32 - Dad Rave (Two Princes & Run-Around)

The show's first guest, Aaron Brock, returns to help me dissect Dad Jam Anthems Two Princes and Blues Traveler's Run-Around. Why are these supposed hippies in Spin Doctors writing lyrics about medieval courtship rituals? Is the fake band in Run-Around a deliberate parody of Counting Crows' Adam Duritz? Are either of these groups actual jam bands?

Aaron also tells me about seeing Soul Asylum and Jimmy Buffet in concert as a kid, we discuss the Dad Rave known as the HORDE Festival, and discuss a couple "Adult Alternative" songs we actually like: Weezer's El Scorcho and Ben Folds Five's Do It Anyway.

31 - Forced Americana (Zoot Suit Riot & Rock This Town)

Season 2! I talk to returning guest Cahn Curtis about swing revivalists Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Zoot Suit Riot" and Brian Setzer's Stray Cats' "Rock This Town." We discuss the swing revival of the 90's, whether or not Stray Cats are punk (they're not), and argue about the merits of revisionist Americana. Happy New Year!

Awful Spotlight #3 - The Tom Show (Tom DeLonge)

Today Nick and Matt return to talk about the disappointing career trajectory of Tom DeLonge. We're dissecting Blink 182's "All the Small Things," Box Car Racer's "I Feel So," and the incredibly masturbatory and highly entertaining Angels & Airwaves documentary, "Start the Machine."          

We discuss Blink songs we actually like, Tom's transformation into high school goth, and posit a possible connection between his grandiose, generically ambitious space operas and Scientology.

29 - Nonsense Words (Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm & Bawitdaba)

Late episode! Sorry, folks, but hopefully it was worth the wait. Today we're talking about nosense word songs as we dissect Crash Test Dummies' Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm and Kid Rock's Bawitdaba.

My guest Leigh opens up about her embarassing taste in showtunes, watching VH1 instead of MTV, and we also discuss Brad Roberts' bad poetry(?) and Kid Rock's dad owning a dealership(s). 

28 - Bed Bath & Beyond Radio (Hey There Delilah)

Continuing with our theme of "Vaguely Folkish Alterna-Emo," I chat with Cahn about the bane of our 2006: Hey There Delilah by The Plain White T's.

Cahn reminisces about being subjected to the song while on the clock, and I reminisce about hearing the song while buying alcohol in bulk. There's a story about an unusual phone-in request to the local radio station, Cahn adds a new bit to his routine, and we spend much more time than usual on music we actually like.

Discussed on this episode: Jethro Tull, David Kauffman and Eric Caboor, Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, James Taylor Swift, Nirvana, and Iron & Wine

24 - Shirley Manson Can't Be Serious (Dope Show & Celebrity Skin)

On today's episode I'm joined by Shaina to talk about our middle school years and dissect Marilyn Manson' Dope Show and Hole's Celebrity Skin.

 My guest talks about her transformation fom Xena superfan into goth kid, being called a poser at the mall, and her dispute with Montel Williams (or possibly Montel Jordan). We also talk about one of my weirder ex-girlfriends and solve the murder of Kurt Cobain with the help of some plucky YouTube commenters.

23 - Just Chumbawamba (Tubthumping, obviously)

Today, Kevan returns to help me hone in on the infamously terrible 90's hit "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba.

We dissect the painfully awkward video, remember our adolescent impressions of the song, discuss the band's anarcho-punk background, talk about finding hardcore and punk music in the age before YouTube and Spotify, and try to figure out why YouTube commenters have such a hard time finding good music nowadays.

22 - Community College Rock (Heroes & Semi-Charmed Life)

Today I talk to friend and musician Kevan Aguilar about the semi-alt rock of the late 90's, including The Wallflowers' odd contribution to the Godzilla soundtrack and Third Eye Blind's meth and sex-laden hit Semi-Charmed Life.

I try to figure out the video for Heroes, Kevan also discusses being introduced to bands by his older sisters, and we both realize what a loser Stephen Jenkins is.

21 - Hardcore History (Korn - Falling Away From Me)

We're finishing our Nu-Metal conversation today by remembering and dissecting Korn's "Falling Away From Me."

We talk about how amazing it is that a music video about child abuse made it onto TRL, the crazy stories from their recording sessions, and growing up latino and listening to "white" music. We also talk extensively about navigating the early days of internet pornography, Nu-Metal we still actually like, and James's and my old hardcore band Life Tyrant.

20 - Static-X & Pantera & DMC (Black & White, Revolution Is My Name, Noise Revolution)

In this episode I'm joined by two friends from the hardcore scene to make fun of the nu-metal we liked as kids, but also to talk about how it possibly led us to hardcore music.

We're remembering and dissecting Static-X's "Black and White," their hilariously awkward collaboration with DMC, and Pantera's "Revolution Is My Name."

Are Adidas responsible for this weird collab? Are moms everywhere responsible for preventing horrible adolescent fashion choices? Is Peter Criss responsible for Vinnie Paul's terrible facial hair? Find out on today's episode of That Awful Sound.

19 - Movie Themes (Wild Wild West & Deepest Bluest)

Movie Themes! I talk to Alex Shaw of the Digital Drift podcast about two ridiculous movie themes: Wild Wild West from the film Wild Wild West and Deepest Bluest from the film Deep Blue Sea.

We've got fake beatboxing, lots of nipples, cute cowboy outfits, and LL Cool J literally morphing into a shark.

We also discuss two movie themes we actually like, including Fiona Apple's cover of Across the Universe from the film Pleasantville and Aimee Mann's Wise Up from the film Magnolia.

18 - I've Been A Bad, Bad Angel (Goo Goo Dolls & City of Angels)

In this very special episode, Alex Shaw of the Digital Drift podcast joins me to discuss the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris as well as the film for which the song was written, City of Angels.

The first half of the episode is spent on sandpaper vocals and unnecessary guitar solos, while we spend the second half tying the song's creepy lyrics to an even creepier film.

Does anyone really believe the singer is looking at film footage through all those telescopes? Where was God while Nic Cage was camping out in Meg Ryan's bathroom? Does this song hold the record for having the greatest number of terrible covers? Listen to find out!

17 - An Omatopoeia (Pardon Me & Around The World)

Continuing our conversation from last week, Albert and I tackle two videos from turn-of-the-century chill rap rock acts: Incubus's "Pardon Me" and Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Around The World."

We discuss the plausibilty of spontaneous combustication, ghost cunnilinggus, and which beach Sublime reminds us of.

16 - John Hammond Is The Color of Your Energy (311 - Come Original)

In this episode, friend and fellow recovering 311 fan Albert Albanez visits the show to discuss and help dissect their 1999 music video, "Come Original."

We decry the band's craven decision to sell out by releasing albums, try to decide which song is their chillest, and Albert shares the story of his first time hearing the band.

Come surf these "serious California beach vibes" with That Awful Sound today! Also, please surf the "iTunes and Stitcher review vibes" if you have the chance.

15 - Citation Needed (What If, I Stand Alone, She Hates Me)

Travis and Macky return (sort of) to help dissect three songs and music videos from iconic butt rockers Creed, Godsmack, and Puddle of Mudd.

We discuss the rampant persecution fantasies found in this theme, talk about the random slam dunks in the video for "What If," process Sully Erna's face accessories in "I Stand Alone," and wade through the bro tears in the comments section for "She Hates Me."

We also talk grunge-influenced songs we actually like, including Cracker's "Low," Silverchair's "Slave," Milk Music's "Illegal and Free," and Courtney Barnett's "History Eraser."

14 - A Thousand Miles of Sideburns (Box of Sharp Objects, Bloody Romance, Anthem of Our Dying Day)

Nick Guenzler (@TerminalRadness) returns for our most embarrassing episode yet!

We dissect the mallcore phenomenon of the early 2000's by revisiting The Used's "Box of Sharp Objects", Senses Fail's "Bloody Romance", and Story of the Year's "Anthem of Our Dying Day." Is Mormonism directly responsible for the success of The Used? Just how Buddhist are Senses Fail? Was Story of the Year merely a clever marketing strategy for selling strap locks? These questions and more answered on today's episode.

Also discussed: At the Drive-In, Glassjaw, Thursday, Killswitch Engage, Paramore, and many more.

13 - I'm Just A Hollaback Girl (Just A Girl, Sell Out, The Impression That I Get)

In today's episode we dissect three music videos from 90's third wave ska bands: No Doubt's "Just A Girl," Reel Big Fish's "Sell Out," and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' "Impression That I Get."

We also discuss Gwen Stefani's unfortunate descent into rap and kawaii (I still don't quite know what that is), the surprisingly adult theme behind the Reel Big Fish track, and The Bosstones' ties to 80's hardcore.

Finally, we spend the last segment honoring winners from last month's half-baked PR campaign.

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