11-05-25 - Rock Wars - Song For Someone Who May Have Married A Commie

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - 98KUPD

Episode: 11-05-25 – Rock Wars: Song For Someone Who May Have Married A Commie

Date: November 5, 2025
Participants: John Holmberg (Host), Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo, John Gordon

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Episode Overview

This episode’s main theme is the hilarious and playful selection of a theme song for “someone who may have married a communist” as part of the show’s weekly “Rock Wars” competition. The hosts approach the topic with trademark irreverence, poking fun at the hypothetical—and clearly sensitive—scenario, choosing songs that best provide a soundtrack for someone finding out their friend or loved one has married a real-life communist. The show hosts (John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo) riff on the topic, trade barbs, and then make their musical picks before handing it over to judge John Gordon.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting Up the Rock Wars Theme

• The hosts introduce the idea: What song would you play whenever your friend—rumored to have married a communist—enters the room?

• Holmberg, as always, emphasizes that the topic is tongue-in-cheek, urging everyone to imagine the hilariously awkward social scenarios that could arise.

• The group explicitly rules out obvious "red" references in song titles—no “Lady in Red," no Chevelle, etc. ([02:21])

  “Let's cut out all the red songs though. The red from Chevelle, red from Warren. Like if it has red in it. Goodbye.” — John Holmberg [02:21]

Theatrical Hypothetical

• Holmberg creates a sitcom scenario, role-playing how Brady would react if his spouse announced communist beliefs.

• The group lampoons the idea of redistributing wealth at a family dinner, playing on sitcom tropes and social discomfort.

  “We've been busy distributing wealth. I'm a communist now. What? Oh, my God, what a perfect answer. ... You just leave when they say they're communist, it's gonna be nothing but trouble.” — John Holmberg [02:31]

The Bigger Joke

• The humor centers not so much on politics, but on the social awkwardness and potential for controversy at gatherings.

  “And I don't even care about their communism. I care all about how it's gonna end up at dinner parties and social gatherings. Inevitably, you're gonna end up fighting with people you like.” — John Holmberg [02:47]

Song Selection Rules

• Songs must connect to the “married a communist” theme, but can’t just be a lazy "red" reference. The goal: find the most fitting and entertaining anthem.

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Rock Wars: Song Nominations

[06:17–10:28]

Bret Vesely’s Pick:

• Song: "Back in the USSR" (Motorhead cover)

• Justification: Iconic, on-the-nose, and “Butchering the Beatles” brings the aggression.

• Crowd Reaction: Surprised, impressed they covered it.

  “I'm gonna do... It's a cover tune by one of our favorites. Oh, Lemmy covering Back in the USSR. It's Motorhead.” — Bret Vesely [06:48]

Brady Bogen’s Pick:

• Song: "Russians" — Sting

• Justification: Captures the somber, tense mood when “that person” walks in; tongue-in-cheek about nuclear war and red scares.

• Crowd Reaction: Laughter at the “depressing B cut” selection.

  “I think mine kind of captures the mood every time that person would walk in the room. ... Russians.” — Brady Bogen [07:51]

John Holmberg’s Pick:

• Song: National Anthem of North Korea

• Justification: The most extreme on-theme anthem for communist connections. Parodies the notion with a full singalong to the anthem’s translated lyrics.

  “It's the national anthem of North Korea, I think should be Toledo's theme. ... Sing along, everybody.” — John Holmberg [09:01]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“I find it hysterical. And don't think that I'm ever in the same room. I'd be like, how about the redistribution of wealth in this place? I'm just gonna whisper that and walk away and just watch the fireworks from a distance.” — John Holmberg [06:18]

“Geez, honey, this is a little aggressive. What are you playing on the Bluetooth?” — (playing North Korean anthem, mock-family dinner) — [09:38]

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Judging & Outcome

[09:42–10:28]

• Judge: John Gordon

• Deliberation: He playfully weighs each song but leans into the inside joke of “it could only be Toledo.”

• Winner: Lemmy/Motorhead’s "Back in the USSR" (picked by Bret Vesely).

  “When I think of communism. Yeah, Only one guy comes to mind. Toledo. Let me come. Oh, my God. Lemmy for the win. I like it.” — John Gordon [09:54]

• Aftermath: Brady points out he almost chose the same song; minor playful dispute about pick timing.

  “Why didn't you say anything?” — John Holmberg
  “Hey, you know what? ... Communism. I'm taking what's mine.” — Brett Vesely [10:33–10:52]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Rock Wars Topic Intro & Hypothetical: [01:56–02:57]
• Song Options Announced: [06:17–09:01]
• Holmberg Sings the North Korean Anthem: [09:01–09:38]
• Judge John Gordon Picks the Winner: [09:42–10:28]
• Debate About Pick Duplicates: [10:28–10:52]

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Tone and Language

The episode is irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, and full of typical morning show banter, with all political content filtered through a lens of absurdity and schoolyard teasing. The mocking, clowning dynamic is strong, with a focus on funny “what if” scenarios rather than actual debates.

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Conclusion

This episode of “Holmberg’s Morning Sickness” delivers playful, off-beat morning radio humor, riffing on social discomfort and musical parody. Each host pitches their communist-themed song with gusto, while the group leans into the fun of not taking the premise seriously. Lemmy’s “Back in the USSR” is declared the (tongue-in-cheek) anthem for anyone unlucky enough to marry a communist, at least for Rock Wars.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[C]

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[B]

Still streaming Homburg's morning sickness [e-mail] it's Godsmack right there. Whatever. It's 9:27. The word for 9 o' clock is high roller. And somebody just texted something is Toledo. If his wife has a period, let's start calling it the Commie Tsunami. Let's not talk about her period at all. That is funny. But we're not bringing that up. We're not. In fact, we're going to be very. I won Rock wars last week. Yeah, you did. Yeah. Okay, well, I'm not going to say it.

[D]

Or did I?

[B]

John Gordon did. John Gordon picked me. Yeah, John Gordon did. Because I had skid row. Brady. Yeah. Brady so often can reach into the hat and pull out a victory.

[A]

Yeah, I wasn't sure.

[B]

Well, today you might be able to do it. I'm not going to name names or get specific about anything, but let's just say someone you know has married a communist. Brett, you're a wedding dj. Yeah. We need a song for Marian. Communists. Whether it's their anniversary, it's the wedding day itself. A great song to celebrate. A theme song for someone who's married a communist.

[A]

Let's cut out all the red songs though. The red from Chevelle, red from Warren. Like if it has red in it. Goodbye.

[B]

If it's Red in the tie.

[D]

Lady in red.

[B]

Yeah, lady in red. I've been singing all day. Let's just it. Because it could happen, and it's, you know, I'm not saying who, but it's happened near us. When you find out that someone's married a communist, they need a theme song. From that day forward, whenever they're in the room, whenever they talk, that theme song needs to play. I'm not saying who. It could happen to any of us, I suppose. Not a real man. You heard me, Brady. Let me hear your reaction real quick. I'm going to play the part of Ronnie, and you'll be playing the part of Brady. All right? When I open the door, that's your cue to come in and say hello to the family. Ready? Let me start it with. Maybe we have a little, I don't know, some sort of theme music for you. It's Brady's sitcom. Here we go. Hey, look, everybody, Brady's on. Hello, family. Hello, Brady. It's wonderful to see you. We've been busy distributing wealth. I'm a communist now. What? Oh, my God, what a perfect answer. Brady, excellent job. And the crowd went wild. You just leave when they say they're communist, it's gonna be nothing but trouble. And I don't even care about their communism. I care all about how it's gonna end up at dinner parties and social gatherings. Inevitably, you're gonna end up fighting with people you like. Can't go bringing that stuff up. Well, I like Mom, Donnie. And then somebody's husband's gonna be like, who brought the commie Boom. All right, so here we go. A theme song for Rock wars for if, in case you ever have a friend married to a communist. A true one, not like one that you're just saying it because they watch msnbc. Like, a real one, one that, like, supports other communist things. I like this a lot. It's 9:30. We'll have your suggestions [e-mail] you can text 97936. We'll find out what we choose next. It's 98.

[A]

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[D]

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[A]

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[D]

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[A]

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[B]

Homeburg's morning sickness. It's time for the weekly battle of musical supremacy known only as Rock Wars. Better late than never. We got to get right to it. And Rock wars is brought to you by our friends over at Mo Money Pawn. Shorter long term collateral loans from $10 to over $100,000. No credit needed. Top dollar paid with the entire process. Just taking several minutes. Mo Money pawn.com taking 100 bucks off at M and P Guns as well for your builder class if you want to do that.

[A]

Ar, Glock, whatever. They're going to take care of you.

[B]

That's awesome. So for the holiday season, save a little extra money while you're trying to do that. It's a great gift. It's an awesome present. We have a theme. We're not saying who, we're not saying what, but let's say someone, you know, married a communist.

[A]

I'll say it wasn't me.

[B]

Wasn't me.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Brady.

[D]

No.

[B]

No. Are you sure? You all right?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I didn't sound very convincing. Well, maybe it was Brady. And that's why we'll just stop asking people in the room. All right, but let's just say you got a friend who might do it. And every once in a while, that friend wanders in a room and you happen to have a radio station. He might need a theme song.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, so today, the theme song for a guy who may have married a communist, which I find hysterical. It doesn't change my views of that person whatsoever. I find it hysterical. And don't think that I'm ever in the same room. I'd be like, how about the redistribution of wealth in this place? I'm just gonna whisper that and walk away and just watch the fireworks from a distance. But I will ask where the theme song for that person is. Starting with you, Brett, who would you like to choose? Go.

[A]

I'll go first.

[E]

Okay.

[A]

I'm gonna do.

[E]

It's a.

[A]

It's a cover tune by one of our favorites. Oh, Lemmy covering Back in the ussr. It's Motorhead.

[B]

I didn't even know they did it.

[A]

Oh, yeah, from the album Butchering the Beatles.

[B]

That's right.

[D]

Who's.

[B]

Who's got it.

[A]

Back at Toledo's house. No, no, I mean back at somebody's house.

[B]

I make it specific. The obvious person who's married a Communist. We do that. I like that one. All right. Well done. Album cover. Butchering the Beatles. Look at that. It's the. It's the Beatles album cover. I think it's Revolver. Is that not right, John? You'd know. Or Rubber Soul. That looks like Rubber Soul. I don't know which one it is. Oh, no, that's Meet the Beatles Yesterday and Today. Yesterday and Today. You're right. That's it. You're right. There it is. There's a baby in it. All right. Nice job, Brady. What is your choice?

[D]

I think mine kind of captures the mood every time that person would walk in the room.

[B]

I went with Sting.

[D]

Russians.

[A]

I don't remember this one.

[B]

Very depressing. It's a depressing B cut off of a late 80s Sting album.

[A]

I hope the Russians love their children too.

[B]

It's about.

[D]

It's about losing.

[B]

Well, it's about nukes and like.

[A]

About nukes.

[E]

The war.

[B]

He actually includes the word opera Oppenheimer in the song a couple of times. Hard to sing that.

[D]

That's the household, that mood.

[B]

Yeah. Right. Well, this is basically saying, I hope those communists aren't as bad as I thought they were. Because if they don't love their kids, they'll nuke us first. So if there's still love for children, they'll keep the nukes in the ground. I like that. Well, I'm thinking theme songs both. You did very well, but mine is something that I think just cut and dry. It's the national anthem of North Korea, I think should be Toledo's theme.

[A]

Sing along, everybody.

[B]

Shine bright, you dawn on this land so fair over the world dazzles My country so rich in silver and gold are you 5000 years of your history Our people ever were renowned in cities stage and rich cultural heritage as with heart and soul we strive Korea shall forever thrive and in the spirit of Mount Paiku with the love and toil that shall never die. Flute is gonna have this for dinner.

[A]

Geez, honey, this is a little aggressive. What are you playing on the Bluetooth?

[B]

Shut the windows. I bought some new speakers. The theme song to North Korea, John Gordon. We're late. It's up to you, my friend. Come on over here. Will it be Lemmy and Motorhead back in the ussr? Will it be the Russians by Sting? Or will it be the Korean North. North Korean national anthem. Who wins? When I think of communism. Yeah, Only one guy comes to mind. Toledo. Let me come. Oh, my God. Let me for the win. I like it. All right, we'll play the song. We'll come out of the break with back in the U.S. this are. Congratulations. Good win there. Thank you, Brad. And actually, Brady picked a good song that no one's ever heard. I'd never heard of it. Yeah, really good song. You actually picked that, but you were late, you know, same one as Brett.

[D]

It was in because Brett goes, oh, you're in already. But Toledo trumped it and said, I'm going.

[B]

Why didn't you say anything?

[D]

Hey, you know what?

[A]

Oh, here we go.

[B]

Oh, my God. No, you're just lazy. You didn't say I did that first. You could have told him. No, you asked me. Now this story would have been I.

[D]

Was leaving up to Brett to.

[B]

Oh, stop. Well, that makes you a. I guess that's all as you leave it up to Brett. Why would he.

[A]

Communism. I'm taking what's mine.

[B]

Exactly right. All right, we'll do a break here and come back with Brett's big win all by himself with absolutely no controversy at all. It's 98, Arizona's most powerful rock radio station. He said fully erect.

[A]

It's Brett Vesley from Homebridge. Morning sickness. Now. I've always been the kind of guy that takes care of my own lawn. That's until I found Divine Design Landscaping. These guys aren't your typical Mo and blow landscaping company. They do amazing work, and it's just what I needed to finally throw in the towel and let the experts take over. If you've been unhappy with your landscaping or sick of trying to do it yourself, well, it's time to get a hold of Divine Design Landscaping. These guys handle everything. Lawn care, irrigation, tree work, low voltage lighting, 3D designs. Get a free quote at DivineDesign Lawn Care dot com. That's DivineDesign Lawn Care dot com.

[E]

I'm Mike King from the podcast Profiling Evil. A place where true crime meets behavioral science. I spent my career investigating serial predators and studying the psychology behind them. Here, we don't just talk about what criminals did. We explore why they do what they do. We expose manipulation and control. Look at how offenders select their victims and uncover the ways that they try to avoid det. You can find Profiling Evil on your favorite podcast platform.