Erica Banas: Writing Samples

93.3 WMMR •

3 Major Takeaways from the 2023 Rock Hall Induction Class

The 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction class was announced this morning (May 3.) As is tradition every year, the list of inductees has already led to a lot of discourse on social media. To put it bluntly and succinctly: A lot of people are excited about this class, and a seemingly equal amount of people are furious about it. Much like death and taxes, controversy around the Rock Hall is always a certainty. Without further ado, here are three major takeaways from the 2023 Rock Hall induc
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We’re Parents to Trans Kids. Here’s What Paul Stanley Has Wrong About Gender-Affirming Care.

Paul Stanley made headlines in the past 48 hours due to his social media post regarding gender-affirming care. Stanley’s entire statement can be read below, which he titled “My Thoughts On What I’m Seeing.” According to Stanley, what he is seeing are parents “encouraging participation in a lifestyle that confuses young children into questioning their sexual identification as though some sort of game.” Additionally, he says, ” … Some adults mistakenly confuse teaching acceptance with normalizing
93.3 WMMR •

I Talked to a Rock Hall Voter. Here’s Their 2023 Ballot.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voters have about a month left to get their ballots in to determine the 2023 induction. With this year’s diverse field of nominees, it’s truly anyone’s guess what the 2023 class could look like. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s voting body comprises various artists, historians, and music industry professionals. Additionally, all previous inductees are voters for future classes after they’re inducted. To get at least one perspective, I spoke with a Rock Hall voter I’v
95.9 The RAT •

Power Trip: 7 Things We Hope to See at the Event

Power Trip was announced today (March 30), and even seven months out, it’s hard to argue it won’t be the biggest rock event of 2023. The three-day lineup for the event taking place October 6-8 in Indio, Calif. gathers six of the biggest hard rock/heavy metal acts of all time. One of these bands performing a show is a big deal, but when you get Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Tool at the same event? That is nothing short of historic. Even though the event was lit
102.9 WMGK •

A Salute to the Women Performers in the Rock Hall

Today (March 8) is International Women’s Day. How should we celebrate? By honoring the influential women that have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. …Oh, and to serve up the reminder that women accounting for just over eight percent of Rock Hall inductees is simply inexcusable. (For a further breakdown of this, check out Evelyn McDonnell’s exceptional piece “The Manhandling of Rock ‘N’ Roll History.”) John Sykes, the Rock Hall’s new chairman after Rolling Stone/Rock Hall found
WRIF Rocks Detroit •

Why I Miss Eddie Van Halen More Than Certain Dead Relatives of Mine

Like everyone else in the world, I’ve experienced my share of loss. Also, like everyone else in the world, I’ve experienced my share of what I’ll refer to as “complicated loss.” For the purposes of this article, “complicated loss” is that murky situation when a relative or other prominent figure in your life dies, but your relationship/feelings about said figure aren’t very “sunshine and lollipops.”
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Rye the Lightning: 5 Things to Know Before Trying Metallica's Latest Spirit

Metallica, like many other bands, expanded their portfolio by entering the spirit game with their brand Blackened American Whiskey. Since launching in 2018, Blackened American Whiskey has won a number of awards and has introduced a variety of offerings with their latest being a Kentucky straight rye double cask finished whiskey aptly named Rye The Lightning. At the helm of Rye The Lightning is Master Distiller & Blender Rob Dietrich, a man who loves the craft of making whiskey as much as he lov
102.9 WMGK •

'Exile on Main St.': A Track Breakdown of the Classic Rolling Stones Album

From 1968-1972, The Rolling Stones released four albums that not only are considered the best work of their career but some of the best albums in rock history. With the release of Exile On Main St., the final album (a double album, no less) helped close out that truly epic tetralogy in the grandest of fashion that only the Stones could accomplish. While we all know the origin story of the band fleeing to Keith Richards’ rented villa in the South of France as a result of Britain’s tax laws on hi
94.7 WCSX •

5 Takeaways from Listening to 'Dark Side of the Moon' High for the First Time

Some people did puzzles. Some people got really into doing TikTok dances. Some people baked bread. For me, the lockdown days of the pandemic found me getting baked for the first time ever. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “How does someone wait until their mid-thirties to explore the world of cannabis?” The answer is quite simple: In my late teens, I tried weed and it made me super-paranoid. As a result, I kept a safe distance from it for well over a decade and just rolled with alcohol if I wa
93.3 WMMR •

Taylor Hawkins Grammy Tribute: Disappointing, But Not Surprising

Ideally, the rock world should be spending the day after the 2022 Grammy Awards talking about how great the Foo Fighters’ performance was on “Music’s Biggest Night” and how the band swept the rock Grammy category. But alas, the tragic, sudden passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins has many revisiting the familiar feeling of disappointment that rockers know all too well post-Grammy Awards in recent years. Hawkins’ passing on March 25 followed by the Foo Fighters officially pulling out of their perfor
WROR •

Winter Olympics 2022: Best and Worst Country Fashion Choices

The Winter Olympic Games in Beijing started two days prior to the Opening Ceremony, but the event is the official start of the Olympics. The biggest highlight is the “Parade of Nations” in which each country competing enters Olympic Stadium led by their nation’s flag while also donning a special outfit. However, not every Olympic outfit is created equal. For some fashion fun, here are some superlative fashion awards from the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
94.7 WCSX •

This is the Most Annoying Thing About the Rock Hall Nominations Every Year

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations and the subsequent class selections are easily the most popular debate topics in the rock world every year. Regardless of who actually is nominated and voted into the Rock Hall, the discussions around the whole process are passionate, lengthy and often fun. However, without fail, one take is always dragged out year after year by someone, and frankly, it must stop.
WRIF Rocks Detroit •

'Use Your Illusion': Fantasy Tracklisting If It Weren't a Double LP

Guns N’ Roses’ double album Use Your Illusion I & II celebrates its 30th anniversary today (September 17.) Use Your Illusion was one of the most anticipated albums not just in 1991, but ever, with the album dropping at midnight on its first day of release resulting in late-night lines at record stores all across the country. GN’R may have staved off fans with 1988’s GN’R Lies, but the adoring masses were eager for something to really sink their teeth into following the smash success of 1987’s A
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