Tape Spaghetti – Details, episodes & analysis

This week on Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott unravel one of the eeriest, darkest threads in music history: the twisted tale of Charles Manson and his brush with late-‘60s rock stardom. Before he became a household name for all the wrong reasons, Manson fancied himself the next folk-rock prophet—and actually got closer to achieving his goal than you might think. In this chat the guys dig into his bizarre connections with L.A.’s music elite, from jam sessions at Dennis Wilson’s house to a reworked Manson song making its way onto a Beach Boys record. It’s a wild ride through failed recording deals, cult manipulation, and the uneasy intersection of fame and fanaticism. As the story spirals toward infamy, Blake & Scott reflect on how Manson’s musical dreams bled into his nightmarish legacy. Creepy, compelling, and full of "how the heck did that happen?" moments—this one’s a chilling twirl you won’t want to miss. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dive headfirst into the swirling sonic world of Lee “Scratch” Perry—a true musical mad scientist. From the roots of reggae to the otherworldly innovations cooked up at Black Ark Studios, the duo unpacks Perry’s impact on sound itself. Expect tales of tape loops, smoky dub sessions, and the cosmic weirdness that made Perry a legend. They explore how this eccentric genius bridged the gap between Jamaica and London’s punk scene, all while walking barefoot through a jungle of reverb and delay. And yes—they get into the myths, the madness, and the mystery behind Black Ark’s fiery fall. Whether you're a dubhead, a punk purist, or just here for the vibes, this episode is a wild ride through one of music’s most unforgettable minds. Hit play and get tangled in the weird, wonderful world of “Scratch.” Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

On this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott take a soulful spin through the life of Sam Cooke—the gospel prodigy turned pop trailblazer whose voice could melt hearts and move mountains. From his early days with the Soul Stirrers to posthumous crossover superstardom with hits like “A Change Is Gonna Come,” the guys trace Cooke’s rise and his fearless push for artistic control in a segregated industry. But things take a darker turn as they dive deep into the murky details of his shocking death at a Los Angeles motel. Was it a simple case of wrong place wrong time—or something more sinister? Blake & Scott unpack the shifting stories, shady timelines, and even FBI conspiracy theories that still swirl around Cooke’s untimely end. Tune in and get tangled in one of soul’s most haunting stories. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

This week on Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dive into the alien-obsessed world of Tom DeLonge— Blink-182 frontman, Angels & Airwaves visionary, and one of the loudest voices in modern UFO disclosure. From pop-punk icon to Pentagon whistleblower, DeLonge’s transformation is one of the strangest—and most fascinating—in rock history. The hosts unpack DeLonge’s evolution from Blink-182 fame to founding To The Stars Academy, the organization behind some of the most viral UFO videos released by the U.S. government. They also explore the outer space themes woven through Angels & Airwaves’ music and debate DeLonge’s influence on both extraterrestrial belief and conspiracy culture. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or just here for the aliens-meet-emo vibes, this episode answers the big question: What really happens when a rock star leaves the stage to chase flying saucers? Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

On this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott raise a glass (or maybe an old boot) to the legendary Tom Waits. Honing in on the Swordfishtrombones era, they trace Waits’ evolution from late-night lounge poet to avant-garde musical icon. Drawing connections to literary greats like Charles Bukowski, the guys explore the genius behind Waits’ unforgettable characters, his genre-defying sound, and the undeniable impact he's had on the music world. With personal stories about how his gravelly voice and cinematic songwriting have ingrained themselves into their lives, this episode celebrates the raw grit, guts, and strange magic that make Tom Waits a true musical pioneer. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just beginning to discover his work, this whiskey-soaked journey through Tom Waits’ discography is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of Tom Waits' influence on music, his unique style, and the lasting legacy he’s created. Cue the rain and hit play. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠https://stringjoy.com/

This episode of Tape Spaghetti dives deep into the lonesome, legendary life of Hank Williams—the country music icon who burned bright and left behind a ghostly echo that still haunts the genre. Blake & Scott trace Hank’s meteoric rise, from honky-tonk dive bars to the Grand Ole Opry spotlight, and explore the heartbreak, addiction, and chaos that ultimately led to his untimely death at just 29. But the story doesn’t end there. The guys examine Hank’s enormous influence on generations of artists—from his son Hank Jr. to rock, country, and beyond—and even touch on some downright creepy stories of musicians claiming spectral visits from the man himself. Is Hank still hitching rides down lost highways? Tune in for twang, tragedy, and a touch of the supernatural as Blake & Scott unpack the myth and the music of a true American original. Saddle up for a ghost ride through country history. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

In this pulse-pounding episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dive into defiant, funk-driven world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Born in Nigeria and educated in London, Fela didn’t just create a genre—he sparked a movement. From his genre-defying sound and explosive stage presence, to his role as a relentless political agitator who turned funk and jazz into weapons of resistance, the guys unpack Fela’s larger-than-life persona, his radical commitment to Nigerian identity, and the way he built an entire sonic nation inside his Kalakuta Republic compound. With a refusal to bend to authority and a demand for justice, Fela conjured the spirit of punk—raw, loud, and uncompromising. This one’s a celebration of music as revolution and the sonic firestarter that was Fela Kuti, so tune in and find out how one man turned funk into a battle cry.

Is your favorite musician... a clone? In this mind-bending episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott peel back the tinfoil on one of music’s strangest subgenres: the replacement theory. From the eternal “Paul is dead” saga to the internet’s obsession with Avril Lavigne’s alleged body double, and the bewildering case of Andrew W.K., the guys dig into the lore, the weirdness, and the very real questions about identity and authorship these conspiracies raise. Why are we so quick to believe someone’s been swapped out? Is it just fun fandom—or something deeper? The conversation spirals from tabloid weirdness to questions of celebrity, persona, and whether we want our artists to be real in the first place. Are these just tall tales... or symptoms of a culture that doesn't want its icons to change? Think *your* favorite artist is irreplaceable? Think again....

In this edition of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dig into the tragic end of AC/DC’s first era and the loss of their original high voltage frontman, Bon Scott. Was his death rock ’n’ roll excess - or something else? Along the way, the guys explore the two distinct legacies defined by Scott’s raw swagger and Brian Johnson’s arena-shaking growl—and what it takes for a band to survive tragedy without losing its soul. They also expound on how AC/DC managed their inconceivably remarkable rebound with Back in Black — one of the most legendary albums ever recorded. Press play and prepare to be thunderstruck by the greatest rebound story in hard rock's history. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

Before TikTok trends, YouTube parodies, and silly podcasts (present company excluded), there was Dr. Demento—the godfather of gloriously goofy music. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott explore the madcap legacy of the airwave anarchist who championed cultural absurdity and without whom we might never have had Weird Al Yankovic. What’s the power of parody and the social value of silliness? As the guys discover, novelty songs are more than just punchlines — they’re portals into the pop culture psyche. Expect baloney, bologna, radio nostalgia , cult followings, and just enough analysis to feel smart about loving dumb songs. Maybe. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/