Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Dweezil Zappa joins Laughingmonkeymusic for a deep dive into one of his most iconic works — “My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama.” In this episode, Dweezil breaks down the song’s origins, its connection to his father Frank Zappa’s legacy, and how he reimagined it for a new generation of guitar fans. From tone and technique to songwriting and production, Dweezil walks us through the creative choices...

Bill Fisher has carved a fascinating path through modern rock and prog. Based in Nottingham, he first caught attention leading Church of the Cosmic Skull, the seven-piece band known for its lush harmonies, cosmic themes, and a theatrical mix of heavy riffs and vintage melodies. The band’s blend of progressive rock and psychedelic soul quickly earned them a devoted international following and a str...

Michael Sweet, frontman of Stryper, returns with a full slate of new music. The band’s upcoming Christmas album The Greatest Gift Of All blends classic holiday songs with original tracks in true Stryper style — heavy guitars, harmony vocals, and messages of hope and faith. It’s a bold take on Christmas music from one of rock’s most enduring and faithful voices. In addition, Sweet is preparing a ne...

adventurous streak led her to a new path that would shape her life. In 1995, at just 19, she joined The Dandy Warhols in Portland, Oregon, despite having minimal formal music training. Her bold personality and willingness to learn made her an essential part of the band, evolving from keyboardist to a full-fledged multi-instrumentalist handling bass, percussion, and vocals. Zia’s style and charisma...

lKory Clarke is best known as the outspoken frontman and creative force behind Warrior Soul, the politically charged, no-filter hard rock band that rose from New York City’s underground in the late ’80s. Clarke’s mission from the start was clear: shake the system and wake the people. Blending punk attitude with metal power, Clarke led Warrior Soul through a run of killer albums — Last Decade Dead...

Dave Lee — founder of Signal Snowboards and creator of Cardboard Sessions — has turned a wild idea into a full-blown creative movement. What began as experiments in building snowboards and skateboards out of cardboard with Ernest Packaging evolved into playable guitars, basses, and drum kits. The result is Cardboard Sessions , a YouTube series where world-class musicians jam on fully functional ca...

Asaf Avidan joins us to talk about his brand-new album Unfurl, diving deep into the music, stories, and emotions behind the release. Known for his unmistakable voice and poetic songwriting, Asaf continues to push creative boundaries with a sound that blends raw honesty and cinematic atmosphere. Born in Jerusalem, Avidan first rose to fame with Asaf Avidan & The Mojos, earning international acc...

John Haughm remains a big creative part of Agalloch, but in recent years he has also carved a singular path as a solo artist. His solo work explores ambient, experimental, folk, and spectral textures — often using minimalist instrumentation, field recordings, and layered atmospherics. You can find his releases, old and new, on his Bandcamp page: haughm.bandcamp.com At the same time, the Agalloch...

Uli Jon Roth is a German guitarist, composer, and visionary best known for his groundbreaking work with the Scorpions in the 1970s and for pioneering a neo-classical approach to rock guitar. Born on December 18, 1954, in Düsseldorf, Germany, Roth joined the Scorpions in 1973, helping shape their early sound on albums such as Fly to the Rainbow (1974), In Trance (1975), Virgin Killer (1976), and Ta...

Dweezil Zappa was born on September 5, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, the son of legendary musician and composer Frank Zappa and Gail Zappa. Growing up in one of the most creatively charged households in rock history, Dweezil was surrounded by instruments, recording sessions, and a constant stream of innovative artists visiting the family home. Naturally drawn to music, he began playing guitar...

Geoff Tate emerged from the Seattle music scene in the early 1980s, co-founding Queensrÿche in 1982. His dynamic tenor voice and dramatic delivery quickly set him apart, helping the band stand out in the rising heavy metal landscape. Their self-titled debut EP gained international traction and laid the foundation for a career built on ambitious, thought-provoking music. The band’s early albums The...

In this episode, we dive into the story of The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats , the German folk-punk powerhouse that blends Celtic tradition with rock energy. From their beginnings as a small duo to becoming festival favorites across Europe, the band’s history is filled with passion, reinvention, and a love for music that gets crowds moving. We explore their early days, the evolution of their sound,...

Steph Paynes & Lez ZeppelinSteph Paynes is the visionary guitarist and founder of Lez Zeppelin, the all-female powerhouse that has redefined what a tribute band can be. More than just a faithful recreation, Lez Zeppelin brings the spirit, swagger, and intensity of Led Zeppelin’s music into a new light, guided by Paynes’ fiery guitar work and her dedication to channeling the emotional risk and...

Dweezil Zappa – Go With What You KnowDweezil Zappa, the son of legendary composer and guitarist Frank Zappa, has carved out his own path as a musician, producer, and guitarist with a distinctive voice. Known for his virtuosic guitar playing and wide-ranging musical tastes, Dweezil blends elements of rock, jazz, funk, and experimental textures, always infusing his work with both technical skill and...

Formed in Los Angeles in 1988, Rhino Bucket emerged as one of the most unrelenting purveyors of stripped-down, no-frills hard rock. With a sound often compared to AC/DC due to its raw guitar riffing and gravel-voiced delivery, the band built a reputation for keeping rock ‘n’ roll honest and powerful at a time when the music scene was shifting toward glam and alternative trends. Led by Finnish-born...

Udo Dirkschneider is making waves again with Dirkschneider & The Old Gang (often shortened to DATOG), a new all-star collaboration that draws deep from his legendary roots in Accept and U.D.O. The group includes longtime comrades Peter Baltes (bass, ex-Accept), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar, ex-Accept & U.D.O.), Mathias Dieth (guitar, Sinner/U.D.O.), his son Sven Dirkschneider (drums), and singe...

Nick Oliveri, born October 21, 1971 in Los Angeles, is an American bassist, vocalist, and songwriter best known for his work in the desert and stoner rock scenes. He began playing in early bands in the Palm Desert area, including Katzenjammer, which evolved into Sons of Kyuss and later Kyuss, where he appeared on the albums Wretch and Blues for the Red Sun. In 1997 he founded Mondo Generator, a pr...

Episode 595 brings an extraordinary deep dive into one of the most ambitious and creative works from guitarist, composer, and producer Dweezil Zappa. In this exclusive conversation, Dweezil revisits his 1991 album Confessions, guiding listeners through a rare track-by-track exploration. Known for his technical brilliance and fearless approach to blending rock, jazz, funk, and experimental textures...

Mark Lettieri is a Grammy Award–winning guitarist, composer, and producer whose work has established him as one of the most versatile and dynamic musicians of his generation. Best known for his role in the genre-defying collective Snarky Puppy, Lettieri has also built a thriving solo career that highlights his singular voice as a guitarist and bandleader. His music seamlessly blends elements of ro...

Since their debut in 2022, A.D.A.M. Music Project has built a worldwide following with more than 60 songs inspired by video games, fan-favorite characters, and the gaming culture that connects people across the globe. Their sound blends hard rock, metal, classic rock, and powerful ballads—driven by heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and explosive energy. This commitment to bold, guitar-driven rock has a...

Daniele Gottardo is an Italian guitarist and composer known for his dazzling technique, innovative use of tapping, and sophisticated approach to composition. Born in 1983 in Rovigo, Italy, he began his musical journey at a young age, first inspired by classical and jazz traditions before immersing himself in rock and fusion. His unique style blends virtuosic guitar playing with orchestral sensibil...

In this series Dweezil and I sat down weekly to breakdown and deep dive into one his albums. This week in episode 1 Dweezil shares his first single and recording at his Frank Zappa"s studio with Eddie Van Halen. Each episode in loaded with stories and memories from that time period. New deep dive into his albums of his every week. Subscribe and hit bell not to miss!

The Cockney Rejects formed in East London in 1979, led by brothers Jeff and Mick Geggus. Coming straight out of the working-class neighborhood of East End, they were inspired by the raw energy of punk but added their own aggressive, football terrace–style chants. Their first records came out on EMI, with the 1980 debut Greatest Hits Vol. 1, followed quickly by Greatest Hits Vol. 2. Their loud, sin...

Amorphis has built a reputation as one of Finland’s most influential and enduring metal bands. With a career spanning more than three decades, they have consistently evolved while maintaining a deep connection to their cultural roots. In this special feature, we sit down with the band’s keyboardist Santeri Kallio for an exclusive interview about the release of their new album, Borderlands. Formed...

Gretchen Menn is an acclaimed American guitarist and composer known for blending technical rock guitar mastery with classical sophistication. A graduate in music from Smith College, she began her journey with classical guitar before a life-changing encounter with electric guitar legends inspired her to expand her style. Her early musical foundations gave her the versatility to move seamlessly betw...