The Hoodrat Recap: a Podcast For The Hold Steady

Listener Voicemails: We kick things off with some truly epic call-ins. Who dropped the sharpest diss on Gaspar’s infamous “Freddy Knuckles” routine? And which listener scored a free one-year subscription to Laynards, including a soundcheck experience with The Hold Steady? The Unified Scene shows off some serious talent in this round.

🎬 Hold Steady Biopic Madness: Next, we tackle a listener question from Josh: What would a Hold Steady biopic look like? Things get wild when Johnny Depp and Steve Buscemi are both pitched to play the same band member. (Spoiler: it only gets crazier from there.)

💎 Di...

Join us and Dave Gottlieb of Death or Glory and Manager of The Hold Steady and Guitarist extraordinaire  Steve Selvidge for a talk about “the business” of The Hold Steady!

Plus Dave and Steve announce Massive Nights and give some insight into the band’s new fan club Lanyards!  You will even get a chance to win a free Lanyards account in our latest contest!

Show Notes:

Check out Lanyards—another way to stay connected to everything that makes being a Hold Steady fan so special. It’s full of great perks: e...

The Hold Steady took on the City of Brotherly Love — and we’re recapping all the action from another epic weekend of residency shows in Philly.

Gasper climbed the Rocky stairs, (licking?) the Liberty Bell, and the band surprised fans by unveiling three brand new songs. We’ve got all the soundcheck scoops, setlist surprises, and set-by-set breakdowns. Plus — who became the only multiple-time winner in The pub quiz? You won’t believe who took the title (again).

This flash cast brings the cheesesteak heat — live from Philadelphia!

***Special Note:

if you want a S...

Bill from Chicago might’ve said it best: the Hoodrats kicked off an

epic night at The Bowery Ballroom by squeezing into the tiniest bar in

NYC—and things only got bigger from there. Vermont Cat and Gaspar join

the recap to break down a Craig Finn show that featured up to eleven

musicians on stage at once. Which songs soared? Which moments hit

hardest?

Then, Gaspar gives his take on Craig’s Rough Trade set and dives deep

into a startling reveal about the charac...

Join Gaspar and Mike as they embark on an epic adventure through the Twin Cities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic album "Separation Sunday." This special episode captures their whirlwind tour of Minneapolis landmarks, musical history, and local culinary delights!

The Twin Cities Scavenger Hunt

- **The Replacements House** - Mike and Gaspar visit this legendary music landmark

- **Mary Tyler Moore Statue** - Classic Minneapolis photo op

- **The Mysterious Bob Stinson Bench** - A hidden gem for music fans

- **Party City** - An unexpected...

 Gaspar tries to keep up as Stage Right Mike and Spunky Comstock recount their wild adventure to Codfish Hollow, Iowa, where they caught Craig Finn and Bob Mould performing together.

* The guys describe their unconventional journey following directions that included "take a left at the cow pasture" and encountering a town crier dressed remarkably like Jesse Ventura from "Predator."

* Mike and Spunky share how they tempted fate by visiting the Buddy Holly crash site the morning after seeing two iconic bespectacled frontmen perform. Spunky nicely ties Craig Finn to the "Dukes of Hazard" opening theme.

Is Always Been Craig Finn’s best album yet? We dive deep into his latest release, breaking down the rich storytelling and unforgettable melodies that make this record stand out. Plus, we explore Lousy with Ghosts, Finn’s companion book, and how it adds layers of meaning to the songs.

Do these tracks work better as a full narrative experience, or can you just rock out without the deeper dive? We break it all down—song by song, story by story.

Order your copy of Always Been and Lousy With G...

This week on *The Hoodrat Recap*, your favorite *The Hold Steady* fancast,

we’re diving into the band’s epic March 2025 London takeover! Join us as Jonas from Norway and Chris from Richmond hop on the mic to break down all the sweaty, singalong glory of “The Weekender,” “The Electric Ballroom,” and “The 100 Club” shows. From blistering riffs to barstool anthems, we’re recapping every moment that made these nights unforgettable.

Then, we dive into our voicemail inbox, which is overflowing with messages from fans who made the trip—especially our friends from the Netherlands...

In this special Flashcast episode, the crew breaks down Craig Finn's latest musical offering, "People of Substance". Join us for an instant, unfiltered take on the new track that's got everyone talking.

The hosts will explore the song's musical landscape, drawing connections to classic rock influences and dissecting its sonic DNA. They'll also provide the inside scoop on the upcoming album's track listing and release date, giving listeners a comprehensive preview of what's to come.

Exciting additions to this episode include:

- A call-in review...

Dive into the musical odyssey with us as we explore the elusive tracks of The Hold Steady!

In this episode, we delve deep into the vault of fan requests for the ultimate "white whale songs" - those tunes from The Hold Steady that fans have been yearning to hear live but have never had the chance. Listeners have submitted their most coveted songs, and we're here to discuss, reminisce, and maybe even dream about the day these tracks see the light of the stage. 

 But that's not all! Gear up for another th...

For our 50th episode we put 40 bucks on 4 “Massive Nights” as 100 songs were played to wrap up 2024!

We recap all things Massive Nights 2024 from the Brooklynn Bowl.And boy is there a lot to recap:

First Pub Quiz by Martin Fitzgerald in this place we call the United States.

Justice for “Teeth Dreams”…played entirely in the soundcheck.

 Who is “Psycho Craig?” and when did he learn to play the bass?

A sixteen year old song gets p...

Craig has been touring two different continents for his brand new solo show, “This is What it Looks like.”

We have the reviews of his New York City & Saint Paul shows with scoops on his exciting brand new songs!

But first, we start out with another grueling round of “Diamonds in the Drain.”

Kevin Is sure he has the songs in the correct order of greatness…

Gaspar of course, likes all the songs equally…

Meanwhile, Mike has trouble pronouncing penultimate…

So play along with the smash new drinking game...

Little Rock Lizzie and David from the Positive Posting Facebook group join us to break down three unforgettable nights of shows in Atlanta—plus one soundcheck that revealed more than anyone expected!

(43:34)

Then, we dive into listener-submitted Weird Al Yankovic-style parody lyrics for The Hold Steady. Get ready to laugh as we share some wildly creative submissions and even listen to a few brilliant parodies that take the band’s songs to hilarious new heights.

Send us a voicemail:

https://www.speakpipe.com...

In this episode, the ultra-talented, multi artistic Franz Nicolay joins us to talk about his latest book, Band People. Franz dives into how the book might feel therapeutic for seasoned supporting band members, though maybe not the best handbook for new recruits.

We also break down the brand-new cover of Jesse Malin’s “Death Star.” Join us as we explore the meaning behind the track and, as we like to say, “That’s no moon…”

Check out Franz’s new book at :https://franznicolay.com/

How was the Atlanta show?  Do you have parody lyric...

The band performs three stunning nights in Denver.

 Chase gives a very thorough review  including Craig’s birthday activities and what does the chant “poop dog” mean? 

Then hurricane Jess returns to the show. She describes the differences between a UK crowd and a Denver crowd and her first ever Hold steady concert in America.

Jess also reviews two recent Craig Finn solo shows in London.

She also expresses her love for the album, “Teeth  Dreams” and all the controversy's that come along with that.  

Then the guys have another spirited...

Bill Childs shares the story of how a chance run with Craig unexpectedly formed "The Hold Sweaty" and the hilarious pitfalls of designing a run route based on THS lyrics.

Then Bill sits in with us for another exciting edition of

***The Diamonds in the Drain Game****Opening Tracks Edition*** Will you be brave enough and play along with the brand new drinking game and take a shot every time one of the Hoodrats exclaims, " But I like all these songs equally?"

Plus,

****Breaking News****

All...

Like an Australian Great White, Andrew circles the Melbourne show gobbling up interviews with first time fans and a band member. Lowertown review: Mike gives an in-depth review of The Yacht Club show on the banks of the Mississippi River. Find out how The Hold Steady drowns the crowd with a killer set. (30:50)

Hot…Yacht Rock or Yuck…Naught Rock? Kevin & Mike dive into a debate with Gaspar over the merits of Yacht Rock, especially for fans of The Hold Steady. Will they manage to convert him? Please leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheH...

The Best Bar Band in the Land on the Move**

**Summary:**

Join us as we follow the best bar band in the land, traveling across the country to bring their music to fans everywhere. From Seattle to D.C., Evanston to Milwaukee, and St. Paul to Atlanta, the journey to build something this summer!

**Fan Experiences:** - Hear from fans. - Stories and reactions from the kids at the shows.

Leave us a voicemail now! ( No really we are desperate...)

https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

In this episode, photographers Lee and Lisa share their gritty experiences capturing the raw energy of "The Hold Steady" shows. From dodging punches to avoiding crowd surfers, they've braved it all to get the perfect shot amid the chaos.

 Key Highlights: - **Battle in the Camera Pit:** Lee and Lisa recount intense moments from the mosh pit, where getting the perfect shot means facing flying fists and falling bodies. 

 **A Dream Opportunity:** When the band approaches Lee with an offer to shoot the video for "Grand Junction," will he seize this career-defining chance or let it s...

Jump into the freight elevator with us as we delve into the latest streaming hits, "The Death Of The Punchline" and "Radar & Leda," dissecting their melodies and lyrics. Should they have been left off the album? Which song(s) would you replace? (40:00) Brace yourself for the return of the much-loved segment "Diamonds in the Drain," where we face yet another tough "Sophie's choice" ugh!!. Also, *Children's Books converted into silly song titles. * Heartfelt fan mail asks about Holly based fan-fiction. ***(Hidden track) Craig Robot*** We want to hear from you! leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

Join us for an exclusive peek behind the curtain with THS Pub Quizmaster, Martin Fitzgerald! Explore the nuances between UK and USA crowds, and uncover the intriguing story behind Martin's book about famous individuals being compelled to listen to exceptional albums. “Ruth and Martin’s Album Club: Listen to a classic album you've never heard before. Now write about it.” Learn how Martin crossed paths with Craig and evolved into "The THS Quizmaster."Plus, get ready to test your knowledge with a riveting quiz featuring "six questions" alongside The Hoodrats. Discover the reasons why Martin avoids quizzes in unfamiliar pubs. Plus...

 There was a Hoodrat loose in The Electric Ballroom in London for "The Weekenders 2024." Join Gaspar on a whirlwind adventure through London in this week's episode of "The Weekender." From indulging in classic fish & chips to exploring the mystical aura of Stonehenge, Gaspar immerses himself in the essence of British culture. But the real highlight? A chance encounter between "The King of Queens" and none other than the King of England himself! Tune in for a dose of travel escapades and unexpected royal rendezvous. (51:42) "Get ready for another thrilling round as the guys roll the D&D dice in 'Diamonds i...

 Step into the wild world of Lifter Puller with Steve Barone as he shares riveting backstage stories, including the secrets of the "Jenny Jones Show" and a memorable scuffle over inflatable instruments at Prince's nightclub. Dive into the aftermath of the band's breakup as Steve recounts his struggle with lost identity. Plus, discover the uproarious saga behind the "original lyrics" of Space Humpin $19.99.  Then, brace yourself for round two of "Diamonds in the Drain…Dirty Dozen Edition," where tough choices await as we award gold, silver, and bronze medals to standout tracks from the first three THS CDs.  Tune in for a...

In this episode, we dive into the creative realm with artist Nick Hollermon, renowned for his work on rock posters and album covers, particularly for “The Hold Steady.” Join us as Nick passionately shares insights into his artistic process, from finding inspiration to infusing intricate details that add a touch of fun to each masterpiece. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes journey into the world of visual storytelling in "The Hold Steady!" (44:25) In this thrilling 3.0 edition, we roll the D&D dice to determine the track number for our musical showdown – “Diamonds in the Drain.” Join us as we dissect classic THS songs—...

Join former Roller Derby Girls Cat and Beth as they whip in to share tales of life on the road with "The Hold Steady."

(25:44) The gang engages in an enlightened round of the new game "The numbers never lie, but they also never tell the whole truth."

(35:45) Gasper presents a mystery in "Rock Problems," challenging the group to solve it. 

(39:00) Plus, Beth reheats up the meatloaf conversation with a round of "From Meatloaf to the Billy Joel"

 Please send us a voicemail today at:https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

 Massive Nights 2023!. The mosh pit never stopped there were just too many kids at the show! Taylor Swift bracelets got nothing on THS brackets. Is a “Hoodrat” still riding around Brooklyn in a trunk? Your fan reaction (23:30) A Yeti takes the stage. Special Exclusive Interview!... (after the closing credits just like a Marvel movie)...(1:00:29) We want to hear you! Send us a voicemail at https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

Josh and Kat share their adventures in Vegas, including bowling, brunch, and a book signing via our “Answering Machine”  Discover who's going to be the "American Hoodrat in London?”  Mike makes wild predictions about the upcoming "Massive Nights" shows, and Hurricane Jess plays a fun round of "I said a couple of things that aren't technically true."  Find out why Mike doesn't wear his barefoot shoes by Joe Pesci and enjoy some "Poster Easter Egg" fun with Andrew from Australia.

In this episode, we have a special guest, (6:25) Michael Hann, author of "The Gospel of The Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels." We dive headfirst into his fandom and deep insider insights, answering questions submitted by our listeners. Plus, stay tuned for an exciting return as Hurricane Jess shares the details of her unforgettable "First Night." And if you're a fan of Easter eggs, Andrew from Massachusetts (58:14) reveals all the hidden gems he discovered in Jess's new logo design. It's a bloody-brilliant episode you won't want to miss! Please check out Michael Hann's other works such as:  DENIM AND L...

(3:04) We review the biggest THS show ever! Mike explains why this show was unique and unlike any other show the boys have ever played. Also, Craig “tells a little truth tonight” at The Electric Fetus in Minneapolis. (28:34) New game…”I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true” (38:34) The final two  rounds of “Diamonds in the Drain”  Finally! We find out the album that had the most “Gold Medals” out of albums 7,8,9…. (1:00:03) Hear our first winner of the poster contest Lauren-- explain the hidden THS themed Easter Eggs she found! Please leave us a voicemail at: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

(02:33)Gaspar recaps The  Shine the Light Music Festival. Also, the early morning bus-ride up to “The Positive Jam Fest” Gaspar then interviews one of the opening acts: Oceanator. https://oceanator.surf/

(16:45) We chat with Hurricane Jess about her amazing THS inspired fan-art!  Check out the new show-art she designed for our podcast—and enter the contest to see if you can win a poster by answering with how many THS Easter eggs you find here: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

(40:00) In  “From Meatloaf To the Billy Joel” Jess tells us why everyone should listen to “Island Of Love.”

Join us as we regale the adventures of Mike & Gaspar during a most excellent weekend in Chicago celebrating our favorite band. Sadly Kevin didn’t join us and we did not make it to the Empty Bottle but hey, 2 Outta 3 Ain’t Bad!

(43:35) Also in this episode we play another round of Diamonds in the Drain.

(58:00)And Chicago editions of "Who the Hell is Craig Singing about?" & "From Meatloaf To the Billy Joel."

Send us a voicemail now! https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

Hear the selected "From Meatloaf To th...

The Austin show did not go off without a hitch…

(10:59) Buddy (An original “Woo  Crew” warrior) tells us the whole sordid affair at Stubb’s.  Including taking a rain delay with dejected Goths, and scooting his way around downtown Austin.

(35:31) Buddy’s selection for “From Meatloaf to Billy Joel

(41:27) We play another round of “Who the Hell is Craig Singing About.”

(45:07) Round Two of “Diamonds in the Drain” Franz 2.0 edition.

This episode is dedicated in memory of Knowlej Ra…

Leave us a voicemail h...

(4:37) Gaspar goes to Baltimore to see Craig play solo in somebody’s living room at Club 603.
(13:27) Trivia questions including “Who the hell is Craig singing about?”
(21:42) Gaspar goes to see the band interviewed by Seth Meyers at Sawdust in Brooklyn and gains great insights--including the story behind Craig’s new “safe for TV lyrics.”
(29:13) Kevin & Gaspar drive to the Boston show “Thelma & Louise style” where Kevin makes some keen observations about the opining band Dinosaur Jr, as well as the Boston crowd’s confetti-game.
(41:51) “Diamonds In the Drain Game—Franz 2.0 Edition”
“Thrashing Through the Passion,” “Open Door Polic...

Rob from London and Dallas from Texas talk “square-bags,” as well as  a strange sound check request. They also “ remember the metal bar” and reflect on a weekend with all the eccentricity that is London.

Ella and Kyle report  from inside the eye of the storm—that  was the great Portland Confetti conspiracy of 2023.

Ella teaches us how to win over a club owner by sticking around to help sweep up after the show.

Kyle clues us in on the best ways to move large amounts of confetti through TSA…

Hot topics also include: What did the crowd think of the new songs live?As well as a controversial look at “what is the proper “Hold Steady adjacent "apparel to wear at the show?”

Send us a voice mail...

Is TPOP a Grower…Or a Shower?

We hear from you! The Unified Scene calls into our answering machine and let’s us know what they are thinking about the ninth album “The Price Of Progress.”

Gaspar also does his best “man on the street” interviews at the NYC “Rough Trade” show!

If you want to hear yourself on our next episode just click here: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap

Gaspar, Kevin, and Mike breakdown their first hours spent with the evolved sound of the ninth studio album "The Price of Progress."

We want to hear YOUR VOICE on our full recap episode next week.

Just click https://www.speakpipe.com/TheHoodratRecap And leave a message 30 seconds to 5 minutes long and you will hear yourself on the next episode. Please include your name and where you are from.

C'mon Unified Scene! Let the world know how you are feeling about this new album!

Funk-filled-first-thoughts on Understudies release!

We breakdown our earliest thoughts on this genre-bending song.  Asking the tough questions like what was really going in the back of the bakery?

Not only is Andrew  a fan of The Hold Steady. He is also an enthusiast  of the vast  Melbourne music scene.  So much so, he is in fact writing a book about it. Join us as we talk to Andrew--a Moto podcaster and Australian Rules Football author. 

Also, Gasper, Kevin is Whenever, and Stage-Right-Mike talk the release of the new single Sixer's!

Desi and Kayleigh from “The Hold Steady is for Women” join us for a special Valentine’s Day episode to chat all about “The Unified Dating Scene.”

We discuss such hot topics as:

* “Must the Boys and Girls in America have such a sad time together?

* In the end will anyone learn a lesson?

* Is “Chill Out Tent” more than a hookup song?

Plus, we break down the 20th anniversary show from the POV inside the pit!

Please check out “The Hold Steady is For Women” @steadyladies