METAL MARK JAMES

A Central New York native, Metal Mark started his journey into the world of hard rock/metal when he was 12 years old back in 1975. Kiss was his introduction and as he got older in the late 70's, he discovered--through his now deceased step-brother--artists such as Van Halen with their debut album, Ted Nugent's Double Live Gonzo and went from there as the years went on.

His tastes range from classic metal from the past to the metal underground of the mid 80's to early 90's and the current metal underground scene worldwide.

Mark started his radio career on June 5, 1992 with his show "Audio Aggression" on WNYO-88.9FM(SUNY Oswego) as a non-student community volunteer DJ and was there till summer of 2001 and after a brief hiatus, returned on air in 2002 on his own and later on to stations such as Open Grave Radio/Blabberjesus Radio(Christian metal station)/Brutal Existence Radio.

Today after 3 decades, Mark continues his show and is now on his own. He brings to the table his expertise of all things metal related and is very passionate as well. A true metal diehard for life!

WHY ARE YOU A METALHEAD FOR LIFE?

It's simply something I enjoy since I was almost a teen. Beyond the music, it's the friendships I've made through the years. Going to concerts, buying merch, listening to metal on the radio through various stations through the 80's and early 90's and even now on the internet. Staying informed on upcoming shows, new albums, and new merch. I'm kind of a metal history buff when I look into the past as well. I am a very passionate person when it comes to metal and thrive myself on being dedicated and committed to the world of metal music.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP METAL MEMORIES?

1 - Me and a friend had tickets to see Iron Maiden/Fastway/Coney Hatch on Maiden's Piece Of Mind tour in Syracuse NY. We got their early in the afternoon and went to the ticket window. The lady at the ticket window said someone returned a pair of tickets and the location was this "THIRD ROW-CENTER SECTION!" and said we could exchange our tickets for those!  Took less than a second to make the exchange and we had a great time and great seats!
 
2 - Discovering metal radio shows in the 80's to early 90's that made me want to become a metal radio DJ. Shows such as "The Rock Shop" with the late Bob Appell on WSFW in Seneca Falls NY. Thanks to a friend of mine, I also discovered WBER in Rochester NY with great metal radio shows such as Metal Mayhem, Metallic Overdrive, Sonic Insanity(WRUR), Sudden Death Overtime, and Axecaliber(WITR). I found my calling and inspiration through all these shows and stations!
 
3 - Doing interviews on WNYO and through my old metal fanzines "Into The Void" and "Neckbreaker Zine." Many of them were recorded on cassette and have done interviews with many artists such as Dio, Iron Maiden, Manowar, Cannibal Corpse, King Diamond, Napalm Death, Death and tons more. My fave interview was the one with the late, great Ronnie James Dio when he was promoting the Angry Machines album. It was great that a fan like me from Central NY got to chat with a legend also from Central NY and we talked for a hour! I miss him sadly and I will never forget that moment! 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT METAL MAYHEM ROC?

For starters, the show was the first Rochester NY based metal radio show that I heard in 1985 and when I heard the show was returning on the internet, I had to connect with Jon and be part of this great program. The metal community is great and when I'm in the chatroom with other listeners, we have a BLAST!  Talking metal, cracking jokes, and simply having a great time and a lot of fun! Plus getting to hear new releases and the metal classics from the past! Makes me feel like its 1985 again and getting to hear stories from everyone that is metal related from the past to the present. The show has an old school vibe and is perfect for old school metal guys like myself and nods to the present as well.