Lancer's Lounge (Backstage & Unfiltered)

For this episode, I get to geek out a bit. Going back to my 20s, when my musical tastes really started to take shape, during the 90s. With Grunge and post grunge, punk and metal and a band called Brother Cane. I was hooked from the drop, ‘Got No Shame’. I was in. & NOW, 28 years later, they’ve got a new album. I get to talk with frontman, Damon Johnson… who has a storied career OUTSIDE, of Brother Cane. He’s currently in Lynyrd Skynyrd. He’s played with Alice Cooper and Sammy Hagar and Thin Lizzy and Queensryche and countless, other, legendary artists. We touch on a bit of everything… enjoy. 

Carla Harvey is not only uber talented, but driven, to showcase her talents. Whether it be fronting Butcher Babies, Lords of Acid or her all girls band, The Violent Hour. She’s also created her own comic books, she’s working on her Masters Degree. We talk all of that, her early influences, her clapping back at not being accepted for a talent show in high school, moving out West and taking a leap of faith. She had faith in herself. She’s always bet on herself. And it’s paying massive dividends as she carves her own path in 2026 and beyond. I’m betting on Carla as well. Please check it out. Hope you enjoy.

Let’s talk Christmas. Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless was just at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, to perform her new/old Christmas song, ‘Where Are You Christmas’, yes a revisiting of her How the Grinch Stole Christmas days, which will lead us to talk her Jim Carrey reunion AT, the Soundgarden induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So much to talk about. Taylor was phenomenal.  Please check it out, give it a listen and enjoy... 

It’s a two for one special for episode 43. I get to chat with both Des Rocs (whom I’ve seen live three different times in Vegas at a killer rock radio convention called #Happens) and Molly Rennick of the band Living Dead Girl. Both are emerging artists. Both are building toward a big 2026. Hope you’ll take a listen as I pick their brains, and then do the deep dive into their music. Both are worthy of your attention. 

Hitting the rewind button for this one as I get to talk with Rick Hughes, frontman for the Quebec band, Sword. Back in the day, Metallica were fans and took Sword on the road for their ‘Master of Puppets’ tour. We talk that. We also talk Rick’s new solo record ‘Redemption’ and first single, ‘The Real Me’, cover of the Who classic… the all star band on that song has Brad Gillis, Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge. We hit on a lot of things, the Quebec music scene back in the early 80s, his inspirations and how he got Robbie Krieger on the new album as well. Please take the deep dive with me and enjoy… 

It’s episode 41 and I get to dive into another band I’ve grown to love over the last few years, Crobot. I get to pick the brain of frontman, Brandon Yeagley. We talk the start of the band, the origin of the name (he’ll say it’s not much of a story, but I beg to differ). We also take a peak behind the curtain of great songs like ‘Low Life’ and ‘Golden’. Please, take a listen and hope you enjoy… 

For the latest episode, Jakob Nowell was kind enough to take the time and deep dive into all things, Sublime. Jakob tasked with carrying on the legacy of his father, Bradley Nowell. He does it with grace and respect. We talk his first guitar lesson on his dad’s acoustic, we talk the initial rehearsals with Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson, that Coachella show and their 1st #1 song in 28 years with ‘Ensenada’. Take the deep dive with us… give it a listen and hope you enjoy. 

For Episode 39, we chat it up with local celebrity, Eric ‘Senior’ Soluri of Full Throttle Saloon fame. We talk his time on the show, how he got there, his involvement these days. We also talk rock star encounters. You’ll definitely like the Scott Weiland share. And we talk about his love and connection to the North Country. The man has done and continues to do a lot for the community. Please check it out and enjoy. 

For THIS episode, we take a trip down memory lane… with Sammy Duet of Acid Bath. We’ll discuss the early days. We’ll discuss the mystique, the controversies, & we’ll also touch on Sammy’s favorite horror film of all time, whilst I make a couple of suggestions… we’re both scary movie fans. Have a listen. Hope you enjoy. 

Back in 2013, a band called Halestorm came through the North Country and rocked the gymnasium at JCC. And drummer, Arejay, did what calls, ‘creating a moment’, by wearing the tie of a fan that came backstage for a meet and greet, the entire show. We talk those moments, the new album and tour. We also talk the beginnings of Halestorm, early influences, and the impact they’ve had on millions of fans. 

For episode 36, I revisit my musical past, when I was part of the band scene… & my peers at the time. There were so many amazing bands. We thought we were part of the next Seattle. But sadly, it wasn’t meant to be. One of my favorite guitar players from that time, Joe Harley. He was in a band called Potato Gun at the time. & NOW, he’s got both the Tokes and Hotel Life. We’ll touch on everything. Please give a listen. Hope you enjoy. 

Scott Stapp & Creed, when they emerged, I thought… I’ll see these guys in a club. They’ll back my way. & I missed them. They opened for a local band, this was pre-the release of ‘My Own Prison’. I’m not even sure they were officially signed yet. They played this dive called the Draft House. Loved that place. & I missed it… we tried to get them to play a festival for about 6 months after that & then again after that, & again. But we couldn’t. They had, blown up. They were too big. & it all happened so fast from a fan’s point of view. Here we get Scott’s point of view. & it was a lot. But the man has emerged on the other side, a better man. Please check this out… & hope you enjoy. 

I first started programming radio stations back in 2002. It was an Alternative station in Louisville, KY. Whilst there, I had a privilege to meet & talk with Amy Lee of Evanescence. They also performed the most perfect acoustic performance in all my years of radio. For episode 34, I get to talk with Amy again. and the many topics we touch on are the travails she endured at the onset of the release of ‘Bring Me To Life’, her early influences, first concert, her latest single ‘Afterlife’, her collaborations with Halsey and K.Flay for the movie ‘Ballerina’, plus what there is left to conquer in this world. Please give it a listen. Hope you enjoy.  

Ronnie Vegas for episode 33. Ronnie is the ultimate go getter. Not sure I’ve ever seen someone work harder, in trying to promote and market his band. He understood what he needed to do and he did it. We’re going to hit rewind and talk the band, Tyrade. We’ll talk how it started and how it ended. We’ll talk everything he did to make that band click. And we’ll talk what he’s doing now… what brought him back to living and breathing what he loves. Please take a listen, spread the word and hope you enjoy. 

Part of what I like about this iteration of my podcast, is I don’ feel boxed in. The centerpiece is music, but it’s from all angles. For this, particular angle, I get the chance to chat with my friend, Ryan Hardy. Many beyond the North Country don’t know his name. But those of us here, we do. He is a man that has battled demons and addictions and redirected those into an addiction of music, and making it. That’s in large part a credit to his son, his muse, his inspiration… makes him a good dad… makes his, a great story. Hope you take the time and give this a listen. I think it’s worth it.

For episode 31, I get to go deep with one of the 100 greatest guitar players on the planet. A man who auditioned over the phone for Ozzy Osbourne. That audition, by the way got him flown to LA for an official audition. Gary Hoey is an incredible player that has toured with too many legends to count. He had an instrumental hit at radio during the early days of grunge and he redefined what you could do for Christmas music. Loved this interview, love his new album, ‘Avalanche’ as well. Please, check it out… and enjoy. 

Taking a trip back in time for my next chat, episode 30. Gil Moore of Triumph. They had such a memorable live show, ahead of the times in regards to lighting and pyrotechnics. And they were one of the most positive bands out there, writing anthems for the ages. In this chat we talk that rich Triumph history, as well as a new Triumph Tribute being released. We also talk about his killer studio, Metal Works. So much here. Makes me want to crank up the Triumph. Hopefully, you too. Check it out and enjoy. 

My guest for episode 29, Scot McCracken, gives us all insight on the management side of things, for this crazy music biz. Scot grew up around music as his dad was a big time session player. We'll talk about his dad and some of those killer projects he was part of. We'll talk about their lives intertwining and coming full circle on a couple of projects. Scoteven lived on Paul McCartney's farm in Scotland for a year as a child... incredible stories. But mostly we talk about his love for music and his passion for the bands and artists he has represented over the years, including current band, Backhand Blue. Great chat. Please check it out and enjoy...

In episode 28 with Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake), one of the most respected bass players from the hair band era, we explore his musical roots, growing up in Miami and listening to Latin Jazz. We talk his friendship as well as the legacy of Randy Rhoads. And yes, we talk the upcoming ‘Final Show’ with Ozzy Osbourne in July. We also discuss the rise of Quiet Riot and his return to Quiet Riot. I appreciate the chat and can’t wait for our next one.

Episodes 27, part two of my 3-1-5 month interview collection, celebrating (once again) the music of Northern NY. For part two, I get to talk with Tony Long Toes, Qoury Haven In the Universe, the Shoal Finders, Bread & Circuses, Ronnie Vegas (formerly of Tyrade) & Small Town Dreamers. Enjoy.