How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer

This week we have a very special podcast with Joyce Manor guitarist/vocalist, Barry Johnson whose new Lance Bangs-directed video for "Whatever It Was" is inspired by the "The Great British Bake-Off!," a spin-off of which Vanessa won in real life! Barry talks about growing up in Torrance, California, where his single mom was a bartender. From having childhood birthday parties at the Descendents' favorite Mexican restaurant Alfredo's to pretending to study for tests inside of a video game booth shaped like a car, we learn a lot about what it was like for him growing up in the South Bay. Vanessa also grills Barry on his neck tattoo and learns that it was motivated by peer pressure, Barry talks about his stint as a bartender and we discuss the proper etiquette for trying to get served in a timely fashion. Finally in a round of CHANGE.DORK, we debate the return of Panera's controversial charged lemonades, a skate park in Torrance and—wait for it—is the country ready to come together to change the national anthem to Weezer's "Say It Ain't So"? Regardless of how you land on these issues, make sure you check out Joyce Manor's new album "I Used To Go To This Bar" which comes out on Epitaph Records on January 30th!

This week on the podcast Jonah tells a story that he's been holding onto for over 30 years about calling the cops on a high school party that he wasn't allowed to attend. (If you went to high school with Jonah and ended up getting grounded, he apologizes, but also get over it?) From the humiliation of being rejected from a house party by a power-hungry babysitter to the bittersweet feelings of seeing his classmates take the fall, it's one of those stories where through Jonah's actions, you might just learn a little something about yourself. Vanessa and Jonah also interview each other about their high school experiences from friend groups to study habits and what it was like when Vanessa tried to tutor Jonah for French class. (Spoiler alert: It did not go well since Jonah wouldn't put down his guitar.) Finally in a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA we explore the hottest food trends for 2029 including the rise of comfort cooking, the demise of meat alternatives and the undeniable greatness of the cruciferous vegetable known as cabbage. Bon Appetitt!
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We are thrilled to be joined this week by New Found Glory guitarist, Chad Gilbert! We talk about the time Jonah saw Chad sing for Shai Hulud perform in Cleveland on Chad's very first tour in 1996 when he was only 15 years old and how he had to ask his mom for permission to go on the road with a bunch of young adults. We also discuss what it was like for Chad growing up in South Florida, what it was like representing the hardcore genre while performing on TRL in the early 2000s and what Chad thinks of the state of the scene today. We also get an update on Chad's health, how he found out he was diagnosed with metastatic pheochromocytoma four years ago and the miraculous recovery he's made through his current course of treatment. (Go Chad!) Finally we play a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the return of Starbucks' Eggnog Latte, Jack in The Box's decision to bring back Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks and the upcoming Street Fighter film. More importantly, don't forget to check out New Found Glory's new album "Listen Up!" which comes out on Pure Noise Records on February 20th!

This week on the podcast we are joined by the chef and co-owner of No Comply Foods, Stephen Browning! We delve into the restaurant industry from comping meals to having people post photos of Stephen's food with bad music. (For good music, request the JO-NAH COMPLY playlist next time you're in the restaurant.) We also get into our shared love of skateboarding, from building boards to watching online videos of tricks that are way too dangerous for anyone on this podcast to attempt in real life. Also what's up with Boomers' attachment to crew socks? Don't worry, we're gonna put an entire generation on blast today and absolutely no one can stop us!!! Finally we get into Stephen's first culinary job working at McDonald's as a way to pay court fees as a teenager and find out if he was "lovin' it." Finally we play a round of CHANGE DOT DORK where we debate the merits of all day breakfasts, black olives on sandwiches and should Wendy's bring back their sweet & sour sauce or is sweet chili sauce a worthy substitute? If you're in the Berkshires, be sure to check out No Comply Foods in Great Barrington and tell them that HOW DID WE GET WEIRD? sent you!

For our first ever in-person podcast, this week Jonah and Vanessa are joined by a bonafide musical and pop-culture legend: "Weird Al" Yankovic! Vanessa runs her own song parodies from college by our guest today to get his feedback, we dig deep into the history of Weird Al's favorite cereal and present him with a very special gift. Along the way we also talk about his favorite cartoons from growing up, his tour rider snack situation and what goes through his mind when he's onstage singing his hit song parodies to audiences all over the world. Finally we play a game of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we get everyone's take on the return of mood rings, Pizza Hut's New Yorker pizza and Vienetta Ice Cream. You've heard plenty of interviews with Weird Al before but has anyone else asked him about Black Flag or Kudos bars? Terry Gross look out, we're coming from your job!