Performance Anxiety

Today’s guest is almost like talking to myself from a parallel universe. Welcome Cento Threeo’s Don Cento. Don’s been creating music for decades in all kinds of ways, all kinds of styles, and in all kinds of roles. He played guitar about as seriously as any teenager until he ran across a flamenco guitar player who performed at his school. That changed everything. 

When he was considering colleges, there was an odd coincidence that set his path in motion. And it turns out that a relative ended up working at that same college a few years into Don’s time there!

He really had no plans after college but ended up falling into a graphics design career due to the needs of the bands he was in. He’s learned a lot from every band he’s been in. He talks about those bands, different genres, and how all of that has helped him in his career. He has formed a cool band called Cento Threeo and their debut album is about to come out. It’s called Halfway To Mellowtown and is filled with exquisite music. Don reveals the thought behind the band name and the reason they spend two whole days recording the album. So go check it out, order it on bandcamp, stream the music, and support awesome music like Cento Threeo. Check out centothreeo.com for more info and social media links, even though they’re pretty easy to find. Follow us @PerformanceAnx on socials. Grab merch at performanceanx.threadless.com or just send some money to ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety. And now, may I present Don Cento of Cento Threeo on Performance Anxiety on the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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Today’s guest began his career as a musician but worked his way behind the scenes, managing some of the biggest tours on the planet. Welcome Larry McNeny. He’s just released a book about his career as a tour manager called Blood, Guts, and No Glory. Larry discusses his early aspirations to become a rock star, his encounters with musicians including Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and the Bee Gees, and his work managing tours for various bands. He detailed his experiences managing Eric Clapton's early tours, including memorable moments like touring Europe on a train with Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters, working behind the scenes for The Band’s final show, which became The Last Waltz. He also shared stories about managing the Bee Gees on their world tours, working with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne (including planning their Maui wedding). 

Larry also talks about his philanthropic work, his many writing projects, and a whole lot more. This ais a fascinating look behind the scenes of some huge tours of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. And I want to thank our mutual friend, the incredible Mr. Simon Davies, formerly of Teen Cancer America, for connecting us. Check out Larry’s book on TCU Press. Find him on Facebook, Find us @PerformanceAnx of socials. Grab merch at performanceanx.threadless.com. Send money through ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety. Now grab a glass of Courvassier and get ready for a sampling of touring stories from Larry McNeny on Performance Anxiety on the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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This guest is NOT a musical chameleon. He’s a Johnny Iguana. And he’s the keyboardist/pianist for Chicago’s The Claudettes. They have a jaw-dropping new album coming out in June.But we start by talking about his early work. He’s got an unusual reason for starting piano lessons. Johnny talks about early bands and how he began playing for one of his heroes. He reveals why he left that gig and how he started The Claudettes. He tells me how the band got their name, working remotely for a high profile company for two decades before it became cool, and playing with two singers before Rachel Williams joined the band. Johnny talks about scoring for the hit show, The Bear, the importance of chord changes and we answer the age old question of “What makes post punk different from punk”? Give them a follow on socials. Go to theclaudettes.com for more information and links and preorder the new album, Garage Glamour. Follow us @PerformanceAnx on socials. Grab merch at performanceanx.threadless.com or just send money to ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety. And prepare to be blown away by Johnny Iguana from The Claudettes on Performance Anxiety; part of the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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This episode is a little different. It’s still about music, but from a very particular perspective. My guest is author Daniel Rachel. He’s written some fantastic books like Isle of Noise (about UK songwriters) and The Lost Album of The Beatles. His latest release may be his most controversial. It’s called This Ain’t Rock ‘n’ Roll: Pop Music, The Swastika, & The Third Reich. In it, Daniel explores the fascination musicians have had with Nazi imagery, symbolism, and paraphernalia. There are some connections you’ve probably heard of, like Jimmy Page and Lemmy. But there are others that you might not be aware of, like The Human League and Nick Cave. Daniel and I talk through how the British, especially in the 60’s and 70’s, used symbols as a way of mocking Nazi-ism. We also talk about a seeming resurgence in the symbolism, particularly through artists like Kanye West. 

The book gives facts and tells stories. But, importantly, it lets the readers draw their own conclusions. It was a fascinating read, especially if you like music & history. I recommend picking it up. It’s available from Akashic Books at https://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/this-aint-rock-n-roll-pop-music-the-swastika-and-the-third-reich/

Follow Daniel @danielrachelauthor on Instagram. Follow us @PerformanceAnx on socials. Grab merch at performanceanx.threadless.com. You can also send coffee funds to ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety. Now prepare for a history lesson with Daniel Rachel on Performance Anxiety on the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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Today’s guest is a legacy and I’ve had many of his family members on the show. Welcome Patrick Michot to the podcast. Patrick may come from a legendary Louisiana zydeco family but he’s forging his own path while paying homage to his family’s legacy. So this is NOT a zydeco episode. I’m so thankful that Patrick’s cousin, Louis Michot, introduced me to the music. It’s been a wild journey, listening to a cajun version of black metal. But that’s not all he does. How do ocarina and classical guitar covers of video game music sound to you? I KNOW! I thought it was awesome, too. I’m only scratching the surface here. If you like dichotomy, Patrick is your guy. He started playing triangle at age 3 in his father’s zydeco band. He switched to guitar and got into black metal. He moved from Louisiana to Dallas-Fort Worth and has been immersed in the black metal scene there for years. He’s even gotten recognition from one of his musical influences! He’s played in some non-metal bands. In fact, he made a suggestion in one of them that MAY have gotten him kicked out of the band!

This is a heavy, fun episode. I’m hoping you all enjoy it as much as I did. Go to extraterrestrial.network to get all of Patrick’s projects, contacts, and social media pages. Follow us @PerformanceAnx on socials. Merch is at performanceanx.threadless.com. Money for coffee can be sent to ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety. Prepare for some musical whiplash with Patrick Michot on Performance Anxiety on the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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