It's always great to catch up with Johannes from Avatar. I think this is my third or fourth time interviewing him. Full disclosure: I'm an Avatar fan!

Their new single “Captain Goat” is a wild ride—both musically and visually. The video dives deep into Greek and Norse mythology, Scandinavian folklore, and includes a very sexy siren (his words).

“When a song is really, really good, it gives you these strong visual hallucinations,” he explained. “This was one of those. It’s a spiritual journey through the dark, complete with water, goats, and mythological creatures. Hendrik plays the siren, Jonas is tied to cliffs like Loki, and Tim is a Nixie, this water spirit thing.”

Oh, and they filmed underwater in a rehab swimming pool. “Toward the end of the shoot, I couldn’t really open my eyes anymore—but the face paint covers the pain.”

“We’re All Gonna Die… Let’s Disco.”

When I brought up how Avatar mixes darkness with this weird sense of fun, Johannes nailed it:

“We’re a heavy metal band that wants to be a good time. But we also dig deep into the dark rooms of the soul. That duality—that’s where Avatar lives. We’re all gonna die… let’s disco.”

About the New Album… Kind Of

A new album is coming. Johannes knows the release date, but can’t share it yet.

“They won’t let me say the date, but it’s an excellent date,” he teased. “The album’s finished. It sounds amazing. Visually and sonically, we’re almost there.”

I pressed him for the album title, but no luck. “It’s a beautiful title that lures you into forbidden places… a meadow between the trees.”

Yeah, he’s not giving it up—but it sounds like classic Avatar mind-bending stuff.

Metallica, Maiden, and Full Circle Moments

In the span of 12 months, Avatar will have opened for both Iron Maiden and Metallica.

“Honestly, there wouldn’t be an Avatar without Metallica,” Johannes said. “John broke his leg skiing when he was 12. His mom bought him Metallica CDs. He became obsessed, started drumming, met Jonas—and boom, Avatar.”

He’s pumped for the Metallica shows, but also honest about the pressure.

“When you’re on that big round Metallica stage, it’s theirs. But for those 45 minutes, I have to own it. I’ve got to walk out there and go, ‘This is mine now.’ It’s a challenge… but a fun one.”

Cooking Battles in a Castle

They recorded the new album in a castle. Yes, an actual castle.

“We had this massive industrial kitchen with a frying pan bigger than your face,” he laughed. “Our chef got sick, so I stepped in and made pasta bolognese. I think I won.”

Apparently, cooking has become “a pissing contest between bandmates,” and yes, it’s a very Swedish man thing.

Enjoy!

Sammy Hagar is up first this week. His new song "Encore, Thank You, Goodnight" is out now. Sammy talks about the song, how it came to him in a dream, and why Wolfgang Van Halen didn't play on it. Sammy is really upfront and candid when he talks, which is appreciated. He also shared his thoughts on playing the last Ozzy/Black Sabbath show and the songs he'll be singing. 

Doug Aldrich from The Dead Daisies is next. Doug fought a cancer battle last year and talked about that. I'm very happy that he's come out of it, and he says he gets stronger every day. 

The band dropped a new album called Looking For Trouble, where they cover classic blues songs. He told me how the idea came about and spoke about the recording process and location. He also shared stories of rockers, including David Coverdale of Whitesnake, Ronnie James Dio, Reb Beach, and the first time he met Randy Rhoads. I could talk to Doug all day!

Finally, singer Nate Peck joins me. This is the first time I've ever had the chance to speak with Nate. The Michigan-born singer talks about being on American Idol, through getting the job with Firehouse. The first gig they played, he didn't even get to rehearse! Nate speaks of his influences, singing these classic songs, and lots more. It was great to connect with Nate!

On this episode of Talkin' Rock, it's one rocker, an author, and the woman who runs Metallica's very successful All Within My Hands foundation. 

Up first, it's the legendary drummer Gil Moore of Triumph. The Magic Power - An All-Star Tribute To Triumph drops on June 6th, and it's packed with rock heavy hitters—Slash, Alex Lifeson, Dee Snider, Dorothy, Tommy Aldridge, and a TON more. 

Then, he talks about upcoming plans with the band, including something called a mixed reality tour. I don't know what that is, Gil said no one does because it hasn't been done before. He explains that part of it. 

Next, it's music journalist/author, Martin Popoff. We discuss his new 666-page book on Iron Maiden called Hallowed By Their Name. Martin has written over 130 rock books, so he knows a thing or sixty on the topic of rock and metal bands. We did get into some rock talk, which I really wanted to do. We talked about why Maiden has had so much success around the world, specifically outside of the United States. He speaks to who he thinks is the biggest metal band in the world and lots more. I'll have Martin back again in the future, he's a great guest. 

Finally, Renee Richardson, who runs Metallica's All Within My Hands foundation. She speaks to what they do, the birth of the foundation, how she got involved, and more. She also co-hosts the Metallica Report podcast, which is very well done. Fun conversation with Renee. 

Thanks for listening!

Two great guests, one non-award-winning podcast! 

Chris Jericho is up first. The wrestling legend was in Detroit with his band Fozzy, as they celebrated 25 years. It was their final show on this run, and they chose District 142 to close it out. 

Of course, I had to ask him about the passing of wrestler Sabu. He told a story of the last time they connected...sorta. Lots of Fozzy talk about the 25 years of the band, opening for Iron Maiden, starting at the bottom, and lots more. 

Bass player P.J. Farley texted me a great question to ask Chris - if he'd ever grabbed the wrong luggage at the airport. That's a funny story!

Then, it's guitarist Mike Mostert from the band In Theory. They currently have a killer cover of Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You" with Eric Gales out. It's a bluesy dream! He spoke to getting Gales to play on the track, how they came up with their name, rock legends he's worked with, and that's just for starters. 

Thanks for listening!

I first met Piggy D at a stop at Pine Knob north of Detroit during the Rob Zombie 2018 tour. I was introduced to him through my friend, John 5. Right off the hop, I found him very easy to talk to. I was thrilled when he agreed to do Talkin' Rock. 

He's currently on tour, this time with Marilyn Manson. We talk about the differences between playing with Manson and Zombie. There's a big difference, apparently. 

We talked some horror movies, his t-shirt collection, writing and working with Alice Cooper, and much more. 

You can watch the interview below. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KztxgFLE0rI&t=224s

https://wrif.com/2025/04/29/piggy-d-on-alice-cooper-his-massive-t-shirt-collection-and-old-school-rock-and-horror/

https://wrif.com/2025/04/28/piggy-d-talks-touring-with-marilyn-manson-playing-bass-and-rocking-detroit-crowds/

It's another jam-packed episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. 

First up, it's David Ellefson. This guy has so many projects in the works, but I thought we'd talk to discuss his documentary about the late Nick Menza. We got to that, but first, we talked about seeing Alice In Chains for the first time, and why he has so many projects. He said he just says Yes!

Tom Hunting from Exodus is next. I've never met or spoken to Tom. I found him very chill and thoughtful with his answers. We talked about his recent 60th birthday. We also discussed his health and pray for the best for him. The band is in the middle of writing and recording their 12th album. He told me he's grateful to have done something that he likes for so long. 

Zouzou Mansour of Soraia wraps up this episode. The East Coast band has a new song out (So Holy) with an EP to drop later this year. We spoke to the latest music, working on the album in Sweden, and horror movies. Zou's a big scary movie chick. 

Enjoy!

On this episode, two Canadian guitarists. 

Alex Liefson is first. The latest Envy of None album dropped last week. He talked about the album and his thoughts on solos - there are only a few on this record - and how he would describe the EON music, as well as working with Andy Curran on it. 

Of course, we talked RUSH. How was it to create with a guy like Neil Peart? Alex has nothing but glowing things to say about the late drumming master. They also have a new 50th-anniversary package out. He also talks of his over 50-year friendship with Geddy Lee. 

There are some very funny moments when we discussed his appearances on The Trailer Park Boys and in the movie I Love You, Man. Really funny!

Up next, it's Phil X. The Jon Bon Jovi guitarist's new album POW! Right In The Kisser is out now. It features a different drummer on each song. Phil talks to that and working with these legends. 

He spoke to the first time he took the stage with JBJ, in front of 50,000 people! Also his thoughts on the upcoming Triumph tribute album that he's a part of. That's just for starters in the great conversation with phil.

Thanks for listening!

Meltdown

Zach Myers and Ted Nugent join me for two completely different conversations this week on Talkin' Rock.

Zach is up first, as he was in studio with me earlier this week promoting Shinedown's upcoming Dance, Kid, Dance tour this summer. With a couple of new songs out to wet the whistle of SD fans, he says the album is not close to being done. "We're working on it. We've done this differently than we've ever done a record, so there's really no… It will be out this year, I think. [Brent] says July/August. I don't know when it's gonna be out. I think it's gonna be out this year. We've never done it this way. We've never released songs before a record was done. Usually a record's done, artwork's done, everything's done, here's the singles. And we wanted to do it different this time. We are in a different world."

We talked about picking songs for the set list and some questions from friends of his. That was fun!

Ted Nugent rounds out the episode only the way Ted can! His new "Vault" is out now. Drummer Jason Hartless unearthed all sorts of Nugent gems, some of which Ted had forgotten about.

We talk about the song "Stranglehold", the first song he released as a single of his solo career 50 years ago. He explained, in his own Ted way, why he dropped an 8-minute song as his first single. He said he'd been playing it for years, and the fans "got it". Of course, he expanded on it much more than that. 

I also asked him about being a "bandmate" in Damn Yankees, as opposed to being THE guy. He said, first and foremost he's a bandmate in any project he's played in.  including the Yankees. 

Ted is always entertaining, and this is no different. 

Enjoy!

John 5’s KISS collection is next level—so much so that he’s opening it up to the public in May for a special museum-style walkthrough in Los Angeles. But don’t expect a little shrine in a basement somewhere. We’re talking full-blown KISS history from 1973 to 1983 when the band was under Bill Aucoin’s management and before they ditched the makeup for Creatures of the Night.

“It’s priceless,” John 5 says. “There’s stuff in here that even Gene didn’t know existed because it was made in places like South America, Australia, and Japan.”

Oh, and speaking of Gene Simmons—I had to ask: how much would he charge Gene to see his own memorabilia?

John laughed. “Oh my God. Gene really enjoys this stuff. There’s so much he’s never seen before.”

John 5’s first meeting with Gene Simmons? Not exactly what you’d expect from a die-hard fan.

Picture this: a 14-year-old John 5, waiting outside the Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit, hoping to meet his rock god before a KISS show at Joe Louis Arena.

Gene walks past. No autograph. Nothing.

“So I jump in the elevator with him,” John says. “I hold out my booklet and marker, hoping for a signature.”

The elevator doors open to Gene’s floor. Gene finally looks at him.

“You want me to sign that?”

And what does young John 5 say?

“No, it’s okay.”

WHAT?!

“I was just so mad that he walked past me,” John laughs. “But yeah, that really happened.”

March 19 marks 43 years since we lost Randy Rhoads, and John 5 had nothing but praise for the legendary Ozzy Osbourne guitarist.

“Randy was an anomaly. He changed the game. It was like seeing the invention of the microwave or an electric car—something totally different that blew people’s minds.”

Randy didn’t just step into Ozzy’s band and carry on the Black Sabbath sound. He redefined it.

“That riff in Crazy Train? It’s gonna live forever.”

It's always great to get "5" on the show. 

It's a jam-packed episode of Talkin' Rock with three guests. 

Legendary Triumph frontman Rik Emmett is up first. His new book, Ten Telecators Tales drops on the 25th. He speaks about the book, why he wrote it, and more. We did talk about Triumph....the band's heyday, his strengths, and how I thought he never got the credit he deserved for his guitar playing. 

Always a treat to have Rik on the show!

Leigh Kakaty of Pop Evil is next. Their new album comes out on the 21st, called What Remains. Leigh said the struggle is what found its way into the writing of the record. “Our manager George called me up after a few songs and said, ‘Do you realize what you’re writing about?’” Leigh told me. “I hadn’t even thought about it. But when I went back and just read the lyrics—man, every song was about me, about the darkness I had buried. It was like my subconscious was writing the album before I even knew it.”

I asked him about that. He has such a cool life, so what could be so bad? “People don’t realize—yeah, my life looks amazing, but it comes with sacrifices,” he said. “You leave for months, come back, and it’s like people aren’t waiting around. They’re living their lives. And then you’re thrown back into normal life, trying to figure out where you fit in. It’s a mental challenge.”

Finally, it's radio legend and host of the show Metal Shop, Charlie "The Butcher" Kendall. The show was on the air from the mid-80s through the early 90s, and now it's back. Charlie talks about how the show began, and the spark that marks its return. He's spent many decades up and down the radio dial and has the stories to share. 

I listened to Metal Shop religiously as a kid, so this was a thrill for me. To speak with the man behind the show was a full-circle radio moment for sure. 

-Meltdown-