Sound Opinions

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with writer Kyle Ryan about his Substack, Band Name Bureau. They explore the overlap between good music and poorly named bands. A selection of examples are discussed and played.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsFeatured Songs:Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, "GNT," King of Cowards, Rocket, 2018The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Screeching Weasel, "Cool Kids," Bark Like A Dog, Fat Wreck Chords, 1996OMBIIGIZI, "Connecting," Shame, Arts & Crafts, 2024Winona Fighter, "I'm In The Market To Please No One," My Apologies to the Chef, Rise, 2025Bikini Trill, "Pushing Daisies," (Single), Ineffable, 2024Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, "I Used To Be Fun," I Love You, Domestic La La, 2023Fartbarf, "Simple Planet," (Single), Sweatband, 2020Ned's Atomic Dustbin, "Gray Cell Green," God Fodder, Columbia, 1991Ass Ponys, "Kung Fu Reference," Lohio, Checkered Past, 2001Butthole Surfers, "The Hurdy Gurdy Man," (Single), Rough Trade, 1990Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, "Glib Tongued," Death Hilarious, Missing Piece, 2025Electronic, "Getting Away With It," (Single), Factory, 1989Local H, "Bound For The Floor," As Good As Dead, Island, 1996See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox—one that came back to him after watching the Brazilian film "I'm Still Here".Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Jill Sobule. They revisit their 2009 conversation with Jill where they discuss her music and being a pioneer for crowdfunding art. They also review the new music from Shamir, Pelican and tUnE-yArDs.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Jill Sobule, "Supermodel," Jill Sobule, Lava, 1995The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Tune-Yards, "Heartbreak," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025Tune-Yards, "Limelight," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025Tune-Yards, "See You There," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025Tune-Yards, "Never Look Back," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025Tune-Yards, "Sanctuary," Better Dreaming, 4AD, 2025Pelican, "Evergreen," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025Pelican, "Flickering Stillness," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025Pelican, "Pining For Ever," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025Pelican, "Cascading Crescent," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025Pelican, "Indelible," Flickering Resonance, Run for Cover, 2025Shamir, "Neverwannago," Ten, Kill Rock Stars, 2025Shamir, "Recording 291," Ten, Kill Rock Stars, 2025Shamir, "Pin," Ten, Kill Rock Stars, 2025Jill Sobule, "I Kissed a Girl," Jill Sobule, Lava, 1995Jill Sobule, "Palm Springs (Live on Sound Opinions)," California Years, MRI, 2009Jill Sobule, "San Francisco," California Years, MRI, 2009Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl," One of the Boys, Capitol, 2008Jill Sobule, "Nothing to Prove (Live on Sound Opinions)," California Years, MRI, 2009Jill Sobule, "Wendell Lee (Live on Sound Opinions)," California Years, MRI, 2009Diarrhea Planet, "Separations," I'm Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, Infinite Cat, 2013See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following our tributes to David Thomas and Peter Laughner of Pere Ubu, Jims rounds out the trilogy with a song by another of the band's members.Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Each week, music writer John Spong talks to one notable Willie Nelson fan about one Willie song that they love, leading to highly personal looks at the life, art, and legend of a genuine American folk hero. Listen here.New Yorker music critic Amanda Petrusich looks at the other big hit off Willie and Merle Haggard’s classic 1983 Pancho & Lefty album, “Reasons to Quit.” It’s a classic Haggard drinking song, but a little more pensive than most, and Amanda reframes it—and really, all of Pancho & Lefty—as an example of what she calls the Outlaw’s Conundrum, i.e. what’s an old rebel to do when the time comes to settle down? Then we get into the all-star band that backed Willie and Merle on the record and, in a particularly insightful interlude, the specific ways sad songs can help people when life feels like too much to bear.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot speak with Jenny Toomey and Kristin Thomson, founders of the '90s indie rock band Tsunami and key figures of the D.C. punk scene. The hosts also review the new collaborative album from Julien Baker & Torres.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Tsunami, "In a Name," Deep End, Simple Machines, 1993The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Julien Baker & Torres, "Sugar in the Tank," Send a Prayer My Way, Matador, 2025Julien Baker & Torres, "Tuesday," Send a Prayer My Way, Matador, 2025Julien Baker & Torres, "Tape Runs Out," Send a Prayer My Way, Matador, 2025Tsunami, "David Foster Wallace," A Brilliant Mistake, Simple Machines, 1997Tsunami, "Newspaper," World Tour & Other Destinations, Simple Machines, 1995Tsunami, "Punk Means Cuddle," World Tour & Other Destinations, Simple Machines, 1995Tsunami, "Water's Edge," Deep End, Simple Machines, 1993Tsunami, "Be Like That," The Heart's Tremolo, Simple Machines, 1994Tsunami, "Loud is as Loud Does," The Heart's Tremolo, Simple Machines, 1994Tsunami, "The Workers Are Punished," A Brilliant Mistake, Simple Machines, 1997Tsunami, "Slugger," Deep End, Simple Machines, 1993Jill Sobule, "Supermodel," Jill Sobule, Lava, 1995See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode, Greg shares a track by an artist who was long overdue for their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with author Cary Baker about the musical tradition of street performance, also known as busking. The hosts also review the solo album from TV On The Radio lead singer Tunde Adebimpe and hear feedback from listeners on recent episodes.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Arvella Gray, "John Henry," I Blueskvarter Chicago 1964, Volume Two, Jefferson, 2000The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Tunde Adebimpe, "Magnetic," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Ate The Moon," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Pinstack," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Drop," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Blue," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "Somebody New," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tunde Adebimpe, "ILY," Thee Black Boltz, Sub Pop, 2025Tracy Chapman, "Stand By Me (Live At The Late Show With David Letterman)," Greatest Hits, Elektra, 2015Moondog, "Nocturne Suite Part 1," On The Streets of New York, Mississippi, 2019Cortelia Clark, "Bye, Bye, Love," Blues in the Street, RCA, 1966George Coleman, "Innocent Little Doggy," Bongo Joe, Arhoolie, 1969Fantastic Negrito, "Nobody Makes Money," Fantastic Negrito EP, Blackball Universe, 2014Violent Femmes, "Blister In The Sun," Violent Femmes, Slash, 1983Ted Hawkins, "Strange Conversation," The Next Hundred Years, Geffen, 1994Mary Lou Lord, "St. Swithin's Day," Real, Deep Music, 1993Lucinda Williams, "Ramblin' On My Mind," Ramblin' on My Mind, Folkways, 1979Dom Flemons, "Charmin Betsy," Black Cowboys, Smithsonian Folkways, 2018Emmylou Harris, "Crescent City," Cowgirl's Prayer, Asylum, 1993Stan Rogers, "Barrett's Privateers," Fogarty's Cove, Barn Swallow, 1977Tsunami, "In A Name," Deep End, Simple Machines, 1992See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Following our tribute to David Thomas, Jim reflects on another Pere Ubu and Rocket from the Tombs member lost too early, and pays tribute with a Desert Island Jukebox selection.Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcJoin our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot pay tribute to the late singer, songwriter and musician David Thomas. They do a deep dive on his career and life, discussing his music with Pere Ubu and Rocket from the Tombs.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah  Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Pere Ubu, "Non-Alignment Pact," The Modern Dance, Plan 9, 1978The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Pere Ubu, "Babylonian Warehouses (Live on Sound Opinions)," Why I Hate Women, Smog Veil, 2006Dead Boys, "Ain't It Fun," We Have Come for Your Children, Sire, 1978Pere Ubu, "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," 30 Seconds Over Tokyo (Single), Hearthan, 1975Dead Boys, "Sonic Reducer," Young, Loud and Snotty, Sire, 1977Rocket from the Tombs, "Amphetamine (Live)," The Day the Earth Met Rocket from the Tombs (Live From Punk Ground Zero, Cleveland 1975), Smog Veil, 2002Pere Ubu, "Laughing," The Modern Dance, Blank, 1978Pere Ubu, "Humor Me," The Modern Dance, Blank, 1978Pere Ubu, "Dub Housing," Dub Housing, Chysalis, 1978Pere Ubu, "Caligari's Mirror," Dub Housing, Chysalis, 1978Pere Ubu, "(Pa) Ubu Dance Party," Dub Housing, Chysalis, 1978Pere Ubu, "Navvy," Dub Housing, Chysalis, 1978Pere Ubu, "Waiting For Mary," Cloudland, Fontana, 1989Pere Ubu, "George Had a Hat," The Tenement Year, Enigma, 1988Rocket from the Tombs, "Sonic Reducer," The Day the Earth Met Rocket from the Tombs (Live From Punk Ground Zero, Cleveland 1975), Smog Veil, 2002Pere Ubu, "Caroleen (Live on Sound Opinions)," Why I Hate Women, Smog Veil, 2006Arvella Gray, "John Henry," I Blueskvarter Chicago 1964, Volume Two, Jefferson, 2000See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.