Loud Lit

Matt Reno
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Books

Deepen your appreciation of your favorite artists and genres. On Loud Lit, your host Matt Reno, a former rock radio DJ and forever music nerd, delivers reviews of books about rock and hip hop music. Tune in to find your next read.

  1. Roots of Rebellion: Serj Tankian's Down with the System

    2d ago

    Roots of Rebellion: Serj Tankian's Down with the System

    This week on Loud Lit, Matt dives into Serj Tankian's powerful 2024 memoir, Down with the System. Behind System of a Down's wild, zany riffs and legendary vocals is a story deeply rooted in activism, heritage, and the fight for justice. We explore the band's unlikely rise to stardom, internal band friction, and Serj's lifelong mission to gain recognition for the Armenian Genocide that directly impacted his ancestors. Want to read Serj's story for yourself? Grab your copy of Down with the System at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Shopping small instead of defaulting to Amazon is a total punk rock move, and it directly keeps this show running! Listen to Matt's metal podcast, The Noise Report, or watch on YouTube Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    5 min
  2. Ambition on Their Own Terms: The R.E.M. Story

    May 30

    Ambition on Their Own Terms: The R.E.M. Story

    What happens when a band does everything "wrong" and becomes the biggest act in the world anyway? On this Loud Lit episode, Matt dives into one of his all-time favorite musical artists with a look at The Name of This Band is R.E.M. by Peter Ames Carlin. Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    5 min
  3. 29 Minutes of Hell: DX Ferris on Slayer’s Reign in Blood

    May 16

    29 Minutes of Hell: DX Ferris on Slayer’s Reign in Blood

    Twenty-nine minutes of pure, unadulterated aggression. In 1986, Slayer didn’t just release an album; they released a manifesto for thrash metal. This week on Loud Lit, we dive into the 57th entry of the 33 1/3 book series, where entertainment reporter DX Ferris dissects the creation, controversy, and chaotic legacy of Slayer’s magnum opus: Reign in Blood. Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Listen to The Noise Report or watch on YouTube Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    5 min
  4. The Beat Goes On: Questlove’s 50-Year Hip Hop Deep Dive

    May 2

    The Beat Goes On: Questlove’s 50-Year Hip Hop Deep Dive

    Can you really fit a 50-year cultural revolution into a single book? This week on Loud Lit, Matt explores Hip Hop Is History by the legendary Questlove (of The Roots). This isn't your average Wikipedia-style timeline. Questlove and co-author Ben Greenman break down the genre’s evolution into fascinating five-year cycles, tracing how hip hop shifted from the block parties of the late '70s to the global powerhouse it is today. Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    5 min
  5. Ozzy's Final Chapter: Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne

    Apr 18

    Ozzy's Final Chapter: Last Rites by Ozzy Osbourne

    In 2025, the music world said a final goodbye to the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne. But before he left us, he gave fans one final, legendary performance in Birmingham and a candid, posthumous memoir that serves as the ultimate encore. On this episode of Loud Lit, Matt dives into Last Rites. Written with Chris Ayers, this memoir is a raw, witty, and surprisingly moving account of Ozzy’s final years. Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Check out The Noise Report on Captivate or in your podcast app. Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    6 min
  6. Rick Rubin and the Zen of Creativity

    Apr 4

    Rick Rubin and the Zen of Creativity

    How does a man who looks like a barefoot philosopher help legendary acts like Metallica, Slayer, and Adele create their best work? This week on Loud Lit, Matt dives into the minimalist, "hands-off" genius of legendary music producer Rick Rubin. While Rubin is a titan of the music industry, his book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, isn't just for musicians—it’s a manual for anyone looking to live a more creative life. From the power of "disciplined freedom" to the counterintuitive art of disengaging to find focus, we explore Rubin’s time-tested methods for breaking through creative blocks. Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    7 min
  7. Before the Funk: Flea’s Acid for the Children

    Mar 28

    Before the Funk: Flea’s Acid for the Children

    Before he was the world’s most iconic wild-man bassist, Michael Balzary was just a jazz-loving kid from Melbourne trying to survive a feral youth in the streets of Los Angeles. In this episode of Loud Lit, Matt dives into Flea’s unconventional memoir, Acid for the Children. We look at the raw, vulnerable, and often chaotic pre-history of a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. From his early days as a trumpet prodigy to honest reflections on drug-fueled adventures, Flea proves he can wield a pen just as well as a four-string. Plus, Matt shares his personal story of meeting Flea and other Chili Peppers backstage in Louisville, Kentucky. Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    7 min
  8. BONUS: Highlighting Save the Music for Podcasthon

    Mar 16

    BONUS: Highlighting Save the Music for Podcasthon

    In this special bonus episode of Loud Lit, Matt joins the fourth annual Podcastthon to advocate for the Save the Music Foundation. Music education is more than just a "nice-to-have" elective—it’s a vital tool for child development. From improving literacy and motor skills to boosting self-confidence and academic performance, the benefits of making music follow students well into their adult professional lives. Donate to Save the Music Learn more about Podcasthon Support this show and independent booksellers at the Loud Lit Bookshop Page. Start your own podcast with Captivate!

    4 min
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About

Deepen your appreciation of your favorite artists and genres. On Loud Lit, your host Matt Reno, a former rock radio DJ and forever music nerd, delivers reviews of books about rock and hip hop music. Tune in to find your next read.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Reno
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Matt Reno
  • Show Website
    Loud Lit