Don’t Scratch The Vinyl
Music History Podcast: Don’t Scratch The Vinyl Hosted by Chad Jones Each episode myself, and occasionally a guest, dive into a classic record. Most episodes will be breaking down an iconic album song by song. While the show will mostly cover rock acts, the podcast will not be limited to that genre. Each record will be celebrating an anniversary loosely divisible by 10. Every song on the album will be discussed. Beginning Monologue I write diving into who the band was at the time at the time this album was released. I could get personal, touch more on the popular music scene at the time, or simply set up the band and what was happening for them at this stage of their career. Basically, adding context to this album. “My guest today needs no introduction, which is why I’m going to offer one anyway.” Plug their work. Discuss why this artist and especially this record mean so much to them/me. Dive into all the songs on the record. Music, lyrics, titles, themes, videos, best, worst, honesty. Categories (Will be chosen for each episode) Crank it up to 11: Best portion of the album? Is it a certain intro, guitar solo, ending? What part makes you just crank the volume up so high, permanent ear damage is worth it. Reshuffling History: Were these songs put in the best order, especially considering the starting and closing track? What changes, if any, could be altered to improve the flow of the album? Reprogramming History: Most of these albums have a couple songs that came to define the record, either through being singles, music videos or radio play. Were these in fact the best songs on the record, or they have endured for a reason? Ultimately what is the best and worst hit on the album? I will nominate the songs for this category and my guest and I will choose the one hit that we would keep for our own music libraries. The Pulling Teeth Award: Some songs get lost from history, even though they’re sick. Place in an album, a certain portion, too long or short, whatever it may be, it’s important to shout out the non hits, which is why all songs will be discussed. This Ain’t Havana Reward: One of the best feelings as a music fan is hearing a song for the first time and going “Oh My God. What is the title of this one??” Diving into an album of a band you enjoy or think you might enjoy for the first time often leaves me with the main “I’m so glad I listened to that song.” Highway to Hell Award: Simple, best musical intro, be it from a guitar, drum, saxophone, doesn’t matter. Best musical kick-off. Lithium Award: Best opening line to a song. Eruption Award: Best musical solo/extended moment without singing. Don’t Borus…Get to the Chorus: Best Chorus. Tattoo or T-shirt: What is something from this album, be it a lyric, cover art, song/album title that me or my guest would wear as a tattoo or t-shirt. Shutting the Door: What song are you choosing to blast through the stadium to jog in from the bullpen? Famous examples are Enter Sandman and Hells Bells Swipe Right if…: Best pickup line from a lyric off this record. Nobody’s Perfect: Least favorite song on this album, either you flat out don’t like it, have gotten tired of it, or just simply the weakest song on the record. Almost Famous: Even if I may not be qualified to try to put this album in historical context, I monologue on ultimately why this record matters today. Maybe it is still culturally relevant, maybe it is not. This will be me making a case for why music fans should still care about this record. Sometimes, I will make this a personal section as well. Fin: Thoughts from my guest on my point/why they think this record matters today. Closing thoughts on where this lies in the band’s catalog. Plug anything my guest is doing again. Possibly give an intro on the next episode. Thanks for listening… and remember: You rock and don’t let anyone tell you different.
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Episodes
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
By the time the mid 80's rolled around, Van Halen was ready to push the envelope and expand the band’s sound. Led by Eddie Van Halen, and his trusty Fender Stratocaster guitar, nick-named “Frankenstein”, the mad scientist rocker went into his laboratory. To crescent his new home studio, 5150, Eddie kick started Van Halen’s next project. And, along with charismatic front-man David Lee Roth, the golden voiced bassist Michael Anthony, his bombastic drummer of a brother Alex, Eddie concocted Van Halen’s 6th studio album. 1984 became an era defining rock record that masterfully fused synthesizers with guitars, drums and suggestive lyrics to capture the spirit of the 1980’s music scene.
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Hello, I am Chad Jones. Welcome to the introduction episode for "Don't Scratch The Vinyl." For the first show, I dive into the format of my music history podcast and share about myself. This show will be centered around me, sometimes solo and sometimes with a guest, breaking down an album song by song. I will be discussing the context of when the record was released, why it mattered in real time, and what music fans can take from the record today.