Michael's Record Collection

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.

Episode 10: Ben Montgomery of Records Revisited

In this episode, we're doing things a little differently. Rather than interviewing a musician about an album they did, I'm talking to a fellow music lover with a podcast that discusses many albums. Ben Montgomery of the Records Revisited podcast joins me and I ask him about his show and then it kind of devolves into two guys discussing what music they like, how they got into music, how they listen, how they approach their music collections, and more. Ben was a great hang and I enjoyed finding a kindred spirit to talk music with, so I hope you'll find it interesting and fun as well. 

You can find Records Revisited at just about all the major podcast platforms, and you can follow them 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.

Episode 9: Rocket Scientists - 15 Years of Revolution Road

In this episode I'm joined by 2/3 of the band Rocket Scientists. Musicians Mark McCrite and Don Schiff (unfortunately Erik Norlander wasn't available) were kind enough to discuss the making of their 2006 double album Revolution Road, which is now 15 years old. This is one of my favorite Rocket Scientists records and I enjoyed hearing about how it was made and a little of the history involved. Sadly, it does involve some tragedy, as the band was set to work with talented musician and vocalist Shaun Guerin, who died in 2003. Mark and Don were gracious with their time and shed a lot of light on the story of this excellent album. 

Find out more about Rocket Scientists on their website.

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. 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 8: Secret Sphere - Lifeblood

For this show, I'm joined by Aldo Lonobile and Roberto Ramon Messina from Italian power metal masters, Secret Sphere. Aldo and Roberto talked to me about the band's new studio album (the band's ninth), Lifeblood. This is a fun, melodic, and at times progressive album that I really enjoyed. The guys told me a bit about the record, how it was made, their musical influences, signing with Frontiers Records, the metal scene in Italy, and more. 

Band members who were unable to appear on the show were Andy Buratto (bass), Gabriele Ciaccia (keyboards), and Marco Lazzarini (drums).

Learn more about Secret Sphere on their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram. 

I have to warn listeners that the sound quality is a little rough in a few spots, as Roberto's audio was feeding back, and that happened mainly a few times when Aldo was talking. I cleaned it up as best I could in editing but there are still some parts that are noisier than I'd like. Still, Aldo and Roberto provided a lot of interesting stories and good information so I wanted to publish it even if the audio isn't up to the quality standards I'd like.

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. 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.