Deep Purple have just recently released their 21st studio album ‘Whoosh’ and I’ve got to say, definitely one of the best rock albums released so far in 2020. Have you heard it yet?I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with keyboard legend Don Airey about the album, his role in the band since joining 18 years ago, memories of working with guitar great Gary Moore, as well as his couple of gigs playing with the loudest singer on earth, Aussie legend Jimmy Barnes.Be sure to check out Whoosh, which sees the band putting the Deep back into Deep Purple and enjoy my chat with Don Airey.

Rock Lives Here

Don Airey (Deep Purple)

One of the best hard rock albums you'll hear in 2020 is Heat Wave from Sweden rockers Thundermother! An album that has it all, balls to the wall rock 'n' roll, bluesy jams, soaring ballads and hard rock anthems that will have you cranking them loud and proud all the way to 11!I recently chatted to guitarist and founding member FILIPPA NÄSSIL, check it out below.

FILIPPA NÄSSIL (THUNDERMOTHER)

In the early 2000’s, Melbourne’s RED CIRCLE seemed poised to bring anthemic and epic rock back from the shadows in which it had been lurking. Riding the wave out of Nu-Metal, in an era when discovering new music via Myspace was becoming a thing, bands such as Marvelous 3, Waltham and American Hi-Fi were bringing back the guitar solo, anthemic choruses and a touch of that 80’s hard rock attitude. Locally, Motor Ace were delivering monster riffs, Jet were just about to take off and Electric Mary were just kicking off. In the midst of this was RED CIRCLE.I catch up with lead vocalist and guitarist Zakk Zedras to get the lowdown on the upcoming digital release for their album All We Are, as well as dive into the history of the band and what might be on the horizon in 2020 / 2021.

Zakk Zedras (Red Circle)

It was awesome to chat with legendary guitarist Phil X this morning about the latest single and video from The Drills ‘Right On The Money’.Another ball tearing rock song from The Drills, with a new album Stupid Good Lookings Vol 2 potentially being released later this year.Whilst 2020 hasn’t quite been the year for Phil X and Bon Jovi it was planned to be. For fans of Phil X & The Drills , there’s new music to check out, the Phil X App which I encourage you all to download, with lots of great video content being uploaded weekly.Particularly if you want to find out more around Phil’s work with the likes of Daughtry, Chris Cornell, Gavin DeGraw, Avril, Tommy Lee, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper there's some great stories that Phil shares…yep, the man’s a legend!Enjoy this chat and I hope Phil and I kick your ass with this interview in 17 minutes…

Phil X (The Drills, Bon Jovi)

One of the great things I enjoy about Rock Lives Here is discovering new bands and AshenMoon are easily one of the most exciting new bands I've heard in the last couple of years.New band by name, however with some familiar band members.... Gary Beers, bass player of INXS, Toby Rand, the voice of Juke Kartel and Jimmy Khoury, the secret weapon guitarist from Beth Hart's band amongst others.AshenMoon have just released the double A-side single Dustbowl/Mosquito and I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Toby Rand about all things AshenMoon, current life in lockdown over in Los Angeles where Toby is based.AshenMoon: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Toby Rand (Ashen Moon)

THE DEAD DAISIES have unleashed their latest track and video “UNSPOKEN” off the forthcoming newstudio album, Holy Ground. With tours and releases around the world being postponed due to currentglobal issues, the band felt that with such an amazing album waiting in the wings, they needed to getsome new music out.With Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Glenn Hughes joining the band, it’s now a leaner four-piece outfit that has brought a new urgency and vigour to their overall sound and vibe. Glenn's primal rhythms, Deen Castronovo's equal parts rage and prowess on the drums, the powerful and complimentary fretwork of guitar virtuoso Doug Aldrich and the solid rhythm guitar foundation of David Lowy has elevated the band up there alongside the pantheon of legendary rock bands.I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with legendary drummer Deen Castronovo about the upcoming new album, having Glenn Hughes join the band last year and of course about Deen's last few years in the band.Follow The Dead Daisies: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Deen Castronovo (The Dead Daisies)

Melbourne classic rock champions, Riff Raiders have just released their second album Rock N Roll Daydream.The album features eleven rock anthem tracks that successfully showcase and match the vocal range of powerhouse frontwoman Jenni Powell with Marty Powell’s song-crafting, guitar and production talents. Music to definitely flatten the curve to!Rock N Roll Daydream comes hot on the heels of their recent Double-A side single Best Day Ever / Loaded Gun which was released with accompanying twin videos.New single, Samantha Jones, tells the true story of a fan who left a vinyl copy of Riff Raiders first album on a train, and the awesome efforts Sammy J went to to get it back to him. Yeah, she's doin' it right!

Riff Raiders (Jenni & Marty Powell)

Over a decade ago, Rev Theory were one of the rulers of modern rock, with Hell Yeah & Voices being songs you couldn't escape, even down here in Australia.2017 saw the band call it quits after a fast and furious decade, however in 2020, that has all changed, with the return of Rev Theory and an exciting new era of the band having commenced. Just as the band embraced technology and social media back in the mid 2000's to propel their fame, expect the same in 2020 and beyond.I recently caught up with Julian Jorgensen to talk past, present & future of Rev Theory and find out who exactly is involved in the band in 2020.Be sure to check out the band's latest single, a remix version of One which was released a few months back - available on all the usual streaming platforms from 13th March.Follow Rev Theory: Website| Facebook |Instagram

Julien Jorgensen (Rev Theory)

"Music fans are in for a real treat this March as WANSTOCK returns to suburban Victoria with an enviable glam-rock line-up. The third year for the mini-festival, WANSTOCK launched as organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s ode to the days of Woodstock and bringing back 70s hey day of festival fun.A long-time Ted Mulry Gang fan, his vision for the 2020 event is around the great glam-rockers, including Get Rocked, Kings of Oz, City Sharps, The Day Dreamers and Stonetrip. Geoff cut his teeth in the great days of the pub rock era working as a roadie, and that passion for the music industry has never wavered. When it came to putting together the line-up for this year’s event, he wanted to ensure there was something to please everyone.“There is the glam rock of TMG (Ted Mulry Gang) and Get Rocked / Hush,” he says. “Some covers with Kings of Oz, high energy rock from the Day Dreamers to the rock and roll of the City Sharps and Stonetrip. The basic premise is let’s have some fun! We should all have fun while we still can, and recreate some magnificent pub rock, as well as experiencing some great up-and-coming bands!”TMG were a cornerstone of the 70s rock scene. Label mates with AC/DC on Alberts, TMG helped shape the guitar-driven sound of Aussie rock. Their 1975 smash hit Jump In My Car catapulted them to superstardom and they followed with a swag of crowd pleasers such as Darktown Strutters Ball, Crazy, My Little Girl, Heart of Stone, and (You’ve Got) The Devil In You to name a few. The respect the industry had for Ted Mulry was evident by the massive support shown by fellow musicians who put on a series of concerts to raise money for him after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. Steve stepped up to perform for Ted at a benefit in his honour Gimme Ted and received the thumbs up from his big brother, so it was only fitting that when TMG got back together that Steve performed for Ted. Now, TMG are back being a hot commodity on the touring circuit, widely renowned for their great live shows."(Podcast Opening Song Credit: Thanks to Melbourne legends The Radio Sun for supplying the intro music, lifted from their track Switch Off The World Tonight)

Herm Kovac (Ted Mulry Gang)

If you love your rock with a classic vibe and elements of prog, AOR and chock full of melodies, then I'm assuming you're already all over The Night Flight Orchestra, right? If not, then this could very well be your new favourite band.The guys have just dropped their most glorious and cinematic album yet. It's titled Aeromantic and released 28th February 2020.Check out my chat with frontman Bjorn Strid as we try and unlock why air, time & space has inspired so much amazing music over the years. We talk how he has evolved as a singer and songwriter since starting The Night Flight Orchestra over 10 years ago and I also can't help but ask whether the track Divinyls is in fact a nod to the legendary Aussie rockers, The Divinyls.Follow The Night Flight Orchestra: Website| Facebook |Instagram(Podcast Opening Song Credit: Thanks to Melbourne legends The Radio Sun for supplying the intro music, lifted from their track Switch Off The World Tonight)

Bjorn Strid (The Night Flight Orchestra)

Continuing on from their action packed 2019, 2020 has seen The Wolfe Brothers kick off the year in the same fashion, touring! This leg of the tour being No Sad Songs and sees them hitting Victoria in March. I recently caught up with frontman Nick Wolfe to reflect on Country Heart, the album that won them Golden Guitars for Group Of The Year, Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year. We also talk new music to be released in 2020, share a mutual love for 80's hard rock band Warrant and we start out chat with Nick's recent appearance at Fire Fight Australia, with Lee Kernaghan.Follow The Wolfe Brothers: Website| Facebook |Instagram(Podcast Opening Song Credit: Thanks to Melbourne legends The Radio Sun for supplying the intro music, lifted from their track Switch Off The World Tonight)

Nick Wolfe (The Wolfe Brothers)

Midnite City are one band definitely not to be missed at MelodicRock Fest in Melbourne in March.With the UK rockers bringing an infectious mix of hair metal vibes with a touch of melodic hard rock, all I have to say about their upcoming visit down under is "Here Comes The Party....!!"I recently caught up with their lead singer Rob Wydle to chat about his expectations of their first visit to Australia, being big in Japan and a love of Neighbours, Roxus and The Veronicas!Follow Midnite City: Website| Facebook |Instagram (Podcast Opening Song Credit: Thanks to Melbourne legends The Radio Sun for supplying the intro music, lifted from their track Switch Off The World Tonight)

Rob Wylde (Midnite City)

March 3rd is a date to mark in your calendars if you are a fan of Rose Tattoo for the release of new album ‘Outlaws’.An album that sees the current lineup of Rose Tattoo getting to leave their recorded imprint in the Rose Tattoo legacy by re-recording that iconic debut album Rock N Roll Outlaw. With the addition of three tracks that were originally demoed, but never making the final cut – Rosetta, Snow Queen & Sweet Love Rock and Roll.If you’ve seen Rose Tattoo recently, then you are already well aware that Angry has assembled a lineup that includes some of the best in the business. Legendary bass player, Mark Evans of AC/DC fame, iconic guitarist Bob Spencer from Finch, Skyhooks & The Angels, the Pete Wells endorsed “unbelievably talented maestro of rock mayhem”, Dai Pritchard on slide and Jackie Barnes, son of Jimmy keeping time on drums.My chat with Angry is one you don’t want to miss, with Angry digging deep into the memory bank to talk all things that first album,working with the legendary George Young and Harry Vanda, as well as a raw, candid and honest insight into those volatile early days of one of the most influential rock bands to have existed on the planet.

Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo)

Paul Laine is no stranger to Melbourne Rock City, with the Canadian melodic rock legend having played here almost every year in recent years. So it's an understatement to say it's great to see him returning again to Australia in March for Melodicrock Fest, as well getting the chance to visit Sydney and Brisbane for a bunch of shows with FM, Tony Harnell, The Radio Sun and Cassidy Paris...check those details below.With 2020 being the 30 anniversary of Paul's debut solo album Stick It In Your Ear, in this chat we talk the memories of recording that album with Bruce Fairbairn, as well as touch on that brilliant album Zokusho from The Defiants released in September 2019.Follow Paul Laine: Website| Facebook |Instagram (Podcast Opening Song Credit: Thanks to Melbourne legends The Radio Sun for supplying the intro music, lifted from their track Switch Off The World Tonight)

Paul Laine

With MelodicRock Fest in Melbourne fast approaching in March, one artist I'm especially looking forward to seeing perform for the first time, is Tony Harnell. Tony will be performing acoustically and with a vast catalogue of material to call upon from TNT, Starbreaker, Morning Wood, Westworld, The Mercury Train, LoveKillers, these will be special sets from Tony showcasing that immense rock vocal power for which he is renowned.In my chat with Tony, we talk about expectations of his first Aussie visits, adapting his songs to the acoustic format, as well as delving into his formative years finding his voice as a singer. Check out Tony's full suite of Aussie dates below...Follow Tony Harnell: Website| Facebook |Instagram (Podcast Opening Song Credit: Thanks to Melbourne legends The Radio Sun for supplying the intro music, lifted from their track Switch Off The World Tonight)

Tony Harnell (TNT, Starbreaker)

ROCK shunned by the mainstream and which the industry gatekeepers tell us is dead in the 2020’s. ROCK played by the vagabonds, rebels, outcasts, renegades, misfits, underdogs and defiant ones. ROCK that is hard, classic, melodic, southern, blues, alternative or country and everything in between. Round here though it's just called ROCK. Rock Lives Here, the community where ROCK is definitely not dead.