Last Updated on January 16, 2026
Ever watched a music doc and thought, “Cor, this band’s story is brilliant!” only to press play on their actual music and feel your soul quietly retreat into your ankles? This week, Andrew and co-host Dr. Sam put the needle on the record and realise some bands should’ve stayed in the cutting room.
We take a scenic drive through the trainwreck glory of Milli Vanilli, the baffling existential crisis that is Metallica’s St. Anger, and the CIA’s alleged soft-rock psy-op via The Scorpions. Plus, there’s a detour through the fever-dream nonsense of Brian Pern, Joan Jett’s bad reputation, and the ongoing mystery of why The Sex Pistols are still interesting despite sounding like a wasp in a tin mug.
Expect spiky opinions, tight trousers, and the occasional descent into lyrical despair. And yes, there’s hummus chat. Of course there is.
What’s inside:
-
Bands who are great… as a subject, not as a sound
-
Can AI replace all pop music? (And should it?)
-
Was Wind of Change written by the bloody CIA?
-
Stretchy testicles and Mob Dad: Your new Cartoon Network faves
Come for the music chat. Stay for the jalapeño hummus.
### Riffs of the week
#### Dr Sam’s Riff
– Barbara Dane – I Hate the Capitalist System (opening)
#### Andrew’s Riff
– I’ll pay you more if you let me watch – Crippling Alcoholism (3:40)
### Dr Sam’s track choices
1. Milli Vanilli – Take it as it comes (opening)
2. Scorpions – Loving You Sunday Morning (2.43)
3. Metallica – “Shoot Me Again” (0.35)
4. Joan Jett – “Bad Reputation” (0.30)
### Andrew’s track choices
1. Bros – When will I be famous (2:09)
2. Brian Pern
3. Sex Pistols – Silly Thing (0:36)
4. The Lurkers – Ain’t got a clue
Email us – beatmotel@lawsie.com
We dig music podcast – https://pod.link/wedigmusic
This is the episode with Crippling Alcoholism on it –
We Dig Music – Series 8 Episode 9 – Now Playing Sept 2025 – Magdalena Bay, Crippling Alcoholism, & Ethel Cain
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wBWpR24jRvxRKw7YL1Z8b?si=LbwRnR38RnOhOaC-09MSpg
