Jake Sumner: Director, “Ron Delsener Presents”

Historian of pop culture, film, and music, John Harrison, joins Staci on Rock & Roll Nightmares to discuss his latest project: a comprehensive, 676-page book on KISS titled Creatures of the Screen. Unlike any other book on the band, John’s work is an immersive exploration of KISS’s presence onscreen, covering their films, TV appearances, and notable music videos. The book also delves into other shows and media inspired by—and exploiting—the band’s visual imagery, popularity, and cultural impact. John Harrison shares insights from his deep dive into the world of KISS and their enduring influence on pop culture.

This episode features Jake Sumner, director of the music documentary Ron Delsener Presents. The film explores the life and legacy of legendary music impresario Ron Delsener, with insights from an impressive roster of interviewees including Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and Bette Midler. As the son of Sting (of The Police), Jake brings a unique perspective to the project, having known Delsener personally and wanting to uncover the story behind his iconic status. Jake discusses how the documentary came together during the pandemic and shares some of the wild stories featured in the film.

In this episode, Rock & Roll Nightmares welcomes author and Professor of Literature Jarret Keene, whose work first caught Staci’s attention with the release of his novel, Hammer of the Dogs. Now, Jarret returns with his newly released short story collection, Gateways to Annihilation—a book packed with wild, rock and roll-infused tales that are as twisted as they are entertaining. Tune in as he discusses his latest work as well as his takes on the future of writing with AI, and the nurturing of creative talent in the face of governmental budget cuts to national arts programs.

Colin Blunstone, lead singer of the iconic psychedelic rock band The Zombies, joins Staci on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss "Hung Up on a Dream," the first-ever feature-length documentary about the band. Despite hits like "She's Not There" and "Time of the Season" and their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, the band's story hasn't been fully documented until now. Colin shares insights into the film's collaborative process, along with entertaining stories about career mishaps, his brief stint as an insurance salesman, and his time recording as a solo artist under a pseudonym.

In this mini-episode, Staci welcomes Robert Schwartzman—accomplished musician, member of the renowned Coppola filmmaking family, and director of “Hung Up on a Dream,” the new documentary about psychedelic rock legends The Zombies. Robert discusses his creative approach to condensing the band's remarkable 60-year career into a compelling 90-minute film, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how he brought their story to the screen.

Author Jennifer Banash joins Staci on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss her novel "The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana," a twisty mystery about a Rolling Stone reporter uncovering a famous rock star's dark secret. Jennifer reminisces about her experiences in New York's club scene during the early 2000s and shares the surprising inspiration behind her main characters. She also offers a glimpse into her upcoming works—two books inspired by Elizabeth Bathory and the world of witchcraft, respectively.

Staci welcomes writer-director Kirsten Foe to discuss her rock and roll cautionary tale "Off the Record." What begins as a romance movie between two musician lovers takes a dark turn, putting the microscope on the Svengalis of the music industry. Kirsten shares insights about her impressive cast featuring Rainey Qualley, Ryan Hansen, Rebecca De Mornay, and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. She reveals the challenges of filming during the pandemic and two Hollywood union strikes, her collaborations with Jim Irsay and Tenacious D's Kyle Gass, and her inspiration for creating a drama set in the rock and pop music world.

Staci welcomes Gillian G. Gaar, an accomplished rock author and journalist whose work has appeared in Mojo, Rolling Stone, and Goldmine. With previous titles including "She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll," "Entertain Us: The Rise of Nirvana," and "Bruce Springsteen at 75," Gaar discusses her newest publication - the beautifully crafted hardcover "Queen: A Night at the Opera 50."

Today’s episode features an interview with Angie Moon, founder of The Diversity of Classic Rock (found at CrazyOnClassicRock.com). As a music historian and author, Moon discusses her new nonfiction true crime book "Crime of the Century" along with insights from her work celebrating diverse voices in classic rock music.

1991 wasn’t just another year—it was a musical and cultural earthquake. Grunge went from the underground to the mainstream, changing rock music and an entire generation’s outlook along the way. Staci’s guest, Rob Janicke, has written a book, Slacker: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created, which explores the movement’s impact, the key players, and why the world embraced it so fiercely. Rob is also the founder of Generation Riff. On this episode he talks about the continuing relevance of bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains, to name a few. He also discusses the narrowing gap between Gen X and Gen Z rock music fans and how that keeps this vintage music vital in our lives.