Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico

On this episode of the show, we are joined by weed connoisseur Tim McFarland Jr. who runs Salem Research, a company that was founded with a simple goal of increasing affordability and accessibility to better health through medical cannabis.  With Tim, we go on a wild weed related journey and learn about a smarter kind of high. Steev also talks about his early days of artist management and drops a...

Boston based artist Diya Ghosh, who relocated to the states from Kolkata India, joins us for a lively discussion on Art and online dating, which results in attempts by both Diya and our engineer Herb giving dating advice to our host Steev on how to use Bumble and other dating sites.  It turns into a bit of a train wreck when Herb advises Steev to post topless photos of himself on dating sites.  On...

Our host tells a crazy story about going to the wrong airport in Denver back in 1995 and then goes on to rave endlessly about one of the greatest rock bands in history - The Faces - and the bands unique arrangement with singer Rod Stewart.   We also look at some of our favorite Instagram accounts and praise this shows sponsor, Baby Loves Tacos in Pittsburgh. Music The Charms "So Pretty"...

In this episode of Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico, we pay tribute to our fallen friend Holly Lane, reminisce on the greatest of Ronnie Montrose, rave about Merrily, praise good parenting, and admire the community work of our sponsors Baby Loves Tacos and The Dark Horse Pub.  Plus we play a couple fantastic tunes by The Real Kids and Merrily And The Poison Orchard. Its a fun time had by all.&...

In this episode we touch on the great career of Producer Rick Harte and his Boston based label Ace Of Hearts, which has put out some of the best and most influential music in Rock history and now the brand new release of "The Ace Of Hearts Story", which features 5 previously unreleased songs. We also play and discuss a couple of Neighborhoods songs, including the classic and until now unreleased t...

Almost three months later, we are back at New Alliance in Somerville recording next to the cemetery in our beloved basement studio. This new episode features new music from Somerville's own Poor Jim (aka Gun Metal Gray) and their new album entitled "4" and unreleased music from songwriter Bill Trudell, who has co-written a number of songs over the years with The Outlets David Alex-Barton, several...

In this episode of Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico our host goes on a bit of political rant and finally settles down to talk about three brilliant David Bowie records, and an in-depth critical review of the great Boston compilation "Mass Ave - The Boston Scene 1975-1983"(Rhino Records) which included stellar tracks from bands like The Neighborhoods, The Real Kids, Mission Of Burma, The Nervous Eat...

Our host gives us an in depth look at the albums that have influenced him over the years. This is a special lo-fi episode that covers several decades of releases ranging from albums by The Beatles to Social Distortion and many goodies in between...

In this episode of Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico, our host Steev talks about the interviews he had with Geffen Records, RCA Records, Arista Records etc. and how he did eventually fulfill his dream of working at a major record label, landing an elusive spot as an employee of the great A&M Records. Recorded lo-fi while being quarantined in Worcester Ma. 

This week on an abbreviated lo-fi episode of Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico, our host Steev Riccardo tells a cool and funny story about how a radio interview he did in the 80's ended up in Bob Nalbandian's  documentary entitled "Inside Metal -The LA Metal Scene Explodes".  

Boston based photographer, musician, and producer of the Sam Black Church documentary "Leave Behind A Groove In The Earth - The story of Sam Black Church", Duncan Wilder Johnson talks about growing up a huge music fan and his the ten year process of getting the SBC film out, the many hats he wears and he's in three bands too, and his love for the Descendents. Steev also talks about the most r...

Mel Lederman, who spent over a decade making records and touring with Victory At Sea and playing keyboards with Thalia Zedek (Dangerous Birds, Come) as well as releasing two solo records of his own, stopped by the show with Michele Won and her dog Chewy and we had a fun time talking indie rock stuff and more. We also played a track from Mel's solo record and previewed the upcoming New Alliance "An...

Chilly Kurtz and Charles Rivers both return to the Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico podcast and we talk the end of an era as WAAF goes christian music, when should rock stars should call it quits, Charles previews his' "Once Upon a time in...Graceland" Elvis tribute show, and Chilly shares some outrageous moments from tour dates in Troy/Albany NY. We also feature songs by Pittsburgh's Fuck Yeah Din...

Ellie Vee and Joe Wizda  from the legendary Boston garage rock band The Charms came by the studio with their kids Josie and Preston and we had a great conversation about the bands recordings, past tours, and having to deal with a shady record label. Things got a little crazy in the studio but Herb, our engineer, somehow pulled it all together.  We also feature a great new track from Wall...

Legendary Rocker/Author Mach Bell talks with us about his experiences with 70's rock heroes Thundertrain and his 2 plus years as the lead singer of The Joe Perry Project... AND his new book "Once A Rocker Always A Rocker".   Music Thundertrain "Hot For Teacher" The Joe Perry Project "Once A Rocker Always A Rocker" The Charms "So Pretty" (theme song) Recorded by Herb Morsiglio at New Alliance,...

Artist, musician, internet star Jessica Jarva invades the show in a way only she can and takes us on a magical chaotic journey. We also play a new track and talk about one of Boston's huge rising stars, The Gala US, and of course the host rips apart the Rock N Roll Hall OF Fame once again. All of this and more in 55 minutes! Music The Charms "So Pretty"(theme song) Jessica Jarva unreleased mystery...

Alyson Hell, lead vocalist of Mercury Plague and ex singer of Dead Girls Don't Say No and all around Heavy Metal and music enthusiast AND wonderful human being joins the Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico podcast and talks Winger, Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Peter Steele, Draconian, Rollins, The Charms are more.    Music The Charms "So Pretty" (theme music) Dead Girls Don't Say No "Dead G...

In the first episode of 2020, we talk about and play a new tune by Pittsburgh punk rock heroes The Homisides and then Steev shares some Rock N Roll Road Stories about being on the road with Damn The Machine , PAW , Jackopierce, and the some of the chaos that existed in what at times seemed like some sort of a fairy tale and other times incoherent behavior.  You never know where this podcast is gon...

In this, the final episode of 2019, Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico host Steev Riccardo not only shares some thoughts on the 2020 "Stadium" tour which will feature Motley Crue , Def Leppard , Poison , and Joan Jett , he also talks about another one of his favorite bands, The Neighborhoods , who just released their first album out in years! And it all ends with a bang as we thank everyone we can th...

Glenn Matto and AJ Cretin from the Boston based band All Mod Cons, who have been paying tribute to The Jam for over 20 years talk with us about the great influential English band  that has influenced many American bands like Green Day and especially Boston bands like The Neighborhoods, The Outlets, and Boys Life.  We also hit on All Mod Cons last Boston show coming in 2020 and their fina...

Rev. Hank Peirce has had an interesting life starting out as a straight edge teenager, becoming a roadie that toured with bands like Snapshot, Uniform Choice, and The Straw Dogs, a cool role in the film American Hardcore, to his life as a Minister. His candid interview is one of our best yet! We also talk about more of our favorite instagram accounts as well as hear a great tune from punk rock leg...

Jill "Chilly" Kurtz, (singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica) of Boston punkified blues legends Caged Heat, tells all in this exclusive interview with Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico. We talk about the classic second Caged Heat album which featured an all-star lineup of Boston rockers including Juliana Hatfield, Dana Colley, Asa Brebner, Allen Devine, Bo Barringer, Paul Myers, and Jimmy Ryan and...

We brought in Boston journalist/radio host Charles Rivers and all his expertise to talk about the history of alternative country music from its roots (Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings etc.) all way up to the success of Wilco and of course the host challenges the guest on the merits of Wilco arch-rivals Son Volt!  We also play an outstanding song by Boston's Continental in this fast...

In this topsy turvy episode of Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico, we hit on a plethora of topics including Metal Blade Records, The Goo Goo Dolls, Gang Green, and North Carolina's alt country hillbilly rockers Y'Allsberg!  Intro and outro The Charms "So Pretty" and special track by Y'allsberg "Fallen Sky".  Recorded at New Alliance, Union Square, Somerville MA

Steev flies solo in this episode and tells an incredible story about the late Peter Steele and his band Carnivore (pre Type O Negative) and the Reindeer Brains incident in December 1986 at CBGB.  He also talks about one of his favorite topics - the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame and this years nominees and a list of artists that have been overlooked. Yes he rips Radiohead and The Red Hot Chili Pepp...