In 1985, the biggest names in music—from Springsteen to Stevie—crowded into one studio, stayed up all night, and recorded a charity single that became a global phenomenon. But behind the anthem were egos, walkouts, awkward Swahili lessons, and legends guiding legends to the bathroom. In this episode, Hannah and Chris dig into the wild backstory of We Are the World: who showed up, who didn’t, and why the messy, magical chaos still echoes almost 40 years later.
Ever sworn Freddie Mercury ended “We Are the Champions” with “…of the world”? Or found yourself confidently singing “hold me closer, Tony Danza” like it was gospel? Same.
In this episode, Chris and I dig into all the little ways music has been messing with our memories — from Mandela Effects that make you question reality to misheard lyrics that prove our ears have been lying to us for decades.
In this episode of Are They Still With Us?, Hannah and Chris keep their word (for once!) and dive into one of rock’s strangest disappearances. Jeremy Spencer, Fleetwood Mac’s original slide-guitar virtuoso, walked out in 1971 to “buy a magazine” — and never came back. Days later, the band found him fully immersed in the Children of God cult.
From his blues-driven beginnings with Mac to the surreal intervention attempt by his bandmates, we trace Spencer’s shocking exit, the royalties that funded a notorious religious group, and the allegations that have shadowed him ever since. Hannah and Chris also share their recent concert adventures seeing The Ocean Blue and Black Star Orchestra, before breaking down how one man’s choice shaped the future of Fleetwood Mac forever.
Is Jeremy Spencer still with us? Yes — alive, making music, but forever tied to one of rock’s darkest twists.
Fleetwood Mac wasn’t always the shawl-twirling rock soap opera we know today. In this episode, Hannah and Chris trace the band’s wild journey — from Peter Green’s bluesy beginnings and cult disappearances to Stevie and Lindsey’s fiery entrance and the chaotic masterpiece that became Rumours. Expect cults, cocaine, breakups, affairs, and shawls galore — plus a few personal asides (including why Rhiannon almost became a baby name in the Kelly household). As always, we’ll ask the ultimate question: Are they still with us?
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Some songs just won’t stay in their decade. This week, we’re digging into tracks that got a second (or third!) life thanks to cover versions. From Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” becoming a Guns N’ Roses anthem, to unexpected Beach Boys bangers that everyone wanted to rework — we trace how covers can sometimes outshine the originals.
Chris swears we only recorded this episode so he’d have something to listen to while mowing the lawn, but trust us — this is one you’ll want blasting through your headphones, no mower required.
What if the band you saw was the literal thing you were seeing? Imagine dodging blades at a Killers concert, or realizing that Dead and Company is… well, not doing encores for very obvious reasons.
In this episode, we unravel the hilariously dark (and sometimes deeply confusing) possibilities of band names taken way too literally. Chris goes on an epic rant about Dead and Company ticket prices (spoiler: he’s not paying $1100 ), and Hannah barely keeps the train on the tracks.
It’s unhinged. It’s chaotic. It’s somehow still about music.
Grab your snacks, say a prayer for your wallet, and dive in.
We’re diving into Paul and Linda McCartney’s post-Beatles era — from goofy musical lyrics while forming Wings to dropping love songs that critics hated (but we secretly love). Plus: Dustin Hoffman, Picasso, and the case for forgiving “Silly Love Songs.”
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Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance was emotional, epic, and unforgettable. We break down Back to the Beginning—from the setlist to the Sabbath reunion, Yungblud’s touching gift, and the moments that sealed his legacy. Yes, Hannah cries...again
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This week, we dive into the fuzzy, feedback-drenched legacy of The Jesus and Mary Chain—those gloomy Scottish brothers who turned bedroom noise into a full-blown sonic revolution. From lo-fi recordings in East Kilbride to inciting actual riots at 15-minute gigs, the Reids made chaos an art form. Naturally, we honored that chaos by losing audio mid-recording. Twice. 🙃We’ll be back next week to talk about… someone else.📬 Got a suggestion, wild theory, or band you’re dying to hear about? Hit us up at aretheystillwithus@gmail.com
They weren’t just ahead of their time — they detonated it. This week, Hannah and Chris unpack the raw brilliance and backstage drama of the Pixies, from Frank Black’s iron grip on the creative process to Kim Deal’s quiet rebellion. We’re talking Surfer Rosa vinyl controversy, late openers at Wembley, rumors involving VD shots (we said what we said), and how this band influenced everyone from Nirvana to Radiohead — even if they could barely stay in the same room.
Join us as we get loud, get weird, and explore the band that shaped alternative rock… one awkward fax breakup at a time.
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1964 wasn’t just a big year for the Beatles—it was the year. In this episode, we explore how four lads from Liverpool stepped into a grieving America and sparked a cultural explosion that changed music, youth identity, and the definition of fame forever.
When news broke that Brian Wilson had passed, we knew we had to shift gears. In this heartfelt episode, we dive into the life and legacy of the Beach Boys’ brilliant yet tormented mastermind—from sun-soaked surf anthems to the layered genius of Pet Sounds and the long-delayed triumph of Smile. We unpack the childhood trauma, the musical innovation, the family feuds, and the long road to healing.
Hannah confesses her first Beach Boys memory was Kokomo (yes, really), while Chris breaks down what made Brian’s harmonies timeless. From psychedelic breakdowns to tropical comebacks, this one’s a journey.
Put on your headphones—and maybe a Hawaiian shirt—as we honor one of pop’s most complex and influential figures.
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In this one, we’re talking about Shannon, River Phoenix, and Brandon Lee — the music, the movies, the chaos, and the legacy they left behind. These were the voices and faces that helped me make sense of all those messy teenage feelings. And their stories still hit hard.
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After a two-week break (shoutout to Cedar Creek weddings, IMO’s pizza, and Chris’s eternal love for Lion’s Choice), we’re back—and we’re talking all things Chicago… the band, not the city. In this episode, we dive into the legacy of one of rock’s most underrated and overplayed groups—from Terry Kath’s heartbreaking death to mafia management rumors, power ballad backlash, and the truth behind “25 or 6 to 4.”
We’re covering the Dwayne Bailey era, the rise and fall of their cool factor, and why their discography is way deeper than just wedding slow dances and prom songs.
Oh—and yes, we know the audio on our last episode was rough. We really hope we’ve got it figured out now.
Let’s go.
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This episode cranks the volume on the ultimate metal Sauga – Ozzy Osbourne's wild exit from Black Sabbath, his rise from the ashes with blizzard of Ozz, and the Mayham that was the Osbournes. Plus we dive into the heavy legacy of Ozzfest – the touring metal festival that changed everything. Buckle up!
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A little audio issue this week but we’re trucking on!
This week, we explore what happens when iconic rock band members go solo—and sometimes, totally off the rails. Not all band breakups are bad. Some of them give us Sussudio, The Living Years, and unexpected Tarzan soundtracks. (Even though Hannah said Lion King…we all know what she meant! 😉)
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We’re covering The Crow, Reality Bites, Pump Up the Volume, Clueless, Can’t Hardly Wait, Natural Born Killers, and yes — a brief detour into me totally misremembering what movie The Pixies were actually in. (Spoiler: not Reality Bites. Oops!)
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On this episode of Are They Still With Us, Hannah and Chris dive into the mixtape magic behind skateboarding’s golden age. From the goofy charm of Johnny Rad in Animal Chin to the raw, rebellious energy of Shackle Me Not and the punk-funk chaos of Hocus Pocus, they explore how skate videos didn’t just change the way we ride—they changed the way we listen.
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In this episode, we intended to talk about Flogging Molly, but somehow ended up on a deep dive into the life of Matt Hensley—the pro skateboarder turned accordion player who helped shape Celtic punk.
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We take a look at Mark Gonzales, the skater who helped invent street skating and changed the game with raw creativity. From the legendary Gonz Gap to his Bob Dylan-level unpredictability, we dig into what makes Gonz such a one-of-a-kind force.
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