NEW Dark Stuff Playlist for September/October 2025

Apologies to those who care, but I missed the September playlist. So, that's why this playlist is merging two months together. Yes, it's October. But Halloween is lame, so this playlist will not be including "spooky" music. Look elsewhere. (click to listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/dark-stuff-september-october-2025/pl.u-76oNG7eCd7BV0)

This month, I begin with a song from Ace Frehley's first post KISS album, 1987's 'Frehley's Comet.' Ace was a musical hero to me, and his recent passing has been a tough one. R.I.P. Ace. I've been dealing with insomnia related issues for a few years, and the Go-Go-'s track " You Can't Walk In Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep)" really rings true.

I follow those up with incredible songs from SASAMI and Radiohead. The next song, from Lana Del Ray, is the first song of hers that has ever connected with me. Will I become a Lana fan? To early to tell, but "How To Disappear" is incredible. Gringo Star, Buffalo Tom, Paul Weller, and Superdrag come next. Really love that BT tune...

The live recording of Hüsker Dü's "Green Eyes" (from the forthcoming Live box set) is powerful, and I followed it with Sugar's "Hoover Dam," since Bob Mould's OTHER band, Sugar, has just returned after 30 years.

A rare, early track from Deep Sea Diver comes up next. Don't skip the KISS track that follows. "Journey of 1000 Years" is unlike any other song in the KISS catalog. It's a soaring, epic song that is not about Gene Simmons' unit. 

Further on down in the playlist, I threw in a cover of Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face" by Stef Chura. After some funk from Teddy Pendergrass, I thew in some NWOBHM from Avenger (This band was formerly known as Blitzkrieg) and then some US metal from Anvil.

The playlist closes with songs from Fishbone, a live recording from The Replacements, an obscure Chicago band called The New Duncan Imperials, Elvis Costello, Styx, and some late 70s Journey.

A pretty amazing two hours.

R.I.P. ACE FREHLEY (1951-2025) / KISS / Frehley's Comet / The Spaceman (VIDEO)

R.I.P. Ace Frehley (April 27, 1951 - October 16, 2025), lead guitarist in my favorite band of all time, KISS. Enjoy Jendell...

Rock of Aging: The Nightmare Never Ends – Alice Cooper Live! (VIDEO)

In this episode of Rock of Aging, your co-hosts, Dave and Erika, are reviewing a recent show from the legendary Alice Cooper. Alice performed at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Omaha, Nebraska on August 27, 2025.

Despite being a lifelong hard rock and metal fan, Dave had never seen Alice Cooper in concert. For a first Alice show, it was impressive. The king of "shock rock" can still shock, even at age 77. Among the members of Alice's first-rate band is guitarist Nita Strauss. She was also a crowd favorite.

All photos and videos shot by Dave or Erika.

NOTE: We post a new episode of Rock of Aging on the 10th of every month!

This Year's Week: RUSH, KISS, Journey, Replacements Movie, Joey's Song '26, New Bangles, + More (VIDEO)

You have stumbled upon the latest episode of "This Year's Week" where I compile a little bit of everything going on in the world of the Dark Stuff into one video!

We start off with an update on the Joey's Song Freezing Man Concert taking place in January 2026. I hit this festival (a benefit for juvenile epilepsy) last year and had such a good time...I'm going again. 

Next, I briefly address the end of my other channel, Rock N Roll Book Club‬.  We have called it a day after two years. But, ‪something is in the works.

We had a couple of health scares in the Kiss world, RUSH has a new drummer, and Journey is having personnel issues...AGAIN!!

I close out with a review of a new Bangles CD box, and some footage of this year's Farnam Fest.

It's an action packed episode!

Rock of Aging: Tom Keifer & L.A. Guns Bring Back the Glory Days (Eddie Trunk Guest Spot!) (VIDEO)

In this episode of Rock of Aging, your co-hosts, Dave and Erika, are reviewing a recent show from Tom Keifer Band and L.A. Guns. The two 80s metal legends were playing together at Steelhouse in Omaha, Nebraska on September 26, 2025.

Sirius XM's Eddie Trunk appeared at the Keifer/Guns show and acted as emcee for the evening!

All photos and videos shot by Dave or Erika.

NOTE: We post a new episode of Rock of Aging on the 10th of every month

Rock of Aging Episode 10: Hitting Concerts from ALICE COOPER, TOM KEIFER, LA GUNS, ALEX WILLIAMS (VIDEO)

Today's video is the tenth episode of Rock of Aging, and this month, we hit "the road" and saw three excellent, 80s metal themed concerts. We caught shock rock legend, Alice Cooper, on his 'Too Close For Comfort Tour,' Cinderella's Tom Keifer Band with L.A Guns as support, and outlaw country artist turned 80s metal enthusiast, ‪Alex Williams‬.

Even at age 77, Alice Cooper still delivers the theatrical, rock n roll spectacle that he has been known for for decades. Both Tom Keifer (Cinderella) and L.A. Guns played blistering sets that featured songs from throughout their careers. Finally, outlaw country artist, Alex Williams gave the audience a huge taste of his new album, Space Brain, which is comprised entirely of heavy metal covers from artists like Ozzy, Skid Row, Judas Priest, and Mötley Crüe.

Sirius XM's Eddie Trunk appeared at the Keifer/Guns show and acted as emcee for the evening!

Each one was a unique experience, and we're here to talk about all of it. Plus we have photos and video from all three shows!

EXTC: Go 2 Omaha // Live at Reverb Lounge //Terry Chambers (XTC) and Friends (VIDEO)

 This week, I am reviewing a recent show from EXTC, the band featuring original XTC drummer, Terry Chambers. Since XTC stopped performing live in 1982, this is about the only way to hear XTC music performed in a live setting.

Terry Chambers formed this band a few years ago, and obtained permission from XTC's Andy Partridge to use the name. Hearing songs like "Making Plans For Nigel," "Life Begins at the Hop" and "This Is Pop" in a live setting was so fun! I never thought I'd hear these songs in any way other than the studio albums. This is a must-see show for any fan of XTC.

Opening the show was Omaha dream pop/shoegaze band, Minne Lussa.

Tom Keifer Band and L.A. Guns at Steelhouse in Omaha September 26, 2020 (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

Caught Tom Keifer Band (Cinderella) for the second time last night at Steelhouse in Omaha. Opening the show was L.A. Guns. This same double played here two years ago (here's the video I made about it: https://youtu.be/S-5XWBPHvbA?si=bmptxPPgoBiltgPh).

This marked the third time I had seen L.A. Guns in the last two years. We did a special episode on the band on Rock of Aging: https://youtu.be/wY2b1X2gTkE?si=Fui5c-xyE7F-QADV.

Tom Keifer Band at Steelhouse, Omaha, NE 9/26/25

Here's a quick video of Tom Keifer Band.

Sirius XM's Eddie Trunk hosted the show

L.A. Guns at Steelhouse, Omaha, NE 9/26/25 (Phil Lewis may or may not be wearing a pirate hat)

Tom Keifer Band

"Back in the Day" Concert Tales: FAITH NO MORE + CIRCUS OF POWER June 18, 1990 (VIDEO)

This week, I bring you the next installment in my "Back in the Day Concert Tales" series. We are travelling back to June 18, 1990 when FAITH NO MORE and CIRCUS OF POWER performed in a bowling alley in Omaha! 

Faith No More was celebrating the one year anniversary of its breakthrough album, The Real Thing, with a tiny club show in Omaha. The band was in amazing form and blazed through songs from all three of the albums that had been released up to that point. Immediately after this show, the band left for Europe.

New York hard rockers, Circus of Power, opened the show. COP was touring in support of its second full-length LP, Vices.

I was able to talk briefly with members of both bands, and took some pictures, too!

Album Review: SUPERCHUNK "Songs In The Key of Yikes" (VIDEO)

In today's video,  I am reviewing is "Songs in the Key of Yikes" from indie rock veterans, Superchunk. This is the band's first album with new drummer, Laura King, and the band doesn't miss a beat (sorry for that lame pun). 

This record is a great anecdote to the non-stop bummer that the world has become. Mac McCaughan has delivered another fantastic batch of infinitely catchy and relatable songs. Thirty-five years in the game, and showing no signs of slowing down!

Alex Williams Turns 80s Metal Into Outlaw Country | Space Brain Review (VIDEO)

Outlaw country artist, Alex Williams, is back with his third album, "Space Brain." This record is a departure from his previous work, as he covers '80s metal songs on this record. Alex gives the outlaw country treatment to songs by Ozzy Osbourne, Cinderella, Motörhead, Mötley Crüe, and many others. It's a great, new way to hear these classic songs!

Album Review: DIE SPITZ "SOMETHING TO CONSUME" (VIDEO)

In today's video, I am reviewing the highly anticipated, debut album from DIE SPITZ. The Texas punk/metal hybrid just released "Something To Consume" on Jack White's Third Man Records. 

Produced by Will Yip (Mannequin Pussy, Scowl), the new album finds the young band exploring new sounds while maintaining its core intensity.

Rock of Aging Episode 9: Ranking the KISS Ballads: The Good, The Bad, & The Sappy (VIDEO)

Today's video is the ninth episode of Rock of Aging: the series where my co-host Erika and I explore the depths of our "hair metal" past, and try to discover what it is about the music of that era that has kept us captivated for decades. Rock of Aging is your go-to spot for 80s metal conversion and community.

This month, we're talking my all-time favorite band, KISS. We haven't done any KISS themed videos yet on this show, so we really took it to another level for this one! Knowing Erika's fondness for the 80s metal power ballad, we decided to look into KISS's contribution to the genre. Kiss has released ballads in the 70s, the 80s, and the 90s. But which ones are the best?! Which ones just suck?

We attempt to answer this seemingly unanswerable question and we rank the Ten Best Ballads from KISS!

ALICE COOPER LIVE at THE ORPHEUM: Review, Photos, Videos / NITA STRAUSS (VIDEO)

This week, I am reviewing Alice Cooper live at The Orpheum in Omaha from 8/27/25. Believe it or not, despite being a lifelong metal and hard rock fan, I had never seen Alice in concert before.

Well, for a first Alice Cooper show, I could not have enjoyed it more! The production was great, the band was tight, and Alice was in amazing form. The set included songs from the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond.

Alice Cooper is 77. It is unbelievable how great he sounded and how much energy he had!

It's Happening!! Hüsker Dü LP "Live 1985: The Miracle Year" Release Date November 2025 (VIDEO)

Today, the Numero Group answered all of my questions about their forthcoming Hüsker Dü project.

First off, it will be a 4LP box (CD version as well), plus a 36 page booklet with lots of photos. There is a t-shirt sold separately.  The box will be called "1985: The Miracle Year" and is scheduled to be released in November. Numero is taking pre-orders as of NOW on their website. I learned shortly after completing my video, that Bob Mehr is the one writing the 36 page book that accompanies the set. He confirmed this with postings on his social media.

I go over the track listing, the vinyl variants and much more in the video. This is amazing news!!