DISGRACELAND: Bonus Episode – Grammy Snubs, Righting the NWA Wrong, Wild Award Show Buggery, and More

Podcast: DISGRACELAND
Host: Jake Brennan (Double Elvis Productions)
Episode Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This afterparty bonus episode of DISGRACELAND dives into the chaotic history of Grammy snubs, infamous award show screw-ups, and the legends who were overlooked—or “fixed” later by the Recording Academy. Host Jake Brennan weaves personal anecdotes, listener calls, and music history into an irreverent, fast-moving discussion perfect for the “musically obsessed” who crave the stories that get left out of official history. Listener interaction and recommendations pepper the show, fuelled by DISGRACELAND’s familiar mix of dark humor, real talk, and offbeat reverence.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grammy Snubs: The Runaways, NWA, Metallica, and More

[03:38 – 09:00]

• Joan Jett and The Runaways' Grammy history:

  • Joan Jett was nominated at the 1989 Grammys but didn’t win (lost to U2).
  • The Runaways as a group were never nominated; they were “too fringe.”
  • Lita Ford (also from The Runaways) was twice nominated, but lost both times.

• Grammy’s trend of snubbing key acts:

  • NWA’s monumental Straight Outta Compton never received a nomination in 1989, despite its impact and commercial success.
  • 1989 was also the first year for Best Rap Performance, yet NWA was shut out while more sanitized acts dominated nominations.
  • Jake:

    “By what technical measurement is the right hand rhythm guitar playing of Martin Barre from Jethro Tull better than James Hetfield’s from Metallica? … It’s been 39 years, guys, and I’m still not going to let this one go.” (07:17)

• Other all-time Grammy “misses”:

  • The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Diana Ross, The Who—all overlooked in their prime and only recognized later with “Lifetime Achievement” awards.
  • “The Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys is kind of like the ‘oh shit, we fucked up and we’re making it right’ award. I kind of like it—it’s better than nothing.” (09:30)

• 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award predictions:

  • Nominees: Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, Fela Kuti, Paul Simon, Whitney Houston.
  • Jake bets on Fela Kuti finally getting recognized.

2. Wildest Grammy and Award Show Moments

[10:30 – 11:50]

• Milli Vanilli Saga:

  • Fab Morvan—one of Milli Vanilli’s infamous “singers”—now (ironically) nominated for Best Audiobook Narration and Storytelling in 2026.
  • “So please god let the Grammys give the award to the Milli Vanilli guy—it is right and just. I don’t know why, it just is.” (11:15)

• Tease for All Access Segment:

  • Promises talk of wildest scandals in award show history: Soybomb and Dylan, Jarvis Cocker and Michael Jackson, Courtney and Axl, David Niven and the naked guy.

3. Community Mailbag: Listener Calls, Emails, and Recommendations

[14:10 – 23:25]

• Female Artists for Future Episodes:

  • Listener Kara (Austin, TX) suggests Wendy O. Williams & The Plasmatics:

    “That sound was iconic, is iconic, and influenced a generation… Absolutely insane Wendy story.” (14:11)

  • Jake responds enthusiastically; also teases a Mia Zapata episode in the works.
  • Multiple listeners request The Slits, Emmylou Harris, and Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries).

• Punk Rock Deep Dives:

  • Listener Todd shouts out Johnny Thunders and suggests Jeffrey Lee Pierce of The Gun Club.
  • Discussion on how punk influence counterbalances topics like Lady Gaga or NWA.

• Listener Jackie (Patreon) on The Slits:

  • Points out lack of “crime” in their story other than misogyny in the punk scene.

• Behind-the-scenes Trivia:

  • Matt Bowden (Double Elvis producer) reveals Jackie Fox from The Runaways was a three-time Jeopardy! champion and designed a ’70s rock board game.
  • Runaways biopic with Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning gets a shoutout (Jake admits being “repelled” but plans to watch).
  • Nita Strauss and Alice Cooper get kudos for keeping rock alive.

4. Notable Listener Stories

[23:52 – 28:40]

• Email from John (“Johnny Nuts”) in Morrison, CO:
  • Shares that he’s a Bronx-raised punk with mafia ties via his father (“not a made man, but a ranking associate”).
  • Reminisces about being gifted the New York Dolls album because “there’s a couple of freaks on it and it says New York.”
  • Suggests episodes about Jerry Nolan (New York Dolls) and Warren Zevon, whose father had gangster ties in LA.

5. DISGRACELAND Announcements and What’s Next

[28:40 – 36:34]

• Upcoming Episodes:

  • The Runaways episode available now.
  • NWA Rewind episodes post-show.
  • Next big two-parter: Lady Gaga, focusing on wild conspiracy theories (German sex clubs! Bavarian Illuminati!).
  • “This Film Should Be Played Loud” video podcast—next up: Trainspotting.

• New Video and Patreon Tiers:

  • Details benefits for $1, $5, and $10/month members, with “Sound & Fury” ($10) unlocking all exclusive video content.

6. Community, Reviews, and Wrap-Up

[32:33 – 35:00]

• Patriots Football Tangent [32:33 – 33:53]:

  • Jake expresses disbelief at the team’s quick resurgence post-Brady:

    “My heart goes out for all of you with football franchises in your hometowns… Jets fans… Browns fans… I feel for you guys.” (33:01)

  • Ribbing and empathy for long-suffering NFL fans.

• Shoutouts to Reviewer “JT JT JT JT JT JT Junior”:

  • “If you miss that feeling from grade school when that one kid with the weird parents told you about Ozzy snorting a line of ants… this is the podcast for you.” (34:20)

• Spotify Review from Spencer Lau 95:

  • Praises Johnny Thunders episode, wonders where his guitars ended up.

Memorable Quotes

On the Grammy's infamous choices:

“By what technical measurement is the right hand rhythm guitar playing of Martin Barre from Jethro Tull better than James Hetfield’s from Metallica? In what world is Jethro Tull’s Crest of a Knave better than Metallica’s …And Justice For All? …39 years, guys, and I’m still not going to let this one go.”
— Jake Brennan (07:17)

On Lifetime Achievement Awards:

“The Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys is kind of like the ‘oh shit, we fucked up and we’re making it right’ award.”
— Jake Brennan (09:30)

On Milli Vanilli’s Grammy comeback:

“So please god let the Grammys give the award to the Milli Vanilli guy—it is right and just. I don’t know why, it just is.”
— Jake Brennan (11:15)

Listener Kara on The Plasmatics:

“That sound was iconic, is iconic, and influenced a generation… Absolutely insane Wendy story.”
— Kara, Austin TX (14:11)

Listener John on his punk mafia upbringing:

“There’s a couple of freaks on it and it says New York. Life changing.”
— John aka “Johnny Nuts,” on his dad gifting the New York Dolls album (23:52)

Important Timestamps

• 03:38 – 09:00: Grammy snubs, egregious exclusions, and NWA’s oversight
• 10:30 – 11:50: Milli Vanilli story, wildest award show moments teaser
• 14:11 – 23:25: Mailbag—listener suggestions, punk histories, and DISGRACELAND community banter
• 23:52 – 28:40: Listener John’s mafia-punk story, episode suggestions
• 28:40 – 36:34: Show announcements, episode previews, Patreon content breakdown, football aside

Tone & Style

• Irreverent, energetic, and conversational
• Blends music nerdery with streetwise dark humor
• Direct responses to listeners, breaking the “fourth wall” with the DISGRACELAND community

Summary Flow

• The episode launches into a critical, playful examination of the Grammy’s most notorious historic flubs, especially those involving The Runaways, NWA, and Metallica. Jake calls out the system’s old guard mentality and the pattern of “fixing” mistakes with Lifetime Achievement awards.
• The discussion segues to infamous award show debacles (especially Milli Vanilli) before inviting listeners deeper with teases of scandal-rich All Access segments.
• Listener emails and voicemails carry much of the show’s heart, as community picks for future stories lead to punk, alternative, and outlaw legends. Audience participation is spotlighted and celebrated, with Jake riffing with listeners and adding behind-the-scenes tidbits.
• The episode wraps with show updates, calls to action for reviews and Patreon support, and closing notes on the upcoming NWA and Lady Gaga features.

For New Listeners

This bonus episode is a masterclass in why DISGRACELAND connects with music lovers — fusing pop culture mythbusting, true crime storytelling, and open dialogue about the hidden corners of music history. If you want to hear the stories the industry would rather forget — with plenty of listener input and a wicked sense of humor — this episode is a great (and chaotic) entry point.

To interact or suggest stories:
Call or text: 617-906-6638
Visit: disgracelandpod.com

Access All-Access extras (wildest award show stories):
Sign up at disgracelandpod.com/membership

"Disgraceland is where I tell the stories they didn’t want told – the kind you’ll end up telling someone else." – Jake Brennan