The Jersey Guys Podcast
by Mark Balogh & Tom Coyne
Featuring in-depth discussions & guests from the worlds of hard rock, heavy metal and AOR music, Tune in and turn it up! Your hosts Tom Coyne & Mark Balogh dive deep into each episode, whether it's with a special guest or just breaking down a band or artists career in music to give you an insight into the music we all love!
Episodes
-
Episode 100: Frank Vestry of Last Temptation & Marcello/Vestry
Frank Vestry is a powerhouse vocalist known for his melodic rock sensibilities and soulful delivery. Following in the footsteps of his father, a classic crooner who instilled in him a deep love for melody and performance, Frank developed a voice that blends smooth phrasing with hard rock grit.…
more -
Episode 99: Todd Michael Hall of Riot V, Harlet, Jack Starr's Burning Starr & Reverence
Todd Michael Hall is best known as the powerhouse vocalist for Riot V, carrying on the legacy of the legendary metal band Riot with his soaring range and dynamic stage presence. Over the years, he’s also fronted Harlet, Reverence, and Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, earning a reputation as one of...
-
Episode 98: Paul Lidel of Dirty Looks, Dangerous Toys & Scream Therapy
On this episode of The Jersey Guys Podcast, we welcome guitarist Paul Lidel, a powerhouse player whose career has spanned some of hard rock’s most memorable bands. Paul first made his mark with the gritty, no-frills rock attack of Dirty Looks, delivering raw riffs and relentless energy that…
more -
Episode 97: Mitch Viegut of Airkraft
Mitch Viegut began his professional music career in 1973, picking up his first guitar—a Fender Stratocaster—at the age of 12. By his mid-teens, he was performing steadily with the band StilRock before heading off to the University of Wisconsin (UW-Madison and UW–Eau Claire). There, he met fellow...
-
Episode 96: Tony Sciuto (AOR artist)
In episode 96 of The Jersey Guys Podcast, we’re joined by an incredibly talented musician and songwriter whose career has spanned decades and crossed genres. Tony Sciuto first made waves in the early 80s with his solo debut, Island Nights, a record that found international success and showcased…
more -
Episode 95: Greg Fraser of Brighton Rock
Today’s guest is Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter Greg Fraser. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Greg’s musical journey began as a teenager with the local band Lennex, where he recorded an album with legendary David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson. Though that project never saw release, it...
-
Episode 94: Tommy Denander (guitarist/songwriter extraordinaire)
In this episode we are joined by one of the most in-demand musicians in the world of rock and AOR — guitarist, songwriter, and producer Tommy Denander. Born and raised in Sweden, Tommy picked up the guitar at a young age and quickly turned his passion into a career that has seen him play on more...
-
Episode 93: Kenny Kaos of Pokerface, Paul Laine & The Distance
Guitarist & songwriter Kenny ‘Kaos’ Holliday (aka Loney) is a high-energy player known for his searing riffs, melodic solos, and a career that’s spanned bands, albums, and countless live stages. From having played guitar and co-writing on Paul Laine’s debut album “Stick It In Your Ear” (1990) to...
-
Episode 92: Alan Frew of Glass Tiger
Alan Frew is the lead vocalist and founding member of Canadian pop-rock band Glass Tiger, known for timeless hits like “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”—which features backing vocals by Bryan Adams—and “Someday” (both top 10 hits in the US). Originally from Scotland, Frew moved to Canada as a…
more -
Episode 91: Mark Behn of Malice
Mark Behn was a founding member and bassist of the American heavy metal band Malice, active during their classic era from 1981 through 1988, and part of their first reunion phase from 2006 to 2011. Originally from Portland, OR, Behn had played in local bands Fire Eye and Kharma before joining...
-
Episode 90: Don Wolf of White Wolf
Don Wolf is best known as the lead singer of Canadian hard rock band White Wolf and has released seven national and international albums in total. Based in South Surrey, British Columbia, Don is a seasoned vocalist, songwriter, keyboardist, and MIDI composer with a deep commitment to music. Over...
-
Episode 89: The Jersey Guys Mid-year 2025 Album Review
Tom and Mark discuss some of their favorite albums released so far in 2025 as they review albums hitting the shelves in the first half of this year. Here are the releases we discussed, so you can track them down if you're interested in what we had to say! WET "Apex" Dream Theater "Parasomnia"...
-
Episode 88: Tim Feehan (solo AOR/Westcoast artist)
Tim Feehan is a Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and producer known for his standout solo albums Tim Feehan, Full Contact, and Pray for Rain. His music has appeared in major films like Licence to Kill, Arthur 2, and The Wraith (featuring his hit “Where’s the Fire”). A longtime...
-
Episode 87: Carl Dixon of Coney Hatch
Carl Dixon remains one of Canada's stellar rock voices. He's a musician and keynote speaker. Carl joined Coney Hatch in the 80s, opening for Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Accept, and Rush. Four decades later, Coney Hatch is still rocking. They performed at Sweden Rock...
-
Episode 86: Steve Lynch of Autograph
Steve Lynch is a rock guitarist best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the band Autograph. Renowned for his pioneering two-handed (eight-finger) tapping technique, Lynch's innovative style significantly influenced 1980s rock guitar playing. Lynch began his musical journey as a bassist...
-
Episode 85: Bob Daisley of Ozzy Osbourne/Blizzard of Ozz, Rainbow, Uriah Heep, etc.
Bob Daisley (born February 13, 1950, in Sydney, Australia) is a renowned bassist, songwriter, and lyricist whose career spans over five decades. He is best known for his extensive work with Ozzy Osbourne, which contributed significantly to Osbourne's early solo success. Daisley began his musical...
-
Episode 84: Mike Walsh of Departure
Mike Walsh is a NJ guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known as the creative force behind the melodic rock band Departure. With Departure, Walsh established a reputation for crafting polished, emotionally resonant rock music that blends soaring melodies with intricate musicianship. The band...
-
Episode 83: Pete Sandberg of Mad Invasion, Alien, etc.
Pete Sandberg, born in Oslo, Norway, in 1967 and raised in Sweden, is a renowned Swedish rock vocalist best known for his work in melodic hard rock and AOR. He began his musical journey at age 14 with the band Rubbish Bin and signed his first record deal in 1986 as part of the duo Von Rosen…
more -
Episode 82: Jim Jidhed of Alien
Alien – The Comeback of a Swedish Rock Legacy Formed in Gothenburg in 1986, Alien quickly rose to fame with their self-titled debut album Alien in 1988, featuring the unforgettable hit singles “Tears Don’t Put Out The Fire” and “Only One Woman.” The band became a staple of the melodic rock scene,...
-
Episode 81: Graham Bonnet of Rainbow, M.S.G. & Alcatrazz (w/ Beth-Ami Heavenstone too)
Graham Bonnet (born December 23, 1947) is an English rock singer renowned for his powerful vocal range and dynamic stage presence. He began his career in the late 1960s with the duo The Marbles, achieving a UK Top 5 hit with "Only One Woman" in 1968, penned by the Bee Gees. In 1979, Bonnet joined...
-
Episode 80: Tommy La Verdi of 21 Guns, L.R.S. & A=440
Tommy La Verdi is an American lyricist/songwriter originally from Los Angeles, CA (now residing in Norway) with a recent history of hit singles throughout Europe and Asia. Numerous top 10 hits with K-Pop Legends DBSK, CSJH, Super Junior, and Boa. After moving to Norway he has dominated the…
more -
Episode 79: Stefan Berggren of Snakes in Paradise, The Company of Snakes & more
Stefan Berggren is a Swedish singer who has worked with well-known bands and artists such as Uriah Heep, Snakes In Paradise, M3-Classic Whitesnake, The Company of Snakes, Manfred Mann, and Bernie Marsden to name a few. He has had bands together with the recently deceased Lee Kerslake in the...
-
Episode 78: David Rosenthal of Rainbow, Billy Joel, Red Dawn & more
Few musicians have achieved the broad-based success that David Rosenthal has earned as a Musical Director, Keyboardist, Synthesizer Programmer, Producer, Composer, Orchestrator and touring professional. With a musical career spanning four decades, David's talents have been continually in demand…
more -
Episode 77: Robbie LaBlanc of Blanc Faces, Find Me, Cannonballz & more!
Robbie LaBlanc has been singing and playing instruments since age 3. Robbie’s first influences (besides his dad, who was always singing and playing the guitar) were Trini Lopez and the Beatles. Shortly after, bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Grand Funk Railroad were further influences....
-
Episode 76: Guy Allison of Unruly Child, World Trade, The Doobie Bros., The Moody Blues & Air Supply
Guy Allison’s first record deal was signed with a band called Lodgic on A&M Records in 1985. This band included Michael Sherwood, Billy Sherwood, Jimmy Haun & Gary Starnes. The band was discovered by the 80's group Toto and was subsequently produced by Toto members David Paich and Steve Porcaro.....
-
Episode 75: Bert Heerink of Vandenberg, Picture & Royal Flush
Dutch singer Bert Heerink was the voice of Vandenberg's first three albums (1982-1985) and also sang on two albums by Dutch band Picture (1986-1987). Beyond that, Heerink has had a glorious career releasing many TV commercial songs and solo albums along with some other projects such as Undercover...
-
Episode 74: Emmo Acar & Lucien Egloff of Fighter V
Fighter V thrills with catchy stadium rock anthems driven by powerful guitar riffs and vibrant keyboard sounds. The melodic rock band from Hergiswil, Switzerland is known for energetic and passionate live shows that take the audience back to the rock concerts of the 80s. As headliners in Central...
-
Episode 73: Todd Plant of Eyewitness, Millenium & Cryptic Vision
Recording artist, wedding singer, guitarist, metal frontman, crooner, tribute band specialist… Todd Plant has worn many hats in his 40-something years in music, and there’s still much more in store! After graduating from Tampa’s Plant High School, Todd joined the US Navy Seabees, working in...
-
Episode 72: Michael Shotton of Von Groove
Von Groove is a Toronto-based hard rock outfit created in 1990 as a trio of lead vocalist/drummer Michael Shotten, Croatian-born guitarist Mladen, and bassist Matthew Gerrard. Shotten and Gerard had previously scored writing credits with the Canadian rock band Triumph. Cutting a series of demo...
-
Episode 71: Steve Rodford of Rio & The Zombies
Steve Rodford was one half of the British AOR act Rio, who released their classic 1985 debut, “Borderland” on the Music For Nations label. It was followed up with “Sex Crimes” (later renamed “Danger Zone” for a 2024 reissue) in 1986. After some further playing and songwriting, Rodford joined the...
-
Episode 70: Roy Cathey of Cold Sweat & The Fifth
Roy Cathey started his music career in the late 1980s with Gibraltar, which gained local airplay in NC with the ballad "Real". In the early 1990s, he joined Cold Sweat with former Keel guitarist Marc Ferrari. He co-wrote "Long Way Down" and "Killing Floor" for Cold Sweat's debut album “Break…
more -
Episode 69: Jeff Paris (solo AOR artist)
Jeff Paris is an American vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist who began his career as a session musician in the 1970s, appearing on albums by such acts as Jay Gruska (Gruska on Gruska) and Bill Withers (Naked & Warm, 'Bout Love). His initial band was the jazz/soul/disco quartet Pieces, who...
-
Episode 68: Harry Whitley of Asia
Born in 1995 near Wrexham in North Wales, Harry Whitley is a singer and multi-instrumentalist. Whitley’s love affair with music began at the tender age of five when he started piano lessons. His talent soon became clear, and he went on to pass all grades of classical and jazz piano with flying...
-
Episode 67: James-Paul Luna of Intranced
Intranced are an L.A.-based metal/hard rock band featuring singer James-Paul Luna (Holy Grail), guitarist Fili Bibiano (Fortress) and drummer Ben Richardson (Wild Eyes) (along with bassist Nico Staub). Building on their celebrated musical pasts, the core trio was united by the goal of mining the...
-
Episode 66: Stan Bush of Stan Bush & Barrage & solo artist
Worldwide icon of melodic rock, Stan Bush is best known for his song “The Touch,” made famous by Transformers: The Movie (1986). An anthem for Transformers fans around the world, it has also been featured on ABC’s The Goldbergs, NBC’s Chuck, Fox’s American Dad, in RBN’s Guitar Hero, Deep Silver’s...
-
Episode 65: Jon Fiore of Preview, solo artist & international actor
Jon Fiore is a singer/songwriter and international actor. Jon started in the early 80s as the lead singer for Geffen Records recording artist Preview and toured with acts like Asia, Pat Benatar, The Tubes, and others. After his time in Preview, Jon got into the commercial jingle business, and you...
-
Episode 64: Derek Davis of Babylon A.D.
Babylon A.D. is an American hard rock band formed in 1987 hailing from the SF Bay Area in CA, In 1989, Babylon A.D. caught the attention of Arista Records president and industry mogul Clive Davis, who signed them at a live showcase in Los Angeles. The debut album was released in 1989 and included...
-
Episode 63: Brent Doerner of Helix & My Wicked Twin
Helix is a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band based out of Kitchener, Ontario. The group formed in 1974 as the Helix Field Band to compete in a Battle of the Bands contest in their hometown. By 1976, they operated under the streamlined Helix moniker. They had solidified into a core lineup...
-
Episode 62: Jesse Damon of Silent Rage
Silent Rage formed in 1985 with founding members EJ Curse, Jesse Damon and Mark Hawkins. The band is known for their signature songwriting style of blending melody with hard-driving rock. Silent Rage remains unique from other 80’s bands by having Jesse Damon share the lead vocal duties with…
more -
Episode 61: David Polemeni of Boystown
Boystown was and is a five piece rock/AOR band from New Jersey formed in 1987 and began playing the same Jersey bars that bred Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi. They played clubs across the USA and opened for Jon Entwistle (The Who), The Hooters, New Kids On the Block and The Romantics. The single...
-
Episode 60: Dustin Lyon & Jake Melius of Jupiter Cyclops
Jupiter Cyclops was formed in 2019 when scene veteran and singer Aaron Peltz relocated from Southern California to the Phoenix, Arizona desert. What started as a two-piece doom project quickly metamorphosized into a 4-piece high octane hard rock assault courtesy of guitarist Dustin Lyon’s...
-
Episode 59: Jorgen Bergersen (vocals) & Jorgen Abrahamsen (guitars) of Invasion
Invasion is a Norwegian hard rock and heavy metal band founded in 2022. With a fresh and modern approach to the heavy music genre, Invasion creates music that perfectly balances melody and heaviness. The band comprises experienced musicians who have shared stages with notable artists such as JORN...
-
Episode 58: Tony Moore formerly of Riot
Tony Moore was the lead singer of the heavy metal band Riot from 1986 to 1992, recording Thundersteel (1988) and The Privilege of Power (1990) and rejoining in 2010 along with the other members from the Thundersteel line-up to release Immortal Soul (2011). He also sang with Faith and Fire, a...
-
Episode 57: Kevin Chalfant of The Storm, 707, Steel Breeze, The Vu, Two Fires and Shooting Star
With an impressive career spanning several decades, Kevin Chalfant's contributions to the music industry are noteworthy. From his early successes with AOR groups 707 and Steel Breeze, to his time with The Storm where that band had two Billboard-charting singles in the early 90s, and even his…
more -
Episode 56: Rick Pierce of Q5, TKO, Nightshade & Rick Pierce Group
Rick Pierce is a founding member of the legendary Seattle hard rock, band TKO, whose debut release “Let It Roll” continues to cement the band’s cult-like status. Rick’s unique arsenal of guitar pyrotechnics provided the backbone of the unmistakable TKO sound. Following his successful stint with...
-
Episode 55: Rob Lamothe of Riverdogs & Cross Country Driver
Rob Lamothe was born in La Jolla, CA in 1958 and his house was full of music and he was singing in Latin as a soloist in church choirs by the time he was 12-years-old. And he’s never stopped singing since. He’s always liked this quote from The Toronto Star: “Rob Lamothe is a mercurial artist…
more -
Episode 54: The Return of the Podcast!
In this brand new episode we make our big comeback after an extended break! Tom & Mark talk about a pile of new hard rock & heavy metal releases to hopefully turn some onto something new or that they missed. Plus, we talk about some recent concerts we both attended and some music news from the...
-
Episode 53: Josh Ramos of The Storm & Hardline
Chicago-born guitarist Josh Ramos got an early musical start in life by playing in the church band before he ever hit double digits. Later in high school he formed and played in bands around the Chicago area. A year out of high school Josh formed LE MANS in 1983. This band recorded two albums…
more -
Episode 52: Our Top 20 Ronnie James Dio songs
We all know who Ronnie James Dio is! This legendary metal singer had a stellar career with his time in Rainbow, Black Sabbath (and Heaven & Hell) as well as a solo artist. In this episode, Tom & Mark along with guest host TJ Coyne dive deep into our Top 20 songs of Ronnie's career! We talk about...
-
Episode 51: Danny Vaughn of Tyketto
Danny Vaughn is an American singer that has performed with Waysted, Tyketto and Vaughn and now performs and releases under his own name as well.Danny Vaughn is a product of Steiner education. At lower school, he was placed into a choir. “My first public performance was singing Pie Jesu in…
more
About this show
Featuring in-depth discussions & guests from the worlds of hard rock, heavy metal and AOR music, Tune in and turn it up! Your hosts Tom Coyne & Mark Balogh dive deep into each episode, whether it's with a special guest or just breaking down a band or artists career in music to give you an insight into the music we all love!
Hosted by
Mark Balogh & Tom Coyne
Categories