Cheap Trick superfans Chris Castaneda and Mike Vanderbilt explore the history of the coolest rock 'n' roll band to emerge from Rockford, IL, Cheap Trick.
The mid-90s found Cheap Trick focused on reclaiming the edges that had been smoothed out of the band's sound for much of the band's run through the 1980s. By 1997, the band took the indie label route after years of major label support finally souring on the Rockford quartet's declining record sales albeit that one shining moment in 1988. Distortion and fuzz were king in 1994, but, following the death of Kurt Cobain, a vacuum was created that the guitar just couldn't fill against the resurgence of corporate pop. So, naturally, this is the perfect time for Cheap Trick to enter the studio with Steve Albini and bash out some dirty, riffy guitar rock. This ain't all talk…it's "Baby Talk".
30 Jan 2026
"Take Me To The Top"
We kick off the new year with a nod to an album that deserves some cake and ice cream. It was 40 years ago when Cheap Trick delivered its ninth album and probably its most bewildering to many fans at the time. Call us a doctor because we need a dose of "Take Me To The Top."
24 Dec 2025
"Gimmie Some Truth"
Wrapping up the year, Chris and Mike look at the band's cover of John Lennnon's "Gimmie Some Truth," on the 45th anniversary of Lennon's assasination. The hosts dive into the songwriting process of The Beatles, McCartney's contribution, protest songs in general and also discuss the band's recent statment regarding their performance at the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to KISS.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
27 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
21 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
45
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
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