Mark Burkert is a guitarist based in southeastern Pennsylvania. He’s currently playing in the 80’s arena rock cover band Old School, but years ago he played guitar for Tapping the Vein and performed with an eclectic mix of bands including Depeche Mode, the Sisters of Mercy, Alanis Morrissette, King’s X, The Damned, Type O Negative, Paradise Lost, Within Temptation, Electric Hellfire Club, and Opeth, to name a few.

In today’s episode, Mark talks about some of the bizarre encounters he’s had with rock royalty throughout his travels as a touring musician in his younger days.

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Jenny Grace is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville, TN. Since 2021, she has been releasing music and performing all around the world with both her namesake country band and her original metal project Aaetheria.

In today’s episode, Jenny and I revisit memories from our European tour with Aaetheria opening for Tarja Turnunen and Marko Hietala from Nightwish, including multiple run-ins with the police, and more recent gig nightmares from touring throughout the U.S.

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Bob “Angelo” Sawyer is a British guitarist most known for his time playing in legendary heavy metal bands Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis. He’s performed alongside other classic acts such as Motörhead, Saxon, Samson, and Hawkwind.

In today’s episode of GIG NIGHTMARES, Bob tells some stories from his book “Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis: The Early Days”, including tour bus breakdowns on the 1980 Metal for Muthas tour, sword fights in club bathrooms, mischief with Paul Di’Anno and Clive Burr, and a rare show that had bassist Steve Harris handling lead vocals for Iron Maiden.

// #newpodcast #musicpodcast #professionalmusician #gignightmares #diy #ironmaiden #prayingmantis #nwobhm #heavymetal #saxon #motorhead #hawkwind #samson

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Rosie Thorn is a singer from Southeastern Pennsylvania most notable for singing with groups like The Discoteks, Shameless, and Gilligan, a new tribute to yacht rock.

In today’s episode, Rosie talks about how she started singing professionally and what she’s seen during her time, such as nasty bar fights, shady band members, audience fatalities, and more on GIG NIGHTMARES.

You can catch Rosie Thorn live with Gilligan at the Landis Theater in Vineland, NJ on September 5, 2025.

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Mark Newman is a guitarist and singer/songwriter from New York. Throughout his lifelong career, he’s been a sideman for music icons like John Oates (Hall & Oates), Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Jim McCarty (Yardbirds, Renaissance), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), Bobby Whitlock (Derek & the Dominoes), and Sam the Sham, as well as his own original music projects.

On today’s episode, Mark tells a few of his Gig Nightmares, including dealing with aggressive soundmen, getting locked out of the gig as he’s about to go onstage, having guitar amps fail mid-gig, a disastrous gig filling-in with a hot-headed Chuck Berry, and much more.

https://marknewman.us/home

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Matti Frost is a multi-instrumentalist based in Pennsylvania. Since 2013, he’s been the singer/rhythm guitarist/main songwriter of Philadelphia-based metal outfit Frost Giant. He’s also notable for having drummed with bands like Live Fast Die, The Commercials, and many more.

On today’s episode of GIG NIGHTMARES, Matti reflects on an ill-fated DIY tour he embarked on 25 years ago with The Commercials through the great Canadian wilderness, getting stopped at the border and being torn apart by mosquitoes, as well as other odd misadventures from his time with the band.

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Gary Shea is an American rock bassist best known for his work with Alcatrazz and New England. Since the late 60’s, Gary’s been performing all over the world on some of the most iconic stages alongside bands like KISS, Rush, Kansas, Styx, AC/DC, Journey, and more.

In today’s episode, Gary tells a few stories from his new book “No Bass, No Party: Sketches of My Life in Music”, including turning down a gig with singer-songwriter Al Stewart to join New England, clearing up rumors about Yngwie Malmsteen and Graham Bonnet, getting ripped off by managers and being sued for $1 million at age 26, and much more on GIG NIGHTMARES.

https://www.alcatrazzofficial.com/

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Rich Goldberg is the president and founder of NJ-based booking agency Ultra Artists. In the 80’s and 90’s, he booked many iconic acts including Greg Allman, The B-52’s, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, Thomas Dolby, The Romantics, The Ramones, The Nerds, and many more.

In today’s episode, Rich details some of the issues he’s dealt with as a booking agent, such as “intimidation” from rival booking agents, getting suckerpunched by venue security, having to bail his artists out of jail, contracted bands not showing up to gigs, vehicle breakdowns, wildlife accidents, and more on GIG NIGHTMARES.

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