178. Mike Clark Discusses King's X, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

Mike Clark, the guitarist for the L.A.-based progressive metal band Final Gravity, joins Al on this episode to introduce him to King’s X’s 1989 album, Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. Mike talks about roles that an L.A. radio station and MTV played in getting him into King’s X, and he discusses the elements of the album’s sound that have made it one of his favorite albums. He also notes several bands that have been influenced by King’s X and explains why he thinks they did not get as much attention as some of the bands that they impacted. Mike also talks about Final Gravity and their latest release, Stormchaser, as well as their upcoming plans.

As Mike mentioned on the episode, there is a GoFundMe page for Final Gravity’s producer and engineer Rich Mouser, who lost his home and studio in the Eaton Fire in January. Please help Rich and his family if you are able. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-dad-rebuild-his-musical-legacy

Also, be sure to give Final Gravity a follow and check out their music if you haven’t already!

Instagram: @final.gravity

Facebook: @finalgravitytheband

YouTube: @finalgravityband

Bandcamp: https://finalgravity.bandcamp.com/

Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.

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1:08 Mike joins the show

1:55 Mike talks about the radio and MTV shows that were instrumental to getting him into King’s X and other heavy rock bands

5:23 Buying Gretchen Goes to Nebraska and seeing King’s X live cemented Mike’s fandom of the band

7:04 Al and Mike both hear parallels between King’s X and 1980s Yes

12:49 Hearing “Over My Head” motivated Mike to check out the whole album

15:56 Mike explains why he thinks King’s X hasn’t been more popular

19:34 Mike sees “Over My Head” and “Summerland” as representative of what King’s X does well

22:19 Mike discusses the story behind why King’s X named the album Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

23:29 Mike and Al talk about some of the lyrics that relate to religion and spirituality

27:39 King’s X has two strong lead vocalists

31:29 Mike cites some of his favorite tracks from the album

36:18 Mike explains how King’s X influenced Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy”

38:08 Gretchen was not the type of album that Al expected it to be

41:01 Mike shares his thoughts on other King’s X albums

42:48 This episode could have been about Transatlantic instead

43:59 Mike talks about the evolution of Final Gravity

47:59 Mike explains why Final Gravity decided to make the Stormchaser EP

50:06 Mike tells the story behind Final Gravity’s choice to cover Rush’s “Entre Nous”

53:39 Mike talks about the upcoming tour and recording plans for Final Gravity

Outro is from “Automatic Pilot” by Final Gravity.