Episodes

5d ago

In this year’s Tape Spaghetti Christmas special, Scott & Blake ask a question that you’ve probably never considered – but won’t be able to unhear afterward: why does Christmas music sound so… Hawaiian? Unraveling X-Mas tunes’ tropical DNA takes us back to 19th-century Hawaiian royalty, to the invention of the steel guitar, through WWII, tiki bars, surf rock, and suburban America’s obsession with escapism. Along the way, elements of Hawaiian music quietly crept into mainstream country, pop, and holiday standards, making classics like Blue Christmas and Mele Kalikimaka feel downright cozy and festive. Grab an eggnog, get comfy, and prepare to forever change how you hear Christmas music.

Dec 10

In this special edition of Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake wrap up and run down their favorite albums of 2025…. and, as usual, a whooole buncha other stuff. From revelations about their own streaming habits, strong opinions on production choices and pedal chains, a victory lap on year one of Tape Spaghetti, and oh yeah, spotlights on the guys’ picks for the best albums of the year, this one is a journey of deep-dives and nostalgia bombs that touches on Euro-country, lush indie rock, and a surprise posthumous appearance from Waylon Jennings. Whether you’re into metal, pop, country, indie, or “whatever the heck this is,” don’t miss this one.

Dec 3

What if we told you that the biggest electronic album of all time started as a complete flop? In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake tell the unbelievable story of how Moby’s Play went from career-killing failure to a global phenomenon thanks to the most shamelessly brilliant licensing plan ever executed. After alienating his fans with a hardcore punk passion project and getting dropped by his U.S. label, Moby was broke, discouraged, and convinced his next record would be his last. When Play arrived to almost no sales he figured he'd been right... until his team hatched a wild idea: say yes to EVERY licensing request. Coffee commercials? Yes. Car ads? Hell yeah. Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Where do we sign? Soon every track—every *single* track—from the album appeared somewhere, creating a slow-burn cultural takeover and eventually pushing Play to 12 million sales worldwide. It’s a one of a kind tale of artistic desperation, shrewd copyright strategy, and the moment Moby became the accidental king of commercial syncs.

Nov 25

Remember the feeling of being a kid and encountering an album cover that you just *knew* you weren’t supposed to be looking at? On this week’s Tape Spaghetti we’re turning that feeling up to 12 as Scott and Blake dive into the flat-out shocking world of controversial album art. From covers that got bands banned in department stores, to designs that sparked lawsuits, protests, and panicked parents, the guys explore infamous cases of musicians pushing the visual envelope (literally). Why have certain covers triggered outrage while others slipped under the radar? How do taboos shift from decade to decade? And why do artists take the risk of marketing shock value? Scott and Blake reflect on their own experiences discovering “forbidden” records and debate whether today’s digital music world has lost something by leaving provocative album art behind. This one’s not for the squeamish or easily icked….

Nov 18

Is elevator music... evil? In this week’s Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake go on a tour through the highly unlikely, slightly dystopian history of Muzak – the music nobody loves, but everyone hears. Born from military experimentation, electrical engineering breakthroughs, and a dream to make Americans more productive through calibrated background sound, Muzak might sound aimless, but it was designed to manipulate and control. Workers alternately found it calming or patronizing. Counterculture movements mocked it. Ted Nugent tried to destroy it. Yet, Muzak survived long enough to infiltrate elevators, the White House, NASA missions, and grocery stores everywhere. The guys trace its legacy all the way to modern lo-fi playlists and “music for airports,” proving blandness has a surprisingly colorful past.

Nov 11

What happens when one of the biggest bands in the world takes on its industry’s Death Star? In 1994, Pearl Jam was willing to find out. On this week’s Tape Spaghetti, Scott & Blake revisit the grunge-era showdown that pitted a group of scrappy rock idealists against Ticketmaster, the ultimate corporate monolith. Having locked down every major venue in America, Ticketmaster strangled fans with specious “service charges” and squeezed bands with exclusivity contracts. At the height of their popularity, Pearl Jam demanded fairer prices and more transparency. They even attempted to bypass Ticketmaster altogether by playing public spaces – but ultimately they had to put up with shady politics, convoluted permitting, and the reality that they were losing millions in revenue. How did Ticketmaster go from a scrappy Arizona startup to a money-printing monopoly? In a world where we *still* pay $45 in convenience fees, this one hits home.

Nov 4

We all know we have to tune our guitars… but we don’t usually think about *why* we tune the way we do. In this weeks’ Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake do just that, in a discussion fit for a tin-foil hat. For instance, what if we told you that tuning your guitar was actually part of a Nazi mind-control plot? Or that certain frequencies align us with the universe and balance our “water memory?” Or what if we told you…. that’s all nonsense, and that the real story might be even MORE interesting than any conspiracy theory. From 19th-century pitch wars and Verdi’s preferred frequencies to how A440 became the global norm, the guys trace how a simple standard turned into a cosmic conspiracy. Come for the mind control jokes, stay for the surprisingly nerdy and super relevant music history lesson.

Oct 29

This week on Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake head to Malaysia for perhaps the darkest story in Southeast Asian pop history: the twisted tale of Mona Fandey. Once an aspiring starlet, Fandey’s talent didn’t take her very far – but her transformation into a self-proclaimed shaman gave her access to some of the most powerful figures in Malaysian politics. Her promise to deliver power and success through magic led to a windfall of cash, notoriety, and ultimately, a gruesome murder that shocked the entire country. Through it all, Mona smiled for the cameras and claimed she would never die… even as she was being led to the gallows. This one’s got everything: music, mysticism, money, and murder, all wrapped up in a story that’s too strange to be fiction.

Oct 23

The name’s Spaghetti. Tape Spaghetti. This week, Scott and Blake go undercover into the glamorous, brassy, and occasionally super weird world of James Bond music. After Monty Norman’s jazzy/surfy 1962 theme became the sonic blueprint for every espionage movie ever, each successive Bond theme played a pivotal role in shaping one of the world’s biggest franchises. Decade over decade, a chronological hotlist of pop stars participated – and some, including Johnny Cash and Alice Cooper, just missed the cut. Tune in to find out how Shirley Bassey nearly blacked out belting “Goldfinger,” why “Live and Let Die” might be ten songs stitched into one, and how Adele’s “Skyfall” returned the canon to epic prestige. Best listened to in an Aston Martin while wearing a tux.

Oct 14

There is gangsta rap, there are murder ballads, and then... There is Chalino Sánchez. The real life outlaw who turned the chaos of the Mexican cartel into song. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott unravel the brief, violent life of the Godfather of Narcocorridos. After committing a bloody act of vengeance at the age of fifteen, Chalino Sánchez found his calling while serving time, taking tales of his and his fellow inmates’ criminal hustles and spinning them into song. Sánchez’s ballads became the soundtrack of cartel culture and solidified him as an underground icon – but with fame came extreme danger. After surviving one onstage attempt on his life, Sánchez was handed a mysterious note at his next concert – the last time he was seen alive. Is Chalino Sánchez the realest outlaw artist of all time? Here’s how Mexico’s most dangerous troubadour created a genre and claimed immortality.

Oct 7

When Pete Seeger sang the lyric “This Land Is My Land”—then dared to prove it. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake dig into folk icon Pete Seeger’s fiery 1955 showdown with the House Committee on Un-American Activities. At the height of the Red Scare, Seeger was hauled before Congress and grilled about his political beliefs, the people he sang for, and the songs he played. But Seeger refused to play along. Instead of hiding behind the Fifth Amendment, he cited the First, telling congress: “I’ve got a right to sing for anybody.” Sounds innocent enough, but Congress wasn’t impressed. Seeger was convicted of contempt, sentenced to prison, and blacklisted from TV and radio. While his conviction was eventually overturned, the incident defined Seeger’s career and cemented his legend, with songs like “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “We Shall Overcome” becoming the soundtrack to a social movement that endured long after the sad era of McCarthyism. Tune in as Scott and Blake unpack this loaded folktale and celebrate Seeger’s big banjo energy.

Sep 30

What does your favorite song look like? In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake tumble down the rabbit hole where hearing and vision meet. From unforgettable album art to the kaleidoscopic effects of chromesthesia to the full sensory spectrum of synesthesia, sometimes you can experience music with your entire brain…. in good ways and weird. The guys share stories of some of their most visually evocative musical experiences and highlight artists running the gamut from Aphex Twin to Richard Wagner whose iconic sounds simply can’t be separated from iconic (and eerie) imagery. What do Werther’s Originals, Yankee Candles, and Ride of the Valkyries have in common? Close your eyes and tune in to find out how to tap into your favorite music as a feast for the senses.

Sep 16

What do you do when you’re the biggest pop star alive and your record label can’t keep up? If you’re Prince, you declare war on your own name. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti , Scott and Blake trace how the hitmaker behind Purple Rain became an unpronounceable symbol in 1993. After signing a massive $100 million deal with Warner Bros. Records, Prince chafed at their glacially slow release schedule. Sitting on a mountain of unreleased music, he decided to engage in a legendary act of defiance. He abandoned the name Prince for an unpronounceable glyph—the Love Symbol #2—and wrote “slave” on his cheek at public appearances. The media, baffled, dubbed him “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.” Warner had to send out floppy disks so journalists could even type the symbol. Meanwhile, Prince by carpet-bombed them with albums until he fulfilled his deal, then released Emancipation on his own label. By 2000, he’d reclaimed his name and his masters. Did Prince carve his name in music history by deleting it altogether? This is one of pop’s wildest branding stunts—and one of its boldest victories.

Sep 9

What do you get when you combine when rock ’n’ roll, destiny, and total dysfunction? The Shaggs. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Scott & Blake share the bizarre tale of three reluctant sisters from New Hampshire who unwittingly became cult idols of the pop scene. Driven by a domineering father determined to fulfill a prophecy that his daughters would become famous, the Wiggins sisters had no training, no exposure to pop music, and no particular desire to be in a band to begin with. Their seminal work, Philosophy of the World, is an album defined by erratic rhythms, jangly guitar nonsense, and clashing vocals that somehow amounts to something…totally endearing. Frank Zappa praised it, Kurt Cobain loved it, and it now stands as a cornerstone of "Outsider Music" that challenges our very conception of pop. Tune in to untangle the strange, sad, and ultimately joyful story of The Shaggs.

Sep 2

Picture this: mid-70s Los Angeles, Sunset Strip glowing, Rainbow Bar & Grill buzzing. Upstairs, hidden from the paparazzi, Alice Cooper presides over a drinking club comprised of the world’s biggest rock stars. Members included Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Mickey Dolenz, and regular guests like John Lennon, and Iggy Pop. Their creed? Drink until someone literally drops. From Lennon’s meltdown at the Troubadour to Keith Moon’s nightly costume reveals, the antics were as unhinged as the alcohol was endless. Yet beneath the fun lurked the darker truth of rock’s excesses: careers derailed, friendships tested, and lives cut short. Alice Cooper barely escaped by embracing sobriety, while others weren’t so lucky. Listen in as Scott and Blake unravel the myths, mayhem, and aftermath of a group that embodied both the heights and hangovers of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.

Aug 26

What does it take to break free from your father’s shadow? For Hank Williams Jr., it was just about every bone in his body. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake trace Hank Jr.’s journey from teen imitator of his iconic dad to one of country’s fiercest originals. Sparked by a mighty tumble off the Smoky Mountains that nearly killed him, Hank Jr. relearned how to walk, talk, and make music — and, miraculously, was all the better for it. With “Family Tradition” and “Whiskey Bent and Hellbound,” he embraced southern rock swagger, celebrated his vices, and created music that was unapologetically his own. Along the way, he reshaped country music itself, proving that second-generation stars could blaze trails, not just imitate them. Tune in and hear the story of how one brutal fall gave rise to a legend.

Aug 19

What do Bob Marley, U2, Grace Jones, and James Bond have in common? The name’s Blackwell — Chris Blackwell. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Scott and Blake dive into the unexpected story of the Island Records founder who reshaped global music. Raised among Jamaica’s colonial elites, Blackwell was rescued from a near-death experience by Rastafarian fishermen who gave him a new lease on life and a newfound devotion to reggae. From there, Blackwell founded Island Records and launched Jamaican music into the mainstream. And that wasn’t all—he gave Nick Drake freedom to fail, signed Roxy Music for their style alone, and gambled on a scrappy Irish band named U2. Was Blackwell a visionary who elevated voices from the margins, or a clever colonizer who repackaged them?

Aug 12

Does 15 years plus $14 million equal perfection? Axl Rose was willing to ditch his Gun N' Roses bandmates to find out. On this week’s Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott unravel the unwieldy tale of Chinese Democracy, the album born of Axl’s unrelenting vision… but at what cost?? With endless lineup changes and a vicious cycle of revisions, this Slash/Izzy/Duff-less GNR record looms large as a passion project pit against some extremely lofty expectations. Did Axl pull it off? Was Chinese Democracy doomed by its own hype, or is it somehow a massively overlooked gem of ambition? Tune in for a cautionary tale about chasing perfection with a bucket on your head. (And a chicken coop in your studio?)

Aug 5

You’ve got your entire life to write your debut… and 6 months to top it! In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott explore the dreaded sophomore slump, breaking down why second records are so difficult to perfect and why our perceptions of them often change with the added context of time. Whether it’s a Hootie, a Beastie, Alanis, or U2 this one’s a celebration of overreach, awkward pivots, and the impossible expectations we put on artists. Are these sequels genuine disappointments, or is this the way we punish artists who dare to evolve?

Jul 29

Frank Ocean pulled off one of the greatest artistic jailbreaks in modern music—and did it in style. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti , Blake and Scott explore how Ocean dropped the hauntingly beautiful visual album Endless to fulfill his contract with Def Jam… only to self-release Blonde the very next day, fully independent and with total creative control. Ocean not only beat the system, he reshaped how the system works, cementing his status as one of hip-hop’s modern masters and brilliant escape artists. Whether you’re a Frank fan or just curious about the most baller bait-and-switch in recent music history, this one’s worth the listen.

Jul 23

Post-hardcore… or purely paranormal? In this episode of Tape Spaghetti , Blake and Scott are joined by Guitar Nerds host and certified Mars Volta superfan Joe Branton to dive into the tangled sonic séance of an album known as The Bedlam in Goliath. At the center of the chaos is The Soothsayer, a Ouija board that channeled the beyond, inspired the album’s otherworldly themes, and may have triggered a series of bizarre, destructive events. Joe helps unravel the ghostly chaos from studio meltdowns and mysteriously vanishing tracks, to injuries and nervous breakdowns that nearly tore the band apart. Was this record haunted, genius, or both?

Jul 15

What do Ozzy’s bat biting, Mama Cass’ "death sandwich", and Phil Collins' gristly eyewitness account have in common? You are about to find out! In this episode of Tape Spaghetti , Blake and Scott untangle the absurd, fascinating world of pop music myths that have outlived the truth—and sometimes even the music. From Keith Richards’ vampiric "detox secret", the truth behind Roy Orbison’s sunglasses, to the long-forgotten tale of Billy Idol’s (mostly) made-up dark side, they dive into why certain urban legends stick, and how they become part of a musician’s mythos. The conversation unpacks how misquotes, PR stunts, and the occasional mischief that feeds the beast—and why sometimes we fans want to believe. Tune in and find out how myths can sometimes become more famous than the melodies.

Jul 8

He ruled the ’90s, outsold The Beatles (in the U.S.), and filled every arena in sight—so why is Garth Brooks’ music nearly impossible to find in 2025? In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott dive into the curious case of Garth: how the most successful country megastar of all time quietly vanished from the digital conversation. From his exclusive Wal-Mart distribution deal to his current Prime-only existence, Garth took a left turn just as the industry shifted right. The guys explore how his stubborn and unique approach has shaped his legacy and made him a lost icon in the streaming age. He’s an absolute country music titan hidden behind paywalls. Which begs the question... Did Garth outsmart the system or get left behind?

Jul 1

In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott dive face-first into music’s weirdest death rumors and darkest true stories. There’s the tearjerker blamed for a wave of suicides, a karaoke tune so deadly it practically needs a warning label, and a funk song with a scream that allegedly captured a murder on tape. Fun! They unpack the infamous Judas Priest trial, where lawyers tried to prove metal made teens pull the trigger. They explore SoundCloud rap’s tragic body count, AI-generated TikTok horror tracks, and the age-old human need to blame anything but ourselves. Music, mayhem, moral panic... It’s all here. So put on your headphones, dim the lights, and maybe don’t sing Sinatra in public. Just sayin’.

Jun 24

What do Frank Zappa, Dee Snider, and John Denver have in common? A fierce love of the First Amendment. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti , Blake and Scott unpack the strange, star-studded circus that was the 1985 PMRC Senate hearings , where musicians faced off against Tipper Gore and her crusade for warning labels on music. Digging into the bizarre unity of avant-garde snark, glam metal fury, and folk-pop sincerity, the guys discuss how this unlikely free-speech dream team of artists spoke truth to power in front of a room full of very serious senators. Who gets to decide what’s “appropriate,” and what happens when government, art, and fear collide? Featuring testimony that still echoes today in an algorithm-governed media landscape, it’s part courtroom drama, part culture war, and part rock ‘n’ roll roast

Jun 17

Boxer. Helicopter pilot. Rhodes Scholar. Country legend. Kris Kristofferson’s résumé reads like an impossible Hollywood movie. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott marvel at the unbelievable life of one of music’s most fascinating figures —a man who went from Army Ranger to Oxford scholar to Nashville janitor to global icon. Kristofferson could outbox you, outthink you, outfly you, and then write a song that rips your heart out. The guys cover his wild journey through academia, the military, outlaw country, and Hollywood, plus his advocacy and late-in-life recognition. From The Highwaymen to A Star Is Born, this isn’t just a story about music—it’s about living full tilt. Sometimes an artist's myth is about more than just their music. Which begs the question: was Kris Kristofferson the most interesting man in music history? Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

Jun 10

After Nevermind conquered the world, Nirvana could’ve played it safe. Instead, the biggest band on earth decided to get weirder, louder, and more abrasive. On this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott dissect In Utero, an album that spit in the face of expectations and stripped Nirvana to its bleeding core. They unpack the band’s refusal to play by the rules after the megahit polish of Nevermind , choosing instead to let Steve Albini tape together their rawest instincts. The conversation touches on the anti-commercial defiance baked into every track, the band’s complex relationship with fame, and why In Utero still punches like a gut check 30 years later. Press play and dive into the swirling, stinging, hyper-raw sounds of grunge’s last stand. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

Jun 3

Before TikTok trends, YouTube parodies, and silly podcasts (present company excluded), there was Dr. Demento—the godfather of gloriously goofy music. In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake and Scott explore the madcap legacy of the airwave anarchist who championed cultural absurdity and without whom we might never have had Weird Al Yankovic. What’s the power of parody and the social value of silliness? As the guys discover, novelty songs are more than just punchlines — they’re portals into the pop culture psyche. Expect baloney, bologna, radio nostalgia , cult followings, and just enough analysis to feel smart about loving dumb songs. Maybe. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

May 27

In this edition of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dig into the tragic end of AC/DC’s first era and the loss of their original high voltage frontman, Bon Scott. Was his death rock ’n’ roll excess - or something else? Along the way, the guys explore the two distinct legacies defined by Scott’s raw swagger and Brian Johnson’s arena-shaking growl—and what it takes for a band to survive tragedy without losing its soul. They also expound on how AC/DC managed their inconceivably remarkable rebound with Back in Black — one of the most legendary albums ever recorded. Press play and prepare to be thunderstruck by the greatest rebound story in hard rock's history. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

May 20

Is your favorite musician... a clone? In this mind-bending episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott peel back the tinfoil on one of music’s strangest subgenres: the replacement theory. From the eternal “Paul is dead” saga to the internet’s obsession with Avril Lavigne’s alleged body double, and the bewildering case of Andrew W.K., the guys dig into the lore, the weirdness, and the very real questions about identity and authorship these conspiracies raise. Why are we so quick to believe someone’s been swapped out? Is it just fun fandom—or something deeper? The conversation spirals from tabloid weirdness to questions of celebrity, persona, and whether we want our artists to be real in the first place. Are these just tall tales... or symptoms of a culture that doesn't want its icons to change? Think *your* favorite artist is irreplaceable? Think again....

May 13

In this pulse-pounding episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dive into defiant, funk-driven world of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Born in Nigeria and educated in London, Fela didn’t just create a genre—he sparked a movement. From his genre-defying sound and explosive stage presence, to his role as a relentless political agitator who turned funk and jazz into weapons of resistance, the guys unpack Fela’s larger-than-life persona, his radical commitment to Nigerian identity, and the way he built an entire sonic nation inside his Kalakuta Republic compound. With a refusal to bend to authority and a demand for justice, Fela conjured the spirit of punk—raw, loud, and uncompromising. This one’s a celebration of music as revolution and the sonic firestarter that was Fela Kuti, so tune in and find out how one man turned funk into a battle cry.

May 6

This episode of Tape Spaghetti dives deep into the lonesome, legendary life of Hank Williams—the country music icon who burned bright and left behind a ghostly echo that still haunts the genre. Blake & Scott trace Hank’s meteoric rise, from honky-tonk dive bars to the Grand Ole Opry spotlight, and explore the heartbreak, addiction, and chaos that ultimately led to his untimely death at just 29. But the story doesn’t end there. The guys examine Hank’s enormous influence on generations of artists—from his son Hank Jr. to rock, country, and beyond—and even touch on some downright creepy stories of musicians claiming spectral visits from the man himself. Is Hank still hitching rides down lost highways? Tune in for twang, tragedy, and a touch of the supernatural as Blake & Scott unpack the myth and the music of a true American original. Saddle up for a ghost ride through country history. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠⁠https://stringjoy.com/

Apr 29

On this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott raise a glass (or maybe an old boot) to the legendary Tom Waits. Honing in on the Swordfishtrombones era, they trace Waits’ evolution from late-night lounge poet to avant-garde musical icon. Drawing connections to literary greats like Charles Bukowski, the guys explore the genius behind Waits’ unforgettable characters, his genre-defying sound, and the undeniable impact he's had on the music world. With personal stories about how his gravelly voice and cinematic songwriting have ingrained themselves into their lives, this episode celebrates the raw grit, guts, and strange magic that make Tom Waits a true musical pioneer. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just beginning to discover his work, this whiskey-soaked journey through Tom Waits’ discography is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in for a heartfelt exploration of Tom Waits' influence on music, his unique style, and the lasting legacy he’s created. Cue the rain and hit play. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at ⁠https://stringjoy.com/

Apr 22

This week on Tape Spaghetti , Blake & Scott dive into the alien-obsessed world of Tom DeLonge— Blink-182 frontman, Angels & Airwaves visionary, and one of the loudest voices in modern UFO disclosure. From pop-punk icon to Pentagon whistleblower, DeLonge’s transformation is one of the strangest—and most fascinating—in rock history. The hosts unpack DeLonge’s evolution from Blink-182 fame to founding To The Stars Academy , the organization behind some of the most viral UFO videos released by the U.S. government. They also explore the outer space themes woven through Angels & Airwaves’ music and debate DeLonge’s influence on both extraterrestrial belief and conspiracy culture. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or just here for the aliens-meet-emo vibes, this episode answers the big question: What really happens when a rock star leaves the stage to chase flying saucers? Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

Apr 17

On this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott take a soulful spin through the life of Sam Cooke—the gospel prodigy turned pop trailblazer whose voice could melt hearts and move mountains. From his early days with the Soul Stirrers to posthumous crossover superstardom with hits like “A Change Is Gonna Come,” the guys trace Cooke’s rise and his fearless push for artistic control in a segregated industry. But things take a darker turn as they dive deep into the murky details of his shocking death at a Los Angeles motel. Was it a simple case of wrong place wrong time—or something more sinister? Blake & Scott unpack the shifting stories, shady timelines, and even FBI conspiracy theories that still swirl around Cooke’s untimely end. Tune in and get tangled in one of soul’s most haunting stories. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

Apr 16

This week on Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott unravel one of the eeriest, darkest threads in music history: the twisted tale of Charles Manson and his brush with late-‘60s rock stardom. Before he became a household name for all the wrong reasons, Manson fancied himself the next folk-rock prophet—and actually got closer to achieving his goal than you might think. In this chat the guys dig into his bizarre connections with L.A.’s music elite, from jam sessions at Dennis Wilson’s house to a reworked Manson song making its way onto a Beach Boys record. It’s a wild ride through failed recording deals, cult manipulation, and the uneasy intersection of fame and fanaticism. As the story spirals toward infamy, Blake & Scott reflect on how Manson’s musical dreams bled into his nightmarish legacy. Creepy, compelling, and full of "how the heck did that happen?" moments—this one’s a chilling twirl you won’t want to miss. Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/

Apr 15

In this episode of Tape Spaghetti, Blake & Scott dive headfirst into the swirling sonic world of Lee “Scratch” Perry—a true musical mad scientist. From the roots of reggae to the otherworldly innovations cooked up at Black Ark Studios, the duo unpacks Perry’s impact on sound itself. Expect tales of tape loops, smoky dub sessions, and the cosmic weirdness that made Perry a legend. They explore how this eccentric genius bridged the gap between Jamaica and London’s punk scene, all while walking barefoot through a jungle of reverb and delay. And yes—they get into the myths, the madness, and the mystery behind Black Ark’s fiery fall. Whether you're a dubhead, a punk purist, or just here for the vibes, this episode is a wild ride through one of music’s most unforgettable minds. Hit play and get tangled in the weird, wonderful world of “Scratch.” Love the show? If you play guitar or other steel stringed instruments, or know someone who does... Consider grabbing something from us at https://stringjoy.com/