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In this episode I talked with author Sean Egan about his book "Eagles and Hotel California: 50 Years." Sean discussed how the Eagles managed to follow up their massive greatest hits album with another chart-topping success despite lineup changes and a turbulent recording process at studios in Los Angeles and Miami. He explained that the album's creation was complicated by management negotiations, touring commitments, and the addition of new guitarist Joe Walsh, yet somehow resulted in one of rock's most iconic albums featuring the famous "Hotel California" track with its eerie lyrics and groundbreaking instrumental section.

I talked with Martin Popoff about his new book, Metallica Album by Album. Martin explained the book's format, where he moderates discussions with various musicians and journalists about each Metallica studio album, including side releases like EPs. He described the process of organizing the panelists and the challenges of scheduling big-name contributors. Martin shared insights from the book, such as his increased appreciation for Metallica's later albums and the band's evolution after Cliff Burton's death. He also discussed his other recent and upcoming books, including titles on Ian Gillan and Aerosmith, and mentioned his YouTube channel and podcast. The conversation touched on the decline of print magazines and the changing music industry.

In this episode I talk to Canadian author Tim Durling about his latest book "On Record: The April Wine Album Review," which is his seventh book and his first focused on a Canadian band. Tim explained that the inspiration came from wanting to cover a band from his home region of the Canadian maritime provinces, as April Wine is one of the few Canadian bands from that region to achieve worldwide success. I also went off-topic and asked his advice about writing books as an indie author.

Jonathan Joseph from the Pittsburg band "Guides" joins me on this episode to discuss their new single "Drain," which is their first new music release since 2023. The song represents an elevation in production value and sonic quality compared to their debut EP "When Everything Reverses." He explained that the song was inspired by personal experiences about emotional growth and maturity, particularly observing how not everyone chooses to grow up at the same rate, which impacts relationships and causes people to grow apart. Jonathan described Guides' musical style as blending the textured aggression of nu metal with the emotional depth of post-hardcore, similar to bands like Taproot, Finch, and AFI, with the bass carrying much of the melodic structure. The band plans to release another single called "Failure Defines" on June 17th and have a third single coming out in July, with plans to return to the studio in the fall.

In this episode I spoke with Pat Gilbert, author of the book "Passion is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash." We discussed the revised 50th anniversary edition of the essential biography about the influential British punk band. Pat explained how the book began as a series of articles for Mojo Magazine in the late 1990s after he gained access to band members, and was eventually published in 2004 following Joe Strummer's death in 2002. The revised edition includes expanded chapters on the White Riot tour, New York recording sessions, and Jamaica, with additional interviews and corrections to chronology. Pat discussed how The Clash evolved from punk roots to more experimental genres, attributing this shift primarily to guitarist Mick Jones' desire to create musically sophisticated work, particularly incorporating reggae influences into their rock music.

Author Daniel Bukszpan joins the show again. This time he's here to discuss his new book "Rush and 2112: 50 Years," which explores the influential 1976 album and its impact on the band's career. Daniel explained how the book's three sections cover the album's creation, musical analysis, and aftermath, while also revealing new insights about Mercury Records' supportive role during the album's development. The discussion included Daniel's writing process, his other published works with Quarto, and his upcoming projects including a book about the Big Four metal bands.

In this episode, Martin and I discussed his latest book, "KISS 1976: 12 Months That Defined the Hottest Band in the Land," which will be released on February 24th. Martin explained the book's structure, which covers each month of 1976 with sections on KISS' activities, world events, and music industry happenings. He described the research process and challenges he faced while writing the book. Martin also shared insights into his writing process and mentioned some of his other recent publications.

In this episode talk with I Jeff and Kyle from "A Light Within" about their recent single "Dying Clock," a 9-minute track inspired by Tool, Pink Floyd, and Alan Parsons. The band members discussed their approach to music creation, noting that while COVID-19 was challenging, it allowed them time to write new material. Jeff mentioned working on ideas for a 2026 album release. We also discussed their musical journey, starting with their first EP "Preface" in 2013, which they later remixed and remastered.

In this episode, Michael Jahnz discussed the upcoming Richrath Project REO tribute show in Evansville on January 16th, which will feature three bands including Johnny Cash and Ozzy Osbourne tributes. Jahnz explained his history with Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon, including their work together in the Richrath Band and Project 3:13, and how 3:13 became a significant symbol for their fans. The discussion covered the current state of REO Speedwagon following Kevin Cronin's departure, the band's evolving fan base across generations, and their commitment to performing authentic rock music.

Joe Smith, owner of Joe's Records, shared his extensive career journey in the music retail industry, from his early days managing Coconuts Music Store to opening his own record shop in 2004. He discussed the challenges and opportunities of running an independent record store, including the impact of digital downloads, the revival of vinyl, and the role of online sales. Joe also highlighted the importance of building relationships with customers and suppliers, as well as adapting to changing market trends. The conversation touched on various topics such as pricing strategies, the impact of tariffs on imports, and the challenges of managing a business in the music industry.

Tim Durling returns to the podcast to discuss his new book "The Sound That Haunts You: A Beginner's Companion to Fleetwood Mac" which explores the band's different eras and lineup changes through detailed coverage of their albums and discography. He shares insights about his writing process, challenges in organizing the band's early recordings, and his personal preferences for various Fleetwood Mac eras, while also discussing his appreciation for the band's cover versions. Tim also provided information about his other music-related books and projects.

Veteran rock author Gillian Gaar returns to the podcast to talk about her book "Tom Petty: The Life & Music," which covers Petty's life and career, from his birth to after his death, including his breakthrough with "Damn the Torpedoes" and the unsolved arson attack on his house. The book concludes with Petty's posthumous success, including a song featured in a popular video game that gained renewed popularity. She also briefly discusses the differences between approaching her publisher to pitch a book idea, in this instance the Queen book we discussed in a previous episode, and being asked to write this book.

In this episode, Christian Shields shared details about his new single "Fall Like Rain" and his musical journey, including discussions about his full-length rock album "This Is Rock and Roll." Christian also discuss3eed his focus on releasing singles rather than albums, upcoming projects, and technical challenges encountered during tours, while also providing information about where fans can find his music online. (Apologies for my audio. I forgot to bring my headset mic with me.)

In this episode I chatted with Adam DeGraide about his partnership with Dameon Aranda called "A.D.A.M. Music Project" and their newest single "They Are Here." It is a song inspired by iconic alien-themed video games like Half-Life and Halo. We also discussed the upcoming album "Knockdown," which features a blend of rock styles and includes songs inspired by video games like "Pitfall," "Mega Man," and "Galaga." Adam also explained the collaboration with his Damien and highlighted the involvement of various vocalists and musicians in the project.

In this episode I spoke with Owen Paulls, a former musician from England who transitioned to tattooing after years of touring as a drummer. Owen shares his journey from music to tattooing, discussing his apprenticeship, artistic style, and experiences winning awards at tattoo shows, while also offering advice for both tattoo clients and aspiring artists.