May 25, 2026

HANDLE WITH CARE: Iconic Thrash Band Nuclear Assault Unveils New Merch Line

 

HANDLE WITH CARE
Iconic Thrash Band
Nuclear Assault
Unveils New Merch Line
__________

Over the years, I've been
blessed to build solid
relationships with some
amazing rock artists,
including co-founding
Nuclear Assault guitarist, 
Anthony Bramante.
__________

Just last week, I received a call from my longtime buddy, Anthony Bramante, co-founding lead guitarist for the iconic NYC-based thrash band Nuclear Assault. Anthony and I have been friends for nearly 40 years, ever since our bands played together back during our super-svelte glory days.

Cooling off in my pool with Anthony during the steamy summer of 1990.

Throughout the last several decades, Anthony and I have kept each other apprised of our various new projects and products. And he was particularly amped to tell me about the all-new line of Nuclear Assault T-Shirts, skateboards, and other related accessories, available now at VolatileMerchandise.com. For those who still crave that classic thrash metal crunch, it's definitely worth checking out.

Dig the all-new line of Nuclear Assault merch at VolatileMerchandise.com.

FIND THE LATEST 
NUCLEAR ASSAULT
MERCH HERE

-Christopher Long
(May 2026)



- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

December 20, 2025

DIG MY SUBSTACK!

DIG MY SUBSTACK!
__________

After months of nudging
from my book publisher,
I took the plunge earlier
this year and launched
my Substack platform.
__________

For years, I’ve searched for an ideal platform on which to post my array of content, from pop culture reviews and personal stories to my books, music, videos, and more. I believe that Substack is that “ideal” platform. I hope you’ll agree.

WHAT TO EXPECT
I’ll be posting content three times a week!

MONDAYS: As a Paid Subscriber, you can kick off each week by finding TWO fresh full chapters from one of my various books. Each book will be served from start to finish, in chronological order, in its entirety. The first book I’ll be slicing up is my 2019 stinger, Superstar.

WEDNESDAYS: Over the years, I’ve written, recorded, and released oodles of crunchy and occasionally controversial songs, as a solo artist, and as the founding frontman for the wild, award-winning combo, Dead Serios. Every Wednesday, Paid Subscribers can revisit the music, while also getting the compelling, rarely shared stories behind many of these irreverent tunes. Better buckle up, it might get bumpy!

FRIDAYS: Embracing a “Casual Friday” vibe, this is the day when everybody can stop by and check out my latest pop culture views, reviews, and interviews, for FREE! Khakis, optional. 

So, what 'cha waitin' for? Check it all out HERE.

-Chris
(December 2025)


- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

July 02, 2025

GARAGE SALE VINYL: The Column - The Book - The Podcast (It's Everywhere!)

GARAGE SALE VINYL
The Column - The Book - The Podcast
(It's Everywhere!)
__________

What started out quite
organically and completely
by accident, is blowing
up into a massive brand!
__________

I consume music primarily the way the good Lord intended: on warm and cozy, old and crackly vinyl. Revealing my most notable vintage LP discoveries while scouring garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets far and wide, my "Garage Sale Vinyl" column debuted as a weekly Ink19.com series in January 2023. New installments drop at Ink 19 every Wednesday.

Garage Sale Vinyl book launch party at
Savvy Vinyl Records in Melbourne, FL.

Based on my column, my book Garage Sale Vinyl arrived in stores and at online retailers in May 2024. Featuring a personal foreword from celebrated arena rock guitar slinger, Bella Perron, the book is also peppered with insightful commentary from such famed music artists as Foghat drummer Roger Earl and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, as well as recognized media names, including TV personality Jimmy Failla and pop culture author Ken Sharp. You can find the Garage Sale Vinyl book NOW at Amazon.

Magical music. Feel-good stories. Engaging guests.
New fun-sized episodes drop every Friday on Spotify.

A lively, fun-sized audio extension of my column and book, the Garage Sale Vinyl Podcast launched in May 2025. Offering plenty of magical music, feel-good stories, and engaging special guests, the podcast can be found on Spotify and at Ink 19. New fun-sized episodes drop every Friday.

-Chris
(July 2025)


- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon


December 24, 2024

RECORD REVIEW: Mary J. Blige - "A Mary Christmas"

RECORD REVIEW
Mary J. Blige
A Mary Christmas
(Verve / Interscope Records)
____________

As an old-school R&B
aficionado and a massive
Mary J. Blige fan, I was
amped to discover this
Yuletide treasure when
it was first released back
in 2013. I was even more
stoke to recently score
a copy of the reissued
version on double green
translucent vinyl.
____________

A cozy collaboration between modern-day "Queen of Soul," Mary J. Blige, and iconic producer, songwriter and musician, David Foster, A Mary Christmas is a shiny musical ornament — one beaming with beautiful highlights.

Combining Blige's signature soulfulness with traditional choral and orchestral accompaniment, the classic "Little Drummer Boy" serves as a powerful opening track, while Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" makes for one of the record's brightest moments.

A more contemporary number, the Donny Hathaway / Nadine McKinnor classic "This Christmas" has been covered over the years by a host of top-selling artists, including Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, and Christina Aguilera. However, due largely to the happy-sounding orchestration and Foster's lively piano work, Blige's version truly zings!

While maintaining the warmth and charm of the Mel Tormé / Bob Wells standard, "The Christmas Song," Blige makes it sound fresh — enhanced further by Andreas Varady's "Breezin'"-flavored guitar work. Channeling the late, great Ella Fitzgerald, Blige delivers a stunning performance on the big band-styled version of "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" — simply amazing.

Written by Buddy Greene and Mark Lowry back in the 1980s, "Mary, Did You Know?" is the newest of the record's 11 tunes. Powerful lyrics, delicate piano and violin, honest and pure vocals with mighty orchestration — now this is a Christmas song! The great I AM, indeed.

Does anybody ever really get tired of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Certainly not me! And this duet between Blige and Jessie J is a real treat. Equally magical is Blige's union with The Clark Sisters on "The First Noel."

Whether it be English or Spanish, I love hearing the name of Christ proclaimed in Christmas music. And Blige's collaboration with Marc Anthony on "Noche De Paz (Silent Night)" makes for a perfect closing track.

In sum, A Mary Christmas is a true gem — one that easily will appeal to Blige's hipster audience and traditionalists alike.

-Christopher Long
(December 2024)


- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon

March 10, 2024

GARAGE SALE VINYL: Rediscovering the Magic of Music... for a Song!

GARAGE SALE VINYL
Rediscovering the Magic
of Music... for a Song!
(2024)
____________

AVAILABLE NOW
Bibliozona Books
ISBN: 978-1-7332470-4-7
__________
 
One of the most exciting music trends in recent years has been the roaring resurgence of the vinyl record format. Enthusiasts worldwide now are rediscovering the magic of music — on cozy and (sometimes) crackly LPs.

Join author Christopher Long as he rummages through garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets along Florida’s sunny Space Coast (and beyond) in his pursuit of vinyl treasure — for "a song."

Based on his popular weekly Ink19.com column, Garage Sale Vinyl offers Long's lively analysis of his favorite seasoned album finds.

Each of the 50 chapters is devoted to a different classic album — enhanced by Long's feel-good stories and peppered with related commentary from an array of such famed music artists as Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and Foghat co-founder Roger Earl, as well as celebrated media names, including FOX News personalities Jimmy Failla and Kat Timpf.

The foreword was penned by rising arena rock star, Bella Perron — guitarist for the band, Plush.
__________

__________
 
THE WORD ON THE STREET...

"Garage Sale Vinyl captures
the excitement of rediscovering
your favorite albums — a
must-read for any vinyl fan!"
—Bella Perron
(Guitarist, Plush) 

"A nostalgic tunnel of love."
—Judy Craddock
(Ink19.com)

"Warm and wonderfully written."
—Scott Itter
(AllMusicMagazine.com)

"A welcome return
to a simpler time."
—Steve Keller
(WFIT 89.5 / Melbourne, FL)

"I’ve been a Garage Sale Vinyl
fan from the beginning."
—Rodney O’Quinn
(Bassist, Foghat)

"It’s thrilling to have a
new book about our fortune
of growing up in the greatest
time in music history!"
—Cherie Currie
(Vocalist, The Runaways)

"I had to quickly get
on board this train."
—Jesse Striewski
(RewindItMagazine.com)

"Chris’ adventures in musical
bargain hunting always
make for a gripping yarn."
—Ian Koss
(Founder, Ink19.com)
 
__________
 
AMAZON (Paperback)

AMAZON (eBook)

__________



- GARAGE SALE VINYL -
(2024)
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
Books-A-Million
__________

- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
__________

- SUPERSTAR -
(2019)
__________

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
Amazon
__________

- C'MON! -
(2012)
Amazon
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