Always great to catch up with drummer Tommy Clufetos, and this time was no different. He played in Ozzy's band for the Back to the Beginning concert, so I had to ask him about that. I mean, the chance to play Ozzy's last concert is an unreal assignment. Tommy talked about being there with fellow Detroiter Chad Smith, who also played during the day. He said he and Chad watched Black Sabbath from the side of the stage. We also talked about his new music, which smokes! Straight-aheads no BS rock! I...
Jul 18, 2025•20 min
Two great artists, one mediocre host - it's Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. I just realized I opened by saying this is "the final" episode of Talkin' Rock. That's because I'm on vacation next week. There will be more! Sometimes my brain doesn't work right when I'm staring down the barrel of 10 days off! Ok, here we go.... Up first, it's drumming legend, Vinny Appice. You can catch him live at Uncle Sam Jam on July 11th with his band, Sabbath Knights, which we discussed. We talk about his time in Bla...
Jul 03, 2025•54 min
Wolfgang Van Halen returns to Talkin' Rock. We discuss is latest song and video, The End. It's horror-themed, so we had to talk about horror movies a little bit. He told me why he isn't going to the final Black Sabbath show, how he works on his music in the studio, and more. To close out the episode, it's John Jackson from the Bon Scott estate. It was interesting talking to John about how he got his job, working with the legendary AC/DC, seeing some recent shows, and a special concert coming up ...
Jun 27, 2025•35 min
It's a triple bill of singers on this episode of Talkin' Rock. Scott Stapp starts us off as he talks about Creed hitting the big stages again. He spoke about how it was for him personally and professionally. His latest solo album is stellar, and he just released a new single called 'Deadman's Trigger'. He says something cool is coming from the single in the future. We also talked about their trip to the Indy 500, being a grandpa, and more. Next, it's Eric Vanlerberghe from I Prevail. What's it l...
Jun 20, 2025•47 min
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 thr...
Jun 06, 2025•34 min
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'...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 wh...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 20 min
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. Far...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 4 min
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 Coope...
May 02, 2025•37 min
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 h...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 16 min
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 ...
Apr 04, 2025•52 min
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...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 8 min
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 li...
Mar 21, 2025•27 min
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 ...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 32 min
On this episode of Talkin' Rock, Tobias Forge - the man behind Ghost - is my first guest. The new album, Skeleta, drops on April 25th with a massive tour after that. One that includes playing the famous Madison Square Garden. He spoke with me about what a dream come true that is. Of course, we discuss the album and the new track, Satanized. The video is wild, too, as they unveil the new Papa. The band is also part of the Back To The Begining Black Sabbath concert. He talked about the honor of be...
Mar 07, 2025•33 min
Wednesday 13 starts us up on this episode. His new album, Mid Death Crisis, drops on April 25th. I had to get 13 on the show for a few reasons, including that he's a huge horror movie fan like myself. Yes, we did talk a little horror. I also wanted him to talk about the new album and tour. The first single, "When The Devil Commands" is a crunchy horror-rock shredder. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album, which includes a track he did with Faster Pussycat's Taime Downe. He also told me abou...
Feb 28, 2025•49 min
I had a chance to talk with Kenny Wayne Shepherd about his upcoming 2025 Tour with Experience Hendrix , a fresh album with blues legend Bobby Rush, and the 30th anniversary of his breakout record, Ledbetter Heights . Oh, and let’s not forget his obsession with muscle cars. The Experience Hendrix Tour: A Shredder’s Dream KWS is heading back to Detroit on March 22nd for the Experience Hendrix show at the legendary Fox Theatre. If you’ve never been to one of these gigs, imagine the ultimate guitar ...
Feb 21, 2025•27 min
What's better than talking to Dorothy ? Talking to her on Valentine's Day! It was nice of the singer/songwriter to give me some time to talk about her upcoming album 'The Way'. The album comes out on March 14th, but the buzz is already building as she's released a few down-and-dirty blues-based rockers off of it. As far as the title is concerned, Dorothy said, "The name came to me, and I highlighted it when I was reading (the Bible). That's the title track, and that's the name of the album." She...
Feb 14, 2025•23 min
If you don't know John McDermott, he's been the guardian of Jimi Hendrix's musical legacy for nearly 30 years. He's the kind of guy with stories you can't Google, insights you can't fake, and a lot of passion for preserving one of rock's greatest icons. We talked about everything from Hendrix's unreleased gems to their upcoming Experience Hendrix tour coming to the Fox Theatre on March 22nd. The Magic of the Fox Theatre First, McDermott talked about his upcoming concert at the Fox Theatre. John ...
Feb 07, 2025•25 min
Marty Friedman is playing the Token Lounge on Friday, January 31st, but first, he spoke with me on numerous topics. His latest book is called Dreaming Japanese . In the book, he talks about the highs and lows of playing in a monstrous band like Megadeth, leaving and starting over in a foreign land. He said he read other autobiographies to give himself a clearer look at what he wanted his to be like. “I got a feel as a reader of what I wanted to read myself. And as a result, I wound up being flat...
Jan 31, 2025•23 min
Two gifted singer/songwriters are on Talkin' Rock this week. Up first it's Hardy. His new album "Live From Red Rocks" drops on February 7th. As he told me, it's a career-spanning live look at his career. We also talked about his early musical influences, which included a lot of nu-metal bands from the early 2000s. He also told me about one rock legend he'd love to work with...and it's a great choice! Count me as a fan of Hardy's and the second guest on the episode in Chris Daughtry. An excellent...
Jan 24, 2025•32 min
Kicking off 2025 with an interview with John Gallagher of Raven. They have a new EP coming out on February 14th. It features five new songs and three live tracks, all from different decades. He told me about the songs, and one he said is the heaviest song Raven has ever done. John also told me they're well into working on new music, so it sounds like they have a lot of material ready to go. We discussed their early tours, taking Metallica on the raid, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and the...
Jan 17, 2025•29 min
It's another packed episode, thanks for listening! Ace Frehley starts us off. He's playing Soaring Eagle on the 29th, the last gig of the year for him. That show is with Stephen Pearcy of RATT. He told me he's working on his next album, Origins 3. We talked about the crazy drones flying around by his house. We also talked about the days of KISS and how big they were here in Detroit and Michigan. Ace is so much fun to talk to. Legend! Bumblefoot is up next, with his new album dropping on January ...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 27 min
The guys from Three Days Grace dropped a new single today called 'Mayday'. That's the start of what they have going on. Drummer, Neil Sanderson joined the show to discuss the single, bringing Adam Gontier back into the band, and more. He also told me about the record label he co-owns with producing legend, Howard Benson. Wolfgang Van Halen is up second. He came through Detroit with 3 Doors Down and Creed, so we talked for a few minutes before soundcheck. He told me about playing at the Rock Hall...
Nov 22, 2024•36 min
Again, lots happening on this episode of Talkin' Rock with Meltdown. Jerry Horton of Papa Roach is first. We discuss their 2025 plans. Tour, new music, and more. He speaks to playing Detroit, trouble the band may have gotten into on tour, and playing with a marching band on stage in Columbus, Ohio. That's just for starters. Michael Starr has the honors next. "Feel The Steel" is 15 years old and the band is celebrating. They're heading back out on tour and playing a song they wrote with Chad from...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min
What a fun conversation. The topics with Paul included the new box set release on November 8th, some big gigs they played here in the States, the last-ever concert in their hometown, the documentary ‘THE TRAGICALLY HIP: NO DRESS REHEARSAL’, and more. It was truly an honor to speak with Paul; he was very candid and interesting. If you get the chance, the documentary is well worth the watch! Give this a listen and crank up some HIP!
Nov 08, 2024•37 min
Two frontmen on today's Talkin' Rock Podcast. First up, it's Bobby Amaru from Saliva. It's his time of year since he's all inked up with horror movie characters. We discuss Halloween, some of his favorite scary movies, and more. The band is dropping a new song called "Time Bomb" on November 1st. He tells me about that and working with Howard Benson. We talk about the legacy of guitarist Wayne Swinny, on what would've been his 61st birthday. Bobby talks about keeping his spirit alive, and how muc...
Oct 31, 2024•57 min
Jamie Madrox, one-half of the iconic horrorcore duo Twiztid , is no stranger to busy schedules and big creative shifts. In a recent conversation with Meltdown, the rapper-turned-rocker discussed everything from Twiztid's new album to the highly anticipated House of Krazees reunion shows to how working with Rob Zombie's producer Zeus has taken their music to another level. As Halloween approaches, a special time of year for Madrox and his crew, the energy is palpable. "We live for this kind of th...
Oct 28, 2024•30 min
Two great conversations, one mediocre podcast! LOL Scott Stevens is up first. The Exies are back together and touring. They play the Machine Shop on November 9th. Since the band disbanded 15 years ago, Scott's worked with everyone from Shinedown to Dorothy, to Halestorm, and more. He has some great stories to tell about writing and producing some great rock artists. Up next, it's Al Pitrelli from T.S.O. He plays on the west coast version of the band. Al's played in many projects and has lots of ...
Oct 18, 2024•52 min
This is a special Riff Fest wrap-up. Before the bands took to the stage of Pine Knob, they spoke with me. I spoke with Sully from Godsmack, Cullen of Sleep Theory, Cody and Briton of Wage War, James and Sam from Asking Alexandria, and Dale from Seether. A huge thank you to each of the bands for talking with me and taking the time to meet with WRIF listeners beforehand. One of the great things about my job is that I get to share these experiences with people who otherwise wouldn't get the chance....
Oct 07, 2024•57 min
