The Totally Legitimate Business Podcast
The TLB Podcast – Deep Dives into Art & Creativity, Conspiracies, and Culture
The TLB Podcast, hosted by James Oliva, invites listeners on unconventional explorations through obscure history, emergent technology, conspiracy narratives, art & creativity, esoteric traditions, and plenty of ethically charged existential dilemmas. From the inner workings of secretive agencies and speculative science to alternative healing and societal myths, each weekly episode blends thoughtful curiosity with diverse perspectives and a golf ball sized understanding of reality.
Subscribe to unravel hidden threads, question narratives, and blend critical inquiry with imaginative discovery.
The Totally Legitimate Business Podcast
Metal and Memes: Internet Culture and the Nashville Heavy Music Scene | Sam Schneider | Episode 145
On Episode 145 of The TLB Podcast, James welcomes longtime friend and Nashville metal scene legend Sam Schneider, also known as Sammy Slamdance — a musician, content creator, and one of the most recognizable voices in heavy music meme culture. They trace Sam’s journey from playing in local bands to creating viral metal memes, unpacking the evolution of Nashville’s heavy music scene, the realities of navigating the music industry, and how internet culture reshaped the way heavy music communities connect.
Sam reflects on his earliest memories of the 2000s Nashville scene, the infamous court experience that led to anger management classes — and unexpectedly, to discovering his scream. The conversation covers everything from nu metal’s legacy, Christian metal, dream venues and lineups, the rise of meme culture within heavy music, and the ever present challenge of balancing passion with stability.
Support the Show
Early access on Patreon → https://tinyurl.com/mva2z9se
Audio-only on Spotify → https://tinyurl.com/ytfnwx6s
Connect with Sam Schneider
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sammyslamdance
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@sammyslamdance
Linktree → https://www.linktr.ee/sammyslamdance
Bandcamp → https://sammyslamdance.bandcamp.com/
YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/sammyslamdance
X → https://www.x.com/sammyslamdance
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
02:56 - Evolution of Internet Fame
05:47 - Nashville Metal Scene Memories
08:55 - Christian Metal
11:55 - The Muse vs. Rocket Town
15:03 - Transitioning from Music to Memes
20:52 - Creating Content in the Digital Age
23:49 - Building a Community through Humor
26:52 - Music Industry Challenges
29:46 - Reflections on the Past and Future
53:18 - Sam’s Metal Origin Story
56:08 - Navigating Meme Fame
01:00:30 - Defining Success
01:04:24 - Nashville's Heavy Music Scene
01:09:50 - Nu Metal Nostalgia
01:22:11 - Cycle of Music Trends
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