Sultans of Slack

In this episode of Sultans of Slack, we sit down with Neal from Royal Bliss for an unscripted, honest, hilarious deep dive into 28 years of touring, underground rock culture, and the small towns that built a band. From Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Southern Idaho to sketchy bowling alleys, beer fights in Midwest clubs, autograph signings gone sideways, and stories that definitely shouldn’t be forgott...

From deep philosophy to total chaos — this Sultans of Slack interview with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at Aftershock Festival has everything. Frontman Ronnie Winter breaks down the meaning behind their powerful lyrics (“Be right or be happy”), dives into the story behind “X’s For Eyes,” and opens up about spirituality, addiction, and what happiness really means in 2025. Then things take a hard left...

Drumming legend Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold’s Nightmare) sits down with us backstage at Louder Than Life to talk about: His emotional return to Dream Theater in 2023 and what it feels like being “back home” after 40 years. The making of Parasomnia, blending classic prog influences with today’s modern metal sound. Playing U.S. festivals for the first time with Dream Theater after...

Avenged Sevenfold fans—you don’t want to miss this. Discover how City of Evil, Chicago’s top A7X cover band, **quietly received a DM from Synyster Gates** inviting them to perform exclusive deep cuts the night before the big show at Soldier Field. In this candid interview, you'll hear:• The moment they got the DM—and almost wrecked the car • How the band reacted (yes, tears included) • Why debutin...

Ryan Perdz discusses the pivotal role TikTok played in launching his career, his musical influences, and the excitement surrounding his upcoming album. The conversation also touches on the current shift in the music industry towards singles, the resurgence of rock music, and the importance of authenticity in songwriting. In this engaging conversation, Ryan Perdz shares his journey through music, a...

Lee Jennings of Funeral Portrait discusses the band's evolution, the impact of COVID-19 on their identity, and the challenges of navigating newfound fame. He shares insights on fan interactions, the importance of boundaries, and the excitement surrounding their upcoming music releases and tours. The discussion highlights the balance between personal connection with fans and the need for privac...

Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace reflects on the band's long journey since their inception, the excitement of live performances, and the dynamics of touring. He discusses the collaborative songwriting process, emphasizing the importance of emotional depth in their music. The conversation also touches on the accessibility of their songs and the evolving conversations around mental health in s...

Loc Dawgs and Andy dive into their latest musical adventures, from releasing a new single to wild times at a Las Vegas showcase. They chat about the recording process, guitar solos in modern rock, and the quirky origin of their band name. With plenty of laughs, they explore life as independent musicians, the shift toward singles, merch strategies, and even their love for skiing. Plus, don’t miss t...

Join us for a hilarious conversation with the Slothrust as they navigate hangovers, tour stories, and wild Halloween costumes! 🕷️ From debating their band's name origins to spontaneous setlist changes, this interview has it all. They share their experiences touring with Badflower, memorable venues like Boise's Shriner’s Lodge, and their dream of jamming with legends like Tom Morello and Li...

JVB discusses their experiences at the Aftershock festival, their guilty pleasures in music, their love for gaming, and the creative process behind their music. They share insights into their live performances, the excitement of connecting with fans, and their future plans, including an upcoming European tour and new album. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Festival Vibes 02:49 Gaming and Guilty Ple...

In this interview, Dan Oliver of Nothing More shares his experiences at music festivals, the excitement of upcoming tours, and the challenges faced by their community in North Carolina after a hurricane. They also delve into their passion for outdoor activities like motocross and mountain biking, drawing parallels between these sports and life lessons. The discussion highlights the vibrant music s...

In this conversation, lead singer Matt Franks of Simon Says reflects on the band's journey from their early days in the Sacramento music scene to their revival after 25 years. He shares insights on the importance of community, the influence of local bands, and the gratitude felt for the opportunity to perform at the Aftershock Festival. The discussion also touches on personal growth, family life,...

In this interview, the excitement of performing at the Aftershock Festival is palpable as Brian Fair of Shadow's Fall discusses their long-awaited return to the stage. He reflects on their history, the joy of playing live, and the thrill of being part of a vibrant festival atmosphere. The conversation also touches on personal traditions, such as Halloween celebrations, and the anticipation of new...

In this interview with Jigsaw Youth, the band discusses their roots in Staten Island, their musical influences from the 90s, and their experiences touring various festivals. They share insights about the current music scene, their upcoming shows, and personal anecdotes, including their thoughts on Halloween and their pets. The conversation highlights their excitement for future projects, including...

In this conversation, Lee discusses their journey, including their recent success on Sirius XM Octane, the impact of COVID-19 on their momentum, and their innovative use of social media to connect with fans. They share insights on their collaborations with other artists, the importance of live performances, and how they strive to create a genuine connection with their audience through their music....

In this exclusive interview, we catch up with the genre-bending artist Jaris Johnson on Day 1 of Aftershock! From his eclectic music style blending metal, hip hop, and more, to his sword wielding style, Johnson opens up about his journey, influences, and upcoming headlining tour. We talk about his breakout hit “When the Darkness Comes,” his take on the evolution of metal, and the unexpected story...

In this episode of SultansOfSlack, Andrew sits down with the legendary Alien Ant Farm during Day 3 of Aftershock Festival 2024! Join us for a fun and insightful conversation as the band shares stories from their career, talks about their new album, and reflects on personal growth through their music. From discussing the meaning behind their latest track Storms Over to sharing their excitement abou...

In this lively conversation, the hosts navigate through technical difficulties with humor, discuss their upcoming family feud game at Aftershock, and brainstorm creative tattoo punishments for the loser. They also survey the Aftershock lineup, delve into the implications of Pink Floyd's recent sale of their music rights, and share their thoughts on various metal moments and movie critiques, all wh...

In this episode of Sultans of Slack, the hosts discuss a variety of topics including the latest rock and roll news, the 50th anniversary of Journey and their controversy involving Avenged Sevenfold, the musical legacy of John Williams, a humorous encounter involving Tommy Lee and a coyote, and an exciting preview of the Aftershock Festival. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Sultans of Slack 01:07...

In this hilarious and offbeat episode of Slacking Off, the Sultans of Slack—Andy and Tim—explore the art of starting lists and never finishing them! Tune in as they get sidetracked with random musings, ranging from Dave Grohl's latest news to bizarre toilet paper math. They also ponder what it would be like to give out discounts at stores based on your social media following. The hosts dive de...

In this lively conversation, the hosts share humorous anecdotes about carnival rides and unexpected encounters, including a memorable experience with comedian Jeff Foxworthy. They discuss the recent addition of Emily Armstrong to Linkin Park, highlighting the significance of female vocalists in rock music. The hosts reflect on their experiences at the Rocklahoma festival, including standout perfor...

The conversation is about Vernon Gowdy's book called 'Notes from a Rock Photographer' which showcases his photography of rock bands from 1976 to the present. The book includes iconic bands and concerts from the late 70s and early 80s. Vernon shares stories and experiences from his time as a rock photographer, including memorable moments with artists like Tom Petty and Queen. The conver...

In this episode of Sultans of Slack, we sit down with the one and only Tim Montana as he shares the incredible story behind his journey from Nashville to owning the Wise River Club in Montana. Hear how a casual bar visit turned into a life-changing opportunity, leading to an unexpected partnership with Billy F. Gibbons from ZZ Top. Tim recounts the surreal experience of signing a national radio de...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the Rocklahoma 2024 lineup and sharing our excitement for the headliners, including Slipknot, Evanescence, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed and more! Plus, listen in as we chat about the aftermath of some delicious buffalo mac and cheese from Noodles & Co. (buffalo mac and cheese sweats, anyone?). 😅 Highlights include: Fun and quirky band name ideas 🎸...

Rocklahoma 2024 is announced with ticket giveaways in collaboration with Rocklahoma. The festival is now under the management of Danny Wimmer. The lineup includes Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence, Halestorm, Skillet, Disturbed, Lamb of God, Slipknot, Mastodon and more. The camping tradition will continue, with partying being a major part of the experience. Alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, vape pens, and...