Michael's Record Collection

Episode 20: Quiet Riot's Alex Grossi on Hookers & Blow's Debut Album

Guitarist Alex Grossi from Quiet Riot and Guns N'Roses keyboard player Dizzy Reed started a side band in 2003 called Hookers & Blow as a way to have some fun and maybe get some free drinks in Hollywood. Nearly 20 years later, the band is on the cusp of releasing its self-titled debut (on digital, CD, and vinyl). It's a collection of 12 excellent cover songs, mainly from the 1970s. Two of these are Led Zeppelin classics that feature drumming from the late, great Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot). Alex was nice enough to spend some time telling me about Hookers & Blow, the songs chosen (and not chosen) for the album, and more. 

To learn more about Hookers & Blow, visit their Facebook.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 19: Clive Nolan Discusses All of the Projects

Clive Nolan is a busy guy. In addition to being in two well-known progressive rock bands (Arena and Pendragon), he writes musicals and works on a plethora of side and solo projects. I spoke with Clive about his upcoming projects, his favorite records, and much more, including his new solo album of "Viking music" based on Beowulf.

Learn more about Clive's music at his website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 18: Jesper Lindgren of Velvet Insane - Rock 'N' Roll Glitter Suit

I'm excited to bring you one of my favorite discoveries of 2021. A Swedish band with the delightful name of Velvet Insane is bringing back the glam rock of 1973 with a new release called Rock 'n' Roll Glitter Suit, which comes out on July 16 on Sound Pollution Records. I spoke to founder and guitarist Jesper Lindgren about the making of the record, his influences, his love of glam rock, the tragedy that set his career on its current path, and more. Big thanks to Jesper for his time and I hope you'll enjoy these fun and infectious songs.

Find out more about Velvet Insane on their Facebook page.

You can order Rock 'n' Roll Glitter Suit from the Sound Pollution site.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

 

Episode 17: Dennis DeYoung - 26 East Vol. 2, Styx, and More

Styx founder and former frontman Dennis DeYoung is a force of nature and so setting up 30 minutes to talk to him about his new album quickly turns into an hour and 15 minutes of talking about life and death, religion, his departure from Styx, and so much more. I enjoyed hearing about his excellent farewell album (we should all sound so good at age 74) and I hope you will too, along with all the other topics he covered. 

Find out more about Dennis at his website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Episode 16: Andy Scott of Sweet Discusses Isolation Boulevard

Sweet (or "The Sweet" if you're European) have been churning out great glam rock hits with soaring vocal harmonies since the early 1970s. You know the songs: "Fox on the Run," "Love is Like Oxygen," "Ballroom Blitz," etc. The current lineup of the band, led by original guitarist Andy Scott -- the sole surviving classic era member of the band -- has re-recorded and reworked a dozen of the band's most beloved songs on a new release called Isolation Boulevard, a play on the 1974 classic Sweet album Desolation Boulevard. Andy was kind enough to talk to me about the making of the record and a lot of other topics in this exclusive interview. Enjoy!

To find out more about Sweet or to order the album, visit their website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Episode 15: Wildstreet Discusses New Album "III"

New York rockers Wildstreet literally pulled their van off the side of the road to do this interview with Michael's Record Collection about the band's latest release III while on tour in the southeast. All of the band's members weigh in, particularly lead singer/guitarist Eric Jayk, about the making of III, their process, their favorite tracks from the album, and more. They're a fun bunch of guys who just want to rock and put on the best show possible for their fans. Above all, they want to have fun, and that comes through in their music. The new album is available from all the streaming services or directly from the band.

To find out more about Wildstreet and order a physical copy of III, visit their website and follow the band on social media:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• YouTube (awesome videos)
• Instagram

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

 

Episode 14: Shane Howard of Goanna on Spirit of Place

Singer/songwriter Shane Howard traveled to the heart of Australia 40 years ago and it changed his life. He had a spiritual awakening that led him to write "Solid Rock," a hit song (particularly in Australia) from his band Goanna's debut album, Spirit of Place. That song remains one of my favorite all-time song from the 1980s (and ever) and so I was eager to talk to Shane about how it came about and what it was like to be part of the Australian music scene at a very exciting time. Shane was more than gracious with his time and I enjoyed hearing his stories and discussing an album that should have been a monster not just in Australia but everywhere. 

• You can learn more about Goanna here. The band didn't have a long lifespan but the music is timeless and doesn't sound dated the way a lot of 80s music does.
• You can learn about Shane's solo work here. Shane's solo music should appeal to fans of acoustic rock, folk, or Americana.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Episode 13: Annie Haslam - Renaissance's 50th Anniversary

For this episode I'm joined by Annie Haslam of the legendary symphonic progressive rock band Renaissance. The band just released its 50th anniversary live box set with the prog-length title 50th Anniversary Ashes are Burning, an Anthology - Live in Concert with the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra. Annie was kind enough to talk to me about making the live album, her long tenure in the band, her background in music, her artwork (which adorns the stage during the live performance), riding out the pandemic, and more. It was a fun interview and a must-listen for Renaissance fans.

• Find out more about Renaissance and order their 50th anniversary live box set here.
• Check out Annie's artwork here.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, getting more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Episode 12: Ray Shulman of Gentle Giant - Free Hand

In this episode, I'm joined by Ray Shulman of the legendary progressive rock band Gentle Giant. The band's Free Hand album (1975) has been reissued with 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos mixes by Steven Wilson. Ray was kind enough to tell me how the band got involved with Wilson, who has remixed several of their releases. He also talked about the making of the album, what it was like being in the band back at the height of its powers, and much more. 

You can get more information on Gentle Giant here.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

 

 

Episode 11: Laura Meade - The Most Dangerous Woman in America

Singer/songwriter Laura Meade is best known for her work in the progressive rock band IZZ. She's a fantastic talent and her contributions to that band cannot be understated. However, she's also a great solo artist and has recently followed up 2018's Remedium with a new album titled The Most Dangerous Woman in America. The album centers around the theme of women who have been silenced from speaking their truths and those who history has largely forgotten. I figured out on release day that it was originally based on actress Jean Seberg. Laura was kind enough to spend some time talking about the making of this album, the work that went into it, working with a new vocal coach, what's next for IZZ, and more.

You can order The Most Dangerous Woman in America here.

Follow Laura online at LauraMeadeMusic.com or find LauraMeadeMusic on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.