S01 E101
Strap yourselves in, folks, because this week Andrew Culture is joined by David Jago, and they’re taking a full-throttle dive into the wonderful (and sometimes catastrophic) world of bands who can’t keep a lineup straight. From Radiohead’s unbreakable five-piece to Faith No More’s revolving door of members, this episode is a chaotic journey through rock and metal history. Ever wondered what happens when a 17-year-old guitarist joins a band mid-tour? Or when you replace drummers so often it feels like hiring temps at an office job? You’re in the right place.
David Jago starts things off with a beautiful ode to Radiohead’s Airbag, not just for Jonny Greenwood’s guitar wizardry, but for the sneaky bass lines no one ever talks about. We drift into Faith No More territory, where Jago talks about their early rap-metal influence, reminding us that Korn may have just cribbed their sound from Mike Patton’s nightmares. But of course, Andrew has to bring us down with tales of gigs ruined by awful fans. V Festival, we’re looking at you.
The theme of the week is “Bands Who Change Members for Better or Worse” – and, oh boy, does this episode deliver on that. Public Image Ltd, Korn, Fleetwood Mac, and the Sex Pistols – it’s a lineup circus, and no one is getting out alive. Andrew and David wax lyrical (and sarcastic) about drummers who can’t be replaced, guitarists who can, and band reunions that should’ve stayed dead.
Whether you’re here for Flea’s slapping basslines, Ginger Baker’s drum tantrums, or just to figure out how many members Suede have gone through, this episode has you covered. It’s punk, it’s metal, it’s Neil Finn and Stevie Vai in the same sentence, and it’s a gloriously irreverent mess.
You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, you might even shed a tear for the mayonnaise-eating Korn fans. Tune in, buckle up, and get ready for a deep dive into rock and roll’s most dysfunctional families.
Show Highlights:
- The underrated magic of Colin Greenwood’s bass in Airbag
- Faith No More and their near-decade head start on Korn
- The nightmare that was V Festival 2002 (never forget, never forgive)
- Suede’s teenage guitar prodigy – what happened when Bernard Butler said, “me or the producer?”
- Public Image Ltd and their rotating cast of rock legends, including Steve Vai and Ginger Baker (yes, really)
Riffs of the week
Jago’s Riff
- Radiohead – Airbag (opening)
Andrew’s Riff
- Zero Down – Down this road (0:12)
Jago’s track choices
- Faith No More – As the worm turns (1.11)
- KoRn – Good God (2:20)
- Sex Pistols – E.M.I (1:13)
- Queen – The Hero (1:00)
Andrew’s track choices
- Public Image Ltd – Ease (4:55)
- Gravediggaz – Fairytalez (3:30)
- Suede – Stay Together (6:33)
- Wolfheart – Ancient Cold (3:15)
BAND MEMBER LEADERBOARD
PIL – 18
Faith No More – 13
Sex Pistols – 8
Korn – 6
Suede – 6
Queen – 5
Gravediggaz – 4
