Category: Artist Interviews

After a short week, here’s a treat I’ve been cooking up for you…

Billy Hinsche. Talk about living rock and roll history, Billy Hinsche was a member of the Beach Boys touring band during the “Holland” era and has been connected with the group for many years. Prior to that he was a member of the 60’s pop group Dino, Desi and Billy. We talk about his new documentary “1974″ about life on the road with The Beach Boys complete with his own candid footage of the group on tour. We also get into the Dino, Desi and Billy and his work with Brian Wilson (pictured here with Billy). Read my interview with Billy Hinsche here.

Paul Collins. Collins was a founding member of The Nerves in the 70’s and leader of The Beat. The Beat, a high energy rock group in the style of The Ramones, Blondie and The Dictators had a big hit with “Rock N Roll Girl” from their legendary debut. The Beat played with many bands, including The Jam, Pere Ubu, The Police, Eddie Money, The Plimsouls and Huey Lewis. The Beat became Paul Collins’ Beat when a ska band from UK began using The Beat as their moniker. Read my interview with “Beat Commander” Collins here.

Meet the man behind the swagger. I had a great conversation with Steven Eric Wilson, the driving force behind Plasticsoul. We talk about how his groundbreaking album Peacock Swagger got started, his experiences in India, and his favorite  guitar. Listen to the interview with Steven Eric Wilson here.

Can a band be cursed? Some seem to think the Canadian band The Dudes are! After the album Blood, Guts, Bruises, Cuts was released, lead singer Dan Vacon and drummer Scott Ross suffered numerous physical injuries. But these scrappy dudes keep on rocking. Read my interview with The Dude’s Dan Vacon here or check it out on The Rock and Roll Report. If you want to talk about a real cursed band I can think of none worse than the story of Badfinger, the saddest tale in rock and roll.

With an excellent debut and some luck, Family of The Year got to share the stage this past October with Ben Folds and The Boston Pops. I spoke to lead vocalist Vanessa Jeanne Long and talk about how the band got started and other cool things. Check out the interview on The Rock And Roll Report.

Behind the paisley outfits and innovative YouTube videos (with literally over 10 million hits for “Here It Goes Again”) this is a band that has made some of the catchiest pop music around. Ok Go have a strong connection with their fans, and after a long tour last year, settled into the studio to produce a new album. “Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky” is on track to release January 12th on Capitol Records. I spoke with bass player and vocalist Tim Nordwind and we get into details on how this album is different – you can see the video for WTF? here. And we’ve also a few extra things – you can see Tim’s most embarrassing moment during the Silversun Pickups concert or you can play a drinking game with this interview – anytime Tim says “like” you drink. Guaranteed drunkenness. You can listen here to the entire interview streaming