The Rock is George Podcast

George Dionne
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Music, pop culture, and nostalgia…

  1. 1d ago

    Ep.261: Interview with JAMIE JAMES | THE KINGBEES | HARRY DEAN STANTON | DENNIS QUIAD AND THE SHARKS

    George Dionne interviews musician JAMIE JAMES about his ‘Stepping Back’ series of albums, chronicling unreleased material from 1988-2009. The albums are available now through Oglio Entertainment. JAMIE JAMES was a member of the NEW STEPPENWOLF, fronted THE KINGBEES, played with actor HARRY DEAN STATNON’s band, and was a key member of DENNIS QUAID AND THE SHARKS. ”[THE KINGBEES] toured for a long time, out there beating a path that had not really been forged yet, for what we were doing. Radio stations didn’t know what to do with us…after two or three years of that, I was done with the spotlight” - Jamie James Highlights include: -How the ‘Stepping Back’ series came to be -Where had all this unreleased material been -Recording music and demos for fun back in the day -Working with engineer Warren Dewey (KISS, BOSTON, SAMMY HAGAR) -How each release differs from the other -Actors and musicians -Preferring to collaborate over being in the spotlight -His time in THE KINGBEES -How they got their record deal with RSO -Appearing on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand -The impact his open heart surgery had on his songwriting -Other gems found in addition to the ‘Stepping Back’ material -His time with PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY (PCH) -An un-released LINDA PERRY produced movie he worked on -First time meeting HARRY DEAN STANTON -Collaborating with DENNIS QUAID for the first time -His time in the NEW STEPPENWOLF -Working recently with Blues artist PEACH -Local unheard bands and the heart of music -And much, much more!

    Ep.261: Interview with JAMIE JAMES | THE KINGBEES | HARRY DEAN STANTON | DENNIS QUIAD AND THE SHARKS

  2. 6d ago

    Ep.260: Interview with THE DAMN TRUTH | LEE-LA BAUM | DAVE TRAINA

    George Dionne interviews vocalist LEE-LA BAUM and drummer DAVE TRAINA of THE DAMN TRUTH about the Deluxe Edition release of their 2025 self-titled album.  The album is out now through Frontiers Music and was produced by Bob Rock (BON JOVI, AEROSMITH, METALLICA, THE CULT). ““Be Somebody” has become a defining track in [our] shows.  It sets the tone.” - Lee-La Baum Highlights include: -Why the album got the deluxe edition treatment  -Working with Bob Rock over two of their albums -Recording at Warehouse Studios in Vancouver  -Is Rock laid back or strict with his production style? -Extra material included on the re-release -Stories behind the singles -The vinyl experience -Their recent tour with CROBOT -Opening for EUROPE and meeting them ahead of it -THE DAMN TRUTH in the USA -Working on new music for the next album -The origins of the band’s name -And much, much more! *Photos by Rob Blackman & Phil Honley

    Ep.260: Interview with THE DAMN TRUTH | LEE-LA BAUM | DAVE TRAINA

  3. Sep 14

    Ep.259: Interview with BRIAN TICHY of LED BY VULTURES | GENE SIMMONS | ex-WHITESNAKE

    George Dionne interviews LED BY VULTURES mastermind BRIAN TICHY about their self-titled debut album. The album is out now through Deko Entertainment. Tichy has played drums for such Hard Rock luminaries as WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER, and SASS JORDAN. He is currently performing with the GENE SIMMONS BAND. ”It’s no fun to get excited about an original piece of music and have it sit on a hard drive as a demo” - Brian Tichy Highlights include: -How the project came to be -Handling all parts except keyboards -Derek Sherinian pushing him to release his music -“Waves” becoming an unlikely single -Mixing older ideas with newer ideas -Fronting a band back in the ‘90s -The story behind “Massivity” -Avoiding AI in his music -LED BY VULTURES live plans -His current gigs with the Gene Simmons (KISS) -Appearing on the next ONE MORE SATELLITE album -How did he settle on the name LED BY VULTURES -And much, much more!

    Ep.259: Interview with BRIAN TICHY of LED BY VULTURES | GENE SIMMONS | ex-WHITESNAKE

  4. Sep 7

    Ep.258: Interview with PAUL LAINE | THE DEFIANTS | TROOPER | ex-DANGER DANGER

    George Dionne interviews PAUL LAINE about his first solo album in over 30 years, ‘The Long Road Back’.  The album is set for release on September 25, 2026 through Frontiers Music.  Laine is also the current frontman for the Canadian Rock act TROOPER and the Melodic Rock trio THE DEFIANTS.  He also fronted DANGER DANGER from 1993-2003. For me, this is a follow up to ‘Stick It In Your Ear’, because the “Can’t Get Enough’ record was just a record of a bunch of demos.”  I never got to produce that album, or have too much involvement with it.” - Paul Laine Highlights include:   -His return to making music as a solo artist -Writing fresh instead of mining old material -Not knowing what the first single would be -His longtime friendship with Bruno Ravel    -Getting the gig in TROOPER -Large crowds and having fun on stage -Possibility of new music with TROOPER -Planning live shows to support his solo album -Working on new music for THE DEFIANTS -Writing and scoring music for television & movies -Creating the music without seeing the product -And much, much more! *Photo by Dee Oliver

    Ep.258: Interview with PAUL LAINE | THE DEFIANTS | TROOPER | ex-DANGER DANGER

  5. Jun 23

    Ep257: Interview with ESCAPE THE HIVE

    George Dionne interviews ESCAPE THE HIVE guitarist CONRAD VARELA and vocalist MICHAEL THOMAS BECK about their latest album ‘Fight Or Flight’. The album is set for release on June 26, 2026 through Deko Entertainment. Highlights include: -Songwriting dynamics -Recording in the studio -Reduction in the ranks -Inspiration behind the album title -Stories behind the singles -The importance of testing material live -Signing with Deko Entertainment -Lack of a vinyl release for the album -Album release show with BLACK STONE CHERRY -2026 touring plans -Best/worst live performances -Varela’s Grammy nomination -His work with ALICE COOPER, HALFORD, SLASH -Beck’s production work with OPERATOR, PHIL KOUBEK PROJECT -The origins of the band’s name -And much, much more!

    Ep257: Interview with ESCAPE THE HIVE

  6. Jun 15

    Ep.256: Interview with JAYLER

    George Dionne interviews JAYLER vocalist JAMES BARTHOLOMEW and guitarist TYLER ARROWSMITH about their debut album ‘Voices Unheard’. The album is out now through Silver Lining Music. “If you’re comparing us to probably the greatest band of the seventies, then that’s not really negative to me.” - Tyler Arrowsmith Highlights include: -LED ZEPPELIN comparisons -When the band formed -Songwriting dynamics -Stories behind the singles -Filming music videos -Scouting local locations -Working with producer George Perks -Switching to better management -Signing with Silver Lining Music -In-store signings and local appearances -Recent shows in Brazil & The Netherlands -Upcoming European tour with SAMMY HAGAR & DEEP PURPLE -Rubbing elbows with their peers -JAYLER in the USA? -The origins of the band’s name -And much, much more!

    Ep.256: Interview with JAYLER

  7. May 27

    Ep.255: Interview with GENE MARCHELLO of MARCHELLO

    George Dionne interviews guitarist & vocalist GENE MARCHELLO about the 2026 re-release of the first two MARCHELLO albums, ‘Destiny’ (1989) and ‘The Power of Money’ (1991). Both albums are out now through High Roller Records. ”OZZY came down to see me…because he wanted a new guitar player to replace Jake E. Lee. He ended up going with Zakk Wylde.” - Gene Marchello Highlights include: -Forming the group with his dad, Pepe Marchello (THE GOOD RATS) -The various incarnations that preceded the group -How their record label pushed Pepe into a background roll -Brining in the other band members -Opening up for OZZY, MEATLOAF, and others -Gene possibly replacing Jake E. Lee -Releasing the first album ‘Destiny’ in 1989 -Actress Gina Gershon appearing in their first music video -The song “Destiny” becoming the focus track of the 2026 re-release -Extra material included on the 2026 version -What stalled MARCELLO from releasing their second album -Changing the name of the second album for the 2026 re-release -Working with different producers for the second album -Did MARCHELLO trying selling their unreleased album to other labels -Giles Lavery’s (ALCATRAZZ, WARLORD) role in bringing back MARCHELLO’s first two albums -Trying to bring vinyl versions of the album to the US -Joining his dad in THE GOOD RATS and eventually taking it over for a time -Why ‘The Magic Comes Alive” was renamed ‘The Power of Money” for the current releases -Covering “I Feel Good” by JAMES BROWN -Has Gene thought of writing new MARCHELLO music -Does he keep in touch with his old band members -And much, much more!

    Ep.255: Interview with GENE MARCHELLO of MARCHELLO

  8. May 17

    Ep.254: Interview with RICHARD FOOS | Shout! Factory | Rhino Records

    George Dionne interviews RHINO RECORDS & SHOUT! FACTORY co-founder RICHARD FOOS about his contributions in the revitalization of abandoned, lost, and forgotten music, TV shows, and movies. “All James Brown music was out of print in ‘78, ‘79…except for his latest album that wasn’t selling very well. We went to [his record label] and they gave us the rights [to his music]…it was our biggest seller ever.” - Richard Foos Highlights include: -The early days of Rhino Records -Transitioning from a record shop to record label -Sourcing the music for their compilations -No resistance from record labels at first -Catalog music outpacing new music -Getting all past Monkees records back into the Billboard charts -Selling Rhino Records to Warner Music Group -Physical media making a comeback -Starting Shout! Factory for out of print TV & movies -Securing the rights to ‘Freaks and Geeks’ -Selling Shout! Factory to Radial Entertainment -Old shows that were never saved or taped over -Shout! Factory TV streaming on Roku & PlutoTV -Starting his own podcast on how music shaped social & political movements -Why there are so many vegan restaurants in West Hollywood -His charity work with The Narrative Method & Volunteer Collective -And much, much more!

    Ep.254: Interview with RICHARD FOOS | Shout! Factory | Rhino Records
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About

Music, pop culture, and nostalgia…

Information

  • Creator
    George Dionne
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    255
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © George Dionne
  • Show Website
    The Rock is George Podcast