Canadian Guys with Beer Chatting Metal

Podcasts are often seen as an alternative to music, and their fans can be divided into camps. There are people who can’t drive without a Spotify playlist on shuffle, and others who never listen to anything that isn’t educational. But a few podcast creators are bridging the gap and creating content for both music lovers and podcast listeners.

Canadian Guys with Beer Chatting Metal is a podcast that, as you may have guessed from the title, features two Canadian friends who talk about the music genre of metal while enjoying a few beverages. Wally Norton and Rich Dillon are both staff writers for Decibel Geek podcast, but decided to launch their own with a more niche focus.

As teenagers during the 1980s, the golden age of heavy metal, it was almost impossible for Dillon and Norton not to be fans. “I think almost everyone is shaped by the music of their youth,” said Norton. Bands like Def Leppard, Quiet Riot, and Judas Priest were on the mainstream radio, and their local Canadian bands like Killer Dwarfs and Brighton Rock were getting their fare share of attention, as well.

“For me personally, it was and still is a high energy, fun and positive form of music,” said Norton. “When I attended my first concert (Motley Crüe in 1984) the deal was sealed. I would forever be a metalhead.”

According to the guys at CGwBCM, music podcasts exist because radio is no longer doing its job. Music fans want to discover new bands and become invested in their local scene, but radio stations don’t operate as they once did.

In 1979, The Buggles proclaimed that “Video Killed the Radio Star,” but in 2018 it may be more accurate to point the accusatory finger at streaming services. News outlets have reported that streaming music is killing radio, with massive drop-offs among younger generations. A 2017 study showed that only 19% of 12-24 year olds who value music discovery consider AM/FM radio a valuable resource. AM/FM radio is ranked light years behind Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube.

We have often heard that rock is dead. Far from it!”

But CGwBCM says the decline started happening years ago.

“The Telecommunications Act of 1996 stripped all of the soul and life from terrestrial radio,” said Norton. “Three companies control the programming for thousands of radio stations.”  As a handful of businesses bought up more and more stations, the programming changed to focus on minimal financial risk.

“Instead of playing a large cross section of music and letting the listeners decide what does and doesn’t make the charts, they literally play 2 dozen songs over and over leaving zero options as to what makes the charts,” said Norton.

‘Pop’ has changed from simply meaning whatever is popular (whether it’s rock, country, dance, or metal) to become its own genre. Local or upcoming artists are rarely, if ever, featured because they are more of a financial risk than established artists. If someone isn’t putting in the work themself to seek out new musicians, they could easily assume that other alternative genres just aren’t producing music anymore.

“We have often heard that rock is dead. Far from it! There is so much great music in every genre being created but so little of it will ever be heard because of the de-regulation and subsequent homogenization of radio,” said Norton.

Since radio is no longer a platform for new or alternative musicians, Norton and Dillon decided to great their own.

Canadian Guys with Beer Chatting Metal is, yes, two guys with beer talking about music. But it also includes interviews with musicians like Gypsy Rose’s Michael Ross, metal playlist competitions a la Battle of the Bands, and album reviews. They’re also able to be a venue for regional signed and unsigned acts when radio won’t, giving them an opportunity to build a fanbase, and giving listeners the opportunity to find a new favorite band.

I am willing to bet that even if you were a hard rock and metal fan, you wouldn’t hear these bands on the radio. And there are thousands more out there. You just have to look. We love the hunt.”

“Personally I have discovered many new bands because of podcasts. Electric Guitars, SteelCity, Lady Beast, Shokker just to name a few,” said Norton.”

Although the literal title of their podcasts proclaims their love for metal, Norton and Dillon aren’t snobs about it. Norton’s quick list of his top five bands is surprising: Kiss, Motley Crüe, L.A. Guns, John Mellencamp, and Garth Brooks. “We are big fans of real musicians playing real instruments,” he said. “Rock, metal, and, for me, country music still provides that.”

CGwBCM is a podcast for metalheads, for music lovers, beer appreciators, and anyone who is interested in hearing something that wouldn’t play on the radio. While Norton and Dillon clearly have a good time producing the show, the ultimate goal is always to be a resource to those who love metal and want more of it.

“The biggest pleasure for us though is when listeners let us know they have discovered a new band or album because of our show and that happens a lot,” said Norton. “I am willing to bet that even if you were a hard rock and metal fan, you wouldn’t hear these bands on the radio. And there are thousands more out there. You just have to look. We love the hunt.”

Canadian Guys with Beer Chatting Metal is independently produced and releases new episodes every other week. Visit CGwBCM on Podchaser to listen with your favorite app, and leave it a rating or review.

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