Golden Robot Records

Alex Grossi
Audio Interviews

ALEX GROSSI (HOOKERS & BLOW, QUIET RIOT): “When I Signed My First QUIET RIOT Contract… KEVIN DUBROW Said Congratulations, You’re Now Part Of The Mullet Mafia”

August 11, 2021 George Dionne

Covered In Hollywood Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi and Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed formed Hookers & Blow in 2003 as a way to get free drinks in Hollywood. Somehow over the course of 15+ years Hookers & Blow grew to something bigger. The now infamous cover band has toured the US and have been joined on stage by some of the biggest names in music. To take it another step further, Hookers & Blow recently released their debut self-titled album. It’s a 12 song collection that’s heavy on ’70s Rock classics, with a splash of ’80s thrown in. I had the chance to speak with Alex Grossi shortly after the album’s release. Highlights Include How and why Alex and Dizzy Reed formed the band Discussion of their debut self-titled covers album Frankie Banali’s contributions while still receiving chemo therapy Quiet Riot and Guns N’ Roses taking precedence over Hookers & Blow Working on Dizzy’s 1st solo album Rock ‘N Roll Ain’t Easy Will there be a second Dizzy Reed album? Whether the rock scene still maintains a hookers and blow lifestyle attitude His experiences with the Cameo app Will there be more music from The New Strange? Touring with Quiet Riot Which Quiet Riot album should could a second look Will there be a new Quiet Riot album? … and much, much more! Hookers and Blow is Dizzy Reed – Vocals, Keys Alex Grossi – Guitar Johnny Kelly – Drums Mike Duda – Bass Nadja – Backing Vocals

MC Roads
Audio Interviews

MIKE CROSS (MC ROADS, EX-SPONGE): “I’m In Charge Of My Own Legacy… I Didn’t Want SPONGE To Be The Last Thing I Do”

July 27, 2021 George Dionne

Open Roads Detroit native Mike Roads was the guitarist and founding member of the platinum selling band Sponge. If you grew up in the 90s, there is no doubt you still have “Plowed” on your favorites playlist. After nearly 20 years away from the music scene, Mike has returned with his new band MC Roads. His new venture not only sees him back on guitar, but Cross handles vocal duties as well. Signed to Golden Robot Records, MC Roads has released two singles ahead of their upcoming EP No Nostalgia, due later this summer. I had the chance to speak with Mike Cross about his new music and more. Highlights Include Discussion of their upcoming EP No Nostalgia How the band formed and where the name originated Touring possibilities How his deal with Golden Robot Records came about What brought Mike back to music after leaving Sponge in the 2000s The good times and frustrating times with Sponge Does Mike keep in touch with his old bandmates Mike’s biggest influence on the guitar … and much, much more!

Erik Jayk of Wildstreet
Interviews

ERIC JAYK (WILDSTREET): “We’re A Melting Pot Of Influences”

July 12, 2021 George Dionne

Let’s Get Wild It’s been a decade since the release of Wildstreet’s II..Louder..Faster! EP. That’s not to say that the The New York City mavericks haven’t been giving their fans a little bit of new music here and there. Since 2018, Wildstreet has been releasing singles from what would eventually become their latest album III (3) [review]. I had the chance to speak with Wildstreet frontman Eric Jayk shortly after the album dropped. Highlights Include Discussion of the new Wildstreet album III (3) Why there was a 10 year gap between album releases How Wildstreet signed to Golden Robot Records What their touring schedule looks like in 2021 Past experiences opening for L.A. Guns, Kix, and others Are there new songs in the works? … and much, much more! Wildstreet is Eric Jayk – Vocals, Guitar Jimmie Marlowe – Guitar Jonny D – Bass Dom – Lead Guitar Lock – Drums

WILDSTREET - III
Album Reviews

WILDSTREET – III

June 30, 2021 George Dionne

The Backstory Hailing from New York City, Wildstreet returns to put a little more Glam Rock back into your life with their long-awaited album III. The Album Once the infectious chorus section of the high-energy opener “Tennessee Cocaine” kicks in, you are sure to be singing along. A thumping drum beat drives the sexually-charged “Three Way Ride.” If you like your Glam simplistic and not over-thought, then “Set It Off” is sure to please. “Still Love You” is the power ballad on the album. It’s earnest in it delivery and would fit in perfectly between Poison’s “Every Rose…” and Cinderella’s “Don’t Know What You Got…” on your favorite playlist. “Midnight Children” starts off dark and haunting, but once the furious guitars kick it, the track climbs to another level. The anthemic song “Born to Be” has a bluesy bounce to it. The chorus has a catchy call-and-response section. It’s party time on “Raise Hell.” Fists are sure to fly in the air and bodies are sure to thrash. Wildstreet take a chance with the 7+ minute album closer “Mother.” The track is dark and deep like a classic Alice Cooper narrative, but is a slight musical shift from the rest of the album. Perhaps its a hint of what’s to come for Wildstreet or just a fun experiment. The Verdict If there ever was an album that best represented the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, it’s III by Wildstreet. Tracklist Tennessee Cocaine Three Way Ride Set It Off Still Love You Midnight Children Born to Be Raise Hell Mother Wildstreet is Eric Jayk – Vocals, Guitar Jimmie Marlowe – Guitar Jonny D – Bass Dom – Lead Guitar Lock – Drums

SickWalt
Interviews

WALT NOVAK (SICKWALT): “You Don’t Need A Million Dollars To Be A Million Dollar Person”

April 21, 2021 George Dionne

 Million Dollar Band Sometimes an album by an artist I’ve never heard of comes across my desk that really grabs my attention. One of those albums is Shove n’ Love by New York rockers SickWalt. Over the course of 10 songs, SickWalk combines the very best sounds of Punk, Hard Rock, Rhythm & Blues, and a little bit of classic Country into their own brand of high-energy in-your-face Rock and Roll fury. Shove n’ Love is sure to be in my top albums of 2021 and I have no doubt it will be in yours as well. If you haven’t heard the album, stream it in the background, while you find out all you need to know about frontman “Sick” Walt Novak and the band that shares his namesake. Metal Express Radio: If I knew absolutely nothing about SickWalt, how would you describe the band’s music to me? Walt Novak: SickWalt music is a bit Iggy Pop and The Stooges mixed with AC/DC. Up-tempo, positive, high energy raw Rock n Roll!! Man, just typing this makes me want to get on the mic and start rockin! Fuckin Covid…. MUSIC in my bones!! MER: You’re new album Shove n’ Love was released on February 12, 2021 through Golden Robot /X-Ray Records. What inspired the album’s title? WN: Well, the title took on a few different connotations. Which we loved and why we decided on it. Because it has a philosophical aspect and then a dirty sexual one as well. Which is perfect and exactly the reason we love it. First inspiration? The dichotomy of Life. The Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. Good and Bad. Ups and Downs. Push and Pull. Gotta love and appreciate both sides of the spectrum. That is the philosophical side of SickWalt. And then there’s the …READ MORE

Mat Robins (Cicadastone)
Audio Interviews

MAT ROBINS (CICADASTONE): “Our Bass Player Said This Is A Good Gig [Opening For WEDNESDAY 13]… I’m Like Is It?”

March 19, 2021 George Dionne

Enter the Chamber While there is no shortage of bands trying to bring back the music of the ’80s, there sure aren’t too many bringing back the music of the ’90s. The Melbourne, Australia-based quartet Cicadastone puts their own stamp on the Grunge Rock movement they grew up with. Cicadastone, led by brothers Mat and Mark Robbins, released their debut album Chance Collide in 2016. After a lineup change and Covid lockdown delays, the group is ready to release their follow-up album Cold Chamber. I caught up with co-vocalist/guitarist Mat Robins to find out all about it. Highlights Include Discussion of their new album Cold Chamber How Cicadastone put together the album cover Why it took 5 years to release the new album How they got their deal with Golden Robot Records The origins of the band name Opening for Wednesday 13 Cicadastone is Mat Robins – Vocals, Guitars Mark Robins – Vocals, Guitars Tommy Sunset – Bass Jarrod Medwin – Drums

Brandon Gibbs
Interviews

BRANDON GIBBS: “I Just Don’t Ever Want To See A Kid Walk Down The Hallway [In School] With Their Head Down”

March 11, 2021 George Dionne

He Learned to Play So He’d Be Saved Singer/songwriter/guitar player Brandon Gibbs got his start as a young teen by teaming with his twin brother as the Gibbs Brothers Band. Together they opened for such rock icons as The Doobie Brothers, Poison, REO Speedwagon, and Foreigner. After his brother departed to take on a new challenge, Brandon toured as a solo act and eventually formed Cheap Trill with former members of Cinderella in 2012. In 2014 Gibbs teamed up with Rikki Rocket (Poison), Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), and Eric Brittingham (Cinderella) to form Devil City Angels. Their self-titled debut was released in 2015. Over the last year or so Brandon has been focusing on his solo music in the form of single releases. His latest single is “Lost Boys.” I caught up with Brandon Gibbs to talk about his storied career up to this point and where he is headed. Highlights Include: Discussion of his new single “Lost Boys” and how it relates to the Covid lockdowns Brandon’s single “Alone” and how it relates to bullying How he’s proud of his “burger flipping” days How Devil City Angels were known as a whisky loving band, but none of them drank it How a ride along with his twin brother inspired his song “Hero” Are his singles leading to a full album The status of Devil City Angels How he was chosen to replace Bret Michaels in The Special Guests The future of Cheap Thrill His work with Joel Hoekstra Playing guitar tech to Jeff Healey at an after party show … and much, much more!

L.A. Guns Steve Riley Version
Audio Interviews

STEVE RILEY (L.A. GUNS, EX-W.A.S.P, EX-KEEL): “When We Found [Our Tour Dates Were Postponed]… We Said Let’s Release A Single Every Two Months… Give The Fans Something To Look Forward To”

December 6, 2020 George Dionne

Shots Fired on the Sunset Strip Steve Riley and Kelly Nickels’ version of L.A. Guns recently released their album Renegades [review]. The album is a return to that mid ’80s gritty Hard Rock sound of the Sunset Strip. Drummer Steve Riley started full-time with the group with the release of their 1989 landmark album Cocked & Loaded. Since then, Riley has been the only consistent member of the group. Members have come and gone and returned throughout the decades and now the band is split into two camps, with Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns heading up the other L.A. Guns with two albums through Frontiers Records. I had the chance to speak with Steve Riley about the new album, his past work with W.A.S.P. and Keel, and whether anything can be done to bring the two L.A. Guns’ back together. L.A. Guns is: Steve Riley – Drums Kelly Nickels – Bass Scott Griffin – Guitar Kurt Frohlich – Vocals Band Links: Buy The Album

Album Reviews

MINI REVIEWS – November 29, 2020

November 29, 2020 George Dionne

The latest batch of Metal Express Radio Mini Reviews include Shark Island – Bloodline 2.020, Jeff Scott Soto – Wide Awake in My Dreamland, L.A. Guns – Renegades, and Niviane – The Ruthless Divine …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE …READ MORE