The Hook Rocks!

With a career spanning two decades Joel Hoekstra is regarded as one of rock 'n' rolls hardest working guitar players. Being a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Whitesnake while touring with Cher has given Joel the ability to showcase his tremendous talent to a wide-ranging audience. However, it doesn't stop there! Our discussion covers all of these things plus the many side projects he's involved with and his passion for teaching guitar. Please enjoy the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the past several years rock music has been brewing a feast of incredible new bands. The new scene is global and musicians from one corner of the globe to the next are proving to be up to the task of carrying the legacy torch of rock n roll. The band Black Smoke Trigger from New Zealand is part of the new wave of rock enlisting legendary producer Michael Wagener and guitar player Mick Mars to be part of their debut EP "Set It Off." Guitarist Charlie Wallace and I chat about the EP and the process of recording it and what the future holds for the band. Please enjoy the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 is the year we would all like to forget. The things we know and love like sporting events, vacations, and concerts have been postponed or canceled in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic. For live music lovers, small clubs and theatres are or on the verge of closing because of the loss of revenue. The impact this has on the communities surrounding these venues is devastating. Jordan Grobe from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), the group behind the Save our Stages campaign sits down with Jay Scott to discuss the current bill in congress, seeking aide for these venues and what the outlook is for live music if it's not approved. Please enjoy the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We welcome back one of our favorite guests Joey Cassata to discuss his latest book "Wrestling With Joeylicious". A Rocky meets Porky's adventure about an amateur wrestler pursuing his dream while his imaginary Pro Wrestling friends guide his journey. Many of you know Joey from the band ZO2, the television show Z Rock and his first book, the autobiography "Start With a Dream". You don't need to be a wrestling fan to enjoy this story and the fun conversation he and I had about the book and our similar childhoods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new rock 'n' roll scene is truly global. Bands from all over the planet have the ability to connect with audiences in different countries via social media and streaming platforms. There is no better example of this than the Brazilian band Ego Kill Talent. I had the pleasure of speaking with guitarist Theo Van Der Loo about the band's history as well as the impact Covid19 has had on them. I am excited to hear what's next for this great new band. Please enjoy the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Streaming music is now the norm. The convenience and accessibility for music fans have left the old ways of how we absorb music in the dust. However, what's great for these companies who provide these platforms and their bottom line has created a vaccuum for the artists we love. The compensation given to these bands and artist on average is less than minimum wage and if your new to the scene it's even tougher. We welcome Kristi Enigl back to the show as we discuss how streaming companies have changed the reality for musicians and what new bands and mid-level artists can do to counteract the greed and arrogance of these platforms. Please enjoy the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Released last Friday "Even The Devil Believes" is the latest from the hard rock band Stryper. The album, which was recorded earlier this year prior to the Covid19 pandemic offers Stryper fans great songs and a powerful message. I chat with lead singer/guitarist Michael Sweet on the recording process and the impact Perry Richardson had had on the band. We then turned our discussion to the current partisan climate in our country, why we've become so divided, and how we need to pull together in order to put the pandemic in our rearview mirror. Please enjoy the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most interesting and exciting bands to come out over the past few years is Joyous Wolf. Armed with incredible songs, great musicianship, and defining stage presence the band is looking to take advantage of the forced downtime, preparing themselves for what's next. Guitarist Blake Allard and I discuss the next steps in Joyous Wolf's future and how excited they are to be part of the new wave of rock. Please enjoy the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The days when a classic rock fan can say "New rock music sucks" are over. With so many great new bands taking the stage over the past few years the problem with rock 'n' roll is the fans, not the bands. The fact is the genre is on the rise and even though the pandemic has paused the momentum, rock 'n' roll is positioning itself to explode once the new normal begins. The question is, are you in the know on new rock 'n' roll? Chris Corradetti and I will feature three new bands on a bi-monthly basis. First up is 1000mods from Greece, Black Smoke Trigger from New Zealand and South of Eden from Columbus. Enjoy our discussion on each band and as I always say "Give The a Listen!" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the major factors pushing rock music into irrelevancy is the lack of connection with younger fans. For whatever reason, rock 'n' roll stopped embracing the rock 'n' roll lifestyle of danger and excess while being a soundboard for the outcast teenager filled with angst...but it's coming back. With the success of the Motley Crue biopic "The Dirt" and rising rock scene filled with new incredible bands rock music is on the verge, even though the momentum has paused due to the pandemic. I chat with Sydney Taylor from Metal From The Inside to discuss her passion for rock music and why as a young adult she feels the return of rock 'n' roll is imminent. Enjoy the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices