My guest today is Anthrax front man, Joey Belladonna. He'll be playing the machine Shop in Flint on October 13th, which happens to be his birthday.

Joey tells me about his latest project, as he tours with his Journey tribute band, Beyond Frontiers. He tells me how it started, what songs he loves to play on stage and if he's met any of the member from the iconic band. 

Which is harder for him to sing....the Journey material, the National Anthem or Anthrax songs. "The anthem I get a little nervous because I'm on my own." He answers that and speaks to how proud he is to be asked to sing the anthem. "That's the thing, I'm completely stoked...I just love it." He also spoke a little about the charity work he does for the VFWs.

He also gives an update on what's going on with Anthrax. "You could probably find out more online than you will with me." He explained that there's no need for him to go into the studio too early. "At this point I don't know how many tunes are done. I don't know if there's more to come." He said he locks in when it's his turn.

-Meltdown-

My guest today is Anthrax front man, Joey Belladonna. He'll be playing the machine Shop in Flint on October 13th, which happens to be his birthday.
Joey tells me about his latest project, as he tours with his Journey tribute band, Beyond Frontiers. He tells me how it started, what songs he loves to play on stage and if he's met any of the member from the iconic band. 
Which is harder for him to sing....the Journey material, the National Anthem or Anthrax songs. "The anthem I get a little nervous because I'm on my own." He answers that and speaks to how proud he is to be asked to sing the anthem. "That's the thing, I'm completely stoked...I just love it." He also spoke a little about the charity work he does for the VFWs.
He also gives an update on what's going on with Anthrax. "You could probably find out more online than you will with me." He explained that there's no need for him to go into the studio too early. "At this point I don't know how many tunes are done. I don't know if there's more to come." He said he locks in when it's his turn.
-Meltdown-

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Joey Belladonna of Anthrax Talks Journey, Singing The National Anthem & More

Steve Richards from Taproot was kind enough to join me to talk to all things Taproot. 

I opened up the conversation by asking him what it's been like to be back out on tour with the band. "It's been really cool" Steve replied. He explained how their tour isn't a grueling grind, but one where they meet up on weekends. He also spoke to touring with new music under his belt. He's known these songs for years, but he had to teach them to the other guys. "Playing the new songs is really cool because it's something I never planned on."

He also told me about shooting the video for "Favuorite Song" at the Buffalo Bill house, which you can see below. He explained how they decided to shoot it there. 

"Not so much. At this point it's me literally trying to remember words" was his response to the question about how much pressure is on him, being the creative force, spokesperson, and face of the band. "I don't feel too much pressure. I love being out there." 

As far as touring is concerned, Steve now has a family that he gets to see and take to some shows. 

He told me about guesting on a song for someone that he's working on now. "I've got some really cool harmonies. The topic is really dark and creepy" He said he really likes working on other stuff for people. 

Of course, I couldn't let him go without asking his thoughts on Patrick Kane playing for the Detroit Red Wings. We're big hockey fans, so this is close to our hearts. 

Steve and the guys are great people! Really looking forward to seeing them again this weekend at District 142 in Wyandotte, Michigan.

Steve Richards from Taproot was kind enough to join me to talk to all things Taproot. 
I opened up the conversation by asking him what it's been like to be back out on tour with the band. "It's been really cool" Steve replied. He explained how their tour isn't a grueling grind, but one where they meet up on weekends. He also spoke to touring with new music under his belt. He's known these songs for years, but he had to teach them to the other guys. "Playing the new songs is really cool because it's something I never planned on."
He also told me about shooting the video for "Favuorite Song" at the Buffalo Bill house, which you can see below. He explained how they decided to shoot it there. 
"Not so much. At this point it's me literally trying to remember words" was his response to the question about how much pressure is on him, being the creative force, spokesperson, and face of the band. "I don't feel too much pressure. I love being out there." 
As far as touring is concerned, Steve now has a family that he gets to see and take to some shows. 
He told me about guesting on a song for someone that he's working on now. "I've got some really cool harmonies. The topic is really dark and creepy" He said he really likes working on other stuff for people. 
Of course, I couldn't let him go without asking his thoughts on Patrick Kane playing for the Detroit Red Wings. We're big hockey fans, so this is close to our hearts. 
Steve and the guys are great people! Really looking forward to seeing them again this weekend at District 142 in Wyandotte, Michigan.

Taproot's Steve Richards On Touring, The Year That Was And Lots More

A few weeks back, I took a trek to Buffalo, New York to hang with my friend Don Jamieson from That Metal Show. He hosted the night at the Showplace Theater with Jack Russell's Great White. It was great to reconnect with Jack afterward. I asked Jack if he'd like to come on the podcast and he didn't hesitate. 

Jack spoke of his current state of health. He had back fusion earlier this year and he's still healing up from that. He sounds a lot better these days, and his singing is still spot on. 

His Great White is working on a new album that Jack says sounds amazing. That's being worked on at guitarist Robby Lochner's studio. He told me the band is clicking. "We play real well together, we all enjoy each other's company." He told me how he approaches the studio. He goes in very prepared. He also talked about what is inspiring his writing nowadays. He said it's stuff that's close to him and what he's been through. "

I asked him about recording cover songs, and that led us to talk about "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Ian Hunter. Come to find out, he's only met the rock legend once....many years ago. He had some funny things to say about that. 

He and Tracii Guns have an album dropping on December 12th called Medusa. Jack talked about wanting to record something with him for several years. He said the songs were written by some Italian producers and songwriters. He said he had to change some of the lyrics because the translation didn't work. 

He and Dee Snider jammed a few weeks back at a resort in Cancun. He talked about that, and their time there. 

Check out the full interview below, and a bonus conversation as well..and a big thanks to Jack for the time. 

A few weeks back, I took a trek to Buffalo, New York to hang with my friend Don Jamieson from That Metal Show. He hosted the night at the Showplace Theater with Jack Russell's Great White. It was great to reconnect with Jack afterward. I asked Jack if he'd like to come on the podcast and he didn't hesitate. 
Jack spoke of his current state of health. He had back fusion earlier this year and he's still healing up from that. He sounds a lot better these days, and his singing is still spot on. 
His Great White is working on a new album that Jack says sounds amazing. That's being worked on at guitarist Robby Lochner's studio. He told me the band is clicking. "We play real well together, we all enjoy each other's company." He told me how he approaches the studio. He goes in very prepared. He also talked about what is inspiring his writing nowadays. He said it's stuff that's close to him and what he's been through. "
I asked him about recording cover songs, and that led us to talk about "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Ian Hunter. Come to find out, he's only met the rock legend once....many years ago. He had some funny things to say about that. 
He and Tracii Guns have an album dropping on December 12th called Medusa. Jack talked about wanting to record something with him for several years. He said the songs were written by some Italian producers and songwriters. He said he had to change some of the lyrics because the translation didn't work. 
He and Dee Snider jammed a few weeks back at a resort in Cancun. He talked about that, and their time there. 
Check out the full interview below, and a bonus conversation as well..and a big thanks to Jack for the time.

Great White's Jack Russell On New Music, Working With Tracii Guns, His Health And More

Here's my two-part conversation with Robert from Metallica. This is condensed into one part for your listening pleasure!

Part one.....

We talked about the latest album, 72 Seasons. He said it was great to get back into a room and play with the guys after the pandemic. "You forget about those things and take them for granted, it was pretty special."

He also spoke about his time in Detroit this week. "It's a great city with a lot of history, a lot of history of music." While he was walking around the city a couple of days ago, he walked by the Fox Theater. He talked about playing at that venue with Ozzy and his band Infectious Grooves. 

I was lucky enough to visit the Motown Museum earlier in the day with Charlie Benante from Pantera/Anthrax, and he told me a story of someone throwing a bottle on stage at the band at a show in Europe. Robert was hit in the head as he waiting behind an amp. He recalled the story about what happened, and how it bonded his friendship with Anthrax to this day. 

Part two included this...

We started off the conversation this time talking about the impact that Motown had on him. "That was 100% in my wheelhouse." He told me about growing up listening to that music, and then being turned onto rock and metal. "There isn't a bass player in rock, in metal, and sort of in modern music, that's serious about their instrument that doesn't respect those bass lines coming out of Detroit". That led us to more bass talk and guys who inspired him.

Robert talked about Detroit's "swagger" and all the history and music from here. "There's a soulfulness to it." He also talked about his love for Houdini and everything he did in the Motor City.

I had to ask him about the upcoming project he has coming out with the legendary RUSH bass player, Geddy Lee. He spoke to really getting a chance to hang with Geddy. "He wanted to know what it's like in the world of Robert Trujillo". Robert was fired up about the whole experience "It was really, really cool." He told a story about Geddy watching his son play at a local bar. He said people were blown away that the Canadian legend was there.

I asked him about re-recording the Ozzy Osbourne album Diary of a Madman. "That's an interesting story," he said, and he was off and running about that project. He said he's always there for Ozzy and Sharon, commenting "Ozzy is my hero".

2003 was a monumental year for Robert. He called it the year that changed his life. "So many things happened." He spoke about joining the band and the work ethic that playing in Metallica brings. "That's the thing about this band, it's always 100%". He said when he joined the band, it was about fitting in and not bothering the other guys, but just trying to learn as he went.

Enjoy!

Here's my two-part conversation with Robert from Metallica. This is condensed into one part for your listening pleasure!
Part one.....
We talked about the latest album, 72 Seasons. He said it was great to get back into a room and play with the guys after the pandemic. "You forget about those things and take them for granted, it was pretty special."
He also spoke about his time in Detroit this week. "It's a great city with a lot of history, a lot of history of music." While he was walking around the city a couple of days ago, he walked by the Fox Theater. He talked about playing at that venue with Ozzy and his band Infectious Grooves. 
I was lucky enough to visit the Motown Museum earlier in the day with Charlie Benante from Pantera/Anthrax, and he told me a story of someone throwing a bottle on stage at the band at a show in Europe. Robert was hit in the head as he waiting behind an amp. He recalled the story about what happened, and how it bonded his friendship with Anthrax to this day. 
Part two included this...
We started off the conversation this time talking about the impact that Motown had on him. "That was 100% in my wheelhouse." He told me about growing up listening to that music, and then being turned onto rock and metal. "There isn't a bass player in rock, in metal, and sort of in modern music, that's serious about their instrument that doesn't respect those bass lines coming out of Detroit". That led us to more bass talk and guys who inspired him.
Robert talked about Detroit's "swagger" and all the history and music from here. "There's a soulfulness to it." He also talked about his love for Houdini and everything he did in the Motor City.
I had to ask him about the upcoming project he has coming out with the legendary RUSH bass player, Geddy Lee. He spoke to really getting a chance to hang with Geddy. "He wanted to know what it's like in the world of Robert Trujillo". Robert was fired up about the whole experience "It was really, really cool." He told a story about Geddy watching his son play at a local bar. He said people were blown away that the Canadian legend was there.
I asked him about re-recording the <a href="/tag/ozzy-osbourne">Ozzy Osbourne</a> album Diary of a Madman. "That's an interesting story," he said, and he was off and running about that project. He said he's always there for Ozzy and Sharon, commenting "Ozzy is my hero".
2003 was a monumental year for Robert. He called it the year that changed his life. "So many things happened." He spoke about joining the band and the work ethic that playing in Metallica brings. "That's the thing about this band, it's always 100%". He said when he joined the band, it was about fitting in and not bothering the other guys, but just trying to learn as he went.
Enjoy!

Joey Belladonna of Anthrax Talks Journey, Singing The National Anthem & More

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