Chris Collins Show

Philadelphia Rockers SORAIA lead singer ZouZou joins STRIKE A CHORD to celebrate their new album Bloom (2022) in both digital streaming and collector’s vinyl edition. Bloom was released on Friday October 28th, 2022 and featured LIVE on our show. The last album SORAIA produced was in 2019. This new release explodes from the pressure building up from the last 3 years of not screaming on stage! Lead singer ZouZou recalls the hurdles of getting this record to the studio—but it was worth it. This LP is powerful and passionate—"It’s the beginning of another great cycle of our career. We’re very excited. We’ve waited a long time for this one in particular.” AND Steven Van Zandt under Wicked Cool Records is IN on this band!  What’s the success of your magic? The band’s latest single “Tight Lipped” is blowing up the charts! “I think you just persevere in anything you do… if you really want it… you don’t stop.” “I Seek Fire” OR should we all take the slow road to love? This track makes you think twice about dating apps. Falling in love is all about chemistry. Taking a shared risk in love is not easy. It should happen organically—BUT can we fight our biology? The pheromones are strong with this album! Support and listen: https://www.soraia.com

JUST TALKING

Triple threat (Writer/Director/Actor) Paul Schuyler joins JUST TALKING to discuss his new film Red River Road. It’s Halloween time! The perfect excuse to watch scary movies or better yet—make one starring your own family. Your house becomes a movie set, the wife and kids are the characters, you’re isolated from society, and trapped in a room with psychotic humans — is this a movie or a documentary about Dad disconnecting the WIFI? An electronic pandemic virus starts infecting humans through the internet, distorting your ability to perceive reality. Writing the screenplay for Red River Road was all about taking things down a wormhole. Once you’re disconnected it’s a roller coaster ride into isolation. The film was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, a story about an internet pandemic during a real pandemic. Could the internet be the worst thing to ever happen to humanity? Have we hit an addictive toxic extinction event? Is social media the virus attacking society just one river away? Watch for yourself, https://www.wytshark.com/

STRIKE A CHORD

STRIKE A CHORD connects with Swedish Indie Rock Band Bring The Hoax. It all started over a shared love for indie rock and red wine. You’ve got to bring your flavor to the game. Stand out from the pack with fuzzy guitar licks and cute firm melodies. After a quick Ancestry DNA test our Host Chris found out Karl was his long-lost Swedish cousin? They both have the same glasses and the same mustache—BUT Swedes look a lot sexier. So, Chris shaves it off LIVE! Hoax’s latest single is “Jonestown” referencing the mass murder-suicide by cult leader Jim Jones in 1978—but, this dark theme is still fun. The band’s Bring The Hoax EP addresses millennial issues about blindly following online celebrities, social media responsibility and self-worth. The revelution will be televised or maybe streamed on Peacock SOON! Support and listen: https://www.bringthehoax.com/

JUST TALKING

Writer/Director Jenny Waldo joins JUST TALKING to discuss her debut feature film “Acid Test.” Set in the 90’s “Acid Test” is a female coming of age rebellion story fueled by Riot Grrrl music, a dysfunctional family and LSD. Based on director Jenny Waldo’s personal life the film was part therapy and an opportunity to fill the void of missing female punk film directors since the days of Tank Girl. “Acid Test” is strong with the Riot Grrrl manifesto—heavily influenced by bands like Bikini Kill and lead singer Debbie Harry from Blondie. Watch for the 1990’s throwbacks! Follow and support https://www.acidtestfilm.com

STRIKE A CHORD

Pop rocker KULICK joins STRIKE A CHORD. What’s the secret to getting over 3 million streams on Spotify KULICK? Uncheck the box, get the record label off your back, indulge yourself into the music and the streams will flow! Pop formula music gets predictable. Every artist has the moment when they need to timestamp the label and go off script. The latest album Everyone I Know Will Die (Deluxe Edition) does just that. Pop or NOT to Pop, KULICK influences range from REO Speedwagon to Tom Petty.  A very cool feature on the LP are 5 reimagined acoustic tracks with music videos. If you play guitar you get it.  The strings count but what type of guitar strings are “Necessities (Stripped)” for that acoustic jam session — watch the video to find out? It’s said, music is a gift from God so how do you make music with a hearing disability? KULICK accepted the challenge and jumped the hurdle! “Time to Go” is another deep track about life being overwhelming: “I still don’t want to die because it’s too good, I want more life.” Don’t Ghost me Bro! Ghost song writers have always been a thing but is it time to accept facts and give credit? Support KULICK! Support and listen: http://kulickofficial.com

HenricK The WrecK joins JUST TALKING to talk all things GAMING. Cyberpunk developers CD Red have announced a sequel to Johnny Silverhand's storyline played by Keanu Reeves in Cyber Punk 2077 for the upcoming expansion update, Phantom Liberty. Netflix is working on a new season for The Witcher 3—I don’t remember watching season 2? Nintendo revealed the first trailer for Super Mario Bros. Movie, a CGI animated film starring Chris Pratt and a mushroom load of additional celebrity voices. The film is scheduled for release in April 2023.  The big question is what game did Mario first appear in? A pause button of silence as Overwatch has been taken offline—BUT press the start button of relief because Overwatch 2 is here to keep gamers happy. Rockstar’s GTA 6 (Grand Theft Auto) game-in-progress version was leaked all over the internet. The binary oil spill caused massive virtual car traffic jams and catastrophic damage to the virtual META environment—the penguins from Happy Feet are protesting in choreographed dance patterns.  BREAKING NEWS!  The glory hole leaked new features such as weapons, upgrades and customizations—BUT gamers are excited about this feature the most, returning to Vice City not Reality City! Getting back to sweaty nerd reality. Twitch-Con is happening right now October 2022—AND there's also the early release of Scorn, a game inspired by H.R. Giger’s (Alien). The game is centered around bone and flesh, which coincidentally is what Twitch-Con is all about. https://www.twitchcon.com

Indie Rock band Whitehall joins STRIKE A CHORD. The 4 dudes with long hair in a white room with 3 pictures behind them from Charleston, South Carolina U.S.A says it all. Whitehall has their new album Maizy dropping next year 2023. Their lead single, “Rose” is a chill in the heart vibe with a peppery edge—perfect for the Cali dream, driving down a highway with the sun on your back. Making the album Maizy these guys pulled an old Rolling Stones move. They drove up into the mountains and cut an album — kick ass! The Maizy drew inspiration from their manager’s dog. The dog’s calming Gandhi-like presence helped ease anxiety, allowing connection through the cosmos and barking out the lyrics! WHAT does the lyric “drunken telephoner” mean? It’s a reference to Slaughter House 5 by Kurt Vonnegut — is this a dark metal band hiding in the shadows? Special congrats! “It changed our lives.” Whitehall is opening for the Goo Goo Dolls with their “Chaos In Bloom” Tour 2022. “It’s a childhood dream come true.” Oooh my-lanta this band knows how to bring bangers! Look out for the chaos in white: http://www.whitehalltheband.com

OFF THE FRET, MORE MUSIC, MORE MUSIC TALK! If you’re like ME – MUSIC is everything! Since day one it’s been a passion of mine to create an opportunity to showcase amazing up-and-coming artists.  The CHRIS COLLINS SHOW has interviewed some of the most incredible international and national bands out there—from Finland, the Philippines, India and UK—to NY, LA, Texas and Nashville—you name it. We are so fortunate to have this outlet to show you guys some of the most talented musicians out there today!  There’s no other medium that brings people together like LIVE MUSIC.  Join me and listen to our 6th installment, OFF THE FRET podcast.  More Music. More Music Talk!—with ANSON!

2 kickass bands join STRIKE A CHORD this week to end our 12th season on a high note! From Los Angeles, California alternative rock band Poe the Passenger talks about their new LP “ALINEA.” AND Midwest punk rockers Bad Year breakdown how best songs are breakup songs. “ALINEA” is Poe the Passengers second album and a new beginning for the band. “It’s bit edgier—we wanted to go a bit deeper emotionally.” AND they did!  The LA rockers hit the target on the bullseye featuring tracks about social problems, personal growth, community, etc. There’s a sense of urgency with this record. The band talks about writing the lyrics to this album within a 30-day writing challenge. Like many bands Poe the Passenger felt the weight of the pandemic pressure crushing down and with that much heat you’re going to form diamonds like “Strangers.” This high-energy track rocks hard with a deep message about feeling distressed and torn apart at the seams—BUT  it’s the music video that brings everything back together. If you can’t see Poe the Passenger live on stage, consider watching them in the Metaverse. The band teams up with the Time Lapse Project hosting a visual event space at Stageverse. Think the Sims meets Whiskey a Go Go! Follow, support and enjoy at: https://poethepassenger.com

They’re called Bad Year—BUT they’re having a good time! Milwaukee punk rockers are holding the scene down with heartfelt tracks like “Killing Me.” “It’s a little personal—those are always the best songs, breakup… heartbreak songs.” Deep down everyone loves sad songs. The band opens up about leaving things open to interpretation. “Countless nights of letting the writing process flow and trying to come up with cool guitar lines.” “Black Out” is a track inspired by pyromania and serial killers. Talk about what not to put on your Tinder profile! Listen to these beautiful gentleman and rock out at: https://badyearmke.com

Sarah McTaggart lead vocalist of the pop-rock band Transviolet joins STRIKE A CHORD. In order to cut through the white noise you need crazy ideas to connect with people. How did the horror series Saw inspire their first single “Girls Your Age” –AND to help build a fan base? From a relatively unknown band to opening for 21 Pilots the band was thrown into the spotlight after some twitter love from Katy Perry and Harry Styles.  BUT how does “Girls Your Age” correlate to their new single “Love and Power?” It’s about reclaiming your voice and power.  Waves of orchestral strings and synth keys rumble over your ears.  It feels like the opening theme song to a David Fincher film. Take the diamond pill “Drugs in California” is another seductive track that puts you in a trance—accompanied by a music video that is just as tempting. What is the most addictive drug? You can’t snort or inject this one, it’s external validation.  Wanting to be wanted is an intoxicating libation to an artist. Follow, support and enjoy at : http://www.transviolet.com

Omar Feliciano lead singer from the Phoenix Within returns to STRIKE A CHORD. Omar brings his new solo album titled “House of Aragon”—sounds like something from the Game of Thrones! BUT how did a child’s promise and a dog named Spunky inspire the album? “Sit the fuck down and be opened minded.” It’s more Omar and less Phoenix.  The “House of Aragon” touches on some pretty intimate themes—love and loss, racism, human rights, prison system, etc. “Momma Calls” is a rock track that hits hard.  Inspired by Omar’s own experience, anyone who’s had to deal with the difficulty of our prison system will instantly find a deep connection to this song. “Technically no stance, the song is there just to pose a question.” “Snap” is another track that smacks you right in the face! “Another white boy shoots a school, another white cop kills a black man, the war on drugs is rigged to jail us—AND to steal our voting rights. What do you say to the millennials who are disenfranchised with voting? “We gotta vote—just do what is right, that’s all.” And get it done before we SNAP! The “House of Aragon” has a hardcore message that can sink a ship—BUT keep faith in the family anchor, it will hold you down. Follow, support and listen at: https://thephoenixwithinrock.weebly.com/blog/house-of-aragon-by-omar-feliciano

Texas Rapper EC Mayne returns to STRIKE A CHORD flashing that grill for his new LP “50 Acres and a Cadillac.” Active and Attractive the Rapper confronts his inner conflicts during the pandemic, dealing with loss and celebrating a new collaboration with BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated). Now that things are opening up from pandemic restrictions, where does a Texan Rapper go to cool off?—Los Angeles!  Like Tupac said “California, knows how to party!”  From the beaches to the hood the Strop God got the red carpet treatment. EC dropped his new LP “50 Acres and a Cadillac” on Juneteenth 2022. A powerful statement about Texas being the last state to emancipate slaves and were promised 40 acres and mule as reparations. Can’t put rims on a mule but you can put them on my Cadillac! We’ve got the WORLD PREMIERE of “All In My Emotions” a track about connecting with your inner Strop God—show love to get love—“that’s how to get those blessings.” Writing tracks is hard enough—BUT what’s with this trend of pressuring performers to change lyrics because the twitter mob got offended? Do you care about pleasing opinions or the quality of your music? Big energy, passionate lyrics and repping Texas. Follow, support and listen at: hhttps://open.spotify.com/album/2sd9gvycp0OzPcCWnf1r1t

Our Video Game Contributor HenricK The WrecK takes off his Metaverse VR headset to join Just Talking. Press button A to begin with a multiple choice video-game quiz — remember the Konami code? It’s Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, START — it works on Chris but doesn’t on Marissa. That code is 13, 36, 45, 57, 67, 14, some lucky Mega Millions ticket-holder in Illinois will be celebrating 1.3 billion in winnings or hiding in a Minecraft. Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West continue to glue gamers to their gamepads but in the background the cat simulator Stray has been knocking all of your valuables off the shelves. Play as an alley cat, do the stray cat strut, hit robots in the head — the gaming world is loving it however not without controversy, many house cats have banned together claiming the game promotes “street paw” appropriation by felines world wide! Nostalgia drives deep, GTA (Grand Theft Auto) a franchise stealing cars since 1997 released remastered GTA 6 in Summer 2022 only to receive backlash from fans for a new female protagonist — are they going woke or broke? It’s been 15+ years, we all love games like Bully and Manhunt but do they need a sequel or a remastered version or is it just a studio cash grab? The hype train arrived at the station with sports celebrities investing heavily in e-sports but can they play the game? Microsoft Minecraft cancels NFT’s and bans private servers causing a shift in industry positions on where to put their building blocks. Follow, support and enjoy at : https://www.chriscollinsshow.com/henrick-the-wreck