Cheap Tracks – Details, episodes & analysis

This week, the Chris and Mike travel back to 2003 to discuss the band's third single off of SPECIAL ONE, "Too Much."

This week we look back at "Tonight It's You," the first single off of 1985's STANDING ON THE EDGE, and along the way get sidetracked by Rita Jenrette, the Rolling Stones, Dick Clark, and the softcore classic EMMANUELE! We're also joined by songwriter and Cheap Trick collaborator Mark Radice, who offers insight into the songwriting process.

This week we travel back to 1977 (and back it up a little to 1976) to discuss the smoldering jam, "Cry, Cry" off of the band's 1977 self-titled debut. We also look back at the notable show at the Sunset Bowl in Waukesha, WI where Jack Douglas saw the band for the first time and got them signed to Epic before producing that classic record.

It was Sweet 16 for Cheap Trick in 2009 but little did we all know it would be the last time with the drummer. Today, we visit a song with lots of history, not just in name. It was “classic”, it was “vintage”, it was THE LATEST…time to get ourselves home with “Sick Man of Europe”.

We dive into the history baked into the tune with the help of Brian Kramp's massive tome, THIS BAND HAS NO PAST: HOW CHEAP TRICK BECAME CHEAP TRICK, discuss the retrospective nature of THE LATEST, and our adoration for go-go dancers.

This week, we travel back to 1983 via 1996 to do some surgery on "Twisted Heart," a track recorded for the band's 1983 album NEXT POSITION PLEASE that didn't make its way to fan's ears until the SEX, AMERICA, CHEAP TRICK box set. Is NEXT POSITION PLEASE a better album with this darker tune included? What are we blaming the record company for this time around? You better believe me, this is going to be a good one.

This week we go back to 2006 the album closer to the band’s fifteenth studio album, ROCKFORD, released on the devilish date of  6/6/06, “Decaf,”

Is it about drugs? Is it about taking it easy? Or is it just a cup of coffee? 

Cheap Trick played as part of Metro Chicago's 40th anniversary celebration and Chris and Mike were there, in the flesh baby!

This week on Cheap Tracks, we review the setlist, the performance, and the Sammy Hagar Beach Bar cocktails!

Tom Werman, the man behind the boards for IN COLOR, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and DREAM POLICE drops by to discuss the barn burner, "Gonna Raise Hell" off of the band's '79 release that sat on a shelf due to the success of BUDOKAN. We get sidetracked discussing "Auf Weidershen," Catacombs in Quincy, IL, George Martin, and so much more!

It's Cheap Trick Day in Illinois and to celebrate, Chris and Mike welcome a very special guest: the Prince Of Rockford, Miles Nielsen.

Together, the boys look back on this fan favorite track from 1981's HEAVY METAL soundtrack and get sidetracked by "Borderline," Mr. Penis, Pete Comita, and conversations about growing up with a famous rock 'n' roll dad.

Gary Ladinsky was the engineer on Cheap Trick's third studio album, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and today, he's taking Chris and Mike back to 1978 as they dive into "Takin' Me Back," the side two opener to the band's 1978 release.