Summary: John opens the show offering a hint about the band being from the San Diego punk scene, which is instantly identified by Rich. The fools discuss the song "On a Rope" from the 1995 album title, Scream Dracula Scream, and call out a mutual admiration for Wesley Willis. Thoughts are shared about Rocket from the Crypt's unique sound, characterized by the incorporation of horns, and the band's immense energy during live performances which represent a key aspect of their identity and appeal. The fools name their favorite albums and tracks, discuss line up changes through the years (with a mention of John's favorite drummers), and the numerous SoCal talent connections to this band. A final reflection is shared on the song structure and technique using repetition to establish a groove, and how the band's music is like a jolt of energy that fires up its listeners.

In Episode 4 Rich picks his topic and pays tribute to the King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley. The first song unwrapped is the hit 1960s single, It's Now or Never. The fools discuss Elvis as a conduit to introducing what was likely "cutting edge" following the swing and big band music of that era. They discuss the controversy raised around the King's overwhelming success with the rhythm and blues sound when other talented artists were already active in the same genre. The show wraps up with a vivid personal childhood memory of the news of Elvis' death, and a list of famous fans who worshipped him.

Summary: In episode three of Fools Anthem, John and Rich go deep and analyze the breakdowns and bridges of the song 'Head to Wall' from the post-hardcore, New York band, Quicksand. They discuss their love of Quicksand's dissonant guitar patterns and face-melting performances, and acknowledge the evolution and maturity of the band's loud, chunky sound which does not disappoint the test of time.

Chapters:

00:00 About Fool's Anthem

00:59 Today's Topics

03:02 Exploring Quicksand's Musical Style

08:02 The Legacy of Quicksand's Albums

12:10 Enjoy the Space

15:18 The Bridge

16:01 Evolution of Quicksand's Sound

21:58 Art and Aesthetics

23:26 Quirky Quicksand Stories

In this second episode of Fools Anthem, Rich chooses the theme and gives John some interesting hints that triggers an infectiously funny moment. The two fools engage in a lively conversation and go metal, discussing an iconic song and album by the well-known Bay Area band, Metallica. They critique the production quality of earlier albums, discuss the other artists that inspired the band, and comment on the band's earlier years, noting that a commitment to rehearsals resulted in immensely gratifying live performances. The fools wrap up the episode reflecting on the evolution of the Metallica sound, share admiration for the band's dedication to their music, and the precedent set for the heavy metal genre. The conversation is filled with insights, anecdotes, and a deep appreciation for the artistry behind Metallica's work.

It's the inaugural episode of Fools Anthem, where two fools muse about their love of music - discovering, listening, watching, creating, performing, and perhaps most of all just talking about it. Our hosts playfully deliberate and critique the music that helped shape them as burgeoning musicians, and discuss how it keeps them inspired to this day.

John teases out the topic of the first episode by giving co-host Rich three cryptic clues. Initially stumped by the hints, Rich is reminded of their early days in highschool and their connection to the song "Nirvana". The conversation goes into the nuances of the song in keeping things raw and real, and the influence of the band, the music, and the broad impact of the music industry to steer a band's direction. They delve into the rationale of having cover songs on an album, and John shares a story about coming across a long, lost, promotional Cult beer can. The episode concludes with reflections on the lasting appeal of The Cult's music and a teaser for future episodes.