December 20, 2025 • 59 mins
w/Tombstones In Their Eyes
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
W m N H rip the nomals. We're back from
the brands.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
St Step, I'm say, I'm say.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Stop, I cat five.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
I'm cat, I'm saving, I'm sick, I'm saving, I'm still So.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
That is another epic track from Tombstones in Their Eyes
that is under Dark Skies. Love that track. And let's see,
let's see here. We'll bring this mike up. We're gonna
try to talk to John treen Or from the.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
Band Just one too, I can take one too.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
Hello, Hey John, I can I can hear you? Can
you hear me?
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Oh beautiful? You sound great? So you switch to a
different mic. I guess that's uh, I guess that's all
we needed. Wonderful, Welcome to the show. I'm glad we
got to talk. I was getting nervous. But I really, uh,
I really like this project. This is really good Tombstones
in Their Eyes great stuff. We did play the we
played the single earlier Alive and Well, and of course
that was the title track under Dark Skies and I
(08:25):
love this band. Is this your project? Are you kind
of the main guy? So you guys are now now
you're you're on the West coast?
Speaker 6 (08:32):
Is that correct?
Speaker 5 (08:33):
I am los Angeles.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
You're you're an LA.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Based band, and are you are you kind of the
the main the main guy? Are you kind of the
the center of the of the band? In terms of
of uh steering the project?
Speaker 5 (08:47):
I am. This is my band. I write the songs.
UH formed it originally and uh yeah, so that's the
deal man.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
How long has this existed? How long has Tombstones in
Their Eyes existed?
Speaker 5 (09:00):
We're at ten years now, ten.
Speaker 6 (09:02):
Years, that's a long time.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
I was looking at band camp and I thought, wow,
they've got a lot of material. You've released quite a
bit over that span of time, which is impressive. Yeah,
it's very very impressive.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Now I assume the uh, oh go ahead, No, you go.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Well, I was just gonna say, I assume the makeup
of the band has changed quite a bit over that time.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
It has. Yeah, the people I originally did the first
recordings with are no longer around. I've got a bunch
of newer people, some been around longer than others. The
drummer Steven has been with me for a long time.
And yeah, but yeah, things are pretty solid right now.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Has it been a challenge to keep this project going
for ten years? Because some you know, some people if
they have a band and people start leaving and they
have to cycle people out, at some point they they
kind of they kind of start to think, well, maybe
I'll start a new project myself, since you know people
are coming and going. But ten years, I mean, that's
impressive longevity. Has it been? Has it been challenging at
(10:11):
times to keep this going? Have you ever been tempted
to start something new? Or maybe you're just firmly committed
to this and you're gonna keep going no matter what.
I mean, what what's kind of been your your approach
to that over the years.
Speaker 5 (10:22):
Yeah, this is my thing and I'm gonna keep it
going as long as as long as I keep writing songs.
You know, That's how I see it.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
No, that's great. I assume too. Where you are obviously
you've got a lot of talent around you. So how
hard is it to find musicians to bring in when
you have to do that, when you have to make
a change, when somebody's leaving and you've got to replace them,
is it?
Speaker 7 (10:45):
Uh?
Speaker 6 (10:45):
I mean?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Do you do you hold auditions or do you just
know people already who would be suitable for these various
Because at this point you're you're Are you the only
original member?
Speaker 6 (10:55):
I assume you're the only one, right, Oh, yes, ma'am. Yeah.
So how hard is it to find people or is
it pretty easy?
Speaker 5 (11:03):
It's not, you know, it varies, right. So I had
a search a while back for someone on bass, and
we tried some things, and I ended up going back
to someone i'd used before, a guy named Nick, who
is still in the band and recently I had the
same experience, but it was easier. Our guitar player Paul
(11:25):
Bluten passed away a couple of months ago.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
Oh wow, sorry to hear that. That's terrible. Oh that's awful.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
Yeah. Yeah, I wasn't really planning on replacing him at
this point. We just took some time off. But then
I thought of this guy in the studio, an engineer
where we record at Kitt and Robot Studio, and I
asked him and his name is John Miller, and I
think he's coming aboard. So that one, that one was
particularly easy, but it could be difficult.
Speaker 6 (11:51):
No doubt, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Now, what can you tell us about under Dark Skies
because it seems like I was reading something about that
you went through a period of of some pretty intense
personal upheaval. It was kind of the genesis of the
emotional context of the album.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
Is that correct for sure? Yeah? I mean for me,
you know, writing songs is always easier when you're in
a sort of a down period. Yeah, And I've had
my experience with that, but in twenty twenty three it
was particularly bad, and you know, some really tough stuff
(12:26):
going on.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
And.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
That led to a lot of the material and under
Dark Skies.
Speaker 4 (12:34):
Something that comes up a lot on the show with
people we talked to is how probably the best form
of therapy is taking things that are bad, things that
are traumatic, and then making that into art, because not
only does it help you take something terribly negative and
create something positive from it, because it helps you to
create art, whether it be music or visual art or
(12:56):
writing or whatever it is, but it also has the
potential to help other people people because other people then
can connect with that and it can help them as well.
And then you've you've taken something negative and made something
very positive out of it that not only helps you
work through it and the process whatever it is you're
going through, but can can connect with others. And I'm curious,
have you experienced other people kind of reaching out to
(13:17):
you when they hear the album and say, you know,
I relate to this song, or I relate to the
themes that are here or this this connects with me
on a level that maybe I didn't expect, but then
I listened to it and I got it, and I
and I kind of know what you're feeling. Like, do
do you hear from people about that? Oh?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
I definitely?
Speaker 6 (13:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Yeah. I had one particular incidence where I wrote a
song about super simple song about basically being on drugs
during a period where I had had a relapse, and
and the guy wrote in and said, I've never I've
never done drugs, but after listening to your song, I
completely understand the you know, the depths to which you
(13:59):
might go or or the way he might feel, you know,
And yeah, that was kind of interesting, you know, but yeah, definitely.
You know, most of the music I listened to is
a little sad or whatever you want to call it,
and so I connect with that. You know, it makes
me feel not so alone. And I think the same
goes true with you know, some of the songs I write, right,
(14:21):
So no doubt.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Yeah, and can you tell us kind of circling back
to Paul Button for a moment because the track we
played it earlier, the single Alive and Well.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
Is that is it true that that's dedicated to Paul?
Speaker 8 (14:35):
Butten it is?
Speaker 5 (14:38):
It is It was written before he passed away, though
it wasn't you know, written after that in relation to
his passing. Yeah, but but yeah, it was one of
his favorites and he plays on it. And you know,
when we released it, I had a tough choice to make,
right he had just passed away. The singles coming out
in a couple of weeks, and I wrestle with, you know,
(15:00):
do I want to release a single called the Live
and Well after my guitar player has died, you know,
and my friend and I decided to go ahead with it,
you knowa dedicated to him because really the song is
about coming through tough times and coming back right and
and Paul had experienced that kind of process in his
(15:22):
own life. Sure, so so we both had that in common.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Okay, okay, And we should talk to about where this
was recorded because and I always like to make sure
we give credit to producers and engineers and whomever you
work with. When I hear something that I think is
really striking sonically, and and I really love the way.
I mean, I enjoy the songs. I like what you're doing.
I also really love I'm kind of a recording nerd,
(15:49):
and I love the production. I think it's I think
it's really good. And I feel too that this genre
that you're working in the production has to be really good.
You have to be able to create something epic. You know,
you can't have guitars that sound small, and.
Speaker 6 (16:06):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
So, uhhere where did you record this? And who did
you work with?
Speaker 5 (16:11):
We recorded a place called Kitt and Robots Studio, and
we've been recording there since. Really our first record we
mixed there and then everything else since then we've recorded there.
And there's a a friend, a producer, Paul Rossler. I
think the spelling's probably in the press kit, but you know,
he's he's an LA fixture. He's been around since the
(16:35):
late seventies. He played in a famous early LA sort
of synth punk band called the Screamers, and since then
he's been you know, in many other bands and and
so we've been working together for you know this this
ten years and he really gets what we want to do.
We have a great working relationship and and we learned together,
right and yeah, so you know, yeah.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
When you say you've worked with him for this ten years,
does that mean every single thing that you've recorded for Tombstones,
in their eyes, it's all been with him.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
Our first record we started off at a place locally,
but when it came time to mix that record, I
found Paul, so technically we recorded something elsewhere. But ever
since then everything has been recorded there.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Okay, Oh that's awesome. Yeah, obviously it's working for you.
I'm also curious about this, So this is I don't
usually see this, and maybe we're getting into the weeds,
but we do have a lot of industry people who
listen to the show who might also find this very interesting.
So this is a dual label release, so it's out
on Little Cloud Records here in North America, but it's
(17:47):
also on a completely separate label, Shore Dive Records in
the UK. And I'm curious about how that works and
how that came about, and are there any challenges to
effectively You've released this on two separate labels, which is
very interesting to me.
Speaker 5 (18:05):
Yeah, I wish I'd discovered I could do that sooner. Actually,
because we have fans in Europe and you know, around
the world, but particularly in Europe, the UK, and so
shipping over there is incredibly expensive these days shipping from
the US.
Speaker 7 (18:25):
Ye.
Speaker 5 (18:25):
So, uh So what happened is that when we when
we got with Little Cloud Records for this record, I
noticed that one of their previous releases, one of the
bands had done a similar thing. Actually, they do it
quite regularly, I think, And so I had the idea,
and I already knew U Nico from Short Drive Records,
so I asked him. I asked Little Cloud if it
(18:47):
was fine, and they're They're all fine with it. So,
so what this does is, like I said, it gives
me a chance, or it gives us a chance to
get our stuff out to those fans over there without
them having to pay a million dollars for shipping.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Makes sense, Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Have
you had a chance to tour over there?
Speaker 5 (19:05):
No? No, Yeah, being being a little older and having
quite a full life, and you know, same with the band,
right you know, right now the band has seven people,
So gathering those seven people and getting us all in
a place where we could do that is pretty tough,
right now.
Speaker 6 (19:24):
No doubt.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Yeah, that's so so seven people, So that's interesting. I
did notice that the picture that I saw too in
the press release. So what I mean, what what do
all these people? What do all these seven people do?
Speaker 7 (19:35):
Like?
Speaker 4 (19:35):
Do you do you have multiple guitars? I mean what
can you just kind of take us through that what
the lineup looks like in terms of of what everyone's
doing in the band?
Speaker 5 (19:44):
Sure? Yeah, So myself I do vocals and guitar. We
have a guitar player named Phil Cobb does yeah, and
then we have a we had Paul Bouton who passed away,
and now we have a John Miller who's going to
be also you know, playing guitar. So that's me, two
guitar players, a bass player named Nick, drummer named Steven,
(20:05):
and then we have two other vocalists. One is Clia
Cohen and the other is Courtney Davies. Okay, yeah, Courtney's
been with us a little a little while and Clia
is a little newer. But we started to get into
harmony so much on the records that it made sense,
you know, to try and do that live.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Okay, Yeah, has has that been some? Is that something
that's unique to this record in terms of the harmonies
or did you do that on.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
It's been starting to happen. It really came into bloom
on the last record, Asylum Harbor, and has sort of continued.
Speaker 6 (20:45):
Okay, okay, just.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
Been a pro and an evolution.
Speaker 6 (20:48):
Interesting, Okay, very cool. I want to ask you too.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
I want to make sure we touch on you know,
so people don't get the wrong idea in terms of
in terms of the album and the context. You know,
it's not all it's not all doom and gloom, right,
there's there's sort of a theme of defiance and overcoming
these challenges and dare I say even hopefulness to it, right.
(21:12):
I listened to the whole thing, and that's that's kind
of what I took from it. It's you know, it's
not just you know, because people hear, you know, doom
rock or whatever term you want to use, and they think, oh,
it's it's just all down, it's all negative, but it's
really not. And and what do you want people to
take away from this, you know, not just when they
listen to say Alive and Well the single, but when
(21:34):
they listen to the whole album. What do you want
people to take away from from that? When they hear it.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
Yeah, I hear what you're saying for sure, and it
is not all doom and gloom, right, And I want
people to take away that you can make it through
tough times, you can find strength and there is hope.
And that was sort of you know, the place I
was in. I can't believe I made it through at
(22:01):
some at some points, right, And so the songs are
they're not wallowing in self pity right there. There are
like you said, sort of a defiant like I'm gonna
make this happen, you know, I'm gonna make it.
Speaker 6 (22:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
Yeah, that's what I got from it was the defiance
and I really like that it connected with me. I
think the album is fantastic. We should imagine too, how
new it is too. This just came out December fifth, right,
so this this just came out earlier this month, so
it's very new and obviously it's on all the streaming services.
And you did you get physical copies of this as well?
(22:39):
Do you have physical copies?
Speaker 5 (22:40):
Oh yeah, oh yeah, it's on vinyl, NCD. Vinyl can
be you know, purchased through our band camp, can be
purchased through Short Dived Records band camp in Europe and
the UK and also on Little Cloud Records website, so
it's available.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Oh, fantastic, fantastic. Where is the best place to go?
Speaker 6 (22:59):
John?
Speaker 4 (23:00):
And for people to keep up with everything that you're
doing with tombstones in their eyes? Where should people go
online to keep up with everything?
Speaker 5 (23:07):
I would say these days, either Instagram. Probably Instagram would
be the best place because I had some help with
that and we're making sure the content is flowing there
with news and other things. I handle the Facebook myself,
so that's you know, there was a period where I
was trying to manage every social media and I've had
(23:30):
to concentrate on just a few. Yeah, you know, Yeah,
i'd say Instagram is a good place to go.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Yeah, excellent, excellent. In a moment, we'll let you go
and then we're gonna play I want to close out
the segment with another track from the album, under Dark Skies,
but I'm gonna kind of put you on the spot
a little bit. I'm gonna ask you to pick it
because we already played we played a live and well
and we played the title track under Dark Skies, you know,
while we were kind of working through our tech issues.
(23:57):
So what would you like us to play to close
out the segment it.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Wow, we might throw you a curve bamb play. Have
you play an instrumental?
Speaker 6 (24:08):
Okay?
Speaker 5 (24:09):
Would that be okay?
Speaker 6 (24:10):
Absolutely, absolutely, whatever you want.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
The song is called the Beginning.
Speaker 6 (24:16):
The Beginning.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Oh yep, I see it excellent. So yeah, so we'll
finish out with that. That'll be interesting.
Speaker 6 (24:23):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
Well, John, thank you so much for joining us here today.
Like I said, I love the album. I'm going to
go back to and listen to some of your earlier
work as well. So far, I've only listened to Under
Dark Skies, but i really enjoyed it a lot. And
I'm glad that we were able to work through our
tech issues and get you on the phone. And it's
been interesting talking to you and I'm sure we will
definitely do it again in the future.
Speaker 6 (24:44):
As you're are you already working on new music? You are?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
You just kind of focused on the current project right
now now that this has just come out.
Speaker 5 (24:52):
There's always stuff in the works. I mean, we have
a lot a big backlog of songs that have recorded
over the last couple of years.
Speaker 7 (24:58):
Yea.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
At the same time, yeah, I'm kind of focusing on
this right now and trying to yeah, you know live.
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Oh of course, yeah.
Speaker 4 (25:07):
Well we will definitely have you back in the future
as when you do have new stuff, because like I said,
I've become a fast fan of your work. We're gonna
hit this track, so we'll let you go for now.
But John from Tombstones in Their Eyes, thank you so
much for joining us today.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
I appreciate it. Thank you. I'm sorry for the second
Oh hey.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
No worries, We got through it all right, all right, John,
take care of bye bye all right. That was John
Treeener from Tombstones in Their Eyes and we will close
out this segment with this. This is an instrumental from
the album Under Dark Skies. This is called the Beginning.
(29:00):
That's heavy. That is called the Beginning. The band is
Tombstones in Their Eyes and thank you again to John
Treeener for joining us. Thank you to everyone who joined
us today. Of course, in the first hour we had
Lewis Taylor from the band The Painting, and then in
the second hour we had Mike Hill along with Terry
and Lloyd from Charlie Hill with us and it was
(29:21):
great talking. In the third hour with John Treener from
Tombstones in Their Eyes really really liked that project. If
you are just joining us, we are live, of course
on Saturday, December twentieth, twenty twenty five. This is Matt
Connorton Unleashed and we are live from the studios of
w n H ninety five point three FM and Glorious Manchester,
New Hampshire. Of course, you can stream the show from anywhere.
(29:43):
Just go to Matt connorton dot com slash live for
all of your live streaming options, social media links, contact
and fosshow archives, etc.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
Etc.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
I talked about it at the very beginning in the
first hour of today's show, and I'll just kind of
circle back to it. I do want to anyone who
missed it. I want to just publicly thank everybody for
their kind words and love and support.
Speaker 6 (30:06):
This week.
Speaker 4 (30:06):
My father passed away on Thursday, Martin Connorton. Some of
you knew him, became familiar with him through the show
back when we used to do weekday afternoons. He was
a regular caller, so a lot of you heard his voice.
Some of you became familiar with him on social media,
but you know he did. He did loom large in
(30:29):
our little radio universe here. As I like to say,
so uh, you know, thank you everyone who's reached out.
He as I said earlier, he had a tough battle.
It lasted for almost two months at mass General in Boston,
and you know, if anyone could have saved him, they
could have because that's one of the best hospitals with
(30:49):
one of the best cardiac units in the entire country.
So if they couldn't couldn't save him, then then no
one could. So that, you know, there is some some
solace in that, but but it hurts. It's painful. I
am planning to do I'm gonna outside of this show,
I'm going to do a separate podcast about my dad
(31:10):
at some point where I really just have the time
and the space to just say everything that I want
to say about him and and you know, and and
how he influenced me in my life. And but I'm
gonna do that. I'm gonna do that separate from the show.
I'm going to do that on the podcast version, just
so because that way I don't have the pressure of Okay,
on on this day, on this particular Saturday morning, in
(31:34):
this segment, I'm going to talk about my dad. I
don't I want to be able to just do it
when I'm ready to do it. And I don't know
when I'm going to be ready to do it because
I'm not ready to do it yet. But but but
it's coming, it's coming. I do want to do that.
I want to honor him with that, and I want
to you know, and maybe I can share some things
about him that my surprise some listeners. I'm sure that
listeners who knew my dad became familiar with him might
(31:57):
find it interesting to hear some some childhood stories and
that kind of thing. So so there's a lot, there's
a lot there. There's a lot to say. He was
a very interesting guy, a very complicated guy in some ways.
Our relationship was complicated in some ways. But you know,
but it hurts, it's it's hard, and so I I
do appreciate, I do appreciate everyone who's reached out and
(32:20):
just you know, keep your eyes and ears open for
the podcast version of the show. Like I said, could
be a week, it could be a couple of weeks,
it could be this weekend.
Speaker 6 (32:26):
I don't know when I'm gonna do it.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
I'm just gonna I'm gonna do it when I'm ready,
and uh, well I'm sure I'm ready because once I
turned that microphone on and start going that's you know,
that's that's it. I'm committed. So but uh so, I
do appreciate all of you. I think what we're gonna do.
So earlier in the show, it was in the first hour,
(32:49):
I played a song that I played, Tears Are Falling
by Kiss, and I played that because I told the
story of how my dad was the one who got
me into, uh really into heavily listening to Kiss and
he also I remember another band that he and I
(33:09):
really bonded over was Van Halen when I was a kid.
And again I'm kind of showing my age here, but
I have another very nice memory of my father from
when I was a kid, so we had borrowed again.
This was during the van the Van Hagar era as
some people like to call it. Fifty one fifty had
come out, which is my to this day, my favorite
(33:31):
Van Halen album, and it was the first album with
Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, and that was another album
that both my dad and I just loved and we
would listen to all the time. And I have a
particular memory of on video Van Halen had released. It
was called Live without a net, and it was from
(33:53):
a show on the fifty one fifty tour when they
played in New Haven, Connecticut, and so I'd borrowed that.
I'd borrowed the video of that from a friend, and
it was that weekend that i'd borrowed it. It was
a Sunday night, and Dad and I sat and we
(34:15):
watched the entire thing, the whole two hour concert on video,
and we both really enjoyed it. And Dad was so
into it that at the end of it, he said
to me, now it was getting to be my bedtime.
And something Dad was a little strict about, probably more
than he needed to be. Not to critique him, but
(34:37):
I always I thought this at the time, and even
in hindsight, I still think he was a little bit
strict about making sure on school nights I was in
bed at an early enough time, just but he would
make exceptions. And he made an exception that night because
we got to the end of watching the video and
(34:58):
it was definitely time for bed, and he said to me,
because he liked it so much, he said, you know what,
we should watch, like the first couple of songs again.
We should start it over and just watch the first
couple of songs and then and then you can go
to bed. And I was like, okay, So we started
(35:19):
it over. And here's the thing I knew, because even
though he was a little bit strict about the bedtime,
he did make exceptions.
Speaker 6 (35:26):
I knew.
Speaker 4 (35:28):
Once he committed to that, we'll watch a couple, We'll
watch the first couple. I thought, Oh, I'm staying up
for another two hours because yeah, he's saying that, right,
We'll just watch the first couple of songs again and
then you can go to bed. But he's not going
to enforce that, you know, because I knew my dad
well enough, you know, and that's something every you know,
all kids, I think, kind of learned that with their parents.
(35:51):
You know, what they say or or it doesn't always
necessarily match up with what they're actually going to enforce.
Because my dad overall was not super strict, you know.
He I mean, I was an easy kid anyway, because
I wasn't getting into trouble all the time or anything
like that to begin with. So it's not like he
had to be the strict disciplinarian with me to begin with.
(36:11):
But but you know, but he wasn't, you know, he
wasn't like super strict or anything, so I knew. I
remember thinking, oh, he's gonna let me stay up the
whole two hours. He's gonna let me stay up two
hours past my bedtime because he's gonna want to watch
the whole thing over again. And he's not gonna want
to send me to bed while he stays up and
watches the rest of it, because that's not cool.
Speaker 6 (36:33):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
I've got him. He's gonna let me, He's And that's
exactly what happened. I stayed up for another two hours,
two hours passed my bedtime on a school night, and
we watched the entire thing a second time. And that's
just a really uh And I was fine the next day.
I wasn't tired or anything. But but that's just a
childhood memory that has stuck with me. So I think
what I would like to do now is I would
like to play my dad's favorite song from the album
(36:57):
fifty one to fifty. It's actually the title track from
the album, and we would listen to it in the
car and I remember my dad was just like, this
is such a great song. So I think what we'll
do is I'm gonna play that now. And then I
think I'm gonna place maybe we'll have time to play
(37:17):
a couple other songs that I know that my dad
really loved.
Speaker 6 (37:23):
I think we should do that.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
I think this is gonna be the end of me
speaking on today's show, though, I think I'm gonna play this,
and then I'm just gonna go ahead and play some
other songs that my dad really loved that I know
connected with him, songs that he and I both loved.
Speaker 6 (37:43):
I think that would be a good way to finish
out the hour.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
If you miss any part of today's show, you know
the drill, It'll be up in just a little bit
at wm and a radio dot orgon at my website
Matt Connorton dot com. And I think that's gonna do
it for me as far as what I have to
say this week. But thanks everyone again who joined us,
and I will I'm gonna play this here it is.
(38:08):
This is the title track from Van Halen's album fifty
one fifty.
Speaker 6 (38:13):
Love Your Dad, No.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
Blind st First the road h shut up, time to
We'd take our chance, we don't begin then snowy shine
will take that O. Wait, God God never says to
(40:07):
want you turn you it's only want me.
Speaker 7 (40:16):
Me to and know.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
What that means.
Speaker 9 (40:33):
Feel my grun name politician.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
And just turn to please you.
Speaker 9 (40:41):
Ority given you myself the whole condition.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
Running always wonder you never said trow. You know it's
(41:19):
only water, so.
Speaker 10 (41:26):
Too have the way.
Speaker 2 (41:29):
When you talking about what.
Speaker 7 (41:32):
That out.
Speaker 3 (43:00):
Do sounds, man shall the one.
Speaker 11 (43:05):
Something so.
Speaker 2 (43:10):
Don't laugh. We two lf the way. Wait a don
do what dold.
Speaker 12 (43:42):
What she pays me in sweetness, I gotta re you
(44:27):
for sharing dreams on evil on that this harmble expression
meagally dresses my aus of mean.
Speaker 3 (44:38):
It has no meaning, but you.
Speaker 11 (44:42):
My all a secret courts must be on the telet.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I need my love to translin that plays up beyond
a normal brided hurting.
Speaker 10 (44:59):
This time the sky I saved your class on heaving.
Speaker 2 (45:04):
To the sun of Crian.
Speaker 12 (45:06):
Even if guided, I'll try the gay because the knive
what song.
Speaker 3 (45:18):
I'm from a wrong.
Speaker 12 (45:27):
Contected on command neforlessly.
Speaker 3 (45:34):
My mind and sky.
Speaker 2 (45:36):
When I wake up pety day time of.
Speaker 3 (45:40):
Night time, I feel in it.
Speaker 11 (45:45):
Going on to reading she has been here but.
Speaker 13 (45:49):
Jealous night and on her secret cards on the tempt
in my love to try slaying this start to the
sky sing and plass.
Speaker 3 (46:04):
On hearving.
Speaker 7 (46:06):
To the sun of crying.
Speaker 13 (46:08):
They were never mid a frighting gayser because we do
what's fun.
Speaker 11 (46:41):
But cannot snid all have secret gods must be there
on the tid on me not long the translat Let's
start to.
Speaker 3 (46:57):
The sky, sing in class on him.
Speaker 11 (47:01):
To the sun of crime, even if found it.
Speaker 2 (47:06):
I'm trying to gay.
Speaker 10 (47:09):
Because with you what's wrong.
Speaker 3 (47:15):
Doing?
Speaker 11 (47:34):
And lay streaking music spound down the streets.
Speaker 3 (47:42):
I here remember with you.
Speaker 10 (47:44):
I have to go because my rock and roll it's.
Speaker 3 (47:49):
Burning on wait.
Speaker 2 (47:52):
And the men go on.
Speaker 11 (47:57):
Call vaga, happenlessening. My mind is God and were awake.
Speaker 3 (48:08):
Daytime the night.
Speaker 7 (48:10):
I'm vision.
Speaker 10 (48:12):
We don't want to breathing. She helps me here, but
tell us nine and all.
Speaker 11 (48:19):
Her secret cards. I'm must be there on the telephone.
Speaker 10 (48:26):
I need my love to translay.
Speaker 3 (48:38):
With you, my love.
Speaker 10 (48:39):
We're going to wait the future.
Speaker 3 (48:44):
With you, my love.
Speaker 10 (48:45):
We're going to stick.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
Out their beds.
Speaker 3 (48:49):
We want today to.
Speaker 14 (48:50):
Ransome the Loquard's block stop CONTI yesterday, don't you to day,
don't do yesterday?
Speaker 3 (49:08):
You want don't.
Speaker 10 (49:09):
Stops tall.
Speaker 2 (49:43):
Seven six.
Speaker 3 (49:46):
Rouding O.
Speaker 2 (49:52):
Now it say, I'm just astaying until my ste I'm
not I'm not casting someone cles the happiness unto the
city does.
Speaker 3 (50:11):
Not in my other.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
Basic and it's time.
Speaker 7 (50:23):
It's like.
Speaker 2 (50:25):
I'm going to tell me, so stay some time. All
st st st stuffs, so my good stuff.
Speaker 13 (50:48):
What we.
Speaker 15 (50:51):
Go to?
Speaker 1 (50:54):
What's time that happens?
Speaker 2 (50:57):
I doesn't want to.
Speaker 7 (51:00):
Tagy's this claim? So we.
Speaker 2 (51:06):
When you got to say talk to make it from
one the rats want to cry talk, soletart the western
time always susy.
Speaker 7 (51:29):
Starts very.
Speaker 2 (51:34):
Like it start what about song?
Speaker 7 (52:52):
The side.
Speaker 2 (52:55):
The stars the sun be size of almost great stacks.
So make the stand that sound and the sad the
(53:20):
stand the all sizes bull stands, so make it stands.
Speaker 3 (53:38):
In the boat.
Speaker 10 (54:35):
You're too far side.
Speaker 2 (54:38):
You're not faing on the first time I tell.
Speaker 8 (54:43):
You somebod me around.
Speaker 9 (54:45):
Rim My Tess said of the thing that I'll persent
fruits and the FDA to make myself no.
Speaker 7 (54:58):
My time.
Speaker 3 (54:58):
It is not to answer.
Speaker 9 (55:00):
I think if I sing, oh, why I don't.
Speaker 5 (55:07):
Show you.
Speaker 3 (55:09):
Time? Not surprising my time?
Speaker 2 (55:14):
Donor s why I don't show you time? Not surprise
save my time?
Speaker 10 (55:30):
Donor staying.
Speaker 2 (55:44):
In time to find me sting the la show is
a sad bisone as.
Speaker 3 (56:14):
I'm gonna ride ahead, and nobody dead wants.
Speaker 2 (56:18):
So down around.
Speaker 8 (56:25):
List enough by tone, you want.
Speaker 6 (56:30):
Never speak on what you seen.
Speaker 16 (56:36):
How hund you said too much deciding to go for
a little ride had had.
Speaker 8 (56:47):
You're not coming back.
Speaker 15 (56:52):
You've seen way too much. You're not coming at You
said way too much.
Speaker 7 (57:05):
Mother left you with you ten.
Speaker 15 (57:15):
Father you have enu see him.
Speaker 1 (57:21):
My trouble now took you away.
Speaker 15 (57:26):
You have to know one on judgment to you.
Speaker 6 (57:33):
Don't come in back.
Speaker 3 (57:38):
You see way too much. You don't come in.
Speaker 1 (57:48):
You said wait till much.
Speaker 7 (57:59):
You don't.
Speaker 8 (58:10):
I want to got you say it's got to bad.
If it ain't you, then it's the haw Percy a
(59:07):
muscle Peece forgave mer peace. Begin dow Percy a muscle
Peece forgive mer.
Speaker 12 (59:22):
Teace became.
Speaker 8 (59:26):
Ha Mercy on muscle.
Speaker 2 (59:30):
Sce begain make peace.
Speaker 3 (59:33):
Begin me.
Speaker 8 (59:37):
Pal Mercy a muscle.
Speaker 3 (59:41):
Pace.
Speaker 2 (59:41):
We gave me.
Speaker 8 (59:43):
Peace, Begin me.
Speaker 2 (59:51):
I'm not coming down
W m N H rip the nomals. We're back from
the brands.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
St Step, I'm say, I'm say.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
Stop, I cat five.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
I'm cat, I'm saving, I'm sick, I'm saving, I'm still So.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
That is another epic track from Tombstones in Their Eyes
that is under Dark Skies. Love that track. And let's see,
let's see here. We'll bring this mike up. We're gonna
try to talk to John treen Or from the.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
Band Just one too, I can take one too.
Speaker 6 (08:00):
Hello, Hey John, I can I can hear you? Can
you hear me?
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Oh beautiful? You sound great? So you switch to a
different mic. I guess that's uh, I guess that's all
we needed. Wonderful, Welcome to the show. I'm glad we
got to talk. I was getting nervous. But I really, uh,
I really like this project. This is really good Tombstones
in Their Eyes great stuff. We did play the we
played the single earlier Alive and Well, and of course
that was the title track under Dark Skies and I
(08:25):
love this band. Is this your project? Are you kind
of the main guy? So you guys are now now
you're you're on the West coast?
Speaker 6 (08:32):
Is that correct?
Speaker 5 (08:33):
I am los Angeles.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
You're you're an LA.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Based band, and are you are you kind of the
the main the main guy? Are you kind of the
the center of the of the band? In terms of
of uh steering the project?
Speaker 5 (08:47):
I am. This is my band. I write the songs.
UH formed it originally and uh yeah, so that's the
deal man.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
How long has this existed? How long has Tombstones in
Their Eyes existed?
Speaker 5 (09:00):
We're at ten years now, ten.
Speaker 6 (09:02):
Years, that's a long time.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
I was looking at band camp and I thought, wow,
they've got a lot of material. You've released quite a
bit over that span of time, which is impressive. Yeah,
it's very very impressive.
Speaker 6 (09:18):
Now I assume the uh, oh go ahead, No, you go.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
Well, I was just gonna say, I assume the makeup
of the band has changed quite a bit over that time.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
It has. Yeah, the people I originally did the first
recordings with are no longer around. I've got a bunch
of newer people, some been around longer than others. The
drummer Steven has been with me for a long time.
And yeah, but yeah, things are pretty solid right now.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Has it been a challenge to keep this project going
for ten years? Because some you know, some people if
they have a band and people start leaving and they
have to cycle people out, at some point they they
kind of they kind of start to think, well, maybe
I'll start a new project myself, since you know people
are coming and going. But ten years, I mean, that's
impressive longevity. Has it been? Has it been challenging at
(10:11):
times to keep this going? Have you ever been tempted
to start something new? Or maybe you're just firmly committed
to this and you're gonna keep going no matter what.
I mean, what what's kind of been your your approach
to that over the years.
Speaker 5 (10:22):
Yeah, this is my thing and I'm gonna keep it
going as long as as long as I keep writing songs.
You know, That's how I see it.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
No, that's great. I assume too. Where you are obviously
you've got a lot of talent around you. So how
hard is it to find musicians to bring in when
you have to do that, when you have to make
a change, when somebody's leaving and you've got to replace them,
is it?
Speaker 7 (10:45):
Uh?
Speaker 6 (10:45):
I mean?
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Do you do you hold auditions or do you just
know people already who would be suitable for these various
Because at this point you're you're Are you the only
original member?
Speaker 6 (10:55):
I assume you're the only one, right, Oh, yes, ma'am. Yeah.
So how hard is it to find people or is
it pretty easy?
Speaker 5 (11:03):
It's not, you know, it varies, right. So I had
a search a while back for someone on bass, and
we tried some things, and I ended up going back
to someone i'd used before, a guy named Nick, who
is still in the band and recently I had the
same experience, but it was easier. Our guitar player Paul
(11:25):
Bluten passed away a couple of months ago.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
Oh wow, sorry to hear that. That's terrible. Oh that's awful.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
Yeah. Yeah, I wasn't really planning on replacing him at
this point. We just took some time off. But then
I thought of this guy in the studio, an engineer
where we record at Kitt and Robot Studio, and I
asked him and his name is John Miller, and I
think he's coming aboard. So that one, that one was
particularly easy, but it could be difficult.
Speaker 6 (11:51):
No doubt, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
Now, what can you tell us about under Dark Skies
because it seems like I was reading something about that
you went through a period of of some pretty intense
personal upheaval. It was kind of the genesis of the
emotional context of the album.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
Is that correct for sure? Yeah? I mean for me,
you know, writing songs is always easier when you're in
a sort of a down period. Yeah, And I've had
my experience with that, but in twenty twenty three it
was particularly bad, and you know, some really tough stuff
(12:26):
going on.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
And.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
That led to a lot of the material and under
Dark Skies.
Speaker 4 (12:34):
Something that comes up a lot on the show with
people we talked to is how probably the best form
of therapy is taking things that are bad, things that
are traumatic, and then making that into art, because not
only does it help you take something terribly negative and
create something positive from it, because it helps you to
create art, whether it be music or visual art or
(12:56):
writing or whatever it is, but it also has the
potential to help other people people because other people then
can connect with that and it can help them as well.
And then you've you've taken something negative and made something
very positive out of it that not only helps you
work through it and the process whatever it is you're
going through, but can can connect with others. And I'm curious,
have you experienced other people kind of reaching out to
(13:17):
you when they hear the album and say, you know,
I relate to this song, or I relate to the
themes that are here or this this connects with me
on a level that maybe I didn't expect, but then
I listened to it and I got it, and I
and I kind of know what you're feeling. Like, do
do you hear from people about that? Oh?
Speaker 5 (13:35):
I definitely?
Speaker 6 (13:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Yeah. I had one particular incidence where I wrote a
song about super simple song about basically being on drugs
during a period where I had had a relapse, and
and the guy wrote in and said, I've never I've
never done drugs, but after listening to your song, I
completely understand the you know, the depths to which you
(13:59):
might go or or the way he might feel, you know,
And yeah, that was kind of interesting, you know, but yeah, definitely.
You know, most of the music I listened to is
a little sad or whatever you want to call it,
and so I connect with that. You know, it makes
me feel not so alone. And I think the same
goes true with you know, some of the songs I write, right,
(14:21):
So no doubt.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
Yeah, and can you tell us kind of circling back
to Paul Button for a moment because the track we
played it earlier, the single Alive and Well.
Speaker 6 (14:33):
Is that is it true that that's dedicated to Paul?
Speaker 8 (14:35):
Butten it is?
Speaker 5 (14:38):
It is It was written before he passed away, though
it wasn't you know, written after that in relation to
his passing. Yeah, but but yeah, it was one of
his favorites and he plays on it. And you know,
when we released it, I had a tough choice to make,
right he had just passed away. The singles coming out
in a couple of weeks, and I wrestle with, you know,
(15:00):
do I want to release a single called the Live
and Well after my guitar player has died, you know,
and my friend and I decided to go ahead with it,
you knowa dedicated to him because really the song is
about coming through tough times and coming back right and
and Paul had experienced that kind of process in his
(15:22):
own life. Sure, so so we both had that in common.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
Okay, okay, And we should talk to about where this
was recorded because and I always like to make sure
we give credit to producers and engineers and whomever you
work with. When I hear something that I think is
really striking sonically, and and I really love the way.
I mean, I enjoy the songs. I like what you're doing.
I also really love I'm kind of a recording nerd,
(15:49):
and I love the production. I think it's I think
it's really good. And I feel too that this genre
that you're working in the production has to be really good.
You have to be able to create something epic. You know,
you can't have guitars that sound small, and.
Speaker 6 (16:06):
You know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
So, uhhere where did you record this? And who did
you work with?
Speaker 5 (16:11):
We recorded a place called Kitt and Robots Studio, and
we've been recording there since. Really our first record we
mixed there and then everything else since then we've recorded there.
And there's a a friend, a producer, Paul Rossler. I
think the spelling's probably in the press kit, but you know,
he's he's an LA fixture. He's been around since the
(16:35):
late seventies. He played in a famous early LA sort
of synth punk band called the Screamers, and since then
he's been you know, in many other bands and and
so we've been working together for you know this this
ten years and he really gets what we want to do.
We have a great working relationship and and we learned together,
right and yeah, so you know, yeah.
Speaker 4 (16:59):
When you say you've worked with him for this ten years,
does that mean every single thing that you've recorded for Tombstones,
in their eyes, it's all been with him.
Speaker 5 (17:09):
Our first record we started off at a place locally,
but when it came time to mix that record, I
found Paul, so technically we recorded something elsewhere. But ever
since then everything has been recorded there.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Okay, Oh that's awesome. Yeah, obviously it's working for you.
I'm also curious about this, So this is I don't
usually see this, and maybe we're getting into the weeds,
but we do have a lot of industry people who
listen to the show who might also find this very interesting.
So this is a dual label release, so it's out
on Little Cloud Records here in North America, but it's
(17:47):
also on a completely separate label, Shore Dive Records in
the UK. And I'm curious about how that works and
how that came about, and are there any challenges to
effectively You've released this on two separate labels, which is
very interesting to me.
Speaker 5 (18:05):
Yeah, I wish I'd discovered I could do that sooner. Actually,
because we have fans in Europe and you know, around
the world, but particularly in Europe, the UK, and so
shipping over there is incredibly expensive these days shipping from
the US.
Speaker 7 (18:25):
Ye.
Speaker 5 (18:25):
So, uh So what happened is that when we when
we got with Little Cloud Records for this record, I
noticed that one of their previous releases, one of the
bands had done a similar thing. Actually, they do it
quite regularly, I think, And so I had the idea,
and I already knew U Nico from Short Drive Records,
so I asked him. I asked Little Cloud if it
(18:47):
was fine, and they're They're all fine with it. So,
so what this does is, like I said, it gives
me a chance, or it gives us a chance to
get our stuff out to those fans over there without
them having to pay a million dollars for shipping.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Makes sense, Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Have
you had a chance to tour over there?
Speaker 5 (19:05):
No? No, Yeah, being being a little older and having
quite a full life, and you know, same with the band,
right you know, right now the band has seven people,
So gathering those seven people and getting us all in
a place where we could do that is pretty tough,
right now.
Speaker 6 (19:24):
No doubt.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Yeah, that's so so seven people, So that's interesting. I
did notice that the picture that I saw too in
the press release. So what I mean, what what do
all these people? What do all these seven people do?
Speaker 7 (19:35):
Like?
Speaker 4 (19:35):
Do you do you have multiple guitars? I mean what
can you just kind of take us through that what
the lineup looks like in terms of of what everyone's
doing in the band?
Speaker 5 (19:44):
Sure? Yeah, So myself I do vocals and guitar. We
have a guitar player named Phil Cobb does yeah, and
then we have a we had Paul Bouton who passed away,
and now we have a John Miller who's going to
be also you know, playing guitar. So that's me, two
guitar players, a bass player named Nick, drummer named Steven,
(20:05):
and then we have two other vocalists. One is Clia
Cohen and the other is Courtney Davies. Okay, yeah, Courtney's
been with us a little a little while and Clia
is a little newer. But we started to get into
harmony so much on the records that it made sense,
you know, to try and do that live.
Speaker 4 (20:25):
Okay, Yeah, has has that been some? Is that something
that's unique to this record in terms of the harmonies
or did you do that on.
Speaker 5 (20:36):
It's been starting to happen. It really came into bloom
on the last record, Asylum Harbor, and has sort of continued.
Speaker 6 (20:45):
Okay, okay, just.
Speaker 5 (20:46):
Been a pro and an evolution.
Speaker 6 (20:48):
Interesting, Okay, very cool. I want to ask you too.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
I want to make sure we touch on you know,
so people don't get the wrong idea in terms of
in terms of the album and the context. You know,
it's not all it's not all doom and gloom, right,
there's there's sort of a theme of defiance and overcoming
these challenges and dare I say even hopefulness to it, right.
(21:12):
I listened to the whole thing, and that's that's kind
of what I took from it. It's you know, it's
not just you know, because people hear, you know, doom
rock or whatever term you want to use, and they think, oh,
it's it's just all down, it's all negative, but it's
really not. And and what do you want people to
take away from this, you know, not just when they
listen to say Alive and Well the single, but when
(21:34):
they listen to the whole album. What do you want
people to take away from from that? When they hear it.
Speaker 5 (21:41):
Yeah, I hear what you're saying for sure, and it
is not all doom and gloom, right, And I want
people to take away that you can make it through
tough times, you can find strength and there is hope.
And that was sort of you know, the place I
was in. I can't believe I made it through at
(22:01):
some at some points, right, And so the songs are
they're not wallowing in self pity right there. There are
like you said, sort of a defiant like I'm gonna
make this happen, you know, I'm gonna make it.
Speaker 6 (22:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
Yeah, that's what I got from it was the defiance
and I really like that it connected with me. I
think the album is fantastic. We should imagine too, how
new it is too. This just came out December fifth, right,
so this this just came out earlier this month, so
it's very new and obviously it's on all the streaming services.
And you did you get physical copies of this as well?
(22:39):
Do you have physical copies?
Speaker 5 (22:40):
Oh yeah, oh yeah, it's on vinyl, NCD. Vinyl can
be you know, purchased through our band camp, can be
purchased through Short Dived Records band camp in Europe and
the UK and also on Little Cloud Records website, so
it's available.
Speaker 4 (22:55):
Oh, fantastic, fantastic. Where is the best place to go?
Speaker 6 (22:59):
John?
Speaker 4 (23:00):
And for people to keep up with everything that you're
doing with tombstones in their eyes? Where should people go
online to keep up with everything?
Speaker 5 (23:07):
I would say these days, either Instagram. Probably Instagram would
be the best place because I had some help with
that and we're making sure the content is flowing there
with news and other things. I handle the Facebook myself,
so that's you know, there was a period where I
was trying to manage every social media and I've had
(23:30):
to concentrate on just a few. Yeah, you know, Yeah,
i'd say Instagram is a good place to go.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Yeah, excellent, excellent. In a moment, we'll let you go
and then we're gonna play I want to close out
the segment with another track from the album, under Dark Skies,
but I'm gonna kind of put you on the spot
a little bit. I'm gonna ask you to pick it
because we already played we played a live and well
and we played the title track under Dark Skies, you know,
while we were kind of working through our tech issues.
(23:57):
So what would you like us to play to close
out the segment it.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Wow, we might throw you a curve bamb play. Have
you play an instrumental?
Speaker 6 (24:08):
Okay?
Speaker 5 (24:09):
Would that be okay?
Speaker 6 (24:10):
Absolutely, absolutely, whatever you want.
Speaker 5 (24:14):
The song is called the Beginning.
Speaker 6 (24:16):
The Beginning.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Oh yep, I see it excellent. So yeah, so we'll
finish out with that. That'll be interesting.
Speaker 6 (24:23):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (24:24):
Well, John, thank you so much for joining us here today.
Like I said, I love the album. I'm going to
go back to and listen to some of your earlier
work as well. So far, I've only listened to Under
Dark Skies, but i really enjoyed it a lot. And
I'm glad that we were able to work through our
tech issues and get you on the phone. And it's
been interesting talking to you and I'm sure we will
definitely do it again in the future.
Speaker 6 (24:44):
As you're are you already working on new music? You are?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
You just kind of focused on the current project right
now now that this has just come out.
Speaker 5 (24:52):
There's always stuff in the works. I mean, we have
a lot a big backlog of songs that have recorded
over the last couple of years.
Speaker 7 (24:58):
Yea.
Speaker 5 (24:59):
At the same time, yeah, I'm kind of focusing on
this right now and trying to yeah, you know live.
Speaker 6 (25:06):
Oh of course, yeah.
Speaker 4 (25:07):
Well we will definitely have you back in the future
as when you do have new stuff, because like I said,
I've become a fast fan of your work. We're gonna
hit this track, so we'll let you go for now.
But John from Tombstones in Their Eyes, thank you so
much for joining us today.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
I appreciate it. Thank you. I'm sorry for the second
Oh hey.
Speaker 4 (25:24):
No worries, We got through it all right, all right, John,
take care of bye bye all right. That was John
Treeener from Tombstones in Their Eyes and we will close
out this segment with this. This is an instrumental from
the album Under Dark Skies. This is called the Beginning.
(29:00):
That's heavy. That is called the Beginning. The band is
Tombstones in Their Eyes and thank you again to John
Treeener for joining us. Thank you to everyone who joined
us today. Of course, in the first hour we had
Lewis Taylor from the band The Painting, and then in
the second hour we had Mike Hill along with Terry
and Lloyd from Charlie Hill with us and it was
(29:21):
great talking. In the third hour with John Treener from
Tombstones in Their Eyes really really liked that project. If
you are just joining us, we are live, of course
on Saturday, December twentieth, twenty twenty five. This is Matt
Connorton Unleashed and we are live from the studios of
w n H ninety five point three FM and Glorious Manchester,
New Hampshire. Of course, you can stream the show from anywhere.
(29:43):
Just go to Matt connorton dot com slash live for
all of your live streaming options, social media links, contact
and fosshow archives, etc.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
Etc.
Speaker 4 (29:52):
I talked about it at the very beginning in the
first hour of today's show, and I'll just kind of
circle back to it. I do want to anyone who
missed it. I want to just publicly thank everybody for
their kind words and love and support.
Speaker 6 (30:06):
This week.
Speaker 4 (30:06):
My father passed away on Thursday, Martin Connorton. Some of
you knew him, became familiar with him through the show
back when we used to do weekday afternoons. He was
a regular caller, so a lot of you heard his voice.
Some of you became familiar with him on social media,
but you know he did. He did loom large in
(30:29):
our little radio universe here. As I like to say,
so uh, you know, thank you everyone who's reached out.
He as I said earlier, he had a tough battle.
It lasted for almost two months at mass General in Boston,
and you know, if anyone could have saved him, they
could have because that's one of the best hospitals with
(30:49):
one of the best cardiac units in the entire country.
So if they couldn't couldn't save him, then then no
one could. So that, you know, there is some some
solace in that, but but it hurts. It's painful. I
am planning to do I'm gonna outside of this show,
I'm going to do a separate podcast about my dad
(31:10):
at some point where I really just have the time
and the space to just say everything that I want
to say about him and and you know, and and
how he influenced me in my life. And but I'm
gonna do that. I'm gonna do that separate from the show.
I'm going to do that on the podcast version, just
so because that way I don't have the pressure of Okay,
on on this day, on this particular Saturday morning, in
(31:34):
this segment, I'm going to talk about my dad. I
don't I want to be able to just do it
when I'm ready to do it. And I don't know
when I'm going to be ready to do it because
I'm not ready to do it yet. But but but
it's coming, it's coming. I do want to do that.
I want to honor him with that, and I want
to you know, and maybe I can share some things
about him that my surprise some listeners. I'm sure that
listeners who knew my dad became familiar with him might
(31:57):
find it interesting to hear some some childhood stories and
that kind of thing. So so there's a lot, there's
a lot there. There's a lot to say. He was
a very interesting guy, a very complicated guy in some ways.
Our relationship was complicated in some ways. But you know,
but it hurts, it's it's hard, and so I I
do appreciate, I do appreciate everyone who's reached out and
(32:20):
just you know, keep your eyes and ears open for
the podcast version of the show. Like I said, could
be a week, it could be a couple of weeks,
it could be this weekend.
Speaker 6 (32:26):
I don't know when I'm gonna do it.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
I'm just gonna I'm gonna do it when I'm ready,
and uh, well I'm sure I'm ready because once I
turned that microphone on and start going that's you know,
that's that's it. I'm committed. So but uh so, I
do appreciate all of you. I think what we're gonna do.
So earlier in the show, it was in the first hour,
(32:49):
I played a song that I played, Tears Are Falling
by Kiss, and I played that because I told the
story of how my dad was the one who got
me into, uh really into heavily listening to Kiss and
he also I remember another band that he and I
(33:09):
really bonded over was Van Halen when I was a kid.
And again I'm kind of showing my age here, but
I have another very nice memory of my father from
when I was a kid, so we had borrowed again.
This was during the van the Van Hagar era as
some people like to call it. Fifty one fifty had
come out, which is my to this day, my favorite
(33:31):
Van Halen album, and it was the first album with
Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, and that was another album
that both my dad and I just loved and we
would listen to all the time. And I have a
particular memory of on video Van Halen had released. It
was called Live without a net, and it was from
(33:53):
a show on the fifty one fifty tour when they
played in New Haven, Connecticut, and so I'd borrowed that.
I'd borrowed the video of that from a friend, and
it was that weekend that i'd borrowed it. It was
a Sunday night, and Dad and I sat and we
(34:15):
watched the entire thing, the whole two hour concert on video,
and we both really enjoyed it. And Dad was so
into it that at the end of it, he said
to me, now it was getting to be my bedtime.
And something Dad was a little strict about, probably more
than he needed to be. Not to critique him, but
(34:37):
I always I thought this at the time, and even
in hindsight, I still think he was a little bit
strict about making sure on school nights I was in
bed at an early enough time, just but he would
make exceptions. And he made an exception that night because
we got to the end of watching the video and
(34:58):
it was definitely time for bed, and he said to me,
because he liked it so much, he said, you know what,
we should watch, like the first couple of songs again.
We should start it over and just watch the first
couple of songs and then and then you can go
to bed. And I was like, okay, So we started
(35:19):
it over. And here's the thing I knew, because even
though he was a little bit strict about the bedtime,
he did make exceptions.
Speaker 6 (35:26):
I knew.
Speaker 4 (35:28):
Once he committed to that, we'll watch a couple, We'll
watch the first couple. I thought, Oh, I'm staying up
for another two hours because yeah, he's saying that, right,
We'll just watch the first couple of songs again and
then you can go to bed. But he's not going
to enforce that, you know, because I knew my dad
well enough, you know, and that's something every you know,
all kids, I think, kind of learned that with their parents.
(35:51):
You know, what they say or or it doesn't always
necessarily match up with what they're actually going to enforce.
Because my dad overall was not super strict, you know.
He I mean, I was an easy kid anyway, because
I wasn't getting into trouble all the time or anything
like that to begin with. So it's not like he
had to be the strict disciplinarian with me to begin with.
(36:11):
But but you know, but he wasn't, you know, he
wasn't like super strict or anything, so I knew. I
remember thinking, oh, he's gonna let me stay up the
whole two hours. He's gonna let me stay up two
hours past my bedtime because he's gonna want to watch
the whole thing over again. And he's not gonna want
to send me to bed while he stays up and
watches the rest of it, because that's not cool.
Speaker 6 (36:33):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
I've got him. He's gonna let me, He's And that's
exactly what happened. I stayed up for another two hours,
two hours passed my bedtime on a school night, and
we watched the entire thing a second time. And that's
just a really uh And I was fine the next day.
I wasn't tired or anything. But but that's just a
childhood memory that has stuck with me. So I think
what I would like to do now is I would
like to play my dad's favorite song from the album
(36:57):
fifty one to fifty. It's actually the title track from
the album, and we would listen to it in the
car and I remember my dad was just like, this
is such a great song. So I think what we'll
do is I'm gonna play that now. And then I
think I'm gonna place maybe we'll have time to play
(37:17):
a couple other songs that I know that my dad
really loved.
Speaker 6 (37:23):
I think we should do that.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
I think this is gonna be the end of me
speaking on today's show, though, I think I'm gonna play this,
and then I'm just gonna go ahead and play some
other songs that my dad really loved that I know
connected with him, songs that he and I both loved.
Speaker 6 (37:43):
I think that would be a good way to finish
out the hour.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
If you miss any part of today's show, you know
the drill, It'll be up in just a little bit
at wm and a radio dot orgon at my website
Matt Connorton dot com. And I think that's gonna do
it for me as far as what I have to
say this week. But thanks everyone again who joined us,
and I will I'm gonna play this here it is.
(38:08):
This is the title track from Van Halen's album fifty
one fifty.
Speaker 6 (38:13):
Love Your Dad, No.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
Blind st First the road h shut up, time to
We'd take our chance, we don't begin then snowy shine
will take that O. Wait, God God never says to
(40:07):
want you turn you it's only want me.
Speaker 7 (40:16):
Me to and know.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
What that means.
Speaker 9 (40:33):
Feel my grun name politician.
Speaker 3 (40:37):
And just turn to please you.
Speaker 9 (40:41):
Ority given you myself the whole condition.
Speaker 2 (40:53):
Running always wonder you never said trow. You know it's
(41:19):
only water, so.
Speaker 10 (41:26):
Too have the way.
Speaker 2 (41:29):
When you talking about what.
Speaker 7 (41:32):
That out.
Speaker 3 (43:00):
Do sounds, man shall the one.
Speaker 11 (43:05):
Something so.
Speaker 2 (43:10):
Don't laugh. We two lf the way. Wait a don
do what dold.
Speaker 12 (43:42):
What she pays me in sweetness, I gotta re you
(44:27):
for sharing dreams on evil on that this harmble expression
meagally dresses my aus of mean.
Speaker 3 (44:38):
It has no meaning, but you.
Speaker 11 (44:42):
My all a secret courts must be on the telet.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I need my love to translin that plays up beyond
a normal brided hurting.
Speaker 10 (44:59):
This time the sky I saved your class on heaving.
Speaker 2 (45:04):
To the sun of Crian.
Speaker 12 (45:06):
Even if guided, I'll try the gay because the knive
what song.
Speaker 3 (45:18):
I'm from a wrong.
Speaker 12 (45:27):
Contected on command neforlessly.
Speaker 3 (45:34):
My mind and sky.
Speaker 2 (45:36):
When I wake up pety day time of.
Speaker 3 (45:40):
Night time, I feel in it.
Speaker 11 (45:45):
Going on to reading she has been here but.
Speaker 13 (45:49):
Jealous night and on her secret cards on the tempt
in my love to try slaying this start to the
sky sing and plass.
Speaker 3 (46:04):
On hearving.
Speaker 7 (46:06):
To the sun of crying.
Speaker 13 (46:08):
They were never mid a frighting gayser because we do
what's fun.
Speaker 11 (46:41):
But cannot snid all have secret gods must be there
on the tid on me not long the translat Let's
start to.
Speaker 3 (46:57):
The sky, sing in class on him.
Speaker 11 (47:01):
To the sun of crime, even if found it.
Speaker 2 (47:06):
I'm trying to gay.
Speaker 10 (47:09):
Because with you what's wrong.
Speaker 3 (47:15):
Doing?
Speaker 11 (47:34):
And lay streaking music spound down the streets.
Speaker 3 (47:42):
I here remember with you.
Speaker 10 (47:44):
I have to go because my rock and roll it's.
Speaker 3 (47:49):
Burning on wait.
Speaker 2 (47:52):
And the men go on.
Speaker 11 (47:57):
Call vaga, happenlessening. My mind is God and were awake.
Speaker 3 (48:08):
Daytime the night.
Speaker 7 (48:10):
I'm vision.
Speaker 10 (48:12):
We don't want to breathing. She helps me here, but
tell us nine and all.
Speaker 11 (48:19):
Her secret cards. I'm must be there on the telephone.
Speaker 10 (48:26):
I need my love to translay.
Speaker 3 (48:38):
With you, my love.
Speaker 10 (48:39):
We're going to wait the future.
Speaker 3 (48:44):
With you, my love.
Speaker 10 (48:45):
We're going to stick.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
Out their beds.
Speaker 3 (48:49):
We want today to.
Speaker 14 (48:50):
Ransome the Loquard's block stop CONTI yesterday, don't you to day,
don't do yesterday?
Speaker 3 (49:08):
You want don't.
Speaker 10 (49:09):
Stops tall.
Speaker 2 (49:43):
Seven six.
Speaker 3 (49:46):
Rouding O.
Speaker 2 (49:52):
Now it say, I'm just astaying until my ste I'm
not I'm not casting someone cles the happiness unto the
city does.
Speaker 3 (50:11):
Not in my other.
Speaker 2 (50:20):
Basic and it's time.
Speaker 7 (50:23):
It's like.
Speaker 2 (50:25):
I'm going to tell me, so stay some time. All
st st st stuffs, so my good stuff.
Speaker 13 (50:48):
What we.
Speaker 15 (50:51):
Go to?
Speaker 1 (50:54):
What's time that happens?
Speaker 2 (50:57):
I doesn't want to.
Speaker 7 (51:00):
Tagy's this claim? So we.
Speaker 2 (51:06):
When you got to say talk to make it from
one the rats want to cry talk, soletart the western
time always susy.
Speaker 7 (51:29):
Starts very.
Speaker 2 (51:34):
Like it start what about song?
Speaker 7 (52:52):
The side.
Speaker 2 (52:55):
The stars the sun be size of almost great stacks.
So make the stand that sound and the sad the
(53:20):
stand the all sizes bull stands, so make it stands.
Speaker 3 (53:38):
In the boat.
Speaker 10 (54:35):
You're too far side.
Speaker 2 (54:38):
You're not faing on the first time I tell.
Speaker 8 (54:43):
You somebod me around.
Speaker 9 (54:45):
Rim My Tess said of the thing that I'll persent
fruits and the FDA to make myself no.
Speaker 7 (54:58):
My time.
Speaker 3 (54:58):
It is not to answer.
Speaker 9 (55:00):
I think if I sing, oh, why I don't.
Speaker 5 (55:07):
Show you.
Speaker 3 (55:09):
Time? Not surprising my time?
Speaker 2 (55:14):
Donor s why I don't show you time? Not surprise
save my time?
Speaker 10 (55:30):
Donor staying.
Speaker 2 (55:44):
In time to find me sting the la show is
a sad bisone as.
Speaker 3 (56:14):
I'm gonna ride ahead, and nobody dead wants.
Speaker 2 (56:18):
So down around.
Speaker 8 (56:25):
List enough by tone, you want.
Speaker 6 (56:30):
Never speak on what you seen.
Speaker 16 (56:36):
How hund you said too much deciding to go for
a little ride had had.
Speaker 8 (56:47):
You're not coming back.
Speaker 15 (56:52):
You've seen way too much. You're not coming at You
said way too much.
Speaker 7 (57:05):
Mother left you with you ten.
Speaker 15 (57:15):
Father you have enu see him.
Speaker 1 (57:21):
My trouble now took you away.
Speaker 15 (57:26):
You have to know one on judgment to you.
Speaker 6 (57:33):
Don't come in back.
Speaker 3 (57:38):
You see way too much. You don't come in.
Speaker 1 (57:48):
You said wait till much.
Speaker 7 (57:59):
You don't.
Speaker 8 (58:10):
I want to got you say it's got to bad.
If it ain't you, then it's the haw Percy a
(59:07):
muscle Peece forgave mer peace. Begin dow Percy a muscle
Peece forgive mer.
Speaker 12 (59:22):
Teace became.
Speaker 8 (59:26):
Ha Mercy on muscle.
Speaker 2 (59:30):
Sce begain make peace.
Speaker 3 (59:33):
Begin me.
Speaker 8 (59:37):
Pal Mercy a muscle.
Speaker 3 (59:41):
Pace.
Speaker 2 (59:41):
We gave me.
Speaker 8 (59:43):
Peace, Begin me.
Speaker 2 (59:51):
I'm not coming down
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