Chapter 9: My life on Calvert Street at The Baltimore Sun and hitting the road
“Be careful what you wish for,” Nestor warns. “All I ever really wanted to do was work at The Baltimore Sun and be the Oscar Madison of local sports…”
Hammerjacks
Chapter 8: Catching a break with John Steadman at The News American
So how did the kid from Dundalk get his start in local sports journalism before there was a WNST? Well, there was a guy named John Steadman and a place called Hammerjacks and three newspapers competing…
John Palumbo of Crack The Sky talks history, songwriting and the hot razors of rock music for a lifetime
Now 39 years after first interviewing John Palumbo of Crack The Sky as an 18-year old music critic at The Evening Sun, Nestor finally gets to ask the singer and songwriter to reflect on the band’s unique blend of rock, progressive elements, and complex songwriting, which often tackled themes of race, culture, and politics. Palumbo shares the origins of songs like “Nuclear Apathy” and “Songs of Soviet Sons,” and discusses the band’s resilience and the joy the music bring to fans in Baltimore.
Crack The Sky still soaring 50 years later
Now 39 years after first interviewing John Palumbo of Crack The Sky as an 18-year old music critic at The Evening Sun, Nestor finally gets to ask the singer and songwriter to reflect on the band’s unique blend of rock, progressive elements, and complex songwriting, which often tackled themes of race, culture, and politics. Palumbo shares the origins of songs like “Nuclear Apathy” and “Songs of Soviet Sons,” and discusses the band’s resilience and the joy the music bring to fans in Baltimore.
Being the first to fly with The Black Crowes at Hammerjacks in 1990
During his #AlmostFamous days as a music critic, Nestor Aparicio stumbled onto to some legendary bands. In March 1990, The Black Crowes were about to shake their money maker as an opening act for a long-forgotten band named Junkyard at Hammerjacks. Less than 100 people would attend the show. Young, brash, hard to handle and ready to rule the world. This one is spicy with a very young Chris Robinson telling a Baltimore music critic about his little rock and roll band with a blues edge from Atlanta.
Faithfully taking a 1989 Journey with open arms back to era of Bad English with Jonathan Cain
In an effort to release all of his Almost Famous-era rock and roll interviews from his time as a music critic at The Baltimore Sun, Nestor Aparicio found an October 1989 chat with legendary keyboardist Jonathan Cain, just as his new band Bad English was approaching Hammerjacks. Some Steve Perry chatter here from four decades ago as Journey has gone its separate ways into the wheel in the sky of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame immortality.
Billy Squier returns to rock Hammerjacks and talk life and music in June 1991
Now almost eight years into his life as an #AlmostFamous music critic at The Evening Sun in Baltimore, rockers like Billy Squier would return to pick up where they left off…
That time in 2012 when Joan Jett talked Orioles baseball with Nestor before Dundalk Heritage Fair
Everyone knows the leader of the Blackhearts loves rock and roll – and the Baltimore Orioles. Nestor got some old Jim Palmer tales from the former Runaway and Hall of Famer.
Before his house was live, Daryl Hall talks about Unplugged craze and acoustic songwriting in February 1991
In February 1991, Hall and Oates were transitioning from large arena tours to an acoustic tour, which was gaining popularity due to the emergence of MTV Unplugged. Daryl Hall discussed the challenges and creative freedom of performing acoustically, noting the use of acoustic instruments and a theatrical stage setup.
Bret Michaels talks Poison, Steelers and something to believe in with Nestor in 2003
They crossed paths at the Seagull Inn and Hammerjacks over the years, but Nestor finally got to discuss a football feud from Baltimore to Harrisburg with the lead singer of Poison.
The Almost Famous Joan Jett chat from Nestor’s youth
When Nestor was the rock music critic at The Baltimore Evening Sun in the early 1990s, he interviewed hundreds of musicians. This is a long lost chat with Joan Jett that oozes her love of the Baltimore Orioles and Memorial Stadium.
Rumbling the 80s back to the Recher on December 2nd with Tommy Conwell
Legendary Philadelphia blues rockers Tommy Conwell and The Young Rumblers return to the Baltimore area for the first time in two decades and Nestor asks why it’s still fun to put the band back together almost four decades after the Hammerjacks magic of “I’m Not Your Man.”
The Itch of a new solo album from Kix legend Steve Whiteman
With M3 looming and the return of live music to the Symphony Woods of Merriweather Post Pavilion, Nestor welcomed his personal vocal coach and the greatest frontman in local music history from Hagerstown to discuss “You’re Welcome” and his new music.
Getting the itch to give Kix a beautiful rock and roll sendoff
A lifetime of friendship brought Stone Horses frontman John Allen back to his Dundalk homeland at Costas Inn join Nestor Aparicio for the WNST 25th Anniversary celebration in a wide-ranging discussion of the history of Baltimore rock music. From Child’s Play roots in East Baltimore to the farewell of legendary vocalist Steve Whiteman, let two good ol’ boys tell you about growing up loving Sarah Fleischer, Hammerjacks and the dream of living a music life.
Stone Horses frontman John Allen joins Nestor to discuss Kix farewell and Child’s Play roots
Stone Horses frontman John Allen joins Nestor to discuss Kix farewell and Child’s Play roots
Football agent Chad Wiestling rocks and rolls through Baltimore music history on MD Crab Cake Tour at Spirits West
Football agent Chad Wiestling rocks and rolls through Baltimore music history on MD Crab Cake Tour at Spirits West
Where the love of football and classic rock converge
Football agent Chad Wiestling asked Nestor if he could wear his Child’s Play shirt to honor East Baltimore rock music on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour in West Baltimore at Spirits West. From College Park to Hammerjacks, our favorite NFL agent rocks and rolls through Baltimore music history with some Pacifica belt buckle show and tell from our spirited host.
Sam Sessa and Jimi Haha tell Nestor about bringing the kids together in Annapolis to see Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
Sam Sessa and Jimi Haha tell Nestor about bringing the kids together in Annapolis to see Jimmie’s Chicken Shack and recount the story of the first concert of their childhood. Who loves Styx and Black Sabbath?
Taking the kids to Annapolis to rock breakfast and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
Sam Sessa and Jimi Haha tell Nestor about bringing the kids together in Annapolis on to see Jimmie’s Chicken Shack and recount the story of the first concert of their childhood. Who loves Styx and Black Sabbath?
Shaking the history of Milkshake and legend of Beyond Words and the New Wave 80s
Shaking the history of Milkshake and legend of Beyond Words and the New Wave 80s
Going Beyond Words to Scratch n’ Sniff and history of Gina Schock in Dundalk
Going Beyond Words to Scratch n’ Sniff and history of Gina Schock in Dundalk
A history of Hammerjacks with Nestor Aparicio and John Allen from Costas at Dundalk
A history of Hammerjacks with Nestor Aparicio and John Allen from Costas at Dundalk
Maryland Crab Cake (and Brewery) Tour Day 30: Bringing the next Governor to Costas and Heavy Seas for Dundalk inspiration
The thirtieth day of the Maryland Crab Cake Tour presented by The Maryland Lottery, Goodwill, Window Nation and the Restaurant Association of Maryland featured the next Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, along with some old friends to celebrate the end of another marathon tour of The Free State.
Shaking the history of Milkshake and legend of Beyond Words and the New Wave 80s
The Maryland Crab Cake Tour celebrated its final stop of the year under the Christmas lights of Costas Inn with old friends telling music tales. Your kids might know Milkshake but Nestor knew them as a kid music critic in the 1980s as Beyond Words and went back to the New Wave 80s with Lisa, George and Mikel in his dreams for his 31st Anniversary celebration.
Going Beyond Words to Scratch n’ Sniff and history of Gina Schock in Dundalk
The Maryland Crab Cake Tour final stop of the year brought old friends together for the holidays at Costas Inn. John Allen joined Nestor in welcoming their old Dundalk High art teacher Joyce Bucci on to discuss her role with the band Beyond Words (and the Child’s Play logo) and how it tied back to the first punk rock band of Gina Schock before The Go-Go’s.
Rocking the Hammerjacks documentary for the holidays
The Maryland Crab Cake Tour presented by The Maryland Lottery, Goodwill and Window Nation celebrated Nestor’s 31st Anniversary at Costas Inn in Dundalk with old music friends and stories of bands and clubs. And some hairspray! A history of Hammerjacks with Nestor Aparicio and John Allen from Costas at Dundalk as the new documentary is released.
Mickey Cucchiella joins Nestor and Don at Costas to celebrate all things Maryland and local comedy
Mickey Cucchiella joins Nestor and Don at Costas to celebrate all things Maryland and local comedy
Crab cakes and comedy with Mickey Cucchiella in Dundalk
Mickey Cucchiella joins Nestor and Don at Costas to celebrate all things Maryland and local comedy
Catching up with the former Nasty Nestor
Local Fowl Players Radio host Mike Spedden asked Nestor to tell his rock and roll and sports radio story for a little while. And what Baltimore Positive is really all about…
Hammerjacks believer Andy Hotchkiss joins Nestor to discuss the glory of the past and tailgate of the future in Baltimore
Hammerjacks believer Andy Hotchkiss joins Nestor to discuss the glory of the past and tailgate of the future in Baltimore
Bringing Hammerjacks back to life before the Ravens games
Hammerjacks believer and local real estate investor Andy Hotchkiss joins Nestor to discuss the glory of the past and the tailgate of the future in Baltimore. Beware: this one involves the long-haired freaky people…
Mickey Cucchiella and Nestor share a history of being on a Baltimore stage after Hammerjacks
Mickey Cucchiella and Nestor share a history of being on a Baltimore stage after Hammerjacks
Ain’t no fooling around when you’re trying to be funny during a plague…
Legendary local comedian Mickey Cucchiella joins Nestor to share and poke fun of three decades of friendship and history and tales about growing up on a Baltimore stage after meeting backstage at Hammerjacks during the glam rock era of the 1980s.
Rocker John Corabi of The Dead Daisies joins Nestor to talk new LP “Rise Up” and Eagles Super Bowl win
The former Motley Crue leadman is a crazed Philadelphia sports fan. We gave him a chance to dance and strut…
Tom Keifer talks music, life after Cinderella and the legend of Hammerjacks after Sarah Fleischer retirement gig in Baltimore
Nestor was writing about the lads from Philadelphia back when they were opening for Bon Jovi and shaking all night. Yes, that is his 1986 autographed Circus Magazine. This was a retrospective chat about all of the bombast of the hairspray era and surviving and thriving in Nashville.
Bill Leverty of Firehouse talks about life after Hammerjacks
Guitarist Bill Leverty of Firehouse talks about life after Hammerjacks and being a musician with a song that means a lot to folks.
Nestor Aparicio, x-Archive
Mickey Cucchiella will add local comedy to WNST format in March
The comedy legend is back on the air at WNST every day….
