Verbal Shenanigans

So excited to bring this one to you today.  For the second time, Travis Stever, guitarist of Coheed and Cambria and L.S. Dunes, joins us on the podcast.  Travis is both hilarious and intelligent, and one hell of of guitar player.  We dive deep into everything from balancing two bands, balancing personal and family life while touring, the creative process, and what the state of of Coheed is over 20 years later.  We even squeeze in some great fan questions.  Go check out Coheed and Cambria's Vaxis III: The Father of Make Believe along with L.S. Dunes new album, Violet, today!   In addition to interviewing a member of Scott's favorite band, the guys finally meet in person as they dive into some of Scott's trip to visit Mike.  If you thought Mike was insane before, strap in and have a listen!

Today, we have a lumberchat with Matt Slingerland, a competitive lumberjack and standout competitor at the STIHL Timbersports U.S. Championship. We dive into a whole lot with Matt, including growing up in a lumberjack legacy, the life of a competitive lumberjack, the future of the sport, preparing to compete, and what it's like to be on team USA.  Matt was a great interview, and fun laid back guy.  Can he top Burlew on describing some difficult lumberjack terms?  Have a listen and find out!   We also chat about the loss of Brian Wilson, and dive into an amazing story written by a young Burlew  nearly 4 decades ago, entitled, The Bionic Stooges Part 1.

This week is sure to make you start skanking in your living room.  In this vibrant episode, we chat with Monique Powell, the spirited frontwoman of ska-punk icons Save Ferris. Monique dives into the band’s journey from DIY roots to their ‘90s hit “Come On Eileen,” sharing tales of legal battles, their triumphant return with new singles like “Get Dancing,” and her enduring passion for music. A must-listen for fans and ska enthusiasts!   We also talk about Scott being a giant phony in church, Mike losing his title of lordship, and Scott plays a fun game involving But Stuff.  Have a listen!

People say that listening to our show is like watching bottles gather rain.  But not today! Join us for an exclusive chat with Christopher Thorn, guitarist and co-founder of '90s alt-rock legends Blind Melon! We dive into the band’s rise with hits like “No Rain" and why it was a double edged sword, the creative process behind their iconic albums, and the legacy of Shannon Hoon. Christopher shares stories from the road, insights on the All I Can Say documentary, his work at Fireside Sound Studio, and the rebirth of Blind Melon.  Chris was such a great interview, and an even better guy.   A must listen for all Blind Melon fans, past, present, and future.    We also talk about Burlew holidays, Mike's trip to UFL football,possibly purchasing a piece of history, and play a ridiculous game called, "Is it blind or melon?"  Have a listen!

We are going out of this world this week as we sit down with Lord Buckethead, the galaxy’s favorite bucket-wearing political satirist! Out of retirement for our show, Lord Buckethead joins to chat about taking on UK prime ministers to viral fame, he shares cosmic wit, manifesto gems, and intergalactic takes on Earth’s chaos.    David Hughes, writer and film critic, who is the current Lord Buckethead, let's us on in how he became his Lordship, his podcast and movie review work, and his work for Empire and Time Out.     We also get weird as always as Mike talks about attending a freak off, something called Nada-Chair, and Mike must play a game to see if he too could be considered a lord.    Have a listen!    

We've never used a blimp to promote our show, but our guest certainly has used one to promote his. Only, his show featured Pink Floyd.  Today, we are joined by the legendary, Paul Rappaport, aka "Rap".  With over 30 years at Columbia Records, Paul has worked with everybody from Pink Floyd, to Bob Dylan, to Bruce Springsteen, to the Rolling Stones.  We cover a lot with Paul from his early career, to playing on stage with Pink Floyd, to shooting a high powered laser across LA, and breaking Alice in Chain's "Man in the Box".  Paul had tremendous stories, which many can be found in his great new book, Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay, and the Art of Rock Promotion.     We also learn about a very strange music festival Mike attended, Mike brags about his sperm, and Scott's son has some interesting theories on turtles.  Another great week.  Have a listen!

We love bringing on young, up and coming artists on the show, and this week, we do just that with England's own, Luke Marzec.  Luke is a multitalented musician,  who plays saxophone, violin, piano, and more, who also possesses the voice of an old soul.  His music is both unique and familiar at the same time, and is sure to gain traction with new audiences.  Hear all about Luke's upbringing, his music influences, what it's like to live on a boat during Covid, and his love for something called "The Egg Game".   Check out Luke's Something Good Out of Nothing (Part A) today!   We also learn that Mike has reincarnated his dog into a refrigerator, we learn about the Australian Emu War of 1932, and dive in a new sporting event known as Sperm Racing.  A typical, ridiculous week of Verbal Shenanigans.  Have a listen!

Arrr you ready for another wild week?  This week, we are joined by Björn "Bellows" Malmos, a founding member of the Swedish pirate themed band, Ye Banished Privateers.  Björn does just about everything from vocals to accordion, to harmonica, to various percussion.  The band has transformed their live show into an amazing display of pirate songs, history lessons, and tradition, with up to 30 members performing at any point of the show.  Bjorn gave us a great, unique interview. Make sure to check out Ye Banished Privateers new album, Til the Sea Shall Give up Her, Dead today!   We also let review evidence that Mike is a serial killer, get roasted by AI, and Mike reveals another treasure trove of Burlew facts for the audience.  Have a listen!  

Would you wear Jeffrey Dahmer's glasses? Could you throw knives and not hit a spinning, moving  human target?  Well, we know a guy can do both.  Dr. David Adamovich was a professor of physiology, and at the age of 50,  decided to change his career. He became the Great Throwdini, a knife thrower with over 40 world records to his name. We find out about the journey including getting permission from Castro to perform in Cuba. David also has the largest collection of murder memorabilia in the world and we’ll hear why he obtained it and his newest set of glasses for the collection.    We also break down what we think the life of a pope looks like, and Mike has to defend his boy, Kanye West.  Have a listen!

Shenanigans are really swell, stupid banter and a big story to tell (Side effects of Shenanigans include questioning the choices in your life). This week’s show gives the sweet and talented Deanna Colón. This singer and entertainer has performed with and for Diana Ross and Patti Labelle, been on America’s Got Talent & Masterchef, and been in commercials like Bad Bunny’s Pepsi ad and the Jardiance jingle. We get to learn about who the “Bomb Chica” is and hear about her life.   We go off the rails as always and discuss Mike's signature dish, whether or not we'd go to space, and Scott tells a a cray story about one of the worst intro's in comedy show history.  Have a listen!

Slam, Dah Duh Duh, Dah Duh Duh! The podcast is revving up for WrestleMania this week and in honor of this we are joined by Cazzey Louis Cereghino. Along with his writing, music, and stunt work, Cazzey who played Bruiser Brody in the Iron Claw. We chat on his multifaceted career, doing wrestling work in the movie, and what is was like have Danny Devito feed him on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia . Scott retells a crazy wrestling themed bachelor party story, and is later put through a grueling game of "Verbamania" against a long time listener.   Have a listen! 

Listeners are always saying there is "nothing more" irritating then the Verbal Shenanigans Podcast.  However, today, Daniel Oliver, bassist of Nothing More, joins us on the show.  We delve into the DIY history of the band, the growth of Nothing More, the band's current tour with Disturbed, what it's like to build insane stage contraptions, and the band's latest album, Carnal.  Check out Daniel and Nothing More on tour or all streaming platforms today.   We also dive into tariffs, wooden races cars, and how Burlew got his bubbly garage.  Have a listen!

You might listen to our interviews for big names, fun moments, and inspirational stories…today, it's just about robots beating the crap out of each other. Battlebots builder and engineer, Jonathan Schultz, talks about team Huge. We chat about the work and design of his machine, the ups and downs of battle, and the competition of killing another robot.   We also talk about a super shady tax man Scott visited years ago, and play a game that involves the worst robots in film and television history.  Have a listen!

You ever think about wiretapping the United States Secret Service and the FBI?  No?  Well, this week's guest did just that, and went on to be successful because of it.  Bryan Seely is a world famous ethical hacker, former marine, author, and key note speaker who has helped numerous companies fix cyber security issues.  Bryan is hilarious, engaging, and a really unique personality to sit down with.  It was another very entertaining chat on this week's episode.  To find out more information on Bryan and work, visit www.bryanseely.com  I promise he won't hack you.   We also chat about past guests that never made the cut, we learn about a very special door in Burlew family, and hear all about Mike's thieving grandma.  Have a listen!    

How far is heaven you ask?  Feels pretty far when you are working with Mike for 12 years.  However, today, we bring another Grammy award winner on the show.  Jojo Garza, singer and bassist, of the Los Lonely Boys, joins us for a fantastic interview where we break down his early years playing with his father, the huge success of "Heaven", winning a Grammy, the bands' hiatus, and their recent reunion, album, and tour.  JoJo was a class act, with great insight, stories, and an awesome sense of humor. Check out Los Lonely Boys' new album "Resurrection" today!   We also discuss just about everything this week.  Whether it was Scott bringing little kids to a bobsed event, Mike informing us on what heaven is like, Mike buying a fan a tiny shirt, Scott discussing an audience member with a dirty behind and a woman who sings on the treadmill, or Mike talking about eating guinea pigs, we cover it all.  What a week.  Have a listen!

I met this kid, with this blank, pale, emotionless face, and the blackest eyes… the devil’s eyes. But enough about Scott, let’s talk about our guest. Today, we chat with actress Sandy Johnson ,who played the sister and first victim of Michael Myers, Judith Myers. We get into her modeling career and the Playboy mansion, her time on set of Halloween, why she stopped acting and getting back, and what the fans are like at the conventions. A great chat to add to our collection of horror movie guests.   We also hear how ai decribes our cast, give some advice, and hear a ridiculous story that involves Burlew in his parents' back yard with his mom's underwear.  Listen this week to find out what the hell was happening.

Have you ever watched the Olympics and said “I just wish these athletes had a criminal record and were much drunker?” Well, our next guest has resolved your issue. Pete Melfi is the creator and organizer of The Florida Man games. After the initial year received global media coverage, they are returning for their second round on March 1st in Elkton, FL. Hear all about the games, the teams, the festivities, and work needed to create this exciting event. Eat a butt and enjoy listening.   This week, Scott accidentally pees on himself, Mike lets us in on his weird Clue strategy, and Mike must adopt a conspiracy theory in the first ever, "Tinfoil Tournament."

We just completed 500, and our guest this week hopes to do the same. Owner/Driver of the number 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet, BJ McLeod, comes onto the show before attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500. We chat about racing as early as 3 years old, the finances and decisions of running a Cup team, the desire to run fast, and gargoyles. Check out our conversation as the NASCAR season starts.   Scott lays out 3 embarrassing stories, Mike finds out if Scott makes the top 1 billion people on earth, and the guys break down the half time show.  Have a listen!

Did you catch episode 500 with Richard Hatch?  Well, today the fun continues in a bonus episode 500 Plus. In celebration of 500 episodes, the guys compete in a battle of questions based on over 11 years on the show.  Long time listener, Dom Bagnato, puts Scott and Mike through the gauntlet in this fun, challenging, and silly episode.  Who takes the title?  Have a listen and find out!   Here's to the next 500 episodes.

We are here.  It has been over 11 years, over 500 guests, over 45,000 minutes, over 750 hours, and over 31 days of audio, has brought us to episode 500.  Today, we celebrate this occasion with another great episode of the podcast.  Season 1 Survivor Winner, Richard Hatch, joins us for a in depth interview about all things Survivor, what led to his time in prison, breaking boundaries on television as a gay man, his unique mentality, and more. Richard is a passionate, funny, and intelligent man who pulls no punches.  A fantastic interview to celebrate with.   We also discuss the evolution of the cast, answer some AI interview questions, and play a game where we go down memory road called "Many Bur-loons Ago."  Thank you to every person who has taken the time to listen to even one episode over the years.  On to the next 500!