GateCrashers

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Maeve Fly Author CJ Leede Talks Horror Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

I never thought I would walk away from a book with fears that revolve around eggs and Werewolf Bar Mitzvah but CJ Leede really made it her mission to scar me forever. Maeve Fly is the first novel from Leede and she comes out of the gates with an instant classic. I took as long as I could to read the book because I didn't want it to end. It brings a feminine spin to a story with a lead inspired by American Psycho. It makes the Sunset Strip in California a character all of its own while balancing an interesting story of a girl struggling. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you're looking for a horror that blends sex, violence, and Disney princesses with a bloody harrowing finale, Maeve Fly IS the book you need.

I had the chance to chat with the author about Maeve Fly. We got the chance to talk about the inclusion of the theme park and her relationship with it. We also took some time to discuss what makes a good Halloween song which is a very important element of the book. CJ Leede actually made a playlist for the book which I suggest you give a listen to while you read.

CJ talks about sexuality in the book and how that so often crosses with the genre of horror. She discusses the importance of the strip to the story and how she experienced it all as a shell of itself during the height of the pandemic.

10 Years of Youth: A Record by Citizen May 24, 2023

Show notes

On todays episode Cid and Jake talk about the record Youth by the band Citizen for the records 10 year anniversary. The pair talk about the records mature take on a break up the singer had. The content of the songs often tries to find answers to the why in the singer's heartbreak and what his ex-girlfriend felt during that time as he seemingly asks her how she feels. It dives deep into the complex emotions that an older teen and or young adult would feel in the end of a relationship. Theres angst but tempered with a maturity and quest for insight and understanding into ones own emotions as well as determining those of the partner. It tackles how as we age we begin to be able to examine relationships and while breaking up sucks, can leave emotional attachments lover who you are no attached to, a ghost that haunts you as you watch them move on with their life.

The sound of the record hits with a good blend of emo and grunge with hints of pop punk and post hardcore here and there.

Citizen, currently consisting or Mat Kerekes, the vocalist, Nick Hamm, the lead guitarist, and Eric Hamm, the bassist, was formed in 2009 in Michigan and Ohio. The band has had several members come and go such as many drummers, which Kerekes plays for the records but not live.

The Front Bottoms: Talon of the Hawk May 17, 2023

Show notes

GateCrashers' Music May-hem special continues with this 3rd installment, where Dan, Jake, and Gabrielle get together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the The Front Bottoms' fourth album, Talon of the Hawk, released May 21st, 2013.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of heavy topics such as drug use, alcoholism, mental illness, and more.

Their second studio album with Bar/None, Talon of the Hawk speaks of friendships lost, ex-girlfriends, unexpected twists in life, depression, addictions, and coming-of-age themes that also reverberate throughout the rest of their discography as common denominators, but achieving its own specific tone to set it apart from other projects from the band.

Dan, Jake, and Gabrielle go through the 12 tracks of the The Front Bottoms album in a more relaxed and less personal manner than previously seen in the The Wonder Years episode, reflecting Talon of the Hawk's own style as a more energetic approach to the heavy subject matters it deals with.

With straightforward lyrics and a stripped-down sound, the group discusses the nature of the genre and the band, which aims to feel under-produced and naturalistic with stylistic choices such as out-of-tune vocals.

The Front Bottoms are a folk punk, midwest emo band from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Sella and drummer Mat Uychich, and counting with various touring guest artists throughout their career.

Beginning in 2007, after Sella finished his first year of college, the band has now seven studio albums under their belt and has become one of the most successful bands in the midwest emo genre.

Be sure to stay tuned for more music episodes! If you like the track-by-track breakdown of iconic albums, please be sure to give us feedback! If people enjoy this, we will continue to tackle more genres and artists to have conversations about the music and lyrics.

The Wonder Years - The Greatest Generation May 03, 2023

Show notes

Today's episode is caked in stale beer, sweat, and Eagles memorabilia, as Dan and Jake talk about The Wonder Years record The Greatest Generation for its 10th anniversary. We are kicking off a series of 4 episodes for something we are calling "Music May-hem" where we are doing track-by-track conversations about 4 albums. We are kicking the month off with one of the defining Philly pop-punk scene behemoths, The Wonder Years. A band that has defined the music scene for over 10 years now.

Jake and Dan go track by track to have a conversation that is longer than usual. They dive deep into their personal connections to the music and lyrics. The brothers get personal about the themes explored in the music such as stability, anxiety, and a lot more heavy topics that The Wonder Years cover with their music. It is a very raw and emotional episode so it's really worth checking the album out before listening.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussions of heavy topics such as drug use, alcoholism, mental illness, suicide, and more.

The Wonder Years tackle the themes of depression, anxiety, and insecurity with this record as our hosts take a track by track approach, with Dan even writing all of his notes down physically to just connect with the music and not a screen. Both hosts bring their our meaning and understanding from the work of one of the Philly scenes biggest pop punk bands.

They look at just what the lyrics allude to and how relatable it is for those with similar experiences with difficulties.

Kids vs. Aliens Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

AITA for planning and recording an episode of a podcast last minute because I loved Kids vs. Aliens so much? My brother and co-host seem to think I am.

Just kidding! But only like half kidding. On this week's episode of the podcast Dan and Jake decided day of to talk about the film Kids VS Aliens! Kabooooooom!!! And the prototype of the film, "Slumber Party Alien Abduction" from the compilation film V/H/S 2. They agree on a few things that heroine and older sister, Sam, was the best character. That the aliens just love puking and causing a big old ruckus. And that the true enemy of the film is not those fun-loving aliens themselves but rather a shitty gaslighting asshole human!

The "Kids", in Kids vs. Aliens, Greg, Miles, and Jack gave the audience such great lines like "send them to hell and tell em Jack sent ya" amongst other absolute bangers. The film is a fun time with. a cool set design and a sword-fighting heroine but doesn't feature the worst cinema crime of killing a dog for dramatic effect, which is how the prototype short so just be mindful of that. Feature length film = good fun film featuring no dogs. Short film= bad and heart breaking in a bad way because of the dog. (The prototype rules, Jake was just big mad about the dog.)

Dan and Jake talk about some other stuff such as Total Drama Island, Comedy Bang Bang, and more but it circled back to Resident Evil again like last time. So there will probably be an episode on that franchise eventually cause they can't shut up about it. Dan also has reviews for Dead Island 2 and the new Power Rangers Special so be on the lookout for those!

Loaded Up and Truckin into Hell's Paradise Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode Dan "the Manga Man" McMahon gives a manga life update as he shares his journey updates which include learning about AMVs. Jake was told chaotic and decides to go full trucker with a stache. The brothers embark on a journey to Hell's Paradise, the hit manga series as its anime just debuted on Crunchyroll! In the episode, they talk about how ninjas are cool and so is dope imagery!

Hell's Paradise is the story of a silly little guy, Gabimaru the Hollow, a ninja who has been sentenced to death after being tossed to the wolves by his ninja master father-in-law after Gabimaru reveals to his father-in-law that he's actually a big wife guy and wants to stop being a homicide machine. The problem is Gabimaru, despite saying he wants to die, just won't die by execution. During his last execution, he is offered a pardon by the shogun if he joins an expedition with his executioner and other death row convicts. The expedition to heads into the depths of a tropical island in pursuit of the immortality-granting Elixir of Life. On this lush island of Paradise and/or Hell is a host of crazy monsters like butterflies with human faces that turn you into flowers. Will Gabimaru and his new friend and executioner Sagiri survive and find the elixir of life or will they succumb to the island's dangers, the hands of the other convicts, or even each other? Find out by reading Hell's Paradise!

Dan and Jake also talk about the new Resident Evil 4 remake and how while they enjoy the franchise's lore, it is not the thing they are looking for. For example, Dan doesn't want to be afraid but rather wants to make the monsters afraid of him. While Jake just wants to use big swords in Devil May Cry. But Leon Kennedy is a pretty cool guy.

The Gang Plays D&D Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

Are you ready to experience an actual play GateCrashers episode? We sure hope you are because we are finally covering Dungeons & Dragons!

In part one of our Dungeons & Dragons special, Patrick and Dan talk about Dungeons & Dragons history. They talk about the roots of the TTRPG phenomenon and its current cultural impact such as its HUGE presence in Stranger Things plus its own film out in theaters this Friday! Patrick and Dan talk about where they got into the series and what they like or don't like about Dungeons & Dragons.

Dan gives his thoughts on the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and how much you need to know about D&D to enjoy it. (Which is nothing, go see it.)

We explain what you will need to play Dungeons & Dragons but we also suggest a few other tabletop role-playing games that you may want to check out as well! D&D isn't for everyone and that is okay but there are lots of other options out there.

In Part 2 of the episode, Patrick runs a GateCrashers canon one-shot! After the events of GateSlashers 2, Dan and the Grave Robber were thrown into the multiverse. After a long time of slipping between multiverses, some of which you get glimpses of here today, Dan has finally found a way to stay in one for enough time to make a stand. In order to do that, he has summoned Amanda, Ashley, Ethan, and Jake to help him in his fight.

That's right, everyone is playing as themselves but fantasy-fied versions. Everyone is a bit different except Ethan who is still Welsh. No amount of magic and multiverse jumping could change that. But with the gang reunited, do they have enough power to stop the Grave Robber and the Necronomicon once and for all?

Yeah, I'm thinkin' We're Talkin About John Wick Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

On this week's podcast join Dan and Ethan as they dive deep into their love of the coolest films around, the John Wick series. If you've never seen a John Wick film worry not as we give a quick breakdown of everything you need to know to bring you up to speed. But if you want to jump right into our full discussion, here's a quick back-of-the-box blurb to get you prepped:

John Wick, also known as The Baba Yaga, is a retired assassin played by Keanu Reeves, who, after his dog is killed by criminals, returns to the world of assassination to enact revenge, getting caught up in the machinations of the mysterious High Table. This has been going on for 4 films now. Once The Baba Yaga sets his mind to something, he doesn't stop.

We talk all things Wick in this week's podcast; our favorite kills and set pieces, ranging from a kneck-breaking book to the world's most casual shootout (feat. Common), to a discussion on the awesomeness of character names throughout the series, and why John Wick: Chapter Three - Parabellum is the only film in the series to have an admittedly dope title. We also chat about the power of neon lighting, dive into the brilliant, over-the-top world-building of the films, including The Continental hotel, and remember the once-in-a-lifetime talent that was Lance Reddick.

And if you want to know all the non-spoilery details about this week's John Wick: Chapter Four, first, make sure to check out Dan's review right here on the site tomorrow, then listen in as he tries to explain the sheer coolness of this newest entry, and why not only is it his favorite film in the series, but maybe his new favorite action film. There's all that and more on this week's pod covering all things John Wick.

Danny Cage Talks Wrestling and Monster Factory Mar 17, 2023

Show notes

Typically, I set up interviews on my own. I either have to somehow connect with the person on social media, go through a PR company, or send a cold email to hope for the best. This interview isn't that. This is an interview with someone from my home town who knew my parents before I was even born. So this is a very different interview for me, personally. Danny Cage is someone who's The Monster Factory car I've seen at a bar down the street and have heard about for a long time. My step-mother was the one to make the connection so shout out to Megan for that. Danny is on the show today to talk about Monster Factory which is available now on Apply TV+. Check out Dan's review here!

Danny Cage is one of the most authentic people I have ever gotten the chance to speak with. He talks from his heart and leads with it in his work and his conversation. As you will see in the show, some people read his personality as someone who may be a bit too forward but to me, it's the best type of person on the planet. It's just something about people from the North East, we say what we think and we will do whatever we can to help others. We talk about our area's deep connection to the wrestling world and why it is.

We get into how the show came about and the story of everything that came to be. Danny talks about his stipulation on filming and how it snowballed into something much bigger. Danny Cage also goes out of his way to make sure he talks about the people who helped the show come to be.

There is a level of vulnerability in this conversation that I don't typically get to have in interviews for projects as big as a show. Danny Cage talks about how important crying is to being human.

Violet Evergarden Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode, Jake, Ashley, and Matt are covering the emotional (and occasional tear-jerker) anime, Violet Evergarden. It was originally conceived as a Japanese light novel series by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase that ran from 2015 to 2020. Because of the novel's success and unique plot, animation company Kyoto adapted the series for television in 2013 with a 13-episode arc that subsequently went on to include a bonus episode and two films.

Violet Evergarden is a gorgeous and sentimental story following the life of a young girl who is trying to assimilate to normal life after experiencing first-hand the horrors of war. As a child, Violet Evergarden is nameless, living on the streets of an island being besieged by soldiers. After a violent altercation, this child is the last one standing, drawing the attention of naval officer Dietfried Bougainvillea. Dietfried passes on this new find to his younger brother, Major Gilbert Bougainvillea. Gilbert sees this young girl as more than just a tool for war, and takes guardianship of her. He names her Violet, and encourages her to see and experience the beauty in life, in spite of the military battles they both take part in. Gilbert is the first person to ever care for Violet, and she becomes emotionally attached, even when she doesn't have the words for her feelings. Eventually, their luck runs out in combat, and both Gilbert and Violet find themselves grievously injured.

"I love you." These are the last words Violet has from the only source of comfort she's ever known in her life. Violet Evergarden the anime series charts a course through the life Violet builds after her injuries, and the people and situations she encounters while trying to discovering the meaning of Gilbert's final words to her. Visually stunning and emotionally captivating, Violet Evergarden explores a multitude of themes and storylines to interest any viewer.

Join us this week as week take a deep dive into the world of Violet Evergarden!