Historian of pop culture, film, and music, John Harrison, joins Staci on Rock & Roll Nightmares to discuss his latest project: a comprehensive, 676-page book on KISS titled Creatures of the Screen. Unlike any other book on the band, John’s work is an immersive exploration of KISS’s presence onscreen, covering their films, TV appearances, and notable music videos. The book also delves into other shows and media inspired by—and exploiting—the band’s visual imagery, popularity, and cultural impact. John Harrison shares insights from his deep dive into the world of KISS and their enduring influence on pop culture.

This episode features Jake Sumner, director of the music documentary Ron Delsener Presents. The film explores the life and legacy of legendary music impresario Ron Delsener, with insights from an impressive roster of interviewees including Billy Joel, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, and Bette Midler. As the son of Sting (of The Police), Jake brings a unique perspective to the project, having known Delsener personally and wanting to uncover the story behind his iconic status. Jake discusses how the documentary came together during the pandemic and shares some of the wild stories featured in the film.

In this episode, Rock & Roll Nightmares welcomes author and Professor of Literature Jarret Keene, whose work first caught Staci’s attention with the release of his novel, Hammer of the Dogs. Now, Jarret returns with his newly released short story collection, Gateways to Annihilation—a book packed with wild, rock and roll-infused tales that are as twisted as they are entertaining. Tune in as he discusses his latest work as well as his takes on the future of writing with AI, and the nurturing of creative talent in the face of governmental budget cuts to national arts programs.