On this episode of Music: Cover to Covered, my guests are Cult Stars From Mars – a band formerly known as Fuzzbubble. There was so much to cover that we needed TWO episodes to fit it all, so they are showcased in Episodes 5 AND 6!

Originating from Long Island, NY in the late ‘90’s, Fuzzbubble was a ‘power pop’ band in the vein of The Beatles, Cheap Trick and Jellyfish…but with their own unique signature. 20 years later, they have come back together as Cult Stars From Mars and have picked up right where they left off.

In Episode 5, we discuss their origins and introduction to music growing up in Long Island as well as how the music scene changed over the years through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s as they gigged in different bands.

Then, we fast forward to today and discuss how they came back together, WHY they came back together, and we showcase their first new single – “Dragonfly Pt. II” featuring Mike Portnoy (Metal Allegiance, Winery Dogs, ex-Dream Theater) on drums. You can see the video for this song on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/86xpCck2lnU

Since this became a double episode, I again enlisted Mike Tobin to join me for a special edition of:

‘This Song Sucks’ – where we go toe-to-toe in DISAGREEMENT over Cheap Trick’s huge selling ballad, “The Flame” from their 1988 hit album, Lap of Luxury.

You can check out Cult Stars From Mars and Fuzzbubble on Apple Music and Spotify as well as on Band Camp: https://cultstarsfrommars.bandcamp.com/

AND, check out their podcast, Podcast from Mars, available on Apple Podcasts, etc…

I’ve made a playlist on Spotify showcasing some Fuzzbubble and CSFM songs – just search 'Music: Cover to Covered episode 5' and it should pop up. 

There is also a running 'This Song Sucks' playlist on Spotify!

Click Here for the playlist and make your own mind up if these songs suck…but they DO Suck!

This is a 'solo' episode of M:C2C - meaning, I have no guest this episode. Why? Because there is an election coming up and I wanted to discuss voting - why you should do it and why you shouldn't tell anyone who YOU are voting for!

DISCLAIMER - I am speaking for no one but myself and not on behalf of anyone else. These opinions are mine and mine alone. If you agree, fine. If you don't, fine. This is not a political discussion - it is, if anything, a discussion on how to keep your friends DURING an election cycle!!!

Next, I give my first listen review of Mr. Bungle's latest release "Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo" released on Ipecac Records - spoiler: IT'S AWESOME!!!

And since there is no special guest this week, I present a DOUBLE SHOT of our recurring segment "This Song Sucks", which DOES feature my guest from our first episode - Mike Tobin of Arista Recording artist, Stick. When Mike was in, we put a few sessions in the can as I knew I would have to use them at some point - so here is one of them! This time around we focus on the mighty Led Zeppelin and their not-so-mighty songs "Hot Dog" from the album 'In Through The Out Door' and "Candy Store Rock" from the album 'Presence'. Both are Atlantic Records releases, in case you wanna judge for yourself if these songs suck...but they really, really do...trust us.

This episode 'Music: Cover to Covered' sits down with Frankie Sparkman of the punk band 'Sparkman'.

We talk about how living in a area more removed from metros -in this case Lake Arrowhead, California - both positively and negatively affect your process as a songwriter and as a musician trying to 'make it'. A prolific songwriter in any setting, Frankie talks about his process and inspiration for writing as well as his beginnings and development as a musician...and how pulling from many different musical influences helped form his own unique style.

We also touch on writing songs 'for' others and 'about' others, and how both have a different set of values, and many other topics. Make sure you check out 'Sparkman' on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube!

And of course, we feature our running segments - 'This Song Sucks' and 'DisCovered'!

• "This Song Sucks" - this episode we discuss 'Wild Honey Pie' from The White Album by The Beatles
• "Dis-Covered" - 311's version of 'Love Song' by The Cure

Make sure you subscribe!

Our special guest on the second episode of 'Music: Cover to Covered' is none other than Artist Manager Rob McDermott. Throughout his career, Rob has worked with high profile artists such as White Zombie, Pantera, Static-X, Linkin Park, and most recently Perry Farrell, and gives us a unique look at the 'Artists behind the Artists' - the managers that help direct the careers of artists.

Rob talks about how someone who initially aspired to be an Aerospace Engineer pivoted on those career goals and made the move to a career in music, the obstacles that were in the way, and how sometimes in order to grow you need to let something important go...

Around the 58:30 mark, 'This Song Sucks' and 'Dis-Covered' segments make their appearance! Rob chose a couple of tunes that made for great - and hilarious - discussion. And a NEW segment called 'This BAND Sucks' makes its debut!

'This Song Sucks' - "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter" by Iron Maiden

'Dis-Covered' - "Summer Breeze" as covered by goth greats Type O Negative.

Please subscribe to our podcast and check out www.covertocovered.com !

The very FIRST episode of Music: Cover to 'Covered' features the guitarist of former Arista recording artists, Stick - Mike Tobin - and the debut of your 2 staple segments - 'This Song Sucks!" and "Dis-Covered".

Mike gives a very unique overview of how he went from being a huge fan of recorded music to picking up a guitar and recording his own in a short period of time, being a heavy rock band on a label known for pop stars, touring with Overkill, and 'get off my lawn' moments of what it was like touring before cell phones!

• This Song Sucks! - this episode we focus on the song "Mother" by The Police from their 1983 effort, 'Synchronicity', and its migrane-inducing noise.
• Dis-Covered - we discuss the AMAZING version of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" recorded by space-rockers Failure from the 1997 tribute album 'For the Masses'.