DISGRACELAND - podcast cover

DISGRACELAND

Exactly Right and iHeartPodcastswww.disgracelandpod.com

DISGRACELAND is an award-winning music and true crime podcast about musicians getting away with murder and behaving very badly. Jerry Lee Lewis's 5th wife? Dead. Sid and Nancy? Both dead. Why? Because musicians are insane, and insane things happen to them.

Why did we lose Amy Winehouse at 27? Was Debbie Harry really abducted by Ted Bundy as she claims? Is Patti Smith not just the "Godmother of Punk", but also the "Original True Crime Girl"? What really happened the night of the Jay Z nightclub stabbing? What do the Diddy indictments truly reveal? All these stories and more, on artists from every genre and their true crimes, in our massive 260-plus story archive. The Dead, the Stones, Johnny, Willie, Frank, Kurt, Courtney, Gaga, Lana, Taylor, and too many to name.

DISGRACELAND is music history come to life through audio storytelling as you've never heard it before, with revealing facts: yes, assassins are the real reason the Beatles quit touring—reclaimed myths: no, Mama Cass didn't die from choking on a ham sandwich––and constant reckoning between art and artist––all told through the lens of true crime.

This is the podcast for the self-proclaimed "Disgos", the musically obsessed and the true crime heads; the outsiders, the independent thinkers who know that the best history is the history that gets buried. DISGRACELAND is where host Jake Brennan tells the stories they didn't want told. The kind you'll end up telling someone else. Get ready to uncover hidden truths and buckle up for truly edge-of-your-seat storytelling.

New, fully scripted, sound-designed episodes are released every Tuesday. Bonus chat-style episodes where Jake responds to voicemails, texts, and emails from Disgos hit on Thursdays, and "Rewind" episodes from our archive drop on Sundays.

DISGRACELAND is not a journalistic podcast. It's an entertainment podcast inspired by true events. Certain dialogue and scenes are dramatized, as is common in scripted entertainment based on real stories. Sources and credits for each episode are available at www.disgracelandpod.com.

To unlock ad-free listening, exclusive content, and connect with your fellow Disgos, go to www.disgracelandpod.com to become an All Access member. 

Rocka Rolla.

 

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Episodes

Chrissie Hynde: Punk at Ground Zero and the Birth of the Pretenders

Years spent at ground zero of UK punk. Years of almost-bands, near-misses, and stolen moments on the sidelines. Sex-shop violence, marriage schemes with the Sex Pistols, coin-studded belts, bicycle chains, and a woman who was always there as history was being made. Listen to find out how Chrissie Hynde survived the birth of punk, dens of squalor, and attacks by jilted lovers – only to stop time and finally answer back as the leader of The Pretenders. For a full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Mar 17, 202636 minSeason 26Ep. 268

Bonus Episode: What Music Do Serial Killers and the Worst People In The World Listen to?

Surprise! Jeffrey Epstein had predictable taste in music. But the Son of Sam? Gaddafi? John Wayne Gacy? We get into what the worst people in the world listened to along with your voicemails, texts, dms, emails and more. For more great Disgraceland stories, check out our archive, including episodes like these: Hank Williams Talking Heads Black Sabbath See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 12, 202639 minSeason 26Ep. 267

Bonus Episode: The Murder Mystery Hinted At in the New Elvis Concert Film

We saw EPiC and it’s GREAT, but why didn’t Elvis perform outside the United States? Could an unsolved murder have been the reason? For more great stories, check out our huge archive of episodes like these: Episode 32 - Johnny Cash Episode 68 - Gram Parsons See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 05, 202638 minSeason 26Ep. 267

INXS Pt. 2: Rock ‘n’ Roll Riots, Radio Bans, and a Letter Bomb

The wild west of the Australian pub rock scene that ended in fire. A hit record stalled by controversy. A pilot passed out at 30,000 feet. And a bomb sent to a rock star’s hotel room. Listen to find out how INXS chased the world, touched a nerve, topped the charts – and learned that fame only multiplies the danger. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to exclusive bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Sig...

Mar 03, 202636 minSeason 26Ep. 267

Bonus Episode: The Grateful Dead Psyop Theory and the Laurel Canyon Pop Star Military Industrial Complex

In light of what the Epstein Files taught us about Bob Weir and Bohemian Grove, we ask the question: Is there any merit to the conspiracy theory regarding the Grateful Dead as a CIA psyop? What exactly was the band’s relationship to the MK Ultra program and what’s up with all those hippie pop stars with military and defense contractor parents? Plus, as always, your voicemails, texts, dms, emails and more. Check out our extensive archive for more great episodes like these: Episode 189 - Metallica...

Feb 26, 202636 minSeason 26Ep. 266

The Grateful Dead (Pt. 3): What The Epstein Files Tell Us About Bob Weir’s Bohemian Grove Ties and MK Ultra

Why was the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir a member of the secretive Bohemian Club? Maybe the answer lies in the Epstein Files or in early MK Ultra efforts? Listen to find out why a counterculture icon, one of the architects of the most consequential communities in music history, was part of a community that included conservative presidents and war criminals. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to exclusive bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgrac...

Feb 24, 202634 minSeason 26Ep. 266

Bonus Episode: The Epstein Files and Every Musician Mentioned In Them (We Think)

There are countless musicians mentioned in the “Epstein Files”; a dozen or so are bold-faced names. A whole lot more are not. Some of the mentions are innocuous, a few of the mentions are highly suspicious, and all of them require context, something painfully missing from the social discourse at the moment. Have no fear, though, we’re giving it to you straight, from Jack White to Mick Jagger, and Jimmy Buffett, Elton John, and more—we make sense of the rockstars named in the Epstein Files. Plus,...

Feb 19, 202650 minSeason 26Ep. 265

Presenting Our New Video Podcast "This Film Should be Played Loud"

We're sharing the audio from our new video podcast "This Film Should Be Played Loud." "This Film Should Be Played Loud" is a new monthly video podcast where Jake and Zeth discuss the convergence of music and film. Each episode explores the great music from one great film and the needle drops, the scores, and the soundtracks that heighten storytelling and enrich the viewing experience. "This Film Should Be Played Loud" is only available on Patreon. To see what you've been missing and to get acces...

Feb 18, 202645 min

Bonus Episode: A New Kurt Cobain Cause of Death Report and Artists Gone Too Soon

What can we take away from the new report on Kurt Cobain’s cause of death? And which rockstars gone too soon mattered to you the most? All this and more in the After Party. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 12, 202644 minSeason 26Ep. 265

Mia Zapata: Missed Connections, the Dark End of the Street, and an Uncompromising Voice with No Fear

An uncompromising voice, silenced at the dark end of the street. A city looking for a killer in all the wrong places. And a scene that suddenly made little sense. From Seattle basements to European squat tours to record-label lunches and back again, through memory and justice. Listen to find out how Mia Zapata’s story refused to end where everyone thought it did. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to exclusive bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Feb 10, 202637 minSeason 26Ep. 265

Bonus Episode: Turnstile and Why Hardcore Music is Now Pop Music plus Our Greatest Live Music Childhood Memories

Turnstile is the first hardcore band to ever win a Grammy award. Two grammys actually. And now hardcore will never be the same. Listen to this bonus episode of Disgraceland to hear why. And as always, Jake responds to your voicemails, texts, dms, emails and more. For more wild stories from the world of music and true crime, check out these Disgraceland episodes: Motley Crue Nirvana Pt 1 & Pt 2 Metallica See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 05, 202636 minSeason 26Ep. 264

Jane’s Addiction (Pt. 2): Nothing’s Shocking, Not Dead Teenage Girls or Onstage Brawls

An onstage brawl in Boston. A dead teenage girl turned into art. Warehouse shows and a freak scene bankrolled by transgression. Listen to find out how Jane’s Addiction helped build the alternative nation – and how the freedom that they worshiped eventually turned into control, violence, and collapse. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Sign up for our newsletter ...

Feb 03, 202636 minSeason 26Ep. 264

Bonus Episode: Conspiracies, Kanye, and Contrition

This week in the after party Jake consider's Ye's recent ad in the Wall Street Journal apologizing for his actions over the last few years. Is Kanye's contrition genuine, or is there some other, more cynical motivation behind it? We get into all of it plus some extra crazy Kanye and David Bowie related conspiracy theories in the exclusive All Access section, and as always Jake takes your voicemails, text, emails, and more. For more wild stories from the world of music and true crime, check out t...

Jan 29, 202637 minSeason 26Ep. 262

Lady Gaga (Pt.2): How Did Lady Gaga’s Friend and Collaborator Die? And Why Do The Conspiracy Theorists Refuse to let go of This Story?

Who was Lina Morgana? Why do people believe she was murdered by Lady Gaga? And what does the Illuminati have to do with Gaga’s seat at the table of unprecedented popstar success? We dissect all of this, as well as Gaga’s complicated relationship with the truth in regards to her own mythmaking, in this part two episode on Lady Gaga. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership⁠⁠⁠⁠ ....

Jan 27, 202635 minSeason 26Ep. 263

Lady Gaga (Pt.1): How She Manipulated the Conspiracy Theorists on Her Way to Becoming The Biggest Pop Star on the Planet

Lady Gaga not only manipulated her past, she manipulated the media into propping her up on her way to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world. She also toyed with conspiracy theorists, using their fervent chatter to boost her mythology. From the Intersex theory to Lina Morgana, we get into all of it in this part one episode on Lady Gaga. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/me...

Jan 26, 202636 minSeason 26Ep. 262

Bonus Episode: Grammy Snubs, Righting the NWA Wrong, Wild Award Show Buggery, and More

The Grammy are most interesting when they mess up—snubbing NWA, the Grateful Dead, Metallica and others. We get into all of it plus some extra awards show hijinks in the exclusive All Access section, and as always Jake takes your voicemails, text, emails, and more. For more wild stories from the world of music and true crime, check out these Disgraceland episodes: ⁠U2⁠ ⁠Bob Dylan⁠ ⁠ Whitney Houston⁠ ⁠ Bob Marley⁠ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.auda...

Jan 22, 202638 minSeason 26Ep. 261

The Runaways: Exploited by the Music Industry, Escape, and Excellent Rock ‘N’ Roll

This is the story of five teenage girls who used rock ‘n roll to escape their lives, their names, and their futures—only to find themselves trapped in a nightmare of fame, exploitation, and identity turned inside-out. From the Sunset Strip to a jail cell in England, from David Bowie fantasies to Kim Fowley’s real-life horrors, this is how the Runaways reinvented what rebellion could be—and paid the ultimate price in the process. This episode contains themes that may be disturbing to some listene...

Jan 20, 202635 minSeason 26Ep. 261

Bonus Episode: Bob Weir, Bohemian Grove, more Orion, and First-Gen Punks

Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead has passed, and we celebrate his unique brand of American awesomeness on this episode and dig into the long, strange weirdness of his affiliation with the secret society at Bohemian Grove. We also talk Johnny Thunders. You guys talk more Orion and Elvis Presley and of course we play your voicemails, texts, and more. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and hear more about the Bohemian Club, become a Disgraceland All Access member ...

Jan 15, 202634 minSeason 26Ep. 260

Johnny Thunders: Murder or Overdose?

A punk junkie nightmare in a New Orleans hotel. A turf war with Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers. A poisonous friendship with Dee Dee Ramone and a doomed alliance with Wayne Kramer. Missing cash, hotshot rumors, and a body in Room 37. Listen to find out how Johnny Thunders’ death went from an open-and-shut overdose case to a sadder, stranger rock ‘n roll myth. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod...

Jan 13, 202634 minSeason 26Ep. 260

Bonus Episode: Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley, and the Orion Conspiracy

What do Lady Gaga and Elvis Presley conspiracies have in common? Maybe the story of the mysterious Sun Records artist known as Orion will help us understand. This story and your voicemails, texts, and more in this bonus episode of Disgraceland. (14:26) - Pokerface: The Rise and Rise of Lady Gaga To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com...

Jan 08, 202633 minSeason 26Ep. 260

Bonus Episode: Disgraceland Q1 2026 Preview

In this special bonus episode of the show, Jake and Zeth take you behind the scenes and into the editorial room to give you an exclusive preview of some of the brand new episodes coming your way in the first few months of 2026 – featuring subjects like Johnny Thunders, the Runaways, and Mia Zapata of the Gits. For the full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠ To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to weekly bonus content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member ...

Jan 06, 202645 min

Bonus Episode: New Year’s Stories of Rock ‘n’ Roll Redemption

From Ozzy to Tina to the Chili Peppers, hope springs anew each New Year’s and has led to some of the most dramatic stories of redemption from music history. We dig into these stories in this bonus episode as we gear up for a new year ourselves and of course, dive into your voicemails, texts, DMs and more. Happy New Year from Disgraceland! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://pod...

Jan 01, 202638 minSeason 25Ep. 259

Bonus Episode: A Disgraceful Christmas List – Rockstars Set Up, Busted, and Sentenced During the Holidays

This week in the After Party, Jake takes a look at all the disgraceful deeds committed by rock stars during the holiday season. Plus, your emails, calls, and DMs! In the exclusive portion of the After Party, Jake and Dr. Zeth Lundy further examine the Christmastime nightclub shooting that allegedly involved Diddy. You can become an All Access member today by visiting disgracelandpod.com. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy L...

Dec 25, 202540 minSeason 25Ep. 259

Bonus Episode: Let’s Make a Non Traditional Christmas Mix and Load the Chamber for Russian Roulette

You guys love non-traditional Christmas songs so Jake took all of your favs and put them into a special Non Tradish Christmas Disgo Mix . From Sufjan Stevens to Dio to Prince, Paul Kelly, Shane MacGowan and a ton of others— you called, texted, dm’d and commented on Patreon with your favs and in this episode we unpack it all with your voicemails, texts, dms, emails, and one again a whole lotta (Christmas) Rosie. Plus Jake and Zeth look into some censored and obscene Christmas songs in the exclusi...

Dec 18, 202530 minSeason 25Ep. 259

Bonus Episode: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and Other Great Music History Christmas Moments

This After Party features a very special announcement plus a look into the greatest Christmas moments from music history, your voicemails, texts, emails, and as always a whole lotta (Christmas) Rosie. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 11, 202531 minSeason 25Ep. 259

Phil Spector: Silent Night, Loaded Gun

A gun-waving showdown with the Ramones. A death threat from the Genovese crime family. A terrorized Ronnie Spector locked inside a gilded cage. And a Christmas record crushed by one of the darkest days in American history. Listen to find out how producer Phil Spector created a joyful holiday masterpiece before fear and violence turned his quest for immortality into something far darker. Now that we're in the holiday season, we want your recommendations for Christmas music. We're looking for the ...

Dec 09, 202538 minSeason 25Ep. 259

Bonus Episode: Are Rockstars Part of the UFO Disclosure Theory? Plus Psychopedia’s Brooke Slater on Slayer and Ed Gein

On the heels of the release of the excellent new documentary The Age of Disclosure, and our own recent mini and full episodes on Merle Haggard’s UFO obsession, we discuss the likelihood that rockstars from John Lennon to Tom DeLonge are part of the UAP disclosure theory. We also talk to Psychopedia’s Brooke Slater about Slayer and Jake’s Ed Gein heebie jeebies. For more great Disgraceland episodes, dive into our extensive archive, including such episodes as: Episode 133 - Jimi Hendrix Episode 63...

Dec 04, 202557 minSeason 25Ep. 258

Merle Haggard (Pt. 2): Surviving Christmas, Cosmic American Aliens, and Cocaine Clarity

A cosmic-country dust-up with Gram Parsons. A months-long cocaine spiral. An alien obsession, and a bleak Christmas single that wouldn’t quit. Death threats, pistols, pardons, and “Pancho & Lefty.” Listen to find out how Merle Haggard survived another December and lived to rewrite country music. For the full list of contributors, visit ⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠ To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to exclusive content and more, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠disgracel...

Dec 02, 202533 minSeason 25Ep. 258

Bonus Episode: Killer Concert Films

Why The Last Waltz is the greatest concert film of all time plus, in the exclusive section of this bonus episode, a long list of other favorites and some criminally overlooked live gems with Jake and Zeth. You can become an All Access member and hear this and more exclusive content, along with ad-free listening of all Disgraceland episodes, by going to disgracelandpod.com and signing up via Patreon or Apple Podcasts. If you're an All Access member and you're having trouble accessing the ad-free ...

Nov 27, 202538 minSeason 25Ep. 257

Martin Scorsese (Pt. 2): One Night. One Murder. Five Directors

Hollywood:1975. Martin Scorsese sits in his apartment, enraged. He wants to literally kill the man who is ruining his to-be-released film, Taxi Driver . Scorsese’s friends, filmmakers Stephen Spielberg, Brian De Palma, John Milius, and Paul Schraeder rush to Scorsese’s side to talk him out of committing murder, but when they arrive, their friend Marty acts less like himself and more like his Travis Bickle character from the film he’s trying to save. This is the story of that night. Martin Scorse...

Nov 21, 202543 minSeason 22Ep. 223
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