Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Playdio DAY TWO: Bands 27–32

Date: November 25, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Segment: Playdio DAY TWO – Reviewing bands Tempe Sour, DJ Bathsheba, DDMNNRS, CZYK, Mid Story, Rob Menino

Overview

On Day Two of Playdio 2025, the crew of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness dives into another batch of six local Arizona bands—Tempe Sour, DJ Bathsheba, DDMNNRS, CZYK, Mid Story, and Rob Menino. True to form, the team balances sharp wit, pop culture callbacks, and musical insights as they score and review entries, seeking gems among the hopefuls vying for Playdio glory.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tempe Sour – “Get Up”

• Impressions & Humor (06:34–12:20)
  • The band’s name and association with Tempe Tavern spark joking about Little League parties and shady bar practices.
  • Musical Reaction: The hosts liken Tempe Sour's sound to “TV show rock band music,” referencing Chips, Sesame Street, Scooby Doo, and The Brady Bunch as touchpoints.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “This is a song Moloch would sing…in the 70s, when Telly Savalas walked into a rock-and-roll bar.” — John Holmberg (08:58)

  • The song’s “Sesame Street drinking song” vibe is highlighted, with Holmberg constructing a “Scooby Doo” chase sequence in his head.
  • Scores: Straight sixes from the hosts.
    • “For that, I’m giving them a six because you just made my cartoon brain so happy.”—Holmberg (11:00)

2. DJ Bathsheba – “Fire and Freedom”

• Background (12:22–15:00)
  • Known in the Phoenix scene; recognized as a breast cancer warrior and advocate for foster youth through Eyes Like Mine, Inc.
  • Labeled “the Jim Manley of Playdio” for her positive impact and mission work.
• Song Reaction (15:01–18:30)
  • The entire crew is “blown away” by her vocal power and production quality.
  • “That might be the best song I’ve heard during this competition.” — Holmberg (17:10)
  • “She could’ve won American Idol.”—Bret (18:25)
  • Listeners compare her to Carrie Underwood (“but even better”), Bonnie Raitt, and Shania Twain, noting a “country twang with real lyrical depth.”
  • Running Joke: Skepticism about whether she’s actually an AI due to the song’s professionalism.
  • Scores: 10 from Brady, 9s from everyone else.
• Memorable Moment:
  • “When you hear someone’s song, like their first words, you can tell if they can sing anything. DJ Bathsheba has a voice.” — Bret Vesely (17:00)
  • “What the hell is she doing in this contest?” — Bret (17:55)

3. DDMNNRS – “Casual Friday”

• Background (19:10–21:36)
  • A Phoenix-based two-piece thrash, punk, hardcore metal band formed after meeting on Craigslist.
• Reception
  • The hosts praise the band for their ability to keep the chaos structured.
  • Despite not being their preferred genre, they acknowledge it’s “good for what it is.”
  • “Normally I’d hate this, but I can’t. And I don’t know why!” — Holmberg (21:15)
  • Scores: 7s from John and Brady; 8 from Bret.
  • Banter about the band name: “Are we running short on vowels?”

4. CZYK (pronounced “Check”) – “Downward Spiral”

• Background & Banter (21:38–24:00)
  • Alternative metalcore outfit with accolades, including playing major festivals.
  • Discussion on pronunciation (“Check,” “Chic,” etc.) and the confusing spelling.
• Song Feedback
  • The hosts compare the lead singer’s tone to “a man singing for Evanescence.”
  • “It’s Evanescence with a boy singer.” — John (24:40)
  • Feeling: “Good production and structure, but too emotional and droning.”
  • Production quality is praised; “It’s so easy to sound good now.”
  • Scores: Initially 7s, adjusted down to 6s, as the song "grew tiresome."
• Memorable Listener Comments:
  • “I could hear the exact moment of that song where he dropped to his knees and gobbled that mic.” (Listener text read aloud)

5. Mid Story – “Aviator”

• Background (26:05)
  • Self-described as a shoegaze/alt-rock band from Phoenix. Brief, straightforward bio.
• Impression & Humor
  • Quickly dismissed as “a really cruddy Smashing Pumpkins with Daffy Duck on the drums.”
  • References to film/TV: “It’s the Goodbye Horses song from Silence of the Lambs.” / “Lost Boys 3 soundtrack.”
  • “That song wasn’t about their abilities as much as…it was just a bad song.” — John (28:25)
  • Scores: Straight 5s all around.

6. Rob Menino – “Orange Sky”

• Banter & Background (29:05–34:00)
  • Rob is introduced with tongue-in-cheek reverence for using his own name as a band name.
  • Mocking the tendency for solo acts to have grand bios, including “having played all over the southwest…Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale…Tucson, Malibu, Hollywood.”
  • “My name’s Rob Menino. That’s what you call me. That’s what I am!” — John (30:35)
  • Song Review
    • Immediate association with Bruce Springsteen, Kid Rock, John Mellencamp, and Bob Seger, but all “on hormone treatments.”
    • Praise for clear diction (“You can understand him.”), but repeatedly called “out of breath.”
  • Peak comedic moment:
    • “Rob Menino. Songs one word at a time. Can’t make more than one single rhyme.” — John (32:50)
    • Suggestion: “Rob needs to open up a car dealership.” — John
  • “If Shrek 8 ever happens, you’re in it. Dollar Store Hardy.” — Text read aloud
  • Scores: Initial 10 (jokingly) from Bret, then down to 6s all around, with Brady giving a 4.
  • “You’re the most famous guy in Phoenix now, though, Rob.” — John (34:13)

Notable Quotes & Banter by Timestamp

• Scooby Doo Reference (Tempe Sour)
  • “Like Tempe Sour’s doing the chase scene, going down hallways, opening different doors…” — John (09:45)
• On DJ Bathsheba’s Song
  • “A truck commercial is going to steal that. Ford and Chevy are now fighting over who’s going to get that one next.” — John (17:25)
• On DDMNNRS
  • “That one structured the chaos; they kept it in the structure of what that’s supposed to sound like.” — John (21:15)
• On CZYK
  • “When you hit a ‘while’ you’re like, yeah, too emotional.” — John (24:55)
• On Rob Menino’s Style
  • “Bruce Springsteen after hormone treatment…It was a soft, kinder Bruce Springsteen. No Adam’s apple.” — John & crew (32:35)
  • “You just sounded like you were out of breath. Knocked the wind out of me when I fell down the steps. Rob Menino!” — John (32:52)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Tempe Sour – Song play & review: 06:34–12:20
• DJ Bathsheba – Song play & review: 12:22–18:30
• DDMNNRS – Song play & review: 19:10–21:36
• CZYK – Song play & review: 21:38–24:55
• Mid Story – Song play & review: 26:05–28:25
• Rob Menino – Song play & review: 29:05–34:13

Summary Table of Scores

| Band | John | Brady | Bret | Notes | |:----------------:|:--------:|:--------:|:--------:|:----------------------------------------| | Tempe Sour | 6 | 6 | 6 | Happy “cartoon brain,” Scooby Doo vibe | | DJ Bathsheba | 9 | 10 | 9 | “Best so far”; “What’s she doing here?” | | DDMNNRS | 7 | 7 | 8 | “Structured chaos” | | CZYK | 6 | 6 | 6 | “Evanescence with a boy singer” | | Mid Story | 5 | 5 | 5 | “Cruddy Smashing Pumpkins” | | Rob Menino | 6 | 4 | 6 | “Soft, out-of-breath Springsteen” |

Tone and Takeaway

This Playdio batch had the HMS team alternating between genuine musical appreciation (notably for DJ Bathsheba and DDMNNRS) and their trademark irreverent humor—often riffing on pop culture, band names, and perceived musical clichés. DJ Bathsheba emerged as a standout, while others became springboards for the hosts’ wild, animated imaginations.

For Playdio fans and local bands alike, this episode delivers what HMS does best: a perfect mix of snark, deep Arizona music community knowledge, and honest feedback—always with a smile and a smart-aleck aside.