Let’s talk about stuff. All the stuff! That’s the tagline for the Crushed Monocle Podcast, the show I host along with Jon, the founder of Bearded Gentlemen Music. When we say “all the stuff,” we typically mean music, movies, and pop culture. But since we’re music publication, we like to keep music as the foundation of the podcast. Throughout the show’s first 25 episodes, we’ve talked about a wide range of styles, sounds, and artists, so,in honor of that milestone, we wanted to celebrate by taking a look back at where we started.
Welcome to The First 25 – The Crushed Monocle Podcast Playlist Vol.1!
To be clear, the Crushed Monocle Podcast isn’t the first show to be hosted here at this publication. A big shout out to Mike Scherf, who hosted the OG First of The Month Podcast. Unfortunately due to copyright reasons and music used throughout, those episodes had to be removed. Someday, we’ll figure out a way to host them, but for now, you’re stuck with this reboot technically no one asked for!
The Crushed Monocle Playlist Vol.1 highlights all the music we’ve discussed over the past few years.
When I started this show in 2021, I had no idea I’d finish a single episode, much less reach 25. That in itself feels like a small miracle! Between Jon and I sharing what we’ve been listening to, what guests talk about, and the related commentary, we’ve discussed plenty of music! While this playlist doesn’t feature every song we’ve ever talked about, it does feature the most relevant ones in the highlights.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the show, the following is sort of a guide as to what’s covered in each episode!
Episode 1: The Reboot.
The maiden voyage! We discuss our mission statement with the podcast, horror remakes, bad distortion pedals, and more! Plus, there’s also a discussion about how, despite the butt cheeks on the cover, Lorde’s then-newly released record sounds like a yogurt commercial.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- FACS – “Strawberry Cough
- Mammoth WVH – “Mammoth”
- Repetitor – “Kost I Koza”
- Lorde – “Solar Power”
Episode 2: The Ballad of 1996.
In this episode, we talk about the theme-less, hodge-podge year of 1996. Plus how the Telecommunications Act changed the way we listened to music forever.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Liars – “My Pulse To Ponder”
- King Woman – “Morning Star”
- Guns N’ Roses – “ABSURD”
Episode 3: The Early Stuff Is Better
Is a band’s early material really better? Jon and I discuss this burning question as well as my ill-fated attempt at joining the Smashing Pumpkins, the secret of Aerosmith’s success, and why Veruca Salt was actually pretty decent.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Cloakroom – “A Force At Play”
- American Darlings – “Lonely Hearted”
Episode 4: The Spooky-Month SpectacularÂ
Writer/director/actor Brandon Perras stops by to talk about the current state of horror as well as his film Death Drop Gorgeous!
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Grizzlor – “I Don’t Like You”
- LLNN – “Scion”
- Ministry – “Believe Me”
- Katie Schecter – “Every Single Time”
Episode 5: The Urine-Soaked Toxic Waltz
Jon and I talk about the tragic event at Astroworld Festival, proper show etiquette, landing a date with Megan Thee Stallion, as well as the singer from Brass Against peeing on that dude’s face.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Vanishing Twin – “Tub Erupt”
- Exodus – “The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves”
Episode 6: The Grift That Keeps On Grifting
In the first holiday episode, Jon and I discuss some of our favorite records of 2021 as well as how much Seth Rogen kinda sucks. Plus an interesting conversation about how paying a monthly fee for services is the ultimate form of grift.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- King Buffalo – “Grifter”
- Lauren Eylise – “Cry”
Episode 7: The One With Kellii Scott of Failure
Kellii Scott of the band Failure hangs out with us to talk about life, loss, lessons, and bangin’ the heck out of the drums!
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- H.E.R. – “Cheat Code”
- Kowloon Walled City – “Oxygen Tent”
- Christina Aguilera – “Lift Me Up”
Episode 8: BJ McDonnell at Studio 666
Horror director BJ McDonnell stops by to talk about his film Studio 666, working with the Foo Fighters, Slayer, and why celebrating ALL movies is celebrating cinema.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Dream Widow – “Encino”
- Alanna Royale – “I Know”
- Totally Unicorn – “Weekend Warrior”
Episode 9: An Evening with Steve Albini
Legendary producer/engineer Steve Albini stops by to talk about working with Nirvana, Bush, and half of Led Zeppelin. Plus the truth about heavy metal, and Albini’s history with the movie Showgirls.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Nirvana – “All Apologies (Albini Mix)”
- Bush – “Swallowed”
Episode 10: Zola Jesus Take The WheelÂ
Jon and I hang out with Zola Jesus and talk about touring, recording, and the long gestating war between Wisconsin and Illinois.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Zola Jesus – “Lost”
- Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard – “The Harvest”
- Barrie – “Frankie”
Episode 11: Just The Facts With PulpFictionally
Alt-model/Twitch streamer PulpFictionally stops by to talk about metal, misogyny in the gaming community, the fundamentals of alt-modeling, and of course, our love for Showgirls.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Coheed & Cambria – “Shoulders”
- Cloud Rat – “Faster”
- Lucifer – “Wild Hearses”
Episode 12: The Ballad of 1997
As the Telecommunication Act of 1996 laid waste to the music industry, out from the ashes comes Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, and Chumbawamba. Despite a few bangers from David Bowie and Death In Vegas, it just might have been the worst year in the history of music.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Just Mustard – “Still”
- Sky Ferreira – “Don’t Forget”
- Chumbawamba – “Tubthumping”
Episode 13: Dave Kushner In The Big Machine
Jon and I are joined by Velvet Revolver guitarist, Dave Kushner. We discuss transitioning from rock star to television composer, growing up in the scene that birthed Tool, GnR, and getting fired by Glenn Danzig.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Velvet Revolver – “Slither”
- Royal Blood – “Trouble’s Coming”
- Ghost Toast – “Get Rid Of”
Episode 14: The Ghost Is Clear Records
Bobby Johnson and Brian Dooley from The Ghost Is Clear Records stop by to discuss running a noise rock label while being in noise rock bands themselves.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Nerver – “Purgatory”
- Almanac Man – “Godriff”
Episode 15: The Pre-Riot Fest Hype Show
In this episode, Jon and I discuss my obsession with Riot Fest, why it’s important to Chicago’s music scene, and why I might be too old and beat up to attend 3-day festivals at my age.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Tvivler – “Der er for fa borgerlige i det her land”
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off The Edge of The World”
Episode 16: Cover Me In Covers
Jon and I discuss the tangled web of cover songs and the fine line between treasures and trash!
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Nine Inch Nails – “Dead Souls”
- Anthrax – “The Bends”
- Cat Power – “I Found A Reason”
Episode 17: Halloween Havoc with Brandon Perras
Writer/director/actor and ambassador of noise rock, Brandon Perras returns to discuss Hollywood being bootlicking auteur sniffers, John Carpenter having Scrooge McDuck money, and why pumpkin spice is hot wet garbage.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Haunted Horses – “The Garden”
- Meat Wave – “Ridiculous Car”
- Dead Crosses – “Reign of Error”
Episode 18: Hangin’ With Rachel Haden
Rachel Haden of The Rentals, Todd Rundgren, The Haden Triplets, and That Dog stops by to talk about the liberation in hip-hop, the pains of burning bridges, and soothing your soul with the sweet sounds of redemption.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- That Dog – “Never Say Never”
- The Rentals – “Friends of P”
Episode 19: The Year-End Grind
With 2022 drawing to a close, Jon and I take a look back at some of our favorite records of the year. Plus we complain about Blink 182 and The Red Hot Chili Peppers being the absolute worst!
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Momma – “Rockstar”
- Oribiter – “Transmissions”
- Horsegirl – “Billy”
Episode 20: The Night of London May
From Samhain, Circle Jerks, and Ministry to being in films such as The Dark Knight Rises and Walk The Prank, London May has led an extremely interesting life! He stops by to talk about his latest starring vehicle, Night Of The Bastard.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Rat Patrol – “Fist Fight”
Episode 21: Talking with DJUNAH
On a snowy February night, Donna Diane of the progressive noise rock duo Djunah stops by. We discuss choosing the right guitar, gatekeeping in metal, and how gross it is to eat ballistics gel for music videos.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Djunah – “Seven Winds of Sekhmet”
- Djunah – “Phaethon”
Episode 22: MOTHICA To A Flame
Jon and I hang out with Industrial Pop artist Mothica about growing up in Oklahoma, creepy fan interactions, the love of tattoos, and the love-and-hate relationship with TikTok.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Mothica – “Sensitive”
- Ill Peach – “Hold On”
Episode 23: TIMESHARES That Care
Timeshares bassist/vocalist Mike Natoli swings by to talk with us about life on the road, coaching hockey, and the joys of road trip music.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Timeshares – “The Moon”
- Ohhms – “The Mephisto Waltz”
- Carpenter – “Songs On The Stereo”
Episode 24: The Horror of Chris McKay
Jon and I are visited by director Chris McKay to talk about his latest film Renfield, starring the dynamic duo of Nicholas Holt and Nicolas Cage.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- Life In Vacuum – “Hugo”
- FACS – “When You Say”
- Debby Friday – “What A Man”
Episode 25: The Ballad of 1998
In this episode Jon and I discuss 1998, the weirdest year in pop culture. Guitars were detuning, pop was glowing up, Coca-Cola was giving kids a VIP club card, and I was running my parents’ battery down to see a movie starring Charlize Theron.
Crushed Monocle Playlist highlights:
- These Beasts – “Code Name”
- Haunt – “Fight The Good Fight”
- Next – “Too Close”
Thank you for listening to the first 25 episodes! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next 25 and beyond! If you would like to support this podcast, please like, subscribe, and follow on our social media pages as well as Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen to your podcasts! If you would like to support Crushed Monocle financially, please consider making a donation to our Tip Jar!