Chuck Shute Podcast

Episode 131- screenwriter Rich Wilkes! Rich is a very accomplished screenwriter with over 30 years in the business. He contributed to two of my favorite movies - “The Dirt” & “Billy Madison” (uncredited). It was great chatting about the process of getting some of these projects made. It was also fun to hear about some of his projects that he worked on that did not get made- although I’m hoping some of them- like the Sam Kinison movie do get made. 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:01 - Background in Switzerland
0:02:20 - Early Movie & TV Influences
0:04:35 - Theater & Movies in High School
0:05:35 - Getting Started in the Movie Business 
0:07:35 - Extra Movie & TV Work 
0:09:34 - First Screenplay - "Glory Daze"
0:10:27 - The "Stoned Age" & Fans 
0:12:28 - "Airheads" with Chris Farley & Adam Sandler
0:17:45 - "The Jerky Boys" 
0:20:00 - "Glory Daze" 
0:21:45 - "Billy Madison" 
0:24:45 - "xXx" 
0:28:59 - Projects That Don't Get Made
0:32:30 - "Punk Like Me" & Touring in a Band 
0:36:10 - "The Ballad of The Whiskey Robber" 
0:39:59 - David Fincher & 80s MTV Series 
0:46:00 - "The Dirt", Script Changes & Band Issues 
0:51:45 - Research with Motley Crue & Lawsuit
0:54:30 - Making Motley Crue Likable 
0:58:58 - Pam & Tommy Lee Sex Tape 
1:00:13 - Sam Kinison & Other Projects 
1:02:45 - George Clooney & The Green Hornet 
1:04:53 - Fanboying Out & Being Around Celebrities 
1:09:40 - Cancer Charity & Golden Rule
1:11:40 - Jager Shots with Tommy Lee 
1:13:16 - Wrap Up 

Rich Wilkes Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rich_k_wilkes/

American Cancer Society Website:
https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 130- GnR Discussion & Album Ranking! We have two great guests for this episode - Brando from the Appetite for Distortion Podcast & I welcome back author Christopher P. Hilton. A lot of great GnR talk including original names for the band, the Vince Neil & Bob Guccione Jr feuds, and what happened to Izzy. At the end we each give our own album rankings! 

0:01:25 - GnR Other Names 
0:02:23 - Original Appetite Artwork
0:03:19 - Appetite For Destruction Songs 
0:06:45 - It's So Easy Song & Video 
0:10:47 - GnR Lies & Live Like a Suicide 
0:15:00 - Axl Rose Vs Vince Neil 
0:17:40 - Steven Adler Leaves the Band 
0:21:21 - Use Your Illusion Tracks
0:22:45 - Double Talkin' Jive 
0:24:05 - Release of Use Your Illusion 
0:32:35 - Bob Guccione Jr. from Spin 
0:35:10 - Izzy Stradlin Leaves 
0:37:10 - Use Your Illusion Tour 
0:42:10 - Spaghetti Incident 
0:49:15 - Izzy Returns to the Band 
0:51:15 - Chinese Democracy 
1:02:08 - GnR Reunion Tour 
1:03:55 - Album Rankings 
1:07:15 - Where's Izzy? 
1:09:40 - Susan McKagan Hears New GnR 
1:10:55 - Charities 
1:11:40 - Wrap Up

Appetite for Distortion Podcast Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TheAFDShow/

Autism Speaks Website:
https://www.autismspeaks.org

Rise, Fall & Rebirth of Hair Metal on Amazon: 
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Rebirth-Hair-Metal/dp/0578654032

Humane Society of Charlotte Website: 
https://humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 129- Kevin Martin from Candlebox! This was fun as I’ve been a fan of Candlebox since their debut and they are from my hometown of Seattle. Their debut sold over 7 million copies worldwide. Tours with Metallica, Rush and Aerosmith followed. Kevin tells the story of how the band formed and the early club days in Seattle. We discuss the Seattle scene, the new album “Wolves”, dealing with haters, and the infamous Courtney Love feud. 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:43 - Early Musical Beginings
0:03:25 - Shoe Store & Seattle Bands 
0:06:57 - Midnight Oil & Peter Garrett 
0:08:56 - Forming Candlebox 
0:10:42 - Humble Beginnings 
0:13:10 - Seattle Bands: Lack of Camaraderie
0:16:30 - Candlebox Debut Album Artwork 
0:18:55 - Sweet Water & Green Apple Quick Step
0:20:45 - My Sister's Machine & Ethical Dilemma 
0:23:25 - Gruntruck & Dealing with Hate
0:25:02 - Deserving Success
0:26:05 - Rockstock '94 with Tool 
0:28:30 - Candlebox's Genre 
0:29:55 - Gift from Layne Staley 
0:31:34 - Second Album (Lucy) 
0:32:56 - Third Album (Happy Pills) 
0:36:20 - Drummer Shannon Larkin 
0:37:55 - "Gracious Few" Supergroup
0:39:36 - "I Want it Back" Song 
0:42:43 - Flirting with Velvet Revolver 
0:44:16 - Love of Music 
0:45:45 - "Wolves" Album Theme & Country Divisiveness
0:48:50 - Music Brining People Together & Making Changes
0:53:05 - New Singles From the Album 
0:53:31 - "Let Me Down Easy" Co-Written with Pete Cornell 
0:54:55 - Drums, Singing and Side Projects 
0:57:15 - Courtney Love Feud 
0:59:25 - Kevin's Podcast 
1:01:30 - Breast Cancer 
1:02:25 - Wrap Up

Candlebox Website:
https://www.candleboxrocks.com

Breast Cancer Research Foundation:
https://www.bcrf.org

Chuck Shute Podcast Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 128- Jeff “Mantas” Dunn! Jeff started his career as a founding member, songwriter and guitarist in the band Venom. This band not only invented an entire genre of music (black metal) but also influenced a number of bands including Metallica, Slayer and Pantera. Jeff has since formed his own band Venom Inc, and has some other musical projects as well. We discuss all this in the interview as well as the Satanic themes with the band, his relationship with John Corabi and coming back to life after being legally dead from a heart attack. 


0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:10 - Martial Arts & Bruce Lee Fan 
0:04:29 - Rock Influences & Evolution of Sound
0:10:22 - Satanic Influences on Venom 
0:13:30 - Guitar Style & "Shredders" 
0:16:25 - Writing "Black Metal" 
0:17:36 - Relationship with Metallica 
0:19:25 - Success & Attitude 
0:23:40 - Slayer & Dave Lombardo 
0:25:50 - Horrific Incident Leads to End of Venom 
0:28:10 - Venom, Songwriting & Implosion of Band 
0:41:12 - "Dryll" Band & "Cronos" Brother Playing Drums 
0:45:02 - Female Drummer in Mantas - Cherrisse Osei
0:49:05 - Massive Heart Attack & Legally Dead 
0:58:45 - Dead Daisies "Resurrected" & John Corabi 
1:05:35 - Phil Anselmo of Pantera & Other Fans 
1:06:45 - Patreon, Website & Cat Sanctuary 
1:10:15 - Wrap Up

Jeff Mantas Website:
https://www.jeffmantas.com

Animal Sanctuary Donation Page:
https://www.jeffmantas.com/donate

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 127- guitarist Ryan Roxie from Alice Cooper’s band! Ryan has quite an amazing career being a part of many different musical scenes and working with legendary musicians. He went from playing on the sunset strip with Candy to New York with Electric Angels to Seattle with Sweet Water. He also played with Gilby Clarke and Slash’s Snakepit, and of course his current gig with Alice Cooper. He also hosts his own podcast, In The Trenches with Ryan Roxie. In this episode he has great stories such as how Bret Michaels saved his guitar, auditioning a famous singer for Slash’s Snakepit, what Kiss and Bon Jovi “borrowed” from his band Electric Angels and more! 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:00 - Growing Up in Oakland 
0:04:49 - Marching Band Drummer
0:06:17 - Playing Guitar in Bay Area 
0:08:15 - L.A. Hair Metal Scene & Candy Formation
0:11:18 - Riki Rachtman, Cathouse & Red Camaro 
0:14:40 - Bret Michaels Saves Ryan's Guitar & Poison 
0:20:51 - Electric Angels & Moving to New York 
0:24:16 - Bruce Kulick & "You Put the X In Sex" 
0:25:30 - Jon Bon Jovi & "Bed of Roses" Lyric 
0:27:00 - Joining "Sweet Water" Seattle Band 
0:31:55 - Gilby Clarke Gets the GnR Gig 
0:34:43 - Touring with Gilby Clarke 
0:36:10 - Joining Alice Cooper's Band 
0:39:40 - Motley Crue Tour 
0:42:15 - Trying Out Singers with Slash's Snakepit 
0:44:36 - Playing with & Learning from Slash
0:47:35 - Solo Song "Me Generation"  
0:49:49 - Johnny Depp & Podcast Guests
0:51:20 - Fame, Success & Intellectuals 
0:54:55 - Ted Talk & Learning from Failure 
0:56:23 - Criticizing, Comparing & Copying 
0:58:22 - Supporting Other Podcasters & Musicians 
1:01:50 - System 12 Guitar Method 
1:05:38 - Appreciating the Ride 
1:09:35 - The Art of Elysium
1:11:35 - Playing Wonderwall with Joaquin Phoenix 
1:12:23 - Fanboying Out 
1:14:30 - Wrap Up

Ryan Roxie Website:
https://ryanroxie.com

The Art of Elysium Website:
https://www.theartofelysium.org

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 126 - Christopher P. Hilton! Christopher wrote a great book, "The Rise, Fall & Rebirth of Hair Metal."  This is the most comprehensive book on the subject I have ever seen.  It starts off with defining the term hair metal, how it came to fruition and takes it from the beginning to present day.  He covers all the big groups including Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, and more.  But he also does a deep dive with many releases I was not familiar with but glad I discovered.  In this interview we skim the contents of the book including many interesting facts such as the guest vocalist on Warrant's "Cherry Pie", Slash auditioning for Poison, and which hair band Christopher never really got in to. Great stuff! 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:13 - Christopher's Background 
0:05:25 - The Term "Hair Metal" 
0:09:12 - Hair Metal Fanatic 
0:11:12 - Van Halen & Hair Metal Roots 
0:14:37 - Motley Crue's Transition to Hair Metal 
0:18:27 - Van Halen's "Jump" & David Lee Roth Movie 
0:21:55 - Bon Jovi "Slippery When Wet" 
0:24:08 - Slash Auditions for Poison
0:26:00 - Guns 'N Roses & Appetite for Destruction 
0:28:28 - Nikki Sixx & "Girls, Girls, Girls"
0:30:32 - Dude Looks a Lady 
0:32:20 - Motley Crue's Sobriety 
0:34:43 - Warrant's "Heaven" & "Cherry Pie" 
0:37:20 - Young Guns 2 & "Blaze of Glory" 
0:38:58 - Rock in 1991 & Skid Row's Slave to the Grind 
0:41:50 - GnR & Use Your Illusion Albums 
0:45:15 - Danger Danger "Monkey Business"
0:46:30 - Musicianship & Songwriting of Hair Metal Vs Grunge
0:48:35 - Warrant's Grunge Demo 
0:52:43 - MTV & Radio Killing Hair Metal 
0:55:50 - Motley Crue, LA Guns & Dangerous Toys in 1994
0:58:15 - Skid Row's "Subhuman Race" Album 
0:59:48 - Warrant "Ultraphobic" Album 
1:00:50 - Vince Neil "Carved in Stone" Album 
1:02:50 - Firehouse Music Video & Overseas Success 
1:04:35 - Resurgence of Hair Metal 
1:09:33 - Steel Panther & New Hair Bands 
1:12:20 - Dokken 
1:13:21 - Conversation with Nikki Sixx
1:15:00 - Jain Lane Story 
1:16:10 - Oversaturation of Music & Music News 
1:17:33 - Potential Playlist of Best Hair Metal Music 
1:19:10 - Editing the Book 
1:21:32 - Humane Society of Charlotte 
1:22:29 - Wrap Up 

The Book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Fall-Rebirth-Hair-Metal/dp/0578654032

Humane Society of Charlotte:
https://humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 125- Joey Allen of Warrant!!! It’s always a special treat to sit down with a member of one of your favorite bands and this is no exception. One of the best interviews I’ve ever done, certainly one of the most fun. Interviewing Joey was like chatting with an old friend. He had some great stories including playing in a band with Lars Ulrich (Metallica), the on stage accident with Jani Lane, Tommy Lee’s “present” on the Feelgood tour, why they were kicked off the Poison Flesh & Blood tour and more! Plus he reveals a special project the band is working on that every fan will love. 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:27 - Growing Up in Orange County 
0:03:01 - Playing with Lars Ulrich (Metallica) 
0:04:15 - Knightmare II & Other Bands Before Warrant
0:06:08 - Show at Roxy & Jani Lane Injury
0:07:30 - Warrant Club Days & Friends with Bands
0:10:30 - The Band Getting Signed 
0:11:43 - Choosing a Producer 
0:13:10 - D.R.F.S.R. Album Cover 
0:15:32 - Hearing "Down Boys" on the Radio 
0:16:35 - Tommy Lee Gives the Band a "Present" 
0:19:13 - "Cherry Pie" Album & Song 
0:21:57 - Rolling Stone, Cherry Pie & Cancel Culture
0:26:03 - Poison Flesh & Blood Tour 
0:28:38 - Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour 
0:30:30 - "Dog Eat Dog" Dedication to Joey 
0:32:35 - "Pop Music" Song 
0:34:45 - First Single from "Dog Eat Dog" 
0:36:40 - Favorite Songs & Singles
0:38:20 - Grunge Era & Joey's Hiatus 
0:42:10 - Musical Projects During Warrant Hiatus 
0:44:20 - Adam Carolla, Dave Navarro & Jani Lane Reunion 
0:46:30 - Attempts to Help Jani Lane & Tragedy 
0:50:30 - Louder, Harder & Faster Album & Video 
0:53:28 - Warrant Set List 
0:54:38 - Pandemic & Next Warrant Record 
0:55:53 - Concerts & Shows with Other Bands 
0:57:15 - Charities - Children, Breast Cancer & Autism  
0:58:38 - Life Advice 
0:59:30 - Warrant Documentary 
1:00:45 - Wrap Up 

Warrant Band Website:
http://www.warrantrocks.com

St Jude's Children's Hospital 
https://www.stjude.org

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 124- Tony Harnell!!! Tony is most known for being the singer of TNT, of which he had a lot of success. However, he has also worked on several other projects including music for Sonic the Hedgehog and a collaboration with Bumblefoot. He is truly a great singer with incredible range and one of the few people to possess a true four octave voice. This was a fun chat talking about Tony’s whole career. 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:23 - Pro Skateboarder 
0:02:55 - Singing, Moving to New York & First Band 
0:07:40 - Playing In Bands & Clubs in New York 
0:09:45 - The Jackals, John Tempesta & Mike Varney 
0:12:34 - TNT Demo & Joining the Band & Touring 
0:14:55 - "Last Summer's Evil" & Lyrics 
0:17:14 - "Tell No Tales" Album Success 
0:20:10 - "Intuition" Album 
0:22:10 - Del James & Lyrics on "Realized Fantasies" Album 
0:25:30 - Production & Recording on "Realized Fantasies Album 
0:27:40 - Music Scene Change, Death of 80s Rock & Style 
0:31:10 - Future of TNT & Relationship with Ronnie  
0:33:15 - "Sonic The Hedgehog" Music 
0:35:21 - Tony Harnell & The Wildflowers with Bumblefoot
0:37:35 - Singing TNT Songs Now & Four Octave Voice 
0:39:12 - "Starbreaker" Band & Lyrics 
0:41:45 - " Lovekillers" Record 
0:45:00 - "Echobats" Supergroup Project 
0:45:55 - Living Life As If Each Day Is Your Last 
0:49:45 - Twelve Step & Blueprint on How to Live 
0:51:55 - Vegan and Healthy Living 
0:54:03 - Vocal Training Course 
0:56:35 - Vince Neil Vocals & Desire to Be Better 
0:58:35 - Sebastian Bach Friendship 
0:59:30 - Tony Harnell: Surviving Rock n Roll 
1:00:30 - Writing a Book for Future Release 
1:00:48 - MusiCares
1:02:25 - Wrap Up 

Tony Harnell Website:
https://www.tonyharnell.com

Rock Singer Society Course Website:
https://www.therocksingersociety.com

MusiCares Website:
https://www.grammy.com/musicares

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 123- Josh Ross from Black Heart Saints! This is a band every rock fan should know. They are extremely talented musicians and songwriters. The band has had two charted songs on rock radio recently, but even their older stuff kicks ass. They have done shows with everyone from Sevendust & Puddle of Mudd to Slash & L.A. Guns. Josh and I discuss how he got in to music and how the band formed as well as some of the more business aspects of working in music such as the band’s beer. 

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Josh's Family Background
02:43 - Musical Influences 
03:27 - Rockstar Life 
04:23 - Playing Music 
05:55 - Early Bands 
08:25 - Finding Guitar Player Mark Sean
10:14 - Black Heart Saints & Songwriting 
12:18 - "Quicksand" Song Inspiration 
14:58 - Pushing to Get Songs on Radio 
16:47 - Van "The SaintSation" & Trailer Theft 
19:03 - South By Southwest 
20:40 - Show with Filter 
21:35 - Jason McMaster & Dangerous Toys 
23:10 - Big Shows - Winery Dogs & Kings X
24:23 - Deen Castronovo & Dead Daisies
25:17 - Blacktop Mojo 
26:20 - Performing with Slash 
27:48 - Huge Show with Steel Panther 
28:45 - Performing Shows Now & Future 
31:15 - John Moyer of Disturbed 
32:30 - Newer Up & Coming Bands 
34:02 - Solo Career & Cover Bands 
35:45 - Black Heart Stout Beer & Business 
37:40 - Pay to Play 
39:30 - Stand Up Comedy in Austin 
41:05 - Troubled Fan 
43:15 - Health Alliance for Austin Musicians 
44:30 - Wrap Up 

Black Heart Saints Website:
https://www.blackheartsaintsmusic.com

Health Alliance for Austin Musicians:
https://www.myhaam.org

Chuck Shute Podcast Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon! 

Episode 122 - Author & Criminologist Dr Lee Mellor! This was a fun one. We examine two of his books- one on the true stories that inspired horror movies and another on conspiracy theories. Movies discussed include Jaws, Psycho, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Amityville Horror, Poltergeist and the Conjuring. We also talk about Area 51, aliens, MK Ultra, JFK assassination, chem trails and more. 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:40 - Getting Interested in True Crime & Horror
0:03:30 - Jaws & Shark Attacks 
0:08:25 - Ed Gein, Psycho & Texas Chainsaw Massacre 
0:21:55 - Exorcist & Trickery
0:26:20 - Amityville Horror & Fake Story 
0:30:30 - The Town The Dreaded Sundown 
0:34:26 - The Mothman Prophecies 
0:40:25 - Men in Black 
0:46:25 - Area 51, Bob Lazar, UFOs & Aliens 
0:51:08 - MK Ultra & Operation Midnight Climax 
0:56:07 - JFK Assassination, Dr. Jolly West & Jack Ruby
1:00:55 - Weird Connections 
1:03:20 - Chemtrails
1:05:55 - Serial Killers & Mass Murderers
1:09:56 - Other Projects 
1:11:05 - American Investigative Society of Cold Cases 
1:12:27 - Wrap Up

Dr Lee Mellor Website:
http://www.leemellor.com

AISOCC Website:
https://www.facebook.com/aisocc/

Chuck Shute Website:
http://chuckshute.com

Support the show

Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!