Japan Nick's Rock and Metal Pandemonium

Cancion Franklin is a rock and country musician originally from Arizona who has relocated to New York City. He spoke about going back home to Arizona when the Pandemic was taking off. He ended up breaking his arm while he was back in Arizona and spoke about how songwriting was for him while his arm was healing. We spoke about how his songwriting evolved from Stone to Stone to “Just Made Rent.” Cancion spoke about how getting his music played on the Roots Music Report and with the Americana Music Association improved things for himself. He elaborated on getting News 4 New York to do a news story on him. He spoke about his feelings on being a producer and what he was trying to do working on Leah Test’s All You Ramblers.

This is an interview with Sergio Ginez, Max Vartanian, And Jimmy Flores of Chaotic Injustice on Friday August 6th 2021 by Nick Perkel We learned about everyone’s first instruments and history in music education. We talked about what kind of new trends going on in music that they are excited about and how shows are going to start happening again. They are a band that rehearses once a week and are looking forward to live shows going off in the near future.

Portland Oregon Guitarist Gabe Franco discusses how his band Idle Hands changed their name to Unto Others and the trials and tribulations the band has dealt with from the name change, signing to Roadrunner Records, and writing new songs. We discussed a bit about the new album Strength and gave advise for the average working class bands out there.

JNQP 55 070421 Inhuman Condition The Skunk Ape Interview On July 4th Jeramy and Taylor gave Japan Nick an interview to talk about their new band Inhuman Condition which formed from an album they made when they were then Massacre members working on an album together. They spoke about Terry Butler of Death and Cannibal Corpse joining their band and Rick Rozz of Death and Massacre giving them solos for 3 different songs. They also mentioned an urban legend involving Glen Benton of Deicide and the Skunk Ape.

JNQP 54 062921 Flotsam and Jetsam Drummer Ken Mary Interview Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 54 Flotsam and Jetsam Drummer Ken Mary Interview We spoke about Ken getting his first drumset and early tutors he had. He spoke about seeing KISS when he was 11. He talked a bit about the 2016 ST Flotsam album and working on it a little bit as well as The End of Chaos and Blood in The Water,

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 53 062021 Ryan Smith The Crusasis Graveyard of Drums Interview We learn about Ryan's first drumset. Ryan spoke about his travels from the New York/New Jersey to Alaska, Europe and various parts of Asia. He talked about his upcoming album the Long Night and we spoke about several songs from it. We finished things up with a fun urban legend/ghost story.

JNQP 52 061621 Velvet Insane interview Jesper spoke about getting his very first guitar and learning to play in Sweden. He talked about forming his band Velvet Insane and we spoke about recording the album Rock N Roll Glitter. We also spoke about working with Kiss's Bruce Kulick and Crashdiet's Martin Sweet for A Brand New Start and more!

JNQP 51 Helstar Singer James Rivera 060321 Episode 51 Helstar singer James Rivera gives Japan Nick an interview discussing his introduction to music and where he studied vocal lessons in Houston Texas. We spoke about the Vampiro album being rereleased for better distribution on the Clad in Black album. We spoke about the singer Black Wings of Solitude and how it was supposed to be on the soundtrack to a film and dealing with the challenges of putting out music amongst the backdrop of the Coronavirus.

JNQP 50 053021 Bask Drummer Scott Middleton Interview Bask Drummer Scott Middleton gave Japan Nick an interview on Sunday May 30th 2021. We talked about getting his first drumset and his introduction to music. He talked about meeting the guys in Bask and how the formation works. There was discussion on the new album III as well as the songwriting equipment used. We also spoke about hiking in North Carolina and a fun urban legend from the state.

Murder in the Front Row interview about the 1980's Southern California metal scene with all sorts of great stories about Exodus, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and more!

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 48 050921 Chef Brian Tsao Guitarist for Loss Becomes We spoke about Brian getting his first guitar and a few words about the Beijing Conservatory for Music He told me about forming Loss Becomes as well as shooting the music video for Memory. We talked a little about his favorite thing to make as a chef and if there was any bleed over from his culinary interests to improving himself as a musician. We spoke a little about midnight basketball to improve issues facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders today.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 47 May 2nd 2021 The Mighty Fall Nick DeSimone Interview I had a chat with The Mighty Fall guitarist Nick to discuss his early beginnings as a musician, what it was like growing up in Rhode Island the scene there. We learned about how he uses what he learned as a music promoter to help his band and more.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 46 April 25th 2021 Villins had a second interview with Japan Nick and we talked about Jessicka's and Kareem's beginnings as musicians. Jesyka talks about the time she met Cyndi Lauper and Kareem "Jesus" Devlin talks about his first guitar 🤘 We learned about how the Power was recorded and heard some fun urban legends that they spoke about

Japan Nick’s Quarantine Podcast Episode 45 Bewitcher We talked about when Matt got his first guitar at 14. He spoke about his guitar lessons from a glam rock musician that was offered at the guitar center. We looked into what changed with his band having new drummer Aris Wales being involved with the band and how the band became a bit more tight. For the new album he used the Motorhead’s sound guy Cameron Webb to mix the album. The video for Valley of the Ravens was went over along with the songwriting. We spoke about the importance of intros and outros to bookend albums when it came to the album opener Ashe. We finished things up talking up an urban legend from North Dakota.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 44 041121 Coffin Rot Guitarist Tre Guertner Interview gave Japan Nick an interview. We learned about how Tre got his first guitar and what it was like when he took some music lessons and how he started to pick up the instrument. He told me about his 3 most influential albums. We talked about how Coffin Rot formed and what the album Monument of the Dead was like to write. Tre told me what his band told Charlie Koryn on they envisioned the album. We went over what the Chicago trip was like , an Oregon ghost story and more! Check it out!

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 43 040421 Witchseeker Sheikh Spitfire Interview We learned about how Sheikh got his first instrument and what it was like early on for him. We learned about previous bands he was in. He spoke about what life is like in Singapore for rock and metal singer band like Witchseeker and spoke of concerts in Malaysia and Indonesia along with a Singapore ghost story.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 42 032821 Billy Goate of Doomed and Stoned interview We discussed Billy's evolution as a journalist as well as the progression over the years of Doomed and Stoned. We learned his method for making podcasts and about the team of people that are involved at Doomed and Stoned.

On March 21st 2021 Vindicator frontman Vic Stown gave Japan Nick an interview to talk about his various bands from Vindicator, Vanik, Volcana, Violent Night and more. He talked about recording various songs and gave a fun urban legend from Ohio

JNQP 40 031121 Tuesday Teal Flying into a Typhoon interview Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 40 Portland Oregon native Tuesday Teal gave Japan Nick an interview to discuss her photography history. She also spoke a bit about her musical history. We spoke a lot about the Portland music scene. There were memories of shooting at festivals like Hail Santa, Famine Fest, and the Northwestern Black Circle Fest. Tuesday was the tour manager for their concerts in Asia. We also spoke about flying to Japan and China and travelling through those places for concerts.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 39 030721 Ciro Mountain The Revisiting the Road Interview A return chat with New Jersey manager and concert promoter to talk about life on American concert map from 2020-2021 as COVID was taking off. We went into all sorts of DIY topics from staying safe to promotion and more.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 38 022821 The Accused AD/ Toe Tag Interview We chatted about Blaine's early bands like the Fartz and 10 Minute Warning. We talked about how Blaine got into the Accused and spoke about some of his favorite albums recording with them like Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories ever Told. He spoke about working with Sir Mix A Lot and how the Accused got on their label.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 35 020721 Florida's The Noctambulant singer E Helvete interview. He spoke about how he got his first guitar. We chatted about how the Hellraizor EP was written as well as what it was like filming the title track's music video on his family's land. We finished things off talking about great Southern horror movies and words of Florida ghost stories.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast 34 013121 Ben Petty the Team Waffles Forever Interview We learned about Ben's first guitar and his background in music education. He spoke about past bands he was in and how Mandancing formed. Also spoke about songs composed by the band and how their 2019 South by SouthWest tour was.

JNQP 28 122020 SVN Seeker interview Interview with Singer / lead guitarist Nikita Khrenov and Rhythm guitarist Geoff Chance. We learned about what prompted Nikita to create a new band after his exit from Archaic Decapitator. SVN Seeker is a melodic death metal band from Connecticut that formed in late 2017 that is about to release their first ep entitled Means to an End on February 21st 2021. We spoke about the history of the song Pilfered. We also looked at the writing of the instrumental Pilot and talked about favorite instrumentals in music and videogames. We finished things off speaking about a ghost story from Connecticut and some urban legends from Russia.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 26 120620 Unhoped singer Jyri Luostarinen interview I interviewed Unhoped's lead singer and discussed his time learning about music in Finland as well as getting his first bass guitar. We went in depth on Unhoped's back history and learned about the current climate of the Finnish music scene.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 25 Firing Squad Guitarist Jack Weiss interview We learned about Jack's first guitar, his experience in music edition including being in the Rock It Academy which Scott Ian was a part of. Jack spoke about when Firing Squad opened for Bay Area legends Death Angel. We discussed Police State of Mind. With the Firing Squad song Death Like Silence that was an allusion to the Lords of Chaos. We also talked about the Big 4 of German Thrash Metal.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 24 Dismantle Singer/Bassist Adam Warrior. We discussed his early beginnings on how he started playing Bass Guitar as well as getting his first Bass. We went over the beginnings of Dismantle from its formation in 2006. We went into the new Dismantle songs "Crisis,"and "Within the Mind," and how the upcoming album is coming along. We finished things up by talking about some ghost stories from living in LA.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 23 Void Vator Guitarist Erik Kluiber 111520 We discussed how he got his first guitar, and lessons he has takem throughout the years along with how he likes to teach his students about the guitar. We discussed Void Vator's beginnings as well as the new album Great Fear Rising set to be released in April 2021. We finished things off with a cool story from his days as a student in Detroit.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 22 Mantic Ritual Guitarist Jeff Potts On November 1st 2020 Jeff Potts gave Japan Nick an interview to speak about the upcoming reunion Mantic Ritual are having with their original lineup. We also spoke about two never before heard Mantic songs recorded with Dave Watson featuring the original lineup. There also was talk about Jeff visiting Dan to speak about music that may be used for a possible new album from Mantic Ritual.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 21 102420 Rick Perry Iron Jaw Interview Rick Perry is a North Texas based guitarist who is the lead guitarist of Iron Jaw. He is also known for doing lead guitar in 1980s DFW legends Gammacide as well as being part of Warbeast from the Krush the Enemy album. We learned about his origins in the DFW area writing Gammacide’s Victims of Science and recording Warbeast’s Krush the Enemy album. We also learned about what it was like working on Iron Jaw’s Chain of Command album and highlighted several songs such as “Crypt of Rodan,” and “Step Into My Cage.” We also learned about his most cherished guitar and treasures from his music collection.

JNQP 20 101820 LeathurBitch Interview 4 fifths of the band joined Japan Nick for an exclusive interview (Minus the drummer) We learned about the different band member’s first instruments as well as the singer’s vocal training over the years. We spoke about recording the 2018 EP as well as 2019’s Into the Night album. We went in depth to discuss LUST as well as Sleaze City’s recordings. They spoke about work on the next album. We also heard a somewhat amusing ghost story from Portland Oregon.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast 18 April Jones Saving Channel Street Skatepark Interview! We caught up again with April to discuss her film Saving Channel Street Skatepark. We learned about what it is like handling the bureaucracy of LA politics. We also spoke about an urban legend from Hollywood.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 16 090720 Skeletal Remains Chris Monroy Interview Skeletal Remains's Singer/guitarist gave Japan Nick an interview about his band's new album The Entombment of Chaos. We spoke about how Chris got his first guitar and learned about his music education over the years including taking a lesson from Mantic Ritual, Warbringer, Gygax, and now Volcano guitarist Jeff Potts. He told me about performing in Japan at the Asasuka Deathfest as well as on another trip to Japan scoring some amazing vinyl. We talked about the 3 singles for the album and what it means to release a single for a band in 2020. We looked back on the Decibel Magazine flexi disc exclusive Planetary Genocide. We discussed working with legendary death metal producer Dan Swano and his work on Planetary Genocide, Devouring Mortality and The Embodiment of Chaos. We also discussed recording techniques. https://soundcloud.com/japan-nick/012716-cd2-skeletal-remains-interview My first Skeletal Remains interview

JNQP 15 083020 Paladin Singer Taylor Washington Interview Taylor Washington is a musician from Atlanta, Giorgia who is the singer/lead guitarist of the Prosthetic Records band Paladin. Taylor told me about getting his first guitar and what it was like for him learning about music in his schooling years. He also spoke about his 1 year experience at the Atlanta Institute of Music. He told me about how his connection with producer Matt Smith from Theocracy was made who worked on both Paladin’s debut album Ascension as well as their ep Anamnesis. We talked about techniques used to record the album. We spoke about the beginnings of Paladin as well as focused on the songs “Call of the Night,” as well as “Shoot for the Sun.” Towards the end we spoke about last year’s Progpower Fest and meeting Japan’s Gonarius.

Andrew Marsh is from Bonavista Canada and is the singer/guitarist of the Black Thrash band WinterheartH. He told me about growing up in Canada and and filled me on the various lineups that were used for discography of WinterheartH. We spoke about the writing techniques used for the new WinterheartH album Riverbed Empire. We focused on the songs “North Star, Be My Guide” as well as “The Ship Wright.”

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast 13 Suss Law Alex Harker Interview Alex Harker is Portland, Oregon bassist for Suss Law, Brain Deth, and Antipsychotix. He spoke about earlier bands he was in like Radiation. We spoke about the splits with Sow Threat and Frantic that his band Suss Law contributed to. He told me about his label Extreme Headache Records, along with a zine he made. We spoke about gear he uses. We ended things off on a story about the last time I saw Suss Law back in 2016 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast 11 Silver Talon Portland Oregon's Silver Talon founding guitarists Bryce VanHoosen and Sebastian Silva gave Japan Nick an interview on August 2nd 2020 to speak about their new album Decadence and Decay. We learned about Sebastian’s early musicial history and his history working with Bryce. We spoke about songs like “Touch the Void”, “Next to the Sun,” and “Divine Fury” in great depth. I referenced an interview I had with Bryce in 2018 and spoke about song writing techniques for this album. The band explained how they came to be a band with 3 guitarists as well as their lineup. They mentioned how they got signed to M Theory Audio and working with Marco Barbieri.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 10 Gravehuffer Ritchie Randall Interview Ritchie Randall is the guitarist for the Joplin Missouri metal band Gravehuffer. He spoke up what it was like growing up there as a young music fan that eventually got into bands. He spoke about the history of his band as well as the current lineup. He spoke about his personal interest in History. We spoke in depth about the songs Stalingrad’s Cross, and Demon Face. We spoke about folklore and local legends in Missouri and New Jersey. We spoke about his 3 favorite songs he composed for his band. Right now Gravehuffer is trying to stay active on social media. They have a new album on the horizon later this year.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 7 Stygian Crown On Sunday June 14th 2020 Stygian Crown drummer Rhett Davis gave Japan Nick an interview. We discussed various bands he was in along with the forming of Stygian Crown. He spoke about his connection to Mark Nelson and how he became a part of this album. We also discussed various topics related to the coronavirus.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast 6 Molitoth singer Kyle Brandt 060620 Interview Kyle Brandt of a Light Within told me his musical history as well as working with Daniel Tompkins of Tesseract as a mentor to advance as a singer. Kyle explained how meditation techniques factored into how he wrote songs on the album. He explained how he came into the mindset to make his solo album. We talked a lot about classic gaming when the topic of the cover of Send Me An Angel was gone over. We also discussed fresh ideas on how musicians can sustain their fan bases as well as their local scenes during these uncertain times.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast 5 Aidan Stutzman of Portland Oregon 051920 Interview We spoke about his musical history, and what kind of drumset he currently uses. He spoke about starting a new project with his old bandmate Sergio from Mangled Corpse. He gave me a rundown on his musical history since 2017 to the present. He talked about his love for hardcore, and death metal music. He filled me in on his new bands Lymph Nodes, Budd Dwyer, and Fukd Off,. We spoke about his favorite concert he played.

Japan Nick’s Quarantine Podcast 4 Ciro Mountain the Road Warrior 051620 Ciro spoke about it’s like being a manager/ promoter touring the country and how the American landscape has changed. He works with Andrew W Boss, Co Op. He spoke about doing shows once the fallout from the virus dies down. He spoke well of Magic Ninja Entertainment and dealing with juggalos.

Alexi Laiho is the singer and guitarist of Finnish heavy metal band Children of Bodom. Children of Bodom has nine albums to their name. Alexi gave me an introduction on himself, as well as discussed his memories of going through the music education program in Finland. He talked about what made his band choose Hexed (Nuclear Blast) to be the title of their latest release. Alexi spoke in depth about the goddess of the underworld, Hecate, and the song “Hecate’s Nightmare.” We also spoke a little about films inspired by the Lake Bodom murders. They will be on tour with Swallow the Sun and Wolfheart and will be at Irving Plaza on April 19.

Sarah Teets is the singer/flutist of Mindmaze from the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania that was formed in 2013. She spoke about what it was like being a musician growing up in the Lehigh Valley. Sarah spoke about three new songs at the last concert (Y &T at Baltimore Soundstage) performed before the Pandemic. They are called Recreate, Stand Your Ground, and the Hard Way. Sarah explained how the Queensryche song cover Road to Madness was a kickstarter prize. There was discussion about the possibility of a webcast Mindmaze show during the Pandemic. I inquired about the Japanese anime style pictures of Mindmaze. New Noise Magazine featured Mindmaze as the bandcamp of the day. We spoke about the experience of flying to and performing at the Whiskey A Gogo.

Japan Nick’s Quarantine Podcast Episode 2 Villins 04/25/20 Villins is a New York City rock band comprised of singer Jesyka (Syka) and guitarist Kareem Devlin (Lady Gaga) that formed in 2016. They spoke about the shows that they performed at right before the Quarantine as well as how they are performing during the Quarantine. They appeared as guests on Breed Love and Chew Fu as well as Adult Swim. They spoke about composing Kiss Me Again, and Empires. Kareem spoke about working with Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball Tour as well as some insight he gained from being on the tour. Both Jesyka and Kareem told their most cherished musical possession.

Japan Nick's Quarantine Podcast Episode 1 Rabid Flesh Eaters 04/22/20 I had Mike Taylor (Guitars) and John Hill (Bass) of Rabid Flesh Eaters on my show. A decent amount of insight when it came to the recording of the title track RFE which featured Bruce Corbitt’s final song. They talked about working with DFW recording engineer Kerry Crafton. They were some brief memories from hanging out with Rigor Mortis during the self titled album sessions. We talked about the songs Veangance of Nightmares as well as Hallucinations. There was some good discussion on Italian horror movie soundtracks. They spoke about recording their versions of the Rigor Mortis classics Die In Pain, Contagious Contamination, and Welcome to your Funeral. We wrapped things up speaking about how the corona virus has affected them as a band.

Exmortus is a band from Whittier, Calif. that was formed in 2002. I recently had a conversation with Exmortus’ singer/guitarist, Jadran Gonzales, who started the band. They decided to call the band Exmortus because the band loved the movie Evil Dead. In the second movie’s intro, it mentions the Necronomicon Ex Mortis, the book of the dead. However, they changed the name to the “us” ending instead of the “is” ending. Last September, drummer Mario Mortus left the band to focus on his screen printing company. Jadran spoke about how the current lineup of Exmortus came together and how the lineup change has contributed to the songwriting style on the new album. We discussed what it was like working with producer Zach Ohren, as well as working with members of Spellcaster and Holy Grail. The Sound of Steel that was released on June 8 by Prosthetic Records.

April Jones is a California-based journalist and filmmaker who began her media career doing a heavy metal public access program called Slayed in Oregon. April discovered the Mentors early on when she was younger and ended up interviewing them for Slayed in Oregon. Eventually the Mentors had put out a post on Facebook saying they were looking for a film maker and had received a few emails from film makers. One of them which included April, and they went with her. April has taken influence from Penelope Spheeris famous for The Decline of Western Civilization documentaries, and director of the Wayne’s World films. April had gone on a full nationwide tour with the Mentors. She was invited to showcase The Mentors: Kings of Sleaze Rockumentary in Finland at the Night Visions Film Festival and had gotten invited to speak at the U.S. Embassy in Finland.

Cancion Franklin is the lead singer/guitarist of his solo band, and though originally from Arizona, it is centered in New York City. He calls the music he creates Americana and he spoke about how he was enticed by some musicians from Rutgers University to relocate from Arizona to the East Coast. He recalled recording sessions from NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, and the T Time Sessions. Cancion spoke about the stories that inspired the songs on his EP, True As Time Allows, which is out now.

January 24th 2015 Mutilacion Famine Fest Interview by Japan Nick Mutilacion Interview at Famine Fest by Japan Nick For thee of nine moons and the music video for Fires Of Death’s Arcanum were gone over in depth both lyrically and conceptually. They talked about the Beckoning Night’s Blaze EP (released in 2015) They spoke about To Revel in the Devi’s Fever and what it meant to them. They talked a bit about their fanzine The Beyond which focuses on black metal and the occult as well as trades that they have done