Highway Hi-Fi Podcast

What happens when recording artists are legally required to make albums? Well, how about: a horrible dance craze called The Screw, an hour of feedback loops (more if you count locked grooves), the meanest divorce settlement album of all time, robot Neil Young, Major Tom's triumphant return, songs about Danishes, and names that can't be pronounced. This week Ryan & Joe explore the wacky, bitter wor...

Ryan and Joe get all unauthorized and talk about the wild, seedy 'other' music industry: Bootleg Records.  From Bob Dylan's alleged motorcycle accident through home taping's destruction of the music industry - and beyond. Hear about the rise and fall and rise again of illegal records and the mysterious people who risked getting brained by mafia goons to make a lousy $35 so some hippie could have a...

Record Store Day Bonus Episode! In this episode, Ryan and Joe ramble on (and on) with Chris Brown of Bull Moose, the inventor of Record Store Day. Chris recounts the rise of RSD, where it's headed, and gives an insider perspective on record store coalitions.   The three talk about some of their favorite releases past and present.   Questions answered in this episode: Who is the Caretaker? Which Ha...

In preparation for Record Store Day on April 21st, Ryan and Joe walk through the history of RSD. How did one email become the genesis of the biggest record buying day in the world?  As always, Trivia and songs you need to hear. Stay tuned for a bonus episode featuring an interview with Record Store Day Birther: Chris Brown!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe break down the history of the song "The House of the Rising Sun": how old is the song? Where did it come from? Is there a real House and, if so, where the heck is it? Has Eric Burdon ever not been a jerk? As always: Trivia and songs we want to stick in your craw.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan and Joe haul on down the Highway Hi-Fi with the history of music made for big rig jockeys and their groupies. Hear how the music went from celebrating truckers, turning them into folk heroes of the road to unfairly relegating them to novelty song jokes. As always, Trivia and a chat about songs everyone should know better.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode focuses on Broadside, the topical song magazine that influenced some of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 1960's, including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Nina Simone. We go on an imaginary road trip with John Darnielle, contemplate Hobbit Metal, and square dance with soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan and Joe spend time discussing the evolution of the sounds inside Scott Walker's head - as far as the ones he's released to the public. Expect pleasant nightmares. Also, a very special Valentine's trivia round from Ryan. And it wouldn't be a complete episode without four super-duper songs you may not already know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Ryan and Joe recount the history of Electronic Mastermind Bob Moog and butcher his name several times along the way (Moog not Bob).  Also, as always: songs you need to know and trivia!     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe dig deeper into the crates to find great Jesus Rock records, great Weirdo records, and great Jesus Weirdo records. A Venn Diagram of fantastic craziness. Plus four more private press gems. And Joe mixes up Ryan with a topsy-turvy edition of Anagram Trivia (AKA "Vagina Air Tram").       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan and Joe give the finger to the mob and take on the world of private press records. From the goofy to the sublime to the sublimely goofy, private press records, in their heyday, were something to behold.  This episode spends a lot of time talking about the career and influence of Paul Major, the preeminent "Real People" records guru. And, well, trivia, of course. Learn more about your ad choic...

In this truncated bonus episode, Ryan & Joe play underappreciated holiday tunes they hope you'll add to your seasonal playlists. Everyone's favorite Christmas cannibal, Jeffrey Dahmer, makes an appearance, along with trivia, as always.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe attempt to tiptoe through and around the premature ejaculate that was a novelty career. Also: 4 more stupendous songs and trivia that will melt your mind, dude. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe take you through the story of how and when colored vinyl began so you can see it's been more than just a marketing ploy for the past few decades. It's been that for over 100 years. Also in this episode, 4 songs to pleasure your ears and trivia to pleasure your unmentionables. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe meet up in Georgia, a state where donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs. They discuss how and when folk art met college radio and both exploded across America. Also, four Georgia-themed songs featuring: a band you know using an alias and singing something you don’t; a song sampled by 90s staples Beck, the Beastie Boys and Oasis; a song Ryan & Joe covered and turned into a creepy dirge; an...

Ryan & Joe talk about books about albums and unveil four more songs you may not know but should. Also, TRIVIA!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When played backwards listeners will hear a direct message from Satan. Also, they'll get all of the trivia answers correct. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is mostly about Nina Simone’s life and music. Find out which famous neighbors of hers she may or may not have played charades with and hear one of her strangest and best songs. Also, TRIVIA! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder who etched the cryptic messages in the dead wax of your Led Zeppelin and Joy Division records? Good chance it was the greatest record engineer of all-time, George Peckham. Also, how well do you know your favorite songs (when they are played backwards) and four songs that should be ear-worming their way to your heart? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this jam-packed episode, Ryan & Joe talk about how archivists are salvaging thousands of rare 78s before they disappear completely. Also in the episode: Kenny Rogers karaoke, Elvis Presley karate moves, 4 songs, and trivia! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack White is only one degree of separation from Jack Ruby - thanks to John Peel. Joe and Ryan discuss the legendary DJ, his mythological record collection, and his still relevant impact on the music industry.  Also, how well do you know your rock star deaths? And four songs that should have already been etched in your soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever taken Adderall and Ambien at the same time, you may have an idea of what it was like to be in a room with Lester Bangs and Lou Reed. Ryan & Joe talk about how this contentiously respectful relationship both blossomed and wilted. Also in this episode: 4 songs you don’t know you already loved, and Ryan stumps Joe yet again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...

From St. Louis to the depths of Hell: Ryan & Joe discuss how “Stagger Lee” started as a true story ripped from the headlines and led to a larger than life folk anti-hero whose story has been told in song over 400 times. Hang on to that Stetson Hat. Also in this episode: 4 songs you should know, and trivia trivia trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan & Joe talk about the album cover options that even the Beatles thought were over the top – and yes, some include encased meats. Also in this episode: Four songs you should know more about and trivia questions about banned record covers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Description: Turntables in cars were a tremendous failure, rivaled only by “Heaven’s Gate”, New Coke, and the Edsel. In this, the inaugural episode, Ryan & Joe discuss how this came to fruition and why it was such be a bad idea. Also in this episode: Four songs deserving more attention and Music Trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices