, the stalker, coed uniforms, campus decorum, a cancelled visit, an armrest incident, the Mile-High Club, a recording session, a Tav Falco record, a mayor’s eviction, a mayor’s probation, “Poor Things,” Walters Prep School, the Captain and Tennille, Lakeshore Drive, Blue Cheer at Pontchartrain Beach, Jonathan Wolff, Harlot, the Sands, Steve Walters, the Normals, Russel Joubert, Ultrexx, Fat City, the Heartbreakers, Dino Kruse, the Sex Pistols in Baton

She’s a muralist and painter with work at the Audubon Aquarium and the Orleans Casino, as well as a burlesque performer and producer with the legendary Shim Shamettes, and leader of her own band, the Souvenaires. Max is a sensitive artist, who hopefully remains unsullied by her time at the Christmas Club with the Troubled Men. Topics include Friday Night Fights, a Pat Cronin memorial, an Ed Volker gig, a comedy show, a time change, the State of the Union, the Dixie Cups, Provigil psychosis, police rats, a jail break-in, ice cream, Mobile, Brunswick, an only child, art school, stripping, a cute club, auditioning, the Champagne Room, Las Vegas clubs, a punk band, the film biz, Carroll O’Connor, “Consenting Adults,” scenic painting, a Betty Page contest, Irving Klaw, Puddles the Clown, Richard Jewell, the Atlanta Olympics bombing, Blaine Kern, Stacy Hoover, sales, Paul Prudhomme, an Ernie K-Doe portrait, lounge music, public art, graffiti, Breaux Mart, Madonna murals, fishing camps, and m