Mars Attacks Episode 12 – Dan Lorenzo & Misery

During this episode we have two interviews, one with Dan Lorenzo from Hades, The Cursed, and Non-Fiction. With Dan we discuss his entire musical career, covering all of the bands listed above, his solo work, and his involvement in Screaming Metal. We also discuss his love for basketball, various festivals, musical influences, etc.

The other interview included in this episode is conducted with brothers Joe and John from the band Misery. This interview with was conducted as a way to prepare for the release of their debut album. This interview goes over all of the basic information surrounding the band, touching on how the band got together, how they transitioned to be the band they are today, what is was like working with Joey Z, among other things. We’re planning on doing a follow up once the album has been released.

Tracks heard during this interview include:

Keep It Together – Dan Lorenzo
Save You – Misery
Take The Power Back – Misery
A Flower Without Sun – The Greatest Fear
In The Know – Non-Fiction
Absorbed – Hades
Evil In The Bag – The Cursed

Topics covered during both interviews include:

Misery, Visions Of Disorder, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Korn, Joey Z, Life Of Agony, Pantera, Super Metal Records, Method Of Groove Studios, System Two Studios, Metal Army America, Type O Negative, Devil Driver, Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Free Reign, Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Aerosmith, Heaven & Hell, Dio, Steppin Out Magazine, Mark Strigl, TMetal.com, The Cursed, Tim McGillis, Big Blue Meanie, Non-Fiction, In The Know, Room Full Of Sinners, Overkill, Savatage, Pete Steele, Tom Coughlin, Hades, Bang Your Head Festival, Twisted Sister, Jimmy Shulmann, Scott LePage, Kevin Bolembach, Infernophonic, Keep It True, Alan Tecchio, Watchtower, Rick Colaluca, Ron Jarzombek, Doug Keyser, Zakk Wylde, Gary Howe, Dimbag Darrell, ZZ Top, Waken Festival, Metal Blade Records, JJ French, Lamour, Dave Mustain, Cassius King, Draw The Line, Talking Metal on Fuse, Screaming Metal, John Ostronomy, Ron Lipnicki, Metal Mike, Halford, Rob Dukes, Exodus, John Kosco, St. Caine, Drop Box, Steve Zing, Danzig, Mark Tornillo, T.T. Quick, Accept, Ace Frehley, Anomaly, C.C. Banana, Merciful Hate, Riot, Swords And Tequila, Judas Priest, Testament, Megadeth, Priest Feast, Cory Proctor, Mark Colombo, Scott Stapp, P.O.D., Don Jamison, Jim Florentine


Mars Attacks Episode 11 – Ratt & Anew Revolution

During episode 11 we interview Frank Salvaggio from Anew Revolution and Robbie Crane from Ratt. Both are very stand up guys, very easy to talk to, and furthers my belief of having just a normal conversation with artists as opposed to doing a “Kent Brockman” type interview (sorry I say Trent during the episode).

In any event, we touch on the following items during the interviews, from Frank’s side his past in Slaves On Dope, putting Anew Revolution together, song writing, gear, etc. With Robbie we talk about Juan Croucier, Vince Neil, being in the band for roughly 15 years, Infestation, the drama surrounding the band, etc.

During the episode you will hear parts of the following songs:

Anew Revolution’s “Head Against The Wall” & “Ashes From Stone” both come off of the bands recently released iMerica
Ratt’s “Eat Me Up Alive”, “Best Of Me” & “A Little Too Much” all off of their latest release Infestation

Other items discussed:

Anew Revolution, Slaves On Dope, Unloco, E1 Music, Bill Meis, Frank Salvaggio, Joey Duenas, Ozzfest, Taproot, Sugar Ray, 311, Lemonade & Brownies, Snot, Drowning Pool, Nonpoint, Limp Bizkit, Shinedown, Sevendust, Gojira, Marilyn Manson, Hatebreed, Journey, Killswitch Engage, Projekt Revolution, Kittie, Insane Clown Possie, Coolio, Tara McLeod, Ivy Vujic, Randall Amps, Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, ESP Guitars, Metallica, EMG Pickups, Ratt, Vince Neil, John Corabi, Motley Crue, Carved In Stone, Dust Brothers, Brent Woods, Kid Rock, Beastie Boys, Young MC, Tone Loc, Funky Cold Medina, Exposed, Steve Stevens, Paul’s Boutique, Phil Sousan, Out Of The Cellar, Vertex, Stephan Piercy, Al Pitrelli, Juan Croucier, Carlos Cavazo, Quiet Riot, Metal Health, Condition Critical, Robyn Crosby, Bobby Blotzer, Warren DiMartini, Michael “Elvis” Baskette, Roadrunner, Loud And Proud, Infestation, Fender Precision Bass, Rotosound Strings, Marshall Amps, Ampeg Amps, Hiwatt Amps, Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Metal Army America, Talking Metal, Mark Strigl Radio, Background Noise, Van Halen, Dan Lorenzo, Hades, Non-Fiction, The Cursed, Misery, Chad Gray, Mudvayne, Cory Taylor, Slipknot


Mars Attacks Podcast – Episode 7 – Steven Bradley from IWABO & Rasmus Booberg NKOTW

During this episode you’ll hear two interviews, one with Steven Bradley from Iwrestledabearonce (IWABO) and another with Rasmus Booberg from New Keepers Of The Water Towers (NKOTW). Interesting how both bands go by their initials. In any event, I spoke to Rasmus while he was in Stockholm, soaking up the sun. We discussed their album Chronicles which came out on Meteorcity Records. We also discussed their soon to be released EP The Caledonia Hunt, his gear, being invited to play the Roskilde Festival and the possibility of having another full length out later this year.

Steven talks to me about everything from gear, to why he, Krysta and John have lasted in the band, Hurricane Katrina, the possibility of touring with the Bacon Brothers, and what are some of the more common questions thrown at the band.

Items touched upon during the interview are as follows:

New Keepers Of The Water Towers, Rasmus Booberg, Chronicles of the Massive Boar, Victor Berg, The Knowledgeable Kangaroo, Chronicles of the Iceman, Flight Of The Reptilians, The Three Headed Cow, The Caledonian Hunt, The Sword, Grooves Tube Amplifier, Marshall Amplifier, Fender Telecaster, Gibson Guitars, Meteorcity Records, Roskilde Festival, Iwrestledabearonce, Steven Bradley, Gary Busey, Kevin Bacon, The Bacon Brothers, Krysta Cameron, Metal Just Got Gay, Metal Sucks, Lady Gaga, Crabcore, Deathcore, Nintendocore, Horse The Band, Anthrax, Back Street Boys, Terrible, Usher, R. Kelly, All Shall Perish, John Ganey, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Mike Patton, Bjork, Dillinger Escape Plan, Refused, The Shape of Punk To Come, LTD, ESP, GHS Strings, Rocktron, Madison Amps, Engl Amps, Gretch Drums, Zildijan Cymbals, EMG, EMG 81X, EMG 60X, Seymour Duncan Black Outs, Axis Pedals, Marshall Amplifiers, Ampeg, Warped Tour, Propellerhead, Reason Refills, Bury Your Dead, Hurricane Katrina, The Chariot, The Eyes Of The Traitor, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Faith No More, Toumai, Rise Of The Lizard King, Pursuit of Yeti, You Ain’t No Family, Dan Beland, Melanie Beland, Paco Fernandez, Metal Army America, Talking Metal Wire, Stevis, Wolf, Eli Haftman, Mikey Mongomery, John Ganey, Mike Martin, Century Media, Blabbermouth.net


Mars Attacks Podcast – Episode 6 – Joey Z, Dan Lornezo, Tribute to Pete Steele

This episode is a special joint release between Mars Attacks and Talking Metal. I touch upon this during the episode mentioning that it was put together as a tribute to Pete Steele. We deliberated at great length regarding this as it wasn’t the original intention. If you listen to Episode 306 of Talking Metal you will find part of the Mars Attacks live show I did with John and Mark last month while in the states. That episode contains an interview we conducted with Anthony Esposito from Ace Frehley, Lynch Mob fame. The next episode of Talking Metal, and Mars Attacks for that matter, was supposed to contain the first half of the live show. During this segment Mark and I interview Joey Z from Life of Agony, Stereomud, and Carnivore.

Joey was nice enough to come down to the studio, and sit in with us. He came in early, and sat on the couch while Mark, John and I did our opening monologue if you will. During the podcast you’ll hear me reference a few songs, one by Warrior Soul, and another by Slash. We spoke to Joey off mic while these songs where playing, immediately he started talking about Pete Steele. He mentioned what an honor it was to be asked to play with Carnivore, and he also spoke about how funny, and quick witted Pete was. He said Pete could come up with things right on the spot, and could roll with the punches during any given situation. I mentioned this during the Dan Lorenzo segment. He also started talking about what good man Pete was, which seems to be a common theme with all of the comments that are being posted on the web. Unfortunately this was off mic, and we had so many things to talk about (we spoke almost twice as long as we originally intended), we never really got into Pete or Carnivore on mic, except for a quick mention by Joey. Due to this, I have included part of his previous interview where he talks exclusively about Carnivore.

Joey is a great guy, who will always have an open door on any of my shows. I a big fan of his music, and have come to learn what a genuine, and nice person he truly is. He was the first person I turned to when I heard the rumor of Pete’s passing. He spoke so genuinely about Pete; it was hard not to think of him when I started reading the posts on the web. During the episode I read an excerpt of the response he sent me.

The reason I included Dan was because I read his comments on Blabbermouth.net. I reached out to a bunch of different people from the NY/NJ music scene to see if anyone might be interested in providing me with a statement regarding Pete. People treat death in different manners, I know for a lot of people this has to be a difficult situation. As a result, it would be foolish for me to be upset over people not wanting to partake. Maybe the situation is difficult for them, other are on tour, and couldn’t come on with such short notice, etc. In any event, Dan immediately came forward to share stories, and help celebrate the memory of Pete.

There are no ulterior motives here, like so many others out there we just want to celebrate the life of Pete Steele. By putting this episode together, I feel that we are doing our part to pay homage to the man, and his music. I’m sure some will say that we’re doing this to ride the publicity surrounding his untimely death, but it can’t be farther from the truth. Mark and I spoke at great lengths yesterday deliberating over whether we should release this episode now, or wait a few months. I personally think that we’re doing the right thing by releasing the interview in the format we have chosen. As a fan, I don’t want someone’s memory or music to ever die. I truly believe that both Joey and Dan have helped us to do this by sharing their thoughts, and experience with Pete.

Over the course of the next few weeks/months we’ll start to hear about Pete, hopefully all good things, but I’m sure some bad will come out as well. All I can say is remember him for what he meant to you, and don’t let others sway your judgment.

I’ll close this in the same fashion that I closed the podcast, long live the memory and music of Pete Steele.


Mars Attacks Podcast – Episode 5 – David Starr from Wildstarr

During episode 5 we interview David Starr ex-Vicious Rumors bass player and current guitarist/bassist in Wildestarr, a band he formed with frontwoman London Wilde. During the episode we discuss (among other things) his past with Vicious Rumors, how Wildestarr got together, the recording of their album Arrival, his gear, and what the future holds in store for the band.

During the podcast you’ll hear the following Wildestarr songs (in this order): Arrival, Rose In The Dark, Rise

Items touched upon during the episode:

Vicious Rumors, Laaz Rocket, Jeff Thorpe, Warball, London Wilde, David T. Chastain, Kate France, Larry Howe, Wildestarr, Rob Halford, Queensryche, Jim Hawthorne, Kiss, UFO, Thin Lizzy, Blue Oyster Cult, Pain Killer, Halford, Resurrection, Judas Priest, Vinnie Moore, Brad Gillis, Mark McGhee, James Rivera, Dream Theater, Ronnie James Dio, Geoff Tate, Carl Albert, Michael Fischer, KNAC, Juan Arteaga, In An Outrage, Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, DiAddario, Sans Amp Tech 21 GT2, EMG, Gibson Guitars, Les Paul Custom, Greco Guitars, Ibanez Guitars, Chipster P.R., Chip Ruggieri, Talking Metal Wire, Metal Army America