Michael's Record Collection

Episode 27: Chip Z‘Nuff - Never Enuff: Rarities & Demos and More

Enuff Z'Nuff was a band that got unfairly lumped in with the 80s hair metal bands but that wasn't really their blueprint. The band's music fused power pop with glam, psychedelic rock, and hard rock into a new concoction. The band rose to prominence with its self-titled debut release in the late 80s and the single "Fly High Michelle." I spoke with founder Chip Z'Nuff this week about the band's new rarities and demos box set which features songs from the band's earliest days which collects 40 previously unheard tracks and these don't sound like your garden variety demos or outtakes. Chip has a lot more going on, as well, with a Beatles tribute album set for release in the coming months, a solo album some time next year, and more. We also spoke about his influences, his first record purchase, and other topics. Please enjoy!

For more on Enuff Z'Nuff, visit their website here.

For more information on Donnie Vie, visit his 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. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 26: Corky Laing of Mountain - Toledo Sessions, Charlie Watts and More

Sometimes unexpected things happen when recording podcasts, so when I lost my connection with legendary Mountain drummer Corky Laing in the middle of our conversation, I didn't panic. But I wasn't prepared for him to come back on the Zoom call with the news that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts had died. Aside from that shocking development, I enjoyed talking with Corky about him being on the road again, his recent Toledo Sessions release and his Pompeii The Secret Sessions release, writing "Mississippi Queen," and a whole lot more. Corky is an energetic and funny guy and it was a blast catching up with him.

To find out more about Corky's music and shows, visit his website 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, 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 or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 25: Brad Gillis of Night Ranger - ATBPO

I'm very pleased to bring you my interview with guitarist Brad Gillis of the legendary 80s rock band Night Ranger. Brad was kind enough to tell me about the making of the excellent new album ATBPO (an acronym for "and the band played on," which is how Night Ranger responded to the COVID-19 pandemic last year). With live venues shut down, the band started writing via Zoom calls and eventually put together a killer record that just came out earlier this month. Brad also told me about his early guitar heroes, playing on the rock and metal famine relief record "Stars" by Hear N' Aid in the 80s, making videos, the gear he used on ATBPO, and more. Check out the new album and I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

Find out more about Night Ranger at 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. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 24: Genesis - Lamb Lies Down on Broadway with Dave Kerzner

In this episode, I reached out to prog rock musician Dave Kerzner, who has worked with virtually everyone at some point, to discuss his projects and his favorite Genesis record. He chose the 1974 classic double concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Dave was the perfect person to talk about Genesis with (in general) and specifically about The Lamb. He's played that piece live for a special 20th anniversary performance at ProgFest '94 with Kevin Gilbert and Nick D'Virgilio — who went on to release his own Lamb tribute under the name Rewiring Genesis, and he played drums for Genesis on the Calling All Stations album. "Squids" Kerzner is working on his own Lamb tribute album with Francis Dunnery of It Bites (among others), played in Sound of Contact with Phil Collins' son Simon, recently bought a bunch of Tony Banks' keyboard equipment, and has worked with Steve Hackett and famed Genesis producer Nick Davis. There's more, but I'll leave his credentials there for now. Dave and I walked through the album and he dropped in interesting anecdotes along the way. It was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy revisiting The Lamb with us and perhaps learning more about Kerzner's work. 

Learn more about Dave's music 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, 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 or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

 

Episode 23: Jack Russell's Great White - Led Zeppelin Tribute

Jack Russell has had a long and storied career in rock, fronting the well-known band Great White. That band has since split and he now leads Jack Russell's Great White, which is working on a new studio album or original songs. But the band recently spent some time in the studio recording an album full of classic songs by the mighty Led Zeppelin and now Jack Russell's Great White is set to release Great Zeppelin II: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin. Jack was kind enough to tell me about the making of the album, his love of Zep, his history in music, and we covered a variety of topics. Big thanks to Jack for his time.

Learn more about Jack Russell's Great White at the band's 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 or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

 

Episode 22: Playlist Wars and Linkin Park's "Meteora"

On this bonus episode I welcome Alex Gomez from the entertaining and unique Playlist Wars podcast. They've got a fantastic show with good guests and an interesting premise and every episode brings something a little different. Gomez was kind enough to tell me how he and Brian Colburn got the show started and then we dive into his favorite record: Meteora by Linkin Park. This second album by the band came out in 2003 and is well outside my comfort zone, but I did enjoy exploring it to find what I liked about it and what other people see in this band. Thanks to Gomez for challenging me to step outside my usual wheelhouse.

To learn more about Playlist Wars, check out 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. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 21: Walter Egan Discusses New Album "Fascination"

Walter Egan is a criminally underrated American singer-songwriter in what we now call the Americana genre. Many people will remember his 1978 smash hit "Magnet and Steel" with backing vocals by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, but not enough people know how deep and rich his catalog really is. That catalog got even deeper and richer in 2021 with the release of Fascination, an album that chronicles his romantic pursuit of former rock super-groupie Pamela Des Barres a few years back. Walter was kind enough to take some time to talk about the new album with me, as well as all of the stories that led to the songs on the record. He also discussed working with Buckingham and Nicks and he told me why he never gets tired of being asked about "Magnet and Steel." And lots of other topics were covered as well.

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 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.