With Confetti In Our Hair: Celebrating The Artistry & Music Of Tom Waits

Dream Regime reunites after a wee break only to dig deep into Tom and Kathleen's approach to songwriting AND realize that Tom Waits appeared on SNL, which gets featured. Enjoy folks!

We did this episode early on back in 2018 In celebration of Dr. King's birthday where we paid tribute by reflecting on many of his great sayings and his final message - to serve with "a heart full of grace, and a soul generated by love." With a few of Tom's great songs dealing with the devil, love and houses to bless our journey on this great day.​ RIP Ralph Carney. 

This one had to age a few months to reach it's prime but boy was it worth the wait! While Da Scherm hiked in Scotland, the rest of the gang put heads down to listen to the wisdom imparted from the great films featuring Tom Waits. From Down By Law to Short Cuts and Bustered Scruggs (yes he said Bustered) a great conversation on Tom's authentic acting ensues. Plus a surprise story about a neighbor. Feel the Love, folks!

Back in the Saddle again, this week the Dream Regime ponders the Unforgettable, the moments, the memories, the madness. An episode for the major Tom Waits fan, with a retelling of the Origin Story from the Georgian Terrace Hotel Bar replete with the illustrious Herb Hardesty and the wavy mop of hair only a young Tom in leather jacket could sport. Feel the Love!

The Regime's all here for a trip into the Ides of March and all things Roman, starting "In The Coliseum". Now we've all had one that "got away" but in this episode those stories come to light in a mind-bending raucous glory that'll bring you to your knees. With a tribute song to Tom Waits, weird Gregorian Calendar chants and an LA nightmare. Feel the Love, Folks!

Are you hip? Or broken down on the ice? Once again, the Dream Regime gathers and this time out comes cautionary tales full of speed bumps from hell, jewel saws run amuck, falling past windows onto flagstone and a little saggy skin broken elbows, dude. We're talkin wall to wall stories with a bit of the blarney digression to relieve the pain, this is a trip without the flare. Feel the confetti, folks!

This episode the dream regime shares past dreams of Tom Waits after discovering some exciting news - that on Sunday December 3rd, Tom Waits will co-host a special radio show with Iggy Pop during the latter's regular BBC Radio 6 Music slot. They will share old stories and spin some of their favorite tunes so check it out folks. Feel the Love!

Happy Halloween folks! In honor, we pay tribute to all the Ghosts we've crossed paths with, those who've Ghosted us and the afterlife. Spooky, haunting and full of cantankerous spirits this episode also has a little suprise from the set of the Coen Brothers film. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. For all you young and cool fans, Bob couldn't make it, but we soldiered on without him. Feel the Love!

If ya love Pirates, fancy yourself a Rogue, or have secretly dated a Stripper, this episode could be for you. Or more importantly, if you love hearing Keith Richards wax on fondly about Tom Waits, their time collaborating on Rain Dogs or get all giddy living vicariously through the Waits/Brennan 80s trilogy masterpieces, which defined the direction of their career, you'll want to listen to this one. The Dream Regime is in top form with Bill starring in a new Indy Film, the Fairy Podmother sprinkling her theatrical light to eager crowds and Bob drumming us through his Punk days, lessons be damned! Confetti rains folks, feel the love!

This episode we depart from our usual zany leap into the unknown and focus all attention on celebrating the 50th anniversay vinyl release of Tom Waits' first album, called a masterpiece by some, a major entrance onto the musical stage by others, and didn't bother Bob. In appreciation of the new 180g 45rpm vinyl released by Anti-, The Dream Regime shares stories, anecdotes and the major impact Closing Time had on peoples lives. Ok well Bob wasn't born yet but he was hearing a faint murmur of it from another reality, causing his speedy descent into this realm. And then, the Eagles covered it...er, not Bob, but Ol' 55, turning it into a top ten hit, since Neil Young had already long ago left that other bird band. So maybe a little zany is still woven in there, but for all our die-hard Tom fans, this one will make you swoon, laugh, cry and thank your lucky stars that he recorded Closing Time. Because without it, none of the other diamonds would have followed. Feel the love, folks!

To ring in Season 9, the Dream Regime tackles one of Tom's favorite subjects, the Vagabond, and all those who don't fit in to the straight and narrow, like the mysterious 19th century french Leather Man, who circled the same 365 mile northeastern route every year. That's right, it sounds just like a story worthy of a Coen Brothers film starring none other than...Monsieur Waits!  And to top it all off, there's a riveting surprise reading by The Scherm from Kerouacs' "The Vanishing American Hobo," and a bit o' wisdom from the Fairy Podmother -" it's good to have a home and to also be free." Enjoy this chaco canyon full 3 Theme Song Episode folks, feel the love!! 

For the die-hard Waits fans, this episode finds the Dream Regime reviewing a Pop Matters article by Alexander Heigl featuring his "15 of the best songs" list that encapsulates Toms' incredibly varied career. Trying to illustrate his entire catalog of song styles with 15 tunes is a brave act, one that we couldn't ignore. So we dove in with glee, a hammer and a nail on glass and came up with a bit of respect and some serious chatter. It all kicks off with a surprise visit from Fashion Guru Tadd Gunn and his take on the Golden Globes ensembles only to follow with an honory gratitude day for our beloved co-founder, Bill. Feel the Love!

What is Reality? Thats the question the celebrated comedy group The Firesign Theater asked and we were fortunate enough to hang out in co-founder Phil Proctor's reality in this episode, totally engulfed in his hilarious and dangerous tales. From his start as a child actor in New York television and Broadway to acting with the likes of Jack Nicholson and Orson Welles to more recently voice acting for Pixar movies and the long-running animated series, "Rugrats", Phil had lots to tell. Did we mention his 3 grammy nominations? The Firesign Theater's album, "Don't Crush That Dwarf, Pass The Pliers" being inducted into the Library of Congress? Or his surviving the first gangland massacre in San Francisco's Chinatown in the 70s? It sounds almost beyond reality, right? But no friends, it's all here in this wild 90 minutes so augment your reality and jump right in. It's your Lucky Day!

Back in the saddle again after the 6 month sabbatical, the Dream Regime celebrates their Resurgence with an unexpected discussion of all things Italian, or most all things, or at least the important ones! Including tales of Thanksgiving in Vienna, country feasts in Umbria, New York theater coming to Sonoma County AND a Beavis and Butthead commentary on Tom's music video "I Never Wanna Grow Up." With "Bad As Me", "Semi-Suite" and stellar covers of "Alice", "Tango 'Til They're Sore" and Marc Ribot's Bella Ciao. Happy Holidays, folks!

The Dream Regime is back after an unexpected 6 month hiatus with this last recording we did in June of 2022. This time around we tripped fantastic on the familiar topic of unrequited love, sharing stories of our own heart breaks and listening to some appropriate tunes from Tom. With Dead and Lovely, Black Wings, Black Rider and a surprise segment from the documentary on avante garde theater director, Robert Wilson. Feel the love, Folks!

This one's for all our die-hard Tom Wait's fans out there with the classic Dream Regime Lineup picking a favorite song from each decade and expounding on the effect Tom has had on our lives. Leaving a place in our hearts and feeling the gratitude to be walking on the same planet as our Muse, Bill also reads a very moving share from a Trucker fan posted on the Tom Waits Fan Page. Feel the Love, Folks!

The dream regime is back at it, this time delving into the bottom of anxiety, fear and the opposites - Trust and the holy now rodeo. Including a few hilarious panic attack tales, a recap of the origins of the podcast and an outstanding cover of "In the Neighborhood" by Peter Gabriel. It's another fun hour of delirious conversation on the music of Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan we so love!

Once again the Dream Regime, now five strong, leaps into another sideways conversation about all things nostalgia and conjures up some classic Tom Waits tunes. With a tribute to the recently deceased MeatLoaf and his cover of "Martha", it's another hour of camaraderie, conviviality and conundrums galore. Feel the Love, folks!

The Dream Regime reunites, now five strong, to start the New Year with a robust discussion on resilience, pig farming and the fifth Beatle. With lots of great songs including a cover of 'Trampled Rose' by Robert Plant and Allison Krause. It's a 3 theme song episode folks, which says it all. Feel the Love!

Spreading a bit of Holiday cheer mixed with sadness, the Dream Regime minus Da Scherm falls backwards into choral versions of some Tom Waits' classics. With a wee side trip into Bob's front annual Leprechaun Land front porch extravaganza, it's a holiday episode even the kids can enjoy. Feel the love, folks!

Happy Halloween and dia de los muertos folks! After a long break the Dream Regime plus Mr. Very Young and Very Cool return to dive back into the love, the laughter, the tragedy and the poignant deliciousness of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennans' all hallowed eves repertoire. Sharing childhood Trick or Treat memories this one's also a tribute to James' Mom (RIP) who recently left to join the majority. Death, Love, and Rebirth has nothing on us. Feel the love folks!

In honor of the 20th Anniversary, the Dream Regime, minus the Fairy Podmother, plus the Very Young and Very Cool Bob, pay tribute to all the souls who left us that tragic day. Feel the Love, Folks.

We start Season 8 with the Dream Machine +1 as Bob, our new regular from Chicago and the creator of Waits Waits Don't Tom Me, joins us for a robust discussion about the discombobulated conundrums that surround Tom Waits. We're talking the Trolley Dilemma, Beat Poets, Anthems, Characters in Danger, Jobs I never thought I'd have as a child, "Jitterbug Boy", "Face To The Highway", Dead Heads, Parrot Heads, Confetti Heads and looking good without a shirt. Start the Party!

One from the vault during International Women's Day. Full of pirated surprises and unexpected tracks. Enough said. Step right up and feel the Confetti, folks!

Friend of the Podcast from WWDTM, Bob Kearns steps in to fill the big size 10s of Da Scherm who's MIA. Another raucous conversation ensues until Bill surprises the team with a Hank3 song featuring Tom and the classic guest appearance in 1977 on 'Fernwood Tonight'. Feel the love, folks!  

After a 3 month long hiatus, the Dream Team emerges rested and ready to tackle all things quintessentially Tom and leap into the work of Salvador Dalí, Pythagorus, Aristotle, Schrödinger's Cat and what it's like to be Big in Japan. In the end, they discover nobody loves Nighthawks at the Diner more than Cheryl, and play that classic cut to prove it, along with a cover of Come On Up To The House, Big In Japan, You Can Never Hold Back Spring and Flash Pan Hunter. Feel the Love, folks!

The Dream Regime celebrates the day of Hearts, Candy and Romance by once again digging into stories of heartbreak and Tom Waits' sad love songs. That's right folks, we're talking Astragalus, Verona, inhaling the world and a black flannel negligee. What else can one hope for? Blind Love!

Happy New Year Folks! The guest list grows in 2021 as WWDTM's Bob Kearns joins the Dream Regime yet again for some madcap mayhem, philosophical patter, and to drag old family skeletons out of the cellar. Digging deep into the ramifications of being raised right and the importance of proper automotive maintenance, Cheryl proves to Da Scherm she ain't no Aunt Evelyn... and that's the end of that. 

Just in time for the Holidays, the Dream Regime gets an unexpected call from Tad Gunn on tour in Belarus with fashion tips during the pandemic. Plus friend of the podcast Bruce Barton calls in to join the chat about childhood camps and some favorite Tom Waits campy songs. Happy Holidays folks!

Once again, Bill forgets to put his phone on silence and then...it all begins. With an amazing new cover of "Make It Rain" by Spinifex Gum and the Blind Boys From Alabama version of "Down In The Hole." Feel the Love!

From Uncle Dang to Auntie Em this episode is full of crazy relative stories from the Dream Regime just in time for Thanksgiving. Cemetery Polka, Pontiac, and a great cover of Come On Up To The House by Willie Nelson and Cheryl Crow are in the mix too. Feel the Love, folks!!

That's right folks, this one takes a peak at the similarities between the career of the late great iconic David Bowie and that of our legendary Tom Waits. Happening upon an article that found similarities in their struggles and transcendence, musical influences and love of all things Burroughs, the dream regime once again celebrates with some unusual covers and Bowie's impersonation of Tom. Feel the Love!

Hold on to your hats folks. The dream regime and a surprise caller explore a new podcast that's emerged which defies logic and has caused discombobulation with Waits fans from here to Johnsburg Illinois. Claiming to be the one and only but you be the judge. Feel the love!

Ok diehard Waitsians, fasten your seat belts and get ready for a multi referenced ride with the author of the book on Tom Waits’ album Swordfishtrombones and Host of the annual Tom Waits LA bus tour “Crawling Down Cahuenga.” David Smay joined the dream regime for a jam packed hour+ of mining the WCU (Waits Character Universe). Marvel Schmarvel! This meal is best consumed after reading Smay's stupendous recipe, but is just as delicious before purchase too! Buy this book!

Welcome to Season 7 where the dream regime find themselves full of wonder and hope, like it's their lucky day. It's the usual fare of parallel realities, odd little known facts, the doppler effect and a great cover of Heart Attack and Vine by Screamin Jay Hawkins. Off to work we go! 

Once again the Dream Regime searches for some light down the path, this time exploring all things Fatherhood. That's right folks, all the way from Catfish and Emperor Penguins to Sins of My Father and Altar Boy, this episode spins wide and deep and dark. Feel the love! 

In tribute to the original dramatist, Bill, James, Cheryl and da Scherm explore Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennans' amazing facility with story; since there are only 25 or 7 or is it 36? It's all boy meets girl, girl meets boy and the rest is Greek to us.  Filled with ample joy, laughter, and celebration, and some insights on immaculate conception. Recorded right after Independence Day this one had to incubate for a spell. Enjoy!

Hey Folks, here's one from the archive, an unpublished throwback episode from 2017. It's the 2nd pure improv Bill and James attempted, going up on the wire without a net. Whereas now, improv has become second nature and the way the dream regime rolls, back then it was a different story! Recorded at the same time as the first improv, Bear With Us: The Alien Is On The Spectrum, it's a conversation full of everything from Tom Waits' influence on babies and geriatrics to the shadow effect. Enjoy!

Diving deep into both of the major career pivots from Swordfishtrombones to Bone Machine, this one's for all you truely die-hard Tom Waits' fans out there. Reveling in the powerful spiritual and musical awakening that took place around these iconic records, we also uncover the creative Genius of David Smay's book from the 33 1/3 series on Swordfishtrombones. The joy and laughter explode out of the mics on this one folks so hang on to your hats. You've been warned!

That's right folks, two months of seclusion with hardly any human contact will bring out the big hunt for neurotransmitters in almost anybody. So this week we went in search of a mega DOSE - dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, and came up with the oldest trick in the book to stop Fumblin' With The Blues, Hold On and get Satisfied. Come join this natural chemical cocktail dance party inspired once again by the music of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan. Feel the Love!

Recorded back at the beginning of May on World Laughter Day, Bill, James and Da Scherm honor this holiday in the usual fashion by having a deep philosophical discussion on the nature of time, reality and of course, cornbread. It's one mind-bending hallucinogenic exploration of Time until The Money Runs Out and Da Scherm can finally say, Lord I've Been Changed. Finishing with some of Tom Waits' most hilarious appearances on David Letterman, feel the chuckles, folks! 

This episode is all about feelin' the love and gratitude, remembering and honoring our mothers, the Divine Mother, and of course our very own Fairy Podmother. Featuring a few select covers of Tom Waits' and Kathleen Brennan’s songs by incredible female artists like Joseph, Cibelle and Cat Power. Come On Up To The House and soak in the Sea Of Love, folks! Belated Happy Mothers Day!

Well folks, strategies for slowin the stir crazy is on the menu this week, as we get a glimpse of light at the end of the sheltering. It's time to Hoist That Rag cuz we're gonna get through dark times, we are not gonna end up in Potter's Field. Just a couple of hints at the great Tom Waits tunes featured in this episode. Stay Strong! 

A month of hunkered down sheltering finds Bill and James still whistlin' past the graveyard while Cheryl and da Scherm reminisce about playing Cowboys and Indians.  Along with the usual - Tom Waits iconoclasty, Native American terms of endearment, a mad dream, odd groaner, farewell homage to Bill Withers & John Prine, and the new tribute letter published by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan honoring their dear friend, Saturday Night Live alum, Hal Wilner. Feel the love, folks! 

Welcome to the brave new world folks! As Cheryl laments the plight of medical workers we all roll along the pandemic highway, looking for meaning across empty parkways and the quiet American landscape...except for coyotes, penguins and bears oh my! With another apropos song mix for the sheltered, feel the love folks... from at least 6 feet!

Hey Folks, Sheltered and sequestered the Tin Hat Quartet kept their ongoing social distancing by recording as usual, separated by hundreds of miles, to offer everyone some respite in the midst of the fear, chaos and eery silence with what else but a wonderful spontaneous conversation about Tom Waits' music. It's an hour full of stories, absurdity, dark humor, compassion, and tales from the great toilet paper run. Feel the Madness and the LOVE!

That's right Folks, it was International Women's Day again and the dream regime spent the episode celebrating and honoring the fairer, wiser sex. Playing tracks from the CD, "Come On Up To The House: Women Sing Waits" including ones from Shelby Lynne and Iris Dement, Cheryl, Bill, James and the Scherm wax on about the incredible inspiration, creativity and partnership Kathleen Brennan has brought to Tom Waits music. There's even stripper stories, what's not to like? Feel the love!

That's right folks! It's 2020 and time to wrap up season 5 with our very own Human Guinea Pig, Nashville session crooner Brad Smith, with his take on Tom Waits' best-selling grammy winning Mule Variations. He couldn't wait to get out of the chamber this time and shed the darkness of Bone Machine. Could it be a good sign of things to come? For all you fans out there, or first timers, come check out what our furry little friend has to say about this heralded Masterpiece. Feel the Love!

The Dream Regime dives deep into the rabbit hole of mind control and how Orwellian our technology driven world has become, yikes! We're talking Big Brother, potential 5G thought control, London surveillance, double think, T.S. Elliot, and songs from Tom Waits that predict it all...ok well at least allude to it! Feel the Fun, folks! 

Our first guest of 2020 is on a quest to review every podcast until the end of time, and we were honored to receive a 5 star, 2 Thumbs Up and a Magic Cow rating in his recent episode on Tom Waits podcasts! This lad is doing more than just giving the podcast world great reviews in Andy's Podcaster Podcasting Podcast (yes marketers flip over the title!) where episodes run the gamut from interviews with his family, tips on lemon assimilation to a Russian feud. A brilliant time was had by all, folks!

Mother Machree, folks! We implore you: watch Tom Wait's performance in the Coen Brother's, "The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs" before you listen to this episode. This is not a drill: spoiler alert! We're talkin a high-falutin' romp through a kind of European theatre, exclusive archival interview clips with the legendary Director Peter Brook, and a spontaneous burst of Tom Waits jumping on stage with Mavis Staples. How are you going to keep us down in the hole now that we've been to Des Bouffes du Nord?