Why is a rock star hitting the road to tell stories instead of shredding? Chris chats with Grammy winner David Ellefson about his upcoming South American BASSTORY tour, the deep reasons behind his storyteller shows, and his time at the BACK TO THE BEGINNING concert. It’s a look behind the bass!

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BUY CHRIS AKIN’S BEST BOOKS HERE:

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NOTE: Everything said here, and on every episode of all of our shows, are 100% the opinions of the hosts. Nothing is stated as fact. Do your own research to see if their opinions are true or not.

#DavidEllefson, #BASSTORY, #Megadeth, #MetalInterview, #ChrisAkinPresents, #GrammyWinner, #StorytellerTour, #SouthAmericaTour, #MetalBassist, #BackToTheBeginning

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Why did one of the most influential guitarists in rock history spend decades running away from the very songs that made him a star? Was Sammy Hagar’s solo success actually the final nail in the coffin for Montrose’s legacy as a “classic rock staple”? Keith St. John joins Chris Akin to pull back the curtain on the creative differences, the “business moves” that defied logic, and what it really feels like to step into the vocal shoes of a legend. The real reason this band isn’t played every 30 minutes on the radio might not be what you think.

BUY MONTROSE GREATEST HITS HERE: https://amzn.to/4pDhnp2

- Why Montrose isn’t as big as Van Halen

- Ronnie Montrose vs. Sammy Hagar: The creative fallout

- Did Sammy Hagar “hijack” the Montrose fan base?

- 1999: The turning point for the “Retro” movement

- Playing note-for-note: The obsession with Ronnie’s tone

- The Van Morrison & Edgar Winter connection

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🎙️ ABOUT CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS... Hard Rock. Heavy Metal. No Filter. 🤘 Join legendary journalist Chris Akin daily for the most honest rants in the industry. From exclusive interviews with rock’s biggest icons to the “real talk” on cord-cutting, movies, and pop culture, Chris Akin Presents… is the home for fans who hate the mainstream script.

📺 WHAT WE COVER:

Heavyweight Interviews: Unfiltered chats with Hard Rock & Metal’s elite.

Pop Culture Rants: The truth about Movies, TV, and the streaming wars.

Cord Cutting: Navigating the modern media mess without getting ripped off.

Music News: The stories the labels don’t want you to focus on.

#ChrisAkin #HardRock #HeavyMetal #PopCulture #CordCutting #TheClassicMetalShow #MusicInterviews #Uncensored #RonnieMontrose #SammyHagar #KeithStJohn

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How would you react if the one thing that connects you to the world—your ability to walk—was stripped away in an instant? Most people see the prosthetic leg; they don't see the sweat, the blood, or the rotting sleeves that feel like "death" after three years of wear. Join Chris and Seth as they talk with Josh Green about the terrifying vulnerability of being manhandled in a hospital bed and why the hardest part of recovery isn't the physical pain, but the mental games your mind plays when you're at your lowest. Are you ready to stop standing next to the hurdle and finally run at it?– The "Death Smell": When Prosthetics Rot – Total Vulnerability: The Amputee’s Greatest Fear – 5,200 Staples & Face-Fulls of Blood – "I'm Not an Invalid": The InvaCare Chair Stand-Off – The Shoe Size Mystery: Why Your Limb Shrinks – Why "Peer Support" Beats a Shrink Every Time – Osseointegration: The Future of Metal in Your Bones🚀 SUPPORT THE SHOW:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@limpingoutofthefireFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/limpingoutofthefire/X: https://x.com/lotfshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/limpingoutofthefire🎙️ ABOUT LIMPING OUT OF THE FIRESurvival isn't just about staying alive; it's about what you do next. Join Chris Akin and Seth Williams as they share the raw, uncensored, and surprisingly funny reality of life after catastrophic injury. From a 69% body burn survival story to navigating life as an amputee, Chris and Seth provide a roadmap for anyone walking through their own fire.📺 WHAT WE COVER:Survival Stories: The harrowing details of the accidents that changed everything.The "Little Things": Practical life-hacks and advice for navigating recovery and disability.Medical Reality: The honest truth about surgeries, prosthetics, and the healthcare grind.Dark Humor & Hope: Finding the laughs in the toughest situations to keep moving forward.#SurvivalStories #BurnSurvivor #AmputeeLife #Resilience #LimpingOutOfTheFire #RecoveryJourney #Prosthetics #MentalHealth #ChrisAkin #SethWilliams

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Is the “British Wave” of Heavy Metal actually dead in its own home country? Most new bands are too afraid to challenge their idols, but what happens when a young group tells a legend like KK Downing that his ideas aren’t right for their record? Bones from Tailgunner joins Chris Akin to reveal the “road dirt” reality of winning over hostile crowds and why being “radio friendly” isn’t a dirty word in the underground anymore. The truth about the “Midnight Blitz” is finally exposed.

On This Episode:

* The Death of “Pure” British Heavy Metal

* Working with KK Downing: Legend vs. Reality

* Winning Over Hostile Crowds (The WASP Experience)

* The Personal Sacrifice Behind “Eye of the Storm”

* The 2026 Tour: Hammerfall, Fozzy, and the Mainstream Crossover

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🎙️ ABOUT CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS... Hard Rock. Heavy Metal. No Filter. 🤘 Join legendary journalist Chris Akin daily for the most honest rants in the industry. From exclusive interviews with rock’s biggest icons to the “real talk” on cord-cutting, movies, and pop culture, Chris Akin Presents… is the home for fans who hate the mainstream script.

📺 WHAT WE COVER:

* Heavyweight Interviews: Unfiltered chats with Hard Rock & Metal’s elite.

* Pop Culture Rants: The truth about Movies, TV, and the streaming wars.

* Cord Cutting: Navigating the modern media mess without getting ripped off.

* Music News: The stories the labels don’t want you to focus on.

#ChrisAkin #HardRock #HeavyMetal #PopCulture #CordCutting #TheClassicMetalShow #MusicInterviews #Uncensored #Tailgunner #KKDowning #NWOBHM

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

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Think you’ve heard the worst AC/DC cover in history? You haven’t seen anything until you witness the mainstream media trying to prop up a “legend” while a literal toddler out-shines them with zero effort. Why is the industry lying to you about what “real” talent looks like? Neeley and Chris expose the lackluster garbage being sold as rock and roll and ask the question: has the bar finally hit the floor?

– The 4-Year-Old “Rocker” Taking Over Australia– Alex vs. AC/DC: A Toddler’s “Long Way To The Top”– Why Eddie Money is a Total Fraud– “The Real” Geoff Tate’s Wine Snobbery Reaches Peak Insanity– “Real Music”: Tate Despises His Own Metal Legacy

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🤘 THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW: Unfiltered. Unapologetic. Since 1996, THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW has caused global chaos. Neeley and Chris deliver the best “shock jock” radio today—a scorched-earth look at pop culture, sex, and the 80s Hard Rock we live for.

THE LINEUP: We dive deep into the legends: Motley Crue, Metallica, Judas Priest, Poison, Metal Church, Dokken, Lynch Mob, Journey, Ratt, and our favorite target, Eddie Trunk.

🔗 GET THE REAL SHOW AT: 👉 www.theclassicmetalshow.com

TO ALL OUR LOYAL FCKIES: You know the deal. If you aren’t a pssy, subscribe for the highlights and head to the site for the raw truth. HAIL & KILL! F*CK YOU, PAL! HANDJOB! 🖕

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Is the new Anaconda movie a high-stakes thriller or just another piece of low-budget streaming fodder? Most people saw the trailer and immediately wrote it off as a joke, but is there a layer of self-aware humor that everyone is missing? Chris Akin breaks down why this "reboot" isn't what it seems and why the measly $9,000 budget might be the best thing about it. You’ll have to hear his final rating to know if this belongs on your watchlist or in the trash.Timestamps00:00 The Truth About Jack Black 01:25 Why I Can't Stop Watching Creature Features 02:05 The Trailer Lied To You 03:12 Plot Twist: A $9,000 Movie Budget? 04:40 Performance Review: Paul Rudd vs. Steve Zahn🚀 SUPPORT THE SHOW:Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/c/cmsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@classicmetalshowLocals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.comSubstack: https://cmspn.substack.comX: https://www.x.com/cmsrocks🎙️ ABOUT CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS... Hard Rock. Heavy Metal. No Filter. 🤘 Join legendary journalist Chris Akin daily for the most honest rants in the industry. From exclusive interviews with rock’s biggest icons to the "real talk" on cord-cutting, movies, and pop culture, Chris Akin Presents… is the home for fans who hate the mainstream script.📺 WHAT WE COVER:Heavyweight Interviews: Unfiltered chats with Hard Rock & Metal’s elite.Pop Culture Rants: The truth about Movies, TV, and the streaming wars.Cord Cutting: Navigating the modern media mess without getting ripped off.Music News: The stories the labels don't want you to focus on.#ChrisAkin, #HardRock, #HeavyMetal, #PopCulture, #CordCutting, #TheClassicMetalShow, #MusicInterviews, #Uncensored, #AnacondaMovie, #JackBlack, #PaulRudd, #MovieReview, #TubiOriginals

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

“He took his belt off and started whipping him like a slave!”

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Bro, the world has officially gone off the rails! First, we’re talking about Belgian kids smuggling 5,000 ants out of Kenya because people apparently want to EAT them? Then, we head to Pittsburgh where a PNC Park vendor literally took off his belt and started WHOOPING a fan like it was 1965. Neely and Chris dive into the insanity of the “Nairobi Ants” and why Pittsburgh is becoming a war zone for fans and “fat wives.” 🤘🔥😂

Want tomorrow’s episode TODAY + VIP exclusives + daily AI news pods with ZERO ads? One $4.99 subscription unlocks it all, everywhere: ► Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com► Substack: https://cmspn.substack.com/subscribe ► Rumble Premium: https://rumble.com/premium/theclassicmetalshow

TIMESTAMPS: 00:01:22 - Smuggling insects? 00:02:05 - The $7,700 ant fine. 00:06:06 - People actually EAT these things? 00:11:48 - Pittsburgh Pirates employee vs. Spitting Fan. 00:17:26 - THE BELT COMES OFF. 00:30:10 - Worst baseball commentary in history. 00:34:34 - Record-breaking drug busts in Illinois.

Rock the gear: https://classicmetalshow.creator-spring.com/

Chris’s books:

Call Me Chris → https://amzn.to/44TDIZ4 Little Victories → https://amzn.to/43A143y …AND OTHER THINGS I SHOULD NOT SAY… → https://amzn.to/3SRP3Bq

QUESTION: Would you pay $7k for a plate of ants or take the year in a Kenyan prison? Let’s hear it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

Think you know what “Real Metal” sounded like in 2025? While the mainstream media was busy worshipping the same three legacy bands, a massive shift was happening underground that most fans completely missed. Why has Chris Akin officially turned his back on the “Hair Metal” classics that built the industry? And which “forgotten” thrash legends are currently embarrassing the Big Four in terms of pure intensity? The answer to who took the #1 spot might make you rethink your entire playlist.

Timestamps

* (00:00:20) Why 2025 Was a “Disaster” (But Great for Metal)

* (00:01:50) The Death of Hair Metal: Why I’m Officially Bored

* (00:15:00) Tokyo Blade: The Return of the NWOBHM Underdog

* (00:31:40) Helloween: Can They Survive the “Three Singer” Hype?

* (00:35:20) Why Testament Is Currently Killing the “Big Four”

* (00:38:45) The Most Underrated Band in Metal: My #1 of 2025

🚀 SUPPORT THE SHOW:

* Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/c/cms

* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@classicmetalshow

* Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com

* Substack:

* X: https://www.x.com/cmsrocks

🎙️ ABOUT CHRIS AKIN PRESENTS... Hard Rock. Heavy Metal. No Filter. 🤘 Join legendary journalist Chris Akin daily for the most honest rants in the industry. From exclusive interviews with rock’s biggest icons to the “real talk” on cord-cutting, movies, and pop culture, Chris Akin Presents… is the home for fans who hate the mainstream script.

📺 WHAT WE COVER:

* Heavyweight Interviews: Unfiltered chats with Hard Rock & Metal’s elite.

* Pop Culture Rants: The truth about Movies, TV, and the streaming wars.

* Cord Cutting: Navigating the modern media mess without getting ripped off.

* Music News: The stories the labels don’t want you to focus on.

#ChrisAkin #HardRock #HeavyMetal #PopCulture #CordCutting #TheClassicMetalShow #MusicInterviews #Uncensored #Testament #Whitechapel #KillswitchEngage #Helloween #Ektomorph #ThrashMetal #Deathcore

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe

“Nobody is enjoying going to your screen and working their way between Star Wars crap and, um, whatever is on there—DC or Marvel...”

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Disney has a “convoluted problem”. They bought Hulu, assumed they could just “suck it in” , and instead, they’ve created a tech nightmare that’s confusing even for the “techies”. If you signed up through Hulu and added Disney+, you’re getting the boot. You have to cancel your old account and start over because Disney can’t figure out their own back-end. It’s corporate idiocy at its finest, and Chris Akin is over it.

01:17 – The merge nightmare 04:53 – The specific add-ons that are DYING 06:46 – Why the “slow build” is hurting the brand

Want tomorrow’s episode TODAY + VIP exclusives + daily AI news pods with ZERO ads? One $4.99 subscription unlocks it all, everywhere:

► Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com ► Substack: https://cmspn.substack.com/subscribe ► Rumble Premium: https://rumble.com/premium/theclassicmetalshow

Want the throwback episode + live chat? Full version on Rumble → https://rumble.com/c/theclassicmetalshow

Are you keeping your Disney sub after this mess, or are you heading back to Tubi?

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[Sponsor: Blackout Coffee - https://www.blackoutcoffee.com?p=BoNofhazE → Code CHRIA20 for 20% off]

Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals! Chris Akin is back and someone just got the boot right before Santa arrived. Nazareth officially kicked Carl Sentance to the curb, and Chris is losing his mind over the “cold, ugly cut.” No “future endeavors,” no “we wish him well,” just GTFO. Plus, Chris asks the real question: Who the hell is actually buying a ticket to a Carl Sentence solo show?! 💀🤘

Want tomorrow’s episode TODAY + VIP exclusives + daily AI news pods with ZERO ads? One $4.99 subscription unlocks it all, everywhere:

► Locals: https://classicmetalshow.locals.com ► Substack: https://cmspn.substack.com/subscribe ► Rumble Premium: https://rumble.com/premium/theclassicmetalshow

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - The Xmas Firing Tradition 01:14 - Nazareth dumps Carl Sentence for Gianni Pontillo 02:43 - The brutal, “cold” statement from Pete Agnew 04:46 - Chris destroys Carl’s 2026 solo tour plans 06:12 - The 2026 “Air Tank” Tour

Rock the gear: https://classicmetalshow.creator-spring.com/

Chris’s books that started half the fights in metal:

Call Me Chris → https://amzn.to/44TDIZ4 Little Victories → https://amzn.to/43A143y …AND OTHER THINGS I SHOULD NOT SAY… → https://amzn.to/3SRP3Bq

Is there ANY singer from a classic band you’d actually pay to see solo if they weren’t a household name?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cmspn.substack.com/subscribe