Metal fans know David Ellefson from his work with Megadeth and his current band, Kings of Thrash. For the rest of you, you're in for a treat. We talked with David about touring the world, how to stay young and what he's learned from revisiting

Rock n Roll Grad School #176 Blacklite District

13 days ago 32m 10s

This week, we sit down with Kyle Pfeiffer, better known to his fans as Blacklite District. He's gained popularity by working with video game creators and other fans on-line, creating a much more immersive and lasting relationship with his music

Rock n Roll Grad School #175 Nick Sabia

20 days ago 35m 24s

Nick Sabia is a songwriter, singer, musician, engineer... basically, his life is made up of music. And, really, we're all the richer for it. His new song, Back East, is out now. (And don't worry, there's more where that came from.)For more info

Rock n Roll Grad School #174 Rockie Lynne

27 days ago 27m 15s

Rockie Lynne is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist. And, while that is impressive enough, when you hear Rockie's story, it becomes all the more fascinating. "Rockie Lynne- Where I Belong," is a new documentary film telling the story o

Rock n Roll Grad School #173 Sheri Miller on "Think!" and Earth Day

30 days ago 42m 29s

We thought a nice way to celebrate Earth Day would be to share this conversation with music star and children's author Sheri Miller. Along with her mother, Linda Miller, Sheri wrote a book, called "Honoring Our Planet- Think!" which is out now.

Rock n Roll Grad School #172 Escape the Fate

Apr 17th, 2024 33m 40s

We spoke with Escape the Fate’s drummer when their most recent record came out. Now, as a special edition of Out of the Shadows coming out AND a tour with the Emo Orchestra starting tonight, we talk with the band’s lead singer Craig Mabbitt. On

Rock n Roll Grad School #171 SkyDxddy

Apr 10th, 2024 45m 56s

SkyDxddy has made her music career talking about hard truths and difficult subjects. But her audience has found solace in her words. Her new song, "Why Do I Stay," continues her streak of great, honest music.You can find out more about SkyDxddy

Rock n Roll Grad School #170 Mama B

Apr 3rd, 2024 27m 28s

Her name is Mama B and she has the novel idea of making music that is not only fun for kids, but adults too. Combining her skills as a pop writer and performer, Jacq Becker has created fun, memorable and, yes, enjoyable music for everyone in th

Rock n Roll Grad School #169 Van Dyke Parks

Mar 27th, 2024 46m 56s

Luke has the flu. Heidi is off gallivanting. Until they rejoin forces next week, enjoy this classic episode of Grad School, culled from deep within our vaults.The music of Van Dyke Parks has always taken you on a journey, replete with exquisite

Rock n Roll Grad School #168 Paralandra

Mar 20th, 2024 35m 29s

They've been rocking the country for 10 years and now Paralandra is releasing their second full-length album. The Body Electric is available on April 4th, wherever you get your records. We talked with lead singer Cassandra Carson about the coll

Rock n Roll Grad School #167 Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards

Mar 13th, 2024 34m 26s

There may be no easy way to describe the music of Johnny Manchild and the Poor Bastards other than by simply saying "it's good." Their new album, Rapture Waltz is out on March 22nd.We sat down with Johnny to talk about the emotional power of mu

Rock n Roll Grad School #166 Bettye LaVette

Mar 6th, 2024 44m 18s

Bettye LaVette is a music legend. Heading back out on the road this spring, Bettye is one of the foremost interpreter of songs and is one of a kind. We got to talk with Bettye about her albums, including how she approaches her interpretations a

Rock n Roll Grad School #165 Firewind

Feb 28th, 2024 31m 52s

If you’re looking for hard rock and great guitar, you need to look no further than Firewind. We talked with bandleader Gus G on the eve of the release of the new album, Stand United.Plus, we talk about Heidi’s big weekend and big summer plans,

Rock n Roll Grad School #164 The Surfrajettes

Feb 21st, 2024 36m 35s

There's a new/old sound sweeping the world and that's surf music. And leading the charge are The Surfrajettes, an all-female band leaving audiences spellbound with their musical skills.We talked with Shermy, one of the band's guitarists as they

Rock n Roll Grad School #163 Yoko at 91!

Feb 14th, 2024 32m 8s

You know how we feel about Yoko Ono 'round these parts, so when we realized her birthday was coming up, it was the perfect time to reconnect with friend of the show Madeline Bocaro, who wrote a great biography of the artist titled, In Your Mind

Rock n Roll Grad School #162 New Model Army

Feb 7th, 2024 35m 54s

For almost 45 years, New Model Army has been fighting the good fight and calling out wrongs where they see it. Their new album, "Unbroken" is no different. We talked with lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Justin Sullivan about the new recor

Rock n Roll Grad School #161 The Ramoms

Jan 31st, 2024 33m 37s

Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! The Ramoms play punk rock music for punks of all ages. Their loving tributes to both their children and the Ramones are the type of things that make you wanna be sedated. (Or if you’re listening to the Ramoms, playdated.) For

Rock n Roll Grad School #160 Broadway actor and musician Jalen Harris

Jan 24th, 2024 32m 4s

Jalen Harris first came to prominence on American Idol, but that's just the beginning of his story. Since then, he's starred on Broadway in The Lion King and he's currently playing Eddie Kendricks in the touring company of Ain't Too Proud to Be

Rock n Roll Grad School #159 Jon Scott on Tom Petty

Jan 17th, 2024 36m 20s

Jon Scott worked as a record promotion guy with a lot of great artists, but his most important, and meaningful, relationship was with Tom Petty. (In fact, Jon can be credited for breaking Petty, long after the record company gave up on him.) In

Rock n Roll Grad School #158 Darren Paltrowitz on Why David Lee Roth Matters

Jan 10th, 2024 47m 1s

Wa Wa Zat?!? David Lee Roth has been a part of the public conversation for almost 50 years. And in that time, the polymath has constantly been confounding expectations. Darren Paltrowitz examines both the man and the myth in his new book, "DLR

Rock n Roll Grad School #157 Peter Martin

Jan 3rd, 2024 39m 11s

Jazz musician has seen the world, playing with some of the greats of the genre. Now, with his new record, Peter and his group, Generation S, recorded the whole album, live in studio and on-line.On top of playing, Peter is teaching, helping intr

Rock n Roll Grad School #156 The Cure's Lol Tolhurst

Dec 27th, 2023 55m 44s

Lol Tolhurst knows of that which he speaks. As the founding drummer of The Cure, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had a great vantage point to the evolution of goth style. And in his new book, "Goth: A History," Lol tells that story. It's part m

Rock n Roll Grad School #155 Living the Beatles Legend with Mal Evans

Dec 20th, 2023 44m 10s

Mal Evans knew the Beatles from their earliest days. He was a bouncer at The Cavern Club. And from there, his friendship and his working relationship with the group only grew. (You might remember seeing him in the Peter Jackson film, "Get Back,

Rock n Roll Grad School #154 Eddie Berman

Dec 13th, 2023 30m 33s

Singer/songwriter Eddie Berman has created yet another album of songs that feel like he's whispering in your ear. And, again, he writes from personal events, ones that make the songs all the more relatable."Signal Fire," the album, is available

Rock n Roll Grad School #153 The Palms

Dec 6th, 2023 38m 40s

Johnny Zambetti and Ben Rothbard, better known as The Palms have been recording music for a while, but they only taking it out on the road now. Their music is filled with 1970s Laurel Canyon harmonies, a little pop rock and... well, a little bi