Cutter's Rockcast

Winston McCall is the lead singer of the Australian metalcore band Parkway Drive. Before the pandemic hit Parkway had been on a trajectory to become of the biggest metal bands in the world. Playing to thousands of fans every night they had broken through to the mainstream and had a couple top 20 rock singles in a row. Then the pandemic, then mental health struggles within the band. Winston opens up about those struggles and how it has shaped the band into being a stronger, tighter outfit than ever before. Armed with a new album that was written and recorded during the darkest times called 'Darker Still' they are definitely on their way back to the path they were on three years ago.

Wow, it's the 300th full episode of Cutter's Rockacst. Six years, many rockstars, stories, and even a couple of different co-hosts. Kaytie became my radio partner right around the time this podcast was launched so it was only a matter of time before she became my co-host. To this day two of the most listened to or downloaded episodes of this podcast, it was her hosting. I miss doing interviews and having some of the most open conversations of my life with her. Life has taken both of us in different directions since the pandemic, but I cornered her and got her in a room with me for a special episode of Cutter's Rockcast. Oh and don't think we've lightened up, we dig deep on a couple of subjects that are always hard to talk about, depression and sobriety.

Earlier this summer when Jonny Hawkins of Nothing More sat down for a conversation about new music and touring I told him we should do it again when their new album 'Spirits' drops. Guess what's out today? That's right, Nothing More's new album 'Spirits.' This time we dig much further into the record and into the mind of the most enigmatic yet mesmorzing frontmen in the world of current hard rock.

The guitar legend, the guitar god, the man behind some of the greatest guitar licks and albums in the history of rock, Joe Satriani joins us on the Rockcast. He has a new solo instrumental album out called 'The Elephants of Mars.' It's an album that sees Joe go a little darker as he and his band recorded the album in a solitude of sorts away from each other during the middle of the pandemic. Through his guitar, Joe has been able to accomplish what few writers and musicians are able to, play and write what he wants, how he wants while wearing his heart on his sleeve. He explores emotions through his guitar that somehow paint a picture in your mind. Of course, Joe has also played in the supergroup rock band Chickenfoot with Sammy Hagar, Micheal Anthony, and Chad Smith. Let's nerd out on guitars and music with Joe Satriani.

He's the metal god!! Rob Halford has finally joined me on the Rockcast. After Rob was a regular guest on my old show, Hangar 19 it's been many years since I've sat down for a conversation with Mr. Halford, and the timing couldn't be better. Judas Priest are embarking on the 3rd leg of their 50 years of heavy metal tour celebrating their fantastic career. On top of that, Judas Priest are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (finally) this November.

Once in awhile a conversation happens with someone you've never met and you just connect. Understanding music and the musicians who make music is something that has always been my goal. I'm a musician myself and music is everything. Alex and I got into a conversation that just goes deeper than most. On top of that The Native Howl is one of the most original bands on the planet. They call themselves thrash grass, it's a mixture of thrash metal and bluegrass. It's as crazy as it sounds, but it's better than you'd ever expect. One last time we're backstage at Louder Than Life, and our final conversation is with the lead singer and guitarist for The Native Howl.

Pop Evil absolutely brought it to Louisville at Louder Than Life. Chris Laplant was filling in on guitar so I asked frontman Leigh Kakaty backstage what happened to Nick. Once we start talking though, we just talk, like old friends do.

In 2011 it looked like Red Light King were about to become huge after having two singles that did very well, one of them peaking at number 3 on the rock charts. Then, it didn't happen. It's not that they went away, it's more of a business thing. It was awesome to catch up backstage at Louder Than Life with Red Light King and to see them back on the mainstage and doing their groove rock thing.

All Good Things jumped onto the scene and immediately scored a number one song with the song For the Glory featuring Hollywood Undead. Now they are finally out on the road and I caught up with lead singer Dan Murphy backstage at Louder Than Life. We also got a chance to talk about their new song with Lacey Sturm that benefits mental health and their work with the To Write Love On Her Arms Foundation.

This is the most awkward interview I've ever done. Listen I know my GWAR history, but with the mask on, while standing in a backstage area where you can hardly hear yourself, he had no idea what I was saying and I had no idea what he was saying. Since GWAR are our masters I will publish this very short interview anyway knowing that if I don't I may not be safe any longer. Their new album 'The New Dark Ages' rules though! There's even a song on the new album called "The Cutter" featuring Lzzy Hale

You have a set to play that's 13-15 songs, but your band has had 19 number-one singles and 25 top 10s. How do you pick which songs to play live when you're that popular? I had to ask my old friend Barry Kerch that exact question.

I started hearing the name Ego Kill Talent at the last festival I covered, three years ago at Aftershock in California. Why? Because they were this newer band from Brazil that was already turning heads, they were booked to go on tour with Metallica and play all the American rock festivals in 2020. Obviously, that didn't happen due to the pandemic, finally, they are here! I'm proud to say that this was their first show on U.S. soil and I was their first interview in the states.

The beauty of having music conversations at music festivals is sometimes you get to a band or two or on the rise who you immediately connect with. That's the case with Mike's Dead. He's a rapper, a metal artist and so much more. He has everything in place to become very popular very soon and has already taken over social media including TikTok.

Joining me backstage at the Louder Than Life Music Festival in Louisville, KY is drummer Will Hunt from Evanescence, but also from Slaughter, and also from the band where I first heard of Will, Skrape!

The four girls that make up the rock band Plush joined me for a few minutes at the Louder Than Life Music Festival in Louisville, KY

I'm backstage at the Louder Than Life Music Festival in Louisville, KY with Mikko Siren of the Finish Cello-infused metal band Apocalyptica.

A rock band with a top 40 hit? Say it ain't so! Ghost released the song "Mary on a Cross" three years ago as a one-off song that was part of a special 7-inch vinyl release. Suddenly, the song has been trending on TikTok and has begun to show up everywhere. On top of that they are wrapping up a North American arena tour, the song "Spillways" from the album 'Impera' is a top 20 rock song and let's not forget that they also covered "Enter Sandman" as part of the 30th anniversary 'Blacklist' release for Metallica's 'Black Album.' It's time to say hi to one of rock's biggest stars, Tobias Forge of Ghost.

Go ahead and try to say the name Thundermother without saying it loud and with a rock n' roll voice? Can't do it. One-half of the Swedish all female rock band Thundermother join us this week from the road. They are on their first ever North American tour opening for The Scorpions in support of their new album 'Black & Gold' which is available now.

New Years Day has been killing it in the scene for a decade now, but it wasn't until 2019 that they had an actual "radio" hit with the song "Shut Up." Now Ash Costello and company are set to replicate that their new song "Hurts Like Hell" and a new tour with Halestorm that kicks off later this month.

Bobby Amaru became the lead singer of Saliva in 2011 right after original singer Josie Scott left the band. During a decade Saliva were up there with Godsmack, Papa Roach and all the other mainstream "active" rock bands. Since they've continued doing exactly what they set out to do, play kick ass rock music. Now with a new song "Crows" rising up the rock radio charts and a one off reunion planned with their original singer it's time to catch up with Bobby. We go through his history as a songwriter that brought him to the band and everything new that's going on with Saliva.