Metro Monthly Music Podcast

In this episode, our daring host gets weirder, singing in autotune and wishing the Breeders sang about Mexican food. Aside from that, all is normal and great within the MMMPod. Rivers Cuomo of Weezer talks about the deluxe edition of "Pinkerton," and an upcoming book, Big Boi talks about what surprising song he believes was co-written by a higher power, Carrie Brownstein talks about mixing comedy and music on the new show "Portlandia," and the experimental duo Buke and Gass ask opera sensation Andrea Bocelli a very important question. We also hear from Eli "Paperboy" Reed and Hands and Knees. If you can see that photo, Hands and Knees are up top in the way background, with one dude on the floor. The "Pinkerton"-era Weezer is front and center, Big Boi is on the right, blocking Fred Armisen, who is dressed like Carrie Brownstein. Buke and Gass are next to them, with Bocelli underneath them. And that's Eli Reed on the far left. There, that should do it. Enjoy!

Free Energy feed your ears with twin guitars (also known as guitarmony) and rock writer Stephen Davis shares one of the most meaningful songs to him. We press synth legend Gary Numan about a certain lyric to a classic song of his, and we formally introduce you to Eternal Summers, Oberhofer and Brian Bonz. We also challenge you to guess who's giving thanks in the MMMPod medley! If you can see the image associated with this episode, that's Bonz thinking about Free Energy, Oberhofer rocking out below Eternal Summers, who are watched over by a trio of Gary Numans, and Stephen Davis chats about the Lizard King.

Everyone is in on the October MMMPod. It all starts with a spooky song from First Aid Kit, who are a pair of sisters from Sweden. Then Scott Avett speaks about singing with his sibling Seth in the Avett Brothers. After that, Hamilton Leithauser from The Walkmen asks Scott Avett a question. Craig Finn from the Hold Steady talks about a future episode of “Glee” based at Boston College where a Hold Steady song would be a perfect match. 3D from Massive Attack talks about his band’s AntiShrug™ show and we play a live cut from Ghostface Killah to bring it all back to that Halloween-y feel.* Oh yeah, and Sheryl Crow suffers through the new Moment of Truth segment!*= Yes, the MMMPod administrators acknowledge that the name Ghostface Killah has very little to do with All Hallow’s Eve, and that it means something else entirely. Just go with us on this one!  

Lots of good talk and tunes here. Paul Stanley from Kiss talks about why he's immortal. Bob Nastanovich from Pavement talks about losing his shirt by breeding horses. Best Coast gets busted by the Song Sleuth, and we also talk with Gene Ween, the drummer from Dungen and Brian Fallon from the Gaslight Anthem, the latter of whom selects a Bob Dylan tune as this month's Holy Craft. We kick the show off with a kickin' song by Bodega Girls and we have a MMMPod Medley that will kick your ass.

Due to some computer difficulties, MMMPod takes August off and reminds you why you want to get psyched about the September edition. Featured in this first "Best of" compilation are Harlem, Girls, Best Coast, Lady Gaga, Nirvana, M.I.A., and a medley about your mother. There's a lot more too, including Titus Andronicus talking about poop. Doesn't that make you almost as happy as this photo of Lyndon Johnson with a beagle?

Young Veins talk about breaking away from Panic! at the Disco, Keith Lockhart talks about Buckwheat Zydeco throwing the Boston Pops for a loop, Zooey Deschanel talks about how Roy Orbison inspired a She & Him song, Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells talks about how awesome Funkadelic is, and we talk about how awesome Jimmy Cliff is, who in turn talks about Sam Cooke and divine intervention. An explosive show for July! Oh yeah, and we also test your knowledge of America songs in the MMMPod medley.

The June MMMpod features conversation with Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit and Jordin Sparks. We also look into an odd tradition that M.I.A. recently became a part of, by opting not to write a letter to the editor, but a song to the editor. We celebrate graduates in the MMMPod Medley and Nick Drake in the Holy Craft segment.

The May MMMpod features conversation with Johnny Rotten and Josh Ritter (not together, of course). We go through the neglected CD collection of author Steve Almond, whose latest book,  Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life is out now on Random House. We also celebrate the music of dearly departed Mass.-born rapper Guru.

The April MMMpod features conversation and music from Titus Andronicus and Best Coast. The latter band is part of a trend piece on the sensation that is taking over the nation in a very mellow way that we call Oldies on Drugs. We also feature conversation and music from Girls and Harlem. We also celebrate the music of dearly departed Alex Chilton and talk to Damian Kulash from OK Go.

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.

The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

The January MMMpod features conversation from performers who helped define the first decade of the new century. One of those people is Julian Casablancas, who we also talk to about his brilliant new album. The Song Sleuth does bust him for borrowing a guitar part from a ‘Flashdance’ song though. We also dig up old interviews from bands who are reuniting in 2010. It’s funny to hear them say they’ll probably never get back together again. In preparation for the Grammys, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry talks about sharing the stage with Sly Stone at the Awards show a few years ago.

The December MMMpod features interviews and Christmas music from the Killers and Darlene Love. The Song Sleuth busts Lady Gaga for ripping off the Offspring, who ripped off Nirvana, who ripped off Boston. We also delve into what makes Shakira great, and examine what she has in common with David Bowie, David Lee Roth and Sting. And December's other religions are celebrated in the MMMPod medley.

The November MMMpod features interviews and music with a band called Girls, a band of girls called Supercute, and a supercute vampire (Yes, we have Robert Pattinson), and a tune from the XX, who may or may not be vampires. What ties all of this together? Huey Lewis, of course.

So many killer interviews that it's scary! The October edition of MMMpod features conversation with Al Green, Drew Barrymore, Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips, author Nick Hornby and Big Man Clarence Clemons (who is also an author, in addition to his sax duties with Springsteen). We also let Ms. Barrymore choose this month's HOLY CRAFT, and possibly confused her a little bit. We also have music from Sean Bones. You think that's a scary name? The MMMPod medley is all about ghosts!

The September edition of MMMpod features conversation with The Walkmen, The Cult, Perez Hilton, and music from Hilton's 1st signing on his new label. It's a dude named Slimmy. There's also other new tunes from AA Bondy, The Horrors, Mayer Hawthorne and classics from LCD Soundsystem and The Concretes. The MMMPod Medley laments the passing of summer.

The August edition of MMMpod features special guest hosts Drug Rug and a selection from this Boston band’s brand new “Paint the Fence Invisible.” New music from K’Naan and Wye Oak, and there’s also conversation from the Breeders and Mark McGrath from Sugar Ray. And Drug Rug gives me a hard time for admitting I like Sugar Ray. Drug Rug also digs Taj Mahal, The Band and Glen Campbell. We also raid the MMMpod medicine cabinet for the Medley.

Long Live the King (of Pop). We celebrate the late Michael Jackson in the Holy Craft segment, Titus Andronicus tells you your life is over and Jay-Z sings for the Death of Autotune. Metro hip-hop writer G. Valentino Ball explores whether or not Jigga's new song will really mean the end of this weird vocal trend, and we have funky music from Bodega Girls and Tom Jones. Oh yeah, Dexter Holland of the Offspring talks about album titles.

Ed Helms, from the new movie, "The Hangover" talks about his real-life experience in a capella groups. Perry Farrell talks about the Jane's Addiction reunion and what it takes to get into the mindset of the person he was when he first started the band. The Holy Craft mourns the passing of Jay Bennett and does a low-impact mashup of Wilco and Peter Laughner. Lots of cool music too, including Booker T and the MGs and Magic Magic.

We speak with Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls about her Neutral Milk Hotel-inspired new play, which is taking place at a high school! We also highlight the tunes of artists playing in town this month, including Woodhands, Slick Rick, Lemonheads and Leonard Cohen.