Bardown Breakdown

Release Date: 03-03-2026 03:00

This episode is a heartfelt reunion special with Abir Hossain and Justin Wiley from The Morning Of, focusing on their first show in 13 years at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. It delves into the nostalgia and honesty surrounding their return, exploring the music industry's challenges, fan connections, and the emotional journey of re-emerging after over a decade. The episode is rich with personal stories about family, friendship, and the enduring legacy of the band.

------

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:34 Reunion Show Announcement

04:05 Expectations and Future Plans

05:19 Venue Capacity and Nostalgia

07:16 Promoting in the Digital Age

08:48 Social Media Challenges

11:07 Fan Engagement and Surprises

12:20 20th vs 21st Anniversary Show

13:56 Vinyl Releases and Industry Insights

15:48 Indie Labels and Artist Rights

17:27 Reflections on Past Successes

19:04 Current State of the Music Industry

20:01 Location Choices for the Show

23:05 Nostalgia and Roots in New York City

27:16 The Impact of Just Surrender and Local Scenes

30:23 Reflections on Reunion Shows and Fan Connections

35:33 The Value of Integrity and Lasting Relationships

39:15 The Journey of Growth and Fan Loyalty

43:26 The Importance of Intimacy in Live Performances

48:59 Musical Identity and the Influence of Peers

53:10 The Evolution of Musical Collaborations

56:21 Creating Magic: The Process Behind 'Heaven or Hell'

01:00:51 Reflections on Musical Legacy and Missed Opportunities

01:09:06 Navigating the Music Industry: Lessons Learned

01:12:02 The Future of Music: Authenticity Over Commercial Success

------

Guest Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themorningofrock/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YtMmzlTq4LnbrlspJlsNo

------

Power chords and crashing boards. Mikey, Tom, and Justin talk music, hockey, and anything else that gets in their way. Tom and Mikey are lifelong friends that grew up on Long Island during the glory days of alternative music where our local bands were As Tall As Lions, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, Bayside, The Sleeping, Envy on the Coast, you get the point. We spent many nights together at The Downtown, catching any pop-punk, indie, hardcore, or emo band that came through. This was not a phase, Mom! Fast forward 20 years and we are still just as passionate about the scene as we were during our girl jeans and youth XL band tees days. Tom and Mikey are diehard New York Islanders fans, but Justin (Bolts fan) likes to remind us that we are #notanislespodcast. As we got older we realized we can like more than one thing and running beside our love for music has always been our love for hockey. We have realized we are not alone in this thinking, actually there are many of us that love these two things! This podcast explores just how connected they are!

NEW EPISODE EVERY TUESDAY! SUBSCRIBE SO YOU NEVER MISS A GREAT INTERVIEW!

#poppunk #punk #emo #hardcore #hockey #nhl #podcast #elderemo #bardownbreakdown #bardownbreakfest