On the evening of June 5, 2025, Troy's city council held a symbolic vote on the annual resolution recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month. For many reasons, this year's vote had a heightened sense of importance for Troy's LGBTQ+ community and allies from across the Collar City and Capital Region, including a local councilmember's opposition to the resolution which drew the attention of residents and advocates who sought to change his mind.

This episode draws heavily on the public comment of countless Troy residents who spoke out that evening. The original audio source is here.

Listen to our 2024 interview with Meagon Nolasco (Collar City Pride): https://troystorypod.com/chapter-08

Show Notes:

• Troy councilman votes against Pride Month support resolution (Albany Times Union, June 7, 2025)
• Tensions over Pride in Troy on display at latest council meeting (WAMC, June 6, 2025)
• Video: A Message from Collar City Pride (Instagram)
• Collar City Pride to Move Festival from Troy (Albany Times Union, April 27, 2025)
• Collar City Pride Festival plans to leave Troy, orgs pull out of city-sponsored Pride events (Troy Record, April 29, 2025)
• Mayor Madden Signs First-Ever Pride Month Proclamation, June 2019
• Stonewall Uprising (Documentary) - AMERICAN EXPERIENCE | PBS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLwE45vd80A

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

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In this episode, we take a closer look at the life and accomplishments of Garnet Douglass Baltimore, one of Troy's most famous Black citizens. Baltimore, a civil engineer and landscape architect, was the first Black graduate of RPI (1881) and designed Troy's Prospect Park.

Many thanks to Suzanne Spellen for sharing her research and archive of materials for this episode.

Episode Notes:

• Spellen of Troy
• Video: Suzanne Spellen on Garnet Douglass Baltimore
• Hart Cluett Museum

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

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Co-owner of the The Pickle, Collectiveffort, and Upstate’s Cold Brew, Jamel Mosely walks us through his decision to purchase a bar and music venue in downtown Troy, landing the front cover of Metroland Now, and the twists and turns that shaped his long career in multimedia, production and entertainment. We also explore his decision to leave the corporate world behind and become his own boss, along with memories of attending RPI.

Episode artwork photo: Adrian Lewis

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

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In this extended interview clip, Eric Haskins—RPI graduate (Class of '91) and WRPI's DJ Toast—recalls seeing local act Attica open for Slayer, and seeing the Def Jam tour at the Field House in 1987 featuring Public Enemy, Eric B. and Rakim, Whodini, and LL Cool J.

Hear Eric's full interview here.

• Listen to Part 1 with Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Stigmata)
• Listen to Part 2 with Kevin O’Connell
• Bonus Video: RPI Grad Recalls Meeting Metallica Backstage in Troy, NY 1989

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

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This episode we welcome guest Eric Haskins—RPI graduate (Class of '91) and WRPI's DJ Toast—to revisit Metallica’s first and only concert at the RPI Field House on March 15, 1989. Haskins worked as a student security guard for countless concerts at the Field House, including Metallica's headlining show as a 19 year-old heavy metal fan.

During the episode, Eric takes listeners through the weeks leading up to the concert, his interactions with opening act Queensrÿche during load-in, security expectations for the show, and his meeting Metallica during the after-show. He also shares his memories of seeing some of the world’s most famous artists while working security at the 6,500 capacity arena, including Neil Young, Joan Jett, Slayer, Anthrax, and LL Cool J—the interview includes a hilarious backstage interaction with guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughn—and special keepsakes he’s collected over the years from his time as working as event security.

The episode is the third in a series looking at Metallica's stop in the Collar City during their Damaged Justice tour in support of their latest studio album “…and Justice for All,” and was the band’s third performance in the Capital Region.

• Listen to Part 1 with Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Stigmata)
• Listen to Part 2 with Kevin O’Connell

Episode Notes:

• Bonus Video: RPI Grad Recalls Meeting Metallica Backstage in Troy, NY 1989
• Times Union: RPI Field House Girds for Metallica Band (Feb. 21, 1989)
• Times Union: Metallica Warns Fans: Mend Your Vandalizing Ways (March 12,1989)
• Times Union: Five Arrested at Metallica Concert (March 16, 1989)
• Rock Tomato - Metallica interview, March 15, 1989: VIDEO
• Queensryche, live at RPI Field House, March 15, 1989: VIDEO
• Metallica, Knickerbacker Arena, Albany - Feb. 28, 1992 https://www.metallica.com/tour/1992-02-28-albany-new-york.html

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

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Eric Haskins—RPI Class of ‘91–recalls his time as a security guard while a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his backstage encounter with the metal legends that resulted in a special keepsake from the show in Troy, New York, on March 15, 1989.

Listen to Part 1 with Jason Bittner

Listen to Part 2 with Jason O’Connell

See the full concert video at troystorypod.com/metallica

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

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Part two of our retrospective on Metallica's first and only concert in Troy, New York, at RPI's Houston Field House. Then 14 year-old Kevin O'Connell saw the heavy metal icons during their Damaged Justice tour when it rolled into the Capital Region on March 15, 1989.

During our chat, we discuss the era of heavy metal in the 1980s, evolution of Metallica’s stage production during the Damaged Justice tour, the atmosphere in the arena that night, and explore some YouTube comments left by fans and fellow concert attendees. Kevin also revisits other concerts he‘s attended over the years, including Bon Jovi and Cinderella at the Field House, and some scary moments during Metallica’s set at Woodstock 94.

Live bootleg audio from Metallica and opening act Queensrÿche at the RPI Field House is featured in this episode to immerse the listener in the story.

Episode Notes:

• Setlist - Metallica at RPI Field House in Troy, NY (Metallica.com)
• Video: Metallica - Live in Troy, March 15, 1989
• Video: Queensrÿche - Live in Troy, March 15, 1989

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

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Mike Valente is a well-known figure in the 518 music scene. As the founding member of national touring act Brick by Brick, he’s shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest, and heaviest, bands touring across the United States and Europe. Mike is also the owner of Upstate Black N Blue Productions which books shows at Empire Underground and Empire Live in downtown Albany, New York.

Mike takes us through his early years growing up in Troy’s Lansingburgh neighborhood, the formation of his first band Attica, and the opportunity to open for Slayer at RPI’s Houston Field House in 1991. We also dive into the 2025 Extreme Music Awards, the brainchild of Mike and Ralph Renna which celebrates all things metal, punk and hardcore in the greater 518 Capital Region of Upstate New York. The awards show is happening at Empire Live on January 11th, 2025, with a pre-party on Friday, January 10th, and an after-party on January 12th.

Tickets are available now at ExtremeMusicAwards.com and EmpireLiveAlbany.com. It’s going to be an all-star affair featuring some big names from the metal world, including Gary Holt of Exodus and Slayer, former Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson, along with members of Shadows Fall, Anthrax, Hatebreed, and more.

There’s a little bit of profanity in this episode, so consider this a heads up for anyone listening with kids.

Episode Notes:

• Extreme Music Awards
• Brick By Brick - Loyal To The Grave (Official Music Video)
• Attica - Redwire (Official Audio)

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

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