Eddie Trunk

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: AS PER POSTER RICH, WHICH ARTISTS DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK N’ ROLL HALL OF FAME AND HAVE NOT BEEN YET OR YOU FEEL HAVE BEEN SNUBBED?

Dana — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:11:29 +0000

No shock here, John Sykes, I don’t care if he gets inducted with either Thin Lizzy or Whitesnake.

ANNUAL “ROCK FOR RONNIE” CONCERT IN THE PARK RAISES OVER $125,000 FOR RONNIE JAMES DIO STAND UP AND SHOUT CANCER FUND

Dana — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:26:17 +0000

The annual Rock For Ronnie Concert in the Park, held on May 31st at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park, has brought in over $125,000 for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund. Crowd favorite Lita Ford, popular tribute band Led Zepagain, the new lineup of Dio Disciples, southern rock band Jason Charles Miller, British hard rock band Legs Diamond, the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies, Los Angeles-based up and comers Saints of Sinners and the signature All-Star Jam comprised the day of non-stop music. The event was hosted by radio and television personality Eddie Trunk, who is heard on SiriusXM’s 103 Faction Talk channel.

Cancer researchers Irene Choi and Neeti Swarup from Dr. David Wong’s lab at the UCLA School of Dentistry accepted a check for $25,000 to advance their ongoing research to develop a simple, non-invasive saliva swab test for early cancer detection. Because cancer fingerprints are seven times more prevalent in saliva than in blood, this research is crucial to early cancer diagnoses, a major priority for the Dio Cancer Fund.

Local newcomers Saints of Sinners, who count Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler and his wife and manager Gloria Butler among their supporters, kicked off the afternoon of music. They were followed by the all-female tribute to AC/DC Whole Lotta Rosies and veteran British band Legs Diamond, who delivered their brand of hard rock.

Returning to Rock For Ronnie by popular demand for the fourth consecutive year was southern rocker Jason Charles Miller with his band, comprising Allie Kay and Gary Joseph Potter Jr. on guitars; Zach Andrews on bass and drummer Nick Mason.

Dio Disciples inaugurated most of its new lineup with singers Oni Logan and Robin McAuley alternating lead vocals, backed by Rowan Robertson on guitar, Scott Warren on keyboards and Bjorn Englen in bass. Veteran drummer Brian Tichy filled in for Disciples’ drummer Simon Wright, who is currently recovering from surgery.

Popular Led Zeppelin tribute band Led Zepagain, who last year joined the All-Star Jam, returned to perform a full set to the packed crowd.

A spirited live auction preceded Lita Ford’s headline set in which signed one-of-a-kind guitars donated by George Thorogood, Geezer Butler and Lita herself were auctioned off. George Thorogood donated an Epiphone Les Paul while Geezer Butler donated a Lakland bass. Lita Ford once again asked PBS “Guitar Builder to the Stars” Jim Cara, who has designed custom guitars for her, to create a special one-of-a-kind guitar for the occasion, this one featuring the artwork from Dio’s Holy Diver album.

Following her high energy set, backed by her band comprising Patrick Kennison on guitar, Marten Andersson on bass and drummer Bobby Rock, Wendy Dio presented Lita Ford with the Dio Cancer Fund’s Queen of Rock ‘N Roll award in honor of her continued commitment and support of the charity.

Closing out the afternoon of music was the now-traditional All-Star Jam, this year featuring Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath), Robbie Crane (Warrant, Black Star Riders), Phil Demmel (Kerry King, Machine Head), Mike Dupke (Wednesday 13), Marc Ferrari (Keel, Cold Sweat), Shani Kamelman (Iron Maidens), Ari Kamen (Steven Adler Band), Julia Lage (Vixen), Mike Mangin (The Cult), Chad McMurray (RivetSkull), Keith Nelson (Buckcherry), Michael Nelson (Ricky Warwick), Marty O’Brien (Daughtry), Kirsten Rosenberg (The Iron Maidens), Robert Sarzo (Hurricane), Neil Turbin (Death Star Riders, Anthrax), Ricky Warwick (Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders), Victor Wichmann (Metalachi) and musician and sponsor Bill McBride.

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund was founded in memory of the late singer. A privately funded 501(c)(3) public charity, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund has already raised over $2 million since its inception. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, AIDS and Leukemia Research, the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, and other cancer research projects. Since 2016, the Dio Cancer Fund has committed funds to support the research of Dr. David Wong and his team at the UCLA School of Dentistry in developing a simple, non-invasive saliva test for the early detection of cancer.

100% of the net proceeds from the Rock For Ronnie will go to the Dio Cancer Fund, which is now in its 16th year of raising awareness and much-needed funding for cancer prevention, education and research for a cure.

The organization also hosts the annual Bowl for Ronnie Celebrity Bowling Party, which will be held on November 12th, 2026.

Save the date for next year’s Rock for Ronnie: May 23rd, 2027.

[Pictured above: Eddie Trunk, Dio Cancer Fund Medical Director Dr. Sandy Kapoor, Dio Cancer Fund Founder/President Wendy Dio, Irene Choi and Neeti Swarup of the UCLA School of Dentistry (Photo by Gene Kirkland)]

[Pictured embed: Lita Ford with Darren Cowan, the high bidder for the Jim Cara-designed Holy Diver guitar that she played during her Rock For Ronnie set. (Photo by Gene Kirkland)]

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JUDAS PRIEST ALBUM?

Dana — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 14:48:18 +0000

Hands downs:

LISTEN TO SEBASTIAN BACH, BOB DAISLEY, MICK BOX, JONATHAN CAIN, DOUG ALDRICH AND CARMINE APPICE COVER RAINBOW’S “MAN ON THE SILVER MOUNTAIN”

Dana — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:42:14 +0000

With just days to wait now before Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow touches down on June 19th, Cleopatra Records has unleashed the final single from the set. Sebastian Bach, the former Skid Row hero who now leads Twisted Sister, fronts a devastating performance of Man On The Silver Mountain — originally a cut from Rainbow‘s epochal debut album, back in 1975, but a concert favorite for years thereafter.

Rainbow‘s own Bob Daisley, Uriah Heep‘s Mick Box, Journey‘s Jonathan Cain and Whitesnake‘s Doug Aldrich complete the lineup, alongside the super-legendary Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Beck Bogert & Appice, Rod Stewart), who reveals that he was almost in Rainbow himself.

“I was supposed to be in Rainbow back in the day,” Appice said. “Ritchie asked me to be in it, but I couldn’t do it, so I was very pleased to play on this track. I love all the musicians, too — they are all fantastic players and all good friends. So this track kicks ass!”

Jonathan Cain, too, has only the happiest memories of Rainbow.

“When Cleopatra asked me to play on a Rainbow tribute project, I was excited to add my keyboards to it,” Cain said. “Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio were one of the truly melodic and memorable metal bands. I got to party with him towards the end of his touring days after a Sweden Rock Festival. His soaring voice and melodies will be remembered for decades to come.”

Listen the cover of Man On The Silver Mountain, below. For additional details about this special release, such as the track listing, and to listen to the tribute’s cover of Long Live Rock N’ Roll, please go here.

DEEP PURPLE RELEASE VIDEO FOR SECOND SINGLE OFF OF THEIR FORTHCOMING NEW ALBUM, “SPLAT!,” LISTEN TO “DIABLO” HERE

Dana — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:28:41 +0000

Deep Purple have released the official music video for their new single, Diablo. The new track is the latest taste of Splat!, the band’s new studio album, due July 3rd.

Diablo follows Arrogant Boy (which can be heard here), the first single from Splat! and opens the door to one of Deep Purple‘s surreal new story worlds: the most dangerous place on earth, where a heroine crosses a river, jumps into a fighting pit, celebrates with a bucket of wine, falls into the glitter pool and somehow makes it back home with a tale to tell. Diablo is a classic Deep Purple rocker — the kind of hard rock track that lives from the riff, the groove and the band chemistry captured in the studio.

On the new single, the band is joined by a special guest, global superstar and Grammy-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Keith Urban on second guitar.

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan says of Diablo, “It is all about taking chances. Just for once in your life, do something exciting, step out of the mold, take that curious bend in the road instead of sticking to the highway and do something that will, for the rest of your life, either guide or warn you.” Listen to Diablo, below.

To read further details about Splat!, please click here.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: CARMINE APPICE SAYS THAT METALLICA IS THE FIRST TRUE HEAVY METAL BAND, “BEFORE ALL THAT, IT WAS HARD ROCK” (*VARIATION ON THE ROGER DALTREY COMMENT)

Dana — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:06:15 +0000

n a new interview with Poland’s MetalSide, legendary rock drummer Carmine Appice believes that Metallica was the first true heavy metal band.

He said (as per blabbermouth.net), “I consider heavy metal starting with Metallica. Before all that, it was hard rock. The crunchy guitars, the buzztone guitar and the double bass following guitar, that’s what started heavy metal. Everything else before that — Mötley Crüe and Van Halen, Blue Murder — everything’s hard rock. Heavy hard rock. But metal comes from the guitar for me.”

SOUL ASYLUM ANNOUNCES WORLDWIDE TOUR

Dana — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:29:34 +0000

Soul Asylum has announced a worldwide tour that will take the band across North America, South America, and beyond, bringing their celebrated live show to audiences around the globe (tickets on-sale Friday, June 5). The announcement comes as the band prepares to release MPLS Unplugged later this summer, a special live album celebrating the 30th anniversary of their legendary 1993 MTV Unplugged performance.

Coinciding with the tour announcement is the release of What Will Become of Me, one of the most anticipated recordings in the band’s history. First performed live in 1995, the song earned a devoted following despite never being officially released. More than three decades later, fans can finally hear it fully realized on MPLS Unplugged, set for release August 28th, 2026 through Blue Élan Records.

Recorded at Minneapolis’ historic State Theatre on April 20th, 2023, nearly 30 years to the day after the band’s original MTV Unplugged appearance, MPLS Unplugged captures Soul Asylum in an intimate setting while showcasing the depth and emotional resonance that have defined the band’s music for more than four decades.

Frontman Dave Pirner is joined by guitarist Ryan Smith, bassist Jeremy Tapparo, and drummer Michael Bland, along with returning keyboardist Ivan Neville, STRINGenius string quartet, and the Robert Robinson Gospel Singers. Neville‘s history with the band stretches back to the original 1993 Unplugged performance, making his return a fitting bridge between the two eras.

Among the album’s highlights is What Will Become of Me, a song that has lived exclusively onstage since its debut in 1995. Alongside fellow live favorite Farmer John, it represents one of two songs on the album that had never previously been recorded or released, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience an important piece of Soul Asylum‘s live legacy.

For Soul Asylum, the release of MPLS Unplugged and the launch of a worldwide tour reflect a band that continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its roots. More than 40 years into their career, they remain one of rock’s most enduring live acts, performing for audiences old and new while continuing to uncover fresh dimensions within their catalog.

Soul Asylum World Tour 2026:

June 8 – Manchester, UK – Gorilla

June 9 – London, UK – The Dome

June 11 – Kleylehof, Austria – Nova Rock

June 13 – Oroville, CA – Feather Falls Casino

June 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Pryes Brewing Company

June 20 – Duluth, MN – Grandma’s Marathon

July 3 – Arlington Heights, IL – Frontier Days Festival

July 4 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest

July 29 – Worcester, MA – Off The Rails

July 30 – Hampton, NH – Wally’s Pub

July 31 – St. John, NB, Canada – Area 506 Festival

August 15 – Las Vegas, NV – The Strat
August 16 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up

August 17 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House

August 19 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House

August 20 – Bozeman, MT – The Elm

August 21 – Libby, MT – Happy’s Inn

August 23 – Calgary, AB, Canada – The Arrowhead

August 25 – Edmonton, AB, Canada – Midway

August 26 – Regina, SK, Canada – Casino Regina

August 27 – Winnipeg – Park Theatre

September 13 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Caupolican (w/ +LIVE+)

September 15 – Comuna 15, Argentina – C Art Media (w/ +LIVE+)

September 17 – Lima, Peru – Costa 21 (w/ +LIVE+)

September 19 – Mexico City, Mexico – Velodromo Olimpico (w/ +LIVE+)

September 22 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Coca-Cola Music Hall (w/ +LIVE+)

November 21 – Clearwater, FL – St. Pete Bike Fest

More dates TBA

Tickets on sale now at SoulAsylum.com

L.A. GUNS BRING THE “ELECTRIC GYPSY” BACK FROM THE GUILD THEATRE WITH NEW ‘LIVE FROM THE GUILD THEATRE’ ALBUMOUT JULY 3RD THROGH CLEOPATRA RECORDS

Dana — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:20:36 +0000

July 3rd sees the release of one of the most anticipated live albums of the metal year, a full all-format release for Live From The Guild Theatre, recorded almost exactly one year earlier at the onstage launch of L.A. Guns’ most acclaimed album in years, the mighty Leopard Skin.

It nails it here, too, sliding in between Hellraisers Ball and Like A Drug, but Live From The Guild Theatre is explosive from start to finish, the Gunners firing off killer versions of fan favorites tracing as far back as the band’s debut album – Sex Action, for example, probably hasn’t featured in the repertoire since the eighties, but it’s alive and kickin’ here.

Sophomore set Cocked and Loaded, meanwhile, spits out some of the most powerful shotgun blasts in the band’s entire arsenal – I Wanna Be Your Man, The Ballad of Jayne, Rip and Tear, and the set-ender, Never Enough. And Leopard Skin gets both a triumphant airing and a delirious response.

In fact, longtime vocalist Phil Lewis and the man who put the Guns in L.A. Guns, Tracii Guns, have never sounded better – quite an achievement for a band that’s been tearing up the stages of the world since 1983. Ace Von Johnson(guitar), Johnny Martin (bass) and Shawn Duncan (drums) complete the line-up.

The first single from the album, Electric Gypsy (watch the video below) which is now available to stream and download here, is another from the self-titled debut, and it sounds as fresh now as it did way back then…drop it into your streaming playlist and it won’t simply wake up the neighbors, it’ll have them hammering on your door, demanding to know what you’re listening to.

L.A. Guns–Live From The Guild Theatre:

1. Intro – Taste It
2. Cannonball
3. Electric Gypsy
4. Sex Action
5. Hellraisers Ball
6. Hit and Run
7. Like a Drug
8. Speed
9. One More Reason
10. Theremin Jam
11. Over the Edge
12. Guitar Solo
13. I Wanna Be Your Man
14. Lucky Motherfucker
15. Never Enough
16. The Ballad of Jayne
17. Rip and Tear

Connect with L.A. Guns: Website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

EUROPE SHARES SECOND VIDEO/SINGLE, “THE CULT OF IGNORANCE” FROM THEIR FORTHCOMING “COME THIS MADNESS” OUT SEPTEMBER 25TH

Dana — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:13:24 +0000

Europe release the hook-laden new single, The Cult of Ignorance, the second track unveiled from their highly anticipated forthcoming studio album, Come This Madness, set for release on September 25th through Silver Lining Music. Pre-orders are available now.

Driven by an instantly memorable hook and an anthemic chorus, The Cult of Ignorance combines undeniable catchiness with a message that resonates in today’s fast-moving world, delivering moments of reflection without losing its positive, feel-good energy.

As well as featuring Europe, the accompanying star-studded video showcases cameos from high-profile friends of the band, including renowned actress Malin Åkerman, former World No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion tennis player Stefan Edberg, astronaut Christer Fuglesang, Howling Pelle (The Hives), Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) and E-Type, alongside many other notable personalities from the world of music, film, fashion, sports and science.

“I love this track. It’s a straightforward rock anthem with lyrics reflecting the times we live in, written slightly tongue in cheek” says Europe’s founding member and frontman Joey Tempest. “Mic (keyboards) came to me with this song idea while on tour in South America – I thought it was crazy good! We finished it together and it’s become a real banger! The title was inspired by a phrase coined by author and biochemist Isaac Asimov. It reflects some of the negative tendencies emerging in our world today, though it is written in a slightly light-hearted tone.”

Watch/Listen to The Cult of Ignorance below.

For more details about Come This Madness, and to see the band’s debut single/video, One On One, please go here.

ARMORED SAINT PRESENTS “EVERY MAN-ANY MAN” VIDEO

Dana — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:58:28 +0000

Armored Saint today presents their video for Every Man-Any Man. The track comes off the band’s critically-lauded new full-length, Emotion Factory Reset, out now on Metal Blade Records.

“‘Any man has his price’ is a more familiar phrase and that’s the theme, but we didn’t want to call it that,” recalls vocalist John Bush on the track, “It was too obvious. We said, ‘How about we call the first part of the line ‘every man-any man’ and then stop there.’ The intro guitar part almost has this Andy Summers/Police vibe. Then [Joey Vera] goes into the cool bass groove. That’s vintage Joey; he’s such a grooving bass player, and it sounds super unique; you probably won’t hear a groove like that from too many metal bands.

Combined with [drummer] Gonzo [Sandoval], sometimes the grooves that they combine on are essential to Armored Saint‘s sound and have been for years. When those two guys are locked in, it’s pretty awesome, because it’s like they could be playing in the Commodores. That’s the feeling that, I think, is the beauty of Armored Saint; it takes it to another place that a lot of bands can’t go to in the metal world. That’s a perfect example of it.”

Adds Vera, “I liked the idea of having the verse, music, and chorus be the same music parts, but with different vocal parts. This idea was inspired by a song by the band The Police. I also wanted to add all the kitchen sink ingredients, so there are nods to Foo Fighters, Thin Lizzy, and it all ends with a crushing Armored Saint riff.”

Watch the band’s previously released video for Close To The Bone here and Hit A Moonshot here.

Emotion Factory Reset, Armored Saint‘s ninth studio album, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. The record is available now on CD digipack (w/ 20-page booklet) and digital formats as well as vinyl in varied color variants.

Preview/purchase the record at: metalblade.com/armoredsaint

Armored Saint has confirmed performances throughout the Spring and Summer months both Stateside and abroad as well as a North American co-headlining tour with Metal Church this Fall! The Metal Saint Tour 2026 will commence on November 2nd in San Juan Capistrano, California and runs through November 21st in Agoura Hills, California. Additional support will be provided by LiveKill.

Tickets + VIP upgrades are available now at: nationalactsvip.com/armoredsaint. See all confirmed dates here.