Videos

🅻🅸🆅🅴: Have You SEEN This Concrete Blonde Collection?!

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

Special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 Episode

Episode 134: Have You SEEN This Concrete Blonde Collection?!

This week Harrison takes the hot seat as he helms an episode he’s passionate about!  Its Concrete Blonde, featuring the talents of bassist and vocalist Johnette Napolitano!  Harrison is taking tonight to show off his “Complete Albums, Super Rare + More”!  Both Harrison and Mike focus their collecting on an end goal:  getting a physical copy of every officially released version of every track.  Has Harrison achieved this yet?

Concrete Blonde are a little off our usual beaten track.  The alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, broke up in 1994 after scoring some major hits such as “Joey”, and reunited a number of times over the decades.  Harrison will walk us through the discography tonight.

This will be a fun episode for the compact disc and physical media collectors!  Join us live so we can interact in the comments!

 

Friday January 16 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: The Essential Iron Maiden

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN bonus episode: The Essential Iron Maiden

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK bonus episode

This week’s bonus episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden falls on a Tuesday.  This is a shorter episode, that we wanted to run mid-week.

On 12 July 2005, Sony released The Essential Iron Maiden in North America.  As Maiden’s fourth compilation (and third multi-disc compilation), it was interesting for several reasons.  First and most obviously, there is no Eddie on the cover.  Second, it was released as part of Sony’s Essential series, and we’ll look at another disc from that series for comparison.  Third, it is again mostly reverse-chronological, almost like an updated Best of the Beast without the rarities.

We’re calling it the “weirdest” Iron Maiden best of album for these reasons and more.  Would you buy it?  Have a watch and let us know about this truly un-essential Essential release by Sony!

Wednesday January 13 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T., 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

 

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

New VIDEO PLAYLIST: Gaming – And we have Atari 2600 fun for you

Hello Grab A Stack of Rock viewers, and gaming fans!  Subscribers and readers know that in the summers, I have done some quick and fun gaming videos at the cottage.   These have been fun and simple Plug & Play arcade and Atari 2600 games, made simply by pointing my camera at a screen.  These were enjoyable to make and watch, so I set about making gaming videos at home on the PC too.

On the PC, I like to play Atari 2600 games emulated on Stella.  Windows 11 enables you to easily screen capture videos, so I made a few just by playing games using the directional keys on the keyboard.  This was effective for most games but annoyingly loud on the resulting audio recording.  I went ahead and bought a $30 Hyperkin Trooper 2 joystick, very similar to the original 2600, which has now brought me to the level that I can make gaming videos of a more satisfying quality.

Subscribe to the channel and check out the playlist below.  My recent Atari 2600 videos are embedded below as well.

Happy gaming!

CLICK HERE FOR THE PLAYLIST

 

 

 

 

 

Satisfying Red Dragon Escape! Atari 2600 “ADVENTURE” on Stella

I was having a REALLY good game of Atari 2600 Missile Command on Stella, until…

Zaxxon: Atari 2600 emulated on Stella

Stop! Hammer Time! Atari 2600 Donkey Kong on Stella – beating level 2 at least!

Stupid Snake! Playing Atari 2600 Q*Bert on Stella with new Hyperkin Trooper 2 Joystick!

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 27: The Early Days DVD

50 Years of IRON MAIDEN episode 27:  The History of Iron Maiden Part 1:  The Early Days

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK #133

Buckle up, for tonight is one of the most detailed episodes of 50 Years of Iron Maiden to date!  In 2004, Iron Maiden went out on tour, but not to promote a new album.  This time (and for the first time!) they were out to promote a video:  The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days, on DVD.  Tonight, we break down the entire contents of the DVD release (including the special features you probably never watched!) and the tour to boot.  Yes, this is an episode of 50 Years of Iron Maiden as essential as any!

The DVD itself centers on The Early Days, a 90 minute documentary on Maiden history from 1975 to 1983 (the “early days”).  It includes interviews with Maiden members you’ve probably never met before, such as Ron “Rebel” Matthews, Terry Rance, Doug Sampson and many more.  The history of the band is run down with great care, ending in Dortmund in Germany on the World Piece Tour.

There are four concerts, in various states of completion:  Live at the Ruskin (1980), Live at the Rainbow (1981), Beast Over Hammersmith (1982) and Live in Dortmund (1983).  Even though we have discussed some of these tracks in previous episodes (including a full episode on the CD version of Hammersmith), we will go through every single track in exhausting detail.  Then there are the Top of the Pops and other TV shows to cover!  Then, Mike will take you through all the interesting details in the bonus features, such as Steve’s diary and scrapbook.  Find out exactly how Steve fired original singer Paul Mario Day, and when!

When this all said and done, Harrison will guide us through the Eddie Rips Up the World Tour, including the setlists and an incident involving Sharon Osbourne.  You might have heard about that one!  It happened on this tour.

Don’t miss the premiere of this episode, as we always like to interact in the comments!  Up the Irons!

Friday January 9 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T., 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube.

BONUS:  Tomorrow, January 10, Mike will post his written review of this DVD, never before seen, right here on this site.  This review, at almost 3000 words, is for those who prefer to read!  Mike never wrote a review of this release back in 2013 when he did his Maiden review series.  This is brand new and will not be exactly the same as what we will present in the video.  Enjoy both!

 

Past episodes:

Handy YouTube Playlist:

 

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 756: Thin Lizzy (CDs)

It has been 40 years since we lost Phil Lynott.  To mark the occasion, Tim Durling recruited myself and John the Music Nut to meticulously document our Thin Lizzy CD collections on video, once and for all.  While I clearly had the biggest collection (and size does indeed matter), I still need three box sets to “complete” my Lizzy CD collection.

Please join Tim, John and myself as we go through every album one by one, and discuss the history of Thin Lizzy from the beginning right to the John Sykes and Ricky Warwick eras of the band.  We have physical CDs to marks several post-Lynott lineups, and loads of compilations and box sets too.  A truly comprehensive episode, and probably the best single-episode overview on the Lizzy discography that you’ll find on YouTube.  Enjoy!

#1231: 20 Years Ago, I Left the Dream “Record Store” Job (With Dan @OffTheCharts)

Expanding and retelling Record Store Tales Part 320: The Last Day

RECORD STORE TALES #1231: 20 Years Ago, I Left the Dream “Record Store” Job 

I woke up on Wednesday, January 4 2006 knowing it was the last time I’d be opening that Godforsaken record store.  The job I once loved so much that I’d show up an hour early to review new stock had become my nemesis.  It was like a chain, pulling me down every single day.  I looked forward to the end so badly.  The day truly flew by.

It started with the management putting out a statement that, after 12 years at the store, I was leaving.  Shocked messages flooded my inbox.  I was considered an original, a “lifer”.   Many people thought I’d never leave.  Those truly close to me knew the time was coming, but when the announcement was made, the shockwaves rippled through cyberspace.  That warmed me up a little bit on that cold winter day.

The boss took me out to lunch.  East Side Mario’s, if I recall.  Memories of this are of a good final talk, but it also reminds me that I never truly felt comfortable around him.  Never felt like I could be myself.  He talked of parenthood and what that was like, and I just felt tense even as I tried to relax.

It wasn’t a memorable day otherwise.  I have no journals from that day about customers throwing pencils at my head, or throwing other varieties of hissy fits.  I handed in my key, walked out the front door at 5:00 PM, and I was a private citizen once again.  No more discount.  And they lost all the power they held over me.

I was given a giant “goodbye card”, which I kept.  There are sentiments inside that I found surprisingly angering today.  Comments about “cheese metal” and unflattering nicknames.  Good intentions, but proof that very few people that I worked with for years truly knew me.

But you can see for yourself.  For this special 20 year look back, I made a video.  Please join Dan Chartrand and myself for this look back at that fateful final day, 20 years ago.

 

 

🅻🅸🆅🅴: BLOTTO RETURNS! We chat with Blotto about The Movie and the year 2025, LIVE!

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

Special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 Episode

Episode 132:  Blotto’s Back!

What a way to kick off a happy new year!  Please welcome back to the show, and live for the first time on Grab A Stack of Rock:  It’s Blotto!

The guys have had an incredible year.  With the release of Hello! My Name Is Blotto – The Movie!, Blotto and director Rob Lichter have attended numerous premieres and film festivals.  They have been presented with awards, and recognized for their talent and humour.  Again, what a year they have had!

With everything that has happened, the only way to cap it off right was to have the band back on Grab A Stack of Rock to celebrate.   With the movie out, we have so much more to talk about!  We’ll be asking followup questions.  We’ll be talking about the film festivals and celebrations of Blotto history.  We’ll ask about release plans of The Movie and anything else you want to know about.  This will be a live episode, so ask your questions.

Harrison “Blocko Blotto” will be co-hosting this interview, and will meet Blotto face to face for the first time.  They will finally get to meet the guy who made them into Lego minifigs.  This will be exciting.

 

Friday January 2 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

Off The Charts: Least Favourite KISS Songs Per Album

It started with Joey Suto, and our awesome list of Top KISS Songs from every album!  Then Peter Kerr suggested worst KISS songs, and I ran with it, and wrote a controversial list.  Dan Chartrand picked up the ball, and decided to make a video on the subject.  You’ve read my list, but now you can watch an entertaining video list from Dan and Sidney from Slogan’s Rock and Metal as well.

No surprises here – my list is unchanged.  I did however have quite a few questions and comments as to “why” I made my list the way I did.  These are finally addressed in this video.

Slick and fast, we raced through the KISS studio albums in an hour.  A great viewing.  Don’t miss this one.

🅻🅸🆅🅴: Boxing Day Bash & Christmas Music Hauls with Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation

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

Special 🅻🅸🆅🅴 Episode

Episode 131:  Boxing Day Bash & Christmas Music Hauls with Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation

With bellies and ears full, please join Harrison and I with special guest Peter Kerr, on Grab A Stack of Rock live!  Tonight is the night that we reveal our Christmas musical hauls (and other recent scores).  The pictures in the thumbnail images are just spoiler-proof teasers and placeholders (though time permitted we will look at those recent arrivals too).  We’ll just have to see what the other guys have in store, because I write these posts in advance!  I can tell you that on my side, I have four new discs to discuss, a cherished musical heirloom, a new music T-shirt and more!

I’ll also reveal what I spent my Christmas money on.

Tonight, 7:00 PM EST, the boys are back in town.

Friday December 26 at  7:00 PM EST, 8:00 PM Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or Facebook.

The Contrarians Live: Full List of My Episodes

 

All my Contrarians appearances to date:

  1. Nicknamed Album Covers
  2. Minimalist cover art
  3. Brown album covers
  4. Yellow album covers
  5. Albums with Fire and Explosions
  6. Spaceships! Aliens! Robots!
  7. This Album Cover is Hell!
  8. Toys & Games
  9. Dreaming in Stereo:  Beds & Sleep on album covers
  10. Favourite Bands…WORST Album Covers
  11. They Swapped Covers!
  12. Great Album Covers From Bands We Despise
  13. Top 10 NWOBHM Covers
  14. It’s A Piece of Art!
  15. Compilation Kaos!
  16. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Hipgnosis!
  17. Amped Up!
  18. Packaging Fails
  19. Where’s the Band?
  20. Slippery When Wet
  21. Greetings From New York
  22. Done With Mirrors
  23. Eyes Without A Face
  24. Rock Out With Your Clock Out!
  25. Album Covers You Can Hear
  26. Album Covers You Can Smell
  27. Huh?!? Album Covers that Send the Wrong Message