Oingo Boingo Secret Appreciation Society

The new OBSAS series kicks off with Adam from North Dakota, who shares their love of "Private Life," Nightmare Before Christmas, and what got them hooked on Oingo Boingo! Thoughts? Send OBSAS a Text Message! (Please note, we can't respond directly to texts, but we read them all!) Please note: The music and film clips included in this podcast (listed above) fall under the "Fair Use Doctrine" as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of c...

Thoughts? Send OBSAS a Text Message! (Please note, we can't respond directly to texts, but we read them all!) Please note: The music and film clips included in this podcast (listed above) fall under the "Fair Use Doctrine" as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, parody, and education. WEBSITE Oingo Boingo Secret Appreciation Society SUPPORT Buy Us A Coffee! Patreon

Brian Swartz, trumpeter extraordinaire, shares insights and inside-baseball stories with us. You'll learn what it means to play in the pocket, what a "Boingo short" note is, and much more, as jazz expert Brian takes us on a fascinating journey through the ins and outs of playing with Oingo Boingo Former Members. Be sure to check out his website for upcoming shows! Song Clips: "To Be With You," - The Brian Swartz Quartet, To Be With You (2020)Websites: Brian SwartzOingo Boingo Forme...

Take the whole day off with us as we unpack the strange influences of this surreal fairy-tale tune. Plus you'll get to meet our shiny new panelist, Matt McG! Song Clips: "Whole Day Off" - Oingo Boingo, Nothing to Fear (1982)"Whole Day Off" - Oingo Boingo, Farewell (1996)Fan Supplied Content: "Whole Day Off" - Oingo Boingo, Live in Phoenix (1983) Thoughts? Send OBSAS a Text Message! (Please note, we can't respond directly to texts, but we read them all!) Please note: The music and film ...

Relax with the Secret Appreciation Society on a tropical island, because nothing bad ever happens to us - and don’t worry about the mushroom cloud in the distance. We break down this synth-driven tune from the 1983 album Good For Your Soul. Song Clips: "Nothing Bad Ever Happens" - Oingo Boingo, Good For Your Soul (1983)Fan-Supplied Content: "Goodbye-Goodbye" - The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, bootleg demo "Nothing Bad Ever Happens (To Me)" - Oingo Boingo, bootleg demos"Nothi...

Who's going down with the Elevator Man? For that matter, who is the Elevator Man? Join the OBSAS crew as we navigate the ups and downs in this bouncy tune from the 1987 album Boi-Ngo. Song Clips: “The Passion of Wisdom” - Danny Elfman, Wisdom (1986)“Elevator Man” - Oingo Boingo, Boi-Ngo (1987)“Elevator Man” - Oingo Boingo, Boingo Alive (1988)“Face Like A Frog” - Danny Elfman, Music For A Darkened Theatre Vol. 1 (1990)Fan-Supplied Content: “Goodbye-Goodbye” - The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Bo...

How many times in a row can lightning strike? Three times? (Or is it four?) Come help us count the holes! Listen for the layered meanings and the Devil's tritone embedded in this classic tune from the 1984 Danny Elfman album So-Lo. Song Clips: “Lightning” - Danny Elfman, So-Lo (1984)Fan-Supplied Content: “Goodbye-Goodbye” - The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, bootleg demo “Lightning” - Oingo Boingo, bootleg demos“Lightning” - Oingo Boingo, The Palace, Los Angeles, CA, 4-28-1985...

Charlie! Turn on the lights, Charlie! If you’ve ever watched an Oingo Boingo concert, purchased an Oingo Boingo t-shirt, or coveted a copy of the Demo EP, you have Charlie Unkeless to thank. Charlie has been with Oingo Boingo going all the way back to the Mystic Knights days, and has seen and heard it all. In this episode, we get to hear a few of his stories. Trust us. You are not going to want to miss this episode. Fan-Supplied Content: “Goodbye-Goodbye” - The Mystic Knights of the O...

We are back!!! And we kick off our return with the title track to Oingo Boingo’s 1983 album, Good For Your Soul. Join us as we examine Good For Your Soul's universally relatable themes, pick apart the various layers of synthesized goodness, and analyze the song’s progression over the years. Trust us just once or twice. This episode will be Good For Your Soul. Song Clips: “Good For Your Soul” - Oingo Boingo, Good For Your Soul (1983)“Good For Your Soul” - Oingo Boingo Former ...

We’ve got you covered! We ring in the new year by covering ten songs that Oingo Boingo covered over the years: Minnie The Moocher, Violent Love, California Girls, You Really Got Me, Monster Mash, Rawhide, Heard It Through The Grapevine, Sunshine of Your Love, I Am The Walrus, and Open Eyes. That should cover it! Song Clips: “Minnie The Moocher” - Cab Calloway, Minnie The Moocher (1931)“Violent Love” - Willie Dixon, Violent Love (1951)“Auld Lang Syne” - Guy Lombardo, Auld Lang Syne (1953)“The ...

Let’s have a party! There’s a full moon in the sky! Join us as we sing the praises of one of Oingo Boingo’s gleefully macabre songs from 1985, No One Lives Forever. We explore the moral philosophy of mortality, examine genre influences, and discover a new OBSAS drinking game. Let’s drink to bones that turn to dust! Song Clips: “No One Lives Forever” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985)“No One Lives Forever” - Oingo Boingo, Boingo Alive (1988)“Main Titles” - Danny Elfman, Beetlejuice - O...

It’s all in the name of science… Weird Science. Join us as we examine the magic and technology of Oingo Boingo’s hit song from 1985, Weird Science. We review the John Hughes film, explore the bits and pieces that make up the song, and navigate the diagrams and charts of the music video. Let’s shoot from the hip and discover just what is behind those bolted doors! Song Clips: “Weird Science” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985)“Weird Science” - Oingo Boingo Former Members, Still Al...

We’ve been Waiting For You! Join us as we dig deep into Oingo Boingo’s archives with two unreleased songs from 1983's Good For Your Soul recording sessions: Waiting For You and Into The Fire (previously known as All The Pieces). We explore the themes of toxic behavior, debate a polarizing misheard lyric (is it oven or other?!?), and look at the differences among the different versions. Let’s jump Into The Fire! Song Clips: “Just Another Day” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985) Fan-Supplie...

Let’s rattle the bones of the skeletons in our closets! Join us as we peek through the window shades into Oingo Boingo’s 1982 song, Private Life. We discuss Boingo’s recurring theme of alienation, uncover a mystery about the Nothing To Fear recording sessions, and explore Richard Elfman’s music video for the song.Plus, Brendan McCreary is back to share his thoughts on Private Life. Come and get us out of here! Song Clips: “I Feel Fine” - The Beatles, Beatles ‘65 (1964)“Private Life” - Oingo ...

Brendan McCreary shares his experiences as the dynamic frontman for Oingo Boingo Former Members! Hear how being a Boingo fan helped shape his music career, why Oingo Boingo has such a dedicated fan base, and find out what runs through his mind while he's on stage belting out our favorite Boingo tunes. Learn all this and more from Brendan! Song Clips: “The Show Must Go On” - The All-Star "Show Must Go On" Band, The Show Must Go On: A Tribute to Freddie Mercury (2011)“This Game’s...

Come play more games with us! We discuss Danny Elfman’s upcoming "From BOINGO to BATMAN to BIG MESS and BEYOND” shows, introduce DJ’s Playlist (a new Boingo-themed party game), and take another stab at Bits and Pieces. Just like a chess game… but so intense! Song Clips: “Why’d We Come” - Oingo Boingo, Nothing To Fear (1982) “Dead Man’s Party” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985) “Weird Science” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985) Fan-Supplied Content: “Goodb...

Let’s all Sweat together! Take a ride with us on the hot and dusty journey that is Sweat. We discuss the countrified rendition of the song, compare various live performances from over the years, and learn what a Sluggorian Chant is. Plus, Johnny “Vatos” Hernandez is back to share his thoughts on Sweat. It ain’t nice! Song Clips: “Sweat” - Oingo Boingo, Good For Your Soul (1983) “Sweat” - Oingo Boingo, Boingo Alive (1988) “Country Sweat” - Oingo Boingo, Boingo Alive (1988) F...

I am the virus; are you the cure? We cut open the sacred heart of “Insanity” and tear it all to shreds. Join us as we expose it all - the villainy, the creeping madness, and the faith-healing puppets. Plus, special guest Johnny “Vatos” Hernandez returns to share his insider’s insights. Song Clips: “Batman Main Titles” - Danny Elfman, Batman Original Motion Picture Score (1989)“Meat For The Beast” - Danny Elfman, Nightbreed Original Motion Picture Score (1990) “Insanity” - Oi...

Welcome to our little world of Pain! Is the world of pain a safe space where you can relieve your burdens, or is it a sinister cult waiting to suck you in? And what is the hidden connection between Pain and The Lion King? Come soak it up with us as we explore the song Pain from the 1987 album Boi-Ngo. Song Clips: “Same Man I Was Before” - Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1985) “Pain - Extended Dance Mix” - Oingo Boingo, Pain 12” Single (1986) “Pain - A Capella Version” -...

Is there anybody in there? Are we getting through to you? In this episode, the OBSAS crew reveals various interpretations, personal stories, and a musical breakdown as they peel away the many layers of the 1990 song, Skin. Join us as we look below for hidden treasure. Song Clips: “Is There Anybody Out There” - Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979) “It Only Makes Me Laugh” - Danny Elfman, So-Lo (1984) “Skin” - Oingo Boingo, Dark At The End Of The Tunnel (1990)“Country Skin” - Michael St...