HARDY is my latest Talkin' Rock guest. You might be saying to yourself, isn't he a country guy? Well, you're half right. 

His latest album has a lot of rock influence, including a guest appearance from Jeremy McKinnon on a shredder called "Radio Song". How was that collaboration born? "Dude, I just slide into the DMs...haha" He went onto tell me it was a simple as that. "I've got a song I'd love for you to hear...I sent it over and the rest is history."

Personally, 'the mockingbird & The Crow' is one of my favorite albums of the year. We talked about the country/rock elements of the stuff he'd written. He explained to me how that idea of the split record was developed. How about meeting some of his rock heroes from his high school days. "Growing up a big rock n roll guy, it's crazy to become friends with some of the guys I grew up listening to."

He talked about his "overnight" success, that took 8 years. "Man, I was grinding for a long time." 

The single "Jack" was a #1 song on rock radio. "I still can't believe that I have one." He explained the song as well. Yes, it's a song about Jack, but much more. 

He also has a resemblance to Detroit's own Kid Rock. Rock fed me a couple things to ask him.....he told me a funny story about a trip to Thailand. 

Enkoy!

-Meltdown-

https://hardyofficial.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

Josh Todd is the latest guest on Talkin' Rock, as Buckcherry is playing Uncle Sam Jam on July 7th. Before they do, they be at Rock City Music Company the day before doing a special meet and greet with fans. All the details are here. 

Just like so many rockers, Josh is sober. Unlike so many rockers, he sobered up before his career took off. He told me about living "really fast" early in his life. There was a couple things that pointed him towards a clean life. When asked if he credits his career with his sobriety, he responded "Absolutely...number one on my list. Without that I've got nothing."

He told me about the latest album, Vol 10. He talked about doing "guerilla writing sessions". As far as the writing process he said "We just do whatever's best for the song, ya know." referring to writing with the group and producer Marty Fredrickson. Josh talked about a few certain songs, and some dark places he was at while writing these songs. Why did they cover Bryan Adams' "Summer of 69"? He answers that question too. One song he said was there "Hysteria" from Def Leppard.

He brought up perfect albums, so I asked him to name some of his favorites. 

He also talked about racing go-carts, playing tennis, and the live version of "Crazy Bitch" they do, which is pretty cool. 

Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

https://rockcitymusicco.com/

What an honor to have Stewart Copeland on Talkin' Rock! 

The new album 'The Police Deranged for Orchestra' comes out this Friday, June 23rd.  In a nutshell, he took massive Police songs and rearranged them with an orchestra and some singers. He talked about the process of making this album and what songs turned out the furthest from the original. He added that he can do this to these songs, because they're his. "I feel a sense of ownership, a sense of impunity. If we hired someone to orchestrate these, they would be very polite." He wasn't so polite.

We talked about one of his soundtracks to a movie that was hugely inspirational to me as a young budding radio guy, Talk Radio. He gives away the ending, so skip that part if you haven't watched it. :)

He talked about the Jeff Beck project he did about 23 years ago. I asked him if that will ever come out. "Probably not." He went into more detail on why that will never see the light of day.

What's it like to play behind Sting and then switch to Les Claypool? "Oh, my God...very, very different." What about his relationship with Neil Peart. "He was a great man. A tower of strength and wisdom." He had some great stories of jamming with him and other legendary drummers. 

We wrapped up the conversation by asking him about the band Scrantonicity from the TV show The Office. His answer was the most surprising of not only this interview, but of any interview I've done in recent memory. 

-Meltdown-

https://www.stewartcopeland.net/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

It was so much fun to have Brock, Ava, Ben and Lucas from Frame 42 join me in studio, along with legendary producer, Toby Wright.

We talk about what it's like for a young band to work with someone with the background Toby has. They tell me about their upcoming EP, some summertime plans, what their single "Ramona" is about and lots more. Toby talks about how hard working and talented the band was to work with and much more.

Rock band Frame 42, in studio with Meltdown and Toby Wright...

-Meltdown-

https://www.frame42.com/

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

The new album from Janet Gardner and Justin James is out. "No Strings" is their latest effort. Janet talks about the writing and recording process and much more. "We always like to do music that is relatable to people's everyday lives." She hopes they've  inspired and empowered people through their music. She said one song had 45 mixes!! "We're really proud of this album."

She told me about how she does her vocals, by herself, which she loves. "I take the best part from each take and put it together."

We talked about what she's doing now, parenthood. Plus, she told me about some of her vocal heroes.

I love talking to Janet....

-Meltdown-

Staind has a new record dropping this fall, and Mike Mushok was nice enough to hope on Zoom and tell me about it. Well, he told me what he could....you'll have to watch the interview to know what I mean.

Mike talks about the connection Staind and Godsmack have had for decades, as they get set to tour this summer. He talks about the first national show they actually played here in Detroit opening up for a local music legend.

We talk about the upcoming album, their first in 12 years. "Confessions of the Fallen" drops in late summer/early fall. Mike didn't have a specific date yet. He explained how the main lyric writer is singer, Aaron Lewis and that he doesn't even know what the lyrics are until far into the process. He told me about creating riffs and how he stores them in an 'ideas folder'.  As far as the record "I'm really happy with the way it turned out". He said it's a diverse album with more of an electric element to the new music.

We talked about making videos, dropping more new songs before the record comes out and more.

He also told me his thoughts on Aaron Lewis solo stuff. "I think whatever Aaron does is really good." He said that he had always hoped the band would get back together, but there just wasn't a plan. We discussed his thoughts when the band shut down, playing with Jason Newstead  and Saint Asonia filling the void. He said he wanted to write with other singers, which turned into Saint Asonia.

We talked about touring in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic. Find out why he says he looks back on the lockdown sort of fondly.

Always great to talk with Mike....

-Meltdown-

Something happened in this interview that's never happened with anyone I've talked to in over thirty years. More on that later. John is playing the new District 142 in Wyandotte coming up on July 12th.

We talked about his upcoming Live & Loud tour Tom Keifer and Winger. The last of which stops at the world famous Ryman Theater in Nashville, Tenn. "I can't say I won't drop to my knees and lick the spot where Elvis played." He talked about playing Detroit early on in his career with The Scream and talking to multiple radio stations back in the day.

John is back in the Dead Daisies. I asked him about the constant turnover in that band, since members come and go. He answered that and how he rejoined the band. "I'm honestly happy to be back. There's no bad blood between us." He talks about their new bassist, and how he dated his ex-wife. LOL. He goes way back with him. He spoke of the great respect he has for Glenn Hughes. "That guy is genuinely a freak. The fact that he still sings the way he sings is mindboggling to me." He talked about rehearsals with the band, and his crazy schedule around that.

Ok, about that thing earlier....he was getting tattooed while we were doing the interview. And, yes, he does show what he was getting. (on the video link at wrif.com/meltdown)

Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

Johnny Kelly of Quiet Riot is my latest Talkin' Rock with Meltdown guest. If you're in the Detroit area, the Quiet Riot guys are playing at Smugglers Run on June 9th.

We talk about his lighter tour schedule. He told me playing with QR is much different than he was used to playing with Type O Negative. He explained how they tour on a completely different circuit that is new to him. He recalled touring with Motley Crue in the mid-90s. "It was a tough tour for them" he said about the guys in Crue. He also shared some other tour horror stories.

As far as playing with a guy like Rudy Sarzo? "It's surreal". He went into what it's like to play with such a rock legend. He admitted he was somewhat start struck, but now has become a friend. Johnny also tells me what Jizzy Pearl is like. I've never had the chance to meet him before, so I'm looking forward to it.

Of course we had to talk a little hockey. He's a big hockey fan, so I had to ask him about his thoughts on the Stanley Cup playoffs. He also told me who he thinks the late Vinnie Paul would've been rooting for.

He's in a new band called Eye Am. How did that start? What's going on with that project? Johnny fills us in on all things about that band too.

Great to catch up with one of my favorite dudes!

-Meltdown-

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/

It's always great to talk with Corey Taylor. I'm a huge 

Producer Jay Ruston texted me about the album. He said many things, but we started by talking about how Corey is a one or two take guy. I asked him if he's just really prepared when he enters the studio. "I try to be, yeah." He said it's easier to do it that way for everyone involved. "It's better to know what you're doing then to go in blind." He talked about some producers who do many takes. "I like to do it fresh because it feels alive." 

As far as the album being darker and heavier "There are definitely some darker and heavier moments on it." He spoke to some of the songs that are on the album and how one in particular might shock some people. He said the band sounds killer, too. He also explained the cover art and how it's an homage to some of his heroes. 

He turns 50 this year, so I had to ask him his thoughts on that. "I think about it constantly." He said he still loves playing and performing in front of the fans.

We got into a little mask talk. He compared and contrasted wearing it and not. 

Oh, I had to get some KISS talk in there as well. LOL

Enjoy!

-Meltdown-

Wow! What a great conversation with Zacky Vengeance from Avenged Sevenfold. Their new record "Life Is But A Dream..." drops on June 2nd, and I'm very excited! The two tracks I've heard have blown me away!

He told me about the first couple shows. They haven't been on stage in about five years. "We have to put on a show that compliments the music, and do something different than we did before."

He talks about how every member of the band brings their creative thoughts to the table, nothing is off limits. We talked about the artwork and what went into creating that.

What keeps the four original members so tight after all these years. "We feed off of each others energy." He went into much more detail on this topic. Really interesting to hear his answer.

We got to talking about the album. Like I said, I CANNOT wait to hear the whole record. He had a ton to say about it. He talked about how these songs are everything but cliché. "It kinda puts you in a mood and vibe" as far as the opening single, Nobody is concerned. "We tried totally different things" when it comes to the other song they released called We Love You All. "Whatever we do sounds like Avenged Sevenfold." He talked a lot about how they really tried to test the barriers on this album. "We did it pure and true on this album"

He told me how they recorded the orchestral parts for the album on a very famous soundstage. "It took us an extra year and a half." We talked about the influences that shaped the record...you might be surprised.

That's just the tip of our conversation on the new album.

I also asked him about a funny story M. Shadows told me about a show early in their career, and about his favorite Beatle songs.

This is a GREAT listen! Enjoy.....

-Meltdown-

https://wrif.com/podcasts/talkin-rock-with-meltdown/