Stanley Sievers (Mosh Retirement Guy): Six Songs To Die With

We have neither the budget nor the imagination of BBC Radio, so we've borrowed from their Desert Island Discs program to bring you our own scaled-down version, dubbed Six Songs To Die With. We ask a noteworthy musical guest to select the six songs they'd be stranded with on an obligatory desert island. Hypothetically, said guest will be dying on this island, so they've been advised to choose wisely. Selections appear in no particular order.

Stanley Sievers has indeed spent time as the bassist in Kentucky hardcore band Dead Icons. Lambgoat spoke with him 13 years ago when they signed with Bullet Tooth, and you can read that interview here. These days, however, you might know him more from his social media presence, as he has ventured into writing, acting, and directing in recent years.

Sievers' most recent project, a mockumentary titled The Moshumentary, aims to shed light on the hardcore scene and its lack of representation in TV and film. This short film is centered around the character of the "Mosh Guy," a persona that Sievers has developed with his online audience.

The plot of the mockumentary revolves around Mosh Guy's banishment from moshing in public after a regrettable incident in the pit during a show, where he left the guy he hit with the same disease as Brad Pitt's character in the 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. 

To receive permission to mosh again from the mosh council, he must locate and bring back the missing community member he crowd-killed. Unbeknownst to him, this quest will also lead to a personal journey of self-discovery. 

Introducing a more contemplative side of Stanley, we asked him to share the six songs he'd want by his side in his final moments. The diverse selection he offered gave us a glimpse into his personal tastes and a bit more insight into his own history of music discovery. 

Below are the six songs Stanley would bring with him to the end.

Prince - “Baby I’m A Star”

This has always been my favorite prince song. By far. It’s just got attitude, it’s fast, it’s pretty hard, and it never fails to make me want to dance. I have a baby and I put this song on to dance for her all the time. She doesn’t care for it. It’s mostly for me.

Hatebreed - “Empty Promises”

I only have six songs, so one of them HAS to be a Hatebred track. There’s a lot of great ones, but this one gives me goosebumps every time. It’s pissed, fast, and heavy. All the ingredients for a perfect hardcore track. I find myself throwing it on when I can’t think of anything else I wanna listen to. It always hits good.

Graham Nash - “Simple Man”

Songs for Beginners is my favorite solo album from all the Crosby Stills and Nash folks. This album has been there for me during times of transition, and it never fails to make me cry. When times get tough, I find myself putting this track on and it makes me feel better.

Sworn Enemy - “As Real As It Gets”

Alright so let’s say all 5 of my other songs are the meat and potatoes here, and the veggies, all the nutritious stuff. This is the dessert. Sworn Enemy was a huge favorite of mine growing up, and I still listen to them all the time. This song is just anger personified and I’ve got to have it on here.

Waylon Jennings - “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way”

This is one of my favorite tracks of all time. It’s kind of the anthem to my life in a way. Everything I do I end up doing it slightly off compared to other people doing the same thing. I used to get frustrated that things didn’t work for me the way they did for others, but I’ve learned to accept that I have my own path and to trust myself. Whenever I forget that, I put on this track.

Dolly Parton - “Packin it Up”

Dolly reminds me of my mom. She’s a huge Dolly fan, and so am I. This song just gets me fired up. I love her attitude. Whenever I feel like “fuck it, I’m done” with whatever is happening in my life, I throw this song on.