In this casual, catch-up-style episode, Evan and Aaron return after a brief hiatus, joking about a lost recording that was supposedly their “best episode ever.” They cover a wide range of topics, from parenting hacks like using a Skylight calendar and keeping wet wipes in the car, to home tech discussions on Ring, Blink, and outdated alarm systems.

The conversation takes a fun detour into Dr. Squatch products, with a hilarious dive into man-scented soaps, deodorant horror stories (especially with Old Spice), and Sydney Sweeney’s viral bathwater soap collab.

Aaron drops a major life update: after 23 years at his previous job, he’s now working at Printed Threads, a company he’s admired for years. He talks about the transition, the exciting creative opportunities, and how it aligns with his passion for band merch and community-based work.

The episode shifts into band and merch strategy, touching on:

• Why most tribute bands miss out on merch sales
• How Dick Buildings and So Long Goodnight are building fan loyalty through creative, nostalgic designs
• Upcoming shows, including a multi-band metal fest at Haltom Theater
• Booking philosophies, venue frustrations, and what makes tribute bands appealing in today’s live music scene

They round out the episode with some laughs about Tool tribute drama, Facebook group politics, and the idea of starting a YouTube reaction channel—a “totally original” concept, of course.

There are moments that split life into clear before and after segments. For Evan, that moment came on a late October night when, driving home after a Halloween weekend show, he encountered headlights coming straight at him on the freeway. In this raw and emotional return episode, we break our five-month silence to share the story of the devastating wrong-way collision that took the life of Evan's fiancée Chelsea and left him fighting for his own survival.

Through unfiltered conversation, Evan walks us through the accident night, waking up in the wreckage with a broken body, and the months of intensive hospitalization that followed. His medical journey was nothing short of harrowing—shattered bones, abdominal trauma requiring complete opening of his torso, wound vacuums, ostomy bags, and the unpredictable complications of fistulas. Christmas Eve marked his hospital discharge, but true recovery was just beginning.

What emerges beyond the medical narrative is something profoundly moving: an outpouring of community support that manifested in a benefit concert raising over $50,000, with countless people—many strangers—coming together to ensure Evan could keep his home while healing. We meet the paramedics who saved his life and unusual became part of his story, the surgeons who rebuilt his body, and the found family who never left his side.

Most powerful is Evan's candid reflection on grief itself—how trauma and survival mode delayed his mourning process, the complex emotions of returning to a home "frozen in time," and finding meaning in music again by returning to performing perhaps sooner than advisable. Through it all runs a current of profound gratitude and a determination to honor both Chelsea's memory and the second chance he's been given.

If you've ever wondered about the human capacity for resilience or the power of community in crisis, this episode will remind you what truly matters when everything else falls away.

After a brief hiatus, we’re back! In this episode, we catch up on everything that’s happened over the last three weeks. Evan dropped a big announcement—he’s engaged! He shares the exciting details of how the proposal went down during the Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, with drones, fireworks, and even a glowing skull firing lasers, making for a wild but magical moment. There’s a fun side story about how he managed to pull off the surprise proposal without Chelsea catching on, despite some well-played “hints” from her best friend.

We talk about wedding planning, and how quickly the conversation has shifted to "When’s the date?" Evan shares his early thoughts on planning, including the desire to make the day special without it feeling cookie-cutter. We also dive into the pros and cons of big traditional weddings versus more personal and unique celebrations.

The episode is rounded out by discussing recent band events. We touch on some smaller gigs that didn’t go as planned due to bad timing. There’s also a bit of reflection on the joys of playing unplugged shows and how acoustic sets are growing on us.

In this episode, we dive into our recent experience playing an acoustic set at Hop Fusion, a refreshing change from our usual plugged-in, high-energy shows. We discuss how the stripped-down format allowed us to explore new takes on familiar songs, like "Spiderwebs," which we turned into a rhythmic, bouncy tune with a ska flair.

We reflect on the benefits of doing acoustic sets, including the chance for more interaction with the crowd and the intimate, inviting atmosphere that it creates. It's a nice break from the usual, high-decibel performances and something we hope to do more often. We talk about wanting to develop an acoustic circuit with a few shows a year to keep things fresh.

The conversation also turns to future plans, both for our acoustic endeavors and for the band’s growth overall. We discuss the idea of putting together a mailing list to keep fans in the loop about upcoming shows, but we acknowledge how time-consuming it is to juggle everything between gigs and other commitments.

In this episode, we kick off with a very casual Sunday recording, where things are a bit more chaotic than usual—kids in tow, last-minute schedules, and an easygoing vibe. We talk about SLGN's recent show at Texas Live after a Rangers game, where the excitement of the game carried over to our set. The post-game atmosphere was electric, and we were all buzzing from the fun we had on stage.

We also delve into the current state of streaming services and the rising costs of daily life, like groceries and fast food. We joke about the nostalgia of past deals, like Arby’s 5 for 5, and how those days are long gone. Meal prepping becomes the hot topic as we discuss how it’s becoming a necessity to save money. We even get into the weeds of our favorite “guilty pleasure” fast food spots and their prices.

Our conversation shifts toward the challenges of raising kids today and the generational differences in parenting styles. We touch on the different ways we and our partners grew up and how that influences the decisions we make for our own families. There’s a bit of humor around kids’ reactions to things we used to take for granted, like commercials and pay-per-view events.

As we chat about the importance of music education, we reflect on our kids' musical journeys. We discuss their experiences with learning instruments, like drums and piano, and the struggle to keep them interested as they grow older. There’s a hope that they stick with it, knowing how transformative music can be.

In this episode, we dive into venues and the rollercoaster of playing live across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We share stories about some of the best places we've performed, like The Backyard at Texas Live, where the staff treat us like family and the production quality is top-notch. It's one of those rare spots where everything just clicks—from the comfortable green room to the powerful sound system.

We also talk about how important it is to build strong relationships with venue managers and staff. It’s not just about drawing a crowd; it’s about making sure the people who work there enjoy having us around, which has led to some great opportunities, like playing post-Ranger game shows. On the flip side, we discuss some of the challenges with smaller venues, where things can get a bit nitpicky and high-strung over minor details. It's interesting how the size of a venue often reflects the vibe of the people running it.

Reflecting on the local scene, we note how the cover and tribute band industry seems to be growing, thanks to a heavy dose of nostalgia. We touch on a few places we'd love to play in the future—venues that pay well and offer perks like hotel rooms, which isn't always the case here in DFW.

We end by talking about the energy exchange with the crowd. Whether it’s a few people up front dancing their hearts out or a full house cheering us on, that energy fuels us to give our best every single time. At the end of the day, we’re here to make sure everyone has a great time, whether they're rocking out up front or chilling at the back.

In Episode 7 of the Echo Play Podcast, the hosts broadcast from the Ridglea Theater in Fort Worth, where they discuss playing a private event in the Ridglea Room. The conversation weaves through various topics, including memories of playing at the Ridglea, the history of the venue, and the challenges and rewards of performing at private events, particularly weddings. They share humorous and insightful stories about past wedding performances, including how guests from larger weddings often migrate to their smaller, more fun events.

The hosts also delve into the intricacies of working in the music scene, comparing the challenges of original bands versus cover bands in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They reflect on their own experiences with DJing weddings, handling wedding planners, and the financial realities of working in music as they get older. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the changing music industry, the impact of social media on success, and a desire to bring in more guests for future episodes to explore these topics further.

In this lively episode of the Echo Play Podcast, the hosts dive into the albums that have left a lasting impact on their lives. They kick things off with a discussion about Blindside's "Silence", a record that still sends chills down their spines. The episode then shifts gears to explore albums like Killswitch Engage's "Alive or Just Breathing" and Glassjaw's "Worship and Tribute," both of which played pivotal roles in shaping their musical tastes.

The team doesn’t stop there; they go on to share personal stories linked to these albums, reflecting on how they’ve influenced not only their music preferences but also key moments in their lives. The episode also features a special guest appearance by Paul, who adds his insights and memories into the mix, making this episode a true walk down memory lane.

Tune in to hear the Echo Play Podcast crew get nostalgic about the music that defined them, and stay for the stories and laughs that follow! Whether you're a fan of heavy music or just love hearing about the good old days, this episode has something for everyone.