Rock Is Lit

“Some songs demand sacrifice,” Rob Errera writes of the title song in his novel ‘Hangman’s Jam,” a story that chronicles the rise of the band Allen Vent and The Strange Creations and the mysterious song that haunts and beguiles them. If you like your rock novels to come with a hearty dose of groupies, drug overdoses, sex tapes, and a side of murder, betrayal, and some freaky other-worldly creatures, you’re in the right place.Speaking of mysterious and powerful songs, Zeena Schreck joins me in the last segment of the podcast to talk about the power certain songs have in spiritual and magical practices. Zeena is an artist, musician, Tibetan Buddhist yogini, as well as former High Priestess of the Church of Satan (founded by her late father Anton LaVey). Between 1988-1993, she was composer, vocalist, musician, and graphic designer for the sonic magical musical project Radio Werewolf.Zeena was also a guest in Episode 6 of Rock is Lit, which you can listen to here. MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Royalty Free Music, “Decay” by Kevin MacLeod “Nude” by Radiohead “Polonium” by The Cruel Earth “Welcome to My Nightmare” by Alice Cooper “Pledging My Love” by Johnny Ace “Monkey on Your Back” by Aldo Nova “The Thing That Should Not Be” by Metallica “The Old Gods Return” by Blue Oyster Cult “Titanium Night Terrors” by The Cruel Earth “Luchorpan” from ‘Love Conquers All’ by Radio Werewolf “Against Time” from ‘The Lightning and the Sun’ by Radio Werewolf “Sleepwalker” from ‘The Lightning and the Sun’ by Radio Werewolf  *All music by Radio Werewolf courtesy of Zeena Schreck and cannot be used without her permission. For more information on Zeena’s music, see https://www.zeenaschreck.com/sound-art.html. LINKS:Rob Errera’s blog: https://roberrera.wordpress.com/Rob Errera on Twitter: @haikubob  For news ofZeena Schreck’s current public activities and releases, subscribe to thee-newsletter at https://www.zeenaschreck.com/subscribe.htmlZeena’s website: www.ZeenaSchreck.comZeena’s blog: https://www.zeenaschreck.com/blogZeena on Bandcamp: https://zeenaschreck.bandcamp.com/releasesZeena, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeenaschreck_art/Zeena, YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ZeenaSchreckOfficialZeena, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZEENA.Official.ZeenaSchreckChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Chris L. Terry, who is both a writer and punk rock musician, does double duty as author and music guru. Chris and I talk about his novel ‘Black Card’, a story that follows a mixed-race punk rock musician and his struggles with identity. Chris and I get candid about race, how to pronounce certain naughty words, Hip-Hop, punk rock music, and even Confederate monuments.Per J. Ryan Stradal in ‘The Rumpus’: “Provocative, warm-hearted, and often hilarious, ‘Black Card’ tells the story of a biracial punk rocker searching for his place in a largely white world. He’s come to feel that his sole black friend holds the key to his identity, and the pressure and expectations of this friendship come to a head in a community where racism takes countless subtle and overt forms. Terry is a remarkable writer, and ‘Black Card’ oughta be on every summer reading list.”Chris L. Terry was born in 1979 to an African-American father and an Irish-American mother. He spent his teens and early 20s touring the U.S. and Europe as the singer in different punk bands. Terry has an MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Creative Writing MFA from Columbia College Chicago. His debut novel ‘Zero Fade’ (Curbside Splendor, 2013) was on Best of 2013 lists by Slate.com and Kirkus Reviews. Terry lives in Los Angeles with his family. He works as a Copywriter and Creative Writing Instructor.  MUSIC AND MEDIA FEATURED IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: “Longview” by Green Day “You Should Be Sad” by Halsey “Crimson Static #2” by Julian Calendar “Don’t Shoot” by The Game, with special guests “It Wasn’t Us” by Ludacris Samuel L. Jackson and Prince saying “motherfucker” “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy “Hip-Hop” by Dead Prez “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer “I Think They Try” by Light the Fuse and Run “When Doves Cry” by Prince “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin  LINKS:Chris L. Terry on Twitter and Instagram: @chrislterryChris L. Terry’s ‘Black Card’ Largehearted Boy Playlist: http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2019/09/chris_l_terrys.html Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My award-winning novel, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’, the first literary novel to feature Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page, was published in paperback, hardback, and Kindle by Livingston Press on October 20, 2021. You can still get the Kindle version on Amazon, and the paperback is available on Amazon and your local indie bookstores.Now that the audiobook is out on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes, I feel like this journey I’ve been on with my book baby is almost complete. In this episode, listen to Chapter One, then join me as I chat up Melissa Connell about her experience narrating the novel and, later, Dave Lewis about when he became a Led Zeppelin superfan and the evolution of his magazine, ‘Tight But Loose’.If you want to hear more about the novel, check out Season One Episode 7 of Rock is Lit, when Margaret Bauer, Randall Martoccia, and Liza Wieland interviewed me about the book, then Danny Goldberg joined me to talk about working with Led Zeppelin in the 1970s as their PR man and Vice President of Swan Song Records. VOICES IN INTRO SAYING “ ‘SEARCHING FOR JIMMY PAGE’ ” IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:·     Kerry Robinson·     Allen Mendenhall from Southern Literary Review·     George Dionne from The Rock is George Podcast·     Jeff Jackson LINKS:Melissa Connell’s website: http://melissaconnell.com/Melissa Connell on Facebook: @melissaconnellMelissa Connell on Instagram: @melcat92 Dave Lewis on Facebook: @DaveLewis‘Tight But Loose’ website: http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/ Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Daniel Paisner joins me to talk about his novel ‘Balloon Dog’, a story driven by a would-be writer protagonist who looks at the world through snatches of classic rock lyrics. The novel tells the story of a brazen art heist gone sideways and asks readers to consider what it means to leave a mark and what it takes to be swept up in the same currents that move the rest of the world.Later, Brad Page, host of I’m In Love With That Song podcast, another proud member of the Pantheon Podcast Network, drops by to do a deep dive into the song that inspired the novel ‘Balloon Dog’: The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction.” MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Theme to ‘The Monkees’ TV show “Gloria” by Patti Smith “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” by Odetta “Dreamer” by Ozzy Osbourne “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones “High Hopes” by Panic! At the Disco “The Frustrated Writer” by Drag “Disappointed” by Public Image Ltd “Andy Warhol” by David Bowie “Beck’s Bolero” by Jeff Beck, with Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, John Paul Jones, and Nicky Hopkins “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones “Thirty Days” by Chuck Berry “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison “Satisfaction” by Devo, on SNL 1978 “Picasso Baby” by Jay-Z, Featuring The Dream & Zofia Borucka Moreno   LINKS:Daniel Paisner’s website: https://www.danielpaisner.com/Daniel Paisner on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram: @danpaisner and @astoldtopodcastDaniel Paisner on Twitter: @Daniel Paisner I’m In Love With That Song Podcast website: https://lovethatsongpodcast.com/I’m In Love With That Song Podcast on Facebook: @ImInLoveWithThatSongPodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello, Lit listeners. As you know, Rock is Lit is a podcast about rock novels. Well, in this episode, we’re going rogue. Melissa Ragsly is here to talk about the music-related stories in her short story collection, ‘We Know This Will All Disappear’. We’ll be name dropping folks like The Beatles, Metallica, FTD, Patti Smith, and Guns N Roses. Speaking of Guns N Roses, their song “Rocket Queen” is a major motif in the story “Mannequin,” so AAron Camaro, co-host of the Decibel Geek podcast, another proud member of the Pantheon Podcast Network, joins me in the last segment to do a deep dive into that song. FYI: AAron’s is the voice behind that “Rock is Lit!” shout out in the intro and outro of the podcast. Make sure you stick around to hear more from AAron.MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: “Here’s Where The Story Ends” by The Sundays “Drunken Butterfly” by Sonic Youth “Chaise Lounge” by Wet Leg “Norman Fucking Rockwell” by Lana Del Rey “Venice Bitch” by Lana Del Rey “Disappear” by Christina Li Clip from ‘The Outsiders’: “Let’s do it for Johnny.” “Horses” by Patti Smith “Too Drunk to Karaoke” by Jimmy Buffett “Rocket Queen” by Guns N Roses “Lady Marmalade” by LaBelle “Rocket Queen” by Guns N Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N Roses MTV’s Adam Curry Introducing Guns N Roses Live From The Ritz 1988 “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N Roses   LINKS:Melissa Ragsly’s website: https://www.melissaragsly.com/Melissa Ragsly on Twitter, @90sMelissaMelissa Ragsly on Instagram, @melissaragslyperson Decibel Geek Podcast: https://www.decibelgeek.com/Decible Geek on Twitter, @DecibelGeekPodPantheon Podcast Network: http://pantheonpodcasts.com/RocknPod website: https://nashvillerocknpodexpo.com/ Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello, Lit Listeners!Here’s another news flash from the Rock is Lit Vault. On Thursday, February 2, 2023, Season Two launches with Melissa Ragsly, who wrote the short story collection ‘We Know All This Will All Disappear’, and AAron Camaro, co-host of Decibel Geek podcast, another proud member of the Pantheon family. Melissa and I talk about a few of the more music-centric stories in her book, then Aaron joins me in the last segment to dish about the Guns N Roses song “Rocket Queen,” which plays a major role in one of those stories.It's going to be a great season, full of fabulous rock novels AND some surprises.'SEARCHING FOR JIMMY PAGE' AUDIOBOOK SPECIAL EPISODEOne of the episodes I’m especially excited about in Season Two is a celebration of the audiobook release of my rock novel, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’. The paperback and Kindle versions were published by Livingston Press in late 2021 and are still available, and now the audiobook is FINALLY out.You can find it on iTunes, Audible, and Amazon. Links below.Check out the new YouTube book trailer to get more of the flavor of the story. Here's a link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_jSlMvsFdsOr you can go directly to YouTube and plug in “ ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’, a Novel by Christy Alexander Hallberg: New Audiobook Trailer” in the search box to find it.AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY!Post the 'Searching for Jimmy Page' audiobook YouTube trailer link on one or more of your social media platforms and tag me, and I’ll enter you in an audiobook giveaway. I’ll be choosing four winners next Thursday, February 2, 2023 to kick off Season Two, so make sure you post the book trailer, and don’t forget to tag me, before Wednesday, February 1 at 11:59 PM EST to enter the contest.'SEARCHING FOR JIMMY PAGE' AUDIOBOOK SAMPLE CHAPTERWhile you’re waiting for Season Two to begin on February 2, you can hear a little teaser from the audiobook of ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’, narrated by Melissa Connell, here in this bonus episode.LINKSChristy Alexander Hallberg's website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube: @ChristyHallberg'Searching for Jimmy Page' YouTube audiobook trailer'Searching for Jimmy Page' audiobook on Amazon'Searching for Jimmy Page' audiobook on Audible'Searching for Jimmy Page' audiobook on iTunes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 14 of Rock is Lit features Michael Amos Cody’s novel ‘Gabriel’s Songbook’, a story that follows starry-eyed Gabriel Tanner on his quest to strike it big as a singer-songwriter in Nashville in the 1980s.In the final segment of that episode, Peter Cooper and Frye Gaillard join me to talk about the real Nashville music scene in the 1980s to add real-world context to Michael's novel. Frye is an historian and author of such books as ‘A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s’, ‘The Southernization of America’, which he co-wrote with Pulitzer Prize-winner Cynthia Tucker, and ‘Watermelon Wine: The Spirit of Country Music’.On a sad note, the morning Episode 14 first aired, I received a message from Frye Gaillard, giving me the tragic news that Peter Cooper had passed away just two days prior—on Tues, Dec 6, 2022.Peter was the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s senior director, producer, and writer. As one of Nashville’s most respected music journalists, he wrote for the ‘Tennessean’, ‘American Songwriter’, ‘Esquire’ and numerous other publications His insight was deepened by his experiences as a Grammy-nominated producer, a singer, a songwriter and a touring musician. His songs were recorded by luminaries including John Prine, Todd Snider, and Country Music Hall of Fame members Bobby Bare and Mac Wiseman. Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson said, “Peter Cooper looks at the world with an artist’s eye and a human heart and soul.”What you’re about to hear is the full interview I recorded with Frye Gaillard and Peter Cooper on Tues, Oct 18, 2022, less than two months before Peter’s death. I offer it to you now as a tribute to Peter—in honor of his life and in gratitude for the insight he and Frye brought to Episode 14 of Rock is Lit about Michael Amos Cody’s novel ‘Gabriel’s Songbook,’ a book Peter so enjoyed. I wish all of Peter’s friends and family peace and healing.Listen to this bonus interview, then check out Episode 14 of Rock is Lit.For more information and photos on this bonus interview, see https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/podcast-vault-feed/petercoopertributeYou can also access the interview on YouTube.If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a rating and comment.LINKS:Michael Amos Cody’s website: https://michaelamoscody.com/Michael on Twitter, @DrMacOdeMichael on Instagram, @michaelamoscody Frye Gaillard’s website: https://fryegaillardauthor.com/Frye on Facebook, @FryeGaillard Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, @ChristyHallbergChristy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, @christyhallbergChristy Alexander Hallberg’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSnRmlL5moSQYi6EjSvqag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy the coming attractions of Rock is Lit Season Two in this Vault bonus short. You'll hear what's new, Season One recap, and fun bloopers.For more info on Rock is Lit, see my website at https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit.Find me on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @christyhallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We said goodbye to 2022 and Season One of Rock is Lit last week. To celebrate the coming of Season Two, here's a brief recap of Season One, a thank you to all the folks who helped make the podcast happen, intro to Season Two, and an intro to the full video interview I conducted with legendary groupie Pamela Des Barres for the Season One Finale/Episode 17. Use the link below to view the YouTube video. Happy New Year, Lit Listeners!YouTube interview with Pamela Des Barres: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlutwO7WMzkRock is Lit Vault: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/podcast-vault-feed/pameladesbarresChristy Alexander Hallberg's website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter/Instagram: @christyhallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello, Lit Listeners. I hope you’re all geared up to party with the bands in this episode’s rock novel, because you’ve got a backstage pass and VIP access. Sarah Priscus is here to talk about her new novel, ‘Groupies’, a story that shines a light on the grungy yet glittery world of 1970s Los Angeles rock 'n roll and the women—the groupies—who unapologetically love too much in a world that doesn’t love them back.Later, who else is better qualified to give real-world context to this very topic than the fabulous Super Groupie, member of Frank Zappa’s GTOs, and talented writer and podcaster, Pamela Des Barres? That’s right, Miss Pamela herself joins me during the last segment of the show, so break out your groovy boas and hot pants and drop some far-out vinyl on the turn table. You’re all with the band tonight.FYI: Check out my full uncut YouTube video interview with Pamela Des Barres in the Rock is Lit Vault.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:Sarah and I talk about What she and Suzi Quatro have in common Sarah’s experience writing and publishing her debut novel Overview of plot and characters of ‘Groupies’ The setting of ‘Groupies’: Los Angeles in the late 1970s The early seasons of SNL as part of Sarah’s research into the era/other research Sarah did for the novel, including watching ‘Almost Famous’ again Sarah’s long love affair with Pamela Des Barres’ seminal memoir ‘I’m With the Band’ Led Zeppelin references in the novel and our shared love of the band Groupie definitions and rules, as presented in the novel ‘Groupies’ Feminism and groupie culture in the 1970s/the Baby Groupie issue Instant gratification and the 1970s and Polaroid cameras, which the character Faun uses Pamela and I talk about How and when she first got into the L.A. music scene Who christened each of the GTOs “Miss” The kazillion rock icons she’s known, including Frank Zappa, The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Love, Three Dog Night, Gene Simmons, Keith Moon The GTOs' album ‘Permanent Damage’, which Frank Zappa produced The L.A. scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s Baby Groupies of the 1970s The first time Pamela heard the word “groupie” and her definition of the word ‘I’m With the Band’ and some of the ridiculous comments people—especially early interviewers—have made Pamela’s ex-husband Michael Des Barres’ thoughts on ‘I’m With the Band’ How Gram Parsons turned her onto Country music  MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: 1970’s Retro Background Music (Royalty Free) “Our Last Summer” by ABBA “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll” by The Rolling Stones Clip of early SNL opening “Life in the Fast Lane” by The Eagles “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy “We Shall Go Forth” by Margie Adam “Hey Ya!” by OutKast “Famous Groupies” by Paul McCartney “I’m In Love With The Ooo-Ooo Man” by The GTOs “Shock Treatment” by The GTOs, featuring Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart “Sixteen and Savaged” by Silverhead “Christine’s Tune” by The Flying Burrito Brothers “Mystery Roach” by Frank Zappa and The Mothers  LINKS: Sarah Priscus’s website: https://sarahpriscus.com/Sarah on Twitter, @sarahpriscusSarah on Instagram, @sarah.priscus Pamela Des Barres’ website: https://www.pameladesbarresofficial.com/Pamela on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, @PamelaDesBarres Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, @ChristyHallbergChristy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, @christyhallbergChristy Alexander Hallberg’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSnRmlL5moSQYi6EjSvqag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices