Episode Summary: May 5, 2025 - Shooting in West Valley Shuts Down Grand Ave & Fun UFest Weekend Stories

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes

In this engaging episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness" on 98 KUPD | Hubbard Radio, host John Holmberg, along with co-hosts Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, navigates through a blend of serious local issues and entertaining personal anecdotes from a recent Fun UFest Weekend. The episode masterfully balances discussions on community safety with light-hearted stories from the music festival scene, providing listeners with a well-rounded and captivating experience.

1. Shooting in West Valley Shuts Down Grand Ave (00:47 - 07:31)

The episode kicks off with a sobering discussion about a recent violent incident in West Valley, Arizona. A shooting at a local Mexican restaurant led to the shutdown of Grand Avenue, raising concerns about community safety and media coverage.

Brady Bogen expresses frustration with media biases, stating:

"It's racism the way it's not covered as racism" (02:30)

He delves into how similar incidents receive varying levels of attention based on location and demographics, questioning the equitable portrayal of violence across different communities. The hosts reflect on past events, such as a Chicago wedding shooting, to highlight inconsistencies in media narratives.

John Holmberg provides specific details about the location:

"Grand and two avenues." (04:14)

Brady emphasizes the impact on daily commuters:

"Grand Avenue is closed. So a lot of you can stay off of that." (06:26)

The discussion underscores the need for more consistent and unbiased reporting on violent incidents, regardless of the affected communities.

2. Stories from a Fun UFest Weekend (07:31 - 35:45)

Transitioning from the serious topic, the hosts share their vibrant experiences from the recent Fun UFest Weekend, blending humor with behind-the-scenes insights.

a. Bret's "Dude Soup in the Meat Tube" Reference (14:13 - 16:15)

Brady Bogen introduces a humorous take on a fictional or uniquely named band:

"Dude Soup in the Meat Tube is definitely the greatest soul band I've ever heard in my life." (14:43)

This playful reference becomes a recurring motif, showcasing the camaraderie and light-hearted interactions among the hosts and festivalgoers.

b. Meeting Valerie Bertinelli Backstage (10:20 - 11:47)

A standout moment involves Brady's amusing encounter with actress Valerie Bertinelli backstage. He recounts approaching her with a mix of humor and bravado:

"I said, 'Will you marry me?' and then I walked away." (10:23)

The interaction highlights the hosts' access to celebrities and their knack for turning everyday moments into memorable stories.

c. Backstage Band Interactions (15:18 - 34:30)

The hosts delve into various backstage encounters with bands such as Seether and Wolfgang Van Halen. They discuss the often-chaotic nature of backstage environments, contrasting movie portrayals with reality.

Brady humorously critiques modern backstage dynamics:

"Backstage always kind of stinks... They won't leave each other alone. That is not how backstage is." (10:23)

John Holmberg shares a personal mishap:

"We decided to change the tire real quick... and all of a sudden, the jack collapses." (17:39)

This anecdote about a malfunctioning jack and subsequent complications adds a relatable and humorous twist to the festival stories.

3. Anecdotes and Humor (16:15 - 35:45)

Throughout the episode, the hosts intersperse their discussions with humorous exchanges and personal anecdotes, creating an entertaining atmosphere.

a. Flat Tire Fiasco (17:39 - 19:20)

John Holmberg narrates his struggle with a flat tire post-festival:

"The whole machine was gone. The whole pump was gone." (18:48)

The frustration of finding the air pump missing leads to a comical yet exasperating situation, highlighting the unpredictability of festival logistics.

b. "Dude Soup in the Meat Tube" Aspirations (16:11 - 16:15)

Brady muses about the fictional band's future:

"Dude Soup in the Meat Tube is going to make me do this all. Count on it." (16:11)

This playful speculation adds levity, imagining the band's improbable rise to fame with humorous exaggeration.

c. Backstage Compliments Gone Awry (24:04 - 32:32)

An amusing exchange unfolds when Brady tries to compliment a fellow festivalgoer, only to be met with confusion and offense:

"You look like a science teacher." (32:16)
"You're a science teacher... You dumb." (32:45)

This interaction showcases the unpredictability of human responses and the hosts' ability to navigate awkward moments with humor.

4. Reflections on Backstage Culture (35:45 - 38:29)

The hosts reflect nostalgically on the evolution of backstage culture in the music industry, comparing past dynamics to present realities.

Brady reminisces about the camaraderie depicted in movies like "Almost Famous," contrasting it with today's more reserved and compartmentalized backstage interactions:

"Almost Famous makes me sick. Teenage girls hanging out with these grown men traveling over state lines." (24:29)

John Holmberg adds personal insights:

"Dude Soup in the Meat Tube's gonna have destination Coachella." (16:11)

These reflections highlight a longing for bygone eras of more open and communal backstage environments.

5. Concluding Remarks and Highlights (38:29 - 40:09)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share final thoughts on the successful Fun UFest Weekend, emphasizing the positive experiences despite minor setbacks.

Brady expresses gratitude:

"Thanks to Doug and his crew, and everybody was part of UFest 2025. It was in the books. Really good show, too." (33:27)

The episode concludes on a high note, celebrating the community and fun aspects of the festival while maintaining an open line for future discussions and events.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Brady Bogen: "It's racism the way it's not covered as racism." (02:30)
• Brady Bogen: "Dude Soup in the Meat Tube is definitely the greatest soul band I've ever heard in my life." (14:43)
• Brady Bogen: "Backstage always kind of stinks... They won't leave each other alone." (10:23)
• John Holmberg: "The whole machine was gone. The whole pump was gone." (18:48)
• Brady Bogen: "You look like a science teacher." (32:16)
• Brady Bogen: "Thanks to Doug and his crew, and everybody was part of UFest 2025. It was in the books. Really good show, too." (33:27)

Conclusion

This episode of "Holmberg's Morning Sickness" adeptly blends critical discussions on community issues with entertaining personal stories from the music festival scene. Through candid conversations and humorous anecdotes, the hosts offer listeners both informative content and relatable entertainment, maintaining the show's reputation as Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show.