The first time I heard Whitesnake in 1987 I became obsessed. I loved everything about that band but after seeing them live in 1988, that's what pushed it over the top for me. I was so captivated by guitarist Adrian Vandenberg that he quickly became one of my guitar heroes. From there, I dove headfirst into the discography of his solo band Vandenber…

Living in a city that has the highest number of shitty bands per capita than any other city in the US can be a real drag. Atlanta is a city full of bands and musicians that have underwhelmed me to the point of no return but there are a few exceptions to that. One of those exceptions is that outstanding band Rae and the Ragdolls. Rae and the Ragdoll…

In 1996, I heard a song by a band called Dog's Eye View called "Everything Falls Apart" and not only did it become a favorite song of mine, I connected to it on a very personal level (sadly). Lead by singer/songwriter Peter Stuart, Dog's Eye View became a favorite band of mine that would be a huge part of the soundtrack of my life for 27 years and …

Back in 2011, a good friend of mine who was working at the record label Nuclear Blast called me up. I knew it was something super important if she was calling me. When I picked up, without hesitation, she said, “Don! I just heard your new favorite band. They’re called Graveyard and their new album is called Hisingen Blues.” After the first listen o…

I can honestly tell you that I don't think I have ever interviewed a "competitor" before! Honestly, Keefy isn't a competitor at all. He is a friend and a fellow music writer with the long running Ghost Cult Magazine. For over a decade, Ghost Cult Magazine has been an incredible source for hard rock/metal reviews, interviews, and editorials. These d…

After 22 years as the drummer for the Black Crowes, Steve Gorman's creative life is nowhere near over. Since parting ways with the Black Crowes in 2015, Gorman has kept himself busy. The Steve Gorman Sports podcast, Steve Gorman Rocks!, his talk show on Westwood One as well as his bands Trigger Hippy and his newest band, Bag Men featuring North Mis…

Styx has been a long time favorite of mine since I was a kid listening to my Dad play The Grand Illusion and Pieces of Eight on our living room stereo. Even though he's been singing and playing keys for Styx for nearly half their career, Lawrence Gowan is totally fine being called the "new guy." This was our fourth time talking and we never seem to…

Back in 2001 or so, I was in shitty club in Charlotte, NC to see a little band that was about to break huge called Train. Their opening act that night was a brand new act called Five For Fighting. I had never heard one chord from them but after their powerful 45 minute set, I had the shirt, the CD, and a new band that I loved. Like many fans of mus…

At 34 years of age, guitarist/songwriter Nili Brosh has lived the life of 10 guitarists. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2009, Nili has performed with legends in the truest since of the word. Shrapnel guitar legend Tony MacAlpine, former Nevermore and current Arch Enemy guitarist Jeff Loomis, drummer Marco Minneman, and bassist St…

Since I first heard them in 1992, Ugly Kid Joe has been a favorite band of mine. Regardless of the shit I got from friends and others about my fandom for UKJ, much like them, I lived unapologetically as a lifelong fan from beginning until, well, now. 2022 saw Ugly Kid Joe releasing their stellar seventh album, Rad Wings of Destiny and just when I t…

One of the many reasons I love doing interviews is the sheer unpredictability of it all. When I got asked to interview Amber Doig-Thorne, all I said was "Sign me up." I mean, how could I possibly pass on the opportunity to talk to my first actor ever who also is the star of "Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey." ... and yes. It really is a truly aweso…

In the final episode, Virgil learns his true identity. Who or what is Virgil Kaylock? Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

Did you ever have an imaginary friend? What if he came back? Virgil descends into madness as his world falls apart. Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

When your world falls apart, what do you do? You go home, you go looking for answers in your past. Virgil Begins his last terrifying story. Who is Virgil Kaylock? Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/…

Billy Sheehan is a living legend when it comes to hard rock music. He broke into the mainstream as the bassist for David Lee Roth, experienced huge commercial success with the band Mr. Big and now he is letting it all loose with the progressive hard rock supergroup, Winery Dogs. I had a great time talking to Billy about what he hates about intervie…

I didn't discover Hanoi Rocks until around 1986-87 or so but once I did, they became a huge favorite of mine. It's hard to believe that it has already been 40 years since the release of Hanoi Rocks' sophomore album, Oriental Beat. 2023 doesn't just see Oriental Beat turning 40, we will see a much anticipated re-mix (or re(al)-mix as the band calls …

In 2011, I was immersing myself in a whole new world of music. The Swedish psychedelic rock movement was something that I became obsessed with. After hearing their 2011 live album, Root Jam, Siena Root quickly became one of favorite bands. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with lead vocalist/keyboardist Zubaida Solid and drummer Love Forsberg…

In 1993 while at a friends house getting high as the moon, he turned to me and said, "Dude, your hippie ass is going to love this." He then put on the song "Superman Song" by Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies. I was so blown away by how insanely deep his voice was accompanied by this incredible folky sounding stuff. Shortly after, he put on the…

Troy Marks is a living legend when it comes to being a part of the New Orleans Heavy Metal music scene as the vocalist for Razor White. To me, nobody did it better than Razor White. I know some will say Lillian Axe did but honestly, I LOVE them but it was the Razor that pumped me up like no other. In 1988, Razor White released a 5 song demo that be…

Every now and then a band will come along and completely capture my heart. It always seems that this happens when I'm at a certain point in my life when I need something to lift me up that band just happened to be an Atlanta band called Lunar Vacation. Not too many can say that they discovered a new favorite band by serving jury duty with a band me…

Hellsingland Underground is a band out of Sweden that is one of the most UN-SWEDISH bands I have ever heard. Sounding more like they could've come straight out of the Southeastern part of the US, their sound is a hodgepodge of influences such as Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band, and Dr. Hook just to name a few. I would've never heard one bit abo…

I happened to be on the app TikTok one night and to my delight, I stumbled upon a band that really blew me away. TikTok ya don't stop. Ok, that was lame but you know what isn't lame? PROPER PET. Proper Pet is a duo based out of Tempe, Arizona and they the breath of fresh air that I (and probably you) need. With a vast array of influences which incl…

It's hard to believe that I have been doing interviews for over 12 years. My very first big interview too place on July 15, 2010 and it was with former Quiet Riot and current (at the time) Ratt guitarist Carlos Cavazo. It was after Ratt's opening set with the Scorpions at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Alpharetta, GA. After waiting about 20 m…

Once you know the truth, it can kill you! Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

Waterhall School is abandoned and decaying. It has been forgotten to the outside world and for good reason. Who or what is lurking in those neglected corridors? Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/…

A wireless is a doorway. A portal to the invisible. It is a connection to the world of spirits. Something has awoken . Behind the static and the hiss of interference a voice is calling. It has waited too long in the darkness and now it wants to be released. Dare you enter Waterhall! Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/ Thank you Feedspot for putti…

Anne K. O'Neill (Serpentent) emerged from the void and delivered one of the most disturbingly, dark, yet beautiful collection of music that I have heard in a long time. Based out of Seattle, WA, Anne is a multi-instrumentalist, artist, and musician who's influences range from Kate Bush to the legendary dark folk sounds of Buffy Sainte Marie and Joa…

Based out of Sweden, Hallas plays what they refer to as "Adventure Rock." With an ongoing theme of sci-fi adventure and pure escapism, one listen to songs like "Carry On", "Star Rider," and "Ellusion's Gate" and you will have an "A-HA!" moment for sure. Hallas just put out their second album Isle of Wisdom and has garnered critical acclaim from wri…

TikTok for the longest time, to me, was a young person's game. I just didn't get it. My wife convinced me to at least lurk and check things out and I was blown away by how many cool music related things were all over the place. One of the people who really stood out to me was a Canadian by the name of Vanessa Hughes. Vanessa is much like me in that…

Matt Kozar is a guitarist that I have loved for quite a while now. As the guitarist for one of my favorite bands, Brave, Matt's style of guitar playing is a unique blend of various influences including post-rock, ambient, and straight up Heavy Metal. Last year Matt and co-guitarist in Brave, Scott Loose, released Scott's Stellar Death project and n…

Wilma Nea is a super talented pop singer/songwriter from Sweden who has just released her debut album This Too Shall Pass. Wilma is also a member of the psychedelic roots/rock group Children of the Sun. Wilma was such a gracious, funny, and charming person to talk to and I really enjoyed our conversation from her home in Sweden. We talked about her…

Slik Toxik was a band that blew my mind when I first saw them blow Faster Pussycat off the Masquerade stage here in Atlanta in 1992. Even though the band was short lived, Slik Toxik's debut Doin' the Nasty is a favorite of mine 30 years later. What happens when you put a Canadian and New Orleans native on a podcast together? You get a shit ton of t…

For anyone who knows me at all, it will come as no surprise just how absolutely giddy I was to finally have the opportunity to speak with the legendary metal vocalist/songwriter Tony Martin. Tony is nothing less than a humble gentleman with stories to tell and while proud of his past, Tony is very much about where he is and where he will be going f…

In my 12 years as a music writer, I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting and talking with someone of my musical heroes and in some rare cases becoming great friends with them. Rock journalist Katherine Turman wrote for RIP Magazine when I was in high school and to now get to call her a friend and a mentor has been a life highlight for me. Kat…

Dorian Sorriaux has been an artist that I have admired for quite some time. Since his work in modern psychedelic soul icons Blues Pills, Dorian has been a favorite of mine and I loved hearing and watching his dynamic guitar presence. In 2018, Dorian and Blues Pills parted ways which opened the door for him to pursue his true musical passion: folk m…

Rebecca Martin is an artist that I have been a fan of for nearly 30 years. From her time in the cult NYC jazz rock band Once Blue to her 2022 release After Midnight (featuring Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos and husband/bassist Larry Grenadier), I have been a fan. I have watched her grow and set the path to becoming what I would consider to be a jazz …

In the final chapter of book 5, Virgil and his companions reach The Arctic and the hunt commences. Somewhere out there in the land of cold and ice HE is watching, HE is brooding, HE is waiting for revenge! Thanks to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylo…

Virgil sets sail for the Arctic. But what blasphemous horror awaits him in that land of cold and ice? Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic podcasts 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

Lawrence Gowan of Styx has become a favorite of mine to interview. When I first interviewed him back in 2017 about the release of The Mission, we hit it off immediately and since then he's been on the show three times. As always, Lawrence cracked me as we talked about life during Covid, touring in a bubble, the new Styx album Crash of the Crown, an…

Seven men from an expedition into the arctic have disappeared and Virgil Joins the team to find them. Something deep inside Virgil is warning him to turn back. There is horror in the ice. There is fear and there is death! Thank you to Feedspot for including us in the top 25 Gothic Podcast list 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us…

Interview Date: October 27, 2021 Jordan is no stranger to this podcast. Close to holding the record for appearing a whopping 3 times (maybe 4?), Jordan always is gracious to make a return visit. This time around we dorked out about his new music apps, life during the Covid Pandemic, and all kinds of other silly crap!…

Singer/songwriter Marissa Nadler has been a favorite of mine since I first heard her 2016 release Strangers. Since 2004, Marissa has released 10 studio albums as well as 11 self-released albums. That is no small feat for any musician of any caliber and Marissa has maintained a level of consistent greatness throughout here career. If I had to descri…

One of the things I love more than anything is re-discovering music that I hadn't listened to in a long time. Recently I was making a playlist of hard rock/metal songs that I remember loving from my high school years (88-92) and I was really digging as deep as I could. One of the bands that I remembered really loving was New Jersey hard rock band S…

The best way I can describe John Corabi is as a true rock n' roll gentleman/journeyman. John is hilarious, intelligent, and an absolute blast to talk to. John has had a 40+ year journey in rock n' roll and at 62 years old he's not even close to being done. We talked about his fantastic new single "Cosi Bella (So Beautiful), his forthcoming book, we…

Jason McMaster is one of my all time favorite people both as a musician and as a person. Jason has been a great buddy of mine now for a few years and we always have the best phone calls. It was really fun to have him on the podcast once again (I think for the third time maybe?) but this time we were talking about the 30th anniversary of Dangerous T…

Be careful what you seek. You might just find what you're looking for. Virgil and Dorothy enter The Hellfire Caves! Thanks to Feedspot for adding us to The top 25 Gothic podcasts for 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

Virgil and Dorothy learn the truth about the urn and those who seek to liberate the unspeakable horror it contains. Thanks to Feedspot for adding us to The top 25 Gothic podcasts for 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

A sealed urn is on display in The British Museum. It must never, NEVER be opened! Thanks to Feedspot for adding us to The top 25 Gothic podcasts for 2023! https://blog.feedspot.com/goth_podcasts/ Visit us at https://virgilkaylock.uk/By John Ramm

Twisted Sister is the band that started it all for me. From a fat, bullied kid who just longed to be understood to a 47 year old musician, writer, and dreamer, Twisted Sister has been there for me through it all. There are a lot of bands that I love but Twisted Sister will forever be "the" band that started me on a path that I took and never looked…

I first heard Krokus back in 1984. The song was "Screaming in the Night" and it was a part of a compilation album called Masters of Metal that was put by an 80's record label called K-Tel. Loving this song so much sent me out running to the record store to pick up the album Headhunter and from there I became a Krokus fan for life. Getting to talk t…