Jokermen

The Jokermen forge on into the 90s with Brian Wilson's never-released second solo record Sweet Insanity, the final document of the Eugene Landy era. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON WATCH THE DIANE SAWYER INTERVIEW ON YOUTUBE

The Jokermen sift through the wreckage of the Beach Boys in the 1980s to identify the best songs of the decade. LISTEN TO "THAT SONG MAKES ME FEEL SPIRITUAL: BEST OF THE BEACH BOYS IN THE 1980s" on Spotify SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON

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The Jokermen speak with Darian Sahanaja and Jim Laspesa of the Brian Wilson Band about the incredible tour they're on with Al Jardine, the beauty and honesty of The Beach Boys Love You, the excitement around the shows, the new generation of Beach Boys fans, the Lemon Twigs, Norbit, Andy Paley, the upcoming Love You/Adult Child box set, hunting for SMiLE bootlegs, deep-cut early Beach Boys favorites, and much more. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON

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The Jokermen review the twisted tale leading up to the release of Brian Wilson's debut solo album and the rogue's gallery of associated individuals, including Dr. Eugene Landy, Gary Usher, the "Surf Nazis," Melinda Ledbetter, Bob Dylan, Andy Paley, Seymour Stein, Lenny Waronker, and Michael Love—author of the infamous speech at the 1988 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. "BRIAN WILSON" (1988) EPISODE COMING THURSDAY ON THE JOKERMEN PATREON

Ian speaks with Cate Le Bon about being sought out by John Cale, producing Deerhunter, Devendra Banhart, and Wilco albums, taking time to make the music she needed to make, titles, screaming fans in San Francisco, and her excellent new record, Michelangelo Dying. FOLLOW CATE ON INSTAGRAM "MICHELANGELO DYING" OUT FRIDAY 9/26

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Buck Meek returns to Jokermen for a conversation about living through the Los Angeles fires, recording live in a room with trusted friends and collaborators, Laraaji's powerful zither/iPad loadout, continuing to believe in rock and roll, reaching a new state of equilibrium in Big Thief, and their beautiful new record, Double Infinity. LISTEN TO "DOUBLE INFINITY" FOLLOW BUCK ON INSTAGRAM

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The Jokermen review two very different Beach Boys artifacts from the mid 80s: the 25 Years Together television special and the An American Band documentary. Plus: A&W Ice Cream Sundae Soda. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON WATCH THE "25 YEARS TOGETHER" SPECIAL WATCH "AN AMERICAN BAND"

Ian chats with Meg Duffy about the difference (or lack thereof) between an EP and an LP, working with Blake Mills & Daniel Aged, establishing a solo career while collaborating with other artists, the challenge of writing love songs, bridging the gap between hip non-binary kids and ponytailed guitar guys, and their excellent new Hand Habits record. LISTEN TO "BLUE REMINDER" FOLLOW MEG ON INSTAGRAM

The Jokermen consider the first post-Dennis Wilson effort from The Beach Boys, The Beach Boys (1985). Plus: A&W Zero Sugar Root Beer. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

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The Jokermen rendezvous with Van Dyke Parks, Joel Chandler Harris, Uncle Remus, Br'er Rabbit, David Newman, and the Brave Little Toaster for a conversation about American myth, cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation, and having respect for your audience. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

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The Jokermen read several Wikipedia pages to one another while discussing the second and final Carl Wilson solo LP. Plus: Zevia Root Beer. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

Evan is joined by Cory Hanson for a chat about songwriting, audio fidelity, Steely Dan, Jimmy Buffet, a memorable encounter with Lou Reed, and the making of his new album on Drag City “I Love People” co-produced by Robbie Cody LISTEN TO "I LOVE PEOPLE" FOLLOW CORY ON INSTAGRAM

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The Jokermen commence the Brian Wilson solo series with a look at the legendary Cocaine Sessions. "It's always darkest just before the dawn." LISTEN TO "THE COCAINE SESSIONS" ON YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON

Ian speaks with Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, directors of HBO's new Billy Joel documentary And So It Goes, about telling the story of the Piano Man, Billy's relationships with critics and women, Susan's experience making No Direction Home with Bob Dylan and Martin Scorsese, and more. WATCH "AND SO IT GOES" TONIGHT ON HBO

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The Jokermen discuss the other Beach Boys solo debut from 1981, which may or may not be worse than "Looking Back With Love." Plus: Sun Sip Root Beer. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

Evan is joined once again by John Tottenham to discuss The Fall—this time their 1980 album Grotesque (After The Gramme)—as well as John’s debut novel SERVICE, out now from Semiotext(e). BUY "SERVICE" NOW

The Jokermen remark further on the passing of Brian Wilson before looking back with love on Mike Love's first three solo efforts (only one of which was actually released). Plus: a combo Club Kokomo/Root Beer Report. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES

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Ian speaks to Meg Remy of U.S. Girls about opting out of online, working with the great Charlie McCoy, making a "Nashville record," failing to see Patti Smith, and her excellent new album Scratch It. LISTEN TO "SCRATCH IT" CATCH U.S. GIRLS ON TOUR

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On the occasion their fifth anniversary, the Jokermen reflect on the growth of the podcast, the meaning of Jokermen Mindset, and half a decade of Good Music. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES

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The Jokermen offer a brief tribute to Brian Douglas Wilson, who passed away today at the age of 82.

The Jokermen arrive in Sweethaven to discuss, by way of Van Dyke Parks, a true piece of Mindset Cinema: Robert Altman's POPEYE (1980). SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

Evan is joined by Dan Wriggins of Friendship to free-associate about the group’s excellent new album, "Caveman Wakes Up." FOLLOW FRIENDSHIP ON INSTAGRAM LISTEN TO "CAVEMAN WAKES UP"

The Jokermen bravely forge ahead into the maw of The Beach Boys in the 1980s. Plus: Jones Root Beer. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

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The Jokermen construct their most difficult "Best of" playlist yet: The Beach Boys in the 1970s. There's simply too much good music. Plus: another Club Kokomo Report. Listen to SO HARD TO LIFT THE JEWELED SCEPTER: BEST OF THE BEACH BOYS IN THE 1970s on Spotify

Evan is joined by director Eugene Kotlyarenko to discuss his dazzling new film The Code, the role of truth in art, the humanity of digital surveillance, Columbia Recording Artist Bob Dylan and much more. FOLLOW EUGENE ON INSTAGRAM

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The Jokermen explain their logic heading into this latest summer miniseries and take their first tentative steps into the wonderful world of William Joel. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ALL FUTURE EPISODES OF OUR BILLY JOEL SERIES

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The Jokermen discuss L.A. (Light Album), an appropriately uneven close to an uneven decade of work from The Beach Boy. Plus: Liquid Death Root Beer Wrath. SUBSCRIBE TO JOKERMEN ON PATREON FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AD-FREE

The Jokermen assess Mike Love's mercifully brief stint as frontman of Celebration and their three unforgettable albums: the Almost Summer Official Soundtrack, Celebration, and—last but not least—Disco Celebration. WATCH "ALMOST SUMMER" LISTEN TO "CELEBRATION" LISTEN TO "DISCO CELEBRATION"

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Ian chats with Julia Cumming and Nick Kivlen of Sunflower Bean about sharing a stage with The Beach Boys, the brilliance of Smiley Smile, learning how to make being in a rock band work, existing outside the standard genre paradigm, hanging on to your ego, Bob Dylan as the ultimate Boomer, and their killer new record, Mortal Primetime. LISTEN TO "MORTAL PRIMETIME" CATCH SUNFLOWER BEAN ON TOUR

Like what you hear? SUBSCRIBE TO NEVER ENDING STORIES NOW FOR ACCESS TO ALL EPISODES AND BOOTLEGS ~ March 18th, 2024 Crown Theater Fayetteville, NC The Players Bob Dylan: vocals, harp, piano Bob Britt: guitar Doug Lancio: guitar Donnie Herron: violin, mandolin, pedal steel Jerry Pentecost: drums Tony Garnier: bass

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