If you were at all worried that famed Chicago rock critic, SOUND OPINIONS co-host, and prickly pear-par excellence Jim DeRogatis might be mellowing with age — fear not! We’re here to assure you that Jim is just as fearless and opinionated as ever. And it’s a delight. On this episode he talks about being transformed by Lester Bangs and The Velvet Un…

This week, Jim pays tribute to the late Clare Elliot of the Suburban Reptiles, one of the first two punk bands out of New Zealand. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/s…

Like most lifers, Johnny Wator has no intention of going back. He’s not going back to a life of shit jobs, he’s not going back to being told what to do by assholes, and he’s definitely not going back to his hometown with his tail between his legs. But after 11 years of ups and downs on the road with his band The Last Vegas — those outcomes were sta…

The Sound Opinions World Tour rolls along, making its next stop in beautiful New Zealand. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot take a virtual trip to the other side of the world to explore the best of kiwi music, focusing on the influential jangly pop movement known as the Dunedin Sound. Plus they bid farewell to a giant of the New Zealand music scene,…

In this bonus episode Greg adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that he was reminded of after reviewing the new album by Common and Pete Rock. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobi…

This week: Ben is on the road again so we catch him at his hotel in Pennsylvania to talk Metallica weekend in Chicago, new seats for the Music Box, Stan Bush’s “You’ve Got The Touch”, the history of government cheese, and WHAT’S THE BEST?!? “Seinfeld”.By The LIFERS Podcast

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot look back 40 years into the past and revisit some of their favorite songs of 1984. The hosts also review the new album from Redd Kross. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: htt…

In this bonus episode Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox that he heard during the 2024 Summer Olympics in France. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops…

Our ol’ buddy Dave Rockland comes to the show ready to play — which means he’s wearing his X-tra large Gabe Rodriguez “God’s Gift” Local H shirt. What does THAT mean? Find out on this week’s episode as we talk to Dave about spending over his half his life working at JAM Productions, living down the street from Gabe & Scott, litigious Local H shows,…

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot have talked about Lou Reed many times before on Sound Opinions, but often the discussion gets focused on the man's life instead of his music. This week they talk with author Jim Higgins about his new book that reviews every album Reed released in his lifetime. The hosts also review new albums from Common and Jack Wh…

In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to John Mayall, one of the most influential British blues guitarists who never gets the accolades of many of his friends and collaborators. Mayall died in July at the age of 90. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: h…

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore the history and legacy of the 50+ year-old Chicago blues label, Alligator Records, with its founder Bruce Iglauer. They'll talk to him about his new book Bitten By the Blues: The Alligator Records Story and discuss some of the landmark artists who came through, from Koko Taylor to Albert Collins. …

In this bonus episode, Jim adds a song to the Desert Island Jukebox from a star of one of the first reality shows, "An American Family," who turned punk rocker and became part of the CBGB's scene. His story is told in Emily Nussbaum's book "Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV." Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our…

In these hopelessly divided times, is it possible to come together and talk about our differences while understanding and revelling in our commonalities? Uhhh… Nope. So instead we talk about tiny alligators, old jokes, vegans, keyboard warriors, and farting in the tub. Viva la diplomacy!!!By The LIFERS Podcast

This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot share some new music that’s flying underneath the mainstream radar - buried treasures! They’ll also hear selections from their production staff. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a dona…

In this bonus episode, Jim talks with producer Andrew Gill about his side project: Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music. They discuss the similarities and differences in their own religious upbringings and what motivates the project. Rock That Doesn't Roll Podcast Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our ne…

We're mourning the loss of Bob Newhart and in honor of his life, we've resurfaced his appearance on Sound Opinions from 2008 as a bonus podcast. Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile…

Let’s get political! This week we’ve got punk rock legend Vic Bondi on the show to scare the hell out of us and talk about the specter of fascism in America. Fun stuff! We also talk about Vic’s band Articles Of Faith, his other band Jones Very, Howard Zinn, Microsoft, KFC, The Clash, Chicago punk rock, John Haggerty, Reed Mullins, Husker Du, Redshi…

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with singer and songwriter Angélica Garcia, whose latest album "Gemelo" is sung almost entirely in Spanish. They also pay tribute to the late James Chance and Françoise Hardy. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://b…

In this bonus episode, Greg adds a timeless reggae song to the desert island jukebox. -- Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Join our Facebook Group: https://b…

“A bartender is the aristocrat of the working class”. Douglas Coughlin said that. And he could’ve been talking about Mike McIntyre. Like all great bartenders, Mike is an iceberg: You look behind the bar and you see a guy with a sharp sense of humor and wicked way with a cocktail shaker — but underneath the water is a hustler with gravitas and a shi…

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with director Lisa Cortés about her documentary, "Little Richard: I Am Everything." The film is full of electrifying live footage of the rock and roll architect throughout his career. They also talk with Professor Timothy McKenry about his research into why people listen to less new music as they age. -- Join o…