Talk Louder

Nick Bowcott He promised to “See You in Hell” in 1983 and we all welcomed the warning with horns held high. Grim Reaper guitarist Nick Bowcott joins us to discuss his heavy metal heyday; his post-Reaper career as a music columnist and gear brand ambassador; his audition for Iron Maiden (pre-Dennis Stratton); how a broken leg paid for his first guitar (his signature Union Jack Yamaha); his friendsh...

Michael Wilton It’s hard to overstate the jaw-dropping impact of Queensryche’s 1983 self-titled EP and the subsequent catalog of prog-metal classics, including “The Warning,” “Rage for Order,” “Operation: Mindcrime” and “Empire.” Guitarist Michael “Whip” Wilton joins us to discuss the band’s early years, “The Origins” tour, his new solo album, “Vol. 1,” the inspiration of Eddie Van Halen and the d...

AI in Art & Music with Claudio Bergamin How far is too far when it comes to AI in art and music? Paranormal and heavy metal artist Claudio Bergamin (Judas Priest, Ignitor, Burning Witches) joins us to debate the pros and cons of human creativity interacting with AI. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Ozzy in Hall of Fame For all its good intentions, Ozzy Osbourne’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction was not without its oversights. We discuss Ozzy’s celebrated career, the induction ceremony and the overlooked names who helped pave the path to his successful solo career. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Ronnie Simmons He’s played guitar with Rose Tattoo, Faster Pussycat and Richie Ramone – which automatically triples his cool factor (although he’s too modest to say so himself). Ronnie Simmons joins us from Australia to discuss his latest band, Ronnie Simmons and the Redback Spiders, lessons learned from Angry Anderson, Taime Downe and Richie Ramone, plus jamming with Slash and falling in love wit...

Sean Pierce Standing 6’6” and swinging a flaming guitar, Sean Pierce was hard to miss with New York glam punks, the Toilet Boys. He joins us to for a hilarious retelling of the band’s countless misadventures, including indiscretions with gunpowder, opening for Guns ‘N Roses, going broke on tour with Red Hot Chili Peppers, ticking off Lemmy and Dee Snider (before making amends), fistfights with fan...

Billy Chainsaw Returning with their latest album, “Horns and Hammers,” Texas metal warlords Ignitor are once again battle-ready. Bassist Billy Chainsaw joins us to discuss the album’s inspired chemistry, the cover of Saxon’s “Machine Gun,” artwork by renowned artist Claudio Bergamin (Judas Priest) and the frighteningly fantastic origins of his nickname. Ignitor singer and co-host Jason McMaster al...

Paul Di’Anno Tribute With the recent passing of former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno, Dave and Jason pay tribute to the man whose heavy metal contributions cannot be overstated. RIP, Paul. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Marc Storace In 1982, Krokus went Boom! on the strength of the must-have, hard rock album, “One Vice at a Time.” Front and center was vocalist Marc Storace whose powerfully gritty voice added feral menace to the music’s primal beat. He joins us to discuss his upcoming Storace album, “Crossfire;” how he joined Krokus in time for the band’s fourth album, “Metal Rendez-Vous;” his missed opportunity t...

Nasty Ronnie Back with their first new album in 20 years, Nasty Savage still slams hard. Vocalist Nasty Ronnie gives us a tour of the “Jeopardy Room” and explains how the latest lineup honors the past while feeding the bottomless pit of his tireless imagination. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Blaze Bayley He realized his dreams as the singer for Wolfsbane until a successful Iron Maiden audition launched him beyond his wildest. Now a long-time and highly-prolific artist in his own right, Blaze Bayley joins us to discuss his latest album, “Circle of Stone,” how Ronnie James Dio inspired him to quit his hotel job, his eternal gratitude toward his fans (whose steadfast loyalty carried him...

Richie Stotts As a founding member of shock-rock, punk-metal band, The Plasmatics, guitarist Richie Stotts generated enough notoriety to last 10 lifetimes. He joins us to discuss blowing up cars, smashing TVs, chain-sawing guitars, touring with KISS, merging punk and metal, and that stunt involving chickens that didn’t go so well. PS. He’s a really nice guy and no one was hurt while recording this...

Marty Friedman From his early beginnings in Deuce, Hawaii and Cacophony to worldwide acclaim with Megadeth and a celebrated solo career, Marty Friedman has established himself as an undisputed, world-class guitar virtuoso. He joins us to discuss latest album, “Drama,” his upcoming autobiography, “Dreaming Japanese,” (don’t believe all you’ve read about Megadeth) and his respect for techno thrash-m...

Mark Tornillo Returning for a second time to the Talk Louder Podcast, Accept vocalist Mark Tornillo checks in from the road while touring with KK’s Priest on the aptly titled Full Metal Assault Tour. Join us as we discuss Accept’s latest album, “Humanoid,” the infamous 1984 Judas Priest gig at Madison Square Garden (Mark was there, but had nothing to do with it, Your Honor), his favorite Accept de...

Neil Zlozower He was the trusted, inner-circle photographer friend who captured iconic shots of Van Halen, Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses and countless others on their wild rides to fame. Legendary photographer Neil Zlozower joins us for a rollercoaster ride through his colorful history, including early photos of KISS, Aerosmith and Rush, the heyday of Hollywood’s glam-metal scene, an awkward meeting...

Ron Keel It’s Ron Keel’s world and we’re just living in it. From Steeler, Keel and Black Sabbath to southern rock and country, Ron Keel captures the many sounds of his career on new album, “KEELWORLD.” He joins us to discuss the new album, past history, working with Gene Simmons, his short-lived (but contractually ongoing?) Black Sabbath gig and the irresistible qualities of “’80s cheese.” Oh, the...

Michael Sweet On the eve of releasing new album, “When We Were Kings,” Stryper frontman Michael Sweet joins us to discuss his vocal technique (thanks, Rob Halford!), the decadent days of Roxx Regime, that time Stryper was billed with Slayer and touring as a co-lead vocalist and guitarist for rock legends, Boston. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Johnny Goudie His alternative, pop-rock band, Goudie, was signed by Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich who was impressed enough to release the album “Peep Show” in 2000. Besides his namesake band, Johnny Goudie has also made a name for himself with the Austin-based bands, Mr. Rocket Baby and Skyrocket, among others. Since 2011, he’s hosted the “How Did I Get Here?” podcast, which is a question worth as...

Bad Marriage Bad Marriage guitarist Mike Fitz and newcomer Tommy Skeoch (ex-Tesla) join us discuss the band’s new chemistry, past history, an upcoming tour with Vandenberg, how a metal detector inspired a new song and that time Eddie Money kicked open their dressing room door to praise the band’s name in his best (unintentional) Rodney Dangerfield voice. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Rick Ventura Featured on Riot’s seminal hard rock/heavy metal albums, “Fire Down Under” and “Restless Breed,” guitarist Rick Ventura was poised for stardom on the strength of high-profile tours with Rush, Black Sabbath, Sammy Hagar and Rainbow. He also had the immense respect of his peers (Hello, Lars Ulrich!). So, what happened? Sharpen your swords and pour some tequila as we dig into Rick’s stor...

Logan Olivero Central Texas may seem like an unlikely spawning ground for a symphonic black metal band, but long-running Vesperian Sorrow is turning the tide. Singer Logan Olivero joins us to discuss latest album, “Awaken the Greylight,” his wide-ranging vocal influences, his proud affiliation with “the worst band in the world” (Complete, look ‘em up!) and the time his Texas hospitality “backfired...

Mr. Lifto Using pierced body parts to lift heavy objects is a huge “no thanks!” for most people -- but Mr. Lifto isn’t most people! He joins us to discuss (disgust?) touring with Lollapalooza as part of the Jim Rose Circus; shenanigans with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Ministry and others; the “Circus of the Scars” documentary; shocking the talk show circuit; painful injuries; “bile beer;” and the time...

Jeremy Asbrock He plays guitar for Ace Frehley AND Gene Simmons in their respective solo bands -- obviously quite the rocket ride for any lifelong KISS fan. Jeremy Asbrock joins us to discuss his band Rock City Machine Co., touring with his childhood idols (and the songs they wouldn’t play), his favorite KISS deep cuts, jamming with Robin Zander and how he was secretly “ripped” during Ace Frehley’...

Steve Conte If you only know Steve Conte for his top-shelf work in the Michael Monroe band, you’re missing the bigger picture of his wildly impressive career. The singer/songwriter/guitarist joins us to discuss his latest album, “The Concrete Jangle,” his years with the New York Dolls, that time he jammed with Chuck Berry, his ongoing hot streak with Michael Monroe and so much more. The guy j...

Chuck Billy He’s an undisputed titan of thrash who shows no signs of surrender after 40 years in the pit. Testament vocalist Chuck Billy joins us to discuss the remastered versions of “The Legacy” and “The New Order,” the upcoming Klash of the Titans tour with Kreator and Possessed, new drummer Chris Dovas, the band that changed his life, memories of the 2008 Metal Masters Tour and the hilarious p...