The numbers are in — and more people downloaded U2’s free album than paid for every other track they’ve ever recorded (and sold on iTunes). Neil Young’s new MP3 player is competing with more than the iphone. Japan is giving the rocker turned techie a run for his high res audio money. An american band performing at the Grey Cup? Why it’s so hard to find Canadian acts to perform at Half time. Plus: a Geeks and Beats Update on Spiderman’s true identity and we’ll take you live on location to the Bar...
Oct 15, 2014•42 min
Kate Bush gives her last encore — for another 30 years. We’ll look at how the songstress is changing the way industry giants tour. The Saturday Morning Cartoon is Dead! (Jinkies!) And an Internet cartoon sensation returns from the dead. Bose Tackles Doctor Dre on the Grid Iron. How the headphone manufacturer is keeping Beats headphones off the field. Looking for a new car? Apple’s Car Play is coming so get used to buying a new vehicle every year to match your iphone. Plus: yet another reason to ...
Oct 08, 2014•42 min
Skynet is active — and it’s programming music. We’ll introduce you to the software that predicts the hits. The iPhone is police proof—ish. How the kids from Cupertino, California thwarted the cops. On this week’s Ask Alan Anything we’ll talk about mood altering tracks — and I’ll reveal my 30-year crush on Olivia Newton John. The psychology of record collectors - -and the surprising answer to who sells the most vinyl today. Plus: a G&B update on our next two live on location shows — and how a...
Oct 01, 2014•42 min
Alan talks to The Edge about U2's iTunes "spam" album and why he thinks people who don't like the band aren't "trying hard enough." The post The Edge on iTunes Spam appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Sep 24, 2014•8 min
U2 isn't phased by complaints it carpet bombed iPhone users with its new album. The Edge tells us he'd do it again. Joan Rivers returns from the dead to buy the ubiquitous iPhone -- Steve Jobs unavailable for comment. The fade out is fading away -- the top songs of the 80s all faded out -- but the kids today like a track with a hard-out. Philips beats "Beats by Doctor Dre" to the punch with a new headphone connector. We'll tell you why you don't want it. Plus: an G&B update on our live on lo...
Sep 24, 2014•42 min
What’s a U2 and why is it on my iPhone? Apple tells the kids today how to uninstall the free album from the world’s most successful band. Uncovered: the Story of the Watchmen — author and G&B contributor Vanessa Azzoli on her latest book — and how the band found a unique sound. The Starship Enterprise is in dry dock at the Smithsonian. We’ll tell you why the 1701 is in for repairs. Plus: the driver’s test for Google’s Antonymous car — and why metal heads are envious of a burger from Japan. T...
Sep 17, 2014•34 min
Don't call it an iWatch -- we'll look at Apple's newest toys and why the little white logo is going to be everywhere. And we’ll give you a reason to keep that old iPhone now that you’re lusting after the new one. The Song of the Summer is… no longer decided by retail sales. Youtube hits are the new metric. Han Solo had a girlfriend? Before Leia? Meet Jenny from the Cantina. Plus: a Geeks and Beats Update on our Meetup plans and how awards shows work. The post Apple Watched appeared first on The ...
Sep 10, 2014•48 min
We’re back, babies! And just in time for Apple to reveal what’s next. We’ll tell you why Bono may be Tim Cook’s Prodigal Son. The definitive guide to streaming music services in canada — and why ringtones aren’t dead yet. Meet the Manglers. Think South Park on Schitz Beer and Weed. Plus: a G&B Mug Tour Update — some new swag for the fall season, and why Michael is insanely jealous of Alan's trip to London. The post If It’s Too Loud appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cros...
Sep 03, 2014•51 min
The history of porn music — and why the 50 Shades of Grey film may be relegated to the dustbin of dirty movie history. Six high tech movie facilities that make no sense — even if you think you can hit a womprat in your T-16 back home. Boycotting Led Zeppelin. Why the thieving band deserves our respect now that it’s performed its fiscal penance. Where do accents go when people sing? The answer might surprise you. Plus: a G&B update on our live on location show and what’s next for the fighters...
Aug 06, 2014•37 min
Wham is working on a reunion. Be afraid, and lock your public restrooms. The 16 baddest cover songs of all time. And yes, Wonderwall is on the list — but you’ll never guess who covered it. Rock and Roll Beers — rated. Insert your own head joke here. Plus: the new iPhone won’t be as indestructible as first thought. And: what Steve Martin and 3D printed headphones have in common. The post Alan’s Stash appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth ....
Jul 30, 2014•46 min
The Rise of the Robots — why I won’t let a Roomba into the house — and why 40 bucks for an android car parking machine is 40 bucks too much. The mathematics behind concert porta-potties. We’ll tell you how to find the cleanest using science. Dave Grohl is still fighting Foo: we’ll tell you about the new album coming in November and the crowd-sourced concert, too. Plus a G&B update on the future of this podcast — and the secret history of Alan’s return to CFNY. The post The Ongoing History of...
Jul 23, 2014•38 min
If you’re a Ramones fan, you’ll wanna be sedated: the last member of the punk band has shuffled off his mortal guitar riff. Meantime, where did the tradition of trashing the hotel room begin? You may be surprised to learn it wasn’t with the punks. An iPad app capable of recording 64 tracks? Abbey Road Studios, look out. Plus: What The Pentagon, DARPA and Lady Gaga have in common. And why flatulence could save your life. Really. The post 24 Hours To Go appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcas...
Jul 16, 2014•41 min
Alan's findings are surprising: you can't blame the Punk rockers. And you may be more surprised by who gets a lot of the credit for the TV-tossing. The post Who Started Trashing Hotel Rooms First? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jul 16, 2014•3 min
Coolest. Concert. Ever — Why Jack White brought a lab coat and a clipboard to his latest show. Why head banging is bad for your health — and not for the reasons your mother claimed. Blowing things up for fun and profit. Meet Rory Jones whose attention span hopefully lasted six hours. Pink Floyd’s got a new album coming, but can you really call it Floyd? And headphones designed for porn. Yes, you stick them in your ears. The post Suspicious Rash appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with ...
Jul 09, 2014•39 min
“Explosives are just fun,” says Jones, 29, who got into working in pyrotechnics by a stroke of luck. “I might as well find a job I enjoy.” The post How to Blow Things Up for Fun & Profit appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jul 09, 2014•8 min
Feeling sad? Blame Facebook. The world’s biggest social networking site deliberately manipulated thousands of feeds to just see what would happen. An important music and internet anniversary has come and gone, and nobody noticed — because it involved Compuserve. The World Cup Curse of Mick Jagger — Why the Brazillians are urging the aging rocker to root for someone else. Plus: a G&B update on Commander Hadfield’s Major Tom cover, our secret project that needs your help, and how one musician ...
Jul 02, 2014•37 min
Rich from East Selkirk, Manitoba called (323) 319-NERD to say he can't find in Canada some Beach Boys tracks that have been remastered. Is this a licensing situation or a legal battle? The post What’s the Deal with Missing Beach Boys Releases? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jul 02, 2014•3 min
Footballer? Chances are you’re a fan of Jack White. We’ll tell you why The Seven Nation Army is a soccer favourite. Meantime, we’ll debunk the urban legend that says soccer killed Bob Marley. Stonehenge — did you know it was a musical instrument? We’ll tell you why Peter Appleyard should have made Britain his home. Chelsea Handler makes the jump to Netflix and my heart skips a beat. Plus: a G&B update on the travels of our Miracle Travel Mug of Traveling and why the United States is in a Kar...
Jun 25, 2014•35 min
Chris from Waterloo asks, "can Alan shed any light on what the hell the Spaghetti Incident is?" The post What The Hell is ‘The Spaghetti Incident’? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jun 25, 2014•2 min
Casey Kasem — most remember him as the pot head sidekick of Scooby Doo — we’ll look back at the life and outtakes of a radio legend. What every dad wants on father’s day. Spoiler Alert: it’s not a dad shirt. it’s not a tie. it’s peace and quiet. How to play a record without a record player. The secret? Lasers. We’ll play a track that’s more than 150 years old. Plus: the origins of crowd surfing, how two G&B listeners celebrate true love, and how changing the music changes the taste of your f...
Jun 18, 2014•42 min
How much productivity did Gangnam style suck out of the world economy? Enough to build three aircraft carriers. The Science of Rock and Roll — we’ll give you a behind the scenes tour of the hottest ticket in Toronto. Looking to do some shredding while on the go? The creator of the FretPen drops by the G&B studios to talk about the coolest gadget on coming to your desk today. PLUS: a G&B update on the Leaked Millennium Falcon photos and why one erotic fan fiction author has gone WAY to fa...
Jun 11, 2014•40 min
It's a pen, but it's also a guitar -- with a single string. The power lies in the iPhone app. It's what makes it possible to play chords. The post Fretpen Creator Mark Roebke appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jun 11, 2014•9 min
Apple Nerds Unite! We’ll tell you why the geeks are a-gog about the worldwide developer’s conference. Got $3,700 and a distaste for Google Glass? We’ll offer you an alternative set of specs that put Minority Report to shame (not really). Bon Jovi, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen. All three made a billion bucks touring — but only one squeezed you for big bucks. Plus: never work with children or animals — unless you’re the rock band Secret Broadcast. They’ll join us to explain why it’s all about the...
Jun 04, 2014•32 min
The band's latest music video takes place at a cat birthday party. Wait, what? The post Secret Broadcast Does It For The Kitties appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Jun 04, 2014•14 min
Apple’s 3.2-billion dollar Beats headphone deal is turning into a 3.2-magnitude headache. How much would you pay for a high end stereo? Steve Jobs dropped more than 20-grand. Pigs in Space! And humans, too! We’ll bring you the latest advancements in cryogenics that could make the vastness of space seem like a catnap. A new app from the musician behind Godley & Creme will let you rock-out with bandmates anywhere in the world. Plus: got a couple grand? We’ll tell you how much your favourite ro...
May 28, 2014•48 min
How do you know you’re at a Dad concert? You showed up on time and desperately try not to drool over the girls your daughter’s age. How to stop your bandmates from sleeping with each other. You can’t, but you can figure out if it’s going to break-up the group. And we’ll introduce you to some musical swag you don’t want to show off at the airport. Plus: a pair of G&B listeners tie the knot, the Watchmen return to the stage, and why George RR Martin is still buying floppy disks. The post Licen...
May 21, 2014•34 min
Why Apple wants Beats by Doctor Dre — and it isn’t for the wide bottom end. Spring is in the air — and so are airborne sneeze droplets. We’ll look at the science behind the schnoz. Our new favourite website: spurious correlations. We’ll tell you why you shouldn’t be alarmed by a rise in the divorce rate and sales of margarine. A drag queen with a full beard wins Eurovision. We’ll explain. As best we can. Plus: the leaked Beyonce/Jay Z concert rider too good to be believed. Unless you’re a Macboo...
May 14, 2014•46 min
Sir Ozzy of Osbourne? A move is afoot to get the Dark Prince knighted by the Queen. Headphones that listen to YOU — how a new apple rumour may have your iPhone monitoring your health while you listen to the devil’s music. The Best Lawsuit oft he Week involves Kanye West, The illuminati and 3.9-billion dollars. AND — The Colorado Symphony has come up with one way to get the kids today into classical music — just observe the no smoking signs. Plus — a Geeks and Beats update on why we may soon need...
May 07, 2014•40 min
Nerdiest. Album. EVER. We’ll introduce you to some tunes you can’t hear unless you’ve got some e-leet linux skillz. Holodeck 1-point-oh! The Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset takes a giant leap into the 23rd century. ET has been found — in a New Mexico landfill — and there’s no way he’s calling home in his condition. And we’ll introduce you to the producer of a documentary about synthesizers — and why he dreams of wires. Plus: a G&B update on how you can join the staff of the world’s most ...
Apr 30, 2014•53 min
The documentary producer of I Dream of Wires drops by the G&B studios to talk about the origin of the Moog synthesizer and why the 70s couldn't have happened without patch cords. The post Jason Amm, Producer of I Dream of Wires appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth .
Apr 30, 2014•19 min
