Rock Under Fire

In Episode 16 we discuss and celebrate the career of David Bowie. 2017 marks what would have been his 70th birthday as well as the one year anniversary of his passing. Stick Nixon returns and we're joined once again by Tracy O for 70 minutes of all things Bowie. We thank all of our supporters who stepped up to get behind this brand new podcast this past year. We make it a point not to focus on any one particular artist, band, or genre of music, but with that comes the reality that our show may not always appeal to everyone at the same time. The seven decades of rock and roll music along with its even longer history gives us an extremely broad canvas to create discussions on, drawing from different areas with each episode. So there is still always something for everyone. In the previous 15 episodes we've discussed The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Prince, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, the Monterey Pop Festival, Wood

In Episode 15 we talk copyrights, publishing, and how music licensing has become the most lucrative source of revenue for many bands and artists that once got by on album sales and touring. Is it the only way out for some? Or is it simply selling out? What constitutes “selling out?” What kinds of compromises are entailed? We examine these questions in a 90-minute discussion that also explores the likes of ASCAP, BMI, Apple, U2, Metallica, Aerosmith, Huey Lewis, Ray Parker Jr., Starship, George Harrison, The Chiffons, Ed Sheeran, George Michael, and the two similar but unique cases of Led Zeppelin vs. Spirit and Jake Holmes. While co-host Stick is away, Pat and Mike are joined by Tracy, the consulting, advising, and analytic guru who works behind the scenes of Rock Under Fire’s social media. We thank all of our supporters who stepped up to get behind this brand new podcast this past year. We make it a point not to focus on any one particular artist, band, or genre of music, but with that comes the reality th

For Episode 14, we raid the vault and give you a show never meant for release. Since our much-anticipated Christmas Spectacular got hit left and right with copyright claims and we are on holiday break, we're throwing this one out there in the meantime...a conversation that got left behind back in June as we were working on our "1966" episode. We were discussing the state of the podcast, then five episodes in, and decided to turn the mics on. In a very random half hour of subjects, we talk about Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Dolly Parton, Brad Gillis, Loverboy, The Allman Brothers, Tame Impala, Pearl Jam, and Jon Bon Jovi in a very aimless but fun episode. We return in January 2017! We thank all of our supporters who stepped up to get behind this brand new podcast this past year. We make it a point not to focus on any one particular artist, band, or genre of music, but with that comes the reality that our show may not always appeal to everyone at the same time. The seven decades of rock a

.In Episode 12 we talk movie soundtracks and scores.  Some light conversation as opposed to the academic analysis of some of our past episodes. We thank all of our supporters who stepped up to get behind this brand new podcast this past year.   We make it a point not to focus on any one particular artist, band, or genre of music, but with that comes the reality that our show may not always appeal to everyone at the same time.  The seven decades of rock and roll music along with its even longer history gives us an extremely broad canvas to create discussions on, drawing from different areas with each episode.  There is something for everyone.   In the past six months in just 12 episodes we've discussed The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Prince, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Kiss, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, the Monterey Pop Festival,  Woodstock, Doo Wop, The Beach Boys, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Steely Dan, The Strokes, Ozzy Osbourne, Black

In Episode 11, we dissect and discuss a recent article by Chuck Klosterman  speculating on how the history of rock and roll will be viewed and taught 300 years from today, and if there is one artist to exemplify the rock and roll era, who it will be.  We also further our ongoing discussion on the show's underlying theme and question:  Is rock dead?  In addition, we are sure to raise a few eyebrows as we open up a new exploration into a question that hasn't really been asked yet:  Did grunge really have the impact that we think it did?  What is the real long term influence and legacy of Nirvana and Pearl Jam?  And did they help rock music or end up hurting it?   Theme music by Live Animals PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW OUR PODCAST ON iTUNES...WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! https://itun.es/us/dm3Qdb.c Read more at http://rockunderfire.libsyn.com/#57cd... http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/httpr... https://www.facebook.com/Rockunderfire/ https://twitter.com/rock_under_fire https://derricountitled.wordpress.com/ 

In Episode 10, we are joined by artist, writer, and director, Michael Lee Nirenberg. With a massive archive of stunning visual art as well as a number of brilliant short films over the past decade and a half, he is perhaps best known for his much-acclaimed 2014 documentary, BACK ISSUES: THE HUSTLER MAGAZINE STORY. https://www.amazon.com/Back-Issues-Hu... Never one to champion the mainstream, Nirenberg's current Huffington Post column serves as a constant dialogue of ideas with those who have pushed societal, musical, technological, literary, and artistic boundaries, often from the farthest edges of society, yet remain culturally relevant and significant. In this 80-minute discussion, Nirenberg sits down with us to talk about the current state of rock and roll, punk, post-punk, Brett Smiley, Kate Bush, Bob Dylan, Kurt Vonnegut, Rap, Hip Hop, Eminem's "Campaign Speech," the irrelevance of music criticism, the 1986 documentary Heavy Metal Parking Lot, Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, and a whole l

In Episode 9 we discuss the Desert Trip concerts featuring Roger Waters, The Who, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan.  We also talk about Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize in Literature, Chuck Berry's 90th birthday, 70s vs. 80s Aerosmith,  the Dokken reunion, and the negative influence of Motley Crue's Theater of Pain.  We're all over the place for this one.  Enjoy! PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW US ON iTUNES...WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! .https://itun.es/us/dm3Qdb.c Read more at http://rockunderfire.libsyn.com/#57cd http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/httpr https://www.facebook.com/Rockunderfire/ https://twitter.com/rock_under_fire https://derricountitled.wordpress.com/

In Episode 8, we're honored to be joined by Lydia Criss...author, photographer, and ex-wife of original KISS drummer Peter Criss. In this hour-long interview, we discuss Lydia's monumental book SEALED WITH A KISS, currently in a revised and expanded edition and available at http://www.lydiacriss.com/ (Trust us...this book is the unparalleled crowning achievement among the vast number of KISS books out there!) We also talk about Lydia's years with Peter, the early days of KISS, the origins of "Beth," fame and fortune, photography, John Lennon, New York City, and the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11. KISS fans and non-KISS fans alike...tune in! Peace, Luv, Rock n Roll! Find us on iTunes...https://itun.es/us/dm3Qdb.c PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW OUR PODCAST ON iTUNES...WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! Read more at http://rockunderfire.libsyn.com/#57cd... http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/httpr... https://www.facebook.com/Rockunderfire/ https://twitter.com/rock_under_fire https://derricountitled.wordpress.com/ ema

In Episode 7, we go through our audience picks for most overrated and underrated bands and artists, and talk about our own.  This one may ruffle some feathers.   

In Episode 6 we look back at the music of 1966... fifty years later, and reassess highly influential albums such as The Beatles REVOLVER, Bob Dylan's BLONDE ON BLONDE, and The Beach Boys PET SOUNDS.  We examine the year as a dividing line between the past and the future of rock music, and a marker for significant change in music altogether.  We also debate the remarkably eclectic mix of musical styles simultaneously on the charts during a 12-month period that informed how rock music would be recorded, presented, and heard in the future. Join Pat Ivanitski, Mike Derrico, and Stick Nixon in this unique blast from the past, fifty years in the making...the artists, the bands, the music, and the influence of 1966.    

(originally published June 12, 2016)  In Episode 5, Pat, Mike, and Stick discuss the effects of rap, Clear Channel (iHeart Media), and Millennial Deficit Disorder on rock music...as well as assess the long term effects of piracy and more recent influences of entities such as Spotify and Pandora on the music industry itself...and how the labels have managed to survive unscathed in the digital age.  

(originally published June 6, 2016)  In Episode 4, Pat, Mike, and Stick discuss aging bands and artists of rock's first three generations who have crossed over into the 21st Century and refuse to retire.  We look at the myth of early rock and roll, and how it was supposed to be made by the young and for the young.  In the 1950s through the 1970s, nobody could envision a rock world still dominated by the same bands and artists four decades later...but in 2016, it is a reality. 

(originally published May 30, 2016)  In Episode 3, Pat, Mike, and Stick discuss their favorite debut rock albums, why some made the list, and why others did not. 

(originally published May 23, 2016)  If you could go back in time to see three shows by legendary bands or artists that you missed because you were either not on the planet yet,  too young, or just not paying attention...what would they be?  Pat, Mike, and Stick discuss their picks, as well as concert ticket accessibility today vs. the 1970s. *NOTE* At the time of recording, we were still experiencing sound issues.  These issues have since been corrected, and we promise better quality audio in the future.  

(originally published May 17, 2016)  Rock Under Fire is a podcast for multi-layered discussion and analysis of rock and roll music, covering seven decades and all genres of rock.  It assess the place of rock music in the 21st Century, critiques the impact of the digital age on the music industry, as well as analyses and debates the history of rock and roll.  Nothing is off limits!   In this introductory episode, your hosts Mike Derrico, Pat Ivanitski, and Stick Nixon talk introductions, the death of Prince, and a brief encounter with the death of rock and roll, the underlying theme of the show and a hint of what is to come.