Talkin' Rock With Meltdown Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Zebra's Randy Jackson On Their New Album, 50+ Years Of The Band, Working With Paul Stanley, And More on Talkin' Rock Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

I've always thought that Zebra was one of those bands that were highly underrated in the 80s. Overshadowed by the Hair Bands of the era, they put out some solid albums, and did hop on big tours, but never garnered the following I thought they should've.

Their new record called V drops on November 13th, the first new album in 23 years. Many of the song are from decades ago, that Randy and the guys brushed off and recorded for the record. Songs co-written by Paul Stanley of KISS, and even Snake and Rachel of Skid Row. We discuss some of the 13 songs, several of which might be considered love songs, with one anti-love song.

Randy told me a hilarious story about getting into a fight with a naked Guy Gelso (The band's drummer) in the late 70s. He even talked about playing gigs on Long Island with Twisted Sister.

And, Yes, there's a Zebra documentary in the works.

A huge thanks to Randy for the time, and to you for listening!

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Steve Vai on Working with BEAT, David Lee Roth, and Joe Satriani on Talkin' Rock Oct 29, 2026

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Steve Vai - legend! And a really nice guy. Sometimes it can be tough talking with someone who's done so much in his career. I mean, where do you start?

He's touring, playing the music of King Crimson with Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, and Terry Bozzio. They're playing a show in Detroit at the Masonic Jack White Theater. Of course I had to ask him if he'd ever met or played with the local legend, because he's played with everyone. Oddly enough, he's never played with or met Jack.

That's for starters. We also talked about his time in David Lee Roth. I'm a huge fan of that era and of that album. He did tell me that Dave would take his musical ideas and work on the ones he liked.

He's also got a new album dropping on November 6th. It's called Sea of Emotions. That's the collaboration with Joe Satriani, from whom he took guitar lessons as a kid. To say they know each other well is an understatement.

Great to speak with Steve....enjoy!

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Alice Cooper Returns To Rock City Music Company with a Devil On His Shoulder Oct 27, 2026

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I mean, how cool is it that I get to talk to a guy like Alice Cooper. Pretty Cool! The Rock City Music Company event with Alice is sold out, but that doesn't mean you can't buy his latest book Devil On My Shoulder. He told me about the idea behind the book and the process that made it happen. "It's unbelievable", Alice said about the popularity of the book a couple weeks after its release. "It's me writing the book, but Alice who I play on stage keeps interrupting me"

Of course, he had to shout out some of the local sports teams like the Lions and Tigers. Being a native Detroiter, he's got lots of roots here. Including family in Royal Oak.

We also talked about local Detroit rock, including how he dated Ted Nugent's high school girlfriend, Cindy. He said he did, but it obviously didn't work out. "All of the Detroit bands were best friends," Alice said. He talked about partying with all the bands back in the day. "Detroit bands really stayed together." "The Detroit rock scene was by far strongest family rock scene of anybody," he would tell me. "Detroit bands were all buddies."

I asked him about his Las Vegas shows with magician Criss Angel. He said the show is fantastic. I asked him if he's taken anything from the show to incorporate into his rock show. He told me Criss started his magic after seeing Welcome to my Nightmare and spurred the interest in becoming a rocker magician.

We also discussed the similarities with Boston and Detroit's music scene. "We were influenced by the same bands." he told me. Guitar driven, in your face rock n' roll is how the bands are built.

We'll see you at Rock City Music Company on November 5th if you've got your ticket to meet the legendary Alice Cooper! A huge Thank You to Nick over at RCMC for the hookup!

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Triumph's Gil Moore Talks Touring, Stage Production, Mike Levine, & More Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

I love talking to Gil Moore from Triumph. As a kid who grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. I was inundated with Triumph music from an early age through local radio. All these years later, it's always a thrill to talk to anyone in the band.

As you know, the band reformed with the help of Phil X, Brent Fitz, and Todd Kerns to bring the music to the people. How did it go? "The response was so powerful from the audience" is just one comment of positivity from Gil. "The band is having a blast. The crowd is having a blast. It's a lovefest."

"A piece of cake" is how Gil felt about his vocals and drumming and getting back on tour after decades off. "Just getting on there and doing it." He said everyone got their sleep, no drinking, just laughs and fun times on the road. "It's like a family vacation. It couldn't be more fun."

As far as stage production goes, he said they're bringing out lasers on the next tour. "We were always a go big or go home kind of more." He also alluded to bringing out more pyro. Yes!!

He also talked about the lack of Mike Levine on tour. He said his health hasn't allowed him to hit the road, but he's there in spirit and on the screens in the arenas.

That's for starters, talking with Gil....

As I mentioned, it's always great to chat with Gil. I cannot wait to see him and the band this fall.

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The Soul Of A Man - Great White's Mark Kendall Returns To Talkin' Rock Oct 20, 2026

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Mark Kendall is back to talk about his improving health, his upcoming book, and more.

Mark's been fighting a cancer battle and, by all counts, winning! Great to hear the news as he keeps the fans updated on his fight.

He's been working on an autobiography, Soul of a Man. He worked on it with a ghostwriter for 16 months. After shopping it around to several different publishing companies, he landed on a company, and now the book will be available next fall. We talked about some of the stories in the book, including his relationship with former singer Jack Russell. I've spoken with Mark many times about Jack and him, and I can say, with certainty, he's never said a bad word about him to me. "It was more than the music; it was one big family", Mark told me.

He even told me how they came about the name, Great White. "It wasn't a name like Slayer, where every song has to be kill your parents," he told me with a laugh.

"They're going to learn a lot," Mark told me when I asked him about his kids and grandchildren reading the book. He told me he didn't know that much about his parents, so this was a chance to tell them, which is pretty cool, he said.

We also talked about classic Great White songs and what legendary producer he'd wished they would've had a chance to work with.

Again, another fascinating conversation with Mark.

Enjoy!

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Dirty Honey's Marc LaBelle & Jack Underkofler of Dead Poets Society Sep 25, 2026

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Dirty Honey is dropping a new album to start off 2027. Catch My Butterfly is coming out on January 15th. Marc LaBelle was kind enough to join me and talk about the album, two songs of which have been released. "Lights Out" and "Butterfly" are out now. Marc talked about the very personal nature of "Butterfly", a song he was somewhat afriad to share with his bandmates. We discussed the album artwork, their upcoming tour plans, and, of course, NHL hockey. Listen to find out who he thinks will hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.

To wrap up this ep., it's Jack Underkofler of Dead Poets Society. They also have a new album coming out. Monarch drops on October 2nd. He tells me about the thought process for the videos he directed. They have a certain feel that he talks about. We discuss his upbringing in Boston and Virginia, his time at the Berklee College of Music, and much more.

Thanks for listening!

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Joel Hokstra, Don Jamieson, and Jake from O.N.I Are On Talkin' Rock Sep 18, 2026

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Three great guests and one mediocre host are on this episode of Talkin' Rock.

Joel Hoekstra is up first. Since he's a sports fan, could he become the G.M. for the Red Wings? All joking aside, we discuss TSO hitting the road again and the production they may bring with them. We talk about Whitesnake, with a great question from fellow guitarist Bumblefoot. That's for starters, with Joel.

Don Jamieson and his friend Jim Florentine have dropped Terrorizing Telemarketers 8. Don's also put out his latest album, Comedy is Killing Me, a take on a Type O Negative classic. Of course, we talk rock, his podcast, and more hilarity.

Then it's Jake from the band O.N.I. to wrap up the ep. They've got a cover of R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion out right now, and it's heavy! Jake talks about his upbringing, sobriety, musical influences, and much more.

Thanks for listening!

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Wolf Hoffman Talks 50 Years of Accept and David Ellefson of Metal Church on Talkin' Rock Sep 10, 2026

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Two monstrous metal/rock musicians are on Talkin' Rock.

Wolf Hoffman is up first. The new Accept tribute album is out now. Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 has 50 guest artists covering 19 classic Accept songs. We talk about the process of starting this project, the massive rockers on it, whether any former members were a part of the album, and more. What's in Accept's future? Does he see an end to the legendary band? These questions and more will be answered.

Davud Ellefson is next. The bassist is now part of Metal Church, a band he's loved for years and is happy to be a part of. David says his focus has been on the band and not so much on other ventures as he's done in the past. We discuss his favorite Megadeth album, whether he'll stick around to see his former band play when they share the stage at Louder Than Life next week, and much more.

David's been a friend for years, and I'm glad to see him loving what he's doing on and off the stage.

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Rik Emmett of Triumph and Classic Limp Bizkit on Talkin' Rock Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

I spoke with Rik Emmett earlier today and thought it was so good I didn't want to wait to post it. Yes, I know I posted an interview already today (with Gene Simmons), but it's my podcast, and I make the rules!

Obviously, I had to ask Rik about the tour and putting the band back together with some help from Phil X, Brent Fitz, and Todd Kerns. He was all about talking about that, Mike Levin not playing any of the shows, and the "Summer of Canadian Rock Trios" with Rush getting back on the road in 2026.

Then, it's a classic interview with Fred Durst and Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit from 2010. This interview aired on WRIF but was never posted online, so here it is. It's cool to go back and listen to how the guys split and got back together. There are also some other cultural references, including a social media interaction with Neil Diamond. You may or may not recall that.

Enjoy these two interviews.

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Gene Simmons Of KISS is on Talkin' Rock Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

It's always a thrill to talk with "The Demon" Gene Simmons of KISS. The dude is a rock icon, and he's coming to UWM Field in Utica on September 20th, along with Derek St Holmes and Kaliedo.

Gene was gracious with his time as we spoke for thirty minutes about his upbringing, recently turning 77 years old, his solo band and KISS, and lots more.

What's the best non-musical financial decision he ever made? How have he and Paul Stanley remained so tight over all these years? How much unreleased KISS material remains in the vault? Those are some of the questions Gene answered along with his thoughts on his son's band, Stanley/Simmons, touring with RUSH, and much more.

Give the interview a listen, then grab your tickets to see Gene at the USPBL Fall Music Classic at UWM Field in Utica, Michigan.

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