Hello Operator, The Hardest Podcast to Podcast and CBGB Fest 2025!

50 on the 50! The Third Men Podcast is here to celebrate (belatedly!) 50 years of Jack White by picking our top 50 favorite iterations of the man whose music we love so much. If these were action figures, they’d be a whole set. In fact, they’d be a whole set of JACK-TION FIGURES. And if you don’t like that pun? I’m afraid I can’t help you, because it is unabashedly the premise of our new episode this week. Plus, your humble co-host’s trip to Third Man Records in Nashville Tennessee is chronicled for the first time on the show! With that, we hope you enjoy this countdown of our favorites of the many sides to Jack White’s personality, and happy birthday (belatedly!) to the Third Man himself!

We fell in love with a show! Well, actually we fell in love with a whole tour, and in this all-new episode we’re going to recount our experiences on the 2025 Jack White NO NAME tour! From January with Ringo at the Ryman, to rocking Brooklyn in in chilly February, right on up through a quirky romp in the Troutdale grape fields in May, the Third Men Podcast has been BOOTS ON THE GROUND at some of Jack’s coolest, most iconic performances of the proper NO NAME TOUR. As always, if you attended the tour - we’d love to hear from you! Send us your ”fell in love with a show” review to thirdmenpodcast@gmail.com and enjoy this all new episode in the meantime!

Like a bolt from the Blue Room, Ben Blackwell is BACK! It's that time of year again, where we gather 'round the holiday turntable and look back at the Third Man year that was 2024 - and who better to give us the inside scoop on these marvelous musical memories than Third Man Records co-founder and co-owner Ben Blackwell! In this episode we'll discuss the No Name LP and tour, the various Third Man Vault releases, Beatle-y collaborations and so much more -- so join us for a discussion that will leave you all warm and fuzzy this holiday season. Thanks to Ben for joining us and thanks to you all for listening!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>There's so much Jacktivity. SO. MUCH. The Third Men Podcast is here to unpack all the latest and greatest events from the fall of 2024 with an all-new episode that highlights music, collaboration, performance and the strange return of Goober and the Peas. First up we've got a new Jack white solo song to talk about, the brand new b-side titled You Got Me Searching that accompanied a tour announcement for 2025! Then Jack joins St. Vincent and Paul McCartney live on stage in Mexico City, Jack debuts some fresh Fender gear...and a whole lot more. Join us and jam as we roll around in all this new Jack material - enjoy!</p><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We need to podcast right away so we can talk about this-ah. We need to podcast right about now! The Third Men podcast returns for another all-new episode recounting this past week's Jack White concert at Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon! Announced mere days prior to the event itself, your humble co-host was on-hand to witness one of the most break-neck, raucous and rumpus-shaking performances in Jack White history, all from the rails of a venue located on the grounds of the historic Washington High School. It was a night to remember, and remember it we shall along with all of you...and if you were similarly fortunate enough to catch the No Name Tour live... we want to hear about it! Jack's the principal now! <br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

New Jack White album, new Third Men Podcast. The boys are back to listen through the incredible NO NAME LP that Jack White dropped in July of 2024, and give live commentary on each electrifying track. From the wicked solos, chunky riffs and exceptional songwriting, NO NAME is a superb and unexpected entry into the Jack White solo cannon and we could not be happier! Whether you're listening during the morning (at midnight) or bombing out in a missionary, we want to hear YOUR favorite cuts - and hope you enjoy this off-the-cuff reaction to NO NAME!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Surprise! The Third Men Podcast is back from the mind shaft, connected by brotherly love (ew) and ready with an all-new episode that will take you for a stroll down memory lane. Specifically, whatever memory lane Ezmerelda is on. This is an installment of the show that we're calling BOARDING HOUSE REVISITED, wherein your humble co-hosts will take a look back at Jack White's divisive, genre-bending, and quintessentially WEIRD third solo album Boarding House Reach. In 2018, we here at the Third Men Podcast were so excited to have a new record from Jack White, that in retrospect our reactions to that record were perhaps somewhat colored by the environment around us. Well, we're here to give this whacky record a fresh listen, featuring live commentary for your ears only ...and with a surprising amount of clarity given the time that has passed since its release. So join us, won't you? We're happy to be back -- even if we are, indeed, totally absurd.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We're connected...by Rob! The Third Men Podcast is back with an all-new extended interview with returning guest and Jack White artwork guru Rob Jones! It's been six years and four studio albums since last we spoke to the animalrummy, and in this episode we'll do our best to make up for lost time. Artwork and design for Boarding House Reach, Help Us Stranger, Fear of the Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive are all covered, plus behind the scenes stories and insider info you'll not get anywhere else. We'd like to thank Rob for joining us on the show again and hope you all enjoy this special fall episode with one of our favorite people this side of Incitatus. <br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

What are YOUR favorite Dead Weather tracks? This is the question at the heart of the second installment of our ongoing TOP SPECIAL series - wherein we award our top three tracks from a set of albums with medals of varying (christian?) names. Today we welcome back returning guest Luke Sinclare to select choice cuts from each album by The Dead Weather, Jack White's goth-powered supergroup featuring Alison Mosshart, Jack Lawrence, Dean Fertita and the most important part of the band: the bass. 2009's Horehound, 2010's Sea of Cowards, and 2015's Dodge &amp; Burn have unique flavors all, and we've chosen our season 7 finale episode to sample this range of tunes and uncover our personal favorites in the process. Thanks to everyone out there for joining us this season on the show, and thanks to Luke for helping us finish out the run with one of the most lively conversations we've had on the Third Men Podcast to date!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

You've heard his name amongst the earliest die hard White Stripes fans...you've seen him mentioned in Mojo Magazine, Rolling Stone and even the White Stripes &amp; Third Man Records official social channels. He's Frank Anselmo, and this week he's joining us on the Third Men podcast to talk<em> Jack White Collections</em>...and he's got one of the finest in the world! Going all the way back to the White Stripes initial rise to fame in the US, Frank was there to witness it all as a die hard fan with enough close encounters to fill a Steven Spielberg movie. From gifting Jack White an authentic 1964 Airline Res-O-Glas (in iconic RED of course) to being on-set during the Hardest Button to Button video shoot, Frank has been on-hand for some incredible moments in Third Man history. This week we talk to Frank about his journey, and about the JackWhiteCollections.com - his labor of love website that showcases the incredible complete collections of Third Man memorabilia that will leave you breathless. So thanks Frank for joining us on the show, and for keeping James company at this year's Jack White concert in NYC!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The future's not a bore on the Third Men Podcast this week, as we're joined by Third Man Records recording artists THE PARANOYDS! Laila Hashemi and Lexi Funston join your humble co-hosts to break-down the origins of the band, how they linked up with Staz Lindes &amp; David Ruiz and what brought them into the TMR orbit - and that's only the beginning. Their latest LP TALK TALK TALK delves deep into LA culture, fears of the future and an askew glance at the present in one of the freshest rock records in recent memory. This episode Laila and Lexi are on-hand to tell the tales behind our favorite tracks like BWP, Nissan Overdrive and more! Up on your bed? Looking to mend? This podcast's for you!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We have arrived at the finale of our ELEPHANT album analysis &amp; review series...and so much more is left to cover. Part 2 left off with our track-by-track deep-dive, ending with middle-point powerhouse track Ball &amp; Biscuit -- now it's time to bring it on home to the end. With favorite cuts like Little Acorns and Hardest Button to Button, the best is truly left to come as we journey to the conclusion of this mammoth LP. We'll also analyze chart performance, critical reaction, band reflection and our own personal reviews of the breakthrough album that put The White Stripes on the map. Last but not least, your humble co-hosts will spelunk through the new ELEPHANT XX twentieth anniversary vault release, having freshly arrived in our grubby little paws - featuring video archives, a mono mix of the album and a commemorative book that offers fresh, fascinating insights into this classic entry into the candy cane canon! It's true that we love Elephant!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We're back for part 2 of our 3-part ELEPHANT album analysis &amp; review! With The White Stripes breakthrough masterpiece celebrating its 20th anniversary, and in advance of the corresponding commemorative vault release, the Third Men Podcast is finally tackling the only Stripes record remaining in its "album analysis &amp; review" series -- and you'd better believe we're not cutting any corners in the process. Last episode we discussed the inception, recording, design and historical context of the release of this mammoth LP, delving into detail on how the sessions came about. We also poured over our own interviews through the years to paint an accurate portrait of the inception of one of our favorite records of all time - from Ben Blackwell to Pat Pantano to Bruce Brand and everyone in-between. In part 2 of this series we'll begin the track-by-track discussion, from the album's iconic lead-off cut right on through to the similarly iconic blues rocker that continues to wow audiences in a live setting to this day. So grab some peanuts and park your trunk - our love for this album is 10-fold, girl. We'll let you hear it if you want to before you go.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<span class="ql-cursor"></span>The BIGGEST White Stripes record of all is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and to help ring in the festivities the Third Men Podcast is launching a 3-part retrospective on the mighty album ELEPHANT! Over the course of this podcast we've analyzed and reviewed nearly all of Jack White's albums in his various group incarnations and solo work, but this is one record we wanted to save for a special occasion -- and what better occasion than to celebrate both the anniversary of its release AND the brand new vault package coming our way shortly from Third Man Records! In this first installment of the series, we'll set the stage for the recording of the LP, where the band was in its own history at the time -- and what circumstances lead Jack and Meg White to Toe Rag Studios in Hackney, London. We're deep-diving into the methodology behind the album's themes, artwork and technical aspects, as well as providing context for some of the record's quirks and mysteries. Revisiting this record has been a real pleasure, and we hope you all enjoy the journey to Elephant as much as we did!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Join the Third Men Podcast this week for an insider's look at the ideation, design and implementation of Third Man Records' incredible line of merchandise! Christina Inman, resident Merchandiser and hellcat extraordinaire, tells the stories behind some of the most iconic TMR gear, from The White Stripes tiki mugs, assorted playing cards, pins, toys, shirts and more! Miss Cinnamon is joined by returning guests Alex Guaraldi and Jordan Collins from Coppersound Pedals, who collaborated closely with Christina on the amazing Triplegraph Pedal released in the Third Man Hardware line. Plus: James's magic allergy, Cramps-heavy DJ nights, and why you should always examine your Entenmann's Donuts.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Join the Third Men Podcast this week as we explore the history of women in music, from the Indie Rock boom until the present day, with an episode we had to call: <em>Women, Rock &amp; Detroit</em>. Joining your humble co-hosts are three special guests, each offering their own unique perspective on the triumphs, struggles and perceptions of female representation in music. Offering up a boots-on-the-ground view at the Detroit scene experience is the legendary Marcie Bolen, known for her work across many bands through Detroit &amp; beyond such as The Von Bondies, The Datsuns and Seger Liberation Army. Next up is record industry executive (across many different labels), as well as hip-hop solo artist Lady Tee the Difference, who shares her journey rising through the ranks of the music industry and carving her own path in the process. Finally, returning guest Kate McCoy details her point of view as a music fan, detailing experiences as a woman attending concerts, frequenting record stores, and learning music inspired by bands like The White Stripes. It's an essential conversation you don't want to miss, and we hope you all enjoy this deep-dive exploration!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The Third Men podcast is excited to welcome to the show (for the first time!) the extraordinary guitarist, composer and oft-Third Man Records collaborator Mr. William Tyler. In this all-new extended interview, we'll talk with William about his incredible career - from solo albums to secret origins and everything in between. We'll also deep-dive into the ever-changing landscape of Nashville, what Third Man has meant to the city since planting its flag there nearly 15 years ago, and of course William's musical connections to Jack white - both through several live TMR releases as well as opening for Jack during the Boarding House Reach tour in 2018. We'd like to thank William Tyler for joining us on the show, and hope you all enjoy this interview as much as we enjoyed conducting it!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Ben Blackwell is back! With the calendar year 2022 freshly in the rear view mirror, we here at the Third Men Podcast are once again on a mission to look back at the music, art and output from Third Man Records over what turned out to be a joyful and creatively robust 12 months. Not one, but TWO Jack White solo records were released, heralding a massive worldwide tour from the Third Man himself for the first time in several years. Not only that, but a parade of varied vault releases, legendary collaborations and unforgettable stunts followed in what is sure to go down in TMR history as a watershed moment of copious and successful output. In this special retrospective, 6-time-returning guest Ben Blackwell (co-founder and co-owner of Third Man Records) joins us to shed light on these events…and teases a glimpse of what’s in store for 2023. Does Tropical Gothclub signal a Dead Weather reunion? Can The Paranoyds pierce the zeitgeist in the same way TMR finds such as Margo Price have done so in the past? Can James find it in him to successfully pronounce each member of the Bobby Weir band's names correctly? The answers to these questions and much more await you in this special 2022 retrospective, and we’d like to extend a huge thanks to Mr. Blackwell for not only appearing once more on the show but for all the wonderful art he helped bring into the world this year. Cheers to Third Man, and cheers to 2023 — Happy New Year, everybody!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

They're at times his biggest fans, and at times his stalwart adversaries -- they're rock journalists and they have something to say about Jack White. And say it they have, ever since the early days of the White Stripes music reviewers were (and are) an ever-present aspect of how the public perceives Jack White the artist. In this first episode of an new recurring series, we're going to take a long hard look at the critical responses to each of Jack White's 5 (at the time of this recording) solo studio albums - from Blunderbuss straight on through to Entering Heaven Alive - in an attempt to analyze the music reviewer reaction to Jack White's body of solo work. We're also thrilled to be joined by Consequence of Sound staff writer Jonah Krueger, who himself reviewed Jack White's latest album, and who offers an invaluable perspective on the responsibilities inherent in the role of the rock journalist. This episode of the Third Men Podcast is going CRITICAL. <br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>