Retro Rock Roundup with Mike and Jeremy Wiles

In this episode Mike welcomes special guest and friend Austin Hough to talk all things Graham Parker!  We discuss how we first discovered his music and deep dive into our favorite Graham Parker albums and songs.

In episode 2 of our "Cover Me" Week - we speak with Doug Platt and Chris Sulcer, founding members of Small Town - A John Mellenamp Experience.  We discuss the bands formation, Doug and Chris' favorite Mellencamp albums and we recap their recent show at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL

As part of "Cover Me" Week on Retro Rock Roundup, we speak with Nick Psyhogios, leader of Chicago's Own Piano Man Band - Billy Joel/Elton John tribute.  This band gives you the total Billy Joel/Elton John experience.  We talk to Nick about his musical journey, getting signed to a record deal in the 80's by Paul Anka, and how he created Chicago's Own Piano Man Band.

In this New Music Friday episode, we speak with Jackson Reed, leader of the Calgary-based band, Jackson Reed and The Silverbirds.  We discuss the band';s musical journey, and their excellent new album Live in '25.

What did Jeremy find at the record store this time??  In this episode, we dive into an album that Jeremy found at a local record store and bought it because he liked the album cover, even though he had never heard the band's music before.  The album is from Afro Rock legends Osibisa, and the album is their 1971 release Woyaya.  We discovered what an excellent album this is and we wanted to share it with our listeners!

In this interview with speak with Debora Masterson, author of Freedom Quest:  A Love Story.  The book celebrates the music, dreams, and love story behind a 70's band that almost made it.

In this episode, we speak with the members of Refestramus.  Restramus is a Chicago-based band that combines prog rock ambition, cinematic storytelling, with hard rock energy.  We discuss the band's formation and their latest album, Morri's Rock Boutique.

In this Chicago Scene episode, we speak with Singer/Songwriter Josh Chicoine who has been writing and performing great music for the last 3 decades.  We discuss his musical journey from his early 2000's band The M's, to his latest project Cult Canyon and their debut album, Smoke Tracks to his Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Second Hand News.

In this episode, we are joined by Jonny Foster of the UK band Hardwicke Circus and their legendary manager, and co-founder of Stiff Records, Dave Robinson, to discuss Hardwicke Circus' recent tour of Ukraine. where they played in underground clubs, churches, and hospitals, literally in the middle of a war zone, just to bring people and music together.

In this episode, we speak with legendary drummer Carmine Appice about his recent reformation of his 70's Blues/Rock Band Cactus and their latest album Temple Of Blues, Part 2.  

To celebrate our 400th Episode of Retro Rock Roundup, Jeremy and Mike do another in their Much Maligned Album series and discuss the 1978 Sgt.Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Soundtrack featuring The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton.  How can something that looks so good on paper go so wrong??  Jeremy and Mike fill you in on the details.

In this episode, Mike interviews his concert friend and rock superfan, David Stockton, about their many  individual concert memories and how live music can bring people and communities together.

In celebration of Motorbooks Week, author Martin Popoff joins us to talk about his latest book, Kiss '76 - Twelve Months That Defined The Hottest Band In The Land.

To celebrate Motorbooks Week, author Daniel Bukszpan returns to the studio to talk about his latest book, Rush & 2112 - 50 Years.  The book is an excellent celebration of Rush's legendary album that helped launch their career.

In this episode, we speak with folk music legends John McCutcheon and Tom Paxton.  John and Tom have been friends for decades, but only recently decided to join forces to write and perform together.  The result is an amazing album, Together Again!

March Rockin Madness Week Episode 3!  New England Singer/Songwriter Frank Viele returns to discuss his new critically acclaimed EP, The Silo, and his current tour including his shows at SXSW in Austin, and his upcoming performance at Chicago's Uncommon Ground on March 20th!

March Rockin Madness Week kitcks off with our conversation with New York rocker, Bruce Wojick.  We discuss his musical journey including seeing Elton John's 1975 Tour when he was 13 years old.  Then we deep dive into his latest album with his band The Struggle - The Hard Way!

In this episode, we speak with British guitar legend Brinsley Schwarz.  We discuss his early years with his band, Brinsley Schwarz to his work as part of Graham Parker and The Rumour to his latest solo album, Shouting At The Moon.

In another of our Much Maligned Album series, Mike and Jeremy dive into Styx 1983 studio album, Kilroy Was Here.  Was it truly the reason for the band's 80's breakup?  Are there some hidden gems? Why is Mr. Roboto an earworm 43 years later?  Check out the episode to find out!

On this New Music Friday episode, Travis and Anthony from the great Chicagland partry rock band, Sounds Of The Good Life, join us to talk about their latest music and their new single 2+2!

In this episode, we speak with veteran heavy metal vocalist, Rick Hughes (Sword, Saints and Sinners) about his latest album, Redemption, that features great inspired songs and a cast of all-stars including Brad Gillis, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Alridge, Robbie Krieger and more.

In this New Music Friday episode, we speak with 12-year-old singer/songwriter, Holden Garcia, who has just released his debut album, Tainted Tapes, where he sings and plays all the instruments!  We talk about his start in music, dive into his album and talk about his upcoming Record Release Party at Black Dog Vinyl in Plainfield, IL

In this episode, we speak with Michael Gaiman and Pete Lavezzoli, organizers and producers of All You Need Is George, an exclusive all-star celebration of George Harrison's music.  We discuss the origins of this great legacy tribute and their current tour which starts this month.

In this Bonus Episode ,we talk with Jacob Deraps, vocalist and guitarist for Deraps - an amazing band that is bringing back the great hard rock of the 70's and 80's.  We discuss their latest amazing album, Viva Rock N' Roll, and their upcoming Canada and American Tour!

In this episode, friend of the podcast and Electric Talon Records recording artist Wax Mekanix returns to discuss the great new music he released in the last year and his latest single Naked.

In this weekend flash episode, Mike recaps the amazing Ronnie Montrose Remembered Concert he attended on January 24, 2026, in Anaheim, California!

In the latest edtion of our Chicago Scene series, we speak with veteran guitarist, singer/songwriter, Andon Davis.  We discuss his musical journey and the great bands he has been part of, including The Riptones and The Real Pretenders, and we dive into his new solo album and his upcoming record release party. 

In this episode we speak with Brian Greenway, guitarist and vocalist with the legendary Canadian rock band April Wine.  We discuss their musical legacy and their upcoming Canada and US tour with Triumph.

In this Much Maligned Albums series, Jeremy and Mike deep dive into Cheap Trick's 1986 album The Doctor to find out why it wasn't the right Rx for the band.

Legendary vocalist Keith St. John, from Montrose, Kingdom Come, Lynch Mob, and so many more, joins us to discuss Ronnie Montrose Remembered-NAMM JAMM 2026 - The 10th Anniversary Show on January 24th in Anaheim, California!

Omad Records recording artist, Robert LaRoche, returns to the studio to discuss his excellent new solo album, Sacred Vow.

In this episode, John Brodeur, aka Bird Streets,  returns to discuss his excellent new album, The Escape Artist.

Mike and Jeremy discuss some of the great classic rock bands that are hitting the road in 2026!  Are these "Cover Bands" because they only have one or two or even none of the original members?  We give you the lowdown on the bands that we believe are doing it right and one that we feel needs to stay home!  

Happy Holidays from Retro Rock Roundup!  In this special Christmas Episode, Mike and Jeremy talk about their favorite and least favorite Christmas songs by classic rock artists!  See which artist and bands have been naughty or nice!

Jeremy and Mike recap five wonderful years of Retro Rock Roundup. We are joined by some special guests who have been great supporters and contributors to our podcast.

In the latest of our Chicago Scene series episodes, we speak with Singer/Songwriter, Brian Krumm about his musical journey - from his bands Suede Chain to The Great Crusades, to his latest solo album with his band The Barfly Friends, Just Fade Away.

In this episode, we speak with author Gillian Gaar about her excellent new book, Tom Petty: A Life & Music.  We discuss the book and Tom Petty's amazing career.

In the Bonus Episode, we speak with Eric Butler, leader of Indiscipline: A Tribute To King Crimson. This band of some of the finest musicians is the best King Crimson expierience the Midwest has to offer.  We discuss the formation of the band, the challenge of putting together a setlist of this magnitude, and the band's upcoming performance on December 6th at Reggies in Chicago.

In Episode 2 or our 2 part "Bruce Giving" Week episodes, Jeremy and Mike are joined by Rock In Retrospect host, Nick Bambach to review the new Bruce Springsteen biopic, Delver Me From Nowhere.  We also discuss Nick's recent attendance at The 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and Mike and Jeremy recall their 2021 visit to Bruce Springsteen's hometown of Freehold, New Jersey.

In Part 1 of our 2 Episode "Bruce Giving" week, Jeremy and Mike deep dive into the "Electric Nebraska" tracks from Bruce Springsteen's recently released Nebraska '82 Box Set.

In this New Music Friday episode, we speak with the members of Anything Ever, a great up-and-coming band from New York that combines fantastic hook filled pop/rock with Kansas inspired violin. We deep dive into their excellent debut album, Sleepless Nights.  

In this episode, author Tim Durling joins us to talk about his book, Sing Me Away, The Night Ranger Album Review.  We also Tim's love of collecting rare 8-Track tapes and his Tim's Vinyl Confession You Tube show.    

In this episode, we speak with legendary rocker Graham Parker and author Jay Nachman about their great new book, Graham Parker's Howlin' Wind, which tells the story of Graham's early life and career that led up to his iconic 1976 debut album, Howlin' Wind.

In this episode, we speak with Terry Adams, Jr., who fronts The Phil Collins Experience - a multi-media production that pays tribute to Phil Collns and Genesis.  We discuss Terry's musical journey, his love of Phil Collins and Genesis, and the band's upcoming Chicagoland performances.

It's our 3rd Annual Halloween Episode!  And as usual, we are joined by Eric Peter Schwartz and Eric Dinse of the League of Erics duo, and we discuss our favorite deep and dark Halloween rock songs!  

In this episode, we speak with legendary rocker John Cafferty about him and his band John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band's career, including their commercial breakthrough with the Eddie and The Cruisers Soundtrack.  We also discuss writing songs for Sylvester Stallone movies, and what led them earlier this year to record a great new album, Sound Of Waves.

Hailed by Rolling Stone magazine for their "late-night decadence and velvet tones", wht.rbbt.obj. is a rock and roll reckoning!  Rabbit and Francis from wht.rbbt.ob.  join us to deep dive into their latest amazing album Oscar Bravo Juliett.

In Part 2 of this week's Double Shot Of Rock, veteran rocker Roger Deering returns to talk about his band, Crymwav, and its latest singles, Sense Of Adventure and Speak No Evil!

In Part 1 of this week's Double Shot Of Rock, we speak to legendary bassist and founding member of Blackfoot, Greg T. Walker about his incredible new band Two Wolf!

Jeremy joins Mike in the studio to talk about all things TWRP!  We discuss the Canadian band's recent performance in Chicago and their latest excellent album The Longest Weekend.

In this Chicago Scene episode, we speak with Chicago singer/songwriter Terry Smith.  We discuss the many bands he is a part of including the Modern Day Saints, The Yellowhammers and Cannonball as well as his great solo work.  We take a deep dive into his latest excellent album, 'You Won't Have A Name'.