Erica Banas: Writing Samples

WRIF Rocks Detroit • 3rd July 2025

Oasis Tour Kickoff & Black Sabbath’s Final Show: A Back-to-Back Return/Farewell for Rock Fans Everywhere

For months now, I've been looking forward to this July 4th weekend. No, it's not because of the patriotic holiday. Instead, it's because of England.In August 2024, Oasis announced a series of reunion shows in their native U.K. A month later, they announced a series of shows in North America. (This tour has since expanded to include shows in Asia, Australia, and South America.)Similar to the 2016 "Not in This Lifetime..." tour from Guns N' Roses, this is really the first time I'll get to see Oasi...

93.3 WMMR • 19th June 2025

6 Best Patriotic Rock Anthems, From Pride to Protest

America: She's beautiful, complicated, and has oftentimes been the subject of some of the most popular songs in rock history. Some of these songs champion the wonder of the country, while others point out the country's challenges and errors. Just like America, the six songs below are beautiful and complicated. They are also some of the best patriotic rock anthems of all time.In the decades since its release in 1984, Bruce Springsteen's classic song "Born in the U.S.A." continues to be thought of...

Q105 • 16th June 2025

10 Covers That Are Better Than The Original

There are a ton of cover songs throughout rock history. Among the many topics often debated in the rock world, one of them is covers that are better than the original. While this list could easily be very lengthy, we picked out what is considered ten covers that are better than the original. Oftentimes, these covers change the arrangement of the original for a fresh new take on the song. Other times, an artist will stick closer to the source material but just give a song an "oomph" that wasn't p...

X1075 Las Vegas • 17th April 2025

Can You Believe It? Fyre Festival 2 Has Been Postponed

For those who were looking forward to Fyre Festival 2 (and we assume this group is in the dozens), it appears you'll have to wait a bit longer to experience its wonder.Yes, the sequel to the hilariously catastrophic 2017 Fyre Festival, which inspired a Netflix and a Hulu documentary, has been postponed. According to ABC News, Fyre Festival 2 ticket holders received an email stating, "The event has been postponed and a new date will be announced. We have issued you a refund. Once the new date is...

WRIF Rocks Detroit • 6th February 2025

Ozzy Osbourne: A Timeline of His Health Issues Since 2018

Here is a detailed timeline of all the health issues Ozzy Osbourne has dealt with beginning in October 2018.

95.9 The RAT • 12th November 2024

Pete Townshend Says Someone Needs to Slap Rick Rubin (Okay…I’ll Do It)

Rick Rubin is a unique figure in music. He’s worked with a wide variety of artists. Some of the most notable include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beastie Boys, and Run-DMC. However, he’s also worked with the likes of Adele, Johnny Cash, AC/DC, and Slipknot.

Sunny 106.3 • 11th November 2024

Why Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Will Always Be Couples Goals

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are one of rock’s best couples. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame duo is responsible for some iconic hits and has remained married for over 40 years while being creative partners. They managed to do this and more while being one of the most objectively hot couples to ever exist.

The Gander • 23rd October 2024

Opinion: Protecting trans youth: A not-so-humble stepmother’s reason for voting in 2024

I sent my MAGA in-laws a series of postcards recently. Each one ended with, “Please think of this/these fact(s) and your granddaughter when you vote in November. Love, Erica.” Considering their granddaughter/my stepdaughter is a young transgender woman, I thought it was the most delicate way to approach the GOP elephant in the room.

95.9 The RAT • 27th August 2024

Excited for the Oasis Reunion? Watch The Documentary 'Supersonic'

The biggest news in the rock world this week and likely for all of 2024 is Liam and Noel Gallagher putting aside their 15-year bitter feud to reunite under the Oasis name for a series of shows.

94.7 WCSX • 16th August 2024

Why Crying at Elvis Presley's Grave is One of My Favorite Summer 2024 Memories

Our rock reporter Erica Banas visited Graceland this summer. It was a memorable visit in many emotional ways.

92.5 XTU • 11th August 2024

The 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony Already Has Us Looking Forward to 2028

The 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony bid adieu to the Paris Summer Games in epic fashion with quite the handoff to the 2028 host city, Los Angeles.

WDHA FM • 7th August 2024

Josh Brolin and I Are Bidet Enthusiasts (And You Should Be, Too!)

Josh Brolin took to Instagram to talk at length about his bidet toilet in his hotel in England. It's yet another reminder that bidets are awesome.

93.3 WMMR • 7th August 2024

2024 VMA Rock Noms Are For the Dads

The MTV Video Music Awards announced their 2024 nominations, and the VMA rock noms are very Dad-coded. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

102.9 WMGK • 6th August 2024

Creedence Clearwater Revival Have Been Quietly Crushing It In 2024

A few days ago, contributing editor Rob Sheffield had a piece published titled “The Biggest Band in America in 2024 Is … Creedence Clearwater Revival.” With a title that surprising and eye-catching, even people who don’t like CCR would likely be inclined to read the article.

105.7 WROR • 16th July 2024

Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons: The Original Health Influencers

In the span of about 24 hours, the world lost two unique figures of the health world: Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Richard Simmons.

94.7 WCSX • 13th June 2024

‘Brats’: A Reminder That The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword

Brats has been getting a lot of press in the lead-up to its premiere on Hulu, and rightfully so. There have been many looks and examinations of the “Brat Pack” – both of the pack’s members themselves and their films. This time around, though, is significantly different.

WDHA FM • 17th May 2024

Trent Reznor: A Breakdown of His Award-Winning Score Career

Trent Reznor remains one of rock’s most unique artists. In recent years, his career has taken a very successful turn that few likely could’ve anticipated when Nine Inch Nails dropped their debut album, Pretty Hate Machine, in October 1989.

94.7 WCSX • 19th April 2024

Pearl Jam & Taylor Swift: The Music Version of Barbenheimer

It's a busy day for both the Pearl Jam and Taylor Swift fanbases, which brings to mind the Barbenheimer phenomenon of the summer of 2023.

102.9 WMGK • 16th April 2024

The Rock Hall May Have Jumped the Shark in 2024

The Rock Hall has had an interesting 2024, to say the least. But has the Rock Hall "jumped the shark"?

96.3 KKLZ • 10th April 2024

Lenny Kravitz is a Must-Follow on Social Media

Lenny Kravitz has been a star for decades, but if you’re not following him on social media, you’re truly missing out.