Friday Night Karaoke – Episode 73: "Songs From the Dark Side"

Date: June 18, 2025
Hosts: Mike Whiston, Joe Rubin, and unnamed co-host
Theme: Exploring ‘Songs from the Dark Side’—an episode filled with dark, emotional, and edgy karaoke performances from the FNK community

Episode Overview

This special edition of the Friday Night Karaoke podcast dives deep into the “dark side” of music: songs about gloom, nostalgia, inner struggles, and villainous delight. The hosts curate and celebrate performances from members of the FNK community, featuring a mix of heavy metal classics, brooding 80s hits, dark lullabies, AI-composed originals, and Disney villain anthems. The episode is both a showcase of vocal talent and a celebration of community, camaraderie, and shared passion for music.

Key Discussion Points and Performer Highlights

1. Opening Blast: James R. Isaac III – "War Pigs" (Black Sabbath)

[00:36 – 04:55]

• Performance: James R. Isaac III delivers a “freaking phenomenal” rendition of this metal classic, kicking off the episode with gravitas and energy.
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  • Mike: “What did I just freaking hear? … I just got slammed in the face with that freaking awesome train.” (04:18)
  • Joe: Praises James’s consistent vocal power and the nostalgia factor.
  • Co-host: Notes how the emotion and soul in James’s performance make an old favorite feel new again.

2. Nostalgia & Community

[05:02 – 09:36]

• Hosts Introduce Themselves: Light, humorous banter emphasizing their founding roles in FNK and the group’s “negativity free, ad free” spirit.
• FNK Facebook Group: Recap of group origins and themed community participation, including video game and cartoon karaoke.

3. Isabelle Aguilar – "Rainbow in the Dark" (Dio)

[10:15 – 15:16]

• Performance: Isabelle, a longtime moderator and FNK rockstar, covers Dio’s iconic classic with soaring notes and emotional delivery.
• Highlights:
  • Joe: “She held that note. She held it and it was great.” (14:39)
  • Co-host: “Reignited that nostalgic awesomeness that we feel down inside our cockles, or our sub-cockles of our hearts.” (14:45)
• Community Impact: Isabelle is recognized for frequent duets and high-energy karaoke presence.

4. Music Discovery and Originality in FNK

[15:30 – 17:17]

• Joe: Reflects on discovering both classics and obscure gems through community posts: “People sing these songs, and I’m like, who the hell was that? I’ve never even heard of this song.” (15:57)

5. Eric Dabrowski – "Without Them Knowing" (AI-written Original)

[17:20 – 24:16]

• Backstory: Eric, another moderator, prompts ChatGPT to write lyrics based on “If you were the devil, how would you destroy the young minds of the next generation...”
• Performance: Chilling, poetic, and powerful—an original song performed after Eric matched lyrics with music.
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  • Mike: “That motherfucker just blew my fucking mind.” (22:08)
  • Joe: “What the fucking fuck, dude? … I’m done with this. … Good bye. I’m going home.” (22:20)
  • Co-host: “It was written by ChatGPT. [Eric] still curated it… and then he put the freaking–he sang it, and it was amazing the way that sounded.” (22:44)
• Memorable Quote:
  • Joe: “God, it’s so true. Like every fucking thing on there. I’m like, oh fuck yeah.” (24:06)

6. Ray Ortiz – "Mad World" (Tears for Fears / Gary Jules)

[25:04 – 31:03]

• Performance: Ray’s “live from the car” take on the modern classic is praised for its authenticity and mood.
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  • Mike: “He recorded it with, like, a little headset in his freaking car… I got about 15 minutes. I’m gonna bang out a song.” (27:55, paraphrased)
  • Joe: “I do love live from the Chevrolet… That was freaking great.” (28:16)
• Encouragement: The hosts invite listeners to join the FNK group and submit their own themed performances.

7. Karen Pavkov – "Freak on a Leash" (Korn, Lullaby Version)

[32:55 – 39:11]

• Performance: Karen (moderator and “queen of lounge style music”) offers a darkly soothing, jazzy lullaby cover of a metal classic.
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  • Co-host: “If you’re singing these lullabies to your child, you are a terrible parent.” (37:15)
  • Joe: Praises her creativity and unique interpretations.
• Fun Hypothesis: Discussion about the prevalence of dark, slow cover versions in movie trailers. (38:05)

8. Joel Davis – "Snuff" (Slipknot)

[39:42 – 45:32]

• Performance: Emotional and vocally powerful, recorded in the car.
• Host Highlights:
  • Co-host: “It just got more and more powerful as it went on, building. Oh my God, it was great.”
  • Joe: Suggests a future “Live from the Car” theme for FNK.

9. Jamie Marie – "Zombie" (Cranberries)

[47:58 – 52:41]

• Performance: Jamie’s very first post in the FNK group and immediately selected for podcast feature.
• Hosts’ Reactions:
  • Mike: “That was Jamie Marie with Zombie by Cranberries and she just absolutely crushed it.” (51:53)
  • Co-host: “If you’re going to post your very first song… we will likely put it on the freaking podcast.” (51:59)
• Encouragement: Jamie is strongly encouraged to keep participating.

10. Finale: Joe Rubin – "Le Poisson" (The Little Mermaid)

[53:20 – 56:00]

• Performance: Joe delivers a gleefully villainous take on the chef’s song from Disney’s Little Mermaid, rounding out the “dark side” theme with comedic evil.
• Hosts Reflect:
  • Co-host: “You know he’s an underrated villain… This dude literally, like, chops them up, stuffs them in the bread, freaking eats them!”
• Fun Banter: Culinary jokes about eating mermaids and seafood abound.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On discovering new songs:
  “I discovered so many songs on FnK that I’ve never heard before ever… People sing these songs. I’m like, who the hell was that?” – Joe Rubin (15:57)

• On Eric Dabrowski’s AI song:
  “That was insane. Like, what the fucking fuck, dude? I… I’m done with this. … Good bye. I’m going home.” – Joe Rubin (22:20)

• On Karen’s lullaby metal:
  “If you’re singing these lullabies to your child, you are a terrible parent.” – Unnamed Co-host (37:15)

• On car karaoke:
  “Live from the Chevrolet! … I’ve recorded a bunch of songs in my car.” – Joe Rubin (28:16)

Timestamps for Key Performances

| Timestamp | Performer | Song | Notes | |-----------|-------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | 00:36 | James R. Isaac III| War Pigs (Black Sabbath) | Heavy, powerful opener | | 10:15 | Isabelle Aguilar | Rainbow in the Dark (Dio) | Soulful, nostalgic | | 17:20 | Eric Dabrowski | Without Them Knowing (ChatGPT Original)| Dark, AI-generated, emotional | | 25:04 | Ray Ortiz | Mad World (Tears for Fears) | Car performance, intimate | | 32:55 | Karen Pavkov | Freak on a Leash (Korn, Lullaby Ver.) | Jazzy, haunting | | 39:42 | Joel Davis | Snuff (Slipknot) | Emotional, car recording | | 47:58 | Jamie Marie | Zombie (Cranberries) | Powerful debut | | 53:20 | Joe Rubin | Le Poisson (Little Mermaid) | Villainous Disney fun |

Other Highlights & Community Notes

• FNK Facebook Group: Hosts repeatedly encourage listeners to join and participate; themes change weekly and anyone can post.
• Upcoming Theme:
  • Next FNK podcast theme is announced as “FNK Car-e-oke” – any song, as long as it’s recorded in a car. Safety emphasis: only record while parked!
• Listener Reach:
  • “Every episode gets between 40 and 50,000 people who listen…” (29:52)
  • Top 20 on Apple Podcasts when released regularly.

Closing Tone

Playful, enthusiastic, and self-deprecating, the hosts blend real admiration for their community’s vocal talent with humor and honest reactions. The show repeatedly underscores the joy of music, the pleasure of sharing performance, and maintains a welcoming, supportive vibe throughout—even when contemplating the darker side of music.

For more or to get featured, join the Friday Night Karaoke Facebook group!