162 - Radiohead - OK Computer - Nick Swardson

Summary

Podcast Summary: The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers – Episode 162: Radiohead - OK Computer with Nick Swardson

Release Date: April 30, 2025
Duration: Approximately 84 minutes
Guest: Nick Swardson, Comedian and Actor

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Introduction

In Episode 162 of The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers, host Josh Adam Meyers teams up with comedian Nick Swardson to delve deep into Radiohead's seminal album, OK Computer. This episode offers a rich exploration of the album's impact, personal anecdotes from both hosts, and insightful discussions on Radiohead's place in music history.

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Personal Connections with Radiohead

Josh Adam Meyers (Josh) and Nick Swardson (Nick) kick off the conversation by sharing their first encounters with Radiohead. Josh recounts attending his first Radiohead concert in 1994 at Prince's Club in Minneapolis, an experience that left a lasting impression. “Radiohead was the first concert I ever saw... that was insane,” Josh shares ([11:51]).

Nick echoes similar sentiments, describing Radiohead as a band that profoundly influenced his life. He mentions how OK Computer prompted him to make significant life changes, including dropping out of college to seek answers elsewhere. “This was the record that became... I was looking for answers,” Nick reflects ([18:29]).

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Deep Dive into OK Computer

The core of the episode revolves around an in-depth analysis of OK Computer. Both hosts agree that the album transcends typical music collections, embodying a cohesive narrative and innovative soundscape.

• Themes and Significance:
  OK Computer is celebrated for its exploration of alienation, technology, and existential angst. Nick emphasizes the album's ability to convey profound ideas without losing its emotional humanity. “There's something about this record that never loses its humanity, even when it's singing about aliens, alienation or robots,” he notes ([28:29]).

• Favorite Tracks:

  • "Airbag": Josh praises the opening track for its compelling guitar riffs and immersive atmosphere.
    “It's a perfect way to start the record with that guitar, that riff,” Josh comments ([35:26]).

  • "Paranoid Android": Both hosts highlight the song's complexity and epic structure, drawing parallels to classics like Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".
    “It's like putting the medley of side two of Abbey Road right after Come Together,” Josh explains ([46:44]).

  • "Let Down": Undoubtedly their favorite, this track is lauded for its emotional depth and cinematic quality.
    “It's a phenomenal song... every time I hear, it moves me to tears,” Nick shares ([65:54]).

• Musical Innovation:
  The album's blending of conventional song structures with experimental sounds is a focal point. Josh remarks on how OK Computer serves as a bridge between Radiohead's earlier works and their more avant-garde future projects.
  “OK Computer was where I was like, what in the hell is going on?... It was just the diversity of the songs too,” Josh observes ([20:02]).

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Radiohead’s Evolution Post-OK Computer

Josh and Nick discuss Radiohead's subsequent albums, comparing OK Computer with Kid A and The Bends. While Josh personally finds OK Computer and Kid A more impactful, Nick places The Bends at the forefront of his rankings.

• Comparison with Kid A:
  Nick acknowledges the technical and musical prowess of Kid A but maintains a personal preference for OK Computer.
  “Kid A is their best record, technically and musically. But this is my favorite,” Nick states ([19:32]).

• Discussion on The Bends:
  The Bends is recognized for solidifying Radiohead's presence in the alternative rock scene. Josh shares memories of attending their final tour show at Radio City Music Hall, highlighting the raw energy of Thom Yorke's performance.
  “It was still one of the best shows I've ever seen,” Josh recalls ([17:47]).

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Radiohead’s Live Performances and Legacy

The hosts laud Radiohead's exceptional live performances, citing their ability to translate complex studio recordings into captivating live renditions. Nick shares stories of witnessing Radiohead's dynamic shows, including their final OK Computer tour and performances at iconic venues like the Comedy Cellar and Outside Lands Festival.

• Impact on Fans:
  Radiohead's concerts are depicted as transformative experiences, fostering a deep connection between the band and their audience.
  “Their live show is just as good, if not better,” Josh affirms ([44:32]).

• Band’s Influence:
  The episode also touches on Radiohead's influence on contemporary music, drawing comparisons to bands like Pixies and Queen, and discussing their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
  “Radiohead completely went away from... you could say, Pink Floyd, but they were not retro,” Nick explains ([28:38]).

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Broader Musical Influences and Comparisons

Josh and Nick explore Radiohead's place within the broader musical landscape, comparing them to Britpop contemporaries like Oasis and Blur. They admire Radiohead's ability to innovate without succumbing to contemporary trends, setting them apart from their peers.

• Unique Identity:
  Radiohead is praised for maintaining an ambiguous public persona and creating music that stands on its own merit, free from the rivalries that characterized the Britpop scene.
  “With Radiohead, you don't know anything about them. They don't... They were kind of foreshadowing and ahead of time,” Nick states ([28:29]).

• Comparisons to Other Bands:
  The discussion highlights how Radiohead draws inspiration from a diverse range of influences, from Pink Floyd's expansiveness to the Beatles' songcraft, without imitating them.
  “They gave you the psychedelic expansiveness of Pink Floyd without feeling like there was any imitation,” Nick remarks ([28:29]).

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Fan Perspectives and Band’s Ongoing Legacy

The hosts delve into how fans perceive Radiohead's evolving music. They discuss the enduring legacy of OK Computer and how subsequent albums have both expanded and diverged from its themes.

• Fan Favorite Status:
  Tracks like "Karma Police" and "Paranoid Android" remain fan favorites, often cited as defining moments in Radiohead's catalog.
  “That's so incredibly, it's a song that every time I hear, it just moves me to tears,” Nick shares about "Let Down" ([65:54]).

• Band's Autonomy:
  Radiohead's decision to remain independent and control their artistic direction is lauded as a testament to their commitment to innovation over commercial success.
  “That's very Radiohead,” Josh concludes, referring to their selective participation in events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ([75:08]).

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Conclusion

Episode 162 offers a comprehensive and heartfelt exploration of Radiohead's OK Computer, enriched by Nick Swardson's personal experiences and deep appreciation for the band. The discussion underscores OK Computer's monumental impact on both the hosts' lives and the broader music landscape, solidifying its place as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh: “Radiohead was the first concert I ever saw... that was insane.” ([11:51])

• Nick: “This was the record that became... I was looking for answers.” ([18:29])

• Nick: “There's something about this record that never loses its humanity, even when it's singing about aliens, alienation or robots,” ([28:29])

• Josh: “It's a perfect way to start the record with that guitar, that riff,” ([35:26])

• Nick: “Kid A is their best record, technically and musically. But this is my favorite,” ([19:32])

• Josh: “OK Computer was where I was like, what in the hell is going on?... It was just the diversity of the songs too,” ([20:02])

• Nick: “Radiohead completely went away from... you could say, Pink Floyd, but they were not retro,” ([28:38])

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Further Engagement

Listeners are encouraged to support the podcast by subscribing to their Patreon and following them on social media. Additionally, they can explore more insights and behind-the-scenes content through the podcast’s YouTube channel.

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This summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 162, providing both newcomers and long-time listeners with a comprehensive overview of the engaging discussion between Josh Adam Meyers and Nick Swardson on Radiohead's OK Computer.

Transcript

[A]

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[A]

The 500.

[B]

JM been walking.

[A]

Us down through that 2012 edition so.

[B]

It ain't nothing to you. Hundreds more to go and in need of a friend. The king of peaceful angelo. Talking the 500 until the end Talking the 500 until the end with my.

[A]

Man JL.

[B]

On the 500 Talking the 500 until the end. That is the opening track airbag by Radiohead from their incredible groundbreaking 1997 record okay Computer. It's also number 162 out of 500 on the 500 with Josh Adam Myers. What's up fleece army? I am your leader of this spaceship feeling very alien like because of Radiohead and we are going through Rolling Stone magazines list of the 500 greatest albums from 500 working our way down to one. So please, please tell everyone because we're getting into the thick of the goodies. Listen to Master Fleece the if you subscribe to the Patreon, our patreon is only $5 a month. You can pay 25 and you get some merch as well. But for $5 you get to listen to me, DJ Morty Coyle and Wayne Fetty Wap Fetterman talking about all things music, all things entertainment it's just three dudes of different age groups hanging out, having a fun. Patreon.com backslash the 500 podcast. Please support the show. We are chipping away. We really work hard on this and so anything you can contribute really would help us. So send us your love, send us your money. Emily needs it, Adam needs it, Peter needs it. I need it, JT needs it. We got some goodies coming up, man. This fleece train is rocking and rolling. Josh Adam Myers.com for tickets this weekend I am at the Rooster T Feathers in Sunnyvale. I've got more and more gigs. I, I should be looking at them. I don't know where they are right now. My, my agents are, are, you know, they're doing what they do. But either way, man, come see my live show. I'm at the comedy seller, the stand, the Comedy Store at Josh Adamires on all social media and that will tell you where all my gigs usually are. April was busy month. May is a little lighter. But I'll be back out there. June, July, August, I got some cool coming up, so support me. And the only thing that you really can do if you can't come to the shows, if you can't buy merch, if you can't subscribe to the Patreon is just give me a follow. So at Josh Adam Myers on all social media and subscribe to our YouTube. YouTube.com backslash the 500 podcast. Also YouTube.com backslash Josh Adammeyer 79 it all helps. It all helps. So I've talked about this record, okay, computer. For years this has been a reoccurring theme when you talk about the greatest albums of my lifetime. There's have been moments where in life where you get a record that your life was one way this record came out. It was different. This is that record for me. I mean, there's a couple others. Stone Temple Pilots Corps, Appetite for Destruction, Guns N Roses. But Radiohead Computer is that record for me. And what's so cool is just out of nowhere because we were trying to find a really special guest for this one and Emily was, I mean, we're sending out the smoke signals and out of nowhere I get a call from my buddy Nick. And Nick is in New York and we go out to meet and eat at the Comedy Cellar. And while we were there, I just go, hey, you don't happen to be a fan of Radiohead? And he goes, dude, best band of my life. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah blah. And I'm like, you're on and we tried to get him for Coldplay. We got really close. And it's not that we're not friends, he's just a busy guy and he drinks or he did. And so for this to come through, we've got video. So make sure you check out our YouTube to see the video because watching Nick say some of this shit is really what's gonna make it sweet. But the one and only Nick Swardson is our guest today. Grandma's Boy, one of the funniest standup comics out there. He's got a new special coming out. He's on the road. Go see him. But enjoy this hour. We only got an hour. He has diabetes, so we had to cut it short. We had to cut some other stuff too, so it might be a little bit shorter episode, but man, you know, we. We got it done. We got a fun one. Enjoy it. Raid review. Most importantly, subscribe to the 500 listen free on all platforms or anywhere you get your pods. Leave a five star rating and a review. If you're listening on Apple, follow me at Josh Adam Myers on all social media, follow the podcast at the 500 podcast. Email the [e-mail]. Follow the Facebook group run by Chris Crazy Heaven. And for all things 500, go to our website, the500podcast.com. All right, y'all, lot left to say, but here we go with number 162. This by Tom York out of 500 with OK, computer boy, radio head. I can't believe I. I can't believe you're here.

[A]

I can't believe it.

[B]

You understand that? You understand on Earth or where?

[A]

Just in general, Both, but most. I'm rarely in New York City, so it was kind of serendipitous that we connected. And then you have a podcast about Radiohead. And then I had free time, which.

[B]

Truth be told, we should tell the listeners. You were. You were supposed to. Not supposed to, but we were like a pubic hair away for having you on for Coldplay. A rush of blood to the head early on. You were the first guy.

[A]

Yeah, I remember you telling me about that. I'm a big Coldplay fan. I actually made T shirts that said, I like Coldplay. You. And then I have the same doctor as Chris Martin and he showed Chris the shirt and Chris, he. The doctor told me that he showed it to him. Chris was like, that's awesome.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Have you met. Have you met the cold.

[A]

I met him briefly at some MTV Music Awards. Super nice guy.

[B]

Seems like he would Be. Yeah. It was one of the most fun concerts I've ever been to in my life.

[A]

It's a phenomenal concert and it's funny. We're totally digressing from Radiohead, but we'll get to it. Yeah, it's. I always tell people it's. It's such a great show and they have so many big songs. I don't. I mean, I, I, I've been, I've been a fan a long time, so I. Anthemic.

[B]

I would call Coldplays music anthemic. It's like everything is made to be, like. Sing along. Yeah.

[A]

It's like big and it's like. I've seen them a lot and it's great.

[B]

How many times. How many times have you seen Coldplay live with, like, probably.

[A]

I mean, a lot meaning, like, probably six, seven.

[B]

It's a lot.

[A]

Yeah. That's a decent amount.

[B]

Is that the most that you've seen any band? Who have you seen the most?

[A]

I mean, radioheads up there.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Look at that segue. Not my first patio.

[B]

Are you the kind of guy that looks at the screen the whole time?

[A]

Well, when I. In front of me. Yeah.

[B]

I can't not.

[A]

What is literally right in front of me.

[B]

Jorge. Why did they do that? Why did they put the screen? No, but you can leave it on because you're going to pull up clips and obviously, but it's like.

[A]

I can leave it on, but I mean, it's hard not to go like, oh, that's what I look like.

[B]

You look great, dude.

[A]

Sweet. Yeah. So I've seen. I've seen Radiohead a lot and I've seen Oasis, weirdly, a lot.

[B]

Are you going for the, for the Rebirth?

[A]

No, because they're not doing U S States.

[B]

Yes, they are.

[A]

Oh, they are.

[B]

They're doing la. They're doing.

[A]

When did they announce that?

[B]

Because they came out of the gate with England. I'm going. Okay, I'm going to. I'm going. Not to name drop, but I'm gonna. I'm going with Abraham Lincoln.

[A]

What a broken record this is with Josh.

[B]

John, Quincy, Adam.

[A]

Who are you going?

[B]

I'm going with Jimmy Carr, Jim Jeffries, Steve Byrne and Adam Eget. We're going.

[A]

The worst name drop I've ever heard.

[B]

Pretty good one.

[A]

It's horrible.

[B]

It's a pretty good one.

[A]

All those guys are. They're all friends of mine.

[B]

We're going. We're going to see them twice at Wembley. I'm probably going to end up going to see them in Jersey when they're here and I'm going to go see him in LA as well. At least one of the shows.

[A]

All those guys are flying to Wembley.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Good Lord.

[B]

We were on because. Because of the. And truth be told, because of this podcast, because, you know, I had. When I had Oasis, what's the story, Morning Glory come up. Steve wanted to do it because he's a huge Oasis fan.

[A]

I forgot about that. Yeah, Steve is a big Oasis.

[B]

And Jim. Jim, same, too. So I had them both on. And so when the whole, like, teasing of the concert kind of happening, of them getting back together was. Was in the works, right, we started texting and we said, if they're gonna do shows, we're gonna go. And then they dropped it and. And then I ended up getting tickets.

[A]

And they only announced England first.

[B]

England first.

[A]

And people were like, what the hell?

[B]

Yeah, but. But we knew. I mean, dude, this is like. It's a cash grab 100. Like, I think Noel really needs the money because of, like, a divorce. So he. Kind of.

[A]

The craziest thing is their New York show is at the Comedy Cellar. Isn't that how big the Cellar is getting? They're doing 400 nights in a row. Bold move.

[B]

For.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Night. They just.

[A]

Just at the Cellar, out of control.

[B]

Where was the first time you saw Radiohead?

[A]

So Radiohead was the first concert I ever saw. There's two quick stories to this. So it was about, God, I'm gonna say 94. And my friend Brendan McInerney was really savvy with music, and he was big into the UK early 90s rock scene. So I remember he was like, hey, man, I got tickets to this band at Prince's club, First Avenue. Famous, legendary, iconic club.

[B]

By the way. By the way, did you notice the shirt I'm wearing?

[A]

Yes, I did. Who's gonna do great Minneapolis fans.

[B]

I was gonna wear a print shirt, but I wore it because I did Prince 1999 a couple days ago. And so I wore. When I went to Paisley Park, I bought, like, this, like, you know how, like, black people put, like, a dead person on a shirt? And it's, like, in loving memory and it's like clouds and stuff. So I found one of those when I was in Minnesota doing the House of Comedy before I went to Paisley Park. And I have that, and I wore that. And I was going to try to wear tape. It was all wrinkled.

[A]

So I was like.

[B]

I was like, I know, but I wanted to wear a nice Minnesota. I don't have any other Minnesota.

[A]

That's Great. Who's. Curdu's a great. That's a great shirt.

[B]

I was hoping you would be like.

[A]

Yeah, dude, yeah, yeah, that's great. Zen Arcade. Great album.

[B]

Yes. And. And that's funny because First Avenue is, you know, whereas, like, Minnesota has First Avenue, D.C. has the 9:30 Club. LA has the whiskey. I would say that's their version of it.

[A]

And then Troubadour whiskey, kind of. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

And then New York. New York is a Bowery.

[A]

Yeah, but New York had cbgb. I mean.

[B]

Yeah, but that. But that's still around. I would say the Bowery is probably the First Avenue of. Of Minnesota.

[A]

New York's got a lot of them. But I mean, First Avenue is iconic. And then, side note, there's only two comedians on the wall of First Avenue. Dave Chappelle, you this guy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I got my star on the wall, which was one of the highlights of my life. So anyway, my buddy Brendan goes, hey, I got concert tickets tonight at First Ave. And I go, oh, I got to get up tomorrow. You know what I mean? I got like, homework or whatever. And he was like, oh, are you sure? It's going to be a great show. And I go, what is it? And he goes, it's that band, Radiohead. And I was like, oh, I just saw their music video, Fake Plastic Trees. Cause the Bends had just come out. And I love the song and the video. So I was like. And I was 50, 50, ongoing. And I was like. He goes, I'll drive. And I'm like, okay, fine. So we go to the show and it was. I hadn't even really heard the Bends yet. And it was fucking insane. Oh, I bet I was. And it's. I mean, it's not a big venue, so to see them intimately. And they had that energy of like, crushing the Bends, you know? So they were. Tommy York was all over the stage. It was. It was insane. I was like, what is going. Yeah, to this day is still one of the best shows I've ever seen. And I still have the concert stuff. That's awesome. And then I'm doing. In May, I'm recording my next special at First Ave. And my. This tour is called Toilet Head. So I'm doing First Avenue. My first show was Radiohead. I'm doing my special Toilet Head.

[B]

Yes, dude.

[A]

It's the weirdest, bonkers, most full circle. But, yeah, and then, you know, then I got the Benz album. And that was. I think that was my first CD was the Benz. And, you know, that album's Phenomenal. And then obviously, okay, Computer came along, which is what you were bringing me in for, which is.

[B]

Which is the record that I've talked about probably the most on this podcast. Podcast. I feel like all my listeners of the Fleece army have all been waiting for this moment because I would say there's this. There's Stone Temple Pilots, core.

[A]

Stone Temple's insane.

[B]

Insane.

[A]

They're nuts. Lab. I saw them.

[B]

House of Blues, completely underrated band. And because they were, you know, they like, the critics hated them, but the fans loved them.

[A]

What was the critics argument?

[B]

That they just had no substance and they were kind of copying and. And they're all, you know, did they.

[A]

Just put everybody derivative of Pearl Jam at that point of.

[B]

I think it's a very, you know, dude, Pearl Jam, that monoslavic, that girl hall, that kind of singing. And it's like. Then you have Scott, who's. Who's. Who I feel is more of like a rip off of like, you know, he's. He's more Bowie than he is like Neil Young. Just the way that he moves and the skinniness and like, just like he's. He's like a provocative.

[A]

He's got elements of a lot of people. Iggy Pop, I mean, like, yes, but he's totally. Scott Wyman was his own.

[B]

He's singular.

[A]

I mean, he was a rock star. I mean, all those guys are rock stars, obviously, but like, to give any criticism to Stone Temple, I mean, I saw them, it started to go away from Radiohead. I was. God, this is. I was in LA and I was going about my day in the afternoon and I'm listening to kroq and they go, oh, my God, this just in. Scott Weiland out of rehab. Stone Temple Pilots is doing the House of Blues tonight in la. And people know what House of Blues is. You know, that's not a huge venue. So I was like, oh, my God. So I stopped everything I was doing and just drove right to House of Blues and got in line, waited for two hours and got in and saw Stone Temple Pilots. And that to this day is one of the most bonkers shows I've ever seen. And I remember the album Number Four came out, which is great album, and Scott walks out and everyone goes nuts, obviously. And then he plays more of their mellow, kind of subdued kind of songs. And he does like six or seven in a row. And the crowd's like, all right, that's cool. And then he just goes, I'll never forget this. He goes, do you Guys like rock and roll. And the crowd's like, yes, yes, we do. I think we can all agree on that. He leaves the stage, comes back shirtless, leather gloves, black cowboy hat, and just. Just shreds for another hour and a half. Mosh pit. It just. It was just chaos, but it was. I was right there, dude.

[B]

He's. He's. Everything I do on stage is. Is like stealing a little bit from like, him and like Otis Redding, but I just. I love him. That's. That's so stoned over its core appetite for destruction. And then I would say this record here, this is the most life changing. My life was one way I heard this record. My life was different from that point on because I loved. Because obviously we all dug into Pablo Honey or at least Creep and then the Bends, which I got when I was still in high school. And I remember being like, oh, this is like, you know, you mentioned all the songs, Street Spirit and Fake Plastic Trees and this, and I love that. And I bought that record in just. But this was. This was the record that became. I mean, it made me drop out of. Of college and travel the world. I was looking for answers. And I've never felt a record. There's a moment in that. That John Lennon documentary. Imagine where this homeless guy's camping out. He, like, sneaks into his, like his shire in London and he's like. He said, what are you doing here? And he goes. He goes, dude, you've been speaking to me. And he's like, what do you mean? He goes, all of your music. It's like, you were writing it for me. And he's like, no, I was writing it. It's probably about me or it's about the band or it's about Yoko, but.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And I. And I think that this is that kind of record for not just. I mean, everybody I talk to, when they talk about Radiohead, it's like, this is the album, you know, and you could say kid A. And you can, because that's where they became. I think like, we said this when we went out to eat the other night. I think Kid A is their best record, like, technically and musically. But this is my favorite. And I think most people, because this one on the list. There's still the Bends is next. And then Kid A is even deeper, is in the bottom 100.

[A]

Right. Well, okay. Computer was this. It was a perfect hybrid of like Pablo Honey is like a solid pop alt rock album. You know, it's fine. Great songs on it. The bands was like a phenomenal Amazing pop rock album. And then Radio had. I mean, okay, Computer came along and it just threw another element, this kind of ethereal, like. What? It was just like a sound you had never really heard.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then they took it to another level with Kid A. Yeah. And got really trippy and, you know. But ok Computer was just like. Even songs like Exit Music for a Film.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Where you're like, what is. It was like kind of what you're saying. Where it was a journey. It was. You're. You know when they talk about an album being an entire entity of just you're. You're along for a ride.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's how. Okay, Computer was where I was like, what in the hell is going on? I mean, it's just the diversity of the songs too. From like X Amusing to film to like electioneering.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then, you know, I mean, you have let down. And then Karma Police. I mean, it's like. It's awesome and it takes you back to a time I told you this, but I saw their final show of the OK Computer tour at Radio City Music Hall.

[B]

Fuck.

[A]

And I was with my friend Ross and we were sitting there and it was so annoying. So it was like five meat bags behind us. These five guys that are like, play Creep, let's go Creek. And we were like, oh, my God, I'm gonna commit suicide. And then they were asked to leave. But good, those dudes. It was just like belligerently.

[B]

How old were you when this came out? So where are you in your life before I get into the spiel? Because I have a little spiel, but.

[A]

Like, I would say 1998, this came out.

[B]

Hold on. Let's find the exact date this was released. May 21, 1997. It is okay, Computer by Radiohead, produced by Nigel Godrich. And it clock in at 53 minutes and 21 seconds. Oh, it's a longy. Oh, longy Strongy.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So where. So what's going on in your life in May 1997?

[A]

Diarrhea.

[B]

I love your burps.

[A]

1997. I had started stand up in 96, graduated high school. 95.

[B]

That's awesome.

[A]

So, I mean, I was probably about to move to New York. Yeah. 97.

[B]

That's so funny that you said that when we were at the Cellar the other night, because I. I always just since I into stand up, you'd always been in Los Angeles and I just. I knew you're a Minnesota guy, but I didn't know that you came here.

[A]

Yeah, I cut my teeth. It was the best advice I ever got in comedy.

[B]

Who told you?

[A]

Because I got the Aspen Comedy Festival as a new face right out of the gate after six months of doing stand up.

[B]

Are you kidding?

[A]

I did an open mic February 12, 1996. That year, HBO picked me as the top. One of the top new comics in the country. And I've been doing stand up for six months.

[B]

Were people pissed?

[A]

Yeah, you were very pissed at me. But I moved to New York, and then, yeah, that changed my whole world, but that's a whole separate thing. And then I. So I became obsessed with Radiohead after that, after seeing them live after, you know, during that. Ben's tour. And then I went and saw some as much as I could, and then. But I saw every major tour. One of my favorite moments was Kid A. I remember for my birthday, my. My good friend Zach Galifianakis, he goes, your birthday present. I got you tickets to see Radiohead at the Greek. And I'm like, no way. Greek is the outdoor venue again, a famous venue. It's fucking awesome.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And my birthday is in October, so the weather was kind of trippy, and it was outdoors, and a fog rolled in. And radio. This was the beginning of their Kid A tour, and it was epic. And then a side note is, Zach and I are, like, fifth row, center. We're, like, freaking out. And then all of a sudden, these flashlights come, and it says, security. And we're like. And they're pointing him at the people next to us, these two chicks. And they're like, hey, can we see your tickets? And the girls are like. So then they're like, yeah, this aren't your seats. So they leave. And then fucking Brad Pitt, Kathryn Keener, the actress, walk in and sit next to us. And we're like, hey, Brad's like, what's up, man? And this is, you know, way back. It was like, 2000, whatever.

[B]

This is at the sexiest. Well, I listen this right before. This is right before Fight Club. So he's probably yoked, and. Please. Yeah.

[A]

But he was like. I've never seen. He just was so into Radiohead and so dialed in. And he lights up a joint. He's like, do you guys want to smoke a giant? Yeah, duh. So then we take a hit of this joint, and Brad was just like. He was like, for the whole show, like, two hours of just. Just, like, in it. Just possessed. It was awesome. I mean, we were freaking out, too. I mean, it was like. It was phenomenal.

[B]

They didn't tour the D.C. area. For the kid, a tour. They did the Amnesiac one, but so I didn't get to see them until.

[A]

I think it was because of you.

[B]

They knew I was there, you know.

[A]

Yeah, that adds up. That checks out.

[B]

I tried to get in touch with them.

[A]

It's Josh there.

[B]

Yeah, I'm sorry, we're not going to be going, but it's like a pass. I, I, But I finally got to see them with. It wasn't with Beta Band. That was going to be the Amnesiac tour. I got to see them at Merrywater Post Pavilion. And then, like I mentioned to you, at the Cellar, I did Outside Lands.

[A]

Right. Which they did a lot.

[B]

Which they did a lot. But that was the year that their, their last record had come out. And that was, that was like. I, I think, I don't know if my agent had already planned on getting us Outside Lands, but we had done a bunch of festivals that summer and it was like, it was like the year of like Tame Impala and LCD sound system. And then we had done Bonnaroo and Bumbershoot and a couple others. And I was like, when I saw the Radiohead dropping at Outside, I was like, please get us that. And so.

[A]

Right.

[B]

It was, you know, such a great festival and what a great place to see him. Because out of all the festival crowds, I feel like Outside Lands, you know, the San Francisco, they're a little bit, they're not, they're not like, they're not hippie esque as the pretty savvy. Savvy.

[A]

And they're cocky about it. Yes, they are very cocky with comedy and music.

[B]

Yeah, they are.

[A]

They're very like, you know where you are, right? San Franciscans, we have the best burritos.

[B]

Even though we're nowhere near the border.

[A]

Yeah. But we do have the best everything. It's a great time.

[B]

So I have a little spiel that'll catch us up to this record because I was on the phone when you showed up, so feel free to interject at any moment if I say something that.

[A]

Oh, I will.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'll disrupt a spiel.

[B]

Please disrupt.

[A]

I will know that about spiel.

[B]

So I have a writer, Morty. So Morty and I have been talking now that we are on essentially a list of bangers until we reach the top. So we're in the thick of the 500 list. There seems to be a universal thing with the greatest artists of our time where they hit a creative peak with everything they did up until that point, and then they become singular unto themselves. And then they put out the next record and it's almost a forego conclusion that will be more popular than the record before it. But as often happens years later, it feels like maybe the record before that was better. That's not to say anything about this record or records like it are inferior. So when the Bends came out, it was everything radio had promised and cemented what they did. Well, when OK Computer came out, it flew to the top of the critical and commercial charts. Even now, people talk about this record, it feels like they're talking about an idea more than a collection of songs. We almost didn't know it, but it would sort. It would sort of be the last Radiohead record that they employed mostly conventional song structures. The other thing about this record is, while they might have gotten lumped in with Brit pop like Oasis and Blur and a bunch of the other bands, they never felt retro about it. So you could draw a straight line from the Beatles to Oasis and to the Kinks to Blur. It was like Radiohead gave you the psychedelic expansiveness of Pink Floyd without feeling like there was any imitation. And the remarkable thing is the band and the producer, Nigel Godrich, really, for the most part, used conventional studio effects and practical applications of mic placement to achieve what ended up sounding like a modern masterpiece. The ability to use. All the technological advances existed, and yet there's something about this record that never loses its humanity, even when it's singing about aliens, alienation or robots or whatever.

[A]

Yeah, right. Yeah. That's interesting, because they didn't fall into that Brit pop that I like. I don't equate them with that at all.

[B]

At all.

[A]

They were kind of their own.

[B]

They lumped in at the beginning, because that's what I'm saying is, like.

[A]

Yeah, I get that. Because.

[B]

Whereas Oasis and Blur had, like, a rivalry because you got to know you. They. They made their personalities so a part of their music, where it's like, with Radiohead, you don't know anything about them. They don't.

[A]

They were really ambiguous and they were out of the public eye. But then you also had, like, the Verve and Stone Roses. I mean, there was a whole group. But I. Yeah, but I agree. I never lumped Radiohead in.

[B]

But Radiohead's not a part of all that. I would say, like, you can. I could look say it, man. Richard Ashcroft is opening for Oasis.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

Which is great. Blur, you know, he. Dude, it wasn't until Gorillas. You know, the Gorillas and. And. But in Oasis, you could see the line between Oasis and The Beatles, you can see the line between Blur and the Kinks. But with Radiohead, this record, they completely went away from. You could say, okay, they're like Pink Floyd, but they're, they're not like. They're not retro where the other. But you know what I mean.

[A]

Whereas I know what you mean where they, you know, certain sounds and stuff. But yeah, I mean I always wondered what. Cuz Noel and Liam were always so vocal about everything. Yeah, I never, I don't think I ever heard what Noel's take was on. Ok, computer. I'm sure he had to have some public take on it.

[B]

Let me see if I can find something.

[A]

Search the intro.

[B]

I've got it. No Gallagher. Okay, computer, I think there's an. And Jorge, could you look up. I think there's a guest list for a Radiohead show at the Bowery. And the, the, the. The VIP list is like everybody like the Beastie Boys are there and Brad Pitt is there. It's finally realized why Noel Gallagher hates Tom York. What's worse, when Noel faces Nemesis and actually sat down to listen to. Ok computer. So it says Noel told the world he was a genius and people never really heard the Beatles, T. Rex or the. Who believed him? Oh, so I don't know. This is a long thing. I'm not reading it.

[A]

Don't read it.

[B]

But I think I have the list right here. Oh, you have the guest list? Yeah. So this is the guest list to Radiohead. I mean look who's there. Dude, the Beastie Boys Blurs there.

[A]

Wait, what venue is this?

[B]

What? What does it say? Is it the Bowery? Yeah, it's at the Bowery Ball. Marilyn Manson, Dave Matthews, Courtney Love, Donna. Who else? Oasis. There. Brad Pitt, rem, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Jill Sobul. You two.

[A]

That's the whole venue any better? I don't even understand that. I like the people added on. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

That would be me. I'd be.

[A]

Hey man, can I get in this or what?

[B]

Hey, can I get into this show?

[A]

So I think we're open the show Godfree.

[B]

So I think to be honest, if we look back, the Benz could be like the Beatles rubber soul and this is their revolver. And I, I feel like you get. You're getting a band defining themselves.

[A]

And would Kid A be their yellow submarine or. I don't know.

[B]

Well, I think Kid A would be.

[A]

I mean, I don't know.

[B]

That's a good question. So hold on, I'm gonna text Morty and see what Morty says about it. What Would be. Hold on, let me wait.

[A]

Random side note while you go on the intro. Net, Go ahead. I remember that. So there's a bar in Hollywood called Barney's Beanery. It's an old, old famous dive sports bar that I frequented a lot for over the decades. And I remember one time I was at Barney's and it's really, really legendary. And I was there in the afternoon, day drinking. And this was who was at the bar. And it's a pretty. It's a pretty decent sized bar. The only people at the bar, and this is. I swear to God, it was me and my friend Chris Reed, who is kid from Kid and Play. Yeah, we're at the bar and then a table behind us is Noel Gallagher and somebody else having a meeting. Then down from that, across the bar is Bono from U2.

[B]

Holy shit.

[A]

He's having a meeting and Justin Bieber is playing pool. And there was no paparazzi, nobody there. And I was like, what in the fuck? I'm like, this is so surreal. And I don't think there were any other people there.

[B]

Yeah, I had.

[A]

I'll never forget that. I was like, didn't know what to do. I was just like. Because I wanted to. Nola Gallagher is somebody I just wouldn't want to approach, like, in any capacity.

[B]

He doesn't seem like he'd be very welcoming.

[A]

He might be, but I was like, I don't think he's seen Grandma's boy, so I'll probably sit this one out. I can't imagine being like, I Love Terry on Reno 91 ones. I love Tari.

[B]

I'm a big fan of Terry.

[A]

Skate on Liam's genitals.

[B]

That'd be hilarious. I've seen typical Rick a bunch of times.

[A]

I'm just like, your premium blends back in the day was so good.

[B]

All right. The album opens up with Airbag, which I. I love everything about it. It's like when you try to. Sometimes I want to listen to, like, a singular song on the record, and it's like, nah. I feel like it's a perfect way to start the record with that guitar, that riff.

[A]

Let me cut you off really quick.

[B]

Good.

[A]

One of the things that I thought was interesting about Radiohead is they were kind of foreshadowing and ahead of the time for, like, AI and robots and space and, like, that whole futuristic world. Like, I remember hearing it and there was, like, moments when you're listening to it where you're like, it's Tommy York from Earth. Like, there's Moments where I was just like, this guy just seems like he was just, you know, it feels like if you met him and talked to him in public, like, oil might start coming out of his mouth or something. He'd be like, a little like. Like that type of thing. I don't know. I always thought he was from another universe.

[B]

He used to go to. Well, actually, Pete. Our friend Pete's girlfriend, Whitney. Whitney owned that juice bar. She was the member. She had that juice bar that was on Franklin Boulevard. I used to go there all the time. And Tom York used to come in there a lot. Did she ever tell you that?

[A]

No.

[B]

He used to come in there all the time. And it would always be because I would walk down there with le and she'd be like, you just missed Tom York. And I think he got like. Like, because she always made all that, like, healthy food, so. Which is all, like, checks out, like, you know.

[A]

Yeah, totally check.

[B]

Tom York would be like, I had my spirulina today, right. Of those overnight oats. Okay. Yummy.

[A]

Well, the crazy thing, people don't realize Tom York is 7ft tall. I don't know how tall he is, but, yeah, we can find out. Yeah, your.

[B]

Hey, find out how tall Tom York is.

[A]

Get on it.

[B]

So this song opens up about a car crash Tom York was in with his girlfriend in 1987. She suffered with whiplash, but he was fine. Says, York has an airbag. Saved my life. Nah. But I will tell you something. Every time you have a near accident, instead of just sighing and carrying on, you should pull over, get out of the car, and run down the street screaming, I'm back. I'm alive. My life has started again today. In fact, you should do that every time you get out of a car. We're just riding on those things. We're not really in control of them.

[A]

Well, Tom York will definitely have a.

[B]

Hard time in a car accident, considering.

[A]

He is five foot five.

[B]

He's a tiny.

[A]

Yeah, he's a little dude.

[B]

He's a little. He. He's a smally, by the way.

[A]

That's such an alien thing to say about cars, too. Like what he said. Is that what he. Did he say that? Yeah, yeah. We're not really in them. We're just part of their journey. Oil.

[B]

I need. I need electrolytes to live. 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 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. When you have high standards and fancy all the fancy things like a Dior saddlebag or that diamond tennis bracelet, you go to ebay. There you'll find new loves that will never disappoint.

[A]

Expertly authenticated.

[B]

Whether it's that vintage pearl necklace or brand new ruby earrings, a Prada crossbody bag or classic watches like that Rolex Oyster or that Cartier tank. On ebay there are no limits to your high standards. Yeah, ebay the place for new pre loved vintage and rare fashion ebay things people love. So some people might look at seat belts and airbags as safety equipment and some might People look at them as free passes to recklessness. What is the dumbest or most reckless physical thing you ever did?

[A]

Is that a question to me?

[B]

It's a question to you is.

[A]

Did Tom text that in? Yep, he just asked me that. Yeah. Wait, what is it?

[B]

So what is the dumbest or most reckless physical thing you ever did? Like, do you. Do you do things like. Like skydiving or.

[A]

Not really. I mean, I. I've always at least had the. The wherewithal to not put myself in those kind of situations. I don't know. I can't think of anything offhand where it was like, whoa. I mean, I was also blackout drunk for 10 years, so, like, you know, I could have climbed Mount Everest at that point and just had no recollection of it. You know, when Fireball came out, I scaled the Eiffel Tower. I don't know.

[B]

I mean, truth be told, this is like with. You know, when we were trying to do the. The Coldplay. Can I say it? Like, I was like. I asked Pete. I was like, how do I get Nick? He's like, just go to Barney's at, like, 1pm he's off right now, so he's. He's day drinking.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I almost. I almost brought all my equipment there to do it.

[A]

I would have been there. Yeah. The thing that I. I quit drinking, and. Which is great. I love it, but I am bummed. I don't have regrets because it's a waste of time, but I do think about concerts where I'm like, oh, I was. I. Then I. Even when I was drinking, I stopped drinking at concerts because, like, it's the worst when you don't remember it, or I would leave early or I would just. And there was a handful of shows where I'm like, hell, what's.

[B]

What's a thing that you were so excited about? You were like, I'm. I'm so excited for this. And then he got too drunk, and you completely blacked out. You don't remember one millisecond of it?

[A]

Well, I don't know. I wouldn't have remembered remembering it. Yeah. I mean, nothing too dramatic. I mean, I remember. Yeah. I mean, there were just some shows, like, There was a U2 show I saw where I was in the pit and I was on one and I left, like. And I love you, too. But I just. I bailed on it. And that was really annoying because I was with people and they were like, where are you going? I'm like, I want to go to the bathroom. I Had a big thing of chewing tobacco on my mouth and I just left. Went to the bar. So that was stupid. But, yeah, I mean, I. I was alert enough to where I was like, okay, I'm just not gonna. If I'm gonna drink, I'll just have wine or something. But, like, I'm not gonna go fucked up, you know? And then you see people, and then comedy shows, people get obliterated. I'm like, that's the one thing where, like, you need to, like, seriously listen. Like, I got getting up at a concert, but like, a comedy show, it's like, dude, what do you. What are you doing? Yeah, I mean, I've had people. I've had to throw people out. I mean, I rarely do it, but sometimes, you know, there have been, like, fist fights and stuff where, like, there was a brawl one time in Orlando at your show, and it was at a performing arts center. Yeah, I mean, like, you bring out.

[B]

I mean, I. I'm not anymore.

[A]

I mean, I'm almost 50, so it's like my fan base. But I mean, back in the day.

[B]

It was like, dude, I opened for you in Irvine once, and it was like, the amount of people with, like, neck and face tattoos was crazy.

[A]

Yes. Everyone's invited. Yeah. No, I mean, I love my shows and my fans, but I've had to go on social media and be like, hey, like, try to, like, chill out a little bit just because it's like, I. I can handle anything. But the people around those people.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's where it gets crazy, where I've stopped and been like, what's going on here? You know what I mean? And they're like. I'm like, you guys, what? It's a comedy show. I'll tell you one of my favorite Radiohead stories. My friend was. Saw them in New York.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they had just done Saturday Night Live. So my friend got backstage.

[B]

Which year is this? This is when they did Idiotech. It was this, like.

[A]

Because whatever it would be, it was like, later on. It was probably kid aish.

[B]

Probably idiotech. Yeah. Like 2000.

[A]

Sure. Yeah. Yeah. It was in the 2000s.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So my friend sees. He gets backstage, and he sees Tom York. And this was at their show. Show wasn't at snl. So he goes backstage, he sees Tom, and he's by the crafty table food, and he goes, hey, man, let me just say, I saw you on snl. I saw that taping, and you guys were great. And he said, Tom looked at him and he goes, so we just played a Show for two and a half hours. And you saw our two songs set on TV and that was impressive. And my buddy was like, why did I say that? And Tom's like, thanks, man. Just walked away. I was like, that's the most Tom York thing I would imagine him being like, yeah, we did a fucking throw away two songs on tv, but we just shredded two hours.

[B]

Yeah. Their live show is. If it's like, we always wonder like, how are they going to pull this off? How are they going to take like, especially the next song, like Paranoid Android?

[A]

Yeah, totally. How's it going to translate live?

[B]

How are they going to do it? And it's. It's just as good, if not better.

[A]

It's insane. I think that goes. That's a big testament to the Greenwood brothers too.

[B]

Yeah. To Johnny.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What's this Johnny? He's. I mean, it's. It's. Johnny's like, so there's no brother, but Johnny is.

[A]

I thought it was. I'm thinking of Lee Greenwood.

[B]

Well, I'm proud to be. Think Johnny Green.

[A]

Johnny Green.

[B]

Johnny Greenwood is. That would be awesome if he was brothers with Lee Greenwood.

[A]

That'd be so random.

[B]

American guy, British. Some British aristocrat, like scientist of the guitar and canoodling and with like morgue synthesizers. Muke synthesizers. And then you have like the most rednecky, like, oh, come on, man, that'd be great. I'm proud to be an American. Johnny, come. That really dug that Paranoid Android you're working on.

[A]

I'm proud to be an Android. Eat me out. Whoa.

[B]

Jesus.

[A]

What's going on here?

[B]

So.

[A]

Or. Or what if Anthony Michael hall made a movie called Johnny B. Greenwood instead of Johnny Be Good. Oh, dude, There's a lot of ideas out there. Deep cut, if anybody wants to latch on to that.

[B]

Inspired by unsettling experience at a bar in Los Angeles. When this first single was released, nobody knew what to expect, and what they got was monumental. In a way, this is almost more important than anything else on the record. It's almost like what Pink Floyd started doing with long form songs that had movements like echoes off of metal, but very much like what the Beatles perfected with A Day in the Life of Just figuring out a way to stick any song fragments together to make something epic and unexpected. While the original recorded version of this was over 14 minutes long, this chop down, I know that's Crazy is edit. It's still just three or four distinct parts over more than six minutes that showcase everything Radiohead. If they had just put this out and took a few months off. It would have been enough. At least they gave us Airbag as the first song to sort of get our ears ready for what to come. That's true. Yeah.

[A]

It's like they give you.

[B]

They give you a shorter song. It's more. It's. It's more accessible. And then they drop this. But it's like putting the medley of side two of Abbey Road right after Come Together as the second song on side one. There's also a feel of Paul McCartney's band on the run in a similar fashion of cutting together several desperate, disparate, disparate songs. Short song fragments to make one epic piece. Billy Joel did it on scenes from an Italian Restaurant as well. And this is the first of several homages to the Beatles White Album. This was inspired by that album's Happiness is a Warm Gun, but also by the Pixies as well as Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. And just. And let's just take a quick moment to give a tribute shout out to Roy Thomas Baker, who just passed away and was Queen's producer for all these classic 70 records, including a Night at the Opera, which has Bohemian Rhapsody on it. What was your. Like, where do you remember first hearing Paranoid Android? Because I remember the video and being.

[A]

Like, I remember the video. I mean, it wasn't like, you know, I'd have no moment where I was like, I was pouring a bowl of cheerios. It was 2pm on a Tuesday. Little cloudy. Yeah. I don't know, man. I bought the album and I listened to it. I mean, not every single song takes you back to, like, you.

[B]

Really.

[A]

Well, I mean, not every song. I mean, I can't like.

[B]

But you can't pinpoint, really. This is like.

[A]

I mean, I remember getting the album and being. I mean, I just, you know, put the album. Yeah. And you listen the whole thing.

[B]

What was your first thoughts hearing this? Were you just. You must have been completely blown away.

[A]

I was totally blown away. And I always tell people, like. I don't know why I said that. I always tell people. No. When I talk about music, I. I remember distinctly albums that you just go, whoa, this is. You know, you kind of alluded to that earlier where it's like, I remember hearing Appetite for Destruction and being like, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I remember hearing Nirvana Nevermind. Being like, like, where you're like, this is, you know, like, this is something special.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

This isn't. Like, this is going to change everything, you know, I mean, I remember that distinctly. Okay, computer. I was like, whoa, yeah, like this is something. This is a game changer.

[B]

This is really a game.

[A]

And the thing about that album, too, is they committed through. Like, that's such a bold move to not have just a couple songs that were kind of ethereal and kind of spooky, you know what I mean? Like, and robotic. They. They just. The whole album, you know, has that. That kind of tone. That's a pretty big commitment, you know what I mean? Like I said when I heard Exit Music for a Film, I was like, that was so awesome. So I was like, what is that? Like, they're just dropping this, especially the.

[B]

Way that it changes, which we'll get to. But it's like it starts as this, like, just this guitar, like, almost like Redemption song. And then it drops into that and all the noises wild. So the parallels to this band, like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Rush have inspired. Have songs inspired by Junior Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series, as this is named for the character Marvin the Paranoid Android from Douglas Adams Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe series. But whereas those bands seem less than nerdy for referring to literature popular with teens and young adults, Radioheads seem more vulnerable.

[A]

Wait, hold on. Side side note. One of my buddies, Sam, who's like, die hard New Yorker dude, and he was kind of. He was a music fan, and I go, hey, Sam, did you hear okay, computer yet? Literally, he goes, yeah, it's elf music. It's music for elves. I don't listen to that band, man. I'm like, really? It's really good. And he's like, yeah, I don't know. It's elf music. And now, like, I can't get that out of my head, that it's elf music. I mean. And then when you think about it, it does. See, now you know that Tom's really short. Yeah, it just kind of. And then you reference Lord of the Rings. It's like, oh, coming together where they're like, in the Shire. It's very.

[B]

I could see that it's. That it's elf music, but I don't think.

[A]

I mean, I don't think it's. It's just a funny way to sum it up. Sure, sure. It's like. It's obviously not elf music at all if there are elves out there. I'm sorry.

[B]

So we've talked to many guests about the underground comedy college boom that came up in the late 80s and 90s. It seemed like the subject matter became insular and specific enough to have a niche appeal. It was still funny, but didn't aspire to have to appeal to the mainstream. Like, how influential were was the like alt scene back then on your comedy.

[A]

The all the old comedy scene?

[B]

Well, you. It's mentioned because I think you were basically a part of it in a sense, because especially if you're friends with Zach and.

[A]

Well, we were at the. So for those listening, there was an alternative comedy comedy scene that blew up in the late 80s, early 90s, and one of the big pioneers of it was Jeanine Garofalo. So that scene and then like David Cross and Bob Odenkirk and, you know, those kind of people, they started this thing that was just. It wasn't anti comedy, it was just not the comedy club kind of like rapid fire. Like, you know, it was just kind of like talking, you know, And I guess you could equate it, not that I was there, but like Mort Saul back in the day, he kind of broke the mold of going on stage and like a sweater and a newspaper and kind of talking. So I think it was kind of that vibe and that was a huge influence on me. I ended up opening for Janine and David Cross and I got really thick into the alt scene. I still did comedy clubs, but it. It helped me when I moved from Minnesota to New York. It was so intense because I was basically a teenager starting comedy and it was really like, whoa. And I was doing the club and then I got into that alternative scene through friends, and then it really kind of expanded my comedy of just, you don't have to get up there and have them like you right away. You know what I mean? Like, doing the comedy clubs was so intimidating. And if you lose a New York crowd within a minute, it's really hard to get them back, especially if they don't know who you are or whatever. So, you know, places like Luna Lounge, I would go up and we would do sketches. It was just weird fun. And then, you know, Zach and I shared an apartment on Ludlow and we moved to LA and then started doing the alternative scene there. But it was, it was very, very, really great. I. I hold that up as a big influence.

[B]

So you said, you said you. You were six months into stand up when you got Aspen.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Was there, was there a moment that it. That it shifted from being an open micr to suddenly like, was there a set that they saw you that you just.

[A]

I just worked really hard. When I first started, I was months like, well, this is what I did. I remember I had sobered up, so I had to go to rehab in High school.

[B]

Did you really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You.

[A]

You're pro, dude. Yeah. So I cleaned up, did acting, and I started doing improv in high school. And then after I graduated high school, I had no money, I had no grades, so I was like, I'm just gonna try comedy. So I went to the open mic and I went in with the mindset of, like, okay, I'm going to write material that I can do in any state. I'm gonna write clean material. I'm just. I'm get out of Minnesota, and I want to be in tv. I want to make movies, I want to do standup. I want to do everything. So I was just very meticulously, like, that's what I did. And then I kept writing. So the club that I was doing, my friend Dan Krolchek was the manager, and he was like, just keep writing. I would have, like, a killer five minutes and he'd be like, more, more, more. So I just. I just kept working and they kept working me and maybe a house MC immediately. And I just. And then Aspen came through town and had a contest, and I beat out, like, 70 people.

[B]

Crazy.

[A]

And, you know, I just. I don't know, it was. It was. It was insane. But. And then, yeah, everything was just moved so fast. And I went to the festival and I was on. I did my first TV set within my first year of doing stand up. And then I signed with three Arts. And, you know, it was just crazy. They were big management company.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they had Chris Rock. And then it was. Yeah, it was wild. But the alternative scene helped me out a lot. And that's when I, you know, I met a lot of people through Janine and David. So it was cool alternative music. I met, you know, like, Stephen Malcolm.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

One of the biggest panic attacks I had. This isn't even that long ago. It's probably 10 years ago. And I became a huge Pixies fan. Like, I remember when I first heard the album Do Little, and I was like, oh, now I'm obsessed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, So I went on a deep dive and with Pixies. And then I went and saw him at the Palladium. And I was in, like, this. In the balcony, and I was with some alternative comics and stuff. And somebody comes, this woman comes up, she goes, hey, Nick. She's like, frank Black, you know, is friends with a lot of your friends. I think he was a Reno 911 fan. She goes, he'd like to meet you. And I was like, what? She's like, yeah, he was, you know, if you want to stay and come backstage. And I panicked and I left. Cause I just was like. I was a little drunk, but not that drunk, but I just like. I couldn't wrap my head around it. So I left. And I regret that. So if Frank Black ever. I love him so much. I love the Pixies.

[B]

We did. We've done Surfer Rosa and do little on the podcast they did with. With Pat Noswalt. And we had the guitarist surprise Patton because Morty, my writer, is friends with. What? I can't think of his name. Whoever the guitarist is. Santiago. I think that's his name.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, he.

[B]

He surprised us on the Zoom. And Pixie's, another band like that, you know.

[A]

Well, they were also stigmatized by. In a sense, like with Radiohead and Creep. The Pixies and the song from Fight Club, Where's My Mind?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I remember seeing them at the Palladium. And again, he's in la, and these fucking idiots.

[B]

Bros. Yeah.

[A]

Where they were just kind of waiting.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So the Pixies are killing it. And you could tell they're angry, so. Because the crowd is so flat and LA crowds are notorious for that. Sure. But I was like, oh, my God, this is such a great show. And you could tell they were annoyed. And then they start into Where Is My Mind? And then the crowd all of a sudden there, and I was like, maybe. So posers.

[B]

I wanted to ask you, when you mentioned, you know, because if you're six months in. So the. The older comics, like, they. They all took you under their wing.

[A]

Like, people were really cool. To me, it was. But then. Then people weren't. So the people that were established that I met, like, the big headliners that would come. Would come through and I would open for them or MC or whatever, and they'd be like, hey, you're great. You know what I mean? Like, you need to do xyz, you know, you should move to New York. You're still really young, you know, cut your teeth and all that. And the best advice, they're like, don't go to la. They're like, don't go there right away. Go there when you're like a headliner. You have at least an hour of solid material. Yeah, exactly. But they were like, go to. Go to New York. And that really have Judy Gold. Kevin Nealon. Kevin Nealon told me to go to college, which is really funny because he's one of my best friends. And I'm like, remember when he told me to go to college? He's like, I didn't say that. I'm like, hate it. But, yeah, so like. But then the other comics that were kind of, you know, not established, not like names. Yeah. So it was like, I fell victim to that. Where it was like. And I did Mark Marin's podcast, and Mark's an old friend. I've spent a ton of time, million shows with the guy.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

And I do his podcast, and in classic Marin fashion, he goes, yeah, man, you know I hated you, right?

[B]

Of course.

[A]

And I go, what do you mean? And he goes, yeah, man, I fucking hated you. And I go, I didn't know that. We, like, hung out a million times. And he goes, yeah, I know, man, but I just. Ah, fuck, I hated you. And I'm like, first of all, yeah, of course he does Marin. But. Yeah, I was like, what the. The. But I mean, yeah, it was weird.

[B]

You were great right from the beginning. That's odd. I mean, that was the only person I saw that in my class that would have been. Well, Angelo obviously was brilliant, and then Gerard. But Angelo didn't play the game. And. And, you know, would have gotten. If he would have lived. But Gerard, like, it was like, I remember him doing an open mic and them at the Comedy Store and then being like, ladies and gentlemen, the future of comedy. Or like, he's been doing it for like six, seven months, and they're already calling him the future.

[A]

Yeah, it's not. I mean, I. When I went to the Aspen Comedy Festival, I remember I was still. They threw me into like, okay, do you have a sitcom idea? Okay, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. All this shit. And I literally told my agent, he goes, so, what do you want to do? And I go, I want to go out on the road. Like, I want to build up my act. And he's. And he was so annoyed. He was like, okay, but I mean, you're going to have meetings. And I'm like. Like, I'm 19.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't know what. Like, I don't create a sitcom.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, what the.

[B]

I have no.

[A]

And that was that area. Yeah. And like, that was that era of stand up where it was like the mid-90s, where that's what you did.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

You killed on stage. You signed. Well, no, I mean, Seinfeld set the bar. Seinfeld, Roseanne, Tim Allen, Drew Carey. So then, like, all these other people, you know, even back. But anyway, so, like, the new kids, they were like, okay, that's the model. That's what you do. So they were throwing People against the wall and, you know, people weren't ready. And a lot of comedians aren't great actors, and a lot of them, you know, those other comedians I mentioned had a very distinct, like, point of view. So you could go, you know, Drew, Tim, Roseanne. I mean, even Cosby. I don't know what happened to him, but people where it was like, oh, yeah, you just plug him in. And then Seinfeld and Lar Gary created, you know, Seinfeld. But, you know, long story short, I was a kid. I wanted to do the road, and my. My manager was annoyed and then fired me.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah. I won't say who it is, but he knows who he is. He's apologized since.

[B]

Oh, I bet. Yeah.

[A]

Whoopsie.

[B]

Whoopsie doodle.

[A]

Yep. Because after that, I invented the spoon and I became a gagillionaire.

[B]

Whole new don't get me started on my spork money.

[A]

But, yeah, so I spent a lot of time on the road, and that, you know, made me, you know, ingest more music.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it was great. And living in New York in the early 2000s, that was a great time with Radiohead. Yeah. And then you had the Strokes and the White Stripes, and then you had that whole influx, which was awesome.

[B]

You go to a lot of those shows, too?

[A]

Yeah, totally. I opened for the Strokes.

[B]

Did you really?

[A]

Yeah, they got me a gig on mtv. It was called. Oh, God. There was a show, Two Dollar Bill. I think that was it. Yeah. And I open for them in New York, and I go on stage, and this is like, Strokes are just exploding. And so was the band, Creed. So I go on stage, it's all hipster kids, and I go, hey, guys. And I'm doing my bits, and I go, you guys excited for the show tonight? And they're like, yeah. And I go, who do you like better, honestly, the Strokes or Creed? And these hipster Brooklyn kids are like. Like, Strokes. Like, angry. Not getting that. I'm joking. And they're like, strokes, Strokes. And I go, no, you're wrong. Creed. The right answer was Creed. And then they're mad.

[B]

No.

[A]

And then I see, like, Julian and Nikolai in the band, like, and they're dying.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

So they're off the side of the stage, and they know I'm joking, But these teenagers were like, it's Strokes, man.

[B]

What is this guy?

[A]

But, yeah, so that was awesome. And I went and saw.

[B]

So great.

[A]

And I remember seeing the White Stripes in LA at. Oh, God. Troubadour, Whiskey, the El Rey.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I remember. And this is right. Right before white blood cells came out. I don't know how well you know the White Stripes pretty well, but that was an album where I'd heard the album Distill. And the second I heard that, I was like, who are these? That blew me away. Yeah. And I had an extra ticket to the White Stripes. I was out in front. None of my friends would go with me. And I was trying to. I just gave it away. Like, the LRA was like three, four full. And it was one of the best shows to this day I've ever seen where he's a rock star. Dude, he's on another level.

[B]

He really is. I just saw them at the. I saw him at the Irving Plaza, and it's just for an hour and 20 minutes. It was just. There's no lulls.

[A]

No, he's on another.

[B]

No ballads, just rock and roll.

[A]

Yeah. Did you ever see when they. When Conan was leaving his show and the White Stripes at a full week as a musical guest?

[B]

I think I remember.

[A]

Track that down.

[B]

Oh, I will.

[A]

It's. It's insane. Oh, I bet he plays a hole. He puts a guitar on Conan's desk and lays it down and plays like.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He's such a badass. All right.

[A]

Subterranean Radiohead.

[B]

Yeah, Radiohead. Subterranean Homesick Alien. With a title that pays homage to Bob Dylan, Subterranean Homesick Blues, but was originally known Bob Dylan, Minnesota, by its1 Damn, I wish I would have won a Bob Dylan shirt. Known by its one word chorus, uptight. This tale of alienation, both literally and figuratively, is beloved by Radiohead fans. This is an example of how using a very organic sounds like reverbs, despite the availability of more modern technology, still imbues the song with other worldly spirit. And it matches the lyrics, especially the second verse. I wish that they'd swoop down in a country lane Late at night while I'm driving Take me on board their beautiful ship show me the world as I'd love to see it It I tell all my friends, but they never believe me. They'd think that I'd finally lost it completely. I'd show them the stars and the meaning of life. They'd shut me away. Echoing a sentiment of a lot of people have of feeling so disconnected from the world or this reality and the humans around them, that there's a hope they could be taken away by a race that's more sympathetic. That's true. I. I remember, you know, that summer that I heard this record being here in New York City, I was Staying at my visit, my dad's friend Malcolm, who lived in Staten Island. And I walked down to the water and I overlooked the city. And I remember just listening to this.

[A]

Song, and that was a great song.

[B]

It's really just. I mean, it. It's. When you talk about speaking to you, it's like, this song is the one. I mean, whereas, like, you know, Paranoid Android is. Is unsettling. It's like, ah, this. This is the one that. It's like. It really kind of like after that, that big crescendo that is Paranoid Android. This kind of brings you back into.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Another. Another trip. All right, Exit music for a film.

[A]

We already talked about.

[B]

We did talk about.

[A]

And I don't have much time.

[B]

How much more time do you have?

[A]

I mean, not a lot, especially with my diet. Diabetes. I've got to, like. I've got to eat. All right, let me just, like, do a quick. Let me just say one of our favorite. You and Me, one of the most powerful, brilliant songs, is Let Down. And yes, that is such another level of. That's not even, like one of their. I mean, at the time, it wasn't one of their most talked about big hits. It was all Karma Police, Paranoid Android. You know what I mean? Let down is so incredible and moving. And I remember reading an interview with Dave Grohl and he was saying, I'm paraphrasing it, but he was like, that song is like. Like, I can't remember. Again, I'm paraphrasing. But he was. In some context, he listened to it and broke down. He said he completely, like, just lost it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, because he was like. It was so emotionally visceral.

[B]

This is like, the letdown is probably the Radiohead fans, like. I mean, so many people that are Radiohead fans love Letdown as. And it's probably their favorite song. I told you. I had that moment with that girl where it's like we're holding hands and the sun's coming up and it's playing. It's. It's a. It's a song that every time I hear almost moves me to tears.

[A]

Yeah. And then the fans are let down when they don't play it live. We'll be right back with more from this.

[B]

They've. Well, they started playing it live again.

[A]

I know, but they didn't for a while, though, because I've. I've seen them live and, you know, they played on the okay. Computer tour. But it's one of those ones where. Yeah, you're like, come on, man.

[B]

It's.

[A]

What's going on here.

[B]

It. It's. I mean, let down to me is. Whereas like, I. You know, you can see the impressiveness of so many of the other songs and the moods they create. But let down. Especially that final. Where they're. They're both overlapping the vocals and it's the.

[A]

It feels like a movie.

[B]

It really does.

[A]

It feels like when you're listening to it, like you're in a movie. Because it has almost like act break takes or then it's just, you know, I don't know. It's. It's such a phenomenal song.

[B]

It is Karma. I mean, Karma Police. I don't. I mean, I was. I guess we'll just skip through some of the other tracks because I want to get.

[A]

Yeah, we can't do all these tracks.

[B]

No, no, no.

[A]

I was blabbing about my dumb comedy.

[B]

No. And I up. I should have gotten. Morty's gonna be mad at me. I should have gotten into the song sooner. And, you know, I spend too much time trying to dick around and just. Just like. No, I don't just want to go. I just want to, like, dig in this. Like, I want to just be. Make it happen naturally. Karma Police. The music video is. Is. Is insane with the. You know, it's like the static shot where they keep turning the camera and every time they come back, there's something else going out on the road. I mean, a lot of people love Karma Police. I think that's kind of their favorite song.

[A]

But that was the first one that popped. What was the first one that. What was the first video they dropped off? Okay, Computer.

[B]

It was Paranoid Android.

[A]

It was.

[B]

Paranoid Android was the first.

[A]

Karma Police had to be the second.

[B]

Yes. So I have. Singles wise, there's Paranoid Android, Karma Police.

[A]

That had to be Karma Police had to be their biggest single off the album, right?

[B]

I think so, yo. Yeah, for sure.

[A]

For sure.

[B]

No surprises, though. That was. Have you seen the music video for that?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Where his face is in the water and it's like. There's a. There's a. If anybody hasn't seen it, there is a behind the scenes of that tour that you went to go see.

[A]

Spike Jones did one of their videos. Didn't he? Directing the direction.

[B]

Police. Karma Police was. Well, apparently Android was like animation.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Karma Police, I think, was that guy Jonas Ackerlin. Let me see if they have the music video. Yeah. No, Jonathan Glazer. I don't think who did Karma Police was. Was. Who's Did Karma Police. It was. Is Jonathan Glazer. Again, Paranoid Android is animation, so I don't know who did that. I'm assuming Magnus Carlson, Swedish animator.

[A]

Magnus.

[B]

I don't think. I don't think. I don't think he did. I don't think Spike Jones did, but either way, yeah.

[A]

No, I mean, their videos are great. Who directed Fake Plastic Trees? Because that. That was a video that I saw where I was like. That was so bizarre, really simplistic. But remember when Tom was in the shopping cart?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And it was in this kind of futuristic.

[B]

Oh, it's so great.

[A]

You gotta get Tom York on here. I want to know. Want to know what he thinks of planet Earth. I want to know where. Where we go next.

[B]

Mars.

[A]

I'm assuming he's probably already there.

[B]

I guess we'll just route because I don't want to, like, keep you much longer. I have so much other stuff. But I know you got to get out of here.

[A]

I know. Josh.

[B]

I up. I up. Dude, this is still the fact that I got to get you in for. For just a little bit. I mean, all in all, let's just. It ends with Taurus. As the buildup goes from. From let down. Karma, police, electioneering. You know, the fitty. Even the fittier, happier robot voice feels like it fits in the record and breaks up.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

First half to the second. Climbing up the walls with the. With the. It's just everything on this record to me is like there's nothing that I think that could be shed off of it.

[A]

Well, we have kind of talked like electioneering was so such a. A different, like, because it's just kind of like. That's like the most kind of alt, grungy rock song on the album. So that was an interesting kind of choice to throw in. You know, it's kind of. You know, let me ask you this.

[B]

Do you think. Do you like the direction that Radiohead has gone post this record?

[A]

I loved Kid A. I. I wasn't sure about it, and it really, like, I was really consumed by that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I loved Amnesiac. And then I just kind of like, I've got to get more into in Rainbows. But it was kind of like, weird.

[B]

You never listened to that?

[A]

I never. I did. I mean, I did, but I didn't really. It didn't grab me, so I've gotta. I just downloaded it and I'm just gonna spend the day with it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But it. Nothing ever kind of pulled me in like the bends. Okay. Computer and Kid A. Yeah, those three in a Row were so like, you know, it's like, where do you go from there?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, you know, I. I've got to just try to get back into it.

[B]

If you had to rank the Radiohead records, like, where do you. Where do you. How do you. What's you, like, in the order? Like, would you put. Put okay Computer as your top album?

[A]

You said I would put okay, Computer as a top album. Yeah, I. I think just like we had talked about, just as a. As a whole, it's bonkers. And they're all great and it's hard to. To pick it because they're all three different. I mean, they're similar, but they're different. You know what I mean? So it's like. And they're very subjective. For me, personally, I would go, okay, Computer, the Bends and then Kid A. And that also has to do with time and nostalgia of, you know, listening to them. Yeah, but I'll get into it. I mean, I'll come back and then we'll talk more about.

[B]

So. So this is the third time we've talked about radiohood. On the 500 at 336 in Rainbows and 320, Amnesiac, both I did with our buddy Alex Sulkin.

[A]

Shout out to Alex.

[B]

He's the man.

[A]

Very good writer.

[B]

We'll see them again two more times at 111 with the bends and number 67 with Kid A on the 2020 re rank. Kid A comes in at number 20. Okay. Computer moves up to number 42. The Benz comes in at 276 in Rainbows at 387. And Amnesiac didn't make the cut. So they think on this one, Kid A is their best record. Then the Bends, then this. You know, I. I never would have thought Radiohead was going to go that far as they did with King of Limbs. Kid A, I saw. But that was completely mind blowing to go from.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How to disappear completely. Just. There's so many tracks on that.

[A]

But then to have commercial success with it. Yeah, but that's even crazy.

[B]

But there's still, like. There's still, like. You see, you can still touch little pieces of this record in Kid A. Whereas, like, King of Limbs is just. It's so out there.

[A]

Yeah. I don't know that album at all.

[B]

It's really. Yeah, there's. There's. The first half of the. Of the record is completely just almost like avant garde experimental. And then it starts feeling like a Radiohead record as it goes.

[A]

And then Yoko Ono on it.

[B]

Yo. She might as well be that's the funniest. With her and Chuck Berry and John.

[A]

Everything is funny with. It's like, what is going on? And I like the arguments that people have online. Sorry, I didn't mean to.

[B]

No, no, you're good. Radiohead inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.

[A]

When were they inducted?

[B]

A few years ago. 2019.

[A]

That. Wow. Okay.

[B]

And. And only two people showed up. It was. I think the.

[A]

They were both from Mars.

[B]

The drummer.

[A]

Elf Kingdom.

[B]

The drummer and. And the guitarist. But Johnny Greenwood and Tom York did not show up.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Did they say why? Did they release any kind of press release of, like.

[B]

So I just. That's not their bag. That's not their thing.

[A]

Yeah, I know. I get that. Hey, we're not. It's like. Like, I don't know. I. I get it. That's very Radiohead.

[B]

Very Radiohead.

[A]

But it's, like, so pretty cool.

[B]

I mean, I don't know, when. When Rage against the Machine, which Tom Murillo wanted to get in, you could tell he wanted to get into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame. He was the only one that showed up.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, then. I mean, that checks out too, which.

[B]

Is a bummer, because you kind of, like, want to see them perform and. And, like, with Radiohead, it's like, that would have been cool if I had them to get inducted and then just play a couple songs.

[A]

It's like, yeah, do a set. Just.

[B]

People love them and that's that. Dude, that's the thing. There's. You know, we have. We, like. Because I was gonna ask you, like, if you had to choose between Radiohead and Coldplay, who are you taking?

[A]

I mean, in what context?

[B]

I don't know. Just like, you have to choose.

[A]

Like, if you were like, one of them dies.

[B]

I mean, one of them died. Sophie's Choice.

[A]

I mean, I don't know. Probably Radiohead.

[B]

Radiohead.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So Radiohead is an obsession band where. I love Coldplay. And I think most people that are fans of Radiohead, like, if you're a fan of them, it's not. You know, you're not just like, oh, I like their music. It's like their music is everything. And. And it's. It's like, even with, like, now there's talks of a new record, they. They started an llc and people were like, oh, they're milling around. It's like. Like, Like Radio Ad's a travel band. Like, if they're playing a show and the only show of the year that they're going to Be playing?

[A]

Yeah. People are going to.

[B]

People are going to fly.

[A]

That's why. Like, that's one of those things. And I said this. I went and saw a show at the Sphere, and I saw you two in Vegas, and I remember. I love you, too. It was interesting. They played their whole set. They played Octune Baby, essentially, But. And I forgot how good that album is, actually. I was like. At first, I was kind of like, oh, they're going to play all that. And then I was like, oh, actually, this got some great songs.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But all I thought about was, I was like. Because it's so visual. And I'm like, God, Radiohead would fucking murder it.

[B]

I bet they do it.

[A]

I hope. I don't know. Well, you never know with them. You know what I mean?

[B]

But. Yeah, but I could see them. I could see them using.

[A]

If they went. I can't imagine. Tom York wouldn't go, oh, we would murder this. Murder it. Because it's so. I mean, obviously people have heard of it if you haven't. It's like a bio dome. It's this massive IMAX times a thousand.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And, you know, the stage is tiny. Yeah. It looks like a trisk.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But, yeah, it's not even about that. It's just about, like, the whole world that they set up.

[B]

They. I think they would probably be. Because I love that the Grateful Dead or the Dead and company did it there.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I could see them, you know, with their visual and the people on drugs. But, like, Radiohead, Tool would be another great tool.

[A]

Would be great. Great to have there, but Radiohead, Wham.

[B]

Oh, RIP George Michael.

[A]

Rest in peace.

[B]

Rest in peace. But I. I think. I think that. I think that if Radiohead loves six.

[A]

Pence, none the richer.

[B]

Keep going. Dishwalla. Buck Cherry. God, I'm gonna see Buck Cherry at the Sphere. That would be crazy images. Like, it would be rad. All right, let's get you out of here, dude.

[A]

Hold on.

[B]

Wait. I got to do the final questions.

[A]

Oh, my God. We're at 1:15. I was promised an hour.

[B]

All right, I up.

[A]

Yeah, we. We've established that.

[B]

Hey, I got you, dude.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Come on. I literally have died.

[B]

I. Don't die of me, please.

[A]

Well, yeah, right.

[B]

Favorite song on this record.

[A]

Favorite song on. Okay. Computer. Yeah, I mean, we've already. We talked about. I mean, if I had to pick one song, it would be let down.

[B]

Okay. Let down. Is there anything that you skip over or least. Favorite song on the record?

[A]

If I had. I mean, like, XM Is a per film. Even though I love it. I mean, I love all listen to.

[B]

It so much that you just like, you don't need to hear it it all the time.

[A]

Yeah, I. You know, but I mean, I wouldn't skip over any of them.

[B]

Okay. Can you. To this record.

[A]

I mean, you can. A robot. I mean, I went on a date with C3PO. Got real, man.

[B]

Realistically, though, do you think this is. Would you ever put this on? Or do you think you could.

[A]

Well, that's a different thing. Would I ever put that on? No.

[B]

Exactly. That's the question. More or less.

[A]

No, that'd be weird. I mean, I would put it on as I left the bedroom and I would play Exit music for a film.

[B]

Bye.

[A]

Genital Laser.

[B]

What would be your elevator pitch to get someone to listen to this record?

[A]

Do you have ears and a brain and like, music?

[B]

Radiohead.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Promote away, dude. Anything you want to, like, shout out. I know you're. You're. That's. Congrats on doing the special at First Avenue. That's gonna be right.

[A]

Yeah. So Toile Head will be out at some point this year. I got to figure out when to drop it. And then Real Nick Swartzen at Instagram has all my tour dates. And then I was one of the main writers of Grandma's Boy, and I have a new script that has been verbally greenlit. So we're casting now, so, knock on wood, we start shooting in the fall. What are you pointing at?

[B]

I want to act. Get me my SAG health insurance, please.

[A]

Okay, we'll see about that.

[B]

Please.

[A]

Yeah, I'll need you on set for one hour, Josh.

[B]

Oh, yeah. I thought once we sat down, you'd off. I thought you'd want to go.

[A]

No, I normally would have, but like I said, my diabetes is being weird. I had to run to the drugstore and get my new insulin.

[B]

Nick, just the fact that I got you in here to do it, man, means it really does mean the world to me. I really appreciate it.

[A]

Of course I love you. I love how passionate you are about music. And then also, I am writing either eat, pray, love 5. We're skipping a lot.

[B]

2, 3, and 4.

[A]

Jumping right into it. Radiohead's doing the soundtrack.

[B]

The Greenwood Brothers.

[A]

Yep. Eat, Pray, Love. The Mars Edition.

[B]

I love you, buddy. Thank you. What did I tell you? What I tell you. The one and only Nick Swartzone. Follow him on all social media, Instagram at Real Nick Swartz and Facebook. Nick Swartz and comedy. I don't Think he has a Twitter, but he is out on tour, so support him. Get that new special when it comes out. Enjoy it, man. This is a. This is a one we. This is a gift that you get to sit down with a dude like him and. And enjoy it and hope you guys check out that YouTube video, share it, tell everybody. Let's build the fleece army. Subscribe to that Patreon guys Master Fleece theater every week and we're chipping away at the fun fun. So give us us a couple dollars and you get the show. Now for new music, you just listen to Radiohead. Okay, Computer. Our new music pick this week, brought to you in part by Distrokid, is Chemtrails by Unbelievable Touch. And you can find links to the music on our website, the500podcast.com and if you were in a band and were directly influenced by one of these albums or artists and you want your music featured on the 500, send your song to 500podcast gmail.com and make sure you put the album in a artist that influenced you in this subject line next week. So does Redding. Doc of the Bay. Another big artist in my life. 161. Guys, I told you, we're in the thick. We'll see you then. Thanks for listening.

[A]

Have to look up camp trails the axial lines of life Camp trails Follow.

[B]

The guide.

[A]

If you're coming with me then it's time to go Forget everything that you think you know Once you've.

[B]

Seen what I'll show you.

[A]

Even your.

[B]

Pain will be joy.

[A]

Camp trails Axial lines of life Camp trails Follow the.

[B]

Guide.

[A]

Chem trails Follow the guide Chemtrails did you wonder whose story wins in your life? Kentreus the ice Sexy lines of life can trail.

[B]

Follow the guys.

[A]

Can trail.

[B]

Mix the ground.

[A]

Can trail Follow the.

[B]

Guide Follow the guys follow the guys.

[A]

The 500. Keeping it fleecy for the fleece nation.

[B]

On the 500. The 500.

[A]

Hey, what's up, you guys?

[B]

This is Reid Mathis. I made a podcast called the Gifts of Improvising. The gifts of Improvising that's coming out on Osiris.

[A]

We talked to all your favorite improvisers.

[B]

Natalie Crestman, Marco Benevento, Tom Hamilton, Aaron Machner, Holly Bowling, Bill Kreutzman, and Jay Lane. So what, you're doing a podcast? Yeah, doing a podcast.

[A]

So don't fear if you hear a.

[B]

Foreign sound to your ear. We need the gifts of improvising.

[A]

This is Lawrence Lanahan, journalist, musician, and host of Rearranged An Osiris media podcast about music arranging. Once a song is written, arrangers make musical decisions that shape how we end up hearing the song. We're not just talking about adding orchestral accompaniment like horns and strings, or doing a cover version of a song. Arrangement can be putting happy music over dark lyrics, using samples, recording all acoustic, even tiny decisions like putting an electronic loop into an acoustic song to draw your attention to an important turn of phrase. It's all arranging. Rearranged Episodes are documentary essays where I use arrangements to answer some big questions like what is a song and what can a song become? And how can the sound of a song change the meaning you take from it? Listening this way has changed my relationship with music. Tune in to Rearranged, and maybe it'll happen for you, too. Learn [e-mail] Osiris Next Chapter podcast.