Hello and welcome once again to Punk Rock Academic! We’ve had a little gap in programming, but here we are with Episode 5, and this one’s a real treat!

This time we’ll be chatting with Toni LaMantia, MA. Toni received her Bachelors in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia, followed by a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods from University of Buffalo. She also holds an Advanced Certificate in Applied Statistical Methods, also from University of Buffalo.

She is currently employed by Tesla, using her background in educational and statistics to lead a team in their Vision AI program. You can also catch her singing and playing saxophone and keys with The Abruptors, a Buffalo, NY-based ska band. The Abruptors are signed to the renowned Asian Man Records and maintain an impressive tour schedule, playing with such legends as Mustard Plug and The Slackers.

As if that weren’t enough, Toni is also a mother, so we’re really grateful she could make time to talk with us and share her story. Let’s get into it!

All right! Punk Rock Academic Episode 4, coming at you.

I know I say this every time, but this is another great episode! We have with us today Mark Petz, MPNA. Mark is currently a teacher, grant writer, and non-profit strategist in the Southwest Michigan area. He has had a long and diverse career in the non-profit sector as a director, coordinator and fundraiser, raising millions of dollars.

Mark holds a BA in History from Alma College, a small liberal arts school in central Michigan. He earned his Masters of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University, also in his home state of Michigan.

Perhaps you know of Mark from his exploits with the legendary ska-punk band, Mustard Plug. Mustard Plug have been staples of the ska scene since before the Clinton era, having played over 2000 shows in 19 countries on 5 continents. Mark played saxophone with the band in the early days 1992-1995 and then lent his talents to the ‘Evildoers Beware’ album after his departure.

After many years away from the band, he began playing with the band occasionally starting in the late aughts, accompanied them on their 2020 Australian tour, and has been back on the roster as a member ever since including their newest album, "Where Did All My Friends Go?"

Time for some laughs and Michigan accents. Let’s get into it.

Punk Rock Academic EPISODE 3 IS OUT NOW w/ Royce Nunley, JD (Ex-Suicide Machines)

Greetings! Salutations! And welcome to the third installment of Punk Rock Academic. We’ve got another great episode, if I do say so myself. We’re talking with fellow Michigander Royce Nunley, JD. He is the founder of The Nunley Law Group, a full-service legal practice in the greater Detroit area.

Royce obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish and received his JD from Wayne State University, both while in his 30s. Prior to his education, he founded the band Blueprint 76, operated his own recording studio, and was tour manager for Reverend Horton Heat.

But he is perhaps even better known for his earlier work as the bass player for The Suicide Machines. The Suicide Machines are a hardcore ska band formed in Detroit in the early 90s. Royce joined the band just out of high school and was with the band for their first four albums, at which time the band was signed to Hollywood Records (yes, that Hollywood Records).

Royce left the band in 2002, before embarking on his quest through academia.

Always a pleasure to talk with another nice Midwestern fella. Let’s get into it!

https://www.nunleylawgroup.com

www.suicidemachinesdetroit.com

https://open.spotify.com/artist/31v7ijnAMVL9V7Uzr1sFcI?si=8v1_xvxxSi2yIlBPFbyX5Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qiRuOTqcj0