We Were Loud Once

We Were Loud Once Nu-metal. Past and present. Hosted by Jeff Geaghan and Dan Cinotto. Interviews. Commentary. No BS. https://linktr.ee/wwlopod

We do deep dives into the albums, stories, and artists that shaped the scene and those still pushing it forward.

06/08/2026

Ever wondered what a record producer actually does?

When Dan asks legendary producer Dave Fortman this question, Dave starts off with a laugh, admitting that even some of his own family members aren't exactly sure what he does for a living.

From there, he gives one of the best explanations we've heard. Dave compares a record producer to a movie director—someone whose job is to bring out the absolute best in every person involved. Whether it's helping shape songs, guiding performances, offering creative feedback, or pushing artists to reach another level, the producer is there to help a band become the best version of itself throughout the entire recording process.

It's a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a role that has helped shape some of the biggest albums in rock and metal history. Dave has worked with bands including Slipknot, Mudvayne, American Head Charge, Evanescence, and so many more during his long career as a producer.

Be sure to check it out wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/KAkA-msw69o

06/08/2026

What was it like at the epicenter of the late '90s heavy music explosion? Legendary producer and Ugly Kid Joe guitarist Dave Fortman joins Dan and Jeff to break down the massive shift into nu metal and share stories from his iconic production career.

From tearing up the charts on guitar with Ugly Kid Joe to shaping the definitive sonic landscape of the late '90s and 2000s behind the board, Dave has seen it all. We dive deep into the exact moment the rock landscape shifted, the explosion of the nu metal movement, and what it was really like producing era-defining albums for bands like Evanescence, Mudvayne, and Slipknot.

Whether you're a gearhead obsessed with production secrets, a die-hard fan of the '90s Nu Metal scene, or just love raw, unfiltered music history, this conversation is a masterclass you don't want to miss.

Here's a little teaser for Monday's Episode... We have a VERY special guest so be sure to check it out when the episode ...
06/06/2026

Here's a little teaser for Monday's Episode... We have a VERY special guest so be sure to check it out when the episode drops. Check it out on YouTube or wherever else you get your podcasts at 12pm CST!

Now, who could it be???

06/05/2026

THE UNAUTHORIZED WAYNE STATIC & TERA WRAY DOCUMENTARY WILL STREAM FOR FREE!

Self funded and streaming for free. No catches. It will be hosted on a private web-site. Just click and watch.

This project is being done with nothing more than love and respect.

If you support please share.

06/04/2026

Replacing a legendary frontman may be the hardest job in music.

In this clip, the guys discuss the impossible challenge that Emily Armstrong inherited when she joined Linkin Park. No matter how talented she is, she's stepping into a role once occupied by one of the most beloved voices in rock history: Chester Bennington.

The guys agree that Emily does an excellent job on the new material. The songs are written for her voice, her style, and her strengths. But what happens when the band has to perform classics that were built around Chester's unique vocal range, emotion, and delivery?

That leads to a bigger question.

Was keeping the Linkin Park name the right move? Or would it have made more sense for Mike Shinoda and the rest of the band to start fresh under a new name, allowing fans to view this as a new chapter rather than a continuation of the old one?

It's a difficult conversation with no easy answer. On one hand, Linkin Park is more than one member. On the other, Chester's voice was such a defining part of the band's identity that some fans struggle to separate the two.

What do you think? Was continuing as Linkin Park the right decision, or should this era have begun under a completely different name?

Check out the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click here: https://youtu.be/_3_DFi2j9l8

06/04/2026

In this FULL episode of We Were Loud Once, Dan and Jeff dive deep into the evolution of Linkin Park . While Hybrid Theory and Meteora defined a generation and cemented the band as the kings of the late '90s/early '00s heavy music scene, Chester, Mike, and the guys spent the rest of their careers trying to escape a label they never really wanted: Nu Metal.

Why was Linkin Park so desperate to distance themselves from the very genre that made them global superstars? Was it a strategic move for longevity, or an artistic necessity? Dan and Jeff break down the sonic shift from Minutes to Midnight onward, the backlash from purists, and how history ultimately proved Linkin Park right.

06/04/2026

Not many comeback stories in nu-metal have gone as well as Primer 55's.

In this clip, the guys discuss the band's resurgence and why fans have been embracing this new era of Primer 55. The crowds have been showing up, the energy has been incredible, and by all accounts, the band is absolutely DELIVERING live.

A big part of that success has been the addition of Donny "The DRP" Polinsky on vocals.

While he doesn't sound exactly like J-Sin, Donny brings his own personality, style, and energy to the band while still honoring what made Primer 55 special in the first place - intensity, energy, and in your face, straight-up metal. Instead of trying to be a copy, he's become a natural fit.

The conversation then turns to the future. If fans are responding this positively, should Primer 55 be creating new music? The guys make the case that Donny has earned the opportunity to help write the next chapter of the band's story, keeping Primer 55 alive, evolving, and giving fans something new to rally behind. Bobby Burns, Donny, Josh Toomey, and Preston Nash have an amazing chemistry and we hope to hear it on something new.

What do you think? Should Primer 55 record new music with The DRP?

Check out the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click here: https://youtu.be/_3_DFi2j9l8

06/04/2026

Success can be a trap.

In this clip, the guys discuss how easy it would have been for Linkin Park and Slipknot to keep making the same album over and over again. They had massive fanbases, sold millions of records, and had a formula that clearly worked.

Instead, they took a risk.

Linkin Park followed up Meteora with Minutes to Midnight, dramatically expanding their sound and stepping away from many of the elements that made them nu-metal icons. Slipknot did something similar with Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), introducing more melody, experimentation, and songwriting depth than fans had ever heard from the band.

Both albums faced criticism. Both albums confused some fans. And both albums could have seriously damaged the momentum of their careers. Insert common denominator: RICK RUBIN

The guys discuss why it takes a tremendous amount of confidence to evolve when everyone is telling you to stay the same, and how these bold creative decisions ultimately helped cement both bands as more than just products of a moment in time.

Check out the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click here: https://youtu.be/_3_DFi2j9l8

06/03/2026

Did nu-metal die because the music got worse... or because the industry got involved?

In this clip, the guys discuss the point where nu-metal may have started losing the authenticity that made it special in the first place. What began as a raw, creative movement eventually became one of the hottest trends in music, and when that happened, record labels took notice.

Suddenly, every label wanted its own nu-metal band.

The guys explore how many artists were encouraged to chase formulas, adopt certain looks, and fit into a mold that promised fame, money, and stardom. As more bands entered the scene trying to capitalize on the trend, the genre became increasingly saturated, and the originality that fueled its rise began to disappear.

Was nu-metal's downfall caused by changing musical tastes? Or did the industry turn a movement into a product until fans eventually walked away?

Check out the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click here: https://youtu.be/_3_DFi2j9l8

06/03/2026

Few artists have successfully reinvented themselves the way Dez Fafara has.

In this clip, the guys discuss why Dez may be one of the smartest and most self-aware figures to come out of the nu-metal era. With Coal Chamber, he embraced the dark, theatrical, gothic aesthetic that helped define the band's identity. With DevilDriver, he shifted gears entirely, building a reputation around aggression, groove, and modern metal.

What makes it impressive is that neither project feels forced.

Dez seems to understand exactly what fans want from each band and knows how to step into those roles authentically. Whether he's fronting Coal Chamber with its iconic look and atmosphere or leading DevilDriver with a heavier, more aggressive approach, he has managed to keep both identities distinct while remaining true to himself.

The guys discuss how rare it is for an artist to successfully navigate two very different musical worlds and why Dez Fafara deserves more credit for what he's accomplished over the last three decades.

Check out the episode wherever you get your podcasts, or click here: https://youtu.be/_3_DFi2j9l8

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