Hey Folks, Sheltered and sequestered the Tin Hat Quartet kept their ongoing social distancing by recording as usual, separated by hundreds of miles, to offer everyone some respite in the midst of the fear, chaos and eery silence with what else but a wonderful spontaneous conversation about Tom Waits' music. It's an hour full of stories, absurdity, dark humor, compassion, and tales from the great toilet paper run. Feel the Madness and the LOVE!
Women On Waits: Kathleen Brennan, The Fairy Podmother & Bernie Taupin
That's right Folks, it was International Women's Day again and the dream regime spent the episode celebrating and honoring the fairer, wiser sex. Playing tracks from the CD, "Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits" including ones from Shelby Lynne and Iris Dement, Cheryl, Bill, James and the Scherm wax on about the incredible inspiration, creativity and partnership Kathleen Brennan has brought to Tom Waits music. There's even stripper stories, what's not to like? Feel the love!
The Human Guinea Pig: Gets Behind The Mule Variations
That's right folks! It's 2020 and time to wrap up season 5 with our very own Human Guinea Pig, Nashville session crooner Brad Smith, with his take on Tom Waits' best-selling grammy winning Mule Variations. He couldn't wait to get out of the chamber this time and shed the darkness of Bone Machine. Could it be a good sign of things to come? For all you fans out there, or first timers, come check out what our furry little friend has to say about this heralded Masterpiece. Feel the Love!
Mind Control: George Orwell, Mavis Staples & 5G Willikers!
The Dream Regime dives deep into the rabbit hole of mind control and how Orwellian our technology driven world has become, yikes! We're talking Big Brother, potential 5G thought control, London surveillance, double think, T.S. Elliot, and songs from Tom Waits that predict it all...ok well at least allude to it! Feel the Fun, folks!
Andy Newsham: Writer, Comedian & Podcast Reviewer Galore
Our first guest of 2020 is on a quest to review every podcast until the end of time, and we were honored to receive a 5 star, 2 Thumbs Up and a Magic Cow rating in his recent episode on Tom Waits podcasts! This lad is doing more than just giving the podcast world great reviews in Andy's Podcaster Podcasting Podcast (yes marketers flip over the title!) where episodes run the gamut from interviews with his family, tips on lemon assimilation to a Russian feud. A brilliant time was had by all, folks!
Listen Here: Peter Brook, Mr. Pocket & A Spoiler Alert
Mother Machree, folks! We implore you: watch Tom Wait's performance in the Coen Brother's, "The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs" before you listen to this episode. This is not a drill: spoiler alert! We're talkin a high-falutin' romp through a kind of European theatre, exclusive archival interview clips with the legendary Director Peter Brook, and a spontaneous burst of Tom Waits jumping on stage with Mavis Staples. How are you going to keep us down in the hole now that we've been to Des Bouffes du Nord?
Goodbye 2019: Grand Recantations & Salutations
After careful review we were shocked to discover that once again, we were not foolproof in Season 4 and 5 and blunders were made, by not only Bill and James, ok but mostly. So here's our end of the year bonus episode with the retractions and corrections from the entire year of 2019. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
The Human Guinea Pig: Bone Machine Holiday Special
Wow, folks! Tom just made his 70th revolution around the sun. The Holiday Season is upon us, and we finally release Brad Smith, our very own Human Guinea Pig from the chamber after more than 9 months sequestered with only chocolate confetti, water, beer and Bone Machine to try and digest. As you well know, there's no telling what he's going to say, but here's a teeny tiny spoiler alert: Tom's masculine face ain't moanin' at The Waffle House! Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Being There: Carlos Castaneda, Particle Physics & Where They Keep The Clocks
Bill, James, Cheryl, & Da Scherm skip the four play, fall in love all over again, then get right down to business: from four A's to A.A., from New York to Paris, they even skirt the subject of women interpreting Tom's allegedly shamanistic heart. Scherm The Revelator then lets a big ol’ cat out of the bag, immediately opening a whole new can of worm wranglers. That's right folks: states are altered, reality gets bent, but what can we say except...long live Tom Waits, Primus & Puddles Pity Party!
Soldiers Stories: Walking Wounded Down Veterans Way
And we're back folks! Recorded on the cusp of Veteran's Day, The Scherm joined us to dig into a lively discussion on Tom's potent songs about war and we paid a timely tribute to all of you who've served in the military. With a surprise cover by one of the all time greats, this is one unusual episode. Feel the Love!
Major League Orcas: The Sardine Run, Jesus' Blood, & Arjuna's Dilemma
What's the point?! Bill & James & The Scherm run amok diving deep down into The Sardine Run, in search of big answers, and instead devour everything in sight. They emerge not sated at all, finding themselves Starving In The Belly Of A Whale. Take THAT, Jonah! As you've come to expect, folks, they forthwith espouse upon the Hard Ground, mental illness, redemption, higher love, Sweeney Todd, and a little blessing from Bill's Bible: The Black Rider.. R.I.P. Daniel Johnston...long live King Kong!
Rainbow Serpent: Licking Frogs, Trouser Snakes & Kunapipi
Bill, James & Cheryl go all the way, folks! That's right: from anthologies to Aborigines, the Amazon to Moundsville, West Virginia, and Rickie Lee Jones to Vincent Price...this episode has more than even we could imagine. No ancient peoples were injured in the making of this podcast. Feel the high!
Artwork by Trevor Grove