Explore every episode of the podcast (La)Chance Encounters

Al Benoit followed a genetically inherited love of art to becoming a tattoo artist at 15 years old. He went through many trials and wild adventures that brought him to where he is today as one of New Hampshire's best artists and an owner of two tattoo shops. Learn all about what it takes to become an artist and hear Al's takes on the culture and industry as it is today. Al shares some hilarious, and sometimes truly unbelievable stories as we unwrap his history as an artist and a person.

Go get tattooed by Al. Look him up @manchesterfirm on Instagram!

On each episode of Sick of Talk, Keith Freeman(Restraining Order/Intidimation/Machines of Hate) and Alex LaChance(Yellow Stitches/DrugxTest/Ignorance) break down one of their favorite songs and chat about the memories it sparks. 

On this Epsisode we are talking about the Gorilla Biscuits classic, New Direction

I was lucky enough to spend some time on my recent trip to Skankfest New Orleans chatting with one of the best acts I saw in the little room all weekend. I was really curious to pick JP's brain on the inner workings of booking and promoting comedy shows and building a consistent repeatable model to host banger show after banger show. It was a super insightful, although maybe very nerdy, conversation and anyone who is trying to promote themselves or a business could learn from JP.

Follow JP @thejpleonard on instagram and if you find yourself in Louisiana go to www.lafayettecomedy.com. There is sure to be a show you will enjoy!

You know Keith and Alex from Restraining Order and Yellow Stitches respectively as well as a pile of other bands. On Sick of Talk they break down their favorite songs and the songs that mean the most to them.

In this episode they go deep on several classic tracks by the notorious Merrimack Valley(Massachusetts/NH) hardcore band, Hammer Bros.

*Warning: if you've ever been offended/disgusted with a joke, skip this one*

On January 20th 2026 at the Shaskeen Pub 4 comedians will battle it out in a game show where they have to defend despicable takes and the audience will be the judge of who is did the best.

For more info, complete list of performerd and tickets click this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wrong-hill-to-die-on-1-tickets-1860461242659?aff=oddtdtcreator

Follow the comics on this episode on Instagram
@603_real_estate
@nicksandspresents
@derekzebra
@knthulhu

Big Mike(no last name needed in his circle) struggled with his own addiction issues for most of his life and learned that there are so many underlying issues that lead to substance abuse and addiction. He then learned how and where our traditional systems have failed so many people and now currently works every day to help people stay alive, heal and find their ways to a better life. This was a fantastic and informative conversation that I hope a lot of people listen to and try to learn from.

He's been a friend of mine for well over 2 decades and would give anyone the shirt off his back to help. If you're struggling with an addiction or mental health issues, don't hesitate to reach out to Mike.

To help people like Mike do these great things donate to www.harmreduction.org

Instagram:
Mike: hardcore_harmredux
Alex: 603_real_estate
Pod: lachanceencounters

Ritchie Bruiser stopped by to tell some wild stories from his early days in the skinhead scene, joining New Hampshire's legendary oi band The Bruisers and life on the road in Europe with Madball and Blood for Blood.

Ritchie has been battling lung cancer for some time now and he shares what it's like to go through the treatments.

Help Ritchie here: https://gofund.me/014c64d32

Follow on Instagram 
@ritchiebruiser
@603_real_estate
@lachanceencounters

Comedian Robert “Bobby” Kelly joins Alex at Skankfest 2025 in New Orleans for a fast, funny, and  honest conversation about comedy, podcasting, and the world of real estate. Bobby talks about why he loves  New Hampshire, the things real estate agents do that irritate him, how podcasting reshaped the career of stand-up comics, and the chaos and beauty of Skankfest. 

🎧 Listen to Bobby Kelly:
• You Know What Dude
• Bone to Pick • The Regz
• The Bonfire on SiriusXM

Find him on Instagram: @robertkellylive

Follow Alex @603_real_estate and the podcast @lachanceencounters

On this episode we are talking about Keith's 20 bands, "selling out" and business in hardcore, life on the road and more. 

Catch the last shows on the Koyo/Restraining Order tour and stream Future Fortune, everywhere. Listen to the new Indimidation album and look out for new stuff from Grem soon. 

@keithxawake
@restrainingorderhc
@grempunk413
@intimidationoi

Pete Morse is an artist, comedian and entertains large crowds with pyrotechnics. Pete hosts a comedy open mic at Candia Road Brewing on the second Thursday of each month.

Go see his art on display at Seesaw.Gallery, 66 Hanover St. Manchester, NH November 8th - 30th. @see.saw.art_ on instagram for more info

Follow Pete on instagram @gravelhound00

Hire him for comissioned art and graphic design

I had a great time talking with Josh Wright about a plethora of things he's involved in. Check out the Storybook Ball on Saturday November 15th at The DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester, NH. They are still looking for sponsors as well.

www.chadstorybookball.org

Josh is also involved with other charitable organizations and heavily involved with development and improvement in the city of Manchester, NH. Take a listen to hear all about it. 

Chuck and I talk about the beneifits of local businesses supporting each other, the impact of tarriff's on coffee shops across the US and growing up punk rock.

Follow Brothers Cortado on instagram: @brotherscortado 

Visit them and tell Chuck (La)Chance Encounters sent you! 

3-5 Bicentennial Square, Odd Fellows Ave. 
Concord, NH

Keith and Alex talk about whatever comes to mind while listening to this American Oi classic from New Hampshire's own, The Bruisers.

Follow us on Instagram: @keithxawake and @603_real_estate

This week I'm talking with Nick Sands about his run for town council in Derry(which spirals into national and global politics), social media content/marketing, not using condoms, baseball and so much more. Nick and I spend a lot of time talking to each other in general and have podcasted together several times, so we are great at it. Give it a listen.

Go subscribe to nicksandspresents on YouTube​

Alex, Kyle, Brandon and Fat Man reminisce about times on the road and other behind the scenes stories.

New songs out soon.

Don't miss Yellow Stitches at For the Children, Boston on December 7th

Search (La)Chance Encounter on YouTube for video. 

Aaron and Alex talk about life as a middle class professional musician and what it takes to get there, Aaron's personal journey as a professional musician, touring, playing on letterman, his kid's classes, kid's music festival, his adult(but mostly safe for kids) project, Bosey Joe and so much more.

AND... 

The first ever live musical performance on (La)Chance Encounters

Check out his youtube channels  ⁨@MrAaron⁩  and  ⁨@boseyjoe⁩ 

Follow him on instagram at: @mraaronmusic @boseyjoe and go to www.mraaronmusic.com for all his upcoming events.

Alex, Kyle, Brandon and Fat Man reminisce about writing your favorite Yellow Stitches songs and the stories behind them.

New songs out soon.

Don't miss Yellow Stitches at For the Children, Boston in December

Search (La)Chance Encounter on YouTube for video. 

Dan Haggerty is now a chronic restaurant founder. His bar, Industry East in Manchester, NH quickly outgrew is small stature delivering amazing eats and fun drinks and Dan moved on to a similar concept in a bigger space called Stashbox. His next endeavor leads him to a sober bar, the first of its kind in Manchester, NH called, Without. 

We also get into Dan's time with Since the Flood and his experience touring the world. 

Instagram:
@industry.east.bar
@stashboxnh
@without_nh

Keith and Alex talk about a NYHC classic. We discover that we've both covered a lot of Agnostic Front songs. Alex tells a story of his first interaction with Vinny Stigma. Ice Cube gets an honorable mention and much more.

Follow @keithxawake and @603_real_estate on Instagram to stay updated on New Episodes and follow (La)Chance Encounters on YouTube for the audio versions

I sat down with Dan McIntyre of Western Massachusetts hardcore band, Revenge and now a striking coach for pro MMA fighters. I learned a lot about Dan's journey from a difficult childhood and horrible trauma to a positive lifestyle and success in many ways. Thanks to Dan for really opening up. I think people who are struggling with similar pasts really need to hear this stuff. If that's you, please realize you can overcome whatever it is you're going through. Its not easy. It takes work. But you can win the fight.

No official (La)Chance Encounters this week. This is the story of my visit to Lithonia, GA to purchase a van from ebay and the first time, as a straight white male that I was every in the minority.

So many people tell me they've tried "everything" and they've done it "a lot" and nothing's working. If that's REALLY true fine, quit! its probably not though. Try and be REALLY honest with your self. As a real estate agent you are your own marketing department. If you worked in marketing you'd work on marketing for 8 hours a day EVERY DAY. Think about that and then ask yourself if you've REALLY done enough to drive a year's salary worth of business to yourself. If you haven't spent 20 hours a week for a year trying to find leads and create business for yourself, you still have no idea if this career will work for you. GET TO WORK.

Fallon shows Alex that he might actually know a thing or two about art and we hear all about what goes into curating a gallery or a museum. We talk about the importance of art in society and hear all about the the biannual Concord Sound and Color festival, that I really loved and was surprised to find out Fallon was involved.

https://www.pillargalleryprojects.com/ 
https://www.fallonrae.com
https://concordsoundandcolor.com/ https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC45bMk8IrGN4ouc_0rE94IQ

@byfallonrae on IG
@pillar_galleryprojects on IG
@concordsoundandcolor on IG

Dante shares the ins and outs of running a pop up restaurant, he shares some great insight on being an empathetic boss, he announces that Deadproof will have a brick and mortar location soon and we talk A LOT about the things we love pigging out on.

Follow @deadproofpizzaco on Instagram 

https://www.deadproofpizza.com for the menu, locations and ordering.

Jason Bonilla is a current Manchester, NH bilingual school board member, a son of an immigrant and incredibly thoughtful and caring man. He's now running for Ward 5 Alderman in Manchester. Too many local politicans lurk in the shadows and rely on their name recognition as an incumbent to carry them to victory in elections. Jason is out there showing who he is and trying to help the community. 

Follow his journey on Instagram: @bonilla4mht and learn more about him at www.bonilla4mht.com

Tom is currently a 9-2 pro MMA featherweight and about to embark on a new journey with PFL against Matt Turnbull(9-6) on August 1st, live on ESPN+. We talk about the realities of trying to make it as a pro fighter, the evolution of the sport and I make a bunch of 20-30 year references the whole time.

Follow @tompags on instagram and slide into his DMs to get a private lesson and learn how to fight!

The BEST and most BEAUTIFUL guest I've ever and will ever have, Erin LaChance talks about her journey as a beauty professional that led her to being a business owner and the best permanent make-up artist(I'm biased, sue me) in the Granite State. Check her out at www.browsbyerin.com and www.ornatebeautystudio.com.

Ornate does permanent make-up(lips and brows), esthetician services such as lash extensions and waxing, permanent jewelry and so much more. 

They are soon to be located at Queen City Center, 215 Canal St, Manchester, NH. 

Follow @browsbyerin_ and @ornatebeautystudio on Instagram to see examples of Erin and her team's fantastic work.

On this episode Keith and Alex talk about their love of legendary Manchester, NH hardcore band, Word for Word and the memories associated with the band. The reunion is September 12th 2025 at The Shaskeen in Manchester, NH. Go to @manchesterhardcoreshows on Instagram for more info.

Christian is an ambitious young man making great strides in media, entrepreneurship and even as a touring performer. I hear a lot of people in my parent's generation saying "the kids don't want to work anymore", but DJ REKLSS is doing everything in his power to buck that notion. 

On this episode we learn about a really great charitable giving organization and the ins and outs of the insurance industry.
Next Guys Who Give a Sh!t Meeting:
Wednesday June 25th 2025 7:00PM
Pembroke Pines Country Club 45A Whittemore Rd, Pembroke, NH 03275
Bring a $100 donation

Comparion Insurance Agency
70 Commercial St. Suite 301 Concord, NH 03301
Sean direct: 603 369 5226
sean.kelly@comparioninsurance.com

Nick and I cover everything from business ownership to homelessness to the changing landscape of the Manchester, NH economy to nightlife culture to the therapeutic use of fungi with an overarching theme of bringing businesses together as a community to help grow and better their communities. Every city would benefit from a Nick, and we are blessed to have him in the granite state.

Chris and I go deep on regional hardcore, discovering under ground music, the inner workings of the car sales industry and whole lot more.

A little departure from the usual this week. My daughter has big dreams of performing for a living someday, so I figured I'd give her a little taste of being interviewed like she will be some day when she's famous. I played her a few of the songs from my youth and let her react. I shot this one my self with inferior cameras to what I normally use and with out my expert producer who makes sure the sound is good so it's a little rough, but It was a lot of fun!

Lauren Kimball launched Main Street Tourist out of her home in Manchester, NH in 2023 and quickly became one of the leading Disney inspired small shops on the internet. We get into the challenges of starting a small business, the stress and mental health issues that come with it, juggling parenting with business and some fun stuff about Disney World. Check her out on instagram @mainstreettourist and https://themainstreettourist.com/

Tom is a licensed pilot, BJJ blackbelt, cold plunge enthusiast, real estate investor and still sells a TON of real estate.

On this episode we go pretty deep on the topic of working as a real estate agent and opening your own brokerage. Crystal is the owner and managing broker of East Key Realty. She's a lot of things to me: supervisor, mentor and sometimes psychologist, but most of all she is a friend often filling the role of second big sister or mother(even though she's only got a couple of years on me!). I'm not sure I'd even still be in the real estate business had I never met Crystal and I was truly grateful that she took the time to sit down and record an episode with me and I'm grateful to have her in my life every day!

Keith and Alex break down "Dead at Birth" by one of, if not THE greatest band of our era, Connecticuit's own Death Threat.  We talk about how we both discovered Death Threat and how they've been an integral part of our time in hardcore. We discuss the lyrics that reflect how so many of us that found our way to agressive music, truly feel inside. 

It was a pleasure to chat with Zak about his prospects as a D1 football player having been ended by kidney failure, his experience with make-a-wish and his new pursuit as the greatest human to ever slap another human in the face. 

Tiny homes, accesory dwelling units, commerical real estate, family and more on this weeks epsiode with Jessican Stevenson of Kinstruct Tiny Homes. 

Keith and Alex tell stories of their experiences getting into Sick of it All as kids and eventually being their contemparies. 

A 20 year friendship, some laughs, some hijinks, a man getting run over by a truck and living to tell the tale and a whole bunch of car talk. 

Keith and Alex break down a classic early 2000s Boston Hardcore track. Alex tells stories about the DrugxTest diss track about Lockin Out Records. 

Courtney and I talk about the functions of a Title Company, the different roles in the real estate business and her career as a division 1 NCAA volleyball player. 

First of a new format on (La)Chance Encounters. Each week Alex and Keith Freeman from Restraining Order will listen to and analyze one song, talking about what it means to them and any personal sotries related to the bands. We had some technical issues on this first one(actually the first 4, so bare with us), but I'm running it out here anyway because, punk rock. Eventually we will have full video on youtube. I also lost like half of the song, but thats probably better for copyright issues anyway?

This week we talk about "Minor Threat" by Minor Threat. 

Mariah and I talk business and I spit everywhere. 

Mike came by to promote his upcoming Production, High School Dropout at the Laugh Attic(Strange Brew Tavern 88 Market St. Manchester, NH) and we chat about hating comedy, Kanye West, Old Sitcoms and More!

Alex and Anna talk about the challenges of launching, running and growing a small independent brand and Anna also gives some insights from her time as a Hollywood Actress. 

Josh and Alex chat about doing what it takes to get the job done for clients, building relationships and the role of image in the real estate industry. 

Kevin and Alex chat about the challenges of working in the real estate industry; from learning the basics, to finding business, to managing stress once you have too much business. Thank you for joinging us!