Episodes

Send us a text The porch is open, the speakers are warm, and 1984 rolls in like a storm you’re happy to stand under. We dive straight into the music that defined a generation and argue the big stuff with a grin: can someone be country’s “king” without writing most of their songs, or does a lived-in voice beat a pen every time? From Van Halen’s synth-charged swagger to Metallica’s midnight thunder, from Prince’s electric sermons to The Smiths and Echo and the Bunnymen crafting shadows you can ...

Send us a text Neon lights. Big hair. Bigger hooks. We crank the dial back to 1983 and trace how a single year rewired music, movies, TV, sports, and even what we wore on our wrists. From Michael Jackson’s chart dominance and Madonna’s arrival to Prince’s sleek menace and The Police at full polish, we pull on the threads that MTV stitched into identity. Metal slammed through the door with Quiet Riot and Dio, New Order and The Cure made synths feel human, and Run‑DMC and Grandmaster Flash gave...

Send us a text A year can change everything, and 1982 proved it. We crack open the moment when MTV turned music into moving pictures, fashion into a stage, and hits into cultural events. From front-porch laughs to deep dives, we map how Thriller rewrote pop’s playbook, why Eddie Van Halen’s Beat It solo made genre walls crumble, and how Toto’s studio sheen, Prince’s swagger, and Survivor’s training montage forever reshaped the soundtrack of daily life. The stories don’t stop at the stereo. W...

Send us a text What if one year could explain why your playlists, movie nights, and game obsessions still look the way they do? We crank back to 1981, where synths collided with stadium guitars, country hit its stride, and MTV turned music into a visual habit. From the Stones’ swagger and Journey’s eternal chorus to Human League’s neon pulse and Ozzy’s riff machine, we trace the tracks that built a generation’s soundtrack—plus the deep cuts that still deserve more love. Along the way, we kee...

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Send us a text 1979 was the year music changed forever. The spectacular death of disco at Chicago's Comiskey Park, where fans rioted and burned records on the field, marked a cultural turning point that Mike and Tom explore with both historical insight and personal memories. Against the backdrop of disco's demise, rock music reached remarkable creative heights. Pink Floyd's "The Wall," AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," and Led Zeppelin's final album "In Through the Out Door" all dropped in this piv...

Send us a text Step into a time machine as Mike and Tom transport you back to 1978 – a year when disco ruled the airwaves, rock was evolving, and both hosts were navigating their youth at ages 11 and 15. This nostalgic deep dive isn't just about the music; it's about how these songs became the soundtrack to their formative years. The duo meticulously walks through Billboard's Top 40 hits from 1978, sparking memories and playful debates along the way. From the Bee Gees' disco dominance with "...

Send us a text Take a wild ride through rock history and roadside adventures as Mike and Tom deliver another unpredictable episode filled with concert tales and travel mishaps. Mike's musical heart is set ablaze after witnessing The Warning—three sisters from Monterrey, Mexico—deliver a face-melting performance at The Ritz in Raleigh. His VIP experience (which he didn't even realize he had purchased) granted him early access, signed memorabilia, and encounters with possibly the greatest bart...

Send us a text Mike and Tom pay tribute to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, reflecting on his extraordinary journey from Black Sabbath pioneer to solo superstar and cultural icon. They explore the musical evolution, personal struggles, and unforgettable legacy of the Prince of Darkness who defied expectations and transformed heavy metal. • From working-class Birmingham to pioneering heavy metal with Black Sabbath in the late 1960s • The creation of landmark albums like Black Sabbath, Paranoid, a...

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Send us a text Step into a time machine to 1976, when America celebrated its bicentennial, bell-bottoms were wide, and the musical landscape was experiencing a revolution unlike any other. This vibrant year saw rock music expanding to fill stadiums while punk kicked down the establishment's door and disco seduced reluctant dancers across the country. Mike and Tom share their personal connections to this transformative year with palpable enthusiasm, exploring how Boston's groundbreaking debut...

Send us a text Step into a world where bell-bottoms were the height of fashion, rock music blared from 8-track players, and not a single person worried about gluten. Mike and Tom, your guides through this time-warped musical landscape, transport you back to 1975 – a pivotal year that shaped not just music, but an entire generation's cultural identity. The hosts share deeply personal connections to the year's biggest hits. Tom reveals how the Eagles' "Best of My Love" takes him back to childh...

Send us a text Step into a time machine with Mike and Tom as they transport you back to 1974 – that fascinating transitional year when music was caught between the fading echoes of counterculture and the emerging sounds that would define the late 70s. What exactly is a "post-hippie hangover"? It's the perfect description for 1974's musical landscape, where rock was splintering into countless subgenres while soul evolved and disco's first sparkles appeared on the horizon. The guys expertly na...

Send us a text Step into the musical time machine as Mike and Tom explore the soundtrack of 1973 – a year when rock anthems, soul classics, and unforgettable ballads dominated the airwaves. What began as casual workplace conversations about beloved songs has transformed into a passionate deep dive through the year's defining hits. From Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" to Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia," the hosts offer fascinating insights and personal memories triggered by these ti...

Send us a text Ready for a podcast that bounces between courtroom scandals and Chuck Berry's only number one hit without missing a beat? We've got you covered. The gavel comes down hard in this episode as we tackle the bizarre case of two Democratic judges arrested for harboring illegal immigrants. One judge allegedly helped an undocumented defendant escape ICE agents through a courthouse back door, while another kept a suspected Venezuelan gang member as a "handyman" in their guest house. A...

Send us a text Tariffs might sound like the economic equivalent of watching paint dry, but Mike and Tom transform this seemingly dry topic into an entertaining deep dive that challenges conventional thinking. Our budget economists tackle Trump's controversial trade policies with their signature no-holds-barred approach, arguing that while tariffs may cause short-term pain, they're already yielding results as countries rush to the negotiating table. Vietnam has offered to remove all tariffs, Ind...

Send us a text What happens when you mix high-potency mushroom gummies, helicopter dangling, and forgotten hits from the 1970s? The latest MT Alternative Podcast delivers all that and more as Mike and Tom embark on another mind-altering journey through random topics and musical nostalgia. The hosts kick things off with their ongoing "scientific experiment" involving mushroom gummies, creating the perfect mindset for their signature tangential conversations. They quickly dive into a passionate r...

Send us a text Mike and Tom kick off another hilarious episode by unveiling their shiny new toy - a Zoom PodTrack P8 mixer that promises to make their ridiculous conversations sound crystal clear. "The stupid shit we say will sound much better," they joke, perfectly capturing the essence of their unfiltered approach to podcasting. Between sips of cold beer, the duo embarks on another "research" session with Crispy Blunt Minis, setting the perfect tone for their wide-ranging conversation. Their ...

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Send us a text This episode reflects on the chaos and joy of 2024, as Mike and Tom share their hilarious takes on their New Year's resolutions while inviting listeners into their world of unique traditions and guest messages. With a spirited mix of anecdotes, lighthearted rants, and heartfelt moments, they encourage listeners to welcome 2025 with laughter and optimism. • Highlights and lowlights of 2024 • Discussion on different New Year’s resolutions • Special messages from guests Troy and Bill...

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Send us a text Ever wondered how two doodles on a napkin could spark a worldwide sensation? Join us as we welcome the effervescent duo Pip and Squeak from "Lil' Dudes," alongside our resident hosts Mike and Tom. Pip retells the hilarious origins of keeping Squeak's fiery antics in check, which range from toaster mishaps to receiving blueprints for heists from fans. Aspiring "Lil' Dudes" get a nugget of wisdom from Pip and Squeak on dreaming big while keeping your chaos organized. Expect a rolli...