Ep. 202 - Snorting Cupcakes, Skipping “Imagine,” And Other Honest Music Takes

Send us a textWe mark 201 episodes with a fast, loud tour through the songs and stories that stick: the 20th century’s most played tracks, 1984’s turning points, and a fresh fight over who gets paid when the stream never stops. Along the way we defend underloved albums, roast flimsy takes, and remind ourselves why legacy matters.• EDM nostalgia and a quick reset after tech chaos• 20th century most played list breakdown and debates• Sinatra’s jab at Morrison dismissed as noise• The Police royalty case and streaming vs sales• 1984’s pivot points via Springsteen, Rat, and Metallica• Why long intros vanished in the streaming economy• Follow-up albums that buckled under big predecessors• U2 October defended against lazy criticism• Live chat banter and a Patriots-flavored send-offIf you like the show, share it. If you didn’t like it, well, thanks for watching and listening for an hour and two minutes and 37 secondsIf you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textWe riff on how 1969 quietly engineered the 70s, why certain “boomer graduation” songs feel like revisionist history, and what Steely Dan actually meant. We also rank rock films that defined the look of music and spotlight four classics written at lightning speed.• Led Zeppelin, Allman Brothers, and Elton John’s early signals for the 70s• A myth check on graduation anthems and late boomer memory• Reunions, Facebook, and why nostalgia gets messy• Steely Dan’s Rikki as a literal phone number• Rock films that shaped music’s visual language• Songs written fast: Dylan, Bowie, Elton, Guns N’ RosesIf you liked it, share itIf you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textWe trade New Year jabs, swap home jam stories, and then dive into the state of music: tours, meltdowns, AI, and why some shows still matter more than numbers. It’s a fast hour of sharp takes, live-show nostalgia, and a few friendly punches.• late-night music discovery gone wrong and right• the Stones’ non-tour and what it signals• how Oasis scaled and whether it sustains• artist-fan trust after Shirley Manson’s rant• streaming payouts and why albums still drop• AI music redefining musicianship and taste• the return of 80s textures and likely disco revival• attention spans, tension and release, and real listening• ticket value, legacy pricing, and club vs stadium calculus• our favorite concerts of the year and why they stuckIf you liked it, share it. If you didn’t like it, because Jack was on, thanks for watching for an hour and four minutes and seven seconds. Doing the show for you to quote my favorite artist, Morrissey. The pleasure, the privilege is mine, and I’ll be back next week. I don’t know about Jack.If you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textA raw New Year’s Eve review of 2025 in music, from surprise “reunions” and messy breakups to the legends we lost and the awards that missed the mark. We share stories, call out the industry’s blind spots, and chart what still gives rock its pulse.• Tarantino’s discovery of The 5.6.7.8’s as a lens on music discovery• New Year’s Eve reflections and why the party changes with age• Reunions versus one-off performances and why words matter• Awards fatigue and Rock Hall frustrations over legacy versus merit• Bands that reformed, disbanded, or stalled in 2025• Remembering Wayne Osmond, Roberta Flack, Sly Stone, Mick Ralphs, Rick Davies, Ace Frehley, Jimmy Cliff• The gap between nostalgia wins and new rock development• Setlist choices, fan respect, and the Shirley Manson controversy• Notable releases from Stones, Deftones, Ghost, Limp Bizkit, and more• Plans for 2026 and the return of JackIf you like it, share it. If you didn’t like it, well, thanks for watching and listening for 59 minutes and 27 secondsIf you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textA loose, late-night New Year’s Eve rewind of 2025 in music, from wild reunions and messy breakups to the losses that hit hardest and the awards that rang hollow. We talk plainly about fan respect, legacy weight, and why some moments lit up while others fell flat.• the 5.6.7.8s discovery story and the power of crate digging• year-end scope of reunions, disbandments, and hiatuses• rants on awards, HOF snubs, and legacy bias• memorials for artists lost across the year• Stones winning while young rock struggles• the Nirvana name debate and identity of reformations• Garbage tour backlash and the fan-artist contract• underappreciated standouts like Deftones and Ghost• prog’s pulse with Steven Wilson and concept albums• hopes for 2026 with more shows and Jack’s returnIf you like it, share itIf you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textWe go live, shake off tech gremlins, and dive into a sharp, funny tour through music headlines, a KISS guitar legacy check, and a Halloween-ready sprint through one-word horror greats. Along the way, we debate what “legendary” really means and why some songs grow back after years away.• Wyman’s solo box set and the meaning of legendary • How guest lists and name gravity shape solo careers • Ace Frehley’s feel vs technique and KISS’s show design • Why shredding fades but melody sticks • 80s pop that suddenly sounds good again • The neuroscience of the Phil Collins drum fill • One-word horror rankings with must-watch picks • Rob Zombie’s Halloween remake defended • Listener chat shoutouts and local Corey Hart loreIf you like it, share it. If you didn’t like it, thanks for watching and listening for an hour and five minutes and 47 seconds.If you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textWe riff through The Cars’ catalog, defend Ben Orr’s legacy, and stress why Candy O and Panorama still reward deep listens. We test a stack of California Dreamin’ covers, revisit 60s pillars like CCR and Hendrix, and salvage “forgotten” 70s and 80s bands with fresh ears. We end by crowning a 1975 opening line that still shocks and make the case for separating art from the artist.• dual-frontman chemistry in The Cars and why Ben Orr’s vocals anchor the biggest hits• Candy O’s shift from the debut and Panorama’s darker edge• Drive and Heartbeat City as commercial peak vs fan favorites• CCR’s Fortunate Son and Hendrix’s Watchtower as era-defining statements• California Dreamin’ cover shootout and what makes a good cover• Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ten Years After, Mountain, ELP re-evaluated• 1975 standouts and the power of a perfect opening line• separating music from artist politics to preserve memoryI won’t be here next Thursday. I will be on the Icon of the Seas somewhere in the Western Caribbean. Jealous? I’ll see you in a couple of weeksIf you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textWe trace a wild line from hip‑hop sampling and 70s rock hooks to a brand‑new supergroup, a fiery takedown of residency culture, a riff‑detective dive into Paranoid, and the unsung glue of Michael Anthony. We end on boomer one‑hit wonders and why some intros outlive the songs.• sampling’s craft and the 70s sources it elevates• Howl Owl Howl’s lineup, chemistry, and tour dates• the Vegas residency economy and thin setlists• Motley Crüe’s nostalgia, Dolly feature, and fan expectations• Paranoid vs Half‑Life: riff similarity and influence• Eddie Van Halen’s remarks vs Michael Anthony’s real impact• why harmonies shape the Van Halen sound• boomer one‑hit wonders and the power of introsThanks for watching. Thanks for listening. If you liked it, share it. If you didn’t like it, well, thanks for watching and listening for an hour and 12 minutes. You are the engine that runs this machine. Doing a show for you—the pleasure, the privilege is mine, and I’ll be back next week.If you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textThis week I dive into music news solo, covering Aerosmith's uncertain future, overplayed yet undeniably great 90s songs, and an exhaustive history of progressive rock that might have tested everyone's patience.• Steven Tyler "just doesn't want to tour" according to bandmate Joe Perry, though Aerosmith might still have one show left• Joe Perry Project touring with Chris Robinson from Black Crows as vocalist and musicians from Stone Temple Pilots• Radiohead's "Creep" and Metallica's "Enter Sandman" maintain their greatness despite radio overexposure• Four Non Blondes' "What's Up" decidedly does not deserve similar retrospective appreciation• Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" remains undisputed as a powerful soundtrack contribution• Progressive rock timeline from King Crimson (1969) through decades of complex compositions• Plans potentially forming for a special 200th episode reunion with former co-hostsI'll be back next Thursday night, with or without Jack, to continue bringing you more music news and commentary. Thanks for listening and for being the engine that runs this machine.If you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]

Send us a textWe dive into music news and controversy, examining the recent Steve Miller Band tour cancellation that blamed "extreme weather" while evidence suggests poor ticket sales were the real reason.• Exploring Ozzy Osbourne's musical legacy through a zodiac sign-matching exercise that pairs his songs with astrological personalities• Debating the best opening tracks from debut albums, challenging conventional picks with our own selections like The Doors' iconic opener• Reviewing Rick Derringer's claim that working with Weird Al Yankovic "single-handedly ruined" his production career despite their commercial success• Uncovering Roger Waters' revelation that David Gilmour's famous "Comfortably Numb" solo was actually compiled from multiple takes• Discussing Hulk Hogan's surprising attempts to become a bassist for Metallica and The Rolling Stones• Sharing personal music preferences and nostalgic connections to classic rock tracksIf you like this podcast SHARE it. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the show you can email us at: [email protected]