Bands we respect but don't get
Beat Motel Zine
Ever bought an album just because you should love it... only to file it under “respect, but no thanks”? This week, Andrew Culture and Dr. Sam go full chin-strokey and dive deep into the bands, albums, and entire genres that make them go, “I get it. I just don’t want it.” We’re talking Flux of Pink Indians’ sonic assaults, John Zorn's sex-jazz chaos, Minutemen’s minute-long jazz-punk spasms, and yes, that unholy racket from Merzbow. Along the way we also chat about Damon Albarn’s trouser-based stage antics, Janis Joplin’s wardrobe malfunctions, and what happens when Rick...
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Musicians in films that weren't about them
Beat Motel Zine
In this episode, we dive into the slightly baffling and often hilarious world of musicians turning up in films that have absolutely nothing to do with their own music. Some do it well. Some… should’ve just stayed on stage. From Joe Strummer’s pigeon-themed songwriting to Damon Albarn’s dodgy gangster role, we shine a flashlight on cinema’s most unexpected rock star cameos. Expect righteous rambling, questionable facts, and a whole lot of chaos as Andrew and Dr. Sam chew over: Flea appearing in Back to the Future II as a race-happy chancer Joe Strummer pretending a traffic cone is...
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Crazy Crowds
Beat Motel Zine
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Odd concept albums
Beat Motel Zine
What do stoner-era ZZ Top, a mountain named Billy with a tree girlfriend, and a kid who astral projects into Rasputin’s beard all have in common? Concept albums, mate. And not just any old proggy b*llocks – this week we’re diving into the oddest concept albums we could find (and a few we just wanted to waffle on about anyway). Andrew is joined by first-time Beat Motel guest host James Kindred – a fellow Ipswich musician, longtime mate, and possibly the only person who can explain a Mastodon plotline without crying blood. Together, they take you on a journey through the weird, the...
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How to end side A
Beat Motel Zine
If you’ve ever flipped a vinyl and thought, “well that was a limp finish,” then this episode is your new religion. Andrew and Dr. Sam dive into the fine art of ending Side A—the lost craft of crafting a sonic cliffhanger that makes you want to flip that record like your nan flips a Digestive into her cuppa. We’ve got: The Clash’s perfectly measured chaos An R.E.M. song even the R.E.M. boys can’t remember Richard Dawson punching you in the feelings A mystery smackhead guitar hero who wandered into a Funkadelic session and laid down one of the greatest solos of all time ...
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Bands That Are Better as a Documentary Than to Listen To
Beat Motel Zine
Ever watched a music doc and thought, “Cor, this band’s story is brilliant!” only to press play on their actual music and feel your soul quietly retreat into your ankles? This week, Andrew and co-host Dr. Sam put the needle on the record and realise some bands should’ve stayed in the cutting room. We take a scenic drive through the trainwreck glory of Milli Vanilli, the baffling existential crisis that is Metallica’s St. Anger, and the CIA’s alleged soft-rock psy-op via The Scorpions. Plus, there's a detour through the fever-dream nonsense of Brian Pern, Joan Jett’s bad...
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Cats
Beat Motel Zine
This week on Beat Motel, Andrew relives his childhood by rolling down Ed Sheeran’s hill into a pile of dog muck, and Dr. Sam reveals he’s spent more time chasing cheese than dignity. Somewhere along the way, they accidentally remember this is supposed to be a music podcast.
The theme? Cats. That’s it. Not subtle. Not deep. Just cats. From SpongeBob’s snail-pet Gary to the purring sleaze of Queen’s “Cool Cat,” we dig into feline-inspired tunes like they’re buried in a litter tray. info_outline
Obscure Genres
Beat Motel Zine
If you’ve ever wondered what a Finnish man in a bedroom with a broken keyboard sounds like, then you’re weird. But also in the right place. This week, Dr. Sam joins Andrew for a dive headfirst into the murky swamp of obscure music genres, where rules don’t matter and the cats are in charge.
Expect tangents galore: from liturgical black metal to folk electronica via squee (yes, it’s a thing), this episode is a chaotic tour of sounds you probably never asked for. Th
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Back to School
Beat Motel Zine
In this nostalgia-drenched episode of Beat Motel, Andrew Culture and voiceover man extraordinaire Martin Whiskin hurl themselves headfirst into the deep, murky swimming pool of school memories—and promptly slip on a Verucca sock.
Expect less of a structured discussion and more of a chaotic ramble through:
Drinking out of pickle jars, Nutella jars, and possibly things we shouldn’t mention.
Childhood trauma via public service announcements that were m
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Songs to swing your pants to
Beat Motel Zine
Ever wondered what it's like to be whipped in the cobblers by a carbon fibre tent pole? No? Well, you’re about to. In this episode, Andrew returns to the studio and brings along Dr. Sam for a high-brow chat about testicular trauma, Trev & Simon, and the absolute best music to make your hips involuntarily wiggle like an over-caffeinated toddler.
The theme this week? Songs to swing your pants to. The result? A genre-skirting playlist filled with funkadelic basslines, ska-pu
info_outlineHold on to your ethically-sourced coffee and buckle in for a truly chaotic dive into the shallow end of music industry sellouts. This week, Andrew is joined by the ever-cynical Dr Sam, and the pair bravely attempt to answer the big questions: Can Slayer officially sod off? Is ABBA secretly prog disco royalty? Would Paul McCartney say "alright mate" if you bumped into him on the street?
From slagging off Kickstarter walking boots to dissecting the Misfits’ career strategy and cringing at the tragic tale of Slade 2, the duo take you through bands that have clearly replaced artistic ambition with spreadsheets and pension planning. There's love for The Halo Effect, suspicion about The Verve’s reformation, and real shade thrown at Sting for treating The Police like a PLC.
This episode's a riot of riffs, rants, and real talk about what happens when passion turns into product.
Riff of the Week: Monarch Death Judge – "Stoner aggression for people who think Clutch need a kick up the rear."
### Riffs of the week
#### Dr Sam's Riff
- Demonic Death Judge - Goner (0.50)
#### Andrew's Riff
- The Halo Effect - Conspire to deceive (0:09)
### Dr Sam's track choices
1. Slayer - I'm Gonna Be Your God (0.20)
2. ABBA - If It Wasn't for the Nights (1.00)
3. Slade - Hot Luv (0.30)
4. Misfits (feat. Ronnie Spector) - You Belong to Me (1.06)
### Andrew's track choices
1. Oasis - Slide Away (4:37)
2. The Police - Don't stand so close to me (2:44)
3. Verve - Gravity Grave (opening)
4. The Beach Boys - A Day in the Life of a Tree (2:26)
Email us - beatmotel@lawsie.com
**Takeaways**
- Punk rock humor often straddles the line between clever and offensive.
- Consumer products like Tesla can be disappointing in quality despite their hype.
- The quest for quality in products often leads to a trade-off between comfort and durability.
- Punk rock has a history of misogyny that still needs to be addressed today.
- Many punk bands fail to evolve their message over time, leading to stagnation.
- Nostalgia plays a significant role in how we perceive past trends and products.
- Clackers were a nostalgic toy that exemplified a carefree childhood.
- The punk scene has both progressive and regressive elements that reflect societal issues.
- New music often draws from past influences while trying to innovate.
- The podcast aims to explore music and its cultural implications. The transition of bands into business transactions is a significant theme.
- Criticism of iconic bands often stems from their perceived lack of authenticity.
- Celebrity interactions can lead to awkward expectations from fans.
- Musicians are often seen as public figures, losing their personal space.
- The craftsmanship in music production can be overlooked in favor of commercial success.
- ABBA's return highlights the business side of music, despite their artistic contributions.
- The sound quality and production techniques play a crucial role in music appreciation.
- Critiques of musicians often reflect broader cultural sentiments about authenticity.
- Celebrity culture can distort the perception of personal interactions.
- Understanding the artistry behind music can enhance appreciation for the genre. Andrew discusses a book on business theory and creativity.
- The conversation touches on Sting's portrayal in the music industry.
- They reflect on the dynamics of famous bands and their relationships.
- The impact of fame on artists is a recurring theme.
- The commercialisation of music often overshadows artistic integrity.
- They discuss the evolution of bands and their legacy over time.
- The importance of creativity in business is emphasised.
- The conversation highlights the challenges of maintaining artistic vision.
- They explore how artists view their audience in a commercial context.
- The discussion concludes with reflections on the state of the music industry.