DISGRACELAND – Bonus Episode: Manifested Demons, Supersoakers Full of Beer, and RIP Wayne Kramer
Date: February 8, 2024
Host: Jake Brennan (Double Elvis Productions)
Episode Overview
This bonus “After Party” episode of DISGRACELAND is an interactive, freewheeling companion to the main show, centered around listener mail, music history, and wild rock & roll memories. Host Jake Brennan touches on the latest Scott Weiland episode, remembers MC5’s Wayne Kramer, and features audience voicemails and emails ranging from touching tributes to hilarious concert chaos. The tone is energetic and conversational, keeping the party rolling between the main Tuesday episodes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Scott Weiland – Darkness, Demons, and Legacy
Segment Start: [03:16]
- Recent Full Episode Drop: Jake highlights the just-released episode about Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver). He notes this was one of the most requested subjects by listeners.
- Weiland's Artistic Evolution: Early critiques pigeonholed STP as “JV Pearl Jam,” but their sound developed, especially by the third album.
“They get the last laugh because they made killer records. Especially that third record, the tiny music from the Vatican thing there.” – Jake Brennan [04:11]
- Personal Struggles: Weiland’s memoir details vivid hallucinations of his “demons” literally manifesting and trapping him in a bathroom.
“His demons literally manifested themselves right in front of his eyes and trapped him in his bathroom... it’s a wild, wild story.” – Jake Brennan [05:16]
- Impact & Tragedy: Jake reflects on Weiland's onstage magnetism and unpredictability—brilliant but plagued by addiction's chaos.
“He was still... forming as an artist, as all great artists do... And he’s just gone. Went too quick. And we didn’t get to see what he was fully capable of. And that is a disgrace.” – Jake Brennan [08:00]
- Listener Engagement: Jake invites fans to rate Weiland among the ‘90s frontmen alongside Eddie Vedder, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, etc.
“Where does Scott Weiland stand for you guys in the pantheon... How do you rate them? You can only... You only get five.” – Jake Brennan [08:39]
2. RIP Wayne Kramer & Reflections on MC5
Segment Start: [09:12]
- Rewind Episode Announcement: In honor of the late Wayne Kramer (MC5 guitarist, died at 75 from pancreatic cancer), a recent MC5 episode is resurfacing.
- Wayne Kramer’s Legacy:
- Co-founder of Jail Guitar Doors USA (with wife and Billy Bragg), a nonprofit donating instruments and running songwriting/music workshops in prisons.
“If you had the opportunity to ask him, he’d tell you that it was as big of a part as MC5... I’m sure he would tell you that nonprofit... was just as important to his legacy and his memory as was the music that he made.” – Jake Brennan [10:39]
- MC5’s Energy & Influence:
“First time I heard MC5, I literally could not believe what I was hearing. It had me worked up into a complete frenzy. I wanted to break things. I wanted to crash my car. You know, I was ready to go to jail. It was that over the top, energetic and exciting.” – Jake Brennan [11:38]
- Proto-Punk Hall of Fame: Listeners are challenged to rank MC5, The Stooges, Velvet Underground, The Sonics, and New York Dolls for influence on punk.
“How do you rate them? Who’s number one in terms of influence on the punk scene...?” – Jake Brennan [12:13]
3. Listener Calls, Texts, and Emails – Wild Stories and Requests
Segment Start: [18:17]
- Blues Pilgrimage & New Listener:
- Email from “Hangnail Slim” shares how a DISGRACELAND Robert Johnson episode converted his fiancée into a blues fan during a road trip in the South.
- Jake plugs his Skip James episode and encourages new listeners to explore the archive.
- Contest Announcement:
- Listeners can enter to have their story given the DISGRACELAND treatment—five-minute custom production by Jake, plus custom voicemail greetings and downloadable artwork for all.
“We’re going to memorialize one of your experiences by giving it the full Disgraceland treatment...” – Jake Brennan [20:36]
- Standout Listener Voicemails:
- Bear (904): Calls in about the Weiland episode:
“Good episode on Wyland. Kind of made me sad... Stuff I, as a lifelong STP fan, stuff I’d never even knew or heard. So thank you for adding that, that new insight for me.” – Bear [22:58]
- 573 Caller: Shares a memory from 1989 of being doused with beer from a Supersoaker by Dimebag Darrell (Pantera):
“Dimebag Darrell sees two little guys and he proceeds to go to his keg beer area... and he would unleash like a huge spray of beer on our faces... ‘Hang in there, little dude.’” – Caller [24:38]
- Jake’s response:
“That tracks with everything we researched about Dime. I never met the man... just seemed to be an incredible guy who was taken from us too soon.” – Jake Brennan [25:54]
- Bear (904): Calls in about the Weiland episode:
- Requests and Suggestions:
- Calls/texts include requests for more punk/hardcore episodes (Black Flag, Against Me!, Mastodon), detail on Don Cornelius of Soul Train, a John Wayne episode, and more.
- Jake reveals his own connections with Mastodon and the Clinton, MA hardcore scene, and shares future episode possibilities.
- Dedicated shoutout to truck drivers and road warriors.
4. Community Building & Bonus Content
Ongoing throughout episode
- Heavy push for listeners to follow DISGRACELAND on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X for exclusive video content and short stories.
- Encourages interaction and continued expansion of the show's community.
5. Moment of Bliss: 1994 Number-One Albums
Segment Start: [35:31]
- Jake highlights the musical landscape when STP’s "Purple" debuted at #1 in June 1994, comparing contemporaneous chart-toppers:
- May 14: Pink Floyd – Division Bell
- May 28: Tim McGraw – Not a Moment Too Soon
- June 4: The Crow Soundtrack
- June 11: Ace of Base – The Sign
- June 18: Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
- June 25: Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Scott Weiland’s personal hell:
“His demons literally manifested themselves right in front of his eyes and trapped him in his bathroom...” – Jake Brennan [05:16]
-
On untapped potential:
“He was still... forming as an artist... And he’s just gone. Went too quick. And we didn’t get to see what he was fully capable of. And that is a disgrace.” – Jake Brennan [08:00]
-
On MC5’s impact:
“It had me worked up into a complete frenzy. I wanted to break things. I wanted to crash my car. You know, I was ready to go to jail.” – Jake Brennan [11:38]
-
Dimebag Darrell’s legendary generosity:
“Hang in there, little dude. And he would unleash like a huge spray of beer on our faces from... his Supersoaker.” – Listener [24:38]
Important Timestamps
- [03:16] — Introduction to After Party, Scott Weiland reflections
- [05:16] — Scott Weiland's “manifested demon” story
- [09:12] — Wayne Kramer legacy and MC5 impact segment
- [12:13] — Proto-punk hall of fame listener challenge
- [18:17] — Listener email (Hangnail Slim) & community contest details
- [22:58] — Listener voicemails: STP memories & Dimebag Darrell story
- [35:31] — “Moment of Bliss”: 1994 number-one album recap
Final Thoughts
This After Party episode is everything fans love about DISGRACELAND: irreverent yet reverent, packed with rock history, deep-cut personal stories, and enthusiastic listener participation. It celebrates the tragedies and triumphs of music icons—from Weiland’s haunted genius to Wayne Kramer’s life of service—as Jake Brennan turns the mic toward his passionate and knowledgeable audience.
For the full, wild ride—and a chance to enter your own story into DISGRACELAND legend—listeners are invited to call, text, follow on socials, or enter the new contest.
Contact/Engagement:
- Call/Text: 617-906-6638
- Email: disgracelandpod@gmail.com
- Instagram (highly recommended!): @disgracelandpod
- Contest entry: DisgracelandContest.com
“No one cares about the music that you love more than you do. And, well, that’s a disgrace.” – Jake Brennan [36:16]