Talking About Steely Dan

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.

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.

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 tracks

Send us a textWe jump into the absurdity of Steve Miller Band canceling all upcoming tour dates, supposedly due to "extreme weather events," while exposing this as a likely cover for poor ticket sales.• Steve Miller's weather excuse includes potential hurricanes, tornadoes, and forest fires for venues that are mostly indoors• Unpacking why Steve Miller's music might not be connecting with audiences today• Exploring 15 terrible albums by otherwise legendary classic rock bands• Questioning the inclusion of Led Zeppelin's "Presence" on the worst albums list• Discussing what happens when iconic singers are replaced (Queen with Paul Rogers, Genesis post-Phil Collins)• Examining the cringeworthy Duran Duran covers album that Q Magazine called "the worst of all time"• Breaking news about the revival of Joe Perry Project with an all-star lineup featuring Chris Robinson and members of Stone Temple Pilots• Quick spotlight on rediscovered gems like Grace Jones' "Slave to the Rhythm"Visit our social media pages for updates on upcoming shows, and join us next Thursday night for another deep dive into music history.

Send us a textWe explore the recent revelation of an AI-generated rock band called The Velvet Sundown that gained over one million Spotify listeners before announcing they weren't real, raising questions about artistic creation and authenticity in the music industry.• The Velvet Sundown revealed themselves as an AI project after gaining viral success on Spotify• YouTube recently announced it will cut monetization from AI-generated content• The 90s represented a transformative decade with multiple musical movements• Whitney Houston's 1991 Super Bowl national anthem set the standard for all performances that followed• Janet Jackson emerged from Michael's shadow to become a music powerhouse in her own right• Napster revolutionized music distribution and was partly a response to CD price gouging• TLC demonstrated the industry paradox of chart-topping success while filing for bankruptcy• 1995 ranked as the strongest year in 90s music with cohesive R&B dominance• The decade featured diverse movements from grunge to boy bands to hip-hop going mainstream• Pop culture moments like the Spice Girls phenomenon and Britney's schoolgirl video defined the era

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Send us a textScott returns to the podcast after taking time off following his brother's death, reconnecting with Jack to discuss music, streaming services, and political commentary from aging rock stars.• Scott opens up about his brother's passing and how much his brother loved the podcast• Discussion of the Deftones and their status as an underrated band despite their long career• Debate about streaming services vs. cable TV and how consumers now have the à la carte options they always wanted but still complain• Strong disagreement about musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Bono making political statements overseas• Shared hatred for drum solos at concerts, except when Blue Öyster Cult's drummer wore a Godzilla head• Concert ticket price nostalgia, remembering shows that cost under $20 in the 1970s and 80s• Celebrity net worth deep dive, including Bono's Facebook investment making him almost a billionaire• Breaking news about Heart's vintage instruments being stolen in Atlantic City• Excitement about upcoming concerts from Jessica Lee Mayfield and Lola Young

Send us a textThe music world never stops generating compelling stories, from legendary rockers facing mortality to controversial reunions and disturbing allegations.• Johnny Rotten refuses to rejoin what he calls the "woke Sex Pistols," claiming the band has killed their content and turned it into "rubbish childishness"• Bruce Springsteen announces seven "lost albums" containing 83 previously unreleased songs spanning from 1983 to 2018• Sharon Osbourne expresses openness to a Black Sabbath hologram show similar to ABBA Voyage as the band prepares for their final live concert in Birmingham• New lawsuit accuses Diddy of human trafficking with claims that celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and LeBron James witnessed disturbing events• The Who's Roger Daltrey tells a live audience he's been informed he's going blind, adding "Thank god I've still got my voice. If I lost that, I'll go full Tommy"Join me every Thursday for more music news and my candid commentary on the stories making waves in the industry.