A-Sides

Episode 193 featured guest Jared Jones from the Nashville-based rock band, Emerge. This latest discussion with Jared picks up right where we left off last spring, diving back into shared musical tastes like Disturbed and Sevendust, his experiences with Revis, listeners' music habits, fall activities, and radio station contests! Huge thanks to Jared for making another appearance on A-SIDES for Episode 208, and thanks to all who listen! Extra shout-out to Disturbed and the other musicians being honored by the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet, IL this September! Emerge's music is available on your favorite app and you can follow them on social media at their Facebook page or Instagram at @emerge_music!

A recurring theme throughout the 6-year lifespan of A-SIDES has been the beloved Illinois rock band Cheap Trick. Episode 190 titled, "Everybody Loves Cheap Trick", was packed with 6 different guests sharing their origin stories and love for Cheap Trick, so this anniversary episode of the podcast seemed like a perfect opportunity for a follow-up. Episode 207 features returning guests, familiar voices, and more! Brent Stortzum, co-host/musician/Illinois resident Kenny Wright, drummer and co-vocalist in The Great Affairs Billy Baker, drum builder/drummer of Valentine Saloon Dug Pinnick, bassist for King's X Patrick Kennison, of Heaven Below and Lita Ford Huge thanks to all 5 friends of the podcast who contributed and shared their passion for Cheap Trick. Thanks to all the friends, guests, and listeners of the last 6 years of A-SIDES, too!

Episode 206 of A-SIDES features a conversation with musician and artist Emily Burton, who performs with the all-female Black Sabbath - Black Sabbitch, and California-based rock act, Fireball Ministry. Fireball Ministry scorched the Earth with great albums like 2005's Their Rock Is Not Our Rock, which is now pressed on vinyl through Ripple Music. She shares a few details on the band's formation, growing up in the Midwest, creating artwork, and more! Check out Black Sabbitch online for merch and live shows at their website. You can also find Fireball Ministry's music through your favorite streaming app and grab the fast-selling vinyl records through their Bandcamp page.  Huge thanks to Emily Burton and everyone who listens!

Following the release of Heaven Below's latest album The Majestic Twelve, Nikki Stringfield returns to A-SIDES to share a few details behind the creation of the album. She also discusses the recent tour with her husband Patrick Kennison which featured them as an opening act for Marty Friedman; life at home between tours; the impact and influence of Ozzy Osbourne; and performing with The Iron Maidens. For information on Nikki's tour schedule with The Iron Maidens, visit their website here. You can also purchase her solo albums and music with Heaven Below on her own website. Huge thanks to Nikki for making her third appearance on A-SIDES, as well as thanks to Patrick Kennison, and you for listening to this newest episode!

Dropping on August 22nd is the fifth album from Dinosaur Pile-Up, titled I've Felt Better. Matt Bigland joined A-SIDES for Episode 204 to share a few details behind the new songs, meeting and working with acclaimed songwriter Scott Stevens, his favorite bands from the 90's, and what cassette tape was played repeatedly on a cross-country road-trip. Huge thanks to Matt for being a guest on this latest episode of A-SIDES. Before I've Felt Better is released, you can check out their catalog on your favorite streaming platform, preview the band's 5 newest songs, and follow along with them on their website. Thanks for listening!  

After releasing their full-length debut in 2023 and sharing stages with acts like The Struts and Sublime With Rome, King Falcon is back with new single, "Plastic Crown." Michael Rubin from King Falcon shares his musical history, from listening to his parents' music, playing endless hours of Guitar Hero, to cutting his teeth as part of School Of Rock. Michael even shares his theory on the songs of Steely Dan, which can be broken down into three distinct categories. It was an absolute blast having Michael as a guest on Episode 203 of A-SIDES. You can follow along with King Falcon on their website, social media @kingfalconband, and stream their music on your favorite app. Thanks for listening!

July 5th 2025 was a monumental day for rock music as it was the farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath titled "Back To The Beginning." From heavy metal icons such as Metallica to 21st century rock acts like Rival Sons, all performed and paid tribute to the founders of heavy metal with unique covers in addition to their own music. Zak Bellante from Death Comes Lifting was there to experience it all first-hand and he shares that experience on Episode 202 of A-SIDES. Huge thanks to Zak for returning to the podcast to discuss that day in Birmingham, thanks to everyone who listens, and most importantly thanks to Ozzy and Sabbath for the innumerable hours of joy spent listening to their music. You can find Zak online at Death Comes Lifting, which features online fitness classes, health and wellness programs, and an amazing supply of merch!

In 2015, album release dates shifted from Tuesday to Fridays as the new standard to optimize music consumption on streaming platforms. Always one to buck trends, Heaven Below is releasing their new album, The Majestic Twelve, on Tuesday July 22, 2025. Patrick Kennison makes his fourth appearance on A-SIDES to share details on the album's creation, talks about the recent tour with Marty Friedman, drawing inspiration from movies, and even provides a teaser on upcoming releases from Heaven Below. Huge thanks to Patrick Kennison for making another appearance on the podcast and thanks to all who listen! You can find Heaven Below on Facebook, purchase the new record here, or stream the album digitally on all platforms starting tomorrow!

DETROIT - known for fast cars, loud rock n roll, pizza, and the soulful "Motown" sound. Episode 200 of A-SIDES takes a look at the bands and artists of this Midwest mecca, from Bob Seger to Iggy Pop, Grand Funk Railroad, and even lesser known acts like Death and Sonic's Rendezvous Band. Paul Tincher makes a return appearance on the podcast to share his favorite bands, venues, and stories of the city, as well as how we uncovered our favorites and their connections to other musicians we love.  Thanks to Paul Tincher for returning to A-SIDES, a huge thanks to all of our guests, listeners, the friends we've made through this podcast, and most of all the musicians who have given us endless hours of joy and episode topics!

In a 1985 episode of the original run of the GI-JOE: A Real American Hero cartoon series, COBRA created the fictional rock band, Cold Slither, to perform music with subliminal messages to control the masses. Forty years later, HASBRO and RPM have brought this band to life, with the Cold Slither album dropping on July 25, 2025. Episode 199 of A-SIDES features a conversation Gus Rios, who has brought Cold Slither to life. He shares his love for GI Joe, his path to music, maintaining mental health, and why he was the perfect fit for the Cold Slither project. If you want to read Gus' article in Decibel, you'll find it here. If you're in the San Diego area, you can see Gus bring Cold Slither to life before your eyes at Brick By Brick on the eve of the album's release. You can also find the Cold Slither record through the RPM label.  Huge thanks to Gus Rios, RPM, and everyone who listens! Yo Joe!  

An emerging hub for all things entertainment is Las Vegas, which is also the home base for heavy rock band Velvet Chains. Hot on the heels of their new single "Ghost In The Shell", bassist and founder Nils Goldschmidt shares his musical journey from violin to bass, sharing stages in South America with his heroes of rock music, his many tattoos, and more in this latest episode of A-SIDES! You can find Velvet Chains online for tour updates and merch at www.velvetchains.com. Huge thanks to Nils for the conversation, PFA and the entire Velvet Chains team, and everyone who listens!

Buckcherry dropped their 11th studio album, Roar Like Thunder, on June 13th on Round Hill Records. Frontman Josh Todd was not superstitious about the release date but he did share a few details behind the production of Roar Like Thunder, working with different producers over the years, newer fans embracing the band, and record collecting with his son on Episode 197 of A-SIDES. Buckcherry has a slammed summer full of tour dates, so catch them on the road performing cuts from the new album as well as all their hits. Follow them at www.buckcherry.com Thanks to Josh Todd for the conversation and to everyone who listens!

Coheed and Cambria recently released their eleventh studio album, Vaxis III: The Father Of Make Believe, which features a wide spectrum of blazing guitars in "Blind Side Sonny" to the introspective lyrics of "Goodbye, Sunshine." Frontman and songwriter Claudio Sanchez joined A-SIDES for Episode 196 to share details on the creation of the new album, as well as the origins of the band, gaining self-confidence, and even his son's progress in learning music.  Huge thanks to Claudio Sanchez, Virgin Records, 99.9 WWCT, and to everyone who listens! You can follow the band on tour by visiting their website and you'll find their music on your favorite streaming platform.

Since 2020, Jazz Sabbath has released 3 albums and toured worldwide; however, many don't realize that their music was stolen from them by the members of Black Sabbath. According to legend, long-suffering "Milton Keynes" had the music stolen from him and it has only recently seen the light of day. The real-world story goes that Adam Wakeman has re-imagined the music of Black Sabbath under the banner of Jazz Sabbath, recently releasing his third album in the fall of 2024, titled The 1968 Tapes. He not only shares stories on shaping the arrangements on The 1968 Tapes, but also a funny story from a tour with Ozzy, his recent experience on a cruise ship, and even where to get the best fish and chips! Huge thanks go out to Adam for his second appearance on the podcast. You can follow Adam with his various musical ventures online and purchase his music through Bandcamp.

Ricky Warwick is a prolific songwriter, whether its in a band setting or under his own solo name, even recently releasing another solo effort this year, titled Blood Ties. Spring 2025 also saw him performing a run of acoustic shows in Illinois, which prompted this interview on A-SIDES. Ricky shares a few stories from visiting Illinois over the years, working again with The Almighty, performing these solo shows, and more. Huge thanks to Ben Owen for making this episode happen and a huge thanks to Ricky for the conversation! Ricky's extensive catalog from Black Star Riders to his solo material can be found online on your favorite streaming app, or physically through Earache Records. You can follow Ricky online at https://www.rickywarwick.com/

A band t-shirt is what ultimately sparked the discussion for this episode of A-SIDES. Jared Jones from the Tennessee-based heavy rock band EMERGE joins Episode 193 to discuss that particular t-shirt from the band REVIS, as well as his own band, sailing the high seas on the annual "Summer of 99" cruise, his first CD, music videos, and even road trip snacks. We run the gamut of Jared's interests and influences and it was a fun conversation! Huge thanks to Jared as well as the guys from In The End: Linkin Park Experience. You can find EMERGE's music on your favorite streaming app and follow them social media at @emerge_music or through their Facebook page.

Sons of Silver appeared on A-SIDES late last year for Episode 180, with band members Peter and Adam teasing their upcoming album, Runaway Emotions, and their winter tour slot opening for Myles Kennedy. This time Peter returns to the podcast and brings along fellow guitarist Kevin to not only provide a tour wrap-up, but they also share details on what's to come for 2025, a glimpse into their songwriting process, a few favorite records, and building a family environment within the band. Sons Of Silver's album Runaway Emotions was released in January to all streaming platforms and can also be purchased on their website, along with tour information and the recent launch of their online fan club. Thanks to Peter, Kevin, the rest of Sons of Silver and everyone who listens!

Framing Hanley recently dropped a new single, "Mean It (Photographs and Gasoline, Pt 2)", with plans for more music forthcoming in 2025. Nixon joined this episode of A-SIDES to share details on new music, touring this spring, navigating the music business, growing up in Tennessee, raising kids and sharing his hobbies with them, and even some pro-wrestling deep cuts come up throughout the conversation! Huge thanks to Nixon and the guys in Framing Hanley! You can follow along with their plans for 2025 by visiting them on Facebook or following them on Instagram @framinghanley Thanks to everyone for listening!

Episode 190 features not just one guest, but SIX different guests, all sharing their memories and stories of the rock n roll band, CHEAP TRICK! Denny Smith: Illinois record store owner and songwriter in The Great Affairs Corey "Rizzo" Rozzoni: Rockford IL-born and guitarist in The Great Affairs Ryan Waters: guitarist for LiV Warfield, Heart, and Roadcase Royale Nick Perri: from Silvertide to The Underground Thieves, he's also toured with Rick Nielsen Freddy Herrera: longtime bassist with Everclear and The Exies Ryan Roxie: podcast host, power-pop mastermind of Roxie 77, and a member of Alice Cooper! Huge thanks to these guys for participating and sharing their love of Cheap Trick and a special thank you to all who listen!

Described as "blue beat soul", Quinn DeVeaux's sound is a unique blend of soul, blues, and 70's rock, which really struck a chord with his 2024 album Leisure. It was exciting to have him as a guest on A-SIDES Episode 189, as he shared his upbringing in the Midwest, discovering new music and artists, his love of road trips, and performing around the world. Huge thanks to Quinn DeVeaux for sharing his story on this episode of A-SIDES and you can follow him through his website here. Don't sleep on his album Leisure and new music that is forthcoming! Thanks for listening!