The Rock Is George Podcast

08/23/2026

08/21/2026

“I didn’t want [the band name] to sound like we’re playing at Back Angus on Thursday, and I didn’t want it to be like we’re Norway’s latest Death Metal band.” - Ron Freschi

George Dionne interviews Babylon A.D. guitarist RON FRESCHI about his latest project Scar Chamber for KNAC.COM. Their debut album, ‘Ugly On The Inside’, is set for release on August 12, 2026 through Kivel Records.

Highlights include:

-How SCAR CHAMBER came to be
-Finding his singer on Craigslist
-Assembling the rest of the band
-Some members missing out on the songwriting
-Drawing from some obscure BABYLON A.D. material
-Story behind the album’s title track
-Unfair genre labels
-Signing with Kivel Records
-Plans for live performances
-Origins of the band’s name
-Response to BABYLON A.D.’s 2025 album
-AI stealing from the band
-Touring in the red
-Plans for new music for both bands
-And much, much more!

“I didn’t want [the band name] to sound like we’re playing at Back Angus on Thursday, and I didn’t want it to be like we’re Norway’s latest Death Metal band.” – Ron Freschi

08/19/2026

KNAC.COM Review: ACCEPT – Teutonic Titans 1976-2026

For some reason, over the last decade or so, bands have been doing tribute albums of themselves, for lack of a better term. Some may call this re-recording, but more and more bands are “re-recording” themselves AND bringing in their musician friends....

For some reason, over the last decade or so, bands have been doing tribute albums of themselves, for lack of a better term. Some may call this re-recording, but more and more bands are “re-recordin…

08/18/2026

Want to know the title of the next Primal Fear album? Tune in..

“When I saw my schedule for PRIMAL FEAR, I thought, there’s not enough space to do anything with SINNER.” - Mat Sinner

George Dionne interviews SINNER founder and bassist Mat Sinner about their final album ‘Boom Bang Goodbye’ for KNAC.COM. The album is out now through Reigning Phoenix Music. Sinner is also the bassist for PRIMAL FEAR.

Highlights include:

-The decision to end SINNER
-How the album came together
-Including guest musicians
-Lyrical inspiration
-Did any vocalists pass on the opportunity
-The return of Mathias Dieth
-Early SINNER albums
-What led to their departure from Noise Records
-Is this truly the last SINNER album
-Working on the next PRIMAL FEAR album
-When to expect the album
-Title of the album reveal
-PRIMAL FEAR’s recent festival appearances
-Upcoming live performances
-Difficulties with lining up gigs in the US
-What will he do with his downtime now
-And much, much more!

“When I saw my schedule for PRIMAL FEAR, I thought, there’s not enough space to do anything with SINNER.” – Mat Sinner

08/13/2026

08/04/2026

"We got together for the pure love of music and that’s it.” - Sean Manning

George Dionne interviews The Exiles guitarist SEAN MANNING about the 30th anniversary edition of their lost 1996 album ‘Turning Time’ for KNAC.COM. The reworked and expanded album is available now on CD through Bad Reputation Records, and will be available for streaming worldwide on August 7, 2026.

In addition, KNAC.COM is premiering a new video from the band for the single "Soul Woman"

THE EXILES also features vocalist Paul Rafferty (ex-BONHAM). In addition to THE EXILES, Manning had stints in Quiet Riot/LITTLE WOMEN and HURRICANE.

Highlights include:

-How the group originally formed
-His time with Kelly Hansen and HURRICANE
-Changes in the music scene at the time
-Working with PAT BENATAR’s backing band
-Nearly killing actor Nick Nolte on the way to the studio
-The 1996 limited run (1000) of the album
-What led to the 30th anniversary release of ‘Turning Time’
-Repairing the master recordings
-Finding forgotten music, lyrics, and drawings
-Making the album the way he originally wanted in 1996
-Songwriting dynamics
-Releasing the album on vinyl
-Will THE EXILES release new music or play live
-His time with Kevin Dubrow and QUIET RIOT
-Walking away from the music business
-And much, much more!

“We got together for the pure love of music and that’s it.” – Sean Manning

08/01/2026

“We took a long time to write [‘Truth’]. It wasn’t to make it perfect, it really was just scheduling.” - Patrick Gagliardi...

George Dionne interviews STORM FORCE vocalist PATRICK GAGLIARDI about their latest album ‘Truth’ for KNAC.COM. The album is set for release on September 29, 2026 through BraveWords Records. STORM FORCE was founded by BRIGHTON ROCK guitarist Greg Fraser.

In addition, KNAC.COM is proud to exclusively present the band's newest single, "Saviour"

Highlights include:

-When the songwriting process began
-Delays along the way
-Meeting guitarist Greg Fraser when he was nine
-How STORM FORCE began
-Writing as a duo
-Stories behind some of the songs
-Signing with BraveWords Records
-Possibilities of a vinyl release
-Live performance plans
-Impacts of releasing their debut in 2020
-BRIGHTON ROCK’s popularity in Canada in the 80s
-Patrick’s pre-STORM FORCE days
-His current outside projects
-Sneaking to the front row of a PRINCE concert
-What inspired the band’s name
-Had they considered continuing with the BRIGHTON ROCK name
-And much, much more!

“We took a long time to write [‘Truth’]. It wasn’t to make it perfect, it really was just scheduling.” – Patrick Gagliardi

07/26/2026

Here’s the final archival summer break interview you might have missed. Actually, I know you’ve missed it, it’s not from that long ago either. If you fancy yourself a LED ZEPPELIN fan, these kids from the UK are paying homage. Yes, this has been done many times over, but JAYLER is embracing it and not trying to avoid the comparisons….

George Dionne interviews JAYLER vocalist JAMES BARTHOLOMEW and guit...

07/24/2026

07/22/2026