Rock Daydream Nation

Grab A Stack of Bonus Tracks that Should Have Been on the Album! – Mike, Jex, Harrison & special guest Peter Kerr from Rock Daydream Nation

This week’s show was so crazy, you could call it Unspooled!  As a last minute arrival, the 2nd edition of Tim Durling’s excellent book Unspooled: An Adventure in 8-tracks has come!  It is available on Amazon right now, so don’t miss it this time out.  This excellent story about a guy who collects and catalogues music is a must-have for its warm nostalgia, fact-based lists, and beautiful page art.  We unboxed this book at the top of the show and I encourage you all to check it out.

As for our lists:  tonight we looked at a number of bonus tracks that should have been on the albums!  B-sides, import or format exclusives, and other assorted sources comprised our selections of bonus tracks.  And mighty they were!  Our panel tonight:

  • Yours truly on bass.
  • Harrison Kopp on drums.
  • Peter Kerr of Rock Daydream Nation on lead guitar.
  • Jex Russell on lead vocals.

With that lineup, we came up with some wicked lists and I encourage you to watch the whole show.  Some artists made multiple appearances, although no actual songs did.  Most, but not all, were in the hard rock realm.

Great responses in the comments, thanks to all who watched and participated!

My picks:

Van Halen – “Crossing Over” (Balance 1995)
Marillion – “The Release” (Seasons End 1989)
Ratt – “Scattered” (Infestation 2010)
KISS – “Got To Choose” (MTV Unplugged 1996)
Van Halen – “That’s Why I Love You” (3, 1998)

 

What Bonus Track Should Have Been On the Album? Grab A Stack of Rock – Mike, Jex, Harrison & special guest Peter Kerr from Rock Daydream Nation

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

Episode 32:  What Bonus Track Should Have Been On the Album?

Our first episode since August 11!  Thanks for your patience, and I hope tonight’s show rocks your socks off!

One of the reasons we haven’t done a show since August 11 was the fault of one of tonight’s guests.  Please welcome Peter Kerr from Rock Daydream Nation to the show for the first time!  Last week, we were busy recording his excellent episode on Coverdale-Page.  (The week before that was simply a weekend off at the cottage.)  This week he’s returning the favour, and we’re so happy to have him on for the first time!  Two Canadians vs. two Australians!

Harrison the Mad Metal Man suggested this topic.  Knowing my love of bonus tracks and B-sides, he asked What Bonus Tracks Should Have Been on the Album?  A great question that I have often pondered in my own reviews.  It’s a Cinco de Listo Top Five list, and it was a real struggle to make my five picks count.

Also joining us tonight will be Jex Russell from Jex’s Vinyl World, who kindly set aside parental duties to take part.

Bonus tracks from singles and imports will all be on the table for tonight.  Which ones would really have enhanced the albums?  Let’s find out.

 

LIVE Friday Sept 1 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.  Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

 

Rock Daydream Nation: Coverdale Page – Is this Led Snake?

This is what we were up to Friday night, hence no episode of Grab A Stack of Rock.  Worth it!  I had a great time on Rock Daydream Nation with Peter Kerr, Tim Durling, John Clauser, and Reed Little.

This time we took a fairly deep dive into Coverdale-Page, the 1993 album and project featuring Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and David Coverdale of Whitesnake.  We discussed the history, the rumours, the tour, the performances, and of course the songs.  Was it more Led than Snake, or vice versa?  What were our first impressions when we heard Page and Coverdale were teaming up?  What songs would we choose to spotlight?

We also spent a moment honouring the fallen Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake).  Rest in peace, Bernie.

All this and more.  Hope you like it.

No Show Tonight: Taping with Rock Daydream Nation!

Did you enjoy the Vinnie Vincent Invasion episode we did with Peter Kerr on Rock Daydream Nation?  If so, you’ll be happy that I’m recording with him again tonight!  Yes it’s true…I get around the YouTube like the town bicycle.

I’m thrilled to be joining another Rock Daydream Nation show about another super-secret topic, this time with a serious cast of characters!  Tim Durling, John Clauser, Reed Little and I will be alongside Peter to discuss one of the most talked-about albums of the early 90s.  A personal favourite.  In fact, Deke and I interviewed the co-producer several years ago, on the LeBrain Train.

I’ve narrowed it down for you…now it’s time to guess!

Mike Fraser takes us inside the recording studio on an epic LeBrain Train

Another reason I’m excited is that this is my first official show with John Clauser, who I like very much and have been looking for a chance to work with.  Can’t wait to chat, John!  Check out John Clauser at My Music Corner on Youtube.  This outta be good.

#1079: How To Take the Weekend Off Guilt-Free

RECORD STORE TALES #1079: How To Take the Weekend Off Guilt-Free

Out of necessity, I’ve leaned back into live streaming hard this summer.  It was survival and I have to thank Jex Russell and Harrison Kopp for helping me make this happen.  Jex was there for me when all plans went out the window and along with Mr. Kopp and an array of awesome friends, we have managed to put out some of the best shows, and most popular to date.  The Canada Day show was a raging success.

I’ve also been busy recording projects behind the scenes some of which haven’t even been released yet.  I did a couple with Tim’s Vinyl Confessions, one with Grant’s Rock Warehaus. and one with Rock Daydream Nation, among other projects.  It’ll be cool for me to watch these as they finally drop, as we had good times talking controversial rock topics!

In order to enjoy what’s left of summer, and some earned time off, there will be no Grab A Stack of Rock tonight.  In fact, for the remainder of the season, if I’m at the cottage there won’t be a night show.  The sun is setting earlier, and there’s no wasting daylight around here.  And so, we’re taking this weekend off guilt-free.

It’s not easy, but sometimes in work, in life, and even in friendships, you have to prioritise yourself.   That’s OK; and you have to tell yourself that’s OK.  Get all your work stuff together so all your responsibilities are taken care of.  Make sure you’re good to go.  And then go!

There’s only so much time left before the leaves start changing, and this time, I’m going into autumn with a new attitude and new strategies.  No more making my plans around other people.  This time it’s about me – guilt free.

 

Rock Daydream Nation: Rock Court: In defence of Vinnie Vincent Invasion

One of the “super-secret” tapings I was involved with is finally ready for your viewing pleasure!

In this courtroom drama, I played the role of the prosecution, with Peter Kerr as the defense.  Judging was the honourable Reed Little (The Contrarians), who had to choose whether or not he was going to buy Vinnie Vincent Invasion, based on our testimony.

I have not seen the final episode myself, but I look forward to watching how I did with a couple weeks distance!  This show was a lot of fun, and I’ll be back on Rock Daydream Nation again this fall, defending a band I love!  (Or at least, an era I love from a band I like!)