That Awful Sound

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.

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."

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.

In today's episode we dissect three music videos from 90's third wave ska revival: 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.

Fantasy Metal! Our dorkiest, niche-iest episode yet. Today Angie (as heard on Episode 04) rejoins me to talk about a genre so deliciously ridiculous it has to be heard to be believed. We dissect Rhapsody's "Magic of the Wizard's Dream," featuring ACTUAL WIZARD Christopher Lee (RIP), Blind Guardian in drag covering "Mr Sandman", and Demons & Wizards' "Terror Train," a story told from the point of view of an evil, sentient train. We also cover a song from Rick Wakeman's son about Alice In Wonderland that's too dinky even for us. Also mentioned in this episode: Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Sword, and Mastodon.

Part 2 of our unfortunately-titled episode, Second Chance Symphony! We continue our discussion on 90's musicians who went on to have successful careers writing songs for other artists. We dissect two songs and videos from 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry: "what's Up, and Get This Party Started as performed by Pink) and two songs and videos from Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson, including "Closing Time" and the massive hit he co-wrote with Adele, "Someone Like You." What are those floppy top hats actually called? Is "Closing Time" the most technically complex video ever made about nothing? How effective are lyric-specific, conversion-therapy-espousing YouTube comments? All this and more on today's episode.

Today I'm joined by my "good acquaintance" Cahn Curtis to talk about videos from artists who had a hit or two in the 90's, then went on to have successful careers writing songs for other artists. This episode is the first half of that theme, and we talk specifically about Greg Alexander and his hit with New Radicals, "You Get What You Give," as well as the song he wrote for 2014's Begin Again, which recently lost the Oscar for Best Song. Also in this episode: Bill Hicks-inspired guidelines for when it's OK to sell out, Cahn critiques previous episodes, and we try to decide who lost their virginity to the worse set of songs.

Mini Episode 01! I give my less-than-hot, fiercely-indifferent take on the 2015 Grammys and share my picks for Album of the Year, Best Rock Album, and Best Metal Album. Also: a cringe-worthy Jack White interview and an argument in favor of complaining about awards shows. Mentioned in this episode: Beyonce, Beck, Sam Smith, Swans, Owls, Beige Eagle Boys, Creepoid, St. Vincent, Arcade Fire, Godflesh, Behemoth, YOB, Pallbearer.  

Cheesy 90's Acts With Numbers in Their Names! This week Travis and Michael help me dissect three music videos: Eve 6's "Inside Out," Matchbox 20's "Real World," and 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite." We also talk about be-numbered bands we still like and touch on a modern band (Maroon 5) whose music video is officially the worst this show has covered! Also in this episode: Third Eye Blind, 18 Visions, and 311.

90's Boy Bands! In this episode I'm joined by two grizzled vets from the Boy Band Wars of the 1990s to dissect three ridiculous music videos from the era: NSYNC's "I want You Back" and "Bye Bye Bye," and Backstreet Boys' "Larger Than Life." We also talk about being a secret Backstreet Boys fan among NSYNC diehards, obscure memorabilia, and an especially dark episode of House of Carters. Stick around until the end to hear a suprise guest MC lay down a few bars

In our second Awful Band Spotlight, Travis returns and Matt Booth makes his debut to talk with me about a good-band-gone-bad of epic proportions, Green Day. We talk about why the band is important to us, 3 music videos that illustrate just how bad they've gotten, and the Broadway musical based on their album, American Idiot. Also in the episode: Travis has b33f with the title of "Good Riddance," Matt has tips for millionaires on writing punk songs, and I reveal why I was kicked out of my graduation ceremony (It wasnt for anything cool). Videos discussed in this episode: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Minority, Wake Me Up When September Ends, "Billie Joe Freakout."

90's Pop Rock! Counting Crows' "Mr. Jones," Smashmouth's "Walkin' On The Sun," and Jewel's "I was Meant For You."  In this episode we talk about the dark secret Smashmouth's singer has hidden in his garage (in a segment I probably should've cut out), and discuss what an extraordinarily boring slob Jewel apparently is. We also have a Counting Crows/Blue Oyster Cult mash-up, and The Chipmunks sing about smoking crack (really). If you like the show, please rate and review!

In this episode, Devyn Trujillo joins us to dissect Atreyu's "Lipgloss and Black," HIM's "Wings of A Butterfly," and Aiden's "One Love." We talk to her about her gothy upbringing, and how a brief but memorable stint of listening to Atreyu led her to long-time friends and much "spookier" bands. Macky and I argue about the root of HIM's success in America. We all cringe at the "artistic" "representations" in an Aiden video, and, as ususal, we save the worst band for last. Other bands discussed in this episode: AFI, Nick Cave, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. 

The 90's R&B Episode! We bring in our good friend Angela to talk about her personal relationship with 90's R&B and to tell her story about meeting a flash-in-the-pan 90's R&B group after winning a radio contest. I grasp for 90's R&B songs I actually know (and come up mostly with songs from Space Jam). We talk about Kiss from a Rose, The Boy Is Mine, and Twisted by Keith Sweat. We discuss the importance of Big Ass Denim Jackets, laugh at Jim Carey's dumb face, and wonder whether or not Keith Sweat would've made a better detective than singer.