The many layers of Dave Mustaine

Dave MustaineI'm playing catch-up here but wanted to share a memorable "Soundcheck" podcast from early August featuring Megadeath leader Dave Mustaine. 

Metal musicians are often dismissed as clueless headbangers more interested in drugs, tattoos and leather than serious wide-ranging discussions on WNYC, the best-known public radio station in the States.  

But in this funny and eloquent interview, Mustaine discusses dementia as inspiration for song; the physical downsides of, um, headbanging; and performing with a South American youth orchestra whose instruments are made from items salvaged from their home -- a landfill. 

Mustaine is a rock legend, yes, but as this interview shows, a normal guy with whom you'd love to share a beer or two. 

\m/

"That Metal Show"

The promise of cable TV -- and now the Internet -- is the ability to serve quality programming to niches.

One of the better examples is VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show," a weekly roundtable talk show that treats hard rock and metal with respect but still keeps a nice level of low brow. New York DJ Eddie Trunk is the ringleader, but co-hosts Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson are no slouches in adding humor, knowledge and tough questions of the weekly guest.

The number of star musicians interviewed over the course of five seasons is a who's who's of metal, both well-known and should-be-known.

A centerpiece of the show is "Stump the Trunk,"  an interactive element where audience members try to best Trunk's metal IQ with questions that are all over the metal map. It's amazing how often Trunk comes out on top, answering arcane questions from fans who are hardcore beyond belief. Trunk and the guest(s) often are the only people in the studio not wearing a metal T-shirt.

Whether you're a metalhead or just a fan of music, the show is a fun and informative 30 minutes (w/extras online).