Podcast # 231: Irish

Well it is St. Paddy's day again and you know what that means, our annual visit from rock's most notorious leprechaun, Jose McLucky.  Well, if that ain't enough to grab ya, then join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss some of their favorite Irish hard rock and heavy metal bands.  Who will they chose as their fave?  Tune in to find out.  Next the boys chatted with new comers Animal Drive.  Ragman checked in with vocalist Dino Jelusic, to discuss the band's debut album Bite!, as well as what it is like to be a member of TSO.  This one is not to be missed!

DVD of the Show:  Cheap Trick - Silver

Beer of the Show:  Founder's CBS  Beer Rating: 3.5

Featured Tracks:  Savage Hands - Red, Allegaeon - Animate, Cheap Trick - She's Tight, Riverdogs - American Dream, Thin Lizzy - Cold Sweat, Gary Moore - Out in the Fields, WASP - Jack Action, The Answer - Gone Too Long, Animal Drive - Goddamn Marathon, Tower of Lies (I Walk Alone), Hand of Time, Had Enough

Ragman's Classic of the Show:  Stone Fury - Don't Tell me Why

Genghis' Classic of the Show:  Van Halen - Jaime's Cryin'

Ragman's Pick of the Show:  Labyrinth - Still Alive

Genghis' Pick of the Show:  Angra - Traveler's of Time

-Ragman is wondering what Jon put in his beer to make it green.  Note: This podcast is dedicated to the memory of my favorite Vato Loco - Claude Garcia.  RIP my friend. 

Podcast #231: Irish

Podcast # 230: Movie

Have you ever wondered what concept album would be a great movie?  Would it be King Diamond's Abigail, or Queensrÿche's Operation: Mindcrime? The debate could go on forever we're sure, but join Genghis & Ragman as they ponder to see which one of their favorite concept records would make the best movie.

Next, the boys met up with former Lynch Mob vocalist Oni Logan for a fireside chat. Oni discussed Lynch Mob's latest record The Brotherhood as well as the band's upcoming tour. HORNS UP!

Editor's Note: This interview was conducted with Oni prior to his departure from Lynch Mob.

DVD of the Show: Dirkschneider - Back to the Roots: Accepted!

Beer of the Show: Gulden Draak - Calvados (Brouwerij Van Steenberge)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 3.5	"It may not need cellaring, being barrel-aged, but this stout is absolutely outstanding."

Featured Tracks: Skarlett Riot - Break; Accept - Neon Nights (Live); Kamelot - Insomnia; Mystic Prophecy - I'm Still Standing (Elton John cover); WASP - Dr. Rocktor; King Diamond - Welcome Home; Lynch Mob - Believers of the Day, I'll Take Miami, Where We Started, Last Call Lady, & Sweet Sister Mercy

Ragman's Classic of the Show: Thunderhead - Down in Desperation

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Scorpions - Big City Nights

Raman's Pick of the Show: Eisley/Goldy - Lies I Can Live With

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Trivium - The Heart From Your Hate

- Ragman loves the Mob and hopes Oni finds his way back at some point in the near future...

Podcast #230: Movie

Animal Drive - Bite!

Well, I just found my favorite new band and they're called Animal Drive.  Hailing from Zagreb, Croatia this 4 piece is set to take over the hard rock/metal world.  Animal Drive is part of Frontiers' New Breed family, which will be showcasing new talent.  Man, if this is the type of music that we're going to get from this New Breed part of the label, then count me in. 

Animal Drive was brought to the label by Jeff Scott Soto, after he met vocalist Dino Jelusik, whilst touring with T.S.O.  Thanks Jeff!  This band, may have one of the heaviest sounds on the label.  They are full on hard rock, with some progressive and modern elements.  Imagine Pink Cream 69 mixed with Bullet for My Valentine.  Don't get me wrong, they're not quite that heavy, but close.  Their songs focus on melody, but pack a metallic punch. 

The Band's debut record Bite!, is solid from start to finish.  The album has a nice variety and keeps you interested for the whole musical ride.  The first song to grab me was Tower of Lies (I Walk Alone), which is the 2nd single and video.  The song starts with a killer Skid Row type riff, that is punctuated with a nice Zakk Wylde type diminished harmonic.  The song has a great groove and Jelusic's killer vocals, take it over the edge.  Jelusic has this killer Russell Allen meets Jorn Lande meets David Readman type vibe.  Let's just say the guy is talented.  If that weren't enough, then the killer soloing by guitarist Ivan Keller will send you over the edge.  His solo in this tune if friggin awesome.

This album is full of killer riffs that will have you air guitar-ing like a maniac.  Bite! is all killer and no filler.  If you dig a great power ballad, if you can call it that, then Hands of Time, has your name all over it.  It starts off like a ballad, before it kicks into this killer Pink Cream type riff, which takes the tune to a new level.  I love how this band can mix the heavy with the melody, which is what this song is all about.  The killer riff the killer chorus, and finish with the killer solo.  What else is there.  Bite is chock full of these elements which will make it one of my early faves for album of the year.  This one is a must folks!

Bottom Line: A new band, that is doing it better than the veterans.  A stellar debut from an up and comer.  Good luck lads!

Standout Tracks: Tower of Lies (I Walk Alone), Hands of Time, Fade Away, Had Enough

-Ragman has hope for the future of hard rock and heavy metal.

Pat Torpey (1953 - 2018)

Godspeed, Mr. Torpey.As huge fans of Mr. Big, we are saddened to hear about the passing of one of its founding members, Mr. Pat Torpey, who reportedly passed away on Wednesday due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. We were fortunate enough to see him play on their latest tour, where he was able to get onstage and continue to entertain audiences as he liked to do for over 30 years. Pat left a great legacy for his fans to enjoy, and we'll likely be doing a tribute to him and his work soon.

So raise a glass to the man, and give him a big horns up. And if you're interested in assisting research for Parkinson's, please feel free to do so here.

- Genghis is pretty bummed right now...

Podcast #229: Mulligan

Don't take them for some average TexMex blues band. Sons of Texas are bad ass, baby.If an artist had the choice to take one record out of their catalog do you think they'd do it? Would they ask for a mulligan? We think some artists would say "yeah, please make that one go away". So, join Genghis & Ragman as they discuss some of their favorite artists and the albums that should have never have been released.

Next, the boys check in with Sons of Texas guitarist Jes De Hoyos for a heart to heart. Jes dives into the band's latest release Forged by Fortitude, as well as details of their current tour. And if that weren't enough, the boys have included an extended beer segment featuring an in-depth interview with one of Brash Brewery's brewmasters, Allen Schneider. This is a mega episode, so grab a twelve pack, some grub, and enjoy.

DVD of the Show: Kix - Live in Baltimore

Beer of the Show: Hammer Smashed Face (Brash Brewery)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 4.0	"Those mad geniuses at Brash make some of the best stouts around - and this barrel-aged Russian Imperial is AMAZING!"

2nd Beer of the Show: Shotgun Wedding Brown Ale (Country Boy Brewing Company)
	Appearance: 4.0 Aroma: 4.0 Palate: 4.0 Taste: 4.0 Overall: 2.5	"Country Boy's description of this brown ale reads much better than it tastes. It's not bad at all, just disappointing."

Featured Tracks: Polaris - Remedy; Kix - Cold Blood; Tankard - Die With a Beer; The New Black - The Beer of No Return; AC/DC - Have a Drink on Me; Lou DiBello - Heat Wave; Metallica - Moth Into Flame; Judas Priest - Locked In; Dream Theater - Solitary Shell; Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Want to Stop; Sons of Texas - Baptized by the Rio Grande, Slam With the Lights On, Feed the Need, Cast in Stone, Beneath the Riverbed & Breathing Through My Wounds

Genghis' Classic of the Show: Dream Theater - Under a Glass Moon

Ragman's Classic of the Show: Loudness - The Lines are Down

Genghis' Pick of the Show: Angel Vivaldi - Synapse

Ragman's Pick of the Show: Savage Messiah - Fearless

Editor's Note:  I know, I know, it's been awhile. We said we'd be posting sooner, but shit happens! Sorry guys. That said, we have a super deluxe version of the show that should not be missed.

- Ragman is embarrassed about how long it took to get this show up...

Podcast #229: Mulligan