This week’s episode of Mars Attacks features an interview with Greg Prato author of The Eric Carr Story and When MTV Ruled the World (among others). The interview is split between both of these books, as both where released around the same time. During the interview he details what it was like to put both books together, what hard rock and metal musicians where interviewed for both (including members of Kiss, Judas Priest, Carmine Appice, Twisted Sister, Anthrax, etc.) and how difficult it was to get them involved in his projects. Some of the other items discussed with Greg are which testimonials (if any) surprised him, why he decided to release both books, and his two upcoming releases, an autobiography of Carmine Appice which he is currently writing alongside the legendary drummer, and Sack Exchange his first non-music related book which is centered around the New York Jets of the 1980s.
During this episode we have interview with Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, and James Luna, lead singer of Holy Grail, and former lead singer of White Wizzard. Holy Grail have just released a great new album called Crisis In Utopia. During Luna’s portion of the interview we discuss the making of said album, his influences, playing Waken, and his time in White Wizzard, where he goes into detail to discuss the issues he and former member of the band (James LaRue, and Tyler Meahl both in Holy Grail) had with Jon Leon. Now before anyone jumps to conclusions I did try and contact Jon to get his side of things so that people can determine for themselves what really happened. One of the things that I love about doing interviews for my podcast is that listeners can directly from an artist. It isn’t like playing telephone where things are sensationalized just to put another notch in someone’s proverbial gun. Had I of been able to interview Jon people would have been able to (again) choose for themselves whether what all of these former members are saying is true, or not. Maybe Jon has a good reason that isn’t coming across? Or maybe things are cut and dry, exactly like all of the former members are saying, and is why the label, and Jon himself has decided to not come on the show.
Ripper’s interview was conducted late last year, it is one of a handful of interviews that were conducted for MarkStrigleRadio.com and has yet to be released as a podcast. During this episode we discuss Hail!, his solo album Play My Game, Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond Fear, Charred Walls Of The Damned, and the abrupt end to his tenure in Iced Earth. Tim is very forth coming, and honest when talking about John Schaffer, and what was promised to him when joining IE, and how it differs to how Judas Priest and Yngwie Malmsteen approached him.
I recommend both interviews to anyone that has been following the dysfunctional history of Iced Earth or White Wizzard, or are fans of either one of these two great lead singers.
During the episode you’ll hear the following tracks:
Holy Grail – Nocturne in D Minor
White Wizzard Shooting Star
Holy Grail – My Last Attack
Holy Grail – Requiem
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens – Death Race
Beyond Fear – Save Me
Judas Priest – Blood Suckers
Overall we touch on the following topics:
Hail!, David Ellefson, NAMM, Samson Wireless, Andreas Kisser, Jimmy Degrasso, Mike Portnoy, Paul Bostaph, Ray Mayorga, Soulfly, Stone Sour, Spinal Tap, Sepultura, Alice Cooper, Testament, Simon Wright, Motorhead, Pantera, Judas Priest, Accept, Wendy Dio, Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery, John Comprix, Steve Stevens, Jeff Loomis, Michael Wilton, George Lynch, John 5, Scott Ian, Vinnie Paul, Rudy Sarzo, Billy Sheehan, Bobby Jarzombek, Road Runner Records, Road Runner United, Jeff Waters, Cory Taylor, The Grammys, Beyond Fear, SPV Records, Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Schaffer, Matt Barlow, Judas Priest, Ian Hill, K.K. Downing, Rob Halford, Charred Walls Of The Damned, Richard Christy, Play My Game, Heaven & Hell, Hannah Montana, Pink,Amon Amarth, Exodus, Mahevilant Creation, Deep Purple, Klaus Meine, Scorpions, Manowar, Merciful Fate, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Slayer, Witchfinder General, Racer X, Testament, Lamb Of God, Jeff Loomis, Nevermore, Danny Lohner, Nine Inch Nails, Metal Blade Records, Angkor Wat, Waken Festival, Matt Hyde, Steve Evetts, Nuclear Blast, Side One Dummy, Prosthetic Records, Exodus, Kiss, Erik Kluibert, Jon Leon, Sleaze Roxx, Metal Sucks, Metal Sludge
Earlier this week I had the pleasure of talking to Frankie Banali from Quiet Riot. This band has always been one of my favorites and instantly caught my eye the second I saw their videos on MTV. What wasn’t there to love the mask, the straight jacket, the larger than life camera angles, and the black and white stripes which seemed to be everywhere! I have to confess that I immediately took two roles of electrical tape from my father, one black, the other white and proceeded to tape up my drum sticks to emulate the patterns they had everywhere in their videos. The cool thing about the band is no matter what fads were taking place, whether they were being cheered or jeered in the media, they always managed put out great music. Most will know them from obvious hit albums like Metal Health and Condition Critical. Some may also remember QRIII and the video for The Wild and The Young, but the band has always been so much more than that. Great albums like Terrified, Down To The Bone, and Guilty Pleasures for some reason have always fallen under the radar. All of their albums ranged from good to great in my opinion.
I had the pleasure of seeing the band live back in 2001 with Enuff Z Nuff, Warrant & Poison. No doubt in my mind what group I was going to see. They easily stole the show, hands down the best band to hit the stage, it wasn’t even close.
In any event, I had great fun doing the interview with Frankie; hope you guys enjoy it as well. The reason Frankie came on was to promote the new Quiet Riot documentary he’s trying to put together. During the interview you’ll hear him discuss all of the work he’s already put into the film, and why he’s pared up with Kickstarter.com to attempt to raise money and make the documentary come to life. But he isn’t just asking for you to fork over some cash, he’s offering plenty of cool items in return for your backing of the project. You can gohere to find out about all of the items you will receive in return for becoming a backer of the documentary. Items include gold album awards (the real ones with the RIAA certificate of authenticity), dinner with Frankie or a two hour drum lesson with him. Check the link out for more details.
If you’ve listened to my podcast enough you’ve heard me say support the bands you love, buy their music, etc. Quiet Riot is a band I love, help me support Frankie and get this documentary made! Go to the Kickstarter.com link I have posted above, or go to their site and search for Quiet Riot or Frankie Banali. Let’s make the Quiet Riot documentary happen!
Tracks heard during the episode are as follows:
The Ritual
Down To The Bone
Shadow Of Love
Run For Cover
Terrified
During the episode we discuss the following:
Quite Riot, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Randy Rhoads, Kevin Dubrow, Paul Shortino, Rudy Sarzo, Carlos Cavazo, Frankie Banali, Marilyn Manson, Metal Health, Condition Critical, Rainbow Bar and Grill, Bob Turner, Tony Cavazo, Chuck Wright, QRIII, Sean McNabb, Kenny Hillery, Down To The Bown, Alive & Well, Guilty Pleasures, Alex Grossi, Rehab, Tony Franklin, Neil Citron, Bobby Rondinelli, Terrified, Marilyn Manson, Santa Monica Civic Center, Footloose, New York Yankees, A-Rod, Ratt, Motley Crue, The Dirt, Chipster PR
During this episode I’m joined by former Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock. Items discussed during this interview are why the Invasion broke up, various Vinnie Vincent rumors, why Robert Fleischman left the band, and if he would ever play with Vinnie again. Other items discussed include recording with Nitro, Nelson and all things fitness as well as authoring several books.
Bobby Rock, Vinnie Vincent, Robert Fleischman, Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion, Sweet Savage, Dana Strum, Joey Jones, Rare Earth, Def Leppard, Mutt Lange, Myron Grambacher, Pat Benatar, Chet Akins, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Godsmack, W.A.S.P., Stet Howland, Gary Hoey, Fred Coury, Cinderella, Warrant, Whitesnake, Rock Never Stops, Slaughter, Rudy Sarzo, Bruce Kulick, John Corabi, Tony Montana, Dee Snider, Mark Slaughter, Blas Elias, Slaughter, All Systems Go, Nitro, Michael Angelo Batio, Nelson, Monster Circus, Carnival Of Souls, Zentoria, Chrysilis Records, Enigma Records, Hypothetical Erotica, Zentoria, Poison, Aerosmith, Great White, Twisted Sister
The following Vinnie Vincent Invasion tracks are played during the episode:
