March Forth with Mike Bauman

On episode 202 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Forge the Sun!
Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Forge the Sun is a progressive alternative rock band that formed in 2020. With influences including Deftones, Tool, Rush, Evanescence, Killswitch Engage, In Flames, Smashing Pumpkins, and Queens of the Stone Age, Forge the Sun has created a genre-bending sound that's resonating in the Midwest and beyond. 
In 2023, Forge the Sun released their debut album Heart of the Sunrise, followed by their live record Forge the Sun Live at Zeroes and Ones Studios in 2024. In addition to those albums, the band has released numerous singles over the years. Their latest single entitled "Toadhoney" just dropped on January 16th.
On this episode, Ally, Isaac, Barret, and Tristan of Forge the Sun talk with Mike about their various musical influences, the diversity of talent in the Detroit music scene, memorable live shows, having fun pushing boundaries with different genres, and more. 
This episode of the podcast also features the aforementioned "Toadhoney" from Forge the Sun, available where you get your music!
Follow Forge the Sun on TikTok and Instagram @forgethesun and @forgethesunband. To see them live on 3/7 at Mosh For Mutts, visit https://www.sanctuarydetroit.com/index.html.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 201 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Ghost Tail!
Hailing from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ghost Tail is an emo/alt band that just released their latest single entitled "Shallow End" on 1/1. This Saturday, 2/21, Ghost Tail will be performing at Thrashers Bar in Colorado Springs with Way Way Back, Anaideia, and The Street Deacons.
On this episode, Brittany, Richard, and Zach of Ghost Tail talk with Mike about how they got into music, Richard joining the band, memorable shows, the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Denver and Colorado Springs music scenes, their latest single "Shallow End," mental health, and more. 
This episode of the podcast also features the aforementioned "Shallow End" from Ghost Tail, available where you get your music!
Follow Ghost Tail on Instagram @ghost.tail.band. To go see them live on 2/21 at Thrashers Bar in Colorado Springs, visit https://www.facebook.com/p/Thrashers-Bar-61572179233042/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 200 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Brian Brown!
An East Nashville native, Brian Brown is a hip hop artist based in the Music City who's been active for over a decade.
Since the release of his debut EP 7:22 in 2014, Brown's music has captured the attention of his native Nashville and beyond. Voted "Best Hip-Hop Artist" in the Reader's Poll of the Nashville Scene in 2018, Brown's eclectic musical taste has been on full display with his catalog over the years, which includes the full-length albums Journey (2020) and BBGonProfit (2023). His skills have taken him to festivals like SXSW and A3C, while his song "Come on In" off the aforementioned Journey record is nearing 1.4 million streams on Spotify alone.
On this episode, Brian talks with Mike about his early love for Outkast's Aquemini album, coming from a musical family, his Nashville roots, nonprofit work, more than a decade in hip hop, and more. 
This episode of the podcast also features the song "Flava" from Brian Brown off his album Journey, available where you get your music!
Follow Brian on Instagram @worldofbrown. To stay up to date with Brian, visit https://linktr.ee/worldofbrown.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 199 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Seth Davis of Light The Fire!
Formed in 2011, Light The Fire is a band from Dallas, Texas that fuses elements of metalcore and melodic hardcore for their own blend of heavy music. On November 22nd, 2024, Light The Fire released their latest record entitled Death Won't Be The End Of Me. The EP was recorded at Saosin guitarist Beau Burchell's California home studio.
In 2025, the band released three new singles, the latest of which is the fiery "Inhuman." Released in December, "Inhuman" already has over 31,000 Spotify streams, while the accompanying music video has over 21,000 YouTube views.
On this episode, Seth talks with Mike about coming from a musical family, his foray into heavy music and hardcore vocals, linking up with the guys in Light The Fire and eventually moving to vocals in the band, getting the opportunity to record with Beau Burchell for Death Won't Be The End of Me, the power of journaling, their shared love of Killswitch Engage (and mutual favorite KsE record), and more. 
This episode of the podcast also features the aforementioned "Inhuman" from Light The Fire, available where you get your music!
Follow Light The Fire and Seth on Instagram @lightthefire_tx and @sdavis_ltf. To stay up to date with Light The Fire, visit https://www.lightthefire.com/home.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 198 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Lisa Kaczmarek of Stereo Therapy!
Originally from the Chicago area, Lisa is a New Jersey-based podcaster who hosts the Stereo Therapy podcast. Started in 2023, Stereo Therapy is a podcast that showcases the importance of music and mental health, and how music is therapeutic to us all. With guests including Militarie Gun, Calling All Captains, No Bragging Rights, Anthony Green, and Johnny Zirkel, among others, Stereo Therapy will reach 150 episodes in early 2026. 
On this episode, Lisa and Mike talk about how she got into music at an early age, her formative years in the Chicago music scene, dipping her toes in the business side of the music industry, eventually pivoting to becoming a podcaster and starting Stereo Therapy, getting one of her dream guests on the pod recently with Ian Shelton of Militarie Gun, music as a catharsis, the intersection of music and mental health, the Stranger Things finale, and more. 
Follow Stereo Therapy on Instagram @stereo.therapy. To learn more about the pod online, visit https://stereotherapypod.com/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
This episode of the podcast also features the song "Plissken" off Tropic Bombs' new album Escape From Bomber Bay, available where you get your music! To grab your copy of the limited edition vinyl & board game of Escape From Bomber Bay, visit https://www.tropicbombs.com/escape.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 197 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with vocalist Don Turner of Seaside Massacre!
Hailing from Sacramento, California, Seaside Massacre is a metallic hardcore band that formed in 2019. Having honed their craft over the years through energetic live shows, emotional lyrics, and brutal musicianship, Seaside Massacre is storming into the new year with a lot of momentum.
After dropping their EP entitled Shells in 2024, Seaside Massacre released their cover of Hatebreed's "Destroy Everything" and latest single "First Blood" in 2025. Additionally, Seaside Massacre hit the road last summer for The Terror Tour with their friends in BLVKOUT, continuing to expand their fan base.
On Friday, January 9th, Seaside Massacre is headlining the Brutal Winter 2 concert at Goldfield Roseville in Roseville, California. The show will also feature HellHeart, Mythnautica, Trachea, Still Counting, and Resider. 
On this episode, Don talks with Mike about his early introduction to metal and heavy music, finding his voice as a hardcore vocalist, how therapy and journaling have helped him grow and express himself as a musician, connecting with fans live, covering Hatebreed, Seaside Massacre's upcoming headlining show on 1/9, and more. 
This episode of the pod also features the aforementioned "First Blood" from Seaside Massacre, available where you get your music!
Follow Seaside Massacre on Instagram @seasidemassacre. For tickets to their headlining show on 1/9, visit https://wl.eventim.us/event/seaside-massacre/669803?afflky=GoldfieldTradingPost.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 196 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Andre Scott!
A Nashville native, Andre is a friend and coworker of Mike's who works as a Project Manager in corporate healthcare. A graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Master of Science degree in Health and Wellness Management, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Facility and Event Management, Andre is also a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, whose notable brotherhood includes the likes of Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, and Eddie George.
On this episode, Andre talks with Mike about growing up in Nashville, including the tight-knit village that helped shaped and raise him, loving the game of basketball, watching Jordan tapes from his father, having a grandmother that looked out and was the matriarch of the family, the brotherhood of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, persevering through a hit-and-run accident, the death of his father, a recent leg injury, how that leg injury has led him to share his rehabilitation journey with others on social media and connect in a positive way, and more. 
This episode of the pod also features the song "i was stuck in a loop." from Wes Anderson and The Kaleidoscope Kid, available where you get your music!
Follow Andre's injury rehabilitation journey on Instagram @dres_.anatomy.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 195 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Jaycee Clark of BLANK ERA!
Comprised of Clark (vocals), Rob Cossey (drums), and Kandon Monk (guitar), BLANK ERA is an emerging Nashville-based band with influences in the vein of numetal, grunge, and modern rock. 
Since the release of the 2024 EP ROTTED. with Project Sound, BLANK ERA has built a growing fan base on socials and streaming platforms through powerful songs and an authentic social media presence. On December 5th, BLANK ERA dropped their latest single entitled "Yesterdaze."
On this episode, Clark talks with Mike about BLANK ERA's latest single "Yesterdaze," living with anxiety and BPD, the courage to be authentic and vulnerable on her mental health journey, building a growing fan base with her new chapter with BLANK ERA, moving to the Music City to chase her dreams, going viral on TikTok, and more. 
This episode of the pod also features the aforementioned "Yesterdaze" from BLANK ERA, available where you get your music!
Follow BLANK ERA on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @inmyblankera.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 194 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Dead Fish Handshake!
Comprised of Matthew Paul (vocals), Rob Ferreira (guitars), Vito Rauseo (guitars), Ant Salcedo (bass), and Mark Birkelbach (drums), Dead Fish Handshake is a rock band out of the Northeast in the United States. 
After coming onto the scene with their debut entitled Across State Lines in 2011, Dead Fish Handshake teamed up with Clint Lowery (Sevendust, Dark New Day) to produce their 2013 EP The Sixes. Following the release of their 2020 album Lies...and All That Jazz, Dead Fish Handshake went on a hiatus.
Having gone through lineup changes and their own life events, Dead Fish Handshake is back together for their first release in five years. On November 7th, the band dropped their brand new single entitled "Traveling at the Speed of Life." The single is the first from Dead Fish Handshake's forthcoming LP Safe in the Harms of Love, which is due out in 2026.
On this episode, Matthew, Rob, and Vito of Dead Fish Handshake stop by the pod to talk with Mike about how their individual love for music started, the formation of Dead Fish Handshake, working with Clint Lowery, the development of their sound, their hiatus after the release of Lies...and All That Jazz back in 2020, reconciling and making new music together, the importance of men's mental health, and more. 
This episode of the pod also features the aforementioned "Traveling at the Speed of Life" from Dead Fish Handshake, available where you get your music!
Follow Dead Fish Handshake on Instagram @deadfishhandshake. To stay up to date with the band and see them live, visit http://www.deadfishhandshake.com/blog/.
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Big thanks to Schae of Deadbolt PR for setting up this conversation!
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.

On episode 193 of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with After Hour Animals!
With inspiration ranging from bands like Dayseeker, Bring Me The Horizon, and Bad Omens, After Hour Animals is a rock/metalcore band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin that formed in 2020.
Since releasing their EP "Remember This" on 3/20/20, After Hour Animals has taken their music from the shores of Lake Michigan to the globe. Their 2020 single "All It Takes" has topped 1.1 million streams on Spotify alone, while their single "Dangerous" is over 800,000 Spotify streams since its December 2022 release. 
Over the past two years since their last appearance on March Forth with Mike Bauman, After Hour Animals has undergone lineup changes, and been hard at work releasing new music for their fans. On October 10th, After Hour Animals dropped their new EP entitled Total Disconnect, which features an overall darker, more ethereal vibe to their sound.
On this episode, Nik (vocals) and Billy (vocals, guitar) from After Hour Animals talk with Mike about expounding upon After Hour Animals' sound with their new music, including a breakdown of the tracks featured on Total Disconnect, their DIY spirit as an independent band, the work involved for independent artists when it comes to music marketing and social media, the current state of hard rock and modern metal, AI, mental health, the unreleased music they've been working on, and more. 
This episode of the pod also features the song "Human Parasite" from After Hour Animals off their new EP Total Disconnect, available where you get your music!
Follow After Hour Animals on Instagram @afterhourmke. To stay up to date with After Hour Animals, visit https://www.afterhouranimals.com/. 
Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up to date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.
Thanks for listening! If ya dug the show, like it, share it, tell a friend, subscribe, and above all, keep the faith and be kind to one another.