In episode 201, Nik and Keefy tackle Mastodon’s crazy concept album “Blood Mountain!” We explain the intricate meaning of the album and every song, pondering werewolves, one-eyed Sasquaches, Griffins, tripping balls, killer Minotaurs crossed with Bambi, Biblical apocalypses, volcanos, rivers of blood, imposter syndrome, and the monomythical hero archetype! We also make LOTR references, David Duchovny, and as always the View-Askewniverse reigns supreme! “You’re so caustic!”Continue reading
Tag Archives: Bruce Kulick
Bruce Kulik Quits Grand Funk Railroad After 23 Years
Long-time lead guitarist of Grand Funk Railroad, Bruce Kulick has departed the band. He had been a full-time member of the band for 23 years. Prior to joining GFR, Bruce played in the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s with KISS, Union with John Corabi, Meatloaf’s touring band with his late brother Bob Kulick during their heyday, and many others. Bruce gave a new interview with Ultimate Classic Rock announcing his departure, and hinting a new music, and perhaps a long-gestating rock memoir are in his future plans. His final show with the band was on December 14th, 2023 in Marietta, Ohio. Continue reading
Bob Kulick (KISS, Meat Loaf, Lou Reed, WWE) Has Died, Age 70
Sad news as Bob Kulick, infamous sideman and collaborator, has died at age 70. The news was confirmed by his brother Bruce via social media. No cause of death has been revealed at this time. Kulick’s discography features guitar work on KISS’ Alive II, Paul Stanley, Unmasked and Killers; Meat Loaf’s Bad Attitude and Live (at Wembley); Lou Reed’s Coney Island Baby; W.A.S.P.’s The Crimson Idol and Still Not Black Enough; Michael Bolton’s self-titled album, Doro’s Calling the Wild; and Ripper Owens’ Play My Game. Bob played guitar on WWE Superstar Triple H’s iconic entrance music, “The Game,” which also features Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister. Kulick also composed the track “Sweet Victory” for the SpongeBob SquarePants episode “Band Geeks.” The song was also featured during the Halftime Show for Super Bowl LIII. We send our condolences out to Bob’s family, friends, and fans at this time.
The Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute Streaming In Entirety
The Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute, a tribute album of cover tracks recorded to memorialize Randy Rhoads, the one time lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot, is out now via UDR Music, and is streaming the record in full here.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Rhythm Gtr: Bob Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
A lover of classical music, Rhoads had taken initial steps into rock’n’roll as a 16 year old when he formed a band, that soon became Quiet Riot. Rhoads was vaulted to the limelight in 1979 when Ozzy Osbourne chose the relatively unknown guitarist to help shape a new future for him via his band, Blizzard of Oz. The result saw Rhoads co-script two of the most famous albums in hard rock history, Blizzard Of Oz and Diary of A Madman, and rapidly ascended the stairway of fame and recognition for his virtuoso playing and writing. Famed for the way he fused classical flavors with technically-excellent hard rock, Rhoads became one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock.
When he tragically passed away on March 19, 1982 in a plane accident, Rhoads was only 25 years old, but thankfully, the legend of his work, ethos and their continuing influence on a whole new generation of guitarists, has never dimmed.
Celebrate the life and legend of Randy Rhoads with Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute.
‘Immortal Randy Rhoads’ Streaming “Mr. Crowley” feat Chuck Billy of Testament
UDR Music will release Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute and its accompanying bonus DVD (with digipack edition) on March 3, 2015. This highly-anticipated compilation of cover tracks – which feature an incredible gathering of renowned heavy metal and hard rock musicians – honors Randy Rhoads, who will forever be revered as the legendary lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot.
Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute includes a searing cover of the heavy-hitting Ozzy Osbourne track “Mr. Crowley”, which features a line-up of all-star performers: Chuck Billy (Testament), Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Kelle Rhoads (brother of Randy Rhoads), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/Dio). Stream “Mr. Crowley”, featuring Chuck Billy of Testament on vocals here.
Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will be available in double vinyl gatefold, digipack and digital formats. In the digipack version, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will contain a bonus DVD along with the album, including interesting interviews with some of the involved artists, hosted by Bob Kulick and a feature on the Musonia School of Music, a teaching school on North Hollywood, CA, set up by the Rhoads family.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute Out March 3
A tribute album for the late Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot guitarist Randy Rhoads called Immortal Randy Rhoads – the Ultimate Tribute will be released on March 3, 2015 via UDR Music. The album was produced and compiled by the Grammy-award winning guitarist and producer Bob Kulick.
Along with the album, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will also contain a bonus DVD available in the digipack version, including interesting interviews with some of the involved artists, hosted by Bob Kulick and a feature on the Musonia School of Music, a teaching school on North Hollywood, California, set up by Randy’s mother and run by his brother Kelle Rhoads.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen