Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

Something happened in this interview that's never happened with anyone I've talked to in over thirty years. More on that later. John is playing the new District 142 in Wyandotte coming up on July 12th. We talked about his upcoming Live & Loud tour Tom Keifer and Winger. The last of which stops at the world famous Ryman Theater in Nashville, Tenn. "I can't say I won't drop to my knees and lick the spot where Elvis played." He talked about playing Detroit early on in his career with The Scream and talking to multiple radio stations back in the day. John is back in the Dead Daisies. I asked him about the constant turnover in that band, since members come and go. He answered that and how he rejoined the band. "I'm honestly happy to be back. There's no bad blood between us." He talks about their new bassist, and how he dated his ex-wife. LOL. He goes way back with him. He spoke of the great respect he has for Glenn Hughes. "That guy is genuinely a freak. The fact that he still sings the way he sings is mindboggling to me." He talked about rehearsals with the band, and his crazy schedule around that. Ok, about that thing earlier....he was getting tattooed while we were doing the interview. And, yes, he does show what he was getting. (on the video link at wrif.com/meltdown) Enjoy! -Meltdown-See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Johnny Kelly of Quiet Riot is my latest Talkin' Rock with Meltdown guest. If you're in the Detroit area, the Quiet Riot guys are playing at Smugglers Run on June 9th. We talk about his lighter tour schedule. He told me playing with QR is much different than he was used to playing with Type O Negative. He explained how they tour on a completely different circuit that is new to him. He recalled touring with Motley Crue in the mid-90s. "It was a tough tour for them" he said about the guys in Crue. He also shared some other tour horror stories. As far as playing with a guy like Rudy Sarzo? "It's surreal". He went into what it's like to play with such a rock legend. He admitted he was somewhat start struck, but now has become a friend. Johnny also tells me what Jizzy Pearl is like. I've never had the chance to meet him before, so I'm looking forward to it. Of course we had to talk a little hockey. He's a big hockey fan, so I had to ask him about his thoughts on the Stanley Cup playoffs. He also told me who he thinks the late Vinnie Paul would've been rooting for. He's in a new band called Eye Am. How did that start? What's going on with that project? Johnny fills us in on all things about that band too. Great to catch up with one of my favorite dudes! -Meltdown- https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's always great to talk with Corey Taylor. I'm a huge  Producer Jay Ruston texted me about the album. He said many things, but we started by talking about how Corey is a one or two take guy. I asked him if he's just really prepared when he enters the studio. "I try to be, yeah." He said it's easier to do it that way for everyone involved. "It's better to know what you're doing then to go in blind." He talked about some producers who do many takes. "I like to do it fresh because it feels alive."  As far as the album being darker and heavier "There are definitely some darker and heavier moments on it." He spoke to some of the songs that are on the album and how one in particular might shock some people. He said the band sounds killer, too. He also explained the cover art and how it's an homage to some of his heroes.  He turns 50 this year, so I had to ask him his thoughts on that. "I think about it constantly." He said he still loves playing and performing in front of the fans. We got into a little mask talk. He compared and contrasted wearing it and not.  Oh, I had to get some KISS talk in there as well. LOL Enjoy! -Meltdown-See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wow! What a great conversation with Zacky Vengeance from Avenged Sevenfold. Their new record "Life Is But A Dream..." drops on June 2nd, and I'm very excited! The two tracks I've heard have blown me away! He told me about the first couple shows. They haven't been on stage in about five years. "We have to put on a show that compliments the music, and do something different than we did before." He talks about how every member of the band brings their creative thoughts to the table, nothing is off limits. We talked about the artwork and what went into creating that. What keeps the four original members so tight after all these years. "We feed off of each others energy." He went into much more detail on this topic. Really interesting to hear his answer. We got to talking about the album. Like I said, I CANNOT wait to hear the whole record. He had a ton to say about it. He talked about how these songs are everything but cliché. "It kinda puts you in a mood and vibe" as far as the opening single, Nobody is concerned. "We tried totally different things" when it comes to the other song they released called We Love You All. "Whatever we do sounds like Avenged Sevenfold." He talked a lot about how they really tried to test the barriers on this album. "We did it pure and true on this album" He told me how they recorded the orchestral parts for the album on a very famous soundstage. "It took us an extra year and a half." We talked about the influences that shaped the record...you might be surprised. That's just the tip of our conversation on the new album. I also asked him about a funny story M. Shadows told me about a show early in their career, and about his favorite Beatle songs. This is a GREAT listen! Enjoy..... -Meltdown- https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weird, I've never met or hung out with Billy, but I've interviewed him a couple times and love talking to him.  Of course we had to talk wrestling. He's a huge fan! He says he doesn't want to get in the ring, though. LOL He said his band is playing great. "It's a pleasure for us to provide a world-class show wherever we go". He talks about playing some new stuff off of the new albums. He tells me about his love for vinyl, as well.  A couple weeks back he made news talking about how Kurt Cobain was his biggest "competitor". I asked him who was his biggest competitor now. He had a very interesting answer, which I agree with.  How often does a guy like Billy get recognized out in public? He answers that question, too.  I got some Chicago sports talk in there as well, including his brush with greatness with Michael Jordon.  Enjoy! Meltdown https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A couple weeks back, Steve Whiteman of KIX, spoke on the final concert in the career of the band. I'm not sure it came out of nowhere with some of the guys in declining health, but it's another band we grew up listening to hanging up their instruments.  I'd never interviewed Steve, but found him very easy to talk with and quick with a quip. He told me about the decision to call it quits. "I'm sick to death of the travel and hotels and waiting in greenrooms." He talked about how to play one show, a lot goes into it. As far as taking the stage for the final time? "I'm ready for it."  He also talked about the apology he made to a town in Minnesota. He looks back on the band's history, the heyday of the group, and what stopped it in their tracks.  He told me about his heroes, vocally growing up. He tells me about the first time he heard a KIX song on the radio.  Will they do any one-off shows? He answers that, too.  That's just for starters on this wide ranging conversation with Steve Whiteman of KIX.  -Meltdown- https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Pearcy of RATT is my latest Talkin' Rock guest. The new ‘THE ATLANTIC YEARS’ LIMITED EDITION BOX SET" drops on June 9th. This thing is like the definitive RATT box set. Once again, that drops June 9....you can pre-order it here. Lots of topics were discussed, like the trouble the band had picking a set list back in the day. Did they have trouble picking the songs? "Every F*#(^!n Day!" We talked about the Monsters Of Rock cruise that just wrapped up. Stephen told me all about the box set. He said the entire band was involved in putting together the product. "I did Robin's share of course." he said about the deceased guitarist. He didn't hesitate when I asked him to pick one album out of the five that would best sum up the band. He told me about the MTV years and how important shooting a video was for the band. How about the importance of the rock magazines? We talked about that, too. He also commented on drummer Bobby Blotzer's comments about how RATT crushed Motley Crue back in the day. "Bob tends to be a little outspoken." He went on to talk about this at length. I also had to ask him about the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame....he didn't hide his distain for that place. Fun to catch up with Stephen Pearcy of RATT again. -Meltdown-See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great to catch up with Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix on Talkin' Rock. We talk about his sobriety and what he does now to fill his time on tour, besides drinking. Is it a rite of passage for rock musicians to go through that? He answers that question. He told me about other sober musicians that helped him along the way. He talks about his addictive personality. We recall OZZfest when they played some 20-odd years ago. The main core of three remains intact in Papa Roach. Jacoby talks about what has kept them together for almost three decades. He grew up in Sacramento, California, and is still there to this day. He tells me why he's stayed in that area of the country. What's it like to be the "rock dad"? That's a title that he has and talks about that. He's very much the family man with his wife and his three boys. He told me about the viral moment his son sang with him on stage a couple of months ago. New music from P. Roach? Papa Roach's Jacoby Shaddix tells me about the timetable for that and what they're working on now. Enjoy! -Meltdown- https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I haven't talked to or seen Sass Jordan in decades! It was great to reconnect with her as she just released a live album on April 28th.  We discuss Live In New York Ninety-Four. She tells me her greatest memories of working and playing with Taylor Hawkins, why she doesn't really go to concerts, the invisible musical fence between America and Canada and lots more.  So much fun to speak with her again.  -Meltdown- https://sassjordan.com/ https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What an honor to talk to rock royalty. Ian Anderson is on Talkin' Rock to discuss the latest album and more around his life and Jethro Tull. The latest album is called RökFlöte and is out now. That bring said, Ian talked about an idea he got in early 2023 for the next album already. "My resolve is to work during this year  to get that ready for rehearsal and recording in January and February of next year." He talked about touring and making up dates after the pandemic. "I tried not to think about it too much." as far as if he missed playing live and touring during the lockdowns. We got into some spiritual talk. He told me about studying religions and attending different masses.  "I rather like the unknowable." he said about what lies beyond here. I asked him about the term "prog rock". He said he liked the term progressive rock more. He dove into that much more. What about that scene in Anchorman, where Will Ferrell was playing the flute in the club? He brought up that he thought Fox anchorman Tony Snow had more to do with that scene than he did. Lastly, I asked him where his Metal Grammy is....that's a fun story. Enjoy the conversation. -Meltdown- https://wrif.com/2023/05/03/new-music-religion-anchorman-his-metal-grammy-and-more-with-jethro-tulls-ian-anderson/ https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.