Don Higgins and his twin brother Ron are music enthusiasts and authors of "The Biggest Big Hair Book of Metal Trivia," a trivia book focused on hard rock and metal music. The book combines multiple-choice trivia questions with stories about their experiences and encounters in the music world, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with the genre.

We discussed our experiences at the latest Rocknpod, new additions to Dennis' guitar collection, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees for 2025, and our top 5 favorite albums from 1975. We also reminisced about our attendance at the first Rocknpod back in 2017 and Bill showcased a unique piece of KISS artwork made from vinyl records.

Bill talks with Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel. The conversation starts with Brian stating that he still loves working in the music industry, emphasizing passion over it feeling like a job. He says that the music itself hasn't changed much, but mentions how the business has evolved from vinyl to cassettes, CDs, and now streaming. Brian has started a podcast discussing heavy metal history and current trends, featuring notable guests from the metal community. Metal Blade Records continues to thrive with bands playing major venues and maintaining the genre's vitality.

Bill interviews Chris O'Brien from Blackwood, a Nashville band. The discussion begins with an observation about the resurgence of physical media like CDs and vinyl, with vinyl sales recently surpassing CDs. Chris mentions the challenges of producing vinyl due to high costs for small batches. They emphasize the importance of artists pushing quality content and supplementing income through merchandise. Blackwood recently released a new single "One Track Mind" featuring Kameron Jane, marking their first vocal collaboration. Bill proposed the idea for a "Nashville to Nashville" concert event linking Nashville, Tennessee, and Nashville, Indiana.

Martin Motnik and Bill start the conversation with a discussion about Accept's recent break after a busy year. The band will be celebrating their 50th anniversary with plans for an anniversary album featuring guest musicians. They also talk about upcoming shows in May, including performances in Japan and opening for Judas Priest in Europe. Martin reflects on the surreal experience of performing with idols and the ups and downs of touring. He also talks about the adrenaline rush of performing live and the connection with the audience.

Allen interviews Keith Roth from SiriusXM's Hair Nation. Keith is a fan of KISS and they have a brief discussion about the KISS albums 'Asylum', 'Animalize', 'Lick It Up', and 'The Elder'. They talk about their personal experiences with music, Keith's role in the bands The Dictators, Frankenstein 3000, and his solo record 'The Law of Diminished Returns', and a tribute to Curtis Mayfield. The conversation includes thoughts about KISS' farewell tours and the significance of their unmasked era. Keith also shares a humorous story about Eric Singer texting during KISS' last show.

Bill talks with Roy Cathey, from the band The Fifth. The conversation starts with Bill praising Roy's performance at the Rare Hare show from the night before. Roy shares his excitement about performing with admired musicians like Billy Sheehan and Brian Forsyth, emphasizing his fan perspective. Roy discusses the challenges and organization behind events like the Rare Hare Show, crediting Tyson Leslie for his efforts in coordinating the lineup. He reveals that his band, The Fifth, has a new CD releasing on May 2nd, and they will perform at the M3 pre-party in May. Roy describes the Monsters of Rock cruise as a fun, immersive experience with numerous bands and fans who share a love for rock music. Finally, Roy highlights the importance of underground music and the role of podcasts and internet radio in keeping rock alive, especially as mainstream radio has shifted focus.