The Rock is George Podcast

George Dionne interviews CHOKESETTER vocalist JESSI MAULE about their self-titled debut. The album is out now through Pavement Entertainment. Highlights include: -How the band was formed -The long road to getting album out -New material already in the works -Songwriting dynamics -First single a tribute to FRANK ZAPPA -Album artwork discussion -Collaborating with DELCO DETENTION -Live show plans -R...

George Dionne interviews PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman WES SCANTLIN about their latest album KISS THE MACHINE. The album is out now through Pavement Entertainment. Highlights include: -Discussion of the new album -Handling most aspects of the writing & recording -Stories behind the singles -Testng the new music while getting an oil change -Trying to collab with former bassist Doug Ardito -A new UMG...

George Dionne interviews CLAMFIGHT drummer/vocalist ANDY MARTIN about their latest self-titled album. The album is self-released and available now. “It was lining up four very busy people’s schedules, plus the pandemic, that just made this recording process go on and on.” Highlights include: Origins of the band’s name How they all came together Discussion of the new album Delays and restarts along...

George Dionne interviews JASON DEA WEST & THE SISKIYOU CREST frontman JASON DEA WEST and bassist AMIE ASTELLE about their latest album 8 MILES FROM RUSK. The album is out now through Anti-CorpMusic. ”We’re both Punk kids that started playing Folk and Country music sometime in our early twenties.” Highlights include: Discussion of the new album How the group was formed Recording in a short peri...

George Dionne interviews bassist JERRY PRUTZ of CIRKUS PRUTZ about their latest album MANEFESTO. The album is out now through Metalville Records. Highlights include: -Discussion of the new album -Writing & recording the traditional way -Working with Heavy Metal producer Peter Tagtgren (SABATON, PAIN, HYPOCRISY) -Stories behind the singles -Where the album title came from -Live performances -Ti...

George Dionne interviews guitarist and vocalist JACOB DERAPS of DERAPS, about their latest album VIVA ROCK N’ ROLL. The album is set for release on May 23, 2025 through Metalville Records. Highlights include: -Discussion of the new album -How long has they been working on it -Stories behind the singles -Long distance songwriting -The album cover’s backstory -Live performances -Opening for BLUE OYS...

George Dionne interviews songwriter, producer, and Blues Rock solo artist ANTHONY KRIZAN about his latest album ‘Cool Shade of Blue’ and the re-release of his 2017 and ‘Dust & Bone’. Both albums are out now through Deko Entertainment. Krizan was a member of the SPIN DOCTORS in the mid ‘90s, and he has written music for LENNY KRAVITZ, JOHN WAITE, CONTRABAND, GRETCHEN WILSON, PAT TRAVERS, and the WW...

George Dionne interviews former GRAND FUNK RAILROAD guitarist/vocalist MARK FARNER about his first solo album in nearly 20 years, CLOSER TO MY HOME. The album is out now through Righteous Rock Records and was produced by Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER). Highlights include: -Discussion of the new album -The importance of dancing -What got him back into the studio after decades -Working with producer Mar...

George Dionne interviews POISON drummer RIKKI ROCKETT about his latest project THE ROCKETT MAFIA. The group features vocalist Bradnon Gibbs (DEVIL CITY ANGELS), guitarist Mick Sweda (BULLETBOYS), and bassist Bryan Kimes. -How the group was formed -Their 1st cover “I Think I Love You” -Covers & deep cuts in their live sets -Working with Brandon Gibbs over the years -Discovering Bryan Kimes -1st gig...

George Dionne interviews AIR DRAWN DAGGER vocalist MAISIE MANTERFIELD about their debut full-length A GUIDE FOR APPARITIONS. The album is set for release on April 4, 2025 through Long Branch Records. Highlights include: How the group originally formed Writing music in the back of a cake shop Discussion of the new album Stories behind the singles Working with Tobi Duncan of TRASH BOAT Producer Neil...

George Dionne interviews frontman DREW CAGLE of DREW CAGLE & THE REPUTATION about their latest album BAD ATTITUDE. The album was released on January 31, 2025 through Pavement Entertainment. Highlights include: -Discussion of the new album -Stumbling blocks along the way -Working with producer Matt Coles (EAGLES, ALICE COOPER) -Stories behind the singles -Competing with the local cover band scene -...

George Dionne interviews LORD OF THE LOST frontman CHRIS HARMS about his debut solo album 1980. The album is set for release on February 7, 2025 through Napalm Records. “I kept telling myself for ten years now, if I keep waiting for the perfect moment, where there’s enough time [to record a solo album], I’m never gonna do it.” Highlights include: - Discussion of the new album - Why is now the time...

George Dionne interviews CATS IN SPACE guitarist GREG HART about their latest album TIME MACHINE. The album was released on October 25, 2024 through Cherry Red Records. Highlights include: -How the band was originally formed -Discussion of the new album -Is TIME MACHINE a concept album? -Songwriting dynamics within the band -The importance of recording in the same room -Stories behind the singles...

George Dionne interviews NOVO COMBO vocalist/bassist STEPHEN DEES and drummer MICHAEL SHRIEVE about their latest album 45 WEST 55TH. Shrieve is also known for his work with SANTANA, and Dees for his work with THE BANDEES. Highlights include: - What brought the band back together - Discussion of their new album - Re-recording their best and reviving old demos - Two year journey to get the album com...

George Dionne interviews STEEL CITY guitarist MIKE FLOROS and bassist JASON CORNWELL about their latest album REVERENCE. Highlights include: - Discussion of the new album - How a solo project became a band - Jason being brought into the fold - Recruiting ROY CATHEY (THE FIFTH, COLD SWEAT) - What inspired the album's title - Songwriting dynamics - Stories behind the singles - Signing with Frontiers...

George Dionne interviews RADIOACTIVE founder and guitarist TOMMY DENANDER about their latest album RESET. Highlights include: - How the project formed out of band drama - TOTO’s involvement in the first album - Discussion of RESET - Why a reset in sound was needed - MUTT LANGE cutting demos but avoids vocal feature - His relationship with ROBIN MCAULEY (MSG) - JIM JIDHED (ALIEN) contributing - DEN...

George Dionne interviews DAYTONA vocalist FREDRIK WERNER about their debut album GARDER LA FLAMME. Highlights include: - How the band formed - Discussion of the new album - Influences from the '70s & '80s - writing & arranging with guitarist ERIK HEIKNE (MISS BEHAVIOR) - Surprising response to their first two singles - Big video production for "Slave To The Rhythm" - Story behind the album cover -...

George Dionne interviews BLIND EGO founder KALLE WALLNER about their latest album THE HUNTING PARTY. Highlights include: - How the project came to be - Discussion of the new album - Collaborating with outside lyricist DOMINIK FEINER - Lyrics coming before music - Freedom to take chances outside of a band setting - Recruiting vocalist KEVIN KEARNS (CYANT) - Releasing to longest song as the first si...

George Dionne interviews Glam Rock newcomer BOBBIE DAZZLE about her debut album FANDABIDOZI. Highlights include: - Discussion of the new album - Being to young to catch the 1st wave of Glam Rock - Main influence SWEET - BOBBIE DAZZLE project born out of tragedy - Music as therapy - Story behind the album's title - Recording in a traditional studio - Stories behind the singles - "Lightening Fantasy...

George Dionne interviews LOVE IN REVERSE frontman MICHAEL FERENTINO about their latest album AMYGDALA. Ferentino is also the frontman for BEDTIME FOR ROBOTS, CORDUROY POO-POO, TRANFUSION M, and is featured on other projects. Highlights include: - Discussion of the new album - Story behind its title - Why AMYGDALA was not originally in the cards - Stories behind the music - Origins of the band's na...

George Dionne interviews VERTICAL HORIZON frontman MATT SCANNELL about the 25th anniversary release of EVERYTHING YOU WANT. "Military shows are the most meaningful things we do...we get to support the people that take care of us." Highlights include: - Revisiting EVERYTHING YOU WANT (1999) - Signing with RCA - Stories behind the singles - The muse behind "Everything You Want" - Local radio embraci...

George Dionne interviews SWEET guitarist ANDY SCOTT about their latest and final studio album FULL CIRCLE. Highlights include: - The evolution of the band’s sound - Discussion of the new album - Starting the writing in 2019 - Shifting gears to record Isolation Boulevard (2020) - Andy’s fight with Stage 4 cancer - Avoiding after show get togethers - His love of fly fishing - The farewell tour - Why...

George Dionne interviews OTIS frontman BOONE FROGGETT about the history of the band and their latest single “Last Fool In The Line”. Highlights include: - Formation of the band in 2013 - Releasing a tribute to JOHN BRIM as 1st album - Producer GREG MARTIN (KENTUCKY HEAD HUNTERS) - Catching the ear of BILLY GIBBONS (ZZ TOP) - Boone’s ties to BLACK STONE CHERRY - Signing with Cleopatra Records for E...

George Dionne interviews CACTUS drummer CARMINE APPICE about their latest album TEMPLE OF THE BLUES - INFLUENCES AND FRIENDS. “[CACTUS] was supposed to be JEFF BECK, ROD STEWART, ME, and TIM [BOGART].” Highlights include: - The formation of CACTUS is 1970 - How/why CACTUS became an all-star project - Discussion of the new album - Recruiting the guest musicians - Having to adjust his recording styl...

George Dionne interviews solo artist MADISON GALLOWAY about her latest self-titled album. Hightlights include: - Discussion of the new album - How the album developed from a couple of singles - Stories behind some of the songs - Collaborating with other songwriters - How her cover of "White Rabbit" (JEFFERSON AIRPLANCE) came to be - Recording in multiple studios - Crowdfunding the album and U.K. T...