Playground Podcast

Coal Chamber's bassist Nadja Peulen talks about her band's reunion; the usefulness of live performance venues like the Whisky a Go Go, or Roxy Theater in L.A; the effects of new technologies and social media on the rock music industry; the life of a woman in a male-dominated metal world.

UFC - Dominic Cruz talks Urijah Faber, MMA training routine, differences between MMA fighting styles Urijah Faber, the California Kid Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz discusses his feud with Urijah Faber, arguably the best MMA fighter in his division, from the World Extreme Cagefighting ( WEC ) promotion, through the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From Wrestling to Mixed Martial Arts Dominick Cruz explains how a wrestling student he used to coach influenced him to try a MMA class. After that day, Cruz never looked back. Motivation through MMA training routine The former king of the UFC bantamweight roster exposes his training preparation for a UFC fight: exploiting - or not - the frustration coming from a loss as extra energy, feeding of the pressure of main eventing a UFC fight card and establishing the reputation of his weight class, using fight video, etc. Fighting style vs MMA weight class The Alliance MMA team membe

Interview with Godsmack drummer Shannon Larkin, who confesses becoming a Red Sox fan since they beat The Curse; reveals the football rivalry which exists within the band (Patriots vs Raiders); debates on the relevance of radio for new emerging bands; discusses the rise of electronic music and the undying qualitites of rock; compares the experience of playing Ozzfest vs Woodstock; acknowledges the fun competitiveness vs singer Sully Erna in their traditional drum duels; and explains how difficult it is for a drummer to find his own style.

1- John Makdessi (LW) talks about the difference between kata and full-contact fighting in martial arts; the advantages stemming from performing regularly on a traditional martial arts competition circuit for a MMA fighter... and he reveals his "secret talent" - cooking - and how it's helping with his diet. 2- Chad Laprise (LW) discusses the motivation for a rookie to move up the ranks of his weight division; the importance of fan appreciation in a MMA career; the threat of losing focus of your opponnent when a fighter is determined to put on a good show. 3- Chris Clements (WW) on how his taekwondo background influenced his fighting skills and mental preparation.

1- Georges St-Pierre explains how going around the world helped him retreive his passion and energy; lists the right conditions that could influence him to comeback to active competition; discusses how returning to his kyokushin-karate roots ravitalized him. 2- Quinton "Rampage" Jackson exposes how he lost the love for MMA through his 1st run with the UFC; talks about the never ending pressure and unwanted attention generated by his "Superstar" status; compares the way fighters are treated in the UFC vs other promotions; confesses how he patched things up with Dana and Lorenzo; speaks about his nightlife habits and enjoying the company of the ladiiiiiies. 3- Michael Bisping denies using his loud mouth as a promotional strategy; discusses how his family handled the UFC Countdown camera crew filming in their home; explains the many hardships that come with a professional fighter's lifestyle; acknowledges the importance of the media in a MMA fighting career; talks about the "auto-play" mode that many fighters

Interview with Disturbed's David Draiman (singer) and Mike Wengren (drummer)expressing their heartfelt hatred for baseball and everything E-VIIIIL it represents (especially Chicago's Wrigley Field); talking a little hockey and Blackhawks; debating over which frontwoman's got the sexiest ass in rock/metal; criticizing the (too-many) subgenres in Metal and how its heritage got forgotten... and then having a brainfuck when Pace asks them to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" or perform the sound of a drunken cow.

UFC welterweight fighter Josh Koscheck explains how the role of the heel (or "bad guy") might be predetermined in MMA and exploited to further one's career; the balance of reality vs fiction while promoting a fight; the pressure coming with main eventing a UFC fight card; the difference between a courageous loss and an easy victory to strengthen a MMA career; the preparation needed when facing a well-rounded fighter, such as Matt Hughes.

Former UFC featherweight champion, Frankie Edgar, talks about his adaptation as a grappler to striking; how to rebound from almost being knocked out live in the Octagon; the preparation and "obsession" implied in facing the same guy - Gray Maynard - three times; his studies in political science... and what his slogan would be if he were to run for US President.

UFC lightweight fighter - and former title contender - Gray Maynard discusses his experience living with 13 other fighters in The Ultimate Fighter (season 5) house; how his training under B.J. Penn was restricted by the TUF production team; talks about the contribution of the reality show to his MMA career; exposes how he dealt with the disappointing draw vs LW champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 125 (2011 Best Fight of the Year candidate); and explains the modifications applied to a training camp when a fighter his preparing for a rematch (and, then, a second rematch).

Hollywood Undead's Johnny 3 Tears sips a beer while discussing with Pace the beauty of french-canadian girls and the difficulty in staying faithful on tour; explains the idea behind the masks gimmick and their evolution in design; questions the relevance of social media networks - such as MySpace - for an up-and-coming band; acknowledges the musical dichotomy "rap vs rock" that exists within the band and, therefore, how every member gets creatively satisfied; exposes the "behind-the-scenes" reality of making a living in the music industry and the pain of touring. ... and then takes another sip of beer.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz discusses his WEC-UFC feud with Urijah Faber, what got him in MMA, what motivates him through his fight prep, his evolution as a fighter and the difference in styles between weight classes.

Chino and Sergio, from Deftones, discuss Chi's health condition (pre-passing), the hardships bestowed upon the band, and the musical inspiration generated from such difficulties; the reaction of Chino's grandma when she listens to Deftones music; staying relevant in a vaned new rock/new metal genre; the methods behind creating an album; keeping the passion and the fun of playing music after all these years; growing into a self-inspiring artist - or not; the making of "Elite" (Pace's favorite Deftones single ever) and how the Transformers influenced the song

Open-heart interview with former UFC and WEC fighter Mark "The Machine" Hominick, describing his experience fighting UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo in front of 50,000 fans inside the Rogers Center for UFC 129 in Toronto, Canada; then, exposes the daily commitment and sacrifices needed to become successful in MMA; reveals what fighters do in their off-time between fights, dealing with injuries, training, personal life, etc.; explains the way a striker trains to avoid a grappler's takedowns, how patience is sometimes the best strategy and depicts the effects of his Weapon of Choice, the body hook to the liver; discusses his adaptation to higher levels of competition - going from TKO (Montréal, Canada), to WEC, to UFC - and the way MMA indies prepare fighters for the big stage (in and out of the ring/Octagon); reflects on the positives and negatives coming with fighting in front of a local crowd; chats about learning how to promote/sell a fight efficiently when you get to the big leagues.

Founding member of Korn, James "Munky" Shaffer, discusses his personal evolution within the music industry; the emotion "dispenser" created by the new metal genre; reuniting with producer Ross Robinson; finding musical inspiration without Head and assuming both rythmic and melodic roles; the change of style in Korn since the "Untouchables" album; composing music with the thought of getting stuck with the same song for decades... and if his penis has grown in proportion to Korn record sales. THAT, alone, is Pulitzer-worthy.