Mothman in the Bible Belt

PopCult Blog writer and Radio Free Charleston host Rudy Panucci dishes on his legendary career, Christmas rituals, and Porkchop 2 acting gig. The media guru gives his opinion on the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Doug Skaff, the '80s and '90s Charleston music scene, and pop culture versus backyard happenings. Panucci discusses the impact late activist and The Defectors' singer Lynne Sandy ha...

E.Y. Samples discusses her debut children's book "The Adventures of Timothy Oatmeadow" and reads a selection from the book. Samples is a dietician by trade and a journalist on the side.

Provincetown-based abstract photographer and art gallery director Grace Hopkins discusses her unique photography, the Provincetown art scene, visiting Wheeling during her childhood, and her upcoming memoir. Hopkins spills the tea on her John Waters run ins, gives her two cents on modern art, and dishes on her parents' abstract painter and author, Budd Hopkins, and art critic and curator, Dr. A...

Huntington-based rapper and filmmaker Trey Cobb a.k.a. Mr. Awful dishes on his hip hop and movie career. He discusses the Huntington homeless situation, playing a fundraiser for the Huntington City Mission, and whether or not he's a misogynist pig like his alter ego. Cobb also chimes in on his 2021 collaboration with Buni Muni on "In the Couch".

Clarksburg singer-songwriter Allister Stolas discusses new music, local West Virginia music venue haters, and traveling the country playing music. Stolas reminisces on performing in church in his youth and his evolving sound. He also shares his new tracks "Breakin' My Bones” and “When I Wake Up Again”.

Richmond-based progressive rock band the Conebuds dish on their May 2025 release "Emergence", touring, and Waynestock. The rockers also chime in on Daryl Hall dissing yacht rock and whether they'd ever cover "Pink Pony Club" live in concert.

Former Hollywood gaffer Kyle Warmack discusses his past career lighting movie and TV show sets, acting in a campy Damian Chapa movie, working a dolly on a Randy Travis music video, and the West Virginia-shot Sago Mine Disaster-inspired movie "Little Accidents". Warmack has 74 IMDB gaffing and cinematographer credits to his name. He lit "Dear White People (season 3), "Hello, My Name is Doris", "Dop...

Buchannon-based psychedelic rock band Acid Mind Drainage ’s Billy Lotion, Todd Drainage, and Vintage Fat Daddy Jay and their producer Stephen Halterman aka Steven Starr discuss their second record, upcoming shows, and a new concert venue opening in 2025 in Buchannon. The band debut new songs from their forthcoming record, and give their two cents on Timothee Chalamate playing Bob Dylan in A Comple...

Space Freq 's Sam Mills, Alex Garcia, and Brandon Dent discuss their latest record, band history, and sound. The band chimes in on whether or not Ella Fitzgerald sold out in the '80s for hocking KFC and if they'd ever record a Diane Warren track. Space Freq is a tri-county West Virginia cosmic jazz and space funk band. In November 2024, the band dropped their LP Frequencies of the Ether.

Famed ghosthunter and documentarian Barry Conrad discusses the San Pedro Haunting, the Kelly–Hopkinsville extraterrestrial encounter, and the TV show he co-created, My Ghost Story. Conrad dishes on his documentaries Legend of the Flatwoods Monster and California’s Most Haunted, and being eyed for Ghost Hunters. He also chimes in on the status of a Mothman doc he’s been working on for 20 plus years...

Bluefield-based alt rocker Matt Deal dishes on his latest release "Drunken, Belligerent Forget-Me-Nots", growing up in McDowell County, and artificial intelligence in music. Deal also chimes in on Chappell Roan wanting to be seen as some "random bitch on the street" by her fans and his classic rap track "Mashed Potato Juice".

Matt Kiser, Zach White, Scott Hinkle, and Ben Keenan of WV rock band Never Zero dish on their new music, setlist selection , and what music inspired their sound. The band give their two cents on Dave Grohl fathering a child out of wedlock, Linkin Park’s new lead singer Emily Armstrong, and Jane’s Addiction's onstage band drama between Perry Ferrell and Dave Navarro. The band also chime in on Cher...

Parkersburg, West Virginia country-western musician and singer-songwriter ⁠Roger Richards⁠ discusses his music, the Parkersburg music scene, and getting a phone call from an American Idol executive producer. Richards dishes on how losing his young brother to suicide inspired his song "Used to Be" and he chimes in on modern country music. The country crooner speaks candidly about growing...

Morgantown-based rock funk jam band Intoxicated Zen 's Davis Kimble, Will Oxley, and Ryan Quickel dish on their debut eponymous record, WVU axing their World Languages Department and cutting music degree program offerings, and their wild alien inspired tack "Project Serpo". The band tries to distinguish Morgantown's music scene from the rest of West Virginia's, chat it up on...

Adam Cox, Fox Hunt, and Beth Segessenman of Independent State spill the tea on their debut record "The Wild and the Wonderful", touring, and being a unit for ten years. The Independent State players dish on their involvement in environmental causes in West Virginia and the anti-fracking track ""Save This West Virginia. The band discuss poet and activist Don West’s influence and...

Black Hole Zion frontman Mark Benincosa aka Mark Zbornak dishes on upcoming Black Hole Zion music, creating video game soundtracks, and having a classical album ("Nadia Boulanger -Mademoiselle-Premiere Audience") he produced and engineered nominated for a Grammy. Benincosa also discusses the complexities of obtaining licensing rights to record cover songs and his "Running on Empty&q...

Ohio trans poet Barbara Marie Minney discusses her latest book of poetry "A Woman in Progress", growing up in Vienna, West Virginia, and the backlash her coming out as trans had on her and her spouse's lives. Minney dishes on the status of her canned erotic novela, using TMS therapy to treat depression, and a possible memoir. She also shares three of her poems.

Author Eliot Parker dishes on his latest book “Table for Two: A Collection of Stories” and the Ronan McCullough crime thriller novels. Parker talks about growing up in Charleston, WV and coming out gay later in life. The author speaks candidly on the West Virginia Legislature trying to remove libraries, museums and schools from criminal liability exemptions over the display or distribution of mate...

West Virginia psych-stoner metal band Horseburner's Adam Nohe, Jack Thomas, and Ryan Aliff dish on their upcoming 4th album "Voice of Storms, band history, stories behind the songs, and touring. The band discusses how COVID-19 impacted touring plans and how they juggle 9-5 jobs with writing, recording, and touring nationally. Guitarist Matt Stroebel was unable to participate in the interv...

Ann Magnuson reflects on her young life growing up in Charleston, West Virginia and dishes on her latest single "Ghost Cat". This lengthy interview dives into Magnuson's past, both on stage and screen, NYC nightlife, and dealing with loved ones passing from AIDS in the '80s and '90s. Magnuson discusses Making Mr. Right, landing Desperately Seeking Susan, and making out with D...

Justin Johnson, Chad Fisher, and Nathan Shrewsbury of West Virginia '80s pop-rock retro band Rewind The Walkman discuss their debut show at The Blue Parrot on February 17th, '80s music, their music videos, and whether Heart singer Ann Wilson should regularly perform a song she detests, "All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You." The band also chime in on Everytime You Go Away singer Pa...

24-year-old pornstar Adam Awbride dishes on the Israel-Hamas War, immigration, and the 2024 Election. Awbride gives his opinion on porn mogul Michael Lucas slapping his name on an IDF missile headed towards Gaza and former scene partner Sergeant Miles's arrest for his involvement in the January 6th insurrection. And of course, Awbride speaks frankly about his career in porn. Awbride also talks...

Crown the Witch dishes on their EP "This Curse", the status of DeadFaceDown, the West Virginia music scene, and their love of rock band Morbid Angel. The rockers also name who they want in the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and if Cher is worthy of induction.

Hair Supply rockers Philthy Trenches and Weedles Von Frankenberry discuss their rock band, their music and several scandals they've been involved in. Philthy Trenches discusses his relationship with Tina Turner and Weedles Von Frankenberry dishes on his wild sex life. Also discussed, their current lead singer Pipes allegedly appearing in sex tape with a Wilson Phillips singer. Past Hair Supply...

West Virginia Explorer Magazine editor-in-chief David Sibray dishes on popular West Virginia tourist attractions, Mountain State cuisine, and his encounter with a sasquatch in Mount Hope. Sibray also discusses West Virginia folklore and John Sayle's "Matewan." On top of being editor-in-chief of WV Explorer, Sibray is also a historian, realtor, public relations specialist and Preserva...