Steve Katz is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer whose career runs through some of the most important corners of 1960s and 1970s rock. Growing up in New York, he gravitated to the Greenwich Village folk scene as a teenager, learning from major figures in the acoustic blues and folk world. That grounding in traditional music gave his playing a strong sense of melody, dynamics, and feel that carried into his later electric work. Rather than chasing virtuoso flash, Katz developed into a musician whose parts always serve the song.His first notable recordings came with the Even Dozen Jug Band, but he really came into focus with The Blues Project. In that band he played guitar, sang, and contributed original songs, helping to blend folk, blues, and the emerging psychedelic sound. The Blues Project’s willingness to stretch out musically, while still holding on to roots material, was a good fit for Katz’s background. His role was often to glue the music together: rhythm work, smart voicings, and lines that threaded between vocals and lead instruments.Katz’s best‑known work arrived when he became a founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears. In the original lineup and on the album “Child Is Father to the Man,” he played guitar, sang, and wrote material that helped shape the band’s distinctive mix of rock, soul, and jazz‑inflected horn arrangements. His guitar parts in this context are understated but essential, leaving room for brass and vocals while adding texture and groove. Even when he stepped forward as a singer or songwriter, the overall impression is of a musician deeply committed to ensemble playing.Beyond his role as a guitarist, Katz built a substantial career behind the glass as a producer and in record‑label work. He produced notable albums for artists like Lou Reed and Elliott Murphy, bringing a player’s perspective into the studio and focusing on capturing strong performances. Later, he worked in A&R and as an executive, as well as producing albums for the Irish band Horslips, which connected his folk background with Celtic rock. This combination of performing, writing, producing, and talent development gives his résumé a breadth that many guitarists never attempt.In more recent years, Steve Katz has continued to perform, often in intimate “songs and stories” formats where he mixes playing with anecdotes from his long career. He has also written and spoken about his experiences in the music business, reflecting on everything from the Greenwich Village days to arena‑level success. For current information on his projects, performances, and background, see his website:

https://stevekatzmusic.wordpress.com/

ohn McEuen is a Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist, producer, author, and a founding member of the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a group that helped bridge bluegrass, folk, and country-rock for mainstream audiences starting in the 1960s. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he has performed thousands of shows, contributed to dozens of albums, and become one of the most influential acoustic musicians in American roots music. His work on banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle has shaped how generations hear traditional music reimagined for modern ears.In 1971, McEuen was the driving force behind the landmark triple album “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” which brought the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band together with icons like Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Mother Maybelle Carter, Roy Acuff, and others for historic cross-generational sessions in Nashville. That project has been recognized as one of the most important country and bluegrass albums ever recorded, helping introduce younger audiences to the classic repertoire and artists who defined American roots music. The album’s legacy later inspired his detailed book on the making of those sessions, further cementing his role as both participant and historian of that moment.Beyond the Dirt Band, John has built a rich solo career with multiple albums that showcase his “String Wizard” reputation, blending instrumental firepower with storytelling and cinematic arrangements. His discography includes acclaimed projects like “Made in Brooklyn,” which earned major Americana honors, as well as collaborations with artists ranging from Steve Martin to John Carter Cash and Martha Redbone. As a producer, he also earned a Grammy for Steve Martin’s “The Crow,” highlighting his skill on both sides of the glass.McEuen is also an author and storyteller, with his memoir “The Life I’ve Picked” tracing his journey from Southern California kid to hall-of-fame banjo player working with legends like Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, the Allman Brothers, and Bob Dylan. His more recent book and projects around “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” revisit those sessions with photos, stories, and reflections that bring fans right into the circle of players. Onstage and on the page, he brings the same mix of humor, detail, and lived history that makes him such a compelling guest for any music podcast.John’s contributions have been recognized with inductions into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame and the Traditional Country Music Hall of Honor, along with multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM honors across his career. He continues to tour, record, and create new projects, bringing stories and songs from more than fifty years on the road to audiences around the world. To learn more, check out his music, books, and tour dates at:

https://johnmceuen.net

dUg Pinnick remains one of the most distinctive voices in modern rock and metal, and in this conversation we dig into both his creative present and his long, winding history. We open with his newest work — a brand-new solo album that he’s just wrapped — and the candid way he describes the vibe behind it. Pinnick talks about chasing raw energy, leaning into funk-heavy grooves and hard-rock punch, and blending the influences that have lived inside him since he first picked up a bass. He’s honest about the process too: he writes constantly, piling up countless demos over the years, and chooses the ones that speak loudest when it’s time to make a record.That creative overflow is something that’s defined his entire career. Born Douglas Pinnick in Illinois and raised in the Midwest, he cut his teeth in gospel, soul and R&B long before the rock world found him. Music became both a refuge and a compass, and by the late ’70s he crossed paths with Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill — the partnership that would become King’s X. Their chemistry was instant and undeniable. After years grinding on the Texas club circuit under different names, the band finally broke through in the late ’80s with a sound nobody else had: thick grooves, big harmonies, spiritual introspection, and Pinnick’s unmistakable voice tying it all together.King’s X went on to release a run of genre-defining albums across the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, influencing everyone from Pearl Jam to Dream Theater. Their catalog — from Gretchen Goes to Nebraska to Dogman to Ear Candy — built their reputation as one of the most respected musicians’ bands in rock. Pinnick talks about that legacy with both pride and humility, acknowledging how many artists cite them as a foundation while also admitting the band has always followed its own compass regardless of commercial trends.Today, he’s in a full creative swing again with his latest solo album completed and out in the world. He describes it as loose, funky, riff-driven, and honest — everything he enjoys about working alone, where he can chase any idea without compromise. He hints that if the stars align he’d love to bring some of the material to the stage, but he’s not pressuring himself with a schedule. For now, he’s simply enjoying making music that feels alive.And looking ahead, there’s real motion in the King’s X camp. All three members have talked about recording again, and Pinnick confirms they’ve been exchanging ideas and discussing a new album with an eye toward 2026. Nothing is locked in — King’s X will only release something if it feels meaningful — but the desire is there, and the songs are beginning to take shape. For fans, that’s enough to spark real hope. Between renewed solo energy and the possibility of another King’s X record, dUg Pinnick is entering yet another inspired chapter of a career that refuses to slow down.

In this episode we dive into an inspiring and wide-ranging conversation with John Elder Robison, exploring how music and autism intersect in his world. We talk about the ways autistic people experience sound, creativity, patterns, and emotional expression, and how today’s understanding of autism has expanded far beyond old stereotypes. From sensory perception to communication, identity, and the broader neurodiversity movement, we touch on the topics people are discussing right now—what’s changing, what still needs work, and how music continues to be a powerful bridge between worlds.John’s story is remarkable. Born in 1957, he grew up before autism was commonly recognized, leaving him to navigate life without a diagnosis until adulthood. Yet his early interests—electronics, audio, mechanics, and creativity—became the tools that helped him survive, thrive, and eventually become a respected voice for neurodivergent people around the world. His natural ability to see patterns and systems differently made him a standout in technical fields long before he understood why his mind worked the way it did.Long before he was a bestselling author, John made a name for himself in the rock world. He famously worked with KISS, designing their legendary guitar special-effects rigs, including Ace Frehley’s smoking and rocket-launch guitars. Later, he moved into the world of high-end audio and engineering, establishing one of the most respected restoration shops for European automobiles. His life has always walked the line between creativity and precision—art and engineering.John’s breakthrough came with his memoir Look Me in the Eye, an honest and groundbreaking account of growing up autistic at a time when no one had language for it. The book resonated globally, helping people see autism through lived experience rather than clinical labels. He continued telling his story through books like Be Different and Raising Cubby, while becoming an advocate, lecturer, and leader in conversations about neurodiversity, education, and the future of autism research.Today, John Elder Robison remains one of the most influential autistic voices—respected for his honesty, clarity, humor, and willingness to challenge outdated ideas. His life in music, engineering, writing, and advocacy shows how powerful difference can be when it’s understood, supported, and given room to shine.

Acid King formed in San Francisco in 1993, led by guitarist and vocalist Lori S. along with bassist Peter Lucas and drummer Joey Osbourne. Their name was inspired by Ricky Kasso — the real-life “Acid King” from the book Say You Love Satan — and it perfectly captured the band’s otherworldly, doom-laden sound. From the start, they stood out in the underground scene for their thick, fuzz-drenched tones and hypnotic, slow-burning riffs that defined the early stoner-doom movement emerging in the ’90s.Their debut EP appeared in 1994 through Sympathy for the Record Industry, but it was the 1995 full-length Zoroaster that began to turn heads. Acid King hit their stride with Busse Woods in 1999 on Man’s Ruin Records — a cult classic now considered one of the cornerstones of stoner rock. That record combined weighty riffs, atmospheric reverb, and a trippy, meditative flow that set them apart from their peers. Lori S.’s distinctive vocals, part chant and part haze, helped shape the sound that would become their signature.Over the following decades, Acid King released III (2005), Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere (2015), and Beyond Vision (2023). Each album expanded their sound — from the raw biker-doom of the early years to the cinematic, cosmic vibe of their latest work. Despite numerous lineup changes, Lori S. has remained the band’s creative core, driving the heavy grooves and mind-bending textures that define Acid King’s legacy.Today, Acid King are seen as pioneers of the stoner-doom genre. Their music continues to influence new generations of heavy bands worldwide. With Beyond Vision, they’ve proven that their blend of fuzzed-out riffs, spacey melodies, and unrelenting heaviness still resonates deeply. Acid King’s sound is timeless — a hypnotic journey best experienced loud, late, and lost in the haze. Official Website: acidking.com  • Facebook: facebook.com/AcidkingSF  • Instagram: @acidkingrocks

In this episode, Dweezil Zappa returns to talk about his groundbreaking album Automatic, a record that showcases his evolution as a guitarist, composer, and producer. The album dives deep into modern instrumental rock, blending fierce technical skill with melodic and emotional precision.Dweezil discusses the creative process behind Automatic — how he approached writing and arranging songs that balance complexity with groove. He opens up about tone crafting, gear experimentation, and the influences that pushed him toward a more cinematic and expressive sound.Throughout the conversation, Dweezil shares insight into how Automatic bridges his past and present — a reflection of both his Zappa lineage and his own artistic voice. From shredding guitar lines to lush textures, the album proves why he remains one of the most inventive players in rock.We also touch on his recording techniques, the evolution of his playing over the years, and what fans can expect from future projects. It’s a deep, honest look at how Automatic became one of his most personal and technically refined works to date.Follow Dweezil Zappa:Website – dweezilzappa.comInstagram – @dweezilzappaofficialYouTube – Dweezil Zappa

Rock legend Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo joins Laughingmonkeymusic to talk about his powerful new single “Hard Road” and what fans can expect from the band’s upcoming 2026 tour. Known for his raw energy, unmistakable voice, and hard-hitting attitude, Angry reflects on his decades in rock and the drive that keeps him going strong today.We also talk about how touring has changed, what it’s like to perform for generations of fans, and how new material like “Hard Road” keeps the fire alive. With 2026 shaping up to be a big year, Rose Tattoo’s return to the stage promises to be a celebration of pure, unfiltered rock ’n’ roll.Angry’s honesty, humor, and passion for the music shine through as he talks about legacy, inspiration, and what still fuels him after all these years. This is a conversation every rock fan will want to catch.Follow Angry Anderson / Rose Tattoo:Website – rosetattoo.com.auFacebook – Rose Tattoo OfficialInstagram – @rosetattoobandofficial

Dweezil Zappa joins Laughingmonkeymusic for a deep dive into one of his most iconic works — “My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama.” In this episode, Dweezil breaks down the song’s origins, its connection to his father Frank Zappa’s legacy, and how he reimagined it for a new generation of guitar fans.From tone and technique to songwriting and production, Dweezil walks us through the creative choices that shaped the track and the mindset behind his unique guitar voice. The conversation moves beyond nostalgia, touching on how he continues to evolve as a player and composer while honoring the Zappa name.We also get into Dweezil’s approach to recording, live sound, and how he balances the technical precision of his playing with emotional depth. His insight into gear, arrangement, and artistic intent gives fans a rare behind-the-curtain look at what makes his music tick.If you love guitar-driven rock, musical storytelling, and creative freedom, this episode is a must-watch.Follow Dweezil Zappa:Website – dweezilzappa.comInstagram – @dweezilzappaofficialYouTube – Dweezil Zappa

Bill Fisher has carved a fascinating path through modern rock and prog. Based in Nottingham, he first caught attention leading Church of the Cosmic Skull, the seven-piece band known for its lush harmonies, cosmic themes, and a theatrical mix of heavy riffs and vintage melodies. The band’s blend of progressive rock and psychedelic soul quickly earned them a devoted international following and a strong live reputation.As a solo artist, Bill pushed even further. His debut Mass Hypnosis and the Dark Triad mixed proto-metal and prog with sharp lyrical wit, while his 2024 album How to Think Like a Billionaire revealed a more refined sound—part folk-prog, part cinematic rock, and fully his own. Each release shows his ability to cross genres without losing his melodic backbone or emotional punch.Fisher’s work dives deep into human behavior, belief, and ambition—all wrapped in irresistible guitar tones and rich arrangements. His songs aren’t just heard; they’re experienced, inviting listeners to question everything from power to perception while nodding their heads to unforgettable hooks.This episode explores Bill’s creative process, his evolution from band leader to solo visionary, and how he manages to balance humor, heaviness, and heart. We also touch on the live side of his art—where his cosmic energy truly comes alive.Watch, listen, and dive into the mind of one of the most inventive rock songwriters around.Follow Bill Fisher:Website – billfisher.netBandcamp – billfisher.bandcamp.comInstagram – @churchofthecosmicskullChurch of the Cosmic Skull: https://cosmicskull.orgBill Fisher solo releases: https://billfisher.netMassive Hassle: https://massivehassle.tvDystopian Future Movies: https://dystopianfuturemovies.com

Michael Sweet, frontman of Stryper, returns with a full slate of new music. The band’s upcoming Christmas album The Greatest Gift Of All blends classic holiday songs with original tracks in true Stryper style — heavy guitars, harmony vocals, and messages of hope and faith. It’s a bold take on Christmas music from one of rock’s most enduring and faithful voices.

In addition, Sweet is preparing a new solo album focused on worship and spiritual reflection. This project offers a more personal side of his songwriting, showing how his faith continues to shape both his music and his message. It marks another chapter in his evolution as an artist who balances conviction, creativity, and craftsmanship.

Stryper is also writing their next studio album for a 2026 release. Sweet promises it will honor their signature sound while adding new ideas and depth. After four decades in music, he continues to deliver powerful songs and positive energy to fans worldwide.

Official Links:

Michael Sweet — michaelsweet.com

Stryper — stryper.com

Instagram — instagram.com/michaelsweetofficial

Facebook — facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet

X / Twitter — twitter.com/michaelhsweet

YouTube — youtube.com/@MichaelSweetOfficial