If you’re a member of any Facebook fan groups for modern prog metal bands (namely Haken and Devin Townsend), you’ve probably seen the name Jackie Frank Russell appear in your feed. But if you know Jackie, you know he is also as prolific of a musician as he is a meme-r. With projects spanning genres, … Continue reading
It’s not often that you get to talk with people that have shared the stage with Mick Jagger, Pink Floyd, Billy Idol, Rod Stewart, Nile Rodgers, Steve Hackett, and Lou Reed. And it’s even rarer that you could do that by just talking to two people. The McBroom Sisters, Lorelei and Durga, have enjoyed an … Continue reading
One of my favorite discoveries of 2019 was Moron Police. Their infectiously catchy, sardonic, and brilliant album A Boat on the Sea was one of my favorite albums of the year, and their mix of humor and musicianship won me over. I caught up with the mind behind the Moron Police, Sondre Skollevoll, who graciously … Continue reading
Styx is a band that will forever be in my musical DNA. Styx’s Greatest Hits was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. The first song my brothers and I learned after I got my drumset at age 11 was “Suite Madame Blue” from their 1975 album Equinox. I’ve heard Pieces … Continue reading
If It’s Real, the debut album from duo project Zonder/Wehrkamp was released earlier this year on May 23. This album is the result of several years worth of collaborations between drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) and multi-instrumentalist Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery, numerous collaborations). Mark is one of my all-time favorite drummers, and I’ve been … Continue reading
Richard Henshall is one of prog’s most recognized musicians, as the incredibly talented and inventive lead guitarist for Haken, as well as one of the primary collaborators for the intense prog fusion group Nova Collective. Henshall has been featured on a number of albums as guest soloist, and was one of the guitarists on the … Continue reading
Stephan Thelen makes math highly musical. While there may already be a musical genre known as “Math Rock,” the Swiss guitarist takes the concept to an entirely new level. Whether it be with his band, Sonar, or as a solo artist, Thelen strives to make mathematical rhythms operate in ways most musicians would never even … Continue reading
