Cheap Tracks

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

First introduced to Japan and eventually the world on 1978’s AT BUDOKAN. A fan-favorite rocker that existed for many years as a live album curiosity. Is it a simple story of boy meets girl? And exactly what do any of the lyrics in that bridge mean? Today, we are joined by Pat O'Sullivan as we "Lookout!"

The other self-titled Cheap Trick was released after the alternative explosion of the ‘90s. Is this the band returning to their roots or is this a “snake charmer” record? Or is this simply the band at their most authentic at this place and time? Today, we dig into the meat of the album with "Yeah Yeah."

And welcome to 2024! We'll be celebrating FIFTY years of Cheap Trick over the next twelve months and we kick things off with "Welcome To The World" which opened the band's fifteenth studio release ROCKFORD. By 2006, Cheap Trick was well into its second fresh start to the second half of its career. On the band’s fifthteenth album, the band pays homage to its hometown in the album’s title and launches full speed with the opener “Welcome To The World”. Was this indeed the true start of the 21st Century for Cheap Trick? What’s the key to a great album opener? And what’s the album connection to Rockford? Welcome to the podcast, it’s a better place.  

For their final show of 2023, Chris and Mike look back at ONE of the album closers for 1983's NEXT POSITION PLEASE. Is this a  "produced demo," or is Rick saying something deeper to the record label? Listen, and be prepared to be driven insane!

We travel back to 1994 to explore the lead single off of Cheap Trick's sole Warner Bros. release, WOKE UP WITH A MONSTER, appropriately titled, "Woke Up With A Monster." We explore the song and the era. Is this Cheap Trick's response to the alternative rock movement? Is this really the band's "grunge" record? Is this album just another example of the Cheap Trick curse? What did Beavis and Butthead have to say about it? Tune in and go completely wild!

This week we travel back to 1977 (and back it up a little to 1976) to discuss the smoldering jam, "Cry, Cry" off of the band's 1977 self-titled debut. We also look back at the notable show at the Sunset Bowl in Waukesha, WI where Jack Douglas saw the band for the first time and got them signed to Epic before producing that classic record.

It was Sweet 16 for Cheap Trick in 2009 but little did we all know it would be the last time with the drummer. Today, we visit a song with lots of history, not just in name. It was “classic”, it was “vintage”, it was THE LATEST…time to get ourselves home with “Sick Man of Europe”. We dive into the history baked into the tune with the help of Brian Kramp's massive tome, THIS BAND HAS NO PAST: HOW CHEAP TRICK BECAME CHEAP TRICK, discuss the retrospective nature of THE LATEST, and our adoration for go-go dancers.

This week, we travel back to 1983 via 1996 to do some surgery on "Twisted Heart," a track recorded for the band's 1983 album NEXT POSITION PLEASE that didn't make its way to fan's ears until the SEX, AMERICA, CHEAP TRICK box set. Is NEXT POSITION PLEASE a better album with this darker tune included? What are we blaming the record company for this time around? You better believe me, this is going to be a good one.  

This week we go back to 2006 the album closer to the band’s fifteenth studio album, ROCKFORD, released on the devilish date of  6/6/06, “Decaf,” Is it about drugs? Is it about taking it easy? Or is it just a cup of coffee? 

Cheap Trick played as part of Metro Chicago's 40th anniversary celebration and Chris and Mike were there, in the flesh baby! This week on Cheap Tracks, we review the setlist, the performance, and the Sammy Hagar Beach Bar cocktails!

Tom Werman, the man behind the boards for IN COLOR, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and DREAM POLICE drops by to discuss the barn burner, "Gonna Raise Hell" off of the band's '79 release that sat on a shelf due to the success of BUDOKAN. We get sidetracked discussing "Auf Weidershen," Catacombs in Quincy, IL, George Martin, and so much more!

It's Cheap Trick Day in Illinois and to celebrate, Chris and Mike welcome a very special guest: the Prince Of Rockford, Miles Nielsen. Together, the boys look back on this fan favorite track from 1981's HEAVY METAL soundtrack and get sidetracked by "Borderline," Mr. Penis, Pete Comita, and conversations about growing up with a famous rock 'n' roll dad.  

This week Chris and Mike go all the way back to 1997 via  2017 as we look back on a long-time coming re-recording of a fan-favorite demo, “Radio Lover," the fourth song off the band's 18th release, WE'RE ALL ALRIGHT!  

A late Valentine's gift to you from Mike and Chris as they are joined by Paul Klingberg who was an assistant at Pierce Arrow studios where Cheap Trick recorded their 1982 release, ONE ON ONE. In this episode, the boys look back at "If You Want My Love," the first single off the Roy Thomas Baker-produced album. Is this their best ballad? How good is the extra bridge? Do you like Robin with shorter hair? We ask all the questions on this one.

This week, Chris and Mike look back at Cheap Trick's entry into the '90s with the Richie Zito-produced BUSTED and its title track. Over a decade later is the band still feeling the effects of the Budokan delay? Where did the band fit into the current musical landscape? Exactly what WERE they busted for?

As Chris and Mike look back at the penultimate track off of the band's 1977 release IN COLOR, they're joined by Chris Slusarenko of Portland indie rock darlings Eyelids (and formerly of Guided By Voices) who have a new full-length hitting store shelves on March 10th, the Peter Buck produced A COLOSSAL WASTE OF LIGHT.

Gary Ladinsky was the engineer on Cheap Trick's third studio album, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and today, he's taking Chris and Mike back to 1978 as they dive into "Takin' Me Back," the side two opener to the band's 1978 release. 

Cheap Tracks just got back for season 2 as Mike and Christ return to the band's entry into the '80s, ALL SHOOK UP, as they look back...at "Just Got Back."

It's our season finale as Chris and Mike celebrate the 36th anniversary of the release of THE DOCTOR, the band's ninth studio record released in November of 1986. Why is this song buried on the second side? How does it fare live? And what about that memorable video? We cover it all!