Mike Portnoy on Reuniting with Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold Memories & Parasomnia Tour

Royal Bliss - Neal Middleton

In this episode of Sultans of Slack, we sit down with Neal from Royal Bliss for an unscripted, honest, hilarious deep dive into 28 years of touring, underground rock culture, and the small towns that built a band.From Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Southern Idaho to sketchy bowling alleys, beer fights in Midwest clubs, autograph signings gone sideways, and stories that definitely shouldn’t be forgotten — this one’s packed with real talk, laughter, and love for rock music done the right way.Neal talks about:The resurgence of real rock & roll (and why kids are shredding again)Playing live vs backing tracks & AI musicRaising kids who shred guitars instead of playing sportsNew music, upcoming shows, and what’s next for Royal Bliss…and yes, the infamous Kid Rock wrestling story 🥊🍻This isn’t a polished PR interview — it’s a real conversation about music, family, chaos, and why rock & roll should make you feel something.🎸 If you love honest music, underground scenes, and bands that built it the hard way — this one’s for you.👇 Drop a comment:What small venue show do you still talk about?Do you think rock is really coming back?Acoustic sets, backing tracks? Let’s argue.👍 Like, subscribe, and share!Go give Royal Bliss some lovin:https://www.instagram.com/royalblissband/https://open.spotify.com/artist/2DntubHirEICSdXa23WNpVhttps://www.facebook.com/royalbliss/https://music.apple.com/us/artist/royal-bliss/151633533https://tiktok.com/@royalblissbandhttp://twitter.com/royalblissLocation: Vintage Vinyl & Antiques. Go check them out:https://www.facebook.com/vintagevinyl.idaho/ #RoyalBliss #RockAndRoll #Podcast #SultansOfSlack #LiveMusic

“Being Right Can Kill You” — The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Get Real at Aftershock

From deep philosophy to total chaos — this Sultans of Slack interview with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at Aftershock Festival has everything. Frontman Ronnie Winter breaks down the meaning behind their powerful lyrics (“Be right or be happy”), dives into the story behind “X’s For Eyes,” and opens up about spirituality, addiction, and what happiness really means in 2025. Then things take a hard left turn — into Idaho nuclear meltdowns, All-American Rejects sightings, and a startup idea for onstage porta-potties called “Stage Piss.” 😂 This episode has heart, humor, and honesty — exactly what makes Red Jumpsuit timeless. 🎙️ Highlights: * The real meaning behind “Do You Feel Like a Man” * Ronnie’s collaboration with producer Matt Squire, “the godfather of emo” * How “X’s For Eyes” came together in just four days * Philosophical breakdown: Being right vs. being happy * Festival chaos, stage fright, and one very weird business idea Recorded live at Aftershock Festival — hosted by Sultans of Slack, the rock & metal podcast that keeps it loud, loose, and a little unhinged. #TheRedJumpsuitApparatus #AftershockFestival #SultansOfSlack #RonnieWinter #EmoRevival #RockPodcast #BehindTheLyrics #BeRightOrBeHappy #StagePissworks

Mike Portnoy on Reuniting with Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold Memories & Parasomnia Tour

Drumming legend Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Avenged Sevenfold’s Nightmare) sits down with us backstage at Louder Than Life to talk about: His emotional return to Dream Theater in 2023 and what it feels like being “back home” after 40 years. The making of Parasomnia, blending classic prog influences with today’s modern metal sound. Playing U.S. festivals for the first time with Dream Theater after decades of European stages. Memories of recording Avenged Sevenfold’s Nightmare, his connection with The Rev, and roasting marshmallows over pyro on stage. His biggest drumming influences (Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, Lars Ulrich) and how they shaped his style. Upcoming Parasomnia World Tour and the just-announced Live in France album. If you’re a fan of prog, metal, or Avenged Sevenfold, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Timestamps: 00:00 – Backstage chaos, festival schedule & finding “the giant drum village” 00:24 – Listening to Parasomnia on the drive & Avenged Sevenfold fandom01:15 – Reuniting with Dream Theater, recording Parasomnia, and world touring 02:16 – How the new album blends prog roots with modern metal 03:26 – Playing U.S. festivals for the first time with Dream Theater 04:58 – Early drum influences: Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Lars Ulrich & Neil Peart 06:02 – Full circle: Recording Nightmare with Avenged Sevenfold & The Rev’s influence 06:53 – Short festival setlists vs. Dream Theater’s usual 3-hour shows 07:43 – Fan appreciation, favorite deep cuts & “Save Me” 08:37 – Upcoming Parasomnia U.S. tour & new live album announcement (Live in France) 09:21 – Wrapping up: Aftershock Festival & final words from Mike 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more exclusive interviews from festivals, backstage, and beyond. Listen to “Sultans of Slack” on: YouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/sultansofslack/ https://www.facebook.com/sultansofslack https://www.tiktok.com/@sultansofslack https://discord.gg/sM7AKQUf https://x.com/SultansOfSlackUpcoming Events:Aftershock Festival, October 2-5, Sacramento, CA Subscribe, leave a comment, and get slacking with the Sultans of Slack! #DreamTheater #MikePortnoy #AvengedSevenfold #Parasomnia #ProgMetal #LouderThanLife

Avenged Sevenfold Cover Band City Of Evil Interview in Chicago!

Avenged Sevenfold fans—you don’t want to miss this. Discover how City of Evil, Chicago’s top A7X cover band, **quietly received a DM from Synyster Gates** inviting them to perform exclusive deep cuts the night before the big show at Soldier Field.In this candid interview, you'll hear:• The moment they got the DM—and almost wrecked the car • How the band reacted (yes, tears included) • Why debuting “I Won’t See You Tonight” Parts 1 & 2 was so epic • The toughest solos and crazy stage challenges ⏱ **Timestamps:** 0:00 – Arrival in Chicago & Reggie’s show 1:50 – The mind-blowing DM from Avenged Sevenfold 3:40 – Collective tears & reaction 5:20 – Band side projects and artwork 7:30 – Most difficult songs revealed 11:20 – Keys, vocals, violin chaos 13:00 – Band dynamics and deep cuts 17:40 – Setlist strategy & fan reactions 19:40 – Favorite A7X albums & “Life Is But a Dream” story 25:30 – Future setlist ideas & M.I.A. plea 👇 Let me know in the comments: Would you rather hear deep cuts or the big hits live? Which A7X song should City of Evil tackle next?— Follow City of Evil: https://twitter.com/cityofevil_bandhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGlQfBOLxhmj3TEr2n11Bw?sub_confirmation=1https://www.tiktok.com/@cityofevilchicago?lang=enhttps://www.facebook.com/cityofevilbandhttps://www.instagram.com/cityofevilband/Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes rock stories!

Ryan Perdz - Tiktok, Bigfoot, Resurgence of Rock

Ryan Perdz discusses the pivotal role TikTok played in launching his career, his musical influences, and the excitement surrounding his upcoming album. The conversation also touches on the current shift in the music industry towards singles, the resurgence of rock music, and the importance of authenticity in songwriting. In this engaging conversation, Ryan Perdz shares his journey through music, art, and personal hobbies, revealing his artistic background and family connections. The discussion takes a humorous turn as they delve into the quirky world of Bigfoot. As they navigate the music industry, Ryan reflects on his influences, including iconic artists like Michael Jackson, and the impact of cultural icons on their lives. The conversation wraps up with a light-hearted look at family dynamics in sports and music, highlighting the unique relationships that shape their experiences.Check out Ryans Pages:https://www.instagram.com/ryan_perdzhttps://www.tiktok.com/@ryanperdz https://www.facebook.com/ryanperdzhttps://www.youtube.com/@ryanperdz https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dv9Meti6b7DPc1bRy2LIc?si=pf0vs2sUTeCsxKd7vgpG_AListen to “Sultans of Slack” on:YouTubeApple PodcastsSpotifyFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/sultansofslack/https://www.facebook.com/sultansofslackhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sultansofslackhttps://discord.gg/sM7AKQUfhttps://x.com/SultansOfSlackUpcoming Events:Louder than Life, September 18-21Subscribe, leave a comment, and get slacking with the Sultans of Slack!