30 years ago, Slaughter held a listening party for their forthcoming new album The Wild Life released April 21 1992. These listening parties look like a lot of fun though it could be tiresome for the band to repeat the same ol’ schtick. Mark Slaughter, Dana Strum, Tim Kelly (rest in peace) and Blas Elias all get some camera time. The focus is on growth and change, and indeed The Wild Life was a progression from the debut that never quite got the credit it was due. A few Canada jokes, and the suits can be seen bopping their heads to the new album.
It was my pleasure to honour the man who got the ball rolling for us back in the very beginning: Robert Daniels from Visions In Sound. Because he inspired the LeBrain Train in the first place, I decided to share this anniversary special with him!
Not only did we surprise Rob with a brand new Tee Bone Erickson song called “A Vision In Sound”, but we also brought in his long time friend Erik Woods to enjoy the tribute.
Pre-show viewers got to see a really cool gift unboxed from Aaron, Mr. KeepsMeAlive himself!
Show highlights included clips, although you may be well advised to skip the middle one, “The Author Reads: Record Store Tales Part 7, A Shitty Story”. Lots of gratitude to Uncle Meat who was the center of several clips we played. Added bonus: a vintage video and story from the Meat Man!
Thanks for watching! If you didn’t, don’t hesitate to see it below. Another big thanks to Marco the Contrarian for sharing the show with the Contrarians Patreons.
The LeBrain Train: 2000 Words or More with Mike Ladano
Episode 103 – 2 Years of the Train
On March 20, 2020, I went on my Facebook and hit that “go live” button. The previous week, Rob Daniels began his Wednesday live streaming and he was undoubtedly the inspiration. And look what he did! His show continues today. Without Rob there would be no LeBrain Train and ergo, no Scotch on the Rocks either. Here we are still, two years after the fact!
Some of you were watching from Day One: Rob, Chris Sarre, Kevin Simister, Uncle Meat and more. Soon Deke was on board, and the show went to another level with interviews, deep dives, and Tee Bone. The two biggest influences on the show were undoubtedly Deke who brought in what I think were incredible and groundbreaking interviews, and Uncle Meat who introduced the list shows. On the 10th episode, Meat created the “Nigel Tufnel Top Ten” list format and we were off to the races.
Tonight I’m not just celebrating two years of some of the most fun I’ve ever had, but also the people who made it possible. We will have clips, songs and brand new music from Tee Bone Erickson.
This did not age well. The comment about hoarding toilet paper is funny. I remember my dad didn’t like this video. He found it too “angry”. It did start the whole “VoiVod!” thing with Rob Daniels though! This is just after lockdown began, but before the LeBrain Train launched. Interesting from a certain point of view. Where’s that Queen shirt now? Can’t find it anywhere!
A terrific show tonight, as we (literally in some cases) dusted off some rare rock and roll collectables. All apologies for showing off my ample stomach; fortunately you got to see some equally ample collections as well! Kiss, Leppard, Maiden, Sabbath…we brought you some of the coolest vintage items and stories to go with them. Ticket stubs? Lots! Tour programs? Got ’em. Things you didn’t know existed? Check that box off as well. Random stuff sent to us by Aaron? Aye carumba!
Guests tonight included John Snow who has a nice collection of autographs, and Harrison Kopp with some rare old CDs.
Next week is the 2 year anniversary LeBrain Train with Rob Daniels and Tee Bone (and hopefully more)! Thanks for watching, as we roll into a 3rd year of the Train!
This is a show that people have been wanting for a long time! So what do we do? We give the people what they want!
The LeBrain Train: 2000 Words or More with Mike & Friends
Episode 102 – “Snow” and Tell: Rock and Roll Collectables
Tonight on the LeBrain Train, Mike will be joined by John Snow of 2Loud2OldMusic fame once more, to compare collectables! “Show and Tell” shows are always casual and fun, and this one will be special! While our collections are modest compared to some, they aren’t too shabby and should be more than enough to keep you entertained on a Friday night. We will be joined by Harrison the Mad Metal Man who has a couple cool things to show off as well. What will we see? Action figures, Funko Pops, tour programs, ticket stubs and lots more! (Personally, I hope to see the world’s only Blaze Bayley bobblehead.)
As for me, I intend to tear apart my music room live tonight, to show you everything I can! Some items, like my Spinal Tap and Beatles figures, are in storage. There’s still plenty here to enjoy! I have old newspaper clippings and all sorts of cool stuff to rediscover here. Grab a beverage and settle for a fun Friday with us tonight!
Sometimes the easiest way to make a video is to do it live. Last night I unboxed four new arrivals from Japan!
There’s one seller in Japan who has dozens of items on my wishlist. They’ve helped me add many long-sought items to my library over the years. This time, I added to my Scorpions and ZZ Top collections, while taking a chance on a serious Iron Maiden rarity that was priced inexplicably cheap.
Wanna see how it turned out? Watch the short video below.
Thanks to Tim Durling for having me on his show once again for this Helix special. It was a history lesson for the viewer and a Show & Tell session for us! See our rarest, most cherished Helix items and give us an R while you’re at it, won’t you?
I did make one mistake I need to correct: It was not Rick Trembley who played at the 30th anniversary concert, but the late Ron Watson.
This is one of the best shows I’ve ever been involved with. Worth watching the whole thing.
A huge thank you to my co-host Harrison the Mad Metal Man, and my guests Tim Durling, Brian Richards, and Uncle Meat! Being awash in the love and admiration of my friends is a really special thing, and I thank you for making my 10 Year Anniversary show perfect. I was worried tonight’s show would be a little narcissistic. Perhaps it is, but it did my soul a lot of good. I feel energised to keep writing.
Highlights of tonight:
Some fascinating Tim Durling talk about rare 8-tracks and his book Unspooled. Tim’s book features a previously unreleased EXCLUSIVE chapter of Record Store Tales, only available by buying Unspooled. (Copies still available.)
Brian Richards reviewing the new KISS official bootleg CD.
Brian also showed off his Top Five Metal Compilations.
We revealed the true identity of one-time commenter “nolongeracustomer“.
Top Five Record Store Tales from Lana – a list I appreciated so much.
Top Five lists from Harrison and I – Reviews, and Meat posts.
The return of the Nigel Tufnel Top Ten – special lists from Harrison and Mike.
Thanks to my guests, my co-host and my friends who made this all the wonderful experience that it has been. I appreciate you all.
The LeBrain Train: 2000 Words or More with Mike & Friends
Episode 101 – 10 Years of Record Store Tales & mikeladano.com
It’s my party and I’ll throw it if I want to! 10 years is a good enough excuse, right?
Join me tonight for lists, guests and tunes. Tim Durling, Harrison Kopp and longtime reader Brian Richards are on deck. If you wanna join the party, drop us a line!
There will also be a big secret revealed for the first time tonight!
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