Denis Leary

Denis Leary

Author: Alternative Press February 4, 2026 Duration: 1:13:05
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Denis Leary. Leary specializes in sharp, rapid-fire comedy, honed while coming up through Boston’s local clubs. “There’s something about Boston comedy crowds — it’s a combination of knowledge and enthusiasm, but they’re also tough,” he said in a local interview. “They can smell blood. They can smell fear. I always felt like it was trial by fire in the Boston clubs in the best possible way.” He’s gone on to create famous sketches about cancer and coffee, even crossing over from stand-up into TV and film (Rescue Me, Ice Age, etc.) while maintaining his biting humor. This week, he stops by the Artist Friendly studio for a conversation about his wide-ranging career with Madden. ------- Listen to their Artist Friendly conversation on ⁠⁠Spotify.⁠ ------- Follow Artist Friendly! IG: @artist.friendly TikTok: @artist.friendly YouTube: youtube.com/@artist.friendly ------- Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a familiar rhythm to most conversations with musicians, but Artist Friendly with Joel Madden deliberately breaks that pattern. Hosted by the Good Charlotte frontman and founder, this podcast from Alternative Press operates from a place of shared understanding. Joel isn't just a host; he's been in the exact seats his guests occupy, navigating the complexities of life as an artist, performer, and entrepreneur. That unique perspective allows him to bypass the usual promotional chatter and get to the heart of what a creative life actually entails. Each episode feels like a candid backstage conversation, where today's most compelling breakthrough artists-from chart-topping names to those just on the cusp-feel comfortable revealing the real stories. They discuss the pivotal breaks that seemed to come from nowhere, the crushing failures that ultimately redirected their path, and the specific, often unglamorous, insider moves that truly made a difference in their careers. Listening, you gain an authentic masterclass in creative survival, straight from the people living it. This isn't about surface-level anecdotes; it's about the gritty, practical, and human experiences behind the music and art we love. For anyone curious about the reality of building a life in the arts, this podcast offers a rare and genuinely insightful window.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 183

Artist Friendly with Joel Madden
Podcast Episodes
Dexter Holland of The Offspring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Dexter Holland of The Offspring. The Offspring have been kicking around for four decades, but the band are celebrating a major milestone this year — the…
Claudio Sanchez of Coheed and Cambria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Jay Pharoah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Jax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Reggie Watts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Reggie Watts. Watts is an experimental comedian and musician whose improvised sets are created using just his voice, a keyboard, and a looping machine.…
HARDY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Lainey Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:16
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Lainey Wilson. Over the past decade, Wilson has blossomed into a bonafide country star. The Southern-bred singer has written tracks with Luke Combs, mad…
Morgan Lander of Kittie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:42
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Morgan Lander of Kittie. Kittie formed in London, Ontario during the late ’90s when the Lander sisters — Morgan and Mercedes — were teenagers. Near the…
Jakob Nowell of Sublime [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:40
On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Jakob Nowell of Sublime. After disbanding in 1996, Long Beach ska veterans Sublime reunited at this year’s Coachella — with Nowell filling in for his la…
Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:40
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