Cheap Tracks

"Tonight It's You" Aug 02, 2024

This week we look back at "Tonight It's You," the first single off of 1985's STANDING ON THE EDGE, and along the way get sidetracked by Rita Jenrette, the Rolling Stones, Dick Clark, and the softcore classic EMMANUELE! We're also joined by songwriter and Cheap Trick collaborator Mark Radice, who offers insight into the songwriting process.

"No Direction Home" Jun 12, 2024

In 2015 Cheap Trick was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame...a dubious honor, indeed, but there's no doubt that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Today we look back at the release of BANG, ZOOM, CRAZY...HELLO!, the band's seventeenth studio album and it's first single, "No Direction Home."

"He's A Whore" May 23, 2024

Chris & Mike pay tribute to Cheap Trick superfan and former guest, the late Steve Albini, and dive into "He's A Whore" from the band's self-titled debut. Is this the band being influenced by punk or simply being themselves, who is the whore, and exactly why does Rick dedicate this song to his wife at shows. We ask all those questions and more!

"Mandocello" Apr 01, 2024

Chris and Mike celebrate Cheap Trick Day by looking back at one of the band's finest ballads....

"Lookout" Mar 07, 2024

First introduced to Japan and eventually the world on 1978’s AT BUDOKAN. A fan-favorite rocker that existed for many years as a live album curiosity. Is it a simple story of boy meets girl? And exactly what do any of the lyrics in that bridge mean? Today, we are joined by Pat O'Sullivan as we "Lookout!"

"Yeah Yeah" Jan 25, 2024

The other self-titled Cheap Trick was released after the alternative explosion of the ‘90s. Is this the band returning to their roots or is this a “snake charmer” record? Or is this simply the band at their most authentic at this place and time? Today, we dig into the meat of the album with "Yeah Yeah."

"Welcome To The World" Jan 12, 2024

And welcome to 2024! We'll be celebrating FIFTY years of Cheap Trick over the next twelve months and we kick things off with "Welcome To The World" which opened the band's fifteenth studio release ROCKFORD.

By 2006, Cheap Trick was well into its second fresh start to the second half of its career. On the band’s fifthteenth album, the band pays homage to its hometown in the album’s title and launches full speed with the opener “Welcome To The World”. Was this indeed the true start of the 21st Century for Cheap Trick? What’s the key to a great album opener? And what’s the album connection to Rockford? Welcome to the podcast, it’s a better place.

"Invaders Of The Heart" Dec 21, 2023

For their final show of 2023, Chris and Mike look back at ONE of the album closers for 1983's NEXT POSITION PLEASE. Is this a "produced demo," or is Rick saying something deeper to the record label? Listen, and be prepared to be driven insane!

Woke Up With A Monster Oct 31, 2023

We travel back to 1994 to explore the lead single off of Cheap Trick's sole Warner Bros. release, WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER, appropriately titled, "Woke Up With A Monster."

We explore the song and the era. Is this Cheap Trick's response to the alternative rock movement? Is this really the band's "grunge" record? Is this album just another example of the Cheap Trick curse? What did Beavis and Butthead have to say about it? Tune in and go completely wild!

"Cry, Cry" Oct 18, 2023

This week we travel back to 1977 (and back it up a little to 1976) to discuss the smoldering jam, "Cry, Cry" off of the band's 1977 self-titled debut. We also look back at the notable show at the Sunset Bowl in Waukesha, WI where Jack Douglas saw the band for the first time and got them signed to Epic before producing that classic record.

"Sick Man Of Europe" Sep 27, 2023

It was Sweet 16 for Cheap Trick in 2009 but little did we all know it would be the last time with the drummer. Today, we visit a song with lots of history, not just in name. It was “classic”, it was “vintage”, it was THE LATEST…time to get ourselves home with “Sick Man of Europe”.

We dive into the history baked into the tune with the help of Brian Kramp's massive tome, THIS BAND HAS NO PAST: HOW CHEAP TRICK BECAME CHEAP TRICK, discuss the retrospective nature of THE LATEST, and our adoration for go-go dancers.

"Twisted Heart" Sep 13, 2023

This week, we travel back to 1983 via 1996 to do some surgery on "Twisted Heart," a track recorded for the band's 1983 album NEXT POSITION PLEASE that didn't make its way to fan's ears until the SEX, AMERICA, CHEAP TRICK box set. Is NEXT POSITION PLEASE a better album with this darker tune included? What are we blaming the record company for this time around? You better believe me, this is going to be a good one.

"Decaf" Aug 23, 2023

This week we go back to 2006 the album closer to the band’s fifteenth studio album, ROCKFORD, released on the devilish date of 6/6/06, “Decaf,”

Is it about drugs? Is it about taking it easy? Or is it just a cup of coffee?

Metro Chicago, July 16 2023 Aug 10, 2023

Cheap Trick played as part of Metro Chicago's 40th anniversary celebration and Chris and Mike were there, in the flesh baby!

This week on Cheap Tracks, we review the setlist, the performance, and the Sammy Hagar Beach Bar cocktails!

"Gonna Raise Hell" w/ Tom Werman Apr 13, 2023

Tom Werman, the man behind the boards for IN COLOR, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and DREAM POLICE drops by to discuss the barn burner, "Gonna Raise Hell" off of the band's '79 release that sat on a shelf due to the success of BUDOKAN. We get sidetracked discussing "Auf Weidershen," Catacombs in Quincy, IL, George Martin, and so much more!

"Reach Out" w/ Miles Nielsen Mar 30, 2023

It's Cheap Trick Day in Illinois and to celebrate, Chris and Mike welcome a very special guest: the Prince Of Rockford, Miles Nielsen.

Together, the boys look back on this fan favorite track from 1981's HEAVY METAL soundtrack and get sidetracked by "Borderline," Mr. Penis, Pete Comita, and conversations about growing up with a famous rock 'n' roll dad.

"Takin' Me Back" w/ Gary Ladinsky Mar 23, 2023

Gary Ladinsky was the engineer on Cheap Trick's third studio album, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and today, he's taking Chris and Mike back to 1978 as they dive into "Takin' Me Back," the side two opener to the band's 1978 release.

"Radio Lover" Mar 09, 2023

This week Chris and Mike go all the way back to 1997 via 2017 as we look back on a long-time coming re-recording of a fan-favorite demo, “Radio Lover," the fourth song off the band's 18th release, WE'RE ALL ALRIGHT!

"If You Want My Love" w/Paul Klingberg Feb 23, 2023

A late Valentine's gift to you from Mike and Chris as they are joined by Paul Klingberg who was an assistant at Pierce Arrow studios where Cheap Trick recorded their 1982 release, ONE ON ONE.

In this episode, the boys look back at "If You Want My Love," the first single off the Roy Thomas Baker-produced album. Is this their best ballad? How good is the extra bridge? Do you like Robin with shorter hair? We ask all the questions on this one.

"Busted" Feb 10, 2023

This week, Chris and Mike look back at Cheap Trick's entry into the '90s with the Richie Zito-produced BUSTED and its title track. Over a decade later is the band still feeling the effects of the Budokan delay? Where did the band fit into the current musical landscape? Exactly what WERE they busted for?

"Come On, Come On" w/ Chris Slusarenko Jan 26, 2023

As Chris and Mike look back at the penultimate track off of the band's 1977 release IN COLOR, they're joined by Chris Slusarenko of Portland indie rock darlings Eyelids (and formerly of Guided By Voices) who have a new full-length hitting store shelves on March 10th, the Peter Buck produced A COLOSSAL WASTE OF LIGHT.

"Just Got Back" Jan 12, 2023

Cheap Tracks just got back for season 2 as Mike and Christ return to the band's entry into the '80s, ALL SHOOK UP, as they look back...at "Just Got Back."

"It's Only Love" Nov 30, 2022

It's our season finale as Chris and Mike celebrate the 36th anniversary of the release of THE DOCTOR, the band's ninth studio record released in November of 1986. Why is this song buried on the second side? How does it fare live? And what about that memorable video? We cover it all!

"Stiff Competition" w/ Greg Kot Nov 05, 2022

Mike and Chris are joined by former Chicago Tribune rock critic, author, and the man behind the liner notes for the 1998 Cheap Trick reissues, Greg Kot as they look back at "Stiff Competition" from the band's 1978 album, HEAVEN TONIGHT.

Ten Spooky Cheap Tracks Oct 31, 2022

Happy Halloween, Cheap Twixters!

On a special treat of an episode, Mike and Chris count down their ten favorite spooky Cheap Trick tunes.

Did your favorite make the cut?

"Cover Girl" Oct 20, 2022

This week, Mike and Chris look back at "Cover Girl" from the band's 1985 LP, STANDING ON THE EDGE. They also discuss the band's more recent setlists and Mike's trip to Des Moines, Iowa to see them live.

"Such A Good Girl" w/ Rachel McPadden Oct 06, 2022

This week, Mike and Chris are joined by writer Rachel McPadden to discuss fan favorite "Such A Good Girl" as featured on the band's 1980 Epic Nu-Disk release, FOUND ALL THE PARTS.

"Heaven Tonight" w/ Steve Albini Sep 22, 2022

Musician, engineer, journalist, and poker professional Steve Albini joins Mike and Christ to discuss the title track of the band's 1978 album, HEAVEN TONIGHT. Along the way he discusses re-recording IN COLOR with the band, Pierce Arrow studios, and that time he turned Rick Nielsen onto some used guitars back in the '70s.

"Southern Girls" w/ Rhett Miller Sep 08, 2022

"It's time for 'Southern Girls!"

This week, we're joined by singer, songwriter, frontman, and former serial lady killer, Rhett Miller as he discusses his new album THE MISFIT and we look back on his love for Cheap Trick, "Southern Girls," and tells a pretty funny story about Waylon Jennings.

"Heaven's Falling" w/ Ira Robbins Jul 27, 2022

This week Mike and Chris look back at the Todd Rundgren penned "Heaven's Falling" from their 1983 release, NEXT POSITION PLEASE...but they are joined by a very special guest.

Ira Robbins,rock journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and of course Trouser Press which he began publishing in 1974. Most importantly though, he was an early supporter of Cheap Trick and wrote of their debut, "its sarcastic, smart, nasty, powerful, tight, casual, and destined for something great."

His new book MUSIC IN A WORD, VOLUME 2 can be purchased at Trouser Press.

"Light Up The Fire" Jul 08, 2022

This week, we look back at the third single off of the band's 20th album, IN ANOTHER WORLD, released on April 9, 2021.

It’s the pandemic album! It’s the political album! But is it the album where Cheap Trick finally finds success playing the corporate rock game?

"Don't Be Cruel" Jun 24, 2022

Who d'King? Elvis Presley, of course, and this week we look back at Cheap Trick's cover of "Don't Be Cruel" that bop-bopped its way onto the charts in July of 1988.

"Mighty Wings" Jun 10, 2022

This week, Chris and Mike look back at a Cheap Trick soundtrack recording (a genre unto itself) with "Mighty Wings," recorded explicitly for the blockbuster TOP GUN soundtrack and written by Harold Faltermeyer and Mark Spiro.

"Didn't Know I Had It" May 27, 2022

This week, Chris and Mike look back at "Didn't Know I Had It," the fifth single off of the band's first (and only release) on Warner Bros., WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER.

"Borderline" May 12, 2022

This week Mike and Chris are looking back at the second song off of 1983's NEXT POSITION PLEASE, "Borderline." Rick often introduces the tune these days explaining that it “should have been a #1 hit single…but it wasn’t," but has become a fan favorite over the years.

"Pop Drone" Apr 30, 2022

Chris and Mike travel back to 2003 to discuss "Pop Drone" off of the band's 14th studio album and their first album in six years following their 1997 self-titled release.

"Stop This Game" Apr 15, 2022

This week, Chris Castaneda and Mike Vanderbilt look back at the opening track on ALL SHOOK UP, "Stop This Game," the song that announced Cheap Trick for the '80s with a new, notable producer at the helm, none other than Sir George Martin.

"Hard To Tell" Mar 29, 2022

Cheap Trick superfans Chris Castaneda and Mike Vanderbilt look back at the second track off of the band's 1997 self-titled album, "Hard To Tell" which was released on April 29, 1997.

"ELO Kiddies" Mar 29, 2022

On their debut episode, Cheap Trick superfans Chris Castaneda and Mike Vanderbilt look back at—depending on how you look at it—the side 1 track one or side A track one, “ELO Kiddies,” the first song from the band’s debut album CHEAP TRICK, released in February of 1977.

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