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Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

Shawn Ratches
Music Industry
Rock Music
Songwriting
Covid-19
Dokken
Music
Touring
Heavy Metal
Music Production
Black Crowes
Venom Inc
Live Performances
Frank Zappa
Great White
Social Media
Metal Music
New Album
Music Tours
Mr. Big
Dweezil Zappa

Welcome to Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches which is a show that explores all genres of music. As someone with autism, I bring a unique perspective to my interviews, aiming to create an authentic and engaging experience for both artists and listeners.Thanks for watching and please subscribe to help me keep bringing new content to you!

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Music CommentaryMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Laughing Monkey

Latest Episodes

Alex Mitchell remains one of the true survivors of the late-’80s New York hard rock scene. As the founder and voice of Circus of Power, Mitchell helped build a band that mixed street-level biker culture, sleaze rock attitude, and bluesy hard rock int... more

Venom Inc. are entering a new chapter with a refreshed lineup, new energy, and new music in the works. This is not just about looking back at the history of Venom or replaying the past. The band is focused on what comes next.

Led by Tony “Demolition... more

I recently interviewed Joe and Chuck from Carnivore A.D. to talk about the band’s new EP, their current touring plans, and the creative process behind the new material. The conversation dug into how the songs came together, what drives the writing, a... more

Taime Downe is back for his first interview in a while, and the conversation covers exactly what Faster Pussycat fans want to hear: touring, the band’s legacy, the writing and recording process, and what is next. Rising out of the mid-1980s Hollywood... more

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Recent Guests

Alex Mitchell
Musician, Circus of Power frontman; also explores other projects like Captain Zapped and Showbiz Al's Love Machine
Episode: Ep 667 Circus Of Power Alex Mitchell talks Double Album out soon and many more shows coming!
Chuck Lenihan
Member of Carnivore AD
Carnivore AD
Episode: Ep 665 Carnivore A.D. talk new E.P. plus some Q & A with Joe Cangelosi and Chuck Lenihan
Joe Cangelosi
Member of Carnivore AD
Carnivore AD
Episode: Ep 665 Carnivore A.D. talk new E.P. plus some Q & A with Joe Cangelosi and Chuck Lenihan
Taime Downe
Frontman of Faster Pussycat, rock vocalist
Faster Pussycat
Episode: Ep 662 Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat is back on & he shares next the chapter of band in 2026!
John Bush
Armored Saint vocalist; also involved with Anthrax projects and side bands
Armored Saint
Episode: Ep 664 Armored Saint's John Bush on "Emotion Factory Reset" & playing Anthrax solo shows!
Chris Reifert
Vocal stylist, drummer of The Mighty Autopsy
The Mighty Autopsy
Episode: Ep 663 Autopsy Chris Reifert new music, select dates and reflection back on the genre!
Erik Sæther
Vocalist/Guitarist of Svarttjern
Svarttjern
Episode: Ep 661 SVARTTJERN New 2026 interview with HansFyrste and Erik “HaaN” Sæther of Svarttjern.
Kenny Hickey
Member of Sun Dont Shine, former guitarist of Type O Negative
Sun Dont Shine; Type O Negative
Episode: Ep 660 Kenny Hickey talks new band Sun Dont Shine and Type O Negative news
Andy Brings
Former guitarist for Sodom; producer and remixer on reissues
Sodom (former)
Episode: Ep 658 SODOM Andy Brings on Deluxe Reissue of Get What You Deserve and why he left and how it is now

Hosts

Tavon
Host of Laughingmonkeymusic
Sean Ratchette
Host of Laughingmonkeymusic

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 11 ratings
  • ANNOYING interviewer!!!

    Wow, this guy Shawn is NOT a good interviewer. Thought I’d check out his interview with Don Dokken. Anyone who is a fan of Dokken knows interviews with Don are ALWAYS good….as long as the interviewer doesn’t CONSTANTLY interrupt, and talk over him. This guy asks a question, Don starts to answer, then this goof begins talking over him, providing his own observations. On top of that, his mouth seems to work at twice the speed of his brain since numerous times he’s almost unintelligible when he’s a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mike DeGarmo
    United Statesa year ago
  • Carlson.

    Thanks for having Dylan carlson on. No one like him. No one like earth.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    jonFrias
    United States3 years ago
  • Really interesting music pod!

    Really enjoyed this first episode, looking forward to hearing more!

    Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    theboatgoat
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience notes the practical takeaways on touring, gear, and career strategy, which enhances sponsorship alignment with music brands.
Guests consistently bring high-profile experiences and industry insight, which benefits listeners seeking backstage perspectives.
Commenters often praise the host's unique perspective and direct style, while critiques sometimes center on pacing or interview cadence.
Listeners appreciate the depth and honesty of conversations, though some episodes occasionally feel interview-heavy or gear-focused.
The show's authenticity and guest variety are seen as strengths that attract serious music fans and potential sponsors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 666 Venom INC has new music coming, BLS tour and more planned in 2026
Q: Good evening, Venom INC, how are you guys?
Excited to be here and discuss how we're building new material while honoring our Venom legacy.
Ep 662 Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat is back on & he shares next the chapter of band in 2026!
Q: What are the plans for future releases and touring?
Taime mentions a fall release window for Pretty Ugly with potential B-sides, possible Europe/UK dates, and a US tour with Sam Bam; lineups may shift due to members' other commitments, but the plan is to maintain an active touring schedule.
Ep 662 Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat is back on & he shares next the chapter of band in 2026!
Q: What was the recording process like for Wake Me When It's Over and Whipped!?
The band worked with producer John Jansen after considering other producers, and they focused on keeping the songs strong as written, with limited rearrangement during production to preserve the songs' core energy.
Ep 658 SODOM Andy Brings on Deluxe Reissue of Get What You Deserve and why he left and how it is now
Q: Why include both the original and remixed versions in the box set?
To honor the original while giving fans a new perspective; both versions are available so listeners can choose their preferred experience, and the box contains extensive supplementary material to enrich the listening experience.
Ep 658 SODOM Andy Brings on Deluxe Reissue of Get What You Deserve and why he left and how it is now
Q: How did the tapes come back into play and what was the approach to remixing?
Tom found multitrack tapes in his basement, which allowed Andy to revisit and remix with a goal of making the guitar more prominent and creating a sense of being in the room, while retaining the original energy and avoiding over-polishing.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Laughing Monkey

What is Laughing Monkey about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners of this show tune into candid, gear-nerdy, and career-focused music interviews with a heavy emphasis on metal, hard rock, and related scenes. Episodes routinely explore technical guitar and vocal work, touring realities, songwriting, and the evolving music industry, often weaving in personal storytelling and behind-the-scenes details about projects and collaborations. The format tends to pair seasoned musicians with insightful hosts, producing lively conversations that appeal to players, producers, and superfans who crave practical insights and honest perspectives. A notable strength is the host's distinct, authentic interviewing voice—likely shaped by personal experiences and a diagnostic perspective—that offers a fresh lens on a... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Laughing Monkey:

1. The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
2. Life of the Record
3. Appetite for Distortion
4. The Daily
5. I'd Hit That

How many episodes of Laughing Monkey are there?

Laughing Monkey launched 5 years ago and published 669 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Laughing Monkey?

Recent guests on Laughing Monkey include:

1. Alex Mitchell
2. Chuck Lenihan
3. Joe Cangelosi
4. Taime Downe
5. John Bush
6. Chris Reifert
7. Erik Sæther
8. Kenny Hickey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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