Grab a Stack of Rock / LeBrain Train

Too Much Music? Grab A Stack of Mike’s CD Collection Tonight!

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 47:  Too Much Music?

A must-watch for fans of Harem Scarem, Marillion, Deep Purple/Whitesnake, and the CD format!

Trying something different tonight.  Regular viewers know the original concept of the show (courtesy of Uncle Meat) was to just “grab a stack of rock” and talk about it.  Strangely enough, we never really just grabbed a random stack of discs from my collection to go through them.   So that’s what I did this time!  Instead of going live, I recorded this episode ahead of time.  It took 45 minutes to go through a stack and a half of neglected CDs from my collection.  It’s my first solo show in a couple years.

What may shock and appall you is how many discs from these stacks are unplayed and unopened.  Too much music?  I believe this episode makes a case for that.

I also unboxed a surprise care package from Marco D’Auria (The Contrarians) and what a cool surprise it was.

Tune in tonight at 7:00 PM at the regular places!

Friday January 12 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

The Y&T Album Review Book Chat with author Tim Durling, and contributors John Snow, Jex Russell and Mike Ladano

The very first Y&T book is out!  Down For the Count:  The Y&T Album Review is the name, and Tim Durling is the author.  Tim was kind enough to join Jex, John and I on a Friday night to talk about it.  Mr. Durling’s humble nature and musical knowledge was on full display as we discussed:

  • How the book came together, and why it has a discussion-style format.
  • Assembling the panel.
  • Y&T’s lack of big-time success.  The why’s, the wherefore’s, and the what-might-have-beens.
  • Fans in waiting:  turning new people on to Y&T.
  • Contacting Hugh Syme.
  • Working with Sean Kelly.
  • The importance of artwork, a good logo, and music videos.
  • The Y&T discography.

Please support the music community and check out the book if you can!  We are all very proud of Down For the Count, and you might just discover a new favourite band.  That’s all we really hope for in the end.

Thanks again to Tim, John and Jex for a great show.  Tune in next week for a pre-recorded solo show called Too Much Music.

Go for the throat!

 

 

Down For the Count with Tim Durling and Friends

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 46:  Down For the Count with Tim Durling and Friends

The very first Y&T book is out!  Down For the Count:  The Y&T Album Review is the name of the book, and you can get yours on Amazon right now.

Joining us this week is series regular, and now author of two books, Tim Durling!  Why Y&T?  Why a book about this band, and their discography?   It is true that Y&T never made the impact that they seemed destined for.  We’ll discuss this and much more:  the nuts and bolts of publishing a rock book and assembling the cast of characters who helped along the way.

Speaking of characters, co-hosting this week will be book contributors John T. Snow and Jex Russell.  How did they get involved, and what was their part to play?  How did Tim get Sean Kelly and Hugh Syme to contribute?  Find out tonight, and by all means pick up this excellent book today.

LIVE Friday January 5 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

 

2023 in Review with Jason Drury, Rob Daniels, Mike & the Mad Metal Man

‘Twas a warm and cozy gathering of film-addicted friends, reminiscing upon favourites in the year 2023.  With Jason Drury joining from the UK, Harrison from Australia, and Mike & Rob in Canada, it was a a truly intercontinental show.

We took a look at some new musical arrivals (signed Blaze Bayley, Rock Candy Ronnie James Dio, some sweet soundtracks on CD) and some books as well.

Though we always try to promote the physical media on Grab A Stack of Rock, the thoughtful conversation was what made this episode special.  Specifically, we went down the Doctor Who rabbit hole and touched on what is happening with the show today.  We also praised Ray Stevenson in Ahsoka, and lambasted a few of the Marvel products out today.  Saved from the hot seat was Loki Season 2, which Jason and I both thought was a high water mark for the franchise.

Controversially, Jason weighed in on UK fish & chips vs. their Canadian counterparts.

Happy new year my friends, we’ll see you in 2024.  Next week:  Down For the Count, with Tim Durling and Jex Russell.

 

Return of the Drury: Film and Soundtrack Experts Jason Drury and Robert Daniels on Grab A Stack of Rock for 2023 in Review

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 45:  Return of the Drury

Tonight, film and soundtrack expert Jason Drury is back on the show from five time zones away!  All the way in Ramsgate UK, Jason will be burning the midnight oil with Robert Daniels, Jex Russell and Harrison Kopp tonight.

Tonight we will just be catching up with friends, talking everything that we enjoyed in 2023.  (I will be saving my Top Five albums list for January 1.)  It’s a casual show and those are often the best kind.

Please join us tonight and welcome Jason back on the show!

LIVE Friday Dec 29 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Twitter!

First Time Listener to Prince – Purple Rain – Rock Daydream Nation

I am so proud of this episode of Rock Daydream Nation with Peter Kerr.  The story goes something like this:

(Australian accent) – Hey Mike, how would you like to do a show on Purple Rain by Prince?

(Canadian accent) – I’ve never listened to a Prince album in my life, are you sure you want me to do this?  Because I would.

(Australian accent) – Yes that’s exactly what I’m looking for.

So I went into this very curious, since I have heard the praises of Prince sung by many that I respect.  I listened to Purple Rain eight times in the week leading up to this show.  As for how it all went?  You’ll just have to watch and see.  This is how Peter describes it:

First time listener to Prince “Purple Rain” – Rock Daydream Nation featuring Mike Ladano…The premise of this show is that Mike has never listened to a Prince album. We have remedied that situation and have assigned Mike to listen and appraise the 1984 album ‘Prince and the Revolution “Purple Rain”‘. This was a fun, meaningful show that reviews the music of Prince but also looks at the historical context of Purple Rain – the album and the movie.

Peter, thank you so much for inviting me to do this show.  It’s my favourite Rock Daydream Nation yet!

The 1002nd Album – S2E3. Blue Rodeo – “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” (Mike Ladano)

I was honoured to be back on Geoff Stephen’s excellent show, the 1002nd album, to talk this time about a special song instead of an album.  I don’t know why I’m drawn to acoustic-based music when I’m with Geoff, but I know he loves a lot of those old Blue Rodeo songs.  I instinctively chose “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” from Five Days in July, a remarkable song from a spontaneously recorded album.  It captures the cold and loneliness of a Canadian winter, yet with the warmth that only acoustic guitars and electric bass can nullify.  But don’t let me spoil it for you.  Here’s Geoff and yours truly with our chat on “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet” by Blue Rodeo.  My favourite.

Merry Rockin’ Christmas: Our Top Five Favourite Christmas Tunes & More on Grab A Stack of Rock

A bright end to a crummy week!  Jen is a trooper once again.  She may have taken a spill again, but as always, she insists the show must go on.  If she didn’t, then we wouldn’t have had this wonderful Friday night to remember.  Thank you Jen.

I need to thank my special co-host and guests tonight.  They all brought the lists, with Roger cheating a little bit (taking a bit from the Harrison playbook) and everyone adding a unique spin.

  • Tim Durling of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions proved to be the expert on all things Bob & Doug McKenzie, which came in handy on my #5 pick.  We also took a look at Tim’s new Y&T book, Down for the Count!  Please, get yourself a copy on Amazon.ca or your local version.
  • Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation provided an Australian pick and a number of familiar favourites.  Check out Peter’s channel for an interview with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, and many awesome videos.  He is also one of the contributor’s to Tim’s new book.
  • John Clauser of My Music Corner surprised us all with some great picks, some obscure ones, and one very special #1.  I did not see this one coming.
  • John the Music Nut, Clauser’s co-captain, also provided some brilliant and unique picks this evening.  John recently contributed to Tim’s Y&T book as well.
  • Metal Roger went outside the box on a number of picks, and also provided comedy relief for pretty much the entire night!
  • Additionally, we have some excellent lists from Harrison Kopp and Uncle Meat.  These provided some great discussion topics.

As far as physical product goes, we saw some mail-order-only Marillion and a very cool lenticular album cover that I must acquire somehow.

Merry Christmas one and all!  This is the last show before the big day, as the 22nd is a night off for Jen’s birthday.  Don’t worry though – we have a re-run scheduled, of a great show from the summer:  Arkells appreciation with Aaron and Nurse Kat.

Enjoy!

A very special Christmas to my “forever” friend @manda_runs_and_swims.  Write me!

Merry Rockin’ Christmas: Our Top Five Favourite Christmas Tunes & More on Grab A Stack of Rock

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man

Episode 44:  Our Top Five Favourite Christmas Tunes

Are you ready for Christmas?  If not, our cast of characters will provide for you the Top Five best Christmas songs that you need to play this year.  We searched far and wide for the best of the best of the best, so please welcome our crew this week:

  • Special guest co-host:  Tim Durling of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions!  We will also be unboxing his latest book, Down For the Count, all about Y&T…who never recorded a Christmas song to my knowledge!
  • Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation
  • John Clauser of My Music Corner
  • John the Music Nut, Clauser’s co-captain and first timer on Grab A Stack of Rock
  • Metal Roger

There will also be surprises afoot!

Grab your egg nog and get ready to party with us.  We’ll bring you a jolly good time tonight.

LIVE Friday Dec 15 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

Six Horsemen Bring Their Top Five Metallica Deep Cuts to Grab A Stack of Rock

Metallica deep cuts?  What are the rules then?  Well, rules didn’t matter at the end of the day; we just picked a bunch of tunes we liked a lot.  Your panel was:

We had some brilliant thrashers, a few curveballs…and definitely a couple surprises.  I feel everyone defended their choices ably, however I was the recipient of a bit of roasting in the comments section.  Repeatedly.  Did I deserve it?  Probably.

We also took an “Ask Harrison” question from Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation, and did some very cool unboxings.  There was a bit of “repetition” tonight, but a good time was had by all.  Thank you for watching.

A week off next week — super secret regal recording with Peter Kerr instead!  We’ll be back December 15.