Yes, that’s Skippy from Family Ties. And yes, he rocks.
This week we are joined by Thrash It Out podcast host, Brian LeTendre, to discuss the 1986 film, Trick or Treat. If you were a metalhead in the 80s then this movie will more than likely bring back great memories for you, as it does for Melinda and Brian! We give our thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the movie and learn some details about the production and the killer soundtrack by Fastway.
WASP Live in the Raw - Brian's first "Explicit Lyrics, Parental Advisory" album.
This week we are joined by Thrash It Out podcast host, Brian LeTendre, to talk metal - and in particular to talk about how long-time metal fans feel when their favorite band takes their music in a new direction. Brian discusses the Hysteria album by Def Leppard and the Promised Land album by Queensrÿche. Melinda discusses the infamous "Black Album" by Metallica. Aaron listens to the woe with patience. If you've ever been through a bad band breakup when that sound you love was lost forever, you will definitely appreciate this discussion. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll possibly be offended... but you can still probably relate.
Check out Brian's podcasts! If you love metal, or are just interested in learning more about it, we highly recommend them!!
Thrash It Out - Where he is joined by Antony Johnston (yes, the guy who created Wasteland!) and they listen to a heavy metal album, and then argue about it.
Power Chords Podcast - Brian and Matt Herring discuss rock and metal, and they talk about their favorite bands from the 70s through the 90s. Rock and metal nostalgia from 2 guys who clearly love music!
References:
Video: Metallica Mixer Explains Missing Bass on 'And Justice for All' - Ever wonder why "And Justice For All" had no bass? Wonder no more.
Def Leppard, Ring of Fire - The best Hysteria era song you've probably never heard!
Aaron & Melinda each pick a news event from the 80s and discuss. On the table for discussion: a nuclear disaster and proposed music censorship. Don't you miss the 80s?
Chernobyl's Elephant's Foot
6:48 - Aaron - Chernobyl - April of 1986 saw a catastrophic nuclear disaster in Ukraine, then part of the USSR. Aaron gives us more information on what actually happened and some notable facts you may not have heard about.
26:46 – Melinda - PMRC Senate Hearings - occurring on September 19, 1985, these hearings sought to begin labeling music based on lyrical content for the alleged purpose of allowing parents to control their kids' music. Melinda tells us how that went.
Dee Snider, giving our buddy Al Gore what for.
The 85 PMRC Avengers - John Denver, Dee Snider, and Frank Zappa
Suggested Reading
Elephant’s Foot – article here: http://nautil.us/blog/chernobyls-hot-mess-the-elephants-foot-is-still-lethal
Seclusion Zone - http://mentalfloss.com/article/78779/12-facts-about-chernobyls-exclusion-zone-30-years-after-disaster
Documentary about the people who returned to live in their villages inside the seclusion zone: http://thebabushkasofchernobyl.com//
Top Gear Episode “Ukraine Road Trip” http://topgear.wikia.com/wiki/Ukraine_Road_Trip
Lovely photographs of other abandoned places: https://blazepress.com/2014/07/38-haunted-abandoned-places-earth/
Russian Radar Array outside of Chernobyl/ Russian Woodpecker: http://www.newsweek.com/hunt-russian-woodpecker-246670
Where are they now? https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/pmrcs-filthy-15-where-are-they-now-20150917
The PMRC Hearing (Full) - Tipper Gore VS. Explicit Content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d65BxvSNa2o
We bring it back to metal with a discussion of Queensrÿche's 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime. It usually makes the top 10 of all metal concept albums, and was a staple for most metal fans growing up in the 80s. As a long-time fan, Melinda walks you through the details and Aaron provides his insights as a new listener. If you don't remember, you will now.
11:10 – Album plot overview
20:05 – Track by track deconstruction – I Remember Now
21:38 – Anarchy X
22:24 – Revolution Calling
25:34 – Operation: Mindcrime
27:56 – Speak
34:04 – Spreading the Disease
38:28 – The Mission
43:38 – Suite Sister Mary
50:33 – The Needle Lies
52:09 – Electric Requiem
54:14 – Breaking the Silence/ I Don’t Believe in Love
55:09 – Waiting for 22
59:40 – My empty Room
1:01:10 – Eyes of a Stranger, Messages from this album
1:08:20 – Live Performances – Operation: LiveCrime and Mindcrime at the Moore
1:17:05 - Band Breakup and Lawsuit
Cassette Tape Track listing, which shows that Suite Sister Mary was part of Side 1 on this version
Melinda got the blu-ray box set of the Decline of Western Civilization movies, so we thought this would be a great opportunity to talk about Metal!! Not that there is all that much real metal in this 1988 documentary by Penelope Spheeris... but nonetheless we give it a go. Aaron watches the film for the first time and Melinda revisits it with the director's commentary. Contemplating buying the set? You'll wanna hear our review.
