Gagnation - Adventures in Music, Sports, Enterprise, and Leisure

Bill Gagnon
  • 5.0 (13)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY

The Gag leads discussions with guests about interests that include music from the 80s and 90s rock and a sprinkling of new music, playlisting, and concert reviews. Sports include MLB, NFL, NBA, College Hoops and Football, maybe a little prep sports. But lean heavy on LA area sports teams and of course fantasy debates. Enterprise will cover money management, business strategy, innovation, technology and leadership. Leisure will cover everything from art, film, food, people and other social topics.

  1. 07/28/2021

    Tribute Bands - The Reason We Love 'Em - featuring Scotty

    Scotty joins The Gag and they discuss all the great reason to love The Tribute Bands (cover bands).  They tell a few stories about recently seeing Flashback Heart Attack (80's New Wave Tribute band) and the amount of joy the band delivered to their fans.  Discussion points include the type of Tribute bands, the history and origins, why you should see Tribute Bands, the void these bands are now filling for the live music scene since there are very few touring acts currently on the road.  They finish off the episode by talking about some of the great names of many of the Southern California Tribute bands inclduing Iron Maidens, Noise Polution, ACDShe, Use Your Illusion, Memory Lane, The Curse, Hollywood U2, Petty Breakers, Pretzel Logic, BoStyx, Sweet and Tender Hooligans, Strangelove, Which One's Pink, Atomic Punks and more.  30 minutes you will never get back!.  Below is a link to a Spotify covers playlist curated by Scotty  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1GTEowVHAR7yK4vbK1jfkA?si=efcd1eedc513454e

    32 min

  2. 05/13/2021

    2021 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees - featuring Scotty

    The 2021 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees have been recently announced.  Gagnation's most popular guest Scotty discusses with The Gag the nominees, the criteria (or lack of criteria) to be inducted, the voting process and some of the blunders of the past.    They also discuss some of the great bands that are still yet to be inducted.  They also establish their own criteria and use it to make predictions.  Artists discussed include, Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, The Go Go's, Iron Maiden, Todd Rundgren, Jay Z, Devo, NY Dolls, Carole King, Kiss, ACDC, Van Halen, Joy Division, New Order, The Smiths, Journey, and more.   They also talk about some of the pros and cons of the new $5B SoFfi Stadium in Inglewood.  2:00 -  Mission of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 4:15 - What is the current definition of Rock and Roll and how it has been changing 8:50 - The criteria discussion 14:25- Hard Rock genre neglect  18:50 - The Gag and Scotty's Proposed Criteria,  20:30 -  2021 Nominees,  21:40 - Won't Get Inducted, 24:10 -Tina Turner, 25:55  Foo Fighters, 28:05 - The guys sidebar into a discussion about the new SoFi Stadium pros and cons and also give an outlook on the future of the trough in the men's restroom. 31:40  Iron Maiden, 33:05 - The Go Go's, 34:30 -Jay-Z, 35:15 - Todd Rundgren, 37:15 - Devo, 39:40 - Rage Against The Machine, 40:30-The boys recap their predictions, 41:30 - Discuss issues with why some artists have been excluded to date and other factors to consider, 48:00 - The Gag lobbies for Arnel Pineda from Journey to be inducted into the Rock Hall  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5S0WMmBleupIQF0cbtJirq?si=baad8f5a8000454a

    51 min
  3. Sustainability - Every Day Is Earth Day - featuring Rachel Gagnon

    04/27/2021

    Sustainability - Every Day Is Earth Day - featuring Rachel Gagnon

    To commemorate Earth Day on April 22, Gagnation invited Rachel Gagnon on the podcast to discusses sustainability.   38% of Gen Z practice sustainability, compared to only 15% of Americans 55+.   We discuss some of the issues and policies around sustainability and the concept of "Greenwashing"  In Part 2 (12:00) , we urge the Gagnation listeners to take simple steps in their everyday life to improve the environment.  Rachel reviews 5 different steps we can take to effectively manage Energy Consumption, Save Water, and Reuse Items.  It could be the best spent 21 minutes of the year for you.  Enjoy Everyday is Earth Day.

    23 min

  4. 04/15/2021

    Controlled Substances and Rock and Roll - featuring Scotty

    Just in time for 420 and Bicycle Day, this episode discusses the influence of drugs in Rock and Roll.  Gagnation's most popular guest Scotty discusses with The Gag, the origins of 420 and Bicycle Day, the influence of drugs in Rock and Roll in the 60's and 70's and even in today's Reggae and JamBand culture.  We discuss Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Steve Miller, Snoop Dogg, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Lynyrd Skynryd, Weezer, Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Neil Young, Rush, The Stranglers, Guns and Roses, Steve Miller, Jefferson Airplane and more.  (4:05) History of 420 (8:35) History of Bicycle Day, (13:15) Heroin and Rock, (16:25) Impact of Psychedelics on Music, (24:45) Marijuana Impact on Music, (29:40) Songs we love but just happen to include drug references, (41:05) influence of Neil Young and Lynryd Skynryd  Below is a link to a Spotify playlist that features many of the great tracks discussed in the episode (copy and paste on your browser) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1GrTWzXOZSGJbraiNMSo9A?si=f2af703ab21c4af0

    45 min

  5. 03/12/2021

    The Best Rock Live Albums Ever featuring Scotty and Hallzee

    Looks like we may have live concerts this summer or fall, so Gagnation wants to go back in history and discuss The Best Live Albums Ever.  This episode includes special guests Scotty and Hallzee who help The Gag come up with a Top 10 List.  They talk about how the best live albums captured the essence of the live experience and what made them special.  We discuss Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Thin Lizzy, Talking Heads, The Who, Hendrix, UFO, Iron Maiden, U2, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, Nirvana, Kiss, Queen, Neil Young, Ted Nugent, Rush, Cheap Trick, The Ramones and more.  The Introduction (1:57), What Made Live Albums Great? (6:48), The Selection Criteria (16:25), Honorable Mentions (21:30), Selections 10 - 6 Countdown (26:50), Selections 5 - 1 Countdown (47:22). Below is a link to a Spotify playlist that features many of the great tracks discussed in the episode https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3vSkUDzDqf4tos6cSTz4mI?si=rfnJE_khTqCFhvsjqpl5nA

    1h 17m

  6. 02/27/2021

    Part 2 - Best Movie Soundtracks of the 80's and 90's - We Heard You! - featuring Scotty

    The 80's and 90's were the golden age for movie soundtracks.  This is the follow up episode that is a response to listener feedback and comments to the first episode.  The fans loved the first episode but were highly critical of some of the movies that were not covered.  Special guest Scotty returns to give his insights and help The Gag right the wrongs..  The boys cover  the following movie soundtracks - Singles, Valley Girl, Hi-Fidelity, Romeo and Juliet, The Wedding Singer, and Almost Famous and talk about significant role that music plays in these movies.   They also discuss how music in film and TV have contributed to huge cultural moments that still resonate today, including Elton John's "Tiny Dancer", Harold Faltormeyers "Axel F", Simple Minds "Don't You Forget About Me" and more.  Below is a playlist that features many of the great tracks we discuss in the episode https://open.spotify.com/playlist/204qq5OpQOB7TTgPjLVdy6?si=AZErYpKhS5S7OqUJFJbxww

    52 min

  7. 12/19/2020

    Happy Holidays 2020 - The Joy of Christmas Music

    This episode is dedicated to JD Defazio.   The Gag and Scotty put a wrap on this crazy year by talking about the power and joy of Christmas music during the holiday season.  They talk about their own childhood experiences, (15:00) the popularity of Christmas music, and (24:00) review some unheralded Christmas songs that they feel the Gagnation listeners should revisit.  They end the episode (36:00) with a discussion about Band Aid " Let The Know It's Christmas Time" project and the lasting impact that it has had on society and culture around the world.   Artists that are discussed: Chuck Berry, The Ramones, The Waitresses, Phoebe Bridges, The Chipmunks, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, The Pretenders, The Kinks, Goo Goo Dolls, The Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Anne Murray, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond Michael Buble, David Bowie, Bob Geldof, and more

    46 min

  8. 09/12/2020

    The Best Movie Soundtracks of the 80's and 90's - featuring Scotty

    The 80's and 90's were the golden age for movie soundtracks.  Special guest Scotty returns to bless the Gagnation with his wisdom and we discuss the impact music has had on films and the creative process that goes into it.  Prior to the 80's, the role music played in cinema was more passive and limited mostly to scores.  This all changed in the 80's and 90's when directors like John Hughes, Wes Anderson, Quintin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Guy Ritchie, Spike Lee and others moved music to the front and center of the creative process.  The Gag and Scotty then each give you their top 3 movie soundtracks of the era and tell you why.  You need to listen to hear their top picks, but one of the selections is - Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

    36 min
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5
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13 Ratings

About

The Gag leads discussions with guests about interests that include music from the 80s and 90s rock and a sprinkling of new music, playlisting, and concert reviews. Sports include MLB, NFL, NBA, College Hoops and Football, maybe a little prep sports. But lean heavy on LA area sports teams and of course fantasy debates. Enterprise will cover money management, business strategy, innovation, technology and leadership. Leisure will cover everything from art, film, food, people and other social topics.

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