Michael's Record Collection

My guest for this episode is Glass Hammer founder Steve Babb, returning for a third appearance. Babb recently survived a health scare with a benign brain tumor that required surgery in the midst of making Black Light, a fantasy hero's journey story infused with psychedelic, trippy sounds couched in Glass Hammer's usual melodic brand of progressive rock. Steve was kind enough to tell me about the album (which drops today), his brain surgery, a few stories from Glass Hammer's past, and more. Find out more about the band and order the new album at glasshammer.com. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and on Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

My guest for this episode is the fantastic Hasse Froberg, vocalist and guitarist with Swedish progressive rock masters The Flower Kings. Hasse was kind enough to talk to me about his musical influences and background, joining The Flower Kings (and why he initially didn't want to), the end of Hasse Froberg Musical Companion, The Flower Kings' new 18th studio album, Hope (out today!) on Inside Out Music, and more. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and on Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

I'm very excited to chat once again with Jon Courtney of Pure Reason Revolution! Jon returns to the show to discuss the band's seventh studio album, Terrifying Angels, an aggressive and even angry (at times) release that is quite a departure from the band's last album. It explores themes of things that can be your salvation that can also be your undoing. It was great catching up with Jon and learning about the making of this energetic new record. Learn more about Pure Reason Revoultion and buy the album at www.purereasonrevolutionofficial.com.  For more with Jon Courtney, check out Episode 135, in which he discusses his musical background, influences, and the making of the album Coming Up to Consciousness. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and on Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

John Boegehold of Pattern-Seeking Animals returns to the show to discuss the band's new album, Grimalkin, a lush mixture of what you already love about PSA's music and some new flavors that enhance it. John was kind enough to discuss the making of the album, the stories behind the songs, the use of AI in music, and other topics. If you missed it, please check out my first interview with John about the album Friend of All Creatures here: https://michaelsrecordcollection.podbean.com/e/episode-141-john-boegehold-of-pattern-seeking-animals-on-friend-of-all-creatures/ You can also learn more about the band at www.psanimals1.com. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

My guest for this episode is vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Eric Gillette of The Neal Morse Band. NMB just released its fifth studio album, L.I.F.T., on Friday, Feb. 27, and it's another standout concept album from the five-piece veteran prog rock ensemble. Eric was kind enough to discuss the making of the album, his musical beginnings, playing bluegrass at a young age, getting into progressive rock, joining forces with Neal Morse, when we can expect the next TEMIC album, making his cover videos, and much more. Learn more about Eric at www.ericgillettemusic.com. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

Legendary Irish rock vocalist Robin McAuley returns for his third appearance on the show to discuss the latest album from his supergroup Black Swan. Paralyzed drops February 27 from Frontiers Music and is a high-energy, melodic rock tour de force from this all-star group of musicians that also includes guitarist Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), bassist Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner), and drummer Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley). In addition to making Paralyzed, Robin spoke about touring in support of his 2025 solo album, Soulbound, making videos for the new Black Swan album, his love of macabre subject matter, his vision for Stan Decker's amazing cover art, and more. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

My guest for this episode is Big Big Train vocalist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Alberto Bravin. Arriving from legendary Italian prog band PFM a couple of years back, Bravin discusses the band's new album (his second with Big Big Train), Woodcut. It's the 16th studio album for BBT but the band's first concept album. Alberto sat for the interview in early December 2025, but the album drops Friday, Feb. 6 from Inside Out Music. In addition to the making of the album and the concept story background, Alberto spoke about his musical beginnings and influences, how he found out he was producing the new album, and much more. To learn more about Big Big Train, visit bigbigtrain.com. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, and Bluesky. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

My guests for this special episode are all four members of veteran progressive rock band Echolyn — Raymond Weston, Christopher Buzby, Brett Kull, and Jordan Perlson. The four musicians joined me to discuss their self-released twin albums, TimeSilentRadio II and TimeSilentRadio vii, which came out March 7. The band just released a new video and these outstanding modern prog albums are well worth your time. They were kind enough to tell me about the album, their writing approach, their history, some of their early influences, and much more. For more information on this band that not nearly enough people know about, visit echolyn.com. lease hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, Bluesky, and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.   

Nick D'Virgilio returns to discuss the reissue of his 2008 Rewiring Genesis A Tribute to The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway album. The reissue drops Friday, with some new parts recorded, including guitar by Genesis legend Steve Hackett and strings recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. Nick discussed what's been added, what makes The Lamb special, his own personal history with the classic Genesis album and the band, touring as Hackett's drummer, what's next for D'Virgilio, Morse & Jennings and Big Big Train, and more. For more info on Nick, check out his website at www.nickdvirgilio.com. lease hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, Bluesky, and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more. 

My guest for this episode is vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ted Leonard, who is the front man for Spock's Beard, Pattern-Seeking Animals, and Enchant. Ted and his Spock's Beard mates are set to release the band's 14th studio album (the fourth since Ted came in to replace Nick D'Virgilio as vocalist after the latter left the band). The Archaeoptimist drops Friday from Madfish Music. Ted talks about the big influence Ryo Okumoto had in writing the album, the many references to classic Spock's Beard songs sprinkled throughout the tracks, the status of Enchant as a band, his musical background, and much more. Find out more about the new album at spocksbeard.com. Please hit the like button and/or leave a rating/review wherever you consume this podcast. You can read my Michael's Record Collection newsletter for free by signing up at michaelsrecordcollection.substack.com. Follow MRC on Twitter (@MikesRecords), like it on Facebook, and follow on Instagram, Bluesky, and/or TikTok. Have questions or comments or want to suggest a topic? Hit me up at [email protected]. I'd love to have your support for this independent podcast. You can become a patron of this show by becoming a Michael's Record Collection Patreon subscriber starting at only $2 per month at the MRC Patreon page. Supporter benefits escalate at each level, providing more value the more you support the show. For example, you will know about interviews in advance and at some levels you can submit questions for the artists, come on the show to co-host, enter prize drawings, and more.