In their latest episode, Podioslave Podcast takes listeners back to the 90s, with Tom Sheehan (Indecision, Axe To Grind Podcast) offering firsthand insights into a pivotal era for hardcore.
Covering topics ranging from the challenges of touring without the conveniences of modern technology, to mixed bills that often saw post-hardcore and metalcore sharing the stage, the episode is rich with interesting anecdotes.
The hosts, Tony and Anthony, engage Sheehan in a candid discussion about what it was like to be part of the scene in its prime—touring obscure towns, navigating pre-GPS road trips, and playing shows to as few as seven people.
Sheehan offers reflections on how the sound of hardcore evolved during the ’90s, mentioning the influence of bands like STRIFE, SNAPCASE, and EARTH CRISIS, and discussing how metalcore and post-hardcore were received at the time.
With its deep dive into the realities of touring, booking shows, and surviving in an era before streaming, the conversation provides a grounded look at how the hardcore scene functioned and thrived, often against the odds.
Be sure to give it a listen at your favourite podcasting platform HERE.
A little over 3 months ago, Tom Sheehan was featured as a guest on the HardLore podcast’s special New York series, revisiting his roots in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
The episode highlighted his journey through the city’s hardcore scene, including his early days playing at venues like the Crazy Country Club—a notorious spot in Brooklyn’s underground music history, where Sheehan earned his stripes.
The venue, once a comedy club, became a hub for the 1990s hardcore crowd and was central to the rise of bands like Merauder.
In this episode, Sheehan reminisced about the lawless energy of the era and the venue’s role in shaping the hardcore movement, including its reputation as the “birthplace of the spinkick.”
