Damon Johnson For a southern kid with no path forward to the big leagues of rock’n’roll, Damon Johnson has scored an enviable number of mind-blowing victories. He joins us for a super-insightful and endearingly nerdy conversation about the enormity of playing with Lynyrd Skynyrd; his hilarious audition for Alice Cooper (and subsequent “Spinal Tap” moment); his absolute reverence for Thin Lizzy; how Stevie Nicks recorded one of his songs; and why he never travels without a cowbell. Created and...

Phil Demmel From his early years with Vio-lence through a prolific career with Machine Head and onto his current role in Kerry King’s band, guitarist Phil Demmel is thrash-metal royalty. Did we mention he’s also filled in for Slayer, Overkill, Testament, Lamb of God and others? He joins us to discuss the upcoming Kerry King album, “From Hell I Rise,” (due May 17), his impressive collection of drumsticks, his proudest albums, an upcoming project with Armored Saint vocalist John Bush (whoops!)...

Tuk Smith His knack for infectious songs is matched only by his electric personality. Singer/songwriter Tuk Smith returns to discuss his new music, the evil of algorithms and jamming onstage with Cheap Trick. Plus, why Paul Stanley is his KISS spirit animal and how Bon Scott and Michael Monroe inspired a tattoo habit that’s not without its drunken regrets. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Max Cavalera: GAAD He’s a thrash-metal titan who’s passing the axe to his son and fully enjoying the family camaraderie of their crust-grind band, Go Ahead and Die. Max Cavalera joins us from the road where he’s relishing the full-contact return to his sweaty metal roots. We also learn about pizza fatigue, “goosebump moments,” meeting the Ramones and the time Sepultura blew Dave Grohl’s speakers. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Mark Zonder He joined Fates Warning in 1989 and immediately established himself as one of prog-metal’s most critically acclaimed drummers. Mark Zonder joins us to discuss his time with Fates, his recent albums with A-Z (featuring Fates vocalist Ray Alder) and his recently reactivated band, Warlord. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Bryan Small Bryan Small has stories to tell and we always enjoy the ride. The longstanding, real-deal frontman for The Hangmen joins us to discuss the new album, “Stories to Tell,” the characters in the songs, an in-the-works documentary and why the 1980’s scene in East L.A. was as quietly vibrant as the Sunset Strip. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Monsters of Rock Cruise Our own Jason McMaster shares his highlights of the 2024 Monsters of Rock Cruise where he played with Dangerous Toys, was interviewed by Eddie Trunk and walked away with the ultimate souvenir -- Glenn Hughes’ coffee cup!  (Live photos by Faith Watson) Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Abaddon He discovered Black Sabbath while babysitting and later designed one of metal’s most iconic (and demonic) logos for his blasphemous metal band, Venom. He also had Slayer and Metallica as opening acts, including a gig in which Venom blew a hole through the stage during one of their first U.S. appearances. Drummer Abaddon joins us to discuss his band’s deep-rooted, black-metal influence, “Spinal Tap” moments, setting Johnny Zazula’s kitchen on fire and opinions on the extreme metal...

Frank Hannon As a founding member of Tesla, guitarist Frank Hannon sold millions of albums with rock-radio hits “Modern Day Cowboy,” “Little Suzi,” “Love Song,” “Signs” and “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out).” He also reintroduced acoustic guitars to a new generation of hard-rock fans (although he’s far too humble to take credit). He joins us to discuss the 1987 Texxas Jam, Def Leppard’s Steve Clark, Ronnie Montrose, Dicky Betts, Mick Mars and David Lee Roth's powdery pinky scoop. Created and...

Kurdt Vanderhoof He jokingly calls himself the other “Kurdt” from Aberdeen, WA, but as the founding guitarist of Metal Church, he’s made his own mark as one of heavy metal’s most enduring champions. Kurdt Vanderhoof joins us to discuss the most recent (and excellent) Metal Church album, “Congregation of Annihilation;” his AC/DC-style rock band, Hall Aflame; his prog-rock project, Presto Ballet; and the recently published Metal Church book, “Beyond the Black.” We also learn the party-hardy...

Jacob Bunton From humble beginnings in Alabama to landing on “The Other Side of Mars,” Jacob Bunton went from a $60 guitar to being the primary lead singer on the new Mick Mars album. In a rare interview (he hates talking about himself), the quietly successful vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and big-time movie/pop-music composer joins us to discuss his previous bands, Mick Mars, his love of Fastway, a vocal lesson from Bruce Dickinson and how Guns N’ Roses’ Hall of Fame induction derailed his...

Noisy Mama In 1991, Noisy Mama had a record deal, a video on MTV and a charismatic singer with a voice that rivaled Cinderella, Johnny Crash, Kix, Great White and other blues-soaked screamers. Singer Paul Skowron joins us to discuss his shot at fame in the age of grunge, his interim projects and his renewed determination to revive Noisy Mama in 2024. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Fugitive Quickly emerging as one of metal’s most ballistic bands, Texas-based Fugitive is a neck-snapping collision of new-generation ferocity and old-school, thrash-punk attack. Guitarist Blake Ibanez and vocalist Seth Gilmore join us to discuss their songwriting process, new album timeline, earliest musical memories and the now-legendary 2023 Power Trip reunion in Austin. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Nigel Glockler British heavy metal legends Saxon continue their triumphant crusade with new album, “Hell, Fire and Damnation.” Drummer Nigel Glockler returns to discuss the album, upcoming tour, his missed opportunity to hang out with Freddie Mercury and the time Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos nearly filled in for Saxon. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Max Norman He produced some of heavy metal’s most legendary albums, including definitive classics by Ozzy Osbourne and Megadeth. He’s also helmed fan-favorites from Lynch Mob, Dirty Looks, Dangerous Toys, Loudness, Y&T, Armored Saint and many more. Max Norman indulges us with stories about Randy Rhoads, Ozzy and Dave Mustaine. He also tells us about the time he and Henrik Ostergaard escaped a potential barroom beat-down; how he nearly produced Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell;” how a...

Dave Prewitt For nearly four decades, archivist and award-winning local television host Dave Prewitt has captured Austin’s world-renowned live music scene on countless hours of video. He’s also hung out with actress Milla Jovovich, recorded the last on-camera interview with comedian Bill Hicks, kicked Blur out of his studio and helped Stevie Ray Vaughan fix his carburetor. He joins us to discuss his undying (and unpaid) passion for music and why he continues giving up nights and weekends to...

Brion Gamboa What’s it like on “The Other Side of Mars?” Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Brion Gamboa joins us to discuss how he landed vocal credits on the new Mick Mars album, his musical upbringing, why handcuffing himself to his guitar was the ultimate show of rebellion and how he upset “Star Search” host Ed McMahon. Sorry, Ed. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

2023 Year in Review Dave and Jason look back on the highlights and news of 2023, including memorable guests, adventures at the RockNPod convention, KISS farewell, the resurgence of Watchtower, the new-generation, thrash-metal fury of Fugitive and more. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Danny Lilker As a founding member of Anthrax and a trooper in S.O.D., bassist Danny Lilker helped pioneer -- and merge -- the thrash metal/crossover genres. He joins us to speak all things metal – including his biography, Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, black metal, grindcore, his respect for Voivod, thoughts on Pantera and why he's content to be semi-retired after decades in the trenches. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

“Bloody & Bruised: The Untold Story of the Back Room” The Back Room in Austin, TX, spent 33 years as a cultural hub for long hair, short skirts, cheap drinks and rock’n’roll mayhem. Captured in all its decadent glory in the upcoming documentary, “Bloody & Bruised: The Untold Story of the Back Room,” the venue’s history – including the launch of Dangerous Toys, the 2 Live Crew riot, all-nighters with Motorhead, the nuclear blast of Pantera and the hair-tangling exploits of Pearl Jam --...

Mark Lopes Metal Church singer Marc Lopes found his calling after seeing Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” on MTV. He joins us to discuss his debut Metal Church album, “Congregation of Annihilation,” his time with Ross the Boss of Manowar fame and his ongoing band, Let Us Prey. Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Rik Fox He was an early member of WASP (and gave the band its name) before teaming up with an unknown Yngwie Malmsteen, vocalist Ron Keel and drummer Mark Edwards to record the 1983 underground metal classic album, “Steeler.” Today, he’s the bassist for Freakshow alongside former members of Quiet Riot, WASP/Metal Church and Miss Crazy. Rik Fox joins us to discuss Freakshow’s new album, “So Shall it Be,” his early days witnessing the formation of KISS, his tenures in WASP and Steeler, and his...

Christian Shields He was corrupted by KISS at an early age (sound familiar?) and quickly became a student of the rock’n’roll hustle. Austin-based Christian Shields joins us to discuss his arena-ready rock, the art of self-promotion and how he landed the role of Jason McMaster in the upcoming music venue documentary, “Bloody & Bruised: The Untold Story of the Back Room.” Created and Produced by Jared Tuten

Paul Lidel His raunchy guitar riffs and high-voltage solos have powered Dirty Looks, Dangerous Toys, Broken Teeth, Adrenaline Factor and 99 Crimes. Paul Lidel joins us to discuss -- take a deep breath -- his latest project, Paul Lidel’s Scream Therapy; joining Dangerous Toys; the revamped Dirty Looks (with our own Jason McMaster on vocals); his time with Lizzy Borden; opening for KISS; and his audition with Ronnie James Dio. Look out! Created and Produced by Jared Tuten