The Brooklyn Blast Furnace

You might know him from his stand up comedy, or his (one of my favorites) "Comedy Metal Midgets" Podcast, or maybe as a Co-host on VH1's "That Metal Show" or maybe as "Special Ed", the mentally challenged puppet on Comedy Central's "Crank Yankers". Regardless, Jim Florentine is a brutally honest, hysterical guy with multiple appearances on "The Howard Stern Show" and "Opie & Anthony". He met me at a diner in New Jersey with his 8 year old son, Luke to have a conversation, pretty much covering a little of each of the above mentioned things. He has a brand new special out called "I Got The House" which you can find on Amazon Prime, iTunes, or his website. He has a book out as well called "Everybody Is Awful (Except You)" which can be found wherever you get your books. Listen to his podcast, "Jim Florentine's Comedy Metal Midgets" wherever you get your podcasts from or go to http://riotcast.com For comedy dates, physical copies of his comedy special and book, visit http://jimflorentine.com

Episode 100! I met up with the one and only Chaka Malik... singer for Burn, Orange 9mm and Ghost Decibels. We linked up at Pirate Studios in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to talk about a couple two, three things. We discuss music, shows, and even get a little deep and talk a bit about life and maturity. This was a lot of fun for me to do and an honor to have Chaka on as my guest for Episode 100. Much respect to Chaka and thanks to every single one of you who continue to listen and support this podcast. You are absolutely appreciated!

Bonus Mini Episode - Actor Brendan Fletcher: Freddy vs. Jason. by Dark Satellite Media

The legendary DJ Eclipse! I met up with him in Queens to chop it up for a little bit. He takes us way back to when he was a kid growing up in Rhode Island when he first discovered Hip Hop and how he became a DJ. A member of the Rock Steady Crew, Eclipse broke out being a member of Non Phixion after making a name for himself in his town by DJing parties. He takes us through all of that, La Coka Nostra, his history in radio from having "The Halftime Show", his company "Pay to Winn Management" all the way up to his show on Eminem's channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, Shade 45 with "Rap Is Outta Control" with DJ Riz. A lot of history with insight into his career and how he has over 30,000 records in every room in his house including the kitchen but not the bathroom. This was dope to do. Much respect to Eclipse! Enjoy.

We picked up where we left off the last time... I met up with rapper "Diabolic" at the same spot. A shit hole bar in Huntington Station, Long Island to catch up. The first time we spoke, he mentioned that he was working on a record with producer "Vanderslice" called "Collusion". Well, that record just dropped along with a video for the song "Think of That". Now, this episode is mostly a conversation about several things and not focusing on anything in particular. From rap to politics, to George Carlin to Nipsey Hussle and all sorts of random thoughts with no direction. A couple unscripted cameo appearances from strangers at the bar who start asking questions as well. Always a lot of fun to sit down and talk to him. Support him and his music. Another record, "The Disconnect" will drop this June. Smarten up.

Mister Kaves... founder of the legendary group the Lordz Of Brooklyn along with Scotty Edge! Live from The Bad Racket Studio. Kaves invited me out to their studio where they're working on a song to be featured in the upcoming television series, "Gravesend" by actor William Demeo - Mister Kaves brings us back to the block from the late 70's and 80's in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and fills you in on a lot of history. Growing up, family, graffiti, hip hop, neighborhood brawls, the formation of LOB all the way up to the present day. This was a lot of fun to do and I learned several things that I had no clue about... like, Kaves bringing Public Enemy to play in a small club in Bay Ridge. Great stories right here. Respect.

Scott Roberts and Will Shelper make up two thirds of "The Take". Neither of these guys are new jacks to the hardcore scene. Scott being a former member of Biohazard and The Spudmonsters, and Will Shepler from Agnostic Front and Madball have both been on stages big and small around the globe. We sat down over a cup of coffee and discussed their experiences in the aforementioned bands and how their new project came about. With their background, record deal, an upcoming European tour and album due out soon, these guys are already making a mark. Being a huge fan of Biohazard and Agnostic Front, it was an honor to sit down and chop it up. I hope you enjoy this one! Respect.

I sat down with the Cult Leader. ILL BILL. Founder of "Non Phixion", a member of "La Coka Nostra" and along with Vinnie Paz, he is one half of "Heavy Metal Kings". He invited me to his house in Brooklyn to have a conversation, which, he rarely does. So, for that, I'm thankful. We go way back to Canarsie, to 5714 Farrigut Road in the early 80's when he started listening to metal and hip hop in the Glenwood Projects. When he was in a death metal band, "Injustice", playing the "Battle of the Bands" at South Shore High School (which I attended as well) and playing at L'amour opening for bands like "Sepultura". From the beginning of the formation of "Non Phixion", his solo career, the birth of "La Coka Nostra" with Danny Boy, DJ Lethal, Everlast of "House of Pain", Slaine and Big Left. To working with DJ Muggs for the "Kill Devil Hills" record and the formation of "Heavy Metal Kings". There's a lot of history here leading up to his brand new record that he did with Stu-Bangas, "Cannibal Hulk". Sit back and study your lessons and enjoy this episode with ILL BILLY IDOL with a little cameo appearance from our old friend "Tommy Rebel". Respect.

Legendary Producer, Beat Maker, Rapper and one half of The Infamous... Mobb Deep! Havoc joins me on Episode 94 of The Brooklyn Blast Furnace Podcast! I met up with him at a small restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a laid back discussion about the history of Mobb Deep. From way back when they were called "The Poetical Prophets" to blowing up right after they were featured in the "Unsigned Hype" section of "The Source" magazine. From the first demo to the "Juvenile Hell" record all the way through to the last. His solo records, record labels, fame, tours, an enormous list of people he made beats for and everything in between up until now and what he is doing into the future. I even reminded him about the time he almost died on stage at Tigers Stadium in Detroit on the last date of the "Anger Management" tour with Eminem and 50 Cent. No boring "interview" questions, just an organic conversation. Havoc is a good dude and it was an honor to do this with him. The utmost respect to him and his legal representative, Albert Soler Esq. I hope you enjoy this and hope to link up again with him in the future to catch up on what's happening. Rest in Peace Prodigy. Mobb Deep Forever. Respect. For information and everything Havoc of Mobb Deep related: https://www.instagram.com/mobbdeephavoc https://twitter.com/mobbdeephavoc https://www.facebook.com/HavocOfMobbDeep https://www.officialbse.com https://www.instagram.com/albertsoleresq https://www.facebook.com/albertsoleresq https://hclassentertainment.merchdirect.com/

Danny aka "D-Lux". Danny Shuler from the legendary Brooklyn band, "Biohazard" met with me at the Park Place Diner in New Jersey (of all places) to be my guest on Episode 93. Both Danny and I grew up in Canarsie, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, which I knew but completely forgot about until we started talking. We talk about the "old neighborhood" and a bunch of people that we both knew from way back. We get into him joining Biohazard and how that all came about. The ups and downs of the band as a whole, touring, the break up and reforming of the band. As well as what the future holds. This was a lot of fun to do. Especially because, being born and raised in Brooklyn, Biohazard was a huge part of my life for many years. I hope you enjoy this. Respect.

On Episode 92, I speak to the "mint" bass player of Sheer Terror and several other bands throughout the years. He invited me to his house to talk about a couple two three things. Definitely a cool conversation about music, movies and how much it bothers us that Ralph Macchio walks on his tippy toes.

The Legendary Rev. Paul Bearer ladies and gentlemen. I met up with Paulie and had a conversation with him at the Dakota Diner on Staten Island. We talk the evolution of Sheer Terror, Joe Coffee, and everything in between. He is one of the most brutally honest people that I've spoken with so far. He calls it how he sees it and has no filter. He is, in my opinion, an extremely interesting person with a very unique personality in which I found refreshing in a way. He pulls no punches and I respect that about him. I hope you enjoy this episode. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to sit and talk with the man. Respect.

Pretty much a continuation from the last episode. We went from Rosa's to ova here now... Carlo's Pizzeria in Queens. I sit down with Craig Ahead (Sick Of It All) along with Richie Mancuso and Luke Ruta from Wisdom In Chains. The first half of this episode is a lot of random conversation, cross talk and nonsense. After attempting to keep this on some sort of track, Richie decided to take over and start his own interview with Craig; with the intention of making hi . uncomfortable at times, but it doesn't work in his favor. I hope you enjoy this. It was a lot of fun to chop it up with these guys. Thanks for all of the support.

Garlic knots, Sicilian and Round Pies... chaos ensued. Here's the deal... this was originally designated for Richie Mancuso (Wisdom in Chains). I was supposed to meet up with Richie alone by the World Trade Center. Instead, me, Richie and Luke Rota (Wisdom in Chains/Stigma, Craig Ahead and Armand Majidi (Sick Of It All) and Mike Noodlez (Roadie for Sick Of It All), and Lucas (Sick Of It All's Sound Man)wind up at 2 different pizzerias in Queens recording. So, this is a bit hectic with A LOT of conversation happening. Definitely unexpected, but a lot of fun to do. By listening to this, you'll hear exactly what it's like to hang with these guys. If you enjoy chaos, you'll enjoy these. Respect.

The people wanted him back... so I tracked down this guy ova here. The first guest to be on the show three times. The Return of Tommy Rebel. This time around he talks about his obsession with collecting. Yes... collecting. Things like old, classic Coney Island memorabilia, signs, stickers and a vast assortment of stuff. And of course we talk a couple crazy graffiti stories, being on trial for vandalism, and about how Central Booking is never a fun or comfortable place to be. Enjoy the rambling of the infamous Tommy Rebel... for the third time.