We talk a lot of about album anniversaries on this show, but this is the first time we talk about one of our own! On November 9, 2013, Tom’s band The Good Fight released their debut (and final) EP “This Is My Nightmare” and the guys go track by track and discuss the writing and recording process of each song and provide some insight on how recording your own music opens up a world of appreciation for the songs and albums we listen to every day. Links: This Is My Nightmare on Apple Music This Is ...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 272
2007 was a very important year for Tom, Pat, and the scene as a whole. This year saw some of our favorite releases of all time, and things get contentious real fast as we scramble to claim our favorite tracks for this week’s draft. We end with quick conversation about The Hum Goes On Forever by The Wonder Years. Subscribe at Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocketcasts Links: The 2007 Mixtape Draft on Apple Music The 2007 Mixtape Draft on Spotify Hit us up online! Patreon ...
Dec 23, 2022•53 min•Ep. 271
Daddy and daddy have been away for a few months, and we’re very sorry that we left you all alone with the babysitter, a terrible April Fool’s joke of an episode. So we’re popping in real quick with a brand new toy to hopefully make things right. Here’s All That I’ve Got by The Used, but for real this time. Not a dragon in sight. See you in 10 months… Links: All That I’ve Got Music Video Ryan Key on Chris DeMakes a Podcast Interview with Shane Drake Songs of the week: One of the Guys by JESSIA Ex...
Dec 23, 2022•53 min•Ep. 270
This episode was published on April 1, 2022, originally titled "All That I've Got by The Used" as an April Fool's joke. Since we later went ahead and published a real The Used episode, we changed the title to "Through the Fire and the Flames by Dragonforce". This week, we left it up to the listeners with a Twitter poll to determine which episode we do this week. May we present to you: All That I’ve Got by The Used. No funny business here! BONUS EPISODES AND INSANITY ON PATREON Links: All That I’...
Apr 01, 2022•52 min•Ep. 269
You know those moments in your life where you know you’re going to come away from that moment a completely different person? That’s what hearing 99 Red Balloons for the first time was for us. It’s the reason we’re friends. It’s the reason we ended up starting a band that we played in all through high school. It very well may be the reason we love pop-punk as much as we do. And it all started with a weird German song in the 90s that captivated the hearts of 3rd wave ska captains, Goldfinger. Than...
Mar 25, 2022•49 min•Ep. 268
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, friends! As many as you may know or have guessed by now, we’re both hella Irish, so we’re happy to talk about the most Irish song we know, Drunken Lullabies by Flogging Molly. (Suck it, Irish National Anthem!) The song is great year-round, but it hits especially hard on St. Patty’s Day. But the VIDEO! Dear Christ, the video is so good. It’s basically just a skate film featuring Patrick Melcher and you won’t catch either of us complaining about it. It rules! Erin Go Bragh...
Mar 17, 2022•57 min•Ep. 267
Way too much time has gone by without screaming at everyone about how much we absolutely love Less Than Jake. Not only have they been cranking out some of the best music we’ve ever heard since the early 90s, but they even gave us Fueled by Ramen, so put some respect on the name! While The Science of Selling Yourself Short isn’t the most feel-good song of all time, it’s an absolutely killer track with a super trippy and amazing music video that is deserving of so much more than we could ever give...
Mar 11, 2022•49 min•Ep. 266
Many bands over the years have dared to write songs about their hometown, the neighboring state that they can’t stand, or even extremely specific restaurants, apartments, and fountains in their local area. This week, we draft our favorite songs about our favorite places and spaces. Not a lot to it, we just love places and spaces! BONUS EPISODES AND INSANITY ON PATREON Links: Places and Spaces Mixtape Draft on Apple Music Places and Spaces Mixtape Draft on Spotify Buy our Flash Sheet Here! Smallt...
Mar 04, 2022•47 min•Ep. 265
it’s no secret that Mayday Parade is one of our favorite bands of all time, but we’re super guilty of only talking about their debut album A Lesson in Romantics. It seems like the rest of the world may be guilty of the same crime, so we’re trying to set the record straight today. Mayday Parade is much more than a one-album wonder! Anywhere But Here was a very good sophomore record, even on the heels of losing one of their singers to Go Radio over a disagreement concerning songwriting credits. Th...
Feb 25, 2022•52 min•Ep. 264
No early 2000’s podcast is complete without a Michelle Branch episode, because that woman was everywhere, much pun intended. And she wasn’t even a woman yet, she was like 15, taking the entire planet and the airwaves by storm! Our motto this year is #BangersOnly, so it’s only natural we talk about Michelle Branch, even if it is a little bit out of genre as a blend of “moody post-grunge rock and breezy Y2K pop”. It bangs, and we’re 100% here for it. If only Michelle was 100% here on the podcast. ...
Feb 18, 2022•52 min•Ep. 263
It’s no secret that Hoobastank’s music video for The Reason is our favorite heist movie ever, but it recently came to our attention that there’s a sequel! Hooba picks up right where they left off and tell a gripping tale of crime, rock and roll, and betrayal all in three minutes, and somehow managed to outdo themselves once again. However, we want more. Selfishly, but there were also a few loose ends that we’d love to see tied up in a neat bow, so we’re calling on Doug Robb and the boys to expan...
Feb 11, 2022•51 min•Ep. 262
There are few things as magical as a debut that absolutely takes over the world, whether that’s the literal world with platinum status or the self-centered, tiny bubble of a world we were living in when we were 15. This week we draft our favorite debut albums and state our cases for which song we think represents the album as a whole. Make sure to listen to the playlists on Apple Music and Spotify! BONUS EPISODES AND INSANITY ON PATREON Links: The Debut Album Mixtape on Apple Music The Debut Alb...
Feb 04, 2022•57 min•Ep. 261
The announcement of the When We Were Young Festival will be one of those moments we look back on in 20 years that are paired with a “where were you when"?" The millisecond that flyer hit Twitter, everyone went nuts. It was pure, unadulterated joy for like, 20 minutes… and then the questions started. And at last, the memes rolled in. Wait, how many bands? HOW many stages? In 24 hours? Who the hell is Car Seat Headrest and what are they doing on this bill? After a few minutes of moaning and groani...
Jan 28, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 260
Everyone loves to talk about bands’ debut albums, but I think it’s about time we give some sophomore releases the credit they deserve. This week we draft our favorite sophomore albums, but there’s a twist… we also have to pick the song we think represents the album best. Not only does it leave a ton of room for debate, but it makes the playlist possible, so make sure to check them out on Apple Music and Spotify. BONUS EPISODES AND INSANITY ON PATREON! Links: The Sophomore Album Mixtape on Apple ...
Jan 21, 2022•53 min•Ep. 259
As Underøath releases their new album “Voyeurist” today, we take some time to discuss one of their early bangers, Writing on the Wall their album Define the Great Line. But not before we present your 2022 ScorchFest winner, Patrick McDonagh for his FLAMING hot take on Green Day and the listenability of their entire catalog. In this episode Tom tells a story about trying to hand out demos to bands on national tours, trying to steal a smooch in a hotel room, Pat is haunted by Pamalhorese, and Tom ...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 258
You all listen to us spout our nonsense 51 weeks out of the year, but this week is yours. ScorchFest 2022 is upon us, and you people did not pull any punches. This year feels extra special as we had you all “call-in” to the show to personally tell us your thoughts that are sure to make everyone just absolutely upset, and it’s all done for the coveted golden spatula. Listen to this year’s contenders and make sure to vote on Twitter and/or Instagram for your desired 2022 winner! BONUS EPISODES AND...
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 257
With the new year upon us, we’ve decided to finally discuss the only song that has ever made sense to discuss on the last week of the year, The New Year by Death Cab For Cutie. Gibbard and the boys have an insane way of dragging your entire day into the gutter after just one verse of any of their songs, and The New Year holds no punches. If you’re looking to feel melanchonly and introspective as absolute hell at a New Year’s party that you didn’t want to go to in the first place, this song and v...
Dec 31, 2021•53 min•Ep. 256
For the first time in 5 years, we record an episode LIVE in front of a virtual studio audience! Pat watched a super long documentary about The Beatles, Tom definitely does not, they both start new Christmas traditions with their growing families, and they (we?) take compliments and accept gifts weirdly. How very Irish Catholic… BONUS EPISODES AND PHOTOS ON PATREON! Links: Ron Carnage: The Thinker Boy Richard Scarry’s The Animals’ Merry Christmas Our Episode with Jess Scutella Songs That Remind M...
Dec 24, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 255
Look, every modern, original Christmas song is terrible. They’re all so bad, in fact, that we had to go out of the decade just to find a remotely wintery song worth talking about. But the emo gods have blessed us with Neck Deep’s December, of which there are THREE VERSIONS! There seems to be a trend with super depressing Christmas/winter songs coming from the bands we love, and boy does Neck Deep deliver, “Pain is never permanent but tonight it's killing me” and whatnot. Make sure to buy the new...
Dec 17, 2021•55 min•Ep. 254
Our first foray into the early 2000’s insanity that was Christian metalcore, Christ-core for short, lands us at the “Reinventing Your Exit” music video by a band that has recently renounced their religious affiliation, Underøath. They’re Only Chasing Safety walked so that albums like Someday Came Suddenly could sprint at freak-like speeds. Still, there’s something about Underøath’s first effort with new vocalist Spencer Chamberlain that has yet to be replicated by any band since. The screams are...
Dec 10, 2021•58 min•Ep. 253
Y’all have been begging us for an American Hi-Fi song for ages now, and we aim to please. Flavor of the Weak is a super great song, VERY guitar forward, the riff slays, the hi hats are compressed, Nintendo takes some strays (or so we thought), and it’s just a super fun, super catchy song. And we won’t even hold the fact that they can’t spell “week” against them. Make sure to buy the new flash sheet here before they sell out! BONUS EPISODES AND PHOTOS ON PATREON! Links: Flavor of the Weak Music V...
Dec 03, 2021•55 min•Ep. 252
If emo has taught us anything through the years, it’s to express ourselves; to be honest with ourselves and others, and do it in the most verbose and flamboyant way possible. Write a song about that girl. Hell, write a whole album. Say as much about that 2-week relationship as you possibly can. And you know what? Cram as many characters into that song title as you can while you’re at it… This week we take a look back at our favorite songs whose names could barely fit into an OG tweet, with some ...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 251
Today we’re celebrating 250 episodes and 5 years of the podcast with NEW ARTWORK! We’ve been working on a super fun art project with our friend Jess Scutella for almost a year now, and we are honored to have them on the show to talk emo, pop punk, tattooing, Erie, PA, community, and Taylor Swift. It’s been a long time since we’ve sat down and had a conversation with Jess so it was great to just chat in this super fun and super self-indulgent episode. Make sure to buy the new flash sheet here bef...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 250
After absolutely bungling the Futures episode, we attempt to make it up to Jimmy Eat World (who desperately need our validation) by talking about… their most successful song to date. Then Tom gets really sweaty and talks about a kid getting slapped while trying to sleep at his 14th birthday party. Idk. Back to Jimmy Eat World In 2001, the record industry turned their back on James and they retaliated by releasing one of the biggest songs of the year, The Middle, which stands for the finger they ...
Nov 12, 2021•54 min•Ep. 249
It’s Pat’s birthday so we’re breaking decade and going DEEP into a song that has totally overtaken his life, King For a Day by Pierce the Veil. This is a band that, honestly, neither of us have ever listened to before YouTube shoved this thing down our throats for months, but who are we to question the algorithm? it always knows best. This banger from 2012 has become a staple on emo Twitter/meme culture, largely due to its absolutely incredible music video of some scrappy young bank tellers who ...
Nov 05, 2021•52 min•Ep. 248
The cart jumps off the rails immediately as we dive right into memories of our sophomore lockdown when we originally meant to talk about our junior trip to Six Flags, when we originally meant to talk about Relient K. Chap Stick… was easily one of our most played songs in high school, and the lyrics offer a really awesome glimpse into early 2000’s tech, which most of the listeners of this show I’m sure can relate to if they dig deep enough back into their brains. There are also some pretty gnarly...
Oct 29, 2021•51 min•Ep. 247
We get a little bit out of our comfort zone this week and imagine ourselves alone on a stage, spotlight shining, performing our favorite songs for friends, coworkers, and strangers alike. Here are the 10 songs we would pick if we were the types of guys to do such a thing, which we definitely are not. BONUS EPISODES AND PHOTOS ON PATREON! Links: The Pop Punk & Emo Karaoke Mixtape on Apple Music The Pop Punk & Emo Karaoke Mixtape on Spotify Teenage Dirtbag Episode Stacy’s Mom Episode Since...
Oct 22, 2021•48 min•Ep. 246
We talk about Fall Out Boy a lot. Like, a LOT. And we have no plan of slowing down, or at least we didn’t until we realized while recording this episode that we’re kinda the biggest FOB casuals in the world. One more so than the other (take a guess). This draft inspired lots of stories of some of our band’s first shows where we covered early Fall Out Boy songs, recording sessions that went tragically, Tom drops a hot steamy dumpy of a take like it was nothing, and we try to get to the bottom of ...
Oct 15, 2021•54 min•Ep. 245
Please have your tickets ready at the gate, because the hype train is screaming through town and it’s slowing down for NO ONE! In 2007 Mayday Parade put out one of the most legendary albums of all time and we’re taking our sweet, sweet time digging through every masterpiece on this thing. In the episode, we discuss how we emotionally connected to each song on the record, the perception of the band at the time, and missing one of our only chances to see them live. BONUS EPISODES AND PHOTOS ON PAT...
Oct 08, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 244
Few bands have had as much influence on our musical taste, our band, and our lives as Taking Back Sunday. This episode has been waiting to come out for a while, and we spend an awfully long time drafting our favorite Taking Back Sunday songs from their first 4, pre-2011 albums. Mixed in we’ve got tons of personal stories and connections to each song, some fan fiction, and wild conspiracies about song titles and gaps in the recordings. The angst-o-meter is off the charts for this one. BONUS EPISO...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 243
