A-Sides

James Black from Finger Eleven joins A-SIDES for a huge discussion on collecting vinyl records, 007 movie scores, creating a song for 2003's Daredevil movie, marrying visual art with music, and more! One of the biggest tours of Summer 2024 is the return of Creed, along with Finger Eleven and 3 Doors Down as opening acts. You can follow along with Finger Eleven through their tour dates at their web...

While music itself is already a shared passion, a recurring theme between guests and hosts alike seems to be Cheap Trick. The special guest for A-SIDES Episode 163, Nick Perri, is no different. Not only does he love Cheap Trick, he's even toured with and interviewed founding member Rick Nielsen. We discuss Nick's inspirations and favorite artists, his own music, methods to center yourself, and we...

Episode 162 of A-SIDES features returning guest and heavy metal enthusiast, Marc Sasso! We not only discuss several of our favorite tracks from Judas Priest's latest album Invincible Shield, but also stolen cassettes, the day Rob Halford departed Judas Priest, the perfect song for speeding in your car, Ghost, Metallica's Kill Em All, and more! Huge thanks to Marc for making his second appearance o...

For Episode 161, A-SIDES is flying the flag of classic rock band Thin Lizzy, by welcoming back longtime friend and frequent guest, "The Professor" Kenny Wright. He praises the lyrical prowess of Thin Lizzy's founder Phil Lynott, ponders why guitarist Gary Moore was constantly leaving and rejoining the band, explains "cut out" bargain bins, twin guitar harmonies, recommends a key blue-eyed soul rec...

It's well-documented that a favorite live band in recent years has been In The End, the California-based tribute to Linkin Park. Members Cris Hodges, Zak St. John, and Danny Lopez have made appearances on A-SIDES, with Danny Lopez returning for a smashing sequel with Episode 160! Like most sequels, there's a familiarity with the story, but also new elements are added, such as conversations on comi...

Throughout the lifespan of A-SIDES, one band that has made a direct impact is King's X. They've been a topic either organically or purposefully, even being a focal point for discussion in Episode 93 with Corey Rozzoni and Freddy Herrera. With this episode, founder/bassist dUg Pinnick joins A-SIDES for an intimate discussion on mental and physical health, the groove of King's X, the enduring legacy...

As funny as he is talented, returning guest Zak St. John made this one of the quickest hour-long conversations on A-SIDES. Among his current numerous projects are Slow Burning Car, Ashen Moon, In The End, and Annie Bosko. Originally a guest on Episode 101, Zak returns to share recent experiences with In The End, how he likes his steak, Elton John vs Billy Joel, drummers that inspire him, and Knuck...

Everclear had a distinct presence in the 1990's with songs such as "Santa Monica", which is still felt 30 years later, with new fans attending shows and discovering their music. Episode 157 features Davey French of Everclear, sharing his history with the band, growing up in the Pacific Northwest, his technique for learning to play his favorite songs, several hobbies and interests, and more! Follow...

Damon Johnson was the first special guest to be interviewed on A-SIDES back at the start of 2020 for our 11th episode. Flash forward to 2024 and Episode 156, Damon returns to discuss life and rock n roll over these last 4 years. While his accolades and accomplishments are numerous, at his core he's a family man, and is passionate about the craft of songwriting. He shares the creation of the recent...

Metal and monsters have been married for decades, but with physical fitness, too? For Zak Bellante, it is a lifestyle as he has taken his passions to the next level in founding Death Comes Lifting, which is 'fitness for the misfits'! Zak chats finding fitness, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, cheat day foods, and more in Episode 155 of A-SIDES! You can join "The Lifting Dead Army" with Zak online at D...

Episode 154 of A-SIDES features special guest Bob Thiemann, who will be performing with Revis later this summer for a run of shows. Bob shares the origins of Revis, growing up in Central Illinois, Nickelodeon movies, the camaraderie of music, Peoria-area venues, and the music that goes straight to his soul. Huge thanks to Bob and Revis for this fun conversation! You can get tickets to see Revis li...

Music and visual arts are two halves that make the whole for Michael Cartellone. He is not only the drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but also a creative and accomplished visual artist. For Episode 153 of A-SIDES we dive into his background into both areas, his tenure with Damn Yankees, his favorite Skynryd song to perform in concert, and more! Huge thank you to Michael for this fun conversation and tha...

Episode 152 features special guest Jonathan Stoye (The Infamous HER, Framing Hanley), whose musical journey has taken him from Michigan to Tennessee, and back again. Making friends and connections isn't the purpose of A-SIDES but it's rewarding when it does happen. Jonathan Stoye is one of those guests, as we dove into his background and discovered some common ground with private school, nu metal,...

If there is one band to follow in 2024 - it's Beasto Blanco! As they are gearing up for the release of their fourth album Kinetica, A-SIDES welcomes back Brother Latham for another conversation. Latham discusses his guitar influences, filming music videos, surviving the pandemic, becoming ordained, and even missing props while on tour! It was fun to catch up with Brother Latham and hear what he's...

Central Illinois musician John Massaglia of The Truth Council makes another appearance on A-SIDES as the podcast reaches its 150th episode. John shares his current plans for the band in 2024, taking the band to Canada this fall, the reality of superhero movie fatigue, and gives a very poignant answer about what he wants more of in his life! Shout out to another Central Illinois musician Brian Lars...

The immensely talented Ryan Waters joins A-SIDES following a recent performance in St. Louis with LiV Warfield at City Winery. Not only is he a collaborator with LiV, he currently performs alongside Nancy Wilson and Heart, which he shares how their paths have weaved and intersected over the years. Ryan also discusses his favorite artists, growing up in the Pacific Northwest, songwriting post-COVID...

2024 is the "Year of the Beasto" on A-SIDES! Following up on Calico's recent appearance on A-SIDES, her Beasto Blanco bandmate Chuck Garric joins A-SIDES for Episode 148. Not only does he share a few details on Beasto's upcoming studio album titled Kinetica, Chuck also shares a few influences that have fueled Beasto's creation, touring with the Alice Cooper band, and more! Huge thanks to Chuck for...

Glam had bitten the dust, Grunge was king, but another wave of metal was breathing down it's neck. That was the year of 1994. Corey Rozzoni from The Great Affairs makes his 8th appearance on the podcast to discuss 1994's many highlights, including debuts from Weezer and Green Day, grunge classics like Superunknown, even The Lion King soundtrack, and Bob Rock's influence on several bands from this...

The year of 1991 was a melting pot for the rock genre, with Seattle bands claiming the throne at the top of the charts, Sunset Strip glam becoming passe, and the Bay Area metal bands getting caught in the middle. A-SIDES welcomes back Paul Tincher (previously on Episode 130) to discuss the bands on the Clash of the Titans tour, led by Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, and the intersecting rising rock...

After a chance meeting at Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding fundraiser in December, Andy welcomes special guest Daxx Nielsen for Episode 145 of A-SIDES. Daxx shares his earliest interest in music, growing up in the era of MTV, performing at Wrigley Field, recording and performing with Cheap Trick, and more! Huge thanks to Daxx for taking time to be a guest on A-SIDES and thanks to all who listen. Y...

Ahead of the upcoming fourth studio album from Beasto Blanco, Calico Cooper joins A-SIDES to discuss her history with Beasto and more! She shares how she first became involved with the band, touring Germany, playing small stages vs large arenas, her transformation with each Beasto release, family traditions, and even thoughts on the Barbie movie! Huge thanks go out to Calico for being a guest on t...

A-SIDES Episode 143 welcomes drummer Rich Beddoe, whose past includes roles in Finger Eleven and Saint Asonia. He shares stories from the road, what sparked his passion for drumming, his sobriety, and his newfound role as a father. We also talk about "gate keeping", learning to accept yourself, radio DJ's, and a surprising influence from Queensryche. Huge thanks to everyone who listens to this epi...

The worlds of music and pro-wrestling collide for Episode 142 of A-SIDES as special guest "Showtime" Eric Young discusses his passion for music. Describing it as the "ritualistic pleasure of vinyl", not only does Eric share how he developed his extensive record collection, he also discusses the positives and negatives of social media, a unique comparison of pro-wrestling and listening to a record...

Episode 141 of A-SIDES features special guest Janel Duarte, bassist and co-vocalist of Conquer Divide. They just released their sophomore album, Slow Burn, which has scored accolades from Metal Hammer, Sirius XM's Octane, and Loudwire. Janel shares her inspirations, favorite horror films, aspirations and goals, and looks ahead to more touring for Conquer Divide in 2024. Huge thanks to Janel and th...

A-SIDES previously took a look at the career of DIO on Episode 127, starting with the acclaimed 1983 album Holy Diver through 1987's Dream Evil. Returning guest and friend Corey Rozzoni makes a follow-up appearance here to dissect several albums from the later period of DIO, sharing stories about Lock Up The Wolves, Strange Highways, and Killing The Dragon. Corey and Andy discuss the differences i...