In this lively episode of The Adventures of Pipeman on W4CY Radio, Pipeman sits down with CJ Pierce and Ryan from Drowning Pool during Aftershock 2026. Expect wild stories, unexpected topics (including William Shatner’s metal band and Dolly Parton’s metal album), band banter, rock anecdotes, and an unapologetic celebration of having fun both on and off the stage.Main Topics Covered
- William Shatner’s New Heavy Metal Band
- Dolly Parton’s Final Metal Album & “Stairway to Heaven” Cover
- Rock Legends: Robert Plant, Captain Kirk, and Led Zeppelin Influences
- Drowning Pool’s Festival Experiences and Touring Stories
- The Importance of Fun and Professionalism in Live Shows
- The Power of Cheese (Literally and Figuratively)
- Barbecue Hangouts with Dave Grohl and Festival Camaraderie
- Changing Attitudes in Music, Cancellation Culture, and Bands That Wouldn’t Survive Today
- Football Fandom, Childhood Memories, and Family Anecdotes
Key Discussions & StoriesWilliam Shatner Goes Metal
- Pipeman shares the news of William Shatner debuting a heavy metal band, complete with the album What the F Is Heavy Metal? at Riot Fest, highlighting Shatner’s unique delivery and stage persona 01:14.
- Shatner’s rider included whimsical requests like renaming a ship after him, a DeLorean for stage transport, puppies for adoption, unique sausages, and a bowl of sauerkraut for longevity 04:20.
Dolly Parton’s Metal Turn
- CJ Pierce praises Dolly Parton’s recent metal album and ambitious tracklist featuring 50 covers, including her nervousness about seeking Robert Plant’s permission to cover “Stairway to Heaven” 02:27.
- Discussion reflects on respect across music genres and the awesomeness of iconic collaborations and covers 02:59.
Led Zeppelin and Modern Influences
- CJ Pierce likens band-mate Ryan McCombs to Robert Plant, claiming new Drowning Pool material is heavily “Led Zeppelin-ish,” specifically influenced by Houses of the Holy04:12.
- Playful debate about which era of Led Zeppelin most inspires current writing 04:04.
Festival Life & Barbecue Tales
- Humorous account of Drowning Pool’s experiences at Danny Wimmer Presents events and their willingness to perform at a wide range of gigs, from headlining festivals to backyard pool parties 09:45.
- CJ Pierce recounts poolside barbecues and round of shots with Dave Grohl during Ride for Dime events and Dimebash festivals 13:24.
The Value of Fun, Fans, and Family
- Both guests reiterate the importance of making concerts feel like house parties, emphasizing the welcoming, family-like atmosphere Drowning Pool brings to every show 12:44.
- Jokes about band members’ longevity, future polka or metal projects at age 95, and how music should stay fun and accessible 06:36.
- Touching stories about family, sports fandom, and growing up supporting underdog football teams 15:41.
Music, Society, and Cancellation Culture
- Sharp observations on how today’s “cancel culture” would affect classic acts like Mozart or Public Enemy if they were debuting now 20:41.
- Candid exchanges about the dangers of over-digitizing music production and the longing for analog simplicity 18:00.
Notable Quotes
- “I am a closet case William Shatner fan.” — CJ Pierce 01:31
- “Do you know how easy it is to book Drowning Pool? We do bar mitzvahs, pool parties…” — CJ Pierce 09:52
- “You call me over there...at the low, low price of $500, bro, I’m easy. I’m gonna steal your shit.” — CJ Pierce 10:08
- “It’s still like you’re in my living room when we go on stage.” — CJ Pierce 12:41
- “My dream is to be here like you’re at my house and we’re barbecuing for you onstage as professionals.” — CJ Pierce 12:58
- “Mozart would get canceled. He’s just too good.” — CJ Pierce 20:56
- “Anybody that doesn’t go to a Drowning Pool show or support you guys can fuck off and cancel me.” — Pipeman 24:14
Resources & Links Mentioned
- William Shatner’s (Fictitious) Metal Band:What the F Is Heavy Metal? (No official link; discussed at 01:14)
- Dolly Parton’s Metal Album: Recent tribute/covers album including “Stairway to Heaven”
- Danny Wimmer Presents Festivals:Danny Wimmer Presents (external link, not mentioned but relevant)
- Public Enemy Live: Reference to festival lineup (21:12)
- Ride for Dime Foundation:Ride for Dime (external link, for Dimebag Darrell tribute events)
No explicit URLs or social media handles were mentioned in the broadcast; listeners are encouraged to follow Drowning Pool through their usual channels for updates.
Pipeman in the Pit is a music, festival, and interview segment of The Adventures of Pipeman Radio Show (#pipemanradio) and from The King of All Festivals while on The Pipeman Radio Tour.
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