Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

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.

Wednesday 13 starts us up on this episode. His new album, Mid Death Crisis, drops on April 25th. I had to get 13 on the show for a few reasons, including that he's a huge horror movie fan like myself. Yes, we did talk a little horror. I also wanted him to talk about the new album and tour. The first single, "When The Devil Commands" is a crunchy horror-rock shredder. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album, which includes a track he did with Faster Pussycat's Taime Downe. He also told me about the fire that broke out while filming another video. He may have saved a ton of acreage from burning a month ago. Up next, it's Jake and Joe from the Autumn Kings. The boys from southern Ontario have come a long way in the 10 years since forming and are hitting the road for shows in Europe next week! They talk about the band, their musical influences, the biggest rock stars they've met and lots more. This was also a fun conversation! I can't wait to see them when they play a show closer to here in the future. Thanks for listening!

I had a chance to talk with Kenny Wayne Shepherd about his upcoming 2025 Tour with Experience Hendrix, a fresh album with blues legend Bobby Rush, and the 30th anniversary of his breakout record, Ledbetter Heights. Oh, and let’s not forget his obsession with muscle cars. The Experience Hendrix Tour: A Shredder’s Dream KWS is heading back to Detroit on March 22nd for the Experience Hendrix show at the legendary Fox Theatre. If you’ve never been to one of these gigs, imagine the ultimate guitar jam session with an all-star lineup paying tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Kenny is stoked to be part of it once again. “The Fox Theatres are some of the most beautiful venues in the country, and the Detroit one is probably the pinnacle,” Kenny said. “It’s crazy to think a lot of them were originally movie theaters.” He also talked about the wild mix of players sharing the stage, from shredders like Zakk Wylde to the precision of Eric Johnson. “Eric Johnson literally plays a backwards Hendrix solo note for note,” Kenny said. “That’s next-level dedication.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd Family, Touring, and Finding Balance Kenny isn’t just juggling a tour—he’s also balancing life at home with six kids. “When we first had kids, I tried to be home as much as possible, just doing weekend shows. But eventually, I had to hit the road again,” he explained. “Now, we’ve got a system. Four to five weeks on tour is the max before I need to come back and reconnect.” And when he’s home? It’s all about family, muscle cars, and stepping away from the music business for a bit. 30 Years of Ledbetter Heights and a New Record with Bobby Rush This year marks three decades since Ledbetter Heights put KWS on the map. To celebrate, he’s re-recorded the album, but don’t expect an exact replica. “With Trouble Is…, we recreated it almost exactly. But for Ledbetter Heights, some of the original musicians have passed away, so we took some creative liberties,” Kenny said. “It’s going to be a fresh experience for fans.” He’s also dropping Young Fashioned Ways on March 21st, a pure blues record with 92-year-old Bobby Rush. “We had to wait until our schedules aligned, but now we can finally tour together,” Kenny said. “This album is special—it’s stripped-down blues mixed with full-band electric, and it’s raw.” Muscle Cars, Roadkill Nights, and the Dream Cruise If you know Kenny, you know his love for muscle cars is right up there with blues guitar. He’s got about 16 cars in his collection, though he admits he’s no Jay Leno. “Jay’s got two airplane hangars full of cars—it’s like a museum,” Kenny laughed. “I’m living my version of the dream, but that guy’s on another level.” And speaking of car events, he’s working on making it to Dodge’s Roadkill Nights this summer in Detroit. “I’ve never made it out to the Dream Cruise or Roadkill Nights, but I’ve been talking to the Dodge guys,” Kenny said. “Fingers crossed I can make it happen.” Talking Marriage Advice and Meeting Mel Gibson Kenny also shared some personal moments, including advice from his father-in-law—yes, that Mel Gibson—before marrying his wife, Hannah. “He told me, ‘Try not to go to bed angry,’” Kenny said. “It’s great advice, and we try to follow it as much as we can.” As for meeting Mel for the first time? “I grew up around famous people because of my dad’s radio background, so I wasn’t intimidated,” Kenny explained. “But yeah, some people would probably find it overwhelming.” Final Thoughts From Kenny Wayne Shepherd From killer guitar work to burning rubber on the streets, Kenny Wayne Shepherd has a packed year ahead. Between the Experience Hendrix tour, the Ledbetter Heights re-recording, and his new blues project with Bobby Rush, there’s a lot to look forward to. And who knows? Maybe we’ll see him tearing it up at Roadkill Nights this summer.

What's better than talking to Dorothy? Talking to her on Valentine's Day! It was nice of the singer/songwriter to give me some time to talk about her upcoming album 'The Way'. The album comes out on March 14th, but the buzz is already building as she's released a few down-and-dirty blues-based rockers off of it. As far as the title is concerned, Dorothy said, "The name came to me, and I highlighted it when I was reading (the Bible). That's the title track, and that's the name of the album." She said that song is a beautiful ballad that ends the album. She spoke about how the album starts with the song "I Come Alive". She said she went off with her vocals. "Let me express myself!" she joked about the record's vocal beginning, sort of in a Pink Floyd-esque way. There is a story that goes through the album - Salvation. She spoke of getting saved in rehab. "Life imitates art, it's giving me a sense of purpose. It's made this musical journey a lot more meaningful." She said she hopes the album is uplifting for anyone who listens to it. In the end, the album is Rock! "We stayed true to being true. What's in the D.N.A.? Rock!" She went into the theme of some of the songs on the album. Dorothy On How She Got Slash To Play On The Record Guitar legend Slash appears on the song "Tombstone Town". How did that come about? She's known him for a while through producer Mike Clink. Dorothy sent him a bunch of tracks, but she really wanted him on this particular song. And, yes, she got him to wear his iconic hat in the video. It's always a treat to talk with Dorothy...she's one of my favorite people! You can see Dorothy live in concert in Michigan at the Machine Shop on April 22.

If you don't know John McDermott, he's been the guardian of Jimi Hendrix's musical legacy for nearly 30 years. He's the kind of guy with stories you can't Google, insights you can't fake, and a lot of passion for preserving one of rock's greatest icons. We talked about everything from Hendrix's unreleased gems to their upcoming Experience Hendrix tour coming to the Fox Theatre on March 22nd. The Magic of the Fox Theatre First, McDermott talked about his upcoming concert at the Fox Theatre. John said it's one of the best places to perform. "We've played the Fox five times, and the crowd's energy is just incredible, it's not like playing a generic performing arts center where it's just another stop on a subscription series. These fans are passionate. They show up because they love the music." A Lifelong Journey with Jimi Now, how exactly does one become the catalog director for Jimi Hendrix? I asked John, and he dove right in. It started in 1992 when he co-wrote a book called Hendrix: Setting the Record Straight with Eddie Kramer. A year later, John helped produce a tribute album, Stone Free, which raised scholarship funds in Jimi's name through the United Negro College Fund. In the mid-1990s, John helped the Hendrix family win a long legal battle to regain control of Jimi's music. "When they finally won the rights, they asked me to manage the catalog," he explained. "Our first release was in 1997, and I've been doing it ever since." From curating historic releases to creating documentaries, John's helped make sure Hendrix's music remains timeless. How Many Hendrix Songs Are Still Unreleased? Every Hendrix fan has wondered: Is there anything left in the archives? According to John, the answer is, "Yes, but not as much." Over the years, his team has dug deep to release unreleased tracks, documentaries, and live sessions. "We're definitely closer to the end of the archive than we were 20 or 25 years ago," he admitted, "but every now and then, something new surprises us." Case in point? A few years ago, they uncovered a never-before-heard 1967 recording of Hendrix at the Hollywood Bowl. Want to know how early this was? It happened before Are You Experienced? It even dropped in the U.S. That's serious history right there. Why Hendrix Still Resonates When I asked about Hendrix's lasting legacy, John said, "Every generation rediscovers him." From Prince to Stevie Ray Vaughan to John Mayer, Hendrix's influence is woven into the DNA of music. "Jimi's music is timeless," John said. People hear it in movies, commercials, or even on the radio and are driven to find out more. His music speaks for itself—you don't have to hard-sell it." Even in pop culture, Hendrix's impact is everywhere. Quick example? Hulk Hogan famously strutted into the ring to "Voodoo Child." And John lit up when I threw that out there. "Yeah, that's a great example! And people like Paul McCartney still tell stories about their friendship with Jimi on stage. It's amazing how his influence just keeps going." The Experience Hendrix Tour Here's the part you need to know about—the Experience Hendrix tour. If you're even remotely into guitar legends, this is the show for you. John explained why it's such a hit. "It's not just a loose jam session," he said. "It's collaborative. You'll hear the Hendrix songs you know and love, but you'll also discover new artists who bring their own energy to the legacy." The lineup is stacked—think Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, and Marcus King, just to name a few. "These artists come because Jimi inspired them in different ways," John added. "It's a common denominator for audiences. People might come in because they're fans of one artist, but by the end of the night, they leave blown away by others." Oh, and if you happen to be at the Fox Theatre on March 22nd? Keep an eye out for surprise appearances. John flat-out said they love throwing unexpected guests into the mix. Hendrix Memorabilia: What's Left? John said Jimi was more of an "off-the-rack" kind of guy when it came to guitars. "He usually had a black Strat, a white Strat, and a Flying V," he shared. "Sometimes a Gibson Les Paul Jr. for blues numbers." Many of Jimi's personal items and stage gear now reside in museums, including the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Seeing them up close makes Hendrix feel real. "His dad, Al Hendrix, wanted these items shared with fans," John said. "It's incredible to see someone connect with a piece of Jimi's history in person." What's Next For The Hendrix Estate? John said the Electric Lady Studios project has been a big focus, "If we find more material that deepens fans' appreciation of Jimi, we'll explore ways to share it." If you're in Detroit on March 22nd, do yourself a favor and Experience Hendrix (literally) at the Fox Theatre. Trust me, this tour isn't just a concert—it's a celebration of a legend. See you there!

Marty Friedman is playing the Token Lounge on Friday, January 31st, but first, he spoke with me on numerous topics. His latest book is called Dreaming Japanese. In the book, he talks about the highs and lows of playing in a monstrous band like Megadeth, leaving and starting over in a foreign land. He said he read other autobiographies to give himself a clearer look at what he wanted his to be like. “I got a feel as a reader of what I wanted to read myself. And as a result, I wound up being flat honest and talking about embarrassing things about myself, and I didn’t always paint myself in a good light.” As he puts it, talking about the good things he’s done might read more like a resume, not a personal behind-the-scenes look that he wanted to give the fans. He said, “I’m definitely not the hero in all of these stories.” As far as leaving Megadeth went, he said he’d never really talked about it before. ” Once I left Megadeth, I stopped doing interviews about the band completely.” He told me that the venues he played at, weren’t allowed to promote the show with anything Megadeth. Now he wants to talk about the relationships and the inner turmoil as he decided to exit the band. “I feel really bad about the way I left the band, and the situation I left them in, and you can in the book why it turned out that way…and there’s no excusing what I did. It wasn’t going to happen any other way.” He said that joining the band on stage for two concerts in 2023 closed the chapter on that part of his life, which was still open. ” Yeah, especially the Budokan show in Japan. That was one thing that was hanging over, ya know.” He spoke of wanting to play at that venue from an early age. Now, he’s played it several times, but there was a need to play that place with Megadeth. He called it “unfinished business”. When we (Dave Mustaine and him) had the chance to play there, it was a big celebration.” He said that even though they went down different paths to meet up at that gig over the years, it was like a love letter to the fans when it was all said and done. “It was definite closure!” He also spoke to the massive popularity of the band in the early 90s. “What led up to it was more interesting than actually getting there. The suffering part of the career. It reads better in the book.” He then describes it as taking a “massive dump”. Yes, you need to hear him talk about the rise of the band with a bowel movement analogy. I think it’s been about 26 years since I last spoke with Marty. Great to have him back on Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown.

Two gifted singer/songwriters are on Talkin' Rock this week. Up first it's hardy. His new album "Live From Red Rocks" drops on February 7th. As he told me, it's a career-spanning live look at his career. We also talked about his early musical influences, which included a lot of nu-metal bands from the early 2000s. He also told me about one rock legend he'd love to work with...and it's a great choice! Count me as a fan of Hardy's and the second guest on the episode in Chris Daughtry. An excellent dude with a mountain of talent. There's lots happening in 2025 for Daughtry. He'll be touring with Disturbed and Creed, plus, possibly dropping new music. Part two of "Shock To The System" is in the works, as he told me they have about 6 songs completed. How has the rock world treated him? He answered that question and spoke to some of his good friends in the business. Thank you for listening!

Kicking off 2025 with an interview with John Gallagher of Raven. They have a new EP coming out on February 14th. It features five new songs and three live tracks, all from different decades. He told me about the songs, and one he said is the heaviest song Raven has ever done. John also told me they're well into working on new music, so it sounds like they have a lot of material ready to go. We discussed their early tours, taking Metallica on the raid, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and the bands they influenced. As far as the NWOBHM was concerned, that era didn't last long, but it did produce some legendary bands. You can watch this interview on the RIFF TV section of wrif.com to see some of John's classic basses, as he pulled a couple of them out. It's a great way to kick off 2025 on Talkin' Rock!

It's another packed episode, thanks for listening! Ace Frehley starts us off. He's playing Soaring Eagle on the 29th, the last gig of the year for him. That show is with Stephen Pearcy of RATT. He told me he's working on his next album, Origins 3. We talked about the crazy drones flying around by his house. We also talked about the days of KISS and how big they were here in Detroit and Michigan. Ace is so much fun to talk to. Legend! Bumblefoot is up next, with his new album dropping on January 24th. It's called Bumblefoot...Returns. It's his first instrumental album in 30 years! He's got some heavy-hitting guests on it as well. We talk about the video game surrounding the album, how it's coming out on vinyl and cassette, and more. To say he's one of the most talented guitarists out there is an understatement. Oscar and Alyse from a pretty new band called LYLVC join me next. They formed during the pandemic and have been making some real noise lately. Their latest song is out, called "XXX". They've had the chance to work with some great producers making new music, which we discussed. Alyse tells me about her appearance on the TV show Don't Forget the Lyrics. They're playing the Machine Shop in Flint on December 20th. Speaking of the Machine Shop, Jackyl played there on Thanksgiving Eve. Before that, I spoke with Jesse James Dupree. He spoke of his friendship with Travis Tritt, the only hockey game he'd attended, his home studio and the legends who've recorded there, and his connection with Harley Davidson. Thanks for listening!

The guys from Three Days Grace dropped a new single today called 'Mayday'. That's the start of what they have going on. Drummer, Neil Sanderson joined the show to discuss the single, bringing Adam Gontier back into the band, and more. He also told me about the record label he co-owns with producing legend, Howard Benson.  Wolfgang Van Halen is up second. He came through Detroit with 3 Doors Down and Creed, so we talked for a few minutes before soundcheck. He told me about playing at the Rock Hall induction ceremony last month. Insane that he got to jam Ozzy's 'Crazy Train' with so many rock legends. We talked about opening up shows, working on new music, and his first year or marriage for starters.  Thanks for listening!

Again, lots happening on this episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown.  Jerry Horton of Papa Roach is first. We discuss their 2025 plans. Tour, new music, and more. He speaks to playing Detroit, trouble the band may have gotten into on tour, and playing with a marching band on stage in Columbus, Ohio. That's just for starters.  Michael Starr has the honors next. "Feel The Steel" is 15 years old and the band is celebrating. They're heading back out on tour and playing a song they wrote with Chad from Nickelback. He talks about that experience, as well as the addition of Spyder to the band, Superbowl predictions, and more.  We wrap it up with Eric Bass of Shinedown. The guy does it all, including writing, producing, and playing an entire solo album. Eric Bass Present: I Had A Name drops on February 28th. He tells me this project has been done for a while. We talk about his depression, a hero he lost who taught him a ton around the recording studio, and questions from bandmates Barry, Brent, and their head of security, John. 

What a fun conversation. The topics with Paul included the new box set release on November 8th, some big gigs they played here in the States, the last-ever concert in their hometown, the documentary ‘THE TRAGICALLY HIP: NO DRESS REHEARSAL', and more. It was truly an honor to speak with Paul; he was very candid and interesting. If you get the chance, the documentary is well worth the watch! Give this a listen and crank up some HIP!

Two frontmen on today's Talkin' Rock Podcast.  First up, it's Bobby Amaru from Saliva. It's his time of year since he's all inked up with horror movie characters. We discuss Halloween, some of his favorite scary movies, and more.  The band is dropping a new song called "Time Bomb" on November 1st. He tells me about that and working with Howard Benson. We talk about the legacy of guitarist Wayne Swinny, on what would've been his 61st birthday. Bobby talks about keeping his spirit alive, and how much material they have from the guitarist. That's for starters.  Up next, it's Lee Jennings from The Funeral Portrait. The band has had a whirlwind year. He talks about that, dropping their new album, Suffocate City - which is killer.  We talked about the chain Buc-ee's. “I'm a huge fan of Buc-ee's because when you're on tour, clean bathrooms are hard to come by,” Lee laughs. “I posted about it a few times, and our fans started turning me into Bucky (the mascot). We even made shirts with me as Bucky, and they sell out every time!” We also talk about being "Zesty"....LOL You can watch both of these interviews on the RIFF TV section at wrif.com.

Jamie Madrox, one-half of the iconic horrorcore duo Twiztid, is no stranger to busy schedules and big creative shifts. In a recent conversation with Meltdown, the rapper-turned-rocker discussed everything from Twiztid's new album to the highly anticipated House of Krazees reunion shows to how working with Rob Zombie's producer Zeus has taken their music to another level. As Halloween approaches, a special time of year for Madrox and his crew, the energy is palpable. "We live for this kind of thing. Every day is Halloween for us," Madrox said with a grin. "This is like Christmas to us—with Christmas right behind, obviously." A Twiztid Double Feature for the Ages This week's excitement revolves around a double feature of concerts at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit, a significant homecoming for Twiztid and Madrox's earlier group, House of Krazees. House of Krazees will perform on October 29th, for the first time in years at The Shelter. "We have a new record coming out for House of Krazees called 31," Madrox said. "It's like a throwback. It's a good vibe, and we're excited to do that." But the action doesn't stop there. On October 30, Twiztid will headline the main stage at St. Andrew's Hall, joined by The Funeral Portrait and Blaze Ya Dead Homie. "It's going to be a good time," Madrox promised. The New Twiztid Album: Heavy, Experimental, and Groundbreaking While the Halloween shows will lean into classic Twiztid vibes, fans eagerly await the duo's new album, set to release in early 2025. This record, however, won't sound like anything Twiztid has done before. According to Madrox, it's by far their heaviest, thanks to the involvement of producer Zeus, best known for his work with Rob Zombie. "The new record has a way heavier sound—everything from death metal to djent. There's a little splash of everything, which is fun," Madrox said. Working with Zeus was amazing, "It was a learning process for me, talking with Zeus and learning about all these crazy things like djent." Twiztid had long been experimenting with rock elements, but Madrox admitted they never quite pulled it off. "We tried to do rock in the past, but it always felt short of the mark. You could tell we weren't executing it properly." Zeus brought the expertise and production style they needed to get it right. "We recorded the whole thing differently," Madrox said. "I would send Zeus voice notes, melodies, and little ideas I had, and I'd wait for him to be like, 'Man, this is trash.' But instead, he was intrigued. He started sending me music set to the parts he liked, and the songs started to take shape. Before I knew it, these small ideas had turned into full songs, with bridges and choruses." A New Approach, A New Sound Working with Zeus brought an outside perspective to the group. "We've always done things our own way," Madrox reflected. "But Zeus made us rethink everything. He'd ask questions like, 'Why does this part sound like that?' Normally, I wouldn't ask myself those questions." The album is one of the albums they have ever produced, "When you hear it, it's unlike any other Twiztid record. You can hear a progression in our sound and in our professionalism. We're still growing as artists, even after all this time." One of the biggest lessons Madrox learned from working with Zeus was being open to critique. "I had to learn not to be afraid to fail and to try new things," he said. We were always pretty self-contained. It was safer that way. But now I'm opening myself up to new experiences, and it's been amazing." Looking Ahead: New Material, Tours, and Growth While fans won't hear much new material at the Halloween shows, Twiztid saves the big reveal for their 2025 tour with Coal Chamber. "We were supposed to go on tour with Coal Chamber, but it got postponed to 2025," Madrox explained. "For that tour, we'll have a full band, and we'll be playing a bunch of the new songs." The decision to hold off on the new material for now is all about presenting it in the best possible light. "I want people to see the new songs the right way," Madrox said. "When we go out with Coal Chamber, it's going to be more of a heavy, live band setup. That's when the new material will really shine." The band lineup for that tour will feature drummer Dan Fox, who has worked with artists like Marilyn Manson and Dope, and Derek Obscura on guitar. "These guys are phenomenal musicians, and they're going to bring a whole new energy to our live shows." Passion Projects: Astronomicon and Beyond Beyond music, Madrox and Twiztid are known for their love of pop culture, where they produce the Comicon, Astronomicon. In its eighth year, the convention has become a beloved staple in the horror, comic, and wrestling communities. "Astronomicon is a passion project for us," Madrox shared. "We love pop culture, and we want to create an experience that's fun for everyone. We always think, 'Would you be mad if this happened to you at a con?' We put a lot of thought into making it a great experience." Madrox hinted at the possibility of moving Astronomicon to a new venue but says the core mission remains: to create a positive and welcoming environment for fans of all things geeky and spooky. The Future: No Fear of Growth As Twiztid gets ready to release their most ambitious album yet and gear up for a major tour, Jamie Madrox says, "This new record really represents where we are right now," he said. "It's the result of us pushing ourselves, working with new people, and trying new things." But even as Twiztid evolves, they remain true to their roots. "We're adding new elements, but we're not forgetting where we come from. We've got to remember who we are as artists." With new music, new experiences, and a revitalized creative spirit, it's great to see what is going to be next for Twiztid, "We're still learning, still growing, and still pushing ourselves," he said. "And I'm excited for people to hear what we've created."  

Two great conversations, one mediocre podcast! LOL Scott Stevens is up first. The Exies are back together and touring. They play the Machine Shop on November 9th. Since the band disbanded 15 years ago, Scott's worked with everyone from Shinedown to Dorothy, to Halestorm, and more. He has some great stories to tell about writing and producing some great rock artists.  Up next, it's Al Pitrelli from T.S.O. He plays on the west coast version of the band. Al's played in many projects and has lots of great tales. He answered a question from David Ellefson about his time in Megadeth, and even one from Bals Elias, the drummer in the West Coast band, and lots more.  Enjoy! Meltdown  

This is a special Riff Fest wrap-up. Before the bands took to the stage of Pine Knob, they spoke with me.  I spoke with Sully from Godsmack, Cullen of Sleep Theory, Cody and Briton of Wage War, James and Sam from Asking Alexandria, and Dale from Seether.   A huge thank you to each of the bands for talking with me and taking the time to meet with WRIF listeners beforehand. One of the great things about my job is that I get to share these experiences with people who otherwise wouldn't get the chance. 

Lots going on with this episode of Talkin' Rock.  Teemu Mäntysaari starts us out by talking about his year in Megadeth, how he became a member, how his life has changed, hockey, and more.  Chris Jericho's Rock N' Wrestling Rager At Sea Cruise will be in early 2025. Chris talks about the cruise's success and how it started. We also discussed the Jane's Addiction brawl, the new Vince MacMahon documentary, and a little hockey talk.  P.J. and Steve from Trixter are up next. They're out on tour and stops at the Token Lounge on September 22nd. We talk about early tours, their 40-year career, touring pranks, and much more.  The Rival Sons are out on tour with Clutch so Scott Holiday was cool enough to hop on with me. Mr. Fuzzlord told me about the tour, meeting Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, what he learned from Black Sabbath's Toni Iommi, and lots more.  We wrap up this episode with Detroit's own Vinnie Dombrowski from Sponge. Their album 1994 comes out on October 11th and features nothing but cover songs from that year, the year they started. He tells me why they did that, what songs are included, and what's in their future.  Thanks for listening!!

It's always a great conversation when Barry and myself get together. This week we discussed.... Their series of Hot Sauces. The band working on new music. A drummer who changed the way he played, thus, saving his career. Questions from their head of security about Krampus and a Hell Fest show years ago.  ...and more.  Enjoy!

I am wrapping up the week with a new episode of Talkin' Rock with Ian Hill from the Priest and Stephen Richards of Taproot.  First, Ian Hill talks about all things Judas Priest. Does he like touring or recording more? Has he read Rob Halford's book? We talk about the careers of Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and their overlap. Plus, he talks about how they brought "Ripper" into the band, and questions from bass players Frank Bello and David Ellefson.  Stephen Richards from Taproot called in this week. We discuss the band, what they have planned for the near future, and a new song he lends his voice to with an artist named Wes Anderson. It's called "Goodbye" and drops today (August 30th) Enjoy!

It's another big week on the Talkin' Rock with Meltdown podcast.  John 5 is up first. We discuss his latest signature guitar, being part of Motley Crue's legacy, and a paranormal experience he had. That's for starters with 5.  Steel Panther's Michael Starr is next, as they kick off their tour this week. He tells me about Corey Taylor playing on past Panther songs, burying the hatchet (or not) with rockers who aren't SP fans, and more. The dude is always hysterical! This week, we wrap up the episode with Ray West of Spread Eagle. They're playing the Token Lounge on August 25th. Ray talks about the new music the band is working on, his short stint in Lynch Mob, touring Europe, and lots more.  Thanks for listening!

Three guests from different rock genres are on this episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown.  First up, it's Brandon Boyd from Incubus. We discuss their upcoming tour, and why it's in arenas instead of outdoor sheds. We talk about how he approaches writing lyrics, traveling the world, horror movies, and more.  Jason Hook from Flat Black is next. He tells me about his Canadian upbringing, about the band and how he put it together, and working with Corey Taylor. That's just for starters.  Finally, it's Lee Jennings from The Funeral Portrait. We start out talking about the screams we heard last week while ghost-hunting at a local Detroit insane asylum. Yes, I included the audio for you to hear. He tells me about Suffocate City, their new album dropping on September 13th, and the guests on it. There are plenty. Great getting to know Lee over the past couple of weeks.  Thanks for listening!

Thirty Seconds To Mars is playing Pine Knob on Tuesday as their Season World Tour makes a stop in Michigan. Jared Leto was nice enough to take a few minutes to speak with me about the band, his vast movie career, and much more.  I had to ask him about scaling the Empire State Building in New York City to announce the tour. "That was quite the experience," I asked him if he thought it was a bad idea. "Definitely. The first night, it was about 4 or 5 a.m., 40 degrees, 40 mph winds, and freezing cold. My hands were so numb I could barely hold on. But, it was beautiful. I've always been fascinated by the Empire State Building. It was an amazing way to launch the world tour—better than just sending out a tweet." You could say that! We also talked about the dichotomy of playing in his band live, versus filming a movie. "Performing with Thirty Seconds to Mars is special because I get to do it with my brother. The immediate connection with the audience is unique. Acting is collaborative and you often wait to see the final product. Both are rewarding in their own ways, but live music holds a special place in my heart." I asked him about highlights in his music and acting career. "Winning an Academy Award was a huge highlight, especially being able to thank my family. In music, having a song like "The Kill" that still resonates after all these years is a big win. There are also tough moments, but they fuel the journey." Since we're in Detroit, I had to ask him about Chad Smith playing "The Kill" without ever hearing it. Jared said he brought it up to him when he saw him at a huge event. "Yes, I saw that! It was awesome. We did a duet on TikTok reacting to it. Chad and I laughed about it when we met at the Super Bowl. It's cool seeing our music reach new audiences." The band did a tribute to Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell at the 2017 MTV Awards show. He spoke to me about the two singers we lost. "Yeah, I did. I toured with both of them, actually. And, they were both really kind, really, really gifted, kind people. You know, Chester, was a friend. And, you know, it's interesting, those things can be so surprising sometimes. But, you know, I was always struck by Chester and his joy. He always seemed to be, you know, to have a smile quickly, on his face. And Chris was very, gentle, in my experiences with him, and thoughtful and intelligent, and both of them just highly intelligent, kind, good people. And you know what? A loss to the world as well." That's well said.  Thirty Seconds To Mars will play Pine Knob on Tuesday, August 6th.

Great to catch up with Pop Evil singer Leigh Kakaty. He said the band has a lot going on, including writing and recording new music. "We're constantly writing, new single, obviously coming here and we're just excited, man."  We talked about the newest member of the band, drummer Blake Allison, and bass player Joey Walser. "Every new person's different, you know? And, obviously, Haley was great. She was amazing, for us for a long time. But Blake now and obviously his relationship with Joey, who played bass with us, they played together in Egypt Central and Devour the Day. So there's such a chemistry now for our rhythm section that we've not had before, you know, because when you grow up, a bass and a drummer like Joey and Blake have, there's a tightness there that spreads to Nick, Dave and I, the rest of the band." As far as the new music is concerned, they have a lot done. "A lot of new stuff. We're at that cool stage where we have enough for an album easily, but, we're really trying to be picky, man. And like you said, making albums now is personally is such a blessing. And it's something that, you know, may not be around much longer. So if we're going to do it on the hit, hit, hit, big, big, big, whatever that means to us. Right? And big doesn't have to mean necessarily number one. It has to mean like something that we can really elevate our live show with." The Heaviest Pop Evil Record As Leigh described the new material, it sounded like it could be a much heavier direction for the band. I asked him if it was indeed heavier. "Absolutely. The heaviest Pop Evil record, without a doubt, really, hands down. So it'll be interesting for what fans say on that. But you know, the players, they're just different, right? When you put some of the same guys you put in Joey & Blake. It's just a heavier band. I mean, it's just different. You know, I mean, Joey and Blake come from metal and heavier rock and roll backgrounds. I mean, those are those with the guys can play, you know what I mean? That's what we play. So that's kind of where it's at. And I think there's the darkness. It's where we're at in our career. You know, it's like, okay, sure we've had success, but we feel like we got a lot to prove, man."  

Dorothy is my latest Talkin' Rock with Meltdown guest. She's such a badass and a great talent. The talk of streaming came up early. "It should be 50/50," Dorothy said regarding the lack of money artists get from streaming services. Dorothy recalls a fight she got into at a Steel Panther show many years ago. That's a crazy story, but she would top that story later in the interview. Dorothy 'The Way' Her new album 'The Way' drops in the fall. We talked a lot about the album and the process of making it. The first single is a song called 'Mud'. She said that the song is about digging deep. "You just have to tell the voices in your head of doubt and I can't do it, or I'm not good enough to shut up and do it anyway. To feel the fear. It's part of life. You got to dig deep and tap into it. That's what that song's about" She hopes the song inspires others to dig deeper. What does the record sound like? Dorothy responded this way, "We really tapped into the southern rock, swampy, I would call it southern tinged. It's got heavy, hard rock songs, it's got a beautiful balled, it's got some surprising wildcard" songs too. "There's actually heavier stuff on this record than on any of my previous albums." Are there any collaborations on the new Dorothy album? Yes! "Yes, there is, but I'm not going to tell you who it is...not yet I've got to save something." She did say there's one feature but said there might be more in the future. As far as the album title is concerned, she said it was divine intervention. She said she read it in the Bible and the title jumped off the page. She also talked about an incident that changed her life dramatically. A crew person had OD'd on her bus years ago, and she prayed to let him live. Miraculously, he came back to life. She said her life changed a complete 180. "I think that night I had a real encounter with the Holy Spirit." Dorothy And The Paranormal This was something I didn't have on my Dorothy BINGO card, but after talking about the crewman who came back to life, I had to ask her if she'd ever experienced anything paranormal besides that night. "Oh, yeah, actually many." She spoke to seeing people she knew speaking in ways they wouldn't. "I have seen some weird paranormal stuff." She told me about her best friend, who performs exorcisms. That's wild! As always, it's a fun conversation with Dorothy. I'm such a fan and wish her nothing but the best!      

  The ladies from PLUSH are bringing their show to the Token Lounge on Saturday, August 3rd. I was lucky enough to catch up with the band, for the first time since their appearance at last year's RIFF Fest. We discussed a lot of topics with Moriah, Bella, Ashley, and Faith, including Moriah's addiction to fishing. "It's really peaceful and relaxing to me," she said. It's the opposite of the 'band life'. We talked about the tour they did earlier this year with Disturbed. Moriah spoke up first "That was absolutely incredible." Bella chimed in "Everyone in the Disturbed camp was incredible" Moriah also got to sing the song 'Don't Tell Me' each night with the band, in place of Anne Wilson who sang it on the album. She described it as a super surreal moment. Speaking of Heart, the ladies covered the classic 'Barracuda' from them, but haven't heard from the legendary rockers yet. "They have not, but that would be super cool if they did!" What do they think of the term "all-female rock band'? Moriah said, "I think at the end of the day, we are just a rock band out there doing our thing." Bella added, "We've seen such a drastic change, seeing so many women dominating the rock scene." She said they're proud to be part of the female movement in rock. By the way, Bella spoke about the crazy way she joined the band after seeing a Facebook post. Faith spoke to her about joining the band too. Moriah is such a great singer! So good, she's been touring with TSO for the last couple of winters. "It's just amazing. It's a way different experience, and I'm just proud to be a part of it." Thanks for listening!

Lots to talk about with Josh and Alex of Badflower, although Josh does most of the talking. LOL  They have a new single out called "Teacher Has A Gun" off their upcoming album, but they also told me about a song called "Detroit". The song isn't about the Motor City but was written here. They told me about that and how some Detroit voices will end up on the song.  We talk about Josh's fear of preforming live, his farmhouse outside of Nashville, a possible name for the upcoming record, and lots more.  Up next, it's P-Nut from 311. They also have a new album dropping later this year. He spoke to that and the process of making it. We talked about the 311 cruises, their recent Red Rocks gig that was simulcast, and tons more.  Their tour stops in the Detroit area at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater on July 27th. 

Lots to get into with Myles and Sonny on this episode of Talkin' Rock.  First up, Myles Kennedy talks about his upcoming solo album. He tells me what the name, The Art Of Letting Go refers to, the musical mission of the record, and more. That album drops on October 11th. He talks about jamming with the Led Zeppelin guys, the first time he met Slash, as well as Eddie Van Halen.  People think he looks like Kevin Bacon all the time. He tells a funny story of going to see his band play live....that's just for starters.  Then it's Sonny Sandoval from P.O.D. Their new album Veritas is out, as Sonny talks about it and the collaborations on the album. He also explained the record's cover artwork.  San Diago recently gave him his own day, which he said he was very humbled by.  Enjoy!

  Everyone knows Chris Jericho from the world of wrestling, which he's still in, but he's also the frontman of Fozzy, and his KISS cover band Kuarantine. You'll be able to see the band on July 5th at the Diesel Concert Lounge in Chesterfield. Chris talks about how the band came about and what they play. Chris Jericho On A Classic Wrestling Moment Of course, we had to talk wrestling. Jericho and Detroit's own, Rhino go way back. I asked him about being gored through the Titan Tron. "Yeah, it's a classic moment, it was on Smackdown." He said they were changing the set, so they decided to destroy the old one. "In classic wrestling fashion let's destroy the old set. How can we do that? Have Rhino gore me through that. Yeah, that was a great moment." Chris Jericho On The Stanley Cup Finals. "I'm thinking reverse sweep, man. They've done a great job of awakening the giant." He praised Connor McDavid as he's taken the Oilers on his back and has come alive in this series. He went on talking about McDavid "He's like Gretzy, he thinks ahead of the play. When a player like that gets hot, you've got to watch him. 8 points in the last two games, these guys know how to win." Check out the interview and we'll see you on July 5th at Diesel Concert Lounge!  

What an honor to talk to Geezer Butler, the legendary bass player from Black Sabbath. His book "Into The Void - From Birth To Black Sabbath And Beyond" is out now and it's fantastic. There are some great stories and tales that Geezer gets into. He told me why he wrote the book "I always wanted to write a memoir for my grandkids, to give them a better understanding of my life beyond what they read in the press." Geezer Butler On Sabbath's Heavy Sound Geezer talked about the heaviness of Black Sabbath and what caused it. "Tony had to create a new way of playing because he lost the tops of his fingers in an industrial accident. He tuned down the strings to make it easier to play with his plastic fingertips, which gave birth to our heavier sound."They didn't get their due until the early 2000s after bands started mentioning them as major influences. "It's great to finally get positive feedback from newer bands citing us as their main influence." Working With Producer Rick Rubin I have friends who've worked with Rick Rubin, and while reading the book, Geezer said everything I've heard before. Rick doesn't do much. "Rick Rubin would come in for ten minutes and say, 'Do another one.' He'd lie on the couch and do nothing. It drove us nuts." He said he wasn't a huge fan, but he did like the way he worked with Ozzy. Geezer On His Relationship With Ozzy Osbourne "I speak to Ozzy practically every other day. We had some communication issues, but now we're closer than ever." That's great to hear knowing everything they've gone through over their lifetime. Lots of great stuff for any hard rock/heavy metal fan!  

My latest Talkin' Rock with Meltdown guest is none other that Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P.. It's always a treat when I get to talk with Blackie. He's a great interview, and also the force behind one of my favorite bands of the era. Lots was discussed including his health. After undergoing surgery to ease his back last year, he's on the mean. "But, you know, we had surgery on it about ten months ago, and, you know, I'm on the mend and everything's cool, you know? So, you know, we should be ready for the fall tour coming in, in October." Blackie Lawless On His Special Meet & Greets Blackie's meet and greet is very unique, where the fans get pictures and stuff signed, then he'll do a Q &A session with them. "Well, we looked around at what other VIP packages were doing and quite honestly I didn't get excited about it. I thought, you know, if I'm going to meet somebody that I've always wanted to meet, wouldn't some sort of back and forth, you know, question and answer? I mean, wouldn't that be what you would want to have it be? And for me, that's what I would want. You know, and quite honestly, I didn't, because I've never done these before until we had done that the last time we were in the US a couple of years ago. And I'll be frank with you, I got as much, if not more than the people did out of it because like every other artist, you live in your own bubble and you don't really have a chance to talk to people on a one on one basis without it being in a chaotic situation." He later told me that some of the questions he received jarred some memories that might end up in a future autobiography. Blackie On New W.A.S.P. Music The last time I talked with Blackie, he told me he was working on new music. Where does it stand now? He said the surgery set him back a bit, but he got back into it. "I've had a long time to go through that. Those early demos of what we have been working on it, listening to it with fresh ears. Some of it's really good, but there's not enough of it yet where I would be comfortable in saying, okay, this is finished, and let's go with it. You know, I want to, I'd like to like to go back and visit the drawing board, so to speak, you know, and see what else is there, because even from a two year period of when we started working on that before to where we are right now, you're going to gain so much, you're going to grow so much, you know?" He went on "So you really have to I've learned and you don't make records or I don't make records anymore that are spread out over a 2 or 3-year period. Because the guy you are when you first start making it is not the guy you are when you finish making it, get in, try to, you know, six months top to bottom, get that thing cranked up, you know, because like I said, if you don't, you end up running the risk of it kind of being a schizophrenic type of record. You know, where you've got one type of one thing and then some. The other half is something else, and it has no real cohesiveness" You can see Blackie and the band perform their entire debut album at the Royal Oak Music Theater on November 10th. For tickets, click here.      

Ed Roland is one of those guys that's just easy to talk to and we talked about a lot of things.  When the band broke in 1994, they broke big time! That year they played Woodstock, as they did in 1999 too. He told me they are one of only 5 acts to play both concerts.  His brother, Dean, has been in the band the entire time as well. I asked him about sharing this journey with him. "Well, I mean, it's it's family. It's been a blessing for me. And I'd like to think he thinks the same because it's family. You know, we all are family, to be honest, we all kind of grew up in the same community and, the same environment as parents and things like that. Same school, same church, all of the above. It's been wonderful for me. And I think he would say the same thing, you know." He went on to say that they don't fight much. "But I always say to my brother, I mean, I would never hit you with a guitar because I like my guitar, too much." LOL As far as the new record, Here To Eternity is concerned, that's a great story! They recorded it in Elvis Presley's house in Palm Springs. He talked about how quickly they recorded the album, and why they made it a double album.  I had to ask him if he had any peanut butter and banana sandwiches. "You damn right I did, I'm a southern boy, I'm not afraid of that." They were actually in the house the day Lisa Marie Presley died. He said the ceiling caved in that night!  Now, onto the first big hit "Shine". He had told me the trick that they used on that song years ago, but I wasn't sure if he was pulling my leg or not. He sang the "Yeah" part through an empty toilet paper roll. "Yes, that's very true because I only had one amp, one guitar. And, you know, I just had to make up different sounds. It's crazy that I could. So I kept doing "Yeah", I was like, it just sounds like a Southern boy going yeah. Almost lazy. Like, you should be in a rocking chair. So I went to the bathroom in the basement and took the toilet paper off. Just put the the cardboard part off. And that's what I sang through. Oh, yeah." What a fun conversation with Ed.

The new Dead Daisies album is dropping in September, so it's good to get Doug Aldrich from the band on Talkin' Rock with Meltdown to tell us about it. Plus, they'll be playing the Machine Shop on June 11th, in Flint, Michigan. As far as song ideas for the new album, he said everyone chipped in. "We all, all we all were, brought different parts in different song ideas. And that's generally what we do with The Dead Daisies is we'll bring in ideas and then, you know, in this situation, Marty Fredrickson was producing and he's like an amazing songwriter in his own. So he had a couple ideas already. Him and John (singer Corabi) had a couple ideas. I had a few. Michael Devin had a few. David (Lowy) had a few. I kind of helped David, finish off a couple of his ideas, and then we, we played them off for Marty." He told me that the first single's main riff for "Light Em Up" was actually written by Stevie D. from Buckcherry. "Yep. And Stevie had he had a whole song, but we just basically pinched the riff and Stevie gave his approval, and then we kind of wrote a little bit new around that riff and, and then we, you know, originally I don't remember, I can't remember his demo, how the riff was played. It might have been played down here or I'm not sure it might have been played in this position here, but this is how we ended up doing it. And it's got kind of a classic Daisy's. But yeah, it's obviously derivative of kind of the way we played it was derivative of kind of AC/ DC" He told me the new album covers a wide range of rock and was recorded in some historic studios. "There's there is a bunch of stuff that's in the vein of what we just talked about that's that fits together really well. But then we had a couple of songs that came in. Actually we we wrote one in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in this studio called Fame Studio. That is a crazy, important studio for, you know, for early rock and for R&B. And like, Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin recorded their hits there. Duane Allman worked there with Wilson Pickett. And we were in the studio working on just playing through some blues stuff and kind of noodling around in a little bit for a week, and we wrote this tune that turned out to be way is really deep, it's like an album cut, it's not a single. It won't be a single, but it's probably one of the coolest songs on the record because it's like a cornerstone track that it makes the album so much better just because it's on it." Past Rock Projects With Doug Aldrich Doug told me about earlier stuff he'd done with other bands, including auditioning for KISS. "I got a call from Eric Carr, who came and saw me play, and I met him, and he invited me to come down to the studio and, and meet Paul and Gene and, and I played on a couple of tracks in the studio just to see. And then they had me come and play a couple times live with them. And it was it was, you know, I felt guilty because these guys, nobody had seen them without their makeup yet. So I really felt awkward about looking Gene Simmons in the eye and, and, and seeing his face, you know, it's like shouldn't, shouldn't be doing this. But the bottom line is, is that they wanted a little bit more of a technical guitar player." That's just for starters on this wide-ranging conversation with Doug. Get your tickets to see The Dead Daisies at the world-famous Machine Shop here.   

Mr. Big is on their "Big Finish" tour and makes a stop in southeast Michigan at District 142 in Wyandotte on May 30th.  Mr. Big From The Start Eric told me the entire story of how the band started after his solo career had seemed to fizzle out in the late 80s. He spoke of meeting Billy Sheehan, a guy who he didn't know about. It was interesting to hear how the pieces came together. New Mr. Big Drops On July 12th Eric had a lot to say about the upcoming album. Their 10th record Ten drops on July 12th. He told me how he and Paul recorded demos for all the songs. "We mapped it out perfectly," he said. Eric talked of starting from scratch on this album and the reason for doing so. Jay Ruston produced this album, as Eric explained to me why they went with the rock producer. "I liked what he did with the last Winery Dogs album...that record was slick" I also grabbed a couple questions from some of his solo bandmates, PJ Farley and Jason Hartless. Those made for a few laughs. Fun conversation with Eric for sure! I cannot wait to hear the full album. 

When I heard that Lzzy Hale had signed on to help the Skid Row guys for 4 shows, I was stoked! I was excited for the band, excited for the people who would see her sing live, and excited for Lzzy! After the first show was in the books, I texted Skid Row bassist, Rachel Bolan and drummer, Rob Hammersmith. Both of them were giddy with how the weekend went. That's when I decided to ask Rachel if he'd come on my Talkin' Rock with Meltdown podcast to talk about it. "We had one rehearsal before the first show, and she blew us away." - Rachel Bolan Rachel told me how the ball started to roll at producer, Nick Raskulinecz's birthday party. "I was like, "Hey, man, would you want to step in and do a few shows with Skid Row?" And she, you know, after we kind of cleared out what exactly the shows were because we, you know, I think she kind of thought we were just going to jam at like the Mercy Lounge or something. But, so when we cleared that up, she said, yes. "Let me talk to my, my, team and my people and I'll have an answer for you." And the next day or a couple of days later, I was like, "Hey, man, were you serious about that?" She's like, yeah, it's a go. And we were all excited." "She unleashed that first scream, and we were all just like, whoa." - Rachel Bolan Rachel went on to say that they only rehearsed once before their first show. Lzzy said that she was holding back a little as to not blow out her voice. Then it was time to take the stage. "When we took the stage, 'Slave to the Grind", she unleashed. Unleashed that first scream. I was just like, I'm actually getting chills thinking about it right now. I was we're all just kind of looking at each other like, whoa" He couldn't heap enough praise on the Halestorm front woman. "You know, when someone is great at what they do, people appreciate it. They appreciated Lzzy because she is great. She's just freaking great!" He said the energy on stage was off the charts. "And you could you could feel the energy on stage. And, a few of my friends that said I've never seen you smile so much. You're always like the punk rock don't smile, guy. You know, like you're laughing up there, you're smiling and you're interacting, you know? So it was really cool, man. And we got two more. And I just feel like that's like another nine days and I'm like, climbing wall of, like, what do you know?" The other two shows he's referring to are in Reno, Nevada, and Sacramento, California. "Lzzy Hale is one of the best vocalists on the planet." - Rachel Bolan When I commented that Lzzy is such a badass, Rachel agreed. "You know, you just said something that is, descriptive that everyone has been saying, and that's badass. Man, it's so perfect because she is a badass. She's a beast on stage, man. She's great."  

This is such an interesting listen. I'd never met or interviewed Chris before. He was so much fun to talk to! We talked about his new gig, at the University of Michigan. He's taking his lessons learned, and passing them on to a younger generation.  Of course, we had to talk about his time in Nine Inch Nails. He talked about the song "Closer" and how Trent Reznor spit out the lyrics to the surprise of Chris and the producer. He spoke of being inducted into the Rock Hall, Johnny Cash covering "Hurt" and more. There's so much we didn't get into, so Chris has promised to come back on in the future. This is a fun listen!

I had the good fortune to speak with Slayer's Kerry King about his new solo album, From Hell I Rise, which drops on May 17th. What I've heard has been a brutal onslaught, like you'd expect! He told me why he chose that name for the album, there were other ones, but he picked this one, as it ends the album on track 13. He also told me about the flavor of the album. In case you haven't heard anything from it, I've included the two songs they've dropped from the album below. We also discussed how he got the members for the band, which includes Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, HellYeah's Kyle Sanders, and Phil Demmel rounding out the band. He said this was his "A Team" and he got the players he wanted. Kerry King On Turning 60 We also talked about his upcoming 60th birthday, which will be the first show in Europe. Over his 60 years, he's made lots of memories, some he can't remember....like a story of the early days of Megadeth that David Ellefson told me about. Barry Kerch is up next. Shinedown has a lot going on this year, including a new hot sauce. Symptom Chipotle Garlic Sauce is their latest creation. Barry talks about how this came to be, and the fact that he's a big hot sauce fan.  We also talked about new music from the band, the album he thinks best represents what they're all about, The Rock Hall, and more.  It's always great to talk with Barry, even if this is my first time interviewing him solo..... video to come.  Thanks for listening!  

  I've never talked with Stephan Perkins from Third Eye Blind, so I can check him off my ever-growing list of rockers I've interviewed. Right off the bat, we talked about touring, and how much he likes it. He commented on how concerts bring us together "That collective sense of feeling lets us know that we're not alone." You can see him and Third Eye Blind along with Yellowcard and A R I Z O N A on July 7th at Pine Knob Music Theater. We talked about a recent unplugged performance he did at an Emo club. "It was fun, man, it was fun," he said about the impromptu show. Third Eye Blind Teams Up With Detroit's Own Shinola There are also a couple of other things we talked about, one is their collab with Shinola. Stephan talked about how he likes that the watches are Made In America and the local craftsmen who make them. They have a limited edition watch coming out. "It's super cool. It's obviously American-made". He said they'll be visiting the store when they come through, as well as Jack White's Third Man Records. How Did His Life Change In The 90s? His life changed in a huge way in the 90s when Third Eye Blind broke. As I asked him this, he paused for about 5 seconds before answering. He went on to talk about how he lived in an apartment with 6 roommates, one bath and he slept on packing foam. He spoke to the bands he started or joined that fell apart until the band finally broke. After massive tours with U2 and The Rolling Stones, he found himself driving home after two years on the road. "Tears streamed down my face because I realized where I'd gone to, this delineation of points," he said. We wrapped our conversation by talking about how the thrash scene in San Francisco where he's from had any effect on his musical tastes.    

Taylor Roberts from Taproot/Riding With Killers joins me on Talkin' Rock with Meltdown.  We started off talking about RWK. He explained how the band formed, talked about their debut record "Full Circle" and more. He said they've done some pretty big shows, but it's time to get that band out to the forefront. "We're really getting ready to launch this band in the right way," he told me.  He talked to me about being a fan of Taproot, and finally becoming a member of the band. He spoke about how he ended up in Detroit through a member of the band, coming from Mississippi. When I asked Taproot frontman Stephen Richards and drummer Jarrod Montague to give me some questions for Taylor, they did not disappoint. They told me to ask him about meeting the Kittie in Las Vegas. Apparently, he was a huge fan growing up as a teenager.  They also told me to ask him about looking like Slipknot frontman, Corey Taylor. That was hysterical! I guess he's been confused for him several times.  In Taproot, he plays guitar, but in Riding With Killers he's more upfront. "The challenge of putting myself in the lead singer spot, and then finally getting to write about things that have been on my mind and in my head and heart for years, is very cathartic and it's been honestly a great release". It was great to have Taylor on Tallkin' Rock!

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has a lot going on. between concerts, family, and getting high-powered muscle cars delivered to his house, his plate is full! I ran into Kenny a few weeks back in Nashville. I posted about that trip and a little about running into Kenny, here. Onto what Kenny has going on. He'll be playing at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit on May 17th. For tickets, click here. Kenny doesn't always hang out in Nashville, his home, but he did a few weeks back. I ran into him two nights in a row, at two comedy shows, so we talked about going to those shows. As far as his shows go, he's always playing somewhere. I asked him the longest he'd gone without playing, and the answer was pretty easy, during the pandemic. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Has Lots Of Music In The Can He told me he already has four albums in the can! He says he's ready for the record label to ask him for new music. "Thankfully because I have all this material kind of stocked up, I haven't been under the gun to write lately, and that's kind of the point." He went on to say that he felt like he was constantly under pressure to write, and now he's relieved of that with these albums ready to go. We talked about his monster hit "Blue On Black" and the latest cover of it from Five Finger Death Punch, Brian May, and Brantley Gilbert. He says he thinks a country artist could make a hit out of that song as well. Kenny Wayne On Jimi Hendrix He'll be heading out on the Hendrix Experience this fall with some great guitarists. He said the family of Jimi loves it. He's been a part of this since it became a thing in Seattle. "I've done a lot of Hendrix songs over the years and I feel that I do them justice." Now, onto cars. He's a huge car guy, as am I. When I saw him a few weeks back, he was waiting for the arrival of his latest muscle car. Well, it came, and it sounds insane! He got a Dodge Demon 170 1170HP. He did the "Jailbreak" program, with a one-of-kind paint job. He said there's a little more to it which we'll find out about soon. Always great to talk with Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Don Jamieson's latest comedy album is No Sleep 'Til McSorley's. Once again, he's modeled his latest album after a famous rock record. This time around it's Motorhead's, No Sleep "til Hammersmith. He explains why he chose that pub, and how he got permission to use the famous album cover. On the album, Don takes on many social and rock topics. It's a skill that he has where he can meld both worlds without sounding preaching or like he's taking sides. "Is there an underlying message to it? Of course there is" Don said. As far as who he takes shots at on the record, he said "Everybody gets it on the album". He said he gets a lot off his chest.  We talked about how surreal it is that we have the good fortune of getting to know our childhood rock star heroes. Don flashed back to seeing the mighty Judas Priest as a kid, with the "Metal God" Rob Halford right in front of him. He said that he'll never forget that feeling, but he's never lost that fandom. The record opens with Lemmy from Motorhead introducing it.....or is it him? He explains. You can order the album on vinyl here. Don Jamieson On Meeting Lemmy From Motorhead Don talks about meeting his idol, Lemmy several times. He said he tread lightly around the rock icon until he had his first drink with him. That was the time when he knew that he'd taken a liking to him. Has Don ever been star-struck? He had a couple of experiences that he talked about, but it wasn't with anyone in the rock world. He also talked about a few of the classic musicians he's had the chance to meet. One from the Monkees and one from Led Zeppelin.  Great to have my friend, Don Jamieson on Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. 

What a pleasure to have James "JY" Young in the studio to talk all things Styx, and more. The upcoming "Renegades and Juke Box Heroes" tour features Foreigner and John Waite. They'll be playing Pine Knob on June 15th. We talked about a lot of topics. Playing in the band with great musicians like Tommy Shaw, and Lawrence Gowen. Where does Styx live in the music world...Rock or Progressive Rock? JY answers that question. "It's hard to define us because a lot of the stuff is prog. But, ya know, some of the ballads are pretty much straight-ahead rock ballads." That led to how JY got into music. How did the Grunge era affect them? At first, he said "Zero" as far as the music was concerned.  But he did say that the band may have seen a dip in concert attendance, but that's passed and now they're selling lots of tickets. Did the Beatles playing on The Ed Sullivan Show influence him? He said they did, but older siblings did too. He expanded on that. What legendary guitarist did he see live five times? I'm not sure if I've ever met anyone who has seen the player so many times. "That's the most profound influence on my playing," he said of the guitarist. I asked him his thoughts on the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame. "Well, I don't know. It's very East Coast-centric for people that have a vote. Styx probably deserves to be in there, but I'm not holding my breath." He didn't mention names, but at the end of the day, he said it's about the fans and music. He spoke of fans telling him about how Styx's music helped them through periods of their lives. "Music affects everyone differently, and we've made some great records." It was a thrill to have JY, and the band's manager, George, in the studio with me. A huge pleasure.

Sebastian, Remington, and Emerson from Palaye Royale were nice enough to stop by the station before their show earlier this week. After playing three songs for the staff, they hopped into the studio with me to talk about the band. I had seen on X that Remington said that Songs For Sadness was very personal to him. He spoke about how his mother's illness has really affected each of them, who are brothers. Being on the road, and leaving their mother is always hard. This was a very touching part of the interview. I wish nothing but the best for "Mama Royale". The guys talked about the dichotomy of how Palaye Royale writes songs. Sebastian said Remington brings a lot to the lyrics, Emerson is good on the piano even though he's the drummer, and each of them bring something different. "We had eighty songs - for the upcoming album - so we narrowed them down to ten" Remington told me. He also said "If there's not a deadline, I will tinker with it" when talking about recording songs. They also talked about the success they've found overseas. Over here in the States, they've opened for so many bands but they're looking to do a headlining tour of their own. As a matter of fact, they're playing Wembley Arena in November. Sebastian said Gene Simmons gave them some great advice early on, which they still use to this day. The band actually started out on the Disney channel. They talked about the difference between playing Disney shows, and then going off on their own for shows. They went from big crowds to playing to empty rooms. I was shocked to hear that the guys were hockey players, as their family has roots in Canada. I didn't think we'd be talking about that during this interview!

"It's incredible, man" is how Spencer Charnas from Ice Nine Kills responded to touring with Metallica. That's the last time he was in the Detroit area when that tour played Ford Field. Well, he's coming back this weekend to sign autographs and take photos with fans at Astronomicon. That happens in Livonia, Michigan April 12-14th at the Burton Manor. He recalled the first show he saw from the Metal Legends back in Boston. He said they treat the band very well on tour. They have more Metallica dates left with them this year. "It's going to be quite a summer" He told me the band is always writing and visual aspects for the band. "We're constantly in creative mode" "Never" is how he answered the question of if he ever gets pushback for "using" some famous horror movie characters. He said he's become friends with some of the people responsible for these films and Ice Nine Kills is helping to promote the movies. I'm a horror fan so we did talk about some of the latest ones out right now. He also told me what sparked his love of the genre. Believe it or not, even though they're from the same part of the country, he's never met Rob Zombie. He spoke to the love he has for his movies. "I think some of the stuff he does is truly brilliant". Guitarist, Doc Coyle told me to ask him about the tuxedo place they get their suits from. He spoke to how Doc has stepped in and helped the band out. "He's an incredibly talented guy, and it was so good to have him out" Spencer's appearance is sponsored by Rock City Music Company in Livonia.