Feckin’ Metal Podcast

Ep11. Lesser Spotted Maiden

For my first ever solo episode, I decided to discuss my favourite band of all time - Iron Maiden.  I delve into the deep cuts of post-reunion Iron Maiden and bring you a carefully-chosen selection from each of the studio albums between Brave New World and The Book of Souls. I also go off on several rants and tangents about: Iron Maiden video games and comics, Blabbermouth.net, Iron Maiden single releases, the band's obsession with "death", The Osbournes, and the TV program Lesser Spotted Ulster. Enjoy!

Ep10. Robert Garven (Cirith Ungol)

This week I speak to Robert Garven from doom and power metal pioneers Cirith Ungol. Rob talks about his early fandom of Thin Lizzy, buying import records as a teenager, spending pocket money on pot and corn burritos, meeting Rush at the Whisky A Go Go, pay-to-play gigs, the artwork of Michael Whelan, the influence of Lord of the Rings, being too heavy for heavy metal radio,  and so much more, in this career-spanning chat. Rob was an absolute pleasure to speak to and has an abundance of stories from the early days of Cirith Ungol right up to their triumphant return to the stage in 2016.

Ep09. Steven Waddell (Oath Sc)

This week on Feckin' Metal, I speak to Steven Waddell, the creative force behind Scottish act Oath Sc. Steven talks about how the original Oath EP was recorded using primitive equipment,  the advancements in the Oath sound since recruiting Trevor William Church from Haunt, lyrical inspiration and how "sword and sorcery" is not a good fit for him personally, the artwork of Daniel Porter, the culture of online trolls, and his upcoming full album - Computer Warrior. We also fit in some chat about Oliver/Dawson Saxon and Marillion! Steven was a witty and engaging guest. Enjoy!

Ep08. Trevor William Church (Haunt)

This week on Feckin' Metal I speak to Trevor William Church, the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and guiding force behind Haunt, who are based in Fresno, California. Trevor talks in great detail about his recent collaborations with the Los Angeles band S A B E R (correct spacing), and Scottish outfit, Oath. He also discusses his approach to interacting with fans, re-investing earnings in studio equipment, Shadow Kingdom Records vs. the freedom of being independent, Spotify vs. Bandcamp, the stigma of being the son of a rock star, and what's next for Haunt. Trevor was a very candid and talkative guest. Enjoy!

Ep07. Jake Rogers (Visigoth)

This week I chat to Jake Rogers from Salt Lake City-based traditional metallers - Visigoth. We talk about Jake's early singing days and how he inadvertently trained his voice during many long car journeys. We also discuss the scene in Salt Lake City, traditional metal acts of today potentially headlining stadiums in the future, Visigoth's songwriting approach and how pop should not be dismissed when coming up with hooks and choruses, the legalities behind a name, the importance of quality merchandise, and Jake reflects on the passing of Mark Shelton, and a birthday present of sorts that he received from Mark a few years ago. Jake also recommends several current bands on the scene, at my request, that listeners of Feckin' Metal may wish to explore. Oh, and he gives us the inside scoop on current Visigoth activity. This episode is packed with stories and insight from one of the best bands on the scene right now. Enjoy!

Ep06. Adrian Maestas (Slough Feg)

This week on Feckin' Metal, I speak to Adrian Maestas, long-standing bass player from the San Francisco-based heavy metal band Slough Feg. We talk about Adrian's early experiences buying Napalm Death, and German import Misfits records, Slough Feg's Spinal Tap drummer syndrome, philosophy, the COVID lockdown affect on the band, dog aliens, the iconography of the Traveller t-shirt, cancelled gigs and promoters who still owe the band money, pool balls in socks, LED lights, touring, and what may lie ahead for Slough Feg. Adrian is an entertaining and engaging guest. This is an episode not to be missed!

Ep05. Jarvis Leatherby (Night Demon)

This week, I speak to night Demon frontman, and generally very busy bloke, Jarvis Leatherby. We discuss Night Demon's approach to releasing music, Jarvis's role in bringing Cirith Ungol back to the stage, what festivals like Keep It True and Up The Hammers mean to the scene, how Jarvis took matters into his own hands and ended up managing Visigoth, The Legacy Of The Beast video game - and a broader discussion about band mythology, and we even chat briefly about DDP Yoga! This was a very enjoyable episode for me, and I appreciated Jarvis's honestly and openness. FECK!

Ep04. Gerry Mulholland (Rabid of the North)

This week I speak to Gerry Mulholland, guitarist in Belfast-based heavy metal stalwarts Rabid Bitch of The North. Gerry and I have a varied discussion covering the origins of the band (and the name), the heavy metal scene in Ireland, the prevalence of extreme metal bands on the current scene, bootleg merchandise, and future plans for Rabid Bitch of the North. Rabid Bitch have been flying the flag for Irish metal for a decade and a half and this chat is well worth your time!

Ep03. Nesbit (Talking Maiden and Night Demon Podcast)

In Episode 3 of Feckin' Metal, I speak to Nesbit, the co-host of Talking Maiden and host of the Night Demon Heavy Metal Podcast. Nesbit and I go back a couple of years, since we met in The Cart & Horses pub in London, on a weekend where Iron Maiden were playing a double header in the O2 Arena. We've been talking rock and metal regularly since then, so I thought it would be nice to have him on as a guest to discuss his top 5 hard rock and heavy metal albums of all time. This was a thoroughly enjoyable discussion, where Nesbit gives his personal history with each album, we cordially debate about Appetite for Destruction and "grunge", and Nesbit also reveals his two favourite guitar solos of all time - the results will shock you!

Ep02. Kyle McNeill (Seven Sisters)

In Episode 2 of Feckin' Metal, I speak to Kyle McNeill, singer and guitarist from UK-based heavy metal band Seven Sisters. We discuss the origins of the band, Kyle's unlikely start as a singer (and the steps he has taken so as not to sound like the Lancashire Hotpots), early releases, first gigs, and approaches to songwriting. We also chat about the duelling formats of vinyl and streaming, and their coincidental rise in popularity, the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal movement, and what legacy acts can do to help up and coming artists like Seven Sisters. Kyle also provides an exclusive update about the band's forthcoming album! All this and quite a lot more on the sophomore episode of Feckin' Metal!