Ghost Jams & "Fake" Bands: Inside the World of TopHouse
On this episode of the Tone Mob Podcast, Blake is joined by Jesse and William of Top House for a conversation that starts with a ghost in the machine and ends somewhere between band mythologies and pizza philosophies. They unpack the chaotic beauty of songwriting, the grimy reality of touring (spoiler: pee when you can), and why having a fake country band called “Cornfield Boys” might just be the secret to creative freedom.
The trio riffs on everything from the dark arts of social media algorithms to the metaphysics of string tension, with stops at Nashville pizza joints and an unsolicited tribute to the Boss tuner pedal. It’s part gear talk, part life advice, part fever dream—with enough practical nuggets and absurd detours to keep both your left and right brain happy.
Whether you’re a musician, a fan, or just someone who appreciates that fine line between genius and nonsense, this episode delivers.
Check out the band on their website HERE https://tophousetheband.com/
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:10:03
Steve Cobucci of Wolves at the Gate: Chasing Tone, & Fighting Egos
This week on The Tone Mob Podcast, Blake Wyland sits down with Steve Cobucci — guitarist, gear junkie, and founding member of Wolves at the Gate — to talk about the beautiful mess that is making music for a living.
Steve kicks things off with the story of his first guitar: a classical hand-me-down from his mom, followed by a hard-earned Gibson Les Paul — because if you're gonna make noise, you might as well do it right. From his beloved B-52 tube amp to his first Tube Screamer, Steve proves that chasing tone starts early and never really stops.
Blake and Steve rip into the realities of starting a band in college, the rollercoaster of recording in a real studio, and why having a good drummer is like finding a unicorn. They don’t shy away from the sticky stuff either — managing egos, screwing up communication, and how growing up (just a little) changes everything you thought you knew about music and life.
They swap war stories about live shows, argue the merits of production quality, and marvel at how revisiting old albums can hit you harder the second time around. Plus, Steve drops some hard-earned wisdom about why you should find your own sound, keep it loose, and remember: if you’re not having fun, you’re probably doing it wrong.
Whether you’re a guitarist, a music nerd, or just someone trying to make a little magic without losing your mind, this episode’s got something for you.
Check out the band on their website HERE https://www.wolvesatthegate.com/
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:08:12
A Strange Trip w/ Mike Lawson of MMR
From Garage Bands to Gibson: Mike Lawson’s Wild Ride Through the Music Industry
In this episode of The Tone Mob Podcast, Blake Wyland sits down with Mike Lawson—musician, publisher, gear designer, and all-around music industry lifer. From his early days jamming in Florida to shaping the future of music education and publishing, Mike's career has spanned decades of innovation, reinvention, and pure love for the craft.
They dive deep into the golden era of guitar shops, the digital revolution that transformed music production, and Mike’s time working with giants like Quincy Jones, Gibson Guitars, Hal Leonard and a whole lot more!
Plus, hear about the creation of his signature guitars with Pearl River, his favorite pedals, and—of course—his go-to pizza toppings.
Whether you’re a gear nerd, a publishing pro, or just love a good behind-the-scenes music story, this one’s packed with insight, nostalgia, and plenty of laughs.
🎧 Tap in for stories, riffs, and real talk from a man who’s done it all—and yet still finds more to do!
Check out more info on Mike HERE https://mikelawson.com/
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:28:08
Charles Manson & The Beach Boys
I've been working on this for months now, and it is finally here! Introducing my new podcast that I created with my friend, business partner, and Tone Mob Podcast alumni, Scott Marquart. If you like the... odd side of music, you'll enjoy these tales.
You can find Tape Spaghetti on the same platforms you get The Tone Mob Podcast as well as video episodes on YouTube.
Here is the description for this episode that I copied from the main TS feed:
This week on Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott unravel one of the eeriest, darkest threads in music history: the twisted tale of Charles Manson and his brush with late-‘60s rock stardom. Before he became a household name for all the wrong reasons, Manson fancied himself the next folk-rock prophet—and actually got closer to achieving his goal than you might think. In this chat the guys dig into his bizarre connections with L.A.’s music elite, from jam sessions at Dennis Wilson’s house to a reworked Manson song making its way onto a Beach Boys record. It’s a wild ride through failed recording deals, cult manipulation, and the uneasy intersection of fame and fanaticism. As the story spirals toward infamy, Blake & Scott reflect on how Manson’s musical dreams bled into his nightmarish legacy. Creepy, compelling, and full of "how the heck did that happen?" moments—this one’s a chilling twirl you won’t want to miss.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:13:05
Chase Bliss + Analogman
On this episode of the podcast I have my good buddy Joel Korte of Chase Bliss back on the podcast to tell the tale of how he and the legendary AnalogMike came together to create the Brothers AM.
We also get into some of the behind the scenes details of how Chase Bliss operates, and the harsh realities Joel & Co have had to navigate.
It ain't all sunshine and rainbows, but it is fascinating! Enjoy!
Check it out HERE https://www.chasebliss.com/brothers-am
Support The Show And Connect!
The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577
You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy
Release your music via DistroKid and save 30% by going to Tonemob.com/distrokid
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The year was 2015. Show host Blake Wyland intended to start a podcast where he took a deep dive with his guests from the guitar world to explain their rigs. What happened was that, but also a whole lot more. The show quickly evolved into discussions about people's lives. Guitars, pedals, amps, etc. are the central hub of the show, but it really is more about the PEOPLE behind all of it. Both the musicians who use the gear, and the folks that create these magical tools of expression. You can expect chats about songwriting, favorite bands, family, loss, addiction, conspiracy theories, philosophy, and most of all....... food. This podcast goes all over the place. Come take a ride.
Italia