Ari Gold opens with air-drumming energy and the “human heartbeat” behind rhythm
Meet the guests: Matt Ochoa (Dirty Heads / former Tribal Seeds) + Carlos Verdugo (Sublime with Rome)
The shared DNA of SoCal ska, reggae, punk, and rock—and how it evolved into today’s sound
Why Stuart Copeland is the bridge: technique, groove, and unexpected rhythmic choices
Carlos’ origin story: punk upbringing → speed + aggression → finding reggae as “the feel”
Drum tone philosophy: low tuning, using toms + kick to create the illusion of double bass
Matt’s start in concert band: percussion tests, paradiddles, and “anything to make loud noise”
Dirty Heads + Sublime with Rome: how “cousin bands” became a touring family (not rivalry)
Lockdown era live music: drive-in concerts, coast-to-coast differences, and adapting to chaos
The Ozarks biker rally story: a show that was absolutely not socially distanced
The hidden theme: rhythm as sanity, community as survival, and groove as a lifelong practice
Ari’s Adventures of Power stories + the always-on comedic chaos that makes this show feel live
