That Awful Sound
174 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★★ - 157 ratingsThe show about the music you liked before you knew any better. Every week Alexander Edward and guests revisit an embarrassing song and music video, mining it for cringeworthy moments and savoring the painful memories they generate. Also, good music if there's time.
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Every Episode at ThatAwfulSound.com
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Episodes
26 - McG Chat (Pretty Fly For A White Guy & Got The Life)
June 18, 2015 07:48 - 1 hour - 121 MBToday I talk to friend Kenny about two Cool music videos directed by Cool Hollywood Director McG: The Offspring's Pretty Fly for a White Guy and Korn's Got the Life. No further description. It's midnight. I'm tired. Goodnight.
25 - Space Lord
June 11, 2015 06:11 - 1 hour - 99.5 MBThis week we tackle Monster Magnet's Space Lord--allegedly the first video broadcast on TRL. We delve into the world of self-appointed "sex-symbol" status, space breasts, and Marilyn Manson and Hole's co-headlining tour. I also read some listener email and give shoutouts to commenters on the site.
24 - Shirley Manson Can't Be Serious (Dope Show & Celebrity Skin)
June 04, 2015 06:36 - 1 hour - 142 MBOn today's episode I'm joined by Shaina to talk about our middle school years and dissect Marilyn Manson' Dope Show and Hole's Celebrity Skin. My guest talks about her transformation fom Xena superfan into goth kid, being called a poser at the mall, and her dispute with Montel Williams (or possibly Montel Jordan). We also talk about one of my weirder ex-girlfriends and solve the murder of Kurt Cobain with the help of some plucky YouTube commenters.
23 - Just Chumbawamba (Tubthumping, obviously)
May 28, 2015 05:26 - 55 minutes - 89.6 MBToday, Kevan returns to help me hone in on the infamously terrible 90's hit "Tubthumping" by Chumbawumba. We dissect the painfully awkward video, remember our adolescent impressions of the song, discuss the band's anarcho-punk background, talk about finding hardcore and punk music in the age before YouTube and Spotify, and try to figure out why YouTube commenters have such a hard time finding good music nowadays.
22 - Community College Rock (Heroes & Semi-Charmed Life)
May 21, 2015 05:56 - 1 hour - 111 MBToday I talk to friend and musician Kevan Aguilar about the semi-alt rock of the late 90's, including The Wallflowers' odd contribution to the Godzilla soundtrack and Third Eye Blind's meth and sex-laden hit Semi-Charmed Life. I try to figure out the video for Heroes, Kevan also discusses being introduced to bands by his older sisters, and we both realize what a loser Stephen Jenkins is.
21 - Hardcore History (Korn - Falling Away From Me)
May 14, 2015 06:33 - 1 hour - 125 MBWe're finishing our Nu-Metal conversation today by remembering and dissecting Korn's "Falling Away From Me." We talk about how amazing it is that a music video about child abuse made it onto TRL, the crazy stories from their recording sessions, and growing up latino and listening to "white" music. We also talk extensively about navigating the early days of internet pornography, Nu-Metal we still actually like, and James's and my old hardcore band Life Tyrant.
20 - Static-X & Pantera & DMC (Black & White, Revolution Is My Name, Noise Revolution)
May 07, 2015 06:30 - 1 hour - 143 MBIn this episode I'm joined by two friends from the hardcore scene, James Hernandez and Derek Chacon, to make fun of the nu-metal we liked as kids, but also to talk about how it possibly led us to hardcore music. We're remembering and dissecting Static-X's "Black and White," their hilariously awkward collaboration with DMC, and Pantera's "Revolution Is My Name." Are Adidas responsible for this weird collab? Are moms everywhere responsible for preventing horrible adolescent fashion choices...
19 - Movie Themes (Wild Wild West & Deepest Bluest)
April 30, 2015 06:14 - 1 hour - 131 MBMovie Themes! I talk to Alex Shaw of the Digital Drift podcast about two ridiculous movie themes: Wild Wild West from the film Wild Wild West and Deepest Bluest from the film Deep Blue Sea. We've got fake beatboxing, lots of nipples, cute cowboy outfits, and LL Cool J literally morphing into a shark. We also discuss two movie themes we actually like, including Fiona Apple's cover of Across the Universe from the film Pleasantville and Aimee Mann's Wise Up from the film Magnolia.
18 - I've Been A Bad, Bad Angel (Goo Goo Dolls & City of Angels)
April 23, 2015 07:08 - 56 minutes - 90.5 MBIn this very special episode, Alex Shaw of the Digital Drift podcast joins me to discuss the Goo Goo Dolls' Iris as well as the film for which the song was written, City of Angels. The first half of the episode is spent on sandpaper vocals and unnecessary guitar solos, while we spend the second half tying the song's creepy lyrics to an even creepier film. Does anyone really believe the singer is looking at film footage through all those telescopes? Where was God while Nic Cage was campin...
17 - An Omatopoeia (Pardon Me & Around The World)
April 16, 2015 07:11 - 57 minutes - 92.2 MBContinuing our conversation from last week, Albert and I tackle two videos from turn-of-the-century chill rap rock acts: Incubus's "Pardon Me" and Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Around The World." We discuss the plausibilty of spontaneous combustication, ghost cunnilinggus, and which beach Sublime reminds us of.
16 - John Hammond Is The Color of Your Energy (311 - Come Original)
April 09, 2015 05:55 - 49 minutes - 79.4 MBIn 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.
15 - Citation Needed (What If, I Stand Alone, She Hates Me)
April 02, 2015 08:23 - 1 hour - 146 MBTravis 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," Silvercha...
14 - A Thousand Miles of Sideburns (Box of Sharp Objects, Bloody Romance, Anthem of Our Dying Day)
March 26, 2015 08:58 - 1 hour - 148 MBNick 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 ep...
13 - I'm Just A Hollaback Girl (Just A Girl, Sell Out, The Impression That I Get)
March 19, 2015 07:00 - 1 hour - 152 MBIn 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 P...
12 - Mithril (Magic of the Wizard's Dream, Mr. Sandman, Terror Train)
March 12, 2015 06:45 - 1 hour - 125 MBFantasy 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 Wo...
11 - Comeback Careers Pt. 2 (Linda Perry/4 Non Blondes/Pink & Dan Wilson/Semisonic/Adelle)
March 05, 2015 07:43 - 1 hour - 107 MBPart 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...
10 - Comeback Careers Pt. 1 (Greg Alexander/Get What You Give/Lost Stars)
February 26, 2015 08:11 - 1 hour - 104 MBToday 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 guidelin...
Awful Sound-Off #1 - The 2015 Grammys
February 23, 2015 07:36 - 30 minutes - 48.3 MBMini 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.
09 - Fart Rock By Numbers (Inside Out, Real World, Kryptonite, She Will Be Loved)
February 19, 2015 08:21 - 1 hour - 150 MBCheesy 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.
08 - Handsome, Frosty-Haired Men (I Want You Back, Bye Bye Bye, Larger Than Life)
February 12, 2015 08:04 - 1 hour - 136 MB90'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
07 - Good Riddance to Bad Laundry (Green Day Awful Spotlight)
February 05, 2015 08:11 - 1 hour - 155 MBIn 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 g...
06 - Bittersweet Flavorsauce (Mr. Jones, Walkin' On The Sun, I Was Meant For You)
January 29, 2015 08:47 - 1 hour - 151 MB90'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!
05 - Next to Gothiness (Lipgloss and Black, Wings of A Butterfly, One Love)
January 22, 2015 09:33 - 1 hour - 154 MBIn 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 discuss...
04 - The Song Is Mine (Kiss From A Rose, The Boy Is Mine, Twisted)
January 15, 2015 08:32 - 1 hour - 143 MBThe 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 Keit...