Podcast Summary

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: 11-19-25 - Rock Wars - Song For Maryvale Chamber Of Commerce
Air Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this lively Rock Wars special, the crew of Holmberg's Morning Sickness (John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo) grapple with their weekly musical battle, this time taking on the quirky challenge: Pick the theme song for the Maryvale Chamber of Commerce. The team's irreverent humor is on full display as they poke fun at inner-city Phoenix, roast each other, and try to outdo one another with the most fitting (and tongue-in-cheek) musical pick. The episode is packed with their trademark comedic banter, local references, and candid group dynamics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter and Setting the Stage

• After some brief technical ads and jokes about the freezing studio temperature, the core discussion begins around Rock Wars (06:28).
• Bret Vesely’s recent loss is referenced as the team riffs on how comedians process tragedy, with a story about John Lovitz after Phil Hartman’s death and how even sorrow becomes fodder for humor.
  • John: “Are you still milking this thing?” (02:02)
• The pressure is put on Bret to come up with the week's topic, but he’s unprepared – triggering another round of good-natured ribbing.

2. Rock Wars Challenge Selection

• After kicking around ideas (from Viagra hearings to “songs for grilled cheese weather”) they settle on the oddly specific task:
  • Best theme/hold music for the Maryvale Chamber of Commerce (04:36)
  • John: “Maryvale Chamber Commerce theme song would be amazing.” (04:36)
  • The team jokes about whether Bret, recovering from his recent challenges, should even participate.

3. Chamber of Commerce and Maryvale Jokes

• The podcast crew pokes fun at the unlikely existence of a Chamber of Commerce for Maryvale, a part of Phoenix with a tough reputation.
• Holmberg references how Clipper jerseys now sport “Visit Rwanda,” joking that Maryvale’s only harder sell as a tourist draw might be Rwanda itself (06:08).

4. Contestant Song Choices and Rationale

Brady’s Pick: “No Dinero, No Fiesta” by Dia de los Muertos

• Brady sets the mood: The Chamber wants to attract visitors for parties and holidays, so he chooses a song about there being no party without money.
  • Brady: “If you don’t pay, you don’t have a fiesta. We’re not paying. There’s no party here. Welcome to Maryvale.” (08:16)
  • John quips that it would be “hold music” for the office phone lines.

Holmberg’s Pick: “Insane in the Brain” by Cypress Hill

• John goes for broad appeal and local flavor: “Whites, Blacks, Mexicans… lets you know what you’re getting into if you go there from another town.” (09:27)
  • The group imagines it blasting from speakers on every street corner.
  • “If you’re on hold, thanks for calling Maryvale Chamber of Commerce. Someone will be with you in a minute…” (09:49)

Bret’s Pick: “Talk S***, Get Shot” by Body Count

• Bret, feeling the Chamber of Commerce is run by outsiders, picks a brutally direct song about the perils of running your mouth in the wrong neighborhood.
  • Bret: “All the white people from Gilbert over there being the Chamber of Commerce, so…” (10:42)
  • The hosts have to juggle the curses and admit: “I’m probably not gonna win because of this.” (10:43)

5. Notable Jokes, Quotes, and Memorable Moments

• Comic relief about search histories:
  • John (on Brady’s history): “Your racist search is going to be the death of you, man.” (08:56)
• Absurdity about award-giving:
  • “They just give themselves awards for tolerating being in Maryvale… Vice President of the Chamber awarded his company Best Company.” (06:46)
• Bouncing off the delay button:
  • When playing Bret’s song, the group fumbles the broadcast delay:
    • John: “My apologies to everybody involved. I think I got them both. Good Lord.” (11:36)
    • Bret: “Talk Ass, Get Shot. That’s the Maryvale theme song.” (11:59)

6. Voting and Results

• The phone lines open for a winner among the three picks. “Paul, your other blind listener” is first to call in (12:59).
  • Paul: “Oh, I am insane.” (13:17), securing a win for Holmberg’s “Insane in the Brain.”
  • They jokingly ask for a ‘sighted’ vote as well – Max the next caller also votes for Holmberg.
  • John: “Insane in the Membrane [will] come up right after this. It’s 98. There’s Rock Wars. It’s out of control now.” (14:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:02 – Joking about “milking” tragic events for sympathy
• 04:36 – Deciding on “Maryvale Chamber of Commerce theme song”
• 06:46 – Satire about Chamber of Commerce leadership
• 08:16 – Brady introduces his song, “No Dinero, No Fiesta”
• 09:49 – John plays “Insane in the Brain” for his pick
• 10:42 – Bret sets up his controversial choice
• 11:36 – Delay button issues and realization about air-approved content
• 12:59 – Phone voting begins; Paul chooses “Insane in the Brain”
• 14:09 – Confirmation of Holmberg’s win and show wrap-up

Episode Tone & Style

Chaotic, irreverent, and quick-witted, the episode is a showcase of unfiltered morning radio humor and group camaraderie. The hosts spare no one (including themselves), blending local in-jokes, social commentary, and relentless ribbing.

Notable Quotes

• John (regarding comedic minds and grief):
  “Comedic mind is… weird. Are you still milking this thing?” (02:02)
• Brady (on his pick):
  “If you don’t pay, you don’t have a fiesta… Welcome to Maryvale.” (08:16)
• John (on Chamber of Commerce award-giving):
  “They just give themselves awards for tolerating being in Maryvale…” (06:46)
• Bret (on his song choice):
  “The only thing they can think of… is Body Count’s ‘Talk S**, Get Shot’.”* (10:42)
• Paul, the blind caller (on winner):
  “Oh, I am insane.” (13:17)

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness delivers a raucous, tongue-in-cheek musical competition, loaded with local sarcasm and the kind of humor only a group of close-knit radio personalities can serve up. For anyone who’s never listened before, this episode offers a perfect snapshot of their style: musically adventurous, fearlessly irreverent, and always in on the joke.