Jackalope Tales on Radio Misfits

Step right up, folks… to the absolute worst infomercial in human history. This week on Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa crack open one of the music industry’s most vile, moldy corners—the world of racist record labels. That’s right… before SoundCloud rappers were embarrassing themselves online, there were entire labels proudly pressing hatred onto vinyl like it was a greatest hits album nobody asked for. Charles dives headfirst into the toxic wasteland of Resistance Records—a label that somehow turned bigotry into a business model… until it collapsed under the weight of lawsuits, criminal ties, and the general fact that being openly awful eventually catches up with you. Turns out, hate isn’t just bad for the soul—it’s also terrible for long-term brand growth. Meanwhile, Lisa unearths the grimy legacy of Rebel Records, where the soundtrack was less “rebellion” and more “regression.” It’s the kind of catalog that makes you want to wash your ears out with bleach and your brain out with a Fleetwood Mac binge. This episode is dark, uncomfortable, and soaked in the kind of gallows humor that only comes from staring directly at history’s dumbest villains and saying, “Wow… you really thought this was a good idea?” We’re not celebrating these clowns—we’re dragging them. Hard. Because if there’s one thing worse than bad music; it’s bad music made by worse people. [Ep 133] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Once upon a time, SXSW was a sweaty badge of honor—where unknown bands melted faces in dive bars, record deals were whispered over cheap beer, and you might accidentally discover your new favorite artist while standing next to a guy who hadn’t showered since 2003. Now? It’s a branded tote bag with legs. This week on Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa dig into the slow, corporate embalming of South by Southwest—how a scrappy music festival turned into a networking convention for tech bros, movie studios, and companies that somehow think a panel about “the future of synergy” counts as rock ‘n’ roll. Charles mourns the golden era—when the only thing being sold was your dignity for drink tickets. Lisa follows the money trail, where once-grimy venues got replaced by influencer lounges, sponsored stages, and VIP sections so exclusive even the bands can’t get in. From legendary surprise shows… to standing in line for an hour to get a free energy drink branded by a cryptocurrency you don’t understand. It’s the story of how SXSW went from South By Southwest… to South By Sponsored Content. So grab your wristband, scan your QR code, and enjoy a festival experience carefully curated by a marketing department that has never heard of a guitar. Because nothing says “indie spirit” like a panel hosted by a bank. [Ep 131] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Charles and Lisa pack their bags for a musical tour of fame, fortune… and very bad life choices. Charles dives into the story of Valentín Elizalde — a man who may have accidentally dropped a diss track so hard it allegedly got reviewed by an entire cartel… with automatic weapons. Meanwhile, Lisa unravels the legend of Chalino Sánchez — the original corrido outlaw, who sang for the wrong people, the right people, and eventually… everyone who probably shouldn’t have been in the same room together. Featuring the most uncomfortable concert moment of all time: the infamous note that basically said, “Great set… see you after.” From bulletproof egos to not-so-bulletproof SUVs, this episode explores what happens when music stops being just music and starts sounding like a very public obituary rehearsal. Requests were made. Money changed hands. Notes were delivered… and not the kind you frame. Jackalope Tales asks the important question: Is it still a “fan request” if saying no voids your life warranty? Press play… and maybe don’t accept any folded pieces of paper mid-performance. [Ep 131] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

What if some of the weirdest pop music ever recorded wasn’t just bad taste… but government policy? In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa dig into the suspiciously bizarre world of Popaganda — the possibility that certain bands weren’t just musicians, but carefully engineered cultural experiments. Charles investigates the chrome-plated chaos of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, the cyberpunk band that sold ad space inside their songs and sounded like a malfunctioning arcade cabinet having a panic attack. Coincidence… or a prototype for weaponized consumerism? Meanwhile Lisa examines the minimalist German oddities behind Trio, the band responsible for the deceptively simple hit Da Da Da. Was it just a quirky new-wave song… or a hypnotic psychological test to see how little music the public would tolerate before complete mental collapse? Along the way Charles and Lisa explore whether pop music might sometimes be less about art… and more about agenda. Because nothing says “covert cultural influence” quite like drum machines, awkward haircuts, and a chorus that sounds like it was written by a malfunctioning fax machine. Jackalope Tales — where the conspiracy theories are questionable, the music is suspicious, and the CIA definitely isn’t listening… probably. [Ep 130] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Some record labels say they’re nonprofit. Which immediately raises the obvious question: nonprofit for who? This week on Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa tumble down a particularly sketchy rabbit hole after discovering that their former band — Toadies — once signed to a “nonprofit” record label. A nonprofit… record label. Because nothing says charity like royalty statements that look like ransom notes. Were these labels truly benevolent music charities helping artists thrive? Or were they just the same old music industry wolves… wearing thrift-store sheep costumes and holding IRS paperwork? Charles digs into the mysterious world of nonprofit labels — where money allegedly vanishes into “administrative costs,” “artistic development,” and possibly a suspicious amount of craft beer and vintage analog compressors. Lisa asks the harder questions: • If a record label is nonprofit… why does the CEO drive a Tesla? • Why do the bands still end up broke? • And is “artist support” just a nicer phrase for creative tax shelter? Expect nonprofit loopholes, shady music-industry math, and the uncomfortable realization that sometimes the biggest charity in the room… is the band donating their labor. Because in the music business, the only thing more dangerous than a crooked record label… …is one claiming to be doing it for the good of humanity. Welcome to Jackalope Tales — where the legends are strange, the stories are darker than a club bathroom at closing time, and tonight we ask the question: Is it nonprofit… or just another Jackalope? [Ep 129] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa open a dusty filing cabinet labeled “Top Secret: Adult Contemporary.” Inside: two power ballads so suspiciously inspirational they may have been weaponized. Lisa follows the whistling trail of the Wind of Change—a song that somehow floated over the Berlin Wall, slipped into the bloodstream of a collapsing empire, and convinced millions that freedom smelled like Aqua Net and Marlboro Lights. Was it written by German rockers… or by a guy in Langley wearing fingerless gloves and softly weeping over a Stratocaster? Meanwhile, Charles investigates Looking for Freedom—a power ballad so potent it turned a lifeguard into a geopolitical event. As Hasselhoff stood on the Berlin Wall in a glowing Members Only jacket, historians insist it was a cultural moment. We ask the real question: how many intelligence officers died inside hearing that chorus for the 400th time? From psychological warfare disguised as soft rock, to ballads engineered to make entire populations feel feelings against their will, this episode uncovers the terrifying possibility that the Cold War wasn’t won with missiles… but with key changes. Because nothing topples governments faster than a grown man whisper-singing about freedom over a Yamaha keyboard preset labeled “Emotional Pad 3.” [Ep 128] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

The Grammys happened. Civilization limped away. In this fever-dream episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa wade knee-deep into the glittery wreckage of Grammy 2026 like raccoons rummaging through a rhinestone dumpster. Charles dissects the gospel of glam gone wrong as he unpacks Chappell Roan’s now-infamous Grammy moment — the dress that looked like it was stitched together from haunted prom curtains, weaponized tulle, and the ghosts of mall goths past. And yes… the glares. The side-eyes. The full demonic ocular hexes fired across the auditorium like she was trying to curse someone’s Spotify streams into oblivion. Were they artistic statements? Allergies? A ritual? Charles investigates with the seriousness of a man who has paused and zoomed in 47 times. Meanwhile, Lisa dives into the emotional thunderstorm that was Jelly Roll’s acceptance rant — a speech that started as gratitude and slowly spiraled into a sermon, a therapy session, and possibly a Senate filibuster. Was it heartfelt? Absolutely. Did it feel like we were being lovingly yelled at by a motivational preacher who just discovered Red Bull? Also yes. From couture catastrophes to podium prophecies, Charles and Lisa break down the music, the drama, the body language crimes, and the spiritual warfare happening under arena lighting. Because it’s only Roan & Roll… …but we don’t like it. [Ep 127] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Charles and Lisa carve up the real main event of Super Bowl LX: the music. Forget who scored more touchdowns — we’re talking about the cavalcade of performers who tried to out-sing, out-anthem, or out-harmonize a football game that literally has cheerleaders dressed like pyrotechnic reject mannequins. From Charlie Puth’s earnest belt of the national anthem to Green Day launching into patriotism-tinged punk rock like a dad trying to reconnect with his skateboarder son, the pregame stage was a buffet of musical identity crises. But wait: the halftime show! The Puerto Rican phenomenon Bad Bunny headlined an almost entirely Spanish set with surprise turns from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin, turning what should’ve been a 15-minute pause in football into a full-on cultural summit no one asked for but everyone talked about (especially people yelling about it on Twitter). Strap in for a snarky, slightly bitter breakdown of why the Super Bowl playlist this year was more dramatic, more confusing, and more culturally seismic than the final score — and definitely more soulful than anything the refs did on the field. [Ep 126] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Some bands want you to feel the music. Others want you to sign a waiver. In The Show Must Go Wrong, Charles and Lisa dive headfirst into the beautiful disaster zone of live music where safety is optional, chaos is guaranteed, and the stage is just another weapon. Charles breaks down the legacy of Hanatarash, the most dangerous live band ever—where bulldozers, power tools, and flying debris were just part of the set list. No encores. No refunds. Possibly no walls left standing. Lisa counters with her own firsthand trauma—seeing Genitorturers live—a show that blurred the line between concert, endurance test, and something you’re pretty sure violated at least three city ordinances. This episode is about bands that didn’t just push boundaries… They sprinted past them, lit them on fire, and asked the crowd to stand closer. If you’ve ever thought, “This show could kill me,” Congratulations—you’re the target audience. Jackalope Tales — where the music is loud, the stories are darker, and the show always goes wrong. [Ep 125] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Tapin’ Pennies is the sound of a nation learning—too late—that nothing in life is cheaper than “11 records for a penny.” In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa dig up the glorious scam-adjacent era of mail-order music clubs, when all you needed was a ballpoint pen, a form torn from the back of a magazine, and a penny taped on like a hostage note to your future finances. The promise was simple: vinyl, cassettes, or 8-tracks delivered straight to your door. The reality? Lifetime obligations, mysterious billing, and the creeping feeling you’d accidentally entered into a legally binding curse. Lisa opens the case file on Columbia Music Club, the gateway drug of mail-order regret—where every teenager learned the hard way that “no obligation” was more of a vibe than a rule. Charles follows with the velvet-voiced menace of Longines Symphonette, a company that didn’t just sell music, but a dream… and then invoiced you for it forever. It’s a darkly funny tour through fine print, threatening letters, surprise shipments, and the quiet shame of realizing you owe money for albums you never ordered, don’t like, and can’t explain to your parents. Tape the penny. Lick the envelope. Ruin your credit. This is Tapin’ Pennies. [Ep 124] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week on Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa crank the amps, dim the lights, and wave hello to the invisible guy in the trench coat taking notes from across the street. Lisa dives into the rumor-soaked paranoia buffet of Devo—a band so weird, so anti-normal, and so aggressively “we’re all devolving into meat robots” that the feds allegedly kept an eye on them like they were one synth line away from toppling the government. Was it the art? The message? The matching outfits? Or did someone in Washington simply fear the power of a plastic energy dome? Then Charles takes the mic and drags the Monkees into the surveillance spotlight—because apparently even America’s favorite manufactured pop band wasn’t safe once they started getting too mouthy and too independent. When you’re smiling for the cameras but saying the wrong things off-script, Big Brother doesn’t cancel you… he files you. It’s music history with a side of dread, paranoia, and government paperwork—because nothing says “freedom” like a federal employee building a case file titled: “Subject appears to be… funky.” Turn it up. Act normal. And remember: if you’re hearing feedback… it might not be your speaker. [Ep 123] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Some songs die with dignity. Others get dragged out of the grave by a 7-second video, a suspiciously sweaty dance trend, and a comment section full of people typing “WHAT IS THIS SONG???” like they just discovered music. In “Brought Back By Thirst Traps,” Charles and Lisa dig up the tracks that social media resurrected—songs that went from forgotten relic to algorithmic deity overnight. The kind of tunes that suddenly become more famous now than they ever were back when radio still mattered and people pretended they weren’t obsessed with strangers on the internet. We’re talking about the hits that got reborn through memes, edits, thirst traps, and “POV: you’re falling in love with a villain” montages—only to end up stuck in your head like a cursed chant you didn’t consent to. It’s dark. It’s hilarious. It’s a little tragic/significantly horny (emotionally). And it’s proof that in 2026, nothing stays dead… as long as someone can shake ass to it in perfect lighting. Welcome back to the graveyard, baby. The playlist is haunted. [Ep 122] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa head north of the border to untangle the most musically messy political bloodline Canada ever produced: the Trudeaus. First up, Papa Trudeau himself — Pierre Trudeau — the intellectual heartthrob who governed Canada by day and allegedly ran with rock stars by night. We dive into the long-whispered legend of Pierre’s rumored romance with Barbra Streisand, a pairing so aggressively artsy it may have required a beret and a mirror ball. Was it love, politics, or just two powerful egos colliding over candlelight and show tunes? Canada still won’t say. Then we jump generations to his son, Justin Trudeau, a man who looks like he was genetically engineered in a focus group. Charles and Lisa unpack the current buzz swirling around Justin and pop superstar Katy Perry — a story that lives somewhere between tabloid fantasy, internet conspiracy, and “wait… what?” energy. Along the way, we explore the bizarre gravitational pull between political power and musical fame, why Trudeaus keep orbiting artists like moths to a very glamorous flame, and how Canada somehow stays polite while all this is allegedly happening. It’s politics, pop music, rumors, relationships, and enough maple-syrup-flavored chaos to make you question everything you thought you knew about power couples. Trudeau… TrueDat! Because sometimes the wildest musician stories don’t start backstage — they start in parliament. [Ep 121] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Attention, maggots. In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa salute the strange, uncomfortable intersection of rock ’n’ roll and government-issued underwear. Lisa reports for duty with the story of Frank Zappa, whose brief flirtation with the military proved that no amount of discipline can survive contact with sarcasm, long hair, and a brain that refuses to salute. Expect tales of authority figures losing patience and Frank losing interest. Meanwhile, Charles digs into Johnny Cash, a man who joined the military, learned Morse code, possibly learned what not to do with military equipment, and then turned that experience into the emotional backbone of American music — after being politely shown the door. From boot camp boredom to command-level regret, G.I. Jams explores what happens when musicians are briefly forced to follow orders… and how quickly the armed forces realized this might’ve been a mistake. Lock, load, and listen — this episode is not approved by the Pentagon. [Ep 120] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be champagne, countdowns, and pretending your life is about to change. But in Jackalope Tales fashion, Charles and Lisa ring in the new year by dragging out the ghosts, glitches, and catastrophic vibes that show up when musicians tempt fate at midnight. Charles revisits the tragic and eerie final moments of Ricky Nelson, whose New Year’s Eve plans ended not with confetti, but with a plane crash that froze time and sealed a legend in the worst way possible. It’s dark, it’s sobering, and it’s the ultimate reminder that not everyone makes it to “Auld Lang Syne.” Meanwhile, Lisa takes us to a very different kind of disaster: Mariah Carey melting down live on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve when technical difficulties turned pop perfection into televised chaos. Lip-syncs died, dignity followed, and America watched in stunned, sparkling horror. From flaming wreckage to hot-mic humiliation, Balls-a-Droopin’ is our annual reminder that New Year’s Eve doesn’t care about your legacy, your vocal cords, or your survival instincts. So pour a drink, lower your expectations, and join us as we toast another year with stories that prove the ball isn’t the only thing that drops at midnight. [Ep 119] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Gather ’round the fire, spike your cocoa (or don’t—we won’t judge), and tuck in your little anarchists. This Christmas Eve, Charles and Lisa invite you into the warm, flickering glow of Jackalope Tales for a holiday tradition that definitely would’ve gotten you grounded as a kid. In ‘Twas the Night Before Punkmas, we read a beloved Christmas story… then drag it behind the venue, give it a leather jacket, and let it smoke behind the dumpster. Expect punk spirit, twisted nostalgia, and enough festive chaos to make Santa rethink his life choices. It’s cozy. It’s cruel. It’s Christmas—Jackalope Tales style. [Ep 118] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Part 2 of our descent into the beautiful chaos that is Marky Ray—and this time, the guitars don’t survive. In this episode, Marky pulls back the curtain on life on the road with Nine Inch Nails, where industrial rage wasn’t just a vibe, it was a line item in the budget. Hear how touring with Trent Reznor meant nightly onstage meltdowns, flying instruments, and Marky becoming less of a guitarist and more of a full-time guitar ER surgeon—repairing, replacing, and emergency-buying axes just to keep the show moving. Broken necks. Snapped strings. Shattered bodies (of guitars… mostly). And the unspoken rule: If Trent is in a mood, hide the vintage gear. Dark, hilarious, and louder than your tinnitus, this episode is a love letter to road warriors, techs, and anyone who’s ever watched a perfectly good instrument die for the art. Plug in, brace yourself, and remember: In industrial rock, the guitars are expendable. Be sure to click the link below to purchase Rock And Roll Mercenary by Marky Ray, a no-BS collection of insane road stories from deep inside the music world, told by someone who actually survived it. From legendary tours and volatile artists to shattered guitars, blown budgets, and backstage chaos, nothing is cleaned up or romanticized. It’s the brutal, hilarious truth about what really happens when rock ’n’ roll goes to work. [Ep 116] Link to Marky’s amazing book: https://ebay.us/m/ihHqRd Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Charles and Lisa crack open the tour-stained, whiskey-splashed saga of a true road warrior: Professor Marky Ray, Cleveland’s own Master of Music and the man lovingly (and fearfully) known as The Rock and Roll Mercenary. For five decades, Marky Ray has been everywhere—onstage, backstage, under the stage, lost behind the stage—and playing with more bands than most of us can name without passing out. A former member of Jim Rose Circus, The Lyres, the terrible parade, Death of Samantha, and New Salem Witch Hunters, Marky has performed, toured, and occasionally survived gigs alongside Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Butthole Surfers, The Cramps, The Pagans, Human Switchboard, Toadies, Die Warzau, and half the Lollapalooza lineup of ’91-’92. He’s a musician, artist, entertainer, emcee, voiceover chameleon, and the only man brave enough to front Akron’s own Walking Clampetts. These days he also wrangles 25+ bands as the Outdoor Stages Production Manager of the Tri-C JazzFest—because apparently he didn’t rack up enough chaos backstage in the first forty years. In Part 1, Marky joins Jackalope Tales to share his wildest stories, strangest encounters, and a few things we’re pretty sure should have stayed sealed in a road case. Dark, funny, and full of rock-and-roll shrapnel—don’t miss it. [Ep 116] Link to Marky’s amazing book: https://ebay.us/m/ihHqRd Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Charles and Lisa kick off the holiday season the only way they know how—by dragging a Salvation Army bucket straight into the shadows and shaking it like it owes them money. In Ring My Bell, your two favorite festive disasters dive into the strangely inspiring, mildly cursed world of musicians who got “discovered” while ringing that famous red kettle bell. Lisa takes on Jewel, whose icy Alaska backstory somehow gets even darker when you picture her serenading shoppers outside a Walmart while calculating which toes she might lose to frostbite and industry contracts. Then Charles rings in the holiday cheer with Cardi B, who made the Salvation Army bell sound less like charity and more like a warning alarm for everyone within a five-block radius. By the time she was done, the kettle wasn’t the only thing shaking, and let’s just say the “right people” noticing her were probably wondering if she came with a cyclone warning label. Together, Charles and Lisa unpack the mythology, the mayhem, and the absolute madness of musicians whose big break started with a bell, a bucket, and the sort of holiday chaos only Jackalope Tales can wrap in a bow and hand to you like the world’s most questionable gift. Get ready for jingles, scandals, and the kind of holiday spirit that definitely voids the warranty. [Ep 115] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Strap on your floaties and clutch your all-you-can-eat shrimp cocktails—because this week’s Jackalope Tales sets sail straight into the choppy waters of cruise-ship musical disasters. Charles dives head-first into the murky mystery of Taime Downe and the fiancée who “accidentally” went overboard. Was it a tragic fall? A drunken mishap? Or one of those classic music-industry cover-ups where everyone suddenly forgets how gravity works? The Jackalope is sniffing around, and the ocean starts looking real guilty. Then Lisa wades into the unbelievable but beautifully stupid tale of Trace Adkins, who ended up in a full-blown fistfight with… Trace Adkins. Yup. Turns out his cruise-ship doppelganger was a little too good at being Trace—better hair, better voice, better tips from the drunk moms at the pool bar. One thing led to another, and the real Trace handled it the only way a country star on a boat knows how: by trying to throw the clone off the Lido Deck. From missing lovers to identity theft brawls at sea, this episode proves one thing: If musicians are on a boat, it’s only a matter of time before someone goes overboard—literally or mentally. Hop aboard, Jackalope crew. This one’s a shipwreck you’ll want front-row seats for. [Ep 114] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this week’s darkly educational episode, Charles and Lisa unzip the fur suit and expose one of the music industry’s most ridiculous, poorly-kept secrets: when a label says a musician was “attacked by a bear,” it usually means the only wildlife involved was cocaine, bad decisions, and a manager who’s very tired. Lisa dives deep into the surprisingly furry folklore around Ian Astbury of The Cult — a man who absolutely looks like he could punch an actual bear, but whose “bear encounter” might’ve involved less forest and more backstage fridge contents. Meanwhile, Charles gives a grim, shadow-soaked look at the recently departed Sam Rivers, whose own “bear attack” story was so suspicious the bears themselves released a statement denying involvement. Charles explores how far labels will go to keep the truth hidden — including inventing new species of bears just to pin the blame. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s the only podcast brave enough to ask: If all these musicians are getting mauled… why aren’t there more bears on the charts? [Ep 113] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Things get bloody backstage this week on Jackalope Tales, where peace, love, and understanding take a beer bottle to the face. Charles swings first with the story of Finch vs. Disturbed, a chaotic tour that went from eyeliner to ER visit faster than you can say “Down with the Sickness.” He unpacks the night the emo kids and the muscle bros turned a rock show into a WWE tryout gone wrong. Meanwhile, Lisa dives knuckle-deep into Faith No More’s early years, when frontman Chuck Mosley’s fist met his bandmates more often than the microphone. From flying punches to failed interventions, she shows how the band’s signature sound might’ve been forged in black eyes and broken amps. It’s a darkly funny trip through the underbelly of band “chemistry” — where every hug might be a headlock, and every encore ends with a concussion. Jackalope Tales: Because sometimes the real battle of the bands happens after the show. [Ep 112] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Lisa and Charles dig through the dusty grooves on the flip side of the record—where the strangest and sometimes darkest stories hide. Lisa drops the needle on “Unchained Melody,” the iconic B side that soared without Phil Spector’s meddling hand—though he somehow strutted off with the credit anyway. She breaks down how one of the most romantic songs ever recorded was almost left spinning in obscurity. Then Charles takes things to a much darker groove with “Gloomy Sunday,” Billie Holiday’s haunting B side that earned its nickname as “the Hungarian Suicide Song.” He unravels the cursed history behind it and the tragic fate of its composer, whose life mirrored the song’s despair note for note. It’s an episode that proves the B side isn’t always second best—sometimes, it’s where the ghosts live. [Ep 111] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this chilling installment of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa turn up the volume on the darkest corners of the music world — songs inspired by real murders and serial killers. From haunting folk ballads that romanticize revenge to heavy metal confessions straight out of a crime scene, this episode dives into the stories that make you ask, “Wait… that song’s about what?” Continuing our Halloween month series, Jackalope Tales explores how musicians have turned horror into harmony. Tune in… if you dare. Jackalope Tales: where every track has a body count. [Ep 110] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Part of the Jackalope Tales Halloween Series Check into the Chelsea Hotel… if you dare. In this chilling installment of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa pull back the bloodstained curtains on the notorious New York landmark where creativity met calamity. From doomed lovers and deranged artists to rockstars who never quite checked out, the Chelsea’s halls have seen more than just poetry and paint — they’ve seen pure madness. Expect twisted tales of music’s darker guests, cursed songs, haunted rooms, and a few ghosts still waiting on room service. Continuing our October Halloween series, Chelsea You In Hell proves that some inspiration comes with a one-way ticket to the underworld. Tune in for the scandal, the spirits, and the songs that should’ve stayed in the walls. [Ep 109] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Charles and Lisa crank up the ghost stories and turn down the lights for another episode in our scary Halloween series. In Boohemian Rhapsody, the duo dives into the haunted homes of rock royalty and pop icons who found themselves sharing more than just chart-topping hits—they were sharing space with spirits. Charles chills us with the eerie encounters of Loretta Lynn, whose haunted Tennessee plantation made her more familiar with ghosts than groupies. Meanwhile, Lisa takes on Adele, whose London mansion was so spooky it made her wish she’d never bought it in the first place. It’s an episode where the only thing more haunted than the houses might be the music industry itself. [Ep 108] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This Halloween, Charles and Lisa slip on their velvet capes and light some black candles for a séance with the one and only Stevie Nicks—rock’s reigning witch. In The Hex Files, the duo digs into all the musicians who may have crossed Stevie and mysteriously paid the price. Was Lindsey Buckingham’s post-Fleetwood career hexed? Did Don Henley’s luck run out after their breakup? And what really happened to anyone who dared insult her shawl collection? Expect rumors, rituals, and ridiculousness as Charles and Lisa summon the dark energy of rock-and-roll revenge, complete with incense, sarcasm, and a little moonlight mayhem. Jackalope Tales—where legends get cursed, and laughter is the only protection spell you’ve got. [Ep 107] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Spooky season is in full swing on Jackalope Tales, and this October we’re handing out tricks, not treats. This week, we ride straight into the shadows with an episode all about musicians who died backstage. Charles unpacks the murder of Drakeo the Ruler, whose last show ended with flashing lights of a very different kind, while Lisa dives into the haunting story of Mark Sandman, the Morphine frontman who collapsed mid-set and never came back. It’s part true crime, part ghost story, and 100% Halloween-level creepy. Expect gallows humor, grim giggles, and enough macabre punchlines to make even the Grim Reaper crowd-surf. All October long, we’re bringing you the scary side of music — and this week, the encore is eternal. [Ep 106] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Lisa and Charles throw on their metaphorical spurs and hike straight into the wild frontier of country-cowboy chaos. First up: the never-ending rodeo that is Gavin Adcock vs. Zach Bryan — beer, boots, and beefs flying in all directions. Then, just when you think the dust has settled, Charley Crockett rides into the fray to stir the pot even more. It’s part feud, part folk tale, and part barroom brawl — all with that signature Jackalope snark. Expect cowboy hats, hurt egos, and more drama than a honky-tonk jukebox on fire. [Ep 105] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Things got messy on live TV — and we love it. In this episode, Charles revisits the infamous 1976 Sex Pistols interview with Bill Grundy, where Britain collectively clutched its pearls while punk officially announced itself to the world. Lisa brings the chaos stateside with the story of Jello Biafra and Tipper Gore going head-to-head on Oprah, turning daytime TV into a punk rock cage match over censorship, free speech, and the future of music. It’s spit, swears, and suburban moms fainting — just another day on Jackalope Tales. [Ep 104] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

When the punks said “tear it up,” they weren’t talking about the setlist. In this episode, Charles dives headfirst into the chaos of a Dead Kennedys tour where things spiraled so far out of control that even Jello Biafra found himself on the wrong end of punk justice—blood, boots, and betrayal. Meanwhile, Lisa unpacks a festival hosted by GBH that turned into an all-out war zone once the police showed up swinging. What started as a show became a street riot that blurred the line between concert and combat. It’s punks versus cops, bands versus mayhem, and somehow, the audience versus Jello. Buckle up—this encore doesn’t end with applause, it ends with sirens. [EP 103] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This Labor Day, Charles and Lisa are clocking in for overtime shade. In Happy Luber Day, they dig into the Diddy trial that promised fireworks but fizzled out like a damp sparkler. From the anticlimactic courtroom twists to the odd details that leaked out along the way, nothing is off limits. Join the jackalopes as they unpack the spectacle, laugh at the letdowns, and ask why all that build-up led to a finish flatter than day-old champagne. [EP 102] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

It finally happened—Jackalope Tales hit the big leagues: episode 101. That’s right, not only did we survive 100 episodes without getting sued, canceled, or abducted by aliens, but we’re still here keepin’ it hundid. In this special celebration, Charles and Lisa pull back the curtain on the origin of the podcast, share some of their favorite bizarre and darkly funny episodes, and reveal the chaos (and questionable life choices) that go into making this thing every week. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, a few regrets, and more than a couple laughs at our own expense. Because if we’ve learned anything from 101 episodes, it’s that jackalopes may be mythical—but the mess is real. [EP 101] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa explore the musical equivalent of signing your own death certificate: inking a deal with a major label. Charles dives into the heartbreaking saga of Badfinger—where bad contracts, greed, and tragedy turned one of rock’s brightest hopes into a cautionary tale. Lisa shifts gears to the underground, showing how the raw power of bands like Drive Like Jehu and Rocket From The Crypt fizzled once they got pulled into the major label machine. It’s an episode about ambition, betrayal, and how the wrong “big break” can break you for good. [EP 100] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Some performers leave the stage to thunderous applause. Others are escorted out by security while the crowd wonders if this is part of the act. In this episode, Lisa spills the hay-bale-scented tea on Dylan Marlowe, who somehow managed to get booted from a country music festival where he was supposed to be working. Meanwhile, Charles saddles up with tales of Waylon Jennings—legend, outlaw, and apparently a repeat offender when it comes to getting thrown out of his own gigs. It’s a honky-tonk parade of bad decisions, big egos, and backstage exits you don’t come back from. [EP 99] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this spellbinding episode, Lisa and Charles grab their crystal balls and dive broom-first into the long, glittering trail of scorched bridges left behind by the one and only Stevie Nicks. From bandmates she’s hexed with silent treatments to fellow musicians she’s publicly shaded harder than a total eclipse, Stevie’s enemies list is longer than a Rumors tour rider. We break down her frosty fallout with Lindsey, that mysterious feud with modern pop princesses, and the time she allegedly summoned a demon just to keep Christine McVie from ordering shrimp. And speaking of curses—Lisa and Charles share the true, humiliating story of how the lead singer of the Toadies accidentally doomed their one and only chance at meeting Stevie in Hollywood. Spoiler alert: it involved alcohol, poor timing, and a boho neck burrito. So grab your shawl, draw a pentagram in your frothiest latte, and join us for Witch, Please!—because Stevie’s got beef, and we’ve got receipts. [EP 98] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week on Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa unzip the lip-syncing scandal vault in Our Lips Are Sealed. Charles revisits the Mamas and the Papas’ chaotic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, where Michelle Phillips famously “sang” into a banana—yes, a real banana. But it wasn’t just stoner antics or 60s weirdness. It was a middle finger with a peel, aimed at the man who made her life hell offstage. Then Lisa dives into the tragic saga of Milli Vanilli, two dancers with dreams who thought they’d be singing to the world—only to find out they were just pretty faces in someone else’s soundtrack. Contracts were signed, songs were mimed, and Grammy history was made… and unmade. It’s a tale of deception, denial, and the dark side of keeping up appearances in the music biz. Sometimes the mic is off—but the drama is very, very live. [EP 97] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week, Charles and Lisa dive headfirst into the cigarette-scorched, mob-adjacent world of one of rock’s most feared figures: Don Arden. If Satan had a cigar budget and a talent roster, it might’ve looked a lot like this guy’s. In “Thy Will Be Don,” we unravel the shady empire of the man who managed Black Sabbath with a clenched fist and a loaded pistol. From dangling people out of windows to threatening journalists, Don didn’t just break the rules—he lit them on fire. Oh, and did we mention he tried to destroy his own daughter’s marriage to Ozzy Osbourne? Come for the music industry gossip, stay for the full-on family feud. This one’s got sabotage, lawsuits, and a guy who thought “artist development” meant “get in the car or else.” It’s rock history soaked in paranoia and petrol—because when Don Arden said “trust me”, you probably ended up in a trunk. Listen now—before he hears you did. [EP 96] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Welcome to Jackalope Tales, the podcast where music myths, legends, and label lies come to life. In this episode, Signed, Sealed, Screwed, we dive into the devil’s fine print—the kind that turned platinum records into lifelong prison sentences for the very artists who made them. Charles tells the truly absurd tale of John Fogerty, the man who was literally sued for plagiarizing himself after losing the rights to his own songs. Yes, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s frontman had to stand trial for sounding too much like… Fogerty. Lisa takes us into the purple labyrinth of Prince, the icon who spent decades battling Warner Bros. over ownership of his music. From face tattoos to name changes to scrawling “slave” on his cheek, Prince didn’t just fight back—he made rebellion an art form. From courtroom battles to contractual curses, this one’s for every artist who’s ever signed the dotted line… and then watched it bleed. [EP 95] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Welcome to Jackalope Tales, where the only thing taller than our stories is the pile of lies musicians tell their fans. In this episode, Lisa dives into a Swiss band’s grand hoax: they convinced Phishheads that they were the band Phish themselves—undercover, incognito, and performing as a made-up alter ego. Chaos, confusion, and cult-like devotion ensued. Meanwhile, Charles rips the mask off Ryan Adams’ tangled web of deception: from playing the perpetual victim to the moment the real stories surfaced—stories that exposed his lies and left his reputation in smoldering ruins. Pack your gullibility and prepare to question everything: this is the episode where the truth goes to die. [EP 94] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Is that Elvis Presley belting out “Jailhouse Rock” from a pulpit in rural Arkansas? Did Tupac really die, or did he just multiply? In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Lisa wades into the swampy legend of a small-town preacher who insists he’s the King himself – sideburns, swagger, and all. Meanwhile, Charles dives headfirst into a sea of self-proclaimed Tupacs, from conspiracy-loving club promoters to folks who swear they’ve got “Makaveli” tattooed on their soul. It’s an episode packed with impersonators, wishful thinkers, and the unkillable myth of rock stars who refuse to stay dead. Don’t miss Rock Ness – because some legends just won’t sink. [EP 93] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week on Jackalope Tales, we crank up the static and tune into two rumors that blew up online louder than a dial-up modem at 3 AM. Charles digs deep into the endless game of social media telephone that turned Bruce Springsteen — a man who’s spent half a century on stage — into a punchline for tour cancellations he never even planned. Did The Boss cancel a ghost tour? Did he retire ten times last week? Charles tries to separate rumor from reality, though rumor seems to be winning. Meanwhile, Lisa crosses oceans and dives headfirst into the salacious gossip vortex that tried to smear Black Pink with prostitution rumors — stories so flimsy they make tabloid headlines look Pulitzer-worthy. From shady “insiders” to obsessive fan wars, Lisa unpacks how a few tweets can spin a global K-pop juggernaut into a scandal that never was. Tune in for scandal, confusion, and a few more reasons to mute your notifications — only on Jackalope Tales. [EP 92] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

In this episode of Jackalope Tales, Lisa and Charles sharpen their shears and take aim at pop industry puppet master Scooter Braun — or as they like to call him, the world’s most polite snake in a thousand-dollar suit. Lisa kicks things off with the sad, weird saga of Lil Twist — the young rapper who went from being Justin Bieber’s BFF to Bieber’s personal fall guy, blamed for DUIs, wild parties, and basically any tabloid mess Scooter didn’t want splashed on his golden boy. Twist did the time so Bieber could keep doing the crime — and Scooter kept the PR machine spinning. Then Charles turns up the dark by diving into the rumor that Scooter nearly wrecked Demi Lovato’s sobriety for the sake of platinum singles. Picture it: Demi, freshly sober, surrounded by handlers who “just want her to relax” — except those handlers work for Scooter, and a relaxed, tipsy Demi writes better heartbreak songs. Or so they say. Two cautionary tales of loyalty, betrayal, and what happens when you trust the manager instead of your gut. Grab your headphones — it’s time to Neuter Scooter. [EP 91] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X.com, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

This week on Jackalope Tales, we dive face-first into the chaos of two music festivals that went completely off the rails—in the best possible way. Lisa takes us back to Lollapalooza ’92, when the Jim Rose Circus was turning stomachs and pushing limits. We’re talking human blockheads, electric nipples, and a backstage challenge between Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, and Al Jourgensen involving a beverage so foul it makes Malört look classy: bile beer—a fermented monstrosity brewed with love (and actual bile) by one of Jim Rose’s sideshow sadists. Then Charles heads to the rainy streets of Seattle for a punk-infused legend from Bumbershoot. Rumor has it The Ramones weren’t impressed with the event’s flower-child security vibes and may have “gently suggested” that the city bring in the Hells Angels to give the festival a proper edge. Did Bumbershoot accidentally become a biker bar with funnel cake? You be the judge. Freaky drinks, punk diplomacy, and a whole lot of questionable decisions—this one’s got it all. [EP 90]   Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney

Ever wonder what it costs to book a rockstar to sing you into matrimony? Spoiler: it’s more than your house. In this week’s episode of Jackalope Tales, Charles and Lisa wade through the diamond-studded swamp of celebrity wedding gigs—where the only thing more uncomfortable than the vows is the paycheck. Charles dives into the surreal fever dream that was Elton John performing at Rush Limbaugh’s wedding—a union so strange it practically summoned the antichrist. From liberal icon to right-wing serenader, Elton pocketed a reported million bucks to croon “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to a crowd that probably couldn’t. Meanwhile, Lisa unpacks the equally cursed tale of Adam Levine and Maroon 5 getting flown to Paris to perform at the wedding of a Texas heiress who hates Paris. The band, the Eiffel Tower, the floral arrangements—none of it matched the vibe, but the check cleared, so Adam sang like his rent was due. We’re talking unholy unions, musical mercenaries, and the kind of rich-people nonsense that turns wedding receptions into pop-up Coachellas. It’s love. It’s capitalism. It’s Jackalope Tales. [EP 89] Become a J-Lope and follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and check out our YouTube page for more exclusive content! Produced by: Charles Mooney Executive Producers: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Original Music by: Charles Mooney and Lisa Umbarger Kazoo Solo by: Courtney Mooney