Shows
DON TONY AND KEVIN CASTLE SHOWWednesday Night Don-O-Mite 9/20/23Wednesday Night Don-O-Mite (9/20/2023) hosted by Don Tony Some Topics Discussed: Becky Lynch opened and closed 9/19/23 NXT episode. But Dominik Mysterio dominated the overall; and it wasn't close AEW had a week long NY media frenzy to hype up Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium. And there was one topic that was off limits to the media besides CM Punk. Zack Gibson and James Drake (Grizzled Young Veterans/The Dyad) quietly finish up with WWE. Could GYV land a feud with FTR over AEW Tag Team Championships in October? Double Edged Sword: WWE's recent use of Raw/SmackDown...2023-09-211h 20
Don Tony And Kevin Castle ShowWednesday Night Don-O-Mite 9/20/23Wednesday Night Don-O-Mite (9/20/2023) hosted by Don Tony Some Topics Discussed: Becky Lynch opened and closed 9/19/23 NXT episode. But Dominik Mysterio dominated the overall; and it wasn't close AEW had a week long NY media frenzy to hype up Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium. And there was one topic that was off limits to the media besides CM Punk. Zack Gibson and James Drake (Grizzled Young Veterans/The Dyad) quietly finish up with WWE. Could GYV land a feud with FTR over AEW Tag Team Championships in October? Double Edged Sword: WWE's recent use of Raw/SmackDown stars in NXT The...2023-09-211h 20
Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’Stairway to Heaven’: Do the Lyrics to the Led Zeppelin Classic Really Mean Anything?In this final episode of Season 2, Butch and Kevin dig into the song that is considered by many the greatest rock song ever recorded. What we specifically take a look at are the almost dream-like lyrics and whether or not they are filled with important symbolism or just words Robert Plant created to fit the music.
The beer of the week was supposed to be Founder's Centennial IPA, but then Butch busted out Korbel champagne to celebrate our one-year anniversary. Cheers!
Plant himself even said he can interpret the song's lyrics in different ways at different times.
The...2023-03-0750 min
The Wrestling ArenaTurner Years 20: Captial Combat 90Half man....Half Machine....all Pro Wrestler?
What is Robocop doing in WCW? Join Paul and Dave as they attempt to find out as well as witness the following matches:
Norman the Lunatic and The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) (with Paul Ellering) Vs Kevin Sullivan, Cactus Jack and Bam Bam Bigelow (with Oliver Humperdink)
Johnny Ace Vs Mark Callous (with Teddy Long)
The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu and The Samoan Savage) Vs Tommy Rich and Mike Rotunda
Teddy Long Vs Paul Ellering Hair Vs. Hair mat...2023-03-051h 07Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’American Idiot’: Green Day’s Protest Hit That Almost Never WasOn this episode, the penultimate episode of Season 2, Butch and Kevin take on Green Day's protest hit, "American Idiot." It was a Top 10 hit in many countries, such as the U.K., Canada, Australia, Scotland and New Zealand, although -- despite its general popularity in the U.S. -- it only reached 61 on the Billboard Hot 100. Front man Billie Joe Armstrong write "American Idiot" as a response to his frustration over the national news media manipulating the public. A few points that were hit:
The Beer of the Week was Sierra Nevada (hey, California band, California beer).
The...2023-02-2037 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’We’re Not Gonna Take It’: Twisted Sister’s Evergreen AnthemNearly 40 years ago, a rock anthem hit the airwaves -- and perhaps most importantly, MTV -- in the form of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." The campy, fun video and the singalong chants made it an instant hit. Kevin and Butch go down the Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole on this timeless classic that remains evergreen after all this time. A few show notes:
This episode's so-called Beer of the Week is Mr. American IPA, made with plenty of Cascade hops, from Louisville brewery Noble Funk Brewing Co.
The song resembles, in melody and structure, a...2023-02-1336 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’Down Under’: Men at Work’s Quirky Australian Hit with a Sad EndingIn 1982, Men at Work came from nowhere -- OK, actually from Australia -- to take the world by storm with their hits "Who Can it be Now?" and "Down Under," the latter of which is the story of a man's travels and the odd characters he meets along the way. Butch and Kevin dig into the song, its meaning, and some of the cultural revelations contained within, not to mention a sad twist that came years later. A few talking points:
The Beer of the Week is, of course, Foster's, the beer that originated in Australia and rose...2023-02-0733 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’God Save the Queen’: Were Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols Just Joking Around?Season 2 of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole marches on with a dive into "God Save the Queen," the seminal punk rock classic by the Sex Pistols that whipped much of jolly old England into a frenzy in 1977. Butch and Kevin talk about a lot of different perspectives on the song and how it was received, in both positive ways and negative. A few show points:
Our Beer of the Week is Carlsberg, probably the best beer in the world. Probably.
Yes, this episode is in observance to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
Was this song...2022-11-0239 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’Wagon Wheel’: Bob Dylan Meets Old Crow Medicine Show at the Song We Love to HateThat's right, we did it. The unrelenting "Wagon Wheel" gets the deep dive in this episode, as Butch and Kevin grit their teeth and trudge forward. This tune, which is played now by pretty much every cover band in the galaxy, started with a Bob Dylan demo. It was then completed by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. And then Darius Rucker, Hootie himself, decided to record it, thus ruining it forever. A few notes:
Beer of the Week took the form of Terrapin Hopsecutioner IPA. Nomnom.
We had to have a bourbon sidecar to get through...2022-09-0537 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’: Gordon Lightfoot and the Ultimate Story SongOn this episode, Kevin and Butch take a deep dive into "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," a classic true story song by the great Gordon Lightfoot about the freighter that sank into Lake Superior in 1975, taking all 29 crew members down with her. A few notes:
Beer of the Week is, of course, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter by Great Lakes Brewing Co. What else would it be?
Wait, there's no chorus in this song?
It's based on an Irish tune Lightfoot remembered hearing as a child, and he basically just told the story in the song as factually as...2022-08-2342 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’Money For Nothing’: Dire Straits’ Misunderstood MTV ClassicHey, we're back! Sorry for the long hiatus, but we had a big show with the band and had to get a new drummer ready. It didn't help that Kevin messed up his back and was laid up for a bit. But Kevin and Butch return for another episode, this time focusing on "Money For Nothing," the memorable Dire Straits hit that ended up being a bit misunderstood and even controversial. A few notes about the episode:
This week's beer was Spotted Cow, the much-loved Wisconsin staple brewed by New Glarus Brewing.
We also had a Bourbon of...2022-08-0941 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’Jack and Diane’: From Johnny Cougar to John Mellencamp in One StrokeIn this episode, Kevin and Butch tackle the Americana classic "Jack and Diane" by John Cougar, aka, John Cougar Mellencamp, aka John Mellencamp. We talk about how the original lyric was interestingly different, how the song was built in studio -- it almost didn't make the cut -- and perhaps most importantly, what it meant for John Mellencamp's career. A few points:
Beer of the Week: Dragonfly IPA by Upland Brewing, which is based in Mellencamp's current hometown.
When the song was recorded, drummer Kenny Aronoff was afraid he was about to be replaced by a drum machine...2022-03-1746 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’That Thing You Do!’: The Wonders, Tom Hanks and the Greatest ’Fake’ Song EverThe Tom Hanks-written and -directed "That Thing You Do!" was the surprise, feel-good hit movie of 1996, and the film's theme song of the same name not only was nominated for multiple awards, it also hit #41 on the Billboard charts. Credited to fictional band The Wonders, the song was actually written by Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger and sung by Candy Butchers' front man Mike Viola. So, is it a real song or a fake song? If it hit the actual charts, it's real, right? Butch and Kevin talk about how the song came to be, its place in music...2022-03-0748 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole’Come On Eileen’ by Dexys Midnight Runners: Greatest One-Hit Wonder Ever?Too-rye-ay, we're back again with Episode 2 of Season 2 of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole. In this episode, Butch and Kevin dig into a 1980s classic, "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners. We discuss the song's meaning, the band's background and the impact it made when it shot up the charts in 1982-83. Among the points covered:
Beer of the Week: Falls City English Style Pale Ale (we also tasted a bit of Limestone Branch rye, a local barrel pick)
Kevin Rowland was a difficult guy to deal with
Dexys actually had a previous hit in the UK
...2022-02-1540 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit HoleQueen’s ’We Will Rock You’ and ’We Are the Champions’: Forever ConnectedAnd we're back for Season 2! To kick things off, we're tackling a two-fer, the double A-side single from the amazing Queen, "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions." We talk about the songs' historic status as a double-single, why they are so frequently played back-to-back, their statuses as sports anthems and what inspired the tunes for songwriters Brian May and Freddie Mercury, respectively. A few notes:
Beer of the Week is Jai Alai IPA by Cigar City Brewing
An odd occurrence at a Queen concert in 1977 led to these two songs
A couple of personal stories about...2022-01-2539 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole‘Smells Like Teen Spirit‘: How Nirvana‘s Unlikely Hit Changed EverythingOn this, the final Season 1 episode, Butch and Kevin dig into "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Nirvana's seminal grunge anthem from 1991. This is the song that often gets credit for squashing hair metal once and for all, but the Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole hosts take a deeper dive into the cultural shift it brought about, including comparing it with another notable song that brought about a similar seismic shift decades earlier. A few points:
Yes, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" essentially killed hair metal.
The title of the song doesn't even show up in the lyric. Where did that...2021-10-2541 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole‘Stacy‘s Mom‘: Lost Interview With Fountains of Wayne Frontman Chris CollingwoodFountains of Wayne had its lone Top 40 hit in 2003 with "Stacy's Mom," which is often remembered for the video starring actress Rachel Hunter. In this episode, Kevin digs out an interview he did with Chris Collingwood, the band's frontman, in 2003, just two weeks after the single was released. Most of the interview was never published, so Kevin and Butch included as many of Chris's quotes as possible, from naked guys across the street to gardening while stoned to whatever happened to the protagonist from "Leave the Biker." Along the way, they talk about "Stacy's Mom" and how it became...2021-10-0440 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole‘Hotel California‘: Do You Hate the Eagles or Love the Eagles?It's a tale as old as ... well the 1970s, when the Eagles were flying high (pun intended) on hits like "Take it Easy" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling." Then came "Hotel California," the dark, sprawling tune with the ominous, two-minute instrumental outro. It was and continues to be one of the most notable songs in rock 'n' roll. But over the years, a contingent of people came to hate the song and the band that created it. Why? We dig into it from a variety of perspectives. First, a few notes:
This week's beer is New Glarus Moon Man...2021-09-2739 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole‘Don‘t Stop Believin‘‘: Journey‘s Universal Hit That Won‘t QuitJust what the heck is it that makes "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey so popular, and for so long? Is it Steve Perry's pleading vocal? The big chorus that takes forever to get to? The relatable lyric? Heck, the song has been around since 1981, topped out at No. 9 on the charts, yet it's still regularly getting placement in modern pop culture, not to mention numerous cover versions that continue to re-energize the song. It literally is the top-sold digital track of the 20th century. Kevin and Butch dig into the song's staying power. Over beers.
This week's beer...2021-09-0637 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole'Walk This Way': Did Run DMC and Aerosmith Change the Course of Rock?Sit with Kevin and Butch as they discuss the making of Run DMC's take on the Aerosmith classic rocker "Walk This Way." Run DMC was dead set against recording it, but producer Rick Rubin won out. By sheer will, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry were able to fly in to add vocals and guitar to the track, making it a pioneering mash-up of rap and rock. Did it change the course of rock music history? A few notes:
Beer of the week is Against the Grain Citra Ass Down 2IPA.
Butch talks about about who the hosts are...2021-08-3046 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit HoleAC/DC's 'Back in Black': A Band Reborn With Brian JohnsonMany if not all rock 'n' roll fans feared rock powerhouse AC/DC would die along with Bon Scott. But then Brian Johnson came along, and the result was one of the band's strongest albums ever, featuring the timeless "Back in Black." The song itself was a tribute to Scott, which makes it appropriate that it would become an AC/DC signature. On this episode, we dig deep into "Back in Black" and offer up some insights into the remaking of the band in its transition to Johnson. A few tidbits to kick things off:
This week's beer...2021-08-2345 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole'My Sharona': The Knack's 'Golden Albatross'"My Sharona" was a song that helped finally knock disco off the top of the charts. It was a massive hit for The Knack, but the band would never have another huge hit. Instead, the band would break up after their third album release and later reunite. Nevertheless, the iconic song, which was written about a real person named Sharona Alperin, would endure. The band's late, great front man Doug Fieger would ultimately call it the band's "Golden Albatross," which is the main topic Butch and Kevin focus on during this episode.
A few topics covered:
...2021-08-1650 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit HoleVan Halen's 'Jump': Hello Synthesizers, Goodbye David Lee RothThe song "Jump" and the album 1984 propelled Van Halen into the rock stratosphere -- and shortly thereafter, front man David Lee Roth left the band to start a solo career. What was it about "Jump" that resonated so strongly? Was it the unexpected decision to include synthesizers? Was it the goofy, low-budget video? Whatever, it endures, and it also started the ball rolling to the often-maligned Van Hagar era. Butch and Kevin discuss all this and more, with some details about the song and video you may not know. A few points to get you started:
This week's...2021-08-0938 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole'Jenny (867-5309)': How Tommy Tutone Did a Number on RockIn this episode of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole, Butch and Kevin dive into the classic tune "Jenny (867-5309)" by Tommy Tutone. This 1981 hit became a hit based on its sticky guitar hook and the repeating of a phone number that, per the song, was found on a bathroom wall. It became a song that would troll many people who owned the number at the time, and it just kept on trolling down through the years.
Some of the highlights include:
The band's name is Tommy Tutone -- the lead singer's name is Tommy Heath.
Would...2021-08-0238 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole'I Was Made for Loving You': How KISS Jumped the SharkOn this episode of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole, hosts Butch Bays and Kevin Gibson dig into the 1979 KISS hit "I Was Made for Loving You." Is it rock? Is it disco? Was it a sellout? Regardless of what it is or was (aside from just being a darn catchy song), it rocketed to No. 11 on the Billboard charts and sold more than 1 million copies ... but it signaled a downward turn for KISS's career, at least for the time. The guys discuss the backlash to the song and what it meant for the 1980s, the band and rock 'n...2021-07-2648 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole'Me and Bobby McGee': Janis Joplin or Kris Kristofferson?In this episode of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole, hosts Kevin Gibson and Butch Bays focus on the enduring song "Me and Bobby McGee." Written by Kris Kristofferson, its most successful recorded version was done by Janis Joplin, who topped the Billboard Top 40 chart in 1971 with her take on the tune. But along the way, many artists covered "Bobby McGee," with a wide variety of results. So, whose song is it, anyway? Does it belong to Kristofferson? Or Joplin, given it's her version most people remember?
On this episode, Butch and Kevin discuss a number of aspects...2021-07-1939 minRock 'n' Roll Rabbit HoleJoan Jett's 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll': Rock's Greatest Anthem?In the absolute, very first episode of Rock 'n' Roll Rabbit Hole, hosts Butch Bays and Kevin Gibson debate the all-important topic of whether "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is rock's greatest anthem. The 1982 hit launched Jett into her post-Runaways career, which landed her in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame on the strength of this hit and her other hits, like "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and "Crimson and Clover."
Topics covered:
The guys introduce themselves and describe what the show is going to (attempt to) do...2021-07-1245 min
The BroKast PodcastEpisode #63 - NWA/WCW Capital Combat 1990It is time to pop a couple of cold ones and enjoy as our two brothers, Alan (@alanross84TBK) and Thom (@Mr_MMAction) provide their 41st #WrestlingCompanion as they sit back and watch NWA/WCW Capital Combat 1990. They also discuss Dark Side of the Ring and much more! Also featured are promos for Powerslam Wrestling Network (@PowerslamTV), The Amazing Nerd Show Podcast (@AmazingNerdShow) and Dregs of Craigs (@DregOfCraigs). NWA/WCW Capital Combat 1990 Card:- Six-Man Tag Team Match: Bam Bam Bigelow, Cactus Jack and Kevin Sullivan (with Oliver Humperdink) vs. Norman the Lunatic and The Road Warriors (with Paul Ellering...2020-05-173h 03
Wrestling History XEp 45 - Capital CombatEp 45 – Capital Combat
“Return of Robocop”
We get one of the silliest moments in WCW history and I may not entirely mean Robocop.
0:21 - Welcome
7:21 – Capital Combat Opening
8:47 – Kevin Sullivan, Cactus Jack, and Bam Bam Bigelow (w/ Sir
Oliver Humprdink) vs The Road Warriors (Hawk/Animal) and Norman the Lunatic (w/ Paul Ellering)
14:27 – Johnny Ace vs Mean Mark (w/ Teddy Long)
22:28 – Captain Mike Rotunda and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich vs Samoan Swat Team (Fatu/Samoan Savage)
30:37 – Paul Ellering vs Teddy Long in a Hair vs Hair match
34:17 – Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton/Stan Lane) (w/ Jim Cornette) vs Brian Pillman and Z-man for the NWA United Sta...2020-02-121h 32
Where the Big Boys PlayWhere the Big Boys Play #50a - 1990 Fantasy DraftTo celebrate their 50th show, Chad and Parv welcome Chad's "other" co-host, Brad, and Titans of Wrestling regular, Kelly for an experimental format: the 1990 Fantasy Draft!
The Scenario: It's 1990 and the 20-year old Sheikh Mansour has decided that he loves Amiercan pro wrestling and would like his own it. His father, the multi-billionaire Emir Zayed II, decides that for his birthday he'll give his son what he wants. He promptly buys WWF from Vince McMahon for an undisclosed fee, but fearing that this is not enough goes ahead and buys WCW from Ted Turner and USWA from Jeff Jarrett too...2013-10-012h 07