Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness (09-17-25)

Episode Title: Free Tickets To Joe Perry Project Are The Only Thing Good About The Show According To John As He Reviews The Show While Bret Saw NIN
Airdate: September 17, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogan, Brett Fesley, Dick Toledo

Overview

This episode features the crew recapping two very different concert experiences from the previous night: Brady's less-than-impressed review of the Joe Perry Project concert and Brett's glowing take on Nine Inch Nails (NIN). The team dives into detailed, humorous analysis of rock veterans on stage, discussions of professionalism versus chaos, and the uniquely entertaining disasters that can occur at shows featuring legendary, but perhaps aging, musicians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe Perry Project: A Train Wreck with Charisma

(Segment starts ~01:16)

• Band Lineup & Context:

  • Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Chris Robinson (Black Crowes), Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), plus a backup singer and drummer.
  • Several band members filled in last minute with little rehearsal.

• Disorganization & On-Stage Blunders:

  • Joe Perry, supposedly sober, appeared drunk: "He proved it last night. What a mess. Drinking beer on stage. He doesn't even try anymore." – Email read by Brady [01:14]
  • Chris Robinson, described as “laced with crack,” brought erratic energy.
  • Numerous performance flubs: Perry botched signature songs (“Walk This Way”), forgot cues, started songs in wrong keys, broke a guitar string and gave up mid-song.
  • Onstage confusion was glaring: "Song starts with drums. And Joe looks at him and then his hands drop to his side and he looks at everybody in the band. He just shrugs his shoulders." – Brady [04:58]

• Notable Backup Singer:

  • Talked up for her performing presence and curves; the guys debate descriptive terms (big, healthy, husky, “not Lizzo”), with a running commentary on stage presence and attractiveness.

• Atmosphere:

  • Sparse crowd at Wild Horse Pass ("maybe half full").
  • “There was nobody there. And these guys seemed like that for the love of music, they just went out there and played.” – Brady [06:20]

• Rock and Roll Mess Becomes Fun:

  • The band’s constant missteps and chaotic execution added a bizarre charm.
  • “It was such a train wreck. It was good because it was almost like seeing a band... in 1970. You’re like, these guys got something, but they're just a mess.” – Brady [06:15]
  • Comparison to Corey Feldman’s notorious shows: “That was the best, worst show I’ve been to since Feldman.” – Brady [01:55]

• Free vs. Paid:

  • Brady and the crew emphasize that the free tickets made the disaster more entertaining than frustrating.
  • "If I'd have spent money, I'd have been upset. But since I didn't, I got to see Joe Perry and Chris Robinson and Robert DeLeo do a garage band rehearsal just doing cover songs." – Brady [09:06]

• Set List & Standout Songs:

  • Played a mix of Aerosmith, Black Crowes, and Stone Temple Pilots covers, plus lesser-known Joe Perry Project tunes.
  • “Their songs are good, and a couple of them are Aerosmith songs that I guess Joe wrote that Aerosmith kind of dismissed.” – Brady [09:11]
  • Chris Robinson’s vocals: Transforms every song into his own style.

• Final Assessment:

  • “For the Joe Perry project to get better, one crucial element I would suggest is: Get rid of Joe Perry. He seems to be the biggest problem in the Joe Perry project.” – Brady [16:44]

2. Nine Inch Nails: The Professional Alternative

(Segment starts ~12:44)

• Polished and Powerful:

  • Brett describes NIN as “like a machine.” – John [12:44]
  • Light show and stage production were impressive.
  • “They had this DJ…boom, the curtains go up, and then there's Trent on a piano, plays the first two or three songs acoustic.” – John [12:50]
  • Use of both main and center stage kept show dynamic.

• Set List Curation:

  • Started with newer, slower material but played hits near the end and closed with “Hurt.”
  • “The set list…played all the hits at the end…started with the new album to start…huge error.” – Brady [13:32]

• Band Leadership:

  • “It was Trent. Yeah, Trent. He is Nine Inch Nails.” – John & Brady [13:49-13:57]

• Professionalism Contrasted:

  • “Imagine Nine Inch Nails last night if Trent just stops because he started a song in the wrong key.” – Brady [17:09]
  • Enthusiastic mention that NIN gave the audience exactly what was expected and paid for.

3. Reflections on Rock Shows, Age, and Audience Expectations

• Aging rockers and their evolving stage presence are discussed with both sympathy and brutal honesty.
• “It's rough to be the youngest guy there. And you just turned 53 back in July. You're like, wow, Aerosmith is old.” – Brady [11:55]
• Discussion on how the love for music sometimes outweighs technical mistakes, especially in small venues.
• The crowd’s desire to have a good time makes audiences overlook—or even appreciate—the chaos: “The audience wanted it to be so good.” – Brady [20:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Joe Perry’s Performance:

  • “Joe Perry's been lying to his fans for years about being sober, and he proved it last night. What a mess. Drinking beer on stage. He doesn't even try anymore.” – [Email read by Brady, 01:14]
  • "He broke a string in the middle of a song... took the guitar off and just threw it down and ran over to the mic and started to sing. He didn’t even try." – Brady [05:21]
  • “For the Joe Perry project to get better, one crucial element I would suggest is: Get rid of Joe Perry.” – Brady [16:44]

• On the Backup Singer:

  • “She’s a little bit thick, but she’s got just this sex appeal on stage.” – Brady [02:38]
  • “Her hair’s great and her boobs dance just perfect.” – Brady [02:59]
  • “She’s got curves in all the right spots, but, you know, just a bigger gal.” – Brady [03:46]

• On the Chaos:

  • “It was almost like seeing a band…in 1970... They're just a mess.” – Brady [06:15]
  • “Because it was so close quarters, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry is stumbling around doing terrible. Just awful.” – Brady [09:41]

• On NIN’s Contrast:

  • “They were like a machine.” – John [12:44]
  • “Set list… played all the hits at the end.” – John [13:32]

• On the Supergroup Status:

  • “I've never been to a show with that many heavy hitting... I mean, that's an all-star supergroup... insane how much talent is on that stage.” – Brady [08:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:16] – Show Introductions and Concert Assignments
• [01:55] – Brady Reviews Joe Perry Project: "Best, worst show since Feldman."
• [04:58] – Walk This Way Fiasco and Band Confusion
• [06:20] – Sparse Attendance and 'For the Love of Music' Vibe
• [09:06] – Free Tickets Justify Enjoying the Chaos
• [12:44] – Brett Reviews Nine Inch Nails: “Like a machine”
• [13:32] – NIN Set List Structure and Discussion on Concert Pacing
• [16:44] – “Get rid of Joe Perry” as the solution
• [20:11] – Audience Forgives the Band Their Sins
• [24:12] – Cracking Jokes About the Backup Singer
• [28:39] – Comparing Good and Bad Concert Experiences
• [31:25] – Would Go to Joe Perry Project Again for Disaster Potential

Tone and Language

The episode features the show’s trademark irreverence, sarcasm, and playful—but sometimes pointed—banter. John, Brady, and Brett pull no punches, both mocking and celebrating the eccentricities of rock legends, poking fun at concert mishaps, band aging, and the sometimes-absurd loyalty of rock fans. The humor is unfiltered, with quick asides about pop culture, body image, and the realities of seeing classic rockers in 2025.

Summary Verdict

• The Joe Perry Project show was an entertaining disaster: full of musical confusion, performer missteps, and rock ‘n roll legends acting like they’re still in their twenties…with none of the precision, but plenty of heart (and beer).
• Nine Inch Nails delivered a flawless, tightly-produced set, serving as a stark example of what happens when veteran performers stay sharp.
• Both hosts agree: sometimes the worst shows make for the best stories—especially when they're free.

Sample Quote:
"For the Joe Perry project to get better, one crucial element I would suggest is: Get rid of Joe Perry. He seems to be the biggest problem in the Joe Perry project." – Brady [16:44]