
Hosted by Michael Clark · EN
Caught on the Mike is a podcast where music, pop culture, and authentic conversations come together.
Hosted by Michael Clark, each episode features musicians, entertainers, athletes, comedians, and creators sharing the stories behind their careers, creative journeys, and life beyond the spotlight. From rock and reggae to comedy, MMA, and everything in between, every conversation is relaxed, insightful, and unscripted.
New episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Some conversations feel like they're years in the making. This one has been nearly three decades.John Feldmann, frontman of Goldfinger, Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, A&R visionary, and one of the most influential architects of modern punk rock- joins me for a conversation I'll never forget.Goldfinger has been part of my life since the late '90s. I saw the band tear through Midwest clubs, covered their songs with my own ska band, watched them become one of the defining acts of the third-wave ska movement, and years later found myself introducing their music to my son, who insisted on hearing "Mable" (or as he called it, "the She's the bomb song") every time we got in the car. Sitting down with John felt like one of those rare full-circle moments that reminds me why I started Caught On The Mike.We dive into Goldfinger's incredible journey, the stories behind the band's longevity, and the making of their latest album, Nine Lives. John also pulls back the curtain on a career that extends far beyond Goldfinger. As a producer and songwriter, he's helped shape the sound of generations, working with artists including Blink-182, Good Charlotte, The Used, Story of the Year, 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, Panic! At The Disco, Sleeping With Sirens, Black Veil Brides, Avril Lavigne, and countless others. We talk about discovering talent, making timeless records, navigating an ever-changing music industry, and what separates artists who last from those who fade away.Whether you know John Feldmann as the voice of Goldfinger, the producer behind some of the biggest rock records of the last 30 years, or the creative force who has helped launch and develop countless artists, this is a conversation about passion, perseverance, reinvention, and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.www.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

Alejandro Aranda—also known as Scarypoolparty—joins Caught on the Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about his musical journey, his creative process, and the release of his new EP, Baroque.After captivating audiences as the runner-up on American Idol in 2019, Alejandro has continued to chart his own artistic path, releasing acclaimed projects including Exit Form, Doom Hologram, The Act of Forgiveness, and now Baroque. Rather than following trends, he's built a reputation for blending classical, jazz, indie rock, electronic music, pop, and drum & bass into a sound that's entirely his own.In this episode, Alejandro discusses the inspiration behind Baroque, how the project reflects both his musical influences and personal evolution, and why he continues to challenge himself creatively with every release. We revisit his American Idol experience, explore his distinctive fingerstyle guitar technique, and talk about songwriting, artistic independence, and the freedom that comes from creating music without being confined by expectations or genre labels.Whether you've followed Alejandro since his American Idol days or recently discovered his work as Scarypoolparty, this conversation offers an insightful look at one of today's most inventive singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, as well as the mindset that continues to shape his evolving career.www.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

J.Lately joins Caught on the Mike for an in-depth conversation about his new album, Room to Grow, and the journey that's made him one of the Bay Area's most respected independent hip-hop artists.In this episode, we explore the inspiration behind Room to Grow, how his songwriting has evolved, and why authenticity continues to drive everything he creates. J.Lately shares what it's like building a loyal fanbase without compromising his artistic vision, balancing introspective lyricism with laid-back production, and navigating today's music industry as an independent artist.We also talk about collaborating with artists like Travis Thompson, Wrekonize (¡MAYDAY!), Evil Ebenezer, and Mouse Powell, life on the road, and the lessons he's learned from years of touring and staying true to his craft. From creative growth to the realities of the independent grind, this conversation offers an honest look at the mindset behind the music and what continues to fuel his career.Whether you're a longtime fan of J.Lately, a supporter of independent hip-hop, or simply enjoy conversations that go beyond the music, this episode delivers thoughtful insight, compelling stories, and an inside look at an artist continuing to carve out his own lane.www.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

🚨 BIG CHANGES ARE HAPPENING AT CAUGHT ON THE MIKE 🚨For the past several weeks, I've been working behind the scenes to take this show to the next level.🎥 Full video episodes are coming to Spotify and Apple Podcasts.📺 The YouTube channel has been completely reorganized to make discovering past interviews easier than ever.🎙️ The studio has been upgraded—both aesthetically and technologically.🤝 New business relationships are creating exciting opportunities for bigger guests, collaborations, giveaways, and more.🔥 And the content? I'm pouring more into every single episode than ever before.Will there be a few bumps along the way? Probably. That's part of growth.But I truly believe the future of Caught on the Mike has never looked brighter.Thank you to everyone who's listened, watched, subscribed, shared an episode, or believed in this show over the last five years. None of this happens without you.We're just getting started.🎧 Listen | 📺 Watch | 🔗 Follow:https://linktr.ee/CaughtontheMike#CaughtOnTheMike #Podcast #VideoPodcast #SpotifyPodcasts #ApplePodcasts #YouTubeCreator #ContentCreator #MusicPodcast #InterviewPodcast #PodcastLife #CreatorEconomy #BehindTheSceneswww.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

Rock fans, this one's for you. Carl Bell, founder, guitarist, and the primary songwriter behind FUEL, joins Caught on the Mike for an in-depth conversation about the band's incredible journey, the stories behind timeless hits like "Shimmer," "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)," and "Bad Day," and what continues to fuel one of rock's most enduring bands. Carl also shares the creative process behind FUEL's explosive new single, "Want It," and discusses the band's upcoming seventh studio album, Pendulum, the renewed chemistry within the current lineup, and why this new chapter feels as exciting as any in the band's career. Whether you've been a fan since the Sunburn days or you're just discovering FUEL, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, songwriting insight, and a look at what's next for one of modern rock's defining bands. #CaughtOnTheMike #Fuel #CarlBell #RockPodcast #AlternativeRockwww.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

Charleston, South Carolina's Five Door Sedan has been building a reputation as one of the Southeast's most exciting rising indie rock bands, blending infectious grooves, bluesy textures, improvisation, and high-energy live performances into a sound that's uniquely their own. On this episode of Caught on the Mike, I sit down with Dacota Muckey to discuss the band's journey, developing their signature sound, life on the road, and the creative process behind their music. Dacota also shares the story behind their brand-new single, "Everything," dropping July 10, along with a look ahead at Five Door Sedan's upcoming sophomore album. From overcoming creative roadblocks to embracing spontaneity on stage, this conversation explores the band's evolution, what it takes to build momentum as an independent artist, and why Five Door Sedan continues to win over audiences one show at a time. Whether you're already a fan or discovering them for the first time, I think you'll come away with a new appreciation for a band that's clearly on the rise.www.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

Smash Mouth has been a staple of pop culture for nearly three decades, delivering the songs that defined a generation. In this episode of Caught on the Mike, founding bassist Paul DeLisle joins Michael Clark for an honest conversation about the band's incredible journey—from the breakout success of "Walkin' on the Sun" and "All Star" to life on the road, navigating change, and the exciting new chapter ahead with fresh music and a renewed energy. Paul shares behind-the-scenes stories from the band's biggest moments, reflects on the legacy of Smash Mouth, discusses the band's upcoming album Mercury Comet, and explains why the future is just as exciting as the past. Whether you've been a fan since the '90s or discovered the band through movies, memes, or streaming, this conversation offers a rare look inside one of rock's most recognizable acts. #SmashMouth #PaulDeLisle #CaughtOnTheMike #Podcast #RockMusic #AlternativeRock #AllStar #WalkinOnTheSun #MercuryComet #MusicPodcast #BehindTheMusic #Interviewcaughtonthemike@gmail.comwww.caughtonthemike.comwww.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

Joining me on the show are Nico Bryant and Sam Gellerstein of SNACKTIME. You may know them as the house band on Jason Kelce's ESPN late-night show, but it won't be long before they're known for much more. What started as a street performance project has evolved into one of the most electrifying live acts in music. Blending funk, soul, hip-hop, and rock with an infectious sense of community, SNACKTIME has built a loyal following the old-fashioned way: earning it one show at a time. We discuss the band's journey, the growth of their sound, life on the road, and how they've turned grassroots buzz into national momentum. We also explore the power of authentic connection and why their music is resonating with audiences across the country. Whether you're already a fan or discovering them for the first time, this conversation offers a look inside one of music's fastest-rising bands.caughtonthemike@gmail.comwww.caughtonthemike.comwww.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

With Tropidelic's 10th studio album, First Light, dropping June 26, Matthew Roads and I spend a lot of time talking about the road that led to this release. We discuss the evolution of the band's sound, working with a new production team, the creative process behind the album, and recently released singles like "No Fear," "Follow Your Nature," and "Home To You." We also dive into the band's growth over the years, building one of the most loyal fan communities in music, life on the road, and what continues to drive Tropidelic after all these years. Matthew is thoughtful, honest, and passionate about both the music and the people who support it, which makes for a great conversation.caughtonthemike@gmail.comwww.caughtonthemike.comwww.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com

Mark O'Connell and Eddie Reyes join Caught On The Mike to discuss the formation of their new band, ME., and the journey behind their debut album, ALL GOOD THINGS. After spending nearly a decade apart following their departures from Taking Back Sunday, Mark and Eddie reconnected with no expectations beyond making music together. What began as a creative experiment evolved into an entirely new band built on trust, growth, and a shared desire to move forward rather than revisit the past. In this conversation, we discuss the emotional story behind their debut single "Special," the process of writing without a frontman, bringing vocalist Mike Jansen into the fold through an open casting call, and why ME. represents a fresh start instead of a reunion. We also dive into creativity, accountability, personal growth, and what it means to build something new after years of experience in the music industry. This is an honest conversation about reinvention, friendship, and finding purpose in the next chapter. Listen to ME.'s debut single "Special" now and watch for their debut album ALL GOOD THINGS, arriving July 24, 2026.caughtonthemike@gmail.comwww.caughtonthemike.comwww.caughtonthemike.comcaughtonthemike@gmail.com