53 - Greg Renoff, author, "Van Halen Rising"

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Greg Renoff is not only a rabid Van Halen fan, but also a Ph. D. in history. Dissatisfied with the lack of information on Van Halen's earliest years, he put his degree to use studying not what happened to the lost colony at Roanoke Island (snore!), but how did Van Halen's years playing backyard parties prepare them to be the dominant hard rock group of the following decade?

The result is Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal. The book is deep with drama and detail, thanks to the over 230 interviews Renoff conducted with insiders such as longtime bassist Michael Anthony, producer Ted Templeman and even David Lee Roth's sister.

Just a month after its release the book already tops Amazon sales charts for its categories, and has garnered positive reviews from top rock writer Chuck Klosterman and Rolling Stone. Now Greg Renoff talks to Art about his book, possibly the most detailed rock n' roll bio ever written. 59 minutes.

Art's comments: "I mean to brag, but I've made a pilgrimage to the original Van Halen home, Pasadena City College and the Pasadena Civic. As exciting as it was, if I had had Van Halen Rising and had known the exact history that transpired on these sites, it would've been even better! After reading this book, I can just see David Lee Roth on the Van Halens' doorstep, preparing to knock and take his place in history.

"In any future VH1 Behind the Music about Van Halen, Greg Renoff will certainly be the talking head you'll see most. I had a great time chatting with him."

Links:

• Van Halen Rising official site
• Book at the Van Halen online store
• Book at Amazon
• Book at Barnes and Noble
• BONUS: Greg Renoff's article on the photo shoot that sparked war inside Van Halen (next book preview?)

21 - Jeff Clark, rock critic/DJ/publisher

 

 

 

 

 

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Art talks about seeing The Mayor of Sunset Strip, the documentary film on legendary KROQ/Los Angeles radio personality Rodney Bingenheimer, and how this informed some of his questions for the show's guest.

The guest is Jeff Clark, longtime Atlanta rock critic, DJ and publisher of Stomp and Stammer. Clark joins Art at The Majestic to talk about his 30-plus years on the rock scene, from seeing R.E.M. at the old 688 club, to Album 88, an on-air stint at groundbreaking alternative rock station 99X, and publishing his own magazine. Clark also talks about reaction to the sometimes inflammatory tone of his writing that led to at least one bloody brawl with Brent Hinds, guitarist of Mastodon. He also addresses questions about the sometimes overt, conservative political bent of Stomp and Stammer, and the magazine's relationship with the Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent. 61 minutes.

Art's Comments: "Jeff Clark encapsulates 30 years of rock history from an Atlanta perspective. Whether you are a fan of alternative rock or not, there's a lot here for any music fan to bite into. He could easily be up there in the rock critic hall of fame next to Chuck, uh, Kurt Loder. Just try to overlook that I come across like Quentin Tarantino for the whole hour."

If you enjoy this episode (and if you don't, what are you, a total idiot?!), please use the tools at the end of this post to share it to Facebook, Twitter, etc. Thank you!

Jeff Clark links:
Stomp and Stammer.com
WMLB-AM "The Voice of the Arts"
Clark's Occupy Atlanta editorial, reprinted in Creative Loafing - NOT misquoted!

18 - Six Shot Revival, hard rock band

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Once again the At Night mobile truck goes live on the scene. This time it's up-and-coming hard rock band Six Shot Revival, live from Smith's Olde Bar. Songs performed are "Snake Eyes," "Money in My Pocket," "Under the Gun" and "Hard Up."

Then, Art chats with Six Shot Revival singer Marc Manley Phillips at The Majestic, the iconic Atlanta diner. They discuss the band's history, the new rock scene and Six Shot's relationships with heavy hitters like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Black Oak Arkansas. 54 minutes. NOTE: Explicit language.

Art's comments: "I've been looking forward to interviewing Six Shot Revival for a long time. Whereas most new bands pattern themselves on Panic! at the Disco or 30 Seconds to Mars, these guys are doing rock n' roll the right way! I just think maybe I should leave off the adult beverages before I interview in the future. I'm a little obnoxious."

This episode IN STEREO, where available!

If you enjoy this episode, please do use the tools at the end of this post to share it to Facebook, your e-mail, Twitter, etc. Thank you!

Six Shot Revival links:
Six Shot Revival.com
YouTube page
Facebook page
Live review from GSB

Also:
Smith's Olde Bar
The Majestic

17 - Gnomonaut

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For the first time ever, the At Night mobile truck goes live, on site at a club! You'll drink the beers, smell the smoke*, and rock out to the music, just as it happened.

The guest is self-described "progressive space rock" band Gnomonaut, who perform tracks from their debut album, The Chronocosm. Songs performed include "Bekajamir," "ManBearPig," "Beard Mudding (1/4)," and "The Chronocosm."

But first, shred guitar instructor Doug Steele calls in to talk about a special offer for those who want to learn Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen songs. 42 minutes. NOTE: Explicit language.

Art's comments: "As a savvy broadcaster, I know the path to a massive listenership is paved with instrumental progressive rock. Its appeal is as universal as chocolate ice cream. Really, though, this makes two episodes in a row where I feel almost totally satisfied with the end result. I've listened to this one twice myself. This show is definitely improving."

NOTE: Explicit language, and IN STEREO, where available!

* Actually most Atlanta bars have a no smoking policy now, but for effect, we'll pretend it was smoky.

If you enjoy this episode and Gnomonaut, please use the tools at the end of this post to share it on Facebook, Twitter, your e-mail, etc. Thank you!

Doug Steele links: Learn Shred Guitar.com, DougFKCNSteele.com

Gnomonaut links: Gnomonaut.com, Gnomonaut on Facebook