Hall Watchers

We're back for a hot minute with a casual episode where we discuss everything from the Rock Hall, social media, mental health and the Insane Clown Posse. Grab some snacks and let's chat!

Does “hair metal” belong in the Rock Hall? Inspired by Tom Beaujour and Richard Bienstock’s book “Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion,” we dare to lobby for bands from the ultimate decade of excess for Rock Hall induction.

Will Jay-Z show up? Will the Rock Hall dare to make ceremony time for Singles? Will Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" be the all-star jam? We do what we do best and wildly speculate about what the upcoming Rock Hall 2021 ceremony will look like.

Today we discuss 12 artists from our Induct The Pioneers project who we believe should be inducted under the Early Influence category at the Rock Hall. 

Today we review this summer's critical darling and feel-good documentary 'Summer of Soul', directed by Questlove. Join us as we discuss the music performances, fashion and sociopolitical themes depicted in the film. And awards? All we can say to Questlove is, are you ready? 

40 years ago a “new concept in television” was born and changed the music industry as we know it. Join us for a nostalgic look at the night MTV launched and hear us recap its first two hours of airtime, technical difficulties and all. We react to the first 25 videos ever played, discuss how John Sykes might influence the Rock Hall’s treatment of MTV artists, lay out why the Rock Hall should “Induct the VJs” and also reflect on MTV’s legacy.

We’re leaving for our summer break with a super-sized episode that might be our most honest yet. We discuss how we feel now about the Rock Hall 2021 class, lobby critique at the discourse online in our community, talk about sexism and speculate on the future of the podcast.

It's here, and all we can say is wow! Join us as Mary surprises Eric with the Rock Hall class of 2021, and hear our reactions to the class, the categories and the snubs. 

Which artists are about to be immortalized in Cleveland? Will the fan vote winner get in? What’s love got to do with it? Join us this week as we answer all these questions, and talk through Eric’s predictions for the Rock Hall Class of 2021.

This week we take a break from Rock Hall chat to discuss and recommend 10 artists we’ve been listening to lately. We discuss country darling Mickey Guyton, cosmic tripsters Sun Ra and Julian Cope, R&B goddess Jazmine Sullivan and many more. It’s a classy, bougie, ratchet kind of episode.

Their '90s contemporaries are waltzing right in (Green Day, and most likely, Foo Fighters), so it's time to discuss the legendary Weezer and their Rock Hall destiny. To quote "Getchoo," this is beginning to be serious.

Join us for our final in person Rock Hall ceremony look back, where we look back at our experience at Rock Hall 2018! We talk about our special trip to the museum, the excitement of meeting some fellow Rock Hall watchers and our experience at the ceremony. 

This week’s trip down memory lane puts us back in Cleveland for the Rock Hall 2015 ceremony. We reminisce about the induction performances, fondly remember Bill Withers' comedy bit, talk about the Beatles reunion and how “it don’t come easy” sitting through multiple lengthy speeches.

We continue our ceremony flashback series by looking back at our experience at Rock Hall 2013, and all we can say is “I Love L.A.!” We talk about some of the historical happenings that were going on during the ceremony weekend, talk about all of the induction performances and fondly remember one of the greatest All-Star jams we’ve seen.

Cue Huey Lewis because today we’re gonna go back in time to the Rock Hall 2012. We discuss our first time attending a Rock Hall ceremony, what we thought of each inductee and their performance and our first impressions of the Rock Hall museum.

In 1961 a group of young men from Hawthorne with soaring harmonies created the California Sound and with it, one of the most important musical legacies in history. Today we celebrate 60 years of the Beach Boys by discussing their humble beginnings, our favorite songs, our pilgrimage to Hawthorne and their Rock Hall induction.  

Today, Eric surprises Mary with nominees for the Rock Hall class of 2021. The coffee is hot, the emotions are high and the swears are flying. You don't want to miss a moment! (Well except maybe the screams).

Class is in session, and today we have Portland-area school teacher Wes Gabrielsen, who talks about how he's brought the Rock Hall into the classroom and what artists speak to the younger generation. We also discuss his biggest Rock Hall snubs and because we can’t help ourselves, the Singles category.

Today we review a variety of music-related documentaries, shows and movies we’ve seen recently including: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, One Night in Miami, Selena: The Series and The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.

From the ashes of the Stonewall Riots rose a civil rights movement, and a band that challenged people’s perceptions of masculinity followed in its wake. Today we discuss The Village People’s career, their role in bringing queer culture to mainstream audiences, and their enduring legacy in American pop culture. We also discuss whether these macho men have a place in the Rock Hall.