Rocker Tim Montana has a new record dropping on July 31st. Jam-packed with special guests including Jerry Cantrell, Billy F. Gibbons, Slash. Charlie and Martin Sheen, Royal Lynn, and Robert Patrick. Yes, all those special guests!

The song Break Me Down mentions "Ghosts in the basement", so I had to ask him if he'd ever had a paranormal experience. As with most people, he does. He also told me about a UFO sighting he had. I didn't expect that.

We discussed the new album, Entire State Of Tim Montana. That's a name Charlie Sheen gave him. He tells great stories of hanging and playing with rock stars. Really cool!

Oh, by the way, YES, he did have a meal at Eminem's Mom's Spaghetti downtown when he came here with Alter Bridge.

Enjoy the conversation and thanks for listening!

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Great to get Chris back on the podcast. He's been out of Slipknot since 2019, but he's got a lot to keep him busy.

On this episode, we discuss his relationship with Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward. "He's like another father to me. That guy's amazing." He said they talk just about every day. He tells me about his friendship with the late Phil Campbell of Motorhead, golfing with Alice Cooper, and his massive baseball card collection.

What was it like playing those earlier Ozzfest gigs as Slipknot was climbing the mountain of metal success? He talks about his favorite SK album and why it's that one. My fave as well! He shares some funny Ozzy stories, drumming with the late Joey Jordison, meeting fans at comic-cons, working with the legendary Rick Rubin, and lots more.

As I said, it's great to have Chris back on the pod.

Enjoy!

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The Brutal Devine is the name of the new Spread Eagle album. It drops on Friday, June 12th, and the guys are here to tell me about it.

The album contains 10 tracks. Produced by Rob, and written over the course of the past few years, the guys love this album. Rob said, "We made a fantastic record that we know our fans are going to like. So far, the reviews are off the charts." Ray chimed in, "It's a really well-written record, and we're really proud of it. It's solid."

1. Flat Earth Vultures

2. Street Noise

3. Gunflower

4. Jail Rat

5. Forbidden Local Honey

6. Pushed to the Limit

7. Ant Farm

8. Scars in Our Eyes (City Kids)

9. Inside a Shrunken Head

10. Makebeliever

"It's just a natural progression of things," Ray mentioned while talking about what the band has in place for 2026.

We also talked about recording their debut album, some 36 years ago. Ray said his frustration with the recording process and using a big-time studio was a lot for the young singer. "As bad as that experience was, it's what had to happen at the time", Rob said.

Rob talked about the backing of the label, Frontiers. "They're doing well. Anything is applicable." He said they seem to get the band. That's important.

That's just for starters on this great conversation with the guys....

Thanks for listening, and go get the album when it comes out!

Enjoy!

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Kenny Wayne Shepherd returns to Talkin' Rock. He's got a validictorian in his household! That led to a conversation about his own school days. He told me his longing to make it in the music business may have taken away from his own academics, but it's turned out OK for him.

Kenny came to Detroit last summer for the Road Kill Nights event. That was a fun day! He's all about the muscle cars, and so am I.

You might notice that there aren't many KWS dates this summer. He explains why they're few and far between.

He also talks about playing for Michigan audiences. He said he loves shredding for the Midwest crowds because they appreciate what he does. He says the "work hard, play hard" crowds are some of his favorite people to play for.

He discussed the Ledbetter Heights 30th anniversary album. He was just a 17-year-old kid, playing with his heroes and touring with legends.

That's for starters....

Enjoy!

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What a privilege to talk with rock royalty like Ian Gillan. Deep Purple's 24th studio album drops on July 3rd, called Splat! Ian and I talk about his love for making new music, working with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, and a newfound energy in the band. That energy? Guitarist Simon McBride. Ian reaped praise on Simon for bringing a new spirit to the fold.

Besides talking about the new "heavier" album, I had to relay a story to Ian about the time brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul told me about the first song they ever played together: Smoke On The Water. They told me that it was a six-minute song, that they stretched out to about six hours!

Up next is Buffalo, New York musician, Ryan Perdz. Ryan is dropping a new record this August and is here to tell me about it. Where did he get his musical influences? Where did he play around Buffalo? How did grunge affect him? He's got a real Chris Cornell sound to his vocals.

He's playing a show at the El Club in Detroit on June 14th.

Enjoy!

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It's always great to talk with John Bush, especially when his band Armored Saint drops a new album! Emotion Factory Reset dropped last week, and, as the kids would say, it's a banger!

He tells me about certain songs on the album. One that was very emotional and personal from a family point of view. I did ask him about a couple that seemed to be aimed at a particular person. He also spoke about the reason the album is fairly short, clocking in at about 48 minutes.

We talked about his career and if he'd change anything over the past 42 years. They have another monstrous tour coming up this fall with the guys from Metal Church. We discussed that and what else is coming up in 2026, including another gig where he will play his Anthrax era songs.

Thanks for listening!

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It was great to connect with the legendary Mikkey Dee. This guy has been the backbeat of bands from King Diamond to Don Dokken, to Motorhead, to the Scorpions. Now you can add his latest band, Lex Legion, to that list. Made up of guys he played with in King Diamond's band, Andy LaRocque, Pete Blakk, and Hal Patino, then throw in vocalist Nils K. Rue, and you've got a band that delivers heavy-hitting, old-school rock/metal.

The Motorhead Years

We talked about his time in Motorhead, which lasted 25 years. He said if Lemmy were still alive, he'd still be in that band. He compared it to a tight family unit. He also said Lem was the kind of guy to stick to his guns. "And as frustrating as that was sometimes, because he did not know everything best, you know? We were a total democracy in this band. We voted him down many times, me and Phil. I was maybe a little bit more involved with the business as well. You know, they, we all made decisions. That's, that's now where I'm trying to get, get out. But I'm actually interested in numbers and, and, you know, the business side of it. And they were just like more, oh, what the hell, you deal with it, kind of." Mikkey went on, "You know, and he, he made me look in a different angle about it. And, he was right, you know, a lot of times about this, not compromising the band or selling out. And, you know, I learned a lot from him there."

Lex Legion

The new self-titled album drops on June 12th. It's short, clocking in at around 35 minutes. Mikkey said they did that so the vinyl release wouldn't sound too compressed. It consists of 9 songs.

Mikkey said he enjoyed making this album. "A hundred percent, you know, because a lot of people, rightfully so, compare us now to the old Diamond Records that we did. But that's how we wrote music those days. And we continue writing this way. We are probably a nightmare for a more regular producer who will tear his or her hair off. Because why is this part over here? Why are you doing a double solo there? Or why do you have guitar harmonies after there?

And it doesn't make any sense. But that's how we wrote those days. And that's the whole point of this, you know. We continue doing this on this record. It's not just verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, verse, double chorus ending."

He did tell me that they're already working on the next record! "We're riffing away already. And as I said, I'll be very busy with Scorpions at least up till October. The last thing we do, as far as I know right now, is the residency in Vegas."

Playing With The Scorpions

Mikkey has been in the Scorpions for the better part of ten years now. They have an upcoming residency in Las Vegas coming up again this fall. "We love it. And we have so many friends in Vegas. And what a great city. Great people. Great venue." As far as the setlist for that band is concerned, he said it's close to last years celbration of the band's 60th anniversary. "But this year is an extension of last year's 60th anniversary show. And it's really, really good. I mean, we have a great 70s medley in there. And the set works really fine. Because I was asking the guys before we actually started this year, what are we going to take out? What are we going to add about rehearsal and stuff? And they said they want us to continue doing the 60th anniversary show. And it's great!"

The new Lex Legion record drops on June 12th. Go grab it!

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Pepper and Woody from C.O.C. came on to discuss their latest albums, Good God/Baad Man. It's an all-out guitar assault, and I recommend it!

I had to ask them about the Live Volume album, which was recorded on April 20th, 2001, at the local concert theater, Harpos.

We discuss the recording of the album. The initial process for the record began about 3 years ago. The boys were jamming guitars, drinking beers, and were off and running. Peper said they wanted to "cause a stink". LOL The guys said it was a fun record to make. Woody referred to it as easier than other albums. "We didn't have to answer to anyone", Pepper said.

We also talked about the tour they did with Metallica in 1997. When they played here at the Palace of Auburn Hills. At one of those shows, James Hetfield joined them on stage. Ted Nugent also joined Metallica on stage, as the guys recalled that too.

As I record this podcast, the band is playing The Machine Shop on Tuesday, May 12th. They have a lot of shows coming up in support of the new album, including tons of U.K. gigs throughout the month of June.

A huge Thank You to Pep and Woody for calling in!

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