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Danny Craig and Dave Benedict of Default join Jonathan Simkin for a brutally honest breakdown of how the band really got started — and what almost ended it. From Chad Kroeger discovering the band and early Vancouver showcases, to Greenhouse Studios, Nickelback tours, and the chaotic rise of Wasting My Time, this episode pulls back the curtain on how fast success actually works — and how fragile it is. They break down: • Why TVT Records failed them at distribution • The feeling watching Dallas' success after Default • Radio spins vs real album sales • Touring with Nickelback, Bush, and arena crowds • The financial reality behind "platinum" success • Business mismanagement, unpaid taxes, and lost revenue • Why Default disappeared — and how close they were to staying massive This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms and in video on YouTube. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan Simkin sits down with Tyler Connolly and Dean Back of Theory of a Deadman for a brutally honest conversation about record labels, ownership, and what it actually means to be a rock band in today's music industry. They break down why major label deals stopped making sense, the most exciting moments of their career, and the "old-but-new" sound they're chasing in their next chapter. From masters and short-term deals to cancel culture, social media backlash, and the illusion of success, this episode pulls back the curtain on what longevity in modern rock really looks like. The conversation also dives into early Vancouver days, Greenhouse Studios, Juno politics, international touring, and why simplifying the business side of the band became the key to staying sane — and independent — after 25 years. Timestamps 00:00 – The tweet controversy and why they left 604 Records 05:25 – Why they'll never sign to a label again 09:57 – How Nickelback changed their perspective 13:09 – Chris Baseford, production, and the direction of the new music 18:46 – The most exciting days of Theory of a Deadman 23:25 – What their kids listen to and getting in "under the wire" 32:40 – Why touring is better than ever and what's next This episode is available on all audio podcast platforms. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly, behind-the-scenes conversations with iconic rock artists, industry veterans, and the people who shaped Canadian music. Likes, comments, and feedback help the show massively — thank you for supporting.

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan Simkin sits down with Tyler Connolly and Dean Back of Theory of a Deadman to tell the full, unfiltered origin story of the band — from basement showcases and water delivery jobs to label bidding wars, major record deals, and multi-platinum hits. They break down the exact moments that changed everything: how Default and Nickelback unexpectedly shaped Theory's early trajectory, the chaos of early music videos, recording Gasoline with Howard Benson, navigating label politics, surviving the Napster era, and the creative risks that helped Theory of a Deadman outlast an entire generation of rock bands. This is a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about longevity, mistakes, and why playing the long game in the music industry actually works. They talk through (in order): – "I was actually nervous about this one" – How the band got signed and launched 604 as a record label – All or Nothing nostalgia – How RX & Napster changed everything for Theory – Being drawn into the Nickelback push back – Gasoline & the big change in Theory's tunes & lyrics – The complicated relationship with drummers & managing money early on – Why the long game works in music Part 2 drops January 21. This episode is also available on all audio podcast platforms and YouTube in video. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.

What really happens when a band suddenly explodes? Jonathan Simkin sits down with legendary Canadian manager Jeff Rogers (Crash Test Dummies, The Pursuit of Happiness, Rusty) to break it down. Jeff dives into: 🎵 How ignoring "industry rules" helped his career 🎵 Why Canada's music scene pushes bands coast-to-coast instead of down to New York 🎵 Booking DIY tours before social media 🎵 The moment Crash Test Dummies started selling 80,000 albums a week 🎵 How MTV, Letterman, SNL, and KROQ changed everything 🎵 The wild truth about sudden success: new relationships, burned bridges, and massive pressure 🎵 Touring with Elvis Costello, parties at Donald Trump's house, Carly Simon on stage, and navigating the biggest opportunities of his career 🎵 The darker side of having a global hit (and the NDAs that come with it) Jonathan shares his own parallel experience with Call Me Maybe, comparing the highs, lows, and long-term impact of having a song take over the world. This is a rare, honest look at fame, artist development, radio politics, risk-taking, and the parts of the music industry you never see. Episode out now — hosted by Jonathan Simkin.

Jonathan sits down with longtime former CBC Director of Music Steve Jordan to dive into his full journey. Steve tells never-before-shared stories about: • His early days running incorrect weather forecasts on radio • Being the first person to play The Tragically Hip on radio • Launching local Kingston bands and building a true DIY music scene • Crossing paths with Sarah Harmer, The Inbreds, Mahones & more • Everything wrong he saw with award shows that inspired Polaris • What label life was really like in the 90s and 2000s and why his dream was not reality • Why most A&R scouting was painful ("90% of bands you check out aren't good") • The truth about discovering commercial acts vs. music you love • How the industry has completely changed — and why nobody knows what it is anymore You'll hear a ton of behind-the-scenes music industry history, wild anecdotes from the early days of Canadian rock, and honest insight about signing artists, surviving label politics, and building long-term careers. The full episode is available on Youtube if you prefer video. If you enjoy the podcast please rate/review us it helps us a lot! If you care about Canadian music, A&R stories, or the evolution of the industry — this episode is a must-watch/listen. New episodes of I Hate Simkin every second week. Hosted by Jonathan Simkin. Powered by 604 Records.

Grant Lawrence joins Jonathan for one of the most revealing, funny, and brutally honest conversations about the Canadian music industry you'll hear. Grant is a longtime CBC host, author, musician, and one of the most recognizable voices in Canadian music culture. He and Jonathan go deep into: CBC's Top 20 and how radio formats keep mutating 28 years inside the CBC and surviving the chaos of the music industry Mint Records stories from the Dominion Building days The ugliest parts of award-show politics The truth about diversity optics at award shows Why 54-40 has zero Junos Why Jonathan will never win the Walt Grealis Award How reputation, longevity, and grudges shape the Canadian music industry Stories involving Sarah McLachlan's early records, Skinny Puppy, Gob, and more The legendary "hirsute" moment with Jonathan's wife And how an immigration lawyer accidentally became a major entertainment lawyer This episode is full of Canadian music history, unbelievable industry stories, and the kind of behind-the-scenes honesty that makes I Hate Simkin what it is.

What really happened behind the scenes of North America's biggest pop wave? Jonathan Simkin sits down with Louise Burns to unpack her journey being thrown in the deep end of the music industry as a teenager — from being signed by Madonna to navigating the intense experience of record labels pressuring teenagers to lose weight. Louise reveals never-before-heard stories from the early 2000s pop machine with Lillix, a forgotten album that never came out, and what it was really like to grow up inside the Canadian music industry while the rest of the world was watching. This episode blends nostalgia, insight, and raw honesty about the realities of success, creative control, and the business of making it big in music. 🎧 I Hate Simkin is where 604 Records founder Jonathan Simkin shares unfiltered conversations with the artists who shaped Canadian music — from massive pop moments to the scenes that never made the headlines. The full video episode is available on Youtube too. If you're enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating/review, it helps us big time!

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan Simkin (604 Records) sits down with Dave Genn (54-40) to look back on the wild early days of Vancouver's rock scene — from Dead Surf Kiss (DSK) and 24 Gone, to Holly McNarland, Matthew Good Band, and beyond. They revisit the chaos, the friendships, and the heartbreak that defined the 90s Vancouver music era — including a Detroit radio hit they never even knew about, record deals that almost happened, and how creative relationships can implode under pressure. 👉 You can watch the full episode now on Youtube (@IHateSimkin) — it's a crash course in Canadian music history, told by two people who lived it. If you're enjoying the podcast please leave a rating/review, it helps us big time!

This interview went on for a while, so we're doubling up with a part 2 this time next week! Dave Genn of 54-40, formerly of Matthew Good Band, and producer of many albums including Marianas Trench's Fix Me sits down with Jonathan Simkin to look back on decades shared in the Canadian music industry. Dave gives us the inside track on how one of the biggest bands in Canada was doomed from the start despite so much popularity, why you shouldn't expect your favourite bands to stay together, and a look back on the Armchair Cynics new music 20 years after their big push to make it in the industry. They also reflect on the chaos of Canadian rock in the 2000s, and laugh through stories of the records that almost never saw the light of day. The full episode is available in video on Youtube, and part 2 is out this time next week. If you're enjoying the podcast please leave a rating/review as it helps us reach more people who want insider info on the biggest acts in Canada across the last 30 years!

Canadian Radio personality Todd Hancock sits down with Jonathan to look back on his career. They talk through the real reason CFOX fired him, how he built a better career for himself in podcasting, and his experience spending every morning on TV with his ex-fiancé. Todd & Jonathan also both update listeners requesting Chad Kroeger joins their pods, Jonathan explains why he had hard feelings about Theory of a Deadman leaving 604, and the difference between the likes of Josh Ramsay and Chad in dealing with the public. The full episode is available on Youtube in video also  - Please leave a like/rating/comment wherever you watch or listen, it helps us with our reach a lot!

Dallas Smith sits down to trace a remarkable career arc: early club nights (Studebakers), a TVT deal that nearly derailed everything, and the eventual reinvention from rock frontman to platinum country artist. They discuss the business nightmares of label bankruptcy and locked masters, the relationship with Joey Moi & Mountain View, why 604's hands-on model mattered, and how streaming and touring economics now change the way careers are built and paid. Dallas also opens up about the personal cost of touring, family challenges, and the friendships that outlasted it all. The full episode is available in video on Youtube also!

Gaye Delorme was one of Canada's most respected — and underrated — musicians. He never became a household name as a solo artist, but his fingerprints are all over legendary moments in music. From writing The Rodeo Song (a platinum-selling Canadian classic) to collaborating with Cheech & Chong on Earache My Eye, Gaye's career was unconventional, hilarious, and brilliant. In this episode, Jonathan shares personal stories of meeting Gaye near the end of his life and being gifted Gaye's own platinum record. We dive into why musicians revered him, how his larger-than-life personality left a lasting impression, and what it meant to be a "fixer" lawyer in the Canadian music industry. Jonathan also dives deep into the making of Nickelback's blockbuster album All the Right Reasons—from the pressure after The Long Road, to hearing "Photograph" for the first time at 2 a.m., to Daniel Adair joining the band and the wave of online hate that ironically helped them sell out arenas. Hear how late-night phone calls, unexpected country influences, and a medieval castle wedding all tie into the band's most successful era.

In this episode of I Hate Simkin, Jonathan reflects on managing Canadian rock singer Holly McNarland — from her edgy Sour Pie EP to her Juno-winning breakthrough with Stuff. Holly's powerful voice, raw personality, and unforgettable stage presence made her stand out, but timing, life changes, and the harsh realities of the industry shaped her path. Jonathan shares candid stories about touring, the challenges of management, and why talent isn't always enough in the music business, as well as a look at Holly's later work and what she's up to now. He also looks back at the plaque for You Can't Stop the Bum Rush, the album by LEN which included one of the biggest hits of the 90s, Steal My Sunshine - The story of how it came to be is filled with twists, chaos, and unforgettable moments. Jonathan shares his behind-the-scenes perspective on working with Marc & Sharon Costanzo — from early underground albums, to MuchMusic snow jams, to negotiating samples, to the international explosion of Steal My Sunshine. This episode dives into quirky brilliance, lawsuits, budgets blown on partying, and the reality of what happens when one hit song takes a band around the world. 🎙 Hosted by Jonathan Simkin, I Hate Simkin pulls back the curtain on the music industry with raw, unfiltered stories.

In this first episode of a brand-new I Hate Simkin mini-series, Jonathan Simkin—President of 604 Records—digs through the plaques he's been given over the years and shares the never-before-heard stories behind them. 🎶 Part One: Carly Rae Jepsen The untold story of her unreleased album that almost changed everything Why her admiration of Marianas Trench drew her to 604 Records The surprising ambition she had early on: starting her own label Her unique "listening party" feedback method that shaped her music The making of Tug of War and how Jonathan first signed her after Canadian Idol 🎸 Part Two: Matthew Good Band Jonathan's high-stakes gamble to land him a record deal without knowing the industry How label execs chose not to help during Matthew's bipolar struggles Why the angsty Canadian rock scene of the 2000s didn't fully break into the U.S. Honest reflections on an era of Canadian music that almost broke through globally This episode blends untold stories of Carly Rae Jepsen's rise and Matthew Good's struggles, giving you an unfiltered look at the Canadian music industry—straight from the guy who lived it. 👉 Don't miss this deep dive into Canadian music history. Full episode out now!

Journalist Karen Bliss joins Jonathan for an unfiltered conversation about the Canadian music industry. They dive into the intimidation of networking and personal insecurities, investigating allegations and the emotional weight of journalism. Chapters: 06:35 Navigating the Music Industry: Personal Experiences 12:48 Mentorship and Community in Music 16:06 Investigating Allegations in the Music Industry 24:44 The Struggles of Investigative Journalism 30:10 The Impact of COVID on Careers 34:31 The State of Canadian Music Industry 39:14 The Shift in Artist Development 44:04 The Changing Landscape of Fame and Success