Michael Angelo Batio – Musical Guest
While every TMS musical guest is impressive, Michael Angelo Batio showed off insane shredding skills on both a single guitar, and his unique double neck guitar which he plays right and left handed at the same time. He got the idea for the guitar when he saw a boy playing two saxophones at the same time. Watching a single guitarist play harmonies with both hands simultaneously is mind-boggling. Batio has been touring all over Europe recently, and will have a new album coming out on 4/14/15. The album, entitled Shred Force 1, is being released by George Lynch’s Rat Pack Records. The album features over 20 guest musicians including: Lynch, Mark Tremonti and Rudy Sarzo.
Take It Or Leave It – Tiered Pricing VIP Packages
Jim – Take It. Album sales are down, bands have to do what they can to bring in money.
Don – Take It. When we were kids going to concerts, there were no opportunities like this. If you have the money, you can do it now. He doesn’t think that the extreme amounts of money are worth it though.
Eddie – Take it (to a degree). It used to be that the most passionate, hardcore fans were the people that got up early to get front row seats. Now, it just goes to the people with the most money who aren’t usually as into it. The most passionate fans are now in the back.
TMS Top 5 – Replacement Members (not including singers, and came after the debut album)
- Neil Peart
- Adrian Smith
- Eric Carr
- Jason Newsted
- Marty Friedman
TMS Fans
- Neil Peart
- Jason Newstead
- Eric Carr
- Zakk Wylde
- Kirk Hammett
GUESTS: Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), John Bush & Joey Vera (Armored Saint)
Jamey Jasta
The guys discussed how hard-working Jasta is, working simultaneously on Hatebreed and a podcast that he launched. He has also hosted Headbanger’s Ball in the past. Although Jasta is definitely metal, his podcast features a variety of artists, including those who are considered very commercial. He believes that any promotion that hard rock and metal get in the mainstream helps everyone, so he doesn’t hate any bands.
Hatebreed will be opening for Motorhead on the Motorboat cruise in September and October, and will also be opening for Slipknot on arena tour dates in April and May. The band will also be playing Rock On The Range. For VIP packages, check out www.HatebreedVIP.com.
John Bush & Joey Vera
Both guys were first-time TMS guests. Armored Saint has a new album coming out on 6/2/15 entitled Win Hands Down. A video is being shot for the title track soon. The band will be going out with Saxon to support the album beginning in May. The tour will include a date at the Los Angeles House Of Blues, which will be closing shortly afterwards. The guys are best friends who have also played together in Anthrax. An interesting fact about John Bush was revealed. In between his work with Anthrax and Armored Saint, he did over 300 voiceovers, and he was the voice of Burger King for a while.
PUT IT ON THE TABLE – Jamey, John, Joey
If you could be in any other band, what band would it be, and what would you play?
Jamey – Slayer, bass and sing
John – Judas Priest, singer
Joey – Judas Priest, drummer on the Hell Bent For Leather Tour
What was the best concert that you’ve ever attended?
Jamey – Metallica at Bowery Ballroom and at The Apollo.
John – U2, San Diego Sports Arena, All That You Can’t Leave Behind Tour (he and his wife consummated their relationship after the show at the Holiday Inn Express across the street from the arena)
Joey – Roger Waters, The Wall tour
What was the first song that you learned to play?
Jamey – “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple
John – “Feels Like The First Time” by Foreigner
Joey – “Cat Scratch Fever” by Ted Nugent
PICK OF THE WEEK – (Non music)
Eddie – Lyve App for photos (www.MyLyve.com)
Don – The Zombie Horror Picture Show book (all photographs)
Jim – Andrew Dice Clay’s autobiography – The Filthy Truth
METAL MODEM – Jason Becker
Jason Becker is an accomplished guitarist who has played with Marty Friedman, Richie Kotzen, David Lee Rother and others. He was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) around 1990, and was given only 3-5 years to live. After losing his ability to speak, his father developed a system for him to communicate with his eyes. It started out with a simple letter grid, and has now advanced to a product called EyeSpeak, which exceeded its goal on Kickstarter. With his mother interpreting his eye movements, the guys discussed the documentary about his life entitled Not Dead Yet, his time with David Lee Roth and his work with Marty Friedman. He talked about how he still writes music, and how it is healing for him, and also that a number of his guitar player friends show up every year on his birthday and play for him. His is currently working on a new album with Chris Broderick on classical guitar, and a number of other guests.
THROWDOWN – Black Sabbath’s Dio Classics – “Heaven & Hell” vs “Mob Rules”
Jamey – Heaven & Hell
Joey – Heaven & Hell
John – Mob Rules
Eddie – Heaven & Hell
Jim – Heaven & Hell
Don – Mob Rules
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For that Top 5 I had at least either Herman Rarebell or Mathias Jabs, both for the Scorpions as one of my choices. Both came into the band during a pivot point in the direction the band took forward with its music which was a choice of going more mainstream hard rock or going more in a punk direction.