Episodes

  • Joe Musten (Beloved US, Advent, The Almost)
    Jul 4 2025

    The Rumors Are True Podcast features a powerful and heartfelt conversation with Joe Musten, the legendary drummer and vocalist known for his work with Beloved, Advent, The Almost, Torn, and more. In this episode, Joe dives deep into his musical and personal journey—from the emotional weight and passion that shaped Beloved’s melodic hardcore sound, to the aggressive, no-holds-barred intensity of Advent, and his time playing drums with Aaron Gillespie in The Almost.

    Joe talks about growing up in the North Carolina scene, the DIY roots of his early bands, and how faith, family, and personal struggle have shaped his approach to music and life. He shares stories of touring, breakups and reunions, mental health, and what drives him to keep creating honest, soul-stirring music even decades into his career.

    Listeners will get an inside look at what it takes to stay true to yourself in an ever-changing scene and how Joe continues to use his voice—both literally and figuratively—to speak truth with conviction. Whether you’ve moshed in a sweaty club to Advent or cried to a Beloved breakdown, this episode is a raw, real, and redemptive look at one of hardcore’s most respected and enduring artists.


    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Artwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.


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    1 hr and 46 mins
  • Kevin Schlereth (Audiofeed Festival)
    Jun 27 2025

    In this episode of The Rumors Are True, Jeremy sits down with Kevin Schlereth—musician, independent touring veteran, and key figure behind the Audiofeed Music Festival. Kevin shares the story of how Audiofeed rose from the ashes of Cornerstone Festival, the values that drive its unique community, and what it means to hold space for artists, fans, and seekers alike. From grassroots organization to faith-fueled creativity, this conversation digs deep into why Audiofeed isn’t just another summer festival—it’s a movement.


    Whether you’ve played the fest, attended as a fan, or never heard of it until now, this episode offers an honest look at how passion, purpose, and people collide in unforgettable ways.


    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Artwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Sunbears “Little Baby Pines”

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.

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    49 mins
  • Tommy Rehbein (Toilet Rats, Small Towns burn a Little Slower, Farewell Continental)
    Jun 20 2025

    In this episode, Jeremy sits down with musician, producer, and DIY lifer Tommy Rehbein to talk about his multi-decade journey through underground music—from the emotive soundscapes of Small Towns Burn a Little Slower, to the alternative grit of Farewell Continental, to his current synth-punk solo project Toilet Rats.


    Tommy shares how his passion for creating never stopped, even as projects came and went. He opens up about his love for physical media (especially CDs), his experience working with Steadfast Records, and what it’s like making records entirely on his own terms from his Minneapolis home studio.


    The conversation dives into topics like:

    • The evolution of Toilet Rats, and the story behind his newest release Synth Redux Vol. 1

    • Memories and milestones from Small Towns Burn a Little Slower’s emotionally raw run in the mid-2000s

    • Playing guitar in Farewell Continental alongside Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack

    • The challenges of staying creative, sane, and self-sufficient as an independent artist in 2025

    • Why making art for the right reasons still matters


    Whether you were raised on basement shows and emo singalongs, or you’re just discovering the wild, weird world of synth-punk, Tommy’s story is a testament to how underground artists survive, evolve, and thrive.



    Links & Mentions:

    🎧 Toilet Rats on Bandcamp

    🏷 Steadfast Records

    🎸 Small Towns Burn a Little Slower

    🎤 Farewell Continental

    📷 Follow Tommy on Instagram: @toiletrats



    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Artwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Father Jamey Bozeman ( Luxury, Canary, They Sang as they Slew, Champion Leader,)
    Jun 13 2025

    In this episode of The Rumors Are True podcast, we’re honored to host Father Jamey Bozeman, guitarist and songwriter for iconic bands including Luxury, Golf Slang, They Sang as They Slew, Champion Leader and Canary. Jamey opens up about his remarkable dual life—shifting between performing emotionally charged indie rock and serving as an Orthodox priest. We trace his musical journey from the early days of Luxury’s explosive debut on Tooth & Nail Records, through near-death experiences, lineup changes, and the spiritual transformation that led several members of the band toward the priesthood.

    We also dive into the story behind the acclaimed documentary Parallel Love: The Story of a Band Called Luxury, which chronicles the band's rise, struggles, and rebirth. Jamey reflects on how themes of faith, suffering, and transcendence are woven through his songwriting, and how each of his projects—whether it's the raw energy of They Sang as They Slew or the experimental textures of Golf Slang—captures a different piece of his creative spirit.

    This conversation explores deep waters: the role of beauty in belief, the tension between performance and humility, and how decades of friendship and music have shaped one man’s life in profound and surprising ways. A must-listen for anyone who believes music can be more than just sound—it can be sacred.


    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Artwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Hot Pink Turtle (R.E.X. Records)
    Jun 6 2025

    In this episode of The Rumors Are True podcast, we’re joined by the members of Hot Pink Turtle—Jamin Rathbun, Dion Tyler, Dave Mora, and Jay Cleem—for a rare and engaging conversation about their time as one of the most offbeat and genre-defying bands on the R.E.X. Records roster. Known for blending elements of jazz, funk, alternative rock, and quirky experimentation, Hot Pink Turtle created music that was wildly ahead of its time and stood out in a scene largely dominated by heavier or more straightforward styles.

    The band reflects on their origins, the creative energy behind their only full-length release Ticklewigglejigglepickle, and how they balanced humor, musicianship, and message in a scene that often took itself seriously. They share stories from touring, the challenges of being so sonically different, and what each member has been up to since the band’s brief but impactful run. This episode offers deep insight, laughs, and a true appreciation for a band that embraced weirdness and carved a lasting cult following in the process.


    Apologies for some of the technical difficulties



    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Artwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Chase Moore (Seventh Star, Call to Preserve, The Deal)
    May 30 2025

    In this episode of The Rumors Are True, we sit down with Chase Moore, a cornerstone of Florida hardcore known for his roles in seminal bands like Seventh Star, Call to Preserve, and The Deal. Chase walks us through his early days in the scene, his introduction to hardcore, and how faith and conviction have played a central role in his life and music.

    We dive deep into the rise of Seventh Star and how their aggressive sound and spiritual backbone carved out a unique place in heavy music. Chase also reflects on the formation and legacy of Call to Preserve, offering insight into the straight edge and Christian hardcore movements of the 2000s.

    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Arwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Wayne Everett (The Prayer Chain, Starflyer 59, The Lassie Foundation, Cush)
    May 23 2025

    In this episode of The Rumors Are True, we sit down with multi-talented drummer, vocalist, and songwriter Wayne Everett—a key figure in some of the most influential alternative and indie rock bands to come out of the 1990s and early 2000s.

    Wayne reflects on his time with The Prayer Chain, one of the foundational bands in the Christian alternative rock scene, known for their emotionally charged music and atmospheric sound. We also dive into his role in Starflyer 59, where he helped shape their early shoegaze-influenced output on Tooth & Nail Records.

    The conversation continues with his work in The Lassie Foundation, a band that took West Coast sunshine pop and drenched it in reverb and fuzz—a signature “pink noise” sound that won them cult status. Wayne also opens up about Cush, the mysterious, ever-evolving musical collective, and how the ethos behind that project differs from his previous bands.

    Wayne discusses his musical influences, recording processes, band dynamics, and what it’s like to revisit some of these beloved projects decades later. For fans of '90s alt rock, shoegaze, and underground Christian music, this is a deep and heartfelt conversation with one of its most respected contributors.

    Produced by Wesley Hill @thebigwes

    Artwork by Jared Chase Bowser @jaredchasebowser

    Music by Brian Jerin R.I.P.

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    1 hr and 23 mins