You Gotta Check This Out!

Mike Slater and Dre Alvarez
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

This is “You Gotta Check This Out” With Mike Slater and Dre Alvarez. Each season, we take a deep dive into one of our nerdy obsessions - giving each one as much time as we see fit to get each other and you the listener up to speed with something we love. Season 1 - Babylon 5 - TV series | free on YouTube Season 2 - The Power Fantasy - Comic Series | free on Hoopla Season 3 - Steely Dan - Music | Wherever you listen to music New episodes release every other Sunday, with a minisode on the off-weeks. Articles on each episode available at https://mikeslater.com/ Mike & Dre Socials https://bsky.app/profile/slatron.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/nerdnumbers.com https://www.instagram.com/slatron11/ https://www.instagram.com/nerdnumbers/ Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley. See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Show Website: www.mikeslater.com

  1. 2d ago

    Steely Dan - Aja and Gaucho with Donovan Summers

    Mike & Dre continue diving into the history and music of the band Steely Dan focusing on "Aja" and "Gaucho". This week's guest is drummer and music teacher Donovan Summers. We had some unfortunate lag issues on this recording that aren’t TOO bad, but the audio dips out briefly a few times. We’ve fixed up what we can, but please excuse any unexpected audio blips. In This Episode... we got a drummer expressly for the purpose of explaining to Dre the difference between 3/4 and 6/8 time. Along the way, tons of talk about the smooth sounds ofd Aja and Gaucho. Hear all about Larry Carlton's unseen contributions to Aja, the insane working process that was Gaucho, and how both albums capped one of the greatest creative streaks in music history. Recommendations Donovan Fantagraphics 8-ball ComicsMad Max MoviesBlame! - Manga Series Dre Ted Lasso Season 4 Mike Time to Burn Novel Join us next Sunday where we talk to Donovan about the song "Home At Last" and a discussion on the Purdy Shuffle. We also present a performance of the song by Donovan and Mike. The following week, we'll be back with another full-length episode on steely dan with special guests Carl Broman and Ted Fraufelder. Join us as we cover the albums "Two Agains Nature" and "Everything Must Go". Chapters 00:02 - Opening Monologue 09:03 - Walter Beckons 25:00 - Any Major Dre Will Tell You 33:22 - David Palmer Memory Quiz 49:06 - Dirty Work Read the show notes here Listen to the lost track from Gaucho, "The Second Arrangement". Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Steely Dan - Aja and Gaucho with Donovan Summers

  2. Oct 11

    Minisode - Steely Dan The Fez with Ait Fetterolf

    Welcome back to our season on the music of Steely Dan. Today, Mike and Ait perform "The Fez" This week's guest is Ait Fetterolf In This Minisode… recency bias from teaching Steely Dan, understanding tri-tone substitutions, Ait and Mike perform The Fez, I want to be your hoagie man, Ait is Thor, recreating a wah trumpet, scrubs, and a completely off-topic Star Wars / Matrix debate. “The Fez” starts at 10:05 Join us next Sunday where we'll be back with another full-length episode on Steely Dan covering the next two Steely Dan albums "Aja" and "Gaucho" with Special Guest Donovan Summers. Read the show notes here See Mike and Ait perform a show with Rock Lab on YouTube Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Chapters 0:18 - Mike’s Intro 0:51 - Fez Talk 10:05 - The Fez 12:51 - Fez Lyrics 20:14 - The Nyquist Rate and Overtones 25:40 - Ait’s Family Road Trip Mixes 29:22 - Recreating the wah trumpet 30:59 - Scrubs Season 9 Talk 34:18 - Mike’s Outro 35:00 - Star Wars / Matrix Outtake 4 Chords | Music Videos | The Axis Of Awesome Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Minisode - Steely Dan The Fez with Ait Fetterolf

  3. Oct 4

    Steely Dan - Katy Lied and The Royal Scam with Ait Fetterolf

    Mike & Dre continue diving into the history and music of the band Steely Dan focusing on "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam". This week's guest is Ait Fetterolf In This Episode... Ait’s party trick, speeding up songs for radio play, Sim-ese, Dre questions the track selections on Decade, Ait turns the quiz back on the quizmaster, and lots of discussion on the songs of Katy Lied and The Royal Scam. Recommendations Ait Me, Myself & Irene Dre Rick Glassman Podcast with Dave Franco Mike Strong Songs Podcast Join us next Sunday where we talk to Ait about the song "The Fez" before a performance of the song. The following week, we'll be back with another full-length episode on steely dan with special guest Donovan Summers. Join us as we cover the albums "Aja" and "Gaucho". Chapters 00:02 - Opening Monologue 22:16 - Walter Beckons 25:46 - Any Major Dre Will Tell You 33:53 - David Palmer Memory Quiz 45:38 - Dirty Work Read the show notes here Rick Moranis as Michael McDonald Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Steely Dan - Katy Lied and The Royal Scam with Ait Fetterolf

  4. Sep 27

    Minisode - The Boston Rag with John Szymanski

    Welcome back to our season on the music of Steely Dan This week's guest is John Szymanski In this Minisode... John can’t get the Boston Rag out of his head, John and Mike explain A minor to Dre (?!?), Mike talks phasing in relation to Ratatouille, John and Mike perform The Boston Rag, and John’s love/hate relationship with technology in music. “The Boston Rag” starts at 17:10 Join us next Sunday where we'll be back with another full-length episode on Steely Dan covering the next two Steely Dan albums "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam" with Special Guest Ait Fetterolf. Read the show notes here Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Chapters 17:10 - The Boston Rag Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Minisode - The Boston Rag with John Szymanski

  5. Sep 20

    Steely Dan - Countdown and Pretzel Logic with John Szymanski

    Mike & Dre continue diving into the history and music of the band Steely Dan focusing on "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic". This week's guest is John Szymanski In This Episode… Mike rants about this era of the Dan, composing music for slot machines, using variety to keep music vital, tour talk, and the Dan transition from touring band to studio-only. Recommendations John A wizard a true star - Todd RudgrenGet Music by John Szymanski on bandcampMike Raised By Hippies on YouTubeDre Nolan's The Odyssey Join us next Sunday where we talk to John about the song The Boston Rag. Then stick around and hear us perform a duet of the song. The following week, we'll be back with another full-length episode on steely dan with special guest Ait Fetterolf. Join us as we cover the albums "Katy Lied" and "The Royal Scam". Chapters 00:02 - Opening Monologue 08:11 - Walter Beckons 21:27 - Any Major Dre Will Tell You 25:42 - David Palmer Memory Quiz 32:51 - Dirty Work Read the show notes here YouTube Video of Funniest Steely Dan Interviews Royce James singing Any Major Dude Will Tell You Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Steely Dan - Countdown and Pretzel Logic with John Szymanski

  6. Sep 13

    Minisode - Dirty Work with Dan Jackson

    Welcome back to our season on the music of Steely Dan Each minisode during the Steely Dan season, we'll be presenting a musical performance by Mike and the guest. In this Minisode...David Palmer brings the sweet side of Steely Dan, Dan and Mike explore the music theory behind Dirty Work, then they perform the song Dirty Work before finishing the episode with more talk on music technology and appreciating Jazz. “Dirty Work” starts at 18:47 This week's guest is Dan Jackson Join us next Sunday where we'll be back with another full-length episode on Steely Dan with special guest John Szymanski. Join us as we cover the albums "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic". Read the show notes here Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Minisode - Dirty Work with Dan Jackson

  7. Sep 6

    Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill with Dan Jackson

    Welcome to a new season on the music of Steely Dan Mike here. In This Episode, Dre and I begin diving into the history and music of the band Steely Dan starting with their debut album "Can't Buy A Thrill". Each episode, we'll have a guest musician on the show to talk about their history with Steely Dan. In the minisodes, we'll feature a performance with me and the guest on a Steely Dan song of their choice. We're not afraid to get into the weeds on music theory, but Dre is always here to ask questions as a newcomer to the band. If you're an old fan or new to the Dan, there's something here for you. This week's guest is Dan Jackson Dan Recommends Bandsplain PodcastBurt Sugarman’s Midnight Special with Steely DanRaye - this album may contain hopeThe Brook and the BluffDan’s Chicago RPG storeDan on instagram Join us next Sunday where we talk to Dan about the song Dirty Work. Then stick around and hear us perform a duet of the song. The following week, we'll be back with another full-length episode on steely dan with special guest John Szymanski. Join us as we cover the albums "Countdown to Ecstasy" and "Pretzel Logic". Chapter Times I'm working on adding chapters to the podcast. In the meantime, here's the next best thing in case you really can't stand the monologue. Or are only here for the quiz. 00:02 - Opening Monologue 08:31 - Walter Beckons 29:35 - Any Major Dre Will Tell You 34:00 - David Palmer Memory Quiz 41:44 - Dirty Work Read the show notes here Hear Rock Lab at Chicago Summerfest Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Listen to Mike's daily steely dan songs on instagram for #80daysofdan

    Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill with Dan Jackson

  8. Aug 30

    Greerleaders with Logan Trent

    Stick around to the end of this one for the debut of the Greerleaders podcast theme. In this minisode… Bob and Tiff Hellbound, we add Low Gain to the team, Etienne as Victor Wembanyama, Etienne as Krang, the only ethical load and  WW ‘84, Etienne zazzes up, what’s in the boombox?, the right-wing “Are you there God? It’s me Margaret”, another reason Mike can’t be Magus, Heavy’s ego, extended Greer talk, the 2.5 good X-Men movies, more Greertalk, Greerleaders is born. This week's guest is Logan Trent. Listen to Logan Trent WNBYay Podcast with friend of the show Adam Tod Brown Wrestlemania Podcast with friend of the show John Reiman For the next full episode, we move on to our next topic and cover Steely Dan with Special Guest Daniel "D-Jax" Jackson. In the first episode, we'll be covering their first album "Can't Buy A Thrill". Read the show notes here Mike On Instagram Dre On Instagram Dre On Bluesky All music by Mike Slater

    Greerleaders with Logan Trent
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

This is “You Gotta Check This Out” With Mike Slater and Dre Alvarez. Each season, we take a deep dive into one of our nerdy obsessions - giving each one as much time as we see fit to get each other and you the listener up to speed with something we love. Season 1 - Babylon 5 - TV series | free on YouTube Season 2 - The Power Fantasy - Comic Series | free on Hoopla Season 3 - Steely Dan - Music | Wherever you listen to music New episodes release every other Sunday, with a minisode on the off-weeks. Articles on each episode available at https://mikeslater.com/ Mike & Dre Socials https://bsky.app/profile/slatron.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/nerdnumbers.com https://www.instagram.com/slatron11/ https://www.instagram.com/nerdnumbers/ Logo artwork by Michael Vincent Bramley. See Michael's work or ask about commissions at https://mvbramley.art/ All music by Mike Slater Show Website: www.mikeslater.com

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Slater and Dre Alvarez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    You Gotta Check This Out!

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