Coasters Optional

"Cities" Unplugged: A Look at Talking Heads and Phish Live: Explore the evolution of Talking Heads' hit song "Cities" in this podcast. We compare the original version to live performances by Talking Heads and Phish, particularly at the Greek Theater on August 6, 2010. Discover how the song transforms, picking up new vibes and styles with each rendition. Whether you're a fan of Talking Heads or Phish, this post breaks down the unique twists each band brings to this classic track, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of live performances.

Step into the world of musical transcendence as we explore the iconic track "Good Times, Bad Times" through the unique lenses of Phish and Led Zeppelin. In this podcast episode, we delve into the contrasting yet equally captivating renditions of this classic rock anthem by two powerhouse bands.
Led Zeppelin, the originators of the song, introduced the world to "Good Times, Bad Times" with their groundbreaking debut album in 1969.
Fast forward to the modern era, and Phish, known for their improvisational prowess, puts their own spin on this legendary track.
Join us as we compare and contrast the two versions. Whether you're a die-hard classic rock enthusiast or a Phish phanatic, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of musical evolution and the enduring power of a timeless tune.

In this bonus episode of Coasters Optional, special guest host DanielDannyDan and I break the “Weird Al” Yankovic and Gregory Brothers satirical rendering “WE'RE ALL DOOMED - Trump vs. Biden ft. "Weird Al" Yankovic”—an original song created using the Gregory Brothers’ Songify technology to skewer the infamous 2020 Presidential debate between Biden and Trump.

In this bonus episode of Coasters Optional, we look at one of the “Weird Al’s” album staple—The Polka Medley. Inspired by the popular songs of the day, each polka is a high energy joyride through pop lyrics strung together into an original polka song.

Did you know that “Weird Al” Yankovic has dozens of original songs in addition to his song parodies? In this episode of the Coasters Optional podcast Bennett and special guest DanielDannyDan breakdown Weird Al's catalog of original songs. From pastiche to completely original, you might be surprised at Weird Al’s creative genius and the stellar musicianship of him and his band.

In this episode of the Coasters Optional Podcast, special guest, Chris Bugbee of Cbugs Records in South Windsor Connecticut joins Bennett for an interview. Hear how Chris turned a passionate hobby into a thriving business!

Coasters Optional is a Rock music lovers podcast. It features, deep cuts, B-Sides, live, and alternate versions of Rock music from all eras. These are tracks you don’t hear on terrestrial and satellite radio! There will be some commentary, but mostly music to listen to while your at work, driving, or wherever!

In this episode, Bennett is joined by guest host Dave, a fellow Phish fanatic. Dave and Bennett go album by album and identify interesting songs, share insight and context as to how they compare to live versions. Consider this a Phish primer for new and even experienced Phans.