Castos https://peppermintrecords.bandcamp.com/ In partnership with WYSU, Rate Race takes you on a dive into the archives of Peppermint Productions’ more than 50-year history. Episodes feature locally recorded music and conversations with the musicians that recorded them. Hosts Dean Anshutz (Red Wanting Blue, Kid Mammoth) and Anthony LaMarca (The War On Drugs, The Building) are both touring musicians who connected over a shared love for collecting records that were recorded locally. That passion has led them to archiving and reissuing those recordings. They both also engineer and produce new recordings alongside Peppermint founder, Gary Rhamy. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000 en © 2026 https://episodes.castos.com/6a7d18109e5363-93602849/images/Rat-Race-small.jpg https://peppermintrecords.bandcamp.com/ In partnership with WYSU, Rate Race takes you on a dive into the archives of Peppermint Productions’ more than 50-year history. Episodes feature locally recorded music and conversations with the musicians that recorded them. Hosts Dean Anshutz (Red Wanting Blue, Kid Mammoth) and Anthony LaMarca (The War On Drugs, The Building) are both touring musicians who connected over a shared love for collecting records that were recorded locally. That passion has led them to archiving and reissuing those recordings. They both also engineer and produce new recordings alongside Peppermint founder, Gary Rhamy. Peppermint Productions episodic In partnership with WYSU, Rate Race takes you on a dive into the archives of Peppermint Productions’ more than 50-year history. Episodes feature locally recorded music and conversations with the musicians that recorded them. Hosts Dean Anshutz (Red Wanting Blue, Kid Mammoth) and Anthony LaMarca (The War On Drugs, The Building) are both touring musicians who connected over a shared love for collecting records that were recorded locally. That passion has led them to archiving and reissuing those recordings. They both also engineer and produce new recordings alongside Peppermint founder, Gary Rhamy. Peppermint Productions anthony@peppermintrecords.com false https://feeds.castos.com/g93xz yes Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2590301 Dedicated listeners are familiar with Nicky Mouse (the Italian American mouse who lives at Peppermint and demands food from us in exchange for not chewing through the studio's cabling).  On this week's show, we were called upon by Nicky to give him a ride to the Brier Hill festival.  While on the scene we ran into and talked to many friends, business owners, and musicians about what the festival means to them and how the Italian immigrant culture has shaped the Mahoning Valley.

]]> 16 1 false Dedicated listeners are familiar with Nicky Mouse (the Italian American mouse who lives at Peppermint and demands food from us in exchange for not chewing through the studio's cabling).  On this week's show, we were called upon by Nicky to give him a ride to the Brier Hill festival.  While on the scene we ran into and talked to many friends, business owners, and musicians about what the festival means to them and how the Italian immigrant culture has shaped the Mahoning Valley.

]]> 00:50:44 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2584313 Greg Yochman has played bass with Mom's Apple Pie, Tony Palkovic, and Tony Favazzo (whose catalog we've reissued).  From prog to fusion, he shares about his career in music and how he has always done it with a spirit of love and curiosity at the center.

]]> full 15 1 false Greg Yochman has played bass with Mom's Apple Pie, Tony Palkovic, and Tony Favazzo (whose catalog we've reissued).  From prog to fusion, he shares about his career in music and how he has always done it with a spirit of love and curiosity at the center.

]]> 00:50:56 Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572917 We shine a light on some of the lesser know reissues we have released in the past few years.  Just because they're only available digitally, doesn't mean they don't have interesting stories and aren't rippin' jams.  So kick your feet up on the desk as we play some tunes, give a little update on our touring lives and what we've been working on at the studio (and even make a tomato sandwich or two.)

]]> full 14 1 false We shine a light on some of the lesser know reissues we have released in the past few years.  Just because they're only available digitally, doesn't mean they don't have interesting stories and aren't rippin' jams.  So kick your feet up on the desk as we play some tunes, give a little update on our touring lives and what we've been working on at the studio (and even make a tomato sandwich or two.)

]]> 00:51:01 Fri, 24 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572912 Every musician in Youngstown's favorite musician is Shedrick Hobbs.  His career began in the 1940's playing in jump blues bands and dance bands in many of the city's Black clubs.  He played with Charlie Parker, James Cleveland, Big Joe Turner, Bobby Marchan, Chuck Jackson.  Locally, he would always be at a jam session, encouraging young players (Anthony learned how to play jazz from Shed when he was a teenager).  He's hilarious and he's always generous to share his experiences and stories.  He also gives us the secret on how to make two dozen donuts disappear between Youngstown and Warren.  

]]> 13 1 false Every musician in Youngstown's favorite musician is Shedrick Hobbs.  His career began in the 1940's playing in jump blues bands and dance bands in many of the city's Black clubs.  He played with Charlie Parker, James Cleveland, Big Joe Turner, Bobby Marchan, Chuck Jackson.  Locally, he would always be at a jam session, encouraging young players (Anthony learned how to play jazz from Shed when he was a teenager).  He's hilarious and he's always generous to share his experiences and stories.  He also gives us the secret on how to make two dozen donuts disappear between Youngstown and Warren.  

]]> 00:50:59 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572902 Call him Sonny...  Call him Sonny Needs Money...  Call him Sonny Boy Hopcheck...  However you know him, wether it's from Underdog Records, Sacksville Rhythm & Blues Band, The Todd...you know that Sonny is one of the best dudes around and a significant figure in Youngstown's musical culture.  

]]> full 12 false Call him Sonny...  Call him Sonny Needs Money...  Call him Sonny Boy Hopcheck...  However you know him, wether it's from Underdog Records, Sacksville Rhythm & Blues Band, The Todd...you know that Sonny is one of the best dudes around and a significant figure in Youngstown's musical culture.  

]]> 00:51:00 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572897 In 1971 Jim Connor and his trio, Bull Run recorded an album which would not be heard by anyone until 2024.  Jim had played in bands throughout the 60's, but after returning from his service in the military, he wanted to make a statement with his music.  The result was a raw, proto-metal masterpiece that got rejected by every single label he sent it to, and the band got dirty looks from nearly every club owner who booked them.  Decades later his daughter Kim Connor haded us the tapes and entrusted us to tell their story.

]]> 11 1 false In 1971 Jim Connor and his trio, Bull Run recorded an album which would not be heard by anyone until 2024.  Jim had played in bands throughout the 60's, but after returning from his service in the military, he wanted to make a statement with his music.  The result was a raw, proto-metal masterpiece that got rejected by every single label he sent it to, and the band got dirty looks from nearly every club owner who booked them.  Decades later his daughter Kim Connor haded us the tapes and entrusted us to tell their story.

]]> 00:51:00 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572891 Mark and Tim Roller started Morly Grey not knowing that decades after releasing their only LP, "The Only Truth", original copies with sell for over a thousand dollars...even spawning its own hyper-local bootleg market.  This year we reissued that album along with some home recorded demos that they dropped off at Peppermint in 1970.  Mark and Tim are always a joy to chat with.  They always bring us chili dogs from Jay's and we always end up laughing more than anything.

]]> full 10 1 false Mark and Tim Roller started Morly Grey not knowing that decades after releasing their only LP, "The Only Truth", original copies with sell for over a thousand dollars...even spawning its own hyper-local bootleg market.  This year we reissued that album along with some home recorded demos that they dropped off at Peppermint in 1970.  Mark and Tim are always a joy to chat with.  They always bring us chili dogs from Jay's and we always end up laughing more than anything.

]]> 00:51:00 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572883 If you live in Youngstown, you know that Simply Slavic is the area's largest Slavic heritage festival.  We talk with John Slanina about how he's help build the festival, why celebrating this heritage is important, and the diverse world of regional ethnic music that has sprung out of it.  It's even inspired him to join a tamburitza orchestra.  

]]> full 9 1 false If you live in Youngstown, you know that Simply Slavic is the area's largest Slavic heritage festival.  We talk with John Slanina about how he's help build the festival, why celebrating this heritage is important, and the diverse world of regional ethnic music that has sprung out of it.  It's even inspired him to join a tamburitza orchestra.  

]]> 00:50:58 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572870 Glass Harp are one of the best know bands to come out of Youngstown.  We talk with Phil Keaggy and John Sferra about their early days playing together as teenagers, forming their first bands, wearing pointy shoes, and how they recorded "Where Did My World Come From", their 1969 demo LP that we recently released for the first time.

]]> full 8 1 false Glass Harp are one of the best know bands to come out of Youngstown.  We talk with Phil Keaggy and John Sferra about their early days playing together as teenagers, forming their first bands, wearing pointy shoes, and how they recorded "Where Did My World Come From", their 1969 demo LP that we recently released for the first time.

]]> 00:50:23 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572865 Marjon International was a recording studio and label in Hermitage, PA founded by husband and wife duo Martha and Johnny Krizancic.  Though both have passed, we share an interview from 2016 that Anthony and Josh Roman recorded with Martha at her home where the studio was.  We also talked with Josh, who is the owner and engineer at Mindrocket Recording Studio.  Martha and Johnny were mentors to Josh and he is very much the keeper of the flame that they started with Marjon.  

]]> full 7 1 false Marjon International was a recording studio and label in Hermitage, PA founded by husband and wife duo Martha and Johnny Krizancic.  Though both have passed, we share an interview from 2016 that Anthony and Josh Roman recorded with Martha at her home where the studio was.  We also talked with Josh, who is the owner and engineer at Mindrocket Recording Studio.  Martha and Johnny were mentors to Josh and he is very much the keeper of the flame that they started with Marjon.  

]]> 00:50:33 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572857 No other band recorded more at Peppermint than Blue Ash.  We chat with founding members Jim Kendzor and Frank Secich about the band's new compilation of unreleased material, their unmatched work ethic, spending thousands at the Brown Derby, playing for Ettore Boiardi (oh you know him as Chef Boyardee!) and even creating their own musicians' union (kinda).  

]]> full 6 1 false No other band recorded more at Peppermint than Blue Ash.  We chat with founding members Jim Kendzor and Frank Secich about the band's new compilation of unreleased material, their unmatched work ethic, spending thousands at the Brown Derby, playing for Ettore Boiardi (oh you know him as Chef Boyardee!) and even creating their own musicians' union (kinda).  

]]> 00:50:51 Fri, 29 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572853 Our first Casual Friday.  What's that?  It means we're kickin' back and mostly just playing records.  This show's loose theme is WAM records; Youngstown's first recording studio and label founded by Del Sinchak, which laid the groundwork for Peppermint.  We even get our first call from Nicky Mouse (the mouse who lives at Peppermint).

]]> full 5 1 false Our first Casual Friday.  What's that?  It means we're kickin' back and mostly just playing records.  This show's loose theme is WAM records; Youngstown's first recording studio and label founded by Del Sinchak, which laid the groundwork for Peppermint.  We even get our first call from Nicky Mouse (the mouse who lives at Peppermint).

]]> 00:50:59 Fri, 22 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572837 Del Sinchak is Youngstown's polka king.  He has had a 70 year career playing music which started with polkas and quickly shifted to Rock 'n' Roll and back to polka.  Del tells us about recording "Rama-Lama-Ding-Dong" with the Edsels, his three Grammy nominations, starting the first recording studio in Youngstown, running Dusi Music, starting the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals, being the president of the musicians' union, and wrapping it all up with a sold out New Years show for his retirement.

]]> full 4 1 false Del Sinchak is Youngstown's polka king.  He has had a 70 year career playing music which started with polkas and quickly shifted to Rock 'n' Roll and back to polka.  Del tells us about recording "Rama-Lama-Ding-Dong" with the Edsels, his three Grammy nominations, starting the first recording studio in Youngstown, running Dusi Music, starting the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals, being the president of the musicians' union, and wrapping it all up with a sold out New Years show for his retirement.

]]> 00:50:26 Fri, 15 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572831 Gary Rhamy is the founder of Peppermint Productions and the reason for this show...this label...  He has worked on over 50 Grammy award nominated and winning albums in the "Best Polka Album" category.  He tells us about how he got his start in radio and eventually moved to Youngstown in the 60's and ended up building the one of the most important recording studios and music archive in Ohio.  He's our dear friend, collaborator and mentor, and we had a blast chatting with him.

]]> full 3 1 false Gary Rhamy is the founder of Peppermint Productions and the reason for this show...this label...  He has worked on over 50 Grammy award nominated and winning albums in the "Best Polka Album" category.  He tells us about how he got his start in radio and eventually moved to Youngstown in the 60's and ended up building the one of the most important recording studios and music archive in Ohio.  He's our dear friend, collaborator and mentor, and we had a blast chatting with him.

]]> 00:51:58 Fri, 08 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572810 This week we flip the record and go track-by-track on side two of "Peppermint Presents...Rat Race!".  More archival music and interviews featuring The Roller Brothers, The Behnke Brothers, Phil Keaggy, Blue Ash, Flagg, and Ronnie Lee Cunningham.  We talk about the history of Peppermint and the two recording studios that preceded it and how the formed the foundation of recorded music history in Youngstown.

]]> full 2 1 false This week we flip the record and go track-by-track on side two of "Peppermint Presents...Rat Race!".  More archival music and interviews featuring The Roller Brothers, The Behnke Brothers, Phil Keaggy, Blue Ash, Flagg, and Ronnie Lee Cunningham.  We talk about the history of Peppermint and the two recording studios that preceded it and how the formed the foundation of recorded music history in Youngstown.

]]> 00:51:55 Fri, 01 May 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Peppermint Productions https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/71356/episode/2572796 Dean and Anthony take you track-by-track through Peppermint's first compilation of never before released archival material.  Featuring Iron Knowledge, The Human Beinz, Glass Harp, Morly Grey, Chapter II, and LAW.  They play music as well as interviews and even old commercials that were produced by Peppermint from the late 60's to the late 70's.  The compilation plays like an audio documentary; a real-time timeline of Peppermint's early days, and paints a picture of the music scene in Youngstown at that time.

]]> full 1 1 false Dean and Anthony take you track-by-track through Peppermint's first compilation of never before released archival material.  Featuring Iron Knowledge, The Human Beinz, Glass Harp, Morly Grey, Chapter II, and LAW.  They play music as well as interviews and even old commercials that were produced by Peppermint from the late 60's to the late 70's.  The compilation plays like an audio documentary; a real-time timeline of Peppermint's early days, and paints a picture of the music scene in Youngstown at that time.

]]> 00:51:24