The Hesh Files

Case 14: Adrien Contreras of Will Haven // Foreign Film

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Alright everyone, I don't know about you but I'm heading home for the holidays and hanging out with an old friend and neighbor! Join me and fellow bassist Adrien Contreras of the legendary Sacramento sludge metal band Will Haven as we look back on 30 years of touring the world- the most excellent tours to the most "bummer" tours, and to Burning Man and beyond.

You can find Adrien on IG @adrien_b_c

You can listen to and follow Will Haven on IG @willhavenband and follow them on YouTube @willhaven666

Case 13: Kevin Labarre of Kids on Fire // Dreadful Children

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Get in the van with Kevin and me as we commiserate over good times, bad relationships, and questionable decision-making. Celebrate with us as he starts his Fall Tour!

Kids on Fire are heading out on the road again and I'm sitting down with Kevin and talking all things from tour snacks and beverages, to the tricks and tips for staying alert on the road, and why being a drummer might be the best place to be in a band.

You can find Kevin on IG @labarrek

You can listen to and follow Kids on Fire and Dreadful Children on IG @kids_on_fire_seattle and @dreadfulchildren

Case 12: Steven Sessler of Elysia

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0800

On this episode I'm sitting down with one of my oldest friends and one of the best drummers behind the kit - Steven Sessler of Elysia. Join us as we reminisce about old times, tattooing, the elusivity of music, and Captain America being dead. Special shoutout to Thee Parkside in S.F.!

You can find Steven, and book him for tattoos, on IG @sess_world. You can find to Elysia on IG @elysia_ad and on YouTube @elysia_ad. Follow @theheshfiles on IG to see all the pics.

Case 11: Tyler Hoare of Blessed By A Broken Heart

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0800

We're putting the pedal to the metal today with Tyler Hoare of the most nostalgic radically eighties shred metal band in existence - Blessed By A Broken Heart.

Come along for the ride as we take a trip back in time to the days of MySpace and touring before GPS!

You can find Tyler, and book him for tattoos, on IG @tylerisahoare

You can listen to and watch Blessed By A Broke Heart on IG @bbabh and and YouTube @bbabhmusic

Case 10: Liam Joseph Cormier and Jackie Landry of Cancer Bats

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0800

It’s Friday the 13th and I’ve got a most delightfully spooky episode for all of you.

Join me and Cancer Bats as we light some candles, sketch some pentagrams on the floor, and manifest the greatest tour ever known.

You can find Liam on IG @treadwellclothing and Jackie on IG @murderallmillenials.

You can listen to Cancer Bats on IG @cancerbats and watch them on YouTube @cancerbatsofficial.

Case 9: Rick Jimenez of This Is Hell // Extinction A.D.

Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Alright heshers, heshettes, and everyone in between — this month we’re making our escape from New York with the help of Rick Jimenez.

Come along with us as we celebrate the 19th birthday of Sundowning and look back to some of those early tours.

You can find Rick on IG @rickishell

You can listen to and follow This is Hell @thisishellny and Extinction A.D. @extinctionad

Watch it all on Youtube @ExtinctionAD

Case 8: Schuylar Croom of He Is Legend

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Spring is in the air and we’re heading out east to a mysterious land called “The Triangle.”

Join the song and dance man himself, Schuylar Croom, and me as we take a trip down memory lane and talk the 20th anniversary of the seminal album I Am Hollywood.

We’ll also spend some time talking the “mental mind-fuck” that Covid was, as well as the lost art of holding a record in your hand and the tangibility of media.

You can find Schuylar on IG @crucialdude

You can listen to and follow He is Legend on IG @heislegendnc

Case 7: Tobin Bawinkle of Flatfoot 56

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Happy St. Paddy’s Day from The Hesh Files!

In this episode, we're raising a glass to the punk rock spirit of Flatfoot 56's vocalist, Tobin Bawinkle. Join us as we dive into some of the band's tour tales, covering unforgettable moments from Atlanta to Tokyo and celebrating the heart and soul of Celtic punk. This conversation is the perfect soundtrack to your St. Paddy's celebrations, so grab your pint and tune in for a hearty dose of Irish pride and stories you won’t believe!

You can find Tobin on IG @six_foot_ten

You can listen to and watch Flatfoot 56 on IG and YouTube @flatfoot56

Case 6: Sonny Tremblay of Blessed By A Broken Heart // Burn Halo // Blind Witness

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Are you feeling lonely this Valentine's Day? Perhaps you're suffering from a broken heart?

Well join Sonny and me as we put the pedal to the metal and travel back in time to 2012 to recall one of the most flawed (yet fun) farewell tours to disgrace this country.

From Montreal to Sacramento to Kandahar to Thailand, find out what happens when one drummer goes on a globetrotting journey to seek discomfort - and the *miracles* that follow.

You'll find out who kidnapped Batman in Alabama, how to sleep undisturbed in a Wal-Mart, and the only reasonably responsible way to mend a broken heart.

You can find, and hire, Sonny on IG @sonny_tremblay

You can watch his videos on YouTube @sonnyondrums

Case 5: Brett Duewel of Eazy Dub // Claire Wright

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 09:52:00 -0800

Happy New Year from The Hesh Files and Eazy Dub!

Join Brett and me as we roll one up for California and talk about the childhood dream of playing Cali Roots. sharing the bill with HR of Bad Brains, discover the best beach on the west coast, and talk the zen of Fela Kuti.

You can find Brett on IG @biggiebrett

And you can listen to Eazy Dub on IG @eazydubmusic and wherever you stream music.

Case 4: Remmington of Alanis Morissette // L7 // The Venomous Pinks

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:20:00 -0800

Isn’t it ironic that you’ve got all of this time off for the holidays, but you’re stressed out about traveling and seeing the family?

Well, if that’s the case, come hang out with Rem and me as we talk about the dogma of touring with “God”, uncover the true mystery of “The Thing”, and find out why Taco Bell is the true unsung hero of veganism for touring bands.

You oughta know by now that Rem is the best guitar tech this side of the Mississippi and she’s ready and willing for all of your tech and setup needs.

You can find, and hire, Rem on IG @rmmngtn

Case 3: Spooky Von Amduat of Spellgrinder

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:03:00 -0800

Happy Hesh-O-Ween from Spooky Von Amduat and me!

Light some candles, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, and put the kids to bed because this episode is one dangerous ride through Rib Fest and beyond.

You can find and listen to Spooky on IG @spellgrinder

You can watch their videos on YouTube @spellgrinder666

Listen responsibly.

Case 2: Todd Smailes of Suburban Life // Big in Japan

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 16:16:00 -0800

Come along with Todd Smailes (Suburban Life // Big in Japan) and me as we talk about touring in the early 2000’s, the post-apocalyptic Prada storefront, and how unbelievably long it takes to drive through Texas.

Huge thanks to Todd for doing all of The Hesh Files’ artwork!

You can find Todd on IG @tawdball, @toddballdesigns

You can listen to him @suburbanlifemusic

Case 1: Aaron Williams of Noi!se // Hilltop Rats

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 17:00:00 -0800

Get in the van for the maiden voyage of The Hesh Files as Aaron Williams (Noi!se // Hilltop Rats) and I unlock a core memory and talk about crashing with felons. And just be thankful you can’t smell this episode.

Massive gratitude to Aaron for being my number one forever.

You can find Aaron on IG @nastyunclemarkdffd

You can listen to him @hilltoprats

Get in the van, we're goin' heshin'

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 21:28:00 -0800

Dust off your hi-tops, throw on your backpack, and get in the van! We're off to find the strangest and most unusual tales from tour - straight from the mouths of the musicians themselves. Strap in, because we're gonna get weird.