Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast My Weekly Mixtape: Music Discovery & Nostalgia

This week, Dr. Josh Bald of Primus Tracks joins me to step deep into the wonderfully warped world of Primus — a band that never really fit into a category because they spent their entire career bending, twisting, and outright ignoring them.

From the early slap-heavy chaos of Frizzle Fry to the conceptual storytelling of The Desaturating Seven, we’re building a 10-song playlist designed to trace the full arc of Primus: the funk-metal experimenters, the surreal storytellers, the prog-adjacent architects of groove, and the band that somehow made “weird” feel like a cohesive musical language.

This isn’t a “greatest hits” exercise. It’s about mapping the different eras, textures, and philosophies that define the band — one track at a time. By the end, you don’t just hear Primus — you hear how consistent experimentation can become its own kind of identity. Love them, question them, or just try to keep up… there’s really nothing else that sounds like this run of records.

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There are plenty of publications that rank the biggest-selling albums in music history… but now comes the hard part: can you actually guess them?

This week, two friends of the show, Jay Sweet and DT Carel of Dopamine Sunrise, join me for a special My Weekly Mixtape challenge as they try to name the top 20 best-selling albums of all time. They’ll have to rely on their music knowledge, memory, and a little bit of luck as they attempt to avoid three strikes and keep their streak alive.

The list features legendary artists like Michael Jackson, AC/DC, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and more — albums that didn’t just sell millions of copies, but became worldwide cultural moments. That said, it might not always be the album you immediately think of!

How many of these best-selling albums would you be able to name? Grab a pen, play along, and see how you fare!

P.S. - This episode has a video component, so you can see the board and watch the answers unfold in real time. If it's not available on where you listening, you can view the video on the episode page: https://myweeklymixtape.com/?p=10246

“Weird Al” Yankovic has spent more than four decades doing something almost nobody else has ever managed to pull off: building a lasting career out of parody, satire, and an undeniable love of music itself. He's sold millions of albums, influenced generations of artists, survived every major shift in the music industry, and somehow remained as relevant today as he was in the MTV era.

So why isn't he in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

This week, I'm joined by returning guests Jay Sweet and Patreon Mixtaper Philip Bergman to once again make the case for one of music's most unique and enduring artists. Together, we look beyond the Hawaiian shirts and accordion to examine Weird Al's impact on popular culture, his remarkable longevity, his musicianship, and whether the Hall's traditional definition of "rock and roll" may be overlooking one of the most well-known entertainers of the modern era.

Along the way, you'll also hear a clip from my conversation with Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, longtime drummer for Weird Al, who shared his own thoughts on the Hall of Fame debate when he joined the show.

Whether you're already convinced or remain skeptical, this episode asks a simple question: if influence, longevity, cultural impact, and musical achievement matter, what exactly is keeping Weird Al Yankovic out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?

Let's discuss.

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After 200+ episodes of My Weekly Mixtape, I’m doing something a little different. First and foremost: MWM is not ending!

In this special mini-episode, I’m introducing The Room We Wanted, the new podcast I’m launching with my friend Jay Sweet on October 4th.

The new show explores who we were before we became who we are, using the things we loved growing up (albums, movies, TV shows, toys, video games, books, food, and more) as the starting point for deeper conversations about childhood, memories, obsessions, and the things that stay with us.

I’ll also talk about what the new show means for My Weekly Mixtape, including the new every-other-Monday schedule and how MWM Patreon supporters will get The Room We Wanted as part of their existing support.

And then I’ll give you a taste of the new show with the official trailer for The Room We Wanted.

10/4? I mean, 10/4.

🚪 SUBSCRIBE TO THE ROOM WE WANTED

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-room-we-wanted/id6808018673

🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29B3p5LJdCSxzFoxGyEgui?si=eb61c6c90c714d17

🔗 LinkTree (All Other Platforms): https://linktr.ee/theroomwewanted

🚪 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROOM WE WANTED

🎵 Browse the Catalog: https://theroomwewanted.com

💬 Join The Roommate Community: https://www.patreon.com/theroomwewanted

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📧 Contact Brian & Jay: https://theroomwewanted.com/contact

This week, I am talking with previous My Weekly Mixtape guests, friends of the show, and Patreon Mixtapers, hearing their thoughts on what they consider to be the perfect album, and why!

A perfect album doesn’t have to be your favorite album of all time — just one that gives you a true no-skips experience from the opening track to the closer.

Guests appearing (in no particular order): Warren Haynes, Dryden Mitchell (Alien Ant Farm), Amanda Lyberg (Eva Under Fire), Jake Thistle, Chris Crabb (The Strike), Joey Arena (Outlier), DT Carel (Space Castle), author Steven Blush, and Patreon Mixtapers Tom Hutchinson & Philp Bergman.

Includes albums by: AC/DC, Brian Dunne, Sam Fender, House of Pain, Linkin Park, Metallica, Pixies, Rage Against The Machine, Steely Dan, U2 and Weezer.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

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This week, I am talking with previous My Weekly Mixtape guests, friends of the show, and Patreon Mixtapers, hearing their thoughts on what they consider to be the perfect album, and why!

A perfect album doesn’t have to be your favorite album of all time — just one that gives you a true no-skips experience from the opening track to the closer.

Guests appearing (in no particular order): Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bermuda Schwartz (The “Weird Al” Yankovic Band), Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup), Laurie Berkner, Megan Kane & Dylan Turner (Parker Barrow), Sonia Sturino (Weakened Friends), Eric Hirshberg, Terrie Carr (Carr Stereo), Mark Bradbourne (Songs That Don’t Suck) and Patreon Mixtaper Chad Lamasa.

Includes albums by: The Black Crowes, Bully, The Cars, Elvis Costello, Olivia Dean, fun., Guster, Pretenders, Paul Simon, Third Eye Blind, and Muddy Waters.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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For some people, Smash Mouth begins and ends with a handful of massive hits. But the band's story goes much deeper than "All Star," "Walking On The Sun," or their immensely popular take on The Monkees’ "I'm A Believer."

This week, founding bassist Paul De Lisle joins me to look back at the road that took Smash Mouth from the ska-punk energy of Fush Yu Mang to multi-platinum success, movie soundtracks, internet memes, and a place in pop culture that few bands ever achieve.

We talk about the band's early days, getting signed to Interscope, the evolution of their sound, and why Smash Mouth always seemed to have a knack for turning cover songs into something entirely their own. We also dive into the unexpected afterlife of "All Star," from Hollywood blockbusters and Shrek to becoming one of the internet's most enduring musical touchstones.

Along the way, Paul reflects on Steve Harwell's legacy, what it means to honor the past while continuing forward, and why now felt like the right time for Smash Mouth to return with their first album of original material in more than a decade, Mercury Comet.

If you've ever wondered how a band navigates fame, reinvention, loss, and longevity while remaining unmistakably itself, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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FUEL has always lived in that space between legacy and forward motion—where the songs become bigger than the moment they were written, and the story keeps evolving long after those charting moments.

This week, Carl Bell joins me to reflect on that long arc of the band: from the early days of “Shimmer” and “Hemorrhage” finding their way into the fabric of rock radio, to what it means to still be performing those songs with audiences who never stopped singing them back. We get into how those tracks change over time—not just for listeners, but for the person who wrote them—and why some songs seem to refuse expiration dates.

We also dig into the current chapter of FUEL. With new energy in the lineup and a renewed sense of purpose around their new album Pendulum, Carl talks through what it looks like to build something that honors the past without being trapped by it. That balance shows up everywhere here—from the writing of new material like “Want It,” to reworking the band’s classic track “Innocent” with a different perspective and voice at the center.

There’s also a broader conversation about identity and endurance—what actually defines a band like FUEL after lineup changes, industry shifts, and everything in between.

At its core, this is a conversation about staying in motion—about what it takes to keep creating, evolving, and showing up for the songs that never left.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

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Think narrowing twenty-five years of dance music down to ten songs was difficult the first time? So did a lot of you!

After our first dive into 10 of the biggest dance tracks of the last quarter century, the messages started rolling in. Some of your favorites were missing. Some songs sparked spirited debates. And more than a few people reminded us just how impossible it is to squeeze twenty-five years of dance-floor history into a single list of ten tracks.

So we're back for Volume 2.

This week, Jay Sweet joins me once again to spotlight ten more songs that helped define the sound of parties, clubs, weddings, road trips, and playlists from the early 2000s through today. These aren't leftovers—they're ten more essential tracks that left a lasting mark on pop culture and kept people moving for years as well as decades.

We'll revisit the artists, moments, and musical shifts that helped shape modern dance music while making the case for why these songs deserve a place in the conversation.

Whether you agreed with our first list, disagreed with every pick, or just came ready for another excuse to turn the volume up, this episode proves there's no such thing as a definitive list when it comes to twenty-five years of dance music.

Get ready for ten more songs, plenty of debate, and two guys who still couldn't dance if our lives depended on it!

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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This week, I’m skanking my way through 10 ska punk cover songs for you to sink your checkerboard Vans into. From ska punk bands reinventing pop hits, to up-and-coming acts taking swings at ska and punk classics — it’s all stitched together by that unmistakable upstroke rhythm and pure “pick it up” energy.

From basement-show singalongs to Warped Tour staples, ska bands have been flipping familiar songs on their heads for decades — and somehow making us love tracks we already knew even more. Sometimes the covers land with a tongue firmly planted in cheek. Sometimes they’re heartfelt love letters. And sometimes… they flat-out replace the original version in our brains.

So stretch your calves and lace up tight — it’s time to skank through a full-tilt celebration of ska punk cover songs. The pit awaits!

Thank you to mixtaper Joe for emailing in this weeks’ suggestion!

Photo Credit: Jens Thekkeveettil

🎙️ LEARN MORE

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👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

There’s a story behind the name Parker Barrow — and it’s not just a nod to Bonnie and Clyde.

This week, Megan Kane and Dylan Turner join me to unpack how that outlaw-inspired identity connects to a very real journey — one built less on romance and more on survival. From living in an RV and scraping by, to finding clarity and momentum as a band, this is a conversation about what it actually takes to build something that lasts.

We get into Hold the Mash, a record that balances grit, humor, and some surprisingly heavy themes — and why that contrast matters. Megan and Dylan also open up about the pressure of modern validation culture, the push-and-pull of social media, and how songs like “Blinded” challenge the very system artists are expected to succeed in.

Along the way, we talk about growth since Jukebox Gypsies, the band’s extended studio take on the Black Crowes’ “My Morning Song,” what’s changed on the road, and the moment things started to feel real — not just hopeful.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens between the struggle and the spotlight — this is that story.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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This week, I’m digging into 10 songs that all run 10+ minutes — and somehow never feel like it. These are the tracks that keep unfolding, shifting, and pulling you forward just enough that the clock stops mattering. No meandering. No “this could’ve been trimmed” moments. Just long songs that know exactly what they’re doing.

Spanning the rock spectrum — classic rock, metal, punk, prog, and alternative — this episode moves from slow-burn epics to full-on journeys that reward patience without testing it. Whether it’s a riff that refuses to wear out, a story that keeps adding new chapters, or a structure that constantly reinvents itself, these songs make a strong case that length isn’t a problem — it’s whether the music earns every minute.

If you’ve ever looked down at a track timer and thought, wait, that song was how long? — this episode’s for you.

Thank you to mixtaper Jenn for emailing in this weeks’ suggestion!

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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There are moments in life that feel too strange to be real — the kind you replay just to make sure they actually happened. This is one of those stories.

On Saturday, June 17, 2000, during Poison’s Power to the People tour at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, I went from the crowd… to on stage with Poison.

One minute I’m watching a rock concert. The next, I’ve got Bret Michaels’ microphone in my hand, singing KISS’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” in front of thousands of people.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t staged. It wasn’t something I ever thought I’d experience at a Poison concert.

Since this was before everyone had a camera in their pocket—I have no footage, no photos, and no proof in the modern sense of proof. Just an unused Rikki Rockett drumstick… and one witness who was there with me.

In this episode, I’m telling the full story of what it was like to end up on stage with Poison, how it happened, and why moments like this don’t quite fit inside normal memory — especially when it comes to live rock concert stories.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like when the line between fan and performer disappears at a rock show… this one’s for you.

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This week, we're revisiting my feature-length interview with Tom Keifer, legendary Cinderella frontman, as he reflects on the band's enduring legacy, his acclaimed solo career, and the challenges that nearly ended it.

In this in-depth conversation, Tom shares the stories behind his critically acclaimed solo albums The Way Life Goes (2013) and Rise (2019), offering insight into his songwriting process, musical influences, and the transition from Cinderella frontman to solo artist. He also opens up about his long and difficult battle with vocal cord paralysis—a challenge that nearly ended his career—and the determination it took to rebuild his voice and return to the stage.

We also dive into the story behind the 2017 re-recording of Cinderella's iconic hit "Nobody's Fool," featuring Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, along with so much more from across the Cinderella catalog and Tom's ongoing musical journey.

Honest, thoughtful, and full of great stories, this conversation is a deep dive into resilience, reinvention, and legacy—or, as Tom would say—one for rock and roll.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

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There’s a moment every parent (or anyone who’s been around kids long enough) recognizes — a song that gets played over and over again… and somehow doesn’t wear out its welcome. That space — where something clicks for kids and doesn’t lose the room for the adults — is harder to pull off than it sounds. And it’s exactly where Laurie Berkner has lived for decades.

This week, she joins me to talk about her new album, Walking With The Penguins — her first full collection of original songs in five years — and what it actually takes to make music that connects with kids without ever talking down to them.

We get into the push and pull behind songs that invite movement (especially when kids are being told to sit still), how interactivity becomes part of the songwriting itself, and why the best children’s music often works on a level that goes way beyond what people expect.

But what really stuck with me is something you don’t always think about — her audience is constantly changing. Kids grow up, new ones come in, and the cycle just keeps going. We talk about what that feels like as an artist… and what it means to create songs that live in someone’s earliest memories, even if they age out of them later.

It’s a conversation about craft, longevity, and a kind of musical impact that doesn’t always get talked about enough.

Photo Credit: Jayme Thornton

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠

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Most people remember their first concert. I’ve talked about mine more than a few times — David Lee Roth and Poison on the 1988 Skyscraper tour. But the second one hits differently for a lot of people.

For me, it was Aerosmith and Skid Row on the Pump tour in 1990. I was 12, standing there completely wide-eyed, when Skid Row tore into “Piece of Me” and something just clicked — that bass line. That moment revealed how much attitude and power could live in the low end, and it played a big role in me picking up a bass.

This week, I’m joined by Rachel Bolan of Skid Row to talk about his debut solo record Gargoyle of the Garden State. We get into the DNA of the album — how it leans into his punk influences while still reflecting decades of defining Skid Row’s sound — and what punk really means when you strip it down to attitude over genre. We also talk about creative freedom after years in a band with a defined identity, and what it means to step outside that without losing your voice.

The conversation also covers collaboration, as Gargoyles features appearances from Corey Taylor, Nuno Bettencourt, Danko Jones, Steve Conte, Damon Johnson as well as contributions from fellow Skid Row bandmates — and how outside voices can either elevate a track or shift its intent. And, as a longtime obsession of mine, we dig into cover songs, ranging from Skid Row’s “Psycho Therapy” to Bolan’s take on Oasis’ “Rock & Roll Star,” and the balance between honoring an original and making it your own.

A conversation about influence, identity, and the long arc of music that started with a bass line in 1990 that still echoes today.

Photo Credit: Anabel DFlux

🎙️ LEARN MORE

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Upbeat dance classics, pop anthems and heavier rock songs give you one feeling — but what happens when you slow them down, strip them back, and see what lies beneath the surface? This week on My Weekly Mixtape, I explore why slow cover songs often hit harder than the originals, taking familiar pop, rock, and dance hits and reshaping them into something far more intimate.

Across 10 mellow cover versions, I look at how tempo, space, and vocal delivery can completely transform the meaning of a song you thought you already knew. Does a feel-good pop anthem still work when it’s turned into a ballad? Can slowing things down turn energy into vulnerability, or nostalgia into an emotional gut punch?

Whether it’s the power of hearing lyrics without a driving beat, revisiting songs from a different stage of life, or discovering new emotional weight in familiar words, this episode dives into how slowed-down covers create intimacy, expose hidden emotion, and in some cases become the definitive version.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠

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Can you narrow 25 years of dance classics into 10 songs? Nice try if you say it's easy!

This week, Jay Sweet joins me to dive into the tracks that kept crowds moving from the early 2000s straight through today — ten songs that shaped twenty-five years of parties, playlists, wedding receptions, late-night drives, and every moment in between.

We’re looking at the hooks, the beats, and the cultural waves that turned these songs into staples, exploring how dance music evolved over the last quarter century. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or discovering these eras for the first time, this countdown is your guided tour through twenty-five years of pure energy.

Get ready to hit the dance floor with two guys who couldn't dance if we tried!

🎙️ LEARN MORE

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Is there such a thing as a Rush deep cut? To the diehards, absolutely not — but that shouldn’t stop us from trying! As the band gears up for their long-anticipated Fifty Something anniversary tour, I am throwing back to an episode where I was the guest, and joined Steve & Gerry on the Something For Nothing: A Rush Fancast.

In this discussion, we set out to celebrate the overlooked corners of one of the most iconic catalogs in rock history, and wrack our brains to come up with five not-so-popular-but-definitely-should-be Rush songs each — tracks that may not dominate classic rock radio but reveal the band’s depth, ambition, and evolution.

No hits. No concert staples. From early prog explorations to later-era experimentation, this episode dives into underrated Rush songs, forgotten fan favorites, and deep album cuts that showcase the brilliance of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. Whether it’s intricate musicianship, storytelling, or emotional weight hiding beneath the surface, these songs remind us why Rush’s legacy continues to grow fifty years on.

Whether you’re a lifelong Rush obsessive, gearing up to see them on this tour, or a newer listener curious about what lies beyond the hits, this episode is a love letter to Rush deep cuts — the riffs, the risks, and the moments that still reward close listening decades later.

🎙️ LEARN MORE

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Few artists soundtrack the open road quite like Tom Petty. From radio-dominant anthems to overlooked gems hiding deeper in the catalog, his songs feel engineered for long stretches of highway, glowing dashboards, and miles that slip by unnoticed.

This 10-song Tom Petty road trip playlist brings together the familiar hits you instinctively reach for and the lesser-known tracks that hit just as hard. It’s the natural extension of the idea I first teased in my “Moonlit Miles: 10 After-Hours Songs to Fuel That Solo Late-Night Drive” episode — trading isolation for motion, and reflection for momentum.

Whether you’re driving solo after dark, chasing daylight across state lines, or just craving music that understands the pull of freedom and restlessness, this mix is built for the journey. Press play, settle in, and let Mr. Petty handle the miles.

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Thirty years after Ledbetter Heights first introduced Kenny Wayne Shepherd to the world, we circle back — not just to revisit the songs, but to understand what happens when you’ve lived with them for decades. From the raw instinct of a 17-year-old finding his voice to the perspective that only time, touring, and life can bring, this conversation digs into how those early recordings hold up — and where they’ve evolved.

We get into the musicians behind the music — both then and now — and the subtle ways one can reshape something familiar without breaking what made it connect in the first place.

There’s a closer look at how certain songs have grown onstage, why some moments are better left live, and what it means to revisit that youthful energy all these years later.

And for anyone who found their way in through “Deja Voodoo,” “Born With A Broken Heart” or “Why We Cry,” or has spent years with the entire album in rotation, this discussion is about more than just a milestone — it’s about how music lives within us, and why some records never really leave us.

Photo Credit: Jim Arbogast

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Working in network radio in the early 2000s was a nonstop rollercoaster—long, unpredictable hours, the constant pressure of a 24/7 operation, and a news cycle that could reshape your entire life in an instant. But on the flip side, it also meant crossing paths with the biggest names in music, movies, and television as they moved through studios to appear on stations across the country.

This is one of those moments.

It’s the story of my brush with greatness—the time I almost backed into B.B. King, who happened to be moving between studios holding his guitar, Lucille. What happened next was a split second interaction that I’ll never forget, and a reminder that legends don’t just exist on stage—they carry themselves that way in real life, too.

B.B. King has always been a musical icon to me, but on this day in 2000, he became something more: a living legend, right in front of me.

And Lucille was every bit as glorious in person as you could ever imagine.

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It’s been a few years since Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire last stopped by — and this time, the stakes feel different.

This week, we dig into Villinous, a record that doesn’t just evolve the band’s sound, but reframes it — leaning hard into identity, perception, and what it really means to take back labels that were never meant to empower.

A big part of that conversation centers around the title track, featuring Maria Brink of In This Moment — and how her presence doesn’t just elevate the song, but adds a whole new layer of intensity and perspective to its message.

Across the album, you can hear the tension between individuality and expectation — how personal reflection collides with social media, pressure, and a world that rarely lets you slow down long enough to process any of it.

We also get into the band’s sonic shift — what changed, what didn’t, and how those choices show up in the music — along with a really honest look at balancing life as both an artist and a therapist, and how that dual perspective shapes the songs in a way you might not expect.

There’s a lot packed into this one — introspection, real-world perspective, and the kind of behind-the-scenes insight that gives these songs much more weight once you hear them.

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This week, I’m joined by Chris Crabb of The Strike — and we get into how a band built on ’80s new wave, synth pop, and yes, saxophone, turned “The Getaway” into a song that’s taken on a life of its own.

From multiple versions on A Dream Through Open Eyes to a stripped-down take that’s now showing up in wedding first dances, we talk about how the same song can evolve — and what those reinterpretations reveal about it along the way.

We also dig into the band’s sonic identity — how those throwback elements found their place in a modern mix — before jumping into “Famous,” a track that pairs bright, euphoric energy with a deeper look at fame culture, social media pressure, and what it actually means to be known.

And then there’s “No Time To Waste,” which comes from a completely different headspace and rounds things out in a way that feels both urgent and reflective.

It’s a conversation about sound, perspective, and how songs don’t always stay the same — even when the people behind them do.

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Heavy bands are known for distortion, volume, and power — but every so often, they make a screeching pivot, turning the amps down and letting something quieter speak louder.

This week, I dig into 10 moments where bands best known for crushing riffs, intense vocals, or sheer sonic force take a sharp left turn, stepping into mellow, stripped-down, or unexpectedly introspective territory.

These are the songs that catch you off guard — be it the introspective lyrics, emotional musical pivots, and varying instrumentation that reveal a different dimension of bands you might not expect to tread in these musical waters.

Because heaviness isn’t just about volume — sometimes it’s about the emotional core.

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Discover your next favorite band on this week’s episode as I’m joined by Patreon Mixtaper Chad Lamasa to shine a light on 10 underrated artists who deserve way more attention. We’re digging into the kind of bands you stumble across and immediately start telling friends about — the ones flying just under the mainstream radar but making music that resonates as much, if not more, than artists that are already household names.

Together, we discuss what makes these groups underrated, why they should already be on your radar, and how word of mouth still plays a huge role in discovering great new music.

If you’re searching for emerging artists and bandsbefore everyone else catches on, and don’t want to rely on a streaming algorithm, this episode is built for you.

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What's your goto post-black album Metallica track? Fans love to debate the band’s evolution, but one thing’s for sure: the post–Black Album era is packed with powerful, creative, and unfairly overlooked tunes.

In this week’s episode, Zack Derby of The Neatcast joins me to dig deep into Metallica’s modern catalog—everything from the Load era through today—to spotlight 10 tracks that prove the band never stopped pushing forward.

No covers. No live versions of old favorites. Just a curated set of original Metallica songs that highlight the riffs, grooves, songwriting, experimentation, and heavy energy that defined the band long after their classic thrash years.

If you've ever heard someone say “Metallica hasn’t had a good song since the thrash era,” this mix is here to challenge that myth—10 times over. Tune in and explore the evolution of Metallica beyond the Black Album, one track at a time.

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This week, I’m joined by Dryden Mitchell of Alien Ant Farm to trace the band’s journey: from the early $100 EP and Love Songs recordings—when tracks like “S.S. Recognize” and “Wishing” were still finding their final form—to the tongue-in-cheek Greatest Hits release that arrived before the band had even broken nationally.

From there, we dig into the era that launched the band worldwide: ANThology, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Dryden reflects on the explosion of the band’s cover of “Smooth Criminal” (originally by Michael Jackson), the momentum behind songs like “Movies” & “Attitude,” and how hidden tracks like “Orange Appeal” managed to survive the jump from Cassette & CD era hidden-track Easter eggs to modern streaming.

Along the way we talk about what it was like working with Dean DeLeo and Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots on TruANT, and dig into some deeper catalog moments: from the cult-favorite 3rd Draft tour CD release that became Up In the Attic, to the band’s evolving approach to album titles, long gaps between releases, and how those breaks shaped later records like Always & Forever and Mantras.

And of course, we talk about what’s happening now: the upcoming ANThology anniversary vinyl release and the brand-new single “Reasons,” written by Rome Ramirez of Sublime with Rome—plus what fans can expect from the band’s next chapter.

If you’ve been spinning Alien Ant Farm since the early-2000s radio days—or you’re just discovering the band—this one goes deep into the catalog, the stories, and the moments that shaped the band over the last 30 years!

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There are certain artists who become part of the soundtrack to your life — and if you’re lucky, sometimes you get to sit down with the people responsible for it. This week, I’m joined by the man who has been keeping the beat behind “Weird Al” Yankovic for more than four decades: drummer Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz.

From a chance meeting through the legendary Dr. Demento show and playing drums on an accordion case during the early recording of “Another One Rides The Bus,” to the moment MTV helped launch Weird Al into the pop culture stratosphere, Bermuda shares stories from inside one of the most unique careers in music.

We dive into the evolution of Weird Al’s sound — including the shift from the raw production of the self-titled debut album to the hyper-accurate musical recreations heard on In 3D and beyond. Bermuda also breaks down how the band studies and reconstructs an artist’s style for spot-on parodies and style pastiches, including the Devo-inspired “Dare To Be Stupid.”

Along the way, we talk about collaborations with the artists themselves — like the Dire Straits connection behind the “Money For Nothing / Beverly Hillbillies” parody from UHF, as well as working with Taylor Hanson, Dwezil Zappa and Ray Manzarek of The Doors, the musical puzzle of assembling Weird Al’s legendary polka medleys, and the full story behind the fan-favorite epic “Albuquerque.”

Digging deeper, Bermuda reflects on the hardest drum sound he’s ever had to recreate for a song, whether a Weird Al Super Bowl Halftime Show has ever been discussed beyond social media, and his thoughts on if Mandatory Fun is truly Al’s last full-length studio album. We also touch on the case for Weird Al’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, among many other topics!

Photo Credit: Kamal Asar

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This week, I’m joined by American Idol Top 20 contestant and New Jersey artist Jake Thistle to talk about his experience performing on one of television’s biggest music stages.

Jake shares what it’s really like behind the scenes of American Idol — from the strategy behind song choices (including his audition take on Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home”) to the pressure of performing original music in front of the judges and a national audience, as he did with his song “Sleep On Me.”

We also dive into his roots in the New Jersey music scene, the artists who helped shape his sound — including Tom Petty and John Hiatt — and the moment he realized music was his path in life.

Along the way, we preview his latest single “Alone, Together,” and Jake shares three songs he thinks deserve a spot on your musical radar.

Whether you’re already a fan of Jake’s music, an American Idol faithful, or simply curious about the reality behind televised music competitions, this conversation offers a candid look at the journey behind the music.

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This week, I’m joined by Weakened Friends’ Sonia Sturino to dig into Feels Like Hell, the band’s 2025 release that captures the emotional whiplash of modern life with biting honesty and melodic grit.

We talk about the mindset behind the album, how exhaustion, anxiety, and self-reflection shaped the songwriting, and why Feels Like Hell feels like both a breaking point and a breakthrough.

From loud-quiet dynamics to lyrics that don’t flinch, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how the band translated real-world pressure into a record that resonates deeply — especially if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed but kept moving anyway. Sonia opens up about trusting raw instincts, embracing honesty in songwriting, and how that vulnerability has deepened the connection with fans.

We also get into the nuts and bolts: working with Don Giovanni Records, the surreal collaboration with Buckethead on “NPC,” song dynamics across the record, the band’s cover of Ednaswap’s “Torn,” and why Feels Like Hell was built to be experienced as a full album — not just a collection of singles.

This episode is about survival, growth, and finding clarity on the other side of burnout. Then there’s the incredible music!

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Ever judge an album by its cover? This week on My Weekly Mixtape, Jay Sweet joins me as we flip through some virtual record crates to curate a playlist inspired by the most iconic album covers of all time. From legendary imagery to unforgettable records, we’re turning that visual inspiration into a killer mix of songs — and exploring what makes album art just as timeless, meaningful, and memorable as the music inside.

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Welcome to the launch of a new kind of bonus episode I’m calling Mixtape Moments — short stories sparked by a recent news item or an anecdote I haven’t yet found a place for in a full-length episode.

There’s no set timetable for how often these will appear, but the format opens the door to new ways of experiencing My Weekly Mixtape — including quick hitters when the moment calls for it, whether it’s reacting to breaking news, a surprise album release, or a story that simply can’t wait.

This premiere Mixtape Moment was inspired by this week’s news that Bruce Johnston is stepping away from The Beach Boys after more than six decades with the band.

So join me as I celebrate Bruce’s remarkable journey with the band, while sharing a personal story about how a simple act of mid-concert kindness — a bottle of FIJI Water — became an unforgettable memory for this longtime fan.

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This week, I’m sitting down with the legendary Warren Haynes to revisit Tales of Ordinary Madness — his debut solo album, now newly remixed and remastered more than thirty years after its original release. It’s a record that’s lived a long life with a lot of us, and hearing it again with fresh ears raises a bigger question: what happens when you return to deeply personal songs after decades of living, playing, and moving forward?

We talk about how the album found a home on Megaforce Records — yes, that Megaforce — and what it was like for Warren to re-engage with these songs from a distance he simply didn’t have in the early ’90s. From co-producing the original sessions with Chuck Leavell to hearing Grammy-winning engineer Jim Scott remix the album and fully unlock its timeless status, this conversation becomes less about revision and more about rediscovery — about what time gives you, and what it doesn’t.

There are stories between the songs, too. We dig into the long-lost “Tear Me Down,” finally restored to its rightful place in the album’s new sequence, and trace how “I’ll Be The One” quietly evolved from Tales of Ordinary Madness into Gov’t Mule’s Mo Voodoo rendition. Warren walks through what changed, what stayed the same, and why those distinctions still matter — musically and emotionally.

Along the way, we widen the lens. We revisit his legendary early-morning acoustic performance at Bonnaroo in 2004, talk about the mechanics of collaborations — what makes it work, what makes it last — and touch on his musical chemistry with artists like Little Milton, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Grace Potter and Joe Bonamassa (just to scratch the surface). We also unpack the story behind that unforgettable slide guitar on Blues Traveler’s “The Mountains Win Again,” and how that moment unexpectedly helped shape the sound and direction of Gov’t Mule’s debut.

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This week, Outlier’s Joey Arena joins me to break down “(Rock) Superstar,” the band’s collaboration with Sen Dog and Hyro The Hero, reimagining one of the defining crossover tracks of the early 2000s. Long before “genre-fluid” became a buzzword, the original version proved that hip-hop, rock, and metal didn’t just coexist — they could thrive together. This new take taps into that same spirit, updating the sound without losing the attitude that made it hit so hard the first time around.

Anchored by Sen Dog’s unmistakable presence and Hyro The Hero’s raw, modern edge, this version isn’t simply for nostalgia’s sake — it’s a reminder of why taking risks mattered then, and still matters now.

Beyond the cover, Joey also opens up about where Outlier is headed next, digging into original tracks “Warrior (feat. Chris Motionless),” “Crown (feat. VRSTY)” and “Creature of the Night.” Each song pulls from a different corner of the band’s identity — defiance, confidence, and controlled chaos — while pointing toward the bigger picture of Outlier’s upcoming studio album. We talk about how these songs fit together, what they reveal about the band’s evolution, and why this next chapter is a statement.

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This week, we’re digging into one of the most important collision points in modern music history — the moment when rock and hip-hop first slammed into each other and changed the landscape forever. Using When Rock Met Hip-Hop as a guiding lens, I’m joined by legendary music journalist Stephen Blush to explore the artists, scenes, and cultural flashpoints that brought distorted guitars and breakbeats together long before genre lines disappeared.

These collaborations were risky, raw, and often controversial. From early experiments that raised eyebrows to landmark moments that rewrote the rules, we unpack how rock and hip-hop didn’t just influence each other — they challenged ideas around race, authenticity, rebellion, and what popular music was even allowed to be.

Along the way, we dig into the stories behind these crossover moments, the samples that became entwined in the sound’s musical DNA, the artists willing to take the risks, and why their impact still echoes today.

If you’ve ever wondered how we got from Run-DMC and Aerosmith to today’s genre-fluid musical landscape — or if you just love a deep dive into music history — this episode connects the dots. Because some of the biggest shifts in music don’t come from trends or algorithms — they happen when two scenes collide and refuse to move out of each other’s way.

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Power ballads didn’t disappear when the lighters went away — they just continued to evolve.

This week, I’m joined by Terrie Carr of Carr Stereo to explore 10 power ballads released after 2000 — songs that still build slow, hit hard, and aim straight for the chest, even if the glow in the crowd looks a little different now.

From massive choruses to emotional gut-punches, these are the songs that prove the power ballad never lost its place — it just traded Bic lighters for phone screens and kept going. No era restrictions, no genre snobbery — just big feelings, bigger hooks, and the kind of songs that demand you turn them up a little louder than you probably should.

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This week, we’re turning the headlights on & exploring 10 songs that provide the perfect soundtrack for a late night drive by yourself. Because let’s be honest: road trips in the sunlight and road trips under the glow of streetlights are two completely different experiences. One’s about destinations. The other’s about the space between them. Especially when it’s just you and the music.

There’s something about driving at night that makes everything feel a little more cinematic — fewer cars, quieter thoughts, and songs that seem to hit harder when the rest of the world is asleep. These are tracks built for empty highways, dashboard lights, and moments where you don’t necessarily need to get anywhere fast… you just need to keep moving.

This playlist leans into mood over momentum — songs that breathe, linger, and let your mind wander somewhere beyond the windshield.

To add another layer to the episode, I pull a complete 180 and create a daytime alternative mix, featuring different songs from the same 10 artists — a sun-soaked playlist designed for a completely different musical atmosphere!

Thanks to Patreon Mixtaper Sean Goff for sending in this week’s playlist concept.

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This week, we’re rewinding to one of the most charming quirks of the ‘90s CD era: the hidden track. You know… those sneaky gems buried after minutes of silence, tucked into track 99, or disguised so well you didn’t even know they existed until someone finally tipped you off.

I’m diving into the stories behind these secret songs, what made them so appealing, and the unforgettable moments that made discovering a bonus track feel like you’d unlocked a musical cheat code. Join me as we celebrate the lost art of the hidden track — one skip (or search) button press at a time!

P.S. You might want to listen carefully to this one.

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Trying to figure out the right songs to send your crush without making things weird? This week, I’m building a not-at-all-awkward soft-launching playlist — the kind of mix that lets you test the waters, drop a hint, but keep everything fun, flirty, and totally low-pressure.

These are the songs that say “I kinda like you” without turning it into a grand gesture. No heavy power ballads. No dramatic declarations. Just genuine tracks with the right vibe — warm, charming, and subtle enough to send with confidence.

I'll dig into why certain songs land better than others, how the right track can quietly move a connection forward, and what actually makes a crush playlist work. So if you’re looking for the perfect “hey, I’m into you” starter kit as we roll toward Valentine’s Day… let this episode be your guide.

Thanks to Mixtaper Bryan Rosenberg for sending in this topic!

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This week, on the heels of HBO Max’s Music Box: Happy and You Know It, I’m throwing things back to a Tunestiles interview featuring children’s music icon Laurie Berkner, whose “Rocketship Run” to the top of the kindie scene helped redefine what music for kids could sound like.

From her early days growing up in Princeton, New Jersey — surrounded by the same fertile musical ground that produced Trey Anastasio of Phish, John Popper of Blues Traveler, and Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors — Laurie’s path has always been rooted in creativity, curiosity, and connection.

We dig into the moment the world discovered her on Nick Jr.’s Jack’s Big Music Show, and how that beloved presence ignited a new generation of fans. Laurie talks candidly about how streaming and digital music reshaped kindie music, shifting the way artists release and connect with families, and what that means for sustaining a career in today’s industry. She shares how she tailors song subjects, pacing, and physical movement cues to meet kids exactly where they are — cognitively, emotionally, and physically — and why writing music that children genuinely resonate with requires honesty, imagination, and zero condescension.

Laurie opens up about the stories behind classics like “We Are The Dinosaurs” and “Victor Vito,” as well as a few of her personal favorites, revealing the small real-life sparks that turned into songs sung in classrooms, living rooms, and minivans around the world. This conversation is a deep-dive into the craft, impact, and legacy of one of children’s music’s most influential voices — and the songs that helped shape countless childhoods.

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Step back into the decade that made rhythm a lifestyle. From freestyle and new wave to early hip-hop and pop perfection, this episode explores 20 songs that defined the pulse of ’80s dance music — the beats that moved clubs, crossed genres, and still make us move today.

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This week, I’m revisiting two of the year’s biggest interviews with Shinedown’s Barry Kerch and Eric Bass — offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of modern rock’s most enduring and innovative bands.

First, Barry Kerch opens up about Shinedown’s evolving sound over the past two decades, their approach to crafting unforgettable live setlists, and the stories behind the band’s 2025 singles “Dance, Kid, Dance” and “Three Six Five.” He also shares insight into the emotional power of “A Symptom of Being Human,” Shinedown’s commitment to philanthropy, and what fans can expect from Shinedown 8, set for release in 2026.

Then, Eric Bass takes us inside his creative world — from joining Shinedown during The Sound of Madness era to producing the band’s concept albums Attention Attention and Planet Zero. He also dives into his debut solo concept album I Had A Name, its companion graphic novel, and the stories behind songs like “Mind Control,” “Goodnight Goodnight,” and “Azalia.”

Eric also revisits Shinedown’s cover of Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth Move” from The Warner Sound Live Room sessions and the Attention Attention B-side “ANWTD (A New Way To Die).” Plus, in a never-before-heard segment, he reflects on touring with Iron Maiden and KISS, and his first meeting with Wolfgang Van Halen (Mammoth WVH).

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering their music for the first time, this exclusive double-feature interview pulls back the curtain on the passion, process, and creativity driving one of hard rock’s most powerful and resilient acts.

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In this episode of My Weekly Mixtape, I spotlight 10 cover songs released this year that turn already familiar tunes into something fresh, unexpected, and conversation-worthy.

Cover songs have always been a litmus test for creativity — and something I’ve always had a personal affinity for — but in 2025, artists are pushing reinterpretation further than ever. By reworking melodies, reshaping arrangements, and reframing the overall vibe, these versions give the originals entirely new meanings. This episode breaks down why these performances resonated, how they differ from (or pay homage to) the originals, and what makes a great cover song connect with fans today!

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This week, I break down 12 standout country songs that defined the genre in 2025. But what defines country music this year? Here’s a hint: it’s not just the chart-toppers. Sure, there are foot-stomping anthems and soul-stirring ballads, but I also highlight the artists and bands on the rise — ready to set the stage ablaze in 2026. Tune in and hear the heart, grit, and energy that made country music impossible to ignore in 2025.

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This week, DT Carel, host of the YouTube show ⁠SpaceCastle⁠ joins me to dive into the sounds that defined 2025! Join us as we break down 20 essential tracks that span punk, rock, hip-hop, alternative, pop & beyond.

From explosive hooks and high-energy anthems to unexpected collaborations and boundary-pushing tracks, we unpack what makes each song stand out and why they helped shape the musical landscape this year.

Tune in as we guide you through a year’s worth of sonic highlights that’ll have you hitting repeat well into 2026!

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This week, I’m hanging out with Jaret Reddick, the lead singer, guitarist, and all-around creative engine behind Bowling For Soup, as he looks back on three decades of pop-punk chaos, catchy hooks, and perfectly timed humor.

We get into how the band balances goofy songs with genuine heartfelt moments, why “Belgium” keeps reinventing itself, and how BFS ended up becoming a Radio Disney staple. Jaret talks about the band’s wide-ranging covers—from Miley Cyrus to Hanson to Taylor Swift—our shared love of power ballads (including his personal top three), and how he wound up becoming the voice of Chuck E. Cheese.

We also dig into the impact of the band’s Grammy nomination, collaborations with Blues Traveler, The Dollyrots, and Bret Michaels of Poison, the long-running “Stacy’s Mom” misconception, and the real story behind “1985,” SR-71, and Butch Walker. Jaret also breaks down what it was like writing a song for Alexa Bliss and teaming up with WWE for the music video.

Whether you’ve been blasting BFS since the ’90s (when they had horns) or you’re discovering their world for the first time, this episode delivers laughs, nostalgia, and a glimpse at what’s next for the band in 2026 and beyond!

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This week, we get 'For Real' with Eric Hirshberg, the former CEO of Activision and Deutsch LA, whose world is now centered around music. Known for leading iconic franchises like Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Skylanders, and Destiny, Eric shares how music has run alongside his career and ultimately inspired his new single, “For Real,” the second of his collaborations with GRAMMY-nominated soul artist Aloe Blacc (their first was 2024’s “I Love Not Drinking”).

We dive into how Eric blends his folk and Americana roots with Aloe’s soulful style, creating music that feels authentic for both artists while carrying a message about stepping back from negativity and the pressures of social media.

Our conversation also offers a glimpse into Eric’s upcoming 2026 album, More Is Not The Answer, and how “For Real” sets the tone for what’s to come. Along the way, we explore the songs that define him and his unique perspective on building a creative life that bridges technology, business, and music.

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This week, we’re celebrating two timeless soundtracks with the legendary Paul Williams, the award-winning songwriter behind Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and The Muppet Movie, including the beloved classic (as well as my favorite song of all time) “Rainbow Connection.”

Paul shares the stories behind these unforgettable soundtracks & the films they’re connected to, his creative partnership with Jim Henson, and what it’s like bringing heart, humor, and hope to generations through music.

We also dive into his work as President of ASCAP, his collaborations with Daft Punk, Portugal. The Man, Willie Nelson, Jason Mraz, and more, along with stories from Phantom of the Paradise and another Muppet holiday classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol.

If you grew up loving The Muppets, know every step of Carrots the Dancing Horse’s routine, or find yourself rocking out to the Riverbottom Nightmare Band every holiday season, I promise this episode is as sweet as honeysuckle on the vine, ma!

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This week, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on the songs that shaped my love of music — as well as the person who made it all possible, my father, who we sadly lost to pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

In this episode, I’m diving into 20 tracks that I’m eternally grateful & thankful for. Each one is tied to a moment, memory, lesson, or simply a staple of the famed “Friday Night Music Night” events I would enjoy with my parents growing up.

The songs he shared with me growing up, taught me how to listen to music — and, now in hindsight, also taught me how music can truly bridge generations.

I love you Dad.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, so hopefully one day we can end this horrible disease once and for all.

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