Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

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!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Armored Saint singer John Bush and bass player Joey Vera, who are currently out on tour with Queensryche. They'll be coming through Detroit to play the Majestic Theater on April 14th. Joey said of touring with the QR guys, "It's always fun touring with friends, people you get along with." We talked about their experience on the Monsters Of Rock Cruise. "Yeah, they're fun. You always see a lot of people you know." Joey said. The guys told me about going to Anthrax's Scott Ian's 60th birthday in Las Angeles at the end of 2023. John said there were some really talented people there celebrating the milestone. The band recently recorded a cover of "One Chain Don't Make No Prison" which they're going to release as a stand-alone single. That being said, the guys are all about making full albums. They talked about album reissues, as well as vinyl copies of all their albums. I had to ask them about the new Armored Saint music they're working on. As far as writing on the road, Joey said they don't do it. "We just write at our own pace." He went on to say they have six or seven songs demoed. They'll be touring and then returning to the studio to finish it up by the end of the year. Something I didn't know about Armored Saint was that their first show outside of hometown shows was at Harpos. They said they played a radio station show way back in 1984. "That was our first show ever outside of California," Joey said. John talked of that show being added last minute, as they were supposed to play Chicago first. They also played Cobo Hall on that first tour. "We just couldn't believe what was happening," Joey said of playing some of these classic venues. Joey told the story of crashing a car with Tommy Lee of Motley Crue. We also talked about their tour with W.A.S.P. and Metallica, where they were snowed-in, in Buffalo, New York. Joey also told a funny story from early in their career about a comment he made about Blackie Lawless and W.A.S.P. on the radio. Great to talk to the guys!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was great of Mike Kroeger from Nickelback to take so much time to talk about their documentary Hate To Love: Nickelback, which comes to theaters on March 27th and 30th. We also talked about a few specific songs, hockey, and more. He told me this documentary might help to dispel some of the things about the band that aren't true. "It's the filling in of a few blanks and maybe telling some stories that no one knows." He said the band hasn't shared that much, and that may be their own fault, but they want to straighten some misunderstandings. He said that the "hate" doesn't bother him much anymore, but it did in the past. "It's hurt me and my family, but now I really don't care about it, now I want to use it." Mike really opened up about this topic.  We talked about the monstrous hit "How You Remind Me". That song became the most-played single on the planet. "I didn't really feel like it was that much better than the other ones" but it went on to smash the doors down for the band.  Another song we dove into a little was "Rockstar". Mike told me how an old promotional trick used by Alice Cooper in the 70s that they used to help that song become a huge hit. He said that was the 7th single released from that album All The Right Reasons and the 7th number-one song. That's crazy! I also asked him about Canadian bands that break or don't, in the States. Mike talked about their road to success "down here". We talked about recording in other studios, their induction into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame by a hockey legend, as well as playing the closing ceremony at the 2010 Olympics, which was an insane few hours. Great story! Oh, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my friend John Guarnieri, security to the stars, who gave me a great question about cheesecake. LOL....you just have to hear it. Thanks, John. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great to reconnect with Jeff Scott Soto. The last time I talked with him was mere weeks after we met, I believe in 2018. He's one of these guys who you just like the first time you meet him. He's so easy to talk to, which you'll see in this conversation. He's coming through town playing the Token Lounge on March 27th with The Art Of Anarchy band. He spoke about how he joined the band, which was somewhat defunct, with the help and through his friendship with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. The new album is out, and JSS told me that the band hasn't even played one of these songs live yet. He said rehearsals start next week, as I post this. JSS has been in many bands, but the Trans Siberian Orchestra is one he's been in for a long time. He talks about the reasons why he's jumped around to different bands throughout his career. One of the guys he plays with in TSO is Slaughter drummer, Blas Elias. Jeff talked of meeting him, and how they both have parts in the movie "Rockstar". We also talked about his 40 years in the music business! Yes, he started at the early age of 18 and was off and running with the Yngwie Malmsteen's "Rising Force" album. He said he didn't even know he got the gig until weeks later. He just did the Monsters Of Rock cruise, and along with playing many shows onboard, he did his first comedy routine. With the help of rock comedian Don Jamieson, he said it went very well. He talked about doing a similar thing with Jason Bieler from Saigon Kick. JSS said he's learned a lot from him. Jason also submitted a funny question for Jeff....LOL We talked about Queen, the documentary making "We Are The World", and more. Lots of great stories from Jeff, cannot wait to see him and Art Of Anarchy at the Token Lounge in a couple of weeks!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Honored to have drummer extraordinaire, and fellow Detroiter, Tommy Clufetos on Talkin' Rock. He's playing the Token Lounge coming up on Thursday, March 28th. Having seen him play there before, this is a show you're not going to want to miss. He said that was the only time he'd played there and he "Loved it!" His drumming is insane. Just check out some of the clips below. In the conversation we talked about his career playing with everyone from, Ted Nugent, to Rob Zombie, to Black Sabbath, John 5, and lots more. Tommy is Detroit through and through. "Detroit is such a big part of my life, you can't get it out of me". Tommy credits his upbringing here in the Motor City with giving him his work ethic. Now he's made home in the music capitol of America, Nashville, Tenn.  He told me how he's managed to get so many high-profile gigs, starting with Mitch Rider. We talked about how he was hooked up with Ted Nugent through Alto Reed from Bob Seger's band. "I'm so spoiled because I love Detroit music so much," he told me.  Ozzy Osbourne recently picked him as his drummer in a hypothetical dream band. "That makes me feel really good." He went on to talk about playing with Ozzy "When I'm behind Ozzy, we go to war together". He said he's learned so much from guys like Ozzy and Nugent.  He talked about playing some gigs with Motley Crue, while Tommy Lee was injured and couldn't perform full shows.  How badly did he want to play on Black Sabbath's 13 album? What was it like playing Sabbath's last gig? He answers those questions and lots more.  Great to have Tommy on the show for the first time, and I cannot wait to see the show at the Token on March 28th. I'll see you guys there!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Such an honor to have Mick Mars on the show. His new album "The Other Side Of Mars" drops on February 23rd, and it's a killer record. The album really shows off different sides to Mick's musicality. It really takes you on a roller coaster ride. "Yeah, I wanted to see what happens. Lots of different styles, different things." He went on "I intentionally wanted it to be very diverse."  What's also different about this record is that Mick is more upfront than he ever was in the Crue. This is his project and he's the face of it. From the video treatments which are primarily black and white. "When I was in Motley I wrote for Motley. But with this, it's for me." He jokingly calls it "Mars"ley. He told me his heart is in the blues, but he didn't want to put out a blues album. He explained why that is. Mick also told me the moment he fell in love with music. He was very young! There are some musical heavyweights on this album. Starting with the producer, Micheal Wagener. This guy worked with Mick back on the very first Motley album. Then, he's got Korn's Ray Luzier on drums. He is an incredible talent. Mick described him with one word - awesome! I also asked him about collaborating with other artists. "Oh, yeah. I'm not sure with whom. I like to keep things fresh." He said he's already working on his next album. "I've already got, like, four really, really solid songs." As far as guests for his next album, he said he's pretty sure he'll have some on it. As far as albums he's credited on, I had to ask him about the Hear 'N Aid project he was part of in the 80s. From what he recalls it was fun. LOL He goes into that a little deeper.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Days after his birthday, Sully Erna from Godsmack called in to discuss what the band has going on, along with his "I Stand Alone - The Sully Erna Story", which you can watch now.  He told me how the documentary started, after writing manuscripts for his book "The Paths We Choose". He says his story is about perseverance....that's an understatement. "So many times I could've easily ended up dead or in jail." He told me how music really saved his life. He said he was nervous watching it, but he thinks it came out good. I watched it in one sitting. There was stuff in there that surprised me, and some stories that were, as he said, hard to believe. He's a guy who literally had to fight to achieve his success. "There really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, it's just a mother f&#$#er getting there." People may or may not know, Godsmack was a late-blooming band. Most rock bands get their start in their 20s. Godsmack started to break in their 30s. That's unheard of in our business. He said after years of trying to make it as a musician for so long, he put the band together to just scratch an itch.  He also talked about how drummer Shannon Larkin joined the band. He said they didn't even do auditions for drummers when he came aboard. Suly went on to explain how he joined the band and how the "drum battle" started. That's a highlight of any Godsmack show.  As far as what the band has going on this year, he said they probably won't be working on any new music, but touring with an intimate night of music and storytelling.  You can watch the documentary on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sebastian Bach is my latest guest on Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. He's dropping a new album, in his words, sooner than you think. "It's coming very, very soon." He talks about the first single "What Have I Got To Lose?" which you can see below. That song is co-written with Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge/Slash. He talked about joining up with him. Detroit's own John 5 is also on the album, along with others. He reminded me that this is the third album he's collaborated with 5.  He also spoke about the fact that he wouldn't mind getting back with the original members of Skid Row. "Us five musicians haven't been in the same room together since 1996, and I barely remember the year 1996." He went on to say that he's over whatever happened in 1996. "I'm over it." He talked more about that, including the fact that he owns all sorts of demos and unreleased tracks from the early days of the band.  Sebastian also talked about the Skid Row tour with a very young Soundgarden on the Slave To The Grind tour. When asked if he could see that band blow up like they did, he talked about the darker vibe of the grunge movement at the time. "I come from a time where rock and roll was nothing but fun." He elaborated "I didn't get into rock and roll to be depressed. I got into rock and roll to escape depression." He spoke of hanging with Chris Cornell after the shows and the ultimate demise of the legendary singer.  We had to talk about KISS. He's a huge fan and told me the story of seeing the final show in New York. He also spoke highly of the KISS reunion show at Tiger Stadium in 1996. He called the show the "biggest rush" when they came on the stage that night. A moment he said he'd never forget. "Probably the most exciting concert moment of my life." Rob DeLuca from Spread Eagle playing with Sebastian for many years. He gave me some fun tour stories to ask him about. Those are crazy stories. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Robertson from Black Stone Cherry joins me on Talkin' Rock. They'll be hoping on the ShipRocked cruise starting February 4 through the 10th.  Their latest album, their eighth, dropped last fall called Screamin' At The Sky. He tells me that he feels fortunate that they can put out new music and people still care, "You can't really ask for much more than that"  Chris told me about growing up in the middle of nowhere, in Edmonton, Kentucky. He said growing up he was surrounded by country music, as his father and grandfather were both bluegrass/country musicians. He said music videos helped craft his love of music. "I was a kid in the MTV generation, so all through the 90s you had great rock and roll being playing on TV." He told me about the first video he recalls watching.  Being from Kentucky, I'm surprised it took this long, but they've got their own bourbon now. They've teamed up with Three Chord Bourbon to develop their bourbon. He said management approached them with the idea. "It was a no-brainer for us." Chris just came back from Los Angeles for NAMM, and he told me about his new signature guitar called The Sarge. He said that way of life is ok for a few days, but he's a country boy through and through.  Black Stone Cherry is also playing Zakk Wylde's Berzurkus concert in mid-September in Pennsylvania. As far as playing live and touring, it's something he still loves to do. "I love it because it's new faces all the time, it continues to build." Yes, BSC is a road-dog band and that's ok with Chris. "We love it. We truly love playing music." He surprised me with a band he named as far as a "massive" influence on his band with roots in the Detroit area. That was a shocker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.