Gagnation - Adventures in Music, Sports, Enterprise, and Leisure

Tribute Bands - The Reason We Love 'Em - featuring Scotty Jul 28, 2021

Scotty joins The Gag and they discuss all the great reason to love The Tribute Bands (cover bands). They tell a few stories about recently seeing Flashback Heart Attack (80's New Wave Tribute band) and the amount of joy the band delivered to their fans. Discussion points include the type of Tribute bands, the history and origins, why you should see Tribute Bands, the void these bands are now filling for the live music scene since there are very few touring acts currently on the road. They finish off the episode by talking about some of the great names of many of the Southern California Tribute bands inclduing Iron Maidens, Noise Polution, ACDShe, Use Your Illusion, Memory Lane, The Curse, Hollywood U2, Petty Breakers, Pretzel Logic, BoStyx, Sweet and Tender Hooligans, Strangelove, Which One's Pink, Atomic Punks and more. 30 minutes you will never get back!.

Below is a link to a Spotify covers playlist curated by Scotty

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1GTEowVHAR7yK4vbK1jfkA?si=efcd1eedc513454e

2021 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees - featuring Scotty May 13, 2021

The 2021 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees have been recently announced. Gagnation's most popular guest Scotty discusses with The Gag the nominees, the criteria (or lack of criteria) to be inducted, the voting process and some of the blunders of the past. They also discuss some of the great bands that are still yet to be inducted. They also establish their own criteria and use it to make predictions. Artists discussed include, Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, The Go Go's, Iron Maiden, Todd Rundgren, Jay Z, Devo, NY Dolls, Carole King, Kiss, ACDC, Van Halen, Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Journey, and more. They also talk about some of the pros and cons of the new $5B SoFfi Stadium in Inglewood.

2:00 - Mission of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 4:15 - What is the current definition of Rock and Roll and how it has been changing 8:50 - The criteria discussion 14:25- Hard Rock genre neglect 18:50 - The Gag and Scotty's Proposed Criteria, 20:30 - 2021 Nominees, 21:40 - Won't Get Inducted, 24:10 -Tina Turner, 25:55 Foo Fighters, 28:05 - The guys sidebar into a discussion about the new SoFi Stadium pros and cons and also give an outlook on the future of the trough in the men's restroom. 31:40 Iron Maiden, 33:05 - The Go Go's, 34:30 -Jay-Z, 35:15 - Todd Rundgren, 37:15 - Devo, 39:40 - Rage Against The Machine, 40:30-The boys recap their predictions, 41:30 - Discuss issues with why some artists have been excluded to date and other factors to consider, 48:00 - The Gag lobbies for Arnel Pineda from Journey to be inducted into the Rock Hall

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5S0WMmBleupIQF0cbtJirq?si=baad8f5a8000454a

Sustainability - Every Day Is Earth Day - featuring Rachel Gagnon Apr 27, 2021

To commemorate Earth Day on April 22, Gagnation invited Rachel Gagnon on the podcast to discusses sustainability. 38% of Gen Z practice sustainability, compared to only 15% of Americans 55+. We discuss some of the issues and policies around sustainability and the concept of "Greenwashing" In Part 2 (12:00) , we urge the Gagnation listeners to take simple steps in their everyday life to improve the environment. Rachel reviews 5 different steps we can take to effectively manage Energy Consumption, Save Water, and Reuse Items. It could be the best spent 21 minutes of the year for you. Enjoy Everyday is Earth Day.

Controlled Substances and Rock and Roll - featuring Scotty Apr 15, 2021

Just in time for 420 and Bicycle Day, this episode discusses the influence of drugs in Rock and Roll. Gagnation's most popular guest Scotty discusses with The Gag, the origins of 420 and Bicycle Day, the influence of drugs in Rock and Roll in the 60's and 70's and even in today's Reggae and JamBand culture. We discuss Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Steve Miller, Snoop Dogg, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynryd, Weezer, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Neil Young, Rush, The Stranglers, Guns and Roses, Steve Miller, Jefferson Airplane and more. (4:05) History of 420 (8:35) History of Bicycle Day, (13:15) Heroin and Rock, (16:25) Impact of Psychedelics on Music, (24:45) Marijuana Impact on Music, (29:40) Songs we love but just happen to include drug references, (41:05) influence of Neil Young and Lynryd Skynryd

Below is a link to a Spotify playlist that features many of the great tracks discussed in the episode (copy and paste on your browser)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1GrTWzXOZSGJbraiNMSo9A?si=f2af703ab21c4af0

The Best Rock Live Albums Ever featuring Scotty and Hallzee Mar 12, 2021

Looks like we may have live concerts this summer or fall, so Gagnation wants to go back in history and discuss The Best Live Albums Ever. This episode includes special guests Scotty and Hallzee who help The Gag come up with a Top 10 List. They talk about how the best live albums captured the essence of the live experience and what made them special. We discuss Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Thin Lizzy, Talking Heads, The Who, Hendrix, UFO, Iron Maiden, U2, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, Nirvana, Kiss, Queen, Neil Young, Ted Nugent, Rush, Cheap Trick, The Ramones and more. The Introduction (1:57), What Made Live Albums Great? (6:48), The Selection Criteria (16:25), Honorable Mentions (21:30), Selections 10 - 6 Countdown (26:50), Selections 5 - 1 Countdown (47:22).

Below is a link to a Spotify playlist that features many of the great tracks discussed in the episode

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3vSkUDzDqf4tos6cSTz4mI?si=rfnJE_khTqCFhvsjqpl5nA

Part 2 - Best Movie Soundtracks of the 80's and 90's - We Heard You! - featuring Scotty Feb 27, 2021

The 80's and 90's were the golden age for movie soundtracks. This is the follow up episode that is a response to listener feedback and comments to the first episode. The fans loved the first episode but were highly critical of some of the movies that were not covered. Special guest Scotty returns to give his insights and help The Gag right the wrongs.. The boys cover the following movie soundtracks - Singles, Valley Girl, Hi-Fidelity, Romeo and Juliet, The Wedding Singer, and Almost Famous and talk about significant role that music plays in these movies. They also discuss how music in film and TV have contributed to huge cultural moments that still resonate today, including Elton John's "Tiny Dancer", Harold Faltormeyers "Axel F", Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me" and more. Below is a playlist that features many of the great tracks we discuss in the episode

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/204qq5OpQOB7TTgPjLVdy6?si=AZErYpKhS5S7OqUJFJbxww

Happy Holidays 2020 - The Joy of Christmas Music Dec 19, 2020

This episode is dedicated to JD Defazio. The Gag and Scotty put a wrap on this crazy year by talking about the power and joy of Christmas music during the holiday season. They talk about their own childhood experiences, (15:00) the popularity of Christmas music, and (24:00) review some unheralded Christmas songs that they feel the Gagnation listeners should revisit. They end the episode (36:00) with a discussion about Band Aid " Let The Know It's Christmas Time" project and the lasting impact that it has had on society and culture around the world. Artists that are discussed: Chuck Berry, The Ramones, The Waitresses, Phoebe Bridges, The Chipmunks, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, The Pretenders, The Kinks, Goo Goo Dolls, The Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Anne Murray, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond Michael Buble, David Bowie, Bob Geldof, and more

The Best Movie Soundtracks of the 80's and 90's - featuring Scotty Sep 12, 2020

The 80's and 90's were the golden age for movie soundtracks. Special guest Scotty returns to bless the Gagnation with his wisdom and we discuss the impact music has had on films and the creative process that goes into it. Prior to the 80's, the role music played in cinema was more passive and limited mostly to scores. This all changed in the 80's and 90's when directors like John Hughes, Wes Anderson, Quintin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Guy Ritchie, Spike Lee and others moved music to the front and center of the creative process. The Gag and Scotty then each give you their top 3 movie soundtracks of the era and tell you why. You need to listen to hear their top picks, but one of the selections is - Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

The NBA is Back Hell Yeah! - featuring Mr. Russ Jul 25, 2020

The NBA is Back and The Gag chats with a special guest NBA Expert, Mr. Russ Winokur. They discuss all the relevant facts, how the season was suspended, what has taken place since in order to get the season rebooted, and what has to happen to crown a championship. They talk about how the bubble is going to work and some of the potential issues. They end the episode talking about what teams are going to perform best and what team will take home the championship trophy. They find a way to work in a few stories along the way. The debate who would be more fun to go out with, Charles Barkely or Shaq, and they both agree that the Houston Rockets uniform has a lot of room to improve! Hard hitting topics on the Gagnation podcast

Baseball Is Back - Well Kind Of - special guest Jeff Spears Jul 18, 2020

The Gag is back and he has Jeff Spears on as a special guest to discuss the upcoming modified baseball season which begins July 23rd.. They cover off on this seasons changes, the schedule, the roster size, the impact of the shorten season as well as the new rules such as The International Extra Innning Rule, NL establishing the DH, and relief pitchers being required to face a minimum of 3 batters. They give their opinions on these topics and finish the episode by predicting what changes will stick in the future. At the end of the day, they guys have their issues but they are pumped up that baseball is back.

Rise Up - Black Out Jun 12, 2020

A little different from most Gagnation episodes, but very important. The Gag attempts to educate the audience on the recent developments and urges the listeners to have some compassion for those that are impacted. He reviews some of the recent events and moments around the recent civil unrest. He also touches on racial bias, institutional bias, protesting, and shares some examples from successful African Americans. He closes the episode by encouraging the listeners to take action to drive meaningful change and make sure to vote..

Will The High-Five Survive, Or Will It Be R.I.P. 1977-2020 - featuring Jeff Spears May 24, 2020

The Gag and special guest High-5 expert Jeff Spears thoroughly discuss all aspects of the celebratory gesture. They dig into the history, the pop cultural relevance, variations of the HIgh Five, and the appropriate times to use it. They also analyze the issues the beloved High-5 is currently facing in these "social distancing" times. And as always, the Gag gives his prediction on how the High-Five will come out after the pandemic is under control. He tells you the winners and the losers. High-Fives all around - Let's do this.

We Are Still Champions - Talking High School Baseball and Softball with Cypress High Head Coaches, John Weber and Kevin Dull May 18, 2020

For the first time, coming live from "The Garage", the unofficial Cypress Athletics Hall of Fame. JD Defazo gives us an overview of the legendary garage before we dive into the show. This episode is released on the one year anniversary (May 18, 2019) of Cypress High School pulling off the double championship where both Baseball and Softball won the Southern Section CIF titles. Baseball was also named the USA Today National Champions and Head Coach John Weber earned the National Coach of the Year award. Coach Weber and Softball Head Coach Kevin Dull join The Gag and talk about that memorable championship day. But we also focus on the current year and the drama surrounding the Covid-19 nightmare and how it has impacted their squads. These coaches had to go from generals on the field to leaders off the field in a heartbeat, helping their young men and women get through the tough times.

Ultimate Jukebox Playlist - There Is More To It Than You Think - featuring Scotty May 14, 2020

Filling a jukebox with Vinyl 45's has its complexities that need to be addressed. First the jukebox only holds 70 45s, the availability of 45's is limited and sourcing quality 45's is a challenge. The Gag and Scotty discuss how to tackle these issues and ultimately conclude that the journey of finding the 45's is just as satisfying as eventually pushing the play button and hearing your song of choice. The boys cover alot of territory here and have great information and stories to share. This episode is the final part of the Vinyl 45 Trilogy. Part I (Ep. 5) The Vinyl 45, Part II (Ep. 9) The B-side, Part III (Ep. 10), The Ultimate Jukebox Playlist. Gagnation

The LA Rams New Uniforms - C+ At Best May 14, 2020

The LA Rams revealed their new uniforms on May 13th. The Gag reveiws and grades the different components of the kit, and he let's you know his opinion. Also, takes a few minutes to pick a few bone with The Rams marketing organization and shares comments from a number of Gagnation listeners. The Gag also revisits parts of a previous episode where the llogo change was discussed. He is very upset about eliminating the Iconic Ram Horns that were part of the franchise uniforms for 70 yearts. It's short episode but sweet.

8 Great Vinyl B-Sides - featuring Scotty May 02, 2020

The Gag and Scotty review 8 great B-sides that they feel were better than the A-Sides. The boys give more facts, more stories, and more nostalgia. They cover classic B-sides from Kiss, The Beatles, The Stones, David Bowie, The Monkees, XTC, Led Zeppelin, U2 and more. They also clear up some facts on the Beach Boys "God Only Knows" and The Smiths "How Soon as Now" which were discussed on a previous episode. The Gag also teases up a futre episode where the dou are going to create the Ultimate Jukebox playlist for Scotty's jukebox. If you want to geek out on some music nostalgia, have a listen

Special Addendum - NFL Drafts 2004-2015 QB Reviews Apr 29, 2020

Special Addendum to Episode 8 - NFL Draft - Will The First Round QB Draft Choices Pan Out? - The Gag and Mike Ross take the listeners through the 35 QBs selected in the first round from 2004-2015. The duo classify each QB as either a Superstar, Solid, journeyman, or a Bust. Only 3 were rated as Superstars and over a 1/3 are Busts. Listen to ROss and The Gag review and tell stories. They start with Eli Manning and go through along line of hopeful talents including Tim Tebow, Jamarcus Russel, Phillip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Mathew Staffors, Matt Ryan, Vince Young, Mark Sanchez, Matt Leinert, and more..

NFL Draft - Will The First Round QB Draft Choices Pan Out? - featuring Mike Ross Apr 26, 2020

The Gag and special guest draft expert Mike Ross evaluate the 2020 1st round QB selections and project how they will perform in the future. The two review the 49 QB drafted in the first round since 2004 and determined that only five have became superstars. The boys look at the facts and call it like they see it. In fact, 64% ended up being busts or mediocre journeymen, hardly the outcome fans and franchises are looking for. The so called "draft experts" on the big sports networks are filled with optimism and just don't get it right. The Gag and Ross dig in and deliver the facts that you need to know and manage to tell a few stories along the way.

Sustainability - Small Steps Toward Big Change - featuring Rachel G Apr 21, 2020

To recognize Earth Day on April 22, The Gag is joined by sustainability activist, Rachel Gagnon and they discuss how to reverse the current environmental imbalance -the US is 5% of the global population yet makes 30% of the waste. They point out some macro level issues to address and discuss how Millennials are leading the way for the green movement. Rachel gives some practical tips to the listeners and cites "easy to do" examples of green initiatives and leading companies. Even small steps matter as we need to start somewhere. Small steps lead to big change.

Bonus Episode - Wrightwood Olympics 31 - Survey Results and Revue Apr 20, 2020

A special bonus edition for members of the Wrightwood Olympics participants The Gag and WW Olympic Founder and CEO Rob Farrington discuss the survey results and details of the 31st edition. The defending champs cover off on opening night, meal choices, hall of fame candidates, bling and awards, event choices, entertainment, Red Hot Karl, The Trip, DJing selections and more - this episode has all the details

I Have Two Favorite NFL Teams, Is That OK? - featuring Young Brock Apr 18, 2020

The Gag digs into NFL fan loyalty perfectly timed with the upcoming NFL draft. He has special guest, Young Brock on the show to discuss the validity of supporting two NFL teams. The Gag loves The Rams and Raiders, while Brock is a loyal supporter of The Broncos and Eagles. Young Brock has developed a Test of True Fandom (TTF) to evaluate a supporter’s team loyalty. The two discuss the test and then use it to determine 4 segments of fan types. After that The Gag and Brock investigate and review their own fandom. At the end of the episode, a famous NFL referee makes an appearance and makes the final determination. After further review, the ….

It’s All About The Vinyl 45 - featuring Scotty Apr 12, 2020

The 7 inch single or also known as the 45 has a deep past in music folklore. The Gag and Scotty go over the origins and history of the 45, some of the unique aspects of the format, the impact on music culture, and role the 45 plays in today’s world. Of course, no discussion about the 45 is complete without going over the relevancy of the B-Side. The two discuss some of their favorite B-sides from The Smith, R.E.M., The Beatles, Bill Withers, Depeche Mode, and Dead Kennedys. And more...

Covid 19 – Let’s Hear It for Our Heroes Apr 08, 2020

There are many people going beyond the call of duty right now to help make our lives better during this coronavirus pandemic. The Gag feels that the media and people are not showing these heroes enough love. He highlights the contributions from healthcare workers, grocery store workers, KayleysCloset.com, and legendary NFL place kicker Tom Dempsey (R.I.P.). The Gag works in afew stories and urges the Gagnation listeners to show their gratitude for our heroes.

The Mancave -An Oral History - featuring Scotty Apr 03, 2020

Come learn everything you ever wanted to know about mancaves. With the current Covid-19 lockdown, having a mancave at home is truly a sanctuary. Certified Mancave Expert (CME), Scotty joins the Gag to discuss the mancave. The boys discuss the origins and history of the mancave (2:05) and review the appropriate items that go inside (4:20). They investigate how to start your own mancave (8:15) and address some controversial questions (12.20). Scotty describes his personal mancave (14:50) followed by The Gag discussing his most enjoyable mancave items (16:35). Later the boys discuss appropriate music to play in the mancave and hype up their 20-track playlist, Mancave Favorites (19:30). The Gag wraps the episode up with his final thoughts (25:15).

R.I.P. to The Iconic Ram Horns Mar 28, 2020

Thenew LA Rams logo has made major modification to the iconic Ram horns that has been showcased on the team helmet, uniforms, and fan merchandise for 70 years. Longtime fans are upset and are demanding change. The Gag takes you through the issues, reviews some Rams history and gives you his perspective on this mess.

Covid 19 - The Gag's Top 10 Outcomes Mar 22, 2020

The Gag is the ultimate optimist and he takes you through 10 positive outcomes from the current crisis. He gives his insight to the following subjects: time with family, no commuting, stock buying opportunities, working from home becomes common place, Zoom, Eric Yuan, Coachella and Cruel World festivals, overcharging for beer at events, APOCALIPTIKA Spotify playlist.

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