Episodes

  • 188. LIFERS - Album Imploder: Whatever Happened to PJ Soles? (Side 2)

    188. LIFERS - Album Imploder: Whatever Happened to PJ Soles? (Side 2)
    Sep 13 2024
    You’re listening to SONG IMPLODER — where musicians take apart their songs piece by piece and tell the story of how they were made. And then talk shit about those songs and make you embarrassed you asked about them in the first place. On this episode we conclude our examination of Local H’s 5th studio album: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? Released in April of 2004, the album marked a major stylistic departure and reevaluation for the band — paving the way for all that’s come in its wake. Now on the day of a remastered re-release, we join singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott Lucas, producer Andy Gerber, and master of his domain Gabe Rodriguez to look back on the writing, recording and reception of the album that Lucas and many of the band’s fans have come to see as their finest. I’m Ben Reiser.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 187. LIFERS - Album Imploder: Whatever Happened To PJ Soles? (Side 1)

    187. LIFERS - Album Imploder: Whatever Happened To PJ Soles? (Side 1)
    Sep 6 2024
    You’re listening to SONG IMPLODER — where musicians take apart their songs piece by piece and tell the story of how they were made. And then talk shit about those songs and make you embarrassed you asked about them in the first place. On this episode we examine Local H’s 5th studio album: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO P.J. SOLES? Released in April of 2004, the album marked a major stylistic departure and reevaluation for the band — paving the way for all that’s come in its wake. Now on the eve of a remastered re-release, we join singer/songwriter/guitarist Scott Lucas, producer Andy Gerber, and master of his domain Gabe Rodriguez to look back on the writing, recording and reception of the album that Lucas and many of the band’s fans have come to see as their finest. I’m Ben Reiser.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 186. LIFERS - Greg Norman

    186. LIFERS - Greg Norman
    Aug 30 2024
    When people think of Electrical Audio Recording in Chicago they usually only think of the late, great Steve Albini. But the studio is (and has been) home to a distinguished troop of engineers and operators that continue to keep the venerable institution running — including our pal Greg Norman, who’s been doing the Lord’s work over at Electrical since he LITERALLY helped lay the foundation of the building before the studio opened its doors in 1997. On this episode we talk about sneaking into Shorty shows at Lounge Ax, Albini’s tighty whities, Adobe bricks, Alain Delon’s dog, The Jesus Lizard, The White Album, The U.K. Squeeze, broken Calrec Soundfield mics, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? recording production.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 34 mins
  • 185. LIFERS - Johnny Wator

    185. LIFERS - Johnny Wator
    Aug 23 2024
    Like most lifers, Johnny Wator has no intention of going back. He’s not going back to a life of shit jobs, he’s not going back to being told what to do by assholes, and he’s definitely not going back to his hometown with his tail between his legs. But after 11 years of ups and downs on the road with his band The Last Vegas — those outcomes were starting to look very likely. So what’s a guy to do? You bet on yourself, of course. What else? Through grit and determination, Johnny is the one-man owner/operator of DAREDEVIL PEDALS — the coolest boutique guitar pedal company in Chicago. Anyway — on this episode we talk about Johnny’s band The Evictions, Green Day, the Crybaby Fuzz Wah, Slayer, Nirvana, going on tour with Motley Crue, screaming in a 3 piece, Phil Donahue, Atomic Cocked, and a WHAT’S THE BEST?!? featuring ‘80s hair metal jams.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 43 mins
  • 184. LIFERS - Metallica vs. Seinfeld

    184. LIFERS - Metallica vs. Seinfeld
    Aug 16 2024
    This week: Ben is on the road again so we catch him at his hotel in Pennsylvania to talk Metallica weekend in Chicago, new seats for the Music Box, Stan Bush’s “You’ve Got The Touch”, the history of government cheese, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? “Seinfeld”.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 183. LIFERS - Dave Rockland

    183. LIFERS - Dave Rockland
    Aug 9 2024
    Our ol’ buddy Dave Rockland comes to the show ready to play — which means he’s wearing his X-tra large Gabe Rodriguez “God’s Gift” Local H shirt. What does THAT mean? Find out on this week’s episode as we talk to Dave about spending over his half his life working at JAM Productions, living down the street from Gabe & Scott, litigious Local H shows, X-tra large Prince jerseys, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? from 1993.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • 182. LIFERS -Jim DeRogatis

    182. LIFERS -Jim DeRogatis
    Aug 2 2024
    If you were at all worried that famed Chicago rock critic, SOUND OPINIONS co-host, and prickly pear-par excellence Jim DeRogatis might be mellowing with age — fear not! We’re here to assure you that Jim is just as fearless and opinionated as ever. And it’s a delight. On this episode he talks about being transformed by Lester Bangs and The Velvet Underground, seeing The Feelies 100 times, 8 1/2 months of Rolling Stone, 22 years of R. Kelly, assholes at The Sun Times, Wire cover bands opening for Wire, getting the truth out of Genesis, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? drummers.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 32 mins
  • 181. LIFERS - The “Stick To The Music” Episode

    181. LIFERS - The “Stick To The Music” Episode
    Jul 26 2024
    In these hopelessly divided times, is it possible to come together and talk about our differences while understanding and revelling in our commonalities? Uhhh… Nope. So instead we talk about tiny alligators, old jokes, vegans, keyboard warriors, and farting in the tub. Viva la diplomacy!!!
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 3 mins