Rock & Roll Nightmares

Authors Martin Porter and David Goggin (aka Mr. Bonzai) join the podcast to unpack their collaborative book, “Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios.” Staci spotlights the book’s expansive deep dive into the storied studios that shaped so many iconic 1970s rock albums. With locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Sausalito—and a legendary fleet of remote recording trucks—Record Plant’s influence spanned every corner of the mus...

Historian of pop culture, film, and music, John Harrison, joins Staci on Rock & Roll Nightmares to discuss his latest project: a comprehensive, 676-page book on KISS titled Creatures of the Screen. Unlike any other book on the band, John’s work is an immersive exploration of KISS’s presence onscreen, covering their films, TV appearances, and notable music videos. The book also delves into other shows and media inspired by—and e...

This episode features Jake Sumner, director of the music documentary Ron Delsener Presents. The film explores the life and legacy of legendary music impresario Ron Delsener, with insights from an impressive roster of interviewees including Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and Bette Midler. As the son of Sting (of The Police), Jake brings a unique perspective to the project, having known Delsene...

In this episode, Rock & Roll Nightmares welcomes author and Professor of Literature Jarret Keene, whose work first caught Staci’s attention with the release of his novel, Hammer of the Dogs. Now, Jarret returns with his newly released short story collection, Gateways to Annihilation—a book packed with wild, rock and roll-infused tales that are as twisted as they are entertaining. Tune in as he discusses his latest work as well ...

Colin Blunstone, lead singer of the iconic psychedelic rock band The Zombies, joins Staci on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss "Hung Up on a Dream," the first-ever feature-length documentary about the band. Despite hits like "She's Not There" and "Time of the Season" and their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, the band's story hasn't been fully documented until now. Colin shares insights into the film's collaborative pr...

Author Jennifer Banash joins Staci on "Rock & Roll Nightmares" to discuss her novel "The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana," a twisty mystery about a Rolling Stone reporter uncovering a famous rock star's dark secret. Jennifer reminisces about her experiences in New York's club scene during the early 2000s and shares the surprising inspiration behind her main characters. She also offers a glimpse into her upcoming works—two books ins...

Staci welcomes writer-director Kirsten Foe to discuss her rock and roll cautionary tale "Off the Record." What begins as a romance movie between two musician lovers takes a dark turn, putting the microscope on the Svengalis of the music industry. Kirsten shares insights about her impressive cast featuring Rainey Qualley, Ryan Hansen, Rebecca De Mornay, and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. She reveals the challenges of filming during the pan...

1991 wasn’t just another year—it was a musical and cultural earthquake. Grunge went from the underground to the mainstream, changing rock music and an entire generation’s outlook along the way. Staci’s guest, Rob Janicke, has written a book, Slacker: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, and the Generation It Created, which explores the movement’s impact, the key players, and why the world embraced it so fiercely. Rob is also the founder of Gen...

What’s it like to get a guitar lesson from Keith Richards, sword-fight Bruce Dickinson, or launch a Pink Floyd airship? For legendary rock promoter Paul Rappaport, it was all just part of the job. In this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares, host Staci talks with Paul about his memoir, Gliders Over Hollywood, which pulls back the curtain on the wild world of rock promotion.

With a career spanning decades at Columbia Records, Paul ...

David Bowie was the ultimate musical chameleon, but his transformation after Let’s Dance in 1983 led to one of the most unexpected chapters of his career. In this episode of Rock & Roll Nightmares, host Staci Layne Wilson welcomes author Don Klees to discuss his book On Track, which takes a deep dive into Bowie’s later years—from the Tin Machine experiment to his haunting farewell, Blackstar.

Staci and Don explore Bowie’s shifti...

Staci’s guest is Alycen Rowse, the author of a memoir, “We've Got Tonight: The Life and Times of a Notorious Groupie.” She currently hosts the popular Cocktails and Rock Tales podcast, in which she dishes on the two decades she spent waking up next to the most infamous musicians in rock history. Alycen has some funny stories and insightful perspectives on the groupie lifestyle, which she discusses here – as well as sharing her “roc...

Staci’s guest is Roni Lee, a powerhouse singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose career stretches back to the 1970s L.A. rock scene. She was a member of the legendary punk band Venus and the Razorblades, wrote songs for The Runaways, and has shared the stage with some of rock’s biggest names. But she’s not just about legacy—she’s still out there tearing it up, and she’s got a brand-new EP, Feels Good 2 Be Bad, which she discusses to...

Staci talks with filmmaker Jordan Albertsen, whose documentary BOOM! A Film About the Sonics explores the groundbreaking legacy of The Sonics, a pioneering rock band from Tacoma, Washington, that helped shape the sound of punk before the genre even had a name. The film is not just a chronicle of the band’s influence but also a testament to Albertsen’s 15-year journey to bring their story to the screen. His filmmaking odyssey, marke...