Show Notes
In the summer of 1987, the music scene was shifting: the larger-than-life sounds of glam rock and heavy metal were at their peak, and the neon-drenched days of the MTV era were in full swing. Hair metal dominated, with bands like Def Leppard, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi ruling the charts and radio. Rock fans were riding high on guitar solos, power ballads, and the theatrical spectacle of live shows. Amidst this, a familiar name from a different era, Ace Frehley, the original “Spaceman” of Kiss, reemerged with Frehley’s Comet—a solo album that would go on to become a cult favorite, bridging his past as a member of Kiss with his fresh start as a solo artist. The Road to Frehley’s Comet Frehley’s Comet, released in April 1987, was Ace’s first attempt to break out independently since his 1978 solo album with Kiss. This time, however, it wasn’t just a side project—it was an opportunity for Ace to stand alone. After a rocky exit from Kiss, characterized by struggles with addiction and brushes with death (including a notorious car accident in his DeLorean that he references in the track “Rock Soldiers”), Ace had a point to prove. With support from Eddie Trunk, who helped secure him a spot on the Megaforce label, Ace was back in the game, determined to reclaim his legacy in rock. A Blend of Grit and Melody As the Dig Me Out hosts delved into Frehley’s Comet, they highlighted its unique blend of Ace’s signature gritty style mixed with melodic, almost pop-rock elements that made it different from a typical heavy metal album. Tracks like “Rock Soldiers” served as a rallying cry, a self-reflective anthem about overcoming personal demons, while “Into the Night,” a mid-tempo stomp, showcased Ace’s ability to craft a compelling hook that stuck with listeners long after the song ended. The hosts also noted how “Stranger in a Strange Land” exemplified Ace’s unmistakable style: raw yet melodic guitar riffs combined with a vocal delivery that was uniquely his own, both rough and endearing. The Todd Howarth Factor What made Frehley’s Comet stand out wasn’t just Ace’s return. The album also benefited from the contributions of Todd Howarth, whose more polished, AOR-style vocals and songwriting contrasted with Ace’s grittier approach. Tracks like “Calling to You” and “Something Moved” reflected this dynamic, adding a surprising level of variety to the album. This blending of styles made Frehley’s Comet feel like more than just a solo project—it felt like a band effort, and the result was a sound that was both nostalgic and refreshingly modern for its time. Embracing the Strange and the Nostalgic Despite its strengths, Frehley’s Comet isn’t without its quirks. Some tracks, like “Dolls,” with its odd, almost creepy lyrics about mannequins or inanimate “dolls,” veered into strange territory. And while songs like “We Got Your Rock” aimed to pump up the listener, the lyrics felt somewhat clichéd even for the ’80s, as the hosts pointed out with humor. Yet, these moments only added to the album’s charm, capturing a time when rock didn’t take itself too seriously, embracing both the raw and the ridiculous in equal measure. Legacy of a Comeback Album Looking back, Frehley’s Comet isn’t just a product of its era but a testament to Ace Frehley’s resilience and talent. The album succeeded in reminding fans why they fell in love with the “Spaceman” in the first place while introducing him to a new generation eager for guitar heroes. While Ace may have never reached the commercial heights of Kiss in his solo career, Frehley’s Comet endures as a cult classic, cherished by fans who appreciate its rough edges, varied styles, and unapologetic rock ethos. For Ace, it was more than just an album—it was a comeback, a declaration that, indeed, the Ace was back. Songs in this Episode * Intro - We Got Your Rock * 21:55 - Stranger in a Strange Land * 25:14 - Breakout * 32:17 - Rock Soliders * 37:28 - Into the Night * 42:05 - Dolls * Outro - Calling to You Make Your Metal
More from Dig Me Out: 70s & 80s Metal
What happens when a band decides metal is not just a genre, but a kingdom they were born to rule? Gavin Reid joins Jay, Tim, and Chip to dig into Manowar’s 1988 Atlantic Records album Kings of Metal. From the speed of “Wheels of Fire” to the choir-drenched drama of “Heart of Steel,” the band’s self-appointed heavy-metal coronation is more melodic, theatrical, and ambitious than its barbarian artwork suggests.[2][1] We talk power metal, fantasy-world escapism, the title track’s undeniable chant, Joey DeMaio’s “Sting of the Bumblebee” bass showcase, a baffling song sequence, and why “Pleasure Slave” is the album’s obvious weak link. If you love Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Blind Guardian, Ghost, or the grand theatrical side of classic metal, this episode is for you.[1] Episode highlights 02:02: Why Kings of Metal became our “what is metal?” test case 14:00: “Wheels of Fire” and Manowar’s unexpected aggression 19:58: “Heart of Steel,” choirs, and power-metal grandeur 26:07: The “Kings of Metal” anthem and its call-and-response hook 30:55: The album sequence that never finds its momentum 36:06: “Pleasure Slave” and the songs we would leave behind 49:50: Album, EP, or Decent Single? Subscribe to Dig Me Out at digmeoutpodcast.com | Join the community at dmounion.comHave a lost or forgotten album that deserves the spotlight? Suggest it here.
A Top 40 single, a Capitol Records deal, KISS-world connections, and Jack Douglas in the producer’s chair. So why is Starz’s Violation still a record most rock fans have never heard? Jay, Tim, and Chip dig into the 1977 album that turned Starz into a musicians’ favorite without making them stars. We get into Bill Aucoin, Richie Ranno’s connection to Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne auditions, “Cherry Baby” reaching No. 33, and the strange mix of power pop, hard rock, theatrical vocals, and sharp melodic turns that makes Violation both rewarding and frustrating. If you love KISS, Cheap Trick, Angel, or late-1970s melodic hard rock, this episode is for you. Episode highlights: 00:44: The poll that sent Starz to the table 07:23: Bill Aucoin, Capitol, and Jack Douglas 16:44: “Sing It, Shout It” and “S.T.E.A.D.Y.” 30:07: “Subway Terror” and the album’s harder edge 32:41: “Is That a Street Light or the Moon?” 38:40: Why Starz never broke through 56:22: Worthy album or better EP? Subscribe to Dig Me Out at digmeoutpodcast.com | Join the community at dmounion.comHave a lost or forgotten album that deserves the spotlight? Suggest it here.
What if one of 1985’s most overlooked metal albums was not from the Sunset Strip at all? This week, Jay, Tim, and Chip dig into Holland’s 1985 Atlantic Records debut, Little Monsters. The album won an 80 percent community runoff, and it became a first listen for all three of us. Featuring powerhouse vocalist Tom Holland and future guitar virtuoso Michael Angelo Batio, it is a tight 34-minute hard-rock record with equal parts melodic songwriting, technical guitar, Chicago identity, and mid-’80s major-label ambition. We get into the power-pop instincts beneath the riffs, Batio’s surprisingly disciplined shred work, “Wake Up the Neighborhood” appearing in Girls Just Want to Have Fun, the album’s strongest songs, and why Holland may have needed one more record to find its real commercial lane. If you love Cheap Trick, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Enuff Z’Nuff, early Def Leppard, or overlooked ’80s hard rock, this episode is for you. 00:44: The poll result and Holland’s underdog victory 01:40: Holland’s short history and Chicago roots 02:22: Michael Angelo Batio before Nitro 02:37: “Wake Up the Neighborhood” and its movie connection 03:09: The album’s best riffs, hooks, and influences 04:04: What keeps Little Monsters from being a complete statement 04:50: Final verdict Subscribe to Dig Me Out at digmeoutpodcast.com | Join the community at dmounion.comHave a lost or forgotten album that deserves the spotlight? Suggest it here.
A Swedish band nobody outside Scandinavia ever heard live sounds like it was mixed by people who actually understood 80s post-punk instead of just imitating it. This episode, guest Darren Leach brings his first pick from the 2000s: Cut City's 2007 debut Exit Decades, a nine-song, 34-minute record that channels Joy Division, The Sound, and early Interpol while arriving a few years after the post-punk revival's commercial peak. We dig into the mechanical-versus-expressive tension in the arrangements, the mix that lets every instrument breathe, and why the album might be missing the one quirky vocal hook that made its peers famous. If you love Interpol, Editors, Bloc Party, or 2000s post-punk revival, this episode is for you. Highlights: 01:49: Darren introduces Cut City and the album 08:51: The mechanical/expressive dynamic breakdown 19:05: The mix and bass discussion 26:49: What doesn't fully land on the record 33:09: The post-punk revival timeline 37:41: Ratings revealed Subscribe to Dig Me Out at digmeoutpodcast.com | Join the community at dmounion.com Have a lost or forgotten album that deserves the spotlight? Suggest it here.
Tora Tora beat Metallica in a poll. That alone should tell you something about how this show works. This 80s Metal episode covers Tora Tora's 1989 debut Surprise Attack, the surprise winner of a four-way Patreon poll against Metallica's Master of Puppets, Slade's Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply, and Motörhead's Iron Fist. The Memphis band's blend of Judas Priest style riffing and Beale Street blues set them apart from the Sunset Strip pack, and the hosts dig into the record's three singles, its reverb-heavy production, a firsthand tour bus story from 1992, and the band's ongoing reissue campaign and 2019 reunion. If you love Tesla, Badlands, or late-80s hard rock that never quite got its due, this episode is for you. Episode highlights: 00:00: Poll results and Tora Tora's landslide win 06:35: A 1992 tour bus story from backstage at a Newport headlining show 20:39: What works on Surprise Attack 40:04: The production issue holding the record back 49:43: Final host ratings Subscribe to Dig Me Out at digmeoutpodcast.com | Join the Board of Directors at dmounion.com Have a lost or forgotten album that deserves the spotlight? Suggest it here.