Decibel Geek Podcast

We kick off 2014 with a guest that has seen many facets of the music industry in his 30+ years in it. Paul Taylor joins Aaron and Chris this week to discuss his career in rock with artists like Aldo Nova, Alice Cooper, Winger, and current projects including The Big Rock Show and production work with up and coming singer Rizzi Myers.

Paul Taylor was brought up in the San Francisco bay area to parents that he describes as "70's hippies." Paul's professional debut in music would take a few years but, as you'll hear in this discussion, his face appeared on a major label album cover by a well-known Vietnam-era band.

After honing his skills in the Bay area, Taylor catches his first big break as touring keyboardist for Aldo Nova as well as a cameo in the 'Fantasy' video from 1981. In this discussion, Paul tells Aaron and Chris about Nova's difficult demeanor on the road as well as the surprising supplier of the hokey visual effects in the 'Fantasy' video.

After a stint with Nick Gilder in the early 80's, Paul winds up in the Alice Cooper band for The Nightmare Returns tour in 1986. He shares the circumstances that led to his hiring in the Cooper act as well as memories of forming a friendship with bassist Kip Winger that would lead to big things down the road.

Also in this discussion, Taylor reminisces on the Raise Your Fist and Yell era of Alice Cooper including memories of protesters outside the venues and the continued misunderstanding of Alice the person in comparison to Alice the performer.

After the European tour with Alice Cooper, Taylor leaves the band to join his former band mate Winger in a new, original project that had just achieved label backing. In this conversation, Paul shares his thoughts on the rise of Winger including the criticism they faced due to the band's image overshadowing the undeniable talent in the band. 

Winger toured the world on the strong sales of their self-titled debut as well as the successful followup 'In the Heart of the Young.' In this discussion, Taylor remembers the tours the band undertook including stints with Scorpions as well as KISS and the bond formed with late drummer Eric Carr.

He also gives his thoughts on Mike Judge's 'Beavis & Butthead' putting a bullseye on the band through MTV and his opinions on Judge himself. This part of the conversation also dovetails into a discussion of the rise of grunge causing the fall of bands of Winger's ilk as well as the work he's done with Winger in more recent years and some reunion dates going on right now.

After his departure from Winger, Taylor teamed up with former Journey vocalist Steve Perry for 1994's 'For the Love of Strange Medicine.' In this conversation, Paul tells Aaron and Chris how a simple songwriting session turned into an entire album collaboration, Perry's vision for a record, and his thoughts on the then-new digital mix the album received and what he'd do differently with it today.

These days, Paul Taylor is as busy as ever. He recently finished a stint touring with Cinderella vocalist Tom Keifer for his recent solo album. This gig spawned two music videos as well as an appearance with Tom on the David Letterman show.

Paul is also a member of The Big Rock Show; no stranger to the Decibel Geek podcast. This group performs all of the country as well as on many of the rock-themed cruise lines.

in addition to performing duties, Taylor is also a writer, arranger, and producer for up and coming talent Rizzi Myers. Myers was present during this interview recording and we see big things for her in the future based on the great tracks Paul shared with Aaron and Chris. Check Rizzi Myers out HERE.

We want to thank Paul Taylor for taking the time to share such great stories from a great career in music. Aaron, Chris, and the entire Decibel Geek staff want to wish Paul much success in the future.

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Aldo Nova

Alice Cooper

Winger

Steve Perry

Tom Keifer

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General music listeners tend to state that there's no good music being produced these days. But, true Decibel Geeks know that isn't the case and this week Aaron and Chris are out to prove it as they share some of their favorite tracks from albums released in 2013.

Also included in this discussion are the top picks from the Decibel Geek website writers. You'll learn through this hour-plus episode that a ton of great music was put our in 2013 by classic rockers you love as well as newer upstarts that have something to prove.

Tracks from LaValle, Volbeat, Hardcore Superstar, Black Sabbath, Stryper, Motorhead, and more give you plenty to think about as we head into the new year.

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Michael Monroe - Horns & Halos

Stryper - No More Hell to Pay

Heaven's Basement - Filthy Empire

Motorhead - Aftershock

Black Star Riders - All Hell Breaks Loose

The Bronx - The Bronx (IV)

Queens of the Stone Age - ...Like Clockwork

LaValle - Lavalle - Dear Sanity

Black Sabbath - 13 [Deluxe Edition]

Fates Warning - Darkness in a Different Light

Volbeat - Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies

Wednesday 13 - The Dixie Dead

Queensryche - Queensryche

Hardcore Superstar - C'Mon Take On Me

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With this week containing that festive holiday that goes by many names (Christmas at DBG headquarters), Aaron and Chris decided to spread some seasonal cheer by spinning some notable songs that fit such a jolly time.

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Teenage Casket Company - One Thing You Don’t Need ThisChristmas 

E'nuff Z'nuff – Happy Holiday

Twisted Sister – Oh Come All Ye Faithful

AC/DC – Mistress for Christmas

Tom Keifer – Blue Christmas

Dio, Iommi, & Appice – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Brighton Rock – White Christmas

Wednesday 13 – Buried by Christmas

Dokken – Santa Claus is Coming to Town

The Donnas – Christmas Wrapping

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After getting through the whirlwind that was the first half of the year, Aaron and Chris return to tell the second half of the story in this week's 1978 Year in Review Part 2.

This week, Aaron and Chris discuss the people, places, events, and music of the rest of the year. Stories include the over-saturation of KISS-mania, the poorly received Sgt. Pepper movie, and the Texxas Jam. Tracks from bands including Boston, Ramones, Black Sabbath, KISS, Gillan, Rush, and Rose Tattoo among others. We also include some interesting television commercials and promos from the year that was 1978.

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Boston - Dont Look Back

The Who - Who Are You

Styx - Pieces of Eight

KISS - Ace Frehley

KISS - KISS Gene Simmons

KISS - Paul Stanley

KISS - Peter Criss

Ramones - Road to Ruin

Black Sabbath - Never Say Die

Ted Nugent - Weekend Warriors

Gillan - Gillan

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Skynyrd's First And...Last

Rush - Hemispheres

Judas Priest - Hellbent for Leather

Alice Cooper - From the Inside

Rose Tattoo - Rose Tattoo

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We're going back in time this week to an era of disco, bellbottoms, and great rock n' roll as we present the first installment of our 1978 Year in Review. 

Aaron and Chris had a lot of great music to choose from for this episode and you'll hear it along with all the pop culture discussion you've come to expect from these audio time capsules. 

January through July of 1978 was a busy time for hard rock and early metal acts and Aaron and Chris present plenty of song clips and discussion of artists such as Judas Priest, Rainbow, KISS, AC/DC, Journey, Angel, Starz, Cheap Trick, and much, much more!

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Judas Priest - Stained Class

Rainbow - Long Live Rock & Roll

Ringo Starr - Bad Boy

KISS - Double Platinum

Tom Petty - You're Gonna Get it

AC/DC - Powerage

Foghat - Stone Blue

Rolling Stones - Some Girls

Journey – Infinity

Starz – Attention Shoppers

Angel – White Hot

Van Halen – Van Halen

Generation X – Generation X

Bob Seger – Stranger in Town

Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight

UFO – Obsession

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If there is one band that truly defines having a "good time" it's Van Halen. Formed in 1974 in suburban Pasadena, California, brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen were joined by bassist Michael Anthony and vocalist David Lee Roth and set forth in creating music history.

Blessed with other-worldly talent, Eddie quickly redefined the art of hard rock guitar playing via two-handed tapping and whammy bar dive bombs. Alex's drumming, rooted in the influences of Ginger Baker and Buddy Rich, was an aggressive undercurrent to the band's sound. Michael Anthony's rock solid bass playing was only overshadowed by his angelic backing vocals. And David Lee Roth's ringmaster routine; featuring high jumps and other assorted acrobatics, rounded out a band that would marry classical influences with Harlem soul to create the combustible mix that was the Roth-Era of Van Halen.

After 1984, it seemed that the spirit of original Van Halen was lost forever with Roth embarking on a long solo career and the brothers starting to work with Sammy Hagar. But, time does tend to heal all wounds and after many years of assorted will-they-won't-they drama, the original Van Halen (sans Michael Anthony) reconvened in 2006 and released new material in 2012.

Toddzilla

This week Aaron and Chris are joined by Nashville rock music legend Todd Austin (aka Toddzilla). Todd has been a fixture of the Nashville rock/funk music scene for many years. Known in local circles as the 'Minister of Funk' through his work with JonesWorld and his new project Funkhammer, Todd wanted to join us for a discussion of Roth-Era Van Halen and how it affected him as a guitar player and as a person. In this discussion we'll discuss favorite tracks from all Roth-Era VH albums as well as indulge in some of Toddzilla's favorite memories of Dave and the boys from back in the day. It's a solid hour of nostalgia for debauchery and crazy concert memories of a legendary band. Don't miss it!

More Toddzilla! (Click Band Name for More Info)

Funkhammer

Todzilla's Funkhammer

JonesWorld

Buy Roth-Era VH Music! (Click Album Title to Buy on Amazon!)

Van Halen

Van Halen II

Women & Children First

Fair Warning

Diver Down

1984

A Different Kind of Truth

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This week on the Decibel Geek Podcast, the boys, Chris and Aaron take the week off to enjoy some football and turkey for Thanksgiving.  In their place the Hoser Heavy Metal Twins of Wally “Wallygator” Norton and Rich “The Meister” Dillon step in to host the episode.

Rich and Wally performed a hostile takeover last Thanksgiving when they hijacked the broadcast, but this year they have been invited back to cover the boys holiday.  Chris and Aaron have delivered funny, entertaining and informative broadcasts each and every week without fail for 111 episodes now….enjoy your well deserved break my friends.

Wally kept his song selections to a “Radio Sucks Theme” while Rich went more in the “Fresh Blood” vein to gather the ten songs that they introduce to the audience this week.  First up Wally made an excellent selection from The Killer Dwarfs new release Start @ One, but not before announcing that this week’s “Geek of the Week” was none other than our “Crack-smoking,  among other things” Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, who admitted that he has listened to The Decibel Geek Podcast albeit in a drunken stupor….stupor….stupor, what a fun word to say!  Wally dedicated "The Sky Is Falling" to the troubled Mayor and Rich

 excitedly mentioned the The KiLLeR DWaRfs have now been announced as participating in the Monsters of Rock Cruise 2014.

For The Meister’s first selection he went with a band out of St. Catharines Ontario, Step Echo.  Chuckling at the name of their recording studio where they recorded their album which was called “Fecal Noir”….which the Hosers can only deduce means….”black poop:…..c’mon now you just chuckled as well didn’t ya?  "Crazy" was the song taken from their Jagged CD.

Keeping on the string of awesome new releases this fall from Canadian bands Wally opted for "Boys Club" off Coney Hatch’s new effort, Four, the band’s first since Friction in 1985.  As they discussed when previously hosting the podcast, at a concert Carl Dixon had left the song lyrics to newly penned song, "Blown Away", taped to a stage monitor and thinking it was a great souvenir of the show, The Meister pro-cured them.  Days later it was discovered that that was the only copy as they had just been written the night before the show and Carl was frantically searching for their whereabouts.  The song appears on the album, so you

 know that The Meister returned them promptly.

One Bad Son originally from Saskatoon Saskatchewan, but now relocated to Vancouver B.C. provided the next choice for Rich with their song “Gringo” from 2007's Orange City release. The song is not from the latest self-titled OBS release, but an earlier album and is perhaps the heaviest in their repertoire.  Radio stations across Canada are playing OBS tracks from the latest album, so as you see even though radio sucks, sometimes they do have brief shining moments of glory.

Afraid that Wally was going to get “weird” Rich was apprehensive of Wally’s next pick.  Last time they hosted the podcast Wally did the absolutely unthinkable and played a ballad!!  While it was a great song from a talented band, Gypsy Rose, Rich was not sure he was in a ballad mood today and warned Wally.  Wally assured him that all would be fine and it was about time to work some KISS into the show as always. He spun Brighton Rock’s absolutely creepy and totally different from the original rendition of "Creatures of The Night" off the double cancer benefit KISS tribute CD A World Without Heroes….and although it was a ballad, now at least, Rich deemed it an acceptable choice.

Coming home to Toronto, Meister’s next band is called Twitch that has played a few shows at the becoming famous Rockpile Club.  He chose to feature "Walk" from the Revolution CD, talking about how good this band is live and the covers that they often throw into the set.  Last show they broke into the Four Horsemen’s "Rockin’ Is Ma Business" and you may remember Meister’s story from the Monsters of Rock Cruise last year when he was wearing a Four Horsemen Canada ’94 tour shirt that someone steadily increased their purchase offer on ending

at $120 when his wife dragged him away.

West Memphis Suicide is a band that has been featured on the podcast in the past, on the last Hoser Takeover episode for one.  Well, West Memphis are no more Wally informed a rather shocked Meister, but no fear they have regrouped with a new bass player and changed their name to A Rebel Few.  Barry the guitarist was incredibly kind enough to forward a brand new, as yet unavailable track to Rich and Wally for airplay on the show.  In perhaps a world premiere the boys heard "Empire Falls".

Only discovering this group himself recently, Rich introduced Wally to Ottawa based band Shock.  A band that formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1990, never releasing an album.  Once considered "the best band to never release an album", they lost that moniker when the début, Once Denied came out earlier this year.  One of the best unsigned bands of the time, this release is their first coming almost 30 years after their formation.  Wally enjoyed the "Flaming Towards Earth" track, commenting on it’s Judas Priest like qualities.

Wally deemed that he wanted to jump the order of picks here and have Meister make his final selection back

to back with the Shock pick, proclaiming that he had a surprise in order for the last song of the week.  Rich chose to feature "Skipping Stones" from J'nai, another Toronto area band that the Decibel Geeks and friends have seen live many, many times.  This band has to be seen, no ifs, ands, or buts about it!  They are a bunch of college age kids who are extremely hard working and exhibit a stage presence like none other.  The guys discuss one of their many well choreographed stage tricks, the guitar toss in which the two guitarists switch their instruments by hurling them towards each other mid song, catching them and continuing to play.  Only once have they seen a fumble.  An upcoming J'nai show, opening for Slaughter on April 4th at The Rockpile West on the day that Meister returns from the Monsters of Rock Cruise is also a great time to celebrate Wally and Rich's birthdays of April 10th.  Wally invited all Toronto area Decibel Geeks to come to the party at the Rockpile.

Wally’s last song was not so much of a surprise, but certainly a fitting end to Hoser Heavy Metal #2 as he spun a song from the new Metal On Ice EP.  Metal On Ice started out as a book written by Canadian Guitarist (Helix, Crash Kelly, Nelly Furtado) Sean Kelly about his interviews and playing in a band in Canada.  The album displays the talents of many of the hottest Canadian stars in the metal business in the 80’s including, Russ Dwarf, Nick Walsh, Darby Mills, Daryl Gray, Brian Vollmer, Lee Aaron and more.  The song chosen was "Metal On Ice" written by Nick Walsh, who’s former band, Slik Toxik was a choice on the previous Hoser Hijack and he’s now the frontman for a new band Famous Underground.

Thanks for joining these two Hosers and allowing us to play some of our favorite Canadian artists this week.  Chris and Aaron will be back at the helm next time after the turkey sweats wear off….cheers, eh! 

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Killer Dwarfs

Step Echo

Coney Hatch

One Bad Son

Brighton Rock

Twitch

A Rebel Few

Shock

J'Nai

Metal on Ice

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The holidays are fast approaching and Chris and Aaron are as busy as ever getting some great episodes and interviews together to bring to all of you Decibel Geeks. This week, the guys stop to take a breather and give you a taste of what they've been listening to.

There's a lot of variety in this new edition of the Radio Sucks Radio show. Brand new tracks by The Black Spiders, Michael Monroe, The Dead Daisies, and Hardcore Superstar fit in nicely with some awesome covers performed by Vince Neil, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Damone. There's even more but you gotta listen!

Michael Monroe – Stained Glass Heart – Horns & Halos  

The Dead Daisies (ft. Slash) – Lock N’ Load –The Dead Daisies  

Black Spiders – Balls –This Savage Land  

Mr. Big – The Whole World’s Gonna Know –Bump Ahead  

Hardcore Superstar – C’mon Take on Me –C'Mon Take On Me  

Tesla - Children's Heritage -Gold  

Damone - Everybody Wants You –Everybody Wants You  

Randy Castillo/Tracii Guns/Stevie Rachelle – Too Late for Love –Arena Rock Classics  

Vince Neil - Long Cool Woman –Tattoos & Tequila  

Smashing Pumpkins - (We're All) Clones –Aeroplane Flies High   

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Decibel Geek is much more than just a weekly podcast. If you don't already know, there are a TON of great articles being put out consistently by our dedicated staff of writers; giving you more hard rock and metal stuff to geek out on on the days between episodes. Many of the articles are inspired by song choices from Aaron and Chris that are featured on the episodes. There are also a number of reviews of some of the best new and classic albums being put out regularly.

This week Aaron and Chris shine a spotlight on the great articles being written by the Decibel Geek staff. All song choices were inspired by an article written by a particular staff member. There's quite a bit of great variety in this episode and we hope this will help turn you on to some great new/classic music.

Click on writer's name to read the original article that inspired the song choice. 

Click on the album title to go to Amazon and order!

Andy Lafon:

LaValle – Don’t Cry –Dear Sanity  

The Meister:

Arch Rival - In The Face of Danger –In the Face of Danger  

Kate Campbell:

Queensryche – Fallout –Queensryche   

BJ Kahuna

Hawaii - Escape the Night –Loud, Wild, and Heavy  

Billy Hardaway:

Alter Bridge – Farther than the Sun -Fortress  

Derik Novak:

Stryper - The Rock That Makes Me Roll –Soldiers Under Command  

Loosecannon:

Bobaflex – Wading Through the Dark –Charlatan's Web  

Cynthia Johnson:

Skid Row - Big Guns –Skid Row  

J. Alexander:

GWAR – Madness at the Core of Time –Battle Maximus  

Wally Gator:

Ace Frehley – Snowblind –Ace Frehley 

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Every once in a while in the past, Aaron and Chris would break out a track that's from an up and coming act that has an old-school vibe that fits within the Decibel Geek methodology. They would usually call this a Fresh Blood track. Upon further investigation, there's a TON of great new rock and metal being made these days and Chris and Aaron are in the fortunate position to bring you full volumes of this Fresh Blood series and we kick it off today!  We hope you enjoy this new batch of ear candy!

Click Artist name for more info. 

Click track/album name to purchase on Amazon

Wyldlife - The Time Has Come to Rock & Roll [Explicit]

Revolution Riot - "Ashes of Dreams", Untitled (TBA)

Scorpion Child – Polygon of Eyes – Self-Titled (2013)

Hammering Process - "Kachina"- Hammering Process [Explicit] (2012)

Monster Truck – The Lion – Furiosity (2013)

Robot Lords of Tokyo - "Hell Will Have to Wait"- Virtue & Vice (2013)

Impera – Beast Within –  Pieces of Eden (10/18/13)

210 To Lowell - "Dead Jimmy", Dirtier Than The Devil (2013)

Screaming Eagles – Rock & Roll Soul – From the Flames (2013)

The Mad Mad Ones - "Bury Me", The Mad Mad Ones (TBA)

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