My Warped Life – Details, episodes & analysis

Everyone’s life was changed after their first Warped Tour experience, especially in the case of Christian Picciolini. Christian is a former American extremist who, after spending time with people from the Warped Tour, founded the Free Radicals Project, to prevent extremism and help people disengage from hate movements.

Christian explains how easy it is to pulled into these hate organizations because they prey on people in unfortunate situations and people who are desperate to find their purpose: “you don’t looking for them, they come looking for you.” Christian discusses what he does now to help break people from these groups and how others can help too. Plus, he and Kevin share their positive perspective on how the future can always be brighter.

Read Breaking Hate: Confronting the New Culture of Extremism by Christian Picciolini HERE

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Featuring:
Christian Picciolini (@CPicciolini) - Author, Founder of the Free Radicals Project

If any of you have gotten a tattoo while at the Warped Tour, don’t tell Kevin… Or his insurance agent! This week, Kevin shares his opinions on tattoos from Warped, tattoos in punk rock, and tattoos in the workplace by catching up with three of his friends whose lives have been changed by tattoos.

Kevin talks with Ink Master’s Oliver Peck, who traveled with Warped Tour for years giving tattoos without ever getting permission. Plus, Kevin asks Scott Alderman about his experience creating the Tattoo the Earth Festival, a massive tour that only lasted one year, and why it led him to write his book, Caravan of Pain. Also, Kevin catches up with Nathan Madden, a founding member of STAPAW (Supporting Tattoos And Piercings At Work) to hear why the organization started and the incredible impact they’ve had on the policies of major corporations.

Buy Caravan of Pain: The True Story of the Tattoo the Earth Tour
Join STAPAW

Use Code “KEVIN” on DRINKWEIRD.com to donate 100% of the proceeds from your order to Unite the United.

Featuring:
Oliver Peck (@OliverPeck) - Tattoo Artist, Entertainer
Nathan Madden (@STAPAW) - Founder of STAPAW
Scott Alderman (@TattooTheEarthFestival) - Founder of Tattoo the Earth Festival

Getting it done by any means necessary, by hook or by crook. That is the Brooklyn way. Hear a true 'rags to riches' story as Kevin catches up with a long-time friend and renowned Brooklyn artist, Michael McLeer, better known as Mr. Kaves. Mr. Kaves grew up on the streets of Brooklyn trying to figure out how to use his creativity and artistic skill to make a name for himself. He achieved large fame as a graffiti artist before turning his attention to MC’ing and rapping as the frontman for the Lordz of Brooklyn. After a few years on the Warped Tour and the loss of his mother and sister, Mr. Kaves realized he was growing out of the scene and turned his attention to starting a tattoo parlor and a pizza shop in Brooklyn. Since getting off of the road, Mr. Kaves has continued with his art and recently found 7-figure success after partnering with Doodle Labs on an NFT project titled ‘The Family Mooks.’ Kevin also gets a word from Mr. Kaves' long-time wife and partner, Donna, as well as an explanation from the founder of Doodle Labs, Matthew Dweck, on why he wanted to partner with Mr. Kaves in the first place.

Featuring:

Michael McLeer (@MisterKaves) - Lordz of Brooklyn Frontman

Donna McLeer (@DonnaMcleer) - Art Director, Editor

Matthew Dweck (@MattDweck) - Founder of Doodle Labs

When CDs went out of style, so did making money from music sales. For years, artists have had to come up with creative ideas to support their careers, especially an artist following the Warped Tour. Whether it be working the Warped BBQ, starting a makeshift bar, or even baking cakes, artists will always find a way to make money using their skills and the things they love. Kevin catches up with 4 different bands to hear how they’ve paid their bills during times when the money wasn’t rolling in. Plus, Kevin talks about one of his passions turned career as he discusses the ever-changing culture at USC and this unique time to be an educator. Featuring: Josh Cruz (@JoshuaCruz43) - Vocalist/Bass for Cold Forty Three Moises Cruz (@MoisesCruz43) - Vocalist/Guitar for Cold Forty Three Dave McWane (@David_Mcwane1) - Frontman for Big D and the Kids Table Carlo Ribaux (@CarloRibaux) - Drummer for Victory Kid Jennie Cotterill (@JennieBakesThings) - JennieBakesThings, Vocalist/Guitar for Bad Cop/Bad Cop

Ever wanted to go camping in the outbacks of Australia? Kevin reunites with the Production Team and the athletes from the Warped Australia Tour to explain why most people should not even try! The artists, crew, and athletes were having the wildest time of their lives- riding in tourism buses, avoiding poisonous spiders, and trying to stop Fletcher from flying a plane. Kevin and the gang explain why this was one of his favorite tours from his career, and how impactful it was to the punk rock community in Australia by inspiring a new generation of show producers and promoters. If there's anything the US and AU have in common, it's a love for skating, surfing, and punk rock!  

Featuring:

Rick Thorne (@rickthorne) - Pro BMXer & Musician

Andrew Tatrai - Production Manager

Kerry Nicholson - Production Manager

Kelley Electa (@kelleyelecta) - Production Coordinator

Neal Hendrix (@nealhendrix) - Pro Skater

Chris DeMakes (@lessthanchrisd) - Singer/Guitarist for Less Than Jake

Joe Escalante (@joey.escalante) - Bassist for The Vandals

A 10 foot tall labia, a hyper-realistic murder room, and of course, a missing goat head. Just in time for Halloween, Kevin explains what all these things have in common… they were all a part of one of his greatest failures, The Great American Nightmare. In 2013, Kevin partnered with Rob Zombie on a haunted house experience based around Zombie’s films and the punk rock of the Warped Tour. Actors were beaten up, families were scarred, and Kevin was losing money by the hour. Hear perspectives from Kevin’s accountant, Matt Malles, and two of his closest employees, Kate Truscott and Dakota Gartner, as everyone describes this traumatic experience. To wrap up the episode, Kevin interviews Maggie Schneider, an artist who blew up on TikTok with her incredible Warped Tour mashups and asks her to play a couple of her most popular tracks. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show and follow us on Instagram! 

Featuring: 

Dakota Gartner (@DakotaGartner) - Coordinator for 4fini Inc (2012-2016) 

Kate Truscott (@k8dtd) - Sponsorships & Marketing for 4fini 

Matt Malles (@ska987) - Accountant for 4fini 

Maggie Schneider (@ItsMaggieSchneider) - Frontwoman of Glimmers

Every year, over 30,000 bands compete in a nationwide competition to see who has what it takes to be the next Battle of the Bands champion. The Warped Tour & Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands has been an integral part of punk history for decades. Kevin interviews the current and former CEOs of Ernie Ball, Sterling and Brian, to discuss just that. Sterling details the lessons that his father passed on to him before he was able to take over the business. He and Brian compare how different things were when Sterling took over versus when he passed it down to his son. And Sterling explains how Ernie Ball became a household name and the role that the NAMM show played in establishing his brand. The Ernie Ball Stage managers, Ryan and Justin, explain how hectic things could be while transporting a giant inflatable stage across the country while putting on a dozen concerts or more in a day. Plus, Kevin chats with a few bands who played the Ernie Ball Stage, Mayday Parade and Jaret Reddick from Bowling for Soup to relive the sensation of starting from the bottom of the lineup to becoming a regular headliner.  

Featuring: 

Sterling Ball (@ErnieBall) - Former CEO of Ernie Ball 

Brian Ball (@flashnball) - CEO of Ernie Ball 

Ryan McLain (@ryrymc) - Ernie Ball Director of Marketing 

Justin Baumann (@jus10baumann) - Ernie Ball Mobile Stages Manager 

Derek Sanders (@longdaysandpleasantnights) - Mayday Parade - Lead Vocals, Guitar 

Alex Garcia (@maydayalex) - Mayday Parade - Guitar 

Brooks Betts (@brooksmayday) - Mayday Parade - Guitar 

Jaret Reddick (@jaret2113) - Bowling for Soup - Lead Vocals

Gritty in Pink is a new organization focused on creating gender equality in the music industry. Kevin invites its founder, Shiragirl, to discuss the disparities in the industry for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Shira had started the Shiragirl Stage on the Warped Tour with a focus on empowering girl bands and queer artists such as NO/HUGS and Plasma Canvas, while following Kevin's philosophy- "never judge people, just be a kickass band." Kevin also catches up with one of his favorite girl bands, The Randies, to hear some of their favorite and craziest moments from the tour, like seeing a plane crash and countless amounts of roadkill! Finally, Kevin and Tony sit with Wendy from Poca's Hottest Hot Sauce, to hear about her unique hot sauce recipes and most memorable collaborations. Don't forget to text us episode ideas and comments at 818-863-6445 or through @MyWarpedLife on socials.  

Featuring: 

Shira “Shiragirl” Yevin (@shira_girl, @grittyinpinklife) - Founder of Shiragirl Stage, Founder of Gritty in Pink 

Narcie (@nohugsband) - NO/HUGS Front Woman 

Adrienne Ash (@plasmacanvas, @plasma_queen) - Plasma Canvas Front Woman 

Laurita Guaico - (@lgi_wan) - The Randies - Guitarist 

Sienna DeGovia (@siennadegoviastudio) - The Randies - Bassist/ Lead Singer 

Laura Cataldo - (@lilcat1111) - The Randies - Guitarist 

Wendy Davis (@pocashottestsauces, @thebonnieandcassieshow) - Master of Peppers & Puppets 

Biata Shem-Tov (@biatatata) - Events Producer, Kevin’s Ex-Student

If you've ever seen the skaters hitting the vert ramps at Warped Tour you've probably seen our guest this week. Kevin is joined by Steve Caballero, one of skateboardings biggest legends, and Emily Nielsen, the founder of Punk Rock & Paintbrushes. Listen as they tell stories from the road and of how they all got involved with the warped tour community. Also, Kevin discusses the idea of redemption as he explains that some of the biggest partiers he knew have turned their time to creating art and improving lives. Plus, our charity this week is The Nowell Family Foundation, focusing on preventing drug overdose and working through addiction, especially in the punk rock community. As always, please feel free to text us episode ideas and comments @ 818-863-6445. 

Featuring: 

Steve Caballero (@SteveCaballero) - Skateboarder, Artist, Guitarist for URETHANE 

Emily Nielsen (@romanticrockemily, @PunkRockAndPaintbrushes) - Founder of Punk Rock & Paintbrushes 

Jim Lindberg (@JimLindbergPW) - Vocalist of Pennywise, Creative Director of Beachlife Festival 

Kellie Nowell (@NowellFamily) - Executive Director of The Nowell Family Foundation

If you know the Warped tour you’ve seen an act or two at one of the side stages. What you probably didn’t know was whether that stage was actually part of the tour or if it was set up without permission! Hear the stories that led Kevin to eventually learn how to use the word “No” as he catches up with some legendary DIY stage managers to chat about their greatest successes and worst memories from running a stage. From fights, to riots, to weather destruction, every stage had its own vibe and its own experiences.  

Featuring: 

AJ Bartholomew (@ajbartholomew4) - Guitarist/Vocalist for AllurA/Eyes Set to Kill 

"Big" John Krishack - Guitarist for SweaterGirl, Host of "EventSpeak" 

Zach Neil (@therealzachneil) - East Coast Independence Stage Manager 

Ray Picard (@raydingo) - Smartpunk Stage Manager 

Kenneth Kleege - Mobile Fleet Manager for Kleege Industries Inc.  

Nick Martin (@nodirectioncasa) - Sleeping With Sirens - Guitarist 

Shane Culpepper - Transform Stage Manager