Robert Writhe of The Writhers is here to talk about an often-overlooked Flood track, "Hearing Aid." We discuss the sample-heavy arrangement of the track, guest guitarist Arto Lindsay, and the controversial 2022/2023 tour version.
Seth Hershman makes their TMBP debut to talk about the closer of Apollo 18, "Space Suit." We talk about how its origins are tied to the origin of the band, hear the song's original form under a different title, and hear live versions through the years, some more successful than others. Seth's friends plugs: Christine: patreon.com/ballardiangorse Chwoka: arcadeidea.wordpress.com Clara: @queerchristpod on Twitter, patreon.com/loafers Inbar: justasidekickcomics.tumblr.com Ivy: ivyrose-morrison.band...
Continuing our streak of bizarre early songs, Lauren Davis returns to the show and brings along a friend, newcomer Matt Molaro. We talk about old synths, John C. Reilly, and try to figure out what the hell is up with this song.
On our 250th episode (!!!), music professor and co-author of the Flood 33 1/3 book, Alexander Reed, returns to the show to talk about another wild early song of the band. We talk about Linnell's guitar playing, Mr. Ed, and the importance of downbeat placement, as well as hearing it live and a surprising amount of covers.
My Exquisite Dead Guys bandmate Jerome Hemersbach is here to talk about TMBG's collaborations with Homestar Runner, "200 Sbemails" and "Crystal Fortress." There is much Homestar fan service and voice impressions, and we commissioned the only Sbemails cover into existence.
Laura Eagle makes her debut on the show to talk about the Book hit "Brontosaurus." We discuss the actual dinosaur, Monty Python, and get call-ins to discuss the trans interpretation of the lyrics.
Isabel Banks, our youngest guest to date at 16 years old, makes her debut on the podcast to talk about a song she's loved since she was little, "Can You Find It?" from Here Come the ABCs. We talk about her early fear of the John puppets, hear her and her dad do a cover, and discuss how this song doesn't have any right to be as heartstring-tugging as it is.
Fellow teacher Suzy VanSchenck joins me to talk about "Climbing the Walls", one of the biggest bangers from The Else. We talk shop as teachers, one of her kids joins in for a bit, and we hear a wide swath of covers.
My first South American guest, Alejo Gacioppo from Argentina, is here to talk about the My Murdered Remains track "Applause Applause Applause." We talk about some Argentinian film and music, get into American politics as applied to the song, and talk cymbal technique.
Phil Dickey and Grace Bentley of the band Dragon Inn 3 (Phil was also in the band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin) are here to talk about this parody song found on Here Comes Science. We talk about the original song, Phil and Grace's son Davy, and then they play a cover of the song live on the episode.
The members of Cartoon Violence are here to talk about this Mike Doughty / Elegant Too collab with TMBG, a Mink Car b-side. We ponder the origins of the song's writing, try to decipher the lyrics, and hear a couple very unique covers.
Elizabeth Adams is back on the show to talk about the Mink Car live staple "Cyclops Rock." We talk about the demo, Nixon vs. Chucky, and find a lot of wild covers.
We're bringing you a Here Come the 123s two-for-one episode! Andrew May returns to the show with more parodies in hand, after we talk about these two awesome kids songs. This is part of a crossover with his podcast, Andrew's Daily Five, with episodes where we discuss my favorite bands I rank #11-20. Find his show here!
Ky Gilmore, at the time of their first episode was the podcast's youngest guest. Now, Ky is all grown up and in college and here to talk about what is perhaps Lincoln's strangest track, "You'll Miss Me." We listen to several demo and live versions that get weird in all kinds of ways, and we enjoy some covers "live" on air capturing our first reactions.
Gracie Davies is here to talk about the classic b-side "I'll Sink Manhattan". What's with the narrator of this song? Let's try and figure it out, hear some live versions throughout the years and find some cool covers.
Lou Reid returns to the show after long last to talk about the Mink Car tune "Hovering Sombrero." We examine the confusing jumble of demo versions, a wacky ABC's one, some live takes and various awesome covers including one from TMBP favorites We Are Number Three.
Laser Webber, solo artist formerly of The Doubleclicks, joins me to talk about "Madam, I Challenge You to a Duel" from Glean. We go back in time to watch some Johnny Carson and learn about the inspiration for this song... you'll see. We also hear Flans botch the story hilariously in its live debut, and find a bunch of kickin' covers. Check out Laser here: Laser the Boy
Kim Lumpkin makes her debut on the show to talk about the TMBG kids song classic, "Lazyhead and Sleepybones" from No! We debate a possible demo, hear a rare live version, and partake in a wide variety of quality covers.
Brian Haigh joins me to talk about two "fake" songs, the early dial-a-song classic "Counterfeit Fake" and Long Tall Weekend's "Counterfeit Faker." We get deep in the trenches with these tunes, talking about their weird connections and song history, and we got an amazing amount of covers for this strange couple. Episode edited and mixed by Daniel Kawka. Listen to his podcast How Did This Not Get Made...
David Baker returns to the show, this time live from Velour Underground Studio, as we attempt a YouTube live stream episode for the first time. Hear (some of) our struggles with the streaming software (cut out most of the most annoying tech issues lol) as we discuss the unwarranted dissing of Mr. Xcitement by certan groups of the TMBG fandom. We will defend its honor as we talk about Mike Doughty, the Elegant Two, drum programming and synths and lots more. Watch us chat Mr. Xcitement on YouTube!...
Carmen Montoya makes her debut on the show to talk about one of the best tracks off The Spine, "Stalk of Wheat." We examine what makes this song special on this album and their discography as a whole, find a whole slew of live versions, and a wealth of fan covers.
We're back with Josh Pilch and myself talking "Bird of the Bee of the Moth" from The Else. We go through some different live performances, a wealth of covers of all styles, and score the song.
This one was such a doozy it'll give you TWO weeks full of TMBG fan content. You'll see why this got so long right away - our guest Josh Pilch is an animator who has worked on WEIRD: the Al Yankovic Story as well as the music video for "Your Horoscope for Today" so you'll get some solid inside info on Weird Al stuff, THEN the TMBG stuff! On part 1 we discuss the actual hummingbird moth and dissect the song. Part 2 you'll get to hear so sweet live versions of the song, rad covers, and our scores....
Eve Gasse visits TMBP from that Frenchie part of Canada to bump the ranking of "Renew My Subscription" way up the TMBW song charts (be prepared to go score it on the wiki, for real). The song started as an exclusive from The Spine and then got a physical release on Venue Songs, but still has been relegated to deep cut status. Together we show you how impeccable the songwriting is, and how wild the lyrics are.
Julie Klausner, actress, writer and comedian who created and starred in Hulu's Difficult People, appeared on the recent The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season, and has stacked up writing credits to amazing shows from the ongoing Apple+ show Schmigadoon to Kids in the Hall, Billy on the Street and SNL, is here to tell us about her love for TMBG and this John Henry song! We discuss the "Thermostat" demo, the strange lyrics on the live debut, and investigate the amazing horn players on the track before h...
Erin Rose O'Brien is here to talk about The Spine's closer, "I Can't Hide From My Mind." We talk its important appearance in Gigantic, the significant changes from the Dial-a-Song to the record, and the theory behind the brilliance of the ending chord progression.
Craig Parker is on the show to discuss a unique Elektra-era b-side, "I Blame You" from The Guitar EP. We also discuss teaching and gun violence in schools (so get ready for a little politics, but if you're against protecting kids fuck off) but it's all to talk more about the UPCOMING CHARITY TMBG COVERS COMPILATION to benefit The Sandy Hook Promise!
Chris Oliviera returns to the show for a Patreon exclusive episode about The Beatles-related content TMBG have done over their career. Hear this 41 minutes teaser with us talking about TMBG's overall love of the Beatles as well as our own, and a focus on "Savoy Truffle." Sign up as a Patreon subscriber to hear the rest of this episode where we discuss their instrumental McCartney solo "Ram On" cover, their parody of "Yellow Submarine," and their "Strawberry Fields"-inspired "Particle Man." Hear ...
Jeanne Harrel returns to the show to talk about the beloved deep cut "Marty Beller Mask" found on Album Raises New and Troubling Questions. We enjoy some Whitney Houston tunes, discuss the odd conceit of the song, and hear the song's live debut and the song's return to the live set last year.
Movie writer and television personality Jake Fogelnest (Squirt TV, The Runaways, Corporate, Wet Hot American Summer, Gigantic, The Sparks Brothers) gives over two hours of his time to talk all about his love of the Giants, getting to know the Johns, and being at the Horse With No Name 50-guitar show in 1994. We also investigate a budding tmbg fan romance caught on tape, and get two amazing custom covers to play for y'all.
