The Rock is George Podcast

George Dionne interviews vocalist THOMAS MICHAEL BECK of the Hard Rock act ESCAPE THE HIVE. Beck discusses the band’s latest album THIS IS GONNA STING, the stories behind the singles, how the band was formed, signing with Vanity Music Group, their summer tour, meeting FRANK DIMINO of ANGEL, why he is no fan of Spotify, his stint with JAKE E. LEE and RED DRAGON CARTEL, and much, much more. *Live ph...

George Dionne interviews vocalist BRADLEY SCHULTZ of THE CORRUPTED HEARTS. Schultz discusses the band’s latest singles “We Dug a Ditch & Laid Down and “Skunk”, their upcoming full length album LONG WINTER BLUES, filming music videos without a plan, how the band formed out of his early retirement at age 40, trying new material live, the local Ohio music scene, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews AARON, IZZY, and TAYLOR HEART of BLACK ROCK CANDY. The group discusses how they formed, their latest singles “Trouble” and “Honey”, standout stops on their summer 2023 tour, opening for 80s pop star TIFFANY, their songwriting process, working with producer MICHAEL ANDERSON, and much, much more. *Live photos by Joe Schaeffer

George Dionne interviews vocalist NICK WORKMAN of the UK Hard Rock act VEGA. Workman discusses the band’s latest album BATTLELINES, co-writing with drummer/producer PETE NEWDECK (ex-EDEN’S CURSE), new bass player MART TRAIL, why they no longer have a keyboardist, how they originally signed with Frontiers Music, whether he gets asked to join the label’s ‘supergroups’, and much, much more. *Photos b...

George Dionne interviews vocalist JOHN CONNOR of DOG EAT DOG about their latest album FREE RADICALS. Connor also discusses how a lyric video turned into a MMA / Wrestling event, why original music wasn’t in the cards for so long, their upcoming touring plans, the 30th anniversary of ALL BORO KINGS, memories of founding guitarist SEAN KILLKENNY, being roasted by Beavis & Butthead, collaborating wit...

George Dionne interviews guitarist DEAN ROLAND of COLLECTIVE SOUL. Roland discusses the band’s 2023 summer tour, their 2022 studio album VIBRATING, what to expect next year for their 30th anniversary, sitting on three albums worth of new material, his MAGNETS & GHOSTS side project, and much, much more. *Photos by David Abbot & John Fulton

George Dionne interviews DANKO JONES about his latest album ELECTRIC SOUNDS. Jones also discusses playing historic concert venues, his fondness of classic metal artists DEATH ANGEL, signing with AFM records, why the group doesn’t tour the US much, why he’s not nostalgic about anniversary milestones, the song he can’t stand to play live, and much, much more. *Photos by David Berbig

George Dionne interviews vocalist & guitarist ERIK MÅRTENSSON of the Swedish Melodic Hard Rock act ECLIPSE. Mårtensson discusses their latest album MEGALOMANIUM, the stories behind the singles, their co-headlining tour with H.E.A.T., opening for DEF LEPPARD, MOTLEY CRUE, and the SCORPIONS, the future of his side project NORDIC UNION with RONNIE ATKINS, the next W.E.T. album, and much, much more. *...

George Dionne interviews solo artist and WANG CHUNG vocalist Jack Hues about his latest single “Since 2017” from his upcoming solo album. Hues also discusses his recent boom in solo material, his “lost” solo album, experimenting with his Folk/Jazz/Jam ensemble JACK HUES & THE QUARTET, touring with WANG CHUNG, their upcoming 40th anniversary reissue campaign, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews keyboardist VIKRAM SHANKAR of SILENT SKIES about their latest album DORMANT. Shankar also discusses the musicianship between him and project mate TOM S. ENGLUND (EVERGREY), their unique takes on IRON MAIDEN, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, and LINKIN PARK, the possibility of live performances, and much, much more. *Photos by Patric Ullaeus

George Dionne interviews PERFECT PLAN vocalist KENT HILLI about his sophomore solo album NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE. Hilli also discusses he new songwriting team, touring with PERFECT PLAN, his upcoming album with GIANT, and much, much more. *Live photos by Carola Harnesk

George Dionne interviews vocalist & guitarist OLIVE GALLOP of ICE GIANT about their latest album GHOST OF HUMANITY. Gallop also discusses the bands formation, their tour with SCORCHED MOON, recording traditionally in the studio, and much, much more. *Photos by Matty Thrash Photography

George Dionne interviews vocalist MARIANNA of PROJECT RENEGADE about their latest album T ULTRA TERRA. Marianna also discusses their DIY Matrix-inspired music video, the 2018 wildfires that ravaged their drummers village, meeting their music idols, and much, much more. *Marianna photo by Dew Drop Photography

George Dionne interviews NEAL MORSE about his latest solo album THE DREAMER - JOSEPH: PART ONE. Morse discusses his annual MorseFest, side projects, and much, much more. *Photo at keyboard by Reva Farmer, live photo by Jon Fiala Photography

George Dionne interviews CRAIG HARLEY SCHMUHL of THE MYSTICAL HOT CHOCOLATE ENDEAVORS about their latest album A CLOCK WITHOUT A CRAFTSMAN. Schmuhl also discusses their MU-TH-UR EP (2022) his work with HATE STORM ANNIHILATION and NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS, and much, much more. *Band photo by Trevor Martin

George Dionne interviews drummer JONATHAN LEVINE of CYCLONE STATIC about their latest EP CAVE POP: DANCE SONGS FOR PRIMITIVE PEOPLE. Levine also discusses their eye-catching album artwork, signing with Mint 400 Records, Levine’s work as an art dealer and manager, and much, much, more. *Photos by Marco Lau

George Dionne interviews Swedish AOR act HOUSTON about their latest album RE-LAUNCH III. The band also discusses how they chose the cover songs, the stories behind their two original compositions, working with MICHAEL PALACE, how their new bassist NIELS WALTER was recruited, drummer ERIK MODEN joining the band and producing the album, their album release party, singing with Frontiers Music for the...

George Dionne interviews vocalist JEFF SCOTT SOTO about his 1991 project that never was, SLAM. Soto discusses the origins of the project, his relationship with GEORGE BERNHARDT, how & why SLAM failed to take off, using material from the project on future solo and band projects, how the original demos finally saw the light of day in 2023, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews guitarist and solo artist LANCE LOPEZ about his latest album TROUBLE IS GOOD. Lopez also discusses his break from music to focus on his health, co-writing with JOEY SYKES, bringing in GREGG BISSONETTE for the lead single, shifting to more of a Southern Rock sound, his current tour and live band, how he met mentor BILLY GIBBONS, his ties to JIMI HENDRIX’S BAND OF GYPSYS., d...

George Dionne interviews drummer SHAWN DROVER of WITHERING SCORN about their latest album PROPHETS OF DEMISE. Drover also discusses how the project came together, the stories behind the singles, why they signed with Frontiers Music, why touring won’t be possible just yet, deciding on a band name, Drover’s love of golf, what happened to ACT OF DEFIANCE, and much, much, more. *Photos by Todd Dean

George Dionne interviews SERAINA TELLI about her latest album ADDICTED TO COLOR. Telli also discusses why there was less than a year between her two solo albums, the stories behind the singles, how the alcohol and drugs days of rock bands are passé, crafting her own music videos, her recent & upcoming live performances, her side project DEAD VENUS, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews drummer EVAN DIPRIMA of ROYAL THUNDER about their latest album REBUILDING THE MOUNTAIN. Diprima also discusses what led to the band’s break-up in 2018, what brought them back together, what inspired the album’s title, approaching songwriting in a different way, which songs are fun to play live, working with co-producer TOM TAPLEY, their upcoming shows with ROYAL BLISS, fut...

George Dionne interviews country music artist AUSTIN STAMBAUGH about his latest album MIDWEST SUPERNATURAL. Stambaugh also discusses how he got to Nashville by way of northeast Ohio, recording the album in one or two takes, assembling his all-star band, the stories behind the singles, his album release show and future live performances, sharing the stage with ERNEST TUBB’s backing band THE TEXAS T...

George Dionne interviews JANET GARDNER and JUSTIN JAMES about their latest album NO STRINGS. The duo also discusses fan reaction to the new album, how they write songs together, the stories behind the singles, signing with Pavement Entertainment, how the project changed from a Janet Gardner solo project to GARDNER / JAMES, debuting new material live, how they first met, Janet’s appearance in the c...

George Dionne interviews drummer GARRY PETERSON of THE GUESS WHO about their latest album PLEIN D’AMOUR. Peterson also discusses the songwriting process for the band, losing their guitar player to STYX, how the internet helps introduce the band to the next generation, signing with Deko Entertainment, their never ending tour schedule, how vocalist DEREK SHARP was discovered, his future autobiograph...