Bleeding Edge Interviews

There are few names as big as that of Neal Morse in the world of progressive rock. Among the many projects he's participated in over the past two, the trio of D'Virgilio, Morse and Jennings is the most unique in that it takes him out of his established genre and allows him to make folk-tinged rock in the vein of Crosby, Stills and Nash.He was kind enough to chat with me about their upcoming second album, Sophomore, due out November 10.

Pattern-Seeking Animals have been an impressively productive band since their formation five years ago, having already released three albums, with their fourth, Spooky Action at a Distance due out October 27. Drummer and founding member Jimmy Keegan chatted with me about the new album, the potential for a tour and the parts of working with P-SA that he loves best!

The act of discovery is one of the best parts of what I do, and The Mommyheads are another of those discoveries 35 years in the making. Guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Adam Elk of The Mommyheads talked with me about the band's long odyssey, recent prolific output, and the benefits of working under the radar. I do my best to get them above the radar. https://mommyheads.bandcamp.com/ Bleeding Edge socials: Facebook: BleedingEdgeShow Instagram/Threads: bleeding_edge_show X/Twitter/Whatever: Bleeding___Edge (that's THREE underscores! ) Live365: The Expanse - For ALL The Prog! No Boundaries!

I've been very lucky to speak with a number of rising stars in recent months, and Nospūn have been one of the biggest of 2023, so far. Phil Rich (vocals) and Cole Millward (bass) joined me to talk about their debut, Opus, which is living up to its title and garnering them comparisons to prog metal titans Dream Theater and Haken.

2023 has been an amazing year for prog in all forms, but especially in the number of amazing debuts that have been released.  One of the best of them so far has belonged to The Anchoret, who brought out their special blend of rock, metal and jazz in the form of their amazing debut, It All Began With Loneliness.  Ed Levitsky, the mastermind behind the band, sat down to talk with me about the genesis of the band and the album, as well as his new software!

Long-time Neal Morse Band bassist Randy George joins me to talk about the band's latest live collection, An Evening of Innocence and Danger: Live in Hamburg, as well as his own upcoming studio album, Beyond Words.

Take two guys who share a lifelong bond through music, mix in a love of literature, and then add a bit of technology to help out, and you have Hats Off Gentlemen It's Adequate.  Join me for an extended conversation with Mark Gatland and Malcolm Galloway about the origins of the band, their love of science fiction, their upcoming new album and benefit show, and how modern technology helps to make it all possible.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love discovering new artists and new music.  It's one of the reasons I am so drawn to the progressive rock/metal world.  And it's always a joy to have the opportunity to get to know artists early in their career, so you can see the star rise.  Stellar Circuits is one of those band whose star is on the rise, as they launch their major-label debut with Nuclear Blast, entitled "Sight to Sound."  They've already attracted attention from prolific producer Jamie King and seem set for lots of future success.  This is my conversation with founding members Ben Beddick and Jesse Olsen.

It's easy to spend a lot of time admiring the artists and performers up on stage.  How often have you thought about the people behind the scenes helping to make all of that magic happen smoothly?  Rikk Feulner has been a tour manager for four decades, working with icons in the music industry during that time, and currently working as the tour manager for the Dreamsonic tour, featuring Dream Theater, Devin Townsend and Animals as Leaders.  Rikk is also the author of a new book that recounts some of the most memorable experiences of his long career by telling the true stories through the story of a fictional band.  Trust me when I say...these are eye-opening stories.

Is it possible for somone to be born with Prog already in their DNA?  Or perhaps it's only a genre that one can develop an inclination towards as part of their environment.  Vocalist/guitarist Simon Bergseth of rising stars AVKRVST joined me to ponder this nature vs nurture question.  Actually, no, we didn't ponder that concept, but we did talk about the development of AVKRVST's debut album, The Approbation, and how it has its roots in a lifelong friendship.  I also learned that good things can happen in a cabin in the woods, despite what all the horror movies would have us believe.