Godsmack is a group that I thoroughly enjoy, I’ve defended the band, and its members on numerous occasions. But the band is about to release a live album called Live & Inspired which will include a series of “well known covers”. One of these covers is Rocky Mountain Way, a track originally recorded by Joe Walsh. This is what I don’t get about people doing covers of well known songs, especially one like this one which I’ve heard so many times on classic rock radio, that I hope to have my ear drums gauged out before ever hearing again. What’s the point? Your fans aren’t going to dig this track, because it’s that boring song I hear on the radio 15 times a day. Which also means (similar to their version of the Led Zeppelin classic Good Times Bad Times) it will only get played in their home state of Massachusetts and little else. Hey for all I know it charted well when it came out, but I do believe you’ll hear 5 other tracks by the band before you ever hear Good Times Bad Times on the radio again. Same deal with Rocky Mountain Way, you’ll have the novelty factor for a few weeks, maybe a month, and expect to never hear it again on the air. No way this takes any airplays away from the original.

In my opinion Metallica got it right with Garage Days Revisited, and Garage Days Re-Revisted. Cover tracks you aren’t bored to death listening to that you’ll actually say to your friends “did you hear that cool new cover band X just put out?” “Instead of doing Paranoid or Iron Man they decided to go with Johnny Blade, and made the track their own, check it out!” Instead of “Why did they cover this song, don’t we hear it enough already?” Ask Stryper if their version of Judas Priest’s Breaking The Law or Boston’s Smoking gets played anywhere to prove my point.

The latest episode of the Mars Attacks Podcast contains interviews with Chris Poland of Megadeth fame, and Mike Orlando of Adrenaline Mob. Chris discusses what he is currently up to with Ohm, and Ohmphrey, and addresses his solo work, and why Damn The Machine came to an end. His tenure in Megadeth is not discussed as this portion of the interview will form part of this month’s Classic Albums Column.

Mike Orlando discusses putting Adrenaline Mob together, writing the material for the band’s self titled EP, and what it was brining all of the members into the band among other things.

The episode also contains a review of the Iced Earth, White Wizzard and Fury UK show that host Victor M. Ruiz took in this weekend.

You’ll hear tracks from Megadeth, Adrenaline Mob, Ohm, Damn The Machine, Sick Speed, Dave Reffett and Iced Earth during the episode.

Pictures courtesy of Chris Poland and Mike Orlando.

The podcast can be streamed or downloaded from here:

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Korn – Trash
Limp Bizkit – Take A Look Around
Disturbed – Liberate
Godsmack – Whatever
Kiss – C’Mon And Love Me
Poison – Look What The Cat Dragged In
Buckcherry – Porno Star
Motley Crue – Public Enemy #1
Marilyn Manson – The Reflecting God
Guns ‘N Roses – Riad N’ The Bedouins
Seether – Pig
Five Finger Death Punch – Salvation
Otep – Breed
Metallica – Bleeding Me

Today we bring you a band that has never actually met and an invasion from Spain and Latin America.
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This is the playlist for Episode 30

Soulfly – Vulture Culture
Vince Neil – Another Piece Of Meat
Y&T – On With The Show
Ratt – A Little Too Much
Ihsahn – The Barren Lands
Ozzy Osbourne – Let Me Hear You Scream
Bullet For My Valentine – Your Betrayal
Armored Saint – Loose Cannon
Anew Revolution – Ashes From Stone
Deftones – Rocket Skates
Danko Jones – Full Of Regret
Annihilator – Coward
Godsmack – Devils Swing

Tonight’s episode of Mars Attacks features a bunch of new tracks that have just come out, or are about to. You’ll hear tracks from the following:

Soulfly, Vince Neil, Y&T, Ratt, Ihsahn, Ozzy, Bullet For My Valentine, Armored Saint, Anew Revolution, Deftones, Danko Jones, Annihilator, and Godsmack.

If you’re interested check the show out tonight at 8PM EST / 5PM PST only on MarkStriglRadio.com.

During this episode I’m joined by former Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock. Items discussed during this interview are why the Invasion broke up, various Vinnie Vincent rumors, why Robert Fleischman left the band, and if he would ever play with Vinnie again. Other items discussed include recording with Nitro, Nelson and all things fitness as well as authoring several books.

To read more about this interview check out the Talking Metal Wire www.talkingmetal.com

Items discussed include:

Bobby Rock, Vinnie Vincent, Robert Fleischman, Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion, Sweet Savage, Dana Strum, Joey Jones, Rare Earth, Def Leppard, Mutt Lange, Myron Grambacher, Pat Benatar, Chet Akins, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Godsmack, W.A.S.P., Stet Howland, Gary Hoey, Fred Coury, Cinderella, Warrant, Whitesnake, Rock Never Stops, Slaughter, Rudy Sarzo, Bruce Kulick, John Corabi, Tony Montana, Dee Snider, Mark Slaughter, Blas Elias, Slaughter, All Systems Go, Nitro, Michael Angelo Batio, Nelson, Monster Circus, Carnival Of Souls, Zentoria, Chrysilis Records, Enigma Records, Hypothetical Erotica, Zentoria, Poison, Aerosmith, Great White, Twisted Sister

The following Vinnie Vincent Invasion tracks are played during the episode:

Boyz Are Gonna Rock
Ashes To Ashes
Twisted

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Here are the songs that where played during this episode:

Ratt – Eat Me Alive
Vince Neil – Tattoos & Tequila
Danko Jones – Full of Regret
Scorpions – Rockzone
Airbourne – No Way But The Hard Way
Slash (With Andrew Stockdale) – By The Sword
Godsmack – What If?
Non-Point – Miracle
Wildestarr – Arrival
Demon Hunter – This Is The Line
Deftones – Diamond Eyes
Savage Messiah – Insurrection Rising
The 69 Eyes – Dead Girls Are Easy

Items discussed:

Infestation, Below The Belt, Sting In The Tail, No Guts, No Glory, Wolfmother, The Oracle, Dave Starr, Amazon Metal Sampler, Amalgamate

First and foremost I’d like to send my condolences out to Pete Steele, his family, bandmates, fans, etc. Although I can’t say that I was the biggest Type O Negative or Carnivore fan, I have almost everything the man has released. And no I do not own the Playgirl issue. I enjoyed every album, ever since I heard “We Hate Everyone” on WSOU for the first time. Over the last few years I’ve revisited the band on a few occasions, namely because of the Seventh Void album, and my brother suddenly becoming very interested in them.

Pete had a one of a kind voice, over the years he and Type O have backed up Ozzy for the Private Parts soundtrack, he also sang “Descent” with Doro Pesch a track that was featured on her Fight album. Although he struggled with addiction, it seemed as if he had finally started setting things straight in his life by the time the band’s last album Dead Again came out. Interestingly enough a lot of people thought it was a hoax, due to the fact that back in 2005 a rumor was spread eluding to the fact that he had passed away.

In recent years he had put Carnivore back together, and my good buddy Joey Z from Life Of Agony talked to me about Pete on several occasions. While off air during last month’s Mars Attacks Live show he discussed how Pete was so quick witted, and remarked about how funny he was. He stated that Pete could come up with almost any remark on the spot. He also mentioned how much fun it was playing with Carnivore, and how honored he was when asked to join the band. His ties to Type O Negative go back before Life Of Agony even recorded their first album. Their drummer Sal came from Type O, and Josh Silver produced River Runs Red.

The original plan was to use the aforementioned live show tomorrow. In light of today’s events, I may actually switch things up. I discussed this with Mark Strigl earlier today. I’m sure if the episode is released the token hater will mention that we’re doing this to take advantage of the situation. Which is far from what Mark & John or I am all about. If you’ve ever listened to any of the shows we do, we’re fans of the music first and foremost.

My reason for releasing the show would be to share how others feel about Pete. As a result, I’ve asked people that I’ve interviewed from the NY/NJ area to send me their thoughts of Pete to have them included during the opening piece of the episode. If any fans are interested in sending their stories along regarding Pete Steele, please drop me a line at marsariesattacks @ live.com (all together, just trying to avoid spam). I can’t promise that I’ll use everything, but will do my best.

Condolences also go out to Vinnie Chas’ family and friends, the ex-Pretty Boy Floyd guitarist recently passed away as well.

On a side note, tonight’s episode of Mars Attacks will focus on newer tracks that have been released recently and have caught my attention. You’ll hear Ratt, Slash, Godsmack, Non-Point, Wildestarr, among other things. Show airs at 8PM EST / 5PM PST MarkStriglRadio.com.

Here is a recap of yesterday’s show, it will repeat tonight and over the weekend, as well as during the course of the next few weeks. Check the show times at the top right hand side of the home page for more details.

Testament – Hail Mary
Overkill – Necroshine
Megadeth – Ashes In Your Mouth
MD .45 – Hell’s Motel
Metallica – Of Wolf And Man
Anthrax – Catharsis
Fight – War Of Words
Judas Priest – Hell Patrol
Life Of Agony – I Regret
Machine Head – The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears
Pantera – Fucking Hostile
Dio – Strange Highways
Black Sabbath – After All The Dead
Black Sabbath – Cross Of Thorns
Ozzy Osbourne – Thunder Underground
Motley Crue – Let Us Pray
Prong – Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar
Killing Joke – Millennium
Faith No More – Mouth To Mouth
System Of A Down – Sugar
Rage Against The Machine – Know Your Enemy
Sevendust – Denial
Godsmack – Whatever
Alice In Chains – We Die Young

As mentioned in my previous post, we also discuss the following:

Ozzmosis, Lee Ving, Fear, Joey Belladonna, John Bush, Painkiller, Tony Martin, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Vinnie Appice, Ronnie James Dio, Dehumanizer, Cross Purposes