One of my favourite bands, going back 34 years this summer, is Faith No More. The San Fransisco band hit it back in the summer of 1990 with “Epic”, but they had been plying the rock waters for years before, including a brief stint with Courtney Love on lead vocals. It was the acquisition in 1988 of Mr. Bungle singer Mike Patton (replacing Chuck Mosely) that was the final ingredient needed to push them over the top. Even though they are undoubtedly one of the weirdest rock bands to hit the Top Ten, they pre-dated the grunge era with their funky bass, rapped lyrics, and soaring choruses.
Grant Arthur and I covered the whole shebang, including a triumphant return with the reunion album Sol Invictus. What is it? It’s a damn great episode of Grant’s Rock Warehaus. Give it a watch below!
Some albums just fall by the wayside. Here’s a CD that came out 35 years ago, and I just never got around to.
This album, from a new hard rock band, was on my radar due to involvement from some people in the circles of Bon Jovi. It was scarce in these parts, either unseen on the shelves of local stores, or left sitting in favour of other purchases.
Another thing about the summer of 1989 is that there were few quality record stores at the cottage 35 years ago. Now, I just have to find what I want on Amazon, and new music is on its way to me while I wait for it on the front porch. Absolutely amazing. Tell that to 17 year old Mike in July ’89!
Thank you to John Clauser of My Music Corner for joining me for an impromptu Friday afternoon! I wanted to finish showing off my birthday hauls, because there was some cool stuff still to be seen. Possibly the coolest of them was a Star Trek: Strange New Worlds plaque made by the propmaster on that show and purchased directly from him. I also received a replica lamp from the Star Wars series Andor, and a Tchaikovsky CD. This led to an informative back-and-forth about classical music in the comments, led by Pete Jones.
John Clauser brought with him some personal stories and rare copies of his own music. One is an album that he played some guitar on, one is an album of his own making, and another is a live DVD recorded at a coffee house! He also has a demo tape of his early W.A.S.P.-influenced solo music.
Quiet Riot was an artist that John spotlighted, with a bonus Randy Rhoads bootleg. He also brought a double live Accept — a prelude to his next big deep dive series on My Music Corner!
The final thing I had to show off was my Lego Jazz quartet, which ironically, Aaron received for his birthday a few days ago.
Thanks to everyone for the lively comments. This is why I love going live. See you next time!
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man Episode 66: Surprise Friday Stream with John Clauser
SURPRISE! John Clauser from My Music Corner and I will be live at 3:00 PM this afternoon. That’s just three hours from this posting!
John & felt like being social this Friday, so come one and all and join the conversation. I have some new things to show off, including birthday gifts and cottage treasures. John will have some cool stuff to show as well. Perhaps we’ll even discuss his Twisted Sister series and what is to come next at My Music Corner.
Join us today at 3:00 for a classic cottage afternoon show. These are always a blast. Welcome to the cottage John!
Friday July 26 at 3:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 4:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy onYouTube or on Facebook!
A few weeks ago, Tim & I tackled a classic Helix album on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions. Check out this 4:07 mini album review, in which we discuss the album and the rare Canadian glow in the dark cassette.
The album should have been bigger than it was, so hopefully we spread some appreciation in the video below.
In 1994, Rush were inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, after a mere 20 years as a recording band. Not bad for three nerds from Southern Ontario. I had my VCR running that night, and this is the whole segment, complete and uncut, with all introductions and fades, unlike other copies on YouTube. Tom Cochrane was selected to induct them.
“Tonight we’re here to blow the lid off our three friends,” says Cochrane.
This 17 minute segment includes interviews with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. Tom Cochrane narrates the story of the unstoppable band with the rock solid fanbase. It’s funny in hindsight to hear Neil talking about having fans as old as 40. There is testimony from fans both young and old.
Celebrity fans also appear with awesome stories and tributes:
Mike Myers (Wayne’s World)
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Tyler Stewart, Andy Creegan, Jim Creegan, and Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies)
Peter Collins (producer)
The Tragically Hip (performing “Limelight”)
Kim Mitchell (Max Webster)
Joe Carter & Paul Molitor (Toronto Blue Jays)
Les Claypool, Larry Lalond & Tim Alexander (Primus)
Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
Chris Cornell & Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
Ben Mink
Sam Sniderman (Sam the Record Man)
Ray Danniels (Rush Manager)
As a precursor to things Alex Lifeson would say and do in the future, he is the comedy relief here. His son Justin also has a comedic bit, proving it’s in the genes. Poignantly though, Alex wishes for another 20 years…which, sadly, is all they got.
This is a beautiful tribute to Canada’s greatest export. Watch the whole thing; you will not regret the 17 minutes.
The birthdays keep coming, relentlessly as the tides, but Jex Russell ensured that this one was special and different indeed.
This birthday, I was joined by Jex, John Clauser and Tim Durling for a fun Friday afternoon that turned quite epic by the end. Before that surprise unfolded, we took a look at my new shelving and a large chunk at my CD collection. We discussed favourite birthday memories and a movie in its 40th anniversary this year: The Last Starfighter. (This led into a side discussion on Howard the Duck.)
Jen joined us for gifts at the halfway point of the show. She gifted me with two new releases and one deluxe live album. You’ll have to watch the show and see! (Clue: royal rodents and the Phoenix lights.)
As a finale, Jex unveiled his surprise. With the assistance of Tim Durling, it was like an episode of “This Is Your Life”, or a Cameo with all my favourite people. Jex’s presentation included friends both famous and infamous. There was even an acoustic version of the Grab A Stack of Rock theme song performed by Johnny Metal himself. Thank you, John!
Here is Jex’s presentation:
By the end of it, I was flattered and honoured, and maybe my eyes were a little wet. I’m not crying, you’re crying. All my reactions to the kind words and surprise guests are live and unfiltered.
I’m the guy who usually has all the words. I don’t have any this time. If a picture is worth 1000 words, just watch my face.
Thank you everyone for everything. Here’s to another year.
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man Episode 65: Celebrate Mike’s Birthday on Grab A Stack of Rock – Live!!
(There will NOT be cake)
I was going to take the day off, and just chill on my birthday. No Friday show. “I deserve a break,” I reasoned. We had the Great CD Avalanche of 2024, a physically & emotionally & financially taxing event in recent weeks, and it will be many weeks more before all the CDs are alphabetized again. So, my birthday was going to be spent going out to a quiet lunch with Jen, and then watching Doctor Who and the Acolyte at home.
Then I started to think, that sounded a little too lonely. I wanted to celebrate with my friend Jex. So, I asked.
“Brother, whatever you want to do on your birthday, show or no show, I support you man!” came his response.
I thought about it for two days. I decided that I wanted to celebrate my birthday with Oojaboojagan.
Today’s show is a no-list, no-pressure, just chill-and-join-us event! I’ll be stuffed full of food by that time, and I may even have a birthday drink, so you never know what you will get! There is no theme, but I promise you this much:
Grant Arthur from Grant’s Rock Warehaus plans to attend.
I will open my gifts from Jen live! (She shopped at Encore Records.)
Jex has “something” planned.
You will get the first look at the new show backdrop, with my new shelving, and I will be able to show you a whole bunch of CDs if you want to see them. They’re not all alphabetical yet, but I’m in good shape to retrieve most things from the collection. This is the first episode of Grab A Stack of Rock to feature the new hardware, and I’m excited to have my music looking good again.
Join us this afternoon at 3:30 PM E.S.T. for “Operation: Oojaboojagan”! Seriously, I have no idea what Jex has planned.
Friday July 19 at 3:30 P.M. E.S.T. / 4:30 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy onYouTube or on Facebook!
These Gil Moore interviews that I have are all from a MuchMusic Spotlight. Therefore, all the original information about the time and location of the interview are now lost to me. It looks like this was recorded on the west coast, which would make the interviewer Terry David Mulligan (“TDM”). It is some time in the mid-80s. Gil is asked about the “essence” of rock and roll, and he argues that it has a lot to do with the live experience. Check it out!
mikeladano.com 