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Laughing Monkey with Shawn Ratches

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes702Founded6 years ago
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Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Laughing Monkey

Latest Episodes

* **00:00** – Touring Costs & Exploring Immersive Audio

* **02:28** – *Summer of '82: When Zappa Came to Sicily* Documentary

* **05:40** – *Via Zammata* & Filming in Palermo

* **09:22** – Outdoor Concert Acoustics & Live Sound

* **10:18** – Compo... more

Like , Subscribe & Comment as I have more behind the scenes stories and tips to share if more people are interested!

Stevie D says Buckcherry is already looking ahead, with the next album planned as part of the band’s schedule for next year. He outlines the steps involved in moving that record forward, from writing and early planning to getting into the studio and ... more

Cloven Hoof have spent decades building a legacy as one of the enduring names in British heavy metal, earning a reputation for power, character, and a sound that has remained unmistakably their own. Across changing eras, the band have continued to ca... more

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Recent Guests

Lee Payne
Member of Cloven Hoof, singer/lyricist
Cloven Hoof
Episode: Cloven Hoof Never a Prophet in Your Own Land — a new album rooted in legacy, power, and conviction.
Dan Lilker
Bass guitarist and vocalist known for Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth, and other projects
Episode: Dan Lilker on Joining Instagram, His Band History, Guest Jams, and Life After Road Touring.
Max Cavalera
Frontman/guitarist; iconic metal musician
Soulfly; Nailbomb; Sepultura
Episode: Max Cavalera on Touring, Soulfly, Drop D, 4-Strings & Re-Recording Old Sepultura Albums.
Jeff Becerra
Bassist and vocalist from Possessed
Possessed
Episode: Possessed's Jeff Becerra: Remembering DEATH’S Chuck Schuldiner & Writing New Possessed Album!
Paul Mazurkiewicz
Original Cannibal Corpse drummer with Umbilicus project
Umbilicus/Cannibal Corpse
Episode: Cannibal Corpse Paul Mazurkiewicz on Umbilicus history and new EP and Cannibal Corpse playing shows!
Niclas Engelin
Guitarist associated with In Flames and Halo Effect
Halo Effect / In Flames
Episode: Steelheart’s Miljenko Matijevic on the New Single and Upcoming Album with Niclas Engelin!
Stephen Gibb
Guitarist and musician, guest on the show
Killer Robot (implied through discussion)
Episode: Stephen Gibb KILL THE ROBOT and super music deep dive of his life!
Valor Kand
Singer of Christian Death
Christian Death
Episode: The World of Valor Kand and Christian Death
Jesse Hughes
Lead singer of Eagles of Death Metal, member of Eagles of Death Metal
Eagles of Death Metal
Episode: Jesse Hughes on new EODM with Josh Homme, deep dive on audio gear and tour of his new home!

Host

Shawn Ratches
Host of Laughing Monkey; engages guests with industry experience, gear talk, and storytelling.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 12 ratings
  • Great rock and metal guests but

    Check out the review from this other reviewer Mike. His assessment is spot on. Agree 100% with all his points. This host is a nice enough guy and has great guests. So I bumped it up to 4 stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    VSPN:/
    United States4 months ago
  • 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 States4 years ago
  • Really interesting music pod!

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

    Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    theboatgoat
    United Kingdom6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates candid stories and cross-genre discussions.
Some listeners find the interviewer's pace or delivery mishmashed with fast responses.
Fans see strong authenticity and a loyal, niche following.
Listeners praise the guest quality and gear-focused depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Forbidden marks the next era. Album and tour coming soon.
Q: How do you approach the setlist given both new material and classic tracks?
We'll balance the first two Forbidden albums with new material, adapting tunings as needed, and intentionally mix in old staples with the new songs to keep the live show engaging and coherent.
Forbidden marks the next era. Album and tour coming soon.
Q: What are your plans for promoting the album and rolling out singles ahead of the tour?
The plan is to release multiple singles with accompanying videos before the album drop, followed by a steady build-up of pre-sales and a major U.S. tour launch on October 23rd, aligned with the album street date.
Possessed's Jeff Becerra: Remembering DEATH’S Chuck Schuldiner & Writing New Possessed Album!
Q: What are the practical steps you're taking to ensure new music gets heard and supported in today's market?
Pre-release physical merch, selective digital strategy, direct-to-fan channels, and building a touring cycle that gradually introduces new songs while leveraging existing fan networks.
Possessed's Jeff Becerra: Remembering DEATH’S Chuck Schuldiner & Writing New Possessed Album!
Q: How do you balance staying true to Possessed's roots with bringing in new material?
Write what I feel, maintain a unique voice, and blend familiar elements with new vocabulary and ideas to keep it fresh without betraying the essence of the band.
Possessed's Jeff Becerra: Remembering DEATH’S Chuck Schuldiner & Writing New Possessed Album!
Q: What has kept Possessed and similar bands going for decades, despite lineup changes and industry shifts?
A combination of loyal fans, a strong core of members who stay true to the band's sound, and a commitment to making music that feels authentic rather than chasing trends.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Laughing Monkey

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

The show features extended, candid conversations with veteran rock and metal artists, focusing on career longevity, creative processes, touring realities, and the evolving music industry. Episodes often spotlight side projects, gear nerding, live performance dynamics, and the balancing act between artistic integrity and commercial realities. A notable through-line is a strong emphasis on authentic storytelling, a DIY/indie spirit, and behind-the-scenes insight into production, branding, and touring life that can help brands and potential guests understand how to connect with dedicated metal and rock audiences. Unique angles include archival preservation, personal studios and gear tours, and cross-genre collaborations, which provide opportun... more

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How many episodes of Laughing Monkey are there?

Laughing Monkey launched 6 years ago and published 702 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. Lee Payne
2. Dan Lilker
3. Max Cavalera
4. Jeff Becerra
5. Paul Mazurkiewicz
6. Niclas Engelin
7. Stephen Gibb
8. Valor Kand

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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