It's another big week on the Talkin' Rock with Meltdown podcast. 

John 5 is up first. We discuss his latest signature guitar, being part of Motley Crue's legacy, and a paranormal experience he had. That's for starters with 5. 

Steel Panther's Michael Starr is next, as they kick off their tour this week. He tells me about Corey Taylor playing on past Panther songs, burying the hatchet (or not) with rockers who aren't SP fans, and more. The dude is always hysterical!

This week, we wrap up the episode with Ray West of Spread Eagle. They're playing the Token Lounge on August 25th. Ray talks about the new music the band is working on, his short stint in Lynch Mob, touring Europe, and lots more. 

Thanks for listening!

It's another big week on the Talkin' Rock with Meltdown podcast. 
John 5 is up first. We discuss his latest signature guitar, being part of Motley Crue's legacy, and a paranormal experience he had. That's for starters with 5. 
Steel Panther's Michael Starr is next, as they kick off their tour this week. He tells me about Corey Taylor playing on past Panther songs, burying the hatchet (or not) with rockers who aren't SP fans, and more. The dude is always hysterical!
This week, we wrap up the episode with Ray West of Spread Eagle. They're playing the Token Lounge on August 25th. Ray talks about the new music the band is working on, his short stint in Lynch Mob, touring Europe, and lots more. 
Thanks for listening!

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

Talkin' Rock with Motley Crue's John 5, Steel Panther's Michael Starr, and Ray West of Spread Eagle

I am wrapping up the week with a new episode of Talkin' Rock with Ian Hill from the Priest and Stephen Richards of Taproot. 

First, Ian Hill talks about all things Judas Priest. Does he like touring or recording more? Has he read Rob Halford's book? We talk about the careers of Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and their overlap. Plus, he talks about how they brought "Ripper" into the band, and questions from bass players Frank Bello and David Ellefson. 

Stephen Richards from Taproot called in this week. We discuss the band, what they have planned for the near future, and a new song he lends his voice to with an artist named Wes Anderson. It's called "Goodbye" and drops today (August 30th)

Enjoy!

I am wrapping up the week with a new episode of Talkin' Rock with Ian Hill from the Priest and Stephen Richards of Taproot. 
First, Ian Hill talks about all things Judas Priest. Does he like touring or recording more? Has he read Rob Halford's book? We talk about the careers of Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and their overlap. Plus, he talks about how they brought "Ripper" into the band, and questions from bass players Frank Bello and David Ellefson. 
Stephen Richards from Taproot called in this week. We discuss the band, what they have planned for the near future, and a new song he lends his voice to with an artist named Wes Anderson. It's called "Goodbye" and drops today (August 30th)
Enjoy!

Talkin' Rock with Ian Hill of Judas Priest and Taproot's Stephen Richards

Three guests from different rock genres are on this episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. 

First up, it's Brandon Boyd from Incubus. We discuss their upcoming tour, and why it's in arenas instead of outdoor sheds. We talk about how he approaches writing lyrics, traveling the world, horror movies, and more. 

Jason Hook from Flat Black is next. He tells me about his Canadian upbringing, about the band and how he put it together, and working with Corey Taylor. That's just for starters. 

Finally, it's Lee Jennings from The Funeral Portrait. We start out talking about the screams we heard last week while ghost-hunting at a local Detroit insane asylum. Yes, I included the audio for you to hear. He tells me about Suffocate City, their new album dropping on September 13th, and the guests on it. There are plenty. Great getting to know Lee over the past couple of weeks. 

Thanks for listening!

Three guests from different rock genres are on this episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. 
First up, it's Brandon Boyd from Incubus. We discuss their upcoming tour, and why it's in arenas instead of outdoor sheds. We talk about how he approaches writing lyrics, traveling the world, horror movies, and more. 
Jason Hook from Flat Black is next. He tells me about his Canadian upbringing, about the band and how he put it together, and working with Corey Taylor. That's just for starters. 
Finally, it's Lee Jennings from The Funeral Portrait. We start out talking about the screams we heard last week while ghost-hunting at a local Detroit <a href="https://wrif.com/2024/08/07/screams-captured-on-video-at-eloise-asylum/">insane asylum</a>. Yes, I included the audio for you to hear. He tells me about Suffocate City, their new album dropping on September 13th, and the guests on it. There are plenty. Great getting to know Lee over the past couple of weeks. 
Thanks for listening!

Talkin Rock with Brandon Boyd of Incubus, Jason Hook from Flat Black, and Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait

Thirty Seconds To Mars is playing Pine Knob on Tuesday as their Season World Tour makes a stop in Michigan. Jared Leto was nice enough to take a few minutes to speak with me about the band, his vast movie career, and much more. 

I had to ask him about scaling the Empire State Building in New York City to announce the tour. "That was quite the experience," I asked him if he thought it was a bad idea. "Definitely. The first night, it was about 4 or 5 a.m., 40 degrees, 40 mph winds, and freezing cold. My hands were so numb I could barely hold on. But, it was beautiful. I've always been fascinated by the Empire State Building. It was an amazing way to launch the world tour—better than just sending out a tweet." You could say that!

We also talked about the dichotomy of playing in his band live, versus filming a movie. "Performing with Thirty Seconds to Mars is special because I get to do it with my brother. The immediate connection with the audience is unique. Acting is collaborative and you often wait to see the final product. Both are rewarding in their own ways, but live music holds a special place in my heart."

I asked him about highlights in his music and acting career. "Winning an Academy Award was a huge highlight, especially being able to thank my family. In music, having a song like "The Kill" that still resonates after all these years is a big win. There are also tough moments, but they fuel the journey."

Since we're in Detroit, I had to ask him about Chad Smith playing "The Kill" without ever hearing it. Jared said he brought it up to him when he saw him at a huge event. "Yes, I saw that! It was awesome. We did a duet on TikTok reacting to it. Chad and I laughed about it when we met at the Super Bowl. It’s cool seeing our music reach new audiences."

The band did a tribute to Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell at the 2017 MTV Awards show. He spoke to me about the two singers we lost. "Yeah, I did. I toured with both of them, actually. And, they were both really kind, really, really gifted, kind people. You know, Chester, was a friend. And, you know, it's interesting, those things can be so surprising sometimes. But, you know, I was always struck by Chester and his joy. He always seemed to be, you know, to have a smile quickly, on his face. And Chris was very, gentle, in my experiences with him, and thoughtful and intelligent, and both of them just highly intelligent, kind, good people. And you know what? A loss to the world as well." That's well said. 

Thirty Seconds To Mars will play Pine Knob on Tuesday, August 6th.

Thirty Seconds To Mars is playing Pine Knob on Tuesday as their Season World Tour makes a stop in Michigan. Jared Leto was nice enough to take a few minutes to speak with me about the band, his vast movie career, and much more. 
I had to ask him about scaling the Empire State Building in New York City to announce the tour. "That was quite the experience," I asked him if he thought it was a bad idea. "Definitely. The first night, it was about 4 or 5 a.m., 40 degrees, 40 mph winds, and freezing cold. My hands were so numb I could barely hold on. But, it was beautiful. I've always been fascinated by the Empire State Building. It was an amazing way to launch the world tour—better than just sending out a tweet." You could say that!
We also talked about the dichotomy of playing in his band live, versus filming a movie. "Performing with Thirty Seconds to Mars is special because I get to do it with my brother. The immediate connection with the audience is unique. Acting is collaborative and you often wait to see the final product. Both are rewarding in their own ways, but live music holds a special place in my heart."
I asked him about highlights in his music and acting career. "Winning an Academy Award was a huge highlight, especially being able to thank my family. In music, having a song like "The Kill" that still resonates after all these years is a big win. There are also tough moments, but they fuel the journey."
Since we're in Detroit, I had to ask him about Chad Smith playing "The Kill" without ever hearing it. Jared said he brought it up to him when he saw him at a huge event. "Yes, I saw that! It was awesome. We did a duet on TikTok reacting to it. Chad and I laughed about it when we met at the Super Bowl. It’s cool seeing our music reach new audiences."
The band did a tribute to Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell at the 2017 MTV Awards show. He spoke to me about the two singers we lost. "Yeah, I did. I toured with both of them, actually. And, they were both really kind, really, really gifted, kind people. You know, Chester, was a friend. And, you know, it's interesting, those things can be so surprising sometimes. But, you know, I was always struck by Chester and his joy. He always seemed to be, you know, to have a smile quickly, on his face. And Chris was very, gentle, in my experiences with him, and thoughtful and intelligent, and both of them just highly intelligent, kind, good people. And you know what? A loss to the world as well." That's well said. 
Thirty Seconds To Mars will play Pine Knob on Tuesday, August 6th.

Talkin' Rock with Motley Crue's John 5, Steel Panther's Michael Starr, and Ray West of Spread Eagle

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