The Taproot machine cranked up this week. They pegged down a date for the new album, announced some shows and pretty much hopped back onto the scene.

Singer, Steve Richards, was cool enough to swing by the station for an interview about everything the band has going on. He told me about the entire making of the album, which he did all by himself. It's over a decade or recording, writing and finetuning each note. It's called SC/SSRS (Scissors) and drops on September 29th. The band is going to celebrate its release with a couple shows at the Machine Shop in Flint, Mi. that weekend, the first of which sold right out right away, plus some other shows including the Blue Ridge Rock Fest with some of the biggest names in rock.

He tells me about some of the songs, one that's as close to a love song as he's ever gotten. He tells me about some special guests than join him on the record, as well as if he's going to send Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst a copy. LOL

That's just for starters on this wide ranging conversation. Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

https://wrif.com/2023/03/03/taproots-steve-richards-gives-details-about-the-upcoming-album-special-guests-concerts-and-more/

https://www.volatilemerchandise.com/taproot/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/track-x-track/

The Taproot machine cranked up this week. They pegged down a date for the new album, announced some shows and pretty much hopped back onto the scene.
Singer, Steve Richards, was cool enough to swing by the station for an interview about everything the band has going on. He told me about the entire making of the album, which he did all by himself. It's over a decade or recording, writing and finetuning each note. It's called SC/SSRS (Scissors) and drops on September 29th. The band is going to celebrate its release with a couple shows at the Machine Shop in Flint, Mi. that weekend, the first of which sold right out right away, plus some other shows including the Blue Ridge Rock Fest with some of the biggest names in rock.
He tells me about some of the songs, one that's as close to a love song as he's ever gotten. He tells me about some special guests than join him on the record, as well as if he's going to send Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst a copy. LOL
That's just for starters on this wide ranging conversation. Enjoy!
-Meltdown-
<a href="https://wrif.com/2023/03/03/taproots-steve-richards-gives-details-about-the-upcoming-album-special-guests-concerts-and-more/">https://wrif.com/2023/03/03/taproots-steve-richards-gives-details-about-the-upcoming-album-special-guests-concerts-and-more/</a>
<a href="https://www.volatilemerchandise.com/taproot/">https://www.volatilemerchandise.com/taproot/</a>
<a href="https://wrif.com/podcasts/track-x-track/">https://wrif.com/podcasts/track-x-track/</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

Taproot's Stephen Richards Is Back!

What a pleasure to have James "JY" Young in the studio to talk all things Styx, and more. The upcoming "Renegades and Juke Box Heroes" tour features Foreigner and John Waite. They'll be playing Pine Knob on June 15th.

We talked about a lot of topics. Playing in the band with great musicians like Tommy Shaw, and Lawrence Gowen.

Where does Styx live in the music world...Rock or Progressive Rock? JY answers that question. "It's hard to define us because a lot of the stuff is prog. But, ya know, some of the ballads are pretty much straight-ahead rock ballads." That led to how JY got into music.

How did the Grunge era affect them? At first, he said "Zero" as far as the music was concerned.  But he did say that the band may have seen a dip in concert attendance, but that's passed and now they're selling lots of tickets.

Did the Beatles playing on The Ed Sullivan Show influence him? He said they did, but older siblings did too. He expanded on that.

What legendary guitarist did he see live five times? I'm not sure if I've ever met anyone who has seen the player so many times. "That's the most profound influence on my playing," he said of the guitarist.

I asked him his thoughts on the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame. "Well, I don't know. It's very East Coast-centric for people that have a vote. Styx probably deserves to be in there, but I'm not holding my breath." He didn't mention names, but at the end of the day, he said it's about the fans and music. He spoke of fans telling him about how Styx's music helped them through periods of their lives. "Music affects everyone differently, and we've made some great records."

It was a thrill to have JY, and the band's manager, George, in the studio with me. A huge pleasure.

What a pleasure to have James "JY" Young in the studio to talk all things <a href="/tag/styx">Styx</a>, and more. The upcoming "Renegades and Juke Box Heroes" tour features Foreigner and John Waite. They'll be playing Pine Knob on June 15th.
We talked about a lot of topics. Playing in the band with great musicians like Tommy Shaw, and Lawrence Gowen.
Where does <a href="https://styxworld.com/">Styx</a> live in the music world...Rock or Progressive Rock? JY answers that question. "It's hard to define us because a lot of the stuff is prog. But, ya know, some of the ballads are pretty much straight-ahead rock ballads." That led to how JY got into music.
How did the Grunge era affect them? At first, he said "Zero" as far as the music was concerned.  But he did say that the band may have seen a dip in concert attendance, but that's passed and now they're selling lots of tickets.
Did the Beatles playing on The Ed Sullivan Show influence him? He said they did, but older siblings did too. He expanded on that.
What legendary guitarist did he see live five times? I'm not sure if I've ever met anyone who has seen the player so many times. "That's the most profound influence on my playing," he said of the guitarist.
I asked him his thoughts on the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame. "Well, I don't know. It's very East Coast-centric for people that have a vote. Styx probably deserves to be in there, but I'm not holding my breath." He didn't mention names, but at the end of the day, he said it's about the fans and music. He spoke of fans telling him about how Styx's music helped them through periods of their lives. "Music affects everyone differently, and we've made some great records."
It was a thrill to have JY, and the band's manager, George, in the studio with me. A huge pleasure.

The Legendary James "JY" Young Of Styx on Talkin' Rock

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!

Sebastian, Remington, and Emerson from <a href="https://www.palayeroyale.com/">Palaye Royale</a> 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 <a href="/tag/gene-simmons">Gene Simmons</a> 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!

Palaye Royale On Talkin' Rock

"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.

"It's incredible, man" is how Spencer Charnas from <a href="https://iceninekills.com/">Ice Nine Kills</a> 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 <a href="https://www.astronomicon.com/">Astronomicon</a>. 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 <a href="/tag/metallica">Metallica</a> 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 <a href="/tag/rob-zombie">Rob Zombie</a>. 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.

Taproot's Stephen Richards Is Back!

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