High Fives Punk Rock Podcast

It is a special treat when you can look back on a band’s last release and think wow they went out on a high note. Sadly, this isn’t the case a lot of the time. Before a band breaks up we are often subjected to fragmented work but hey there is a reason they broke up right?  Then there are those bands that went out truly on top and left us with an album that stands the test of time. Episode 76 is about those last hurrahs. Take a listen to some of the bands and albums that Nate and Mike thought went out at the top of their game and then get your list in too!

It is the last bit of 2021 and that means music lists galore and in our case it means another year end episode featuring some of Mike’s favorite albums from the past year. So get ready for some awkward solo banter and great music. Take a listen, check out the bands and then send in your picks so we can check them out.     

Last episode of the season! Looks like we made it after all. For episode 74 Nate and Mike have decided to go out on much lighter tone than our previous episode and explore those clever titles that got us interested in checking a song, album or band out. Sometimes, they are funny, witty, ridiculous or just clever enough to garner your interest. So have a listen and then send in your list of crafty song titles

Death isn’t always something we want to explore or think about but ultimately, we are all forced to face it at some point. With all that is going on in the world we decided now would be a good time to explore some of the songs we enjoy that deal with this very topic.  So, episode 73 is all about songs that deal with death as the subject matter. As you can imagine some of this might be too heavy for some of you and if that is the case we understand skipping this one. If not then please have a listen and then get in your lists in.  

Welcome back! After a month long hiatus we are back at it. This time we discuss songs about famous people. Yup we got lazy and it is a broad ranging topic.  So that means it can be about a celebrity, a historical figure, a musician, an athlete or even about some local chud with some sense of notoriety. Anyway, glad you stuck around , hope you enjoy the episode and can’t wait to see what you come up with  for your list. 

Remember when conspiracy theories were fun and exciting? Long before they became overtly polarizing, it could be fun to think about the “what  ifs” surrounding these stories and mysteries.  Does Sasquatch like to party hard? Are aliens bringing the stoke or are they totally lame? And what’s the deal with lizard people and Ovaltine?   Episode 71 is our dive into some of the songs connected to conspiracy. So put on your tinfoil hat and take a listen to the songs we chose that touch on those crazy or not so crazy theories.  Remember the truth is out there.  Oh yeah and we would love to hear your list and maybe your favorite theory/mystery. So send them in.

It is June which means it is time for our annual episode “best of (insert year) so far”  It has been another crazy year and with so many great releases out there we figured we might need a guest to get a better grasp of what has come out. So Nate and Mike invited Darren Ollinger of Julius Sumner Miller to narrow down our picks for best of 2021 so far.  Take a listen to our picks and then get your lists in too.

One of the signs of a great song is when you want to turn the volume up no matter how many times you have heard it. And with summer coming and the future finally looking bright, we wanted to pump up the volume on some of our favorite jams. Episode 69 is all about the songs that make you want to turn it up loud. So take a listen to some of the bangers Nate and Mike love to crank up the volume for. Then send in the tracks that you love loud.

We all know the memes. We have heard the jokes and the ska shaming. Well Ska is more than a one liner about picking it up. It is a rich genre filled with diversity, history and great jams that deserves its kudos on the podcast. And what better way than to invite an expert to help us out, Nate and Mike sit down with Aaron Carnes whose book “In Defense of Ska” is set to drop in May 2021 and aims to give support to a genre that for no good reason has been the brunt of mockery after a pop culture resurgence in the 90s.  So please sit back, relax, put on episode 68 and get ready to feel good about Ska. Then get your list in and don’t forget to pick up In Defense of Ska which is available via Clash books and Amazon. You can also check out Aaron’s killer podcast also called In Defense of Ska. 

There is something poetic and idealistic about hitting the road and playing shows with your friends and band mates. Punk rock perhaps more than most genres lends itself to a unique aspect of touring. At the very heart there is a grass roots DIY ethos. There are networks of like-minded bands and individuals throughout the world and touring only strengthens that community. And while touring has its share of mishaps, broken vans, crummy venues and shady promoters one could argue that these trials only add to the mystique of being on the road or at very least gives way to some great songs about these moments. While most of us are still unable to catch a band, play a show, or hit the open road, there is a light at the end of this dark highway and we are closer to seeing our friends again. Which brings us to episode 67. Nate and Mike sit down to discuss some of those songs written about being a band and hitting the road. Take a listen and then get us your lists.

The sophomore album is always a tough one for a band. Sometimes the expectations are too high. Other times there is a tendency to do too much.  There are some fail miserably and some that play it too safe. But there are those times when the second album hits the sweet spot. Episode 66 is all about the bands that avoided that sophomore jinx and knocked it out of the park.  So have a listen to some of our picks and then get your list in too so we can all share in the fun.  Stay cool, stay safe and be excellent to each other

Well another year has come and gone which means a new season of our podcast.  And since 2020 was such a messed up year we decided we couldn’t move forward without revisiting it one last time.  Kind of like listening to that mixtape your ex made for you one last time before you close that chapter on your life.  The past year gave artists no shortage of writing material and time and there are bound to be countless nods to it in music for years to come so we thought we should take a look at a few that caught our ears. Episode 65 is about those songs, albums and bands born from the chaos of 2020. So get ready to dive back in and remember to send in your lists.

Check out 40 albums Mike thought were Rad in 2020 in this 2 part bonus episode

So here we are again. Another year is almost over and I’m here trying to come up with a concise list of albums to call my favorite of 2020. As usual this task was much too difficult for me. And I want to include so many artists, albums and songs so you can check them out too.  But who would listen to a 6 hour podcast? Not me.  So, I’ve had to make some rules. No singles or EPs and nothing outside of the usual genres that we talk about on the podcast.  No ranking and try to keep the talking to a min.  This left us with 40 albums that Mike loved in 2020. So check it out and hopefully you discover some new music you missed out on. 

Check out 40 albums Mike thought were Rad in 2020 in this 2 part bonus episode

So here we are again. Another year is almost over and I’m here trying to come up with a concise list of albums to call my favorite of 2020. As usual this task was much too difficult for me. And I want to include so many artists, albums and songs so you can check them out too.  But who would listen to a 6 hour podcast? Not me.  So, I’ve had to make some rules. No singles or EPs and nothing outside of the usual genres that we talk about on the podcast.  No ranking and try to keep the talking to a min.  This left us with 40 albums that Mike loved in 2020. So check it out and hopefully you discover some new music you missed out on. 

Welcome to the last episode of the year and it is a big one. A two part extravaganza featuring the one and only Joel from the myage podcast and the high fives reply cast.  As many of you may know this past November our little podcast and Joel’s podcast held a record challenge entitled the HighAge Record challenge via our Instagram sites.  Episode 63 is a look back at that challenge and the choices we made.  We broke it down and selected 5 of the topics and explained our picks.  So sit back and take a listen and if you are feeling like it send in your list.  See you in January (unless you listen to Mike’s bonus year end episode) and thank you for listening and giving us something to look forward to.  Stay cool, stay safe and be excellent to each other. Love Nate and Mike of the High Fives Punk Rock Podcast.

Welcome to the last episode of the year and it is a big one. A two part extravaganza featuring the one and only Joel from the myage podcast and the high fives reply cast.  As many of you may know this past November our little podcast and Joel’s podcast held a record challenge entitled the HighAge Record challenge via our Instagram sites.  Episode 63 is a look back at that challenge and the choices we made.  We broke it down and selected 5 of the topics and explained our picks.  So sit back and take a listen and if you are feeling like it send in your list.  See you in January (unless you listen to Mike’s bonus year end episode) and thank you for listening and giving us something to look forward to.  Stay cool, stay safe and be excellent to each other. Love Nate and Mike of the High Fives Punk Rock Podcast.

A special bonus episode collaboration with our friend Joel of the My Age Podcast discussing the #highagealbumchallenge starting Nov 1 2020.

2020 has sucked for many reasons and sometimes you just need to take a step back and smile. Episode 62 is about the songs that make you smile even in these dark times. So take a listen to some of the songs that make Nate and Mike smile. Then get your lists in and share the smiles with all of us. #songsthatmakeyousmile #punkrockpodcast

Are you ever listening to an album and then all of the sudden you hear a new voice? Like the time where the drummer who 3 albums in has never even shared a backup vocal. But now it is album 4 and there they are front and centre singing a song for what you can only assume is the first time. Maybe it is that one song where the guitarist who up until now may have been responsible for some oohs and ahhs is now pulling lead vocal duty and that song shockingly rips. Episode 61 is all about those tracks not sung by the “lead singer”. So take a listen and help Nate and Mike welcome THE OTHERS to the party

Here in little old Calgary, the dog days of summer are upon us, the nights are getting colder and soon we will be huddled inside hiding from the dark winter. But alas there is some good news it appears that we will have a new Tony Hawk game to keep us occupied in our hibernation. Remember how rad Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 and 2 were? It allowed posers like Mike and Nate to finally do some gnarly skateboarding all from the safety of the couch or your friends bean bag chair. And better yet it came with a killer soundtrack filled with punk rock goodies. So with the re-release of Pro Skater 1 and 2, we sat down and discussed what songs would be great additions for a Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack. So put on your pads, grab your skate and let’s go. But first check out the new The Ativans track “Back to the Start” off their upcoming album Hymn’s For Wizards Castle