Opening Act: 
Peter Tork passes
Peter Frampton announces farewell tour
First trailer for Motley Crue’s “The Dirt” (https://youtu.be/-NOp5ROn1HE)
Motley Crue Accuse KISS of stealing finale on tour
Doug Aldrich’s Burning Rain drops new single (https://youtu.be/Ha_hJCusKho)

Ear Candy: 
Motley Crue--Dr. Feelgood (1989)
Dream Theater--Distance Over Time (2019)

Six Degrees of Frankie B.

Top of the Pops:
Billboard Top 25 albums from February 18, 1984

Rockversation: Rob Rock
Matt recently spoke with the singer of Impellitteri about the band’s latest studio album, The Nature of the Beast, and his old stomping grounds of Springfield, MA. You call keep up with Rob and the rest of the band at www.impellitteri.net.

Bonus Track: Find Me--True Believer
From Find Me’s brand new album Angels in Blue, out now on Frontiers Music srl. You can grab your copy at http://radi.al/FindMeAngelsInBlue.

Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at [email protected].

by Matman

How does Dream Theater follow-up their amazing and quite ambitious last release, THE ASTONISHING?  Exactly the way they plan to on February 22nd. 

Dream Theater has a well deserved reputation for their musicianship but I feel here listeners may now begin to appreciate their skills as songwriters and visionaries.  DISTANCE OVER TIME is nine killer songs (and one bonus track) that has heavy riffs and lightning fast leads that take their already complicated rhythms to a new level of excitement.  

Unearthed Angel, Paralyzed and Barstool Warrior are just three of the tracks that speak to my love of classic progressive rock and old school heavy metal; beautiful melodies that grab you and take you on a journey.  As someone who follows singers more than the musicians, James LaBrie gives me a lot to follow and enjoy in a band that is known for their musicality.  He is a vocalist who can sing the high and the low with perfect balance.  The best song on the album (and possibly their entire career) is the epic, Fall Into The Light.  For seven plus minutes we are treated to an amazing performance with every player getting a chance to be heard... and shine.

Since the beginning of Dream Theater's history, John Petrucci has always been an excellent player but on this album I hear so many players I love; Steve Howe, Robert Fripp, Michael Schenker, Alex Lifeson and Steve Rothery.  Heavy when he needs to be (Room 137) and soulful when it calls for it (Out Of Reach). 

Jordan Rudess (Keyboards), John Myung (Bass), and Mike Mangini (Drums) rund out the band  and all make every note count.  I imagine it must be hard for these guys to keep it all together and not go off on tangents, but they do nothing but serve the song. 

DISTANCE OVER TIME is an album that has so much going on you will need multiple listens to soak it all in.  When I was done with listen #4 I thought, ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2019... so far.   ​

Matman Rating - 5 Out of 5 trips down Prog Memory Lane

DISTANCE OVER TIME, the 11th album from Dream Theater will be released February 22nd via InsideOut Music. 

To find out more, www.dreamtheater.net 

Opening Act: 
Ozzy Hospitalized
Tesla Debuts New Song “Taste Like” https://youtu.be/GCxRVi6vEbA
Sammy Hagar and the Circle new album
New supergroup Spirits of Fire releasing debut on 2/22
Upcoming John Wetton box set

Ear Candy: 
Weezer--The Teal Album (2019)
Quiet Riot--One Night in Milan (2019)

Six Degrees of Frankie B.

Comin Atcha Live:
Stryper 2/1 @ Mohegan Sun

Rockversation: Frankie Banali
Matt recently spoke with the legendary drummer of Quiet Riot about the band’s history, his time in W.A.S.P.,  the new Quiet Riot live album, and much more. You can get One Night in Milan now, and follow Quiet Riot online at www.facebook.com/quietriot.

Bonus Track: Last In Line--Landslide
From the upcoming album II, releasing February 22nd from Frontiers Music s.r.l.

Thanks for listening! If you're subscribing on iTunes or Google play, please leave us a review, as it will help spread the word about the show! You can find more news, reviews, and discussion at powerchordspodcast.com. You can also hit us up on twitter at twitter.com/powerchordspod, and email us at [email protected].

by Matman

This past weekend, Stryper played three shows, in three days... in three states.  Sure the states are close together but it is a real cool thing to do.  I was able to catch the band at show and state number two... at the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Once again, Stryper were absolutely amazing!  They hit the stage with the heavy Yawegh and for the next 90 minutes, it never stopped.  Stryper pulled out everything I wanted, I mean what everyone else wanted to hear; All For One, Calling On You and Soldiers Under Command to name jut a few. But, one of the things I have always loved about the band is that they don't rest on their own laurels and just spend time in their history, they mix in a lot of newer songs.  These songs; The Valley, Sorry, Can;t Live Without Your Love and Revelation fir in perfectly with To Hell With The Devil, Free and The Sing Along Song.    

As far as players, Robert Sweet is still one of the best and most underrated drummers in hard rock history.  He went old school playing so the fans could see him and how hard he hits the skins. Oz Fox is the guy who holds it all together; rhythm when its called for and leads when needed. Michael Sweet still possesses one of the best voices out there and his playing is second to none. He also is a great front man who knows how to energize a crowd and really adds so much to the show.  And then there is the new guy, bassist Perry Richardson. Perry is so heavy as a player and his backing vocals bring a whole new dimension to the band on stage. 

And now for the venue... The Wolf Den!  This is one of the best places to see a band.  The sound is perfect and there isn't a bad vantage point at all.  For the 5 times I have seen Stryper live (I know, only 5) the two best were at the Wolf Den.  I go to so many shows there (over 200 by now) and this show was the most packed I've seen it since Mr. Big in 2017.  If you have never gone to a show at the Wolf Den, please join me for one very soon. 

It was great to see some fans of the band who have become good friends of mine! But my big thank you goes to Chris Jensen who caught a Stryper Bible, already has a few and gave it to me... because he is tired of me complaining that I never got one.  Next tine I see any of the guys I will have the Bible so they can throw it to me, then I can say I finally caught one. 

I know I work with Stryper, but please know that if I didn't enjoy the show I would say so or I would just say nothing.  Stryper is one of the best bands to see live, so please if they come to your town, go see them.  You won't be disappointed... just mad you waited so long to see them. 

Enjoy the pix!  One of them has recently broken the internet!!!!              

www.stryper.com