Rock Music Alliance: Channel 1

E15: Graham Bonnet & Beth-Ami Heavenstone - Interview Sessions With The Vocalist For Rainbow, Alacatrazz, MSG, And More About His Forth Coming Album. Plus, A Brief Overview Of His Career.

In this episode, Graham Bonnet and Beth-Ami Heavenstone speak with host Cole Coleman about writing new songs for a new Graham Bonnet album; the newly released Alcatrazz album (2020); doing recording tracks remotely; how Beth-Ami and Graham met and started doing music together; how the new Graham Bonnet album will have guest players Bob Kulick in his last studio appearance, and Steve Vai on it; how Ritchie Blackmore and Cozy Powell were always needling him about his short hair; how in his first show with Rainbow replacing Ronnie James Dio he had to win over the audience; how Beth-Ami’s last interaction with Bob Kulick was a dispute over lyrics; how Graham’s style began in R&B with The Marbles; the path from The Marbles to Rainbow; how there were for a time two Alcatrazz bands performing and how they’re now consolidated to one; how Alcatrazz may tour once the Covid19 Pandemic lifts; remembering his guest appearance with the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; guesting at the Ultimate Jam Night at The Whisky in Hollywood; how Beth-Ami got started in playing bass and performed her first gig with Bootleg opening for Jailhouse; Beth-Ami’s bass origins in Philadelphia and New York; how the next Graham Bonnet album may feature many guests spanning his career.

E14: John Tempesta - Interview Sessions With The Drummer For The Cult, Rob Zombie, Testament, Exodus, And More In This Overview Of His Career To Date.

In this episode, John Tempesta speaks with host Cole Coleman about how Motor Sister is mixing their new record; doing remote drum sessions; his beginnings in the Bronx; how he got his first drum kit; how watching Dennis Davis with David Bowie and seeing the Beatles’ movie A Hard Days Night inspired him; how Cozy Powel and John Bonham were major influences; how at age 14 he got out to see numerous shows; playing covers and originals with Jakals; getting out on the road for the first time as a drum tech for Charlie Benente of Anthrax and how that led to his drum position with Exodus; how timing and taking chances has led to many of his drum gigs; how being able to give his first gold record with White Zombie to his parents was a deep moment for him; how electronic drums and loops have been more inspiring than threatening; how he first thought the song More Human Than Human wouldn’t make the album Astro-Creep: 2000; how he started working with Page Hamilton and the new Helmet; how he got the gig with The Cult; the revelation that virtually every gig he’s had has been with people he’s known; how important it is to keep in touch with people you’ve worked with; working with Tony Iommi; how while he’s played a lot of styles in different bands he’s always wanted to try a modern Progressive Rock band; how doing your homework before an audition and going in with confidence and just going for it can get you places!

E13: Cyan Kicks - Interview Sessions With The Finnish Band As They Announce Their Latest EP Release "Not Your Kind." Plus, We Explore Their Origins And Listen To A Song From Their New Release.

In this episode, host Cole Coleman talks with Susanna Aleksandra, Niila Perkkio, and Leevi Erkkila as they announce the release of their latest EP: Not Your Kind; if they feel they are reaching an audience beyond Finland their home country; how and when Cyan Kicks formed; meeting each other in music school; describing the live music club scene in their town of Helsinki; how once forming they set a goal to succeed as music artists; how songwriting takes place inside Cyan Kicks; how they chose their name; how they were set to perform at festivals and begin performing beyond Finland before the Covid19 pandemic hit; who the current lineup of the band is; deciding to perform or record first; remembering their first performance; how their record label Ranka Kustannus found them; if they have a producer or are self-produced; listening to a sample of the song The Flood from their latest EP: Not Your Kind; announcing their plans to release a full-length album in the Fall of 2021; how Susanna Aleksandra is fulfilling her lifelong dream to sing and perform and some of her influences; some of the gear Niila uses to record and produce the band; how Niila secretly became a guitar player and some of his influences; how Leevi got into music and has always been drawn to bass; some of the guitars and plugins Niila uses to track with; some of the bass guitars and gear Leevi uses; some of the microphones Susanna uses in the studio and live; how they have begun tracking their next full-length album and are pouring all their energy into it.

E12: Stevie Stewart - Interview Sessions With The Keyboardist Of The Sweet - An Overview Of His Life And Career And What Is Next!

In this episode, Stevie Stewart talks with host Cole Coleman about how he’s been holding up during the Covid19 pandemic; how The Sweet is deciding if they will continue since the death of bassist and founder Steve Priest; how he found out that Steve Priest had died and how it has affected him; how if The Sweet continue he may take over the bass spot; how he first started working with The Sweet; how he had to perform on the night his stepfather died and how musicians often must perform under adverse conditions; how there were two versions of The Sweet performing; how many bands from the golden age of rock have two versions and that they are becoming multi-generational; where he was born and raised in a musical family; growing up as a hyper-kid eager to play the drums and his mother’s piano; how his step-father steered him towards piano; how he got his first organ and first Hammond organ; how as a keyboard player having the right gear can open doors; how he decided to move to Los Angeles in 1992; how placing an ad in Music Connection got him plenty of gigs his first year in L.A.; meeting up again with Nick Nicholas and gigging with the band World Classic Rockers for 13 years where he worked with many major names in Rock; his battle with severe dyslexia and his highly developed sense of hearing as a result; performing at and enjoying the Lucky Strike and Ultimate Jam nights in Hollywood; many of his current projects; some of the gear he uses in the studio; his advice for making connections and furthering your career in the virtual-digital age.

E11: STONETRIP - Our Rising Artist Spotlight Is On This Band From Melbourne, Australia As They Celebrate Their First Audio And Video Release Of Their Song "Sideways."

In this episode, Mark Ritchie and Mick Malusa of STONETRIP talk with host Cole Coleman announcing the video for their first release “Sideways;” how STONETRIP formed; assembling the lineup of the band over 6-7 months; recording their songs during the downtime of the Covid19 pandemic; about how Mark and Mick have known each other through bands; naming the lineup of STONETRIP; how they wrote their first group of songs; how they chose STONETRIP for their name; deciding to perform first then record; remembering a few venues they performed at in the city they’re based in Melbourne, Australia; starting up with a promotions and marketing company; finding producer Rickie Rae through seeking a killer drum sound; the inspiration of the lyrics and listening to a sample of their first release “Sideways;” where guitarist Mick Malusa is from and how he became a guitar player; where singer Mark Ritchie is from and how he became a singer; the guitars, amps, and effects Mick Malusa uses; deciding to either release a full album or release singles over the coming year.

E10: Sam Bam Koltun - Interview Sessions With The Rising Guitar Player For Faster Pussycat, Budderside, and Dorothy.

In this episode, Sam Bam Koltun talks with host Cole Coleman about the origin of his name; his latest main projects with Faster Pussycat, Budderside, and Dorothy; how he got the gig with Faster Pussycat; his days growing up in Chesterfield Missouri, his first gigs and jam nights there; what it’s like having a dad who looks like a rock star; how Rafael Moreira inspired him to first get into guitar playing; his first arena gig at age 14; moving to Los Angeles at age 18 to attend Musician’s Institute; his first gig and first jam after moving to Los Angeles; his time with Made In America; meeting some of his guitar heroes at the Lucky Strike jams; his first touring experience with Gabbie Rae opening for the band Europe; how meeting people, networking, attending the jams is at least as important as your playing ability and has led to 100% of his gigs; how he has written 150 songs of his own and hopes to record and release them one day; how his gig with Budderside happened; and a chat about gear including his Les Pauls, amps and amp-modeling versus real amps, stomp boxes and multi-effects processors; and recording Faster Pussycat’s next album using all Kemper.

E9: Margarita Monet - Interview Sessions. An Update On Recording The Next Edge Of Paradise Album.

In this episode, Margarita Monet talks with host Cole Coleman giving an update on the recording of the latest Edge Of Paradise album including what it might be called; if it’s a concept album; working with producers Mike Plotnikoff, Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace, and Howard Benson; if the lineup of musicians has changed and if there are any guest appearances; how close they are to finishing it and when it may be released; a little info on what gear Dave Bates is using for recording guitars and what Margarita is using for keyboard soundscapes; which songs from the album may be singles; confirming that the organization of their recording deal with Frontiers Records is expanding; confirming that they will resume touring as soon as the 2020-21 Covid-19 pandemic is over.
* See Episode 5 for our biography with Margarita and the forming of Edge Of Paradise.

E8: Brian Young - Interview Sessions With Session Guitarist And Band Member Of Atomic Punks And David Lee Roth Band.

In this episode, Brian Young session guitarist for many and well-known for his time as band member with the Atomic Punks and the David Lee Roth Band talks with host Cole Coleman about his beginnings in Camarillo CA; attending GIT circa: 1983-84; his inspiration for starting to play guitar and early influences including Chet Atkins, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Allan Holdsworth; his early cover band leading to an original band with singer Jeff Scott Soto; his time with Beau Nasty and Psychotic Symphony; his gig with Atomic Punks leading to the David Lee Roth Band and what it’s like to work with Dave; a brief chat about recording and gear; and some advice for jump starting your career as a guitarist.

E7: Tony Kaye - Interview Sessions With The Original Keyboard Player For The Legendary Prog/Rock Band - Yes. Part 1.

In this episode, Grammy Award winning musician and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Tony Kaye talks with host Cole Coleman about his latest project "End Of Innocence" which commemorates the tragic events of the 9/11 2001 attacks in New York City; his latest keyboard rig; his beginnings on piano and organ; backing up Roy Orbison; meeting Chris Squire and Jon Anderson in a London club; Peter Banks' involvement in naming Yes; getting the news of Peter's death in 2013; being a guest player on Peter Banks' posthumous release with David Cross called "Crossover" under artist name David Cross & Peter Banks; recommending Steve Howe as Peter's replacement in Yes; Steve Howe's new autobiography "All My Yesterdays" revealing some mind altering times with Steve and Tony. (Part 1 of 3)

E6: Jon Davison - Interview Sessions With The Singer For Legendary Prog/Rock Band - Yes.

In this episode, Jon Davison vocalist of Prog/Rock band Yes talks with host Cole Coleman about working on a new album during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic; remembering Jon's early days starting on guitar and bass; how he first sang in church choir; growing up with best friend drummer Taylor Hawkins; remembering Seattle based Psychedelic band Sky Cries Mary; beginning his vocal career in a Yes-Tribute band; further honing his vocal ability with Prog/Rock band Glass Hammer; the role Taylor Hawkins played in introducing Jon to Yes; singing in Chris Squire's band; getting the call to join Yes on tour; working with Billy Sherwood on side band Arc Of Life; meeting Jon Anderson; explaining that Yes has no plans to stop touring and how they may continue through generations.