Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

The final chapter of The Alarm carries a weight that goes far beyond music. Before his passing, Mike Peters completed what stands as a powerful final statement — an album shaped by perseverance, reflection, hope, and the same unbreakable spirit that defined his entire career.For decades, Mike Peters was more than just the voice of The Alarm. He became a symbol of resilience inside and outside of music, openly facing cancer battles while continuing to create, perform, and inspire people around the world. His songs always carried themes of survival, belief, unity, and finding strength even in the darkest moments, and this final work feels deeply connected to that legacy.Recently on Laughing Monkey, I had the privilege of speaking with Jules Peters, whose honesty and strength brought even deeper perspective to Mike’s journey. Our conversation explored not only the music itself, but the human side behind it — the challenges they faced together, the hope they continued to carry forward, and the way music became both a lifeline and a message to others going through difficult times.What makes this final album especially meaningful is that it doesn’t feel like a goodbye built around sadness. Instead, it feels like Mike Peters doing what he always did best: turning struggle into connection and reminding listeners to keep moving forward no matter what life puts in front of them.The Alarm’s music has always balanced passion, defiance, melody, and purpose, and this final release stands as both a continuation of that spirit and a lasting testament to Mike Peters’ impact on generations of listeners. Through every challenge, he never stopped creating, never stopped believing, and never stopped reaching people through music.This conversation with Jules Peters is more than an interview — it’s a reflection on legacy, love, endurance, and the lasting power of music to give people hope when they need it most.

Legendary Voivod drummer Michel “Away” Langevin joins the show to discuss the band’s powerful new release, Symphoniqïne. In this interview, Away talks about the creative vision behind combining Voivod’s progressive metal sound with a full symphonic experience, revisiting the band’s classic material in a completely new way while still pushing forward artistically.We also discuss the evolution of Voivod through the decades, the challenges of arranging complex metal compositions for orchestra, the visual concepts tied to the project, and what continues to drive one of metal’s most innovative and respected bands.A must-watch conversation for longtime Voivod fans, progressive metal listeners, and anyone interested in the intersection of heavy music and orchestral experimentation.

Jared James Nichols continues to establish himself as one of modern rock’s most explosive guitar players with the upcoming release of his fourth studio album, Louder Than Fate. Scheduled for release on June 5, 2026 through Frontiers Mussic,The album showcases Nichols at his heaviest, rawest, and most emotionally driven point yet. Known for his aggressive pick-free playing style, thick blues-rock riffs, and soulful vocals, Nichols blends classic hard rock influences with a modern production approach that gives the new material a powerful edge. Early singles including “Pretend” and “Killing Time” highlight thunderous guitar tones, melodic hooks, and the gritty energy that has become his trademark. Produced and mixed by Jay Ruston, Louder Than Fate appears to push Nichols deeper into the territory of vintage-inspired hard rock while still maintaining his blues foundation. Recent interviews surrounding the album also revealed Nichols’ switch to Marshall amplifiers after years with Blackstar, a tonal shift he says helped inspire the record’s massive sound and renewed creative energy. The album captures the intensity and authenticity that fans have come to expect from his live performances, while expanding his songwriting into darker and more cinematic territory. With a growing international audience, major touring plans, and a reputation as one of the standout guitarists of his generation, Nichols seems poised to make Louder Than Fate a defining release in his career.

Angry Anderson (born Gary Stephen Anderson on August 5, 1947, in Melbourne, Australia) is best known as the longtime lead vocalist of the Australian hard rock band Rose Tattoo, a group that became one of the defining acts of Australian pub rock alongside AC/DC and The Angels. Rose Tattoo formed in Sydney in 1976 and built an international reputation with songs including “Bad Boy for Love,” “Rock ’n’ Roll Outlaw,” “Scarred for Life,” and “We Can’t Be Beaten.” Their early albums were produced by legendary Australian songwriting and production team Harry Vanda and George Young. Anderson is instantly recognizable for his gravel-heavy voice, tattooed image, bald head, and aggressive stage presence. Despite his “Angry” nickname and outlaw image, he became widely respected in Australia for charity work and youth advocacy. In 1993 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the community, particularly helping disadvantaged youth. Outside of Rose Tattoo, Anderson had a successful solo career. His 1987 ballad “Suddenly” became an international hit after being featured during the wedding scene of Scott and Charlene on the Australian TV series Neighbours starring Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. The song reached the Top 10 in several countries including the UK. He also worked extensively in television and film, appearing in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome alongside Mel Gibson and Tina Turner, where he played the character Ironbar Bassey. Anderson has spoken openly about surviving abuse during childhood and difficult early life experiences. Over time he became heavily involved in charity and community causes, supporting youth homelessness programs, children’s hospitals, cancer awareness campaigns, mental health initiatives, and disaster relief projects. Rose Tattoo were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, cementing their status as one of Australia’s most influential hard rock bands. Their music influenced later hard rock and punk acts internationally, including bands associated with the street rock and working-class rock scenes. In recent years Anderson has continued touring with Rose Tattoo, including anniversary tours celebrating the band’s long history. Some scheduled performances in 2023 were postponed due to non-life-threatening health issues that required treatment and recovery time.

00:00 - Introduction & Song Selection for the Tour 01:19 - Welcome Back to Laughing Monkey 01:43 - Exploring Erik's "Perfect" Career Path 02:19 - Defining the Musical Identity of the New Solo Album 03:03 - Influences: From Karaoke Roots to Genre-Bending Covers 03:47 - The YouTube Channel as a Tool for Healing 04:52 - Challenging Vocals & The Whitney Houston Cover 05:51 - Soul-Searching for the Sound of Erik Grönwall 07:18 - Maintaining Identity While Collaborating with Others 08:04 - Working with the "Coolest" Michael Schenker 10:19 - Focusing on the Solo Journey 11:00 - Clarifying the Skid Row Departure & Health Recovery 13:10 - Moving Forward: Health Status & Touring Pressure 15:56 - Hopes for Skid Row’s Future Singer 16:24 - Building the Live Setlist: Originals vs. Covers 17:49 - Will there be songs from "The Gang's All Here"? 19:05 - Sharing the Story: Original Music & Upcoming Shows 20:42 - Introducing the New Solo Band Members 22:33 - The Strategy of Solo Musicians & Rotating Players 24:28 - Family Channel & Future YouTube Plans 24:45 - Working on the Second Album & Music Videos 26:42 - The Small but "Genius" Creative Team 28:32 - New Album "Bad Bones" Release & Final Thoughts

Alex Mitchell remains one of the true survivors of the late-’80s New York hard rock scene. As the founder and voice of Circus of Power, Mitchell helped build a band that mixed street-level biker culture, sleaze rock attitude, and bluesy hard rock into something distinctly their own. Formed in New York City in 1987, Circus of Power quickly developed a reputation for loud, dangerous live shows and albums that stood apart from the polished glam metal dominating MTV at the time. The band earned strong support from the rock press and toured with major acts including Black Sabbath during the “Tyr” era.Now back living in New York, Mitchell is entering a new creative chapter with a forthcoming double album scheduled for release this summer. The new material reportedly reflects both the grit of the band’s early years and the perspective gained from decades in music. Mitchell has also been revisiting stories from the classic Sunset Strip and New York club days, including memories involving David Lee Roth and the larger-than-life rock scene that surrounded bands in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Those stories capture an era when clubs, biker bars, and backstage chaos were all part of everyday life for touring hard rock bands.Despite lineup changes and long industry shifts, Circus of Power has continued to maintain its outlaw-rock identity. Mitchell remains the constant driving force behind the band, carrying forward the same raw energy that made their early records cult favorites among hard rock fans. Along with the upcoming album, the band also has several live appearances and shows being lined up, giving longtime fans another chance to experience the music in its natural environment — loud, unapologetic, and straight from the streets where Circus of Power first began.

I recently interviewed Joe and Chuck from Carnivore A.D. to talk about the band’s new EP, their current touring plans, and the creative process behind the new material. The conversation dug into how the songs came together, what drives the writing, and how the band balances honoring the brutal legacy of Carnivore while still pushing forward with its own identity. Joe and Chuck shared insight into the energy behind the new release, the chemistry within the band, and what fans can expect when they bring the songs to the stage.We also went back into the early history of the band, discussing the roots of the Carnivore sound, the New York metal/hardcore attitude that shaped it, and how that history continues to influence Carnivore A.D. today. From songwriting stories to touring memories, the interview gives fans a closer look at the people behind the music and the mindset that keeps the band moving. It is a strong episode for anyone into heavy music, underground metal history, and the raw, confrontational sound that made Carnivore’s name stand out.

Talking with John Bush was a reminder of why he remains one of heavy metal’s most respected frontmen. In our interview, Bush discussed Armored Saint’s new album, Emotion Factory Reset, due May 22, 2026 via Metal Blade, describing it as a record that pushes the band forward while still sounding unmistakably like Armored Saint. The band’s official bio frames it as a new chapter built on diverse songwriting and a willingness to stay adventurous, while Bush has said the material expands on Punching the Sky and Win Hands Down but carries its own distinct sound and vibe. We also looked back at the history of Armored Saint, one of Los Angeles metal’s most durable and underrated bands. Formed in the early 1980s, the group built its reputation with albums like March of the Saint and Delirious Nomad, then delivered what many fans consider a defining statement with Symbol of Salvation in 1991. Over the years, Armored Saint has endured lineup changes, industry shifts, and tragedy, including the loss of guitarist Dave Prichard, yet the band never lost its identity. That resilience is a huge part of why Armored Saint still commands such loyalty decades later. What came through most in this conversation was Bush’s loyalty to the band and the brotherhood behind it. Even with his long and celebrated run in Anthrax, Armored Saint has always remained central to his musical identity. Now, with Emotion Factory Reset set to become the band’s ninth full-length studio album, Bush sounds energized by where Armored Saint is right now: still heavy, still evolving, and still doing things on its own terms. Not bad for a band that has spent more than forty years proving that cult status and class can hit just as hard as mainstream fame.

In this interview, I spoke with HansFyrste (vocals) and Erik “HaaN” Sæther (guitars) of Svarttjern, the Oslo black metal band they founded in 2003. The conversation digs into the band’s history, their evolution from early demos into full-length releases like Misanthropic Path of Madness, Dødsskrik, and Shame Is Just a Word, and the path that has kept Svarttjern a respected name in Norwegian black metal.No filler. Just a proper talk with both men about the band, the records, and the road behind Svarttjern.

Finnish extreme metal innovators …And Oceans join the show for a conversation about one of the most distinctive and unpredictable careers in underground metal. Rising in the mid-1990s out of the ashes of death metal outfit Festerday, the band built its name by fusing symphonic black metal with industrial, electronic, and experimental elements, refusing to stay in one lane for very long. Their catalog has moved from the early ferocity of The Dynamic Gallery of Thoughts and The Symmetry of I – The Circle of O to the more futuristic and abrasive territory of A.M.G.O.D. and Cypher, making them one of Finland’s more adventurous extreme bands. In this interview, the band reflects on that evolution, the creative risks that shaped their sound, and how …And Oceansreturned in recent years with a renewed focus that reconnects their symphonic black metal roots to the more expansive vision they developed over time. Since reforming under the …And Oceans name, the group has released Cosmic World Mother and As in Gardens, So in Tombs, proving that their comeback was not nostalgia but a genuine continuation of the band’s identity. This episode is a deep dive into artistic reinvention, longevity, and the restless mindset that has kept …And Oceans both relevant and difficult to categorize. For longtime fans, it is a chance to hear the story behind one of metal’s most shape-shifting bands; for newer listeners, it is a strong entry point into a catalog that has always balanced extremity, atmosphere, and experimentation.

In this episode, I sat down with Ross Dolan of Immolation to talk about the band’s latest chapter and the upcoming release of their new album, Descent, due out April 10, 2026 through Nuclear Blast. We got into the creative process behind the record, the mindset of the band going into this release, and what fans can expect from a record already previewed by the singles “Adversary” and “Attrition.”Ross spoke in depth about Immolation’s continued drive to push forward while staying true to the dark, punishing identity the band has built over decades. Our conversation covered the themes and intensity behind Descent, the evolution of the group’s songwriting, and how Immolation continue to stand as one of death metal’s most respected and uncompromising bands.We also talked about the response to the new material so far, especially the early impact of “Adversary” and “Attrition,” which have already given listeners a strong sense of the atmosphere and aggression surrounding this new album. Ross gave great insight into where the band is creatively right now and why Descent feels like an important record in Immolation’s ongoing legacy.

Ron Rinehart of Dark Angel joins the show for a conversation about the band’s history, the intensity and legacy of their music, his approach to songwriting and singing, and what may be ahead for the band in the future. Ron reflects on Dark Angel’s place in thrash metal, the creative process behind the songs, and the passion that continues to drive the band forward.It’s a strong look at one of thrash metal’s most respected names, with insight into the past, the music, and the road ahead.

John Corabi joins the show to discuss his new solo album, New Day, due out April 24, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. The album is being described as Corabi’s first full-length solo album of original material, and it was recorded in Nashville during the summer of 2025 and produced by Marti Frederiksen. The title track was released first, followed by the single “That Memory.” Corabi is widely known for his work with Mötley Crüe, The Scream, Union, ESP, and The Dead Daisies, and New Day marks a different chapter by putting the focus squarely on his own material. According to the album announcement, the record draws from classic ’70s rock, soul, and blues influences. The album’s announced track list includes “New Day,” “That Memory,” “Faith, Hope And Love,” “When I Was Young,” “One More Shot,” “1969,” “Laurel,” “Good To Be Back Here Again,” “Love That’ll Never Be,” “Cosi’ Bella,” “Your Own Worst Enemy,” and “Everyday People.” For this interview, John talks about the making of New Day, the songwriting and recording process behind the album, and where this release fits into the next stage of his career. No fake hype, no mystery smoke machine, just Corabi and the record.