Episode 55: 'Diva' with Riva Taylor

Sicksense September and Season 4 of 'My Classic Album' come to an end as Vicky Psarakis joins Mike to chat about Evanescence's debut album 'Fallen'. 'Fallen' saw Evanescence and singer Amy Lee become superstars overnight. Together Vicky and Mike explore their love of the album and its importance in their teenage years.   Which Meat Loaf song brought founding members Amy Lee and Ben Moody together? Why did the band shy away from their popularity in the Christian rock scene? How did 12 Stones singer Paul McCoy come to be involved on 'Bring Me To Life'? PLUS: Enjoy 'Make Believe', another track from Sicksense's debut EP 'Kings Today' AND Mike reads an exclusive passage from his upcoming debut novel 'Reap Sleep Rock Repeat'.   Season 4 of 'My Classic Album' ends in style! For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Make Believe' by Sicksense. Out now on the band's debut EP 'Kings Today' All music rights reserved to their respective owners.  

This month has been christened 'Sicksense September' here on 'My Classic Album' as members of this fantastic new band join Mike to discuss the classic albums that have inspired them! First up it's Robbie J. Fonts (also of Stuck Mojo) who has chosen the debut album from metal legends Slipknot! Emerging from the Iowa music scene, Slipknot turned metal on it's head upon signing to Roadrunner Records and releasing their first album in 1999. As parents freaked at the masked ninesome, the youth found a band that spoke their language.   What unbelievable measures did producer Ross Robinson go to to get the best out of the band in the studio? Which track from 'Slipknot' earned the band their first Grammy nomination? Why was 'Purity' removed from the tracklist shortly after the album's release?   PLUS: Enjoy 'Kings Today', the title track from Sicksense's debut EP! For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Kings Today' by Sicksense. Out now on the band's debut EP 'Kings Today' All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

Deepfall vocalist Terry DeWit drops by My Classic Album to chat about Alice In Chains's uncompromising second studio album 'Dirt'. In the throes of a heroin addiction, AiC vocalist Layne Staley approaches 'Dirt' with unflinching honesty which still hits hard to this day. Together Mike and Terry discuss the state of the band and the world around them as they recorded the album that would make them one of the cornerstones of 90's rock. How did the 1992 Los Angeles Riots impact the recording of 'Dirt'? Which track on the album was inspired by an altercation where Sean Kinney broke a table over Jerry Cantrell's head?!? Who was the important family member that inspired the band's iconic single 'Rooster'?   PLUS: Hear Mike's thought upon finally seeing the 'Bat Out of Hell' musical, and enjoy 'Revolution', the new single from Deepfall!   For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Revolution' by Deepfall. An independent release played with permission from the artist.  All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

Leader of Down's Tim Atkinson joins Mike on this edition of 'My Classic Album' to celebrate the album that ushered in a new era for Motorhead... 1986's 'Orgasmatron'. From a member of the Motorhead fan club to forming a band with their legendary guitarist Wurzel, Tim has a truly enviable perspective of the Motorhead story with today's chosen album being Wurzel's first with the iconic band. Why did Lemmy not appreciate the production on 'Orgasmatron'? Which song on the album was nearly the title track? (and in turn inspired the epic artwork) How did the presence of two guitarists for the first time impact the classic Motorhead sound?   PLUS: Enjoy 'Hitman', a standout track from Leader of Down's new album featuring former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton!   Rock out with Motorhead on a new episode of 'My Classic Album'. For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Hitman' by Leader of Down. Released on Cleopatra Records from their new album 'The Screwtape Letters'.  All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

The best selling debut album of the new Millennium gets the 'My Classic Album' treatment as Fame on Fire vocalist Bryan Kuznitz joins Mike to chat about Linkin Park's 'Hybrid Theory'. An important album in both Mike and Bryan's formative years, together they discuss the early days of one of the biggest bands of the 21st century and how 'Hybrid Theory' is still influencing music over 20 years on. How did Chester Bennington react to the record label's attempts to oust Mike Shinoda from the band? Were the synths on 'Crawling' inspired by new wave bands such as Depeche Mode? Which song includes unused loops from a classic Beastie Boys album? PLUS: Enjoy 'Plastic Heart', the latest single from Fame on Fire! All on another jam packed episode of 'My Classic Album'. For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Plastic Heart' by Fame On Fire. Released on Hopeless Record from the forthcoming album 'Welcome To The Chaos' released 22nd July 2022.  All music rights reserved to their respective owners.  

Arran Day from UK rockers These Wicked Rivers drops by 'My Classic Album' to chat with Mike about 'Deja Vu' from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young! Already a force to be reckoned with as a trio, the addition of Stephen Stills's former Buffalo Springfield bandmate foreshadowed an album that would inspire many including Arran for decades to come. How much creative involvement did Neil Young have on the album? Which historic musical event hosted only the second performance of CSNY? What personal memories does 'Our House' evoke for Arran?   PLUS: Enjoy These Wicked Rivers and their track 'Evergreen', a standout from their 2020 album 'Eden'. Sit back and enjoy another episode of 'My Classic Album'. For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Evergreen' by These Wicked Rivers. Released on Rock People Records from the 2020 album 'Eden'.  All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

30 years after its initial release, Tori Amos's debut album is still inspiring musicians including Loz Campbell who joins Mike to chat all things 'Little Earthquakes'. On a crusade to make the piano more than a passive instrument, Tori created an album that kickstarted a critically acclaimed career.   Which professional wresting legend has singled out 'Winter' as his favourite song? How did Tori react to her label rejecting her initial recordings for 'Little Earthquakes'? Who is involved in an upcoming graphic novel inspired by songs from the album?   PLUS: Hear 'Bad Girl', the latest single from our guest Loz Campbell! Disclaimer: Due to the lyrical themes present in 'Me and a Gun', some of the content of this episode of 'My Classic Album' makes reference to and discusses rape. If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed please contact one of the services below: Rape Crisis in the UK on 0808 802 9999 // www.rapecrisis.org.uk RAINN in the US on 800 656 4673 // www.rainn.org For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Bad Girl' by Loz Campbell.  All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

50 years after its initial release, Wishbone Ash's third studio album is still influencing rock bands the world over. In a special anniversary episode of 'My Classic Album', Mike is joined by Firekind bass player Dan Morris to celebrate the album 'Argus'. From hearing it around the house in childhood to touring with founding Wishbone member Martin Turner, Dan's emotional connection to the album is evident making him just one of generations of musicians inspired by this iconic album. What albums did 'Argus' beat to be named Sounds magazine's album of the year? In what way are the opening lyrics of 'Time Was' eerily prophetic for guitarist Ted Turner? Is 'Argus' a concept album? Mike is also joined by the creative force behind 'Argus', former bass player, vocalist and founding member of Wishbone Ash Martin Turner as he reflects on 50 years of his magnum opus. Where did Wishbone Ash get the inspiration for their trademark twin guitar sound? Who was the inspiration behind fan favourite 'Blowin' Free'? How did Martin react when the band wanted the song left off the album?   PLUS: Enjoy 'Sound of Rain', a track from Firekind's latest album 'What I Have Found Is Already Lost'. All that and so much more on this bumper episode of 'My Classic Album'. For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Sound of Rain' by Firekind. Available on their 2020 album 'What I Have Found Is Already Lost'. All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

Mike is joined by Goodbye June guitarist Tyler Baker as they enter 'Bayou Country' with Creedence Clearwater Revival! The first of three studio albums released by CCR throughout 1969, Tyler and Mike discuss how the band took the world by storm with their swamp rock sound. Which popular TV show recreated the 'Born on the Bayou' riff for it's transitional scenes? Who does Tyler believe recorded the definitive version of 'Proud Mary'. CCR or Ike and Tina Turner?  What does 'Keep On Chooglin'' mean? PLUS: Enjoy 'Step Aside', the opening track from Goodbye June's latest album 'See Where The Night Goes'. For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Step Aside' by Goodbye June. Available on their new album 'See Where The Night Goes' released on Earache Records. All music rights reserved to their respective owners.

All aboard!!! Guitarist extraordinaire Sammy Boller stops by to chat with Mike about 'Blizzard of Ozz', the iconic debut solo album from the Prince of Darkness himself Ozzy Osbourne. Together Mike and Sammy celebrate the album that resurrected Ozzy after his dismissal from Black Sabbath and hail the ungodly talent of guitarist Randy Rhoads.   How much of an influence has Randy's guitar playing been on Sammy? Why were the contributions of Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake removed from the 2002 remaster of 'Blizzard of Ozz'? Who fought for Randy's classical instrumental 'Dee' to remain on the album?   PLUS: Hear the title track from Sammy's 2020 album 'Kingdom Of The Sun'. This episode of 'My Classic Album' is dedicated to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins who passed away 25th March 2022. Keep on rocking! For more information on the show: Head over to www.myclassicalbum.co.uk Like us on Facebook at 'My Classic Album with Mike Norris' Follow us on Instagram @myclassicalbumpodcast Or on Twitter @mca_podcast Music Credits: 'This Is Rock' by Silvia Marchese 'Kingdom of The Sun' by Sammy Boller. Available on his 2020 album 'Kingdom Of The Sun' released on Candyrat Records.  All music rights reserved to their respective owners.