Decibel Geek Podcast

It's officially KISSMAS in July! Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season of the Hottest Band in the Land! We thought we'd kick things off in a big way! Konversation with John Harte   Former KISS security director "Big" John Harte joins Aaron and Chris this week to discuss his career working for the Hottest Band in the World. In this hour-plus conversation, John reflects on a wild time as KISS...

This week we serve up volume 6 of what equates to a giant audio glass of WTF?! Aaron and Chris are back this week to get weird as they bring you Bizarro Covers 6! This hour-plus slab of killer bands putting a fresh spin on some definite non-rock/metal tracks includes some fabulous upgrades. Bizarro Covers 6     You'll get awesome renditions of songs by Phil Collins, Blondie, Depeche Mode, Elton Jo...

After a smashing success with last week's NWOBHM episode, we thought we would return to tell you that what was great in the past is still great today thanks to some ambitious newer bands with resplendent taste in respectable music! NWOTHM Aaron and Chris are back this week to celebrate and clue you into a movement that is helping continue the genre we all love! The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Me...

It's hard to believe that in 4 years of the show's existence, we've never tackled this one. Better late than never. This week Aaron and Chris head across the pond to celebrate one of metal's biggest milestones; the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. This monumental shift in heavy music was born in the United Kingdom in the late 70's, flourished in the early 80's, and was heavily responsible for the...

We return with the latest installment of our Albums Unleashed series and this one is Wild! Aaron and Chris return this week along with special guest Anthony Corder to discuss the fantastic 1992 A&M Records release of Tora Tora's Wild America. This album hit the shelves amidst a tidal wave of grunge music that was taking over the airwaves. The musical climate at the time relegated it to a slot just...

Some weeks it's fun to just kick back, forget about a theme or topic and play deejay. This is one of those weeks. Chris and Aaron return this week to spin some great tracks that the suits on corporate radio are just not gonna give you. In this hour plus episode you'll get classic tracks from Bulletboys, Krokus, Rough Cutt, and Richie Scarlet. You'll also get get great newer tracks from Crobot, Whi...

As music fans, we can sometimes be left dumfounded about certain decisions made by our favorite artists. Never is that more true than the choice of a song selected to be a single from an album. Whether it's the decision of artist, manager, pr, or record company some of these choices can leave one scratching their head. In the event that the singles that are chosen don't perform well at radio, it c...

In 1997, no frills rock was about as unpopular as you can imagine....unless you lived in the midwestern United States. The plains states have long been a hotbed of rock and roll fandom. States such as Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin thrived on cranked up Les Pauls through Marshall Stacks and in 1997 one of the midwest's favorite bands was Hair of the Dog. Featuring Ryan Cook, John Sepetys, Mike Du...

su·per·group ˈso͞opərˌɡro͞op/ noun an exceptionally successful rock group, in particular one formed by musicians already famous from playing in other groups.   Yep, that's the definition but we'll be playing fast and loose with Webster's rules. When did we ever care how successful a band is? Great music is all that matters. Supergroups Episode Decibel Geek Podcast This week Aaron and Chris are bac...

It's often said that first impressions are important. In the case of great hard rock and heavy metal albums, this is often true. This week Aaron and Chris pick out some of their favorite album openers. In this hour-plus episode, you'll hear great leadoff tracks from artists like KISS, UFO, Europe, Judas Priest, Metallica, Vinnie Vincent Invasion and much more!  Album Openers episode from Decibel G...

Back in October of 2013, Chris and Aaron had a brainstorm. They noticed that many people like songs from big albums by big bands but when those bands go “out of fashion” with the mainstream, they release some great work and much of that work gets ignored by the general music listener. The idea of Buried Treasure was born. This week Aaron and Chris present Buried Treasure II; a collection of great...

This week we fulfill an interview wish that goes back to the beginning of the show; fitting for our 4 year anniversary. This week Aaron and Chris celebrate the 4 year anniversary of Decibel Geek with an in-depth conversation with Mark Slaughter. Currently promoting his new solo album produced by Michael Wagener, 'Reflections in a Rearview Mirror' Mark was kind enough to sit down in-person with Aar...

Aaron and Chris return this week to cover the second half of a very dark year in music and history. 2001 Year in Review part 2 features more discussion of the pop culture, people, events, and music of July-December. In this hour-plus episode, you'll get discussion of the unveiling of the first iPod, the end of Napster, and the 9/11 terror attacks. You'll also get more classic commercials and track...

We go back in time for the next two weeks to a year that changed the world....but were the tunes good?   This week Aaron and Chris and present part 1 of their 2001 Year in Review. It doesn't seem like it's been almost a decade and a half from 2001 but it has. Many of you are probably thinking "Did anything good come out in 2001?" Well, your hosts this week dug deep and think you'll nod your head i...

With a show that's been in existence for nearly 4 years and has covered numerous facets of rock and metal, you had to know this day would come. We think you'll like it anyway.   This week Aaron and Chris set out to tackle a true challenge....finding songs from the genre known as Rap Rock that actually kick ass. This genre is picked apart and ridiculed by many rock and metal purists but your hosts...

We're back this week to talk about the second half of a very polarizing album.   Chris and Aaron return this week with the second part of their discussion with producer Toby Wright for Albums Unleashed - Carnival of Souls. Covering the second half of this controversial KISS album, Toby shares his memories of the tracking and mixing of the songs including the Gene Simmons-sung 'In My Head,' which w...

We wanted to get into something polarizing and divisive this week. Mission accomplised...   Famed producer Toby Wright sits down with Chris and Aaron this week for part 1 of a 2 part Albums Unleashed special covering KISS' 1997 release Carnival of Souls.   Shelved in early 1996 by Mercury Records due to KISS taking a left turn at Reunionville, Carnival of Souls leaked shortly thereafter and was bo...

After having full intention of recording a new Year in Review episode, life got in the way but something more fun came from it; talking to you!   Aaron and Chris call an audible this week. Instead of an intended Year in Review show (don't worry, it'll still happen), the guys get on the blower and talk to you! In this hour-plus interactive episode, your hosts have quick chats with friends of the sh...

There's been a lot of talk in the KISS fan world about the original road crew. This week, we have one of them on to talk about the good old days.   Jay "Hot Sam" Barth guests this week to discuss his time working for KISS during their rise to stardom. As front-of-house sound mixer, Hot Sam had a great seat to watch Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter slay audiences on a nightly basis. In this discussion, H...

Love is in the air once again...so it's time to break out some sappy shit!   Aaron and Chris commemorate this year's Valentine's Day with the second volume of their For the Ladies collection of power ballads. In this hour plus block of music, you'll get heartfelt anthems from artists such as Y&T, Salty Dog, Babylon AD, Hair of the Dog, Slaughter, and Aerosmith among others.   It's okay to let your...

Sometimes it's best to just start at the beginning; and this week we're doing just that.   Aaron and Chris return this week to present Demo-licious; an hour-plus of the original inspiration for tunes from some of your favorite bands. You'll hear unreleased songs from bands like KISS, Motley Crue, Cinderella, and Ace Frehley. You'll also get the original demos for tracks that would take shape later...

We dig deep into the Decibel Geek vault for something never heard before.   Chris and Aaron present a chat with former Dan Hartman group member Blanche Napoleon. The group, formed in the late 70's by Hartman (a former member of the Edgar Winter group) and included Napoleon on backing vocals, drummer Hilly Michaels, G.E. Smith, and a young, unknown guitarist named Vincent Cusano. The Hartman group...

After a week Down Under, we're back to a format that feels like a good ole pair of jeans.   Chris and Aaron present volume 20 of their long-running music-based Radio Sucks Radio Show format. No top-40, no corporate directives; just great rock and metal music that spans decades and borders and delivers over a full hour of ear candy. Great tracks from Poison, Gus G., D.A.D., Monte Pittman, Clutch, T...

Chris and Aaron return this week to bring you Aussie Rock volume 1! In this hour-plus episode the guys spin some of their favorite music from Down Under. You'll hear some familiar names but some not-so-familiar ones as well to give you a taste of some awesome Australian talent.   This week you get great tracks from well-known Aussie bands such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, and Airbourne. You'll also get...

On June 11, 1991 rock and metal history was made when Skid Row released their followup album. Sophomore jinx? Nothing could be further from the truth.   This week Aaron and Chris return to Wire World Studios to sit down with legendary producers Michael Wagener to discuss the landmark album, Slave to the Grind. The followup to the self-titled Skid Row debut album left its mark as it debuted at #1 o...