We chat with bassist Menno Verbaten. Originally hailing from the quaint town of Utrecht, Netherlands, Menno was inspired by bass icons like Cliff Burton, Steve Harris and Lemmy but was initially forced to play classical guitar as a first instrument. After saving for a year he was able to buy a bass guitar and his true musical journey began. Menno moved from Holland to Los Angeles, CA to attend Musicians Institute in the late 90s and then taught at the school for 18 years. He has played bass and sung with several bands including The Caurterized, Cryptic Slaughter, and most recently the progressive doom band Behold! The Monolith. He's also played the prestigious Monsters of Rock Cruise and can no longer listen to Tesla. Now it gets strange... Steve Harris and Nuno Bettencourt saw him play but don't know it, and Menno never looks at his fingers (because he can't).

This is definitely a podcast for metal-heads... Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Maiden, Sabbath... we cover them all. We learn some shocking "truths" from Menno as he enlightens us to some of the not so romantic stories of certain rockstars. Did Guns N' Roses actually play on Appetite for Destruction? Does Metallica play to a click? Can Lars even do that? Why is Rudy Sarzo playing an F# in D minor? Why does Sharon Osbourne hate Bob Daisley so much 'For Facts Sake'? The court trials and tribulations of the Osbourne's reveal those dirty rockstar secrets but Menno can't reveal his. Buckle up because this episode gets real.

We also get some input from Menno's crotchety old cat, Miss Crinkles; he confesses his hatred for Motley Crue and admits how it sent him home alone to do the rattlesnake shake; the mention of a "short Geddy Lee" once again steps into the limelight; we discuss war movies and the uncanny accuracy of Michael Bay films; Vic gives us some insight into the Marine Core; and we reflect upon the ugly, stinky geniuses of the 18th and 19th century. Although a metal guy at heart, Menno enjoys and has played a wide variety of music throughout his career. Most recently, inspired by a series of books, he began to explore and arrange classical pieces by Mozart, Bach etc. for bass! You can hear these and other tunes on Spotify.

CAUTION: Tijuana comes up in this podcast. "Hee Haw" - DMB

Menno Plays: Fender Jazz Bass, ESP LTD Bass, Markbass Amps, Ampeg Cabinets

Thanks to our friends at: Godin Guitars, Tregan Guitars, Ernie Ball, 5 Iron Woodworks

Intro Music: Mr. Peanut by A Good Rogering

Outro Music: The Celebrated Minuet by Luigi Boccherini (Arranged & Performed by Menno Verbaten) 

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Thanks for listening!