Oh, the nerve of the season, the audacious charade,
Of this barber shop simulation where reality’s frayed!
I plopped in a chair, unassuming and tame,
In this den of shears and holiday fame.
With old barbers tending, and old carols a-playing,
The sort of tunes that leave your spirit decaying.
Oh, the pomp and the fuss, the ho-ho-humbug so trite,
In a soundtrack that’s anything but merry or bright.
But then came the moment—oh, you wouldn't believe!
A riff so electric, it made me perceive
A fracture! A tear! In the fabric of fate—
It was Halford’s Donner & Blitzen! My confusion was great.
The barbers snipped on, not a soul banged a head,
As the anthem of metal filled me with dread.
Was I the only one who could hear the intrusion?
Was this a glitch in our grand illusion?
And when the song ended, back to yule-tide’s bore,
The hoary old jingles returned once more.
Oh, simulation, you sly, cunning beast,
To slip Rob Halford into this stuffy feast.
So I ask you now, was it code or was it cheer?
Did the matrix hiccup or was my mind unclear?
Either way, dear reader, I’ll cherish this glitch,
For even a Grinch loves a good metal switch. 🎄🤘

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EP 2024: The New Dad Rock Forever: A 2024 Mixtape

In this milestone episode, Steve and Keith look back on their favorite music of 2024, celebrating the sounds that defined the year while pondering how their ever-evolving tastes reflect the state of New Dad Rock. From iconic returns to boundary-breaking debuts, this episode is a whirlwind tour through a wildly eclectic musical landscape.

🎵 Their Top 24 of 2024:

1. The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
2. The Osees - SORCS 80
3. The Hard Quartet (Debut Album)
4. Ye - Vultures 1 & 2
5. Beak>>>>
6. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - Flight B741
7. Blood Incantation - Absolute Everywhere
8. 21 Pilots - Clancy
9. Shaboozey - Where I've Been Isn't Where I'm Going
10. Hawkwind - Stories of Time and Space
11. Arab Strap - I Am Totally Fine With It and Don't Give a F&% Anymore*
12. Charli XCX - Brat
13. Joey Valence & Brae - No Hands
14. Tyler the Creator - Chromakopia
15. Kendrick Lamar - GNX
16. HARDY - Quit!
17. Karkara - All Is Dust
18. Oranssi Pazuzu - Muuntautuja
19. Haunted Plasma (Debut Album)
20. Idles - TANGK
21. Jesus Lizard - Rack
22. Post Malone - F1 Trillion
23. ISaintJames - This Could Be
24. Ween - Chocolate & Cheese Deluxe Edition

With the usual banter, tangents, and dad jokes, Steve and Keith tackle the big question: Is The New Dad Rock still evolving, or are we just reliving our glory days in a modern guise?

🎶 Sit back, crank up the volume, and join us for this musical journey through 2024.

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1993—The Year Dad Rock Cemented Its Legacy

Steve and Keith crank up the time machine to 1993, revisiting the year where grunge, alt-rock, and indie collided in an explosion of creativity. From late-night dorm radio at WGSU to the first season of Beavis & Butthead, they uncover the cultural threads that tied their formative music experiences together. This episode is packed with tales of Chapel Hill bands like Superchunk and Archers of Loaf, discovering Quicksand’s Slip alongside Helmet and KMFDM, and the unforgettable oddity of Ween performing on MTV Spring Break hosted by Pauly Shore.

The duo also dives into seminal albums from 1993 that continue to hold a special place in their hearts:

• In Utero by Nirvana, a raw and unfiltered masterpiece.
• Vs. by Pearl Jam, where rock met introspection.
• Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins, anthemic and lush.
• Slip by Quicksand, blending post-hardcore and alt-metal.
• Boces by Mercury Rev, a kaleidoscopic psych experiment.

They touch on genre-defining moments like Rage Against the Machine’s politically charged fury, the rise of Beck’s Loser, the enduring mystique of Tom Waits’ The Black Rider, and Phish’s Rift. They also review the latest from The Cure: Songs of a Lost World.

Tune in and take a trip back to 1993, when dad rock was evolving, and The New Dad Rock was just beginning to take shape.

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In Episode 92 of The New Dad Rock, Steve and Keith take a deep dive back into 1992, a year that arguably defined the dawn of dad rock. This was the year that grunge hit mainstream radio, MP3s were born, and Lollapalooza was the place to be, with acts like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Ice Cube, and Ministry. As they journey through memories of late-night concerts and cheap beers in Central Park, they reflect on iconic moments and albums that shaped the era.

Steve and Keith remember wild concerts like GWAR’s chaotic "America Must Be Destroyed" tour and the second Lollapalooza. They relive the sounds of bands like Nirvana, whose rise was unstoppable, and reflect on albums that have become dad-rock staples like Automatic for the People by R.E.M., Eric Clapton’s Unplugged, and Dirt by Alice in Chains. They also touch on lesser-known gems: The Afghan Whigs’ Congregation, PJ Harvey’s Dry, and Sonic Youth’s Dirty.

With their usual banter, Steve and Keith bring the sounds and vibes of ’92 back to life, giving a tour of the soundtrack of their youth—when Pavement, Radiohead, Beck, and Rage Against the Machine were just beginning to shape the musical landscape. So, pop in your earbuds and take a trip back in a time when rock was raw and dad rock was just getting started.

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In this episode of The New Dad Rock, Steve and Keith dive into the transformative year of 1990, a time when music was in flux, much like Steve’s transition from high school to college. They review new music from The Jesus Lizard, Mercury Rev, and Chappell Roan, but the heart of the episode is a look back at the iconic releases of 1990.

Expect deep discussions about:

• Queensrÿche’s Empire
• Iron Maiden’s No Prayer for the Dying
• Megadeth’s Rust in Peace
• Judas Priest’s Painkiller
• Slayer’s Seasons in the Abyss
• Anthrax’s Persistence of Time
• Jane’s Addiction’s Ritual de lo Habitual
• Primus’ Frizzle Fry

With King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard touring, The Pavements documentary, and Will Sergeant's book in mind, they also reflect on the changing music landscape that paved the way for the upcoming grunge explosion.

The episode touches on key themes like whether metal was running out of steam or just evolving, while also covering some big pop culture moments of 1990, including MTV’s Unplugged debut, The Simpsons series launch, and Pearl Jam’s first live show (then known as Mookie Blaylock).

Steve and Keith reminisce about what they were listening to back then, from N.W.A. on the way to Taco Bell to the inescapable chart-toppers like MC Hammer and The Black Crowes. Tune in for a trip down memory lane and see what music from 1990 still holds up today!

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In this episode of The New Dad Rock, Steve and Keith turn back the clock to explore the rich and diverse musical landscape of 1989—a year that was anything but a blank space. While Taylor Swift might have reimagined "1989" in her own style, we're diving into the original sounds that defined the end of a decade.

The duo kicks off by introducing new music from Joey Valence & Brae, drawing parallels between the fresh sounds of today and the innovative tracks of '89, setting the stage for a deep dive into a pivotal year in music history.

Steve and Keith explore Nirvana's debut album "Bleach", discussing its raw energy and how it laid the groundwork for the grunge movement. They revisit Madonna's "Like a Prayer", examining its controversial themes and undeniable impact on pop culture.

The conversation heats up as they delve into the world of thrash metal with Testament's "Practice What You Preach", Exodus's "Fabulous Disaster", Laaz Rockit's aggressive riffs, and Overkill's "The Years of Decay". They don't miss a beat, touching on King Diamond's haunting "Conspiracy", and discussing the rise of Sepultura and Annihilator's "Alice in Hell".

Switching gears, they celebrate the timeless appeal of Tom Petty's "Full Moon Fever" and the unforgettable soundtrack of Prince's "Batman", which added a musical dimension to the iconic film. The duo reminisces about Chris Isaak's haunting "Wicked Game" and the sultry vibes it brought to the airwaves.

They groove to the alternative beats of Love and Rockets' "So Alive", The B-52s' infectious "Love Shack" and "Roam", and the psychedelic sounds of The Stone Roses. The punk ethos of Fugazi's "13 Songs" and the industrial edge of Nine Inch Nails' "Pretty Hate Machine" and Ministry's "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste" also make the cut.

Steve and Keith delve into The Cure's melancholic masterpiece "Disintegration" and Depeche Mode's influential "Violator", discussing how these albums shaped the goth and synth-pop scenes. They share their admiration for Faith No More's "The Real Thing", Red Hot Chili Peppers' energetic "Mother's Milk", and Primus's quirky debut "Suck on This".

The episode wouldn't be complete without a nod to the rising stars of the era, including Sick of It All's hardcore anthem "Blood, Sweat, and No Tears", and the Beastie Boys' genre-blending genius on "Paul's Boutique". They also touch upon the phenomenon of Milli Vanilli's "Girl You Know It's True" and the controversy that followed.

Amid the rich musical tapestry, they reflect on The Ramones' "Brain Drain", signaling the endurance of punk rock. They discuss how bands like Metal Church with "Blessing in Disguise" and Skinny Puppy's "Rabies" pushed the boundaries of metal and industrial music.

Join Steve and Keith as they reminisce about 1989—a year of musical diversity and innovation that continues to influence artists today. This is not Taylor Swift's 1989; this is the original soundtrack of a generation.

Let us know what’s up.

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Did you know that The New Dad Rock has swag? Coffee mugs, pillow and t-shirts in a multitude of colors and arm lengths.