Cheap Tracks

Mar 07 2025 45 ep. 73 mins 15
Cheap Tracks Podcast artwork

Cheap Trick superfans Chris Castaneda and Mike Vanderbilt explore the history of the coolest rock 'n' roll band to emerge from Rockford, IL, Cheap Trick.

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"Ghost Town"

Mar 07 2025 60 mins  
With Diane Warren mourning her SIXTEENTH Oscar loss, Chris and Mike decided to take a look back at "Ghost Town," a song she recieved co-writing credit on alongside Rick Nielsen. We look back on the songwriter's career, discuss some of our favorite tunes penned by her and explore the concept of the professional songwriter versus songs written by a band.

"It's Up To You" W/ Pat O'Sullivan

Feb 17 2025 70 mins  
Is there a doctor in the audience? In 1986, Cheap Trick came back with its ninth album and its last of the Jon Brant era. After a mild momentum boost from the previous year’s STANDING ON THE EDGE it looked like things were finally taking a commercial turn for the band in a good direction…or so it seemed. Pat O'Sullivan of Chicago's Cheap Trick tribute act, Rockford Files joins

"Sing My Blues Away"

Feb 05 2025 69 mins  
Our hosts take a trip back to 2016, a very cool time to be a Cheap Trick fan with the band being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and releasing a new album, BANG, ZOOM, CRAZY...HELLO! This week, we look at the gem of an album track "Sing My Blues Away" and discuss the artists we lost that year and how good a song can sound blaring out of a radio.

"Quit Waking Me Up"

Jan 21 2025 58 mins  
The boys look back on "Quit Waking Me Up," off of the band's 20th full length release, IN ANOTHER WORLD. They dissect the song's overt Beatles influence, dive into the career of songwriter, Kristian Bush, discuss the Nashville influence on modern trick, and so much more!

"Won't Take No For An Answer"

Jan 06 2025 43 mins  
It’s rare when a Cheap Trick song doesn’t begin from the stage or ever find the stage after recording. By 1983, any and all restrictions in the studio were gone. The mad scientist in Rick Nielsen was allowed to play. On this week's episode, Chris and Mike look back on “Won’t Take No For An Answer” from the band's 1983 full length, NEXT POSITION PLEASE.

"Too Much"

Nov 19 2024 65 mins  
This week, the Chris and Mike travel back to 2003 to discuss the band's third single off of SPECIAL ONE, "Too Much."

"Tonight It's You"

Aug 02 2024 100 mins  
This week we look back at "Tonight It's You," the first single off of 1985's STANDING ON THE EDGE, and along the way get sidetracked by Rita Jenrette, the Rolling Stones, Dick Clark, and the softcore classic EMMANUELE! We're also joined by songwriter and Cheap Trick collaborator Mark Radice, who offers insight into the songwriting process.

"No Direction Home"

Jun 11 2024 71 mins  
In 2015 Cheap Trick was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame...a dubious honor, indeed, but there's no doubt that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Today we look back at the release of BANG, ZOOM, CRAZY...HELLO!, the band's seventeenth studio album and it's first single, "No Direction Home."

"He's A Whore"

May 23 2024 77 mins  
Chris & Mike pay tribute to Cheap Trick superfan and former guest, the late Steve Albini, and dive into "He's A Whore" from the band's self-titled debut. Is this the band being influenced by punk or simply being themselves, who is the whore, and exactly why does Rick dedicate this song to his wife at shows. We ask all those questions and more!

"Mandocello"

Apr 01 2024 65 mins  
Chris and Mike celebrate Cheap Trick Day by looking back at one of the band's finest ballads....