Interview w/ MIKE VARNEY (Shrapnel Records)

On this episode of The Heavy Galaxy Show, Matt and John chat with Shrapnel Records founder Mike Varney to discuss the iconic label's 40-plus year history in heavy rock and metal. Varney starts off by discussing his early foray into the music world as an aspiring musician/guitarist in the SF Bay Area playing for various bands in the heavy rock scene. Mike discusses the impetus to start Shrapnel in 1980 and finding his niche-within-a-niche by focusing on signing young guitar shredders which helped catapult guitar driven rock in the early 80's. Varney reminisces on his discovering Swedish guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen and discusses the roadblocks he faced in bringing him over to the US, discovering Cliff Burton with his band Trauma before he joined Metallica, his love for the current heavy/stoner rock scene and live music in Las Vegas and much more.