Rock 'n' Roll Grad School

This week's episode is our annual crossover with our other podcast, Why? We look back on the year, reflect on what we (haven't) learned, and play some of our favorite holiday music.  But don't worry, there's no Bing Crosby or Wonderful Christmastime on this play list, it's stuff we can almost guarantee you haven't heard before. Our playlist is below. Enjoy and we&apos...

Roger Street Friedman took some time off from music, but he's back with a vengeance. His new album, "Love Hope Trust" is available now and is a great celebration of a great voice with some great songs. The album was produced by Larry Campbell, which can only make things better. For more information on Roger, check out his website , or follow him on Facebook . Plus, we discuss our fa...

This week, the legendary trio, BETTY play their annual holiday show in New York. And if that isn't enough, they're on Kickstarter, raising the funds for a brand new album. We talked with Aly and Elizabeth about so many things, with the holidays and the new record only part of the great conversation. For more information, you can check out BETTY's website , or get all the links from...

The Dead Milkmen are a one-of-a-kind punk band. How else can you describe them than by saying, "they just sound like the Dead Milkmen?" We talked with Joe Jack Talcum about the group's upcoming new album, their history and why editing videos for YouTube sucks. For more information, you can check Jack's website , and for more information on the Dead Milkmen, you can check out th...

The final notes of Elton John's final show are still ringing out, and we're talking with author Gillian Gaar about her new book,  Elton John @ 75 . The book is a great summary of John's fascinating career, and, as far as coffee table books go, it's pretty damn great, chock full of great photos and so much more. Elton John @ 75   is available wherever you get your books and you...

Sicard Hollow plays a unique and exciting form of bluegrass- something that will appeal to folks who don't think they like bluegrass. We talked with Alex King from the side of the road in Montana about the current tour they're on, the joys of bad high school band names and, of course, Sicard Hollow's new album,  Brightest of Days . For more information, check out the band's web...

It’s Heartbreak Season (among other things) and we need HAPPIE Hoffman to tell us that. HAPPIE’s debut EP, titled Heartbreak Season is available everywhere you get your music Friday, November 18th. For more information, you can follow HAPPIE on Instagram , or checkout her website. Plus, how can we let another day go by without talking about the Weird Al bio-film?

Not only did he co-found the popular rock band Fall Out Boy (and was likely one of the last guitars you heard being played on MTV) Joe Trohman had a fascinating childhood, one he looks back on in his new memoir.  None of This Rocks , tells of Joe's difficult upbringing, his early bands and, of course, his story of Fall Out Boy. None of This Rocks is available right now, wherever you get your...

Kid Congo Powers has had a fascinating musical career with stints in both The Cramps and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, to say nothing of his co-founding of the great Gun Club. In his new memoir,  Some New Kind of Kick , Kid goes through his life and turbulent times, including his struggles with addiction and with his sexuality. Some New Kind of Kick is available right now. For more information, y...

This week it's a journey into some great indie music. We talked with five groups who are performing at the Summit Indie Fest this weekend in Portsmouth, NH. So, it takes a while to run down the guests, but it's totally worth it. We talked with Alaina Ray, Sneaky Miles , Talk Chalk , The Kenny Brothers Band and Muzzins . For more information, you can follow these bands on Facebook: Alaina...

The Smithereens long-lost album has been found! When Pat, Dennis, Jim and Mike went into the studio in 1993, little did they know most of the songs wouldn't see the light of day until almost 20 years later. But they're now available and listeners are all the more richer for the experience. You can get The Lost Album by The Smithereens wherever you get your music, or you can order it dire...

Sharon Robinson collaborated with the great Leonard Cohen on numerous songs and albums throughout his career. She also is a successful singer and songwriter in her own right, having written "New Attitude" for Patti LaBelle. Sharon is on the road now, paying tribute to her friend Leonard Cohen with her show, "My Time with Leonard Cohen," where she plays some of their songs and s...

They were a 1980s pop rock phenomenon, who weren't able to reach the heights they deserved. But now they're back, first with digital releases of their first album (complete with bonus tracks) followed up by a brand new track, just completed. We talked with Michael Lockwood about his career, and how going backwards to his early days, may just be a sign of his future as well.  Velvet Kiss,...

This week is something special- we talk with musician Hilly Michaels. Hilly has played drums for folks like Ian Hunter, Mick Ronson, Sparks, Michael Bolton and John Mellencamp (but, back when he was Johnny Cougar.) With Hilly on the line, we listened back to some of the songs on his first two solo albums,  Calling All Girls  and  Lumia  and Hilly offers some memories from the sessions. And then we...

The music of Andrew Stern and Laura Arias, better known as 3 Pairs of Boots, is a warm take on folk and country music. Their new album,  Mighty Love,  is available right now on their website, and can be streamed on all of your favorite streamers. For more information, check out their website . Plus, Heidi decides which is the main reason she's going to Bourbon and Beyond- the bourbon or the b...

David Libert saw a fascinating cross-section of popular music throughout his career. From his work as a member of The Happenings, to his tour management of Alice Cooper, to working with George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. David tells his whole fascinating story in his new book, Rock n' Roll Warrior, available anywhere you get your books, September 23rd. For more information, you can follow Dav...

Brian Kramp grew up a Cheap Trick fan and now he's written a great book about the history of the one and only Cheap Trick. The book goes from the pre-history to the creation of the band. It's one of the best music books of the year. This Band Has No Past is available September 6th wherever you get your books. Plus, Heidi reviews George Thorogood and Sammy Hagar life. And how can "Rh...

This year would have been David Bowie's 75th birthday. Famed rock writer Martin Popoff has put together a wonderful present for us all- Bowie @ 75 is his new book, a look at the many phases of Bowie's multifaceted career. David Bowie @ 75 is available wherever you get your books on September 6th. For more information on Martin, to listen to his podcast, or to get copies of his many other...

Sure, the siblings Moss sound great together. And they do. And on their new album, Cover to Cover you get to hear their voices tackle some great songs from a variety of eras. We talked to Adam and David Moss about their voices, other brothers in music and what they fought to keep on the record. Cove to Cover is available right now wherever you get your music. For more information, check out the Br...

Anytime is a good time to listen to Matthew Sweet, but summer feels like the perfect time to roll down your windows and play his most recent album,  Cat's Paw really loud for others to hear. We talked with Matthew when the record came out, and it was the conversation that made us think we should interview more musicians... And that's how this show was born. For more information about Mat...

The 1970s were a magic time at the newly formed Arista Records. Overseen by Clive Davis, the label quickly became a contender with a murder's row of talent. Now, Mitchell Cohen has written the definitive history of the label,  Looking for the Magic: New York City, the 70s and the Rise of Arista Records . Also, we discuss this year's Gathering of the Juggalos, the new ICP filter and the e...

Just when rock seems to be getting too sensitive, here comes H.E.A.T., direct from Sweden, bring the metal to save us all. We talked with drummer Don Crash about their new album, Force Majeure, and their reuniting with their original lead singer. For more information, you can check out H.E.A.T.'s website , or follow them on Facebook and Twitter .  Plus, we fly the VH flag, enjoy some pound ca...

Maybe you saw The Interrupters last summer, on the Hella Mega Tour with Green Day, Fall Out Boy and Weezer. Or maybe you've heard their first hit single, She's Kerosene on the radio. Well, now, in the middle of their co-headlining tour with Flogging Molly comes their latest album, In the Wild . We talked with bassist and drummer Justin and Jesse Bivona about planning a good setlist, the...

Tony Tyrrell had a long road to the recording and release of his debut solo album, but  Conviction is a strong statement and viewpoint for the singer/songwriter. We talked about the album (out August 12th), trusting your voice and why you always need to pace yourself at a festival performance. For more information, check out Tony's website , or follow him on Instagram.

'Elo kiddies! This week we're listening to an episode from our other podcast,  Why? and we're listening to our conversation with Chris Frantz from the one and only Talking Heads. (Oh, and he was also in Tom Tom Club... not too shabby.) We were talking to Chris on the release of his memoir,  Remain in Love . It's a fun conversation, we touch on a lot of stuff. Hope you enjoy it.