Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Before Doro Pesch became known as the Queen of Metal, she was a young singer from Düsseldorf with an obsession for loud music and live performance. Born in 1964, she worked with several local bands before helping form Warlock in the early 1980s. Her gritty voice, intensity and unmistakable presence quickly made her stand out in Europe’s growing heavy-metal scene.Warlock’s rise was rapid. Beginning with Burning the Witches in 1984, the group built an international following through heavy riffs, memorable choruses and relentless touring. Their fourth album, Triumph and Agony, produced the signature anthem “All We Are” and became their greatest commercial success. Doro also made history as the first woman to front a band at England’s Monsters of Rock festival.By the end of the decade, Warlock’s lineup had fallen apart, and legal complications prevented Doro from continuing under the band’s name. Instead of walking away, she transformed that setback into a solo career. Force Majeure arrived in 1989, followed by the Gene Simmons-produced Doro. These records preserved Warlock’s spirit while allowing her to explore ballads, hard rock and more experimental sounds.The 1990s brought major changes to the music industry, but Doro remained committed to metal when many artists changed direction. She continued recording and touring, especially across Europe, where her audience remained fiercely loyal. Later albums such as Warrior Soul, Fear No Evil and Raise Your Fist introduced her music to new generations and included collaborations with figures like Lemmy, Rob Halford and Slash.More than four decades into her career, Doro remains a symbol of resilience and authenticity. Her 2023 album Conqueress – Forever Strong and Proud celebrated that journey while proving her voice had lost none of its force. Through Warlock, her solo catalogue and thousands of live performances, Doro Pesch helped open doors for women in heavy music—and built a legacy by never abandoning the sound or the fans she loves.

Dave Hill is a comedian, author, actor, and musician from Cleveland, Ohio. Known for his witty storytelling and bold stage presence, he has built a distinctive career by mixing stand-up comedy with rock music.Throughout his career, Hill has performed at comedy clubs, theatres, and festivals around the world. He has also appeared in television shows such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Inside Amy Schumer, and Girls5eva.In addition to comedy, Hill is a talented guitarist and singer. He performs with the rock band Valley Lodge, whose song “Go” is used as the theme music for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.Hill has written several humorous books, including Tasteful Nudes and Parking the Moose. His ability to work across comedy, television, literature, and music makes him a versatile and original entertainer.

Wino drops major news: The Obsessed’s new album is complete, an EP is next, a career-spanning box set is coming, and the band plans to tour through 2027.

Tony Reed is a guitarist, songwriter, producer, and recording engineer whose career is rooted in heavy, soulful rock ’n’ roll. Best known for Mos Generator, he has built a respected body of work both onstage and behind the console, bringing a hands-on, independent approach to every project.As a member of Pentagram, Reed contributes guitar, songwriting, and a deep understanding of the band’s powerful legacy. His work helps connect the classic sound of Pentagram with a new era of music and recording.Beyond Pentagram, Tony continues to create with Mos Generator and his other musical projects, while producing and recording artists across the heavy-rock spectrum. In this interview, he discusses recording, writing new music, working with Pentagram, and the bands that keep him inspired.

Bobby Liebling is the iconic frontman and founding member of Pentagram, one of the most influential bands in underground heavy music. Since the early 1970s, Pentagram has forged a distinctive sound built on heavy riffs, dark atmosphere, blues, and raw rock ’n’ roll energy.Over the decades, Bobby and Pentagram have inspired generations of musicians and fans, helping lay the foundation for doom metal while remaining fiercely original. Their music has survived trends, lineups, and eras because it carries a timeless intensity.In this interview, Bobby reflects on Pentagram’s history, the road that shaped the band, its lasting influence, and the music still to come.

Alex Mitchell is the singer and creative force behind Circus of Power, the hard-rock band that emerged from New York City’s East Village in the late 1980s. Known for its raw sound, blues-driven riffs, and high-energy performances, Circus of Power built a dedicated following and remains an important name in underground American rock.Mitchell has continued to create beyond the band, pursuing music through a range of projects while staying true to the independent, uncompromising spirit that shaped his career. His work carries the same intensity and individuality that made Circus of Power stand out.Today, Alex is also focused on visual art while developing new music and creative collaborations. With fresh projects underway, he continues to explore new ways to create, connect, and push his work forward.

Evan Seinfeld’s story starts in Brooklyn, where Biohazard forged a raw crossover sound that brought hardcore, metal, and hip-hop energy into the same room. Decades later, the band remains a symbol of resilience, rebellion, and community—qualities that have defined Seinfeld’s life onstage and off.In this podcast conversation, Seinfeld reflects on Biohazard’s return to creating new music and what it means to revisit that chemistry with the band’s classic lineup. He also discusses the discipline required to keep evolving creatively while honoring the intensity and truth that built the group’s legacy.The discussion moves beyond music into what is ahead: a forthcoming book, mantorship, and his continued commitment to fitness and personal development. Seinfeld shares a practical message for anyone rebuilding themselves—show up consistently, stay accountable, and turn hard-earned experience into something that can help the next person.

Dylan Carlson formed Earth in Olympia, Washington, in 1989. Centered on Carlson’s guitar work, the band helped shape drone metal through slow tempos, sustained tones, heavy distortion, and repetition rather than traditional riffs or fast-playing. Their 1993 release, Earth 2: Special Low-Frequency Version, became a foundational record for the genre.Following albums such as Phase 3: Thrones and Dominions and Pentastar: In the Style of Demons, Earth went on hiatus in the late 1990s. Carlson restarted the project in the early 2000s with drummer Adrienne Davies. This new era retained Earth’s unhurried approach but introduced cleaner tones and influences from country, folk, jazz, and Western film scores.Records including Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method and The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull showed how Earth evolved while keeping its signature sense of weight and restraint. Across its history, the band has remained distinctive for creating intensity through atmosphere, space, and patience.

* **00:00** - Intro & Welcome* **01:06** - Reputation, Character, and Creating Your Own Luck* **05:16** - Artistic Curiosity & Avoiding Being Pigeonholed* **07:06** - The New Anthrax Video & Fighting a Chair* **10:00** - Collaborating with Director Don Argott* **15:06** - Filming in the Swamps & On-Set Hazards* **20:34** - Working with Bonnie "Prince" Billy* **25:07** - Live Performance, Subtlety, and Ensemble Playing* **30:37** - Taking a Break from Drumming & Finding the Spark Again* **36:40** - Transitioning to Acting & Working with The Adams Family (*The Glorious Dead*)* **46:00** - The "Victory Lap" Career Phase* **48:03** - Studio Work & Reconnecting with Glenn Danzig* **58:30** - Danzig's Advice: Solo Record & Directing Debut (*Jack Shack*)* **1:02:18** - Following the Muse & Musical Tastes* **1:04:00** - Outro & Wrapping Up

The first 7 minutes we ever spoke years 5 plus ago and the last 7 seven minutes we spoke recently ....... gonna miss you Angry my friend!0:00 – Introduction & the Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome costume story00:46 – George Miller’s film archives & doing stunts as Ironbar03:48 – Wearing the Ironbar costume in everyday life04:15 – True Stories piece: Choosing fatherhood & family over rock stardom06:32 – Australian phone service issues & shark humor07:40 – Remembering Robin Williams & his comedic genius10:57 – The value of true friendship & Thomas Moore’s Care of the Soul12:50 – Reflections on life, aging, and accepting change with grace14:38 – Lighthearted closing thoughts & shark jokes