Rock & Roll Nightmares

Staci’s guest is music industry legend Dave Robinson. As the co-founder of Stiff Records, Dave was at the forefront of the punk and new wave movements, working with iconic artists like Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, and The Damned. His career spans decades, including time as tour manager for Jimi Hendrix (Dave’s own “rock and roll nightmare” involves Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell). He’s currently managing the up-and-coming British band Hardwicke Circus, which he discusses, as well as his vision of the future of rock music through albums and performances.

This episode of the Rock & Roll Nightmares podcast features veteran music journalist and author Daniel Bukszpan, who brings over 30 years of experience covering the world of rock and beyond. Dan discusses his latest book, Rush at 50, a stunning hardcover that celebrates one of the most beloved and enduring bands in rock history. The book chronicles 50 milestone moments from Rush’s incredible career, and Staci's conversation with Dan delves into its creation and much more.

Staci chats with Emmy Award-winner Andrew Reich on this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares. Andrew discusses his new music documentary Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story, which premieres in theaters nationwide on December 5th. The film tells the wild, hilarious and moving story of two brothers from Southern California who started a band as pre-teens and have been on a 45 year rockin’ rollercoaster ride ever since - a journey that's included encounters with David Bowie, David Cassidy, and even a few fictional rock stars. Andrew also shares his own personal rock and roll nightmare, which has something to do with The Grateful Dead.

Staci’s guest is Susan Cowsill, the legendary vocalist known for being a child singing star in The Cowsills, her family’s chart-topping group that actually inspired the 1970s TV sitcom The Partridge Family. Susan discusses the brand new book about her other long-running supergroup, The Continental Drifters on this episode, plus she remembers being on the music scene in L.A. in the 1970s (in fact, her “rock and roll nightmare” involves none other than The Runaways’ svengali, Kim Fowley!), moving to New Orleans and learning to love jazz, bidding farewell to Kris Kristofferson, and much more.

Staci’s guest is Spencer Charnas, the frontman of the “theatricore” metal band, Ice Nine Kills. The band name comes from the fictional substance Ice-nine from the 1963 novel Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. But their sound and inspiration come from horror movies, and their latest collaboration is with the twisted minds behind the Terrifier franchise. Spencer and Art the Clown star in Ice Nine Kills' latest music video, "A Work of Art." Spencer also talks about some of his favorite horror movies, and touring with Metallica.

Staci's guest is Chris O’Dell, the author of an incredible memoir called “Miss O’Dell.” Chris worked for Apple Corps and was in the studio when the Beatles recorded The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be, and she sang in the Hey Jude chorus. She lived with George Harrison and Pattie Boyd and she’s the subject of Leon Russell’s song, Pisces Apple Lady. She’s “the woman down the hall” in Joni Mitchell’s song Coyote, the “mystery woman” pictured on the Stones album Exile on Main Street, and the Miss O’Dell of George Harrison’s song. She’s even in Staci's latest book, “Rock & Roll Nightmares: Phantom Chords,” which has a chapter on the haunted goings-on at Friar Park, where she lived when she was working for George Harrison. She has a lot to say about Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, John and Yoko, and her upcoming "Miss O'Dell" documentary.

Staci's guest is Erik Nelson, the director of DAYTIME REVOLUTION, a new documentary that chronicles one week in 1972 when John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted the most popular show on daytime TV, The Mike Douglas Show, bringing together iconic leaders of the cultural, musical, and political revolution. Erik is also known for producing Grizzly Man, directed by Werner Herzog, and his own projects, such as Dreams With Sharp Teeth, the only authorized Harlan Ellison bio.

Staci's guest is a longtime friend and colleague of hers, Scott Huver. Scott has written an incredibly well-researched, truly immersive true crime book, “Beverly Hills Noir: Crime, Sin & Scandal in 90210,” which covers an amazing array of evil deeds. Scott is a former Beverly Hills newspaper reporter and longtime entertainment journalist, and with this book, he takes readers on a century-long jaunt through some of the city’s most notorious events—including a couple that are rock & roll adjacent. Listen to find out the real story behind the Eagle's Hotel California album cover, Sammy David Jr.'s brush with Satanism, and how the King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, "helped" law enforcement in the 90210.

Staci's guest is Alice Maio Mackay, a young, award-winning genre filmmaker. Satranic Panic is her fourth film, and it was released in Australia last year; this horror musical comedy is now debuting in the States. Alice’s debut feature, So Vam, featured stars from Drag Race, and is now a SHUDDER exclusive. Two years ago, she directed and co-wrote her second queer horror feature film, Bad Girl Boogey, featuring a cameo from horror icon Bill Moseley. Alice talks about her influences and processes for mixing music and horror.

Staci's guest for this episode is Joe Matera, author of the newly released rock 'n' roll book "Louder Than Words: Beyond The Backstage Pass," a sequel to his first memoir about life on the road. Joe's diverse career includes writing for prominent music magazines and a successful stint as a musician. He has performed at European festivals and achieved a Top 20 hit on Radio Berlin in Germany. On this episode of the Rock & Roll Nightmares podcast, we dig into music criticism, instrumental music (The Shadows, and The Ventures), and pop (Bryan Adams, Billy Squier), as well as Joe’s takes on music and writing.