Secret Sources of Sustenance

Guess who's back?!? Ben and Bob return after a 2+ month hiatus with a format-breaking episode in which they actually discuss something (er, someone) totally mainstream — namely, Snoop Dogg. The legendary G-funk rapper from the LBC rose to prominence during their formative years under the tutelage of Dr. Dre and made a huge impression on their teenage minds. In the 30 years since, Snoop has absolutely saturated popular culture while Ben and Bob have created a DIY podcast with unpredictable release dates. Whether he's rapping, acting, directing, performing at Comedy Central Roasts, emceeing WWE Wrestling Events, authoring cookbooks, or dabbling in various business ventures, Snoop's always 100% himself and Ben and Bob love that. So check it out. Then just chill . . . to the next episode.

Ben and Bob are joined once again by their friend and music mentor, John, to discuss the late, great musician Elliott Smith through the dual lenses of his masterpiece album “Either/Or” (1997) and the documentary “Heaven Adores You” (2014; Amazon Prime Video). Almost 20 years since his tragic passing, the trio discuss this troubled virtuoso, his beautiful (and sometimes haunting) songs, and the undeniable impact he had on fans and fellow musicians. Say yes to this episode of SSOS!

Bob has apparently been a seeker (and a private weirdo) since he was a young boy. As a grade schooler, he discovered the low-budget, R-rated science fiction film “The Brother From Another Planet” starring Joe Morton, which became a significant catalyst for his developing psyche. This is a tale of an alien on-the-run who crash lands his spaceship in the Hudson River, but there's obviously a lot going on beneath the surface. Is this movie responsible for Bob's distrust of authority figures, interest in UFOs, and love of P-Funk? And will Ben vouch for one of Bob's childhood favorites? Find out on this episode of SSOS.

Ben & Bob discuss Season 1 of the FX comedy-drama “The Bear”, starring Jeremy Allen White as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto. Carmy is a top chef in the world of fine dining who returns to Chicago to save his family's financially struggling Italian Beef sandwich shop, which his brother left him in his will. While this show does romanticize cooking, it's more about grief, family, honing your craft, chasing perfection, the stress of modern work, and more. Ben loves this show, but will it leave Bob as satiated or just give him hunger pangs? Dig into this meal of an episode to find out!

Ben & Bob ring in the New Year, and a new season of SSOS, with mid-90s movie “Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead”. Bob's selection is about reformed gangster, Jimmy “The Saint” (Andy Garcia), who is forced by crime boss, “The Man With The Plan” (Christopher Walken), to take one last job. Having reassembled his old crew, the action goes sideways resulting in Jimmy, “Pieces”, “Big Bear Franchise”, “Easy Wind”, and “Critical” Bill becoming marked men. Further complicating matters, Jimmy just fell in love with a fellow Denverite so it's not exactly an ideal time to go on the lam. Grab some boat drinks and find out if it's a double vouch.

For their stocking-stuffed holiday episode, Ben & Bob are joined by good friend, concert companion, and fellow Gizzhead, John. They discuss 2 albums from the Aussie indie band, “King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard”, namely “Omnium Gatherum” and “I'm in Your Mind Fuzz”. Then, they turn to the previously scheduled challenge, 2020 indie sci-fi film “The Vast of Night” before wrapping up with some of their favorite stuff from this past year. So check out the first ever 9-vouch episode of SSOS and stay tuned for Season 3, premiering in January 2023!

For their Halloween show, Ben and Bob did a blind viewing of recent supernatural horror movie “The Black Phone”. Despite Ethan Hawkes' solid performance as The Grabber, the movie didn't grab a single vouch with the co-hosts finding the movie to be just “meh”. Feeling a bit tricked, Bob moves on to a real treat — spending the rest of the show passionately espousing his wholehearted belief that “King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard” is the most talented band in this, or any other, universe. And, by the sounds of it, KG & the LW bring their own brand of weirdness that fits right in with Halloween.

Ben and Bob are both super fans of the American indie rock band, “The National”. Both have been obsessed for a decade-plus with the roots of their friendship tracing back to that discovery. Challenged with distilling it down to their absolute favorites, they each come up with a Top 10 list with a few overlapping songs. Mutual favorites include “Bloodbuzz Ohio”, “Mistaken for Strangers”, and “Mr. November”. Ben's list is rounded off by “Don't Swallow the Cap”, “Rylan”, “I Need My Girl”, “Slow Show”, “Fake Empire”, “Walk It Back”, and “Nobody Else Will Be There”. Bob's list also includes “Day I Die”, “I Should Live in Salt”, “Afraid of Everyone”, “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks”, “Secret Meeting”, “Abel”, and “Looking For Astronauts”. Make yourself a 17-song playlist, give it a few spins, then listen to Ben and Bob fanboy out on this hard-double-vouch episode of SSOS.

Given the focus of their last episode, Ben & Bob needed something wholly lighthearted to cleanse their pallets. Enter 1996 political conspiracy/road trip comedy “My Fellow Americans”. Starring Jack Lemmon, James Garner, Dan Aykroyd and a cast of other legendary (and somewhat legendary) faces, this is Bob's comedic comfort food. Two bitter rival ex-Presidents team up to unravel a conspiracy that puts them both in danger and on the run from rogue NSA agents to mostly hilarious affect. To Bob, it's the equivalent of mom's meatloaf in VHS form. But will Ben be satiated or is it too cheesy for his tastes? Find out on this episode of SSOS.

Can the normally unflappable Bob find the sea legs to survive Ben's latest assignment: the 2019 film, “The Lighthouse”? The lads seek meaning in Robert Eggers' Lovecraftian folktale about 2 wickies getting weird on an island in 1890s New England. While Ben and Bob offer different interpretations for what happens on screen, the one thing they can both agree on is that Eggers sophomore effort is F'N BONKERS. Pour yourself a tall glass of turpentine and honey (not really!) and enjoy the descent into madness starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.

Ben and Bob talk summer entertainment (blockbuster movies, outdoor concerts) before doing a deep dive into the 1955 noir masterpiece “Kiss Me Deadly”. The film stars Ralph Meeker as private detective, Mike Hammer, investigating a shadowy conspiracy with brute force and the help of a sexy sidekick. Mike learns that both the Feds and some sort of sinister organization are racing to find a mysterious case dubbed “The Great Whatzit”. Since it must be something big, Mike wants a piece of the action but he has no clue what's in store. Even if you haven't seen this one, you've undoubtedly seen it's influence in everything from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Pulp Fiction. We invite you to stare into the blinding light with us on this episode of SSOS.

Ben and Bob discuss the 1996 essay “A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again” by the late, great David Foster Wallace in which DFW hilariously documents his experience taking a weeklong luxury Caribbean cruise and opines about the implicit fantasies at the heart of these sorts of vacations. Ben explains how he became drawn to DFW and Bob talks about his own experience on a luxury cruise, which maps all too closely to what's captured in the essay.

Did a 900-mile road trip turn Ben into a fan of the short-lived proto-punk band “The Modern Lovers”? After differentiating between inspiration, iteration, and plagiarism, Ben and Bob discuss The Modern Lovers' eponymous (and only) album. Released in 1976 — roughly two years after the band broke up — this Velvet Underground-inspired album went on to influence countless punk and new wave bands that followed and also spawned The Cars and The Talking Heads. Check out this episode . . . that is, unless you happen to be a guy from Boston named Hippie Johnny.

Ben and Bob discuss season 1 of the short-lived sitcom “Party Down”, which went largely unwatched when it first aired back in 2009 before achieving cult comedy status years later. It's a Starz (Starz!?) show about a half-a-dozen struggling Hollywood types supplementing their incomes by working as a catering crew in and around L.A. while they pursue their dreams of stardom. Featuring Ken Marino, Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, Jane Lynch, Martin Starr and sprinkled with cameos by lots of other funny folks, it's a comedy with hints of both heart and darkness. Available to stream on Starz and Hulu.

Having gone to see Paul Thomas Anderson's very latest film, “Licorice Pizza”, in theaters, Ben and Bob watch his very first, “Hard Eight”. Starring Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly, who would go on to become PTA regulars, along the very recognizable faces of Gwyneth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson, it's a noir-ish tale about regret, making amends, and finding a pseudo family in unconventional circumstances . . . themes that run through PTA's later work. Does this seem like the product of a then-26-year-old who didn't make it past the first couple of days in film school? Find out on this episode of SSOS.

Women deserve the lion's share of the credit for keeping rock music alive. Two singer songwriters leading the charge are Courtney Barnett and Phoebe Bridgers, the Betty White and Sylvia Plath of indie rock, respectively. Ben and Bob discuss their latest albums “Things Take Time, Take Time” and “Punisher” before wrapping up Season 1 of SSOS with 10 vouch-worthy under-the-radar songs, albums, books, TV shows, films, and/or documentaries released in 2021. Season 2 coming in January.

Musician Nick Cave has nourished Bob's soul for 20+ years. His band, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, has been prolific for 4 decades, but somehow managed to break new ground with a trilogy of albums released in 2013 (Push the Sky Away), 2016 (Skeleton Tree), and 2019 (Ghosteen). The last two albums were cloaked under the weight of blackest grief, after Cave's son died tragically. After challenging relative Cave newbie, Ben, to all 3 albums, they regroup and do their best to put words to their ineffable experiences.

Riz Ahmed stars as Ruben, a drummer and recovering addict, whose sudden deafness diverts him from an album tour to a rehab facility for the hearing impaired. In the face of traumatic change, Ruben must finally confront his inner demons in this quiet story about aversion, addiction, stillness, and healing. Ben reveals why this film resonates for him, while Bob rants about social media, the 24-hour news cycle, and how noisy the world has become. “Sound of Metal” is available on Amazon Prime Video at no cost to Prime members.

Bob discovered Brian DePalma's 1981 neo-noir mystery thriller in a film studies class in college and was immediately transfixed. Despite high praise from Quentin Tarantino and familiarity with much of DePalma's other work, “Blow Out”, was a blind spot for Ben. Does this paranoid political drama starring John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow, and Dennis Franz hold up at 40? Find out on this episode of SSOS.

Ben & Bob discuss two short stories: “CivilWarLand in Bad Decline” and “The Tenth of December”. Both come from short story collections of the same name by Ben's artistic spirit animal, the great George Saunders. Will Bob feel rewarded for his efforts, having returned to fiction for the first time quite in a while? Check out the pod's first literature episode to find out!

Ben & Bob chat with Ishi frontman and all around great guy, JT Mudd. Topics include JT's musical influences, formation of the band, opening for New Order, self-care, showmanship, growing up in the church, his relationship with fans, touring, the upcoming album and more. Check out ishimusic.com and find Ishi on all major music streaming platforms!

Ben & Bob accept a challenge from the Twitterverse and watch the 2004 British independent film “Dead Man’s Shoes”. Shane Meadows directs and Paddy Considine stars in a story about a guilt ridden soldier named Richard returning home to the English countryside to avenge wrongs brought upon his younger brother, Anthony, by a local gang of drug dealers while Richard was away. Listen to find out if this tale of revenge and regret is SSOS-worthy.

Can Ben use his power of persuasion (and some emotional manipulation) to turn Bob into a fan of the band, The Avett Brothers? Join them for a review of the documentary “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers” followed by an analysis of 8 of the band’s songs. Check out the material first then find out if Bob will come around to this introspective, but sometimes saccharine, musical act. Song list: 1. Kick Drum Heart; 2. C-Sections & Railway Trestles; 3. Ain’t No Man; 4. I and Love and You; 5. November Blue; 6. Murder In the City; 7. Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise; 8. No Hard Feelings

Having been challenged by Nicolas Cage Superfan, Bob, Ben watched 3 of Cage’s lesser known films: “Birdy”, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans”, and “Joe”. Will Ben vouch for the unique brilliance of Nicolas Cage? How does one even begin to describe Cage’s acting style? And, most importantly, did Bob really create a “Cage Collage” in college?!?! Check out some Nic Cage flicks then join us to find out.

Ben & Bob introduce the show and explain what it’s all about. Then Ben issues his first challenge to Bob.