I had the chance to sit down with Troy Van Leeuwen at Echopark guitars in Detroit. More on that in a few. Troy and I talked about his current gig, filling in for Dave Navaro as he recovers from long Covid, and playing with Jane's Addiction. We discussed the multitude of quality musicians he's played with in his various projects, including Jane's, A Perfect Circle, Queens of the Stoneage and more. I asked where "hired gun" ends and "band member" begins. He told me the legend who inspired him to pick up the guitar, and a great story about meeting him, and lots more.  

We did the interview in Echopark guitars shop where all the instruments are made. You can learn more about them below. A big Thank You to Gabriel Currie and his staff. Also, Thank You to Robert Bruce for setting up the interview. 

-Meltdown-

https://wrif.com/2022/11/04/guitarist-troy-van-leeuwen-talks-about-touring-with-janes-addiction-all-his-other-projects-meltdown/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

I had the chance to sit down with Troy Van Leeuwen at Echopark guitars in Detroit. More on that in a few. Troy and I talked about his current gig, filling in for Dave Navaro as he recovers from long Covid, and playing with Jane's Addiction. We discussed the multitude of quality musicians he's played with in his various projects, including Jane's, A Perfect Circle, Queens of the Stoneage and more. I asked where "hired gun" ends and "band member" begins. He told me the legend who inspired him to pick up the guitar, and a great story about meeting him, and lots more.  
We did the interview in Echopark guitars shop where all the instruments are made. You can learn more about them below. A big Thank You to Gabriel Currie and his staff. Also, Thank You to Robert Bruce for setting up the interview. 
-Meltdown-
<a href="https://wrif.com/2022/11/04/guitarist-troy-van-leeuwen-talks-about-touring-with-janes-addiction-all-his-other-projects-meltdown/">https://wrif.com/2022/11/04/guitarist-troy-van-leeuwen-talks-about-touring-with-janes-addiction-all-his-other-projects-meltdown/</a>
<a href="https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/">https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/</a>

The biggest names in rock music are Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown. From Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame members to bands just starting out, Meltdown takes rock music fans behind the scenes to find out what these talented musicians are really about. Come along for the ride as Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown invites you to find out more than you ever thought you knew about all genres of Rock from Classic to Prog to Grunge and everything in between.

Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

Talkin' Rock With Meltdown

Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen From Queens Of The Stone Age

It's great to reconnect with the guys from The Funeral Portrait. All the boys came by: singer Lee Jennings, guitarists Cody Weissinger and Caleb Freihaut, with bassist Robert Weston, and drummer Homer Umbanhower. Their album Greetings From Suffacate City is about to turn one on September 13th, and it's been a whirlwind year for the boys. From a tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson, to this summer's tour with Ice Nine Kills.



Before their show locally, they swung by the station to speak with me about everything TFP. You can watch the conversation in the link above. I met the guys for the first time last year as we visited Eloise Insane Asylum. You can hear the audio that was captured here.

  New Music From The Funeral Portrait  

"A little baby bit...we have less than a handful of stuff" was how Caleb described the progress on new music from the band. He said that they've been pounding the road so hard they haven't had a chance to start on anything new. "We have a small amount, but what we have is exciting." He went on to say it has to be bigger than "Greetings". Lee chimed in, "It has to be next-level because of the tours we've done." He said they're playing to so many new people each night that new fans are discovering the album.

  Working With Ivan Moody on "Holy Water  

The song 'Holy Water' was released as a single pre-COVID. When they went to re-release the song earlier this year, Ivan Moody from Five Finger Death Punch told the guys he wanted to be on the track. "It just so happens that Ivan liked the song. And he wanted to be on it. It was kind of a magical, weird moment of him being "I want to help this band out. I like them. They're cool, they're different, they're young." Kind of like a torch passing moment, and it just worked."



The guys were nice enough to bring their guitars, so they busted out two songs for us. Their next single is "Dark Thoughts" and "Holy Water". 

They also talked about how welcoming the INK band and their fans have been to them. And get this, they're heading off on a European tour this fall. I want them to take me with them!!

The boys have had an amazing year, and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward! I'm a fan!

It's great to reconnect with the guys from The Funeral Portrait. All the boys came by: singer Lee Jennings, guitarists Cody Weissinger and Caleb Freihaut, with bassist Robert Weston, and drummer Homer Umbanhower. Their album Greetings From Suffacate City is about to turn one on September 13th, and it's been a whirlwind year for the boys. From a tour with Five Finger Death Punch and Marilyn Manson, to this summer's tour with Ice Nine Kills.
 
Before their show locally, they swung by the station to speak with me about everything TFP. You can watch the conversation in the link above. I met the guys for the first time last year as we visited Eloise Insane Asylum. You can hear the audio that was captured <a href="https://wrif.com/2024/08/07/screams-captured-on-video-at-eloise-asylum/">here</a>.
 New Music From The Funeral Portrait 
"A little baby bit...we have less than a handful of stuff" was how Caleb&nbsp;described the progress on new music from the band. He said that they've been pounding the road so hard they haven't had a chance to start on anything new. "We have a small amount, but what we have is exciting." He went on to say it has to be bigger than "Greetings". Lee chimed in, "It has to be next-level because of the tours we've done." He said they're playing to so many new people each night that new fans are discovering the album.
 Working With Ivan Moody on "Holy Water 
The song 'Holy Water' was released as a single pre-COVID. When they went to re-release the song earlier this year, Ivan Moody from Five Finger Death Punch told the guys he wanted to be on the track. "It just so happens that Ivan liked the song. And he wanted to be on it. It was kind of a magical, weird moment of him being "I want to help this band out. I like them. They're cool, they're different, they're young." Kind of like a torch passing moment, and it just worked."

The guys were nice enough to bring their guitars, so they busted out two songs for us. Their next single is "Dark Thoughts" and "Holy Water".&nbsp;
They also talked about how welcoming the INK band and their fans have been to them. And get this, they're heading off on a European tour this fall. I want them to take me with them!!
The boys have had an amazing year, and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward! I'm a fan!

The Funeral Portrait on Talkin' Rock with Meltdown

Typically, when I post the artists I have on the show, I also include the band they're in. For this episode, that's not necessary. 

Up first, The Metal God, Rob Halford, joins me to talk all things Judas Priest, and their upcoming tour with Alice Cooper. He talks to me about his relationship with the theatrical legend. The topic of Ozzy's passing came up. Rob said he couldn't believe it. He curled up in a ball and bawled his eyes out for hours. He shared some memories with Ozz and what he'd want everyone to do in his absence. 

Rob's a GREAT guy that I've had the privilege to speak with several times. He's one of my favorites for sure. 

Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden starts his solo tour today (August 22nd), so he came on to speak about fencing, the tour, and his solo career. He says the band he's playing with is solid and great to be around. He talks about playing theaters versus stadiums. 

Does he play new solo music for his Maiden bandmates? He answers that question, plus playing Maiden songs on the upcoming tour. He said he's playing a song they've never played live. 

Oh, he does answer the question about cowbell on stage....LOL

Enjoy!

Typically, when I post the artists I have on the show, I also include the band they're in. For this episode, that's not necessary.&nbsp;
Up first, The Metal God, Rob Halford, joins me to talk all things Judas Priest, and their upcoming tour with Alice Cooper. He talks to me about his relationship with the theatrical legend. The topic of Ozzy's passing came up. Rob said he couldn't believe it. He curled up in a ball and bawled his eyes out for hours. He shared some memories with Ozz and what he'd want everyone to do in his absence.&nbsp;
Rob's a GREAT guy that I've had the privilege to speak with several times. He's one of my favorites for sure.&nbsp;
Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden starts his solo tour today (August 22nd), so he came on to speak about fencing, the tour, and his solo career. He says the band he's playing with is solid and great to be around. He talks about playing theaters versus stadiums.&nbsp;
Does he play new solo music for his Maiden bandmates? He answers that question, plus playing Maiden songs on the upcoming tour. He said he's playing a song they've never played live.&nbsp;
Oh, he does answer the question about cowbell on stage....LOL
Enjoy!

Talkin' Rock with Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson

It's another two-for-one on Talkin' Rock!

Up first, drumming legend, Mike Portnoy. He and Dream Theater are about to kick off their fall tour, with a stop at the Fox Theater on September 21st. 

We discussed his love for the Beatles, his relationship with Neil Peart, and the multiple bands he is a part of. He shared his thoughts on the passing of Ozzy and the only time he ever met the legend. Great to interview Mike for the first time after I'd met him a few times before. 

Next, it's Alice Cooper band bassist, Dennis Dunaway. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is out now. He told me they had a lot of material to choose from. So much they could've recorded many more albums. He shared some Detroit stories, a stage prop that didn't work as planned, and much more. 

Thanks for listening!

It's another two-for-one on Talkin' Rock!
Up first, drumming legend, Mike Portnoy. He and Dream Theater are about to kick off their fall tour, with a stop at the Fox Theater on September 21st.&nbsp;
We discussed his love for the Beatles, his relationship with Neil Peart, and the multiple bands he is a part of. He shared his thoughts on the passing of Ozzy and the only time he ever met the legend. Great to interview Mike for the first time after I'd met him a few times before.&nbsp;
Next, it's Alice Cooper band bassist, Dennis Dunaway. The Revenge of Alice Cooper is out now. He told me they had a lot of material to choose from. So much they could've recorded many more albums. He shared some Detroit stories, a stage prop that didn't work as planned, and much more.&nbsp;
Thanks for listening!

Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen From Queens Of The Stone Age

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