Wednesday, August 20, 2025

A Chat with Author MELISSA MESZAROS ("Song Over the Bones")


Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with author Melissa Meszaros (Heavy Metal Headbang) about her forthcoming memoir, Song Over the Bones, and the life-changing events and struggles that inspired its creation.

Links in the Video Description

(Check out the Melissa Meszaros/Steve Moriarty book tour dates listed below the video.)









EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


Tuesday, July 29, 2025

A Chat with MARK NOAH (ANTI-HEROS)


Author/journalist Joel Gausten welcomes Anti-Heros frontman Mark Noah to address the recent accusations of racism and Nazism made against the band and respond to other concerns raised by the group's output.

Anti-Heros





EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


Sunday, July 27, 2025

A Chat with Musician/Journalist JORDAN MAMONE (ALGER HISS/LEE MILLER/VICE/PLEASE KILL ME)


Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with veteran musician and journalist Jordan Mamone (Alger Hiss/Lee Miller/Vice/Please Kill Me) about his history in the New York City underground music scene and his work behind the scenes coordinating archival releases for Rat at Rat R, Bag People, No Trend, and others.

Links in the Video Description






EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


Wednesday, July 23, 2025

A Chat with JESSE KRAKOW (KRAKHOUSE/SHUDDER TO THINK/DOT WIGGIN BAND/TIME OF ORCHIDS)

Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with veteran musician Jesse Krakow (Shudder To Think/Time of Orchids/Dot Wiggin Band/Doctor Nerve/Fast 'N' Bulbous) about Bastards of Prog, the new 84-track album by his experimental music project, Krakhouse.

Links in the Video Description





EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Words for Oz

Ozzy and Joel, 2001


It’s no surprise that part of the nearly $200 million raised at Ozzy’s final concert just 17 days ago will go to a children’s hospital. After all, he had been saving lives with his music since 1970.

He was more than a singer. Those weren’t just songs he sang — he was the voice of those who struggled to find their own. The outcasts. The misunderstood. The “losers.” The people who looked at their current circumstances, or their lives to come, and thought, “What is this that stands before me?” He stood for us and held us up until he physically couldn’t any longer — and then, 40,000 of his people gathered in their masses at an arena in Birmingham to stand for HIM.
A poor post-war Brit grew up to lead the greatest charity concert in history, just a short walk from the war-torn streets that raised him. That’s a perfect narrative — and the most metal-as-fuck thing imaginable.
What a life. What a fucking man.
My love and deepest condolences to his family and dear friends — especially Bill, whose grief is surely immeasurable.
The Prince of Darkness gave us light.
Forever may he shine.



EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


Wednesday, July 16, 2025

A Chat with WESLIE NEGRÓN of MOTHS


Author/journalist Joel Gausten taks with Weslie Negrón of MOTHS about the Progressive Metal band's extraordinary forthcoming album, Septem (out August 1).

Links in the Video Description






EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com


Friday, July 11, 2025

A Chat with JACKO MONAHAN (THE BRIGHTON BAR/DIRGE/FATAL RAGE/DA-WORKS)

Author/journalist Joel Gausten talks with legendary New Jersey promoter, poet, and singer Jack "Jacko" Monahan (The Brighton Bar/Dirge/Fatal Rage/Da-Works) about his extensive history in the Garden State underground music scene.

Links in the Video Description





EMAIL JOEL at gaustenbooks@gmail.com