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PODCAST

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Welcome to Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches which is a show that explores all genres of music. As someone with autism, I bring a unique perspective to my interviews, aiming to create an authentic and engaging experience for both artists and listeners.Thanks for watching and please subscribe to help me keep bringing new content to you!

music music interviews

All Episodes

52:59

Ep 662 Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat is back on & he...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/22

Taime Downe is back for his first interview in a while, and the conversation covers exactly what Faster Pussycat fans want to hear: touring, the band’s legacy, the writing and recording process, and what is next. Rising out of the mid-1980s Hollywood rock scene, Faster Pussycat built its reputation on a sound that sat somewhere between glam, punk, and sleaze rock, with early staples like “Babylon,” “Bathroom Wall,” “Cathouse,” and later “House of Pain” helping define the band’s identity. In this

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15:16

Ep 663 Armored Saint's John Bush on "Emotion Factory...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/17

Talking with John Bush was a reminder of why he remains one of heavy metal’s most respected frontmen. In our interview, Bush discussed Armored Saint’s new album, Emotion Factory Reset, due May 22, 2026 via Metal Blade, describing it as a record that pushes the band forward while still sounding unmistakably like Armored Saint. The band’s official bio frames it as a new chapter built on diverse songwriting and a willingness to stay adventurous, while Bush has said the material expands on Punching the

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52:18

Ep 662 Autopsy Chris Reifert new music, select...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/16

Chris Reifert remains one of the most important and recognizable figures in death metal history. After first making a major mark as the drummer on Death’s Scream Bloody Gore, he went on to found Autopsy in 1987, helping shape a far filthier, darker, and more depraved branch of the genre. With Autopsy, Reifert became central to the band’s unmistakable identity, combining savage drumming, sickened vocal delivery, and a songwriting approach that fused raw death metal with doom-laden atmosphere. Records

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40:27

Ep 661 SVARTTJERN New 2026 interview with HansFyrste...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/15

In this interview, I spoke with HansFyrste (vocals) and Erik “HaaN” Sæther (guitars) of Svarttjern, the Oslo black metal band they founded in 2003. The conversation digs into the band’s history, their evolution from early demos into full-length releases like Misanthropic Path of Madness, Dødsskrik, and Shame Is Just a Word, and the path that has kept Svarttjern a respected name in Norwegian black metal.No filler. Just a proper talk with both men about the band, the records, and the road behind

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24:21

Ep 660 Kenny Hickey talks new band Sun Dont Shine and...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/10

For heavy music fans, Kenny Hickey needs little introduction. Best known as the guitarist and vocalist from Type O Negative, Hickey helped shape one of the most distinctive sounds in gothic and doom metal. Now, he has returned with a new project, SUN DONT SHINE, a band that brings together veteran musicians from Type O Negative, Crowbar, and Down. Alongside Hickey are Johnny Kelly, Kirk Windstein, and Todd Strange, creating a lineup rooted in doom, sludge, and classic heavy rock sensibilities. SUN

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25:58

Ep 659 And Oceans the Finnish extreme metal...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/05

Finnish extreme metal innovators …And Oceans join the show for a conversation about one of the most distinctive and unpredictable careers in underground metal. Rising in the mid-1990s out of the ashes of death metal outfit Festerday, the band built its name by fusing symphonic black metal with industrial, electronic, and experimental elements, refusing to stay in one lane for very long. Their catalog has moved from the early ferocity of The Dynamic Gallery of Thoughts and The Symmetry of I – The

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40:41

Ep 658 SODOM Andy Brings on Deluxe Reissue of Get...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/04/05

Andy Brings joins the show to talk about the new deluxe reissue of Sodom’s 1994 album Get What You Deserve, which was reissued on February 27, 2026 through BMG. The expanded edition was remastered and newly mixed by Brings himself, and it also includes the remastered/remixed Aber Bitte Mit Sahne EP, bonus live material, and additional archival content from that era. Sodom’s official channels have also been promoting Andy’s involvement through recent box set unboxing and playback features tied to the

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38:17

Ep 657 Immolation's Ross Dolan about the new album...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/28

In this episode, I sat down with Ross Dolan of Immolation to talk about the band’s latest chapter and the upcoming release of their new album, Descent, due out April 10, 2026 through Nuclear Blast. We got into the creative process behind the record, the mindset of the band going into this release, and what fans can expect from a record already previewed by the singles “Adversary” and “Attrition.”Ross spoke in depth about Immolation’s continued drive to push forward while staying true to the dark,

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35:21

Ep 656 EXHORDER Kyle Thomas talks new Trouble music...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/26

Kyle Thomas of Exhorder joins the show for a great conversation about his voice, life touring on the road, and the reality of what goes on behind the scenes when a band is out performing night after night. He also talks about new music currently being worked on, first for Trouble and then for Exhorder, giving fans a look at what may be coming next from both camp

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80:27

Ep 655 Dark Angel Ron Rinehart goes deep into history...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/26

Ron Rinehart of Dark Angel joins the show for a conversation about the band’s history, the intensity and legacy of their music, his approach to songwriting and singing, and what may be ahead for the band in the future. Ron reflects on Dark Angel’s place in thrash metal, the creative process behind the songs, and the passion that continues to drive the band forward.It’s a strong look at one of thrash metal’s most respected names, with insight into the past, the music, and the road ahead.

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53:02

Ep 654 PRONG Tommy Victor breaks down the just...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/26

Tommy Victor of Prong joins the show to talk about the band’s new live album, the energy of bringing Prong’s music to the stage, and what fans can expect next. Tommy also shares that new music is on the way, with a possible release coming around November. It’s a great conversation covering the current state of Prong, the live experience, and what’s ahead for one of heavy music’s most distinctive bands.For longtime fans and anyone into heavy, groove-driven metal, this is a solid look at where Prong

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39:00

Ep 653 John Corabi's new album New Day & working with...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/24

John Corabi joins the show to discuss his new solo album, New Day, due out April 24, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. The album is being described as Corabi’s first full-length solo album of original material, and it was recorded in Nashville during the summer of 2025 and produced by Marti Frederiksen. The title track was released first, followed by the single “That Memory.” Corabi is widely known for his work with Mötley Crüe, The Scream, Union, ESP, and The Dead Daisies, and New Day marks a different

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50:24

Ep 652 Whiplash is back with the new album...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/22

Thrash legends Whiplash are back, and a new record is on the way. On this episode, I’m joined by Tony Portaro of Whiplash to talk about the band’s long-running place in thrash metal, what still drives him creatively, and the upcoming album Thrashquake.We get into the energy behind the new material, the mindset going into this release, and what fans can expect from Thrashquake. Tony also talks about the legacy of Whiplash, the band’s connection to old-school thrash, and what it means to keep pushing

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24:32

Ep 651 Woody Weatherman on Corrosion of Conformity's ...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/20

Corrosion of Conformity returns with Good God / Baad Man, a new double album born out of major change, loss, and a fresh creative surge. In this interview, Woody Weatherman talks about the making of the record, the writing sessions with Pepper Keenan in Mississippi, the album’s split personality between the heavier Good God side and the more rock-driven Baad Man side, and the band’s path forward after the loss of Reed Mullin and Mike Dean’s departure. The album also features Stanton Moore on drums,

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20:54

EP 650 GIPSY KINGS Tonino Baliardo touring USA &...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/20

Today on the show I’m talking with Tonino Baliardo of Gipsy Kings as the band celebrates the new album Historia. Across a career that has included 25 million albums sold, a GRAMMY Award, global touring, and enduring classics like “Bamboléo” and “Djobi, Djoba,” the Gipsy Kings have built one of the most recognizable sounds in modern flamenco and rumba. Their recent run also included a widely praised Glastonbury 2024 performance that The Times said gave tired festival legs “a new lease of life.” What

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44:46

Ep 649 REVOCATION David Davison breaks down his...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/09

David Davidson is best known as the founder, lead guitarist, and vocalist of Revocation, the Boston extreme metal band whose sound blends technical death metal, thrash, and progressive elements. On his official biography page, he is described as a musician recognized for combining metal with fusion, rock, and jazz, and it also notes that he graduated cum laude from Berklee College of Music in 2008. As a player, Davidson is widely associated with Revocation’s intricate riffing, advanced lead work,

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28:10

Ep 648 Dino Jelusick what is 2026 looking like for...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/09

Dino Jelusick (born June 4, 1992, Požega, Croatia) is a Croatian singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter known for powerhouse rock vocals and serious musicianship (he also plays keyboards, guitar, and more). He first gained international attention as the winner of the inaugural Junior Eurovision Song Contest (2003), then grew into one of the most in-demand modern voices in hard rock and metal. Over the past decade, Dino has built a reputation as a tour-ready, studio-ready vocalist with the

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36:54

Ep 647: Blaze Bayley talks Silicon Messiah 25th, Iron...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/03/04

Episode 647 features a conversation with Blaze Bayley discussing the 25th anniversary of his debut solo album Silicon Messiah. Released in 2000 after his tenure with Iron Maiden, the record marked a major turning point in Bayley’s career and established the direction of his solo work. In this interview, Bayley reflects on the creation of the album, the lineup behind it, and why the record remains such an important milestone for both him and his fans.The discussion also explores Bayley’s years with

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38:22

Ep 646 Evermore the swedish power metal band return...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/02/28

Evermore is a Swedish power metal trio known for blending melodic precision with a darker, more aggressive tonal palette than many of their genre peers. Formed in the late 2010s, the band quickly established itself with tightly structured songwriting, soaring vocal lines, and a dual focus on speed-driven passages and mid-tempo, groove-heavy weight. Their sound draws from classic European power metal traditions while incorporating modern production clarity and a slightly grittier rhythmic attack,

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67:59

Ep 645 Forbidden's Norman L Skinner III on tour and...

Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches ·

2026/02/28

Norman L Skinner III is an American heavy metal vocalist best known for his powerful range, clean high-register delivery, and disciplined traditional metal technique. He built his reputation in the U.S. underground metal scene through years of consistent studio and live work, developing a style rooted in classic 1980s heavy metal rather than extreme vocal approaches. His singing emphasizes pitch control, sustained projection, and clarity, making him particularly suited for technically demanding

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