Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Talk Music Podcast.
My guest this week is MICHAEL SHOTTON—drummer and powerhouse vocalist for VON GROOVE—a melodic hard rock trio packed with serious firepower. Alongside him, guitarist Mladen Alexander delivers elite technical chops, while bassist Matthew Gerrard brings the groove and a heavyweight songwriting pedigree.
After a long hiatus—and now signed to the prestigious FRONTIERS Music label—VON GROOVE is back with a killer new album, BORN TO ROCK. In this episode, we dig into the band’s origins, the inspiration behind some of the songs, and feature clips that display the album’s raw, visceral, hard-hitting production that absolutely lives up to its name.
Emerging from Ontario in 1990, the band built a worldwide cult following through standout releases like Rainmaker, Mission Man, and Chameleon, all driven by Shotton’s melodic instincts and commanding vocal delivery.
We also dive into Michael’s incredible journey in music—spending time with Tom Scholz of Boston, recording at A&M Studios in Los Angeles, and even hanging out with Phil Spector and Ron Wood. Plus, we explore his collaborations with Rik Emmett (Triumph), Gord Deppe (Spoons) and Wes Arkeen (Outpatience), who co-wrote several songs for Guns N’ Roses.
Enjoy!
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