Videos

A Mighty Wind Appreciation, with Dan Chartrand, Uncle Meat & Johnny Metal

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 73:  A Mighty Wind Appreciation, with Dan Chartrand, Uncle Meat & Johnny Metal

In 2003, Christopher Guest unveiled his third improv comedy movie, following Waiting For Guffman (1996) and Best In Show (2000).  While each film has its focus (a small town play; a dog show), it was 2003’s A Mighty Wind that “tapped” into the spirit of music that made Guest a fan favourite in the first place.  This time it’s folk music!

The Folksmen are a fictional folk band that actually opened for Guest’s “other” band, Spinal Tap.  Ironically, all three members are the same:  Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer.  Together with Mitch & Mickey (Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara) and the New Main Street Singers (Jane Lynch, John Michael Higgins, Parker Posey, Paul Dooley et. al.), the bands have reunited for a big folk show in New York City.   As he often does, Fred Willard stole the show in this film.

This hilarious comedy boasts an incredible soundtrack of originals and one cover (“Start Me Up”), and tonight I’ll be joined again by Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat to discuss it.  With them will be John “Johnny Metal” Clauser, who has wanted to do this topic with us for some time now.

You might not be as family with A Mighty Wind as you were with This Is Spinal Tap, but you won’t regret spending an hour with us tonight.  It may not be heavy metal, but good music is good music, and this soundtrack is loaded with great songs.  Join us tonight!

Friday October 4 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

“Tap” into the show! 40 Years of Spinal Tap: The Music with Marco D’Auria, Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat

A huge thank you to Marco D’Auria of the Contrarians, Dan Chartrand of Off the Charts, and the near-legendary Uncle Meat for comprising our expert panel tonight.  The subject was Spinal Tap, the band and the music.  It may be fair to call Dan a “superfan”, as he had some Spinal Tap rarities that I don’t.  Dan provided some cool physical product, including CDs and LPs of This is Spinal Tap, Break Like the Wind, and he even unfolded his Back From the Dead CD packaging to show us what it looks like when it’s a little paper stage set.

Taking a cue from another big Spinal Tap fan, Peter Kerr, I stole a tactic from Rock Daydream Nation and did some discussion questions in rounds.  Here’s what we tackled:

  • Were you ever in the blissful unawareness that Spinal Tap was a fake band?  Or were you always in on the joke?
  • Evaluate the musicianship of Tap.
  • Pick a favourite song from the soundtrack.
  • Pick a favourite song from Break Like the Wind.  
  • And a quick discussion of Back from the Dead.

Along the way we discussed the history of Tap, both real and fictional.  We had a look at the DVD for the Return of Spinal Tap, and had a chat on that subject.  I peppered the panel with trivia throughout the night.  We had an insightful discussion about talent, and the three actors who played the central characters:  Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer.  We speculated on director Rob Reiner’s role in the songwriting, and technical aspects of the writing and playing.  Did Harry Shearer play fretless bass on “Break Like the Wind”?  I don’t know, but we do know he can play upright bass thanks to his role in A Mighty Wind.  In short, the music and movie were given as much appraisal and analysis as we could do in an hour.

Meanwhile in the comments, Pete Jones provided quote after quote after quote, from a variety of Tap interviews and performances.  Thank you Peter!  And thank you to everyone who watched and joined in.  

I started the show with a quick unboxing, from Australia’s Ash Geisler, who has been a huge supporter of the show.  Thanks again Ash for watching, and for sending me this awesome package.  I guarantee some of them will be getting a review.

One topic I didn’t get to mention on the show, but did come up among the viewers:  Spinal Tap II is coming to theaters in 2025.  How do you feel about this?  Let us know in the comments.  I for one don’t think it’s necessary or a good idea.  The cameo-laden cast seems gimmicky, but Rob Reiner is back is the director’s chair.

Thanks for watching, and if you didn’t, the link is below.  This is one I’ll be watching over again.  

NEXT WEEK:  A Mighty Wind with Dan Chartrand, John Clauser & Uncle Meat!

40 Years of Spinal Tap: The Music with Marco D’Auria, Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 72:  40 Years of Spinal Tap: The Music with Marco D’Auria, Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat

Tonight we’re gonna rock ya, tonight!

Formed as the Thamesmen in 1964, Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins scored a hit with the single “Gimmie Some Money” / “Cups and Cakes”. The band soon employed bassist Derek Smalls. After a name change to Spinal Tap, the band wandered through progressive rock, jazz fusion, funk, reggae, hard rock, and heavy metal.  In 1984 they became a household name with the release of the documentary film by Marty DiBergi, called This Is Spinal Tap.  It is hard to believe it has been 40 years since that film brought Tap to the silver screen.

Tonight, Contrarians Marco D’Auria and new face Dan Chartrand will join Uncle Meat and I, as we Tap into the history of this great band’s music.

From rock and roll (“Gimme Some Money”) to hippie flower power (“Listen to What the Flower People Say”, “Rainy Day Sun”) to heavy metal (“Stonehenge”), few bands have struggled to find a direction like Spinal Tap has.  Now with DiBergi back on board, the band are primed to release a new documentary film on their more recent exploits.  Our panel tonight will try to avoid talking about the drama (puppet shows, air force bases, girlfriends) and focus on the music.  And what music it is!  Nigel Tufnel is one of the most critically acclaimed guitar players in the world, not just for volume but also for pioneering the art of double his guitar solos with voice.  David St. Hubbins is such a legendary lead singer, that Ronnie James Dio wouldn’t allow him to sing lead on Hear N’ Aid’s “Stars” for fear of breaking the board.  And Derek Smalls?  His solo album Smalls Change proves he’s not a one-trick moustached pony.

Join us tonight, and Tap into the music of Spinal Tap.

 

Friday September 27 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

Retro Gaming Weekend: Ms. Pac-Man, Dig Dig, Pole Position & Yar’s Revenge [VIDEOS]

I got my Ms. Pac-Man Plug and Play working again! In combination with an expansion cartridge, this gave me access to Dig Dug, as well as Pole Position. Join me as I play the first game of each of these in a year.

I did pretty well in Dig Dug, but turned in a disappointing Pole Position score. The controller is cool; if you twist the joystick it acts as your steering wheel.

I played two games of Ms. Pac-Man, with the first being the best.

Finally, I dug up the Atari 2600 Flashback machine and played a game of an Atari classic: Yar’s Revenge. Join me as I explain this game in extremely technical terms.

Drone Videos, Deep Purple and the wonders of the beach [VIDEOS]

This could be the last weekend for good drone flying weather at the lake. Here’s what I made, and some great tunes for you to enjoy.  First up we have a Thursday night flight to the tune of “The Roller” by Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye.  Then we have two Deep Purple instrumentals on an unedited Friday morning flight:  “Son of Aleric” and “Contact Lost”.

Notably, the water levels are noticeable lower than two weeks ago, and the river entrance has dried up.  I took the drone a little further to the river than on past flights.  Got up to max altitude each time.  Lots to see here, and some cool flying techniques that really leave you feeling like you’re gliding along with me.

The third flight on Saturday morning might be the most beautiful. The water was so clear, and the reflections from the sun made for beautiful flying. I soared in close to some boulders, and took a look across the river for the first time. There I found an big boulder we used to sit on as kids. The music for this video is “Blue Ocean” by Flying Colors.

Ending the Season in Style: One More Cottage Afternoon Show of 2024 with Jex Russell on Grab A Stack of Rock

Apologies to those who missed the beginning of today’s show; we decided to go early by 15 minutes.

Thank you for joining this fun Friday hangout!  Jex and I both had stacks of CDs to show off, as well an an 8-track tape, a “gas station cassette”, and some vinyl.  Recent arrivals, gifts and thrift finds were on hand today.

Additionally, we offered our opinions of the current goings-on with P. Diddy aka Puff Daddy.  This discussion came by request of my mother.  Jex and I avoid details but have some thoughts on a couple Diddy-related movies we enjoyed.

If you watch from the beginning of the show, you will see me land my drone live on the LakeCam.  Yes that’s right – LakeCam was back on Grab A Stack of Rock with more wildlife sightings than ever before!

Thanks for watching!  See you next week at 7:00 PM for Spinal Tap with Marco D’Auria and the Meat Man.

The Last Hurrah: One More Cottage Afternoon Show of 2024 with Jex Russell on Grab A Stack of Rock

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 71:  The Last Hurrah – One More Cottage Afternoon Show of 2024 with Jex Russell

UPDATED – WE ARE GOING LIVE EARLY – 3:45 est / 4:45 atlantic

It is fall!  The summer 2024 season of Grab A Stack of Rock rolls to a conclusion.

If all goes well, Jex and I will ring out cottage season just as we rang it in:  With an afternoon episode of Grab A Stack of Rock!  There has been a lot (a lot!) going on with both of us lately, so this will not be a big list show or a gigantic show-and-tell.  This is just your chance to come and chill with Jex and I on a Friday afternoon at the cottage.  We do have CDs, and I have some vinyl to show off.  An unboxing, some new music, and some conversation starters!

As always, the comments will be on, and we will be chatting with you, live.  The plan is for a relaxing atmosphere to end the week, and plenty of musical talk.  Maybe even some current events…

Join us live to take part; if not you can check it out on YouTube or Facebook after the fact!

Here’s to an awesome 2024 cottage season, as short as it felt.  Thanks Jex for making this happen two years in a row.  Fear not; we have lots of fall rock action in store, and a winter season to come!

Friday September 20 at 4:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 5:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions Ep. 558: Canadian Top 100 Singles September 14, 1974 with Mike Ladano

This was a fun show to do.  Recorded at the cottage in the summer, Tim and I had a look at the Canadian Top 100 Singles chart, for September 14, 1974.  There were plenty of head-scratchers and a few well-known hits.  Tim provided the education, all I did was read the listings!  Even so, a majorly fun episode to do.  Here’s what Tim had to say:

 

Mr. Lebrain is back and we REWIND the CHARTS back an even half century. We discuss the most popular songs in Canada on this date in 1974.

That’s the “A” Section! Our CD Collections with John Clauser from My Music Corner

74 CDs of a Christian parody bands called the ApologetiX?  That’s just a taste of what you get when you go through the “A” section of Johnny Metal’s CD collection!

Thank you John for joining me for this blast of an episode.  In under an hour, we went through a few hundred CDs from the “A” section.  Lots of Christian rock from Johnny, as well as Anthrax, Armored Saint and obscure bands I’ve never heard of before!  Of course we had plenty of AC/DC between us.  My stack went from Lee Aaron to Autograph.

The Aerosmith section dominated the show, with plenty of CD singles (including 3″), Japanese imports, a DualDisc, EPs, a bootleg and lots of limited collector’s editions.  My AC/DC collection also included 3″ CDs, DualDiscs and bootlegs.  Johnny and I showed off our Australian AC/DC albums, but not the same ones!  We also saw Abba, Ryan Adams (with jokes from Pete Jones on the sidelines), some Jazz, and a few very rare coloured jewel cases.

Of note:  We were drinking tonight, but things did not get out of hand!

Thanks for watching everyone…it means the world to me.

The “A” Section – Our CD Collections with John Clauser from My Music Corner

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 70:  The “A” Section with Johnny Metal

Back to basics this week:  we are literally showing off stacks of rock!  With the CD collection being re-alphabetized, and with Johnny Clauser currently tackling the Accept albums on his music corner of the world, let’s dive into the “A” section!

CDs only this week.  Let’s have a look at complete collections of AC/DC, Aerosmith and more!  Lee Aaron, Accept, A.S.A.P., Alice In Chains…we’ll look at the whole section of my collection tonight.  John will be bringing in select items from his.

Join us live!

Friday September 13 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!