A-Sides

New heavy rock act Flat Black erupted onto the scene this summer, opening for Godsmack and releasing 3 ferocious singles, with their latest titled "Justice Will Be Done." Vocalist Wes Horton joined A-SIDES from a tour stop in Canada for a candid conversation about his vocal process and keeping himself in shape, cooking, and even being visited by rescue animals backstage! Stay updated with Flat Black at their website, which has links to purchase merch as well as their tour dates. Huge thanks to Wes for taking time out of his schedule; thanks to the Flat Black team for making this happen; and thank you to everyone who listens!

Returning guest and friend Freddy Herrera chats with A-SIDES about the recent Everclear live album, Live At The Whisky A Go Go. The release celebrates the band's 30 year history and also includes new studio recordings of "Sing Away" and "Year Of The Tiger." Freddy also shares his thoughts on discovering new music and hungry young bands, family life, as well as a few stories from the road. Many thanks to Freddy for taking time out of his touring schedule to chat and also thanks to everyone who listens. You can stay updated on all things Everclear through their website here.

For many metalheads, a striking album cover is as integral as the music contained within, when debating classic albums. Episode 134 of A-SIDES features a conversation with one such artist, Marc Sasso, who has created amazing illustrations for Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, and more. We not only learn about his backstory and making connections in the art world, but also hear about his techniques, his favorite bands, some of his favorite pieces, and even New York pizza! You'll not only find Marc's work in the world of heavy metal, but also comics and pro-wrestling, through his website here. Huge thanks to Marc for sharing his stories on this episode of A-SIDES!

A-SIDES Episode 133 features special guest Rico, guitar player/songwriter/singer with the Nashville-based band, The BraziLionaires. He grew up in Central Illinois, perfected his craft in California, and after returning to Illinois, formed a Latin-jazz fusion, The BraziLionaires. In addition to hearing about Rico's background, we also start this episode briefly discussing a historical theater in Peoria, IL, which is in the middle of a restoration project. The BraziLionaires will be performing at a benefit to raise funds for this project on September 30th, called The Blockbuster Bash for the Madison Theatre. Huge thanks to Rico for sharing his stories and expertise on A-SIDES. You can find their music online on several streaming apps, also follow the band through their Facebook page, and support the efforts to restore the Madison Theatre here.

Revisiting Aerosmith for A-SIDES Episode 132, we follow-up on a topic originally started last year in Episode 107. This time we hit their "comeback era", which started in 1985 with Done With Mirrors, but kicked into high-gear following an unlikely collaboration with Run DMC. Listen as we share our top ten songs, from album cuts to b-sides, Desmond Child's contributions, Liv Tyler vs Alicia Silverstone, and more. This episode also marks our 4-year anniversary of this podcast, as we launched it in September of 2019. We've reviewed countless albums, discussed many of our favorite bands and songs, interviewed great musicians, and made friends along the way. Thanks for listening!  

Pistols At Dawn is a hungry new band in the world of modern rock, with a firestorm of momentum following several hot spring tours. Founding member and drummer Adam Jaffe joins A-SIDES for this episode to discuss their origins, his passion and drive for rock music, several favorite bands and inspirations, and also what the future looks like for Pistols At Dawn. Huge thanks to Adam for being my guest for Episode 131 of A-SIDES and thanks to everyone who listens.   You can stay up to date on all things Pistols At Dawn by visiting their website here or by following the band on Facebook.

In our nearly 4-year history of A-SIDES we've featured many deep dives into an array of musical topics, but this latest episode might be the most definitive deep dive yet! Episode 130 welcomes notable Central Illinois music collector, Paul Tincher, along with returning guest and record store owner Denny Smith, to discuss the minutiae that goes along with collecting music. Buckle up as we dive into the far reaches of purchasing import releases, bargain bin cassettes, color variants, and truck stop CD compilations! Thanks for listening!

Extraordinary vocalist and Central Illinois native Liv Warfield is due to release her third studio album on September 15th, titled The Edge. For this second appearance on A-SIDES, we not only dive into the creation of her album, but also reflect on the powerful influence of Tina Turner, her tenure with Chicago's Cabaret ZaZou, live performances, and more! Huge thanks to Liv for taking time away from her busy schedule to join A-SIDES. You can follow along with Liv at her website for tour dates and use this link to dive into her new album, The Edge! Thanks to Liv and also everyone who listens!

Episode 128 feels like our biggest episode to date, as we attempt to define and share our favorite songs from the rock 'n roll genre known as "Power Pop." Taking its roots in the British Invasion of the 60's, the genre casts a wide net that includes 90's darlings Jellyfish, solo artists such as Matthew Sweet, and especially all-too-brief 70's bands Badfinger and Big Star. Hosts Brent and Andy share ten songs each that are chock full of hooks, slick production, and harmonies that will stick to you like honey. Thanks for pressing play on this latest episode of A-SIDES!

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the heavy metal classic, Holy Diver, which fueled the discussion for this episode of A-SIDES. Andy welcomed Corey Rozzoni of The Great Affairs back to discuss heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, his namesake band DIO, the first four classic studio albums, as well as their favorite tracks, the ever-increasing usage of keyboards, Vivian Campbell's guitar playing, his successor Craig Goldy, and even how many times "rainbow" is used as a lyric! We're off to the witch for Episode 127 of A-SIDES!

Everclear reached a milestone of 30 years in 2022, which is being celebrated with their first ever live album from the historic Whisky A Go Go on September 8th, 2023. Ahead of this release and a big fall tour with The Ataris, Art Alexakis spoke with Andy for this episode of A-SIDES. While Art shared a few anecdotes from a previous album, The Vegas Years, and performing alongside Cheap Trick, it's more than just about the music for him. He's a family man, he's honest about his struggles, and is a real class act. Huge thanks to Art for this conversation, as well as thanks to Bari Lieberman, Joey Waterman, and Freddy Herrera for their assistance in making this happen. You can find Everclear on tour by visiting their website here and also find Live At The Whisky A Go Go on vinyl through your local record store. Thanks for another spin on A-SIDES.

For this special episode of A-SIDES, Andy turns back the clock to 1989, the year Warrant went went to Number 2 on the Billboard Charts with their debut album, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. Frequent guest Denny Smith (of The Great Affairs) lends his expertise as they discuss the first four studio albums from Warrant, several times when Denny performed on the same bill as the band, their music videos, lyrical inspirations, and even the production wizardry of Beau Hill and Michael Wagener. Huge thanks to Denny for returning to A-SIDES as well as inspiring this episode's topic. Thanks for listening to Episode 125 of A-SIDES.

Following a week packed full of concerts, Brent and Andy sat down to not only share stories from those shows, but also their personal "Top Five" Janet Jackson songs for Episode 124. The duo traveled to Moline, IL for a concert headlined by one of Brent's childhood favorites, Ugly Kid Joe, with Fozzy and Pistols At Dawn performing as well. Then Brent attended a jam-packed amphitheater show featuring Ms. Jackson. In addition to those concert stories, we also learn a few barbecuing tips, Janet taking control of her career in 1986, the simpler times of 1980's lyrics, and more. Thanks for listening to another episode of A-SIDES!

Episode 123 of A-SIDES features special guest Ace Von Johnson. The intent of this conversation was to chat about collecting vinyl, but it quickly descended into the depths of fandoms, from Danko Jones to Danzig, and recent metal band Unto Others. Ace shares his interactions with several musical heroes, the facade of gatekeeping, making connections, and more!   As much as Ace is enthusiastic about his favorite bands, he is passionate about dogs, specifically pit bulls. You can follow and support Ace through his Patreon, which in turn helps him in advocating and caring for pit bulls. He also has his own website as well, acevonjohnson.com, and he is very active on social media.   Huge thanks to Ace for being the lastest guest on A-SIDES and thanks to everyone who listens.

With Alice Cooper celebrating his 75th birthday this year, it sparked the idea behind this episode of A-SIDES. Andy reached out to Acey Slade (from such bands as Dope and Murderdolls) to discuss his history with the "Godfather of Shock Rock", from performing as an opening band to launching an Alice Cooper line of coffee through his Catfight Coffee brand. Acey also shares several of his favorite songs, his appreciation for Alice's work ethic, and more! Huge thanks to Acey for sharing his stories on this latest episode of A-SIDES. You can find Catfight Coffee at their website, which features several styles and roasts, Catfight merch, coffee accessories, and more! And don't forget to follow the man himself, for tour dates, music, merch and more at Alice Cooper's website.

Much like movie franchises explore their roots with a prequel, this latest episode serves as a precursor to the beginning of hosts' Brent and Andy's friendship prior to A-SIDES. For Episode 121 they discuss early 1990's power pop darlings Jellyfish, exploring their favorite songs, the differences between Jellyfish's two albums Bellybutton and Spilt Milk, bonkers lyrics, as well as Brent's least favorite fruit. Thank you for joining us for another episode of A-SIDES!

Multi-talented musician Nikki Stringfield is the latest guest on A-SIDES! She not only discusses her upcoming solo album titled Apocrypha, but also her work with The Iron Maidens, as well as with her husband Patrick Kennison in Heaven Below. Nikki shares a few of her early musical favorites, artwork, and even her love for horror films, including an experience when she was behind the scenes on a movie set! You can follow Nikki and Patrick's band Heaven Below at their website and also keep an eye out for their upcoming 2023 studio album. You can support Nikki at her webstore and grab her newest musical releases here. And stay up to date on The Iron Maiden's busy tour schedule at their website. Big thanks to Nikki for the fun conversation and thanks to everyone who listens!

Talented guitarist and vinyl enthusiast Tony Higbee makes his second appearance on A-SIDES' Episode 119. He previously spoke with Andy for Episode 21, in which they barely scratched the surface of his massive collection. This time the two dive deeper to discuss hunting for elusive albums, protecting your records, essential records to own, and his love for Power Pop. Huge thanks to Tony for sharing his stories! You can catch him on the road with Tom Keifer's tour dates here at the Tom Keifer Band website.

Musician and pop culture enthusiast Danny Lopez joins A-SIDES for Episode 118. Danny is currently performing with several LA-based tribute bands for System of a Down, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and Linkin Park. He shares his origin stories with those projects and how they weaved together, discovering music as he grew up, and staying prepared for what comes his way. You can follow Danny at @heydannylopez on Instagram and keep up with his busy schedule. Thanks to Danny for sharing his stories and also to everyone for listening!

A-SIDES Episode 117 features a conversation with multi-talented vocalist Cris Hodges. Just as he was about to embark on a months-long tour with Pistols At Dawn, Cris shares how he joined that band, singing for In The End: A Linkin Park Experience, solo music, staying fit on the road, his fitness routine, and mental health. You can follow along with Pistols At Dawn at their website and stay up to date on their current tour plans; Cris' band In The End can be found here; and you can find his solo album Black Hole Magic streaming here. Huge thanks to Cris for being a guest on A-SIDES and thanks to everyone who listens.