DISGRACELAND Podcast: Bonus Episode – Rock 'n' Roll Second Acts Release Date: April 24, 2025

Introduction to the Bonus Episode In this bonus episode of Disgraceland, host Jake Brennan delves into the intriguing topic of artists whose subsequent bands eclipsed the success and impact of their original breakthroughs. This episode serves as an engaging after-party to bridge the gap between full episodes, providing listeners with deeper insights and interactive discussions.

Main Discussion: Impactful Second Acts in Rock 'n' Roll Jake Brennan opens the discussion by posing a compelling question: "What artist had more impact in their follow-up band than they did in their breakthrough band?" (01:08). This question sets the stage for an exploration of various artists and their musical trajectories post their initial success.

Excluded Examples:

• Dave Navarro: Initially from Jane's Addiction, Navarro's stint with Red Hot Chili Peppers is dismissed as he was more of a sideman than a full member, thereby not qualifying for the discussion.
• Ronnie James Dio: Transitioning from Black Sabbath to a solo career, Dio is excluded as the focus is on artists moving between groups rather than solo endeavors.

Notable Comparisons:

• Soundgarden vs. Audioslave: "Soundgarden has sold significantly more albums than Audioslave—30 million to just 8 million," Jake notes (03:15), highlighting the disparity in commercial success.
• Guns N' Roses vs. Velvet Revolver: Despite both bands' substantial followings, Guns N' Roses remains significantly larger than Velvet Revolver in terms of sales and influence.

Surprising Finds:

• Bel Biv DeVoe vs. New Edition: Jake mentions Bel Biv DeVoe having greater success than New Edition, though he expresses skepticism about the accuracy of this claim (05:30).
• Blur vs. Gorillaz: One of the standout revelations is that Gorillaz have sold approximately "40 million to 6 million for Blur,"* which astonishes Jake (06:45).

Kim Deal's Breeders vs. The Pixies: Jake muses over the Breeders' "Last Splash" album potentially outselling all Pixies albums combined. However, he remains doubtful, suggesting that cultural impact might favor the Pixies despite lower sales figures (07:20).

Listener Interactions and Responses: The episode becomes interactive as Jake reads listener voicemails and texts, providing diverse perspectives on the question.

• Metalhead Mundy from Indiana: Suggests Neil Young's transition from Buffalo Springfield to his solo career, emphasizing Neil's lasting influence (12:47).

  Jake's Response: Jake acknowledges the broader impact but reiterates the focus on group transitions rather than solo careers (13:35).

• Todd from Nashville: Advocates for Dave Grohl's move from Nirvana to Foo Fighters, highlighting the Foo Fighters' sustained relevance despite lower album sales compared to Nirvana (14:09).

  Jake's Counterpoint: He entertains the idea but tentatively favors Gorillaz due to their international success, though he remains open to the Foo Fighters' credentials (15:08).

Conclusion of Main Discussion: Ultimately, Jake contemplates Damon Albarn's Gorillaz as potentially more impactful than Blur, based on album sales and global reach, while also acknowledging the significant contributions of Foo Fighters (close to the 16-minute mark). The discussion underscores the complexity of measuring an artist's impact across different projects.

Upcoming Episodes and Content Previews Jake provides teasers for future episodes to keep listeners engaged:

• Iggy Pop Episode: Highlights Iggy Pop's connections with David Bowie, Miles Davis, Dennis Hopper, and others, promising an in-depth exploration of his tumultuous career (16:50).

• Winona Ryder Episode: Focuses on Winona Ryder's rock and roll persona and her significance in entertainment history, marking the end of the icon series (17:30).

• Hollywoodland Podcast Integration: Introduces the Hollywoodland podcast, an offshoot focusing on true crime in Tinseltown, expanding the Disgraceland universe (18:00).

Listener Questions and Engagement Jake encourages listeners to participate in interactive segments, including Easter egg hunts and answering questions related to upcoming episodes.

• Easter Egg Question: "In the Sharon Tate Part 2 episode of Hollywoodland, who did Sharon Tate seek advice from regarding her marital problems with Roman Polanski?" The answer, provided by listener Ryan from Houston, is Elkie Summer (23:37).

• Robin Williams Episode Question: "What did Robin Williams get from the prostitute when he turned 21?" Jake prompts listeners to find the answer in the upcoming Hollywoodland episode on Robin Williams (22:00).

Listener Feedback and Reviews Jake reads and responds to listener feedback, highlighting testimonials that praise the storytelling and engaging content of Disgraceland. For instance:

• MrsKJLH on Apple Podcast: "Jake can tell a story. Two exclamation points. Five stars. I listened to this podcast on a whim. After hearing an ad, I fell in love with it. Jake is such a good storyteller." (26:10)

• Allison Marie on Facebook: Expresses deep appreciation for the podcast, especially the Alice in Chains Lane Staley episode, and engages in a discussion about grunge bands like Stone Temple Pilots vs. Alice in Chains (27:26).

Membership and Exclusive Content Jake promotes the Disgraceland All Access membership, offering ad-free listening, exclusive episodes, and bonus content for a monthly fee of five dollars. He emphasizes the value of community support through reviews and subscriptions to help the independent podcast grow (28:00).

Archive Exploration and Recommendations Towards the episode's end, Jake invites listeners to explore the extensive archive of over 230 episodes, featuring stories on a diverse range of artists such as:

• Metallica, Derek and the Dominoes, Eric Clapton: Highlighting transitions and impactful moments in their careers.
• New Order and Joy Division: Discussing the legacy and influence of both bands.

Jake encourages both new and longtime listeners to dive into past episodes for a comprehensive understanding of the dark side of entertainment history (27:52).

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts Jake wraps up the bonus episode by recapping key points and reminding listeners of upcoming content. He underscores the importance of preserving the true spirit of rock and roll and teases listeners with additional chart information related to Chris Cornell as a homage to the episode’s subject (28:59).

Notable Quotes:

• "Soundgarden has sold significantly more albums than Audioslave—30 million to just 8 million." – Jake Brennan [03:15]

• "Gorillaz have sold far more albums than Blur. Something like 40 million to 6 million." – Jake Brennan [06:45]

• "Dave Grohl going on to have this incredible career with Foo Fighters after being the drummer in Nirvana." – Jake Brennan [14:09]

• "Rock is Dead. My first thought was Blue October and the song Hate Me. Lyrics that make Howlin Wolf, Bruce Springsteen and Robert Zimmerman blush." – Listener Jules [27:26]

Conclusion This bonus episode of Disgraceland offers a thought-provoking examination of musicians' career paths, emphasizing the challenges and triumphs of evolving within the dynamic landscape of rock and roll. Through engaging discussions, listener interactions, and insightful commentary, Jake Brennan provides a comprehensive look into the phenomenon of second acts in the music industry.

Stay Connected:

• Website: www.disgracelandpod.com
• Membership: disgracelandpod.com/membership
• Social Media: Follow Disgraceland on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and more interactive content.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, introductory and concluding remarks that do not contribute to the core content of the episode, ensuring a focused and comprehensive overview for readers.