Geeks & Beats

The history of porn music — and why the 50 Shades of Grey film may be relegated to the dustbin of dirty movie history. Six high tech movie facilities that make no sense — even if you think you can hit a womprat in your T-16 back home. Boycotting Led Zeppelin. Why the thieving band deserves our respect now that it's performed its fiscal penance. Where do accents go when people sing? The answer might surprise you. Plus: a G&B update on our live on location show and what's next for the fighters of foo. The post Bow Chicka Bow Wow appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Wham is working on a reunion. Be afraid, and lock your public restrooms. The 16 baddest cover songs of all time. And yes, Wonderwall is on the list — but you'll never guess who covered it. Rock and Roll Beers — rated. Insert your own head joke here. Plus: the new iPhone won't be as indestructible as first thought. And: what Steve Martin and 3D printed headphones have in common. The post Alan's Stash appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The Rise of the Robots — why I won't let a Roomba into the house — and why 40 bucks for an android car parking machine is 40 bucks too much. The mathematics behind concert porta-potties. We'll tell you how to find the cleanest using science. Dave Grohl is still fighting Foo: we'll tell you about the new album coming in November and the crowd-sourced concert, too. Plus a G&B update on the future of this podcast — and the secret history of Alan's return to CFNY. The post The Ongoing History of Alan Cross appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

If you're a Ramones fan, you'll wanna be sedated: the last member of the punk band has shuffled off his mortal guitar riff. Meantime, where did the tradition of trashing the hotel room begin? You may be surprised to learn it wasn't with the punks. An iPad app capable of recording 64 tracks? Abbey Road Studios, look out. Plus: What The Pentagon, DARPA and Lady Gaga have in common. And why flatulence could save your life. Really. The post 24 Hours To Go appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Alan's findings are surprising: you can't blame the Punk rockers. And you may be more surprised by who gets a lot of the credit for the TV-tossing. The post Who Started Trashing Hotel Rooms First? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Coolest. Concert. Ever — Why Jack White brought a lab coat and a clipboard to his latest show. Why head banging is bad for your health — and not for the reasons your mother claimed. Blowing things up for fun and profit. Meet Rory Jones whose attention span hopefully lasted six hours. Pink Floyd's got a new album coming, but can you really call it Floyd? And headphones designed for porn. Yes, you stick them in your ears. The post Suspicious Rash appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

"Explosives are just fun," says Jones, 29, who got into working in pyrotechnics by a stroke of luck. "I might as well find a job I enjoy." The post How to Blow Things Up for Fun & Profit appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Feeling sad? Blame Facebook. The world's biggest social networking site deliberately manipulated thousands of feeds to just see what would happen. An important music and internet anniversary has come and gone, and nobody noticed — because it involved Compuserve. The World Cup Curse of Mick Jagger — Why the Brazillians are urging the aging rocker to root for someone else. Plus: a G&B update on Commander Hadfield's Major Tom cover, our secret project that needs your help, and how one musician is using naked pictures of you to prevent piracy. The post Belted Onion appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Rich from East Selkirk, Manitoba called (323) 319-NERD to say he can't find in Canada some Beach Boys tracks that have been remastered. Is this a licensing situation or a legal battle? The post What's the Deal with Missing Beach Boys Releases? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Footballer? Chances are you're a fan of Jack White. We'll tell you why The Seven Nation Army is a soccer favourite. Meantime, we'll debunk the urban legend that says soccer killed Bob Marley. Stonehenge — did you know it was a musical instrument? We'll tell you why Peter Appleyard should have made Britain his home. Chelsea Handler makes the jump to Netflix and my heart skips a beat. Plus: a G&B update on the travels of our Miracle Travel Mug of Traveling and why the United States is in a Karaoke Cold War with the Chinese. The post Sportball appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Chris from Waterloo asks, "can Alan shed any light on what the hell the Spaghetti Incident is?" The post What The Hell is 'The Spaghetti Incident'? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Casey Kasem — most remember him as the pot head sidekick of Scooby Doo — we'll look back at the life and outtakes of a radio legend. What every dad wants on father's day. Spoiler Alert: it's not a dad shirt. it's not a tie. it's peace and quiet. How to play a record without a record player. The secret? Lasers. We'll play a track that's more than 150 years old. Plus: the origins of crowd surfing, how two G&B listeners celebrate true love, and how changing the music changes the taste of your food. The post The Panda Incident appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

How much productivity did Gangnam style suck out of the world economy? Enough to build three aircraft carriers. The Science of Rock and Roll — we'll give you a behind the scenes tour of the hottest ticket in Toronto. Looking to do some shredding while on the go? The creator of the FretPen drops by the G&B studios to talk about the coolest gadget on coming to your desk today. PLUS: a G&B update on the Leaked Millennium Falcon photos and why one erotic fan fiction author has gone WAY to far. The post See A Man About A Horse appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

It's a pen, but it's also a guitar -- with a single string. The power lies in the iPhone app. It's what makes it possible to play chords. The post Fretpen Creator Mark Roebke appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Apple Nerds Unite! We'll tell you why the geeks are a-gog about the worldwide developer's conference. Got $3,700 and a distaste for Google Glass? We'll offer you an alternative set of specs that put Minority Report to shame (not really). Bon Jovi, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen. All three made a billion bucks touring — but only one squeezed you for big bucks. Plus: never work with children or animals — unless you're the rock band Secret Broadcast. They'll join us to explain why it's all about the kitties. The post WTH, WWDC? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The band's latest music video takes place at a cat birthday party. Wait, what? The post Secret Broadcast Does It For The Kitties appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Apple's 3.2-billion dollar Beats headphone deal is turning into a 3.2-magnitude headache. How much would you pay for a high end stereo? Steve Jobs dropped more than 20-grand. Pigs in Space! And humans, too! We'll bring you the latest advancements in cryogenics that could make the vastness of space seem like a catnap. A new app from the musician behind Godley & Creme will let you rock-out with bandmates anywhere in the world. Plus: got a couple grand? We'll tell you how much your favourite rock legend charges to play your son's bar-mitzvah... and we'll teach you how to speak Dothraki to woo the woman in your life. The post She Blinded Me With Dothraki appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

How do you know you're at a Dad concert? You showed up on time and desperately try not to drool over the girls your daughter's age. How to stop your bandmates from sleeping with each other. You can't, but you can figure out if it's going to break-up the group. And we'll introduce you to some musical swag you don't want to show off at the airport. Plus: a pair of G&B listeners tie the knot, the Watchmen return to the stage, and why George RR Martin is still buying floppy disks. The post License Oddity appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Why Apple wants Beats by Doctor Dre — and it isn't for the wide bottom end. Spring is in the air — and so are airborne sneeze droplets. We'll look at the science behind the schnoz. Our new favourite website: spurious correlations. We'll tell you why you shouldn't be alarmed by a rise in the divorce rate and sales of margarine. A drag queen with a full beard wins Eurovision. We'll explain. As best we can. Plus: the leaked Beyonce/Jay Z concert rider too good to be believed. Unless you're a Macbook wielding Midget looking for work. The post Rider of the Storm appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Sir Ozzy of Osbourne? A move is afoot to get the Dark Prince knighted by the Queen. Headphones that listen to YOU — how a new apple rumour may have your iPhone monitoring your health while you listen to the devil's music. The Best Lawsuit oft he Week involves Kanye West, The illuminati and 3.9-billion dollars. AND — The Colorado Symphony has come up with one way to get the kids today into classical music — just observe the no smoking signs. Plus — a Geeks and Beats update on why we may soon need a human resources department — and a budget for booze. The post Symphony in THC appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Nerdiest. Album. EVER. We'll introduce you to some tunes you can't hear unless you've got some e-leet linux skillz. Holodeck 1-point-oh! The Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset takes a giant leap into the 23rd century. ET has been found — in a New Mexico landfill — and there's no way he's calling home in his condition. And we'll introduce you to the producer of a documentary about synthesizers — and why he dreams of wires. Plus: a G&B update on how you can join the staff of the world's most popular podcast. The post Amazing Rum appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The documentary producer of I Dream of Wires drops by the G&B studios to talk about the origin of the Moog synthesizer and why the 70s couldn't have happened without patch cords. The post Jason Amm, Producer of I Dream of Wires appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Classic Rock meets Courtroom drama — why Pandora says it can play anything it wants prior to 1972. Fret Pen: it's the guitar you can stuff in your pocket. We'll introduce you to the kickstarted program designed to shred big by going small. The weirdest records of all time — including one you play for your plants. And— an G&B update on #gnbmugtour2014 and our massive milestones. Plus: the real story behind a Boy Named Sue and Tainted Love. The post A Dodo Named Sue appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

It's (not) a Very Special Episode of Geeks & Beats. The post Jet Setting Cross appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

In a first in the long and storied history of the G&B media empire, we took our show on the road and recorded everything at the Downtown Record Show on Broadview in Toronto. And much to our shock, people showed up to say hello and to claim their super-limited-edition G&B stickers. The post Live on Location appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

It's a sign of the apocalypse! Kate Bush returns to the stage – and Alan might have back-stage passes. Hacking Spotify for fun and profit. We'll tell you about a band that's funding its tour while you sleep. That music video you made of your kid might make the musician more money than the one they professionally produced. And we'll tell you how to stream music through your home without wires – or electrical outlets. Plus: the finalists in our camcorder contest, how you can be an employee of the big show, and why Death from Hypoxia isn't just a bitchin' band name. The post Hounds of Lust appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

IN A WORLD WHERE DEEP VOICES ARE KING… ONE MAN IS BEING HAILED AS A HERO TO VOICEOVER ARTISTS EVERYWHERE. We'll look back at the life of famed v/o god Hal Douglas. A big-band connection to that missing airplane of a bygone era as the search continues for a Malaysian Airlines flight 3-70. Neil Young's portable music player – panned. But that hasn't stopped thousands from investing 4-million dollars into Pono. Plus – more great entries in our Sony Camcorder giveaway and why America has an obsession with men's nipples. The post In a World appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The history of recorded music in 90 seconds -- using a rube Goldberg machine. The Simpsons as an oracle: we'll look at the 25 year old TV show's big predictions for technology today. Science determines whether your band is hipster – using a mathematical formula. You've probably never heard of it. And I for one welcome our new borg drummer overlords. Plus: a geeks and beats update on our sony camcorder giveaway, Apple's Carplay in action, and why Huey Lewis is dead to me – but the news lives on. The post Star Shack appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Bruce Dickinson -- the Bruce Dickinson -- has gone from Iron Maiden to piloting The World's Biggest Blimp? 20 terrifying two sentence horror stories -- including one that will keep any new parent up at night. We'll introduce you to the only bluetooth speaker appropriate for Wonder Woman, and we'll tell you what the most sampled song is of all time (and you'll never guess what it is). Plus: A G&B update on your wacky Sony Camcorder giveaway and why Michael's getting a body cavity search when he lands in Toronto... The post Live on Location: Jamaica appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

A musical mash-up to get your toes tapping – we'll look at the marriage of Daft Punk and Pharrell… then follow the money. Now you don't have to choose between smoking and talking on the phone. We'll introduce you to a new gadget that combines both. 30-thousand dollars well spent. On a waterbed. On this week's Ask Alan Anything we'll find out if the musicians you hate are making money off your streaming music choices. plus: a geeks and beats update on our outrageously complicated sony camcorder giveaway, and we'll look at the connection between Frank Zappa and pimples. The post Rhymes with Pomplamoose appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Here comes the iCar. We'll round up the rumours after the real world Tony Stark is seen leaving "1 Infinite Loop" in a Tesla. We're less than a year away from Back to the Future 2 – and still no hoverboard. But the shoes are coming. More isolated vocal fun. We'll strip away the instruments on Ziggy Stardust to reveal David Bowie's pre-autotune glory. Rennaissance Butt Music. How a university student brought a 500 year old painting to life. Plus: the big G&B giveaway. We'll tell you how you can win a high end Sony camcorder. And: Canadian Radio's real life WKRP in Cincinnati characters. The post iRon Man appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The Top Ten Anti-Valentines Day songs. And a bonus track: how to use a floppy drive to express your hatred for the one you love. Who has time to listen to a full 4 and a half minute song? We'll introduce you to a radio station format that packs 24 songs into a single hour and still has room for commercials. Bob Marley's son is roasting something – and it's not his brain. How the former member of the Ottawa Rough Riders keeps his caffeine level up. Stream music throughout your house for 100 bucks. A quick review of the latest smartphone gadget called "Beep." Plus: a Geeks and Beats update on Michael's talking house, we grovel for one of our co-producers and the biggest Super Bowl fake-out revealed. The post My Floppy Valentine appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Experiment 4 by Kate Bush isn't fiction – there's an actual sound system that kills – and it's used by the European Space Agency. The sun is setting on the iPod. We'll look back at what's replacing the once ubiquitous MP3 player. Forget vibrate: set your phone to scent. Why you might want to wake to the smell of coffee even if you're not into java. How big is Youtube when it comes to music? Bigger than you think. The post Experiment V appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The little man Steve Jobs wanted to hide in every Macintosh. We'll look back at the iconic computer and look ahead to a world where Apple rivals American Express. The world's first twitter libel lawsuit. We'll tell you how Alan got Courtney Love Off. How big is too big for the palm of your hand? We'll look at the latest rumoured iPhone. In this week's Ask Alan Anything: the Sonos sound system – reviewed. Plus: 22 minutes for goat joke, G&B listeners chime in on the "best driving song ever" and we'll introduce you to a bra that doesn't unclasp unless she loves you. The post L.A. County Courtney appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

How much money can a mega hit make? That depends on whether or not you're playing the saxophone. The Best Driving Song Ever. We'll reluctantly run down the list and throw in the worst driving song for good measure. Will you genuflect at the altar of Kanye West? There's now a church in his name. Waking up five miles high – NASA's list of tracks used to rouse astronauts from their weightless slumbers was largely thanks to a Canadian. Booth babes – not the money magnets you'd expect. We'll tell you why scantily clad women are a dying breed at trade shows. The post Imma Let You Finish, Proselytize appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The self-parking, auto-braking, connected car. We'll tell you why the future is closer than you might think. More streaming music services are coming – including one from Doctor Dre. And I'll tell you about my experience running into 50 Cent's entourage. In this week's Ask Alan Anything: the most successful rock vocalist with the least amount of musical talent. Meantime, Microsoft tries to convince Weezer fans to buy Surface tablets. Plus: a G&B update on a big win for the National Music Centre in Calgary, our Facebook ad campaign failure, and how to pick a name for your blues musician alter-ego. The post The Return of Javier Sparxx appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The World's Most Popular Podcast(tm) broadcasts LIVE from the floor of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, baby, Vegas! This week Michael reports on an Internet connected toothbrush and Alan bristles (get it? Hah!), tries on a dog collar that beams health data to your vet, and learns why germ killing Gorilla Glass is only part of the solution for Mr. germaphobe Cross. Also, Android is coming to a car near you -- and why the radio business needs to pay attention. The post On a Short Leash #CES2014 appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Keeping that New Year's Resolution to get fit is the most likely promise to yourself you're going to break in 2014. So why not turn to the Canadian fitness power couple most likely to keep you on track? The post Hal Johnson of Body Break appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Things you forgot happened in 20-13. We'll look at three words that made it into the dictionary last year and why we'll spend all of 20-14 making up for it. We'll look at some exciting Kickstarter projects for the new year – including a self propelling bicycle and an app that takes driving your car to a whole new level. Hal Johnson of Bodybreak and The Amazing Race joins us to tell us how to keep that new year's resolution using technology – and why hitting the gym is only half the battle. How radio stations regain their listeners after going All Christmas Music. And the top Karaoke songs sung last night to ring in the new year. Plus: a Geeks and Beats Update on Justin Beiber's retirement plans, and our live on location show in Vegas, baby, Vegas! The post NYE 2013: How About No? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Christmas music, believe it or not, is a proven ratings winner. That's why there's a radio station in Toronto that flips the switch and goes all Christmas music in, like, March. I hate it. You hate it. The post What's the deal with All Christmas Music radio stations? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

I called up my TV Buddy and Doctor Whovian Teddy Wilson of InnerSpace to fill in the blanks for Alan ahead of the All Important Christmas Episode of Doctor Who. The post InnerSpace's Teddy Wilson on Doctor Who appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The world's most infamous mayor gets run over by a reindeer. We'll play you the the Rob Ford Christmas Parody of 2013. How the stores manipulate you with music to get you to buy more at Christmas – and the rest of the year. Meantime, the Whovians down in whoville aren't excited to open their stockings – they're looking forward to a new Doctor. Teddy Wilson of Space will help my "Grinchy" Doctor Who hearts grow three sizes this day. Geeks and Beats updates on race to make AC/DC the number Christmas song of the year, and a singing Christmas telegram over the Internet. The post Merry Ducking Christmas appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

William Shatner has lost track of how many record albums he's made. It's 4. Or 5. His latest is Pondering the Mystery and it's pretty ponderous. He and Alan are buddies. They toured together across Canada. So Alan called him up to talk about his latest musical venture. The post William Shatner on Progressive Rock appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

At this moment, Alan Cross is sunning himself in the Carribean. So instead we bring you an interview he recently did with William Shatner. Alan just calls the guy up to talk about his new album. Yes, that's right: Captain Kirk has a progressive rock album out. The post A Big Shat Attack appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Janet from (just outside) Toronto has a bucket list. And on that list is "Article published in Rolling Stone Magazine". She's got a great idea, but just doesn't know what it's going to take to join the ranks of Hunter S. Thompson, et al. Al(an) has the answer. The post How do I get published by Rolling Stone Magazine? appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Miley Cyrus as Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" – we'll offer an alternative who did more for women in 2013 than Miley has done for tongues her entire life. How far would you walk for your favourite band? Meet the man who could have been inspired by the Proclaimers. Why Apple won't win the car wars. It's all about supplementing – not integrating – into your dashboard. Best Wedding Advice Ever. A G&B listener offers YouTube video advice. Plus: a G&B update on next week's Shat-tastic episode, and why you won't be smelling like George Takei on Christmas morning. The post Set Phasers to Stunning appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

http://www.geeksandbeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/S02E33-Interview.mp3 When it became known that Ryerson University had no intention of honouring its commitment to rehang the Sam the Record Man signs after the City of Toronto gave them a great deal on the corner of Yonge and Gould where they once stood, music fans were furious. After extensive debate at City Hall about […] The post Bobby Sniderman on Saving the Sam the Record Man Sign appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

Livin' on a Viral Video: Jon Bon Jovi's New Jersey Anthem is back on the charts after 26 years. Also back? The Sam the Record Man Sign. We'll speak to the son of the man behind Canada's music industry icon. 50 years of Companions, Daleks and the music of Doctor Who. We'll pull out a sonic screwdriver […] The post Sign of the Viral Times appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

The Love Boat — not for atheists? The Captain of the television show classic makes a hard turn to starboard. Nothing says Christmas quite like AC/DC. Why British bookies are placing the odds of a holiday to hell at 3 to 1. Microsoft's new XBox is X-Rated? We'll tell you why you might want to […] The post Co-Producers in Love appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.

$300 could turn your next party into the worst party ever — or the best, depending on your opinion of Karaoke. We'll introduce you to Singtrix. Here's a cool idea for Google Glass: Watch the orchestra from the perspective of the Conductor (there's a problem with that, but a sexy Cornell professor has a solution). […] The post How About No appeared first on The Geeks and Beats Podcast with Alan Cross and Michael Hainsworth.