Michael's Record Collection (Michael Citro)

This week's show is a little different. I'm discussing Journey's iconic 1981 "Escape" album with David Rohe and we're giving out song rankings from the album. Dave was the very first Michael's Record Collection Patreon supporter and I've known him for many years. We had a great time dissecting a classic record from the early 80s track by track and then ranking the songs to see how our lists compared. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Styx founder and former frontman Dennis DeYoung is a force of nature and so setting up 30 minutes to talk to him about his new album quickly turns into an hour and 15 minutes of talking about life and death, religion, his departure from Styx, and so much more. I enjoyed hearing about his excellent farewell album (we should all sound so good at age 74) and I hope you will too, along with all the other topics he covered. 

Find out more about Dennis at his website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

The legendary God of Hellfire himself, Arthur Brown, is still going strong at age 80. Arthur is releasing a new album Oct. 21 called Monster's Ball. Just in time for spooky season, Brown's latest album mixes humor and terror and features a host of fantastic guest musicians. He was kind enough to spend some time with me to talk about the new release, how he came to choose some of the songs, his work with such artists as Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, the Alan Parsons Project, and Carl Palmer, hanging out at the UFO Club with the likes of Pink Floyd, and his musical beginnings. Big thanks to Arthur for his time. This interview was a real treat. To learn more about Arthur and his music, please visit thegodofhellfire.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Progressive rockers Frost* return with the band's first official concept album, Life in the Wires, which is set to drop Oct. 18 on Inside Out Music. Founder, keyboardist, vocalist, producer, and primary songwriter Jem Godfrey was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to discuss the new album with me, as well as such topics as his musical beginnings, how he became a producer, producing No. 1 hits for pop artists, playing keyboards for guitar heroes Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, and much more. The new album should appeal to fans of the Frost* 2006 debut, Milliontown, although it includes sonic flavors from more recent albums as well. Learn more about Frost* at the band's website, frost.life.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Music comes in all kinds of forms and some of them are funny as well as pleasing to the ear. In my opinion, that perfectly describes "Weird Al" Yankovic's 1985 classic, Dare to Be Stupid. Joining me to dissect this excellent slice of mid-80s pop culture is Lauren Carey from the outstanding Beer'd Al Podcast. Lauren and her brother combined their two favorite things, craft beer and the music of Weird Al, to create a unique and entertaining show. In addition to discussing Dare to Be Stupid, we talk about the origin of the Beer'd Al Podcast, where her love of Weird Al began, and more. And look for me on the next episode of Lauren's show as well, as we take a different angle and rank our songs from the album, countdown style.

Learn more about the Beer'd Al Podcast at beerdalpodcast.com and download it basically everywhere podcasts are available.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

After the heavy, guitar-driven science fiction epic Arise (2023), Glass Hammer returns with the band's most accessible album yet. Co-founder Steve Babb returns to Michael's Record Collection to discuss the brand new album Rogue, the most human of all Glass Hammer's concept albums. Drenched in keyboards, Rogue shares connective tissue with some of Glass Hammer's most beloved albums, with hints of Genesis and Yes mixed with dream pop, space rock, and 80s synth pop influences. Steve was kind enough to share the stories behind the concept and the music with me. Find out more about the band at glasshammer.com or order their music at glasshammer.bandcamp.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Jon Courtney is the founder, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist who drives modern prog rock outfit Pure Reason Revolution. The band is set to release its sixth album on Sept. 6, Coming Up to Consciousness. The themes on the record are lyrically personal ones to Jon, who was kind enough to discuss the album, getting the legendary Guy Pratt to play on it, his influences, and the band's career with me. Find out more about the band at https://www.purereasonrevolutionofficial.com/.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Former October Project vocalist Mary Fahl has had a solo career as unique as her voice. She's got a new album out called Can't Get It Out of My Head, which is made up of her early favorite classic songs that became part of her musical DNA. Mary was kind enough to talk about the making of the album, how she reimagined the songs to put her own spin on them, how she ended up doing a song for an Anne Rice audiobook, how she got dragged back into music, and much more.

For more information on Mary Fahl, go to MaryFahl.com or look for Mary Fahl Music on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Tiktok.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Walter Egan is a criminally underrated American singer-songwriter in what we now call the Americana genre. Many people will remember his 1978 smash hit "Magnet and Steel" with backing vocals by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, but not enough people know how deep and rich his catalog really is. That catalog got even deeper and richer in 2021 with the release of Fascination, an album that chronicles his romantic pursuit of former rock super-groupie Pamela Des Barres a few years back. Walter was kind enough to take some time to talk about the new album with me, as well as all of the stories that led to the songs on the record. He also discussed working with Buckingham and Nicks and he told me why he never gets tired of being asked about "Magnet and Steel." And lots of other topics were covered as well.

To learn more about Hookers & Blow, visit their Facebook.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

What does a podcaster do when he starts to get actual email questions that he's been asking for but forgets to answer those on his shows? Well, in my case, I wait a couple more weeks, get a few more questions, and go ahead and do a whole show about them. Thanks to everyone who has been sending in questions via email (michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com) or to me on Twitter (@MikesRecords). This show covers concerts, albums, bands, and even this podcast. I hope you enjoy this episode, which is a bit different than the standard format. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jim Peterik (Ides of March, Pride of Lions, ex-Survivor) joins me for this episode and I crammed as many topics in as I could while still trying to do justice to his excellent new Pride of Lions album, Dream Higher. Jim was a fantastic interview and has collaborated with some of the biggest artists in rock history. He not only co-wrote the iconic rock anthem "Eye of the Tiger" and most of Survivor's best-known songs, but he also co-wrote several 38 Special hits, collaborated with Sammy Hagar on "Heavy Metal," and has had a fascinating career in rock. His autobiography is damn good, too! Learn more about Jim's work at jimpeterik.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

For this show, I'm joined by Aldo Lonobile and Roberto Ramon Messina from Italian power metal masters, Secret Sphere. Aldo and Roberto talked to me about the band's new studio album (the band's ninth), Lifeblood. This is a fun, melodic, and at times progressive album that I really enjoyed. The guys told me a bit about the record, how it was made, their musical influences, signing with Frontiers Records, the metal scene in Italy, and more. 

Band members who were unable to appear on the show were Andy Buratto (bass), Gabriele Ciaccia (keyboards), and Marco Lazzarini (drums).

Learn more about Secret Sphere on their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram. 

I have to warn listeners that the sound quality is a little rough in a few spots, as Roberto's audio was feeding back, and that happened mainly a few times when Aldo was talking. I cleaned it up as best I could in editing but there are still some parts that are noisier than I'd like. Still, Aldo and Roberto provided a lot of interesting stories and good information so I wanted to publish it even if the audio isn't up to the quality standards I'd like.

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

I'm very excited to bring you my interview with Welsh singer Chez Kane, who is part of the band Kane'd with her two older sisters. Chez is about to drop her second solo album, Powerzone, a follow-up to her 2021 self-titled debut. Once again, Crazy Lixx vocalist/guitarist Danny Rexon heads up the project, writing, playing on and producing the songs. Chez talked about the process a bit, her musical influences, why she likes this style of melodic rock, and much more. To find out more about Chez or order her music, pleas visit www.chezkane.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

On June 28, the legendary Cheap Trick was the first band to headline a new outdoor concert venue in Clearwater, Florida, called The Sound at Coachman Park. I was fortunate enough to attend the show with my friend Ben Montgomery from the Records Revisited Podcast. Ben joins me for this show as we review the concert, which was his first time seeing Cheap Trick and my first time seeing them since 1987. We not only gave our thoughts on the band's performance, but also on the new venue itself. 

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Vocalist/bassist Mark Boals has worked with just about everyone. He's played and/or sung with Savoy Brown, Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteen, just to name a few. His project Ring of Fire began in the year 2000 and quickly put out three studio albums from 2001-2004. Ring of Fire is back with a standout album, Gravity, which dropped Nov. 11. With Italian guitar virtuoso Aldo Lonobile stepping into Tony MacAlpine's considerable shoes on this record, Ring of Fire has put together another great release that should appeal to fans of power metal and more progressive outfits like Dream Theater and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Mark talked to me about his background, how he got some of his past gigs, the new record, and much more. Find out more about Mark's work at MarkBoalsOfficial.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Independent progressive rockers Shadow Circus are back after a long hiatus with a brand new album, From the Shadows. The band released its fourth album on Halloween digitally and started shipping out CDs just recently. This latest release sees the band going heavier, darker, and much more introspective and personal than their previous albums, and it's given more punch with the contributions of former Pain of Salvation bassist Gustaf Hielm and drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen of The Devin Townsend Band. John gave the full backstory of the album and its songs and discussed his musical beginnings, the formation of Shadow Circus, why the band spent so much time between albums, and much more. Check them out at shadowcircus.bandcamp.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Current Steve Hackett bassist and ex-Flower King Jonas Reingold is back with the sixth Karmakanic album, Transmutation. The new album sees Karmakanic as less of a band and more of a collective of musicians, featuring a new lead vocalist in John Mitchell (Lonely Robot, Arena, It Bites, Kino, Frost*). Jonas was kind enough to tell me about the making of Transmutation, his musical background, joining the Flower Kings and Steve Hackett's band, being in Los Angeles to mix the record during the height of the wildfires, and much more. Check out mor on Karmakanic at jonasreingold.se.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. I'm also on BlueSky now as well. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

David Cousins of the Strawbs returns to MRC! A guest way back on Episode 7, David joins me to discuss the new Strawbs album, The Magic of It All. The band's new record was recorded in Cape Town and has a decidedly South African flavor running through it. David was kind enough to tell me about the recording of the album, how the idea of recording in South Africa came about, the origins of some of the songs, and much more.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Canadian power pop-infused party rockers The Kings are my guests for this episode. Well, at least bassist/vocalist David Diamond and guitarist Mister Zero, anyway. We discuss the band's 2023 release, The Longest Story Ever Told, the band's first release in 20 years. We also dove into their musical backgrounds, how they got Bob Ezrin to produce their debut album, the writing of their hit "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide," and much more. Learn more about the band at thekingsarehere.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

In this episode, I reached out to prog rock musician Dave Kerzner, who has worked with virtually everyone at some point, to discuss his projects and his favorite Genesis record. He chose the 1974 classic double concept album, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. Dave was the perfect person to talk about Genesis with (in general) and specifically about The Lamb. He's played that piece live for a special 20th anniversary performance at ProgFest '94 with Kevin Gilbert and Nick D'Virgilio — who went on to release his own Lamb tribute under the name Rewiring Genesis, and he played drums for Genesis on the Calling All Stations album. "Squids" Kerzner is working on his own Lamb tribute album with Francis Dunnery of It Bites (among others), played in Sound of Contact with Phil Collins' son Simon, recently bought a bunch of Tony Banks' keyboard equipment, and has worked with Steve Hackett and famed Genesis producer Nick Davis. There's more, but I'll leave his credentials there for now. Dave and I walked through the album and he dropped in interesting anecdotes along the way. It was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy revisiting The Lamb with us and perhaps learning more about Kerzner's work. 

Learn more about Dave's music here.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Galahad guitarist Lee Abraham returns to the show to discuss Origin of the Storm, a brand new solo album (his 10th), which drops Oct. 21 on F2 Music. Lee was kind enough to discuss the making of the new album with me, along with the stories behind the songs. The new record should appeal to fans of melodic progressive rock with Steve Rothery-esque guitar work. Follow Lee Abraham Music on Facebook for more info.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Neil Poole hosts the excellent Def Lep Pod, a podcast that takes a deep dive into the music of Def Leppard in a humorous way. Neil treats Def Leppard's music with the utmost respect but each episode is a fun adventure through some aspect of the band's music, whether that's a song, an album, or a chat with a guest. I asked Neil about the origins of his Def Leppard fandom and his show and then we embark on a discussion of my favorite of the band's albums, Pyromania. 

You can find Def Lep Pod wherever podcasts are offered, and you can follow him on social media: Def Lep Pod Neil on Facebook or @DefLepPod on Twitter.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits will escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

The talented John Mitchell joins me in this episode to discuss his latest album under the Lonely Robot moniker, A Model Life, which drops Aug. 26. This new record is Mitchell at his most vulnerable and introspective and it's brilliant. He also discussed the upcoming Arena album, the rise and fall of The Urbane, starting Kino, joining It Bites, how he became a member of Frost*, and much more. John was one of the most candid and honest interview subjects I've had over these 75 episodes.  

Find out more about John's work at johnmitchellhq.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Keyboardist Ryo Okumoto (Spock's Beard, ProgJect) joins me to discuss his upcoming solo album, The Myth of the Mostrophus, which drops July 29. It's his first solo release in 20 years and it's amazing. He enlisted the help of his Spock's Beard and ProgJect bandmates on an album that is cohesive, progressive (in all the right ways), and fun. Ryo also talked to me about his background, how he ended up in both of his main bands, and much more.

Learn more about Ryo Okumoto's work and order his merch at his website, RyoOkumoto.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Bassist and composer Chuck Wright may not have a name you instantly recognize, but you've heard his music before. Chuck was in Quiet Riot and played and sang on some of that band's biggest hits and albums. He was also in the band Giuffria, which had a major hit single in the mid-80s called "Call to the Heart." He's played with everyone from Alice Cooper to Gregg Allman to John Waite to Eddie Money, as well as members of Guns N'Roses, Dream Theater, KISS, Skid Row, and Mr. Big. Now Chuck has a new solo project called Chuck Wright's Sheltering Sky, with a debut album scheduled for early 2022 and a new single out right now. "Army of Me" is a Bjork cover, which is unexpected, but it's great. Chuck spoke with me about the single, the album, the 30+ guest musicians he enlisted, his time in Quiet Riot and Giuffria, and so much more.

Check out Chuck's work and get updates on the new album at ChuckWright.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Bassist Derek "Mo" Moore and guitarist Ryche Chlanda of legendary progressive rock giants Nektar took time out to talk to me about their new live release, ...Sounds Like Swiss. The title is a play on their 1973 release ...Sounds Like This and this new three-disc (2-CD/DVD) set captures the band at the height of their powers in 1973. The DVD features a live appearance on Swiss TV while the CDs contain both that live performance and another show from 1973 in Switzerland. The guys told me why they love releasing live albums, their approach to recording, the cool stuff they've got going on during their tour, and a lot more. This release gives Nektar fans another chance to see and hear the late, great Roye Albrighton, who passed in 2016.

Find out more about Nektar at their official website.

Become a Patreon supporter starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

It's the 100th episode of MRC! Joining me for this milestone show is Jerry Sahlin and Ola Andersson from the Swedish progressive rock band A.C.T. These guys are not your typical prog band, leaning heavily into melodies and harmonies inspired by the likes of ELO and the Beach Boys. If you threw songs by Saga, Dream Theater, and Jellyfish into a blender, the resulting music might sound like A.C.T. Jerry and Ola were kind enough to talk about their new release Falling, which will be released March 3 (two singles are already available on all the streaming sites). Falling is the third EP in a four-EP cycle that mirrors the seasons and this is, of course, fall. There are eight songs totaling about 30 minutes of excellent music the way only A.C.T can write and play it. The guys also told me about their musical backgrounds, the formation of the band, and much more. You can find out more about A.C.T on their Facebook page or visit actworld.se.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Lana Lane has just released her first album in a decade with the outstanding new Neptune Blue. The queen of symphonic and melodic rock has taken a little of the complexity out and made more or less an album-oriented rock album that is accessible enough for the masses but with enough technical musical flourishes by her excellent contributing musicians to satisfy the progressive rock fans. I spoke with Lana about the making of this record, some of her guest vocal work, having her first vinyl release, her background, and more. 

Find out more about Lana and her work at her website. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Andy Tillison from The Tangent returns to talk to me about the new album To Follow Polaris, which is a unique record in the band's catalog. The primary reason for this is because it's all Andy this time. With his bandmates' busy schedules, Andy decided to have a go at a Tangent album himself, playing all the parts and trying to get into the headspace of his bandmates. The result is another solid release from The Tangent and it was kind of Andy to take the time to tell me about what went into making it. Learn more about The Tangent at https://www.thetangent.org.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Steve and Gerry host the excellent Rush-centric podcast Something for Nothing: A Rush Fancast each week, informing and entertaining fans of the band Rush and converting new ones. I had them on to not only tell us about their show and how they got started, but also to talk about my favorite Rush album, Signals! In the first part of the show we talk about Something for Nothing, its origins, and how Steve and Gerry became the huge Rush fans they are. Then we get into the 1982 album Signals and have a track-by-track discussion on why this is a special record. I had a blast talking Rush with two of the best Rush talkers out there.

You can find Something for Nothing: A Rush Fancast on all the major podcast platforms, and you can find them on Twitter and on Instagram. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits will escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

It was a treat to talk to the legendary Carlos Cavazo, who rose to prominence in the 1980s playing guitar for Quiet Riot as the band brought heavy metal music to the top of the Billboard charts. Carlos is now in Carmine Appice's 1980s band, King Kobra, and they've got a new album out called We Are Warriors. Carlos talked about how he joined forces with Carmine Appice and company, the making of the album, his musical origin story, joining and having success with Quiet Riot, briefly becoming a member of Ratt, and much more. Big thanks to Carlos for his time.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

I'm delighted to bring you this interview with Spock's Beard and Pattern-Seeking Animals bassist Dave Meros. Dave was kind enough to spend some time telling me about the upcoming Pattern-Seeking Animals album Spooky Action at a Distance, along with the upcoming 20th-anniversary release of Spock's Beard's Feel Euphoria album on vinyl. He also spoke about the making of that Spock's record and that period in the band's history when it transitioned from Neal Morse to Nick D'Virgilio as lead singer. Dave also dove into his musical background, playing Snow live in its entirety at MorseFest, and many other topics.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Dream Theater and Liquid Tension Experiment keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess joins me to discuss his upcoming solo album, Permission to Fly. Unlike many keyboard player solo albums, which focus on the keys and often use multiple singers and musicians, this one was put together like a band album, using a consistent lineup across the record. It's a cohesive album that has its moments of keyboard pyrotechnics, but also contains a strong commitment to servicing the songs. In addition to the album, Jordan discussed his musical background, joining LTE and Dream Theater, how he ended up on David Bowie's Heathen album, his take on AI's place in creating music, and more. Learn more about Jordan's work at jordanrudess.com. 

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Progressive rock master Neal Morse is a prolific and qualitative force in modern prog and he's back on the show to talk about a brand new band project called Neal Morse & the Resonance. The band will drop its debut album, No Hill for a Climber, Nov. 8 on Inside Out Music. Neal discusses the other band members, making the album and writing the songs, his recent solo acoustic tour, an exciting new collaboration with Chester Thompson and Phil Keaggy coming soon, and more. Learn more about Neal and order the new album at nealmorse.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

If you grew up in the 1970s in the midwest, you were practically issued your KISS Army uniform. We were weaned on KISS albums like Alive!, Destroyer, Rock and Roll Over, Double Platinum, and, of course, Love Gun. That album turned 45 years old this calendar year, so I thought it was a good time to discuss it. Joining me to do just that, and to tell me how they started their excellent podcast, is Tom and Zeus from the outstanding Shout It Out Loudcast. We shared our KISS origin stories and went track by track through this 1977 classic. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Way back in Episode 67, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maiah Wynne about her involvement with Envy of None, a project featuring Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, on which she sang lead vocals. Maiah is back with her debut solo album, and the talented singer-songwriter has made an exquisite first solo impression with Out of the Dark, a heartbreakingly beautiful collection of songs that span 10 years of her life. In addition to discussing the album's songs track by track, Maiah was kind enough to talk about what's next for Envy of None, some of her struggles that led to the new album's themes, Lifeson's involvement on some of the songs on her album, learning about making videos, and more. Learn more about Maiah's work at www.maiahwynne.com!

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Ryan Murphy and Jim Benner from the Rushfans community on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter are my guests as we celebrate the recent 30th anniversary of Counterparts by Rush. It's hard to believe that "newer" Rush album is three decades old, but here we are. Ryan, Jim, and I go track by track, discussing the songs that make up this fantastic album and we give our song rankings from the record at the end of the discussion. Big thanks to Ryan and Jim for stopping by and be sure to check out the  @Rushfans  channel.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

I'm extremely excited about this episode because I got to talk to Triumph drummer and co-lead vocalist Gil Moore. The band hasn't released a new album since 1992, but it's still a busy time for the legendary Canadian power trio. Triumph was recently inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame and, just a few weeks ago, a brand new documentary about the band premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. I spoke with Gil about the new documentary (Triumph: Rock and Roll Machine), the Heavy Metal Hall induction, and the recent Allied Forces 40th Anniversary release. We also spoke about the band's history, music, and songwriting, and the projects coming up that Triumph fans will want to know about.

To keep up on the latest Triumph news, check out their website and follow them on Twitter.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits will escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Vanden Plas guitarist Stephan Lill. The German progressive metal masters have a new live CD, LP, and video release coming out Aug. 12 called Live & Immortal, which captured a full concert performance on the band's Chronicles of the Immortals tour. Stephan discussed why the band seldom tours, takes a long time between albums (especially live albums), how he got into rock music, and much more. 

For more info on Vanden Plas, visit the band's website at VandenPlas.de or check them out on Facebook.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Author Annie Zaleski literally wrote the book on the seminal 1982 album Rio by Duran Duran. An album that began with sluggish U.S. sales turned into an iconic juggernaut on the strength of its songs, heavy rotation of hit singles on MTV, and the talent and sheer willpower of the five young men who made the record. Annie talked about how she got started as a writer, how she fell for Duran Duran's music, how she ultimately came to write about Rio for 33-1/3 Books, and what she learned along the way. We had a great conversation about the album, too. 

You can learn more about Annie's work and order her book (including signed copies!) at her website or you can order it on Amazon or other major online retailers.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bill Hubauer and Dave Buzard from the Pennsylvania-based We Came From Space about their new album, Overlords. This progressive rock release has the musicality that will satisfy prog fans and infectious hooks and soaring harmonies that any music fan would enjoy. In addition to giving me the story on making Overlords, the guys also talked about their early musical influences, opening for The Winery Dogs recently, and why they embrace humorous sci-fi B-movie stories on their website. I also asked Bill about his time in The Neal Morse Band. Find out more about the band at wecamefromspace.net. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'm changing things up a little for this episode as instead of discussing a new or classic album, I enlisted Matt Wardlaw from Ultimate Classic Rock to compare notes on our recent experiences seeing Genesis on The Last Domino? Tour. Genesis is my all-time favorite band, so there was never a question of whether I was going to see them, so much as a question of where and how often. Matt and I saw them about a week apart in different cities but in similarly located seats. We broke down the setlist, the performance, our Genesis origin stories, and more. I hope you enjoy this special Michael's Concert Ticket Collection episode! Big thanks to Matt for his time.

You can follow Matt on Twitter at @MattWardlaw or find his work at UltimateClassicRock.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Canadian musician Kelly Nordstrom is half of a duo called eMolecule with Simon Collins, the drumming and singing son of Genesis legend Phil Collins. Kelly and Simon are dropping a new concept album called The Architect on Feb. 10 and it's a good one. This modern take on progressive rock is grounded in guitars, big drums sounds, electronics, atmosphere, mood, rock, and pop, all wrapped up in a modern production. Kelly talked to me about his background, the concept behind the album, the writing process, his previous work with Simon, the rise and fall of the band Sound of Contact, and much more. For more info head over to emoleculemusic.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

My guest this week is multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist Nick D'Virgilio, who is perhaps best known as the drummer for progressive rock greats Spock's Beard and Big Big Train. Nick joined me to talk about the upcoming release of Sophomore, the appropriately titled second album by D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings, a trio of talented vocalists who build accessible songs based on glorious three-part harmonies. Nick also spoke about his musical background, how he met Neal and Alan Morse and joined Spock's Beard, meeting Kevin Gilbert, finishing up Kevin's posthumous release The Shaming of the True, how he became one of the drummers on Genesis' final studio album Calling All Stations, working with Tears for Fears, and much more.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

For this episode, I had a great chat with UK singer/songwriter Chantel McGregor about her two summer 2021 releases, Shed Sessions Volume One and Shed Sessions Volume Two. This chat was fun despite the fact that: 1) I forgot my notes at the office and had to wing the interview from memory, and 2) There was a bit of background white noise emanating from something on Chantel's end that I couldn't eliminate in editing. It was worse before we started recording, so we managed to make it listenable but it isn't up to the quality standard I'd like. Regardless, it was fun learning about Chantel's two new (mostly) cover albums, the unexpected arrangements and songs, and the unusual way she recorded her vocals at home. I hope you enjoy it.

To learn more about Chantel McGregor and buy her music, check out her website.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits will escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Irish-born progressive rocker Dec Burke is known for his time in Frost* and his former band Darwin's Radio. But he's a talented and respected solo artist as well, and he just released his fourth album, Life in Two Dimensions, in late September. It's chock full of guitar heroics, with a modern sound and production, but it retains Dec's melodic sensibilities, which he places first and foremost. Dec was kind enough to take a deep dive into the album with me and also talked about his influences, how he consumes music, why he changed from keyboards to guitar as his instrument of choice, working with Frost*, and more.

You can find out more about Dec Burke on his Facebook page.  

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits will escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

This week's episode is a special one as I spoke with Journey drummer Deen Castronovo about a variety of topics, including the new album, Eagle Flight, by his other band, Revolution Saints. It's the band's fourth album and features a new lineup that includes guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and bassist Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, Black Swan, ex-Dokken), with Deen on drums and lead vocals. We spoke about Deen's early influences, learning the drums, how he met Neal Schon and was invited to join Bad English, playing with Ozzy, and much more, including the making of the great, new Revolution Saints album.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

For this episode I'm joined by Annie Haslam of the legendary symphonic progressive rock band Renaissance. The band just released its 50th anniversary live box set with the prog-length title 50th Anniversary Ashes are Burning, an Anthology - Live in Concert with the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra. Annie was kind enough to talk to me about making the live album, her long tenure in the band, her background in music, her artwork (which adorns the stage during the live performance), riding out the pandemic, and more. It was a fun interview and a must-listen for Renaissance fans.

• Find out more about Renaissance and order their 50th anniversary live box set here.
• Check out Annie's artwork here.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, getting more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

In 2005, the Miami-based progressive rock quartet Little Atlas was one of South Florida's best bands and recorded what I believe to be their best album in a catalog full of great music. I interviewed lead vocalist and keyboard player Steve Katsikas and we were joined in mid-discussion by bassist Rik Bigai. The two musicians are great guys and talked me through the making of the 2005 album Wanderlust. 

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

If you like Record Store Day, like I do, you look forward each year to seeing what titles will be available and strategizing for the big event. But what goes on behind the scenes? How do the record stores deal with RSD? I questioned Sandy Bitman, owner of Orlando, Florida's Park Ave CDs to find out more about Record Store Day, record store ownership, and more. It was a fun conversation, and a bit of a departure from the normal album discussion. I hope you like it. Support your local, independent record store!

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

For this episode, I spoke with Martin Sweet and Peter London of Crashdïet, a melodic rock band out of Sweden. The duo make up half of the band and they were kind enough to spend some time with me to discuss their forthcoming album, Automaton (out April 29). The album is sure to please fans of 1980s and 1990s hard rock with its catchy, anthemic choruses and standout musicianship. We also talked about the history of the band, their backgrounds in music, and even a new beer that will share a name with the new album.

Find out more about Crashdïet at their official website.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Singer/songwriter Laura Meade is best known for her work in the progressive rock band IZZ. She's a fantastic talent and her contributions to that band cannot be understated. However, she's also a great solo artist and has recently followed up 2018's Remedium with a new album titled The Most Dangerous Woman in America. The album centers around the theme of women who have been silenced from speaking their truths and those who history has largely forgotten. I figured out on release day that it was originally based on actress Jean Seberg. Laura was kind enough to spend some time talking about the making of this album, the work that went into it, working with a new vocal coach, what's next for IZZ, and more.

You can order The Most Dangerous Woman in America here.

Follow Laura online at LauraMeadeMusic.com or find LauraMeadeMusic on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Welcome back to Michael's Record Collection! For Episode 4 I spoke to British musician Lee Abraham about the making of his eighth studio album, Harmony/Synchronicity. The album was put together while he was in lockdown for the pandemic. Lee is a great guitarist and bass player and has been a member of the storied British prog band Galahad. Generous with his time, as ever, Lee spoke about his recent AOR influences, writing and recording the album, the equipment he used, and more. He also broke some news here about his forthcoming ninth album.

Find out more about Lee on his website.

Order Lee's music here: progrock.co.uk - the home of Progressive Rock

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

In my opinion, not enough people know about the excellent music career of Simon Collins. The son of Genesis legend Phil Collins, Simon is a talented musician and songwriter in his own right, both collaboratively and as a solo artist. I spoke with Simon about his musical origin story, going on Genesis tours as a child, the rise and fall of the outstanding progressive rock band Sound of Contact, his recent eMolecule collaboration with Kelly Nordstrom, and my favorite of his solo works: U-Catastrophe, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Big thanks to Simon for his time. 

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Here's an interview I've been wanting to do for a long time! My guest is the legendary Neal Morse, founder of Spock's Beard and currently a solo artist, a member of The Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, and D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings. I spoke with Neal about many topics, including his two upcoming releases, An Evening of Innocence & Danger: Live in Hamburg by The Neal Morse Band, and a new solo prog rock concept album, The Dreamer - Joseph Part One. We covered a variety of subjects and Neal was gracious with his time. To find out more about these two releases and Neal's work in general, check out www.nealmorse.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

For this episode I welcome back to the show Brian Colburn, an Americana artist from New Jersey and the co-host of the popular Playlist Wars podcast. Brian and I have a shared love of the Precious Time album by Pat Benatar. With the 1981 album serving as our favorite Benatar record, we took the opportunity to spin it a few times and go through it track by track. 

To learn more about Playlist Wars, head to their website. Be sure to visit Brian's Bandcamp page to check out his music. And, of course, check out Pat Benatar's website for all things Pat Benatar.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I caught up with composer and keyboard maestro Oliver Wakeman this week to discuss the release of his newest box set, Collaborations. This three-CD set contains new reissues (with bonus tracks) of his The 3 ages of Magick collaboration with Steve Howe and his Ravens & Lullabies album with Gordon Giltrap. There's also a disc of previously unreleased live material with Giltrap and vocalist Paul Manzi (Sweet, ex-Arena). We also spoke about his background, coming from a family of famous keyboard players, his time in Yes and The Strawbs, his solo work, and much more.

Learn more about Oliver's music at his YouTube channel or at OliverWakeman.co.uk. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Canadian bassist and vocalist Todd Kerns (Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) stopped by to talk about his new band, Heroes and Monsters! The trio consists of Kerns, guitarist Stef Burns (Huey Lewis & the News, Sheila E., Berlin, Alice Cooper, Y&T, etc.), and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence, Dark New Day, Black Label Society, Staind, Slaughter, etc.). Their self-titled debut album drops Jan. 20 and features 10 tracks of excellent and varied hard rock. Heroes and Monsters makes quite an opening statement with this record and I got a little of the background on the project from Todd, who also discussed his musical influences, but we also devolved a bit into a discussion of KISS, a band we're both passionate about (Todd has played with Bruce Kulick's band on the KISS Kruise in recent years). Find out more about Todd's work at ToddKerns.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

The sad news of Christine McVie's passing hit me like a punch to the gut on Nov. 30, and I felt like it was important to talk about her place in the iconic band Fleetwood Mac. Although it seems like Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham grab all the headlines, Christine was the connective tissue, playing well off both and happy to serve both the band and the music without needing all of the attention. I enlisted the help of friend Brian Colburn from the Playlist Wars podcast (also a fine solo artist and leader of his own band, Colburn & Co.) to help me process Christine's passing and celebrate her legacy of excellent music. You can find out more about Brian's work at BrianColburn.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Derek Shulman, founding member of Gentle Giant and successful record executive, is my guest for this episode. We're here to talk about the remastered and reissued "Civilian" release that just dropped. Derek also talked about his musical beginnings, ending the band, his transition from musician to record executive, his new endeavors in the music documentary space, and what other releases Gentle Giant fans can look forward to in the near future. Big thanks to Derek for his time. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. Learn more about Gentle Giant releases on the band's official webstore.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'm excited to bring you one of my favorite discoveries of 2021. A Swedish band with the delightful name of Velvet Insane is bringing back the glam rock of 1973 with a new release called Rock 'n' Roll Glitter Suit, which comes out on July 16 on Sound Pollution Records. I spoke to founder and guitarist Jesper Lindgren about the making of the record, his influences, his love of glam rock, the tragedy that set his career on its current path, and more. Big thanks to Jesper for his time and I hope you'll enjoy these fun and infectious songs.

Find out more about Velvet Insane on their Facebook page.

You can order Rock 'n' Roll Glitter Suit from the Sound Pollution site.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

For this week's episode, The Tangent's Andy Tillison joined me to discuss his band's new album, "Songs from the Hard Shoulder." Andy dove into the stories behind the songs on the record and other topics include: his intro to music, how he came to love Close to the Edge by Yes, some of the thoughts behind some of The Tangent's top songs, and much more.

Find out more about The Tangent at www.thetangent.org and follow the band's Facebook page.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

My guest for this episode is composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Robert Reed, who is best known for his work with the outstanding modern progressive rock band Magenta. However, before there was Magenta, there was Cyan. Rob has put together a new incarnation of Cyan featuring standout musicians and the band has just released Pictures from the Other Side. These new Cyan albums are the same as the old ones ONLY in name, as Rob has reimagined the old Cyan songs with his new bandmates' talents in mind. He's also taken parts out, written new parts, and made changes all over the place. Big thanks to Rob for telling me about the all-new Cyan and this new release.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! You may notice this week's show dropped a couple of days early. That's because I wanted this episode about great love songs to go live on Valentine's Day. What could be more appropriate? I'm joined by Jon Lamoreaux from The Hustle Podcast and Ben Montgomery from Records Revisited and we each selected five of our favorite love songs to present to you on this holiday. It was a fun discussion and there were some surprises along the way. Be sure to check out The Hustle Podcast and Records Revisited wherever you get your podcasts. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I couldn't wait to get this episode out because I spoke with longtime Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto. I've always been a big fan of Billy's music and part of the reason for that is his outstanding band, highlighted by DeVitto's work behind the drum kit. With Billy's The Nylon Curtain album set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in September, I wanted to talk to Liberty about a record which is very special to me. But we didn't just talk about the album. We also spoke about his autobiography, his involvement with the excellent Hired Gun documentary, his trip behind the iron curtain to play rock music in the Soviet Union, his current bands (the Slim Kings and the Lords of 52nd Street), and more. Big thanks to Liberty for his time.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. Learn more about Gentle Giant releases on the band's official webstore.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Pat Francis from the excellent Rock Solid podcast is like the godfather of music podcasters. His show is in its 11th year and is going strong with its best guests ever. Pat's show has a rotating format. One week it's an interview, the next it's a roundtable between Pat and his friends discussing an album track by track. This week, I was delighted to welcome Pat to this show to talk about Rock Solid, hunting down autographs after concerts, and (most importantly) about our shared love for Cheap Trick's essential live classic album, At Budokan. 

Find out more about Pat's show at rocksolidpodcast.com and follow his Twitter!

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Vinnie Moore is a guitar master. He's carved out a great career for himself as a solo artist, a guest musician, and as a guitarist in the legendary hard rock band UFO since 2003. Vinnie recently joined a group of well-known musicians who took part in a great tribute record called Animals Reimagined - A Tribute to Pink Floyd. Playing on the album's best track, "Dogs," Vinnie was joined by ex-Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet, ex-King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto, Kasim Sulton from Utopia, and Dream Theater keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess. I spoke with Vinnie about his involvement in the project, his background in music, playing on Alice Cooper's Hey Stoopid record and the ensuing tour, performing with the legendary Peter Frampton, joining UFO, his solo career, and more.

Find out more about Vinnie and his music at vinniemoore.com. (He has a new solo album coming soon!)

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Dennis DeYoung's guitarist August Zadra has been in the music business a long time. Aside from playing with the legendary Styx front man for the last 12 years, August has been in several tribute bands and has played with some of the greats in rock music. Now he's put together his first solo project under the name Zadra and released his first album, Guiding Star. I spoke with August about this excellent, melodic, AOR album, as well as his influences, how he met Dennis, working with Jeff Scott Soto, and much more. 

Check out August's Facebook page. You can order Guiding Star digitally from most online outlets and the CD is available on Amazon. The exclusive white vinyl version of Guiding Star is available only at the Frontiers online store (and you can save 10% on orders by signing up for their email newsletter when you visit).

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

In Episode 5, musician/producer Billy Sherwood, probably best known for his work with progressive rock giants Yes, joined me to discuss his newest project, Arc of Life. Recorded before the pandemic, Arc of Life began with some simple writing sessions with Jon Davison while Yes was on tour and grew from there. Billy talks about the making of the record, being in Yes, serving as a good steward of Chris Squire's legacy in that band, and many other topics. 

Keep up with Arc of Life on their Facebook page.

Find out more about Billy on his Facebook page and his page on the YesWorld site.

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

It's been a little over a year and a half since I had California-based multi-instrumentalist Robert Berry on the show to discuss the Third Impression album he released under the name 3.2 as part of the trilogy of his work with Keith Emerson. Robert is back with a new power trio, alongside Saga guitarist Ian Crichton and Saxon drummer Nigel Glockler in SiX BY SiX. This new band rocks its guitar-based music on its self-titled debut release and Robert was gracious enough to tell me how the band came about and the stories behind the music and the graphic novel about the album that will follow next month. 

You can learn more about this project at sixbysixband.com and you can follow the band on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Big Big Train has been building momentum in the progressive rock world for years with their brand of quintessentially English, pastoral prog, but the sudden and tragic death of lead vocalist David Longdon dealt the band a huge blow. The band is about to release its first album without David on March 1 through Inside Out Music. New vocalist Alberto Bravin isn't Longdon, but his voice is well suited for what Big Big Train does well. Founding member Gregory Spawton was kind enough to discuss the new album with me, as well as such topics as his musical origin story, how the band got its name, how the band navigated the loss of Longdon and ultimately found Bravin, finally becoming a full-time career musician in his 50s, and much more. Learn more about the band at bigbigtrain.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

It was a real treat for me to talk with guitar legend Joel Hoekstra, who is probably best known for having been in Whitesnake for nearly a decade. He's also a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Revolution Saints, and Iconic. He's played on Broadway in Rock of Ages, toured with Cher, and is a former member of Night Ranger. Joel's solo project, Joel Hoekstra's 13, has a new album dropping soon called Crash of Life. It's another standout effort from Joel and an all-star cast of musicians and Joel was gracious enough to take the time to talk to me about all of the above. Find out more about Joel and his work at JoelHoekstra.com.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Australian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sean Timms has had a charmed 2023 as part of four progressive rock releases this year. His new albums with Unitopia and Southern Empire came out a few weeks apart and have captured a lot of attention among prog rock fans this year. Both albums could end up on several "best of 2023" lists by the end of December. Sean was kind enough to tell me about both albums, as well as his musical background, meeting Steve Hackett, and much more. You can learn more about both bands on their Facebook or Instagram accounts.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

In this episode, I'm joined by Ray Shulman of the legendary progressive rock band Gentle Giant. The band's Free Hand album (1975) has been reissued with 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos mixes by Steven Wilson. Ray was kind enough to tell me how the band got involved with Wilson, who has remixed several of their releases. He also talked about the making of the album, what it was like being in the band back at the height of its powers, and much more. 

You can get more information on Gentle Giant here.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

My guest for this episode is New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson, who is firing up a new Kickstarter (see URL below) today to reissue his outstanding Terra Incognita trilogy in special hardcover and bespoke editions. What does this have to do with my record collection? All three of Kevin's novels in the trilogy have a companion album of original progressive rock songs performed by an all-star cast, helping to bring the story to life. The "band" name is Roswell Six, and only two of the albums came out while the books were being released. The third album has finally been completed and may be the best of the bunch. In this first part of my interview with Kevin, he discusses how he became a fan of progressive and what we now call classic rock, the Terra Incognita kickstarter, how he brought his novel/album idea to fruition, why the third album wasn't originally made, how that eventually became a reality, and more. Part 2 will drop next week, in which Kevin discusses his love of Rush, collaborating with Neil Peart on the Clockwork Angels steampunk novels, his love for the Clockwork Angels album, and more. Visit wordfire.com for more information on Kevin's work.

Get in on Kevin's Terra Incognita and Roswell Six Kickstarter here.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. I'm also on Bluesky now as well. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Legendary rock drummer Carmine Appice returns to discuss the remastered re-release of the original Vanilla Fudge lineup's Led Zeppelin covers. The album, released in 2007 as Out Through the In Door, has gotten cleaned up, a new name (Vanilla Zeppelin), and a new track order and has recently been released. I spoke with Carmine about covering Zeppelin and then the conversation meandered to many other projects he's got in the works, including new King Kobra, new Carmine Appice & Fernando Perdomo, and a new Beck, Bogert & Appice release. Keep up with Vanilla Fudge at https://vanillafudge.com/.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

J.P. Moser and Rob Alley of the excellent Great Song Podcast joined me this week to explore a unique topic. The three of us all selected five songs that were the second singles released from their respective albums that we loved more than that record's first single. The caveat to the topic was that us liking that first single was a requirement. This turned out to be a lot of fun and I think we got a nice mixture of different kinds of songs. Check out our picks and let me know what your favorite second singles are! The guys also talked about how they got started doing their show and tell listeners a little bit about it. You can find J.P. and rob at their regular haunt at greatsongpodcast.com or on any major podcast platform.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

It's a bonus episode of MRC this week. It's Thanksgiving week and I'm thankful to all the supportive folks out there who have downloaded Michael's Record Collection, streamed my videos on YouTube, subscribed to the MRC newsletter on Substack, and supported the show on Patreon. I'm also thankful to have met some great friends along the way while doing this show. One of those is Brian Colburn, a New Jersey musician who also happens to co-host the excellent Playlist Wars podcast. You may recall I had his podcasting partner Gomez on Episode 22 to discuss his show as well as Meteora by Linkin Park. Brian told me about his musical origin story, his own music, and then we discuss the fantastic 1984 album Heartbeat City by The Cars.

Check out Brian's music on Spotify or on his Bandcamp page and you can see a video of him singing Tom Petty's "Yer So Bad" with Hot Day at the Zoo at https://t.co/lhLSJIzqHV?amp=1. And find out more about Playlist Wars here.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

For this episode, I'm joined by three members of Grackle, a Louisville, Kentucky-based indie/progressive rock band that defies simple classification, with elements of prog, alt-rock, jazz, classical, folk, classic rock, and more. Primary songwriter Steve Katsikas (vocals, keyboards, saxophone, etc.) along with backing vocalist Jennifer Lauletta and drummer Jeff Gard stopped by for a discussion of the band's recently released third album, All That Matters, which sees Grackle take a big step forward in development in songwriting and finding themselves as a band. Big thanks to the three musicians for the chat. Check out Grackle's website at grackleband.com, follow them on Facebook, and sample their music at grackleband.bandcamp.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. I'm also on Bluesky now as well. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

After a 10-year absence, Swedish melodic progressive rock masters Moon Safari are back with their soaring five-part harmonies, melodic hooks, and fantastic musicianship on Himlabacken Vol. 2, the long-awaited follow-up to Himlabacken Vol. 1. Don't let the title fool you, the lyrics are in English (except for one short song). As good as the band's previous albums have been, this fifth studio album may end up towering over them all. Vocalist/guitarist Petter Sandstrom joins me to discuss his musical background, the forming of the band, the making of the new album, and much more. Check out https://www.moonsafari.se/ for more information on this wonderful and talented band out of Sweden.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

I've been wanting to talk about Pink Floyd for quite some time. One of my favorite bands of all time, Pink Floyd had an incredible run of albums in the 1970s that were the whole package...music, lyrics, production value...it all worked. As 2022 is the 45-year anniversary of the album Animals, which is one of my favorites, I though that would be a good place to start. I enlisted the help of my friend Joel Craig, a former internet DJ who hosted the show Interstellar Overdrive at ProgRock.com and The Dividing Line a few years back. Joel and I discuss the album in depth and share our passion for this classic album.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

In this episode of MRC, I jump into a musical genre a bit outside my usual comfort zone. Eternal Return is an interesting new post-rock/ambient/experimental project that entered my radar because of the involvement of Porcupine Tree bassist Colin Edwin. The five musicians in Eternal Return all started the project while living in different countries and got together in Germany to record the album before the pandemic. 

The core of the group is the ambient duo Dogon (Paul Godwin and Miguel Noya), along with Edwin, Estonian guitarist Robert Jürjendal, and drummer Miguel Toro. I spoke with Paul, Robert, and Miguel Noya about the making of this record, its theme of nomadism, and their process. 

You can check them out on Spotify or other streaming services, and visit their Bandcamp site here.

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

New York rockers Wildstreet literally pulled their van off the side of the road to do this interview with Michael's Record Collection about the band's latest release III while on tour in the southeast. All of the band's members weigh in, particularly lead singer/guitarist Eric Jayk, about the making of III, their process, their favorite tracks from the album, and more. They're a fun bunch of guys who just want to rock and put on the best show possible for their fans. Above all, they want to have fun, and that comes through in their music. The new album is available from all the streaming services or directly from the band.

To find out more about Wildstreet and order a physical copy of III, visit their website and follow the band on social media:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• YouTube (awesome videos)
• Instagram

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Singer-songwriter Dean Friedman isn't a one-hit wonder. His best-known song in the U.S., "Ariel" charted back in 1977, but he's had follow-ups do well in various other countries. Dean was gracious enough to join me this week to talk about his self-titled debut album, which came out 45 years ago, his musical background, some of the books he's authored, and his latest album, American Lullaby, which dropped last year. American Lullaby is a time capsule of the last six years, including the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, the pandemic, divisive political views, climate change, and more. You can learn more about Dean's music at DeanFriedman.com. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Randy George is a terrific multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. He may be best-known as the bassist in progressive rock supergroup The Neal Morse Band, but he's done a lot of other things. I spoke to Randy about he and his wife Pamela's Sweet Invention project, playing live during the pandemic, his christian prog rock band Ajalon (and whether we'll see another album from that band), meeting and recording with Neal Morse, the early sessions for the forthcoming fourth Neal Morse Band album, and a lot more.

Check out Sweet Invention and Randy's solo works on Spotify and Neal Morse's Waterfall streaming app. You can also listen to select Neal Morse solo (with Randy on bass) and Neal Morse Band music on public streaming or all of it on the Waterfall app with a paid subscription. You can watch my interview with Randy on YouTube or go there to check out Randy's episode of Neal's chat show Musicians Having Coffee & Talking About Stuff. 

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

This week, it's just me, as I go over my favorite records from the calendar year that just ended. My best of 2022 episode features several categories of albums, my top tracks, and a good-sized list of honorable mentions. Feel free to let me know what albums I might have missed, as the year isn't long enough to get to everything!

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Well, I can't say that these tribute shows are getting any easier, especially when we're remembering an artist as legendary as the incomparable Gordon Lightfoot. Joining me to talk about Gordon's talent, legacy, and vast music catalog is Sly Dog from the Sly Dog Music-Cast. We share our experiences of how we became Gordon Lightfoot fans, discuss his underrated work, and try to process his loss. Be sure to check out the Sly Dog Music-Cast.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Robin McAuley returns to Michael's Record Collection to talk about his new solo album, Alive, which is not a live album, but a studio release that drops on Feb. 17. The album rocks, has plenty of crunch and power, but it's also melodic as hell and Robin's sings the songs incredibly well. In addition to the making of the record, he spoke about what else he's been up to, what he has planned (including some live shows!), and much more. To find out more about Robin, check out his website at http://www.robinmcauley.com/ and (if you missed it), listen to Episode 56 of this show to catch his first appearance, in which he provides a lot more of his background and talks about Black Swan's Generation Mind album.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

It's a banner year for Enchant, as the band's 1993 debut album, A Blueprint of the World, turns 30 years old in 2023 and their 2003 Tug of War album turns 20. So, for this episode I spoke with guitarist Doug Ott extensively about both albums, his musical background, band personnel changes, searching for his guitar tone, and much more.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

In this episode I'm joined by 2/3 of the band Rocket Scientists. Musicians Mark McCrite and Don Schiff (unfortunately Erik Norlander wasn't available) were kind enough to discuss the making of their 2006 double album Revolution Road, which is now 15 years old. This is one of my favorite Rocket Scientists records and I enjoyed hearing about how it was made and a little of the history involved. Sadly, it does involve some tragedy, as the band was set to work with talented musician and vocalist Shaun Guerin, who died in 2003. Mark and Don were gracious with their time and shed a lot of light on the story of this excellent album. 

Find out more about Rocket Scientists on their website.

I appreciate you listening! Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on your podcast service of choice. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Clive Nolan is a busy guy. In addition to being in two well-known progressive rock bands (Arena and Pendragon), he writes musicals and works on a plethora of side and solo projects. I spoke with Clive about his upcoming projects, his favorite records, and much more, including his new solo album of "Viking music" based on Beowulf.

Learn more about Clive's music at his website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

The delightful Maiah Wynne from Envy of None (and a terrific solo artist) was kind enough to talk to me about her career, her musical background, working with legendary Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and Coney Hatch's Andy Curran in Envy of None, the stories and meanings behind the songs on the band's self-titled debut album, and so much more.

To learn more about Envy of None, visit the band’s website and to learn more about Maiah Wynne, you can visit her solo website.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Terry Ilous isn't exactly a household name but he's an artist that has had some success across multiple genres. He fronted his band XYZ in the late 1980s and early 90s, spent more than eight years as Jack Russell's successor as the lead singer of Great White, and has done a lot of Latin-influenced and Flamenco-type music as well. Terry's new project, Land of Gypsies, released its self-titled debut album Dec. 10 and it pays tribute to some of the great bands of the 70s, such as Bad Company, Humble Pie, and early Foreigner and Whitesnake. Terry was gracious enough to talk to me about the making of Land of Gypsies, his time in Great White, the status of XYZ (new music coming?!?), some of his solo work, and more. 

You can learn more about Terry at his website and you can order Land of Gypsies from Amazon or Frontiers Music or on the digital services.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

My guest for this episode is repeat offender Dave Kerzner, making his third appearance on the show. In his first, we discussed one of his all-time favorite albums, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis. That was a few years ago and he hinted about a Lamb tribute album in the works featuring performers such as Francis Dunnery (It Bites), Nick D'Virgilio (Big Big Train), Billy Sherwood (Yes), Steve Rothery (Marillion), and others. That album is now a reality, with the recent release of Sonic Elements' IT - A 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis. Dave was kind enough to tell me the hows and whys of the new album, which was obviously a painstaking labor of love. It's well crafted, honors the source material, and includes a few pleasant surprises. Find out more about Dave's work at davekerznermusic.com and sonicelements.bandcamp.com.

Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram and/or TikTok. I'm also on Bluesky now as well. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

I've been wanting to talk about Iron Maiden for some time, and outside of the band itself, who better to do that with than the host of the excellent Uncle Steve's Iron Maiden Zone podcast? Steve joined me to give me his Iron Maiden origin story and to tell me a little about his show. We then dove into a discussion of Maiden's iconic classic The Number of the Beast, which turned 40 years old this year from start to finish. You can find Uncle Steve's Iron Maiden Zone wherever podcasts are available and you can follow him on Twitter. My thanks to Steve for his time. This was a fun discussion.

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Singer/songwriter Shane Howard traveled to the heart of Australia 40 years ago and it changed his life. He had a spiritual awakening that led him to write "Solid Rock," a hit song (particularly in Australia) from his band Goanna's debut album, Spirit of Place. That song remains one of my favorite all-time song from the 1980s (and ever) and so I was eager to talk to Shane about how it came about and what it was like to be part of the Australian music scene at a very exciting time. Shane was more than gracious with his time and I enjoyed hearing his stories and discussing an album that should have been a monster not just in Australia but everywhere. 

• You can learn more about Goanna here. The band didn't have a long lifespan but the music is timeless and doesn't sound dated the way a lot of 80s music does.
• You can learn about Shane's solo work here. Shane's solo music should appeal to fans of acoustic rock, folk, or Americana.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram.

Ström is a new band out of Sweden that wear their classic 70s hard rock influences on their sleeve. The band is set to release its self-titled debut album on Sept. 23 and Zdravko Zizmond (vocals) and Johan Siljedahl (guitars) were kind enough to tell me about the record, which was necessary because unlike many rock bands in Scandinavia, Ström lyrics and vocals are not in English. Ström sings in Swedish, which ironically sets them apart even in their home country for their chosen genre. Big thanks to Zdravko and Johan for their time. You can follow Ström on Facebook for more information and order their music on Sound Pollution's web shop. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

It's never easy to replace a popular band's original lead singer and it's twice as hard when that singer is John Wetton. But that's what John Payne did, carving out his own niche as the lead singer and bassist of Asia through the 1990s and beyond, appearing on eight studio records with the band. John is hitting the road with Asia Featuring John Payne to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band's self-titled debut album and the 30th anniversary of his first release with the band, Aqua. I spoke with John about joining Asia and the making of Aqua. We also spoke about the awkwardness of having two touring bands flying the Asia banner, some of his other recording projects (such as GPS and the Dukes of Orient), and he revealed the name of his next upcoming endeavor. 

Learn more about John and the upcoming Asia Featuring John Payne tour at the band's website. 

Reminder: You can support independent podcasting by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month (50 cents an episode...or less!) at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and some levels can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music or the Goodpods app if you consume this podcast on those platforms. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like us on Facebook, and check us out on Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

I'm very pleased to bring you my interview with guitarist Brad Gillis of the legendary 80s rock band Night Ranger. Brad was kind enough to tell me about the making of the excellent new album ATBPO (an acronym for "and the band played on," which is how Night Ranger responded to the COVID-19 pandemic last year). With live venues shut down, the band started writing via Zoom calls and eventually put together a killer record that just came out earlier this month. Brad also told me about his early guitar heroes, playing on the rock and metal famine relief record "Stars" by Hear N' Aid in the 80s, making videos, the gear he used on ATBPO, and more. Check out the new album and I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

Find out more about Night Ranger at their website.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.

Sometimes unexpected things happen when recording podcasts, so when I lost my connection with legendary Mountain drummer Corky Laing in the middle of our conversation, I didn't panic. But I wasn't prepared for him to come back on the Zoom call with the news that Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts had died. Aside from that shocking development, I enjoyed talking with Corky about him being on the road again, his recent Toledo Sessions release and his Pompeii The Secret Sessions release, writing "Mississippi Queen," and a whole lot more. Corky is an energetic and funny guy and it was a blast catching up with him.

To find out more about Corky's music and shows, visit his website here.

I appreciate you listening! You can become a patron of the show at the new MRC Patreon page, with supporter benefits that escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show.

Please hit the like button and leave a rating/review on Apple Music if you consume this podcast on that platform. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up here. Follow MRC on Twitter, like MRC on Facebook, and check out my Instagram. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at michaelsrecordcollection@gmail.com.