Shows
Troy Story: A Podcast for the Collar CityWere You There? Ozzy Osbourne, RPI Field House (1996)Millions of metal fans celebrated the final live performance of Ozzy Osbourne during the "Back to the Beginning” global concert event this summer. The celebration culminated with the last-ever reunion of Black Sabbath's original lineup of Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi, and drummer Bill Ward.But, did you know Ozzy's first short-lived "retirement" in the 1990s ended with a major worldwide tour which included a stop at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Houston Field House in Troy, New York?On January 27, 1996, the Prince of Darkness brought his "Retirement Sucks!" tour to the Collar City with mo...2025-07-1205 min
Troy Story: A Podcast for the Collar City19: Mike Valente Mike Valente is a well-known figure in the 518 music scene. As the founding member of national touring act Brick by Brick, he’s shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest, and heaviest, bands touring across the United States and Europe. Mike is also the owner of Upstate Black N Blue Productions which books shows at Empire Underground and Empire Live in downtown Albany, New York.Mike takes us through his early years growing up in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood, the formation of his first band Attica, and the opportunity to open for Slayer at RPI’s H...2025-01-0743 min
Troy Story: A Podcast for the Collar City18: Slayer @ RPI Field House, 1991 (Jason Bittner, Mike Valente)On February 11, 1991, the legendary Slayer performed most of their new album, “Seasons in the Abyss,” along with other career-spanning tracks during an 80-minute set at the RPI Houston Field House in Troy, New York, with support from Testament, and local Capital Region band Attica.We’re joined again by Jason Bittner, lifelong Capital Region resident and world-renowned drummer, and Mike Valente, founding member of national touring act Brick by Brick, owner of Black N Blue Productions, and founder of the Extreme Music Awards, to recount their unique metal memories of that night in the Collar City.As m...2025-01-0739 min