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For a generation of kids who grew up with Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars and He-Man, these weren't simply toys and cartoons. They were part of growing up. And for Gus Rios, they were even more than that. This week, Gus Rios of Knights of Unicron and Cold Slither joins me (and guest host Jay Sweet) to talk about the making of the new reimagined soundtrack to 1986's Transformers: The Movie. Gus takes us back to his childhood connection to Transformers, the emotional impact of Optimus Prime, and why Vince DiCola's music and Stan Bush's "The Touch" became so deeply embedded in his life. He also tells the story of how a longtime friendship with RPM Records' Gerardo Martinez eventually led to Cold Slither, a relationship with Hasbro, and ultimately an invitation to help reimagine one of the most beloved soundtracks in '80s pop culture. From there, we get into the music. Gus explains how Knights of Unicron approached the original recordings, and how the band found room to put its own stamp on songs like "The Touch," "Dare," "Death of Optimus Prime" and "Dare to Be Stupid." We also talk about the guest vocalists Sebastian Bach, Francesco Cavalieri, Brittney Slayes and Torch, working alongside Stan Bush and Vince DiCola, the pressure of reinterpreting music that means so much to so many people, and the backlash from some corners of the Transformers fandom. But underneath all of that is a much more personal story: what happens when the things that helped you survive childhood eventually become part of your adult life. For Gus, recording The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack became a way of saying thank you to the characters, music and people that shaped him. Til all are one. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠

This week, Dr. Josh Bald of Primus Tracks joins me to step deep into the wonderfully warped world of Primus — a band that never really fit into a category because they spent their entire career bending, twisting, and outright ignoring them. From the early slap-heavy chaos of Frizzle Fry to the conceptual storytelling of The Desaturating Seven, we’re building a 10-song playlist designed to trace the full arc of Primus: the funk-metal experimenters, the surreal storytellers, the prog-adjacent architects of groove, and the band that somehow made “weird” feel like a cohesive musical language. This isn’t a “greatest hits” exercise. It’s about mapping the different eras, textures, and philosophies that define the band — one track at a time. By the end, you don’t just hear Primus — you hear how consistent experimentation can become its own kind of identity. Love them, question them, or just try to keep up… there’s really nothing else that sounds like this run of records. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

There are plenty of publications that rank the biggest-selling albums in music history… but now comes the hard part: can you actually guess them? This week, two friends of the show, Jay Sweet and DT Carel of Dopamine Sunrise, join me for a special My Weekly Mixtape challenge as they try to name the top 20 best-selling albums of all time. They’ll have to rely on their music knowledge, memory, and a little bit of luck as they attempt to avoid three strikes and keep their streak alive. The list features legendary artists like Michael Jackson, AC/DC, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and more — albums that didn’t just sell millions of copies, but became worldwide cultural moments. That said, it might not always be the album you immediately think of! How many of these best-selling albums would you be able to name? Grab a pen, play along, and see how you fare! P.S. - This episode has a video component, so you can see the board and watch the answers unfold in real time. If it's not available on where you listening, you can view the video on the episode page: https://myweeklymixtape.com/?p=10246

“Weird Al” Yankovic has spent more than four decades doing something almost nobody else has ever managed to pull off: building a lasting career out of parody, satire, and an undeniable love of music itself. He's sold millions of albums, influenced generations of artists, survived every major shift in the music industry, and somehow remained as relevant today as he was in the MTV era. So why isn't he in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? This week, I'm joined by returning guests Jay Sweet and Patreon Mixtaper Philip Bergman to once again make the case for one of music's most unique and enduring artists. Together, we look beyond the Hawaiian shirts and accordion to examine Weird Al's impact on popular culture, his remarkable longevity, his musicianship, and whether the Hall's traditional definition of "rock and roll" may be overlooking one of the most well-known entertainers of the modern era. Along the way, you'll also hear a clip from my conversation with Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, longtime drummer for Weird Al, who shared his own thoughts on the Hall of Fame debate when he joined the show. Whether you're already convinced or remain skeptical, this episode asks a simple question: if influence, longevity, cultural impact, and musical achievement matter, what exactly is keeping Weird Al Yankovic out of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Let's discuss. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

After 200+ episodes of My Weekly Mixtape, I’m doing something a little different. First and foremost: MWM is not ending! In this special mini-episode, I’m introducing The Room We Wanted, the new podcast I’m launching with my friend Jay Sweet on October 4th. The new show explores who we were before we became who we are, using the things we loved growing up (albums, movies, TV shows, toys, video games, books, food, and more) as the starting point for deeper conversations about childhood, memories, obsessions, and the things that stay with us. I’ll also talk about what the new show means for My Weekly Mixtape, including the new every-other-Monday schedule and how MWM Patreon supporters will get The Room We Wanted as part of their existing support. And then I’ll give you a taste of the new show with the official trailer for The Room We Wanted. 10/4? I mean, 10/4. 🚪 SUBSCRIBE TO THE ROOM WE WANTED 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-room-we-wanted/id6808018673 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29B3p5LJdCSxzFoxGyEgui?si=eb61c6c90c714d17 🔗 LinkTree (All Other Platforms): https://linktr.ee/theroomwewanted 🚪 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROOM WE WANTED 🎵 Browse the Catalog: https://theroomwewanted.com 💬 Join The Roommate Community: https://www.patreon.com/theroomwewanted 🌐 Connect on Social:https://theroomwewanted.com/social 📧 Contact Brian & Jay: https://theroomwewanted.com/contact

This week, I am talking with previous My Weekly Mixtape guests, friends of the show, and Patreon Mixtapers, hearing their thoughts on what they consider to be the perfect album, and why! A perfect album doesn’t have to be your favorite album of all time — just one that gives you a true no-skips experience from the opening track to the closer. Guests appearing (in no particular order): Warren Haynes, Dryden Mitchell (Alien Ant Farm), Amanda Lyberg (Eva Under Fire), Jake Thistle, Chris Crabb (The Strike), Joey Arena (Outlier), DT Carel (Space Castle), author Steven Blush, and Patreon Mixtapers Tom Hutchinson & Philp Bergman. Includes albums by: AC/DC, Brian Dunne, Sam Fender, House of Pain, Linkin Park, Metallica, Pixies, Rage Against The Machine, Steely Dan, U2 and Weezer. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

This week, I am talking with previous My Weekly Mixtape guests, friends of the show, and Patreon Mixtapers, hearing their thoughts on what they consider to be the perfect album, and why! A perfect album doesn’t have to be your favorite album of all time — just one that gives you a true no-skips experience from the opening track to the closer. Guests appearing (in no particular order): Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bermuda Schwartz (The “Weird Al” Yankovic Band), Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup), Laurie Berkner, Megan Kane & Dylan Turner (Parker Barrow), Sonia Sturino (Weakened Friends), Eric Hirshberg, Terrie Carr (Carr Stereo), Mark Bradbourne (Songs That Don’t Suck) and Patreon Mixtaper Chad Lamasa. Includes albums by: The Black Crowes, Bully, The Cars, Elvis Costello, Olivia Dean, fun., Guster, Pretenders, Paul Simon, Third Eye Blind, and Muddy Waters. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

For some people, Smash Mouth begins and ends with a handful of massive hits. But the band's story goes much deeper than "All Star," "Walking On The Sun," or their immensely popular take on The Monkees’ "I'm A Believer." This week, founding bassist Paul De Lisle joins me to look back at the road that took Smash Mouth from the ska-punk energy of Fush Yu Mang to multi-platinum success, movie soundtracks, internet memes, and a place in pop culture that few bands ever achieve. We talk about the band's early days, getting signed to Interscope, the evolution of their sound, and why Smash Mouth always seemed to have a knack for turning cover songs into something entirely their own. We also dive into the unexpected afterlife of "All Star," from Hollywood blockbusters and Shrek to becoming one of the internet's most enduring musical touchstones. Along the way, Paul reflects on Steve Harwell's legacy, what it means to honor the past while continuing forward, and why now felt like the right time for Smash Mouth to return with their first album of original material in more than a decade, Mercury Comet. If you've ever wondered how a band navigates fame, reinvention, loss, and longevity while remaining unmistakably itself, this conversation is for you. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

FUEL has always lived in that space between legacy and forward motion—where the songs become bigger than the moment they were written, and the story keeps evolving long after those charting moments. This week, Carl Bell joins me to reflect on that long arc of the band: from the early days of “Shimmer” and “Hemorrhage” finding their way into the fabric of rock radio, to what it means to still be performing those songs with audiences who never stopped singing them back. We get into how those tracks change over time—not just for listeners, but for the person who wrote them—and why some songs seem to refuse expiration dates. We also dig into the current chapter of FUEL. With new energy in the lineup and a renewed sense of purpose around their new album Pendulum, Carl talks through what it looks like to build something that honors the past without being trapped by it. That balance shows up everywhere here—from the writing of new material like “Want It,” to reworking the band’s classic track “Innocent” with a different perspective and voice at the center. There’s also a broader conversation about identity and endurance—what actually defines a band like FUEL after lineup changes, industry shifts, and everything in between. At its core, this is a conversation about staying in motion—about what it takes to keep creating, evolving, and showing up for the songs that never left. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

Think narrowing twenty-five years of dance music down to ten songs was difficult the first time? So did a lot of you! After our first dive into 10 of the biggest dance tracks of the last quarter century, the messages started rolling in. Some of your favorites were missing. Some songs sparked spirited debates. And more than a few people reminded us just how impossible it is to squeeze twenty-five years of dance-floor history into a single list of ten tracks. So we're back for Volume 2. This week, Jay Sweet joins me once again to spotlight ten more songs that helped define the sound of parties, clubs, weddings, road trips, and playlists from the early 2000s through today. These aren't leftovers—they're ten more essential tracks that left a lasting mark on pop culture and kept people moving for years as well as decades. We'll revisit the artists, moments, and musical shifts that helped shape modern dance music while making the case for why these songs deserve a place in the conversation. Whether you agreed with our first list, disagreed with every pick, or just came ready for another excuse to turn the volume up, this episode proves there's no such thing as a definitive list when it comes to twenty-five years of dance music. Get ready for ten more songs, plenty of debate, and two guys who still couldn't dance if our lives depended on it! 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

This week, I’m skanking my way through 10 ska punk cover songs for you to sink your checkerboard Vans into. From ska punk bands reinventing pop hits, to up-and-coming acts taking swings at ska and punk classics — it’s all stitched together by that unmistakable upstroke rhythm and pure “pick it up” energy. From basement-show singalongs to Warped Tour staples, ska bands have been flipping familiar songs on their heads for decades — and somehow making us love tracks we already knew even more. Sometimes the covers land with a tongue firmly planted in cheek. Sometimes they’re heartfelt love letters. And sometimes… they flat-out replace the original version in our brains. So stretch your calves and lace up tight — it’s time to skank through a full-tilt celebration of ska punk cover songs. The pit awaits! Thank you to mixtaper Joe for emailing in this weeks’ suggestion! Photo Credit: Jens Thekkeveettil 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

There’s a story behind the name Parker Barrow — and it’s not just a nod to Bonnie and Clyde. This week, Megan Kane and Dylan Turner join me to unpack how that outlaw-inspired identity connects to a very real journey — one built less on romance and more on survival. From living in an RV and scraping by, to finding clarity and momentum as a band, this is a conversation about what it actually takes to build something that lasts. We get into Hold the Mash, a record that balances grit, humor, and some surprisingly heavy themes — and why that contrast matters. Megan and Dylan also open up about the pressure of modern validation culture, the push-and-pull of social media, and how songs like “Blinded” challenge the very system artists are expected to succeed in. Along the way, we talk about growth since Jukebox Gypsies, the band’s extended studio take on the Black Crowes’ “My Morning Song,” what’s changed on the road, and the moment things started to feel real — not just hopeful. If you’ve ever wondered what happens between the struggle and the spotlight — this is that story. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

This week, I’m digging into 10 songs that all run 10+ minutes — and somehow never feel like it. These are the tracks that keep unfolding, shifting, and pulling you forward just enough that the clock stops mattering. No meandering. No “this could’ve been trimmed” moments. Just long songs that know exactly what they’re doing. Spanning the rock spectrum — classic rock, metal, punk, prog, and alternative — this episode moves from slow-burn epics to full-on journeys that reward patience without testing it. Whether it’s a riff that refuses to wear out, a story that keeps adding new chapters, or a structure that constantly reinvents itself, these songs make a strong case that length isn’t a problem — it’s whether the music earns every minute. If you’ve ever looked down at a track timer and thought, wait, that song was how long? — this episode’s for you. Thank you to mixtaper Jenn for emailing in this weeks’ suggestion! 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

There are moments in life that feel too strange to be real — the kind you replay just to make sure they actually happened. This is one of those stories. On Saturday, June 17, 2000, during Poison’s Power to the People tour at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, I went from the crowd… to on stage with Poison. One minute I’m watching a rock concert. The next, I’ve got Bret Michaels’ microphone in my hand, singing KISS’ “Rock and Roll All Nite” in front of thousands of people. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t staged. It wasn’t something I ever thought I’d experience at a Poison concert. Since this was before everyone had a camera in their pocket—I have no footage, no photos, and no proof in the modern sense of proof. Just an unused Rikki Rockett drumstick… and one witness who was there with me. In this episode, I’m telling the full story of what it was like to end up on stage with Poison, how it happened, and why moments like this don’t quite fit inside normal memory — especially when it comes to live rock concert stories. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like when the line between fan and performer disappears at a rock show… this one’s for you. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/

This week, we're revisiting my feature-length interview with Tom Keifer, legendary Cinderella frontman, as he reflects on the band's enduring legacy, his acclaimed solo career, and the challenges that nearly ended it. In this in-depth conversation, Tom shares the stories behind his critically acclaimed solo albums The Way Life Goes (2013) and Rise (2019), offering insight into his songwriting process, musical influences, and the transition from Cinderella frontman to solo artist. He also opens up about his long and difficult battle with vocal cord paralysis—a challenge that nearly ended his career—and the determination it took to rebuild his voice and return to the stage. We also dive into the story behind the 2017 re-recording of Cinderella's iconic hit "Nobody's Fool," featuring Lzzy Hale of Halestorm, along with so much more from across the Cinderella catalog and Tom's ongoing musical journey. Honest, thoughtful, and full of great stories, this conversation is a deep dive into resilience, reinvention, and legacy—or, as Tom would say—one for rock and roll. 🎙️ LEARN MORE 🎵 Hear the Playlists / Browse the Catalog:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com⁠ 💬 Join the Mixtaper Community (Patreon):⁠ https://patreon.com/myweeklymixtape⁠ 🌐 Connect on Social:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/social-media⁠ 📧 Email the Show / Contact:⁠ https://myweeklymixtape.com/contact⁠ 👕 Shop MWM Gear: https://myweeklymixtape-shop.fourthwall.com/