After years spent in his flagship band, Soilwork, in 2016, Verbeuren received the call of a lifetime from Megadeth frontman, and founder, Dave Mustaine. After a short phone conversation, it was decided that Verbeuren would join Megadeth on the road, filling in on drums for the departed Chris Adler, for the band’s Dystopia World Tour.
You know how there’s the term “Christmas in July?” This is more like “KISSmas in July.” More unseen footage of the hottest band in the world is surfacing and we are all raving and drooling over what is being seen.
On July 3rd, a crown jewel in the KISS video canon emerged on YouTube: Cobo Hall 1975. Ask any KISS diehard fan about this particular show and they will go into great detail about what entails.
In the first segment of my two-part interview with renowned record producer Tom Werman, we discussed Tom’s formative years and subsequent transition into the music industry, successful signings as well as the ones that ultimately eluded him, and honed in on his work with Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, and Mötley Crüe.
If KISS was going to pull off the improbable, they needed a formidable force at the helm, and while a few were considered for the job, after a fateful conversation with super-manager, Doc McGhee, for lynchpin members, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, the choice was clear, KISS was going to shock the world in ways fans could never imagine.
Recently, I caught up with hard-hitting drummer, Johnny Kelly of Quiet Riot, Danzig, and more. Among other things, we touch on Johnny’s origins, early influences, his work with Danzig, joining Quiet Riot, and a whole lot more.
A winding musical path has allowed Duncan to share the stage with some of the most prolific musicians in rock and heavy metal, including Rudy Sarzo, Jimmy Bain, Joey Vera, John Bush, Frank Hannon, C.C. DeVille, and most, recently, L.A. Guns, with Tracii Guns, Phil Lewis, Ace Von Johnson, and Johnny Martin.
From assuming East Coast origins, Monroe cut his teeth on the Jersey club scene before making his way to the West Coast to take his shot at grandeur through rock ‘n’ roll. After an unexpected call from bassist Pat Fontaine and a successful audition, Monroe found himself the new drummer for up-and-coming act, XYZ.
Recently, I caught up with veteran multi-instrumentalist, Sebastian Robertson. Among other things, we touch on Sebastian’s origins, early influences, his father’s influence, and a whole lot more.
The 80s would be an interesting time for KISS, a decade defined by lineup instability, the near-death of the band, the removal of their trademark makeup, and a return to gold and platinum level success. Yes, in rock’s glitziest decade, once gain, KISS found themselves in a familiar, yet frustrating position as a band who needed to prove their worth to both critics and fans alike.
