Participating in the now-classic soundtrack that ushered in the new century, William Goldsmith pounded the drums for legendary bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Foo Fighters, until his frustration with the industry drove him to take a decade-long break from music altogether. But a chance meeting with a devoted musician and father inspired William to get back behind the drum kit, and share his passion and talents with his children. Nick and William reminisce about the music scene of the alternative era, and how his career and life have left him with no regrets.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[01:49] William discusses the origins of his new band Assertion

[03:55] When William went on sabbatical from music, he shut everything off, even casually listening

[05:39] Moving fifteen times over a five-year span meant that all William's music gear was packed away

[06:45] William explains how the new Assertion album "Intermission" was written and recorded

[10:56] William is looking forward to touring with Assertion, but his family comes first

[12:35] Sunny Day Real Estate signing with Sub Pop during the 90s alternative boom was a complete fluke

[16:17] William left his band to play with the Foo Fighters, and many other groups, but he eventually made his way back to Sunny Day Real Estate

[18:59] William understands that the band's attitude didn't help Sunny Day be more popular

[21:09] As a kid, William was first influenced by his brother playing drums, but then he heard Rush... and that was it

[24:23] William and Assertion produced their new album themselves, using what they learned to make the new album they've just started

[25:48] The pandemic threw off Assertion's touring schedule, so the band continued writing and recording

[27:36] Now that he's back into music, William hasn't really discovered much new stuff, he's found himself returning to music from "the old days"

[29:04] There are a few unreleased Sunny Day songs that were recently discovered in William's vault, but he has no plans to make them available as of yet

[30:31] William has no real regrets, because the life he's led has brought him to where he is now

Thanks for listening! Tune in next week and don’t forget to take a minute to review the podcast. In this incredibly competitive podcasting world, every piece of feedback helps.

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Find out more about today’s guest, William Goldsmith

Find out more about your host, Nick Terzo

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

@AssertionBand

@foofighters

@thebeatles

@yesofficial

@ledzeppelin

@StevieWonder

@pinkfloyd

@rushtheband

@sdreband [Sunny Day Real Estate]

@PigSnoutBand

@jeremyenigk

@subpop

@spartanrecords [William's new label for Assertion]

Steely Dan