Thank you for joining us on Friday April 25 for Grab A Stack of Rock’s 100th episode. We actually had a lot more material backlogged for that episode, which you’ll be seeing here, so like and subscribe for more!
This fun short video features Harrison walking us through his very first CD collection photo. You can see Young Harrison was already into Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden, but why, and how? Harrison walks us through them all in this fun nostalgia (and metal) filled episode.
Playlist below has been updated. All episode dates subject to change. Tomorrow is our 10th episode, not including bonus shorts!
RECORD STORE TALES #1173: I Like Iron Maiden…A Lot
In 1984, I “rebooted” my musical taste and started from ground zero. Out went Styx for almost two decades. Out went Joey Scarbury, and Kenny Rogers. In came KISS, W.A.S.P., and of course, Iron Maiden. I don’t think there was ever a time that Iron Maiden were my #1 favourite band, because Kiss almost always held that spot. It is safe to say that Maiden were always in the top five.
In grade school, I rocked Iron Maiden while being scolded by Catholic school teachers for doing so. It didn’t stop me. Through highschool, I proudly had their posters in my locker. It didn’t matter that Maiden weren’t hip with the cool kids. I was never cool, and never really intended to be. I was happy to be one of the Children of the Damned, not having to fit my personality into any particular shoebox.
There was a time I wavered, which I shall now admit to you. There was one Iron Maiden album that I didn’t intend to own. I reversed my decision within four months, but it was in the fall of 1990 that Iron Maiden may have faltered in my eyes. The album was the “back to basics” No Prayer For the Dying. My favourite member, Adrian Smith was out. I loved Janick Gers’ work with Bruce Dickinson, but I don’t think he quite fit with Maiden immediately. I also didn’t like the growly, un-melodic way that Bruce Dickinson was singing. I thought maybe this time, I would just buy the CD singles, and not worry about the album. I came to my senses. No Prayer wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the return that we hoped for. I didn’t really want Maiden to get “back to basics” but was willing to go along for the ride.
My enthusiasm returned in 1992 with Fear of the Dark, a partial return to form with some solid tracks. It could have been better, but I was happy. Then the roof fell in. Suddenly, Bruce Dickinson was out. Meanwhile, the entire world had been sent into a grunge upheaval. Bands like Iron Maiden were dismissed as irrelevant in this new angry world. Bands who played their instruments with seasoned pride were being replaced by groups with punk aesthetics. Maiden seemingly had no place in this new world, and now the lead singer was gone. Just like Motley Crue, who were suffering a similar fate.
Blaze Bayley was the audacious name of the new singer, from Wolfsbane, and a different one he was. A deep baritone, he was little like Bruce. Immediately, I loved The X Factor. My girlfriend at the time ridiculed me by telling me that Iron Maiden would “never be cool again”.
Oh, how wrong she was.
By the year 1999, Bruce was back. And so was Adrian. Maiden have never been bigger. They have continued to issue albums, never being shy to play new material and deep cuts live.
That’s why I’m telling you this story. 2025 marks 50 Years of Iron Maiden, and there will be a lot happening. 2025 will launch the Run For Your Lives tour, and Bruce has promised that they will play some songs they’ve never done before. It will also be the debut of new drummer Simon Dawson, from Steve Harris’ British Lion. Nicko McBrain, on the drum stool since 1983, has finally taken a bow from the live stage. It can’t be easy doing what he does.
2025 will also mark the launch of a new Martin Popoff book on Maiden (more on that in the coming weeks) and most importantly…tomorrow, January 10, Harrison Kopp and I will launch our own video series, 50 Years of Iron Maiden.
I have “only” been a fan for 40 years, but I’m all here for it. Up the Irons. Let’s give ‘er in 2025!
Harrison and I would like to thank our new guests Ashley Geisler, Melissa Nee, and Sidney from Slogan’s Rock & Metal Extravaganza, as well as returning guests Johnny Clauser and Todd Evans, for a rollicking good time on New Year’s Eve.
The concept was simple. Each of us took turns going round, showing off an item we got recently over the holidays.
Sidney had a massive haul of Rock Candy CDs, and used metal bargains from The Beat Goes On. He had a strong showing of Budgie remasters, and a diverse collection of bands. Melissa had some cool Iron Maiden stuff, while Ash is collecting bootlegs and had several to show us. Johnny Clauser brought some recent purchases, and Todd Evans scored well in the Neal Morse department. As for Harrison and I, he had a cool Trust tin and something call ONXRT. I decided to unveil my Van Halen For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge deluxe edition, with a short discussion.
We also started the show with the traditional Ask Harrison featuring Jex Russell.
It’s very possible the winner of the year 2024 was Judas Priest with the recent Rocka Rolla reissue. Have a watch and see.
Because we did the live show mid-week this time, Friday’s show is a pre-recorded special episode. Don’t miss it January 3!
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 83: New Year’s Eve Drop-In Show
It has been a while since I’ve attempted a show like this, but it’s time to do something random and chaotic to end the year with a party.
Harrison and I need a break like this to blow off steam. We’ve both been active on other channels, plus we have been preparing our massive Iron Maiden project for 2025. We are ready to launch it in January. But first, let’s have a party.
Tonight Harrison and I will be hosting some brand new guests: Ash Geisler from Australia, plus Logan and Sidney from Slogan’s music channel. There will be some returning guests and some random drop-ins.
If there is a theme tonight, it’s just showing off music we acquired over the holidays. It should be a fun discussion on that front.
Bottoms up. It’s gonna be a rock and roll party tonight…with a 52 year old host who will require a nap mid-day.
Message me if you need a link to join tonight.
Tuesday December 31 at 9:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 10:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!
The best of 2024 in rock and pop was on showcase this week on Grab A Stack of Rock. Tim Durling, Harrison Kopp and special surprise guest Uncle Meat brought their Top Fives and runners-up in this fun and action packed show.
What did you miss? Well, shirtless Jex for one. That one even scared off Peter Kerr, but did result in some pretty hilarious comments.
The comments section was lively, and if you want to catch Johnny Metal’s Top Five of 2024, his were in the comments section which I put on screen. Meanwhile, there was some minimal repetition, and actually less than I expected. Mr. Big, Deep Purple, Jon Anderson and Bruce Dickinson were among the artists who scored two hits on tonight’s lists. There was plenty of love for other artists’ new albums such of Opeth, Paul Di’Anno, Blaze Bayley (of course) and Arkells.
We also took a look at three books that I enjoyed in 2024 – two of them by Mr. Durling!
A fun, passionate and laugh-filled 90 minutes of music appreciation awaits you below.
See you December 31 at 9:00 PM EST for a drop in New Years Eve party!
My list:
MR BIG – TEN
THE ARKELLS – Disco Loadout Vol 1
BRUCE DICKINSON – The Mandrake Project
JUDAS PRIEST – Invincible Shield
DEEP PURPLE – =1
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 82: Ranked: Top Five Albums of 2024 with Harrison and Tim Durling
2024 was another fantastic year in music. From new music from legacy bands, to great reissues and live albums, to new music by newer bands, we saw it and heard it all in 2024.
What were your Top Five Albums of 2024? Leave them in the comments, or drop them in the live chat tonight, as Harrison, Tim and I talk Top Five Albums of 2024. I am always personally limited by what I was able to buy and what I had to miss in a given year. For example, last year I didn’t get Blame My Ex by the Beaches in time to make my list. This year, unfortunately Blaze Bayley didn’t make it into my inventory in time, nor did the new live Ghost. However, they may appear on other lists.
Join Tim, Harrison and myself tonight live at 7:00 PM EST to take part in the fun. Spirits will be high, and I may be drinking alcohol. We’ll just have to see what happens! Remember to let us know your own Top Five in the comments section.
Let the fun begin!
Friday December 20 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!
Coming in 2025, right here on WordPress and YouTube.
M – Hi! This is Mike!
H – And this is Harrison, from Grab A Stack of Rock
M – And we just wanted to let you know we have something very exciting cooking up for 2025.
H – That’s right. 2025 is the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Iron Maiden, and we are going to mark the occasion with a series of deep dives.
M – Right here on Youtube, we plan on discussing every studio, and every song, in detail. We’re also bringing in a slate of special guests to help us.
H – Not just studio albums, but we will also be talking about the official live records too.
M – Live records, B-sides, the history, the artwork…we plan on doing Iron Maiden right.
H – I guess it will be my job to talk about the tours, correct?
M – That’s right buddy. You’re an expert on the setlists, so we’ll have to touch on what songs were played, and which ones never were.
H – We have our work cut out for us my friend.
M – We sure do, but it’ll be a labour of love. I’m really looking forward to this, especially some of the guests that will be joining us.
H – Let’s not spoil everything just yet.
M – You’re right Harrison. So like, subscribe, and share the Grab A Stack of Rock Youtube channel for 50 Years of Iron Maiden.
H – Coming in 2025.
#ironmaiden #nickomcbrain #brucedickinson #pauldianno #steveharris #eddie #derekriggs #martinpopoff #martinbirch #davemurray #adriansmith #paulmarioday #denniswilcock #blazebayley #janickgers #adriansmith #cliveburr #dennisstratton #grabastackofrock
Harrison promised us rarities, and so he gave us rarities! From some cool Steelbook DVD, Blu-rays and 3D issues of films, to replica cars and comic books, Harrison brought the goods. The coolest of his collection is his high-end replica Mad Max interceptor, in limited edition dirty deco, to duplicate its appearance in Mad Max 2 (#221 in a limited edition of 2000). Harrison is clearly a passionate fan, and his Mad Max collection is quite impressive indeed. He even had his own custom Lego version of the interceptor to show.
As for the lists: they were not as controversial as I expected, but there were some surprises. Peter and I had lists most in common, but what did not come as a surprise was that all three of us had the same #1 film in the Mad Max franchise.
We offered a fair share of critique, but mostly praise for George Miller’s post-apocalyptic saga. Certain moments in films were singled out for observation and analysis. We discussed the soundtracks, the visual effects, some controversial CG elements, and of course, the performances of the cast.
If anyone knows the deal about that weird mannequin head strapped to Angry Anderson’s backup, let me know. I had my own theory which I shared in the show.
Thanks for watching, and if you didn’t, you can catch the show below.
Next week: interview with ex-Helix drummer Archie Gamble!
GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 77: Ranking the Mad Max Films
“Witness! I am your redeemer. It is by my hand you will rise from the ashes of this world!”
Please welcome back to the show, Peter Kerr and Harrison Kopp from Rock Daydream Nation! With two Australians and one Canadian, we hope this will be the most comprehensive (or, “Kopp-rehensive”) Mad Max list show on YouTube.
For the physical media crowd, Harrison promises RARITIES!
Tonight, we rank all five films in the Mad Max universe: Mad Max, Mad Max 2 (“The Road Warrior“), Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road, and Furiosa. I have immersed myself in the Mad Max films, watching the first three twice each in preparation. Expect a deep analysis and hearty appreciation with a fair share of critique. If you think you know what will happen tonight…you don’t!
Will Peter Kerr escape the Wasteland intact? Will Mike Ladano emerge from the Thunderdome as victor? Will Harrison Kopp go rogue like Furiosa? Find out tonight for an awesome show that will defy your assumptions.
Friday November 8 at 8:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 9:00 P.M. Atlantic. Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!
mikeladano.com 