As the refrain "I'm a loser, baby..." echoed around the world in 1994, it was easy to assume that Beck might be here today, gone tomorrow as a slacker one-hit wonder on MTV's buzz clip floor. But Beck proved us wrong when he dropped Odelay in 1996, as teenagers now shouted "I've got two turntables and a microphone!" With that, Beck was here to stay showing a cohesive, weird, genre-blending album with the signature hodgepodge samples and sounds by the Dust Brothers. 

Behind my older brother's bedroom door was a giant poster of The Cure's Boys Don't Cry. I remember hearing Robert Smith's voice wailing over cavernous guitars, syncopated beats and dramatic synths... but it took me a moment to understand what it meant to be lost in The Cure. In 1992, Wish arrived with layered guitars and an album that traveled between pop, rock and haunting melodies that would open my bedroom door to this legendary band.

A lot of incredible new music released in 2023, some of which were new bands I just discovered while others were some of my favorite artists releasing new records. This week on Waterproof Records, I list off my top 10 in no particular order, as well as include 15 honorable mentions along the way.

During the many years I did stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, you tend to gravitate toward funny, like-minded people as you wait for your turn at late night open mics. Which is exactly where I first met this week's guest, Jordan Olds, before he left L.A. and made his way back east over a decade ago. Cut to 2016 when a hilarious heavy-metal themed talk show called "Two Minutes to Late Night" turns up, and I recognize a familiar face beneath the black and white corpse paint of the show's charismatic host, Gwarsenio Hall! I am so excited to sit down and laugh with Jordan/Gwarsenio on this week's Waterproof Records about our stand-up comedy history and our love of heavy music!

It was the summer of 1994. I had just finished my freshman year in high school, spent a week recording my first album with my church youth group band, and Green Day's Dookie was cranked in all of our car stereos. This week on Waterproof Records I reminisce about this very specific window of time when pop punk interrupted all the alternative music seriousness and reminded us have fun again.

This week I welcome Seattle based singer, songwriter and composer, Daniel G. Harmann, who most recently released a full cover of the Counting Crows debut album "August and Everything After." Daniel is a good friend and talented musician who has spent decades honing his craft and releasing oodles of good tunes. On this episode we discuss the twists and turns of pursuing a creative life, how an injury forced a new perspective, and how August and Everything After landed in his life at the perfect time. 

It's 1993 and the creeping bass riff of Tool's "Sober" starts to play on MTV when my eyes witness this unsettling claymation music video that features zero footage of the band... and I loved every second of it. The lyrics were intelligent and thought-provoking, and this dark, heavy sound with complex time signatures and haunting vocals sounded so different from everything else at the time. Join me this week as we explore the Undertow of Tool.

The opening bass line from "Cannonball" is an instant time warp back to 1993. I remember watching MTV and seeing Kim Deal from the Pixies on my screen and realizing she had a twin sister in this band I had never heard of called The Breeders. Decades later and Last Splash holds up as one of the standout albums of the 90s, with its unique tempo shifts, care free aesthetic and of course the sound of the harmonizing Deal sisters.

I would be a few years late to hearing 1993's Slip by Quicksand for the first time, but once "Head To Wall" landed on a gifted mixtape in the mid 90s, I was ready for more! That signature raspy voice belting out the gut-punching chorus was none other than Walter Schreifels, the legendary musician from New York Hardcore bands like Gorilla Biscuits and Youth of Today, who would go on several amazing bands like Quicksand, Rival Schools, and a multitude of other side projects. I was thrilled to invite Walter onto Waterproof Records to talk about coming up in the 80s hardcore scene, what inspired him to write music, and we ended up getting a little philosophical too!

From the moment the album kicks off with "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due," I was hooked. The speed, the fury, the thrash-- everything about Megadeth was turning my love of metal up to eleven.  Let's go back to 1990 when one of the best possible line-ups of this band dropped a metal masterpiece, securing it as one of my all-time favorites of the genre. 

Upbeat piano chords, distorted bass guitar and well-crafted harmonies was exactly what I needed when I stumbled upon the trio known as Ben Folds Five in 1995. The 90s music scene was always reminding us to expect the unexpected, and by the time this band hit their sophomore release titled 'Whatever and Ever Amen,' they delivered the perfect blend of humor and heart that created a timeless classic.

It was around 1998 when I first saw Dave Holmes on my television for MTV's 'Wanna Be a VJ,' competition, and I could instantly see that his love of music ran as deep as mine. Fast forward 25 years later where Dave Holmes is an accomplished writer, actor, tv host, podcaster, and Editor-at-large for Esquire. Recently I connected with Dave, so I invited him on the podcast to talk about where his love of music first began, stories from his career at MTV, and why he chose Tommy Keene's 'Songs From The Film' as his Waterproof Record. Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

During one of my most challenging adolescent years, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness arrived at the right time for me to get lost in this monumental behemoth of a double album. Already my favorite band in the world, The Smashing Pumpkins presented what would be held up as one of the most incredible accomplishments by any band in the 1990s. This week we crack open the sprawling 28-track masterpiece, but these songs do stir up some teenage angst, so bear with me as despite all my rage.... well you know the rest! Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

An unforgettable cover with a New York City slacker cool, Sonic Youth's sixth studio album 'Goo' arrived just in time to make things noisy in 1990. A band defined by alternate tunings and experimental art rock, Sonic Youth had been releasing albums for nearly a decade before Goo hit. On this week's Waterproof Records we discuss the tale behind the iconic cover art, and how a Spin interview inspired a hit song. Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

I discovered the music from a Chicago indie band called Into It. Over It. a few years ago, and shortly after I found myself adding multiple favorite songs to playlists. Soon after I would be fortunate enough to connect with Evan Thomas Weiss, the man responsible for this band, and get the chance to not only befriend him, but to invite him on my show to talk about our favorite music! Join me this week on Waterproof Records as we discuss Evan's fascinating journey as an independent musician and the trials and tribulations of DIY music. Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

Cue the opening guitar of Enter Sandman and let's headbang our way back to 1991 and talk about Metallica's self-titled fifth album, which would forever be referred to as 'the black album.' Now most die-hard Metallica fans will tell you, you're supposed to go back a decade before to the heavy underground thrash days of Kill Em All-- BUT, there was something so significant about how this more accessible album took the world by storm, ended up dropping 5 incredible music videos in constant rotation on MTV, and introduced small town kids like me to a collection of metal albums that would influence my music tastes for decades to come.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

The soaring vocal range and dynamic sounds of Jeff Buckley's music arrived in 1994 when rock was still angsty and fuzzy. I remember being stunned when I first bought Grace, as the haunting vibrato and unique song changes made me an instant fan of Buckley's all too tragically short career. On this week's Waterproof Records, we journey back to New York at Sin-é where Jeff first cut his teeth, how an estranged relationship with his father played a huge part in his music, and why sometimes a man gets carried away... Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

Allison Hagendorf is one of the few music tastemakers in our post-MTV, music streaming world. Her many years of experience working in A&R at record labels, Spotify, and a successful career as a TV personality and host interviewing rockstars has led her right where her skillset shines the most-- The Allison Hagendorf Show.  This week I welcome Allison to Waterproof Records to talk about being a psycho music fan, the album that changed her life, and all the ways she continues to seek out new and exciting music!  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

Before you'd see an NIN patch sewn on the backpack of every scowling teenager dressed in black, Trent Reznor crafted Pretty Hate Machine during his off-hours at a recording studio in Cleveland where he worked in the late 1980s. After my first listen, I remember feeling drawn in by the angsty lyrics, eerie synths with grinding guitars and unique panning beats. Join me this week on Waterproof Records as we reminisce about this monumental album that made us all feel a little less alone.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

"For the life of me I cannot remember, What made us think that we were wise and we'd never compromise..." Sing it with me! We all know that song by heart and so does my guest this week, Brian Vander Ark, who is the lead singer and songwriter of the band The Verve Pipe. I was delighted to welcome Brian on the show this week to learn about his prolific career as a singer/songwriter, discover what he considers his 'waterproof record' from childhood, and what does Brian mean when he says WWSBJJD?!  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

After a few social media messages and a winning game of rock puns, Chris Traynor and I became friends... so I was thrilled when he agreed to come on Waterproof Records and talk about his impressive career as the guitarist for bands like Orange 9mm, Helmet, and now Bush, where he has played lead guitar since 2001. Chris shares stories about his early days playing guitar as a kid, some of the songs and albums that inspired his style, and the journey that lead him to rocking on stage alongside Gavin Rossdale for nearly two decades.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

When I first met Allison Scagliotti, we were playing guitars at a music event in Los Angeles where we became fast friends. Shortly after I would learn about her acting career where she is best known for roles in Drake & Josh, Warehouse 13, and Stitchers, but I knew Allison as a musician first. So when I asked her to to be a guest on the show, Allison chose Kate Bush's 'The Dreaming,' as her most influential album of all time! This experimental and uncommercial fourth album from the iconic English singer continues to inspire Allison's creative journey to this day including her musical concept project, La Femme Pendu.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof La Femme Pendu official: lafemmependu.com  

What is It?! It's IT! In 1990, and for many years since, a lot of us ponder this confusing question until we and just give in and sing along to Faith No More's "Epic." I remember watching MTV and seeing the music video for the first time as Mike Patton jumped around in the rain, a fish flopped on the ground and a piano exploded-- but there was something about this band's sound that was hard to define. Was it rock or rap? It was metal but it was funky. Right before alternative rock became the mainstream, The Real Thing came from out of nowhere (see what I did there) and forged a path of genre splicing and unpredictable album choices. In a lot of ways, The Real Thing walked so that Angel Dust could run... Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

I welcome another fantastic musician this week who I found on TikTok named Dusty Gannon, who is the lead singer and guitarist of the goth rock band Vision Video. You can find Dusty online playing good music, wearing perfect goth makeup, and doing a hilariously charming character named 'Goth Dad.' But all of those things led him to where he is today... playing music for a living! I happily welcome Dusty on the show to share his story about serving in the military and becoming a fireman, what led him to making videos online, and finally his unsinkable album just so happens to be Joy Division's 1979 album, Unknown Pleasures.   Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

This week I'm being taken to hip hop school, and my instructor is none other than Patrick Hicks with his music stories. You've probably seen Patrick in a viral video or two where he begins with his signature phrase, "This is a story about..." and then proceeds to take you on a well-crafted journey of a musician's career path that led them to where they are today. Patrick and I connected over TikTok, became fast friends and it wasn't long before we started collaborating on a few videos. I asked Patrick to come on the podcast, but when he told me he wanted to talk about "Ready to Die" by The Notorious B.I.G., I knew I was out of my element. Join me as I learn a lot this talented artist who was gone too soon.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

We all remember belting out at the top of our lungs as we sang 'Whee-hen the dogs do find her' as Stone Temple Pilot's Plush played on the stereo with a group of friends in the 90s. Oh wait, I mean I still do that with my friends to this day! You've got to hand it to STP for delivering a debut album like Core, filled with Scott Weiland's unforgettable vocals and the unique guitar and bass from the Deleo brothers paired perfectly with drummer Eric Kretz. It's solid rock album, start to finish, so join me as I reminisce about each song, seeing the band live in 1993, and why music arrives at the perfect time in our lives.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

One of the joys of being a music content creator on social media is discovering other talented musicians in the world and befriending them! This week I welcome Zach "Mac Glocky" MacLachlan, who is a singer, songwriter, TikToker, YouTuber, and multi-instrumentalist from Sacramento, CA. We go back to the beginning and talk about Mac's love of music from a young age that led him to write and record his own music, and then that pivotal moment when he found his favorite band-- Deftones. You have to check out Mac Glocky's original music and his creative crossover covers he posts online! But first, listen to this episode.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

I remember seeing the music video for "Seven" by Sunny Day Real Estate on MTV for the first time in 1994. This delicate singing voice luring me in close only to be smacked in the face by frenetic drum hits as if Animal from The Muppets was playing. This band would pop up again on the Batman Forever soundtrack in 1995, but it wasn't until a few years later that I really spent time listening to this band that would one day be known as the driving force behind the 2nd wave of emo. Join me as we discuss the debut album from this incredible band.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

Once the Seattle music scene exploded into the mainstream in the early 90s, bands like Soundgarden had already been carving their path since the mid 1980s. But it wasn't until the band's third album, Badmotorfinger, that some music videos were making their way to MTV in the middle of the night, but once Superunknown arrived  in 1994 the world exploded into a Black Hole Sun. From Chris Cornell's unforgettable voice, to the band's penchant for unconventional tunings, Superunknown is a dark and stormy masterpiece. Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

Somewhere in the early 90s, an adorable nymph-like singer emerged from Icelandic landscape with heavy beats and soaring vocals and I was immediately smitten. While Debut had arrived 2 years prior, it was Post that took my breath away and made me a Björk fan for life. Whether it was the trip-hop elements, cinematic strings, or a surprising broadway cover, Björk's Post wrapped itself around me and pulled me deep within the Earth.  Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

It's 1994 and the Beastie Boys drop their fourth studio album which explodes on the scene with a unforgettable music video by Spike Jonze for Sabotage. It really is the decade where anything is possible, and in this episode we talk about why Ill Communication is the perfect sequel to Check Your Head. Through art and activism, we witnessed the Beastie boys become Beastie men. Get 30% off your first year of DistroKid, with my special VIP link: http://distrokid.com/vip/waterproof

"I'm angry... but I'm learning." I'll never forget sitting down and watching the video for Rage Against the Machine's 'Freedom' as a kid, and experiencing this aggression fueled by the injustices of the world. I was just a suburban kid in the middle of the country with my knowledge primarily given from school textbooks and generational tales. Not only was my understanding of the world changing, but the energy of these phenomenal musicians would leave a mark on the world that we would never forget! It's time to talk about the debut album by Rage Against the Machine!

Flannel and combat boots. Stage dives and bellowing vocals. This... was Pearl Jam. I watched a grainy, black-and-white video on MTV with a long-haired baritone singing about being alive and I was hooked. Ten was a remarkable debut album from this collection of talented musicians from several dissolved bands. It truly was a key ingredient in the Seattle scene and generating that buzz word "grunge" that rang true yet annoyed everyone at the same time. Join me this week on Waterproof Records as I talk about the impact of this album, the formation of the band, and some heavy stuff for a teenager who spoke in class today.

In the mid 1990's, the L.A. band Kicking Harold was signed to a record deal at their very first show! Founded by singer-guitarist-songwriter Tim David Kelly, Kicking Harold experienced some early success with a song charting nationwide on alt-rock radio, and their song 'Gasoline' became the theme to the TV series Overhaulin for 9 seasons. I discovered Tim on TikTok for his vast music knowledge and we became fast friends, so I invited him to sit down with me on Waterproof Records. Tim shares his stories on how Kicking Harold came to be, what he's been doing since, and some of his wild tales of 90's rock and roll!   

1991 was an unforgettable year. One inconspicuous night in September, MTV aired a music video called "Smells Like Teen Spirit" that would change the music scene forever. Now with an exciting counterculture movement on the rise, Nirvana already knew that the 'sheep' would get in line as they prepared themselves for a tragic demise in only a few short years. But wow, what a landmark moment Nevermind was for all of us during this time. 

Few can forget the first time they hit play on Alice In Chain's Dirt and Layne Staley's voice slapped you across the face as we launched into Them Bones. An iconic record from one of my favorite grunge bands from the 90's, Alice In Chains was hit by tragedy with the death of Layne Staley and even founding bassist, Mike Starr. Join me as we reminisce about this dark, heavy and brooding album.

I am thrilled to finally release this episode I recorded with Olivia Nilsson, daughter of legendary singer and songwriter, Harry Nilsson. If you don't know about Harry Nilsson's incredible contributions in music or why he was a favorite of The Beatles, it's time for you to learn all about this talented man who was gone far too soon. Olivia shares stories about her father, and I was fortunate enough to play 2 minute segments of Harry Nilsson songs courtesy of Sony Music, Warner Chappell Music and Universal Music Group. 

Who are my real friends? Have they all got the bends? After the success and internal stress of Creep, the band was tormented over the recording of their sophomore effort, The Bends. This week I reminisce about discovering the album, go track by track to share some Radiohead trivia, and explain how this band has traveled far away from planet Earth. 

In 2002, my musical horizons expanded to the world of post-rock when I discovered the magical Icelandic band known as Sigur Rós. This week on Waterproof Records I thought I'd dig in to the 'Untitled Album' since that's where it all began for me personally. Let's gallop through a waterfall of stardust like centaurs! 

It's 1994 and Weezer arrives in the nick of time to tell all the nerdy kids that it's okay to be uncool. Doo-wop vocals with some powerful fuzz, and these catchy hooks will stay with you forever and launch the decades long career of one of the biggest bands of the 90s. Join me as I reminisce about discovering the Blue Album by Weezer on Waterproof Records.

If you know me at all, you know how excited I am to welcome Jack Bates on Waterproof Records to talk about how he's been playing bass with The Smashing Pumpkins since 2015! We also discussed what it was like growing up with the legendary Peter Hook as a father, how he started playing bass, and what album changed his life musically. 

Somewhere around 1994, most of us found ourselves trying to decipher and sing-along to the rapid-fire chorus from vocalist Kay Hanley in "Here and Now" by Letters To Cleo. Decades later, I find myself fortunate enough to sit down with the Boston band's frontwoman on Waterproof Records to talk about her impressive career in music as a songwriter, performer, and the specific album that changed Kay's life for the better.

Waterproof Records Podcast is back and better than ever! This week we welcome my good buddy, Matt Neal! Matt and I met over a decade ago doing stand-up comedy here in L.A., where we also discovered our shared passion for music and I found out he was the drummer of the 90's Philadelphia alternative rock band, Mariner Nine. Matt tells us some cool stories about life on the road, and we dig in to his personal 'life-changing album' as a musician.

The soundtrack to the 1995 movie Angus is chock full of great bands like Weezer, Green Day, The Goo Goo Dolls and more. But if I was going to revisit this 90's soundtrack, I may as well sit down with Angus himself... actor Charlie Talbert! Charlie and I met almost a decade ago doing stand-up in L.A. and we've kept in touch over the years so I invited him on Waterproof Records!

My brother Joel traveled all the way to L.A. to come visit me over the weekend so I had to take the opportunity to sit down, drink some mead and talk about his favorite band of all time, The Cure. From favorite songs to nostalgic childhood memories, me and my older brother reminisce about the haunting embrace of this phenomenal band.

This week on Waterproof Records I sit down with drummer, accomplished writer, and my dear friend, Jarrett Dapier to discuss the band HUM, the positive impact of Bryan St. Pere's drumming, and their stellar 1995 release, 'You'd Prefer an Astronaut.' Jarrett and I met over two decades ago in our college town of  Champaign, Illinois, which coincidently is Hum's hometown-- so it was a fitting choice for this week's episode!

This week we welcome Jon Walker as my first official guest on Waterproof Records! Jon is a Chicago musician who has traveled the world in bands like Panic at the Disco and The Young Veins, and continues to write and produce his own music as an independent singer/songwriter to this day. www.jonwalkermusic.com

Released in 1992, Little Earthquakes was the debut solo album from singer-songwriter Tori Amos, which turned out to be quite an impactful album for me as a young adolescent. With confessional poetry centered around controversial topics, this piano-driven masterpiece set the stage for female artists for decades to come.

Released in 1989, Doolittle was the 2nd studio album from the Pixies, one of the most influential alternative bands from the late 80s and early 90s with a sound so uniquely their own. This week we dive into a wave of mutilation and gouge our way through some stories behind the songs from this iconic record.

The 1992 Cameron Crowe film 'Singles' not only captured the energy of the Seattle scene during that era, but the movie soundtrack itself was a crucial grunge gateway for nineties teenagers. From musician cameos to made up demo tapes, the behind the scenes stories are what make this collection of songs even more incredible!

I just want to be me in 1993! On this week's episode, Jacob takes you back to the first time you heard Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins. 

Welcome to Waterproof Records! Find out the story behind the name, why we're here and where we're going next...