Michael's Record Collection

Episode 89: Best Morning Wakeup Songs

This week, I've enlisted the help of fellow music lovers Dave Zalatoris (from the Beer in Front Podcast) and Jon Lamoreaux (from The Hustle Podcast) to discuss our favorite morning wakeup songs. We each brought five songs to the table that get us going one way or another in the morning, whether that's a fast-paced track that gets the blood pumping or a beautifully arranged song that awakens us spiritually and helps us face the day. We've crafted three very different lists and even mention some of our honorable mentions as well. Here's a handy list, in case you want to check them out:

Michael - 1. ELO - Mr. Blue Sky, 2. Queen - Headlong, 3. Iron Maiden - The Trooper, 4. Rush - The Spirit of Radio, 5. R.E.M. - The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite.

Dave - 1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Let the Day Begin, 2. The Killers - All These Things That I've Done, 3. The Darkness - I Believe in a Thing Called Love, 4. Stevie Wonder - Superstition, 5. Frank Turner - Get Better.

Jon - 1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Awake, 2. James - Born of Frustration, 3. The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams, 4. UB40 - Breakfast in Bed (feat. Chrissie Hynde), 5. Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken.

There are two honorable mentions each as well. I hope you enjoy this discussion as much as we did!

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 88: Remembering Fleetwood Mac Legend Christine McVie

The sad news of Christine McVie's passing hit me like a punch to the gut on Nov. 30, and I felt like it was important to talk about her place in the iconic band Fleetwood Mac. Although it seems like Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham grab all the headlines, Christine was the connective tissue, playing well off both and happy to serve both the band and the music without needing all of the attention. I enlisted the help of friend Brian Colburn from the Playlist Wars podcast (also a fine solo artist and leader of his own band, Colburn & Co.) to help me process Christine's passing and celebrate her legacy of excellent music. You can find out more about Brian's work at BrianColburn.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 87: John Galgano of IZZ Discusses ”I Move”

New York progressive rockers IZZ just released their 20th anniversary remastered edition of their 2002 classic I Move, with 70+ minutes of bonus material on a second disc, but the sonic improvement on the new remaster of the proper album alone is worth buying this excellent modern masterpiece again. John talked a little about the remastering and where the new material came from, the band's origins, his musical background, the period of time that led to the making of I Move, and much more. For more information about the band check out their Bandcamp or their official website, izzmusic.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 86: Mark Boals of Ring of Fire Talks ”Gravity”

Vocalist/bassist Mark Boals has worked with just about everyone. He's played and/or sung with Savoy Brown, Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteen, just to name a few. His project Ring of Fire began in the year 2000 and quickly put out three studio albums from 2001-2004. Ring of Fire is back with a standout album, Gravity, which dropped Nov. 11. With Italian guitar virtuoso Aldo Lonobile stepping into Tony MacAlpine's considerable shoes on this record, Ring of Fire has put together another great release that should appeal to fans of power metal and more progressive outfits like Dream Theater and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Mark talked to me about his background, how he got some of his past gigs, the new record, and much more. Find out more about Mark's work at MarkBoalsOfficial.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 85: Guitarist Jimi Bell of Autograph and House of Lords

Guitarist Jimi Bell has had a busy 2022. A member of two top-notch rock bands, House of Lords and Autograph, plenty of his new music is hitting the streets. House of Lords' new release, Saints and Sinners, dropped Sept. 16, and Autograph's new album, Beyond, will become available on Nov. 18. Both records are on Frontiers Music. Jimi was gracious enough to talk to me about both of these fine, new albums, his musical background, how he came to open for Joan Jett and then appear in a movie with her, his invention (the Shred Neck), and much more. Find out more about Jimi's various projects at https://www.jimibell.com/.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 84: Carmine Appice Returns!

Legendary rock drummer Carmine Appice returns to discuss the remastered re-release of the original Vanilla Fudge lineup's Led Zeppelin covers. The album, released in 2007 as Out Through the In Door, has gotten cleaned up, a new name (Vanilla Zeppelin), and a new track order and has recently been released. I spoke with Carmine about covering Zeppelin and then the conversation meandered to many other projects he's got in the works, including new King Kobra, new Carmine Appice & Fernando Perdomo, and a new Beck, Bogert & Appice release. Keep up with Vanilla Fudge at https://vanillafudge.com/.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

 

Episode 83: Tommy Cain of Dead City Ruins Discusses ”Shockwave” Album

Every now and then I discover a band that's got a few albums out but I'd never heard of them and their music quickly captures my heart. That's what happened with Dead City Ruins and their new album, Shockwave. The band is heavily influenced by 1990s hard rock and grunge, but the band has a knack for writing catchy and sometimes anthemic songs with great hooks and the musicianship is top notch. Guitarist Tommy Cain joined me from Brisbane to discuss the making of the new record, his musical background, his and the band's influences, working with producer Gene "Machine" Freeman, and more. Learn more about the band at https://deadcityruins.com/.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 82: Arthur Brown - Monster’s Ball

The legendary God of Hellfire himself, Arthur Brown, is still going strong at age 80. Arthur is releasing a new album Oct. 21 called Monster's Ball. Just in time for spooky season, Brown's latest album mixes humor and terror and features a host of fantastic guest musicians. He was kind enough to spend some time with me to talk about the new release, how he came to choose some of the songs, his work with such artists as Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, the Alan Parsons Project, and Carl Palmer, hanging out at the UFO Club with the likes of Pink Floyd, and his musical beginnings. Big thanks to Arthur for his time. This interview was a real treat. To learn more about Arthur and his music, please visit thegodofhellfire.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Episode 81: Steve Overland - Kings of Mercia

British vocalist Steve Overland is best known for his work with rock outfit FM, but he's teamed up with Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos on a new melodic hard rock band called Kings of Mercia. The band, which includes Matheos' Fates Warning bassist Joey Vera and legendary drummer Simon Phillips, has just released its self-titled debut album on Metal Blade Records. It's an outstanding blend of what Matheos and Overland are best known for and the album is full of catchy, well-crafted songs that showcase both Matheos' big guitar sound and Overland's bluesy vocals. Steve was kind enough to tell me about how he got involved with the band, how the writing was done, and a bit about his background as well. You can find out more about Kings of Mercia at the band's website. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

 

Episode 80: Chez Kane - Powerzone

I'm very excited to bring you my interview with Welsh singer Chez Kane, who is part of the band Kane'd with her two older sisters. Chez is about to drop her second solo album, Powerzone, a follow-up to her 2021 self-titled debut. Once again, Crazy Lixx vocalist/guitarist Danny Rexon heads up the project, writing, playing on and producing the songs. Chez talked about the process a bit, her musical influences, why she likes this style of melodic rock, and much more. To find out more about Chez or order her music, pleas visit www.chezkane.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.