On each show we bring together a band and some fans to talk about music, life, and whatever the hell else we want to talk about. It can be difficult to have a conversation with your favorite band at a show or online. We bring the fans together with the bands for a more in depth conversation.
In this episode, I talked with Ian from Coyote Man. Their new album Prosthetic Memories, is about to be released and it is another masterpiece in heavy, progressive, instrumental music. Although, there is a surprisingly wonderful track with vocals. Ian and I chat about the making of this new album, what sets it apart from their other creations, and plans to spread the word far and wide.
Music Notes with Nuno - Vol. 4 - Guitars That Rule
mercredi 8 juillet 2026 • Durée 01:10:02
In this episode of Fans with Bands, Chuck and Nuno dive deep into the world of guitar players. From the world changing playing of Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen to 80s metal heroes, 90s grunge icons, and today’s modern virtuosos, this episode covers the players who we dig and some we maybe weren’t the most keen on. However, they all jam.
Below is the ultimate cheat sheet for every artist, band, album, and track mentioned in the episode.
The Pioneers & Shred Virtuosos
The guys who caused the “seismic events” in guitar history, alongside the pure solo shredders who defined the genre.
In this episode, I talked with Caving Grounds from Negaunee / Marquette. This Upper Peninsula band channels the ferocity and brutal beauty of where they live into relentless hardcore. Titanic riffs, pummeling rhythms, and menacing vocals characterize their music. I had a great chat talking about the origin of the band’s name, their music, pizza, and their new album Become Soil, which you can pick up today.
In this special crossover episode, Chuck and Nuno (Needle in a Substack and Nuno Babo Youtube) sit down with legendary drummer Shannon Larkin. In a highly candid conversation, Shannon takes us through his incredible 40-year journey in the music industry. From the early club days with Wrathchild America and the label bidding wars of the 1980s, to finding his groove with Souls at Zero Ugly Kid Joe and ultimately, Godsmack, Shannon holds nothing back. He also opens up about his 10-year sobriety, his departure from Godsmack, and the tragic loss of Amen’s Casey Chaos.
Show Notes & Key Highlights
The Early Days & The Label Bidding War
* Shannon talks about starting Wrathchild with Terry Carter as teenagers. The root music that inspired them. The rise of Wrathchild, label woes, and more.
Becoming Souls at Zero
* Shannon shares the origins of Souls at Zero.
Sobriety, Charity, and “The B’s”
* Shannon proudly discussed being happily sober for 10 years and charity work with Brad Divens (former bassist / vocals for Wrathchild America and Souls At Zero)
Stepping Back from Godsmack
* Shannon explained his amicable departure from Godsmack and how the pandemic influenced the shift in his life priorities.
Honoring Casey Chaos & Amen
* Shannon shared emotional memories of Amen frontman Casey Chaos, who tragically passed away following a heart attack.
Current Projects & The Future
* Shannon is currently putting out his own music independently through Inside Skinny Productions and working with several bands, including a collaboration with Terry Carter known as Spirit Wheel.
Shannon Larkin
, , ,
Get full access to Fans With Bands at
Chuck Billy - Holding My Breath
mercredi 27 mai 2026 • Durée 28:20
In this episode, Chuck sits down with the legendary Chuck Billy of Testament to discuss his upcoming autobiography, Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments of Chuck Billy, dropping November 10th. We dive into the process of translating a Chuck’s fiercely private life into an open book, and how his journey is split cleanly into the “Old Testament” (his early life, athletic background, and the early days of Testament) and the “New Testament” (his triumph over a devastating cancer diagnosis at 38 and his revitalized musical career).
Key Topics Covered:
* The Power of the Pre-Fame Years: Why it was essential for Chuck to explore his childhood, his athletic background, and his teenage years.
* From Sports to the Stage: How getting kicked out of high school pivoted Chuck toward a life in music, and how he translated his aggressive athletic mentality into becoming the frontman for Testament.
* The KISS Influence: Chuck recalls seeing KISS live in 1976 and how Gene Simmons’ theatrical performance inspired him to rock out in his garage.
* Beating the 38-Year Deadline: Chuck’s childhood premonition that he would “sell his soul” for rock and roll and only live to 38, the exact age he was diagnosed with cancer, and how surviving it reignited Testament.
* The Meaning of “Holding My Breath”: The literal and metaphorical meaning behind the book’s title, tracing a stubborn childhood habit to the way Chuck navigated his entire career and life.
* Guest Forewords: Why it was crucial to have Metal God Rob Halford (representing the “Old Testament” era) and Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe (representing the “New Testament” era) pen the foreword and afterword.
* The Ultimate Question: Does Chuck Billy put pineapple on his pizza?
Chuck Billy
Pre-order the book: ChuckBillyBook.com (Keep an eye out for special editions signed by Chuck, Rob Halford, and Randy Blythe!)
Get full access to Fans With Bands at
Drift
Saison 6 · Épisode 15
mercredi 13 mai 2026 • Durée 48:29
In this episode, I had the fellas in Drift. Thanks to my old friend Bill Fitzpatrick for sharing the music of this new metalcore band from Detroit. They are playing powerful music that will definitely appeal to fans of Wage War, I Prevail, and Misery Index. We talked about how these guys got together, their prolific songwriting, and plans for the future. As usual, we got into origin stories and pizza toppings.
Check out Drift’s latest singles “Alone” and “Deceiver” which are out on all the streaming platforms.
In this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Ron and Zach from Widetrack. I’m so happy to have found the powerful, emotive, and deeply satisfying music from this father and son duo. I very much enjoyed talking with them about how they got started and their respective musical journeys. Of course, we talked a bit about their future plans and pizza.
Be on the lookout for shows this summer with Widetrack. In the meantime, I highly recommend their latest album Galatea. Get your copy today!.
Music Notes With Nuno - Wrong Way Rockers: Peninsular Metal
Saison 6 · Épisode 13
mercredi 15 avril 2026 • Durée 53:49
In this episode, we are back with another installment of Music Notes with Nuno. Chuck and Nuno reunite across the globe to dive into a special assignment. Chuck’s buddy Vic from the Michigan-based label Dystopian Dogs Productions sent over a brand new 12-track compilation vinyl titled Wrong Way Rockers: Peninsular Metal. They dive into the record, admire the old-school artwork, and give a track-by-track breakdown.
Album Spotlight: Wrong Way Rockers: Peninsular Metal
* Format: Vinyl compilation featuring 12 metal tracks from the Michigan area.
* Artwork: The cover art by Timothy Jenkins gives off an old-school Frank Kozik vibe. The inside gatefold photo by David Zimmerman sets the tone.
* Extras: The record comes with an awesome booklet where each band gets a dedicated page to showcase their art and info.
* Overall Vibe: Both Chuck and Nuno agree the compilation is incredibly well-thought-out, perfectly balancing different metal subgenres (thrash, progressive, power) without a single track feeling out of place.
* The Vibe: Heavy metal with a progressive flare and power metal elements.
* Highlights: An energetic instrumental track chock-full of great guitar leads and sweet solos.
* Background: Originally from Lansing, MI, the band appears to have reunited after a 10-15 year hiatus.
Get full access to Fans With Bands at
Blockhouse Valley
Saison 6 · Épisode 12
mercredi 1 avril 2026 • Durée 58:23
In this episode, I had a chance to chat with Ashleigh and Cody of Blockhouse Valley. It was a joy talking with them about how they came together to form their band, how they approach making music, influences, and so much more. They mix their love of Americana, show tunes, and jazz into a delightful amalgam of music..
Be sure to pick up a copy of their latest album It’s Alright and be on the lookout for their new album coming soon.
In this episode, I had a chance to chat with Cory, Megan, and Bryan of Casket Robbery. They craft seriously heavy and brutal horror themed death metal with a bit of secret sauce. We talk about how the band got started, their secret sauce that lends eerie tones to their tunes, influences, and more.
Casket Robbery are headed out west for Vegas Un Alive Fest (March 20) and a string of other shows. They are also part of the fantastic lineup at this year’s Milwaukee Metal Fest which runs from Friday June 5 to Sunday June 7. Casket Robbery will be playing on Saturday June 6. Make it a metal weekend and get your tickets for the Milwaukee Metal Fest today! Tickets for all upcoming Casket Robbery shows can be found here.
Découvrez des podcasts liées à Fans With Bands. Explorez des podcasts avec des thèmes, sujets, et formats similaires. Ces similarités sont calculées grâce à des données tangibles, pas d'extrapolations !
* The Vibe: A mix of evil metal and stoner rock fueled by the spirit of King Diamond.
* Highlights: Eerie keyboard melodies mixed with high-pitched vocals.
* Background: Closes out Side A. The band shows off their veteran status here with highly professional production and composition—while clearly having a lot of fun.
* The Vibe: Early Iron Maiden (circa Killers) with raspy vocals and a heavily punkish attitude.
* Highlights: A street-wise, thrashy track that channels early Metallica (Kill ‘Em All), Sodom, and the Canadian thrash pioneers Exciter.
* Background: Kicks off Side B. The track’s raw, formative energy leads the guys into a discussion about who really recorded the first thrash metal song.
8. Jail – “January”
* The Vibe:Hell Awaits-era Slayer worship with a darkened, Satanic thrash aesthetic.
* Highlights: A fast-paced, old-school thrash track that also brings early Dark Angel to mind.
* Background: The aggressive, “evil sounding” nature of the track leads Chuck and Nuno into a fun tangent about the early days of metal panic and overzealous religious protesters at Ozzy and Maiden shows.
* The Vibe: Epic doom blended with epic power metal vocals.
* Highlights: A unique mashup style that gives off a heavy Candlemass vibe.
* Background: Nuno’s 4th favorite track on the compilation. Both Chuck and Nuno single out vocalist Ryan for his compelling vocal delivery, with Nuno declaring this the best vocal performance on the entire record.
10. Anguish – “Celephaïs”
* The Vibe: Power metal with soaring, high-register vocals reminiscent of Grim Reaper, infused with psychedelic wah pedal work.
* Highlights: Chuck and Nuno describe the interesting guitar work as what it would sound like “if Jimi Hendrix had a metal band”.
* Background: Features the kind of “Jimi Hendrix infused Wawa pedal” work that prompts Nuno to (jokingly) trash Metallica’s Kirk Hammett.
* The Vibe: Lively power metal with ripping guitar solos and a haunting, classical vibe.
* Highlights: An operatic, epic track deeply influenced by Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol.
* Background: Nuno’s 5th favorite track. The song’s clear reverence for Manilla Road sparks a passionate agreement between Chuck and Nuno that Manilla Road is one of the most underrated bands in metal.
* The Vibe: A fine line between hard rock and power metal with strong New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) influences, akin to early Saxon.
* Highlights: Hard rock-leaning vocals paired with driving power metal guitar riffs and instrumentation.
* Background: Closes out the album, and ranks as Nuno’s 6th favorite track. It represents that classic early ‘80s transitional era when hard rock was evolving into heavy metal, reminiscent of the Paul Di’Anno years of early Iron Maiden.
