DISGRACELAND Afterparty Bonus: "The Next Incel Killer Already Has A Playlist"

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Jake Brennan
Podcast: DISGRACELAND (Double Elvis Productions)

Episode Overview

This bonus "Afterparty" episode of DISGRACELAND dives into the relationship between music and the online incel (involuntarily celibate) subculture, examining how playlists created by self-identified incels echo despair, isolation, and alienation. Host Jake Brennan explores past examples where music was blamed for inspiring violent acts, scrutinizing the scapegoating of art and arguing that music reflects rather than incites violence. There is also listener interaction surrounding the question, "What is the greatest rock and roll record of all time?", and discussion about exclusive content, upcoming episodes, and community engagement.

Key Discussion Points

1. Music and Incel Culture

[04:58–12:31]

• Historical scapegoating of music:

  • ACDC blamed for Richard Ramirez (“Night Prowler,” 1985).
  • U2 associated with the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer by Robert John Bardo (1989).
  • Recent examples: Scott Beierle’s 2018 Florida yoga studio shooting, Toronto van attack (2018), Isla Vista killings (2014).

• Who are incels?

  • Self-identified involuntarily celibate men, characterized by deep grievance, feelings of rejection by women, and resentment towards sexually active men.
  • Known for online “incel music” playlists on Spotify, with creators using distinctive usernames (“Jazzy Lupito,” “988 M3ME,” “scissor with one C and a Z”).

"If there’s one theme that ties the songs on these playlists together, it’s isolation."
— Jake Brennan [07:53]

• Music tastes and playlist content:

  • Songs of alienation: “Just” (Radiohead), “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Ruined a Whole Generation of Women” (Negative XP), “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” (Neutral Milk Hotel), covers like “Teenager in Love” (Birdbath).
  • Emphasis on Morrissey/The Smiths, historically anthems for the misunderstood and alienated.

• Debate over music’s role:

  • Brennan pushes back on blaming music as the cause; sees it as a mirror of despair.
  • Modern incel music does not radicalize, but validates pre-existing alienation.

"Music isn’t the murder weapon. Music is the mirror."
— Jake Brennan [12:03]

• The dilemma of scapegoating:
  • The core problems are deep-rooted social and psychological issues, with music used as an outlet or mirror.
  • Predicts society will continue smashing the “mirror” instead of addressing the underlying issues.

"It’s only a matter of time before they kill again. And when they do, people will eventually point to Incel music as a scapegoat and smash the mirror instead of looking into what it shows us."
— Jake Brennan [12:25]

2. Listener Segment: The Greatest Rock and Roll Records

[16:12–24:08]

• Prompt: What's the greatest rock and roll album of all time?

• Listener highlights:

  • Junior (714): “David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”
    • "It's like a visual for your brain, just perfectly constructed... I could never get tired of it." [16:12]
  • Mr. Taylor (916): Also Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust”—concept album, “every single song is an absolute banger.”
    • "I came to the conclusion that David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust is probably, if not the greatest, start to finish album of all time." [17:30]
  • Dave (470): Tool’s “Enema” (via text)
  • Joe (310): Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers”—his “one record to rule them all.”
  • Anthony (724): Green Day’s “American Idiot” (for his generation); also loves Alice In Chains’ “Jar of Flies” EP.

• Jake’s take:

  • His pick: ACDC’s “Powerage” (“I just fucking love it. I love it and I can listen to it forever.” [23:30])
  • Acknowledges consensus for “Ziggy Stardust”; discusses double albums, Stones’ “Exile on Main Street” vs. “White Album.”

3. Community & Content Updates

[~44:00+]

• Upcoming episodes:
  • AC/DC Part Two, U2 Rewind, next up: Phish (“the Fish”).
• Next week’s question:
  • What music do you listen to when you’re “unwinding”—high, drinking, or otherwise altered? Calling for listener input.
• Exclusive mini episode preview:
  • Intriguing discussion on whether Bon Scott wrote the lyrics for AC/DC’s “Back in Black.”
  • “His girlfriend, Silver Smith, has stated publicly that on the night the Bon[n] died, Bon was in fact celebrating that he had just finished writing the lyrics for what would become the band’s next record…” [49:58]

4. Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On music and violence:

  "Algorithms now feed grievance faster than ever. Music, like politics and religion, is just another on ramp for the aggrieved. For those who Paul Schrader and Thomas Wolfe once called 'God's lonely man,' it turns out the modern version of God's lonely man has pretty good taste in music."
  — Jake Brennan [10:30]

• Listener praise:

  "Thank you for what you're doing. You are freaking awesome. Greatest storyteller ever."
  — Junior (714) [16:12]

• On incel playlists:

  "These playlists don't inspire violence—they reflect it. They echo the delusions of the men obsessing over them. The music isn't radicalizing them, it's validating their despair."
  — Jake Brennan [11:53]

• On Bowie’s impact:

  "Tremendous storytelling in this record...There's ballads. It's a super dynamic sounding album. I love this choice."
  — Jake Brennan [16:57]

• On his favorite AC/DC album:

  "It kind of delivers over and over again on the same vibe all throughout. And that is just a dirty ass rock and roll band that I imagine would just destroy your night in the best possible way."
  — Jake Brennan [23:38]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:58 — Music scapegoating & intro to incel-related violence
• 06:30 — Breakdown of incel Spotify playlists & music themes
• 08:10 — The Smiths’ special place in incel music
• 10:30 — The “music as mirror, not weapon” thesis
• 16:12 — Listener call: Ziggy Stardust as greatest album
• 17:30 — Mr. Taylor expands on Ziggy Stardust argument
• 22:35 — Jake's pick: AC/DC's "Powerage"
• 23:53 — Listener picks: Tool, Rolling Stones, Green Day
• 44:00 — Community engagement, episode sneak peeks, Back in Black controversy preview
• 49:58 — Mini-episode excerpt: Did Bon Scott write Back in Black's lyrics?
• End — Wrap-up and shout outs to the DISGRACELAND community

Tone and Style Notes

• Jake Brennan’s delivery is gritty, irreverent, and emotionally invested, often using colorful language and concrete examples to make his points.
• The episode is interactive and community-driven, with listener calls and texts serving as springboards for further music discussion.
• Reflection is encouraged, with a clear distinction between entertainment and factual journalism.

Summary Conclusion

This Afterparty episode of DISGRACELAND confronts the recurring cultural tendency to blame music for real-world violence, particularly the disturbing acts linked to the incel subculture, and makes a pointed argument for viewing music as a reflection, not a cause, of alienation and despair. The episode also serves as a space for passionate music fans to share and debate their picks for the greatest rock records, and offers glimpses into future content, fostering a sense of an active, obsessed community digging into music’s most buried, complicated, and controversial stories.