Disgraceland: Bonus Episode – Concert Tragedies, Concussions, and Brian Wilson Release Date: June 19, 2025 Host: Jake Brennan, Double Elvis Productions

Introduction

In this engaging bonus episode of Disgraceland, host Jake Brennan delves into a tapestry of topics intertwining music history, personal anecdotes, and tragic events that have left indelible marks on the world of rock and roll. Skipping over advertisements and promotional segments, the episode offers listeners a deep dive into the darker side of the music industry, alongside heartfelt interactions with the podcast’s dedicated audience.

Paul McCartney: Personal Reflections and Untold Stories

Jake begins the episode with a personal reflection on Paul McCartney, marking McCartney's birthday with a nostalgic recount of how McCartney's album "Ram" played a significant role in his and his wife's early relationship.

“[02:20] Jake Brennan: ...When my wife turned 30, actually, I've mentioned this before, but it's worth mentioning again. I hired my friend Corin to put a band together and perform Ram the whole album, start to finish, for my wife and our friends and our family at her birthday party. It was amazing. Corporated and those guys killed it.”

He further tantalizes listeners with an intriguing snippet of McCartney’s lesser-known past, mentioning McCartney’s time in a Japanese prison in 1980, an event rarely associated with the famous Beatle.

“[05:10] Jake Brennan: ...If you want to hear more about the time that Paul McCartney spent in jail in Japan in 1980 inside a Japanese prison, and how he survived the violent Yakuza gangs, we have an episode for that. It’s just a crazy story.”

Brian Wilson: Legacy and Controversy

The episode transitions to the recent passing of Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, who died at the age of 82, paralleling the earlier death of Sly Stone. Jake addresses a controversial joke he made about Wilson, reflecting on his own dark sense of humor.

“[07:15] Jake Brennan: ...I poked fun at Brian on Instagram saying that, quote, Charles Manson's friend's brother died. And a lot of you guys did not like that. So I'm sorry. I didn't mean to piss anybody off too soon.”

He empathizes with the audience's sentiment, acknowledging the profound impact Wilson's music had on many.

“[10:05] Jake Brennan: ...But like Sly Stone, Brian Wilson was obviously a giant, and I don't throw that word around. He was a giant in rock and roll history and also a genius.”

Tragic Concert Incidents: Riverfront Coliseum and Jet Set Nightclub

A significant portion of the episode focuses on two tragic events in live music history:

1. Riverfront Coliseum Tragedy (1980): Jake revisits the heartbreaking incident where 11 fans were killed during a Who concert in Cincinnati, discussing its long-term effects on the band and the live music scene.

   “[33:55] Jake Brennan: All right, right now, in your Disgrace fan feed, we've got a Part 2 episode on The Who and the tragedy at Riverfront Coliseum. Number two. Coming next, our rewind episode on Nipsey Hussle...”

2. Jet Set Nightclub Collapse (2025): Highlighting a more recent disaster, Jake narrates the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, during a merengue concert, which resulted in 236 fatalities.

   “[09:40] Jake Brennan: ...how it was not an overcrowding issue but rather severe structural neglect that led to the roof collapsing on the packed venue.”

Jake reflects on the rarity and severity of such events in the live music industry, emphasizing the importance of venue safety and regulations.

“[09:55] Jake Brennan: ...something to be said about which stories get to us, which stories get remembered, which get buried. Literally sad stuff.”

Listener Interactions: Debating the Greatest Music Tragedy

Engaging his audience, Jake fields calls and messages debating which concert tragedy stands as the greatest in rock and roll history.

• Todd from Cincinnati argues for the Eagles of Death Metal Paris tragedy, despite its occurrence in 2015, highlighting its devastating impact.

  “[14:45] Todd: ...the Eagles of Death Metal on stage in Paris. And unbelievably, that was... 2015. ...That was a decade ago.”

Jake responds with empathy, acknowledging the profound sorrow tied to such events.

“[15:30] Jake Brennan: Todd, Great call. And yes, what an answer. What a horrible, horrible event... Absolutely tragic.”

Exploring Obsession in Music: Eric Clapton’s Infatuation

Listener Ben from the 803 area contributes a detailed analysis of Eric Clapton’s obsessive songwriting about Pattie Boyd, providing a deeper understanding of the darker undertones in his music.

“[17:00] Ben: ...Eric Clapton’s obsession with Pattie Boyd is well-documented. From Layla to Wonderful Tonight, his songs reflect a deep, sometimes unsettling longing.”

Jake critiques the moral implications of Clapton’s actions while appreciating the artistic merit of his later works.

“[19:00] Jake Brennan: ...coveting your best friend's wife. It's just very sleazy. I don’t like it. No one likes it.”

Hair Metal Bands: The Case Against Poison

In another segment, listener Karen from the 646 area expresses her disdain for hair metal bands, specifically singling out Poison as a band she finds both despises and intriguingly entertaining due to their perceivable incompetence.

“[19:43] Karen: ...I think I'd have to go with Poison. They fucking suck. But they're also just so bad that I really kind of want to hear that episode.”

Jake contemplates the potential of covering Poison, recognizing both the band's shortcomings and their unique entertainment value.

“[20:10] Jake Brennan: ...I do think Poison's songs, I do think it's a weird take, but if they were recorded by another band with a different production, they could actually be great songs.”

Corrections and Community Engagement

Jake addresses a correction pointed out by listener Gavin Van Vlack regarding the placement of Sick of It All on a hardcore compilation, emphasizing community feedback's importance.

“[21:30] Jake Brennan: ...I incorrectly stated that Sick of It All was on a different compilation. Thanks for the DM, Gavin.”

He actively encourages more listener interaction, showcasing the podcast’s commitment to accuracy and community involvement.

Sports Minute: Red Sox Trade Controversy

Transitioning briefly, Jake vents about the Boston Red Sox trading Rafy Devers, expressing frustration over the team's management decisions and its impact on team chemistry.

“[23:00] Jake Brennan: ...the Red Sox traded Rafy Devers. They should have got more back in. They got like a bag of balls, basically...”

This segment, while tangential, adds a personal touch to the episode, revealing Jake's multifaceted interests.

Podcast Reviews and Community Feedback

Jake shares positive feedback from listeners, highlighting how Disgraceland stands out in the crowded podcasting landscape due to its meticulous research and high production quality.

“[25:00] Jake Brennan: ...Thanks, Chris. Get in touch Chris...”

He also addresses criticism from a fan accusing him of re-uploading old episodes, defending the practice as a means to keep archival content accessible.

“[26:00] Jake Brennan: ...We do at least one, sometimes two, sometimes three new episodes a week. And we resurface our archive episodes because people need to know what's in the archive.”

Upcoming Episodes and Membership Perks

Jake teases upcoming content, including a potential deep dive into the Sunset Strip of the 1980s and an exclusive project for All Access members. He promotes the podcast’s membership program, highlighting benefits such as ad-free listening and exclusive episodes.

“[29:00] Jake Brennan: ...If you want to be an All Access member, Disgracelandpod.com membership, five bucks a month, you get a little bit extra of the bonus episode.”

Conclusion and Recap

Wrapping up the episode, Jake summarizes the key points discussed:

1. Live Tragedies: Heavy discussion on The Who’s Riverfront Coliseum tragedy and the Santo Domingo nightclub collapse.
2. Brian Wilson’s Legacy: Reflective insights on his contributions and the impact of his passing.
3. Listener Contributions: Engaging calls and messages debating music tragedies and artist behaviors.
4. Upcoming Content: Teasers about future episodes on Nipsey Hussle, Bruce Springsteen, and potential Poison coverage.
5. Community Engagement: Encouragement for more listener interaction and feedback.

He ends on a poignant note, reinforcing the podcast’s dedication to uncovering the often untold and darker stories behind beloved musicians.

“[35:00] Jake Brennan: ...No one cares about preserving the true spirit of rock and roll more than you do. And that is a disgrace.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jake Brennan on Paul McCartney’s Album Influence:
  “[02:20] ...When my wife turned 30... it was symbolic of our time together.”

• Apology for Brian Wilson Joke:
  “[07:15] ...I poked fun at Brian... I didn’t mean to piss anybody off too soon.”

• Listener Todd on Concert Tragedies:
  “[14:45] Todd: ...the Eagles of Death Metal on stage in Paris. ...a decade ago.”

• Listener Ben on Eric Clapton’s Obsession:
  “[17:00] Ben: ...Eric Clapton’s songs reflect a deep, sometimes unsettling longing.”

• Listener Karen on Hair Metal Bands:
  “[19:43] Karen: ...I think I'd have to go with Poison. They fucking suck.”

Conclusion

This bonus episode of Disgraceland seamlessly blends personal anecdotes, historical deep dives, and heartfelt listener interactions to paint a comprehensive picture of the intertwining worlds of music and true crime. Jake Brennan's candid discussions and the active involvement of the podcast’s community make for an engaging and thought-provoking listen, staying true to Disgraceland's mission of exploring the feral and often dark underbelly of the music industry.

For more detailed stories and exclusive content, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Disgraceland and consider becoming All Access members at www.disgracelandpod.com/membership.