Rock 'n' Roll Grad School

Here's a fun fact that we (and likely most db's fans) didn't know- their debut record has never been available on vinyl in the US. Thankfully, that wrong will be righted when "Stands for DeciBels" comes out on vinyl on June 6th. We talked with drummer Will Rigby about revisiting the record that started it all. (And, is there more material in the wings?) For more informatio...

Metal fans know David Ellefson from his work with Megadeth and his current band, Kings of Thrash. For the rest of you, you're in for a treat. We talked with David about touring the world, how to stay young and what he's learned from revisiting songs he wrote early on in his career. David and the Kings of Thrash are heading out on the road this summer. For more information, you can check...

This week, we sit down with Kyle Pfeiffer, better known to his fans as Blacklite District. He's gained popularity by working with video game creators and other fans on-line, creating a much more immersive and lasting relationship with his music. His current tour starts at an earlier time and includes time after the gig for everyone to hang out and meet fans and play video games. He also has a...

Nick Sabia is a songwriter, singer, musician, engineer... basically, his life is made up of music. And, really, we're all the richer for it. His new song,  Back East , is out now. (And don't worry, there's more where that came from.) For more information, you can check out Nick's website , or you can follow him on Instagram. Plus, updates on one of our favorite guests and her e...

Rockie Lynne is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. And, while that is impressive enough, when you hear Rockie's story, it becomes all the more fascinating.  "Rockie Lynne- Where I Belong," is a new documentary film telling the story of the album and of Rockie's life. The accompanying album,  Love , is more of the honest, sincere songwriting you'd expect. The film...

We thought a nice way to celebrate Earth Day would be to share this conversation with music star and children's author Sheri Miller. Along with her mother, Linda Miller, Sheri wrote a book, called "Honoring Our Planet- Think!" which is out now. We talked about conservation, gratitude and so much more. "Honoring Our Planet- Think!" is available right now, wherever you get y...

We spoke with Escape the Fate’s drummer when their most recent record came out. Now, as a special edition of Out of the Shadows coming out AND a tour with the Emo Orchestra starting tonight, we talk with the band’s lead singer Craig Mabbitt. On top of getting to hear some Escape the Fate favorites, you’ll also get to hear some of the greatest hits of the emo genre. We talked with Craig about playi...

SkyDxddy has made her music career talking about hard truths and difficult subjects. But her audience has found solace in her words. Her new song, "Why Do I Stay," continues her streak of great, honest music. You can find out more about SkyDxddy on her website and you can also follow her on Instagram or on Facebook.

Her name is Mama B and she has the novel idea of making music that is not only fun for kids, but adults too. Combining her skills as a pop writer and performer, Jacq Becker has created fun, memorable and, yes, enjoyable music for everyone in the family to enjoy. Her debut album, Imaginology is out on May 12th. (Just in time for Mother’s Day.) For more information, you can follow her on Facebook an...

Luke has the flu. Heidi is off gallivanting. Until they rejoin forces next week, enjoy this classic episode of  Grad School , culled from deep within our vaults. The music of Van Dyke Parks has always taken you on a journey, replete with exquisite sounds and thoughtful concepts.  His most recent collaboration is no different- he never met Veronica Valerio, but the resulting album is no less compel...

They've been rocking the country for 10 years and now Paralandra is releasing their second full-length album.  The Body Electric is available on April 4th, wherever you get your records. We talked with lead singer Cassandra Carson about the collaboration that makes Paralandra what it is and what it's like having your dad playing lead guitar. Plus, we learn what not to say to Kip Winger w...

There may be no easy way to describe the music of Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards other than by simply saying "it's good." Their new album,  Rapture Waltz is out on March 22nd. We sat down with Johnny to talk about the emotional power of music and of fandom and so much more. For more information and tour dates, you can check out their website or you can follow them on Facebook...

Bettye LaVette is a music legend. Heading back out on the road this spring, Bettye is one of the foremost interpreter of songs and is one of a kind.  We got to talk with Bettye about her albums, including how she approaches her interpretations as well as her fascinating and long-running career. Her most recent album LaVette! Is available now. For more information and tour dates, check out her webs...

If you’re looking for hard rock and great guitar, you need to look no further than Firewind. We talked with bandleader Gus G on the eve of the release of the new album, Stand United. Plus, we talk about Heidi’s big weekend and big summer plans, and if that isn’t enough, we extended an invitation to a particular politician to be a guest on the show and answer the tough questions.  For more informat...

There's a new/old sound sweeping the world and that's surf music. And leading the charge are The Surfrajettes, an all-female band leaving audiences spellbound with their musical skills. We talked with Shermy, one of the band's guitarists as they prepared to hit the road for a long stretch, playing with bands like The Electric Six and The Reverend Horton Heat. For more information an...

You know how we feel about Yoko Ono 'round these parts, so when we realized her birthday was coming up, it was the perfect time to reconnect with friend of the show Madeline Bocaro, who wrote a great biography of the artist titled, In Your Mind- The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono. So we did. We talked about the book, what Yoko thought and the overall impression of her. Infinite Universe is ava...

For almost 45 years, New Model Army has been fighting the good fight and calling out wrongs where they see it. Their new album, "Unbroken" is no different. We talked with lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Justin Sullivan about the new record, why they keep on recording and how collaboration can improve everything. "Unbroken" is available wherever you get music. For more inf...

Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! The Ramoms play punk rock music for punks of all ages. Their loving tributes to both their children and the Ramones are the type of things that make you wanna be sedated. (Or if you’re listening to the Ramoms, playdated.) For more information on the group, and to learn when they’re playing near you, check out their website . Or you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook .

Jalen Harris first came to prominence on American Idol, but that's just the beginning of his story. Since then, he's starred on Broadway in The Lion King and he's currently playing Eddie Kendricks in the touring company of Ain't Too Proud to Beg . And now he's sharing his own voice with his EP ManneKin. We talked with Jalen about his journey and how his work on stage infor...

Jon Scott worked as a record promotion guy with a lot of great artists, but his most important, and meaningful, relationship was with Tom Petty. (In fact, Jon can be credited for breaking Petty, long after the record company gave up on him.) In his new book,  Tom Petty and Me , Scott recounts a life-long friendship with one of the great American songwriters of all time. To get a copy of Jon's...

Wa Wa Zat?!? David Lee Roth has been a part of the public conversation for almost 50 years. And in that time, the polymath has constantly been confounding expectations. Darren Paltrowitz examines both the man and the myth in his new book, "DLR Book: How David Lee Roth Changed the World," available right now. For more information, you can follow Darren on Instagram , or you can check out...

Jazz musician has seen the world, playing with some of the greats of the genre. Now, with his new record, Peter and his group, Generation S, recorded the whole album, live in studio and on-line. On top of playing, Peter is teaching, helping introduce people of all ages into the joys of the art form. For more information, check out Peter's website , or you can learn more about lessons on the O...

Lol Tolhurst knows of that which he speaks. As the founding drummer of The Cure, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had a great vantage point to the evolution of goth style. And in his new book, "Goth: A History," Lol tells that story. It's part memoir and part study of an art form- and it's all really enjoyable. (As is his new record.) "Goth: A History" is available rig...

Mal Evans knew the Beatles from their earliest days. He was a bouncer at The Cavern Club. And from there, his friendship and his working relationship with the group only grew. (You might remember seeing him in the Peter Jackson film, "Get Back," where Paul asks him to run out and buy an anvil.) While Mal unfortunately didn't live long enough to tell his story, he left notes and comb...

Singer/songwriter Eddie Berman has created yet another album of songs that feel like he's whispering in your ear. And, again, he writes from personal events, ones that make the songs all the more relatable. "Signal Fire," the album, is available starting January 19th. For more information, check out Eddie's website , and follow him on Facebook .