Advertise on podcast: Rocker Dogcast

This week we're talking dogs with Erika Wennerstrom of the band Heartless Bastards. Erika introduces us to her pandemic puppy Piper who's a Chihuahua - Pit Bull mix. As you'll hear, Piper is a well travelled dog who has visited 45 states, toured with The Flaming Lips and is snake trained to steer clear of those slithering reptiles. Lots of great stories from this adventure seeking duo. Erika and the Heartless Bastards will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their second album All This Time with December shows in Evanston IL, Cleveland OH, Dayton OH, Houston TX and Austin TX. For tickets go to theheartlessbastards.com/tour Erika gave her Rocker Dogcast shout out to CityVet | Mueller Veterinarian Clinic and Urgent Care in Austin, TX, who understand that your pets are a crucial part of your family and offer a wide range of veterinary services, including preventive care, dental care, surgery, and more.  To request an appointment visit cityvet.com/location/mueller

Today we welcome back the show's first returning guest in singer-songwriter Brooke Annibale. Brooke visited the podcast back in the Fall of 2022 as our eighth ever guest and now comes back to us with two new dogs and four years of new experiences. Her power trio of dogs now consists of, one-time newbie now leader of the pack, Rigby who's a super mutt from the South, Jupiter the Australian Shepherd (and certified therapy dog) and Mango the obligatory chihuahua their household must always have. Great catching up and sharing new stories with this down-to-earth, dedicated dog Mom. Brooke just released a terrific new album called Bolder Font in which she wrote, recorded, produced and mixed herself. It's available wherever you stream or buy music but the best way is to get it is straight from the source at brookeannibale.com/#store where you can also find hand-written lyrics, merchandise and special edition vinyl. Brooke gave her shout out to Patience Inspired Dog Training (PIDT) in Coventry, Rhode Island who, for over 15 years, have been serving the pets and families in the area with obedience dog training and behavioral interventions. To sign up for any of their array of classes and clinics visit patiencedogtraining.com

Prolific and versatile musician Alan Sparhawk of the pioneering slowcore band Low joins the show this week to introduce us to his 6 year old half Pitbull, half Labrador Retriever, Blue. If you follow Alan on Instagram you may have seen his "Bath Time with Blue" video series where he performs an acoustic song in his bathroom followed by giving Blue a bath. The song and the bath are both intimate experiences in their own right and really set the tone of the mutually beneficial relationship build on trust, respect and understanding that Alan and Blue share. Catch a special screening of the iconic 1922 silent film Nosferatu, brought to life with a live, original score composed and performed by Circuit Des Yeux and accompanied by special guest Alan Sparhawk. For tickets and info go to alansparhawk.com/tour Alan gave his shout out to Wildwoods in Duluth, Minnesota who are a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, and to the reconciliation of humans and nature through education. To learn more about what you should do if you find a wild animal that needs help visit wildwoodsrehab.org

They say when you're a musician for hire the x-factor that gets you the gig is how well you can hang with the others in the band so it's no surprise that this week's guest, percussionist Everett Bradley, has landed tours with both Brice Springsteen and Bon Jovi. Everett zooms in to the show from Harlem to introduce us to his pandemic pup Ella, who's a 6 year old Poodle, Chihuahua, Havanese, Pekinese and Shitzu mix. Fun conversation from this charismatic and good humored dog dad. Keep an eye on Everett's social media for his Holidelic 2026 20th Anniversary Tour celebrating two decades of booty shakin', earthquakin', and never ever fakin' da holiday funk.  Ticket info will be out soon. Everett gave his dog-do-gooder shout out to Tracy Area Animal Rescue, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit in southwest Minnesota whose mission is to reunite, rescue, care for and adopt out lost, abused or surrendered animals. To adopt, donate or get a list of veterinary care assistance resources visit tracyareaanimalrescue.com For more pics and clips of Everett and Ella follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

Nick Carpenter can be found in record racks and streaming apps as Medium Build. He can also be found running or hiking in Alaska, Nashville, Georgia and Los Angeles with one or more of his three dogs. It was an absolute pleasure talking with Nick and getting to know his pack of disparate dogs starting with Huey, a Doodle he shares with an ex, Brisket, a classic medium build Alaska Brown Dog he adopted to keep Huey company, and Stanley, a Yorkie "purse dog" he never picture himself with. Great talk with a guy I should have told has good "dog energy" with his affable, open and humorous demeanor. Medium Build's new LP The King of Having Fun is out now and available everywhere. His must-see live show will be hitting the road on October 4th at the legendary 9:30 Club in Washington DC. For tour dates and tickets go to mediumbuildmusic.com Nick gave a well-informed shout out to both Wags & Walks and the Alaska SPCA (now Alaska PAWS). Wags & Walks is a frequent guest favorite who are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a dedicated community of dog lovers working to reduce euthanasia in local shelters and increase awareness of rescue dogs being wonderful pets. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit wagsandwalks.org Alaska SPCA is now now Alaska PAWS (Partners for Animal Welfare and Safety). It's a new name with the same mission to provide affordable veterinary care, community outreach, shelter and adoption services, pet retention programs, emergency assistance, and partnerships that help pets and people across Alaska. For more information on the services available visit alaskaspca.org For more with Medium Build and his dogs check out our new short video feature The Zoomies available on YouTube.

This week we're back to the City of Brotherly Love in talking with Matt Scottoline, the driving force behind the Philadelphia based power pop band Hurry. Matt introduces us to his dog (and LP cover model) Hugo, who's an eclectic mix of Shitzu, Husky, Boxer and Dachshund to name a few of the 13 breeds the DNA test revealed. Hurry's latest album Zoned Out was released back in July and is available now in physical and digital form via Lame-O Records. Matt gave a shout out to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) who each year, find loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate go to phillypaws.org

It wasn't surprising to find there's no real canine inspiration behind the long time Toronto based punk band named Pup with a 2025 album called Who Will Look After The Dogs. But that doesn't mean Pup drummer Zack Mykula doesn't have some interesting personal dog experiences of his own. Zack joins the show to introduce us to his tripod dog Jack, who's a "potcake" or mixed breed dog from the Dominican Republic. We cover a number of topics including Jack's adoption story, how he brought out a nurturing side of Zack and one interpretation of what the band's name represents in a thoughtful and enlightening conversation. Pup will be playing an intimate Riot Fest Late Night gig at Metro on September 18th and Riot Fest on September 19th in Douglass Park, Chicago. For tickets and info visit puptheband.com/#tour Zack's shout out went to Urban Tails in Ontario who are dedicated to improving the lives of animals in need through community support, adoption, and advocacy. To adopt, foster, volunteer or learn more about their community support programs visit urbantailsnetwork.org

Singer-songwriter, writer, producer and activist Laura Bird Burhenn joins the show to introduce us to her spirit-lifting 5 year old dog Eero, who's a mix of twenty-one breeds with Collie, Pit Bull, Shepherd and Chow at the top of the list. We also remember Laura's soul dog Charlie, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix who was a true rocker dog that was raised in her record company's office, crisscrossed the US on tour, slept onstage while she sang, starred in music videos and made Late Night TV appearances. We touch upon all of this and more from an artist with an unwavering passion, dedication and advocacy for dogs, animals and humanity. Laura will be playing a solo set at The Power of Us: Rock the Resistance concert at The Admiral in Omaha NE on Thursday, October 1st. For tickets go to admiralomaha.com Laura gave her shout outs to three great organizations: Pups without Borders - Founded in March 2020, with a simple mission: to step in where the need is greatest and provide lifesaving care for dogs who might otherwise be overlooked — especially pregnant mothers, nursing litters, and vulnerable puppies. PWB is focused on creating real, lasting change through medical care, spay and neuter, and responsible placement. To learn more of the many ways you can help visit pupswithoutborders.org The REAL Bark - Takes discarded, abused, and forgotten lives in – heals them – and gently places them back on a path towards a new protected and celebrated life. The "REAL" stands for: RESPONSIBLE - ETHICAL - ANIMAL - LEAGUE. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate go to therealbark.org Nebraska Humane Society of Omaha - Whose mission is to protect, save and enrich the lives of animals in the communities they serve. To learn more of their services, programs and ways to get involved visit nehumanesociety.org For more pics and clips of Laura, Eero and Charlie follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

This week we talk dogs with Elena Cataraga, who is better known as Lena Scissorhands, lead singer of the Eastern European metal band Infected Rain. Lena introduces us to her 7 1/2 year old Miniature Schnauzer Luna who is a certified service dog that Lena credits with giving her unwavering support, comfort and physical assistance. Luna is a constant companion who accompanies Lena most everywhere she goes so there's a lot of shared experiences to hear about from this globe-trotting duo. Catch Lena and Infected Rain at their last live show of 2026 on October 24th at Full Metal Holiday on the Spanish island of Mallorca. For tickets visit infectedrain.com/tours/ Lena gave her shout out to All Friends Animal Sanctuary who provide love and respect for all animals who need a sanctuary to live out their lives in peace and freedom from exploitation by providing the opportunity for safe, enriching and nourishing futures. To join them in making a difference in the lives of farmed animals visit allfriendsanimalsanctuary.org

This week we welcome to the show Portland, Oregon based singer-songwriter Jeffery Silverstein who introduces us to his 105 lb Doberman-Pyraneese mix Jeff who's not only big in physical size but personality as well. We discuss how the music and dog community overlap, the way dog training through social media will never beat training informed by good old fashion values and the importance of context when assessing what's best for your dog. Hear this and more from the only show that talks to musicians about their dogs. Jeffery Silverstein's new LP Doggone hits platforms on October 23rd via Full Time Hobby Records. Pre-order the album now at jeffreysilverstein.ffm.to/doggone For tickets to his upcoming UK and Sweden shows visit jeffreysilverstein.ffm.to/uk-eu-live Jeffery gave a shout out to Oregon Humane Society who transforms compassion into action through life-changing programs that support and celebrate the human-animal connection, including adoption, veterinary care, education, humane law enforcement, and legislation. With campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon Humane is an independent non-profit organization that receives no government funding and is fueled entirely by donors. To learn more visit oregonhumane.org He also gave props to Micki at Fluff Scouts whose mission is to empower guardians and their dogs to forge a deep, authentic connection, where understanding flows freely and compassion leads the way. By creating a safe, nurturing space, they ignite curiosity and open the doors to learning, allowing both humans and dogs to grow, heal, and thrive together in harmony. To book a free phone consultation with Micki go to fluffscouts.com For more pics and clips of Jeffery and Jeff follow the show on Instagram at rockerdogcast/

As an author, artist, entrepreneur and human and animal rights activist, Alex Henry Foster is a modern day renaissance man. Alex joins the show Zooming in from Tangier, Morocco to introduce us to his newest rescue Robert who was left at his door just a few weeks ago. Back in Virginia, Alex gives us the background on Louna and Leonard as they hold things down while he's overseas. We also pay our respects to his beloved dog MacKaye who crossed the rainbow bridge in late 2024 and Shadow who was his "first furry love". Plenty of good stories and insights to cover from this consummate dog guy and global citizen. Alex Henry Foster's new LP, The Fragile Beauty (of new Morning Hopes), hits platforms on October 23rd and is the first of five albums in a broader series, written and recorded in Virginia, Morocco and Canada. His Defying Gravity tour launches on November 24th in Germany. For dates and info visit alexhenryfoster.com/tour/ Alex gave some well-deserved shout outs to the following: The team at SFT Animal Sanctuary in Tangier, Morocco. Le Sanctuaire De La Faune De Tanger is currently home to over 1000 animals and are devoted to making Tangier an animal friendly city, where animals and humans can live in harmony. ⁠From fundraising to volunteering, there are so many ways to support the sanctuary. To learn how visit sftmorocco.org Dr. Mann at Jackson River Clinic in Covington, Virginia who are a full service companion animal hospital that offers both conventional western medicine as well as traditional Chinese veterinary medicine including acupuncture. To make an appointment go to jacksonrivervet.com Dr. Larech & team at Clinique Vétérinaire California Tanger, Morocco. For more info visit their Instagram page at instagram.com/cliniqueveterinairecalifornia/ The whole team at Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke, Virginia. VTACC&RC is a comprehensive cancer care and clinical research center offering integrated services, including medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, and frontline cancer diagnostics and treatment for dogs and cats. To learn more about the center visit cancercare.vetmed.vt.edu For more pics and clips from our chat with Alex Henry Foster follow the show on Instagram at instagram.com/rockerdogcast/

Punk rock stalwart and creative driver behind the band Smirk, Nick Vicario stops by the show to introduce us to his 3 year old Landseer Newfoundland named Jam who he and his wife adopted after having to rehome an Anatolian Shepherd that exhibited some aggressive tendencies. Nick also touches upon his childhood dogs that included a humongous black Schnauzer and larger than life Great Dane/Mastiff mix, the themes behind his songs Dog Years and Domestic Dog and the time he was "pantsed" by Jam. Hear these stories and more from this lifelong musician who's perspective is now coming from outside of the fast lane and behind a white picket fence. Smirk's new LP Speculative Fiction is out now and their East Coast tour winds up this week with stops happening tonight, August 4, in Turners Falls, MA, 8/5 in Boston and 8/6 in Providence, RI. For more info go to smirk1.bandcamp.com Nick gave a shout out to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida whose mission is to save 10,000 dogs every year, to heal and place them with loving families and to educate people about the proper care for dogs and the importance of spaying and neutering. To adopt, foster, volunteer, donate and learn more visit bdrr.org For more pics and clips of Nick and Jam follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

American Songwriter describes this week's guest as “a mod balladeer and indie folk goddess". Once they hear singer/songwriter Mara Connor talk about her beloved 5 year old poodle Josie they just might want to add "nature loving dog mom" to that description. We're excited to have this rising star on the show and share how this family dog adopted over covid quickly became hers, the many ways they are a in simpatico with one another and just what it took to win Best Rescue at their neighborhood block party. It's a great episode to listen to while you take your dog for a walk in the woods. Mara will be playing live and on air at the WMOT Finally Friday show at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on August 7th. Then heading across the pond for two shows in London on August 30th at The Gladstone Arms and September 9th at The Betsey Trotwood. For more info go to maraconnor.com/shows Mara gave a well deserved shout out to Welcome Home Dog Rescue who, since 2013, has saved over 600 dogs from local shelters. All dogs are given needed medical care, spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated and microchipped. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit welcomehomedogrescue.org She also recognized Best Friends who are one of the brightest voices in the no-kill movement. To learn more about no-kill and what it takes for your community to achieve that status go to bestfriends.org For more pics and clips of Mara and Josie follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

This week we welcome to the pod Emmyn Callerio, who's the singular force behind Games We Play. Emmyn introduces us to his dog Norman, a six year old Bernadoodle, and surprises us with the fact that he has another dog named Shredder who's a black Goldendoodle. We hear how a trip to Austin inspired Him and his wife to seek out a Bernadoodle of their own, what the story was behind a dog they found in a park named Danger and what dog expenses are the most taxing to cough up money for. Hear these stories and more from this funny, dog loving, pop-punk rocker. Games We Play's new album I Wish I Never Quit comes out September 18th via Nettwerk. Produced by Emmyn, the album captures him at his most exposed and introspective, reckoning with burnout, identity and life-altering mistakes. Presave the album HERE For more on Games We Play visit ilovegamesweplay.com For more pics and clips from this epeisode and the over 190 before it, follow the show on Instagram at @rockerdogcast

This week we welcome a true hero to shelter dogs in the form of Roadies & Rescues founder Paul Thomas. Paul is a long time live sound engineer who, when sidelined by the pandemic, pivoted to transporting at risk dogs from the California Central Valley to rescue organizations in the Pacific Northwest. His tireless efforts have saved literally hundreds of dogs and other shelter animals. Paul takes us through the inception of Roadies and Rescues, his own history with dogs and who some of the real rock stars are in the animal rescue community. Hear these stories and more from this rock and roll road warrior who’s built for these life saving endurance missions. Paul gave his shout outs to the following animal welfare services he’s become familiar with over the years: Muttville who reach out to senior dogs at risk, give them the care they need, and find them loving forever homes. If they had their way, no dog would spend their last days in a shelter. To help them save their next 14,253 dogs visit https://muttville.org/ Beyond Rescue understands that adopting a dog is where the relationship starts, not where it ends. They work to provide a safety net that helps to ensure that adoptive families have the ongoing support, education, and services they need to keep their dog happy, healthy and home. To adopt, foster, donate or volunteer go to https://www.gobeyondrescue.org/ Dogwood Animal Rescue Project’s mission is to support animals and the people who love them through rescue, rehoming, spay/neuter and education. To learn more on how they’re making a difference one animal at a time go to https://dogwoodanimalrescue.org/ Rocket Dog Rescue is a volunteer-based organization serving the greater Bay Area, dedicated to saving homeless and abandoned dogs from over-crowded animal shelters. To adopt, foster, donate or volunteer visit https://www.rocketdogrescue.org/ A special shout out goes to Cliff, John, Mark and the many other unsung "rock stars" of animal rescue whose fortitude and selfless dedication is nothing less than awe inspiring.