The Rock is George Podcast

George Dionne interviews MIKE SCULLION and RHYS GREEN of the Canadian Pop-Rock act MYSTERY ROMANCE. The duo discuss their latest album FLYING THROUGH THE MOON, how the band formed in 1989, their debut album HUMAN SEXUALITY, charting with 3 singles, lack of label support, what happened to the members after they disbanded, renewed interests in the band after their music started appearing in TV progr...

George Dionne interviews keyboardist JONAH WEINGARTEN of PYRAMAZE about their latest album BLOODLINES. Weingarten also discusses the band’s songwriting process, the artist behind the album artwork, the departure of their longtime guitarist, prospects for his replacement, the band’s recent gig at the Nordic Noise Festival, future live performances, their vocalist appearing on Norway’s version of Th...

George Dionne interviews guitarist MICHAEL THOMPSON, vocalist MOON CALHOUN, and bassist TOM CROUCIER of the MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND about their latest album THE LOVE GOES ON. The group also discusses Moon’s return to the band, their songwriting dynamics, their backgrounds leading up to the new album, the events in Moon’s life that inspired the songs “Forever Jane” and “Wheelchair,” the pros and cons...

George Dionne interviews PAUL LAINE of THE DEFIANTS about their latest album DRIVE. Laine also discusses the stories behind the singles, how he formed the project with his former DANGER DANGER bandmates BRUNO RAVEL & ROB MARCELLO, making it three albums when they didn’t expect anyone to listen to the first, Laine composing music for TV & Film, his JET SET JUNKIES project with LEE REVILL (BLOOD RED...

George Dionne interviews bassist FRANCESCO BUCCI and guitarist PAOLO CAMPITELLI of SCREAMACHINE about their latest album CHURCH OF THE SCREAM. The duo also discusses recruiting their new guitarist EDOARDO TADDEI, how their sound has changed since their last album, why there were less special guests, Paolo’s work behind the mixing board, the possibility of a vinyl version of the album, 2023 live sh...

George Dionne interviews frontman DREW ELLIOT of SEVENSTONES about their latest album HURT TURNS INTO HATE. Elliot also discusses how the band was formed, how their sound is ever-changing, trying to lock down a solid line-up, the stories behind the singles, producer Dalton Skinner’s contributions, why the album is only available on streaming platforms, their upcoming tour with TEXAS HIPPIE COALITI...

George Dionne interviews vocalist MARK EVANS of HEAVENS EDGE. Evans discusses the band’s first studio album in 33 years GET IT RIGHT, their appearance at the M3 Festival, stories behind the singles, memories of their late bassist GG Guidotti, what brought the band back, live performance plans, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews vocalist ROSS JENNINGS of HAKEN about their North American Fauna Expedition Tour starting May 3. Jennings also discusses HAKEN’s latest album FAUNA, the stories behind the music, the return of keyboardist PETER JONES, his side project D’VIRGILIO, MORSE, & JENNINGS, his solo work, his other side-project NOVENA, and much, much more. Band photo by Max Taylor Grant, Jennings s...

George Dionne interviews MAX FRYE, VICTOR ADRIEL, and TJ SHEA of LOST HEARTS. The group discusses their latest singles “Night to Remember” & “Hate Yourself”, how Lost Hearts formed, working with producer JOHNNY K, whether their singles will lead to a full album, opening for ENUFF Z NUFF & ROXY BLUE, booking their own shows, shipping record labels, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews LIONHEART frontman LEE SMALL about his latest solo album THE LAST MAN ON EARTH. Small also discusses the musical guests involved, the stories behind the singles, returning to his AOR roots, working with producer Tom Cory, album artwork by Tristan Greatrex, his recent heart attack and how it has effect his personal and professional life, a new SWEET album on the way, detail...

George Dionne interviews guitarist KEVIN KELLY of SPEEDFREAK about their latest album FAST LANE LIVIN’. Kelly also discusses how the Chicago act formed, their songwriting process, their award winning video for “Doomsday Devices”, the origins of the band’s name, their upcoming tour with TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION, receiving praise from DEE SNIDER, and much, much more. *Kevin Kelly photo by Margaret Lor...

George Dionne interviews HARRY HESS of HAREM SCAREM about the 30th Anniversary Edition of their landmark album MOOD SWINGS. Hess also discusses their partnership with SING MARKET for the release, how pieces of the collection came together, memories of recording and touring in 1993 and the response that followed, why HAREM SCAREM wasn’t market to the U.S., the release of MOOD SWINGS II for the 20th...

George Dionne interviews vocalist MATTHEW WHITEMAN of ANTISAINT about the bands upcoming appearance at DOWNLOAD 20 at Donnington Park in the UK, June 8-11, 2023. Whiteman also discusses the band’s latest release VATICINATE, how the band was formed out of the asked of RED TIDE RISING, the stories behind the singles, working with producer JEFF KANAN, live performances out side of the festival, the p...

George Dionne interviews musician JOHN DEMENA about his latest album Dreams and Lies. Demena also discusses his writing and recording process for the album, the stories behind the singles, his award winning music video, covering the DOORS’ “People Are Strange” for a Rhino Records compilation, signing with ADA (Warner), upcoming live shows, overcoming difficult times after immigrating to the U.S.,...

George Dionne interviews MAGNUS KARLSSON about the latest MAGNUS KARLSSON’S FREE FALL album HUNT THE FLAME. Karlsson also discusses his vocalist selection for the album, the stories behind the singles, the vocalist sill on his wish list, working on the next ANETTE OLZON solo album, the future of THE FERRYMEN, his GINEVRA supergroup, resurrecting LAST TRIBE, the next PRIMAL FEAR album, and much, mu...

George Dionne interviews frontman SPEED VINCENT of SILVERTUNG about their latest single “Integrity.” Vincent also discusses the band’s formation, the origins of their name, their plans for future music, their 2022 compilation EMERGE, member changes not slowing them down, upcoming festival appearances, if Speed is his real name, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews ANDY CURRAN about the re-release of his 1990 solo album, now dubbed WHISKEY & THE DEVIL 30th. Curran also discusses the extensive extras that come along with the new version of the album, the trials and tribulations of recovering old material, what lead to the album’s creation in 1990, fearing for his life when his solo band performed at a motorcycle club benefit, the coll...

George Dionne interviews vocalist NETTA LAURENNE of SMACKBOUND about their latest album HOSTAGE. Laurenne also discusses how the band was formed, the stories behind the singles, how their songwriting process works, upcoming festival appearances, signing with Frontiers Music, her side-project LAURENNE/LOUHIMO with NOORA from BATTLE BEAST, Laurence’s expertise in the wine sector, and much, much more...

George Dionne interviews DAVEY MUISE about his latest music project HEMATITE. Muise discusses the duo’s debut EP SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, how he teamed up with ANDREW GAULTIER (BIG 50) for this project, the stories behind the songs, EP availability and formats, HEMATITE’s upcoming 1st live performance, how Muise’s time in VANNA came to an end in 2017, working with an old band mate on something new, and...

George Dionne interviews Blues guitarist AUSTIN WALKIN’ CANE about his latest album MUSCLE SHOALS. Cane also discusses how and Air BnB rental lead to recoding his album at legendary FAME STUDIO, his co-writing partner CHRIS ALLEN, how he got his guitar endorsement, signing with HOBOVILLE RECORDS, meeting one of his idols, transitioning from a band to solo performances, the origins of his nickname,...

George Dionne interviews bassist PAT DESALVO and drummer GARNET GRIMM of SAVOY BROWN about their latest album BLUES ALL AROUND. The duo also discusses the passing of founder and guitarist KIM SIMMONDS, how they first met Simmonds, how they were recruited for the band, the difficulties of recording while Simmonds was fighting cancer, signing with Quarto Valley Records, set lists with a catalog 50 y...

George Dionne interviews blues guitarist CLAY MELTON about his upcoming album and latest single “Live on a Wire.” Melton also discusses the stories behind the singles, previewing new songs live before recording them, when to expect his upcoming studio album, his 2022 Live in Texas release, 2023 tour plans, sharing the stage with shredder Paul Gilbert (MR. BIG), and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews CROSS COUNTRY DRIVER frontman ROB LAMOTHE about the band’s debut album THE NEW TRUTH. Lamothe also discusses how the project came together, recruiting his special guests, the stories behind the singles, producing LOGAN STAATS latest album, what’s the future of RIVERDOGS, the possible re-release of his solo music, being arrested for playing guitar, and much, much more.

George Dionne interviews LANE STEELE of WORLDWIDE PANIC about their latest self-titled album. Steele also discusses the team effort needed to complete the album, the stories behind the singles, Chris ‘Zeuss’ Harris’ involvement, their 2023 touring plans, his affection for horror movies, and much, much more. *Photos by David Cottle Photography & Diego Gonzales

George Dionne interviews REX and ZAK COX of UNCURED about their upcoming EP MY DESIGN. The duo also discusses the lead single “Let’s Break Out”, their regimented rehearsal routines, post performance self-critiquing, touring plans for 2023, last years trek with LUCUNA COIL and BUTCHER BABIES, focusing on singles, the lack of availability of their early albums, and much, much more. *Live photo by Sh...