Podcast Episodes

Bonus Episode: A Brief History of Gun Violence from Music’s Past

Season 25 Episode 257

“The Devil’s Right Hand" – the gun. Many have died by it in music history. From the unknown piano player who helped influence rock ‘n’ roll to iconic stars like Marvin Gaye and John Lennon. On the he…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Dr. John: A Shooting, Federal Prison, and Voodoo Healing

Season 25 Episode 257

A gunshot ended his career as a guitar player, but opened up a path to becoming an iconic piano man. Heroin, pimping, and federal prison nearly ended him, but Voodoo––and music––saved him. Listen to …

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Bonus: From the Nitrous Mafia to the Italian Mafia, the Criminal Enterprises That Infiltrate Music Culture

Season 25 Episode 256

Gangsters, rude boys, drug dealers, soviet bootleggers, ticket scalping syndicates, and psychedelic chemists—why do criminals like the “Nitrous Mafia” associated with Phish, and the Italian Mafia lin…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Phish: Community, Hippie Crack, and the Nitrous Mafia

Season 25 Episode 256

A parking lot ruled by shady nitrous oxide dealers. And a bandleader whose addiction nearly killed him. This is the story of Trey Anastasio and Phish – and their improbable comeback.

For a full list…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Bonus: The Next Incel Killer Already Has A Playlist

Season 25 Episode 255

This episode is being published for the first time on Friday, November 7th. An episode of the same title was mistakenly published previously.

The media blamed AC/DC for inspiring a serial killer. Reb…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

AC/DC Pt. 2: Dirty Deeds, Dead Friends, and Murder for Hire

Season 25 Episode 255

This is the story of the greatest rock ’n’ roll band on earth. AC/DC was forged in discipline, sharpened by grief, resurrected by obsession … and nearly undone by one final dirty deed that no one saw…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Bonus Episode: Why Does Hollywood Ignore The Most Impactful Music?

Season 25 Episode 254

This week in the After Party, Jake wonders why horror film soundtracks, despite their importance to the mood of their films, are so often ignored by Hollywood when it comes to award season. Plus, we…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Bonus Episode: Backmasking and the Death of the Dangerous Rockstar

Season 25 Episode 254

This week in the After Party, Jake looks back at the 1980s satanic panic and the uproar over supposed "backmasking" – the spurious claim that rock stars were hiding demonic messages in their music. P…

Published on 2 months ago

Judas Priest: Satanic Panic, Censorship, Heavy Metal Suicide, and Defenders of the Faith

Season 25 Episode 254

They helped create the genre of heavy metal, and then Satan and the censors tried to destroy them. Judas Priest defended the metal faithful on stage and in the courts, and became icons in the process…

Published on 2 months ago

Bonus Episode: Music and Monsters

Season 25 Episode 254

This week in the After Party, Jake is thinking about monsters – the fictitious kind and the kind that are all too real. Plus, we hear more spooky stories from you and get your recommendations on sc…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago