106 - The Ramones - Rocket To Russia - Charlie Benante

Summary

Podcast Summary: The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers – Ep. 106 Album: The Ramones – Rocket to Russia
Guest: Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Pantera)
Release Date: May 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this energetic and candid episode, Josh Adam Meyers sits down with legendary drummer and songwriter Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Pantera) to celebrate album #106 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums: Rocket to Russia by the Ramones. The pair explore the lasting legacy and New York grit of the Ramones, discuss the parallels between punk and thrash metal, and dig into Charlie’s own musical journey, including Anthrax’s upcoming album and his current role in the re-formed Pantera. The episode is rich with stories about punk’s seismic influence on metal, New York’s music scene, the emotional resilience of long-running bands, and how the spirit of humor and authenticity ties together great musicians.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Benante on Balancing Anthrax and Pantera

• Switching Between Bands: Charlie explains the technical and emotional challenge of drumming for both Anthrax (as a founder) and Pantera (as Vinnie Paul's successor).
  • “With Pantera, it's the same, but it's two different kits... The Pantera kit is configured the way Vinnie played it. So I can't go off and do, you know, ridiculous things. So I stay, I stick to that. And that is great because that's my guardrail.” (08:30)

2. The New Anthrax Record: Cursum Proficio

• Origin & Meaning: The new record, Cursum Proficio (“I complete my journey” in Latin), drops in September—a decade after their last.
  • The title was inspired by a crest seen in a Marilyn Monroe documentary, with Charlie saying: “I was looking for a title that pretty much summarized where we were at... and when I heard what it translated to, I was just like, that's it.” (13:15)
  • Not meant as a farewell, just a reflection on their journey.
• Writing & Family Life: The long gap resulted from natural cycles, family, and the pandemic. Creativity reignited as Charlie began sharing riffs with the band.
• First Single – “For the Kids”: Described as a “love letter” to their fans and themselves.
  • “We wanted a song that made us feel like that again, and that's how it happened.” (16:16)
• Sound & Pressure: Scott Ian’s claim that the new album is spiritually close to Among the Living brings “huge expectations,” but Charlie says the process is organic; the shape of an album only forms song by song. (14:46)

3. Fusing Humor and Seriousness Across Bands

• Anthrax: Charlie and Josh reminisce about the band's uniquely New York blend of humor and intensity.
  • “We were ball busters. We just fucking love to just with people and just have a good time, you know, it's New York.” (10:35)
• Pantera: “There's a lot of humor there, too... but it's way more dead serious.” (10:35)
• The “Brotherhood” of Metal & Punk: Metal and punk are described as inclusive refuges for outsiders—with an underlying unity and camaraderie fans and musicians share.

4. Ramones: Rocket to Russia – Punk’s Blueprint

• First Impressions: Charlie first saw the Ramones in Rock Scene magazine, before even hearing them—captivated by their look and attitude as much as their sound.
  • “I was big into Kiss, you know, Sabbath...then I saw a picture of the Ramones...I was like, what?” (24:34)
• New York Identity: Both Anthrax and the Ramones share unapologetic New York roots, shaping their sound and attitude. Josh: “The New York accent never leaves the music.” (26:39)

5. Why Rocket to Russia?

• Charlie believes Rocket to Russia surpasses even the Ramones’ debut: “There’s something about this record that just jumps out at you. Those songs…are some of their best.” (25:28)
• Its mix of speed, simplicity, and unmistakable New York character mark a turning point in punk’s global influence.

6. Punk, Metal, & Mutual Influence

• Ramones and Thrash DNA: The “down-picking” guitar pioneered by Johnny Ramone directly inspired the playing style of Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer.
  • “If we play fast, it’s because of Johnny Ramone.” (33:21)
• Bridging Genres: The Ramones serve as the bridge between 1960s girl group pop and the hardcore aggression of later punk/metal.
• Songwriting: Pop infectivity and aggression make the Ramones enduring. Charlie credits Tommy Ramone’s drumming as foundational to punk and, by extension, thrash metal drumming.
  • “I would put [Tommy] in the same category as Ringo, Charlie Watts…without them, the band would have been completely different.” (45:53)

7. On Endurance, Evolution, and Not Getting “Flowers”

• Both punk and thrash underwent years of critical dismissal for “simplicity”—a point Charlie says is less about anger than the desire for recognition of innovation and risk.
  • “There’s a movement going on because these kids are getting it, but you’re not getting it.” (36:58)
• Lists of best NY bands ignoring the Ramones is “crazy.” Anthrax, Kiss, Blondie, Dictators, Ramones—all are NY icons regardless of genre. (31:59)

8. Band Changes & Musical Growth

• On Anthrax’s singer changes (Joey Belladonna to John Bush and back): it was about natural evolution and new possibilities as a songwriter.
  • “When [John Bush’s] voice entered my head, the floodgates opened.” (50:47)

9. Punk’s Belated Mainstream Breakthrough

• On why it took so long for punk to reach mass popularity (i.e., Green Day’s arrival):
  • “Green Day…they're non-threatening, but they sound punk, and they're catchy…that’s what really broke punk open for America.” (75:04)
• Noting how Ramones, Sex Pistols, and Clash first looked too weird, too political, too non-commercial.

10. Legacy, Longevity, and the ‘True Fans’

• Ramones (and Motorhead) are now fashion icons, but Charlie laments “posers” in band shirts without “roots.”
  • “If you can’t name four songs off the first Black Sabbath record, you do not belong playing in metal.” (84:31)
• Despite belated mainstream appreciation, peer respect and a loyal base mean more than fleeting hits.

11. Personal Stories & Anecdotes

• Meeting Joey Ramone: “He was so happy…He had this talent. I love the way he wrote...” (90:21)
• Johnny Rotten encounter in a NY record store, late ‘70s, revealed the real John Lydon as gracious and approachable. (94:46)
• Spinal Tap Moment: After a show with Iron Maiden in Spain, Anthrax’s driver accidentally drove the band’s car down a flight of stairs in a rush to the airport. Everyone was fine—but it was hilariously close to disaster. (108:40)

12. Final Reflections on Rocket to Russia

• Joy & Timelessness: The episode concludes with praise for the album’s enduring energy and accessibility.
  • “You will be happy after you listen to it. It will cheer you up.” (113:28 – Charlie Benante)
  • Josh: “50 years later and these songs still sound like a subway train covered in leather jackets and comic book stickers…I think that’s what’s brilliant.” (114:45)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• (13:15 - Charlie): “I was looking for a title that pretty much summarized where we were at… when I heard what it translated to, I was just like, that's it.”
• (16:06): “Someone said… it's a love letter to your fans. And… actually, it was for us, really.”
• (26:39 - Josh): “This feels as New York as Times Square, as Essa bagels, as a dollar slice of pizza.”
• (33:21 - Charlie): “If we play fast, it’s because of Johnny Ramone. No one could tell me different.”
• (45:53 - Charlie): “I would put [Tommy Ramone] in the same category as Ringo, Charlie Watts… without them, the band would have been completely different.”
• (75:04 - Josh): “Green Day… they're non-threatening, but they sound punk, and they're catchy… that’s what really broke punk open for America.”
• (84:31 - Charlie): “If you can't name four songs off the first Black Sabbath record, you do not belong playing in metal.”
• (113:28 - Charlie’s elevator pitch for the album): “You will be happy after you listen to it. It will cheer you up.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [08:30] – On drumming for Anthrax vs. Pantera
• [11:12] – On Anthrax’s new album Cursum Proficio
• [24:34] – Charlie’s first encounter with the Ramones
• [33:21] – Ramones’ influence on thrash metal
• [44:47] – Tommy Ramone’s drumming legacy
• [50:01] – Anthrax’s evolution with different vocalists
• [75:04] – Why punk broke big with Green Day
• [90:21] – Personal story about meeting Joey Ramone
• [108:40] – Spinal Tap moment – Spanish stairs mishap
• [113:28] – Charlie’s pitch: why you should listen to Rocket to Russia

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Conclusion

This episode marries infectious humor, deep New York pride, and serious musicology. Charlie Benante’s insights illuminate how punk and metal—especially the Ramones and Anthrax—are cut from the same outsider, do-it-yourself cloth. Rocket to Russia stands as a joyous, durable, and deeply influential record. Whether dissecting songwriting, sharing road stories, or riffing on what it means to be a “real fan,” Charlie and Josh celebrate the albums and attitudes that changed music forever.

For more, follow Charlie at charliebenante.com and check out Anthrax’s new album this fall.

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(Next week: Ray Charles – Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music)

Transcript

[Josh Adam Myers]

NextChapter podcasts. When you think about businesses that are selling through the roof like Skims or Allbirds, sure you think about a great product, a cool brand and great marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business making, selling and for shoppers buying.

[Charlie Benante]

Simple for millions of businesses.

[Josh Adam Myers]

That business is Shopify. It's home of Shop Pay, the number one check checkout in the world. You can use it to boost conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned and way more sales going through. To checkout, upgrade your business and get the same checkout Allbirds uses. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com income all lowercase go to shopify.com income to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com income hey fleece army, we need your help to make the 500 even better by telling us a bit more about yourself. Go to www.surveymonkey.com R3TWX8YD for a quick listener survey. It only takes a few minutes and directly supports our team. To show our appreciation, we're giving away two 50 gift cards to lucky participants every single month. So head to www.surveymonkey.com R as in randy/3 the number T as in Tony, W as in woman, X as in Xerox and 8 as the number Y as in yellow, D as in Dog. I'm saying this, we're gonna put the link on our website if you can't see that, that was a lot. But this is your chance to win. It helps our show. We really appreciate it. We want to know more about you because you know so much about me. So yeah, dude, do it. Www.surveymonkey.com R3TWX8Y D that's a mouthful, but it's there. The 500. The 500. JM been walking us down through that 2012 edition, so it ain't nothing to you. Hundreds more to go and in need of a friend. The King of peace for angelo. Talking the 500 until the end Talking the 500 until the end with my

[Charlie Benante]

man JM

[Josh Adam Myers]

on the 500 Talking the 500 until the end. The song is do youo Want to Dance? It's by the Ramones from their 1977 record Rock it to Russia. It's also number 106 out of 500 on the 500 with me, Dane Cook. Yep, that's me, everybody. Danny Cookie. No, I'm Josh Adam Myers, and I'm a comedian. And I am going through Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums from 500 down to 1. And we are chipping away. We're chipping away. Lekka. My dog's not even in the room anymore. On the ones and twos, my man Alex is. Is with us. And, man, do we got a doozy of an episode for y' all to hear today. The Fleece Army. Get your maraca, get your tic Tac maracas ready because we are here to party. We're here, we're queer, and you can't stop us. Are you guys good? I hope so. Are you watching the podcast? I hope so. I hope you like these new intros. Yeah, we got a YouTube channel, the 500 Podcast. Search for it. Actually, you don't have to search. It's YouTube.com backslash the 500 podcast and we get drop the episodes on Thursday. But if you subscribe to the Patreon. Ah, see that you get it a day early on the day it comes out. Patreon.com backslash the 500 podcast support. So this weekend I am at the Rose City Comedy Club in Tyler, Texas. I'm doing four shows. Two Friday to Saturday and then the next weekend. I think I have off the next weekend, but June 12th and the 13th, I'll be in Chandler, Arizona at Mic Drop comedy club. And June 18th and the 20th I will be at the Sacramento Punchline, which I'm so excited about, first time doing that club. And then July, I'm going to be in Pittsburgh. I've got Zany's Nashville coming up. I've got Tampa coming up. I've got Washington, D.C. baltimore. Go to my website, Josh Adamyers.com or go to Punchup Live Backslash Josh Adam Myers for tickets. And you can always follow me on All Social at Josh Adam, my eyes. All right, party people, I want to talk about this record because Today on the 500, we are talking about one of the shortest, loudest, dumbest genius records ever made. Rocket to Russia by the Ramones and good God, Ms. Mod. It is punk rock. It is speed. It is grief, it's riff, it's endurance. It's surviving your bandmates, surviving yourself. It's. It starts with. With hearing this band and going, wait, we can just do this. You can be a rock and roll New York cartoon character, wear a leather jacket, live in a basement, buy comic books, do amphetamines, and play exactly three chords. And you can change music forever. And my guest Today, good golly, Ms. Mother Jamming Molly, is the rock star that we have been waiting for. The one and only Charlie Benante from Anthrax and currently playing with Pantera. And he is on tour as we speak. And Anthrax has a brand new record coming out, man, and we're gonna play a track for it at the end of the episode. Cursum Persis. That's the way you have to say it's coming out this fall. Anthrax hasn't recently recorded about over 10 years. This is a big deal. And for all tour dates, music and more, go online to charliemanante.com and all of his socials are right there. What a gift. What a gift to be able to sit down with one of the most influential drummers. Primary songwriter behind Anthrax's biggest riffs. I mean, this is the dude, man. This is the guy. And man, oh, man. Oh, Shovetz. We talk. We could talk for hours. He'll be back, don't worry. Rate, review, and most importantly, subscribe to the 500 listen free on all platforms or anywhere you get your pods. Follow me at Josh Adam Myers and all socials. Follow the podcast at the 500 podcast. Email the [e-mail] Follow the Facebook group run by Crazy Oven. I think he still does it. And for all things 500, go to the website the500podcast.com. All right, y', all, nothing left to say, but here we go with number 106 out of 500 with Rocking to Russia by the Rads. Well, that is the RA. What is that like when you're, when you're bouncing back and forth? I. I mean, I know they're. Because they're, they're, they're similar, but they are so still different. Like, I do you have, like, little things that you do for each band because with one, you're one of the founding members. You're, you know, you're. You're on the board of directors, and on the other one, you're filling in for one of the greatest, like, you know, thrash metal drummers of all time. I mean, do you. Do you have moments like, wait, oh, no, I'm doing Pantera right now? Like, okay, we're back to Anthrax. Like, all right, I gotta. I know what I'm doing. I know what I'm doing. I mean, it's got to be. It's got to be a lot on your plate.

[Charlie Benante]

The Anthrax thing, it's muscle memory. You know, at this point with Pantera, it's the same, but it's two different kits. You know what I mean? So it's Configured. The Pantera kit is configured the way Vinnie played it. So I can't go off and do, you know, ridiculous things. So I stay, I stick to that. And that is great because that's my guardrail. Is that that configuration?

[Josh Adam Myers]

I mean, just, Just incredible, man. Like, you know, and I have questions about it later, but, I mean, you know, what is that like? Because you, you guys have played, you know, you've been. Your career has been so awesome, dude. I remember seeing you guys Anthrax at Hammerjacks in Baltimore. Dude, more.

[Charlie Benante]

I remember that place, bro.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I, I, bro, I've been a fan, like, I've been a fan of Pantera for years. I've been. I'm a. More of an Anthrax fan than, I mean, but like, like, when it came to the big four in that tour, I was like that, dude, I want to see Anthrax. Like, like. And I think, I think a lot of it had to do with. I just like songs like Cotton Amash, where those are those the first songs that me and my bands, like, in high school would, like, learn how to play. And also there was like, a goofiness and a fun. Which now living in New York City, I get it. And meeting New Yorkers and knowing my dad always. Well, my dad always used to say that because he's from Philly. And you would be like, philly guys are cool. Boston guys are cool, but they're slightly racist. New York people are just fun. And if you ever get to meet. And then every borough is a little different. So whether Brooklyn or for you, like, the Bronx or Manhattan, you know. You know, it's, it's. Nobody gives a fuck about Staten island, obviously, but you know what I mean? Every, Every borough is different. So that's what, that's what came across in the music where it was like, we're having fun. We're murdering you guys while we're on stage. But also, like, we're having a laugh as well. I mean, and then to go to something like Pantera, which is dead fucking serious.

[Charlie Benante]

Like, there's a lot of humor there, too. But I would say, yeah, the Anthrax thing, we were ball busters. We just fucking love to just with people and just have a good time, you know, it's New York.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah. How is the new record? I mean, we, we. I know. I want to bring it up to get this out of the way, because we're going to promote at the beginning, the end. I mean, let me get the, the My little thing up about it. It is so Basically, now you guys are working on the new record. Is it. Is it come out yet or. It's about to come out.

[Charlie Benante]

No, it comes out in September. We just released a song and a video last week.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yes, the album. I'm gonna this up. Cursum proficio.

[Charlie Benante]

It's actually. You could this up. We got an expert to tell us how. What's the correct pronunciation? And he says, it's proficio.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Proficio.

[Charlie Benante]

So I'm like, all right.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Okay. So it's Latin for, my journey has come to an end. My journey is over. Or my com. I complete my journey. Wait, does this mean. Is this it? Is this the last record, then? Is this, like, a sign for everybody?

[Charlie Benante]

We're not saying that I get it, but for me, we were 10 years in between records.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, well, it's been a long time, man. What. What was it that made you guys want to, like, come out with another record now? I mean, after 10 years? It's just because I'm assuming, like, like, a lot of bands. It's like, you guys tour, you guys go heavy, and then it's like, all right, we've been working together for over 40 years. I'm gonna take a break. I'm gonna go do my. You go to your. And we'll. We'll talk in a little bit. It was that, and then you just were like, we guys, we should jam again.

[Charlie Benante]

We were doing a lot since our last record for All Kings, and, you know, we all have families, and sometimes life just kind of takes over.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

And before you know it, you have a pandemic that happened, and then that's two years out of it. And then started to get that feeling again that, you know, I had a bunch of songs, I had a bunch of riffs and stuff like that. So I started writing again, and then I would send some stuff to the guys and. Hey, what do you think about this? Oh, that's good. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So that's how it happened. And that just got the ball rolling.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah. So with the title, dude, is it to me, is it like. Like, who came up with it? Because it basically, like I said, it translates to, I'll complete my journey. After everything that your band has, like, survived with the lineup changes, the trends, the burnout, like, Losing Friends, did that title just hit emotionally for you guys?

[Charlie Benante]

I was looking for a title that pretty much summarized where we were at the. At this point, you know, and I was watching this Marilyn Monroe documentary, and they had footage of her home in la, in Beverly Hills, and there was this tile for tile. And it had this cursum proficio kind of crest. That's what it was. And I saw it, and then they said what the name.

[Josh Adam Myers]

What.

[Charlie Benante]

What it translated to. And I was just like, that's it. It's exactly it. You know, so that's where the title came from. And when I told everybody, you were like, what the does that mean? And. And then I told them, and then it was like, okay, yeah, I like that. And then we went with it.

[Josh Adam Myers]

No, I dig it. I dig it. And. And when I kind of listen to Scott, I was reading and listening to the new song, and we're gonna play it at the. At the end of the episode, for sure. It's for the kids, for everybody out there. If you haven't heard it, stick around for the end of the episode. But Scott is saying that spiritually, this is close to. This album is close to among the living. And that is a dangerous thing to say to metal fans because now the expectations are insane. Like, do you feel that pressure when making this one? Or when you hear you guys say that? Or do you. When you. When you're making the record, do you go, oh, wow, this is like, we put this up there with that. Or is it just, like, not just the record of the time?

[Charlie Benante]

So, you know, you really don't know, like, what kind of record you have until you're about six, seven songs deep. And then it starts to take shape. And then you start. And then when the record starts to be mixed, and then you do a running order, and then it just comes together. Like, I always equated it to, like, a director making his movie. He's doing all these shots, right? He's doing them at a sequence, whatever. And then when he starts to edit the movie, the movie comes together and it becomes, wow, here's my first act, is my second act. Here's my third act. The way I feel, I felt about this record because there was songs that were from 2015, you know.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah, you've been holding on to for a long time. It'd be 10 years. A long time, dude. But, dude, it's. But, dude, further, it's for the kids. Like, to me, like, listening to it, it feels very, like, anthraxy. Like, just fast, catchy. It's aggressive. It's funny. Like, it's like. It's almost. I'm. I'm happy that that's the first single because it really is like, yo, we still know how to do this. We're still Anthrax and we still Got all the giblets that we had before. It's. It's so fun, man. I'm. I'm really excited, dude, to hear the rest of the record.

[Charlie Benante]

Someone said he really captured the best saying about that song. He said, it's a love letter to your fans.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

And actually, it was for us, really. Yeah. We wanted a song that made us feel like that again, and that's how it. That's how it happened, you know? So I'm so happy that everybody likes it and it's a huge weight off. Off my shoulder.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, I can imagine. I can imagine, man. It's because, you know, it's. It's always tough when you're dude. To be in a band as long as you guys have been together. You know, it's. It's. It's one. It's a miracle that you guys can stay together because so many have it. And that's why we have to look at bands like the Stones and. And, you know, just. There's so many that have been together for so long, and it's like, we know that, you know, whether there's the egos in this, but it's just the fact that we still, as the fans, keep getting more of what we love. And not only that, but it's like, you guys still sound great. You guys still look cool, like, because that's. That. That's the best.

[Charlie Benante]

So.

[Josh Adam Myers]

So congratulations, man. I think that's. That's amazing. And I bet it really did help you to kind of switch and go have the break and go to Pantera as well, because then it's like you're not just playing the same stuff over and over. You get to step away from Anthrax. You get to pick up. I mean, that must be. I saw. I've seen. I've seen. I didn't see you guys with. With Metallica because I was in Europe with Queens of the Stone Age. But when. But when I. You did the tour at Madison. Was it Madison Square Garden? Yes. And I mean, you guys murdered. It's seamless with you and Zach filling in, which is. Which are. I mean, I mean, I don't. I don't, like. I don't. I don't know how to phrase the question properly. But I mean, when you first get the gig, you know, to go into Pantera, like one. I'm assuming they. Because you are one of the best like, like, like metal drummers out there. So it's like, it just almost makes perfect sense. But. But, I mean, are you nervous? I mean, Obviously, you want to honor Vinnie, but. But, I mean, it's. How long has it taken you to kind of, like, ease into the bathtub and just be like, all right, cool, I know what I'm doing. This is. Now just have fun.

[Charlie Benante]

I mean, I. I did my homework. You know, I wanted every little nuance to be the right nuance. I wanted people to close their eyes and. And make it sound like Pantera. And if. If Rex and Philip said it was awesome, well, that.

[Josh Adam Myers]

That.

[Charlie Benante]

That was it. That's all I needed. And that's the truth, because we locked in together quickly. And, you know, it's. I. I've known these guys for so long, and I think that's one of the other reasons why they chose me, because of that, you know, we knew each other for a while. I was good friends with Diamond Vinnie, and I was the only choice Philip said, nobody else. And that made me feel great. And, you know, just being with them for the last three or four days, I missed them. We haven't seen each other in about eight months, maybe.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, really?

[Charlie Benante]

Yeah. So last night was our first show back together, and it was just fun. Man, what a great vibe it was. Last night. Even the Metallica guys came in the dressing room, hanging out, talking. It was. It was like the next day, basically, you know.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, I'm actually. I'm friends with Bill Burr, and I know on a. I was in Vegas this past weekend, and I had the night off, and I went to go see no Doubt, because I was like, I go see everybody. I'm like, I'll go see no Doubt at the Sphere. Why not, dude? It's like, I've never been. And the second it starts and I'm sober, the second it starts, I was like, oh, my God, we're going to see. I was like, I'm texting Bill. We're going to see Metallica because I got the Live Nation, the Dark Lord, Live Nation hookup. So I'm like. So I'm like, yo, dude, we're going. And I was like. To see, like. I would love to, like, please get Pantera or Anthrax to open. I would love to see, like, the State of Euphoria. Just like. Like, it's coming at me, like, in the sphere.

[Charlie Benante]

Nauseating. Just.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, dude. I would. Oh, my God.

[Charlie Benante]

I was like, when you two did it, that's when I. I went to see you, too, and I loved it. And I actually proposed to my wife at the show during this one song that is very emotional YouTube song. And I mean, they have tons of them, but that was the one. And I just had them as the backdrop and it was, it was great, you know? I love you, too.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I wanted, I wanted to see that tour too. That was the one. I just. So I could see where the streets have no name. Because every, every band has, like, a moment where they go kind of lame. And I love you, too. And when they gave us that free record on our, on our phones, it was like Bono just jamming his Irish into all of our. I was like, come on. Come on, man. Doesn't even have any hits on it. But that's what I'm saying. It's like there's still so much love out there for him. And I mean. And that's what's so cool about. About dude. About music, is that regardless of ways. So that's why you guys are so badass, man. Anthrax is because it's like you never had that lame moment, you guys. Even when, which I'm going to talk about this. When you guys switched to, To Bush. I mean, those, I love those records, dude. It's a totally different shift. We'll get into that later because we have to talk about the Ramones because it's our first record. But before I say that, I, I, I'm homies with, with Carla. She's the best, you know, Butcher babies. Is she still playing, too? I mean, like, you know, she has a.

[Charlie Benante]

She's right now, she's on tour, Lords of Acid, and she has a. Her own. Her, her band, the Violent Hour, which are from Killer.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Nice.

[Charlie Benante]

Great, Great, great, great. But yeah, she's out right now with the Lords of Ashen.

[Josh Adam Myers]

And that's, that's right. And then I would always see you guys, but I was like, I don't want to disturb because I hate bothering people in public. It's like I would see you guys at the Gelsons when I used to live in Hollywood. I don't know, like, in the. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They were all. The Beechwood Canyon area. Dude, it's popping, bro. Come on. Come on. I would have thought you would have been a Beechwood Market guy. I would have figured you'd be further up the hill, but there's nothing wrong with paying a little overpriced for, like, eggs and olives at Gelson's. All right, let's. Let's dive into this because we have been. More people have asked to do the Ramones record and, And a lot of the people I've said no to. And when, When Emily brought you up to coming on. I couldn't have been more excited. I'm serious, dude. Like, I, I barely gotten any sleep. I literally flew in yesterday. I went to watch AEW wrestling last night, which I don't even like wrestling. I don't like wrestling on television. Live. I'm all in, dude. Different. Yeah. Way different. Yeah, it's just like, you could watch, you can watch, you could watch woodstock 99 on. Actually, I'd rather watch wooden stock 99 documentary on television than actually be there. Bad example. But, but what I'm trying to get to is that I'm so excited to finally talk about this because, because when we. This is a band that I, I've, I've known the hits, but to really dive into, you know, we are talking today about Rocket to Russia by the Ramones. An album so fast, it feels like the songs are trying to escape the studio before they have to pay rent. It was released in 1977. And this basically sounds like four guys got locked into a basement with leather jackets, comic books, amphetamines, horror movies, and exactly three chords, and somehow it changed music forever. And, and we've already been talking to him, ladies and gentlemen, we are literally with one of the greatest drummers in heavy metal music, Charlie Manante from Anthrax, from Pantera.

[Charlie Benante]

Just.

[Josh Adam Myers]

This is a perfect combination. And, and because I see so much, especially with Anthrax being such New York guys and, and the Ramones being, I mean, the New York guys. So I, I, I want to just take it right from the beginning because I feel like we're, you know, you're a little bit older than me, but we're of a certain age. You know, I'm, I'm 46. I know. You're, you're late 50s, early, early 60s. Looking great. Peptides. Gotta do the Peptides, dudes. All Peptides. I'm on Enough to kill a Tortoise. But that's the thing, is that you're born in the Bronx, you know, what is, what is like the Ramones? Like, tell me, the first time you heard this band, where were you? Who gave them to you? What you feel? All of it. Just, just give me, Take me on that journey, brother.

[Charlie Benante]

The first time I didn't hear them, I saw them. I would always buy this magazine called Roxine. And it was a lot of the New York kind of scene. That's where I first saw a picture of the Ramones. And I was like, what? You know, because I was big into Kiss, you know, Sabbath. Yeah, this is like 76, you know, maybe even before that. So I used to go. So on weekends I would go to work with my mom. She worked in the bakery. And a couple of doors down from the bakery was like this magazine store, candy store. My mom would give me money, I'd go get Mad magazine, you know, the.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah. All the buzzer. Yeah, yeah, yeah. All the. That influenced all of the. All of the Anthrax lyrics.

[Charlie Benante]

Exactly. Sit in the back of the bakery, read, draw, do all these things. And that's when I would find out about. Oh, there's a picture here of KISS without makeup. You know, they're like. You know what I mean? And then I saw something about the Ramones that was the first time. And we had a radio station in Long Island. It was called W LIR and then it changed to WDRE later on. That's where I first heard the Ramones. And immediate. It was immediate. You know what I mean? You hear it. It's like, what is this? And I. It's funny to me how you picked Rocket Rock to Russia because everybody thinks the first album. Oh, that's. That's the one. You know what I mean? It's. It's great. It's the first album, Rocket to Russia. There's something about this record that is. Just jumps out at you. Those songs, you know what I mean? They are some of their best songs on a record. You know, what's the greatest hits?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, this is. This is more. This is the big argument. Is it between Ramones self titled or this record between fans? I mean, it's, you know, what is it though? Is it the speed? Is it the attitude? Is it the simplicity? Is it the fact that they sound like guys that you grew up with? Because that's gotta mean something. Because, dude, you never, you know, dude, in music, the New York accent, like, people. Even the way the British people sound American when they sing, like, it's like this, this feels. This feels as New York as, you know, as Times Square, as. As, you know, Essa bagels, as. As a. As a dollar slice of pizza. Like, this is as New York as New York can be. And that was that for you. Like, the important thing that you were like, man, this is. These are guys that. I know, I know these dudes.

[Charlie Benante]

But the thing is, I didn't even dawn on me, I just really. I just accepted it for what it was. They're from New York, you know, okay. There was this level of authenticity because you could hear it in Joey's voice, his accent, you know what I mean? It's the same thing with us. When we watch old video, old interviews of ourselves, we were like, did we sound like that? Do we still sound like that? You know, can't get rid of that New York thing. But the Ramones had it because they were from Queens. Totally different dialect than someone from the Bronx or Staten island, you know. But that record, it starts with Cretin hop. How do you start a record off with that song? And how does it get even better? You know that song just. If you don't move to that song, you're dead.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, it's. Dude, it's. And when you strip away the. I don't want to even call it noise because it's not noise, but it's like, this is some of the best pop songs possibly ever written. This is like. This is like that beautiful thing about when people talk about Nirvana, I'm like, dude. It's like, you know, dude, if you strip it all away, it's just a per. This is up there with like beetle of just. This is the Beach Boys, you know, with. With a 6 foot 7 Jewish guy. Is he a Jewish. I think he's Jewish, yeah. He's got to be, right? He's a Jew, Yeah. All right, but that's what I'm saying. This is like. This is. This is that surf rock energy, but turned into a punk speed sound. It is. It is just like it's. And it's. What's so cool too, is that to open the record with. This is a song that's like. It's like I said, it's Beach Boys after drinking gasoline. But it also celebrates like, outsiders and like weirdos and that's how they're opening. And I mean, look at them. I mean, they're. They are. Those are not like, Not. No, no shade on them. But it's like, dude, they're. They're not the most attractive guys. And I mean, to be the rock stars of. Of the 70s, where you got, you know, and. And which I love, you know, Robert Plant, you know, just sexy with the hair and Jimmy Page. These guys look like gods. It's. It was the thing. You know what it was for me as. As a. You know, because I've did. And I've still been doing music, but before I really dove into comedy, when I was doing music, it was like watching hair metal in. In the 80s. It was like. I remember like watching MTV and then playing Nelson and, you know, I can't live without my love and affection. I'm like, how could I never. I Can'. But then the next thing they do, it's like, it's Alice in Chains. You're like, I can do that. I can do that. I can do Anthrax. I could do Metallica. I could do these bands that look like regular people, not these, like.

[Charlie Benante]

You know what I mean?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Because it's like music always just comes in waves. And I feel like when a band. When a band like. Like Ramones comes because the other got too big and too ridiculous, and that's. You know, it's like, you can't. What's his face said. Tom Aurillo said when he saw the Clash and he saw their amp on the same. He had the same amp as them on the. On the same chair, mike the same way. And he goes, oh, this is like. Like, I can do this. Was that. Must have. Was that what you saw when you finally got to see them? I mean, I'm assuming you were already playing drums, but did you go, oh, no, I can. I can make this as a living.

[Charlie Benante]

It was a question of. I blended that style into the style that would later become the Anthrax kind of style. Because, okay, so for me, everything that came out of England, I worshiped. That was it for me. You know what I mean? So the Ramones were here, but the Sex Pistols were over there. The Sex Pistols did it with. For me, it was a little more arrogance. It was a little more kind of glam rock.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

You. You know, it had this thing about it, and I just. Oh, my God. That was it for me. The Clash and the Sex Pistols were it. And the Ramones were ours, if you know what I mean. Sure, they were ours. They were New Yorkers, and somebody recently did something. The best New York bands to come out of New York, and I hate those type of things. And they didn't mention the Ramones.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Interesting.

[Charlie Benante]

How do you not mention the Ramon. How do you not mention Kiss, you know, New York bands? When I think of New York bands, I think of Kiss, the Ramones, us, the Dictators, Blondie. You know, these are all New York bands. Doesn't have to be the genre of metal or whatever, but these are all bands that help shape the other band. You know what I mean?

[Josh Adam Myers]

I completely agree with that. It's. There's a lot of, you know, for some reason, and I think not so much now, but I mean, for. For years, it's. It's a lot of, like, the punk stuff got kind of pushed to the side. They're like, nah, you know what I mean? It's it was, it was never. I never like, want to say a phase, but it's just from where this started to suddenly where punk eventually went, when it went to like DC Hardcore and you're getting Black Flag.

[Charlie Benante]

Which is it.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Which is. Which is like the exact opposite of this. I mean, maybe if you slowed down Minor Threat and. And maybe maybe they're. They're pop songs, but it's like it. It took, I think, more years for this to be like, appreciated for, like we said, the songwriting and how good it is. And it did influence, I think, like, people like Metallica and you. I mean, because to be in a. To be in a metal band, do you have to have punk rock DNA? Do you have to have that in you?

[Charlie Benante]

Look, the. The thrash metal thing that was created by Metallica ourselves, Slayer. You had that Johnny Ramon way of picking that down, picking style, you know, that's Johnny Ramon. No. Nobody could tell me any different things that we play fast. It's because of Johnny Ramon.

[Josh Adam Myers]

The.

[Charlie Benante]

The other thing I wanted to say about the Ramones is at the time there was nothing else like that, right? We can go and say doo Wop. We can go and say Shanana. You know what I mean?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

It's kind of like the Ramones took that bubblegum doo wop style, but they put that aggression in it. And all of a sudden you have these two three minute songs that are so catchy that how can you not love it? I mean, it was just so catchy and infectious and every record I felt got better and better. I wasn't a big fan of this. The Phil Spector one.

[Josh Adam Myers]

He ruins everything. He ruins everything. Ruins it all. Nothing against him, but everything. I. Dude, he ruined. Ruined the Ronettes, he ruined the Beatles. Like, the only thing he did that, I think that rules is that goddamn Christmas record, which we did earlier on. I love that Christmas record. I mean, that killed it. But it's just, it's just. I don't. I don't. Dude, if they say, hey, I mean, not now, obviously, because he's. Is he dead or is he in jail? Probably both.

[Charlie Benante]

Yeah, let it be.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I know. That's what I'm saying, dude. And they have to stay to do the Let It Be stripped. If. If you're in a band and they go, phil Spector wants to produce it. No, we're out, dude. No, no. But, but, but I will. Like, I will, but this is the thing, and I want to venture off of what you said too. I. I feel that the reason that they because this is a clear bridge. The Ramones are the clear bridge between, between. Where do I have it written? It's a clear bridge between the, the. The music of the 60s and you know, the girl group pop that, that Phil Spector kind of did help create and move forward into the hardcore aggression. And you were asking why the Ramones weren't as, you know, when they're talked about as New York F, dismissed as like dumb by critics early on because the songs were so simple and, and thrash metal kind of got treated the same way at first, you know, did, did that ever piss you off? I mean, to be like, dude, it's like how important like, like Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth are two metal to rock and roll and for them to almost like you didn't get your flowers really, besides your die hard fans who are always going to be there. But I'm talking about society and music critics. I mean, Metallica had to do, you know, the black record before people really, really. I'm talking about people paid attention and it's like Slayer, they've been in the cut in Anthrax. You guys have been in the cut for so long that it's like, dude. And you know what I mean? Does that piss you off that you guys don't get the flowers that you guys deserve as, as thrash people?

[Charlie Benante]

I mean, it's like, I don't know if it was a question of being pissed off or just being recognized.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

You know, because there's a force here going on. There's a movement that was going on because these kids are getting it, but you're not getting it. You know, the David Fricks later on, they got it because they had to get it. You know, like, do you remember all those VH1 shows? And they'd always have these people on speaking as if like they know everything. But oh yeah, we would never ask them anything. You know what I mean? You're, you know, you went to, you know, you're a journalist, but you never played guitar, you never tried to write a song. You know, you don't know what, what it feels like to you know, have any kind of rejection when it comes to music, you know what I mean? Like you could give your demo to someone, give it to another person, give it to the next person and it gets rejected. You know what I mean? That's tough when you're trying to come up and be, you know, someone. It was, it was difficult. And then thank God we found the right person who got it, you know.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Well, I think you're good. Finish your thought. I don't cut you off.

[Charlie Benante]

You hear horror stories throughout the. The music business. History of. They didn't want to sign this band, they didn't want to sign this act, they didn't want to sign that. They didn't hear clicks with someone else. They get it. That's what I, that's the point I was trying to make.

[Josh Adam Myers]

No, dude. One of my favorite artists and I've talked about it on the podcast. I've seen this chick live, this chick Ray R A Y E from England. And she was a songwriter and had her album buried by her label and begged and begged. And then they finally, after two and a half years of holding it hostage, gave it to her. She takes another label. They don't change a thing. They don't. They don't even sign her. They say, we just want to distribute it. That record wins more awards at the Brit Awards than any other than any artist has ever won. And now she's selling out five nights at Radio City and she's doing this. And I mean, I just saw her two nights at the Greek and it's like, it's, it's just. You never, you never know what's gonna take off. But the thing is, it's like you, you know, you can't be. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean that other people won't find it. And, and dude, this is like. I mean, this is. The problem with the entertainment industry is that there's always these people that fail up that have no idea what the. They, they're doing and they're putting their notes in because they just wanted to make sure that they, they can keep their job. And most of the time it's not even, it's not even right. But also, but you know, and, and to go off of that too, it's like you think about it, of why the Ramones like an end. Punk rock in general was probably, you know, they didn't. I mean, they, they knew it was. There's a thing, it's like, ah, it's coming out of England's, coming out of New York. But I mean, then you, you're in America, what's popular is like you have Led Zeppelin, you have the, you have Eagles, you have Fleetwood Mac. You know, if it wasn't places like New York, the greatest city in the world, you know, with the punk scene in cbgb, which is like reshaping how music is. It's the same that what I guys talked about when When. When I was talking about how music comes in waves, it's just like hair metal got so ridiculous that the only reaction to it would be Nirvana and, and, and, And Pearl Jam and STP and Soundgarden. And it's the same where new metal, where it gets way too big. Because, dude, it starts with. Don't forget rap rock. Starts with. With, you know, it starts with Blondie. Well, Blondie starts with you guys, with Bring. Bring the Noise. You know what I mean? Doing that song with Public Enemy, which I want to. I want to have so many questions I want to talk to you about. It's like, I just. That, that, like, this is coming out. I'm like, God damn, that album was so important to me. But it's like, you know, then that gets so ridiculous when it. When you got nothing against Fred Durst, because I love Limp Bizkit, but it's like when I'm coming out of the toilet, it's like, of course the next thing is going to be the Strokes. It has to. It has to constantly change. And I think. And I think that's. I think that's why, you know, it's, It's. It's so important. And then for them, finally, people have these misfit kids from Queens that, you know, that love the same thing. They love the Beatles, they love the girl groups, they love the horror movies, comic books.

[Charlie Benante]

They love all the same that we loved. Yeah. And the one story that always sticks out in my. In my head was the Ramones go to London and play for the first time. Everybody's at that show.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

All the Sex Pistols, all the Clash, all the. All the other people, they're there taking notice of what is going on, and then that explodes out there. You know what I mean? I still think if it wasn't for, let's say, Iggy and the Stooges, all that stuff from Detroit that influenced the Ramones, that helped them. Even the New York Dolls, too. Sure. I would say, is a punk band, but we're getting off the track of the room.

[Josh Adam Myers]

No, no, I love that you said that. I love that you brought up the London show, because I think that is like the Marvel origin story for. Because you literally have the Clash, the Buzzcocks and the Sex Pistols all in attendance so that it's the butterfly effect. If that never. If they don't go there, you know, does that kind of history, doesn't that. That must blow your mind, that historical ripple of like. Of just seeing that influence. It's like, even with you like, you know, if you don't. You don't hear the Ramones at that time. Who knows? If you suddenly start getting into, you know, to the band says you never. You never know. It's just, it's. It's crazy, dude.

[Charlie Benante]

But think about that show. It trickled down like bands like Motorhead.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

You know what I mean? It's like. I mean, Motorhead had a song called Ramones going back to YouTube. They have a song about the Ramones.

[Josh Adam Myers]

The.

[Charlie Benante]

The miracle of Joey Ramon. That is a great story. That story made me so emotional when I heard it about when Joey was in the hospital dying. He wanted to listen to you too. And that to me was, that's crazy. I mean, I've. We've had Joey Ramon experiences ourselves. You know, it's funny how I saw the Ramones only one time in New York. Every other time that I saw the Ramones was in different part of the. Different parts of the world.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

Switzerland or Tampa. You know what I mean? It's the craziest thing. And we, we had a night off in Tampa. We went to see the Ramones at this place called Janice Landing.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Okay.

[Charlie Benante]

And. And we went back there and. And hung with the guys and everything. They told us afterwards that that was the first time Joey and like, and Johnny, like, talked in a group with like, they were. They were happy. Like, they were talking because my guys were Yankee fans. Johnny's a huge Yankee fan.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

And it was. I'll never forget that night. It was such a great night. And they were so good, you know, I don't know, man. Their style. And. Let's talk about Tommy, too.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, I had questions about that. Yeah. What is that? Like, I mean, how influential is Tommy on your drumming?

[Charlie Benante]

Huge. Tommy's the first guy that I would say did the.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah, it.

[Charlie Benante]

That is a signature lick. Okay. And then Marky, when Marky came in the band, respect to him too, he totally took Tommy's playing and said, I'm going to continue this. You know, Marky was great. Another. Another great drummer.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You know, Tommy. Tommy doesn't always get those mentions, you know, about being, you know, along, you know, I wouldn't say being, but like, you know, he's not mentioned alongside the flashy great drummers, but he basically helped invent punk drumming, you know? You know, it's like, how. So what are. Like, how, like, how important is Tommy like, historically, you. You mentioned that, that beat, but it's like, like, where are we?

[Charlie Benante]

Where should we.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Should he be in the Discussion of like, you know, when you're talking about Bonham and people like that, I mean, it's, it's got to be, you know, for influential, it's got to be just as, as influential.

[Charlie Benante]

I would put him in the same category as Ringo, Charlie Watts, you know what I mean? Without them, the band would have been completely different. The feel, and that's the one thing about Tommy that I love is his feel and his choice of, well, this song, I'm not gonna do that, but this song, I'm gonna do that because it needs it. You know what I mean? Like when they're doing their. That anthem, you know, the Bottom Egg and it's the way he plays it, he doesn't just play it on one drum, he goes low, high. It's. It's just really tasty.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Let me ask you this because I'm. I really love that you. We brought this up and I, and I did this with Stuart Copeland. When we had Stuart Copeland doing. We did Disraeli Gears by Cream and it was like I took a bunch of, like, I found every song that was on that record and then I, and then I was like, I picked out a bunch of songs by, by the Police. And so for, for. This is what I got. So listening to Tommy on Rocket to Russia, you can hear that, like you said, that Non Stop Locomotive Motive, like Momentum, especially on Teenage Lobotomy, which you basically played in that. It's primitive but like in the best way. Like, do you feel a connection between that style and the relentless double time energy that you brought to one of my favorite songs? Caught in a Mosh.

[Charlie Benante]

A hundred percent, yeah. Because it's like, you know, sometimes when we would be writing songs we would like so we would know what part it was. We would call it. Well, this is the Ramones part right here. Oh, let's go into, you know, the Motorhead section. So the Ramones was always like, if it was a fast down picking thing, it was a remote part. But going back to those guys, the way it all gelled and they weren't the best players when they first started out. And then the sound that they created kind of took them over and they became these great players. You know, they had a sound, they had a style, they had a signature sound. And Joey was not, you know, there was something about Joey that his voice, it was so pleasant, you know. How could you not love when you hear Sheena is a punk rocker? I mean, it's just the catchiest song I know.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's what this is like, you're right. This is, this is probably. I mean, this could be their greatest hits record. It's that good.

[Charlie Benante]

That song is on this record too.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, I mean, it really is. But I wanted to talk about. About his voice, because what's so analog? This is. I'm trying to, like, I'm always trying to figure out a way to, like, I'm not going to work these questions that I'm really interested in, you know, to get. But it's like you set it up perfectly. It's like Joey's voice. And I feel you've worked with Joey Belladonna, who has one of the most interesting, perfect, like, combination of foot in the 70s, foot in the 80s, foot in the 90s, where he's hitting and he has that, that. That falsetto or that head voice and, And. And basically laid the groundwork and the DNA of what Anthrax is. But then, you know, Joey leaves and John Bush comes in and you have. And, dude, I'm telling you, like, I, I love all that. I love. I love every variation. But those. The two of those records that you did with John Bush are phenomenal. Like, did. Did you feel like when it came. But let me, Let me say this before I even get into the question. Both of those dudes are so different. So different. I mean, 100. Like, like, like one. Did it feel like you. That you guys were evolving naturally or were you, like. Because it's like Joey's colorful, chaotic, it's. It's almost like comic book thrash like we talked about. It's fun. And John Bush. It's like that era feels a lot darker and heavier. Did the singer change the music or were you guys already changing to require a different singer?

[Charlie Benante]

So that is a great question. And I believe that we were looking, we were changing, we were evolving, you know, same way Metallica evolved into the. You know, from. You got Master Puppets and Justice, and then you have the Black Album. Yeah, that's a pretty big leap. And I think that band was just naturally growing to that. You know, I felt Sound of White Noise for me was my second act. And it was the first song we wrote for that, for that record was this song only.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, God, dude. Yeah, that rules.

[Charlie Benante]

And I was afraid to show the guys that song because it didn't fit what we had just done before that. So I was a little nervous about it.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It.

[Charlie Benante]

But they loved it and, and it worked out so great. And then John and Scott worked really closely together writing lyrics when he sang that song. And that song came to Life. I. I got goosebumps right now because that's exactly what happened. We all felt like, whoa, if this is only the first song, where else can it go? And then we had songs like Room for One More, and then we had a song, Black Lodge, and then. You know what I mean? So his voice, his voice entered my. My head and it. The. The floodgates open.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, it's you, You. You can write so differently now. Now it's like. Because it's like really writing for Joey or working with Joey is one thing. And, And I mean, that's gotta be actually very exciting too, as an artist, because you're like, like, you know, it's. It's like I said, it's the difference between going from Anthrax to Pantera. It's like you get to. All right, it's a different beast. It's a different attitude, right? Dude, Dude, I. I think. And look, I'm not saying it's. It's your best record, but it. Because it's a different Anthrax record. But I will put, you know, that record because, dude, Thousand Points of hate, such a good song. You're drumming the bang. I mean, I. And that's got the foot in the old Anthrax with the new, but it's. It's a different vibe, you know, And I. And fans loved it too, man. It was. I mean, you could see because the sales. I mean, that was one of the. Your biggest hits when that came out on the charts. Dude, you know what? You know which one that gets me, like. And it's a deep, deep cut. I want to make sure I got the right record. I think it's on Stomp. What is that? Stomp? Is that the one? The song Inside out that, you know, it's God damn nowhere place to be dying deep ins. I love that song. I. I remember they played it on like much music when I was in Canada.

[Charlie Benante]

That's right.

[Josh Adam Myers]

And I just. And I had already me and my band, because we used to cover. We used to cover. Like I said, we did all the off among the living. But then we started doing stuff off the John Bush era because that fits my voice a little bit more, especially now, you know, like, wow. Oh, dude. What. But what was that? What was that? What was that like? I mean, did you see the fans, like the reception that they were giving? Because I mean, they must have. You know, you're gonna have people that are like this, but you're also gonna have people are like, dude, this kind of rules.

[Charlie Benante]

Let me tell you something. Honestly, that was probably the lowest point in the band's career.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Wow.

[Charlie Benante]

We were going through a very, very weird time with the industry. That was a time when metal was a dirty word.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

You know, and you had to be alternative and make out with your guitar player and on stage.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Are you wearing a dress? Are you wearing a dress? And you have a penis? You're not wearing a dress. I get out of here.

[Charlie Benante]

You can't be here. But, but that's what was happening. But what I said about John Bush, like, when his voice, when, when that instrument entered, you know, the, the lexicon of, of Anthrax, you know, the same thing happened when Joey returned. And all of a sudden, Joey was singing a new song and it was like goosebumps again. I'm like, there it is. There's the sound. You know what I mean? And it just got so good that, that the music just started to pour out. And I mean, as you could. This next record, when you hear the whole thing, we'll send it to you. I'll have Missy send it to you now, please.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's.

[Charlie Benante]

There's not one song that follows that's gonna go. Let me skip this one. The next one's even better than the last. And it just. Man, I don't know. I just think that this was the point where all. Everything aligned and it was like, we're gonna give these guys some great songs to write, you know, And I just opened up to it too, you know,

[Josh Adam Myers]

dude, it's, I, I, it's something that that is very, very difficult to do, is to have a band that is synonymous with the sound and their singer switch to a different guy, change slightly, but also mature. And I think that, dude, it doesn't, it doesn't feel wrong. It doesn't feel. It feels like Anthrax, but like I said, it feels like an older, different, you know, like, darker version. And then for it to be accepted too and, and be loved, I mean, by the fans, it's always going to have divides. But at the same time, though, the real fans that, you know, they, that they're going to stick with you and then to bring it back, you guys get to come back. I mean, what was that first show like when, with. With Joey returning? I mean, did it just feel like matzo ball soup? Like you were like, oh, man, this is like, this is perfect. This is just, it's, it just feels like home, Right?

[Charlie Benante]

I'll tell you a funny story.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Please.

[Charlie Benante]

Scott and I were invited to the Rock and Roll hall of Fame When Metallica was inducted, Metallica invited us. It was a great. It was just a great two days, two nights of just, you know, celebratory. It was. Everybody was there after the ceremony and after the show, we. Metallica had a party, and Scott and I and Lars were talking, and Lars says to. Said to us, what do you guys think about doing the Big Four? Yeah, he didn't understand what he meant when he first said that. And he's like, what do you think about getting the four bands together and doing some shows? And we looked at each other like, yeah, that would be amazing. You know, like, the amount of, like, my body was just like electricity was flowing through it.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Like. Yeah. How could it not scream?

[Charlie Benante]

Tell somebody. So we finished the conversation, and then Lars went to talk to someone else. And I turned to Scott and I said, we got to get our together. And that's exactly what we did because we wanted Joey back for that tour.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It need. It needed to be. Yeah, it could. Nobody else. It had to be. It's like, that's. Dude. If. If Megadeth and Metallica are going to be on the same bill. Anthrax is Slate. You cannot change. Was there. Was there a competition? Not a competition, but a friendly competition between the four of you guys? I mean, obviously, it's like. Like Metallica's closing every night, I'm assuming because of just on the sheer hits and like, you know what I mean? Yeah, it's like. But I mean, can they. I mean, can they follow Slayer? Can they follow you? I mean, they can, but. Did you.

[Charlie Benante]

Did you.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I know that I'm not. But Ken. But did you guys say, yo. Like, this is like, we're gonna like, let's give everybody a run for their money.

[Charlie Benante]

I mean, we see. So we did. We did a tour with called the Clash of the Titans that was in, like, the early 90s, which was a Slayer. Megadeth and Allison Chains were the opener. And we would switch every night. We would change, change who would close. And on that tour, like, us and Slayer were like this. Us. Us and Alice were like this. Most of us in Megadeth were like that, too. And it was a great camaraderie. I loved it. So for us, the Big four would be another chance to do that. And. And we did. Basically. We had some great times on those shows, and I wish we could have done more, but, you know, I was so happy and so grateful for being asked to be a part of that. It was very special. It's the same way I feel about Pantera being asked to be on these Metallica shows. They're enormous. There's. There's such a great vibe. It's all about the love of music. And that's the one I love. Like, I'm so done with the gimmicks and the. The singers screaming about telling the audience to collide to get. I. I don't. You know, when I used to go to CBGBs, I used. I used to be a part of that. But now at this age, man, I just want to hear music.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah. And. And. And that's. And I love that you said it was just so. It was so great to just be asked. It's like, you know, Anthrax, We. We mentioned it earlier. It's like, you know, there's. There's people that will be like, well, they're, like, funny. Are they like a comedy, like, metal band? And you're like, dude, they. They rule. They just. Like I said, they're New Yorkers. This is who they are. And that's why you're popular. That's why we love you. Because, you know, as a comic and a musician, it's like the perfect merging of both worlds. But it's not, like, ridiculous. It's not like you're up there like, waka, waka. You guys are being fucking. You're being yourselves.

[Charlie Benante]

You're.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You're. You're finding the humor in the world. And a lot of metal gets taken so fucking seriously to the point where you're like, all right, dude. Like, you know, like, chill out just a little, like you said, it's like, it doesn't have to be this. This. It's aggro. It's us to get our. To get our aggression, to get our energy out in a positive way. And so for you guys to be asked, you know, and be up there with three of the other synonymous names, I mean, that call's got to be like. Like, yeah, dude. You know, it's like the pat on the back that you deserve. Yeah, for sure, dude.

[Charlie Benante]

Very privileged, you know, to be a part of that. But, you know, the thing about music, to me, too, is, like, if you have, like. Okay, so growing up in the Bronx, there was. I always heard certain things, like, you know, bits and pieces of, like, what would become rap music. And my ear was always there. I always loved it. It was like. Because I. I felt it. I don't know, man. Just growing up in the Bronx, it was. It was a part of it. Those early rap songs, which, to me, really set the tone for what? What would come later, like Public Enemy and, you know, Beastie Boys and stuff like that. You know, the Beastie Boys was. Is another band that you said, like Anthrax is a New York band.

[Josh Adam Myers]

They were, yes, very, very fun, you

[Charlie Benante]

know, but yet the music was serious. That's the same way I feel about the Beastie Boys. To me, they were the greatest.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Hey everybody. So you guys have probably heard me talk about how I've been in bands my whole life. I love writing songs and performing in front of crowds, just like with comedy. As a musician, it can be kind of hard to cut through the noise and really stand out as an artist. I feel like half the music projects I've been in have ended just because we couldn't figure out the answer to that eternal question of how do we get people to hear us? But then again, that was before there was Distrokid. Distrokid is a digital music distribution service that brings your sound to the masses. It's a one stop shop for getting your songs on itunes, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, and many more. What's these? I never even heard of Deezer. How many of them are there? I know all that. That's like the holy grail of streaming services though. And. And getting paid. They want to. We want to get you paid for your music. That's huge because a lot of bands go broke before they get big. But Distrokid collects earnings and payments and sends 100% of these earnings to artists minus banking fees and applicable taxes. And that's just one of the tons of benefits of using Distrokid. You can send big files to anyone with their instant Share feature. You can use the Hyper Follow feature to promote your release and get pre saves on your song. You can even create personal landing pages for yourself, your band, your brand, and whatever you like. It has a free Spotify Canvas generator too, to generate your own Spotify Canvas for your songs. And the Mixia feature instantly masters your tracks for higher quality audio. So if you're ready to bring your band to the next level, it's time to check out Distrokid. The Distrokid app is now available on iOS and Android. Go to the app or Play Store to download it. Listeners of this show can get 30% off their first year by going to distrokid.com VIP the 500 that's distrokid.com VIP the500 for 30% off your first year. Dig it. All new drinks are now at McDonald's

[Charlie Benante]

with refreshers like the strawberry watermelon refresher

[Josh Adam Myers]

and the mango pineapple refresher with popping boba to crafted sodas like the sprite berry blast with berry flavors and cold foam.

[Charlie Benante]

Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire? Try them all now at McDonald's. Refreshers contain caffeine.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Copyright 2026, the Coca Cola Company. Sprite is a registered trademark of the Coca Cola Company. Oh, God. Yeah. And I mean, and it's like especially their evolution too, is like to come out in that first record and then to switch it up and. And. And to basically make, you know, The. The. The Sgt. Pepper of Hip hop. With Paul's boutique, which is. I've had. I had Mike Portnoy on not for that record, but I remember he did. He did like an Elton John record. And I was like. And he was like, dude, some of these other. I really wanted to do Paul's boutique. And I was like, dude, write a blurb and I'll. I'll read it when I do the episode. And it's like, you don't have to. It just. Yeah, it's one of those things where it's like, dude, music is music. And whether it's. If it gets you. It gets you in something like Paul's boutique where it's. Is. Is just so brilliant. And. And like I said, very New York. Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

I'll tell you how far I go deep with Paul's boutique. I drove to tower records in long island the day it came out. Every tower record, the tower records where I was going to get didn't have the vinyl. I drove all the way to

[Josh Adam Myers]

Long

[Charlie Benante]

island to get the vinyl and the cassette because I couldn't wait for that record, bro. That. That record to me was. That was it. And I actually got to see two shows that they did. They didn't do many. They didn't do touring at all, but they did play a few little tiny shows and it was just to hear shake your rump oh my God live. And it was just like, yeah, this is the greatest, man. How could people. How could people sleep on that record? That record is so good. And then many years later, then they got it.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, but it was. I think the thing with the BC Boys too, is, is there is like a humor, you know, to. To them about it. Same thing we're seeing about the Ramon. Same thing we're seeing about anthrax. When it comes to the. I want to ask you. Because you want to go back because it's. It just. Who is the funniest person not in Anthrax either, whether in the. In Pantera or. And then the big four groups, like, who is the person that, like, you're. You would never think is the comedian?

[Charlie Benante]

Philip is the funniest, really.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I love that you call him Philip. Like, I love you. It's like he's like. Like he's in trouble. Like, Philip.

[Charlie Benante]

That's how I always know him. Knowing him as Philip. Yeah. I guess some people call him Phil, but I always knew him as Philip. Philip is the funniest dude. Dude. He's just. Because you never know. He has a very dry sense of humor. You'll be looking at him like, what? You know, and he's like, I'm just with you, you know? But he's got a very dry sense of humor, but he's one of the funniest.

[Josh Adam Myers]

All right, now. Now, out of the other big three, out of Megadeth, out of. Out of Metallica and out of Slayer, who is the. Who's the comic, like, the funniest one out of those three? It doesn't have to be individual bands. It's that, you remember was probably was up there with the humor of the Anthrax Boys.

[Charlie Benante]

I always remember Tom laughing a lot.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Really?

[Charlie Benante]

Yeah, he was. You know, Tom was like, one of the first one in the band that I kind of gravitated to because we both love the Beatles and that as soon as that happened, boom. You know what I mean? What else do you love? What else? You know, that kind of thing. I always thought Tom was. Was just one of those guys who's like. He comes off very serious, but he's funny, you know, he's goofy.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

You know,

[Josh Adam Myers]

I mean, you know, I met Carrie. Well, Carrie. Carrie. I met Carrie through Jim Jeffries because Carrie's, like, a huge fan. And so when Jim's had parties or done shows in here in New York at, like, the Beacon, Carrie showing up, and I was like. And I'll try to, like, you know, shoot the. With him. And he's. He's. I mean, if he is a humorous guy, he is dry as. Because it was also just. It also could just be. Carrie could be like, you know, he looks like he's somebody from the Satan's Helpers in, like, Peewee's Big Adventure, where you're like, is he gonna murder me? You know, it's just. He's got that look, but it's not. But. But he's also a very nice guy. But I'm just saying it's like, trying to get. Trying to get a joke out of him. It's like. It's like you're. You're. Are you sure you're a comedy fan? I feel like you're gonna. You're gonna stab me in the showers of, like, Of Leavenworth.

[Charlie Benante]

No, but later on in. In life, life, like, I became closer with Carrie and we do have things in common. But you're right, Curry is a bit abrupt. Like, you know, he's like. Who's that? You know?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

You know, he's.

[Josh Adam Myers]

He's.

[Charlie Benante]

He's like that, but he's chill, too. He's just, you know, easy to talk to. You know, you have a drink. We're talking about this. We're talking about Judas Priest, Hell bent for leather. What. What's. Why do we love this record? You know, like that. That it's. There's always a common bond in metal with. With us.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You know, there is a brotherhood. There is a brotherhood with the. With the fans, too. It's like. It's one of those things where. Because, you know, even in the pit, man, it's like if somebody falls down, you pick them up, you know, dude, at the Madison Square Garden show, my buddies from. From Legion of Skanks, I went with Big J Okerson and Louis J. Gomez, and. And there was a fight between two other guys in the pit, and Lewis, being the. You know, the. The moderator or the. The piece of cord dealer, like, brokered a deal between the two of them where at the end, they went from fighting to, like, all right, they hugged it out. And I'm like, it's only. Only at a metal show. There's a. It's a. It's a. It's a. It's. And if any music there, it's the one. There's. There's. If you listen to metal, you listen to thrash, it's. You have a bond. It's. It's really a brotherhood. It's really cool. No other music has a ravers kind of, but I think it's the drugs.

[Charlie Benante]

I think it's the drugs, too.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah. Let's talk about. Go ahead.

[Charlie Benante]

It's about the patch that you're wearing. You know what I mean? It's like, oh, bro, I love that band too. You know, they come with their. You know, they look. They wear it all on their sleeve. You know what I mean? It's like, no hiding it, you know, they're battle vests, what they call them, you know, with all the patches and everything about it. That's a great thing, man. It's such a. Like, I love when the parents come to the meet and greets or the show and they bring their kids and it's like, for me, it's like, wow, this kid wasn't even born yet when we released this record. But the, the greatest thing about it is it's new music for them. Even though it's old, it's new for them. And I can totally understand that because, like, when I was younger and my sisters would listen to this, you know, a couple other things, and it's like, that's old, but. But yet I like this. Like, what is it? You know what I mean?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

So I always felt that way. And there's such a lack of good music coming out nowadays that people will go backwards and go, well, this period, to me, that's good.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You know, bro, that's why I'm doing this podcast. I couldn't listen to any new. I was like, I got. There's all these like 500 records I've never listened to before. Let me, let me like dig into like, you know, this. And this Rolling Stone list is, is for the most. Lists are for the most part. But it's, it's that jumping off place that helps you find so much stuff. I mean, it's even, like I said, I bet you there's people that listened to this record and didn't even realize that they're hearing some Beach Boy in there and then go back and hear the Beach Boys, and now they found the Beach Boys. And it's like. Because it's like these guys were influenced by all of that. And it, it's, it's all just, you know, it all just motivates it because that's what I'm saying. It's like something like Rockaway beach, like, you know, which, which you guys came, you guys came from such New York grime. You know, what's the closest anthrax ever got to writing like an actual feel good summer anthem before immediately putting double bass on it and ruining it? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

I don't think we ever wrote a song about a beach. We wrote a song about a comic book character, which we loved, which is Judge Dredd. Yeah, things like that. But Rockaway beach to me was a place that I had never been. But my family would go to Long island, like to Jones beach, so that's where we would go and. But I'd always hear Rockaway beach on the radio. You know what I mean?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Like,

[Charlie Benante]

it was, I guess, you know, growing up in New York. We were lucky, Eric, because we, we. We had that at our disposal. We could hear these songs. But that song, that change in that song, when it goes. And then they go to the F. It's not far.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

Oh my God. And then they go back to the major. Dude, it's, it's brilliant.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It is brilliant. It's brilliant. It's, it's. Dude, it's, it's. You. You understand why when Rolling Stone magazine, which, like I said, their list, but they just ranked 100 best, like punk albums of all time or 50 best, whatever, and they put Ramones up there because, dude, there is. You can see how important they are. They. Of, of why they would, you know, why. Why we're talking about him on this. Why it's so low on the list. I mean, it's, it's, it's. There are records before, I was like, ah, man, doesn't wouldn't that be more important? You're like, nah, dude, this is, this is the jumping off point.

[Charlie Benante]

One question.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

Why do you think it took so long for punk to break? It took Green Day, 1995, 96, whatever it was. Why do you think it took so long for some band to come out and do it? Right? Because there's always Southern California kind of punk, you know, but there was always the New York kind of punk, but for some reason Green Day came out and just hit.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's. You're right. I mean, I, I think. Well, first of all, you know, the Sex Pistols aren't. Because the way everybody looks, you know, in England also, don't Forget this is 76, 77, where, you know, we're talking about the Pistols are, are one of the first really big ones. But dude, there's like, there's controversies there. There, there. There's tabloid, you know, political outrage. Like people, they're, they're seeing the way they're dressed and they're like, ew. Like you, you're. You're cretin, you're disgusting, you're a dumpster diver. And then their face is Johnny Lydon, who is like, yeah, okay, you know, pull your plunker out, you're funny. And then, you know, Sid Vicious is shooting dope. And so, yeah, that's, that's never gonna be the thing that gets pushed out there. The Ramones, I hate to say it, none of them are good looking. You know what I mean? If the fact that they, that any of them got, you know, good for them. But that's the truth. I mean, let's be Honest there. That then. And then what, like, you know, you could then you get into what like Minor Threat and, and, and like that which is what the evolution of what punk was going to become is like, you know, because in America eventually it starts going more towards like pop, like post punk, you know, so you're getting like the blondies, you're getting that, that new wavy kind of sound. But that, you know, that, that, that, that's writing that's got the foot in the past and, and then the foot of the punk and, but also in the foot into where it's going with 80s new wave. So, so to finally get like you kept saying Green Day, you know, Green Day was like, dude, it's, it's, it's. I'm gonna, I don't know if you have much. Well, you knew comedy. But I was very good friends with a comedian named Gerard Carmichael, who's a black comic. And it's like the reason that Gerard became so popular is he was non threatening to white people. People. And he was, he made them feel comfortable. And I think. And that's not saying, that's not saying a bad thing. It's just saying that, you know, Bernie Mac way better of a comic. But, and, but he had to find his footing in the black community before white people would really accept him. And I would say something along the lines of somebody like, of Green Day is, is. Dude, look at them, man. They're, they're, they're like, they're non threatening. You know, they're, they seem like nice guys, yet they're still got the spiky hair. It's, it's, it's kind of, you know. Does that make sense? It's like they're not like the Clash is like, they're called the Clash, man. They're like you and you know, like London calling, you know, training train in vain. It's, it's. Dude, the, the, the Green Day is doing. You know, sometimes I give myself the great. It's just very, it's easily to digest. And then I think as it then evolved into what became pop punk, which is not my favorite era of music, but you know, the good charlottes, the sum 41s, the whatever, the. I mean, they're, it's, it's, it's a, it's a calmer, cleaner still. Yeah, we're rebels because we, we put manic panic in our hair. But you know, you're, you're still on your mom's credit card and you're from Orange county, right? You know what I mean, dude, it's like, I did this. I did this joke. I did this joke, Charlie, about, like. About, like, why white people shouldn't do reggae. Because reggae is, like, the realist. Like, the lyrical. Lyrical stuff from reggae is like. You think it sounds. You think they're talking about pleasant things because of the way of the song. But realistically, it's like the real. It's up there with, like, gangster rap and outlaw country about, like, the. The atrocities and the. The pains that they had to deal with growing up in places like Haiti and Jamaica. And all the white people making reggae music are from Orange County, California. So, like, what hardships have they faced besides, like, not getting into Disneyland? And I'm not gonna do the bit, but it's like. Like, it's all that. So I. I think it's. You get. You dig what I'm saying, right?

[Charlie Benante]

But there's. There's. There was a few bands that I felt okay, so Rancid.

[Josh Adam Myers]

They're. They're still more in the past.

[Charlie Benante]

I think there's still more in that. If the Clash had a baby, it's rancid and Rancid. Just do it. Well, they have great songs, too, but Green Day also, you know, I mean, the thing I liked about Green Day was it was just a trio. Trios, man, They're. They're powerful. There's. There's three, you know. You know, we used to do this thing. Can you name all the trios? You know, I'd be like, oh, God, you know, how am I gonna do this? Okay, you got. Well, we set Green Day, you know, Rush, the Police.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Right.

[Charlie Benante]

There's a band from Canada, too, called Triumph. Motorhead.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yep.

[Charlie Benante]

Right. I mean, the list just keeps going on and on. And we used to play this game. So the next day, I'd wake up and I'd be like, I got the. You know, I got a trio that nobody got, you know. But going back to Green Day, they ignited that thing and allowed that door to open, and people became. It became more accessible. You know what I mean? But the one Green Day record that I really love, too, was Kerplunk.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

It was just three of them, like, in a room, just writing, you know, Ramones type songs.

[Josh Adam Myers]

And.

[Charlie Benante]

I mean, did they think they were gonna blow up? Probably not.

[Josh Adam Myers]

No.

[Charlie Benante]

But they.

[Josh Adam Myers]

There's a really good book that I got over there. I forget. I think it's called Sellout. And it's not about Green Day. It's about all these bands from that era where some of them Made the decision, you know, do you wanna, do you want to have this big career? We can make a shitload of money here. They're throwing it at us. And some others, like, imploded because they couldn't or they wanted to be. No, we're gonna, you know that we don't want to do that. We're going to do it this way. But, but, you know, just because you think you can't do it without the help of the industry and MTV doesn't mean that you're going to make it. I, I, and I look at, and look, Green Day has incredible music. I'm friends with Trey. I've, I've, you know, I've seen them live. I think they're great. I think they are great. And I think they're very important to music and have, and definitely because of them, people now go back and listen to the Ramones and now go back and listen to the Sex Pistols. You know, whereas, like, whereas like the Sex Missiles exploded like chaos and like the Clash just became legends, but the Ramones became almost like mythological to musicians specifically, you know. And so the question is, what kind of success lasts longer? I mean, because, dude, like, Green Day will be remembered forever. But some of those other bands that might have had huge, like, I don't want to say the names because I don't want to, like, I know we might be friends, some of these people, but it's like there are bands from that era that you're like, nobody gives a. About them anymore. Nobody gives a. I would rather, I would rather be the Ramones. Where, where there's, there is a whole section of the Punk Rock Museum in Vegas, the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, things like that, that's what's, that's the longevity and, and it's, Dude, I was saying this last night at that AEW wrestling thing, which I'm not a huge wrestling fan, but I like going to the live things. And it's like, it's like, man, like these wrestlers now, you know, the wrestlers in the past that made no money, just like the hip hop dude, Rakim probably, dude, he, he deserves so much money in hip hop. All the guys that we grew up loving hip hop, they deserve, they deserve the multi million dollars and the Bentleys and all that, but they. Yeah, dude, exactly. Yeah, dude, they, they work their asses off so these new artists could, could, could, could walk. It's like, dude, it's, it's crazy how unfair it is.

[Charlie Benante]

That's how I feel about the Ramones. Yeah, the One saving grace about it is that there's two shirts that you will always see, a Ramon shirt and a Motorhead shirt. Those two have become.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, so it's just. It's the. It's the. There are so many posers wearing Motorhead shirts. Shirts. Misfit shirts.

[Charlie Benante]

Yeah.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You know, dude. Dude, I won't. I. Dude, my State of Euphoria anthrax shirt with all y' all fake. Dude, I rock that. And it's like. That's the thing. It's like, I won't, dude. I will not. And I love buying vintage. Like, I'm wearing a New Jack City vintage shirt that. That, I mean, I paid way too much money for, and only because it's one of my. I could do. I used to. My first joke in black clubs was doing. Was turning the movie New Jack City into a musical version. And. And. And it was great. Oh, dude, it was. It was like. It was like, pookie, put down the crack pipe. I forget one of the songs was like, I want to shoot you so bad my dick's hard. It's all. You know, haven't done it in years. But the moral of the story is there are so many posers that are just ripping off. They're just like, you know, so many. Did you go to Coachella? And how many hot chicks are wearing Ramon shirts? So they're wearing that Motorhead. And I get it. It. It's a thing. But it's like, you know, I'm not gonna be the guy. It's like, name three songs. But it's like, at least know who the. The band is. Know a couple albums and know why they're important for you to wear it. Right?

[Charlie Benante]

But a lot of these people who. They have no roots.

[Josh Adam Myers]

None. They.

[Charlie Benante]

They have no roots, and they have no business being in this business. That's the way I feel, bro. If you can't tell me, give me. I'll even go this. If you can't name four songs off the first Black Sabbath record, you do not belong playing in metal. Because, yeah, that's just it, you know? Or if you can't tell me the third. The title of the third Iron Maiden record, you gotta go, who we're playing with tomorrow.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Really? Oh, dude, is Bruce. Does he. Do you guys get close when he does a flamethrower? Arms. Is he still doing flamethrower?

[Charlie Benante]

Like, their production is ridiculous.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's ridiculous. Dude, I'm. Dude, there is. It's the music that I grew up loving, which my first love was Iron Maiden. And it wasn't. I didn't know it was going to be a metal fan. I just liked Eddie. I loved that demon. I was into horror as a kid, and I saw him at the Waxy Maxis and I was like, give me that record. And I became the fan of Iron Maiden, which then bled me into Anthrax and bled me in to, you know, the. I would say the. Not just thrash, but it was like, then Guns N Roses, and. And it just became like this amalgamation of. Of. Of who I am. And what's so cool about music is. Is like. And, you know, bringing it now. Like, I never. Like, the Ramones and punk didn't make their way in there, but the second it did, it's like, there you were talking about, like, the ones, the bands that broke. Is like, I. I would be like, hey, that's cool. But it's like, I'm like, even country. Like, I always thought I'd never like country until I went back to see the Outlaw, the Loretta Lynn, the Merle Haggard, the Hank Williams. Like, those are the guys that I think, you know, are. Like I said, when I was talking about lyrics, wrote some of the realest lyrics up there with nwa, you know, that you're ever gonna get. And. And. And it's, you know, and I'm not trying to be like, the purist of, like, oh, it starts here. But it's like, if you. What's so beautiful about music and about whether it's film or any art is that they're the influences of the people that you love. You know, it's like, always go back and research that, because it really, really makes it that much sweeter when you could say, oh, my God, like, Anthrax. Like, dude, no, I. Oh, I see. Dude, I can hear Charlie's drumming. Dude, the coolest moment I've ever had. And I think you. I think you get a kick out of this, is that I went to go see. I went to go see the Kiss I was about. I went to go see Kiss, which I was not a Kiss fan growing up. I just wasn't. I just missed me. You know what I mean? I'm. I'm 46, and it just. They. They really didn't have any big hits while I was in my formative years. And I never thought they were lame.

[Charlie Benante]

It just.

[Josh Adam Myers]

They just never hit me.

[Charlie Benante]

Me.

[Josh Adam Myers]

And. And I do the podcast. You know, I start doing this podcast. I do it with what's his face, Jeff Ross, and he's my guest for Kiss. Was it. Is it Demolition. No, no. What's the one with. It's got Beth on it. And I'm the king of the outside world.

[Charlie Benante]

Destroyer.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. So. So we do the record, and his love for the band vibes off on me. That's how it always happens. I get somebody that loves the record on that I'm a fan of, and next thing I know, I'm a fan, because excitement, it's palpable, and I'm an empath. So Burr, Bill Burr, is one of my best friends. And I go, dude, this guy, this young comic comes up and he goes, hey, the Kiss is playing the. The Whiskey. They're doing a thing for Sirius xm. Do you. I want to get you and Bill tickets. And I asked Bill, and Bill's like, I hate Kiss. He goes, I'm not going. Okay, all right, good. Respect. So I go. And I. I basically sneak in and I'm in the VIP section and the show starts, and Tom Murillo from. From Rage introduces them. And now, at this point, I've been doing the podcast for a minute, and we had just done the band Gang of Four, and they're in their album Entertainment, which is. Which is like post punk. So there's. There is a footprint of the Sex Pistols and the Ramones in all of their too. And as soon as I heard that record and I heard Andy Gill's guitar playing, I was like, wow, I wonder if that. That really sounds like Rage against the Machine, that. Like, you know, that start that banana, whatever. It just. It sounded so similar. And after the show, Tomorillo is sitting up in the VIP area, and people are coming up like, oh, my God, I love you. Can I get a picture? And it's starting to clear out. He's in his phone, and I go, I gotta ask him. And we're not. And now we're friends, you know? But this was. This was like the moment we basically became. Became cool, which is. I go. I go, tom, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just have a question. He seemed not kind of annoyed, but he's just like, okay, yeah, what is it? And I say, how influenced were you by Andy Gill from Gang of Four's guitar playing? Dude, his face lit up and he goes, take a seat. And that's it. It was like. You see it so clearly when you go back and you listen. And, dude, after we talked, it's like, now hearing Tommy's drumming and your drumming throughout Antex, it all just. It makes the music that much sweeter when, you know the roots of everything. And you can see the influences being worn on your sleeves. And it's. And it's great, man. It really is.

[Charlie Benante]

You know, like I said. Okay, so let me bring you back. We had a. This was the 1987. I think it was in 1988. And our management had a big Christmas party, and we had it down on the Lower east side at this restaurant, steak place. Joey gets invited.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Ramon.

[Charlie Benante]

Joey gets invited because we had met him at something, and then we invited a couple of people. Anyway, long story short, Joey sits down at the end of the table with a. With a friend of ours. And we sit here and you know us. We, like, when we're together, it's just us, you know? And my friend comes over and she's like, joey feels weird. Nobody's talking to him, you know? And it just hit me, like, joey shy. Joey's not gonna come over and just, you know, hey, guys. You know what I mean? So we all eventually go and just hang with Joey, and he was so happy. And. I don't know, the thing about him is just. He had this talent. I love the way he wrote. What's the first line of Rockaway Beach?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Let me see if I can pull it up.

[Charlie Benante]

Chewing a rhythm with my bubble gum. You know, those lyrics always crack me up. Out, like, chewing my gum to a rhythm.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah. Chewing out with a rhythm on my bubble gum. The sun is out and I want some. It's not hard not far to reach we can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach. I mean, dude.

[Charlie Benante]

That's.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Dude. It's a. That's.

[Charlie Benante]

Dude.

[Josh Adam Myers]

This is like the Beach Boys. This is. This is like the summer of, like, you know, you can. You can hear it. It's like. Whereas, like, the Beach Boys are in there. Are in the. With a deuce coupe, and they're riding down, you know, the Pacific highway, you know, this is them. They're. They're riding out to Brooklyn on the. On. What is it? I don't. I never go to Brooklyn. I don't even date a girl in Brooklyn, dude. I live in Manhattan, and I'm not leaving this goddamn island. Seriously, dude. Queens. Unless I really want some Greek food. Really? Really? LaGuardia. I'll go to Queens. I went last night to the. To the Louis Armstrong. This is how. This is. How funny it was. They said the wrestling thing was at Louis Armstrong Stadium. And I'm like, I didn't know my buddy was talking about New York. What is that, New Orleans? He goes, no, that's in Queens. And I'm like, there's a stadium in Queens besides Citi Field. All right, it. All right, I'll go. Hilarious. But yeah, that's what I'm saying. They're so New York. And. And dude, he is. You know, imagine dude being, what, as tall as he is, the way that he looks, being this shy guy that, that he, you know, it took years. People like Howard Stern were the only people that could get him to open up a little bit. And maybe that's why they weren't as popular, because he weren't. Dude, I'm telling you, it's. It. A lot of that I think we mentioned earlier is it has to do with. With being, you know, they're right there before mtv, which once MTV hit, you know, dude, they're always gonna go for the sexiest of the sexy. That's. They want. They want the rock star to be the look what video killed the radio star. That's.

[Charlie Benante]

That.

[Josh Adam Myers]

That. So. So I think a lot of it has to do with. It's like, are they marketable? Probably not. But there is an audience, and the audience that does because the majority of the world looks like the Ramones. Not like the other. Not like, you know, yeah, which by the way, Billy Idol rules. But.

[Charlie Benante]

But you know what I'm saying that I was gonna mention that I love this band, Generation X, who were.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yes.

[Charlie Benante]

You know, they were English punk. You know, I forgot to say, when you were talking about Johnny Rotten and this, that and the other thing. My sister used to work in Manhattan. She's a hair. A hairdresser. And I would go with her. Like, I would go to work with my mom because I had. I was too young to. It was like summer vacation. Anyway, she would take me to work sometimes and I would go to this record store that was below the hair cutting place, and it was called Disco Mat. And I'm in there looking through records, looking through records. And there's one other person in there. This is like maybe 12 noon, you know, one other person. He's got like a long kind of trench coat. He's wearing a. A beret. It's Johnny Rotten and he's looking through. And I was a big sex Sex pistol. This has got to be like 78, 77, 78.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Wow.

[Charlie Benante]

And I go over to him and he turns around to me and he goes, just like that. It like kind of not now. You know what I mean? So I'm like, okay, whatever. I go back doing my thing, you know, and then at the corner of my eye, I see him With a stack of records. Paying for them. He pays for them. And then he calls me over and he talks to me and I'm like, what are you doing? And he said he's working on a new project which would become Public Image. And he takes a Disco mat card and he signs it for me. I still have that Johnny Rotten. And I'll never forget that because I kind of understand it now. Like, when you're at a place and you're just into your own thing and someone comes over to you, hey, could you bother. And it's like, hang on one second, let me. Just let me do this, and then I'll spend time with you. And he was very gracious. He wasn't the Johnny Rotten who I thought.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, I would have thought he would have been like, you know, you leave me alone. You plunk out like, no, he wasn't.

[Charlie Benante]

And then years later, we did this thing at the Rock and Roll hall of Fame, and he was one of the judges for this thing. I told him that's. I told him that story and he's like, oh, right, I was in. Where was that? He was doing the. The first Public Image record in New York. The Pistols had broken up, but we didn't know.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah. But anyway, sorry, dude.

[Charlie Benante]

I would.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I might tell you something. This is. This is the. I mean, have you. Early on in the podcast, we did the PiL record metal box, which, man, it is a. It is a hard listen. It is not a first listen. You get record. You know what I mean? Not this. You could put on this record. You could put on the Sex Pistols record the Only Wreck and be like, oh, yeah, I get it. I love it. It's perfect. No notes, 100. Everything about it. That record, Metal Box, dude, I had to listen to it because I used to listen to every record nine times. You know, I do all this work and I just. I'd spend hours and hours. And I would be like, God, because it's. The whole story of it is like they broke into studios, they did everything almost illegally. It's. They. The editing was so weird. And I remember I'm getting ready to record it, and the night before, I'm like, I just. I mean, I'm just not getting it. And then the next morning, I woke up and I was humming a song called Pop Tunes, which none of them had choruses. And then I put the record on again and I go, I'm. Take a second. And I go, this is the brew of punk rock. It's genius. It's like, I Got it immediately. And then I had Kyle Kinane on, who's a very funny comedian who loves punk rock. And he was being. He. He came on because he's my homie. And he's like, dude. He's like, this is a hard listen. He goes, if this is on the 500 Greatest Albums list, what's before it? Scary Sounds of Halloween. And

[Charlie Benante]

no, but you're absolutely right when you said because it's an avant garde thing, but very. Wind's guitar playing, dude.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's so. It's.

[Charlie Benante]

It's just going in and out, but it's beautiful. But the first Public Image, that, to me, is the greatest. The song Public Image is the greatest. You know, I could listen to that. This is Religion. That first Public Image record is the greatest. And like, you said, Metal Box.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Wow.

[Charlie Benante]

It was way ahead. It was like jazz.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's not. It's like I say some, like, some records, you know, you, like. I would never. I would never give it to somebody as the. For like. Because I always. With this podcast. And the problem is, is that, like, even Bob Dylan, we did Bob Dylan wrong. I was not a Bob Dylan fan. Not saying I wasn't a fan, but, you know, I was like, oh, I respect him, but I was. I never dug into his records. And then when we started doing the podcast, because we're going down from 500, you're getting the older records of him later in life first. So you're getting, like, time out of mind. That's not the way you listen to Dylan. You got to listen to the old to appreciate the new. You gotta listen to Miles Davis, you know, not bitches who would never start with Brew. You got to go back to the bop and then the hard bop and then the modal and then work your way up to that. And so you almost have to listen to. With Johnny. You have to listen to the Sex Pistols. You have to listen to that first pil, and then you. Then you can accept that. I would never have somebody dive right into that. Because for the. And not especially not on one listen, you know, one listen, you're like, this is garbage. But it's that repeated. It's through. It's through multiple watches. Like, you're like, oh, oh, I get it.

[Charlie Benante]

If you took a lot of bands like let's take who's Could Do. If you listen to the first ever who's could do, you'd be like, this is I. It's inaudible. I can't deal with it. But then you get second and third oh, my God.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, I, I, that was a band that, you know, when we like, because we did New Day Rising was the first record. But, you know, and look, dude, and Zen, you know, Zen Arcade, I mean, that's a great record. But I mean, going like, I'm looking at some of their other stuff like Land Speed record and everything falls apart. I mean, some bands just need a moment to, to click in. I mean, did you feel that way with, With Anthrax? I mean, did you. When do you really feel like you guys got the, you got it locked in? Like, what, what album? What record? Like, even song.

[Charlie Benante]

So I felt at the, towards the end of the, our second album, Spreading in the disease.

[Josh Adam Myers]

That's such a good album.

[Charlie Benante]

Okay, now I, I'm, I'm getting it. I'm starting to realize what is working best. The last song that was written for that record was a song called Air, which to me was the bridge from spreading the disease to a monk. It's so crazy how that happened too, because the whole record was done and I went home and on my way home, I'm listening to the whole record and I'm like, there's something missing. Like, like the way we are live. I'm not getting that from this. And I went home and wrote this other song and then sent it up to the guys who were still up in Ithaca, and they loved it. So I went back up to Ithaca. Re recorded. Actually not re record recorded the song which would become the first song on the record. And like I said, that was the bridge from that record to Among. I'm so glad that happened.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I love that you recorded an Ithaca by Rensselier Polytechnical Institute. We went on a we college tour there for my sister. And I'm like, you hear Ithaca, you're like, oh, my God. Like, you forget. People talk about New York and always assumes, oh yeah, Manhattan, Queens. But it's like there's a giant state of nothingness up there. And they're doing. That's where you meet the metal fans. I do. There is a. There is a. Poughkeepsie. Poughkeepsie, New York. There's a club. Laugh it up. Big ups to the owner that plays cow. Dude, he is the biggest metal fan in the world. And that's. And that's. What I'm saying is like, it's so, it's so rad. You keep saying that. I. What was, what was the moment where you guys knew? I always ask everybody this. What was the moment that you knew that this. Not just like the sound wise. But you were like, oh, we're really reaching people, you know, Because Anthrax never really had like that, like that Metallica moment where it's like you get like this number one hit. You had time, you know, you had, you had, had, you had songs that, that charted, you know. But it was like, it was that. How do I put it? It was that word of mouth that, that like. Dude, that's what I'm saying. Which is, which is almost sometimes better. It's just you have a die hard fan base that grows and grows. When was it? When did you start seeing it? Like, really, like, holy. No, we can do this. Dude. This is, this is it, man. We're, we're like, we're doing it. We. We don't have to work anymore. Like, let's pay attention to this. What was that moment?

[Charlie Benante]

I think the moment happened when your family starts to get bugged about.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

Like your mom or your sister comes home with a record from their friend's son. Could you sign this for him? That's when you kind of know something is happening.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

When it hits that close. Because when you go to other shows and you see, you know, your Anthrax shirt in the crowd and you're so like, oh my God, that's the greatest thing. They're wearing a shirt, you know?

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

It's a moment, you know, And I still don't take that lightly. Like when I see it, when I see like today I'm driving, I landed, got into the car. On the way here, I saw this huge billboard, Iron Maiden Anthrax. I'm like, oh, my God, look at that. That's the coolest thing. It still has this effect on me.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah. How could it not? I mean, you get to, you get to be. You get this. Live your dream every time. Because it's always like, if you just love what you do, then every day is Christmas. If you're always waiting for. If you're always waiting for a Grammy or, you know, a Tonight show spot, you're never going to be happy because those are so few and far between. And sometimes it's not your moment. But if you love just the performing and the writing and the fact that you and your buddies get to stick together regardless if you're going to argue in this whatever, it's like it's your family and you get to continuously keep doing it and share these, like, these moments of being able to look out and where you. Well, you say you're in Bulgaria. Where are you again? Bosnia you're in Bulgaria, dude. What the. Dude, you're from the Bronx.

[Charlie Benante]

I know, right?

[Josh Adam Myers]

You should be wearing Timberland. You should be wearing Timberlands, getting ready for the Knicks game tonight. Like, I'm telling you in four. I called it in four. Yeah, you should be doing that. And you get to do that now before I get you out of here, because I gotta ask, this is. Well, by the way, I'm gonna mention this, too, about branding. You know, you guys, dude, Anthrax killed it. You guys killed it on the logo. You killed it on your. As a guy that collects vintage T shirts, you killed it on your T shirts. Like, it's the same way. Like, was that, like, kind of? Because Iron Maiden, of course, is a little bit. Not. Not really before. I mean, they are, but. But, you know, you're seeing the way they branded with their T shirts and stuff like that. It's like, who. Like, who is the person that kind of. I just want to know, like, who is the person that's like, all right, this is. Are you guys all involved in that? Or is there one person that has, like, imagery was like, oh, I see this.

[Charlie Benante]

I do all the. I do all the designing for the album covers and stuff like that.

[Josh Adam Myers]

And even. Right on.

[Charlie Benante]

I. I love it because, like, that's what I do. I do art. That's. That's like, if I wasn't doing this, I'd be doing that.

[Josh Adam Myers]

I love that.

[Charlie Benante]

I always said that the. The record company art departments are where I got my kind of art degree because I learned certain things from them. What to do, what not to do. You know what I mean? And I would say for us. Carl's calling.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Do you want to take it? Go ahead. We only got a few more minutes. We're gonna. We can wrap this up in a minute or two. I have one more question. We're gonna do final questions.

[Charlie Benante]

One more question, and I'll call you right back.

[Josh Adam Myers]

All right, bye.

[Charlie Benante]

I love it. The. The art of Iron Maiden. Those guys, to me, were. They were the architects. I. I feel like our band, even Metallica and these bands looked at Iron Maiden and said, that's the way I want to do it. You know, they did it the right way. I always believe that a record sold was a ticket sold. Because if you have this loyal fan base, they're never going to quit on you.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You ever. Don't.

[Charlie Benante]

Don't them over. That's the thing, you know, Keep it interesting. Make it so that you. It pleases you, but it also pleases them, too. Put Yourself in the audience.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's, it's and, and it's the live show because it used to just be the concerts were just to facilitate them, them buying more records. But there's something about metal fans where it's like, you can listen to the record, but you, you know, dude, I think it was Kanane had this joke. He's like, there's nothing scarier than just seeing a guy like sitting on the subway, not moving. But he can see. He has headphones in, but in the headphones it's just like, but he's just stone faced like, like that. We've got to get that out. Like metal fans need. Dude, it's, it's a beautiful thing going to a, a metal concert, whether it's Pantera or Anthrax or, you know, or Maiden, where you just, you have rage against a machine. It's whatever the it is where you can let all of that energy out. It's. It's one of the most beautiful things ever. And that's why it's like the, you know, the branding, all of that. The people are proud to wear the shirts. We're proud to like, you know, we're proud to not be the posers that we were talking about. Where it's like, I can wear, I can wear an Iron Maiden shirt because I owned Power Slave. I owned Live After Death. I owned all that. I owned it on tape. And that was when I was. My poor parents had no money and that was all I could get for my birthday was a record. And I'm like, well, I want among the Living because I need to learn those songs so me and my first band can cover that. And, and I mean, it's great. Now, on the side of that is I ask everybody this, especially when they're in a band. What's your most Spinal Tap moment, being in Anthrax? Like, what is your most like, like, you know, lost to the stage, you know, can't get out of the cocoons because there has to be. And I mean, with the humor that you guys already have, it has to be. What do you got?

[Charlie Benante]

I'll tell you this story quick. Okay, we're playing a festival in Spain with Iron Maiden.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Nice.

[Charlie Benante]

Okay, we have to, we have to get to the airport because we're playing a show in another country, so we got to get to the. Anyway, we get off stage, the car is ready to take us to the airport. You know, we get changed right away, get in the car. Our tour manager tells the driver, okay, take them, blah, blah, blah, okay, we're all in the car, we're driving. All of a sudden, we're not driving on a road anymore. This is like, wait a minute. The stairs coming up. And it's like, this fucking guy is going to take us down the stairs, dude. He takes. We're screaming now. It's like we're going down stairs in a car. And all of a sudden, and we look behind, we see our tour manager and the other people running, screaming, stop. We made it.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Thank God. Oh, my God. He's like, dude, we got it. We. He's like, we gotta go, man. We gotta. We gotta keep this schedule. Can't find the road. The stairs is the next best thing. You guys need a little back massage? Did you feel it? You got the bumps out, dude. Listen, I'm. Let's do final questions. The rapid fire. I can't thank you enough, Charlie, for coming on, man, taking the time out. It means the world to me, dude, not just as a fan, but to. To finally really be able to sit down and talk to you, dude. I really hope. Please, please, let's kick it. When you know, are you. You're in la, right?

[Charlie Benante]

No, I'm in Chicago.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, you're in Chicago. Oh, right on. Okay, so. All right, well, I'll be out there definitely doing Zanies. So please, you and Carla come to the show is my treat. I'll take care of everything, you know, but I just want to stay in touch and I do a lot of really cool. Maybe we'll. We'll figure. I would love to jam with you one day. I do my. My show with Burr and A few and Jelly Roll and all the other guys I perform with. So let's please stay in touch because this. And please come back on. Dude. Dude. Perfect. All right, these are the final questions we ask everybody. All right, One, what's your favorite song on this record?

[Charlie Benante]

Edge of Perfection.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Okay. Is it a no skip, or is there a song that you skip over? And it sometimes could be the popular one because you've heard it so much, so it's not a diss. But is this a no skip, or do you have a song that you skip over?

[Charlie Benante]

No skip.

[Josh Adam Myers]

No. No, there really isn't because it's so short. You can't. I mean, dude, this comes in at 31 minutes, and every song is so fun that you have no chance to, like, get bored with it. It's just so poppy. I mean, whether it's, do you want to dance? Or Rockaway beach or, like, Sheena, it's all good. All right. Can you.

[Charlie Benante]

What I used to. When I, like, years ago, when I was younger, I used to skip over birds. The word.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, yeah.

[Charlie Benante]

But now I enjoy it. So there you go. I know.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Now I dig it. I dig exactly what you're saying, but it's not. Dude, it's. It's got a. It's got. It's got a charm to it and. All right. Can you. To this record or have you to this record. I don't think you can. To the Ramones, it's a little too.

[Charlie Benante]

I'm gonna say, maybe lock it, love. You're a goner. I love that line.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Oh, you could, dude. You could. There's certain songs that you could put on, but if you were like, put it on from the beginning. From Cretan Hop, it's a minute and 55 into Rockaway beach and 206. I mean, depending this. I don't know. Can you. To metal. Can you.

[Charlie Benante]

I don't know if. If it's a good song on you. Probably. You're probably doing that.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Can people. To Anthrax. Can you To Anthrax. Like, it's too funny. It's like. Because this is the thing. I remember we were doing that. We were doing Jeff Buckley's record with the lead singer of Incubus, and he goes, dude, sex is about being present. And he's like, I can't not hear the lyrics and what he's saying. And I think with something like Anthrax, there's no way. Because there's the humor, the realness. This also, you know, it's. It's tough.

[Charlie Benante]

You can't rush.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You can't. No.

[Charlie Benante]

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[Josh Adam Myers]

You cannot, dude. I bet people have to this. I bet there have been people. And if you have. If you are out there and listener and you have to this record, please let us know. And the final question. What would be your elevator pitch to get someone that's never heard Ramones rocket to Russia? How would you. How would you tell them, you know, sum this up. Up to get them to want to listen to it.

[Charlie Benante]

You will be happy after you listen to it. It will cheer you up.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Yeah, I agree. I think. I think this is. This is not only just like. I. I don't know. I want to say it wasn't, like, excited, like, I was very excited when this came on the list. But what I'm happy about, because this is, like, I said, this is the first Ramones record I have listened to from start to finish over and over, and I. And I understand why I understand why everybody thought at first, maybe the critics, that this band is deceptively because they. People, I thought they were stupid. They were like, yes, what is this? But it's like. But that's the thing, is that now we realize that everybody stole from this punk, stole from it hardcore, stole from it thrash, pop, punk. Green Day, we mentioned before, built a whole career out of what if the Ramones had feelings? And I think when you finally bear it, you buckle it down. You've got the. This band made music for the, for the outsiders, for the lunatics, for the horror nerds, for the kids who got beat up, for the kids who were the kids who were bullies. I mean, for the comic book addicts, for the future metalheads like you and me. And, And I really just think it's a beautiful thing because It's.

[Charlie Benante]

It's.

[Josh Adam Myers]

It's 50 years later and these songs still sound like a subway train covered in leather jackets and comic book stickers. And I think that's what's brilliant. When, when you live here in one of the greatest cities in the world and you put on an album like this, or if you live in Des Moines, Iowa, you can still smell the pee of the streets in New York mixed in with. Mixed in with. With pizza and, and. And loud Puerto Ricans. It is the. It is the greatest city in the world that produced some of the greatest musicians, you included. Charlie, I can't thank you enough for coming on, man. Please, promote away. Promote away. We'll do it at the beginning too. The new record. Everything. Tell us everything you want us to promote. We got you, baby.

[Charlie Benante]

Thank you, bro. Have a great night. And I'll tell Iron man you said hello.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Please, please. What did I tell you? What I tell you? The one and only Charlie Benante, ladies and gents. Oh, well, that is Charlie Bernante. We were going to the Charlie Charlie on Instagram at Char Benante. C H R. C H A R. Benante. Go to charliebanante.com. yeah, you got. Yeah, you gotta give their credits right. You can't just sing it like a Ramon song. Make sure you check out that Anthrax record. Cursum Percephio. I'm gonna it up. Perf. Isio. I'm not saying it right. It's only my new best friend's new record. I should probably get it right. Great. It's out this fall and he is on tour with Anthrax and Pantera. His music and more is all [e-mail] and like I said, Char Benante went back with the ribbons. Well, now it's a Distro Kid song where we listen to rocket to Russia from the Ramones from 77. Like I said, Distro kid has given us. It's for the kids. It's by Anthrax tracks. It's off the new record and you can find links to the music on the podcast on the website and you can just listen to it now but go to the500podcast.com really find out all the goody goods. And if you're in a band and we're directly influenced by one of these albums or arts you want your music featured on the 500, send us your song to 500podcast gmail.com. put the album and artist and influence you in the subject line next week. Ooh, Ray Charles. Modern sounds and country and western music music from 62. It's good. You give your hand to me and then I say hello I long to kiss your lips. Mama made it so I did you guys notice I got new gold teeth I'll make your queen and the coral reef thank you for tuning in, everybody. Alex, I love you. We'll see you soon. Better improvise cut off all attachments I cross the line everything is weakness and I don't give a shit economy of aggression no toes left unsplit it's for the kids be on repair you're with me nothing just cause I'm depressed you'll never change what you your thoughts me nothing. I don't need answers I just won't blame point the finger and blame you make it easy by showing your cards. It's for the kids feel repair you're with me nothing just said thoughts of press you never change what can you say Your thoughts are pray it's for the kids be on repair you're with me no offense you'll set thoughts of pray you'll never change what. You cross the line and the smell of death is on you you cross the line the worst is yet to find you with your eyes we're all going to die nobody cares if the truth is hot and cold. For all of us be all repair you w me nothing just set up some press you never change work out your name your songs impress me nothing. Nothing. The 500 keeping it please see for the Police Nation on the 500 the 500. Pros save more on the materials you need to get the job done inside and out at Lowe's right now get

[Charlie Benante]

10% off in stock Trex naturals decking

[Josh Adam Myers]

now available in more styles, plus get 15% off select custom entry, interior and storm doors. Then we'll deliver it all straight to your job site. To help keep your jobs moving, get

[Charlie Benante]

the brand's pros trust priced right and

[Josh Adam Myers]

ready when you need them. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's.

[Charlie Benante]

Ballot through 527 while supplies last selection varies by location.

[Josh Adam Myers]

Hey, I'm Jeremy Schwartz from American Criminal

[Charlie Benante]

on our latest season, a deadly bomb

[Josh Adam Myers]

blast rocks the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, but no one stepped into forward to take credit, leaving authorities scrambling for answers. Six months later, another bomb, this time

[Charlie Benante]

outside an abortion clinic. As locals fear for their safety, investigators

[Josh Adam Myers]

struggle to find evidence that will lead them to the killer. Listen to American Criminal Domestic Terror the Hunt for Eric Rudolph. Wherever you get your podcast, Next Chapter podcast.