Talk Louder

Trauma

Formed in San Francisco in 1981, Trauma owns a sacred place in the hallowed history of whiplash thrash. Currently promoting new album “Awakening,” drummer Kris Gustofson joins us to discuss the band’s long and winding history, touring with Queensryche, the addition of new singer Brian Allen and what it’s like to carry the legacy of original bassist, Cliff Burton.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Todd La Torre

Best-known as the powerhouse vocalist for Queensryche, multi-instrumentalist Todd La Torre is a musical force in his own right. He joins us to discuss a special edition of his 2021 solo album, “Rejoice in the Suffering,” his songwriting process inside and outside of Queensryche, and his not-so-secret wish to record a black-metal album.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten Queensryche

John Moyer

As the bassist for Disturbed, John Moyer plays in one of the world’s biggest metal bands. He’s also been a member of Geoff Tate’s Queensryche, the Union Underground, SOAK and star-studded supergroups that – for better or worse -- included Scott Weiland, Scott Stapp, Mike Portnoy, A.J. Pero and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal. He joins us to discuss nu-metal, his Disturbed audition, touring with Marilyn Manson and why it’s better to the nice guy who didn’t get the gig instead of the jerk who did.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Ace Von Johnson

Fresh off the set of an L.A. Guns video shoot, guitarist Ace Von Johnson brings us up to speed on the band’s forthcoming new album, “Black Diamonds.” We also discuss his time in Faster Pussycat and U.S. Bombs (among others), his lifelong obsessions with punk-rock and horror movies, and how his quick reflexes behind the steering wheel earned him the name “Ace.”

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Robin McAuley

On the eve of his latest album, “Alive,” vocalist Robin McAuley joins us to discuss his songwriting process, working with Michael Schenker, his Black Swan supergroup, singing “Eye of the Tiger” with Survivor and his little-known connection to Motorhead’s “Philthy Animal” Taylor.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Alan Tecchio

He succeeded our own Jason McMaster as the vocalist for Watchtower and also fronted the metal bands Hades, Non-Fiction, Seven Witches and others. More recently, he and co-author Frank White published the coffee table book “Jersey Metal Vol. 1” documenting the New Jersey heavy metal scene circa 1969-1986. Alan Tecchio joins us to discuss all of the above and more.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Rudy Sarzo

From his groundbreaking tenure with Quiet Riot through his arena-conquering stints with Ozzy and Whitesnake, bassist Rudy Sarzo has spent a lifetime bringing metal to the masses. We caught up with the iconic rocker to discuss Quiet Riot’s legacy, the heartfelt new song, “I Can’t Hold On,” his theory about the Randy Rhoads plane crash and why licking his bass was the least of his worries.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Katon W. De Pena

Hirax singer Katon W. De Pena was front-and-center for the birth and rise of California’s legendary mid-‘80s thrash-metal scene. Today, at age 59, he’s as metal as ever and joins us to discuss Hirax, his former band Phantasm (featuring original Metallica bassist Ron McGovney), his connection to Celtic Frost frontman Tom G. Warrior, and the times a young Hirax fan named Mike Patton used to show up early to meet the band (and later returned the favor).

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Joey Vera

Best known as the bass player for Armored Saint, Joey Vera has also played with Mercyful Fate, Lizzy Borden, Fates Warning, Anthrax, Arch/Matheos and Motor Sister, among others. We cover as much as we can of his storied career, including how a car crash with Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee helped finance an early Armored Saint demo, why he turned down interest from Metallica and how Thin Lizzy and Queen blew his young mind.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Joel Grind

He’s the mastermind behind thrash-metal band Toxic Holocaust and an accomplished studio technician whose credits include Power Trip’s acclaimed “Nightmare Logic” album. Joel Grind joins us to discuss his early fascination with recording, his DIY work ethic and how he got famed Megadeth artist Ed Repka to create Toxic Holocaust’s “Hell on Earth” album cover.

Created and Produced by Jared Tuten