Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

It was great to connect with the legendary Mikkey Dee. This guy has been the backbeat of bands from King Diamond to Don Dokken, to Motorhead, to the Scorpions. Now you can add his latest band, Lex Legion, to that list. Made up of guys he played with in King Diamond's band, Andy LaRocque, Pete Blakk, and Hal Patino, then throw in vocalist Nils K. Rue, and you've got a band that delivers heavy-hitting, old-school rock/metal.The Motorhead YearsWe talked about his time in Motorhead, which lasted 25 years. He said if Lemmy were still alive, he'd still be in that band. He compared it to a tight family unit. He also said Lem was the kind of guy to stick to his guns. "And as frustrating as that was sometimes, because he did not know everything best, you know? We were a total democracy in this band. We voted him down many times, me and Phil. I was maybe a little bit more involved with the business as well. You know, they, we all made decisions. That's, that's now where I'm trying to get, get out. But I'm actually interested in numbers and, and, you know, the business side of it. And they were just like more, oh, what the hell, you deal with it, kind of." Mikkey went on, "You know, and he, he made me look in a different angle about it. And, he was right, you know, a lot of times about this, not compromising the band or selling out. And, you know, I learned a lot from him there."Lex LegionThe new self-titled album drops on June 12th. It's short, clocking in at around 35 minutes. Mikkey said they did that so the vinyl release wouldn't sound too compressed. It consists of 9 songs.Mikkey said he enjoyed making this album. "A hundred percent, you know, because a lot of people, rightfully so, compare us now to the old Diamond Records that we did. But that's how we wrote music those days. And we continue writing this way. We are probably a nightmare for a more regular producer who will tear his or her hair off. Because why is this part over here? Why are you doing a double solo there? Or why do you have guitar harmonies after there?And it doesn't make any sense. But that's how we wrote those days. And that's the whole point of this, you know. We continue doing this on this record. It's not just verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, verse, double chorus ending."He did tell me that they're already working on the next record! "We're riffing away already. And as I said, I'll be very busy with Scorpions at least up till October. The last thing we do, as far as I know right now, is the residency in Vegas."Playing With The ScorpionsMikkey has been in the Scorpions for the better part of ten years now. They have an upcoming residency in Las Vegas coming up again this fall. "We love it. And we have so many friends in Vegas. And what a great city. Great people. Great venue." As far as the setlist for that band is concerned, he said it's close to last years celbration of the band's 60th anniversary. "But this year is an extension of last year's 60th anniversary show. And it's really, really good. I mean, we have a great 70s medley in there. And the set works really fine. Because I was asking the guys before we actually started this year, what are we going to take out? What are we going to add about rehearsal and stuff? And they said they want us to continue doing the 60th anniversary show. And it's great!"The new Lex Legion record drops on June 12th. Go grab it!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pepper and Woody from C.O.C. came on to discuss their latest albums, Good God/Baad Man. It's an all-out guitar assault, and I recommend it! I had to ask them about the Live Volume album, which was recorded on April 20th, 2001, at the local concert theater, Harpos. We discuss the recording of the album. The initial process for the record began about 3 years ago. The boys were jamming guitars, drinking beers, and were off and running. Peper said they wanted to "cause a stink". LOL The guys said it was a fun record to make. Woody referred to it as easier than other albums. "We didn't have to answer to anyone", Pepper said. We also talked about the tour they did with Metallica in 1997. When they played here at the Palace of Auburn Hills. At one of those shows, James Hetfield joined them on stage. Ted Nugent also joined Metallica on stage, as the guys recalled that too. As I record this podcast, the band is playing The Machine Shop on Tuesday, May 12th. They have a lot of shows coming up in support of the new album, including tons of U.K. gigs throughout the month of June. A huge Thank You to Pep and Woody for calling in!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Operation Mindcrime is considered a masterpiece by rock fans. Geoff dropped OMC 2 a few years back, and now the completion of the story with Operation Mindcrime 3, which came out Sunday. I had a chance to catch up with him before he plays Saint Andrew's Hall in Detroit on May 9th. What's it like to drop a new album nowadays? How many people had their hands in this project, helping him? He explained how he wrote the songs and how he let some of them marinate for months while he tweaked them to perfection. I also asked him about hiring fairly unknowns to tour with him to bring this music to the fans. "We'', I like to surround myself with people that I like." He went on, "I never want to be in a situation where you're working with people because of contacts." I can understand that. He also talked about touring and keeping his voice in top shape. Enjoy! MeltdownSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richie Faulkner is back on Talkin' Rock! This time, he tells me about the latest Elegant Weapons album, Evolution. The new album dropped on April 24th, and it rocks! We discuss some of the guests on it, as well as some particular guitars he used. By the way, if you listen to YouTube, Richie has written descriptions of each song. Pretty cool to hear about these tracks right from Richie himself. We also chatted about the upcoming Judas Priest documentary, The Ballad Of Judas Priest. That's played at some film festivals here and there, with hopes to be released later this year. He said the band is working on new material as well. Enjoy the conversation with Richie!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a thrill to meet the one and only Peter Criss! I'd never met or interviewed him before, and I found him great to talk with! His new solo album is out, and it's fantastic. The music covers the gamut of old rock n' roll, to the blues, to 50's rock, and much more. It's honestly one of the most diverse albums I've heard in a long time. Peter talked to me about the album and the many players on it. This record has been in the works for some time, so it's great that it's out. We also discussed coming back to Detroit Rock City. He's been in town for a few days, taking in everything the city has to offer, including museums and more. I can't say enough about how cool it was of Peter to come by the station. A special thank you to his wife GiGi, and my friends Photo Joe and Nick from Rock City Record Company, where Peter will be signing albums and more on April 24th/25th. Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills was also kind enough to come by the station a week ago. He was in town for Astronomicon and swung by to talk about that and lots more. Being a huge horror movie fan, we did talk about that genre. One of their songs, Twisting the KNife is used in Scream 7. We also talked about his dad's 80s band, Grave Diggler. You need to hear about that, then punch them up on the internet. Spencer told me about opening for Metallica, a possible paranormal sighting in Seattle, and more. I always enjoy talking with Spencer!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wow! For a non-award-winning podcast, I get some cool guests!Gene Simmons was in Detroit for the grand opening of the Rock & Brews in Royal Oak. We discuss that, look back on KISS putting their make-up back on and playing Tiger Stadium 30 years ago this coming June, and some questions from local Detroit icons. Rachel Bolan from Skid Row drops a solo album in June. There are lots of rocking guests on it. Rachel tells me about that, the search for the next singer of Skid Row, some KISS memories, and more BS from the rock world. Johnny Franck, the brains behind Bilmuri, rounds out the podcast. He's a huge Ohio State guy, so of course, I had to bust his chops about the Michigan Wolverines winning the national championship. Speaking of collabs, there are plenty on his new record. We discuss that, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two big rock stars, one non-award-winning podcast!Maynard is up first, talking about Puscifer, the latest album Normal Isn't, the creative process, and more. He's spoken about being a self-doubter, which seems crazy, so I had to ask him if he gets stage fright. The answer might surprise you. What about seeing a show at the Sphere? Not so much, according to him. He and his band play the historic Fox Theater on April 18th, with many more tour dates. Then it's Canadian rock royalty in Rik Emmett. Unfortunately, I had technical issues, which I explain in the episode. That being said, we discussed the U.S.A. Olympic Gold hockey game, his book of poetry called Leaning Into it, and his relationship with former Triumph singer Phil X. All told, I hope Rik accepts my apologies for the technical glitches. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a non-award-winning episode! Yes, you read the title right. Zacky Vengeance is up first to discuss his solo record, Dark Horse, which drops on April 3rd. The first song he released from it is called Lighthouse. He talks about that song and the rest of the album. He speaks to how different it is from the material from A7X. We discuss the writing process and how he played, according to him, about 95% of the instruments on the album. He told me what's going on with the band, some surprising announcements coming up, and more. Detroit drummer Tommy Clufetos is up next. He's bringing his band, Tommy's Rocktrip, to The Token Lounge on April 23rd. We discuss that, playing the Brit Awards show in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the Detroit grind he's got in him, and lots more. Mike Krompass from the band The Fell wraps up this episode. We discuss their tour, which comes to the Token Lounge on Saturday, March 28th, playing with Billy Sheehan, material in the can, and more. Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Craig Gass is touring the country, bringing the laughs to fans all over. This weekend, it's Detroit's turn as he plays shows at One Night Stan's in Waterford. To say he has some rock stories is an understatement. Not only does he have rock stories, but they're also funny as Hell!On this episode, he tells me about meeting Lars from Metallica for the first time and opening for them! How about upsetting fans on a KISS cruise? Yes, he's done that too! Impersonations of Sebastian Bach, Christopher Walken, Al Pacino, and lots more. Thanks for listening! Go see Craig live!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new Pretty Reckless album, called Dear God, drops on June 26th. She and the band played with AC/DC last April, but before that, it hadn't been since the fateful night of the last Soundgarden show. She discussed opening those major shows worldwide. As we talked, she was in Chile. For I Am Death was released a bit ago, with the latest single called When I Wake Up. As with much of their catalog, it has a real throwback, classic vibe to it. She talks about that song, the album artwork, and a post about her last "confessional", which I, like an idiot, didn't pick up on. Taylor's awesome...her band is awesome...I cannot wait to drop the new album on the turntable!Speaking of turntables, I listened to Rush's 2112 to prepare to speak with author Daniel Bukszpan. His new book is entitled RUSH & 2112: 50 Years. Yes, I could talk Rush all day. Daniel discusses the approach he took when writing a book about one of the most defining Rush albums. He spoke with producers and others to get a feel of what it was like making the iconic album. An album that was a major turning point for the band. For a better look at what this book entails, here's an excerpt from the press release. In the book, Rush fans new and old can expect:• A deep dive into how "2112" came together and why it is regarded as a masterpiece.• Track-by-track analyses of the studio cut as well as insight into the 20-minute “2112” suite and why it works• Historical insight and analysis about the state of rock in the mid-'70s and evolving '80s, and how Rush created and sustained an unforgettable soundWe talked about all of this and much more.. Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sebastian Bach is out bringing the Party Never Stops tour to fans all across the country. Our turn in the Detroit area happens on March 15th at District 142. Limited tickets remain. Talking with him, we discuss his connections to the Motor City, and there are many. He also told me why he still uses a corded microphone. Of course, we talked about Twisted Sister. Well, I was allowed ONE question. To say he's fired up is an understatement. I cannot wait to see it myself!Jim Breuer is up next. He's also touring all over the country/ His stop in Detroit happens on March 27th at the Masonic Temple. I always love picking Jim's brain when it comes to music. We discussed Metallica, Detroit rockers, and more. He even went into some of his favorite impressions. Thanks for listening! Enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Believe it or not, the Van Halen 5150 album turns 40 at the end of March! To celebrate, the guys are dropping a deluxe version of it on March 27th. According to the press release, The deluxe edition not only contains a remastered version of the album, but also more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased recordings from their August 27th, 1986 concert at the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut; a selection of rare seven-inch single edits; and extended 12-inch versions. There's also a Blu-ray containing a high-definition upgrade of the video of that show, which was previously released as Live Without a Net, plus promo videos for “Dreams” and “Why Can't This Be Love.” The collection will also be available on vinyl and digitally.Michael was cool enough to hop on to discuss this time period of the band, and lots more. Did he know Sammy Hagar before he joined VH? Did he feel like, at certain times, it was the brothers (Eddie and Alex) vs. him and Sammy? Did he have any input into bringing Sammy in? How do I get a Jack Daniels endorsement? These are the important questions Michael answered, and lots more. You can see him, along with Sammy, when they play Pine Knob on June 19th, a day before his birthday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Triumph machine is gearing up for a big return in 2026, and drummer Gil Moore was nice enough to come on the podcast and discuss where the band sits from a rehearsal, set list, and member point of view. Of course, I had to ask Gil, a hockey fan, about the Winter Olympics and the fact that the United States and Canada could face off yet again for Gold. He's been busy getting Triumph back up and running, so he admitted that he hasn't seen a lot of it. We did talk about rehearsals, the upcoming setlist, and production rehearsals. They'll be going down to Florida for their first productions run throughs. He told the dichotomy of bringing along Brent Fitz, Todd Kerns, and Phil X as well. He said that Phil and Rik Emmett get along very well and have mutual respect and the skills they bring. To round out this episode, it's Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp founder, David Fishof. The camp is celebrating its 30 th anniversary this year, and bringing out a lot of rockers. David has had the who's who of rockers at the camp over the years and has many stories to share. The guy knows everyone! It was fascinating to speak with him for the first time, hopefully not the last. He wants me to make an appearance at a camp...ya know, as a tambourine player. LOLSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new BLS album drops on March 27th. Zakk talks about the title, Engines of Destruction (sort of). So far, only a couple of songs have dropped from the album: Name in Blood and Broken and Blind. Zakk does talk about the final song on the record, Ozzy's song. We discussed Back to the Beginning, Pantera, and the possibility of new music, as well as yacht rock, Super Bowl predictions, and more. Oh, and a funny story about Ozzy and Mr. Crowley. Des Rocs is a guitarist from the Queens, NY area. He's up next to talk about his upcoming tour and new album on the way. Heavily influenced by bands with a fuzzy guitar sound, he spoke to liking bands like the White Stripes and others, he says, do it right. You can watch that interview here - https://wrif.com/2026/02/03/des-rocs-2/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was a pleasure to speak with Rod for the first time in my career. He celebrated his 50th year as a professional drummer this past September. We discuss that and his latest project, Voices of Extreme. Before we got to those topics, Rod shared some great stories of touring with Rush and the legendary Neil Peart. He spoke about what an average day was like on that tour, his personality, and more. I also gave Rod a chance to plug his Wing Thing drum tool. From what I've heard, many touring drummers and drum techs use this tool. Was Winger underrated as far as their musicianship? He answers that question, as well as a little behind-the-scenes into the making of their hit, Seventeen. IMO, their record PULL was their best record. Unfortunately, a thing called grunge hit, and that album never got its due. It was a pleasure to speak with Rod....I hope you enjoy this. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Kendall is an original member of Great WHite, and soon you'll be able to learn much more about him. His autobiography is in the works and is set for a spring release if all goes well. Mark talks about that, remembering things he'd long forgotten, writing about his friend Jack Russell, and lots more. We started off the conversation with a health update. Mark is fighting kidney cancer and is winning! We're pulling for him and know he's got this!We also discuss new music that the band is working on. He says they have about 7 songs laid down on tape. There's no deadline on that, but it's great to hear they're working on stuff. Amanda Lyberg is the lead singer of the Detroit band Eva Under Fire. Maybe you haven't heard of them, maybe you have. Chances are, you'll be hearing more about them in 2026 as they get set to tour with Five Finger Death Punch! We also discuss their new album, which is set to drop this year. They've switched management camps, and the Detroit grind is back. Wishing the best to the EUF guys as it looks like 2026 is going to rock!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geoff Tate kicks off a new year of Talkin' Rock episodes. The former Queensryche frontman talks about his upcoming tour (May 9th - Saint Andrew's Hall), as well as an update on Operation Mindcrime 3 that he says is going to drop this summer.Did he think he'd be playing Operation Mindcrime in its entirety this many years down the road? Why did they play the whole album while touring on Empire in the early '90s? What project did he recently work on with Kurt Diemer? All these questions get answers with many more.There's a new Rock & Brews opening in March in Royal Oak! Tony and Dan Yazbick join me to discuss the process of opening the KISS franchise location, around many other bars they own. I asked them about talking to Paul Stanley about the new venture. Tony shares a funny story of dressing up like one of the members for Halloween, as well as how to get a job at the new restaurant.Thanks for listening! Happy 2026!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What an honor to have all three original members of Triumph on with me. Rik, Mike, and Gil have put the band back together and are hitting the tour trail in 2026. What caused them to reunite? Why are they opening the tour in Canada? Will they ever get into the Rock Hall? All of these questions are asked in a very fun conversation. One I didn't think I'd be having in 2025. Tickets are on sale now for the shows, and I hear they're going fast.To wrap up this episode, it's Carla Harvey and her band, The Violent Hour. When she hit me up a few weeks back to set this up, I thought it was just going to be her. She brought the entire band in; what I've learned was their first interview together. We discuss putting the band together, the less metal-leaning of the music, Carla's recent marriage, The Lords of Acid, and lots more. I saw the ladies on stage the following night, and they kicked ass!!Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two outstanding singers, one mediocre podcast!John Bush is one of my favorite singers in metal. His Anthrax albums ruled, and he's so good live with Armored Saint. He's doing three shows playing his Anthrax material in Chicago, L.A., and New York. We talk about what made him decide to book these shows and bring this music to the people. John had some funny stories of the Metallica/ W.A.S.P. tour they did in 1985. He also to me about new Armored Saint music coming in 2026. John's a great dude and very talented!Brian Vander Ark wraps up this episode. He's doing a storytelling show with three other artists from the 90s coming to District 142 on December 12th. This sounds like it could be a great night! I don't think I've ever interviewed Brian before, but man, is he funny! He told me the funniest story of touring with KISS. We talked about the living room shows he's played over the years. As well as his part in the movie Rockstar, and how he got one of his songs featured in the film. Oh, how often do they get confused with the band The Verve? That's hysterical!Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Talkin' Rock, it's Chris Robertson of Black Stone Cherry and the guys from Set It Off. Chris started us off by discussing their upcoming EP, which is set to drop on March 6th. There are six new songs and one cover. More about that in a minute. Celebrate is the name of the EP, and the first single to come from it. Chris said that the song is about everyday small victories. The cover song is with Tyler Connolly of Theory of a Deadman, and they covered the Simple Minds classic Don't You (Forget About Me). Chris said he's always wanted to cover that song and add more punch to it. We discussed Detroit rock legends, their European tour with Alice Cooper, and more. They play District 142 on Saturday, November 22.Set It Off wraps up this episode. The guys dived into going independent a couple of years ago, and it seems to have worked for them. They are loving being in control of their path and say it's opened more doors than they thought it would. They also have a new EP that they dropped a couple of weeks ago. We discussed great wings in Detroit, touring with I Prevail, and how well they treated them, and more. They play Saint Andrew's Hall on Thanksgiving Eve. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matthew and Gunnar Nelson start us off, as I've never had the chance to talk with them. I asked them about any misconceptions people might have about them, and they told me that people were surprised to find out they're actually pretty nice guys. I can attest to that!Their new book drops in mid-December, called What Happened To Your Hair. Matthew and Gunnar told me the book came about on the urging of Dana Strum from Slaughter. He told them that it might be obvious, but they should write a book. They did!They discuss the grunge scene and its impact on their careers. An awkward appearance on SNL. Growing up in a very famous family. Their overnight success that took many years, and lots more. I loved talking to the brothers. To wrap up this episode, I spoke with author Stephen Rea. He grew up in Northern Ireland and discovered hard rock/metal as a young teen. But unlike many of us, he befriended its biggest star, Ozzy Osbourne. A friendship that would last until we lost the Prince of Darkness last summer. As a 16-year-old, Stephen spoke about taking a month off from school and touring with Ozzy through Europe. No, not on trains, or hitchhiking from concert to concert, but on Ozzy's bus! That's insane!That's just the beginning of the great tales Stephen told me. about. Ozzy And Me is out now. MeltdownSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mac Saturn guys are back and making a racket! It was great to reconnect with Carson, Angelo, Mike, and Ian.The band has had an unusual start. Sidelined by the pandemic, then, a now ex-member sentenced to jail for child porn, the guys are focused on another chance to prove they belong in the big leagues, on the big stages.They sat down with me earlier this week to discuss everything happening with Mac Saturn..."It's Been A Hell Of A Year"With all that's happened in the past, I just asked them: How's the state of the band? Singer, Carson Macc said, "Well, it's been one hell of a year, year and a half, I'd say. We've spent a lot of time together. You know, we've been brought closer as brothers, and we've been doing a lot of writing. We've got a lot of new songs that we're trying out on stage, as well as the songs from Hard to Sell that we still love playing. And we're just trying to push our sound, push ourselves, and push each other to be the best we can be. And we're excited to bring that back to people. But, it's been quite a year." Bassist Ian Lukas piped in on how much they've been inspired. "It's been such a terrific period for really being inspired by our audience. Really plotting, you know, what we want to come back with, what kind of, like, direction we want to go come back with. And we're just super psyched with how it's going so far."The guys have primarily been playing smaller shows to get back in the groove. Something that Carson said is a chance to connect with the fans. "People were playing to, these crowds that are extremely engaged. And we get to engage with every single person. We kind of lost that a little bit in some of the shows when we opened for Dirty Honeyand the Struts, obviously, at that level. You know, there's a few people in the back that you can't really make eye contact with. But on these shows we've been playing, we are connecting with every single person in the club. And it's an exciting thing for us. And it really is informing us a lot on the songs that we've been working."Working With Al Sutton, Herschel Boone, and Marlon YoungThe guys are no strangers to Rust Belt studio, helmed by the legendary Al Sutton. I asked what it's like to work with him. "Well, I will say, you know, Al is a big part of it. But Marlon Young and Herschel Boone. The other two guys. You know, Marlon's definitely in the music world and in the guitar world. And Herschel, me, and Herschel, definitely lock in on the vocals. And he works with the guys on the backgrounds. He gets these guys to sound like a 35-piece choir on the background." Carson went on, "It's crazy. So I would say it's definitely a team effort. But Al is just so passionate. And he is so, he's matured so much since we've even started working with him. And the process that we have with him now, there's so much trust involved. And there's such a free communication that he really lets us bring in ideas and see where they lead to. And, you know, he reaches out to people that he knows and tries to get them involved as well."For those who don't know, Marlon and Herschel have been in Kid Rock's Twisted Brown Trucker band for over two decades.Being A Detroit BandI asked the guys about representing Detroit rock abroad. Guitarist Mike Moody said, "We're so proud of Detroit. And it's such a cool conversation starter, too, because we are repping it as much as we possibly can. So I think a lot of people have really cool experiences with something that they love from Detroit. And we love talking about that."Angelo piped in, "Everyone's got some artists they love from Detroit. He said that even a city like Nashville has many musicians from this area. "Well, I think we wouldn't be who we are without where we are always. You know, we're very in tune with our environment, just all the guys in general. And I think a real, true no frills band has to be affected by where they are, you know? And I'm just so thankful that it's this city because what can be combined in this city, not only music-wise, but style-wise, vibe-wise, energy-wise, hustle-wise, what you can combine here, you can only do here. It's one of one place, and it makes us want to be one of one. And I, you know, as much as I owe everything to the band and the producers and everything, we owe just as much to the city for making us want to be who we are and want to be a Detroit thing," said Carson.Ian chimed in, "It's a privilege to be a part of the music scene in Detroit, and take that on the road."Playing Saint Andrew's Hall On November 15thIt's a big show for the boys, as drummer Angelo Coppala explained, "It's my dad's birthday. There's a lot going on. We got to kill it. We got to do it. So we're excited for that. And we've got our eyes on that target. But it's all, it all feels like the first time. But it's also like the first time with all the knowledge that you have. So we're really excited to take different steps than we did last time when we were kind of at this point."I'm glad the boys are back. They're good dudes, and I hope this time they're around for a long time!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here's your Friday, non-award-winning episode of Talkin' Rock!Tye Trujillo is up first. The son of the Metallica bass player, how wild is it that he's also in Suicidal Tendencies, a band his dad was also in? We discuss his band OTTTo's latest single and video, Sweaty Pool. He speaks to the guest singer on it. We also talk about growing up in a musical household, and more. Maiah Wynne is up next. She's the singer in the band Envy Of None, featuring Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson. She tells me how she got the call-up, writing material for the band, her upbringing, and hopes to see the Canadian rock giants on tour in 2026. Wrapping up this episode is Joshua Toomey. You may know him from his Talk Toomey podcast, but before that, he was in a band called Primer 55. Well, they've put the band back together and have hit the road. He's also started a second podcast with fellow bassist, David Ellefson. We discuss all of this and lots more. Enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Ellefson and his Kings of Thrash are making three stops in Michigan. October 23rd at the Venue Events Center in Cadillac, MI., followed by a stop at the Machine Shop in Flint the next day, then The Token Lounge on the 25th.We obviously had to discuss the passing of Ace Frehley. As many know, David is a huge KISS fan. He spoke about some memories he had with the Spaceman over the years. Ironically enough, he has never been to Cadillac, which just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the visit from KISS in 1975."Ace Frehley's passing was on the level of Eddie Van Halen's passing. I mean, different players, but they made us want to be musicians." David said. "Not only musicians, but rockstars!" Isn't that the truth?He said he didn't know Ace that well, but well enough. "You know, so Ace and I became friends, not close friends. I mean, we have each other's cell phone. I'd usually text him every year for his birthday. And me and Frank Bello would text him because he played a solo on our Altitudes and Attitude record."David speaks to the tour, the numerous gigs he has coming up, including the Monsters of Rock Cruise, where he'll play with Jeff Scott Soto, and tons more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THREE great guests, one podcast! I've spoken to and met Jeff Keith a bunch of times. Great guy! I've never talked with or met Miljenko Matijevic from Steelheart, so this was cool that I got to speak with him as well. You might be asking why I talked to them together? Well, they just released a cover of the classic "I Just Wanna Make Love To You!. They told me how the ball got rolling to cover the song and the approach they took. We also talked about Tesla's upcoming residency in Vegas, if the guys from Foghat heard the song, cover songs Tesla has done, and if Miljenko heard the version of their monster hit "I'll Never Let You Go" done by Moriah of the band Plush. John 5 is next on this episode. His new album, The Ghost, is out now. Yes, 5 has had a paranormal experience. We talk about the recent Motley residency in Vegas. John said he was very happy to see Vince Neil, not only on stage again, but killing it!We also talked about the final Ozzy show. He had some great things to say about the fallen legend, and also revealed that he was contacted to play the Back to the Beginning show. Enjoy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another two-for-one on Talkin' Rock. First up is guitar virtuoso Joel Hoekstra. The TSO machine is about to fire up for the holiday season, and Joel answers my questions about rehearsals (which is super interesting), the accusations of using backing tracks, his solo material, and lots more. Then, it's Sammy and Josh from Citizen Zero. Sammy had an eventful summer touring with the Goo Goo Dolls. He talks about how that came about. Plus, the guys talk about putting CZ back together, some shows coming up, and big things in 2026. Thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two great guests...one mediocre podcast!On this episode of Talkin' Rock, Pär Sundström of Sabaton joins me first to talk about their upcoming album, Legends. They'll be touring the States and beyond in 2026. We also talk about their new record deal, breaking in America, history, and more.Next up, it's Johnny Franck. His "band" Bilmuri is pumping out new music, with a comic tilt. His latest album is American Motor Sports. Is he a NASCAR fan? I asked him. He's currently working on a ton of new music, as he prepares to go on tour with Bad Omens.Enjoy....MeltdownSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the weekend, WRIF hosted our annual Riff Fest at Pine Knob. I interviewed the three main stage bands before the show that night. Up first, it's Ben Burnley from Breaking Benjamin. Ben's fun to talk with. We discussed his influences, yacht rock, new BB music, his home studio, and more. Matt and Adam from Three Days Grace are next. It's the first time I've had the chance to speak with both singers. We talked about the new album, hockey, and that's just for starters. Finally, it's the band Return To Dust. If you're a fan of the grunge music of the 90s, this band is for you. Their set killed! The guys told me how the band started, with two of the guys hailing from Texas and two from Southern California. Keep an eye on these guys in the future. MeltdownSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Friday, and another episode of Talkin' Rock. Chris Daughtry is up first. Part 2 of Shock To The Stem dropped last week. We talk about that, including the latest single "The Bottom". We discuss playing in front of his peers, singing Journey with Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, and more. Tommy Buoy from Yachtley Crew is next to wrap up the episode. I'll admit, it's a little bit out of the realm of what I do, but I'll also admit that I'm a sucker for a good Yacht Rock classic. This interview was fun, as you'd expect. We talked about their new album “Seas the Night”, which includes yacht rock staples and a new track. What does Motley Crue think of the thier name? Tommy tells me...that's for starters with Tommy Buoy on Talkin' Rock. MeltdownSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's episode, I talk with Billy Sheehan and Mike Krompass from The Fell, along with Jake Diab and Joe Coccimiglio from Autumn Kings.The Fell is a band that Mike founded 10 years ago. They've dropped two singles, Killswitch and Face Out - the title track. They have an EP coming out in October, with the full-length album coming out in 2026. How does one go about getting Billy Sheehan in the band? What legendary artist's album did Billy just play on? Billy just played a giant show in Indonesia with Bumblefoot and Steve Vai, among others. I asked him about the last time he played with Steve, who he played with in the David Lee Roth band. That's just for starters with this conversation. Up next, it's Jake and Joe from Autumn Kings. The boys recently played a string of shows in Europe. We talk about that and some special guests who came to see them on tour. Is there new music coming from AK? Yes. When? Well, they couldn't say exactly, but they gave us a hint. They're playing Riff Fest on September 20th at Pine Knob.Enjoy and thanks for listening!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's great to reconnect with the guys from The Funeral Portrait. All the boys came by: singer Lee Jennings, guitarists Cody Weissinger and Caleb Freihaut, with bassist Robert Weston, and drummer Homer Umbanhower. Their album Greetings From Suffacate City is about to turn one on September 13th, and it's been a whirlwind year for the boys. From a tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson, to this summer's tour with Ice Nine Kills. Before their show locally, they swung by the station to speak with me about everything TFP. You can watch the conversation in the link above. I met the guys for the first time last year as we visited Eloise Insane Asylum. You can hear the audio that was captured here. New Music From The Funeral Portrait "A little baby bit...we have less than a handful of stuff" was how Caleb described the progress on new music from the band. He said that they've been pounding the road so hard they haven't had a chance to start on anything new. "We have a small amount, but what we have is exciting." He went on to say it has to be bigger than "Greetings". Lee chimed in, "It has to be next-level because of the tours we've done." He said they're playing to so many new people each night that new fans are discovering the album. Working With Ivan Moody on "Holy Water The song 'Holy Water' was released as a single pre-COVID. When they went to re-release the song earlier this year, Ivan Moody from Five Finger Death Punch told the guys he wanted to be on the track. "It just so happens that Ivan liked the song. And he wanted to be on it. It was kind of a magical, weird moment of him being "I want to help this band out. I like them. They're cool, they're different, they're young." Kind of like a torch passing moment, and it just worked." The guys were nice enough to bring their guitars, so they busted out two songs for us. Their next single is "Dark Thoughts" and "Holy Water". They also talked about how welcoming the INK band and their fans have been to them. And get this, they're heading off on a European tour this fall. I want them to take me with them!! The boys have had an amazing year, and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward! I'm a fan!

Typically, when I post the artists I have on the show, I also include the band they're in. For this episode, that's not necessary. Up first, The Metal God, Rob Halford, joins me to talk all things Judas Priest, and their upcoming tour with Alice Cooper. He talks to me about his relationship with the theatrical legend. The topic of Ozzy's passing came up. Rob said he couldn't believe it. He curled up in a ball and bawled his eyes out for hours. He shared some memories with Ozz and what he'd want everyone to do in his absence. Rob's a GREAT guy that I've had the privilege to speak with several times. He's one of my favorites for sure. Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden starts his solo tour today (August 22nd), so he came on to speak about fencing, the tour, and his solo career. He says the band he's playing with is solid and great to be around. He talks about playing theaters versus stadiums. Does he play new solo music for his Maiden bandmates? He answers that question, plus playing Maiden songs on the upcoming tour. He said he's playing a song they've never played live. Oh, he does answer the question about cowbell on stage....LOL Enjoy!

It's another two-for-one on Talkin' Rock! Up first, drumming legend, Mike Portnoy. He and Dream Theater are about to kick off their fall tour, with a stop at the Fox Theater on September 21st. We discussed his love for the Beatles, his relationship with Neil Peart, and the multiple bands he is a part of. He shared his thoughts on the passing of Ozzy and the only time he ever met the legend. Great to interview Mike for the first time after I'd met him a few times before. Next, it's Alice Cooper band bassist, Dennis Dunaway. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is out now. He told me they had a lot of material to choose from. So much they could've recorded many more albums. He shared some Detroit stories, a stage prop that didn't work as planned, and much more. Thanks for listening!

An honor to have two of my faves on this week's episode of Talkin' Rock. Tom Keifer and Brad Gillis' music has been with me practically my whole life. Tom Keifer is up first. We discuss what's on tap for his band, with a date at the Royal Oak Music Theater on September 4th. What about new music? Tom answers that question, too. He also told me stories of the 1989 Moscow Music Festival, as he did press sitting next to Ozzy Osbourne himself. We also got into the writing process he uses, and it's different than most. Brad Gillis is up next. I had the pleasure of meeting with Brad a few weeks ago here in Detroit. He let me hold and pose with his famous 1962 Strat that he's had since the 70s. His "work horse," as he calls it. He's played that on every Night Ranger album and Ozzy's Speak of the Devil record. He told me about getting the gig with Ozzy, how he scored a killer Harley-Davidson, and tons more. Great to catch up with these two rock legends....on one non-award winning podcast! Meltdown

It's a jammed-packed episode of the non-award-winning Talkin' Rock podcast. The legendary Steve Jones is up first to discuss his upcoming tour. He told me how much he loves touring with this band. We talked about the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, are there any "rock stars" left, and lots more. Really cool to talk with him for the first time. Mr. Big's Eric Martin is next. Yes, he has an Ozzy story also from decades ago. We discussed his vocal idols, the final Mr. Big tour, and more. I love talking to Eric. He's so easy going. Eric has two Michigan shows coming up in Paw Paw on August 7th, and Ludington on August 8th. Mark Kendall from Great White wraps up this episode. He told me about getting stranded here in Michigan last week—a true Spinal Tap moment. Yes, we also discussed the upcoming part 2 of that classic movie. Mark also told me about the passing of Jack Russell. He said he and Jack had never gotten in an argument. He went into depth about what he thought was under Jack's addiction., It was truly a touching, heartfelt moment as Mark talked about addiction. Mark and the band are playing the Motor City Casino Soundboard on August 7th with Slaughter.

This conversation began as a discussion about the Back To The Beginning concert. David and I recorded it on Monday afternoon, while he was doing some stuff in London. With the passing of Ozzy on Tuesday, I shelved it until now. David was kind enough to call in and talk about the Prince of Darkness on my show Tuesday, so I incorporated it into today's conversation. David talks about the big concert, comparing it to Live Aid, as far as feel and vibe. He told me about the best parts for him and his chance to play on the big stage. We also talked about Megadeth, and where he thinks the band peaked out and was hitting on all cylinders. It's been a crazy week, I hope you enjoy this chat! Meltdown

Always great to catch up with drummer Tommy Clufetos, and this time was no different. He played in Ozzy's band for the Back to the Beginning concert, so I had to ask him about that. I mean, the chance to play Ozzy's last concert is an unreal assignment. Tommy talked about being there with fellow Detroiter Chad Smith, who also played during the day. He said he and Chad watched Black Sabbath from the side of the stage. We also talked about his new music, which smokes! Straight-aheads no BS rock! It'll be on full display when he does shows with Ted Nugent throughout Michigan in August. Oh, and don't forget about his other band, The Dead Daisies, which he'll play shows with in August as well. The guy is a machine! Enjoy!

Two great artists, one mediocre host - it's Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. I just realized I opened by saying this is "the final" episode of Talkin' Rock. That's because I'm on vacation next week. There will be more! Sometimes my brain doesn't work right when I'm staring down the barrel of 10 days off! Ok, here we go.... Up first, it's drumming legend, Vinny Appice. You can catch him live at Uncle Sam Jam on July 11th with his band, Sabbath Knights, which we discussed. We talk about his time in Black Sabbath and how it changed his life. I didn't know that he did a small tour with the original members, including Ozzy Osbourne. He told me why he's not involved in the Back To The Beginning concert taking place this weekend, as well as his thoughts on Ronnie James Dio not being in the Rock Hall. We also discussed the passing of Rick Deringer, Joel Hoakstra's project he plays on, the anniversary of the album Last In Line, and much more. Then, it's my first time talking with Jesse from Killswitch Engage, and we covered a lot of topics. From his birthday plans, the famous 80s rocker with whom he shares a birthday, to his love for 80s rock, and his musical influences. Jesse told me how his wife thought their latest single, "I Believe" was bound to be a hit. It carries a certain message, which all of their music does. We spoke about his voice-over work, an upcoming documentary he's in, and the summer tour - Summer of Loud. We wrapped up our conversation with some talk about the influence Ozzy and Black Sabbath played on him and music, as the last show takes place this Saturday, as well as his experience on tour with Iron Maiden. Enjoy!

Wolfgang Van Halen returns to Talkin' Rock. We discuss is latest song and video, The End. It's horror-themed, so we had to talk about horror movies a little bit. He told me why he isn't going to the final Black Sabbath show, how he works on his music in the studio, and more. To close out the episode, it's John Jackson from the Bon Scott estate. It was interesting talking to John about how he got his job, working with the legendary AC/DC, seeing some recent shows, and a special concert coming up to celebrate Bon's 79th birthday. Yes, there will be some very cool guests who will be in attendance to honor the late singer. Thanks for listening!

It's a triple bill of singers on this episode of Talkin' Rock. Scott Stapp starts us off as he talks about Creed hitting the big stages again. He spoke about how it was for him personally and professionally. His latest solo album is stellar, and he just released a new single called 'Deadman's Trigger'. He says something cool is coming from the single in the future. We also talked about their trip to the Indy 500, being a grandpa, and more. Next, it's Eric Vanlerberghe from I Prevail. What's it like to be thrust into the spotlight after Brian Burkheiser left the band? He answers that....talks about the latest single 'Into Hell', the writing process for the upcoming album, playing shows at their hometown venue of Pine Knob, and more. Finally, singer Josh Katz of Badflower. Their new album No Place Like Home is out now. As with their other records, this is another personal album for the guys. One song in particular speaks to losing a pet. Josh said it was an emotional day of interviews. for him.

It's always great to catch up with Johannes from Avatar. I think this is my third or fourth time interviewing him. Full disclosure: I'm an Avatar fan! Their new single “Captain Goat” is a wild ride—both musically and visually. The video dives deep into Greek and Norse mythology, Scandinavian folklore, and includes a very sexy siren (his words). “When a song is really, really good, it gives you these strong visual hallucinations,” he explained. “This was one of those. It’s a spiritual journey through the dark, complete with water, goats, and mythological creatures. Hendrik plays the siren, Jonas is tied to cliffs like Loki, and Tim is a Nixie, this water spirit thing.” Oh, and they filmed underwater in a rehab swimming pool. “Toward the end of the shoot, I couldn’t really open my eyes anymore—but the face paint covers the pain.” “We’re All Gonna Die… Let’s Disco.” When I brought up how Avatar mixes darkness with this weird sense of fun, Johannes nailed it: “We’re a heavy metal band that wants to be a good time. But we also dig deep into the dark rooms of the soul. That duality—that’s where Avatar lives. We’re all gonna die… let’s disco.” About the New Album… Kind Of A new album is coming. Johannes knows the release date, but can’t share it yet. “They won’t let me say the date, but it’s an excellent date,” he teased. “The album’s finished. It sounds amazing. Visually and sonically, we’re almost there.” I pressed him for the album title, but no luck. “It’s a beautiful title that lures you into forbidden places… a meadow between the trees.” Yeah, he’s not giving it up—but it sounds like classic Avatar mind-bending stuff. Metallica, Maiden, and Full Circle Moments In the span of 12 months, Avatar will have opened for both Iron Maiden and Metallica. “Honestly, there wouldn’t be an Avatar without Metallica,” Johannes said. “John broke his leg skiing when he was 12. His mom bought him Metallica CDs. He became obsessed, started drumming, met Jonas—and boom, Avatar.” He’s pumped for the Metallica shows, but also honest about the pressure. “When you’re on that big round Metallica stage, it’s theirs. But for those 45 minutes, I have to own it. I’ve got to walk out there and go, ‘This is mine now.’ It’s a challenge… but a fun one.” Cooking Battles in a Castle They recorded the new album in a castle. Yes, an actual castle. “We had this massive industrial kitchen with a frying pan bigger than your face,” he laughed. “Our chef got sick, so I stepped in and made pasta bolognese. I think I won.” Apparently, cooking has become “a pissing contest between bandmates,” and yes, it’s a very Swedish man thing. Enjoy!

Sammy Hagar is up first this week. His new song "Encore, Thank You, Goodnight" is out now. Sammy talks about the song, how it came to him in a dream, and why Wolfgang Van Halen didn't play on it. Sammy is really upfront and candid when he talks, which is appreciated. He also shared his thoughts on playing the last Ozzy/Black Sabbath show and the songs he'll be singing. Doug Aldrich from The Dead Daisies is next. Doug fought a cancer battle last year and talked about that. I'm very happy that he's come out of it, and he says he gets stronger every day. The band dropped a new album called Looking For Trouble, where they cover classic blues songs. He told me how the idea came about and spoke about the recording process and location. He also shared stories of rockers, including David Coverdale of Whitesnake, Ronnie James Dio, Reb Beach, and the first time he met Randy Rhoads. I could talk to Doug all day! Finally, singer Nate Peck joins me. This is the first time I've ever had the chance to speak with Nate. The Michigan-born singer talks about being on American Idol, through getting the job with Firehouse. The first gig they played, he didn't even get to rehearse! Nate speaks of his influences, singing these classic songs, and lots more. It was great to connect with Nate!

On this episode of Talkin' Rock, it's one rocker, an author, and the woman who runs Metallica's very successful All Within My Hands foundation. Up first, it's the legendary drummer Gil Moore of Triumph. The Magic Power - An All-Star Tribute To Triumph drops on June 6th, and it's packed with rock heavy hitters—Slash, Alex Lifeson, Dee Snider, Dorothy, Tommy Aldridge, and a TON more. Then, he talks about upcoming plans with the band, including something called a mixed reality tour. I don't know what that is, Gil said no one does because it hasn't been done before. He explains that part of it. Next, it's music journalist/author, Martin Popoff. We discuss his new 666-page book on Iron Maiden called Hallowed By Their Name. Martin has written over 130 rock books, so he knows a thing or sixty on the topic of rock and metal bands. We did get into some rock talk, which I really wanted to do. We talked about why Maiden has had so much success around the world, specifically outside of the United States. He speaks to who he thinks is the biggest metal band in the world and lots more. I'll have Martin back again in the future, he's a great guest. Finally, Renee Richardson, who runs Metallica's All Within My Hands foundation. She speaks to what they do, the birth of the foundation, how she got involved, and more. She also co-hosts the Metallica Report podcast, which is very well done. Fun conversation with Renee. Thanks for listening!

Two great guests, one non-award-winning podcast! Chris Jericho is up first. The wrestling legend was in Detroit with his band Fozzy, as they celebrated 25 years. It was their final show on this run, and they chose District 142 to close it out. Of course, I had to ask him about the passing of wrestler Sabu. He told a story of the last time they connected...sorta. Lots of Fozzy talk about the 25 years of the band, opening for Iron Maiden, starting at the bottom, and lots more. Bass player P.J. Farley texted me a great question to ask Chris - if he'd ever grabbed the wrong luggage at the airport. That's a funny story! Then, it's guitarist Mike Mostert from the band In Theory. They currently have a killer cover of Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You" with Eric Gales out. It's a bluesy dream! He spoke to getting Gales to play on the track, how they came up with their name, rock legends he's worked with, and that's just for starters. Thanks for listening!

I first met Piggy D at a stop at Pine Knob north of Detroit during the Rob Zombie 2018 tour. I was introduced to him through my friend, John 5. Right off the hop, I found him very easy to talk to. I was thrilled when he agreed to do Talkin' Rock. He's currently on tour, this time with Marilyn Manson. We talk about the differences between playing with Manson and Zombie. There's a big difference, apparently. We talked some horror movies, his t-shirt collection, writing and working with Alice Cooper, and much more. You can watch the interview below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KztxgFLE0rI&t=224s https://wrif.com/2025/04/29/piggy-d-on-alice-cooper-his-massive-t-shirt-collection-and-old-school-rock-and-horror/ https://wrif.com/2025/04/28/piggy-d-talks-touring-with-marilyn-manson-playing-bass-and-rocking-detroit-crowds/

It's another jam-packed episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. First up, it's David Ellefson. This guy has so many projects in the works, but I thought we'd talk to discuss his documentary about the late Nick Menza. We got to that, but first, we talked about seeing Alice In Chains for the first time, and why he has so many projects. He said he just says Yes! Tom Hunting from Exodus is next. I've never met or spoken to Tom. I found him very chill and thoughtful with his answers. We talked about his recent 60th birthday. We also discussed his health and pray for the best for him. The band is in the middle of writing and recording their 12th album. He told me he's grateful to have done something that he likes for so long. Zouzou Mansour of Soraia wraps up this episode. The East Coast band has a new song out (So Holy) with an EP to drop later this year. We spoke to the latest music, working on the album in Sweden, and horror movies. Zou's a big scary movie chick. Enjoy!

On this episode, two Canadian guitarists. Alex Liefson is first. The latest Envy of None album dropped last week. He talked about the album and his thoughts on solos - there are only a few on this record - and how he would describe the EON music, as well as working with Andy Curran on it. Of course, we talked RUSH. How was it to create with a guy like Neil Peart? Alex has nothing but glowing things to say about the late drumming master. They also have a new 50th-anniversary package out. He also talks of his over 50-year friendship with Geddy Lee. There are some very funny moments when we discussed his appearances on The Trailer Park Boys and in the movie I Love You, Man. Really funny! Up next, it's Phil X. The Jon Bon Jovi guitarist's new album POW! Right In The Kisser is out now. It features a different drummer on each song. Phil talks to that and working with these legends. He spoke to the first time he took the stage with JBJ, in front of 50,000 people! Also his thoughts on the upcoming Triumph tribute album that he's a part of. That's just for starters in the great conversation with phil. Thanks for listening! Meltdown

Zach Myers and Ted Nugent join me for two completely different conversations this week on Talkin' Rock. Zach is up first, as he was in studio with me earlier this week promoting Shinedown's upcoming Dance, Kid, Dance tour this summer. With a couple of new songs out to wet the whistle of SD fans, he says the album is not close to being done. "We're working on it. We've done this differently than we've ever done a record, so there's really no… It will be out this year, I think. [Brent] says July/August. I don't know when it's gonna be out. I think it's gonna be out this year. We've never done it this way. We've never released songs before a record was done. Usually a record's done, artwork's done, everything's done, here's the singles. And we wanted to do it different this time. We are in a different world." We talked about picking songs for the set list and some questions from friends of his. That was fun! Ted Nugent rounds out the episode only the way Ted can! His new "Vault" is out now. Drummer Jason Hartless unearthed all sorts of Nugent gems, some of which Ted had forgotten about. We talk about the song "Stranglehold", the first song he released as a single of his solo career 50 years ago. He explained, in his own Ted way, why he dropped an 8-minute song as his first single. He said he'd been playing it for years, and the fans "got it". Of course, he expanded on it much more than that. I also asked him about being a "bandmate" in Damn Yankees, as opposed to being THE guy. He said, first and foremost he's a bandmate in any project he's played in. including the Yankees. Ted is always entertaining, and this is no different. Enjoy!

John 5’s KISS collection is next level—so much so that he’s opening it up to the public in May for a special museum-style walkthrough in Los Angeles. But don’t expect a little shrine in a basement somewhere. We’re talking full-blown KISS history from 1973 to 1983 when the band was under Bill Aucoin’s management and before they ditched the makeup for Creatures of the Night. “It’s priceless,” John 5 says. “There’s stuff in here that even Gene didn’t know existed because it was made in places like South America, Australia, and Japan.” Oh, and speaking of Gene Simmons—I had to ask: how much would he charge Gene to see his own memorabilia? John laughed. “Oh my God. Gene really enjoys this stuff. There’s so much he’s never seen before.” John 5’s first meeting with Gene Simmons? Not exactly what you’d expect from a die-hard fan. Picture this: a 14-year-old John 5, waiting outside the Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit, hoping to meet his rock god before a KISS show at Joe Louis Arena. Gene walks past. No autograph. Nothing. “So I jump in the elevator with him,” John says. “I hold out my booklet and marker, hoping for a signature.” The elevator doors open to Gene’s floor. Gene finally looks at him. “You want me to sign that?” And what does young John 5 say? “No, it’s okay.” WHAT?! “I was just so mad that he walked past me,” John laughs. “But yeah, that really happened.” March 19 marks 43 years since we lost Randy Rhoads, and John 5 had nothing but praise for the legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist. “Randy was an anomaly. He changed the game. It was like seeing the invention of the microwave or an electric car—something totally different that blew people’s minds.” Randy didn’t just step into Ozzy’s band and carry on the Black Sabbath sound. He redefined it. “That riff in Crazy Train? It’s gonna live forever.” It's always great to get "5" on the show.

It's a jam-packed episode of Talkin' Rock with three guests. Legendary Triumph frontman Rik Emmett is up first. His new book, Ten Telecators Tales drops on the 25th. He speaks about the book, why he wrote it, and more. We did talk about Triumph....the band's heyday, his strengths, and how I thought he never got the credit he deserved for his guitar playing. Always a treat to have Rik on the show! Leigh Kakaty of Pop Evil is next. Their new album comes out on the 21st, called What Remains. Leigh said the struggle is what found its way into the writing of the record. “Our manager George called me up after a few songs and said, ‘Do you realize what you’re writing about?’” Leigh told me. “I hadn’t even thought about it. But when I went back and just read the lyrics—man, every song was about me, about the darkness I had buried. It was like my subconscious was writing the album before I even knew it.” I asked him about that. He has such a cool life, so what could be so bad? “People don’t realize—yeah, my life looks amazing, but it comes with sacrifices,” he said. “You leave for months, come back, and it’s like people aren’t waiting around. They’re living their lives. And then you’re thrown back into normal life, trying to figure out where you fit in. It’s a mental challenge.” Finally, it's radio legend and host of the show Metal Shop, Charlie "The Butcher" Kendall. The show was on the air from the mid-80s through the early 90s, and now it's back. Charlie talks about how the show began, and the spark that marks its return. He's spent many decades up and down the radio dial and has the stories to share. I listened to Metal Shop religiously as a kid, so this was a thrill for me. To speak with the man behind the show was a full-circle radio moment for sure. -Meltdown-

On this episode of Talkin' Rock, Tobias Forge - the man behind Ghost - is my first guest. The new album, Skeleta, drops on April 25th with a massive tour after that. One that includes playing the famous Madison Square Garden. He spoke with me about what a dream come true that is. Of course, we discuss the album and the new track, Satanized. The video is wild, too, as they unveil the new Papa. The band is also part of the Back To The Begining Black Sabbath concert. He talked about the honor of being part of that, growing up a big Sabbath fan. Speaking of Ozzy Osbourne, his good friend and work partner Billy Morrison rounds out the podcast. He told me about working with the legend, as he recently dropped a remixed orchestral version of their song The Gods Of Rock And Roll. Billy has had the good fortune to play with several legends, including Billy Idol. Billy's other guitarist Steve Stevens plays, or should I say RIPS the solo on the latest track with Ozzy. We also played a game of name the famous Morrison! LOL Both of these interviews can be viewed at www.wrif.com.