Episode Overview

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona
Episode: 11-24-25 – Playdio DAY ONE – Bands 1-5: AG SESSION, ONE STAR NITE, MAGUARO, DEMONIK, OUR LAST LAUGH
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Date: November 24, 2025

Theme:
It’s Day 1 of Playdio 2026, Holmberg’s annual battle-of-the-bands where local Arizona groups submit original tracks to compete for the chance to write the show’s 2026 theme song. The crew listens, critiques, and rates the first five entries on-air. Listeners also have opportunities to weigh in via social media and text. The hosts banter, zing, and often eviscerate entries—all part of the fun.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Playdio Introduction & Format

[03:13-04:30]

• Holmberg explains Playdio’s format: 40 bands submit one original song each; hosts play, roast, and rate them.
• The top 5 are selected to perform live downtown at Copper Blues. The winner on Wednesday writes the next theme song (like previous winners, Miles to Noah, “kept us happy every morning” - John Holmberg, [03:24]).
• Critique system:
  • If Brett dislikes a song, a Sopranos sound drop is played.
  • Brady uses a "gong."
  • John uses a prolonged "Noooo" scream.

2. Band One – AG Session, “Reflection”

[05:29-10:48]

• Three-piece Phoenix rock band. Song theme: addiction, recovery, self-reflection.
• Critique:
  • Brett: Musically "pop-punky," singing "left a little bit to be desired."
    • “The vocals are kind of weird, and I just thought it was kind of messy.” ([09:28])
  • John: Drummer “off time…almost the entire song.”
    • “It sounded also very ‘Friends’ theme song…someone needs to get your drummer a metronome.” ([09:32])
  • Humorously compared to Blink 182 (“crap 182” – Listener comment, [09:49]).
  • John: “Just because they’re first out of the gate…I'll give that one a four.” ([10:44])
  • Scores: John: 4, Brady: 4, Brett: (implied 4)
• Memorable Line:
  • “That song’s just not—also, that's good.” (Holmberg, [10:38])

3. Band Two – One Star Nite, “Piss Ball Pete”

[11:22-12:39]

• Bio: Minimal. Band and song name only.
  • Song is 16 seconds long.
• Song Lyrics:
  • “Let me tell you a story. A man named Piss Ball Pete. His neck’s so small, he pissed on his ball.” ([11:41])
• Immediate Reaction:
  • “This is the best Playdio song I’ve ever heard. Oh my God.” (Holmberg, [11:57])
  • Played twice on-air by demand.
• Scores:
  • First round: John: 7, Brett: 6, Brady: 7
  • Second round (after multiple callbacks): 8s and a 9, with hosts increasing scores for its sheer impact and brevity ([20:47], [24:26])
  • “I already know all the words.” (Holmberg, [31:53])
• Listener Reactions: Overwhelmingly positive; “Winner, end it now. No need to hear the other 38.” ([13:48])
• Host Consensus: “That’s a champion song right there. I’m proud of it.” (Holmberg, [12:39])

4. Band Three – Maguaro, “Dirt Bag”

[13:06-16:46]

• Submitted a photo of a homemade bong with their track.
• Song references to “waterhole and power line parties.”
• Critique:
  • John: “Have you ever heard of Timbuk3?... that’s immediately what I heard.” ([16:01])
  • “Just didn’t have enough chutzpah. Just kinda flat.” (Brady, [16:17])
  • Brett: “It sounded like early KISS.” ([16:28])
• Scores: John: 4, Brady: 4, Brett: 5
• Memorable Line:
  • “It was definitely stoner rock…not by today’s standards.” (Brady, [16:17])

5. Band Four – Demonik, “My Burial”

[18:24-25:12]

• Frequent Playdio participants (4th/5th time).
• Song “inspired by movie, video game, and band Easter eggs.”
• Critique:
  • John (on song structure): “Unknown band—you have not earned the right for us to wait for you…gives your song about seven seconds to grab them…way too long an intro.” ([23:13])
  • Brett: “His voice had no authority—not for that song.” ([23:51])
  • John: “The voice just doesn’t match…felt softer.” ([24:50])
• Host Banter:
  • Demonic compared to “Prodigy” and “teenage son singing.”
  • “When did demons go gay and techno stop?” (Listener comment, [24:46])
• Scores: John: 5, Brady: 5, Brett: 4

6. Band Five – Our Last Laugh, “Popular Disaster”

[27:06-30:34]

• Four-piece, Phoenix. Promises “catchy hooks, honest lyrics, shredding.”
• Song Critique:
  • Hosts sought "the shredding" but didn't find any.
  • “I wanted it to go somewhere, it just didn’t.” (John, [30:12])
  • “It was just there.” (Brett, [30:33])
• Scores: Brady: 5, Brett: 5, John: 5

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Playdio’s Purpose:
  • “We’re that group of people who aren’t your friends. We’re doing what people do when they don’t know you to your songs. Your friends love you, your family loves you. Nobody’s going to be honest with you.” (Holmberg, [26:09])
• On brevity and impact:
  • “The error that so many bands make—you go get on with it. These guys…what else you got? I’m impressed with that. Nicely done. 'Piss Ball Pete' is—that’s a champion song right there.” (John, [12:39])
• On band descriptions:
  • “I hate when they describe the guitar shredding. All right, Yngwie, leave the superlatives.” (Brett, [27:43])
• Recurring callback/joke:
  • “Let me tell you a story. A man named Piss Ball Pete, his neck so small he pissed on his ball.” (multiple callbacks throughout show)
• Listener Interactions:
  • “Winner, end it now. No need to hear the other 38.” (Listener Ryan, [13:48])
  • “I'm hiring Piss Ball Pete for my Christmas party.” (Listener comment, [26:09])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:13] – Playdio contest format and entry rules explained
• [05:29] – AG Session, “Reflection” critique
• [11:22] – One Star Nite, “Piss Ball Pete” (first play and initial reactions)
• [13:06] – Maguaro, “Dirt Bag” review
• [18:24] – Demonik, “My Burial” feedback
• [27:06] – Our Last Laugh, “Popular Disaster” comments
• [31:50] – Recap; hosts continue loving “Piss Ball Pete,” joke about learning the lyrics

Episode Tone

• Language/Tone: Raw, sarcastic, frequently irreverent. Blunt but fair criticism balanced with humor and running gags.
• Vibe: Lively local-music roast; quick to praise surprises ("Piss Ball Pete"), ruthless to uninspired or messy entries.

For Newcomers

Even if you missed the live episode, the summary above captures the infectiously chaotic spirit of Playdio Day 1. "Piss Ball Pete" is the clear show-stealer, with hosts and listeners echoing its instant-cult-song status. If you want to see what gets a band noticed—it's less about polish, more about making an unforgettable (possibly ludicrous) impression.

Tomorrow's promise: More bands step up to survive the HMS gauntlet—with "Piss Ball Pete" looming as the surprise frontrunner to beat.