The Imbalanced History of Rock and Roll

There were many bands that were part of that first wave of Punk Rock, but slovenly and pointed, The Sex Pistols, cracked the egg, and opened the door a bit, including for many other bands, some who were already working at it. An integral part of both Markus' and Ray's musical paths, the guys highlight the band's role for them, and try to show their current relevance! Hit 'em with your feedback at...

Markus and Ray welcome Jon Wiederhorn back to discuss, Dreaming Japanese, the story of Marty Friedman of Megadeth and so much more, which he co-wrote! We discuss Marty's life, told amazingly in the book, and his bold career moves, as well as his long-time associations! Jon informs on Marty's first person telling of his life story! Out now, get it for yourself or the Mega-fan in your life!!! Suppor...

One of the most interesting, and truly independent bands of our times, They Might Be Giants are the subject of this week's episode. Markus recently had the opportunity to speak with John F. of the band. While the discussion is more current, the discussion includes his take on their multi-decade/seriously-layered legacy! Hit us with your TMBG stories: imbalancedhistory@gmail.com All of our episodes...

This week, The Imbalanced Brothers dig into the story of Tony Burrows, British singer of note, who put together an amazing run of hits in the 1970s! He had considerable help, so Markus & Ray delve into the whole scenario! Their recollection of these hit songs, and the artists to whom they were attributed, comes from being kids who grew up with 45s in the house. Add your two cents (which was actual...

This week, Markus and Ray (dis)align their more recent Summer musical memories in an episode of 5 Favorites! Taking all of the music that's been part of Summertime since Y2K, and distilling down to one powerful 5 faves list? They CAN try...LOL! Dive into it, and be sure to put on your sunscreen! And email the Boys your list of 5 Favorite Summertime Songs Of The 21st Century!!! imbalancedhistory@gm...

Sometimes in the course of this podcast, Ray and Markus have spoken with guests, not knowing what to expect. This conversation with David Sancious was one of those occasions! His E Street Band days aside, the man is amazing, as are the ensuing decades of his musical journey. Checking in (supremely chill) from his home in Hawaii, he told the guys about many things, including one of their burning qu...

Go ahead and try to focus on "the major period" of an artist whose career is as expansive as Jimmy Buffett's! The Imbalanced Brothers tried... So they dove into the juicy(fruit) center and worked their front and backwards, trying to cover what is essentially a fraction of the story. But it's a start... There are quite a few interesting characters in this story, including a surprise member of the C...

First, The Imbalanced Boys take turns laying out their 5 Fave Summertime albums, and then some! Albums that remind them of Summer! After a quick refreshment stop they dig into their 5 Fave live albums, the ones that really stuck with them! Concerts and live music are a part of Summer, and that means a lot to all of us! Email your 5 Faves in both categories to imbalancedhistory@gmail.com Learn more...

Jon Scott has visited the Imbalanced Boys before, but frankly, it's been too long! He gives the guys an update on sales for Tom Petty & Me, and talks about the #Audible version of the book. What also is inside this week's visit is Jon's intersection with The Sixties & #worldhistory. Markus & Ray really enjoyed the other stories Jon told them about hang time with Tom Petty, the Wilburys' fax promot...

When you do a podcast, you talk, you plan, you read (trust us these two read A LOT!), and you discover things! In this case Markus & Ray found out that they both have a serious level of respect and love for the eponymous debut album by Tracy Chapman, among other things. In this episode, the game-changing impact of Tracy, and this album, are underlined and explored. Song by song you are reminded wh...

Markus and Ray were excited to get to talk to the one and only Brinsley Schwarz, founding member of the band named after him (it's in the episode!), and author Jay Nachman, who made introductions for us with Graham & now Brinsley, and he joins in the discussion this week! Here's a link to buy Jay's book, Graham Parker's Howlin' Wind! Find Brinsley's music here, and here...and also here! Learn more...

Earlier in the run of this podcast, our 4/20 plan synched up to the date, and a new 5 Favorites category was born! Once again, that is happening, so...here we are! Markus and Ray roll up a ton of favorite flavors and strains of Rock & Roll! (We should be sponsored by Garcia Hand Picked, but hey...) The guys take turns counting down to the 2's and the 1's before a lengthy list of "honorable mention...

When the guy's were "pitched" about a new documentary about the life of Billy Preston, they said "Yes" without hesitation. What they didn't know were the stories inside the story, the heights and depths which this great man, and musician, reached in his far too short life. All of it is in the documentary film, Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It, spearheaded by Paris Barclay. For local sc...

When the guys thought about what to do for their 450th episode, a lot of things came to mind. Around the same time, they were interviewing Steve Rosen, who wrote the book Tonechaser, about his friendship with Eddie Van Halen. The phrase, '5150 for episode 450" just came out in a meeting, and so, here we are! The album was an important one for rockers in the 1980s! One of the truly great Rock bands...

Markus and Ray dove into this new book about the life and music of David Bowie, emerging with tons of new knowledge of the man in final phase of his life. That includes the release of his final album, Blackstar, and his unexpected passing. The book also gave the Boys increased insight into the humanity of the people involved, as well as many things previously unknown about the artist, especially t...

Tony Levin's love of the Chapman Stick is legendary! Over the last decade and a half, he's led a group of fellow Stick Men! Tres hombres committed to the sounds, the screaming counter rhythms, and tons of joyous music! The Stick People is a growing tribe, dedicated to this special trio... Markus and Ray talk with Tony about a wide range of things, including Fripp & Crimson, Peter Gabriel, life, an...

Graham Parker's Howlin' Wind by Jay Nachman is in bookstores now! Markus and Ray often speak with the author of a book (more about that down the line), but this time it's the subject, who is a true Rock & Roll warrior, joining them. Of course the discussion is about the music Graham's made, and Jay's book, but it's also about his story, his path. He discusses the upcoming tour. Get all of the late...

He was Landrew The Love God. He was Captain Hi-Tops. He was the Stardog Champion! This is the Story Of Andrew Wood And Mother Love Bone! They say that if you knew Andrew, you know why his was a special energy. Amidst the grind of The Seattle Syndrome, his light outshone most others in his orbit. Mother Love Bone was to be his vehicle to spread his music, following the merger of Malfunkshun and Gre...

Referring to the music of the 1980s means a lot of different things to different people, including our Imbalanced Boys! The variety of genres, subgenres, and new kinds of things evolving (constantly), could make your head spin. They weigh in this week with their 5 Favorite Heavy Metal axe pairings, delving into the realm of dynamic duo six string slingers!! It was a hairy, scary time in Rock, and...

Markus and Ray have long espoused their love of the great Marvin Gaye on this podcast! This week, he's featured in an episode of Game Changers, all about his landmark 1971 album, What's Going On? The music takes us places, and to other times, like when 8-track players roamed the Earth! That's part of the story as the guys dig deep in an album by Marvin Gaye that absolutely chanted things in 1971!...

consequence.net's article about the Best Riffs of the 2000s, up to the quarter-mile marker, set in motion a series of discussions, leading to this week's episode of the podcast! The article sets out forth 70 songs/bands, but being the boys they are, The Imbalanced Ones chose to do the Top 50! There's some discussion, and disagreement, leading to tons of great musical exploration! Add your two cent...

Steve Rosen was already an established music writer when L.A. scene queen Michele Myer introduced him to a then-relatively unknown axe whiz named Eddie. Sure, Rosen shares some insights into stories in the book Tonechaser, but don't think "it's all in" this episode. He gives Markus and Ray perspective on the moments inside his book, not just "the facts," and leaves many of the great stories from t...

The two youngest of eight, Ray and Dave Davies became the 1960s symbol of #siblingrivalry in Rock & Roll! Our episode about that, and Dave's birthday twin was a fun first look at a band both Imbalanced Brothers love! Listen here! They'll dive into the story, the amazing music of The Kinks (and their unusual run of names at the start), and tell their own stories of loving this original British Inva...

Too long have we waited to turn to the next chapter of the lifeforce that is THE Electric Light Orchestra! The Imbalanced guys discuss this period of the band, with all of the incredible, breakthrough success they had in 1976, 1977 & then in 1979! Mainly the discussion is about the music, and the way this period unfolded, but there's also some discussion of the coming and goings of members, and ho...

Markus and Ray delve into their love of the music, which is the backbone of this album. More than an A vs. B view of the original and this remaster, this episode is about the songs, and the people who made it happen that night with Brian Wilson. There was magic in the air, with this rare gathering of "longtime associates" making for a one-of-a-kind night of music in a classic setting on Sunset! It...