Episode 35: Franz Nicolay
The Hold Steady’s and World Inferno Friendship Society’s Franz Nicolay joins me to talk about his rock novel ‘Someone Should Pay For Your Pain’, a story that follows singer-songwriter Rudy, his conflicted relationship with a successful former protégé named Ryan, and Rudy’s young niece, Lily, who wants to travel with him and whose surprise appearance forces a reckoning with himself and his past.
Episode 34: Rex Weiner
In this episode, Rex Weiner joins me to talk about his book ‘The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane’. The 1990 movie starring Andrew Dice Clay is loosely based on the character Rex created.
Episode 33: Jason Warburg
Ever wondered if politics and rock ‘n roll had a baby what it would look like? In this episode of Rock is Lit, Jason Warburg is here to tell you. He’s the author of the rock novel ‘Believe in Me’ from Wampus Multimedia, a story in which young political operative Tim Green finds himself in the orbit of a super famous rock ‘n roll band.
Episode 32: Ben Arzate with David Novak
In this episode, Ben Arzate talks about his horror rock novel ‘Music Is Over’, a story that deals with the lost years of musician Juntaro Yamanouchi of the Japanese Noise band The Gerogerigegege. In the last segment of the episode, David Novak, author of the award-winning book ‘Japanoise: Music at the Edge of Circulation’, drops by to talk with me about this style of music.
Episode 31: Daniel Torday with Ty Gilpin
In this episode, Daniel Torday, author of the novel ‘Boomer1’, joins me to talk about the book, Bluegrass music, revolutionaries, political rants, and the Wild West of the Internet (otherwise known as the Deep Web). Later, mandolin player for the Bluegrass band Unspoken Tradition and music marketing director for Crossroads Studios, Ty Gilpin joins me to give a crash course on Bluegrass.
Bonus Episode: Scott Michaels
In this bonus episode, which is really an addendum to Season 1 Episode 6, featuring Zachary Lazar’s rock novel ‘Sway’, a story that brings together the early Rolling Stones, the films of avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and members of the Manson Family, Scott Michaels joins me to talk about Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders and what it was like working as a consultant on Quentin Tarantino’s film ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.
Episode 30: John Wray with Jon Verno and Tom Gigliotti
In this episode, John Wray is here to talk about his brand-new novel, ‘Gone to the Wolves’, which author Raven Leilani describes as “a love letter to metal that captures both its brutal kinetics and its nearness to the sublime.” In the last segment, Jon Verno, from the Metal Mayhem ROC podcast, and Tom Gigliotti, co-host of Shout It Out Loudcast, school me on several subgenres of metal mentioned in ‘Gone to the Wolves’, including death, thrash, black, and glam metal.
Episode 29: Brett Marie (AKA Mat Treiber)
Brett Marie (AKA Musician Mat Treiber) is my guest in this episode. Brett and I talk about his novel, 'The Upsetter Blog'; working with his wife, singer-songwriter musician and writer, Roxanne Fontana; how Anton Newcombe inspired his main character; Gram Parsons’ room at the Joshua Tree Inn; and so much more.
Episode 28: Garth Risk Hallberg On ‘City on Fire’, the New Apple TV+ Series Based On His 2015 Novel
Garth Risk Hallberg joins me to talk about the new Apple TV+ series ‘City on Fire’, which is based on his 2015 international bestselling novel of the same title. The first three episodes of this eight-episode music-driven mystery thriller premiere Friday, May 12, 2023. You can catch one new episode weekly through June 16, 2023.
Episode 27: The Yardbirds Drummer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member, & Author Jim McCarty
In this special episode of Rock is Lit, one of the original members of The Yardbirds joins me: Drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jim McCarty is here to talk about his music career and experience with The Yardbirds; his interest in and exploration of the paranormal and spirituality; his endearing and enduring relationship with his late wife, Lizzie; and his book ‘She Walks In Beauty’, the fascinating story of their relationship and Jim’s quest to connect with her after her passing.
Episode 26: Jessamyn Violet with Lina Lecaro
In this episode, acclaimed musician Jessamyn Violet joins me to talk about her novel, ‘Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar’, a gritty, glittery, queer YA debut about a teenage musician who jumps at a chance to play in her favorite rock band on their upcoming world tour, only to realize her heroes have their own agenda and might be leading her down a dark path. In the last segment of the episode, ‘LA Weekly’ Culture & Entertainment Editor, Lina Lecaro, drops in to talk about the LA music scene in the 1990s, which is where/when Jessamyn’s novel is set, and some of the women who were rockin’ the town and the world at that time.
Episode 25: Cheryl J. Fish with Lucas Hare
In this episode, Cheryl J. Fish joins me to talk about her new novel, ‘Off the Yoga Mat,’ a story set during the Y2K craze that features yoga, Finnish sauna culture, and Bob Dylan. In the last segment, Lucas Hare, co-host of the Is It Rolling, Bob? Talking Dylan podcast, drops in to do a deep dive into Dylan’s career at the end of the 20th century.
Episode 24: Lance Olsen with Nick DeMatteo
This episode is all about David Bowie—the fictional and real person! Lance Olsen joins me to talk about his rock novel, ‘Always Crashing in the Same Car: A Novel After David Bowie’, then, in the last segment of the episode, Nick DeMatteo, host of the Music is not a Genre podcast, does a deep dive into David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy albums.
Episode 23: Sarah Pinsker with Nabil Ayers
This episode of Rock is Lit ventures into the world of science fiction. Sarah Pinsker is here to talk about her sci fi rock novel—yes, they do exist—‘A Song For A New Day’, a story that takes place after a global pandemic makes public gatherings illegal and concerts impossible, hence the rise of DIY music venues.
In the last segment, Rock is Lit veteran Nabil Ayers drops by to give me some insight into the world of DIY music venues.
Episode 22: Rob Errera With Zeena Schreck
This episode of Rock is Lit ventures into the horror rock novel subgenre, with Rob Errera’s novel ‘Hangman’s Jam’, about a haunted song that beguiles an up-and-coming rock band. In the last segment, Zeena Schreck joins the show once again, this time to talk about the power certain songs have in spiritual and magical practices.
Episode 10: Jennifer Haupt with Charles R. Cross and Nabil Ayers
If you love Nirvana, especially Kurt Cobain, you’re in for a treat, because we’re getting down in the grit and grunge in this episode. Jennifer Haupt talks about her novel ‘Come As You Are’, which spotlights the early 1990s Seattle grunge scene, especially the music of Nirvana. Later, to add real-world context to the novel, Charles R. Cross and Nabil Ayers drop in to share their insight into Kurt Cobain—the musical genius and the human being—and their experiences as part of the music scene in Seattle during the ‘90s.
Episode 6: Zachary Lazar With Tony Sokol and Zeena Schreck
In this episode, Zachary Lazar and I talk about his rock novel, ‘Sway, the connection between early Rolling Stones, the avant-garde filmmaker and occultist Kenneth Anger, and Charles Manson and the Manson Family. Later, Tony Sokol drops by to talk about the Stones’ actual involvement in the occult, then very special guest Zeena Schreck shares her memories of her godfather Kenneth Anger and gives her insight into some of his work.
Episode 4: Janet Fitch With Pleasant Gehman and Nicole Panter
In this episode of Rock is Lit, I'm joined by Janet Fitch, author of the rock novel 'Paint it Black', which is set in 1980 in the L.A. punk scene, with the music of The Germs, The Weirdos, The Cramps, and other legendary bands of that era looming large in the story. Then I'm joined by two giants of the real L.A. punk world of that period: writer, punk rocker, and rock ‘n roll witch Pleasant Gehman, and Nicole Panter, former manager of The Germs.
Episode 2: Suzi Quatro With Katherine Turman
I'm thrilled to welcome the great Suzi Quatro to talk about her rock novel 'The Hurricane', her favorite 'Happy Days' episode, what Suzi thinks made her the first successful female musician, her paranormal experiences, and how Suzi and I are soul sisters. Later, journalist and producer of Alice Cooper’s syndicated radio show, 'Nights With Alice Cooper', Katherine Turman joins me to talk about Suzi’s place in rock ‘n roll history.
Episode 1: Jeff Jackson With Nathan D. Duvall
In this episode of Rock is Lit, I’m thrilled to welcome novelist, playwright, visual artist, and songwriter Jeff Jackson, author of the novel 'Destroy All Monsters: The Last Rock Novel', which centers around the killing of bands as they perform on stage by members of their own audience. Later, Nathan D. Duvall, host of the Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM, joins the podcast to talk about real-world examples when this kind of violence has erupted at live shows.