David Hinckley
NYDailyNews.com
Eddie Trunk has extended his metal empire to television, with a twist.
The host of "Friday Night Rocks" at 11 p.m. on WAXQ (104.3 FM) and a hard rock show on Sirius XM's "Boneyard," Trunk is now also hosting a new program called "That Metal Show" at 11 p.m. Saturdays on VH1 Classic.
It's a metal show that's all about music, but doesn't play much of it.
Instead, the program features Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson, plus weekly guests, mostly talking. They argue over the best British metal band. Trunk explains why Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater is "a drum genius." Guests like Mike Piazza, Geddy Lee from Rush and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister talk about other metal and hard rock bands.
"When we have a guest, they stay for the whole half-hour," says Trunk. "I didn't just want to do a five-minute interview and have them walk off. I want their take on everything we talk about. We want Rush's take on Iron Maiden vs. Judas Priest."
The show will also have regular segments that include street pranks and the audience's chance to "Stump the Trunk" with trivia questions.
The decision not to feature live performances, he says, was partly financial. "Paying for performance rights can be a budget-buster," he says. "But that's also not what I wanted to do with the show. It's more about having fun. I see it like 'The Best Damn Sports Show, Period' for hard rock and metal fans."
The first season of "That Metal Show" will run eight episodes, and a second season starts filming in February. Trunk is hoping it will become a go-to place for hard rock bands and will also draw viewers who just like rock.
"I've always fought the stereotypes of the metal fan with the leather, the tattoos and the studs," Trunk says. "People who are into this music are all types, and I'd like to help it get more respect."
Meanwhile, the Q show continues and the Boneyard returns Jan. 15.
