The Rock and Metal Profs

This week Matt chats with writer, editor, publisher and music fan Tommy Ellis.  In Tommy's longtime role as a magazine editor and publisher, he's had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest names in rock and metal music over his career.  He's also an avid fan of music documentaries.  Matt and Tommy discuss both well-known and more obscure can't-miss rockumentaries and their impact on fans and the bands.

Well, you knew we were going to circle back to DIO.  We couldn't possibly cover such an iconic artist with such an illustrious career in one episode.  Court and Matt discuss RJD's career, catalog, history, philosophy and various bandmates.  

The Profs examine the tragic death of Bon Scott, the band soldiering on, Brian Johnson's humble beginnings, and the band becoming bigger than anyone could have ever imagined with "Back in Black", "For Those About to Rock" and "Flick of the Switch."  The band that defied all expectations, genres and cultural conventions, AC/DC!

One of the most downloaded episodes in the show's history, we underestimated just how many people around the world LOVE AC/DC!  The profs discuss the band's early lack of success in their home country of Australia, blowing up in England and the US, and their irrerressible desire to make it big no matter what obstacles they encountered.   

The Profs discuss the history and philosophy of the progenitors of an entire genre of music, the great Black Sabbath.  Recorded a few years prior to Ozzy's passing, Matt and Court cover the early history of the band's roots in Birmingham and just how transformative Sabbath was in terms of music, imagery, themes and culture.  

The Profs discuss the rise of the guitar virtuoso in the 70s and 80s.  From Ritchie Blackmore to EVH, Randy Rhoads and Yngwie, the rock and metal genre boasts the greatest guitar players ever to grace the earth.  This is going to be a fun one!

Court and Matt discuss Seattle metal pioneers Queensryche.  When this quintet hit the music scene in the early 80s with their 4-song EP, fans knew they were going to be special.  With a unique prog sound, soaring vocals and technical guitar and drum work, they were an instance success within the metal community.  The Profs discuss the band's history, the greatest concept album of all time, and the band's philosophy as they've endured changing lineups and the fickle music business.  

The Profs discuss hardcore metal act Body Count and the impact Ice T. and his bandmates made when they hit the scene in the early-90s.  From the beginning the band stoked controversy, built a devoted following, endured repeated attacks from politicians and bigots, and persevered over time to become a mainstay at metal festivals into the 2020s. 

Matt is joined by long-time friends and hardcore RUSH fans, Chris Christianson and Dr. Reynaldo Rojo Mendoza.  The trio have a fun conversation about when they discovered RUSH, what the band meant to them, live concerts they attended, and the passing of the world's greatest percussionist, the Professor Neil Peart.  

Road warrior, bassist, songwriter and founding member of Spread Eagle Rob De Luca joins the Profs to talk about the current incarnation of the band, his time with rock legends UFO, and touring with Sebastian Bach.