Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Legendary psychedelic punk innovators Butthole Surfers are finally preparing to release their long-lost album After the Astronaut, a record originally shelved in 1998 following the commercial success of Electriclarryland. In a recent conversation with drummer King Coffey, he described the album as a return to the band’s experimental roots, driven by electronic textures, industrial rhythms, and the bizarre sonic chaos that made the group underground icons. Coffey explained that the band intentionally moved away from the alternative rock trends dominating radio at the time, instead diving deeper into psychedelic sound manipulation and digital experimentation. Nearly three decades later, the album is finally being released exactly as the band originally intended.  
Set for release on June 26, 2026 through Sunset Blvd. Records, After the Astronaut represents the first official studio release of new archival material from the band in over twenty years. Early singles including “Jet Fighter” and “Imbuya” capture the surreal, unhinged atmosphere that has always defined the Butthole Surfers’ sound. Coffey noted that making the record felt similar to the creative insanity surrounding their landmark 1987 album Locust Abortion Technician, with the band embracing every strange idea possible in the studio. The album’s release also follows renewed interest in the band after reunion performances and the documentary The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt, reintroducing a new generation to one of alternative rock’s most unpredictable and influential acts.

Jared James Nichols continues to establish himself as one of modern rock’s most explosive guitar players with the upcoming release of his fourth studio album, Louder Than Fate. Scheduled for release on June 5, 2026 through Frontiers Mussic,The album showcases Nichols at his heaviest, rawest, and most emotionally driven point yet. Known for his aggressive pick-free playing style, thick blues-rock riffs, and soulful vocals, Nichols blends classic hard rock influences with a modern production approach that gives the new material a powerful edge. Early singles including “Pretend” and “Killing Time” highlight thunderous guitar tones, melodic hooks, and the gritty energy that has become his trademark.
Produced and mixed by Jay Ruston, Louder Than Fate appears to push Nichols deeper into the territory of vintage-inspired hard rock while still maintaining his blues foundation. Recent interviews surrounding the album also revealed Nichols’ switch to Marshall amplifiers after years with Blackstar, a tonal shift he says helped inspire the record’s massive sound and renewed creative energy. The album captures the intensity and authenticity that fans have come to expect from his live performances, while expanding his songwriting into darker and more cinematic territory. With a growing international audience, major touring plans, and a reputation as one of the standout guitarists of his generation, Nichols seems poised to make Louder Than Fate a defining release in his career.

From the earliest chaos of the Norwegian black metal movement to some of the most experimental extreme music ever recorded, Attila Csihar remains one of the most unique and unsettling voices in heavy music history.
Best known for his work with Mayhem, Attila delivered the haunting vocals on the legendary album De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas — a release that helped define black metal forever. His style was never about conventional singing. It was ritualistic, theatrical, eerie, and completely unpredictable. Growls, chants, whispers, and otherworldly sounds became part of his signature approach.
Long before joining Mayhem permanently, Attila was already making underground waves with the Hungarian band Tormentor. Their cult classic album “Anno Domini” became highly influential in the early extreme metal scene and caught the attention of the Norwegian underground.
What separates Attila from many metal vocalists is his commitment to atmosphere and artistic experimentation. Beyond black metal, he has collaborated with artists across avant-garde, doom, industrial, and experimental music circles. His live performances often feel more like dark ceremonies than standard concerts.

Angry Anderson (born Gary Stephen Anderson on August 5, 1947, in Melbourne, Australia) is best known as the longtime lead vocalist of the Australian hard rock band Rose Tattoo, a group that became one of the defining acts of Australian pub rock alongside AC/DC and The Angels.
Rose Tattoo formed in Sydney in 1976 and built an international reputation with songs including “Bad Boy for Love,” “Rock ’n’ Roll Outlaw,” “Scarred for Life,” and “We Can’t Be Beaten.” Their early albums were produced by legendary Australian songwriting and production team Harry Vanda and George Young.
Anderson is instantly recognizable for his gravel-heavy voice, tattooed image, bald head, and aggressive stage presence. Despite his “Angry” nickname and outlaw image, he became widely respected in Australia for charity work and youth advocacy. In 1993 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the community, particularly helping disadvantaged youth.
Outside of Rose Tattoo, Anderson had a successful solo career. His 1987 ballad “Suddenly” became an international hit after being featured during the wedding scene of Scott and Charlene on the Australian TV series Neighbours starring Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. The song reached the Top 10 in several countries including the UK.
He also worked extensively in television and film, appearing in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome alongside Mel Gibson and Tina Turner, where he played the character Ironbar Bassey.
Anderson has spoken openly about surviving abuse during childhood and difficult early life experiences. Over time he became heavily involved in charity and community causes, supporting youth homelessness programs, children’s hospitals, cancer awareness campaigns, mental health initiatives, and disaster relief projects.
Rose Tattoo were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, cementing their status as one of Australia’s most influential hard rock bands. Their music influenced later hard rock and punk acts internationally, including bands associated with the street rock and working-class rock scenes.
In recent years Anderson has continued touring with Rose Tattoo, including anniversary tours celebrating the band’s long history. Some scheduled performances in 2023 were postponed due to non-life-threatening health issues that required treatment and recovery time.

00:00 - The "Dangerous" Autobiography Geoff discusses his finished autobiography and why his lawyer thinks it's currently too "dangerous" and litigious to release.
00:30 - Welcome & Catching Up Shawn welcomes Geoff Tate back to the show and they recap his recent tour successes.
01:12 - Operation Mindcrime 3: A Labor of Love Geoff talks about the process of releasing the new album and the emotional connection fans have with the original trilogy.
02:54 - Writing for Yourself, Not the Labels A look into Geoff's creative philosophy—writing music for personal fulfillment rather than record company demands.
04:15 - Going Independent The freedom and challenges of self-financing the album without a record label.
06:23 - How Music Connection Changes Over Time Reflecting on how fans' tastes evolve and how albums like Promised Land were appreciated much later.
07:13 - Recording in 18 Different Countries Geoff shares the unique experience of recording in hotel rooms, tour buses, and even a castle in France.
09:30 - Developing the Character of Dr. X Exploring the "audio painting" of the new album and fleshing out the backstory of the mysterious Dr. X.
11:58 - The Influence of Music vs. Silence Geoff explains how deeply music affects him and why he often seeks out silence to hear his own thoughts.
14:21 - Operation Mindcrime: The Movie? The history of film options for the story and the possibility of a future visual series.
16:20 - Doubts in the Age of AI A deep dive into how AI and modern media are creating a "seed of doubt" regarding what is real.
20:25 - Autotune & Authenticity in Rock A discussion on the use of technology in vocal performances and the value of live authenticity.
23:34 - Pioneering Digital Recording in 1988 Geoff looks back at the original Mindcrime being one of the first digital recordings and how technology has evolved since.
26:39 - Touring & New Setlists Details on adding new songs to the live show and upcoming tour dates in America and Europe.
27:22 - Final Thoughts & Venting Shawn and Geoff wrap up the interview with a look at the modern world.