🎺 Join hosts Pete Jansons and Bongo Mike Orfanos for a high-octane episode of the HogPod Chicago Music Scene Podcast with the legendary Mitch The Lip! A trumpet master 🎶 who also slays on drums 🥁 and guitar 🎸, Mitch takes us through his ’80s ska 🎷 and reggae gigs, reminiscing about Chicago’s iconic venues like the Wild Hare, West End, and Cubby Bear. He name-drops ska pioneers like Skanking Lizards while breaking down the genre’s three waves 🌊 and the old-school hustle of promoting shows with light poles and faxes 📠.🔥 Mitch debunks the myth that original music is dead, shouting out 🎤 Derek Procell and Push Puppets, and tackles today’s short attention spans 🧠. Get the scoop on his band, Mitch The Lip and The Side Hustle, upcoming gigs 🎟️ at Toad Stool Pub and Sundance Saloon, and how to book him for corporate events or weddings 💍 at mitchthelip.com. Plus, hear why 🎺 Clark Terry is his trumpet hero and why 🎞️ Bird is a must-watch horn movie!🎧 Hosts Mike Orfanos and Pete Jansons keep the vibe loose, nostalgic 🕶️, and hilariously insightful 😂 — while Beth Miller keeps the bookings tight as always.0:00 🎵 Intro and Music6:00 📅 Mike Orfanos Schedule Update –   / 674598988397279  7:38 🎺 Mitch The Lip Intro, Mitch The Lip and Side Hustle –   / bsidehustle     / events     / soundtracksofageneration  11:54 🎸 Mitch’s Multi-Instrumental Talents13:25 🎷 Ska Music in Chicago, Mention of Skanking Lizards, Wild Hare, Frankie Hill Band, Skatalites – https://chicagoreader.com/music/skank…16:38 🌊 Different Waves of Ska19:07 🎤 West End, Cubby Bear, Susie Miller, Lounge Ax, Jeff Tweedy21:00 🎺 What You Need to Know About Playing the Trumpet22:38 📠 Marketing Back in the Day: Copy Machines, Faxes, Scotch Tape, and Light Poles24:40 📰 Chicago Reader, Illinois Entertainer26:22 🍀 Biddy Mulligans27:12 ⚡ 80s Chicago Punk Rock and Cubby Bear31:30 📱 Music Consumption Now vs. Then34:40 📹 Push Puppets Video –    • Push Puppets – “Hearts Aren’t Souveni…   https://www.pushpuppets.net/about/40:24 🔥 Debunking the Myth: Good Original Music Is Still Being Made40:41 🎤 Derek Procell Show Clip –    • Derrick Procell: Chicago’s Blues & Am…  42:05 🧠 Kids Today: Short Attention Spans and Preference for Softer Music44:15 🎥 Wolfgang Paul Show Clips –    • Wolfgang Paul (ARRA, Tom Sawyer) | Ch…  44:31 🎸 Pete Dinkleson Show Clip –    • Thanksgiving with Peter Dankelson: Mu…  47:37 🌍 Khruangbin Band – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khruangbin48:54 🎺 How Does a Trumpet Work?50:40 📈 Evolution of the Trumpet and Trumpet Players50:54 🎷 Louis Armstrong (Satchmo)51:56 🎥 Jeff Anthony Show Clip –    • HOG POD Podcast: Jeff Anthony Talks T…  52:20 🚎 Chicago Transit Authority and Horns in Rock53:20 💰 The Concept of Selling Out54:30 👶 Are Younger Generations Taking Up the Trumpet?56:23 🎼 Role of Trumpet vs. Sax in a Jazz Band1:00:00 📻 Is WNUA Still Around? Is New Age Jazz Still Popular?1:00:50 🎶 Buckwheat Zydeco1:03:10 📞 How to Book Mitch – https://www.mitchthelip.com/ | Upcoming Shows – https://www.mitchthelip.com/events-11:06:35 🎬 Best Horn Movies: Bird – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_(1…)1:08:07 🎷 Blues Brothers as a Music Movie1:08:50 ❓ Why Is Selling Out Considered Bad?1:11:13 🎸 Mike Orfanos Events: Black Diamond Sessions at Toad Stool –   / 1752133728983163   | Mosquitoes at Sundance Saloon –   / 1209650920903974  1:12:33 🎺 Clark Terry – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_T…🎧 Enjoying the show? Support HogPod on Patreon and help us keep Chicago’s music stories alive!👉   / hogpod  📩 Want to be on the show? Bands, club owners, or bookers — contact Beth Miller:📧 Beth@hogpod.org | 📱 708-287-3692#HogPod #ChicagoMusicScene #MitchTheLip #SkaMusic #TrumpetPlayer #FunkMusic #ChicagoBands #MusicPodcast #MikeOrfanos #PeteJansons #BethMiller #SkankingLizards #DerekProcell #PushPuppets #ClarkTerry #BirdMovie

The Hogpod Podcast returns with Part 2 of our in-depth conversation with Wolfgang Paul—one of the most talented drummers in Chicago, currently rocking with ARRA and Tom Sawyer. Join hosts Mike Orfanos, Mike Dermont, Pete Jansons, and Chris “Rhodesy” Rhodes as they dive into Wolfie’s journey from his early days carrying a blue guitar to gigs, to making his mark in bands like Wireless Soul, Wolf Gang, and beyond.Hear what it’s really like growing up in the heart of the Chicago music scene, the evolution of “dad rock,” balancing multiple projects, and stories from inside the world of drum solos, tribute bands, and Chicago’s legendary venues. There’s laughter, behind-the-scenes insight, and true musician camaraderie—plus gear talk, progressive rock debates, and why the Windy City community means so much to all.Key Moments:0:00 Wolfgang Paul Drum Solo Working Man    • TOM SAWYER A TRIBUTE TO RUSH WORKING …   Thank you Brian White14:18 What’s it like growing up in the Chicago music scene?15:00 Does Wolfie like any of the new music out today?15:30 “Dad Rock?”16:25 What is the attention span of people listening to music these days?17:16 7th Heaven 30 songs 30 minutes17:55 Wolfie’s journey of projects18:30 Dave Uhrich’s Guitar Site    / @davesguitarsite  22:57 Tony Mok Clip    • HOGPOD Chicago Music Scene Podcast: T…  23:30 How did the Coterie start?25:20 How did Rush tribute band Tom Sawyer come in to play26:50 Drum kits27:45 Gongs28:20 Top gong songs?28:50 Struckdown YT Tribute32:00 Chris Rhodes’ thoughts when he first saw Wolfie33:20 Congrats on graduation Wolfie! What was Wolfie’s punishment as a kid if he acted up?34:55 Best drum solo all time?37:45 What is a percussionist’s favorite solo?42:10 Is a drum solo important to a lead singer?44:50 Prog Rock45:31 Original band versus a cover band46:40 Math Rock47:00 But…what is progressive rock? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progres…48:30 Wolfie’s latest project ARRA51:15 What songs are challenging for Wolfie?54:30 Tom Sawyer still going strong Broken Oar Oct 24   / 638316339106937  56:10 Wolfie plays bass and sings too!57:00 Chris Rhodes drummer for hire gigs   / chris.rhodes.142  🎧 Enjoying the show? Support Hogpod on Patreon and help us keep the Chicago music stories alive!  / hogpod  Are you a band, club owner, or booker and want to be on the show? Reach out to Beth Miller for booking:Beth@hogpod.org708-287-3692Don’t miss this inside look at one of Chicago’s most versatile drummers—hit play and join the jam with the Hogpod crew!Hashtags#Hogpod #ChicagoMusic #WolfgangPaul #ARRA #TomSawyer #Drummer #ChicagoBands #MusicPodcast #DadRock #ProgressiveRock #MikeOrfanos #MikeDermont #PeteJansons #ChrisRhodesyRhodes #BethMiller

Welcome to Part 1 of our conversation with Wolfgang Paul, the powerhouse drummer behind Chicagoland tribute bands ARRA and Tom Sawyer, on the Hogpod Chicagoland Music Scene Podcast — hosted by Mike Orfanos (Misquitos), Mike Dermont (Coterie), Pete Jansons, and guest co-host Chris Rhodes. This episode dives deep into Wolfie’s incredible journey, starting behind a drum kit at age 3 and performing Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” live by age 5. With stories about growing up in a musical household, being named after a classical icon, and cutting his teeth alongside veteran players, this is a must-listen for fans of the local scene.We kick things off with a recap of a recent Pino Farina Band show at Bannerman’s — a blue-collar Bartlett hotspot where Pino absolutely tore through covers like “Stuck in the Middle” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Then we shift into Wolfie’s world: his early musical influences, recording songs as a kid, and his evolution into one of the top drummers in Chicagoland tribute bands today. From Judas Priest covers to disco grooves, this episode has it all.✅ Key Moments (timestamps added by Pete)0:006:29 Pino Farina Band at Bannerman’s6:40 Wally Swiatly Show clip    • Wally Swiatly Talks Singing with Trai…  8:20 Stuck in the Middle covered by Pino Farina Band    • Stuck In The Middle cover by The Pino…  12:55 Pino Farina Clip    • Pino Farina on Band Reunions, Origina…  13:16 Pino Farina Band covering What’s Love Got to Do with It    • Pino Farina Band – What’s Love Got To…  19:30 Disco hate? Disco is the essence of rhythm21:06 Bannerman’s Bartlett https://bannermanssportsgrill.com/23:07 Mindy Shulman merch shout-out https://lmd-shop.myspreadshop.com/?fb…24:57 ARRA Band drummer Wolfgang Paul joins the show26:50 Wolfie introduction27:46 Tony Mok show clip with Wolfie    • HOGPOD Chicago Music Scene Podcast: T…  28:24 Wolfie drumming at 3 years old!32:31 Wolfie, 5 years old, at Broken Oar doing Iron Maiden’s The Trooper    • Wolfgang Paul – The Trooper by Iron M…  37:54 Wolfgang Paul’s mom Julie story40:00 Chris Rhodes’ start as a drummer42:06 4-year-old Wolfie singing Judas Priest’s The Ripper    • Wolfgang Paul – Sings Judas Priest  🙏 Shoutout to Beth Miller for booking the show and keeping the Hogpod rolling.🎧 Don’t miss Part 2, where we dig deeper into Wolfie’s time with ARRA and Tom Sawyer.✅ Support the show: www.patreon.com/HogPodSupporters#Hogpod #ChicagoMusic #ARRA #TomSawyerBand #WolfgangPaul #DrummersLife #LiveMusicChicago #Pino #Misquitos #Coterie #MikeOrfanos #MikeDermont #PeteJansons #LivingMyDash #ChicagolandBands #TinaTurnerCover #ColdplayYellow #IronMaiden #DiscoDebate #VillagePeople #LocalMusicSupport

🎙️ This week on the Hogpod Chicagoland Music Scene Podcast, we welcome Wally Swiatly of the Simply Wally Band! 🎶Mike Orfanos (Misquitos), Mike Dermont (Coterie), and Pete Jansons sit down with Wally and drummer Chris “Rhodesey” Rhodes to talk about:✅ Wally’s viral moment singing with Pat Monahan from Train✅ His journey from corporate bands to acoustic gigs✅ The story behind Simply Wally and how it all started✅ Favorite gigs from Vegas to Mez Restaurant✅ Thoughts on tribute bands, especially Huey Lewis & Phil Collins✅ Shoutouts to Regina Karma, Jeff Anthony, Pino Farina, and the Chicago music family✅ Upcoming gigs at Mez Schaumburg and Baker Community Center in St. Charles✅ Plus: The Mike Reno broken kick drum story 🤘Special shoutout to Beth Miller for booking and M.O.M. Cathy Dermont for the new Hog Pod creations!🧠 Follow Wally:Website: https://www.walllyswiatly.comFacebook:   / simplywallyband  ⏱️ Key Moments✅ 0:00 Wally performing with Train    • Wally Swiatly performs with Train  ✅ 8:27 Which musician burns the most calories?✅ 9:17 Mike’s review of the movie Sinners✅ 13:30 Special Guest Wally Swiatly joins the show   / wallyswiatly  ✅ 19:38 Wally’s train collection✅ 21:45 Wally sang with the band Train and singer Pat Monahan at House of Blues✅ 28:50 Wally’s story✅ 33:23 Jeff Anthoney show clip    • HOG POD Podcast: Jeff Anthony Talks T…  ✅ 34:00 Corporate band shows vs. bars✅ 39:45 What is a corporate band?✅ 42:13 What is Wally’s favorite gig to work?✅ 43:40 What’s Wally up to now?✅ 44:42 Singing to tracks✅ 52:37 Ron Barnes — Drummer✅ 55:32 If Wally decided to do a tribute band, which one would it be?✅ 57:00 Huey Lewis and the News✅ 57:15 Soundtracks of a Generation✅ 59:48 Doug James Soundtracks of a Generation shout-out✅ 1:00:12 Beth Miller — Mike Reno story✅ 1:05:39 Wally’s upcoming shows https://www.wallyswiatly.com/shows✅ 1:07:20 Visit Wally   / wallyswiatly   https://www.wallyswiatly.com/✅ 1:10:34 Johnny Martinez✅ 1:14:30 Bongo Mike’s upcoming shows   / 2107639846347518  ✅ 1:15:10 Chris Rhodes — drummer for hire   / chris.rhodes.142     / renwildflowerofficial  ✅ 1:16:19 Next Coterie Event   / events   (Sep 28 at The Vixen)🎤 Support live music and come see Simply Wally live at:📍 Mez Restaurant (Schaumburg) – May 10📍 Baker Community Center (St. Charles) – May 17🔔 Subscribe for weekly Chicago music stories, jam band tales, and behind-the-scenes laughs from the scene!#HogpodChicago #SimplyWallyBand #WallySwiatly #ChicagoMusicScene #BongoMike #MikeDermont #PeteJansons #ChrisRhodesey #LiveMusicChicago #TrainBand #HueyLewis #ReginaKarma #BethMiller #CoterieBand #MOMCathyDermont #GarageBandLife #ArcadaTheatre #YachtRockNight #BrokenOar #MisquitosJamBand #ChicagoAcousticMusic