The Upgrade Podcast

Episode 108 - Len and Gary talk about classic comedies, legendary comedians, how those things shaped their crazy (and often dark) sense of humor, and whether the comedy they grew up with holds up today. From there they shift to collecting, music gear and the evolution of Len’s own Landmine Studios/Trax on Main. And of course it wouldn’t be an episode of The Upgrade without some political talk…. An...

Episode 107 - Len and Gary discuss movies & tv shows. They then get into a deep analysis of the movie Moon (2009) and the many topics and issues touched on in the film and how they are very relevant in our current culture, including cloning, corporate greed, dehumanization of the workforce and many more concerns of our modern woerld. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net Fail You: https://failyou1....

Episode 106 - Len and Gary are back (on their bullshit) after two years, talking about how nothing has changed. Same clowns, same full diaper, same cult. Also some talk about some of our fallen friends/acquaintances/musical peers and influences. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net Fail You: https://failyou1.bandcamp.com/ Born Tired: https://borntirednj.bandcamp.com Brass Knuckle Brigade: https://bras...

Episode 105 - Tying together the CEO shooting and the subway choking incident, and discussing the different apocalypse scenarios that we are dangerously close to. Gizmodo Article: https://gizmodo.com/ai-firms-stop-hiring-humans-billboard-campaign-sparks-outrage-2000536368 http://www.theupgradepodcast.net Fail You: https://failyou1.bandcamp.com/ Born Tired: https://borntirednj.bandcamp.com Brass Kn...

Episode 104 - Talking about perception vs reality of the far left, the center, Republicans, Democrats, Trump, Biden, and why we are seriously f**cked no matter who wins in November. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestudios #billyclubsandwich #hardcoremusic #nyhc #newyorkhardcore #nyhardcore #njhc #newjerseyhardcore #politics #democrats #republicans

Episode 103 - Part 2 talking about album releases and other music news from the year 1994 (the ancient times). Special guest: Kyle Williams from Fail You. Fail You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/failyou_nj/ Fail You on Bandcamp: https://failyou1.bandcamp.com/ http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestudios #billyclubsandwich #hardcoremusic #nyhc #...

Episode 102 - Part 1 talking about album releases and other music news from the year 1994 (that’s 30 years ago, if you remember it you’re old like we are). Special guest: Kyle Williams from Fail You. Fail You on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/failyou_nj/ Fail You on Bandcamp: https://failyou1.bandcamp.com/ http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestud...

Episode 101 - We’re baaaack! Paying tribute to Andy Lavine (7/8/76 - 8/25/2023)  The Vince McMahon Scandal  Vince & Donald Trump: Pervert Pals Dana White carrying bags for Vince & Donald  Link to the Andy Lavine tribute episode of DBC: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ETg8ciJPHAhIbwXf1tPcy?fbclid=IwAR2cKZPceK_-GAQ3dpW-gVNKEhs9XmZaqHJmulj3TyETwZKm9zZ-yCportU http://www.theupgradepodcast.ne...

Episode 100 - ONE HUNDRED EPISODES! Gary & Len talk about their separate weekend road trips to hardcore shows. First up is Gary’s trip to the Death Threat 25th anniversary shows in New Haven, CT, including the New Haven pizza wars. Next up Len talks about travelling to Louisville, KY for LDB Fest, including airport luck, technical talk, and a not-so-good pizza experience. All with the usual ta...

Episode 099 - Len & Gary discuss the recent spy balloon controversy and other non-alien UFOs, the recent train derailments, domestic terrorism, crime, and the political implications of all this crap. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestudios #billyclubsandwich #hardcoremusic #nyhc #newyorkhardcore #nyhardcore #njhc #newjerseyhardcore #spyballoon...

Episode 098 - Part 2 of The Upgrade’s discussion of some of the best second records in music. No spoilers but there’s a variety of genres represented, including pop, alternative rock, thrash metal, hip hop, grunge, classic rock & more! http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestudios #billyclubsandwich #hardcoremusic #nyhc #newyorkhardcore #nyhardcore #...

Episode 097 - The Upgrade discusses some of the best second records in music. Len & Gary start with some  discussion about recent road trips to see music (specifically the Holiday Jam in Reading PA and the Prayer For Cleansing show in North Carolina), and the eternal war of SHEETZ VS WAWA. From there the guys get into a long discussion (two episodes worth!) about some great second records. No...

Episode 096 - Len & Gary start with some random driving/tour  stories and then get into an extremely angry discussion about the new season of The Handmaid’s Tale and how it completely jumped the shark. The conversation jumps to tv & movies: Stranger Things, The Walking Dead franchise, The Sopranos, The Matrix, Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman and celebrity health battles, Danny Elfman. From...

Episode 095 - The Upgrade Post-Election Day Wrap Up…. Len & Gary discuss Herschel Walker vs Raphael Warnock, Jon Fetterman, other races from the day, the giant shadow of Donald Trump, the upcoming Republican Civil War, Democrats getting lucky, and lots more. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestudios #billyclubsandwich #hardcoremusic #nyhc #newyor...

Episode 094 - An Upgrade Election Day Special (with extra profanity & rage)! Len & Gary prepare for the election with a lot of political discussion… The Supreme Court serving the Orange King (or are they?), the Pelosi attack, cuckoo conspiracy theories, which political party serves the people (spoiler: neither one), the war on progressive ideas, the Fetterman mess in Pennsylvania, attacks...

Episode 093 - The Upgrade is back from a short unplanned hiatus! This week Len & Gary talk about their unexpected break, Len’s major upgrades to Landmine Studios, Gary’s train track headaches, perspectives on the upcoming Biohazard reunion and the band’s history, the Snapcase problem, Life of Agony, Iron Maiden, Turnstile’s ascent from small rooms to arenas, bands who deny their roots, L7, 90’...

Episode 092 - This week The Upgrade talks pro wrestling again…. Focusing on the retirement of WWE founder Vince McMahon. Len, Gary and guest host Marty Shea discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of Vince’s almost 50 year career at the top of the WWF/WWE and speculate on the future of the company in today’s ever-evolving content landscape. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepo...

Episode 091 - Marty Shea returns to The Upgrade to recap THIS IS HARDCORE 2022. Marty, Len & Gary discuss the many good (and a handful of not so good) points of the long hardcore weekend… bands that caught them off guard, food & seating options, old man complaints, the enjoyable “family reunion” aspect, the return from (and the return of?) covid, the legendary Brian Yan, and much much more...

Episode 090 - So the break didn’t last long…. With the Supreme Court’s insanity this week The Upgrade had no choice but to continue the discussion on the continued regression of the United States. Len, Gary & John Wren talk about the Court, Roe vs Wade, Republican insanity, Democratic cowardice, AOC & Progressives leading the charge for change (and meeting resistance from their own people)...

Episode 089 - The last time The Upgrade discusses current events… at least for a little while… Len & Gary discuss being overwhelmed by today’s world, taking a mental health break from discussing current events for a bit and posing the question: “Is The Simulation Broken?” Everything is going haywire all around the world… Are we being overwhelmed with just too much information? Did quarantine m...

Episode 088 - Chris Frascella returns to the show. Len, Gary & Chris get into some serious discussion about Roe vs Wade, women’s rights, religion, Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, the morality wars and the consistent hypocrisy of the extreme right, the myth vs the reality of “Defund the Police” and “The Radical Left”, Joe Biden shaking hands with ghosts, and age in politics. From there the trio...

Episode 087 - More underrated records talk, this time with a special guest! Dean Miller of No Redeeming Social Value joins The Upgrade to share some of his favorites! Again no spoilers, but if you know NRSV you can probably figure out a few of Dean’s picks. This time around the guys and Dean get into punk rock, metal, 70’s glam, funk rock and a bunch of 90’s alternative & post hardcore. As alw...

Episode 086 - After some random studio & local event talk, Len & Gary discuss the infamous Will Smith/Chris rock Oscars slap, Jada Pinkett Smith being a toxic individual, theories about whether the incident was staged or not, and speculating on the impact on the incident on the careers of those involved. The guys also follow up on the Episode 83 discussion of the Russian invasion of Ukrain...

Episode 085 - Len & Gary are joined by their friend Ryan Citron for a conversation about all of The Upgrade’s favorite subjects…. Movies & tv, Star Wars, hardcore music, pro wrestling & more! Violent hardcore shows, Lamours, the Bond Street Cafe, The Red Zone, Castle Heights, message boards, the internet and countering social anxiety, The Righteous Gemstones, Euphoria, shows that go on...

Episode 084 - Len & Gary discuss the life and career of legendary pro wrestler Scott Hall, including his early days, entering the WWF with the Razor Ramon gimmick, The Kliq, The Outsiders, the formation of the NWO, and his lasting effects on the entire pro wrestling industry. http://www.theupgradepodcast.net #theupgrade #theupgradepodcast #podcast #landminestudios #billyclubsandwich #hardcorem...